POEM ( When i was Ill)

POEM

When i was Ill

========
I was feeling ill
Solution was the pill
If only it could make me recover
In a spilt, like the Creator

The adhan was heard calling
The water for wudhu' was cool freezing
Wiz His name I began my prayer
To HIM i submit and surrender

To the bed i jumped again
Nothing else to bargain
Covering myself wiz blankets
I was asleep as though in casket

Dreams brought me far
To an island offshore
I saw a bird flying
I thought of many things

I tried to catch the bird
Till i fall down like dirt
And i could not get up
There was no one to help out

I cry a lot but there wasn't any tear
I was left all alone in my own fear
I was awake from the loud sound "vroom"
Alhamdulillah i was safe in my room

A sparrow flew on to my window sill
Making sound behind the grill
It was the same bird as in my dream
But only real this time it seem

I get up and walk towards the window
And the bird was quiet for a minute over
I saw a man starting his bike noisily
Disturbing the bird especially

And now i notice why didn't the bird fly
Just like when i'm ill, i could only lie
It's wing was injured badly
Perhaps by someone or accidentally

SubhanAllah I was thinking
How much ni'mat He has been giving
To ponder upon HIS creatings
Animals wiz four legs, others wiz wings.

I thought how wonderful Allah is
Everything around me is really His
I realise how much lucky i am
I'm still able to move around

Thank ya Allah for all that Ya give
The illness Ya bestow is indeed a gift
Every illness comes wiz His forgiveness
May He grants us mercy and easness

Ameen

POEM (Salaat )

POEM

Salaat

Salaat is a basic pillar of islam

It is mentioned again and again in the Quran

The importance of prayer is in seven hundred places

But in the mosque,do you see many young faces?

Praying in the mosque gives 27 times the reward

Pray with the intention that you’re pleasing your Lord

When you walk to the mosque,just remember within

You gain a reward and you’re losing a sin

For every step towards your destination

This is a blessing from Allah swt to his creation

The Quran has foretold, that before you are dead

‘say your prayers before your prayers are said’

our prophet saws said about those who miss prayer

fifteen punishments they’ll have to bear

six in this life,three on passing away

three in the grave and three on judgement day

for missing fajr at the start of the day

the glow of the face is taken away

the punishment for missing the salaat of zohar

there will be no blessing from your income no more

for missing asr, the middle prayer of the day

the strength of the body is taken away

by missing maghrib, remember one thing

you will not be benefited by your offspring

for missing ishaa at the end of the day

the peace of your sleep will be taken away

while seeing elders pray at the mosque door

remember as a young person, your reward is 70 times more

read salaat punctually, read it with care

on judgement day, we will be asked about prayer

that’s the first question, so take this advice

salaat is the key to paradise

spread this word to muslim sisters and brothers

salaat will separate muslims from others

salaat is a blessing which Allah swt gave

it will intercede and protect us in the grave

when it comes eventually, to the day of rising

the believers body washed by wudu will be shining

for the believers who are regular in offering salaat

it becomes a light of guidance on the pul-siraat

don’t miss the prayer asr at any cost

it will be like your family and wealth is lost

the ayat-ul-kursi after fard, should be read

it will lead you to paradise (insha Allah) after you’re dead

not reading salaat will lead you to hell

surrounded by serpants in a deep well

read your salaat whilst still in your prime

and read the durood shareef in your spare time

you’ll get ten rewards, the Lord (insha Allah) will accept your pleas

and you’ll be closer to Allah swt by ten more degrees

so embrace islam with all your heart

and remember the key is reading salaat.

POEM (What is the purpose of this life? )

POEM

What is the purpose of this life?

What is the purpose of this life?

Money, holidays, a beautiful wife?

There is no point in us denying

Each heart beat brings us closer to dying

You’ll breathe your last

Your life will have past

Don’t pretend

Death’s not the end

You will taste death, death never waited

Look around you, everything’s created

It has a creator, it has a meaning

A mother gives birth and then comes it’s weaning

The sun rises and gives us light

It sets, then falls, the blanket of night

The plants all grow, when falls the rain

They give fruits to man, and they too will wane

Why does man think that he will get away?

Spending life aimlessly, as if he’s here to stay

A fixed time is appointed, everything will perish

Everything you hate, everything you relish

Except the Almighty Allah, He will remain

And then will come judgement, all on one plain

Allah will say, I gave you life

I gave you health, wealth and a wife

What did you do with your time?

What did you do in your prime?

Did you spread my message, did you spread islam?

Why not? Did you not read the Quran?

My friends, we muslims, we are so blessed

Allah gave us islam to supercede all the rest

My non-muslim friends, the Quran must be read

Read before it’s too late and you’re dead

You owe it to yourselves, it will make you cry

You’ll know these words are from the Lord most High

Instructing mankind to the purpose of life

And the reward my friends is everlasting life

Our purpose is to worship our Lord most High

The reward is heaven where no one will die

You’ll have anything you want, all the best dishes

And Almighty Allah will grant all of your wishes

This life my friends is just a cage

We should live by His orders, to be safe from his rage

You will understand when you read the holy Quran

You’ll know the religion of truth is islam

Protect yourself and your families from hell

Embrace islam and all will be well

For the deeds of this life, you’ll pay the price

In the depths of hell or in paradise.

POEM (Women in Islam)

POEM

Women in Islam

How do women fit into islam? What is their fate?

This has been the subject of many a debate

‘for the believing men and women, is a great reward’

this is from surah al azaab, the words of our Lord

it can be seen from reading the holy Quran

that a woman has some privilege over a man

praying is exempted during menstruation

here islam gives women consideration

a woman after marriage becomes a wife

for nine long months she carries new life

during childbirth she is exempted to fast

islam is against the burying of girls in the past

they can pray at the mosque or even at home

they may marry or divorce ,its their choice, their own

after marriage she can retain her old maiden name

and is rewarded for treating all her offspring the same

once they are married they should live pious lives

‘and the best men are those who are best to their wives’

islam shows equality my sisters and brothers

don’t forget paradise lies at the feet of your mothers

women in the UK had property rights from 1938

this right was given by islam, 14 centuries to date

in the UK, women could vote from 1918

this was stated 1400 years ago in islam our deen

women can work and lead a happily married life

but shouldn’t neglect her role as mother and wife

a woman for her child’s upbringing, deserves her credit

islam also gives a woman the right to inherit

a woman’s status in islam, we should never neglect

in islam they are favoured and deserve their respect.

POEM (Life after Death)

POEM

Life after Death

You only live once so sit back and enjoy

No time for sorrows so fill it up with joy

This way of thinking is totally wrong

Our total existence is forever long

Life is for eternity its stages are four

The first is in the womb, but hold on there’s more

The second is from birth until the moment we die

The third takes place in the place where we lie

Barzakh is it’s name until judgement day

The fourth is eternity and in heaven we pray!

The soul splits from the body at the time we die

Then with the angel of death, they both will fly

If the person is pious, the angel looks handsome

And the wicked will wish, that they could ransom

For the pious, the soul is taken on a piece of silk

Eventually, they’re in heaven with rivers of milk

The evil person’s soul is dragged out with pain

Then they know, their life was in vain

When Allah swt gives the order, the soul is returned

Either to a bed of paradise, or else to be burned

The soul is returned, while the family are grieving

And then he is questioned while his loved ones are leaving

At that time the person will be in such a state

He is asked three questions which determine his fate

He will be panicking, his heart full of fear

When he sees the angels, Munkar and Nakeer

He will be asked about his God, religion and what did he say

About the person who appears in front of him that day

That will be Muhammed saws, who can save us from hell

The pious will recognise him, but others won’t tell

After answering rightly they are saved from the ordeal

Of the torments of the grave, which to us seem unreal

Their grave is extended and in peace they stay

They will praise Allah swt and continue to pray

A window of paradise is seen and they sleep in bliss

Whereas the unbelievers grave becomes hell’s abyss

Creatures are let loose on their fronts and back

Their graves close in until their ribs will crack

They are in constant agony until judgement day

Nothing will help, it will be too late to pray

They will know because of themselves, their future is wrecked

But they won’t have a clue what to further expect

For the believer , it passes like a good night’s sleep

His good deeds have been done, the rewards he shall keep

Judgement day will pass like the time for a prayer

At the speed of light he crosses the bridge, thin as a hair

And before he knows it, he is in paradise

Whereas the unbeliever, will be paying his price

This life is a journey, death isn’t the end

Real life goes on, so don’t just pretend

So prepare now, we’re not here to stay

Follow islam, the key is to pray

Brothers and sisters take this advice

You’ll be proud of yourself, when in paradise!

POEM (Paradise )

POEM

Paradise

Whatever we do, we’ll pay the price

In the depths of hell or in paradise

For the believer ,this life is just like a cage

For the unbeliever, it’s the ultimate stage

Little does he know about the awaiting reward

Which is full of luxuries, where no-one gets bored

You’ll enter the gate of paradise, if it’s in your fate

Your deeds and actions will determine by which gate

No worldly things will you ever miss

On entering the gate, you’ll be surrounded by bliss

Four rivers will be granted by the Divine

containing water and milk, honey and wine

People will live in mansions built high

Where they’ll live forever, no-one will die

It’s bricks will be made of silver and gold

The climate will be perfect, not hot and not cold

A hundred years it will take to circle a tree

Surrounded by loved ones for all eternity

There will be no calls of nature, no-one will sleep

There will be no worries, no one will weep

When people sweat, it will smell of musk

Allah swt will be praised from dawn till dusk

Everyone will be aged 30 or 33

And they’ll stay at that age for eternity

The inhabitants will be wearing a beautiful green gown

Sitting on thrones, wearing a crown

People will be happy, there’ll be no remorse

To visit others, they’ll have a flying horse

Men will have 2 houris as their wives

Who will remain with them for the rest of their lives

On Friday there will be a dinner for people of all races

And a bazaar where people can exchange their faces!

When walking along there’ll be many meetings

With prophets and angels, exchanging greetings

Such is the ecstasy that will then prevail

When Allah swt removes His veil

There will be no kings, there will be no peasants

And everyone will see the Divine Allah’s presence

There are 100 levels to paradise and we should pray

That Al Firdaus, the highest will be where we stay

Allah swt has showered us with His grace

And we have to be worthy to show our face

Whatever we do ,we’ll pay the price

In the depths of hell or in paradise

POEM (The Torments of Hell )

POEM

The Torments of Hell

If only you knew the torments of hell

It is the worst of places where anyone could dwell

It is in existence even as we speak

And for its inhabitants the outlook is bleak

On the day of rising, hell will be in view

A terrible sight, if only you knew

It will be brought forward by 70,000 reigns

And 70,000 angels will be on each of those chains

After burning for a thousand years , it’s flames turned white

A thousand more years, now it’s as black as the night

You think the flames are bearable, you’re totally wrong

The flames are of hell are sixty nine times as strong

In a flash it will disintegrate all of your bones

The hellfire will be fuelled by man and stones

The thickness of your skin will greatly increase

Causing your threshold for pain to greatly decrease

The people in hell are there to stay

They will melt to nothing, 70,000 times in a day

70 years it will take, for a stone that is thrown

to hit the bottom of hell and it won’t be alone

the food of hell resembles a devil’s head

and to drink, boiling water and blood bright red

which cuts up the bowels, everything will fall out

the inhabitants of hell will scream and shout

some will be taken out by Almighty Allah’s command

but the polytheists will stay eternally damned

take up islam, the only way to succeed

and if you don’t, you’re unfortunate indeed

brothers and sisters, help determine your fate

once you see hellfire, it’ll be far too late

POEM (The miracle, the Quran)

POEM

The miracle, the Quran

So brothers and sisters, to increase your iman
Read the miracle, read the Quran
Here's a fact for the ones who are keener
92 surahs revealed in Mecca, 22 in Medinah
Read it every day and to read it be proud
The word Quran means to read it aloud
Read the book from the Lord of the worlds
Over 6,000 verses and 77,000 words
Read with respect,no disturbance, no laughters
from Al Fatiha to An naas, all 114 chapters
And in it 14 times you need to prostrate
And say Allah ho Akbar, meaning Allah is great
In this book, 25 prophets are mentioned by name
Who came at different times but their message was the same
This miracle was revealed over a 23 year span
Sent from Allah(swt), to an angel and then to a man
That man was Muhammed (saws), the best of creation
And we are proud to be part of his nation
He gave us a message and that was Islam
So read this miracle, read the Quran

POEM (ALLAH KNOWS BEST )

ALLAH KNOWS BEST

ALLAH knows what is best for us
So why should we complain
We always want the sunshine
But He knows there must be rain.

We always want laughter
and the merriment of cheer
but our heart will lose
their tenderness
If we never shed a tear.

ALLAH tests us often
with suffering and sorrow
He tests us not to punish us
but to help us meet tomorrow.

For growing trees are strenghtened
if they can withstand the storm
and the sharpness of the chisel
gave the marble its grace and form.

ALLAH tests us often
and for every pain
He gives us
provided we are patient
Is followed by rich gain
So whenever we feel that
everything is going wrong

It is just ALLAH'S way to make our spirit strong.

POEM( Thy Mercy )

Thy Mercy

Silence morning in Ramadhan I wander amid the Qur'an My soul is moved to tears The ayats full of awaken fears In the creation of earth and heaven In the sailing of the ships through the ocean Rain that Allah sends from the skies Here indeed are all the signs O believers do you not see What Allah has revealed to thee O believers do you not ponder Allah's mighty and super power Remembering of a slave Tortured in the grave Buried down so deep No comfort and no sleep Speaking of the blazing fire Removes one desire The fate of sinful Souls Tread on scorching coals Far more awful then the thought Fierce fire that will be caught The Qur'an state so lucidly Describing life in eternity Have we ever imagine in abundance How terrible would be for existence Without His love and friendship dear Without the sense that He is near To be forever forgotten With no words that'll make things fine Forever severed the connection Disconnected the telephone line How do I put to bed these fears? No lullabys for these tears I say I love Him but still I sin Though I try but Shaytan win So I sit here and I cry oceans I fear of my sins that are abundant I am but a child, a child premature Nothing to boast, shameful creature I am but a flesh, a flesh withering of sorrow Even my days are unknown till tomorrow Without HIS presence near me I am useless without HIS mercy What if I never hear Him tell me To choose islam as my destiny What will i become and what will I be Without guidance for me to see Will I be amongst those wild crazy teens Who dance to their tune without thinking Will I be a robber or burglar that steals Or will i be the famous criminal who kills Among the earthly pple in within He chose me to be a Muslim Should I not be thankful? Have I always been grateful? I may never travel this creation Without Thee made my eyes open My humbled nothingness to Thee I thank Thee for Thy's Mercy O Allah grants us wisdom O Allah bestows us patience O Allah forgives us if we sin O Allah guide us from within....

POEM( Time for Apology )

Time for Apology

I write this poem in earnest In the Name of Allah, The Greatest Many a time I have made mistakes Maybe I forgot to give and take I ask for everyone's forgiveness if I have ever caused unpleasantness E-mails and letters I forgot to reply Agreements which I did not comply Promises which are not operational An unkind word which was unintentional Please make halal whatever I take from you Whether it's time or space in your in-box too. There are times when I forget These are also times when I regret You know, we are all human beings Prone to many misunderstandings Put the past behind us, can you see If you want life full of tranquility. Life is short and full of unpredictness Hence I wish to ask for your forgiveness Time to forgive others since it is a virtue. If you want Allah to forgive you too.

ISLAMIC JOKE

ISLAMIC JOKE

An Imam was selling his horse in the market. An interested buyer came to him and requested if he could get a test drive. The Imam told the man that this horse is unique. In order to make it walk, you have to say Subhanallah. To make it run, you have to say Alhamdulillah and to make it stop, you have to say Allahu Akbar. The man sat on the horse and said Subhanallah. The horse started to walk. Then he said Alhamdulillah and it started to run. He kept saying Alhamdulillah and the horse started running faster and faster. All of a sudden the man noticed that the horse is running towards the edge of the hill that he was riding on. Being overly fearful, he forgot how to stop the horse. He kept saying all these words out of confusion. When the horse was just near the edge, he remembered Allahu Akbar and said it out loud. The horse stopped just one step away from the edge. The man took a deep breath, looked up towards the sky and said Alhamdulillah!

POEM ( Who is a Terrorist )

Who is a Terrorist

They call my people blood thirsty terrorists blowing up buildings and planes with dynamite tied to their chests killing civilians by the hundreds -but am I a terrorist? True, some of my people of names similar to mine do act violently in despair when their human rights are stolen when their suffering and plights are ignored in the refugee camps of Sabra and Chatala. - but am I a terrorist? They are not living their faith just acting on emotions and hate full with the revenge for the oppressor with little regard for innocent lives they are just Muslim in name -but am I a terrorist? Islam, the religion of peace teaches Muslims to respect life "If anyone had killed one man except in lieu of murder and mischief it is as if he killed the whole mankind" Same verse in Torah and Quran too by the same God -how could I be a terrorist? Prophet Mohammad, Peace be upon him was a mercy to mankind he cared for the poor, elderly and sick even if not from his faith he stood in respect for a funeral procession of a Jew he let a cat take a nap on his robe not to disturb her, he cut his robe He told Muslim armies not to hurt women and kids sick and old, cut trees or kill animals just for fun I love him so much -how could I be a terrorist? But why do they call us terrorists? why not call the IRA, Red Army, Tamil Tigers Militant Hindus or Serbians terrorists. Why not call the militia blowing up government buildings and killing innocent civilians a terrorist No, the term is reserved for Muslims - and I am a Muslim. We are the victims of terrorism in Palestine, Kashmir, Bosnia and Kosova by individuals and states with knives, guns, tanks and rape -who is a terrorist? I remember Serb soldiers came to my house they killed my father and my big brother too I miss them so much. They raped my mom and my sister too. I loved them so much. Then they burned my house, my books and toys too - and they call us terrorists. I got scared, and fled into the woods joined a caravan going to the border migrating from oppression to a land of peace and freedom I have walked two days and climbed a mountain I am hungry and thirsty, tired and sick My legs are weak and my feet are bleeding unable to walk anymore - do I look like a terrorist? I am not a terrorist I am a Muslim seeking love, peace and justice My name is Mehmet Poturvic I am a 6 year old from Kosova Dear God, please help me and my people. "You alone I worship, from you alone I seek help"

POEM ( Stranger on a train )

POEM

Stranger on a train

As you gaze across to me
Your searching eyes are questioning me
'How is it you live?' You say
'Do you trek a straight pathway?
With whom do you daily plead?
Why this Book you always read?
And the dress you women wear!
Why this scarf upon your hair?
In your palm is there some power?
Why then supplicate each hour?
What then, do you claim to share?
For world justice do you care?
Tell me! Speak what is right
What then is your plight?'

In Allah's Name I now begin
'For Him, I do everything
Dependant I am, so I pray
Seeking Guidance night and day
His Good-Will I try to live
To share my love and wealth I give
My prayers for blessings never cease
For all creatures, man and beast
My coverings are His decree
To help me grow in purity
And my Qur'ān fulfils a need
It strengthens me and my belief
And every human I embrace
Extending peace to every race
My path: Islam, is Straight and pure
For every sickness, there is a cure
O stranger! Much talk you raise!
Know this! To God is due our praise!'

POEM ( Assalāmu'alaikum)

POEM

Assalāmu'alaikum

Familiar faces we often greet
Exchanging dialogue while we meet
But as we gesture, respond or smile
Before we speak, just think a while

Welcome not with words unrewarding
'Hello', 'Good day', 'Good evening', 'Good morning'
But choose to radiate peace and calm
Offer a warm exchange of 'Salām!'

'And peace on you' - comes the reply
Will bond our kinship and strengthen our tie
To those unknown, do not hesitate
We are one family in Islamic faith

Allah's servants of the sky
The Angels extend this humble reply
And our acceptance into Grace
Yields 'Salām' - a blessed fate

So give glad tidings with words serene
Spread the blessings of 'peace' - our Dīn
And relish the good of this healing balm
And wish all our brothers and sisters 'Salām'.

POEM ( Al-Hamdulillāh )

POEM

Al-Hamdulillāh


As I rise each day
Al-Hamdulillāh I say
As I put on my dress

Al-Hamdulillāh I express
As I fill my empty plate
Al-Hamdulillāh I state

As I make ready to strive
Al-Hamdulillāh for another day alive
As I hear the birds sing

Al-Hamdulillāh for the melody they bring
As I watch the Sun rise
Al-Hamdulillāh for my eyes

As I wash in the stream
Al-Hamdulillāh I am clean
As I pray my Salāt

Al-Hamdulillāh for the best start
As I share my gifts with neighbours
Al-Hamdulillāh for Allah's favours

As I delight with my family
Al-Hamdulillāh they care of me
As I pray for forgiveness

Al-Hamdulillāh for deliverance
As I open the Qur'ān
Al-Hamdulillāh for my Īmān

As I understand and take heed
Al-Hamdulillāh, Al-Hamdulillāh
For all the good I receive.

POEM ( Sleepy eyes! )

POEM

Sleepy eyes!

O sleepy head!
Do not make haste for bed
But after Salāt Ishā'
Crave for even more Thawāb
And stand with me for a night prayer

O sleepy eyes!
Do not fail to realize
As your lids start to close
Your last breath may be near - just suppose!
Better then, to stand for a night prayer

O sleepy soul!
What burdens do you hold?
This longing for respite
To sleep all through the night
Your night prayer will revive you untold

O weary self!
You are bestowed with good health
You are passing through life
With wealth and keen sight
Owe Allah a little thanks then this night

O supple bed and carrier!
You stand as a barrier
Between me and my Lord
Your comfort stirs discord
Do not kindle your warm welcome for me!

I have preferred the hard floor
Therein lies comfort much more
On the dusty hard ground
Allah's nearness is found
How blessed is the nightly prostration!

POEM ( Fortunate is He )

POEM

Fortunate is He

Fortunate is he
Who remembers Allah abundantly
Worldly distractions cannot mildly sway
His thoughts of Allah and Judgement Day

Righteous is he
Who prostrates to Him as though Him he can see
Whose deeds do not spring without Bismillāh
Fulfilling his tasks with perfect Taqwā

Devout is he
Who makes supplication to Allah intensely
Whose heart fills with mercy, is tender and kind
His gaze on the Ākhirah, this world behind

Prosperous is he
Who spends of his wealth on the poor and needy
Who speaks a kind word to his kin and his neighbour
Ever-grateful and indebted for Allah's Favours

Guided is he
Who attends to Salāt with punctuality
And extra Ibādah, Tahajjud he prays
For Allah's Pleasure and Nearness he craves

God-fearing is he
Who contemplates death, takes provision early
Whose limbs start to shiver as he reflects his demise
And tears stain his face over wasted sacrifice

Blessed be the pious
Who sing Allah's Praises fervently, tireless
Blessed be his slaves
Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon them, always.

POEM (Beloved Messenger of Allah (SAW) )

POEM
Beloved Messenger of Allah (SAW)

Although I never saw your face
So beautiful, bestowed with grace
My heart doth yearn to be like you
In thoughts and hopes and actions too
You loved the children and the old
And gave your heart to every soul
You nursed the sick and served the poor
And fed the hungry at your door
You loved the creatures - tame and wild
And comforted the orphan child
You bid men peace, cared for the youth
God's Messenger in truth

So with devotion I do read
Your life of which I try to lead
No deed is mine except is yours
My prayers upon you ever pour
The good-tidings you brought to me
And for mankind, we'll ever be
In humble praise of our Good Lord
For bringing His great Message forth

Now to my Lord I turn to pray
'O Allah! Your last Messenger's way
Lit the Earth whereso he went
This truthful, gentle soul You sent

O Allah! Your last Messenger's life
Was the perfect sacrifice
To bring your people to Your Garden
In hope he prayed for our pardon
Guiding, steady and forbearing
Patient with us for not caring

O Allah! Our love for him cannot sever
Peace and blessings on Muhammad forever'.

POEM (We seek refuge from Hellfire )

POEM

We seek refuge from Hellfire

Hurl him headlong into the pit of Fire!
Never from evil did he part nor tire
But roaming the Earth and causing man pain
Hurting humanity without any shame!

Cast him headlong into the burning Flame!
Never did he call on, or praise Allah's Name
But laughing and mocking every man of truth
Careless in manhood and heedless in youth

Throw him headlong into the piercing Blaze!
He who rejected his Creator always
Who stood protecting his deeds - untrue
If goodness approached, he would try to undo

Seize the denier of Allah the One!
He whose past life was reckless fun
Who failed to cleanse his darkened heart
Ever-ready, from Allah's Will, to depart...

The torturous Fire
will burn the hardened sinner!
Who disbelieved in Allah
and thought he was the winner!
But not the fearful servant
who yearned for Allah and paid heed
Safety from the Fire
for him is guaranteed,
Because he pleased our Maker
the wrong, he chose to leave
On him no fear nor sorrow
Nor harm will he grieve
O servants! Seek refuge in Allah!
And Hellfire makes this plea
It says 'For all of Your servants, Lord!
Grant refuge to them from me'!

Istikharah

Istikharah
According to Quran and Sunnah

Hadith - al-Tirmidhi # 2151. [Classed as saheeh by al-Haakim, 1/699, and al-Dhahabi agreed with him. It was classed as hasan by al-Haafiz ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baari, 11/184]

The happiness of the son of Adam depends on his being content with what Allah has decreed for him, and the misery of the son of Adam results from his failure to pray istikharah, and the misery of the son of Adam results from in his discontent with what Allah has decreed for him.

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To make the prayer of Istikharah (say: iss-teh-KHAR-uh), one should pray two non-fard (non-obligatory) rakat (units) of prayer, even if they are of the regular sunnah prayers or a prayer for entering the mosque, and so on, during any time of the day or night.

One should recite in them whatever one wishes of the Qur'an, after reciting al-Fatihah. Then one should praise Allah and invoke blessings upon the Prophet, peace be upon him.

After this one should supplicate to Allah. Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah has reported the following supplication from the Prophet, peace be upon him, when he related, "The Prophet, peace be upon him, taught us how to make Istikharah in all (our) affairs, just as he taught us various surahs of the Qur'an. He told us, 'If anyone of you considers doing something he should offer a two-rak'at prayer other than the obligatory prayers, and then say (after the prayer),

"Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika. wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlika al-azimfa-innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wala a ' lamu, wa anta 'allamu-l-ghuyub.

Allahumma, in kunta ta' lamu anna hadhaI-amra khairun lifi dini wa ma'ashi wa aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa'ajilihi) f aqdirhu li wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li fihi, wa in kunta ta'llamu anna hadha-l-amra sharrun lifi dini wa ma'ashi wa-aqibati amri (orfi'ajili amri wa ajilihi) fasrifhu anni was-rifni'anhu.

Wa aqdir li al-khaira haithu kana thumma ardini bihi"

(O Allah ! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, and Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this thing is good for my din and my subsistence and for my Hereafter - (or say, If it is better for my present and later needs) - then ordain it for me and make it easy for me to obtain, and then bless me in it. If You know that this thing is harmful to me in my din and subsistence and in the Hereafter--(or say, If it is worse for my present and later needs)--then keep it away from me, and keep me away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, and make me satisfied with it)."'

The Prophet, may peace be upon him, added that then the person should mention his need."

There is nothing authentic concerning anything specific that is to be recited in the prayer nor is there any authentic report concerning how many times one should repeat it.

An-Nawawi holds that "after making istikharah, a person must do what he is wholeheartedly inclined to do and feels good about doing and should not insist on doing what he had desired to do before making the istikharah. And if his feelings change, he should leave what he had intended to do, for otherwise he is not leaving the choice to Allah, and would not be honest in seeking aid from Allah's power and knowledge. Sincerity in seeking Allah's choice, means that one should completely abandon what one desired oneself."

Action Items for the BELIEVERS

• Make the prayer of istikharah before deciding to embark on a journey.

• Make the prayer of istikharah any time faced with uncertainty and requiring a decision to be made.

Remember... Allah, subhana watala, sees everything we do!

Male Hijab

Male Hijab
According to Quran and Sunnah

Cover in Righteousness

The Noble Qur'an Al-A'raaf 7:26

O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment* upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc.) and as an adornment, and the raiment of righteousness, that is better. Such are among the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, that they may remember (i.e. leave falsehood and follow truth).

*clothing/covering

What Must Be Covered During Prayer

The male 'Aura for prayer is that he must cover himself with clothes from umbilicus of his abdomen to his knees, and it is better that his both shoulders should be covered.

The Noble Qur'an 7:32

O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes), while praying and going round (the Tawâf of) the Ka'bah, and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allâh) likes not Al-Musrifûn (those who waste by extravagance).

Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Who has forbidden the adoration with clothes given by Allâh, which He has produced for his slaves, and At-Taiyibât [all kinds of Halâl (lawful) things] of food?" Say: "They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) exclusively for them (believers) on the Day of Resurrection (the disbelievers will not share them)." Thus We explain the Ayât (Islâmic laws) in detail for people who have knowledge.

The Thighs

The thighs are part of the aura and it should be a man's intentions to keep it covered.

Reported Muhammad Jahsh, "The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, passed by Ma'mar while his thighs were uncovered. He said, to him, 'O Ma'mar, cover your thighs, for they are (part of the) 'aurah." This is related by Ahmad, al-Hakim and al-Bukhari in Tareekh and in mu'allaq form in his Sahih.

Reported Jurhad, "The Messenger of Allah passed by me when the cloak I was wearing did not cover my thigh. He said, 'Cover your thigh, for it (is part of the) 'aurah." This is related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi, who called it hassan, and by al-Bukhari in mu'allaq form in the Sahih.

Envelope (completely cover) oneself in Clothing
and Keep It Clean

The Noble Qur'an 74:1-4
1. O you (Muhammad SAW) enveloped (in garments)!
2. Arise and warn!
3. And your Lord (Allâh) magnify!
4. And your garments purify!

Fiqh 1.109b

Concerning bodily purity, Anas related that the Prophet upon whom be peace, said, "Stay clean of urine, as the majority of punishment in the grave is due to it." This is related by ad-Daraqutni, who said it is hassan.

Reported 'Ali, I used to have a great deal of prostatic fluid flowing, so I asked a man to ask the Prophet about it (as I was shy to ask him, due to my relationship with him through his daughter). He asked him and the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said, "Make ablution and wash your penis." (Related by al-Bukhari and others.)

'Aishah also related that the Messenger of Allah said to women with a prolonged flow of blood, "Wash the blood from yourself and pray . "

Concerning purity of clothing, we have the following: Says Allah, "And purify your raiment" (al-Muddathir 4). Jabir ibn Sumrah reported that he heard a man ask the Prophet, "May I pray in the same clothes that I had on during intercourse with my wife?" He said, "Yes, but if you see some stains on it, you must wash it." This hadith is related by Ahmad and Ibn Majah. Its narrators are trustworthy. Reported Mu'awiyyah, "I asked Umm Habibah, 'Did the Prophet pray in the same clothes that he wore when he had intercourse?' She said, 'Yes, if there were no stains on it."'(Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah.) Abu Sa'eed reported that the Prophet removed his shoes and the people behind him did likewise. When he finished the prayer, he asked, "Why did you remove your shoes?" They said, "We saw you remove yours." He said, "Gabriel came to me and informed me that there was some filth on them. Therefore, when one of you comes to the mosque, he should turn his shoes over and examine them. If one finds any dirt on them, he should rub them against the ground and pray with them on." The hadith is related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, al-Hakim, Ibn Hibban and Ibn Khuzaimah. The latter grades it as sahih.

This hadith shows that if one enters the mosque (with his shoes on) and is unaware of some impurity or has forgotten it, and he suddenly remembers it during the prayer, he must try to remove it and proceed with the prayer. He does not have to repeat it later on.

Hadith - Abu Dawood 3150, Narrated Ubadah ibn as-Samit
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The best shroud is a lower garment and one which covers the whole body, and the best sacrifice is a horned ram.

Clothing must not be Tight.

Covering entire body is preferred over covering just lower half.

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari 1.357, Narrated Said bin Al Harith

I asked Jabir bin 'Abdullah about praying in a single garment. He said, "I traveled with the Prophet during some of his journeys, and I came to him at night for some purpose and I found him praying. At that time, I was wearing a single garment with which I covered my shoulders and prayed by his side. When he finished the prayer, he asked, 'O Jabir! What has brought you here?' I told him what I wanted. When I finished, he asked, 'O Jabir! What is this garment which I have seen and with which you covered your shoulders?' I replied, 'It is a (tight) garment.' He said, 'If the garment is large enough, wrap it round the body (covering the shoulders) and if it is tight (too short) then use it as an Izar (tie it around your waist only.)' "

Silk Garments

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.693, Narrated Uqba bin Amir
A silken Farruj was presented to Allah's Apostle and he put it on and offered the prayer in it. When he finished the prayer, he took it off violently as if he disliked it and said, "This (garment) does not befit those who fear Allah!"

Saffron (Yellow, Red/Yellow) Colored Garments

Bowl of Harvested Saffron Among Crocus Blossoms Harvesters pick the three red-orange stigma from each saffron crocus blossom to be sold as the saffron spice. A Saffron Shoulder Bag History records that the Phoenecians and Carthegenians used Saffron’s golden hues to dye the veils of their brides. Even now, Buddhist monks use it for coloring their robes. Indian brides use it for the ceremonial painting of their skins. The Irish use it for tinting wool. The Japanese use it for hand painting kimonos. It has also been used in the arts and paintings. Before the Renaissance, saffron had several religious uses. Even today, Indian hindu women, when offering prayers, receive a paste of saffron on their foreheads (Tikka) as a symbol of blessings, good luck and benevolance. Also in India, saffron is offered as a sacrifice in many hindu temples. Certain Hindu texts have been known to be written with saffron ink.

Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood #4037, Narrated Imran ibn Husayn The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: I do not ride on purple, or wear a garment dyed with saffron*, or wear shirt hemmed with silk. Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood #4210, Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) disliked ten things: 1. Yellow colouring... Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood #4055, Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As We came down with the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) from a turning of a valley. He turned his attention to me and I was wearing a garment dyed with a reddish yellow dye. He asked: What is this garment over you? I recognised what he disliked. I then came to my family who were burning their oven. I threw it (the garment) in it and came to him the next day. He asked: Abdullah, what have you done with the garment? I informed him about it. He said: Why did you not give it to one of your family to wear, for there is no harm in it for women. e*a modrate orange to orange yellow color

Patterns/Marks In the Clothing: Simple Clothing Preferred

Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood, #4041, Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin, r.a.
The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) once prayed wearing a garment having marks. He looked at its marks. When he saluted, he said: Take this garment of mine to AbuJahm, for it turned my attention just now in my prayer, and bring a simple garment without marks.

Hadith - Muwatta 3.72 - Looking in the Prayer at What Distracts You From It
Yahya related to me from Malik from AIqama ibn Abi AIqama from his mother that A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Abu Jahm ibn Hudhayfa gave the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, a fine striped garment from Syria and he did the prayer in it. When he had finished he said, 'Give this garment back to Abu Jahm. I lookedat its stripes in the prayer and they almost distracted me.' "

Sadaqa Not Accepted with Unlawful Clothing

Hadith - Muslim
Then [the Messenger saaws] mentioned a man who had traveled for a long time. Unkempt and covered in dust, he raised his hands to the heavens (and cried): 'O my Lord! O my Lord!' His food was unlawful, his drink was unlawful, his clothing was unlawful, and what he had provided to sustain himself with was also unlawful. How could his invocation be accepted?"

Gratitude to Allah for the Protection of Clothing

The Noble Qur'an An-Nahl 16:81
And Allâh has made for you out of that which He has created shades, and has made for you places of refuge in the mountains, and has made for you garments to protect you from the heat (and cold), and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus does He perfect His Grace unto you, that you may submit yourselves to His Will (in Islâm).

Wearing White

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi 4623, Narrated 'Aisha, r.a.
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) was questioned about Waraqah and Khadijah said to him, "He believed in you, but died before you appeared as a prophet." Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) then said, "I was shown him in a dream, wearing white clothes, and if he had been one of the inhabitants of Hell he would have been wearing different clothing." [Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it]

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.717, Narrated Abu Dharr, r.a.
I came to the Prophet while he was wearing white clothes and sleeping....

Wearing Green

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.705, Narrated 'Aisha, r.a.
When Allah's Apostle died, he was covered with a Hibra Burd (green square decorated garment).

Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood, Narrated Abu Rimthah, r.a.
I went with my father to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and saw two green garments over him.

Wearing Red

It is permissible to wear red clothes if the red is combined with another colour; it is not permissible to wear plain red, because the Prophet (saaws) forbade doing so.

The hadith which forbid wearing plain red

1. From al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (saaws) forbade us to use soft red mattresses and qasiy – garments with woven stripes of silk.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5390)

2. From Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said: “I was forbidden (to wear) red garments and gold rings, and to recite Qur’aan in rukoo’.” (Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, no. 5171. Imam Albaani said: its isnaad is sahih. Saheeh Sunan al-Nasaa’i, 1068).

3. From ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allaah be pleased with them both), who said: “A man passed by the Prophet SAWS wearing two red garments and greeted him with salaam, but he SAWS did not return the greeting.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2731; Abu Dawood, no. 3574. Al-Tirmidhi said: this hadeeth is hasan ghareeb with this isnaad). According to the scholars, the meaning of this hadith is that the Prophet SAWS disliked the wearing of garments dyed with safflower (the red dyestuff obtained from safflowers), but he had no objection to garments dyed with clay or other substances, so long as it was not dyed with safflower. This hadeeth was classed as da’eef by al-Albaani (Da’eef Sunan Abi Dawood, 403; Da’eef Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 334. He said: its isnaad is da’eef).

Hadith which may be understood to mean that it is permissible to wear red if it is mixed with another colour

1. From Hilaal ibn ‘Aamir from his father, who said: “I saw the Messenger of Allaah SAWS in Mina, giving a khutbah sitting on his mule, wearing a red cloak, and ‘Ali was in front of him, repeating what he said (in a loud voice, so that the people could hear).” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, no. 3551; classed as sahih by al-Albaani – Sahih Sunan Abi Dawood, 767).

2. The hadeeth of al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: “The Messenger of Allah SAWS was of average build. I saw him in a red hullah, and I never saw anyone more handsome than him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 5400; Muslim, 4308).

3. From al-Baraa’, who said: “I never saw anyone who has hair wearing a red hullah and looking more handsome than the Messenger of Allah SAWS (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He had hair down to his shoulders, he was broad-shouldered and was neither short nor tall.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 1646. He said: in this chapter there is a report from Jaabir ibn Samurah and Abu Rimthah and Abu Juhayfah. This hadeeth is hasan saheeh…)

4. From al-Baraa’ who said: “The Messenger of Allaah SAWS had hair down to his earlobes. I saw him wearing a red hullah, and I have never seen anyone more handsome than him.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, no. 4072; Ibn Maajah, no. 3599. Classed as sahih by Albaani – Saheeh Sunan Abi dawood, 768).

5. Al-Bayhaqi narrated in al-Sunan: “[The Prophet] SAWS used to wear a red cloak on Eid.”

What is meant by a red hullah is a suit of two Yemeni garments which are woven with red and black stripes, or red and green stripes. It is described as red because of the red stripes in it.

This is the view of a number of scholars, such as al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (Fath al-Baari Sharh ‘ala Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 5400) and Ibn al-Qayyim (Zaad al-Ma’aad, 1-137). And Allah knows best

Wear an 'Izar

An 'Izar (loing wrap) is a rectangular piece of cloth worn wrapped around the waist for modesty.

Hadith - Bukhari 7.695 (Also 7.744) Narrated Ibn Abbas, r.a. The Prophet (saaws) said, "Whoever cannot get an Izar, can wear trousers, and whoever cannot wear sandals can wear Khuffs."

Garment Should Not Hang Past Ankles

Hadith - Al-Muwatta 48.12, Similar narration in Abu Dawood #4082
Yahya related to me from Malik from al Ala ibn Abd ar-Rahman that his father said, "I asked Abu Said al-Khudri about the lower garment. He said that he would inform me with knowledge and that he had heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'The lower garment of the mumin should reach to the middle of his calves. There is no harm in what is between that and the ankles. What is lower than that is in the Fire. What is lower than that is in the Fire. On the Day of Rising, Allah will not look at a person who trails his lower garment in arrogance.' "

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.678, Narrated Abu Huraira, r.a.
The Prophet (saaws) said, "The part of an Izar which hangs below the ankles is in the Fire."

Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood, Narrated AbuJurayy Jabir ibn Salim al-Hujaymi
The Prophet saaws said, "Have your lower garment halfway down your shin; if you cannot do it, have it up to the ankles. Beware of trailing the lower garment, for it is conceit and Allah does not like conceit."

Folding up the hem because your garment is too long, is forbidden. Pull the trousers upwards, instead. (hint: hard to do if your pants are too tight to start with!)

Hadith - Sahih Muslim #5200, Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar, r.a.

I happened to pass before Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) with my lower garment trailing (upon the ground). He said: Abdullah, tug up your lower garment. I tugged it up, and he again said: Tug it still further, and I tugged it still further and I went on tugging it afterward, whereupon some of the people said: To what extent? Thereupon he said: To the middle of the shanks*.

*The part of the leg between the knee and ankle.

Said Ibn 'Abbas, "The Prophet ordered us to prostrate on seven bodily parts and not to fold back the hair or clothing: the forehead, the hands, the knees and the feet." In another wording, the Prophet said, "I have been ordered to prostrate on seven bodily parts: the forehead, and he pointed to his nose, the hands, the knees and the ends of the feet." (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.) In another narration, he said, "I have been ordered to prostrate on seven bodily parts and not to fold back the hair or clothing: the forehead, the nose, the hands, the knees and the feet." (Related by Muslim and an-Nasa'i.)

Be Known as a Muslim

The Noble Qur'an 7:3
[Say (O Muhammad SAW) to these idolaters (pagan Arabs) of your folk:] Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord (the Qur'ân and Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah), and follow not any Auliyâ' (protectors and helpers, etc. who order you to associate partners in worship with Allâh), besides Him (Allâh). Little do you remember!

Narration - al-Hakim and Tirmidhi (hasan)
"Allah likes to see the mark of His benevolence on His servant."

Wearing the izar (loin-wrap), thawb (long cloth), `imama (turban), jubba (coat or mantle), sirwal (baggy pants), etc. is of the Prophet's (SAAWS) Sunnah of dress. There is no such thing as an unimportant or unnecessary Sunnah.

Hadith - Tirmidhi (hasan), Book of knowledge; al-Baghawi, Sharh al-sunna 1:233.
Whoever gives life to one of my Sunnahs which was eliminated after my time will receive the reward of all those who practice it without their reward being diminished...

Hadith - Tirmidhi (hasan gharib), Book of knowledge.
Whoever gives life to one of my Sunnahs, he loves me: and whoever loves me is with me.

And Abu Hurayra (r.a.) narrates the following hadith in Muslim, Nasa'i, Malik, and Ahmad:

The Prophet came to the graveyard and said: "Peace be upon you, O abode of a people of believers! We shall certainly join you, if Allah will. How I long to see my brothers!" They said: "O Messenger of Allah, are we not your brothers?" He replied: "You are my Companions! As for my brothers, they are those who have not yet appeared." They said: "How will you recognize those of your Community who had not yet appeared (in your time), O Messenger of Allah?" He replied: "Suppose a man had horses with shiny white marks on their foreheads and legs: would he not recognize them among other horses which are all black?" They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" He continued: "Verily, they (my brothers) shall be coming with shiny bright foreheads and limbs due to their ablutions, and I shall precede them to my Pond."

Dressing according to the sunnah is an act of ibadah that brings with it a reward, insha'Allah.

The Companions were quick to imitate every aspect of the Prophet's example of dress:

Hadith - Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 92, Number 401. Narrated Ibn 'Umar

The Prophet saaws wore a gold ring and then the people followed him and wore gold rings too. Then the Prophet said, "I had this golden ring made for myself." He then threw it away and said, "I shall never put it on." Thereupon the people also threw their rings away.

The very least that has been said by the scholars of the Shari`a in the matter is that following the Prophet in matters of dress or everyday matters such as eating, walking, and sleeping is a matter of excellence (ihsan) and perfection (kamal) and is desirable (mustahabb) and part of one's good manners (adab) in the religion. Every desirable practice performed on the basis of such intention means a higher degree in paradise which the person who neglects it may not attain to, and Allah knows best.

Wearing a Turban

The Prophet said: "Pray as you see me pray" . As Bukhari showed in the hadith he cited in the chapter entitled "Wearing turbans," the Prophet wore it and sometimes he wiped on top of it during ablution in order not to have to remove it. ^[Bukhari, Book of Ablution, hadith of Ja`far ibn `Amr's father.]

He wore it in war and in the khutba, and he would receive it as a gift as established by the following three hadiths:

• Jabir said: "The Prophet entered Mecca on the Day of victory wearing a black turban and he loosened its two ends between his shoulders." [Muslim and Abu Dawud. The first part is also in Tirmidhi (hasan), Ibn Majah, and Nasa'i.]

• Ja`far ibn `Amr narrates from his father: "I saw the Prophet on the pulpit wearing a black turban with the extremity loosened between his shoulder-blades." [Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah.]

• Abu Sa`id al-Khudri reported that when the Prophet got a new piece of garment, he would mention it, whether a turban or a shirt or a cloak, and then would say: "O Allah, all praise and thanks be to You. You have given me this garment. I seek from You its good and the good that is made of it and I seek Your refuge against its evil and the evil that it is made of." {Allahumma, laka al-hamd, anta kasawtanih, as'aluka khayrahu wa khayra ma suni`a lahu, wa a`udhu bika min sharrihi wa sharri ma ma suni`a lah.} [Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi]

Ibn Abi al-Ahwas said: I came in shabby clothes to see the Prophet and he said: "Do you have money?" I said yes. He said: "From where does your money come?" I said: "Allah has given me camels and sheep and horses and slaves." He said: "Then if Allah gave you money and possessions, he likes for you to show it." ^[Narrated with a sound chain by Abu Dawud in the Book of Garments and al-Nasa'i in the Book of Ornaments. Ahmad narrates something similar in his Musnad.]

Abu al-Darda' said that the Prophet said: "You are coming to your brethren, therefore mend your mounts and mend your garments until you stand out among the people (due to your excellence) like a mole on the face. Verily, Allah does not like obscene speech nor obscene behavior." [Narrated with a sound chain by Abu Dawud in the Book of Garments and Ahmad in his Musnad.]

al-Khatib al-Baghdadi narrates in his Tarikh Baghdad that one time Abu Hanifa asked a man who was shabbily dressed to stay behind after the others had left from his circle of study. Then he told him: "Lift up the prayer-rug and take the money that is there and buy yourself some nice clothes." The man told him he was wealthy and had no need of the money. Abu Hanifa said: "Has it not reached you that the Prophet said: Allah likes to see the mark of His benevolence on His servant?" [al-Khatib, Tarikh Baghdad 13:263]

Bukhari also narrates in the book of Salat that Hasan al-Basri said that in the time of the Prophet, because of scorching heat, "People used to prostrate on their turban-cloth (`imama) and turban-cap (qalansuwa) with their hands in their sleeves," and that Anas Ibn Malik said:

We used to pray with the Prophet and some of us used to place the ends of their clothes at the place of prostration because of scorching heat.

They were wearing head-covers and long sleeves in scorching heat.

The following is a saying of `Umar ibn al-Khattab narrated by Malik in the Book of Friday Prayer in his Muwatta:
"I love to see the reciter of the Qur'an [i.e. the leader of the Friday prayer] wearing white."

The Prophet said on the authority of Ibn `Umar: "Whoso resembles a people in appearance, he is one of them." [Narrated by Abu Dawud (Libas) and Ahmad (2:50, 2:92) with a chain which has some weakness according to Sakhawi in al- Maqasid al-hasana, however he states that its authenticity is verified by other narrations. Also narrated by Ibn Abi Shayba in his Musannaf (5:313), Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari 10:274 [Dar al-Fikr ed.], and Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir (8:53). `Iraqi said its chain is sound (sahih). al-Bazzar also relates it through Hudhayfa and Abu Hurayra, Abu Nu`aym through Anas, and al-Quda`i relates it through Tawus, a chain which Ibn Hibban declared sahih. Ibn Taymiyya in his Iqtida' al-siratal- mustaqim (p. 82) calls Abu Dawud's and Ahmad's chain "a good chain."]

Note that shaving the beard is considered effeminacy and is forbidden (haram) and recognized to be haram by the Four Imams.

Ibn Hibban's version of `Umar's saying is mentioned by Ibn Taymiyya who interprets it as an explicit prohibition for Muslims in non-Muslim countries against wearing unislamic clothing:

This is a prohibition on the part of `Umar directed at Muslims against all that belongs to the manner of dress of non-Muslims (mushrikun). [Ibn Taymiyya, Iqtida' as-sirat al-mustaqim (1907 ed.) p. 60]

Imam Nawawi in his Fatawa was asked: "Is there harm for one's religion and his salat if he dresses other than in the fashion of Muslims?" He answered: "It is forbidden to resemble the disbelievers in appearance, whether in clothing or otherwise, because of the sound and well-known hadiths concerning this; and wearing such clothing makes one's prayer incomplete tanqusu bihi al-salat."

Bayhaqi also cited the hadith of al-`Abbas al-Duri from Sa`id ibn `Amir al-Dub`i from Sa`id ibn Abi `Azuba from Ayyub from Nafi` who said:

Ibn `Umar saw me pray in a single garment and he said: "Did I not give you clothes?" I said yes. He continued: "And if I sent you on an errand would you go out like this?" I said no. He said: "Then Allah is worthier of your self-adornment."

It is narrated by Tahawi in Sharh ma`ani al-athar (1:221), Tabarani, Bayhaqi in his Sunan al-kubra (2:236), and Haythami said in Majma` al-zawa'id (2:51): "Its chain is fair (hasan)." Albani included it in al-Silsila al-sahiha (#1369).

Bayhaqi also cited the hadith of Yusuf ibn Ya`qub al-Qadi from Sulayman ibn Harb from Hammad ibn Zayd from Ayyub from Nafi`:

`Umar entered upon me one day as I was praying in a single garment and he said: "Don't you have two garments in your possession?" I said yes. He said: "In your opinion, if I sent you to one of the people of Madina on an errand, would you go in a single garment?" I said no. He said: "Then is Allah worthier of our self-beautification or people?"

How to tie a turban

1. A ghaffiya or plain cap of heavy cloth can be worn to prevent hair from showing.

2. You start with one end of the turban about six inches below the base of the neck; this is going to be the tail which one sees on some period turbans.

3. From there, the turban passes over the head to just above the forehead and then you start winding it. A single wind is a clockwise circle tilted somewhat from the horizontal.

4. As you wind the turban, the circle grows; the low point moves around the head by about 90 degrees each wind. So if the first time around the low point is under the right ear then the next time it is at the back of the head, then left ear.

5. As you go, you can let the tilt increase, since the bottom of the circle will anchor itself below the bulge of cloth already there.

6. When you are down to a small peice or so, make a horizontal circle around the whole thing and tuck the end in. The result is the horizontal band.

We seek refuge in Allah from misguidance and innovation.

Action Items for the BELIEVERS

• Wear your best available clothes for prayer.

• Do not resemble the disbelievers attire.

• Always cover your awra (for men, this is the distance between the knees and bellybutton, including both the knees and bellybutton being covered). Cover more when able, such as the arms for modesty.

• Keep your clothes clean.

• Do not wear bright, flashy colors. Wear white when able to for prayer.

• Do not wear images of people, animals, or insects on your clothes.

• Hem your pants short so that they do not hang past the ankle.

• Do not tuck your shirt in your pants, but instead have a thawb that covers the knees, or wear an izar, etc.

• Cover your hair for prayer when able.

• Do not shave off your beard, for it is part of your required hijab.

Remember... Allah, subhana watala, sees everything we do!