Ramadan Qur’an-a-thon Sadaqah Drive 2010 – Open to All Muslim Kids Worldwide
Now, that our Summer Islamic Reading Program is officially over, it’s time for another worthy, Islamic educational project–and probably our most religiously-fulfilling one of the year! On behalf of American Muslim Mom and Islamic Relief USA, we are happy to host the 2nd Annual Ramadan Qur’an-A-Thon Sadaqah Drive of 2010.
What is a Ramadan Qur’an-A-Thon Sadaqah Drive?
In this post you will find all necessary information to participate:
- The Program’s Purpose/Objective, Deadline Dates, and Contact Information,
- Instructions how to participate, and
- The Qur’an-A-Thon Certification Pledge Form.
This program is designed to be completed completely online this year. At http://americanmuslimmom.com each participant may register, download pledge forms, seek pledges from local family and friend, have their Qur’an recitation certified by a local official of his/her choice, and then make secured online pledges directly to Islamic Relief USA.
American Muslim Mom launched July 15, 2009 as the first and only online (or offline) blog magazine dedicated to Muslim Moms and Their Children in America. With our growing international community of Muslim parents determined to raise Mu’miniyn in the West (and East) despite any obstacles we may face. As such, American Muslim Mom designed this program with the Purpose and Objectives listed below.
American Muslim Mom chose to partner with Islamic Relief USA because it is one of the most reputable, international relief and development Islamic non-profit organizations. In support of encouraging children to study the Qur’an and make charitable giving a part of their daily habits, Islamic Relief USA willfully accepted the opportunity to partner and promote this program for the 2nd year in a row. Together, we will acknowledge every child that participates with gifts and awards, inshaAllah.
Together, Islamic Relief USA and American Muslim Mom are determined to reach as many children as possible in this year by allowing all children to participate even though payments are only accepted in US dollars for Islamic Relief. Intenational children will be given the opportunity to make sadaqah at their local Islamic charitable organization of their choice. Of course, if they have USD, we pray that they’d contribute to IF-USA 
We graciously ask that you help us recruit participants individually or collectively as part of an Islamic day school, weekend school, homeschool coop, Qur’an/Hifz school, Islamic youth groups, and/or individuals such as public school students who seek private Qur’an tutoring.
Program Materials:
Program information is all available on this post, and the only form to downloaded this year is Qur’an-A-Thon Certification Pledge Form.
Purpose/Objective:
Narrated Aisha: The Prophet said, “Such a person as recites the Qur’an and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Qur’an by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.” (Book #60, Hadith #459, Sahih Bukhari)
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: Allah’s Apostle was the most generous of all the people, and he used to be more generous in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel used to meet him. Gabriel used to meet him every night in Ramadan to study the Holy Qur’an carefully together. Allah’s Apostle used to become more generous than the fast wind when he met Gabriel (Book #54, Hadith #443, Sahih Bukhari)
To help young Muslims appreciate and live more closely to the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) by
(1) Learning more ayats of the Qur’an by heart,
(2) Understanding and appreciating the act of earning money,
(3) Allowing children to gain a sense of pride by making charitable gifts to the needy, and
(4) Completing these generous acts in the name of Allah (May He be Glorified) during our blessed month of Ramadan when our rewards are multiplied by the number only Allah knows and wills.
Who may participate?
- Any Muslim child able to recite and memorize Qur’an based on the rules of tajweed up to 18 years of age.
NEW: Worldwide Participation.
- Muslim children in the US will make sadaqah to Islamic Relief USA and pick his/her preferred charitable campaign (”Designation) here.
- Muslim children living outside of the US may make sadaqah to any Islamic institution or charitable organization of their choice.
How are the funds raised in this event?
- Each participating young Muslim will seek sponsorship from friends, family members, and others (Muslims & non-Muslims).
- Each sponsor will determine upon signing a pledge form to pay a predetermined amount of money (example 25 cents or $1) for each ayah (or surah) of the Qur’an that the participant reads with correct tajweed to an Islamic scholar or learned adult during the event*, OR
- The sponsor may also elect to pay a fixed amount of money as sponsorship for the participant regardless of the number of ayahs or surah he/she reads, recites or memorizes (for example: a sponsor may pledge to contribute one set price of $50).
- *It is recommended that each participating young Muslim describes the number of ayats (or surah) which is a realistic amount for that one participant to memorize with correct tajweed with in 30 days. Therefore, no one misleads the one is making a pledge. For example, its
How to Participate Ramadan 1431/2010?
- First 10 days of Ramadan [August 11 - 20, 2010] – Memorize as many ayats/surahs with correct tajweed as possible.
- REQUIREMENT: Comment below with your child/ren’s first name and last initial, age and his/her goal for memorizing the Qur’an.
- Second 10 days of Ramadan [August 21 - 30, 2010] – Continue to memorize as many ayats/surah with correct tajweed as possible, and be tested by an Islamic scholar or learned adult, called the Examiner. The Examiner must use certify on the bottom of the pledge form and acknowledge with his/her signature how many ayats/surah the participant recited correctly.
- OPTIONAL: Comment below with your child/ren’s progress so we can help motivate one another.
- Last 10 days of Ramadan 21-26 [August 31 – September 8/9. 2010 ] – Collect the pledge money and make your Sadaqah. US residents donate directly to IF-USA here. Please let your child/ren pick his/her own Designation for his/her sadaqah.
- REQUIRED: Upon completion,
- Fax or email your Pledge form to contact@americanmuslimmom.com or Fax 858-552-5656, We will post the amount of sadaqah raised based on these completed pledge forms.
- Comment below stating that you completed the program.
*It is critical to collect and return pledges on or before the 30th day of Ramadan, so our children receive the greatest amount of rewards for their hard work and efforts.
Jazaka Allahu Khayrun to my eldest daughter for making this year’s blog button. Please feel free to check out her many tutorials “How to Blog”, and grab your own button to show your proud participation!
Muslim Kids Video – Islamic joke about making Salam versus Qur’an
A very cute and funny Islamic video that shows a kid’s innocent desire to gain ajr (a reward for doing a good deed or action) by making “Salam”…even to one who’s studying the Qur’an
Please share your thoughts about this week’s video in the comments section below. As always, if you have an Islamic movie video or nasheed you’d like to share, please let us know about it by clicking here.
Why Debate When We Have the Qur’an and Sunnah to Lead Us?
Washington Post shares another article about Muslims, “In U.S. mosques, a debate over English” by Associated Press Rachel Zoll . What’s most disappointing about this article isthat main stream media is highlighting some of our biggest flaws as a Muslim ummah (community): We are unorganized, petty, uncompromising, and frighteningly uneducated in our own deen (way of life, or religion).
My dear brothers and sisters, in our very own book–The Qur’an states
It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) the book (this Qur’an). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkam (commandments), Al-Fara'id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudud (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers)]; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord.” And none receive admonition except men of understanding. (Tafsir At-Tabari).
(Surah Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #7)
- By debating which language an Imam should use in the masjid (house of worship), we are creating al-fitnah (trials, problems, harmful issues, and conflict) amongst ourselves and to others. We need to follow the Qur’an, as shown here:
And this is a blessed book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allah (i.e. do not disobey His Orders), that you may receive mercy (i.e. be saved from the torment of Hell).
(Surah Al-Anaam, Chapter #6, Verse #155)
- Regarding this unnecessary debate, our glorious Qur’an states:
And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them. Then Allah misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. (Surah Ibraaheem, Chapter #14, Verse #4)
Subhanallah, Glory be to God, in this fatwa regarding using another language besides Arabic in our khutbah, the sheikh shares,
And the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded Zayd ibn Thaabit to learn the language of the Jews so that he might send letters to them in their language and establish proof against them, and so that he might read their letters when they were sent, and explain to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) what they said. And when the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) attacked the Romans and Persians, they did not fight them until they had called them to Islam by means of interpreters. When they conquered the foreign countries they called the people to Allaah in Arabic and commanded the people to learn it. Whoever among them did not know Arabic, they called him in his own language and made him understand what was meant in the language that he did understand. Thus proof was established. Undoubtedly this is the only way, especially at the end of time when Islam is like a stranger and every people is clinging to its own language. There is a very real need for translation now, and the daa’iyah cannot convey his message without it.
The khateeb should do that which best suits the interests of the people he is addressing. If the best is to give the khutbah part by part, in Arabic and then translated, then he should do that. If the best is to translate the entire khutbah, after giving the khutbah (in Arabic) or after the prayer, then he should do that. And Allaah knows best.
Another disheartening part of this article is how the khateeb did not show his knowledge of these verses in the Qu’ran, Sunnah or fatwa to support his decision to use both Arabic and English in his khutbah. With all due respect to Imam Hassan al-Qazwini, May Allah be pleased with his efforts, accept his good deeds and reward him, Ameen; if all Imams simply used these known facts, the debate would end.
To end the article by sharing that other Muslims think he’s “too Americanized” and “We have to be realistic”, he (a religious leader) is showing lack of knowledge. Meanwhile, opening the doors for non-Muslims (and Muslims like me) to find this needless debate laughable. The solution to this problem is a no-brainer, even to my little girls who witnessed khutbahs in dozen of European languages before.
We must stop using the excuse that “our” issues are significant to our own time, location and circumstances here in the U.S., especially since more than 70% of all the Muslims in the world are not Arabs.
We must stand with a forceful voice that this is time to return to the fundamentals of our religion by following the Qur’an and Sunnah; regardless where we live, where we come from, or where we’re going!
Since we live in such a tumultuous time right now; we need to trust our scholars as they debate areas that are not entirely clear, and leave the rest to Allah, as He knows best.
So, let’s stand together on issues that already have answers; such as speaking English in American masjids, and move on.
We’re always curious what you have to share, so please comment kindly below.
The Growth of Muslims Around the World
This video with Arabic subtitles shows the inevitable growth of the Muslim ummah (community of believers) as shared in our blessed Qu’ran,
It is He who has sent forth His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to uplift it above every religion; no matter how much the mushrekens (idolaters) hate it. (9:33)
The creators of the video are magnifying the phenomenon in the video but the basic idea is true. Subhan’Allah, the Almighty plan is working even while the Muslims themselves are are sleeping.
Muslim Kids Video – Don’t be a Showoff
We must pray only for the sake of worshiping Allah and for no other reason. This lesson explained in Surah Maun (Alms Giving) in the Qur’an is the reason we chose today’s funny Muslim Kids Video.
Surah Maun (Alms Giving) 107
- Have you seen him who denies the Recompense?
- That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly),
- And urges not on the feeding of Al-Miskin (the poor),
- So woe unto those performers of Salat (prayers) (hypocrites)
- Those who delay their Salat (prayer from their stated fixed times).
- Those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men),
- And prevent Al-Ma’un (small kindnesses like salt, sugar, water).
Please help us showcase the best nasheed and Muslim Kids videos available on the web every Sunday. So, please leave a comment below with your favorite link and check back each week to see when we post it!
Muslim Kids Video: The Easiest Way to Get into Paradise – Jennah – Heaven
A funny video shares a couple well-known ahadith about how we must treat our mothers:
- The Prophet Muhammad said, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him: Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother (Ahmad, Nasai).
- A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your father. (Bukhari, Muslim).
Role of Parents in the Qu’ran
While the above ahadith are about mothers, below are a couple verses in the Qur’an about parents
Qur’an
And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.
(Surah Al-Isra, Chapter #17, Verse #23)
And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination.
(Surah Luqman, Chapter #31, Verse #14)
Please leave a comment below with your favorite nasheed and Muslim Kids videos, since we showcase a new one every Sunday. Then, check back each week to see when we post it!
Yoplait Kids Strong and Happy Drawing Contest
5 Minutes for Mom blog is running their very first Drawing Contest, “Strong and Happy” sponsored by Yoplait Kids. The deadline is Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 3:00pm EST. So, you still have time to grab your favorite drawing utensils (i.e, crayons, colored pencils, markers) and post your kids’ pictures up for a chance to win $1000 or $300 in educational classes, sports or supplies! Perfect for us homeschoolers.
We were very excited that Yoplait Kids is the sponsor on this contest, because our family loves Yoplait yogurt! While, we haven’t tried Yoplait Kids yet, this contest have our girls eagerly waiting for our next grocery run so we can check them out.
Without further ado, our daughter’s creative entries are pasted below.
When I asked my 8 year old, “What do you think of when you’re thinking of being ‘Strong and Happy’ because you just had some Yoplait yogurt?” She immediately thought of showing off her muscles after finishing her daily dose of Yoplait yogurt. “Can you draw that?”, I asked. “Ohhh, yeah!”, she replied.
In her favorite new dress, here’s our family’s entry:
When I asked my 6 year old, “What do you think of when you’re thinking of being ‘Strong and Happy’?” She said, “Amo Mahmoud lifting me in the straight up in the air!…Oh, Oh, and I’ll hold Yoplait too!”
After tripping around the dining room as we posed and tried to figure out how to draw her idea, here it is:
While in the excitement of discussing her younger sister’s creative ideas, my 9 year old said, “I think of having a strong deen (way of life in Islam)…that makes me ’strong and happy’”. So, I asked, “how would you draw that?” We all agreed, “learning and teaching the Qur’an!” Masha’Allah, God has willed. She opted not to draw it because she felt that no one would understand. She didn’t want to elaborate when I tried to convince her that it was a great & unique idea, and ideal for our American Muslim Mom blog…but, she wouldn’t share anymore and went to the other room to hide her new idea.
Pasted below is her “Strong and Happy Yoplait moment”:
Since I wanted to join the fun, I decided to draw and color our great idea.
Below is the American Muslim Mom and her daughters happily learning and reading the Qur’an to keep us strong in this dunya (life) and the ahkira (Hereafter), inshaAllah, God willing.
So, what makes you and your little ones feel “Strong and Happy”? Please share your thoughts below, or enter the contest yourself: Click here for the rules.
Get Drawing and Win $1000:
Since Yoplait Kids is a tasty yogurt snack with 25% less sugar and calcium and Vitamin D in every serving – have your little ones draw a picture showing themselves as the happy and strong kids that Yoplait Kids can help them become!
We are sponsoring the “Strong and Happy” Drawing Contest, and offering an exciting prize courtesy of Yoplait Kids for our winning artwork: $1,000 to use towards classes (including sports) and/or education material for the child(ren).
We will also award a prize to our second place drawing: $300.00 to use toward classes (including sports) and/or educational material for the child(ren).
Learning the Qur’an for Free Online – QuranExplorer.com and HarfKids.com-Quraan Review
My entire family (Mama, Baba, and our 9, 8 and 6 year old daughters) completely endorse QuranExplorer.com/Quran and HarfKids.com/en/Quraan as easy-to-use, easy-to-learn, easy-to-navigate, fun, interactive sites to learn how to read and recite the Qur’an based on the rules of Tajweed, while learning its meaning at the same time.
1. Qur’an Explorer – Review
Why we love Qu’ran Explorer:
- Tajweed color rules can be turned on or off,
- Multiple shaikhs to pick; such as Mishary and Abdul-Basit,
- Two different Arabic scripts to pick, Usmani and IndoPak,
- Different English translators, such as Dr. Mohsin, Yusuf Ali,
- Translations in multiple languages are also available, such as Spanish and Indonesian,
- The entire Qur’an is available,
- You can choose to search by Surah, Juz, Hizb, or verse (ayat),
- Advanced Options include,
- Verse Repetition [How many times you want to play the verse before it goes to the next one],
- Intervals Between Verse ["Continuous Play" means there are no pauses in between each verse, or "Duration of Verse" means how long it takes the shaikh to say the verse and it pauses that long, or you choose how many seconds you want to "Wait" for the pause in between the verses],
- Auto Play, and
- Colors.
- Audio sound and mute option,
- An option to bookmark the verse range where you are studying oo return back to the exact place you left off,
- Zoom text size, and much more.
- For a wonderful tutorial, click the “Help” button.
2. HarfKids.com Quraan – Review
While HarfKids.com Quraan is not nearly as complete as QuranExplorer.com it comes in a very close second at our home, especially for young children just beginning to memorize our Glorious Qur’an, for the following reasons:
- Everything is on one single screen,
- There is not an “Advanced Options” button to click and review,
- It’s colorful, more fun to look at, and has cuter buttons,
- For a verse translation, you click on “Explanation” for a pop-up box in English,
- Just like in QuranExplorer.com you can determine which verses you want displayed, and if you want a continuous play of the reciter or pause in between each verse,
- Shaikh AbdulBasit is the reciter,
- Made for those just starting to memorize the Qur’an, it lists Surah An-Nas (114) to Al-Qiyamah (75)
CONS
- It often locks up, and sometimes we can not even get it to work at all, and
- Since the Qur’an learning option is only one section of the large HarfKids.com website, the above navigation toolbar and bottom buttons are distracting, especially because they flash and scroll in real-time.
We’d love to hear your experiences with either of these two sites, but if you know of other helpful sites, please share them below.
This post is a part of the Mission: Ramadan 1430H project. For 29 other articles about our Glorious Qur’an, please visit ProductiveMuslim.com today!
Ramadan – A Time for Happiness, Not Distress
As stated in the New York Times March 2009 article, Muslim Thriving, but not content ; in which excerpts were previously shared in this post, The only subset with no wage gap between men and women are Muslims, mashaAllah (God has willed), I find it important to highlight some additional interesting quotes below,
A Gallup poll of Muslims in the United States has found that they are far more likely than people in Muslim countries to see themselves as thriving…Yet, within the United States, Muslims are the least content religious group, when compared with Jews, Mormons, Protestants and Roman Catholics.
American Muslim women, contrary to stereotype, are more likely than American Muslim men to have college and post-graduate degrees. They are more highly educated than women in every other religious group except Jews. American Muslim women also report incomes more nearly equal to men, compared with women and men of other faiths.
Muslim women in the United States attend mosque as frequently as Muslim men — a contrast with many Muslim countries where the mosques are primarily for men. American Muslims are generally very religious, saying that religion is an important part of their daily lives (80 percent), more than any other group except Mormons (85 percent). The figure for Americans in general is 65 percent.
“There is still a sense among American Muslims of being excluded from the mainstream,” Mr. Younis said, “and among young people that’s more acute.”
But the perception is far worse among Muslims in England and France, the study found.
Mr. Younis said the finding “reinforces the proposition that the integration process for American Muslims is, on the whole, a much more successful endeavor than it is for European Muslims.”
Alhumdulilah, Praise be to Allah, American Muslims are one of the most well-educated, wealthiest subsets of America who are growing at record pace–yet, we’re not “content”!?
We’re definitely not being Mu’miniyn (true believers) if we are not grateful for our good fortune and well-being.
Aren’t we being hypocrites when we chose to be disappointed because we “perceive” that the majority of Americans are misled by mass media’s depiction of a stereotypical Muslim American, therefore we can’t be proud of ourselves?
By choosing to sit discontent and idle on the side-lines, rather then choosing to do something constructive or even rejoice in our blessings, we’re not being Mu’miniyn.
Are we purposefully preventing ourselves from being proud simply because we’re not confident enough to know that pride is a good thing?
Honestly, I was greatly disappointed when I read this article because I believe that we are NOT being Proud Muslims…Americans, if we fail to be content when we are fortunate enough to have the freedoms and liberties to practice our faith, receive higher education, and assume wealth from our hard work and efforts. Astagfuillah (May Allah forgive us all).
Having traveled in France last year, my family and I witnessed numerous situations which were not favorable to native Muslim French brothers and sisters.
One instance, my then 8 year old daughter and I will never forget.
She asked, “Mama, why are they treating us so differently? We’re Muslim too…” (as she motioned to the Muslims waiting in line).
I replied, “Yes we are; but, they see us as Americans first…” She looked confused. So, I continued, “They see money, mashaAllah”.
Still confused, I continued, “They’re talking to us in English…They see our clothes…(Yes, in full hijab, I’m still obviously very American ). They see how we walk” (We trained our girls to walk tall with confidence. Unfortunately, every Muslim mom and their children that night walked sheepishly, embarrassed or even ashamed.) “We’re Americans”. [I didn't hold a tone of arrogance, I was just stating a fact. Yar Rabb, forgive me if I did not. Ameen].
So, we made du’a for our brothers and sisters who were sitting at the back corner of the restaurant closest to the bathrooms, as we were seated and served. We were sad that they did not even turn our way as my girls were eagerly trying to make salam. Even when we took a bathroom break, not a head (even the children) motioned our ways as the girls were trying to get one toddler’s attention.
I praised Allah, and explained to the girls “MashaAllah, see they are even more humble then us…we should learn to lower our gaze as they are.”
I no longer saw it as embarrassed hunching over away from attention. They were simply enjoying their meals with their families not bothered by anyone else, and present to teach us a lesson too; subhanallah.
The girls still didn’t like that we were we getting food to go, we were attended to before the French Muslims in line. Even when my husband said that they were ahead of us, the French brother said “no, no, no…” and motioned to the worker to go ahead. We said “Merci, Shukran, JazakaAllahkhir, Thank You”, unaware which they’d understand best.
We thanked Allah for all these lessons learned, and asked that He protect us and assure that we were accepting their treatment humbly.
Alhumdulilah, we had an opportunity to give all our left overs to a homeless non-Muslim man sitting outside the door, as everyone else walked by. My eldest was most proud, and before she took a bite of her juicy red apple, she smiled and offered her dessert to him as well. She looked up at me, “That was good, right Mama?…I shared our fortune.” “MashaAllah”, I remarked proudly.
As for England, mashaAllah, the treatment of Muslims as described by my brother and sister-in-law is not great either. Yet, Muslim Brits, mashaAllah, are one of the most dedicated, proud, productive Mu’mininyn in this world, despite living in a non-Muslim country.
So, yes as Muslim Americans we have it much better than our brothers and sisters in France and England; yet they are choosing to their lives completely devoted to Allah, in a state of happiness and pride. So, why are we choosing to be discontent?!
Shame on us, for not choosing happiness. It’s time to stop whining.
We need to do something about our situations and get involved.
Okay, so we’re more educated…big deal if we’re not happy!
We’re making money…so what if we’re not even enjoying the provisions we have for our families.
We’re even more religious than others (so the research says, based on masjid attendance)…Yet, we’re not even at peace with ourselves.
If we were we were practicing our deen (way of life) proudly; when surveyed in a Gallup pool we’d answered in a state of happiness not discontent. Which did not happen.
While I may be stretching what I read to deduce that we’re a bunch of whiners and cry-babies; I’m simply trying to shade light to these information.
But, it did not take my reading this article to prove to me the overall discontent in the Muslim American ummah (community) because if one just steps itno a masajid, Islamic school, or any Islamic institution in America one would witness somewhere state of discontent.
Many times I have to take my girls away from Muslim Americans because all they do is whine and cry usually very loudly, passionately, and unnecessarily. Actually, un-Islamically in many cases too. My non-Muslim parents witnessed unhappiness at their first Eid prayer, my late mother’s first visit to a masjid for our girls Sunday Islamic school. It was and still is very sad to see how miserable Muslim Americans choose to live their lives.
In the Glorious Qur’an, regarding happiness
Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and work righteousness, Tuba (all kinds of happiness or name of a tree in Paradise) is for them and a beautiful place of (final) return. (Surah ar-Rad, Chapter #13, Verse #29) But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient – and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter i.e. Paradise and of a high moral character) in this world.
( Surah Fussilat, Chapter #41, Verse #35)Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.
( SurahAz-Zukhruf, Chapter #43, Verse #70)“Eat and drink with happiness because of what you used to do.”
( Surah At-tur, Chapter #52, Verse #19)
So, what do I propose!?
- We must let your educated, passionate, believing, positive, happy voices be heard.
- Participate. Volunteer. Offer to help your brothers and sisters in distress.
- Offer to listen, counsel and advise our unhappy brothers and sisters.
- Allow yourself to complain *only* if you follow-through with action steps to change the issues causing you distress.
- Make dawaa (the invitation to Islam) first to our brothers and sisters in Islam, and then to others (non-Muslims). We have an obligation to help our brothers and sisters stay on the straight path by practicing Islam based solely on the Qur’an and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him).
- STOP using the lack of time, energy, resources, etc. as an excuse!
So, am I angry? No.
Am I discouraged? No.
Have I lost hope? Never!
Do I believe? Forevermore.
So, don’t stop believing either.
Even during times of distress (from the page):
It is by Allah’s grace that you have dealt gently with them. Had you been harsh and hard- hearted, they would surely have broken away from you. Therefore pardon them and pray for forgiveness for them and consult with them in the conduct of public affairs. When you have resolved about a course of action, put your trust in Allah. Allah loves those who put their trust in Him. (Surah Aal-`Imran 3:159)
…People always need compassion, care, a cheerful face, and patient forbearance which is not exhausted by people’s ignorance and weaknesses. People need someone with a big heart to give them all it can and ask them nothing, to share with them their worries, without burdening them with its own worries. They need someone whom they always expect to be caring, sympathetic, loving, content, and forbearing. Allah’s Messenger had all these characteristics, and these were the distinctive aspects of his life among his Companions. He never took for himself anything of the enjoyments of this world; on the contrary, he gave them all that he possessed with a smile and a cheerful heart. His forbearance, compassion, care, and sympathy were extended to all. Everyone of those who came in contact with the Prophet was full of love to him, because of what the Prophet generously gave him of his love….
Now, knowing we are not having a time of distress…it is our duty to put our trust in Allah, choose to smile with a cheerful heart, filled with love for whatever situation may pass us–even humbly accept our good fortune, and give back for the sake of Allah’s pleasure.
What better time to do this then during the last 10 days of Ramadan?
As always, please share your kind thoughts and opinions in the comments area below.
Want to Live Debt-Free? Then, Watch These Seven Expenses
The Holy Qur’an reveals a dozen times the topic of Riba (usury), such as
Allah will destroy Riba (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqat (deeds of charity, alms, etc.) And Allah likes not the disbelievers, sinners. ( Surah Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #276)
The Tafsir (meaning & understanding of the Holy Qur’an) states
[278-281] O Believers, fear Allah and give up that interest which is still due to you, if you are true Believers; but if you do not do so, then you are warned of the declaration of war against you by Allah and His Messenger.323 If, however, you repent even now (and forego interest), you are entitled to your principal; do no wrong, and no wrong will be done to you. If your debtor be in straitened circumstances, give him time till his monetary condition becomes better. But if you remit the debt by way of charity, it would be better for you, if you only knew it.324 Guard against the disgrace and misery of the bay when you shall return to Allah: there everyone shall be paid in full, for the good or evil one has earned and none shall be wronged.
Other ayats include,
O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from Riba (usury) (from now onward), if you are (really) believers. (Surah Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #278)
O you who believe! Eat not Riba (usury) doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful. ( Surah Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #130)
Therefore, it is crucial to reach a a debt-free life as quickly as possible.
7 Expenses That Are Keeping You in Debt
by Yahoo Finance, written by Erin Joyce of Investopedia.com
- Not Knowing Your Limits
While bank accounts can charge you an overdraft fee for spending beyond your balance, credit cards will charge over-the-limit fees, late fees and increase your interest.
Tip: sign up for email alerts in which they can show irregular usage of your accounts, and send monthly ebills to keep you on-track.
- Fees, Fees, Fees
Consolidate as many of your cards as possible. Keep bank accounts and credit cards to an absolutely minimum. Eliminating cards eliminates unnecessary fees.
- Paying the Minimum
Paying minimum fees will never get your debt paid off. By doing so, one is more inclined to using one’s credit line more often as well. As Muslims, we should only be using the “charge card” philosophy in which you pay ALL debts in full each and every month, so you do not carry over a debt nor charged interest.
Ideally, using credit and charge cards should be eliminated from your spending habits. At the very least, try hard to wean out of their usage.
- Credit Card Cash Advances
Using credit card cash advance should never be an option, even in cases of emergency. Speaking openly with family and friends for assistance during difficult times is preferred than resorting to ribaa (usury).
- Payday Loans
As the article states, this unregulated industry is the most dangerous and costly option if you’re trying to acheive a debt-free lifestyle, and is not recommended at all.
- Not Negotiating
This action is probably the single-best investment of your time, when trying to gain debt-freedom. A few confident and educated phone calls can save you a good amount of money, and prove to you that you DO have control over your own money.
- Ignorance Is NOT Bliss
Erin closes her article perfectly,
Debt may seem like a life sentence, but it doesn’t have to be. The number one tip for maintaining financial health is awareness. Be aware of your money and where it goes each month, and be aware of the options available to you. There are easy ways to help alleviate the stress on your finances and move from red to black, and the rewards are more than just monetary.
We’d love to hear your tips, thoughts, woes and/or worries to trying to acheive debt-free living. Please share below.
