IIOC Ramadan Qur'an Competition

click here to view the pdf file.
click here for application and rules.

"If you help Allâh (strive in the way of your Lord), He will help and strengthen you."

"Indeed Allaah will help those who help Him. Indeed Allaah is Exalted in Might, All-Powerful." [Soorah Hajj 22:40]

Imaam ash-Shanqeetee (d.1393H) - rahimahullaah - said:

"Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - explains in this noble Aayah that He has sworn to help and give victory to those who help Him. It is known that the help and victory of Allaah comes by following what He has prescribed, obeying His commend, avoiding His prohibitions, by helping His Messengers and their followers, aiding His Religion and fighting against His enemies and overpowering them - until the word of Allaah is made uppermost, whilst the word of His enemies is debased and mode low. Then Allaah - the Most High, the Most Magnificent - explains the charecteristics of those whom He has promised would receive His help and victory, distinguishing them from others. So He said - explaining those to whom He swore He would aid and give victory to - because He is the one to aid and give victory:

"Those who, if We establish them in the earth, establish the prayer, give the Zakaat, enjoin the good and forbid the evil." [Soorah Hajj 22:41].

And that which this noble aayah indicates is that whosoever aids Allaah, then Allaah will aid Him. This is clearly explained in other than this place, such as His - the Most High's - sayings.

"O you who Believe. If you help Allaah, Allaah will help you; and establish your feet firmly. But those who disbelieve, for them is destruction and Allaah will make their deeds vain." [Soorah Muhammad 47:7].

"Indeed, Our Word has gone forth of old for our slaves, the Messengers, that they will certainly be victorious; and that Our forces will certainly be triumphant." [Soorah as-Saafaat 37:171-173].

"Allaah has Decreed: It is My Messenger and I who will prevail." [Soorah Mujaadalah 58:21].

"Allaah has promised to those amongst you who believe and do righteous actions that He will grant you the khilaafah in the land." [Soorah an-Noor 24:55].

And in His - the Most High 's - saying:

"Those who, if We establish them in the earth, establish the prayer, give the Zakaat, enjoin the good and forbid the evil." [Soorah Hajj 22:41].

In it is a proof that there is no promise from Allaah of His help, except by establishing the Prayer, paying the Zakaah, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. So it is these whom Allaah will establish upon the earth and will strengthen His Word through them. However, those who do not establish the salaah, nor pay the Zakaah, nor enjoin the good nor forbid the evil, then there is no promise for them from Allaah that He will aid and grant them victory. They are not from His party, nor are they his friends -those who have the promise of His help and victory. Rather, they are the party of Shaytaan and his friends. So if they were to expect the help of Allaah and the fulfillment of His promise upon them, then their example is like that of a hired worker who refuses to do the labour that he was hired for, yet he expects to be rewarded. So whosoever is like this, then he has no intellect!"1

So the help that we so desperately await, and the victory that we so strongly desire will only come about by: "The Muslims returning and repenting to their Lord, correcting their 'aqeedoh (beliefs) and cultivating themselves and their families upon the pure and correct Islaam; putting into effect Allaah - the Most High's - saying:

"Never will Allaah change the condition of a people, until they change themselves." [Soorah ar-Ra'd 13:11]."2

1. Adwaa' ul-Bayaan (5/703-704) of 'Allaamah ash-Shanqeetee.
2. Al-'Aqeedatut-Tahaawiyyah Sharh wat-Ta'leeq (p.47) of Shaykh al-Albaanee.

{Imâm ash-Shanqîtî - [Adwaa 'ul-Bayaan (5/703-704) ]}

The plight of the Uygur people in China

[Please read the letter below and spread it to your friends and family. And don't forget to make Du'a for all the Muslims suffering around the world.....]

Assalam Alaikum Brothers and Sisters,

You might have read and heard about the ethnic violence in the Western part of China, Xinjiang this past weekend. According to Chinese official media, 156 are dead and 1080 injured.
However the unofficial figures report that at least 600 people died in the clashed between Uyghur Muslim and Han Chinese majority, and about 95% of the casualties are Uyghur Muslims. Chinese authorities have arrested at least 1400 Uyghur s, claiming they took part in the riot. The official Chinese media, Xinhua, only shows the pictures of few Han Chinese injuries with no mention of the hundreds of Muslims who died in these clashes, putting the blame completely on the Muslims. The reality is far from it. Please see the links below for some unbiased reporting.

"Deadly riots in western China take unprecedented toll"
"Uyghur Protests Widen as Xinjiang Unrest Flares"

The unrest in Xinjiang (East Turkistan), is near and dear to my heart. I am an Uyghur living in Chicago. My parents and the rest of the family are still in Xinjiang. While they are away from Urumqi where the clashes happened, I still have not been able to get hold of them in past couple of days as the authorities have shut down internet and telephone services. I am praying every moment for their safety.
Uyghurs are the Turkic speaking Muslim people living in the northwest part of China under occupation. Their short lived republic, East Turkistan went under Chinese communist rule in 1950. Since then they have been subjected to severe discrimination because of their Muslim identity and they have seen their 97% majority in Xinjiang shrink to almost 50% in last few decades. There are many underlining sources of tension and humiliation of over 10 million Uyghur Muslims.
I am writing to you for your support in helping spread the word and plight of Uyghur Muslims. I go to Juma prayers and everyone prays about suffering of the Palestinians, Kashmiris, Afghanis, Iraqis and Chechnyans, however not once I have heard someone pray for the Uyghurs.
We are the forgotten people in this world and not even our Muslim brothers and sisters have ever provided any moral support for us. Well I'm asking for the support in this hour of dire need. My brothers and sisters are being persecuted as we speak. They have been captured in mass arrests with no sight of what will happen to their future. Uyghur woman with their children have went on street to protest against the mass arrest of thousands of Muslim Uyghur men. Under communist Chinese rule we are not allowed to practice our religion until the age of 18 and even after the age of 18 if anyone who works for government like teachers and doctor are not allowed to pray or go to Mosque. Our children and teachers are force fed in schools during the month of Ramadan. There is a governmental agenda to slowly take Islam out of common people’s lives. Majority of the high paying jobs go to the Han Chinese with a lot less qualification in our own home land. Our culture is being slowly disappearing.
I urge you to send this to your friends and families and condemn the killings and mass arrest of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. I ask you to pray for the safety of the people of East Turkistan (Xinjiang), Uyghurs and Han Chinese. I ask you to please stand in solidarity with your Uyghur Muslim brothers. The moral support of Muslim community means a lot to me and the Uyghurs as we are desperate to be seen and heard by our brothers and sisters.
I urge you to send a message of solidarity with Uyghur Muslims and pray for them. I urge you to send this message to at least 5 other family members and friends.

Sincerely,
Zulfiye Osman
Noman Khan (husband)

Turning A New Leaf: Are Your Ready for Ramadan?

Are YOU Ready for Ramadan???

Turning A New Leaf

Saturday August 8, 2009

A one day seminar for high school students and young professionals!!!

Confirmed Speakers:

Imad Bayoun

Munir Qtaish

Shaykh Tahir Anwar

Shaykh Abdul Jalil

Shaykh Saad

With Formal Dinner and Qiyam!

High School- Revive your heart, revitilize your soul and defeat your challeges in Ramadan!

Exciting workshops, discussions & Food!

Young Professionals- Head start your spiritual journey throught his intense seminar!

Gain knowledge and sprituality

Purchase Tickets for $15.00 at ICSD Office & Store (Lunch and dinner included)

Registration begins at 10am

Brought to you by ICSD and MAS Youth!

Location: Islamic Center of San Diego- 7050 Eckstrom Ave, San Diego, CA. 92111

WhyIslam Fundraising Banquet 2009

"Qur'an: The Guiding Light"

ICNA proudly presents the annual WhyIslam Southern California Fundraising Banquet 2009 on August 8th at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Registration opens at 5pm. Tickets are made available for $35 for adults and $15 for Children 5-12 Insha Allah. Free babysitting will be provided. Parking is Free.

Buy Tickets Now! Click here for more information.

Of Mice and Men – The Cheese Factor

I admit: I am cheesed off. Totally, that is.

Recently, I returned from one of the largest Muslim conferences in North America. While at the convention, I had placed my son Ammaar in the day-long seminars meant for the younger children. When Ammaar got back to the hotel room, the first thing he said as he barged into the room, his eyes wide open in amazement as is his wont, ‘Baba, Baba! Do you know that Doritos and Cheetos are harām?’ I groaned internally, knowing the basic source of this ‘fatwā’, and asked, ‘Why do you say that?’ to which he replied, ‘The auntie in our class said so!’

Sigh………. One more important lesson in fatherhood: make sure you teach your children that much of what they learn in ‘Islamic’ school is not necessarily ‘Islamic’.

As all of us are so (painfully) aware, of recent there has been a flurry of e-mails in Muslim circles regarding popular products, such as Doritos, that use cheese manufactured from porcine rennet. Since these products are sprinkled with such cheese, concerned Muslims have automatically concluded that the aforementioned products must be totally harām, and thus unceremoniously boycotted. Putting aside the nutritional value of such products, such a (cheesy) attitude, although commendable due to its sincere intentions, also betrays a fundamental lack of knowledge regarding halāl and harām foods. Before jumping the gun, it would behoove Muslims to do a little more research and consider the matter from all angles.

In this article, it is my intention to examine the issue in a more academic manner. However, for those who don’t have the time to read it, then to cut a long story short, the strongest opinion appears to be that cheese, in all of its commonly available varieties (except those that actually contain pork as an added flavoring) is absolutely and totally halāl.

In order to prove this point, first we’ll discuss how cheese is actually manufactured. Then, we’ll look at the Islamic perspective on animal rennet and, finally, the ruling on cheese derived from it. As a disclaimer, please note that this is, firstly, a very cursory look at the issue, both from a chemical and an Islamic point of view (although I do feel it is comprehensive despite its brevity), and, secondly, represents only the opinion of its author.

.....continued here

[Source: MuslimMatters. Written by Sheikh Yasir Qadhi]

YQ is coming to Town!!

Big Mac's, gelatin, and Skittles...To eat or not to eat?

I am pleased to inform you that Shaykh Yasir Qadhi will be in town on October 9-11!! He will be teaching a one weekend class, which is Precious Provisions: Fiqh of Food and Clothing!

InshaAllah this class looks like it is going to be something not only beneficial, but applicable to our every day lives! Check it out right here!

Sign up here for a one-weekend chance of a lifetime!

ICOI Ramadan 2009 Qur'an Competition

Rules & Instructions
To participate, just follow the following four steps:

1. Register for the ICOI Quran Competition online at www.ICOI.net
2. Record your video recitation to be uploaded to www.YouTube.com
3. Upload your video onto YouTube, make sure to tag the video with the following: "ICOI Ramadan 2009 Quran Competition". Please be sure that your full name and the name of the Surah you recited is used as the title of your YouTube video.
   
4. Email your YouTube video link to the following email address: quran.competition@icoi.net (Be sure to include your full name, and phone number in the subject of the email) using the email address you specified on the registration form.

Timeline:
You must sign up online and submit your video no later than the submission deadline of August 20th, 2009.

Qualifying Individuals:
This competition is open to all Muslims, ages 14 and up.

Reasons for Disqualification:

1. Video submissions after August 20th, 2009 will not be considered for the competition. However, posted up as non-competing entries.
2. Videos submitted without filling out the online registration form.
   
3. Videos submitted without full name or required information.
4. Videos showing friends and family with the participant.
5. Multiple entries of the same participant. If you submit more than one video, you will be disqualified (unless you inform us).
6. Videos may not be edited or contain any audio enhancements.

If you have any questions please email us at quran.competition@icoi.net.

~~ MSA West Qiyam Al-Layl ~~

Bismillahi Ar-Rahmani Ar-Raheem

MSA West presents.....
Qiyam al-Layl: Get Ready for Ramadan!

[southern california buddies:]

July 11, 2009
with Imam Mustafa Umar
10 PM - Fajr
Islamic Institute of Orange County (IIOC)
1220 N State College Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92806
**This is an All-Night Qiyam and there will be time for sleep**

[northern california buddies:]

July 25, 2009
with Sr. Muslema Purmul & Amir Abdel Malik
9 PM - 1:30 AM
Muslim Community Association (MCA)
3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95054

How Can the Muslims Reclaim Their Honour?

It was from the practice of the pious (Muslim) men and women who came before us that if they were defeated by an enemy, they would scrutinise themselves and would search for the cause of this defeat. As a consequence, if they found in themselves any opposition to the prophetic traditions in any matter, they hastened in changing it, following the Sunnah (prophetic traditions) and cultivating the Ummah (the Islamic Nation) accordingly.

The fact that they were fewer in number than their enemies proved to be of little consequence as after executing their plan of attack Allâh, The Most High, would aid them, thus actualising what He, The Most High, mentioned in His Book:

"If you help Allâh (strive in the way of your Lord), He will help and strengthen you."

These are some plans of action with regards seeking to procure the True Help (the Help of Allâh) for the Ummah, if Allâh so wishes:

1 – Strive and be earnest to desist and refrain from sins that you commit and find yourself continuous upon - and we ask Allâh to help us in abstaining from them.

2 – Be observant on attending the prayer in the Masjid (praying with the people), five times a day and especially the Fajr (dawn) prayer ("Indeed prayer has been prescribed upon the believers ... ").

3 – Try to give charity to the poor and destitute people even if it is something very small, for indeed charity given in secret extinguishes the anger of your Lord.

4 – Be mindful (O Sisters!) of being modest and covering yourself completely from now (according to the prescribed ways) and do not be of those who say, 'I will start doing it from tomorrow'.

5 – Be observant on raising your children with a true Islamic cultivation, so that they maybe like the children of the Companions, may Allâh be pleased with them all. So that they may become a people better in the sight of Allâh than the people of today.

6 – Increase your superogatory prayers daily.

7 – Encourage your friends and family to do good actions, advising them in a way which is good. Remind them that the Ummah is in need of them and remind them that all muslims should strive to be like the Companions of the Prophet, may Allâh send His prayers and blessings upon him, in their thought and actions.

8 – Act in the way that you have been commanded by Allâh in regards to preparing yourself and your children, spiritually, physically and mentally.

9 – Be observant about the sincerity of your actions, whether they be in regards to studying, working or even planting something in the earth and be of those people who learn about that which they do (so as not to base an action on ignorance).

10 – Remind the Imâm in the Masjid to gather the people after the Maghrib (sunset) prayer and to read to them something from the Qur'ân or the Sunnah.

11 – Help in spreading goodness by any permissible means that you are able to carry out.

12 – Increase in asking Allâh to make you firm upon this path and be humble to Allâh.

13 – Have trust in Allâh's help for the truthful believers.

14 – Do not despair from the long journey and it's difficulty, for indeed corruption has encompassed the Ummah for many years and is now in need of relief.

And in the end, if you find the Muslims gathering together to pray at the sound of the adhân as they do for the Friday prayer and you see that knowledge has become widespread and the religion has gained mastery over the land, then know, O Muslim, that the True Help is at hand. [Source: Kalamullah. Family & Society, Article #6]

Wills and Testaments (Wasaayaa)

Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: Allah's Apostle said,
"It is not permissible for any Muslim who has something to will to stay for two nights without having his last will and testament written and kept ready with him."[Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 51, Number 1]

Inheritance and Wills:
Laws of Inheritance (Al-Faraa'id) - Sahih Bukhari
Rules of Inheritance (Kitab Al-Farai`d) - Sahih Muslim
My Right to Janazah - The Islamic Will - by Saleh as-Saleh-14 Pages[PDF]
Wills and Testaments - Sahih Bukhari
[the above are some documents that will help clarify the misunderstanding of inheritance and wills. most Muslims do not understand the importance of such until it is too late. Remember, there is no time like the present time.]

What is the ruling in saying "Sadaqa Allaahul Adheem" after reading Qur'an?

Many people have the habit of ending a recitation from the Qur’aan with the words “Sadaqa Allaahul Adheem (Almighty Allaah has spoken the truth),” but this has no basis in Islaam because the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) did not do it, nor was it the custom of the Sahaabah (radiAllaahu ‘anhum ajma’een), and it was unknown among the Taabi’een (the generation after the Sahaabah).

This custom arose in later times because some reciters would say these words, on the basis of the aayah,

“Say: Allaah has spoken the truth” [Soorah Aal ‘Imraan (3):95]

and people liked this. But this istihsaan (being liked) should be rejected, because if this was really something good, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), the Sahaabah and the Taabi’een – the salaf or first and best generations of the Ummah – would not have neglected to do it.

The aayah,

“Say: Allaah has spoken the truth” [Soorah Aal ‘Imraan (3):95]

does not mean that these words should be said at the end of any reading or recitation. If that were the case, He (Allaah) would have said, “When you finish reading, say ‘Allaah has spoken the truth,’” just as He said,

“So when you want to recite the Qur’aan, seek refuge with Allaah from Shaytaan (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one).” [Soorah an-Nahl (16):98]

The aayah which the innovators use to support their practice of saying “Sadaqa Allaah” after reciting Qur’aan was actually revealed in the context of confirming what was said about how all food had been lawful to Bani Israa’eel except what Israa’eel had made unlawful for himself.

Allaah said,

“… Say (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam): ‘Bring here the Tawraat (Torah) and recite it, if you are truthful.’ Then, after that, whosoever shall invent a lie against Allaah, such shall indeed be the Dhaalimoon (disbelievers). Say (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), ‘Allaah has spoken the truth; follow the religion of Ibraaheem Haneefa (Islaamic monotheism, i.e., he used to worship Allaah alone), and he was not of al-Mushrikoon (polytheists).’” [Soorah Aal ‘Imraan (3):93-95]

If this aayah meant that these words should be said after reciting from the Qur’aan, the first one to know and do this would have been the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam). Because this is not the case, we know that this is not what was meant.

In conclusion, therefore, saying “Sadaqa Allaahul Adheem” after reciting Qur’aan is an innovation, and the Muslim should not say it.

But believing that Allaah has spoken the truth is obligatory, and whoever disbelieves or doubts the truth of what Allaah has said is a kaafir who is outside of the pale of Islam. We seek refuge with Allaah from that.

If a person says “Allaah has spoken the truth” on certain occasions, such as when something He has foretold comes to pass, affirming the truth of what He has said, then this is permissible, because something similar has been reported in the Sunnah. The Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) was giving a speech, and al-Hasan and al-Husayn came along, so he came down from the minbar, picked them up and put them in front of him, then he said,

“Indeed Allaah has spoken the truth:“Your wealth and your children are only a trial...” [Soorah at-Taghaabun 64:15]”

['Saying Sadaqa Allaahul Adheem is a Bid’ah'. Author: Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen. Source: Izaalat as-Sitaar an al-Jawaab al-Mukhtaar. Published: Wednesday 24th December 2003. www.theclearpath.com]

Good Job Dad!

Two teenagers asked their father if they could go to the theater to watch a movie that all their friends had seen. After reading some reviews about the movie on the Internet, he denied their request.

"Ah dad, why not?" they complained. "It's rated PG-13, and we're both older than thirteen!"

Dad replied: "Because that movie contains nudity and portrays immorality as being normal and acceptable behavior."

"But dad, those are just very small parts of the movie! That's what our friends who've seen it have told us. The movie is two hours long and those scenes are just a few minutes of the total film! It's based on a true story and good triumphs over evil, and there are other redeeming themes like courage and self-sacrifice. Even the movie review websites say that!"

"My answer is 'no,' and that is my final answer. You are welcome to stay home tonight, invite some of your friends over, and watch one of the good videos we have in our home collection. But you will no go and watch that film. End of discussion."

The two teenagers walked dejectedly into the family room and slumped down on the couch. As they sulked, they were surprised to hear the sounds of their father preparing something in the kitchen.

They soon recognized the wonderful aroma of brownies baking in the oven, and one of the teenagers said to the other, "Dad must be feeling guilty, and now he's going to try to make it up to us with some fresh brownies.

Maybe we can soften him with lots of praise when he brings them out to us and persuade him to let us go to that movie after all."

The teens were not disappointed. Soon their father appeared with a plate of warm brownies, which he offered to his kids. They each took one.

Then their father said, "before you eat, I want to tell you something: I love you both so much."

The teenagers smiled at each other with knowing glances. Dad was softening.

"That is why I've made these brownies with the very best ingredients. I've made them from scratch. Most of the ingredients are even organic; the best organic flour, the best free-range eggs, the best organic sugar, premium vanilla and chocolate."

The brownies looked mouth-watering, and the teens began to become a little impatient with their dad's long speech.

"But I want to be perfectly honest with you. There is one ingredient I added that is not usually found in brownies.. I got that ingredient from our own back yard. But you needn't worry, because I only added the tiniest bit of that ingredient to your brownies. The amount of the
portion is practically insignificant. So go ahead, take a bite and let me know what you think?

"Dad, would you mind telling us what that mystery ingredient is before we eat?"

"Why? The portion I added was so small, just a teaspoonful. You won't even taste it."

"Come on, dad; just tell us what that ingredient is?"

"Don't worry! It is organic, just like the other ingredients. "

"Dad!"

"Well, OK, if you insist. That secret ingredient is organic ... dog poop."

Both teens instantly dropped their brownies back on the plate and began inspecting their fingers with horror.

"Dad! Why did you do that? You've tortured us by making us smell those brownies cooking for the last half hour, and now you tell us that you added dog poop! We can't eat these brownies!"

"Why not? The amount of dog poop is very small compared to the rest of the ingredients. It won't hurt you. It's been cooked right along with the other ingredients. . You won't even taste it. It has the same consistency as the brownies. Go ahead and eat!"

"No, Dad ... Never!"

"And that is the same reason I won't allow you to go watch that movie. You won't tolerate a little dog poop in your brownies, so why should you tolerate a little immorality in your movies? We pray that Allah(SWT) will not lead us unto temptation, so how can we in good conscience entertain ourselves with something that will imprint a sinful image in our minds that will lead us into temptation long after we first see it?"

Remember, we become de-sensitized a little bit at a time; it is the small and minimal sins that we forget the most.

[Umm Mussab (LITZ) - www.onewaytoparadise.net]

15 Tips to Raising Great Children

[this is something i received in an email and i really want to share it with you so here it is! the author is unknown but the information is great, mashaAllah. Enjoy!]

Children are easily influenced by their surroundings. These days, it is extremely difficult to expose our children to an ideal Islamic environment given the influences from media, friends and even other members of the family.
With television, radio, Internet and forms of media mostly touting un-Islamic values, it is up to parents and adults close to the children to set the correct example.
It is impossible to shield our children from all the negative forces that can shape their minds and, ultimately, their behavior.
However, by our own example and showing them better options, we can set them on the true path, which is to obey the commandments of Allah (swt) and our Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
Here are some tips you may want to follow in helping your children grow up with Islamic values:
1.Start by teaching them the importance of Worshipping only Allah: The best thing any Muslim parent could ever teach their children is to emphasize, from the day they can comprehend, that Allah (swt) is One and no one is worthy of worship except Allah (swt). This is the fundamental message of our Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and it is our key to Paradise.
2.Treat them kindly: Kindness begets kindness. If we were kind to our children, they in turn would show kindness to others. Our Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was the best example in being kind to children.
3.Teach them examples of Muslim heroes: Instead of Batman or Superman, tell them about real heroes such as Abu Bakr, Umar ibn Khattab, Othman bin Affan, Ali bin Abi Talib and others. Tell them how Muslim leaders brought a real peaceful change in the world and won the hearts of Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
4.Let children sit with adults: It is preferable for children to be among adults, especially when listening to Islamic lectures. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would often put children in the front row when he spoke to the people.
5.Make them feel important: Consult them in family matters. Let them feel they are important
members of the family and have a part to play in the growth and well being of the family.
6.Go out as a family: Take family trips rather than allowing your children to always go out only with their friends. Let your children be around family and friends from whom you want them to pick up their values. Always remember that your children will become who they are around with most of the time. So, watch their company and above all give them YOUR company.
7.Praise them: Praise is a powerful tool with children, especially in front of others. Children feel a sense of pride when their parents’ praise them and will be keen to perform other good deeds. However, praise must be limited to Islamic deeds and deeds of moral value.
8.Avoid humiliation: Similarly, do not humiliate them in front of others. Children make mistakes. Sometimes, these mistakes occur in their efforts to please the parents. If you are unhappy with your children, tell them in private.
9.Sports: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged sports such as swimming, running and horse riding. Other sports that build character and physical strength are also recommended, as long as the children maintain their Islamic identity, wear appropriate clothes and do not engage in unnecessary mixing.
10.Responsibility: Have faith in their abilities to perform tasks. Give them chores to do in line with their age. Convince them that they are performing an important function and you will find them eager to help you out again.
11.Don’t spoil them: Children are easily spoiled. If they receive everything they ask for, they will expect you to oblige on every occasion. Be wise in what you buy for them. Avoid extravagance and unnecessary luxuries. Take them to an orphanage or poor area of your city once in a while so they can see how privileged they are.
12.Don’t be friends: It is common in the West for parents to consider their children as friends. In Islam, it doesn’t work that way. If you have ever heard how friends talk to each other, then you will know that this is not how a parent-child relationship should be. You are the parents, and they should respect you, and this is what you should be teaching them. The friendship part should be limited to you and them keeping an open dialog so they can share their concerns with you and ask you questions when they have any.
13.Pray with them: Involve them in acts of worship. When they are young, let them see you in act of salaah (salat). Soon, they would be trying to imitate you. Wake them up for Fajr and pray as a family. Talk to them about the rewards of salaah so that it doesn’t feel like a burden to them.
14.Emphasize halaal: It is not always good to say “this is haraam, that is haraam”. While you must educate them on haraam things, Islam is full of halaal and tell your children to thank Allah (swt) for the bounties He has bestowed on them- not just for food and clothes. Tell them to be thankful for having eyes that see, ears that hear, arms and legs and, the ultimate blessing, Islam in their hearts.
15.Set an example: As parents, you are the best example the children can have. If you talk to your parents rudely, expect your children to do the same to you. If you are disrespectful to others, your children will follow too. Islam is filled with Divine advice on the best ways to bring up your children. That makes it an obligation upon parents to be good Muslims so their children will try to emulate them. If you don’t take Islam seriously, neither will your children. It goes back to our third point, which is to give them Islamic heroes. As a parent, you should be their number one hero.

ICSGV presents.....Muslim Superheroes!

Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley
Young Adults Group presents…

MUSLIM SUPERHEROES!

Kobe Bryant? Superman? Hanna Fontana?
OR
Khalid ibn Waleed? Malcolm X? Umm Salamah?

Join us for a THRILLING EVENT to learn the incredible stories of our true Heroes and Heroines in Islam!

Soaring your way Saturday, July 25th from 1pm to 8pm

Featuring:
Amir Abdel Malik Ali
Imam Abdul Karim Hasan
Imam Jihad Saafir

For more information please contact: ICSGVyoungAdults@gmail.com

Program Application

Three White Days for the Month of Rajab

Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,

Just a Reminder, InshaAllah the three white days (13, 14, and 15) for the month of Rajab will be from Monday, July 6 - Wednesday, July 8. Try and fast them if you can.

Jareer ibn ‘Abdullaah (rAa) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Fasting three days of each month is fasting for a lifetime, and ayaam al-beed are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth." [Al-Nasaa'i; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheel al-Targheeb]

Qatada ibn Milhan said, "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to command us to fast the white days: the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth." [Abu Dawud]

Ibn 'Abbas said, "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not fail to fast the white days either when at home or on a journey." [an-Nasa'i]

*****There is a yahoo group title 'ThreeWhiteDays' that will send email reminders of when these days will be observed for each month.

fi'imanilLah,
Wafā' وفاء Manasrah

How to Be Patient

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

It has never been easy to be patient, but it's probably harder now than at any time in history. In a world in which messages can be sent across the world instantly, in which seemingly everything is available for immediate purchase with a few clicks of the mouse, it's hard not to always expect instant gratification. But patience remains a valuable tool in life. We don't always get instant gratification, and some of the best things in life require years of hard work and waiting. Fortunately, patience is a virtue that can be cultivated and nurtured.

Steps

1. Try to figure out why you're in such a hurry. We tend to lose our patience when we're multi-tasking or when we're on a tight schedule. If you're stretching yourself too thin, you should reconsider your to-do list before you attempt to change your natural reaction to an overwhelming situation. Try to spread out your tasks so that you're doing only one thing at a time. Delegate responsibilities to others if you can; this in itself may be a test of your patience, but you have to learn to share the load.
   
2. Pinpoint the triggers that often make you lose your patience. Impatience creeps in insidiously, and if you feel anxious, worried, or unhappy you may not even realize that the underlying cause of these feelings is impatience. To reduce the frequency of impatience, it helps to be aware of it. Which events, people, phrases or circumstances always seem to make you lose your cool? Sit down and make a list of all the things which cause you anxiety, tension, or frustration. At the core of most triggers is a reality that we have a hard time accepting. What are those realities for you?
   
3. Overcome bouts of impatience. In the long run, developing patience requires a change in your attitude about life, but you can immediately make progress by learning to relax whenever you feel impatient. Take a few deep breaths and just try to clear your mind. Concentrate on breathing and you'll be able to get your bearings.
   
4. Look for patterns. Being aware of your impatience also gives you a chance to learn from it and perhaps uncover a relationship or circumstance that is simply not healthy or constructive, and that you may have the power to change. Figure that out, and you can then think logically about the problem issue and decide whether or not your impatience is warranted or helpful. It usually isn't, but when it is you can then figure out ways to fix the root problem rather than simply feeling stressed about it.
   
5. Let go if you can't do anything about the impatience trigger. If there isn't anything that you can do to resolve whatever has triggered your impatience, just let it go. Easier said than done, yes, but it's possible, and it's the only healthy thing to do. Initially, you will probably find it difficult to let go if the matter is important to you--waiting to hear back after a job interview, for instance--but you should be able to alleviate impatience that's caused by issues of less consequence (i.e. waiting in line at the grocery store). If you make a concerted effort to be more patient in relatively inconsequential, short-term situations, you'll gradually develop the strength to remain patient in even the most trying and enduring situations.
   
6. Remind yourself that things take time. People who are impatient are people who insist on getting things done now and don't like to waste time. However, some things just can't be rushed. Think about your happiest memories. Chances are, they were instances when your patience paid off, like when you worked steadily towards a goal that wasn't immediately gratifying, or took a little extra time to spend leisurely with a loved one. Would you have those memories if you had been impatient? Probably not. Almost anything really good in life takes time and dedication, and if you're impatient, you're more likely to give up on relationships, goals, and other things that are important to you. Good things may not always come to those who wait, but most good things that do come don't come right away.
   
7. Expect the unexpected. Yes, you have plans, but things don't always work out as planned. Accept the twist and turns in life gracefully. Keep your expectations realistic. This applies not only to circumstances, but also the behavior of those around you. If you find yourself blowing up over your child or your spouse accidentally spilling a drink, you're not in touch with the fact that people aren't perfect. Even if the occasion is not an isolated incident but is instead caused by their repeated neglect and carelessness, losing your patience isn't going to make it any better. That's something to be addressed with discussion and self-control.
   
8. Give yourself a break. The meaning of this is twofold. First, take a few minutes to do absolutely nothing. Just sit quietly and think. Don't watch television; don't even read. Do nothing. It may be hard at first, and you may even feel pretty impatient after a minute or two, but by taking some time out you can essentially slow your world down, and that's important to develop the attitude necessary to develop patience. Second, stop holding yourself and the world around you to unreachable standards. Sure, we'd all be more patient if babies didn't cry, dishes didn't break, computers didn't crash, and people didn't make mistakes--but that's never going to happen. Expecting the world to run smoothly is like beating your head against the wall. Give yourself a break.
   
9. Remember what matters. Not focusing on what matters most in this life fuels impatience. Move the world toward peace by being kind, generous in forgiveness of others, being grateful for what is, and taking full advantage of what matters most. When other less important things fuel our impatience, taking time to remember any one of these items reduces our tendency to want something different right now.
   

Tips

• Boredom can make it very difficult to be patient. If you're waiting in the doctor's office and the only thing you can concentrate on is the ticking clock, good luck trying to be patient. If, however, you can read a book or do a crossword puzzle, time will fly by (or at least creep less slowly). If you've nothing to do while you're waiting, just try to appreciate the fact that you have nothing to do. In a fast-paced world, opportunities to do nothing are rare and should be cherished.
  
• Once you are able to change your attitude so that you are a patient person, you will find that patience can help you endure any tribulation, no matter how long-lasting or difficult. More importantly, perhaps, patience can help you achieve your goals.
  
• Many people find that spirituality helps develop patience. Nearly every religion places value on patience, and indeed, having a belief system and embracing your spirituality can help you let go of things you cannot change and can comfort you when you are waiting. If you're not religious, you may still benefit from prayer or meditation, even if you're just talking to yourself, because these activities take you out of the worldly hustle and bustle.
  
• Being patient with others is a form of respect for them. Nobody is perfect, and if you want to be a good parent, boss, spouse, or friend, it's important to recognize this and to be patient with people. "Don't sweat the small stuff" is a good motto. You and everyone around you will be more relaxed and able to get along much better.
  
• Developing patience is not easy, and you've got to be motivated to become more patient. You can do it, however, and you should. Patience can reduce your stress levels and improve your health and longevity, and patience can actually make you happier. Whenever you find yourself growing impatient, think about the positive effects of patience, and remember that impatience only makes things worse.
  
• Instead of becoming annoyed by a distraction (such as a crying baby on a long flight), try just being a passive observer. If you make it daily practice to observe things and events without judging or forming an opinion, being able to acknowledge something without allowing it to annoy you will become easier with time.
  
• People that are patient tend to have better lives.
  
• Remember, for every minute you are angry you lose 60 seconds of happiness.
  
• One way to release stress is to write about it. Studies have shown that people who write about their emotions tend to become more calm and learn to accept the emotions that they are experiencing. so, the next time you feel angry, just write about it and try to meditate over why you would be so angry.
  
• A quote from James Clavell's Shogun: “Karma is the beginning of knowledge. Next is patience. Patience is very important. The strong are the patient ones. Patience means holding back your inclination to the seven emotions: Hate, adoration, joy, anxiety, anger, grief, fear. If you don’t give way to the seven, you’re patient, then you’ll soon understand all manner of things and be in harmony with Eternity.”
  

Warnings

• Patience should be no excuse for procrastination. While patience can help you be OK with doing nothing, it's important to understand that idleness breeds impatience and stress.
  
• Be patient with others who display little patience; if they bother you too much, make an excuse to locate yourself somewhere else and take a break from their anxiety-inducing behavior.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Be Calm in a Stressful Situation
  
• How to Do Nothing
  
• How to Deal With Impossible People
  
• How to Be Patient When Doing Homework With Your Young Child
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be Patient. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.