"I Grew Up Thinking Religion Was Ridiculous"

Five months before their marriage, Karen Meek's fiancé told her that he was becoming a Muslim. Ms. Meek, an atheist, was taken aback. "I thought he was being brainwashed into something," she said. "All of a sudden he stopped drinking alcohol. He wanted to pray everyday. He stopped eating pork." 

For months, Eric Meek, a lapsed Baptist, had studied Islam without telling her. Now, when he went to work, Ms. Meek poured over his books and videos, trying to understand his faith. She never expected to be attracted to Islam. 

"I grew up thinking religion was ridiculous," said Ms. Meek, 33, of Lewisville. "I didn't believe in God. I had no idea how the universe was created and, frankly, didn't care." 

She said Islam had a logic to it that she couldn't resist.

"Coming from an atheist background, I had an easier time accepting Islam than a Christian because I didn't have to unlearn or give up any beliefs," she said. After getting married, she prayed for the first time while her husband was at work. She learned how from a book. "Until this point, I had done everything privately, without telling him," she said. "I did not want to join a religion just because he did. I wanted to discover it on my own." 

She and her husband began meeting with other Muslims to study the Quran, the Book of Islam. Eventually, she made her profession of faith. Her choice of religion stunned her parents. 

"One day she came wearing a scarf and a dress down to her ankles," said her father, Ray Allred of Carrollton. "I was shocked." He said he was estranged from his daughter for a time because of her religion. They're close now, though he fears for her safety since the September 11 terrorist attacks. 

"You want to love your child, but when they do something so foreign to you, it's very difficult," he said. "I'd give anything if she hadn't adopted this religion." Those comments were echoed by Jane Barrett of Flower Mound, who's Ms. Meek's mother. She said she especially dislikes the hijab, or head covering, that her daughter wears. 

"Karen is such a pretty girl with beautiful hair," she said. 

Ms. Meek said she understands. After becoming a Muslim, it took her many months to adopt Islamic dress. 

"I would wear the hijab places where people didn't know me," she said and laughed. Now, she wears it all the time - even to work, where she is an accounting clerk for a restaurant chain. 

She said embracing Islam has caused her to see life in a new way. 

"Going from not believing in God to believing in God is amazing," she said. "Islam opened my eyes to so many things I had taken for granted, mostly that life is a gift."

Are We All Guilty Of Committing Shirk?

Sitting comfortably, cuddled in my blanket, I was reading 'The Fundamentals of Tawheed' written by Dr. Bilal Philips, when I came across the following paragraphs:

"Einstein's theory of relativity (E=mc² , energy is equal to mass times the square of the speed of light) taught in all schools, is in fact an expression of shirk in Al-Asmaa' was-Sifat. The theory states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it merely transforms into matter and vice versa. However, both matter and energy are created entities and both will be destroyed..."

"... The theory also implies that mass and energy are eternal having no beginning or end since they are supposed to be uncreated and transformed into each other. However, this attribute belongs only to Allah who alone is without beginning or end."

These paragraphs really set me thinking. These scientific concepts are being taught to us since Grade seven or earlier and onwards.Are we all guilty of committing shirk?  Is there anything we can do about it? Should schools, at least the Islamic ones, exclude these topics from the syllabus? Or can we add the explanation similar to the one of Dr Bilal Philip's to make our future generation more aware?

Have your say in the matter in the comments below...

Tafseer Surah al Ikhlas (112)

Introduction:

It was also the practice of Allah's Messenger to recite Surah Kafirūn and Surah al Ikhlas in the prayers.

Relationship between Surah al Ikhlas and Surah al Kafirūn:
~At the end of Surah Kafirūn, it is sated that the disbelievers have their own religion, and Allah's Messenger has his own religion, although they seemingly were similar in beliefs and practice, then comes Surah al-Ikhlas to present the pure concept of Tawheed, that the disbelievers rejected to accept.
~Surah Kafirūn begins with Qul [Say!], and Surah Ikhlas begins with Qul (say).
~ Same Nicknames: Al Muqashqishatayn - that which remove kufr

A few other names of surah al Ikhlas:
1 - Surah at-Tafreed - Fard [Individual] - that Allah is Unique, with none is like Him.
2 - Surah at-Tajreed – it removes all false misconceptions about Allah.
3 - Surah at-Tawheed – it unifies all of Allah's attributes. Allah is the One.
4 - Surah al Ma'rifah – if you do not know this surah, you do not really recognize Allah.
5 - Surah as-Samad - this word is exclusively used in this surah of the Qur'an.

Hadith : 

(Surely, for everything is light, and the light of the Qur'an is قل هو الله أحد (

Allah's Messenger said about Surah al Baqarah; “ for everything there is a peak, and the peak of the Qur'an is Surah al-Baqarah.”

 It is an amazing gift, because this surah of the Qur'an is one of the shortest Surahs, yet it is the Light of the Qur'an. 

The polytheists Arabs would use the word Allah for God, but they associated with Him another being. So when Allah's Messenger came with the correct teachings on who Allah was, the polytheists were confused. They started questioning Muhammad:
“Describe for us your Lord.' They would say.
“What’s his lineage?
A polytheist once came to Allah's Messenger and said; everything was created by Allah, then who created Allah?

The Sahabahs' Love for Surah al Ikhlas and its Virtues:

`A'ishah said, "The Prophet sent a man as the commander of war expedition and he used to lead his companions in prayer, and he would complete his recitation with the recitation of `Say: He is Allah, One.' So when they returned they mentioned that to the Prophet and he said, (Ask him why he does that.) they asked him and he said, `Because it is the description of Ar-Rahman and I love to recite it. So the Prophet said, (Inform him that Allah the Most High loves him.)'' ^[1]

A Hadith that mentions this Surah is equivalent to a Third of the Qur'an

Al-Bukhari recorded from Abu Sa`id that a man heard another man reciting [قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ] (Say: "He is Allah, One.'') And he was repeating over and over. In morning came, the man went to the Prophet and mentioned that to him, and it was as though he was belittling it. The Prophet said, (By He in Whose Hand is my soul; verily it is equivalent to a third of the Qur'an.)

Another Hadith Al-Bukhari recorded from Abu Sa`id, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah said to his Companions, (Is one of you not able to recite a third of the Qur'an in a single night) This was something that was difficult for them and they said, "Which of us is able to do that, O Messenger of Allah'' he replied, ("Allah is the One, As-Samad'' is a third of the Qur'an.)

1: أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ هُوَ قُلْ:  Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One.
 Command to the Messenger to:
1 - Learn for himself.
2 - Teach it to others.
Message of Tawheed, is connected to Da'wah (inviting to Islam).
He: A pronoun used to indicate that they knew who He is that is spoken about.
It is also a reply to the people who asked Allah's Messenger who his god was. So Allah is answering that He is Allah, the One.
أحد - One
The difference between Wahid and Ahad:
1 - Ahad is used exclusively in the Negative sense only.
2 - Wahid is used in the Positive sense only.
However, we notice that Allah uses the word Ahad to describe Himself.
This is strange, because Ahad is usually used in the negative. This Ahad is used to show that there is a uniqueness of the usage of this word when describing Allah in the positive sense instead of the negative. The implication is to affirm His Oneness, and tell that none is similar to Him in that Oneness.
Ahad is a separate word which implies; that One cannot have any comparison, a sole unique entity who does not have an equal or competitor in any way. He does not have a 2nd or affiliate.
So Ahad is different from Wahid.
The people of other religions believe in God as One (Wahid), but they always make the mistake of giving Him attributes of the creation. It is only when you disassociate Allah's attributes from similarity to the creation that you can believe Allah is Ahad.
The main theme of this surah is that Allah is Unique in His Oneness.
Ahad is a name which is unshared. All His names in this Surah are unshared.

Use these 3 steps for any of Allah's attributes, and we see how Allah is unique in His attributes of Perfection." ليس كمثله شيء وهو السميع العليم there is no similarity to Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.[2]" 
This is what Bilal bin Rabbah got tortured for, and he would continuously say "Ahadun Ahad".

2:  :الله الصمدAllah is He on Whom all depend.

This ayah emphasizes what has been mentioned in the first ayah.
1 - As-Samad - the one who is enough, whenever they turn to Him, He fulfills and answers all their needs.
2 - The One who is not in need of anyone, and he is always above them, none can overpower him or be above him in status or any attribute.
3 - The One who is free from faults.
4 - He is the Everlasting.
 
3 -لم يلد ولم يولد : He did not give birth, nor was He fathered.
Lam - past tense negation
Lan - future tense Negation.
Lam is used - Past tense removes all forms of birth associated to Allah in the past,
and all these ideas of Allah having daughters who are angels (as the polytheists said), or that He has sons [Jesus, or Ezra] (as Christians and some Jewish sects in Medinah said) - removes their false claims.
Removal of past tense doubts removes all doubts - because the present doubts we have today have been repeated throughout history, so even if someone claims Allah has a son today - this had already been said in the past. So Allah has refuted such a claim by saying that it has never happened
- He has never had a son.
Having a son implies he will have an equal, and that is not possible for Allah.
Allah says; [He is] Originator of the heavens and the earth.  How  could  He  have  a  son  when  He does  not  have  a  companion [sahibah]  and  He  created  all  things?  And He is, of all things, Knowing. [al An'am 6:101]
One word for wife is Sahibah, and another word is Kufuw. And this word is mentioned in ayah 4 of this Surah.
Allah does not share attributes with His creation. If you are born - you had a beginning. This means you are not eternal, so you are not Divine/God.

4 - أَحَدٌ كُفُوًا لَّهُ يكن لَمْ وَ:: and nor was there to Him any equivalent.
Kufuw – (partner), it can also be (equal opposition in battle). Someone who is equal to you in rank, compatible with you, similar in your level. This is why it is used for marriage partners.
So Allah is saying He had no Kufuw - equal in His Ahadiyah (Uniqueness).

In Normal Arabic Grammar Sentence: - wa lam ya kun ahadun kufuwwan lahu (and there is not any equivalent to Him). This is the grammatically normal sequence. The normal grammatical sentence would have placed Allah in the end. But Allah switches the normal phrase, and instead mentions Himself first, showing specificness. There is none (For Him) an equal competitor (kufuw) ahad - anyone.
Ahad is awwal - the One for whom there is no 2nd. And the One who is First.
He has no counterpart; there is none higher than Him. Yet everything of the creation has an equal competitor or one better than him, but there is none competing with Allah in His Uniqueness.

The first part of the surah shows Allah's Oneness.
The second part of surah shows Allah's grace and Mercy upon us.
The third ayah shows that Allah is free from weakness.

---

[1] This is how Al-Bukhari recorded this Hadith in his Book of Tawhid. Muslim and An-Nasa'i also recorded it.

[2] [Ash-Shura 42:11]

"I Had No Choice In The Matter"

Disclaimer: This article has been taken from www.thetruecall.com

"And such as Allah doth guide there can be none to lead astray. Is not Allah Exalted in Power, (Able to enforce His Will), Lord of Retribution?” 

[The Noble Qur'an: Chapter 39, Verse 37]

She was a thoroughly modern young Australian woman - successful in her business and social life, enjoying the close ties of parents and siblings. So who would suspect that it was the destiny of such a young woman to become Muslim?

Her very first sign of interest in Islam was quite early in her adult life when she purchased a book about Islam from a Christian bookshop in Sydney. "Did that lead you in some way to Islam?" we asked. "Well, actually, I bought it but I never did read it," she replied. We wondered whether, in fact, the book had been pro or anti Islam, but that was never fated to be an issue.

Her life continued on very pleasantly, and among her friends was a young Jewish woman. They had a close relationship with the exchanging of gifts on Christian and Jewish religious festivals. Religion was never an issue, nor was it ever anticipated that it would be.

The second remembered step towards Islam was when she met a young Armenian Orthodox Christian man. "Oh, you would have met Muslims then!" she greeted. "Muslims! Muslims! I hate Muslims!" he vehemently stated. "Oh dear," she thought. "Why do you hate Muslims then?" she asked him. "I don't know," he said, "I just do!" This was to lead to a further step in her journey to Islam, for she was amazed that a person, or persons, could have such hatred without realizing why it was so. Perhaps this was the factor which made her wish to know more.

Her work took her to many towns and cities, and as she travelled she listened to the radio. One day she had tuned to 2FC and found that there was a series entitled "The World of Islam," being broadcast. She was so impressed by what was being said that she stopped and took down notes. To this day she says that it was very well produced and that everything which was said, was correct.

Her life went on as usual until about twelve months later when she was driving through Lakemba in Sydney, and saw the Mosque standing there. "A Mosque!" she mused. Suddenly, applying the brakes, she turned. Parking in front, she boldly walked up the steps and through the main entrance. "Hello," she addressed one of the brothers, "What's your religion about?" She now smiles as she remembers how religiously naive she was at that time.

She was given a Quran and some pamphlets, and told that she had really come to the wrong entrance and that there was a Ladies' association down the road. This she took in good part, and eventually, when she returned, she was introduced to some sisters, and week by week she attended classes in religious education.

She smilingly recalls that she used to wear Fire-Engine red lipstick to these classes, and gradually, with increase in knowledge and the help of one of our sisters, became aware that this was really not part of the Islamic code.

Week by week she came and learned, and when it came to the profession of faith, she thought, "Ah! I only have to believe that Allah is the only God and that Muhammad is His Messenger. I believe that already. I am, therefore, a Muslim." Saying nothing to her Muslim sisters, she kept attending. One day, one of the sisters said to her, "Have you ever thought of becoming Muslim?" "Oh," replied our new sister, "I am a Muslim already!" Thus it was that she was told how profession of Islam, the Shahadah, should take place in front of two or more witnesses. Quite nonchalantly she said, "Oh, alright then."

Strangely, as she repeated slowly the words in Arabic (followed by the words in English), which gave the witness; and for the first time, seeing the Sheikh in his turban and flowing robes, she became aware of the seriousness of her decision. "It was as sacred as if I had been married," she told us. The next weekend, when she saw her parents, without any warning she told them that she had converted to Islam. Although shocked, they accepted that this was her decision. In fact, as she described the comparison between Christianity and Islam, her mother said, "Oh, then I have really been a Muslim always." Both parents were influenced to study Islam, her father even attending University classes on the subject.

As for her Jewish friend - she could never quite accept that Islam had claimed Janet, and although both tried to continue the friendship, they found that Zionism was too strongly opposed to an Islamic stand.

Actually, all were amazed, for during these many weeks of studies, she did not think to mention her interest in Islam at all, thereby stunning most who knew her. Today she feels that had she done so, they may have tried to deter her, and perhaps, just perhaps, she may have, in her lack of knowledge, been influenced. Therefore, she says, "It was my fate to be Muslim and I was not to be deterred. Really, I had no choice in the matter, it was my destiny to be Muslim."

Note: Those who know Janet are happy to tell you that she has, over the years, continued on the Straight Pathway of Allah. She has worked hard in the field of daawah and women’s issues. She has been blessed and is a blessing.- Ed.

Tafseer Sūrah al-Falaq (113)

Evil is of two types:

1). Evil of Shyṭān and evil of the sins that man commits.

2). Harmful evil of man’s surroundings.

Seeking Allāh’s refuge against evil is of two types:

1)       Bringing benefit

2)       Avoiding harm

The best request of man from Allah for this worldly life is: forgiveness of the sins and dying as a believer. And the best request for the Hereafter is: getting admitted to Jannah and secured of the disgracefulness before all creation on Day of Judgment. Allāh says;

“Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller [i.e., Muhammad] calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord’, and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous. Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your Messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise.” ^[1]

 And, the Prophet says;

“And we seek refuge in Allāh from the evils of ourselves and from the evils of our deeds.”

The evils are of two origins; one is from oneself and the other is from Shayṭān, while the effect of those evils may be: upon oneself and upon the Muslims in general; the Prophet said,

“O Allāh, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the invisible and the visible, Lord and Sovereign of all things, I testify that there is no god but You, I seek refuge in You from the evil of myself and the evil of Shayṭān and his shirk, and I [seek refuge in You] from bringing evil to myself or to a Muslim.”

Al-Falaq literally means: to split, to break, produce or create. In this Surah: [al-Falaq] is referring to the cleaving of the daybreak. The message conveyed here is that seeking Allāh’s refuge sincerely against all kinds of evil will certainly be answered.

We believe that Allāh is the Creator of good and evil, and that His deeds and attributes are free from evil. There are certain created things that are mere good though, such as; Jannah, the angels and the messengers of Allāh. Every creature is created for something good, even though there is an evil side in it, yet it is intended for something good. Evil is only attributed to the creatures, not the Creator.

Al-Ghāsiq has more than one meaning.

Ibn ‘Abbās said, “Al-ghāsiq is the night when it comes with its darkness and envelops everything.” From the Qur’an, Allah says, “Establish prayers at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night.” ^[2]

The other meaning is coldness. Ibn `Abbās said, “It is the severe frost [or bitter cold] that will burn them as will the Fire do with its intense heat.”

Ghassāqa means the purulence that will come from the bodies of the inhabitants of Hell, which will be their drink: See (Sūrah Ṣād 38: 57) and (Sūrah an-Naba’ 78: 24- 25).

The Prophet said; “when the sun sets the devils disperse, so turn in your children and tie up your cattle until the darkness of `ishā disappears.”

The devils place themselves over the black hearts. Allāh says;

 “Allāh is the ally [I.e., supporter] of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into the light. And those who disbelieve their allies are tāghūt. They take them out of the light into darkness.” ^[3]

Blowing on the knots stands for the evil of the magicians. They seek the assistance of a shaytān to harm their target by Allāh’s permission.

Jibrīl came to see the Prophet when he was sick because of envy, and made ruqyah for him;

“In the name of Allāh, I treat you against everything which harms you and against the evil of every being or envious eye. May Allāh heal you. In the name of Allāh I treat you.” ^[4]

The Prophet said, “Avoid the seven major sins; shirk [i.e., associating a partner to Allāh], [practicing] magic, killing a soul unjustly that Allāh has forbidden, devouring interest, eating the orphan’s property, fleeing from the enemy in the battlefield, and slandering the simple chaste Muslim woman with unchastity.”

Al-ḥasad means to feel unhappy at seeing another person being favored by Allah with certain blessings. The envier would wish that those blessings would be given to him instead or at least that that person should be deprived of them.

The envier may be from among the men or the Jinn.

The envier does not harm the envied by his hand or tongue, but by his eye and evil spirit. He is not called an envier unless he uses his mind and heart together with his eye to intend the harm against the envied. This happens only in case the envied did not seek Allāh’s protection; by reciting al-Mu`awwadhatayn.

Immunity against envy can be achieved by:

1.      Seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of the envier.

2.      Putting one’s trust in Allah.

3.      Having patience over what the envier says or does.

4.      Freeing one’s mind and disregarding the evil of the envier.

5.      Becoming benevolent to the envier and treating him well.

6.      Relying on Allah for recovery.

7.      Repenting to Allah sincerely from all sins.

8.      Giving charity and spending in the cause of Allah.

9.      Fearing Allah and drawing closer to Him.

10.  Remaining steadfast to the doctrine of monotheism.

---

[1] (Ᾱl-`Imrān 3: 193-194)

[2] (al-Isrā’ 17: 78)

[3] (al-Baqarah 2: 257)

[4] (Muslim)

"Why Should Jesus Die For My Sins?"

As a child, Jennifer Harrell attended church and Sunday school. In high school, she was on the drill team and dated a football player. After college, she became a Methodist youth minister.

At age 23, she became a single parent.

At age 26, she became a Muslim!

"I grew up in Plano doing all the things I thought I was supposed to do," said Ms. Harrell, 29, of Dallas. "I went to church. I went to parties. But I wasn't concerned about heaven or hell. I took it all for granted."

Eventually, she took a job in sales, where she was introduced to Islam by Muslim co-workers. One of them loved to debate religion, which stirred Ms. Harrell to rethink her Christian faith.

She studied the Bible, but also Islam in order to do a better job of defending her faith. Instead, she became intrigued that Muslims prayed five times a day, fasted and gave alms as a way of life.

"I wasn't the type of Christian who prayed every morning," she confessed.

She said Muslim beliefs about Jesus made more sense to her because they revere him as a Prophet and not God's son.

"When I was a Christian, I never understood why Jesus had to die for my sins," Ms. Harrell said. "I mean, they're my sins."

Her first visit to a mosque was memorable.

"I was the furthest thing from what they expected," she said. "Here were all these Arab and Pakistani women, and there I was, a typical Texas girl with blond hair and blue eyes wearing makeup, lipstick and nail polish."

Nobody flinched.

"They looked at me with an understanding that said, 'Finally, somebody has opened her eyes,' " she said.

Before becoming a Muslim, she visited a Christian minister. She said she asked why Christians ate pork, why women didn't cover their heads in church, and why Christians dated.

"I wanted him to defend the Bible," she said. "I gave him everything that I had found wrong with Christian interpretation."

His answers didn't satisfy her.

One day while on her way to the mosque to pray, Ms. Harrell decided to make the Shahada, or profession of faith: "There is no God but Allah and Muhammed is His Prophet."

Bill Harrell said he knew his daughter had been considering Islam. "I've always encouraged my children to explore and test their beliefs," he said.

Three years later, Ms. Harrell is still a Muslim and teaches at an Episcopal school. She doesn't pray or wear the Muslim head covering known as hijab at work, though she said, "I know it's my duty."

Becoming a Muslim, she said, was the most important decision she's ever made - not just for herself but for her daughter.

"Islam affects every aspect of your life," she said. "It changed my goal from living in the moment to living with the intent of heaven."

Pray Before Prayers Are Said For You

This is a must-watch video for us all!

A Sikh Girl's Conversion Story

Below is the story of Sister Zainab, a Sikh girl, who was guided to the straight path with a little help from her best friend, and a miracle from Allah (S.W.T.).

"As I was getting older, in my teenage years, my dad always made me believe that all Muslims are bad people. They can't be trusted. The Muslim boys influence Sikh girls and take them to Pakistan and sell them there. 

"But I always thought differently. To me everyone was always equal dispite the fact what religion they were. I never chose my friends by religion. 

"Eventually I went to university where I met my best friend. She was the nicest Muslim I had ever known. She was religious and wore a Hijab. It made me think how all Muslims can be bad if she's so nice. Although we were very different, we became very close. I used to go out, dress differently, do all the bad things you do when you're young. I never did those things when she was visiting me. 

"I also became close friends with a Muslim boy. Eventually we began dating. It became serious but I always knew when I move back home I had to leave him and marry a Sikh man.

"He taught me how to read the 'Kalima'. He wasn't a religious Muslim (as you can tell) so he never taught me anything else about Islam other than reciting the Kalima. Where I was living I used to go pass a Mosque everyday and for some strange reason the Kalima used to come into my mind.

"Time went on. I lost contact with my best friend. She got married and had problems. Then this strange thing happened one night. I was sitting alone in my university flat and I noticed something on my hand. It looked like an 'Allah' sign on my hand visible through my veins. I didn't think much of it, and told my boyfriend but he just got freaked out. Then we forgot about it.

"Eventually I moved back home, but I was very unhappy. I thought it was because I was away from my friends and my boyfriend. I visited them every month. I got in touch with my best friend again in 2006 and I showed her my hand. She was very surprised but we didn't talk about it then.

"I tried to fit in with my family. I wasn't interested in marriage which my parents started saying constantly, as I was still in love with my boyfrined. I tried my best to be happy but I just couldn't. My parents didn't really understand. 

Then one day, I was very distressed. I went to visit my best friend. We talked and then she said, "Why don't you just pray like you normally do and ask God to lead you to your right path?" 

"That night I dreamt about the 'Kabah Sharif' and I knew then, that I wanted to become a Muslim.

"I was very confused for a while. Excited but then unhappy because I would have to leave my family. I was happy because I thought I could then also marry my boyfriend and we can learn about Islam together. 

"Time went on. Me and my boyfriend broke up. But I still wanted to become a Muslim. Day by day I hated not being able to learn about Islam at home. I wanted to learn how to perform Salah.

"Eventually I left home without telling my parents, I didn't tell them at first that I had reverted. They forgave me and I visited them a few times. They had suspicion because I changed myself and the way I dressed. I hadn't actually started wearing a Hijab yet, but I had been advised and I believed that every step should be taken slowly. I did not want to wear it and take it off. I wanted to wear it and not ever take it off.

"My parents now know that I am a Muslim and they do not talk to me anymore. I have a strong Iman and I believe that InshaAllah one day they will be Muslims.

"I shall be visiting Pakistan in September InshaAllah. I cannot wait. I will be wearing an Abaya and Niqaab for the first time InshaAllah.

"Anyway, I want to write a book eventually of my story in depth and how I felt through this journey. This is just a brief summary. I am trying to get a clear picture of my hand and hopefully I will show you one day.

Allah Hafiz 

Zainab"

Since writing this story, Sister Zainab has told that her father now rings her from time to time and she has started wearing a hijab

Turn To Allah Before You Return To Allah

This is the story of Malik Ibn Dinar, Imam (scholar) in the days that followed the death of the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.). He used to cry all night and ask Allah, 'My Lord, you are the only one who knows who is going to Jannah (Heaven) and who is going to Nar (Hell). Which way am I going? My dear Lord, make me of those who go to Jannah!'

"I used to be so disobedient to Allah, drinking wine, mistreating people, deal with Reba (Usury), hit people, I used to do every sin to the point I was avoided by people. One day I felt like getting married as I longed for a baby to hold and care for. So I married and I was given a little girl whom I called Fatima. I loved the little girl so much that I started to have back my Eman (Faith) in Allah slowly. I started to move away from my bad deeds as days went by, Fatima was only two years of age when she pushed a glass of wine I was going to drink on purpose, as if Allah commissioned her to do so. The older Fatima got the closer I got to Allah and the further away I stayed from bad deeds. When Fatima turned three she died, so I changed completely into a monster, much worse than I was ever before. I did not have the patience that faithful people have to make me cope with the pain. Shaytaan was playing with me like a toy and was telling me what to do. One day Shaytan came to me and told me, "Tonight you will drink like you have never done before!" So I started drinking and drinking till I started seeing things and I fell into deep dreams. I then entered into Roaya (a dream that is from Allah, bad dreams are from Shaytan). I started to see the day of resurrection, the sun became dark, the seas are made of fire and Earth was shaken by massive quakes. People started to gather from every direction walking in groups and I was amongst them. Suddenly I started hearing voices calling a person by his name and then I saw a person being dragged by two angels and his face turned black from fear. I heard my name being called, "Malik Ibn Dinar, Come forward to appear in front of Allah Al Jabbar (the Almighty)." Suddenly All the people disappeared as if no one was being questioned but me. Then I saw a huge strong snake coming towards me with its mouth open, so I started running away from it. It kept following me. Then I saw an old man, very weak and sad, so I asked him to help me, save me from this snake. He replied, "Son, I am too weak to help you, but if you run this way you might be saved." I started running in the way he pointed, but I found the sea of fire in front of me. So I started thinking, 'Should I run away from a snake into the fire?' I decided to go back although the snake was still coming in my direction until I reached the old man again. I told him, "I ask you in the name of Allah to help me out of this situation." The old man cried and said, "I am so weak as you can see, I can't help you, but if you run towards that mountain you might be saved." So I went towards the mountain, the snake was close it almost snatched me. When I got to the mountain I saw many children, they started yelling, "Fatima, get your dad, get your dad!" I was happy to see my daughter Fatima who died at three years of age coming to save me. She took me with her right hand and pushed the snake with her left hand. I was like a dead person; barely moving from fear. Fatima then sat in my lap like she did in real life and she said to me, "Dad, is not the time ripe for the hearts of those who believe to submit to Allah's reminder?" (16) Al-Hadid

"I then asked Fatima about the snake, she said, "It's your bad deed. You looked after it and it grew this big and it's killing you. Didin't you know that deeds will be shaped in bodies in the day of Judgment?" I then asked her about the old man. Fatima said, "It's your good deed. You ignored it and made it so weak, it cried for you as it could not help you. If it wasn't for you having me and me dying little, no one would have been here to help you!"

"I then woke up from my dream screaming, 'Yes Allah it is time... it is time!' So I got up, washed myself and made Ablution, then headed for the Masjid to pray Alfajr (Dawn) prayer. When I got to the Masjid the Imam was reading the same Aya ( verse).

"Is not the time ripe for the hearts of those who believe to submit to Allah's reminder?' (16) Al-Hadid."

He Prayed, She Watched...

Her name was Cassie. She was just 23 years old and out of nursing school. Her first job was the home of an aged Muslim man.

What happened next is so amazing and wonderful - beyond any story - it just makes you love being a believer in the One God - Allah!

"My name is Cassie, I am 23 years old. I graduated as a qualified nurse this year and was given my first position as a home nurse. My patient was an English gentleman in his early 80s who suffered from Alzheimer’s. In the first meeting I was given the patient’s record and from it could see that he was a convert to the religion of Islam, therefore he was a Muslim. I knew from this that I would need to take into account some modes of treatment that my go against his faith, and therefore try to adapt my care to meet his needs. I brought in some ‘halal’ meat to cook for him and ensured that there was no pork or alcohol in the premises as I did some research which showed that these were forbidden in Islam.

"My patient was at a very advanced stage of his condition so a lot of my colleagues could not understand why I was going through so much effort for him, but I understood that a person who commits to a faith deserves that commitment to be respected, even if they are not in a position to understand.

"Anyway after a few weeks with my patient I began to notice some patterns of movement.

At first I thought it was some copied motions he’d seen someone do, but I saw him repeat the movements at particular times; morning, afternoon, evening. The movements were to raise his hands, bow and then put his head to the ground. I could not understand it. He was also repeating sentences in another language, I couldn't figure out what language it was as his speech was slurred but I know the same verses were repeated daily.

Also there was something strange, he didn't allow me to feed him with my left hand [I am left-handed].

Somehow I knew this linked to his religion but didn’t know how.

"One of my colleagues told me about paltalk as a place for debates and discussions and as I did not know any Muslims except for my patient I thought it would be good to speak to some live and ask questions. I went on the Islam section and entered the room ‘True Message’.

Here I asked questions regarding the repeated movements and was told that these were the actions of prayer, I did not really believe it until someone posted a link of the Islamic prayer on youtube.

"I was shocked.A man who has lost all memory of his children, of his occupation, and could barely eat and drink was able to remember not only actions of prayer but verses that were in another language.This was nothing short of incredible and I knew that this man was devout in his faith, which made me want to learn more in order to care for him the best I could.

"I came into the paltalk room as often as I could and was given a link to read the translation of the Quran and listen to it. The chapter of the ‘Bee’ gave me chills and I repeated it several times a day.

I saved a recording of the Quran on my iPod and gave it to my patient to listen to, he was smiling and crying, and in reading the translation I could see why. I applied what I gained from paltalk to my care for my patient but gradually found myself coming to the room to find answers for myself.

"I never really took the time to look at my life; I never knew my father, my mother died when I was 3, me and my brother were raised by our grandparents who died 4 years ago, so now it’s just the two of us.

But despite all this loss, I always thought I was happy, content. It was only after spending time with my patient that felt like I was missing something. I was missing that sense of peace and tranquillity my patient, even through suffering felt.

"I wanted that sense of belonging and a part of something that he felt, even with no one around him.

I was given a list of masjids in my area by a lady on paltalk and went down to visit one. I watched the prayer and could not hold back my tears. I felt drawn to the masjid every day and the imam and his wife would give me books and tapes and welcome any questions I had. Every question I asked at the masjid and on paltalk was answered with such clarity and depth that I could do nothing but accept them. I have never practiced a faith but Always believed that there was a God; I just did not know how to worship Him.

"One evening I came on paltalk and one of the speakers on the mic addressed me. He asked me if I have any questions, I said no. He asked if I was happy with the answers I was given, I said yes.

He asked then what was stopping me accepting Islam, I could not answer.

"I went to the masjid to watch the dawn prayer the imam asked me the same question, I could not answer.

I then went to tend to my patient, I was feeding him and as I looked in his eyes I just realized, he was brought to me for a reason and the only thing stopping me from accepting was fear…. not fear in the sense of something bad, but fear of accepting something good, and thinking that I was not worthy like this man.

That afternoon I went to the masjid and asked the imam if I could say my declaration of faith, the Shahaadah.

He helped me through it, and guided through what I would need to do next.

I cannot explain the feeling I felt when I said it.

It was like someone woke me up from sleep and sees everything more clearly.

The feeling was overwhelming joy, clarity and most of all…. peace.

The first person I told was not my brother but my patient.

I went to him, and before I even opened my mouth he cried and smiled at me.

I broke down in front of him, I owed him so much.

I came home logged on to paltalk and repeated the shahaadah for the room.

They all helped me so much and even though I had never seen a single one of them, they felt closer to me then my own brother.

I did eventually call my brother to tell him and although he was wasn’t happy, he supported me and said he would be there, I couldn’t ask for any more.

After my first week as a Muslim my patient passed away in his sleep while I was caring for him. Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi raji’oon.

He died a peaceful death and I was the only person with him.

He was like the father I never had and he was my doorway to Islam.

"From the day of my Shahaadah to this very day and for every day for as long as I live, I will pray that Allah shows mercy on him and grant him every good deed I perform in the tenfold. I loved him for the sake of Allah and I pray each night to become an atoms weight of the Muslim he was.

Islam is a religion with an open door; it is there for those who want to enter it…. Verily Allah is the Most Merciful, Most Kind."

* Note *

Our sister Cassie passed away October 2010, inna lillahi wa inna ilahi raji’oon -  after she gave da’wah to her brother who had accepted Islam.

Can My God Accept Me?

Below is the story of a Lebanese Muslim girl, who was very far from her religion. This is her journey on how she returned to Allah (S.W.T.). The story is being narrated by Amr Khaled.

"I am a Lebanese girl, a daughter to a Muslim father and Christian mother. I lived in Lebanon for the first ten years of my life before migrating to Australia with my parents. This was the end to my relation with the Middle East. I am 22 years old now. With my moving to Australia, my relationship with my religion ended completely. All I know is that I am a Muslims, and that's it. I do not know what the Holy Book (the Qur'an) looks like, I do not know what Surah Al-Fatiha is, and I don't even know how to pray.

"Religion doesn't even encompass any importance in my life. My father left my mother before I entered university, and each married others. Both my parents left Australia, leaving me alone, without a family or siblings, and without any information on my grandparents back in Lebanon. I lived by myself, so I had to work hard to provide for  my living. I went to university in the mornings, and worked at a bar at night time. I had a boyfriend, in the Western meaning of the word, and didn't leave anything from the forbidden/sins (Haram). I did not do it without feeling embarrassed or ashamed, for I was totally Western. I only knew very little Arabic.

"Because I am very pretty, I entered a beauty contest in New Zealand, and won the title of the town the contest was held in. I am now getting ready to compete in the major beauty contest in New Zealand. I became the cover girl (model) of improper, disrespectable magazines. During this time, I was visiting a Lebanese family in Australia. I watched an episode talking about chastity/virtue and the site address was on the screen (http://www.amrkhaled.com). I had a severe breakdown when I was watching, as if that episode was directed at me (talking to me). So here I am writing to you to ask you whether it is possible for The Divine to accept. Can my God accept me and can I return to God?"

My (Amr Khaled's) comments: I received this letter and to myself Subhan'Allah. The human soul, no matter how low it goes, it longs for God. It is like how the stomach longs for food, the soul longs for God. So I wrote back to her ans said that of course God will accept your repentance and I directed her to some tapes on repentance. She called me after two days saying I repented to God, and left my boyfriend, and won't see him after today. Two days later, she called again and said, 'I want to learn how to pray.' Two days after that, she called and said, 'I want Qur'an tapes.' So we sent (through DHL) Al-Ajamy, Mishari Rashid, Al Madinah readings, and all my tapes.

She became silent for a week. Then she called up saying that she gave up her beauty title. The surprise came four days later when she called to tell that she wore the scarf/veil.

The story does not end here. Several days after the news of wearing the scarf, she said that she had been feeling severe pains in her head, so she went to the doctors to get it checked. The doctor told her that she had cancer in her brain and her days are few. This girl was to enter the operation the next Friday to undergo an emergency operation to her head with only 20% chance of succeeding, according to the doctors over there.

That was what the doctors said, but she kept saying what the scientists fail to say, namely: I am very happy to be meeting God! I am happy that I repented before knowing that I was sick. I don't know if my father or mother will know of what happened to me, as they don't call me but rarely. But I repented only three weeks ago, and have sinned and disobeyed God 20 years prior. I pray to God to accept me from the people of Heaven, and if I live, to serve Islam through this site, for this site was my window to Islam.

Sarah, 22, passed away, and we prayed for her during the Friday prayers and buried her in the Muslim cemetery in New Zealand. Immediately before entering the operation room, Sarah had sent me a short note saying, 'I lived far away from God for 22 years, but I repented 3 weeks ago. But I witness you, that I repented to God, left my boyfriend, working in the bar, and the beauty contest. I wore the scarf, and was consistent with my prayers. I witness you that I did all this for my God, and I don't know any Muslims except for you and this forum. So please pray to God to be Merciful on me and forgive me. And pray to God to guide my mother, for she doesn't know anything about me. Sarah.'

This is a message from Amr Kahled to you, the readers:

Please dedicate as much effort as you can in good deeds from Hajj, Umrah, Sadaqah (charity), and praying, and dedicate it to Sarah.

Have you seen God's mercy on his creation; and that it's written for her to die at that time, but that God has written Himself to be The Merciful, and let her seek forgiveness, and leave all her sins just three weeks before passing away. Subhan'Allah!

Tafseer Surah - An - Nās (114)

Sūrah an-Nās together with Sūrah al-Falaq are called al-Mu`awwithatain,

Satan made a promise that he would mislead mankind. The Qur’ān states;

 “[Satan] said, “Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them [i.e., mankind] on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You].” (7: 16-17)

Ways that Satan follows to mislead son of Adam?

1.   Kufr [i.e., disbelief] and shirk.

2.   Bid`ah [i.e., innovation].

3.   Committing a major sin through temptation.

4.   Committing minor sins by making them attractive to him

5.   Leading man to stay busy doing permissible deeds, to lose time and rewards.

6.   This last step is to be taken by Satan when all of the above steps fail. He leads man to be busy doing less preferable acts

Methods to be followed in order to protect oneself against Satan’s evil?

1.   Saying al-Isti’āthah –

2.   Remembering Allāh’s names and saying du’ā at every activity of our daily life.

3.   Reading al-Mu`awwithatain and the Qur’ān.

4.   Making wudhū’ and salāh.

5.   Avoiding unneeded gaze

6.   Avoiding excess of speech

7.   Avoiding excess of food  

8.   Avoiding excess of mingling with people for no benefit or reason.

قل : Zirr bin Ḥubaysh said, “I asked Ubayy bin Ka’b about al-Mu`awwithatain, he replied, “I asked the Prophet about them and received the answer, “I was told, ‘say’ so I said, ‘say’. Therefore, we say as the Prophet had said.”

أعوذ: I seek refuge. To escape from something one may fear to someone who can protect him and who is reliable.

The attribute of Lordship has been connected to the word الناس)) because Allāh wants to emphasize the kind of His relation to man. Man has been related to God as a sign of honor and dignity given to him especially. It also means that God is going to give mankind help, protection and security as long as he is seeking refuge with Him.

       Lordship includes the meaning of creating mankind, educating them, raising them, protecting them from everything that may corrupt them, guiding them, and reforming them.

:ملك Malik Allāh has the entire authority upon them. He is their true King who judges among them. He also owns them Mālikuhum-مالكهم.

إله: ‘Ilāh - Allāh is the true God, who alone is worthy of being worshiped.

Lordship is mentioned first, because of its general inclusiveness of all creatures, particularly mankind. Divinity is mentioned last because Allāh is the God of those who worship Him alone. Sovereignty is mentioned in between because owning mankind is the result of His perfect Lordship over them, and being their true God is the natural sequence of His entire authority upon them.

The devil has been given the name (alwaswas) after his method of whispering to lead people astray. The repetition of (seen) and (waw) letters in the word suggests the repetition of the action of whispering. Shaytan does not give up. The prophet said; “the devil is upon the heart of son of Adam, when the latter remembers Allah the former retreats, but when one becomes heedless the devil whispers to him.”

He whispers (evil) into the breasts of mankind directly.

Devils are from among the Jinn and mankind.

The Jinn are invisible and the men are visible.

The Prophet went once into the mosque and saw Abu-Dharr sitting there; he instructed him to arise and perform two rak`ahs and said: “O Abu-Dharr! Seek Allah’s refuge from the devils of men and the devils of Jinn.” Abu-Dharr asked:

 “Are there devils from among men, O messenger of Allah?” He replied: “Yes.”

Allah says, “And thus We have made for every prophet an enemy – devils from mankind and Jinn, inspiring to one another decorative speech in delusion.” (6: 112)