Salah In Focus

the post is collected from MuslimMatters. Lecture by Abdul Nasir Jangda | Transcribed by Sameera. My heartiest thanks to them

The title of the lecture is ṣalāh in focus – creating some focus in regards to ṣalāh.  Let's go back to a time in the history of our ummah when the focus of ṣalāh was solidified.  The most important period in our history is the life of the Prophet .  To understand the focus ṣalāhhas in our dīn (religion) and in the life of the Prophet , we have to go back to the most difficult and tragic time in the life of the Prophet : a period of his life remembered as The Year of Grief and Sorrow.

Top Ten Islamic Lecture Videos of All Time

I have taken this Collection from a post by Junaid ibn Amjad in MuslimMatters website. Here goes the link of that post. I haven't watched those lectures all yet. But I have seen few of them like Islam and Ego by Nouman Ali Khan. I am sure this is a must see for all the Muslim individuals to understand many things of inner heart.  No doubt, these wonderful lectures are entertaining and amazing that worth far more than watching movies for hours of a Muslim!

May Allah bless us all to know HIS Deen clearly to perform nicely as per HIS satisfaction.

10. "Taking Back Our Narrative" by Nouman Ali Khan and Amir Abdel Malik

How to Gain Tranquility in Prayer

This article is written by Sister Jihan Anwar & collected from Productive Muslim website :  Part 1 | Part 2 | Part3  | Part4

(Part 1): How to Attain Ultimate Submission

We are quick to say we’ve submitted to the will of Allah  (glorified and exalted be He), but does our heart completely back our words? Have we submitted ourselves, or found “khushoo” in our prayer, our actions and our daily lives?

“Successful indeed are the believers, those who offer their salaah (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness (Khushoo).” [Surah Al-Muminoon 23:1-2]

Definition of Khushoo

The reasons why we obey someone can be broadly traced under the following categories.

• Fear
• Recognition of superiority or authority
• Acknowledging the orders as just
• Love

If we comply with the commands of human beings based on the cited reasons, how do you think we should carry out our duties towards Allah – the only One we should fear, far superior to anything we could imagine, the One who is full of kindness in rewarding the righteous though being in no need of them. 

Video On The Last Sermon of Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)

A wonderful video is prepared on the collection of the speech about Last Sermon of Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Eyes becomes watery after watching this one... May Allah bless us to be a good follower of the greatest man in the history of the universe -- Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).

The Ramadan Early Bird Series!

by Yacoob Manjoo, Collected from Productive Muslim website. May Allah grant their effort

Ramadan is quickly approaching. Instead of waiting for the last minute to prepare, begin today for a fruitful month of blessings and barakah from Allah [SWT].

To fully benefit from a great opportunity, you need to prepare for it – and the more thorough the preparation, the better. As Muslims, we have an annual event that serves as a tremendous opportunity to gather rewards and effect permanent, positive changes in our lives that will help us draw closer and closer to the Almighty. That opportunity is Ramadan.

Usually, it’s only in the two months before Ramadan that we start hearing about how important it is to prepare so that by the time the month arrives, we’re already in the spirit of striving, and we have the momentum to make the most of Ramadan.

Yet You Despair?

Being despair is one of the most common occurrence to our lives. Today I have watched a wonderful slide show in Islamic Tube, which has just told about what goes on with us, how and why. What can we do in such situations and what are the best thinking to get rid of this situation.

We all go through the tough times, but thing is important, how to get rid of them and how to deal them. May Allah bless us all.

•  The video of Part1 on Islamic Tube

Despair Not

A nice reminder collected from sister Nasmira's blog...

“When you are hurt by the people who share blood relations with you, recall Prophet Joseph (Yusuf) [alayhi salaam] who was also betrayed by his brothers.

When you find your parents opposing you (in religion) recall Prophet Abraham (Ibraheem) [alayhi salaam] who was made to jump into a blazing fire by his father.

When you are mocked and abused by your own relatives just because you adopted Islam over duniya, recall Prophet Mohammad [sallalhu alaihi wa sallam] who faced the same.

When you are mocked and abused by your own relatives just because you adopted Islam over duniya, recall Prophet Mohammad [sallalhu alaihi wa sallam] who faced the same.

When you are stuck into some problem and find no way out recall Prophet Jonah (Yunus) [alayhi salaam] who was stuck inside the belly of a whale.

When you fall ill and your whole body cries in pain, recall Prophet Job (Ayoob) [alayhi salaam] who was more ill than you.

When you see some physical fault in yourself, recall Prophet Moses (Musa) [alayhi salam] who could not properly speak.

When someone slanders you, recall Ay’esha [radiallahu anha] who was also slandered throughout the city.

When you can’t see any logic in what’s going on and your heart asks why this is happening, recall Prophet Noah (Nuh) [alayhi salaam] who built the Ark without questioning.

Subhan’Allah! Allah put all those great personalities in trial so that the generations to follow may learn a lesson in patience and perseverance.”

Beautiful..ain’t it?! :)

Sweetest Audios -- Al- Quran Recitation

I have gathered here few sweetest audios I have ever heard in my life. I only know,  these are the sweetest sounds my ears ever heard in my life. I often could not hold my tears listening to these recitations. The audio clips are collected and recited by Sheikh Mishary Al Afasy and Khalid Al Juhaym. Allah Subnahu Wa Ta'ala has blessed him with the sweetest voice...

Khalid Al Juhaym Quran Recitation:

• Surah Yusuf by Khalid Al Juhaym Part 1
  
• Surah Yusuf by Khalid Al Juhaym Part 2

Mishary Al Afasy Quran Recitation:

• Recitation of ayahs from Surah Ibrahim  
• Recitation of ayahs from Surah Fussilat
• Recitation of ayahs from Surah Namal
• Recitation of ayahs from Surah Qiyamah

* * * * * * 

I found amazing collection of Quran Recitations. Many Qari's recitations are accumulated there. I was so enchanted. I am sharing the links here. You can download them all and listen.


Quranic Audio.com

1. Abdur Rahman as Sudais (I love his tilawat most)
2. Mishary al Afasy

• Collection of Mishary Al Afasy (audio & video) 
• For iPod and mp3

7 Daily Spiritual Productive Habits to Develop

the article was published in ProductiveMuslim website, written by Abu Productive 

You should aim to develop the following 7 Spiritually Productive activities into habits so that you can hopefully continue benefitting from them throughout your life. I consider these activities as the spiritual ‘bread and butter’ of any ProductiveMuslim. To develop them as habits is the essence of embarking on your journey towards the love of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and constantly increasing in your eman, inshaAllah: 

1) Pray the Sunnah Prayers before and/or after Prayer:

I know it’s easier to just pray the obligatory prayers and rush out of the mosque! However, when we realise the rewards we’re missing from not praying these Sunnah prayers we won’t leave them. Over the years I have learnt there’s only ONE way of getting yourself to pray these Sunnah prayers constantly: Get into the habit of praying them! They’ll soon become part and parcel of your Salah and your Salah will feel incomplete without performing these acts. 

Double Up on Good Deeds Before Ramadan

the following write up is collected from Tayyibaat blog

Bismillah

We now have the chance to take advantage of two sunnahs of the Prophet (alayhi salaatu wa salaam):

1- Fasting in Sha'ban

It was narrated from Abu Salamah that A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not fast in any month more than Sha'ban, and he used to fast all of Sha'ban and he used to say: "Do as much of good deeds as you can, for Allah does not get tired (of giving reward) until you get tired." And the most beloved of prayers to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was that in which one persists even if it is little. When he offered a prayer he would persist in doing so. [Bukhari and Muslim]

The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) also said about Sha'ban: "It is a month that
people neglect, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which actions are raised to the Lord of the Worlds and I love for my actions to be raised while I am fasting." [Tirmidhi and Al-Nasa'i]

2- Fasting in the Summer

al-Qasim bin Muhammad said that A'ishah (radi Allahu anha) would fast in the intense heat, and he was asked: "What drove her to do this?" He replied: "She would take advantage of the days before death." And some of the righteous women would choose the hottest days and fast them, saying: "If the price is low, everyone will buy," meaning that she wanted to do those actions that only a few were capable of due to how hard it was to do them, and this is indicative of the high aspirations these women had. [ibn Rajab hafidhahullah]

Abu ad-Darda' (radi Allahu anhu) would say: "Fast the very hot days in anticipation of the Day of Resurrection, and pray two rak'at in the darkness of night in anticipation of the darkness of the grave." And it's reported in the two ' Sahih's that he said: "You have seen us with the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) on some of his journeys on very hot days, and a man would hold his hand against his head due to the intensity of the heat, and none of them would be fasting except the Messenger of Allah and 'Abdullah bin Rawahah." [Bukhari]

Nicely explained! "Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah)" by Umm Yusuf

I used to think that tawakkul was just making dua for good to happen in your life and expecting good to happen with certainty (no matter how uncertain the situation may be).  I realize now that tawakkul is also a belief in the Grand Plan of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) and that, in the worst times of your life when you think you have been abandoned, when you are tested, tawakkul is to also believe there is good in the test that you are going through…and even that test is a mercy of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). Remember Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) loves you more than your mother does and, although you cannot imagine doing this, one day you will thank Him for giving you that test because through it you gained so many blessings.

"And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know." Qur'an(12:20)

Tawbah: treading the path of paradise -- by Yasmin Mogahed

The writing is taken from the website of sister Yasmin Mogahed

The man knew he was nearing his death. Because he had committed innumerable sins, he was terrified to meet his Lord. Upon his death, the man said to his children: "If my Lord takes possession of me, He will punish me in a manner in which He has punished no one else." In his fear, the man asked his children to burn his body after his death and scatter his remains.

And so after his death, the man was cremated. But then God said to the earth: "Produce what you have taken." When the man came before God, God said to him: "What induced you to do what you did?" The man replied, "It was out of fear of you, oh my Lord." And because of that, he was forgiven [from Hadith Qudsi 32, Bukhari & Muslim].

Shaitan's Speech in the Day of Judgement

And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded, 

"Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. 

But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. 

So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. 

Indeed, I deny your association of me [with Allah] before.

Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment."

[Al Quran, Surah Al Ibrahim, 14:22]

Why do people have to leave each other by Yasmin Mogahed

I have collected the following post from Suhaibwebb.com which is written by sister Yasmin Mogahed. One of the wonderful post I have ever read.

When I was 17 years old, I had a dream. I dreamt that I was sitting inside a masjid and a little girl walked up to ask me a question. She asked me: “Why do people have to leave each other?” The question was a personal one, but it seemed clear to me why the question was chosen for me. I was one to get attached.

Ever since I was a child, this temperament was clear. While other children in preschool could easily recover once their parents left, I could not. My tears, once set in motion, did not stop easily. As I grew up, I learned to become attached to everything around me. From the time I was in first grade, I needed a best friend. As I got older, any fall-out with a friend shattered me. I couldn’t let go of anything. People, places, events, photographs, moments—even outcomes became objects of strong attachment. If things didn’t work out the way I wanted or imagined they should, I was devastated. And disappointment for me wasn’t an ordinary emotion. It was catastrophic. Once let down, I never fully recovered. I could never forget, and the break never mended. Like a glass vase that you place on the edge of a table, once broken, the pieces never quite fit again.

Modesty : The Missing Element

An important lecture by brother Nouman Ali Khan. The wonderful and very important human behavior is Modesty. And it is a major characteristics for the Muslims.

The Youth Dilemma

A wonderful speech by Omar Suleiman on Youth dilemma.

Hardship in the path of Allah

I have watched a lecture by sister Yasmin Mogahed in a conference by MSA west. It was wondeful and described some amazing point of view to understand the hardships of life. here is the link from Suhaibwebb



The Prophet ﷺ (peace be upon him) said: "If Allah wills good for someone, He subjects them to hardship." How could that be? How can hardship ever be good for us? What is the purpose of trials and why does Allah promise that we will face trials and tribulation? In what way does hardship purify and develop us? When is tribulation a punishment? When is it a blessing?

Yasmin Mogahed discusses these issues in a speech titled "Hardships and the Path to God" at the 2011 MSA West Conference.

An Inspiring Writer : Yasmin Mogahed

I came to know her by a piece named The Dream of Life which was really a wonderful one. Then I found another write-ups titled Emptying The Vessel which I liked a lot. After that, I watched her to deliver a speech on Manhood and Womanhood in Islam which was educative, thought-provoking and enchanting. After all these, I found many more thoughtful, amazing writings and still counting. The most interesting part of her writings to me is the philosophical essence of our beliefs which adds a new dimension in the heart of readers. Like other Dayees (preachers) of Islaam, who presents the message of 'Deen' to people, she is a devoted intellect who writes and speaks for ummah. She writes in Suhaibwebb.com, which is a wonderful website. She has a website where all her activities are found altogether. Her contribution for Deen is inspiring the Muslim ummah, especially for our Muslimah sisters. 

Biography of Sister Yasmin Mogahed

Yasmin Mogahed, who holds a B.S. in Psychology and a Masters in Journalism and Mass Communications, is an internationally published journalist. 

She is also a writing instructor at Cardinal Stritch University, a staff columnist for the Islam section of InFocus News, and an independent media consultant based in North Carolina. 


She has lectured extensively around the country on Muslim affairs, and her written works, including a book chapter on the portrayal of Islam post-9/11, have appeared in print and online publications worldwide.

Related Links:

• Yasmin Mogahed Website: Website which is taglined: 'A life of Submission, A piece of Serenity'!
• Suhaibwebb: Sister Yasmin is a regular contributor in Suhaibwebb. All her beautiful writings are available in this website. 
• One Legacy Radio: Yasmin Mogahed hosts a program named "Serenity" which is broadcasted live on Wednesday at 3:30 PM (PST). It is repeated on Wednesday 7:00 PM (PST) and Thursday 3:00 AM (PST)
• Personal Blog -- A Soul's Journey: Collection of poetries by Yasmin Mogahed.
• Huffington Post: Yasmin Mogahed writes in the popular Magazine Huffington Post.
• Facebook Page: She updates her views and new writings for the readers 
• Twitter: Yasmin Mogahed on twitter.

Biography of Sheikh Yassir Fazaga

 "Yassir Fazaga is an inspiring, multi-lingual speaker sought-after from USA through Canada to the Middle and Far East. He was born in Eritrea and moved to the United States at the age of 15; has a Bachelors in Islamic Studies from the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences in Virginia; has completed all coursework for his Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counselling from the California State University of Long Beach; is currently undertaking his Masters in Theology at Loyola Marymount University.

Emptying the Vessel by Yasmin Mogahed

Note: This article is taken from Suhaibwebb and it is written by sister Yasmin Mogahed.

Before you can fill any vessel, you must first empty it. The heart is a vessel. And like any vessel, the heart too must be emptied—before it can be filled. One can never hope to fill the heart with God, so long as that vessel is full of other than Him subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He).

To empty the heart does not mean to not love. On the contrary, true love, as God intended it, is purest when it is not based on a false attachment. The process of first emptying the heart can be found in the beginning half of the shahada (declaration of faith). Notice that the declaration of faith begins with a critical negation, a crucial emptying. Before we hope to reach true tawheed (true monotheism), before we can assert our belief in the one Lord, we first assert: "la illaha" (there is no illah). An illah is an object of worship. But it is imperative to understand that an illah is not just something we pray to. An illah is what we revolve our life around, what we obey and what is of utmost importance to us—above all else.

It is something that we live for—and cannot live without.