Which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?

And he (Jesus) went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed…(MATTHEW 26:39)

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship… (JOSHUA 5:14)

And he (Elijah) cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. (1 KINGS 18:42)

And they (Moses and Aaron) fell upon their faces… (NUMBERS 20:6)

And Abraham fell on his face… (GENESIS 17:3)

How Did Muslims Pray?

 O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed. 

(Al-Quran, Surah Al-Haj Chapter 22 Verse 77)

SubhanAllah, how much more proof does humanity need? 

Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Taleb (as) has said:

“If a praying person knew to what extent he was surrounded by His Mercy, he would never raise his head from (the state of) prostration

Reality of Death

The most intelligent statement ever made by this man

What's been on my mind for the past few days? Death--Death--and Death. SubhanAllah, although the thoughts running through my mind have been rather depressing, they were much needed. As humans we have a tendency to be very attached to this world, although it is guaranteed that this life will end at some point. It's unbelievable that we go about our days as though we are going to live forever. In particular over the past couple of weeks, death has been everywhere!--it's in Japan, Libya, Egypt..and the list goes on. We are constantly being exposed to death, but we don't stop for a second and think "my day could be next." Everyone needs to take some time and really think about their life and how they are living it because time is ticking. Visit a cemetery, read the Quran and hadith descriptions of death, go see a sick person, do what you need to do to remind yourself that death is imminent and inevitable. 

Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala said :

"Every soul shall have a taste of death; In the end to us shall ye be brough back."

[Surah Al-Ankabut 29:57] 

Imaan Boost

We all go through periods of ups and downs with our imaan (faith) and it's completely normal, but whats not normal is to stay down. When Shaitan sees that we are feeling low in faith, he takes it as his opportunity to take advantage of us. Don't let Shaitan's whispers and deception keep you away from your Lord. Use these tips as a way to boost your imaan in the hopes that they will bring you closer to Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala inshAllah. 

Five Remedies for the Heart 

1) The Company of the Pious 

2) Recitation of the Quran

3) Emptying the inner self of vices 

4) Praying during the night 

5) Crying at dawn 

- Abdullah Anaki  

Muslim Moment #9

May Allah protect me and you from the whispers of shaitan and to help us to get up for fajr in the morning cuz this is one of our greatest jihads. I know I have the hardest time getting up early (mostly because i'm always up last with my nightly shannanagins), but that is no excuse to miss one of Allah swt's commandments. Here are some tips to help us wake up for fajr inshAllah.

12 Tips to Wake Up for Fajr

1. To supplicate to Allah with the following رب اجعلني مقيم الصلوة و من ذريتي ربنا و تقبل دعاء

ربنا اغفرلي ولوالدي وللمؤمنين يوم يقوم الحساب

By the blessings of this du’a, Insha Allah you and your children will be granted the ability to be punctual with your prayers.

2. If it’s convenient then to take a nap in the afternoon which is also a sunnah and aids in causing a person to wake up for Fajr.

3. To have dinner early and to not overeat. Mawlana Thanwi (RA) has written that when a person eats, there comes a moment where a question arises in his mind should I continue eating or quit? The moment this question arises, a person should stop eating.

4. To not drink water before going to sleep unless there is a dire need to do so and if so, then to drink a small amount.

5. To go to sleep early otherwise the above-mentioned points will be of no benefit.

6. To perform those acts which are sunnah prior to going to sleep, refer to Beautiful Sunnahs of the Beloved Nabi (S), by Hazrat Mawlana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (DB).

7. Prior to going to sleep tell someone to wake you up for Fajr.

8. To use an alarm clock and to put it at such a distance that one has to get up and out of their bed and walk to turn it off, by doing so the stupor of sleep will wear off.

9. To recite verse number 127 of Surah Baqarah or the last four verses of Surah Kahf before going to sleep. By reciting these verses if a person intends to wake up at a particular time, Insha Allah one will wake up on that time.

10. Immediately upon waking up, to sufficiently rub your eyes according to the sunnah, this too will cause the effects of sleep to wear off.

11. If possible, upon waking up after wiping ones’ face with ones’ hands recite verses 190-194 of Surah Al-Imran. This is also a sunnah. ‘Ulema have written that through their experience this practice also causes the effects of sleep to go away.

12. Upon awakening from ones sleep, using ones strength and willpower immediately stand up. Never fall victim to the ploy of ones nafs that I will wake up in a little while otherwise one will miss their salaah.

Reader Insights

I try to go through my suggestions box as often as possible and write posts based on the ideas you guys give me. Sometimes I get really silly suggestions, but other times I get really interesting comments that I know I have to use on my blog. I recently received an anonymous suggestion from a girl asking me to write about how one can revert to Islam, as she stated she was interested in becoming a Muslim. Before I write about the basics of converting to Islam, I just wanted to tell who ever sent me the suggestion to email me so I can send them more detailed information and help them on their quest to joining the Muslim Ummah inshAllah. 

Who Can Become A Muslim?
 Anyone can become a Muslim! Islam is a faith for all of humanity and is not limited to a certain culture, ethnicity, or race. You don't need any one's permission to become a Muslim because this is between you and your Lord. 

How does one become a Muslim? 
Once a person realizes in their heart that Islam is the truth, than they should take their shahada as soon as they can. The reversion to Islam should not be delayed because we all know that life is short. In order to become a Muslim, you must pronounce the shahada (the declaration of faith), which is "Ash-Hadu Anla Elaha Illa-Allah Wa Ash-Hadu Anna Mohammadan Rasul Allah". When you say the shahada you are saying "I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshiped but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger." 

How does one declare the shahada? 
 The shahada is not required to be declared in a mosque, although it is recommended. If one does not have access to a mosque, than they should call someone or go see someone and pronounce the shahada in front of them. If they can't find someone to witness their declaration, than they can say the shahada to themselves. Allah knows what is in our hearts therefore he knows the true state of our faith. Once one decides that they want to say the testimony, they need to say it from deep within their heart and mean it because it is not enough to only say the words. 

What happens after the shahada is said?

Some people fear that by becoming a Muslim they need to immediately begin the process of becoming the next big sheikh, but that is not true. Converts need to take it slow, they need to take their time getting adjusted to the religion, but by taking their time, I don't mean taking all the time in the world. Just say bismillah (in the name of Allah), do your part today and let Allah take care of tomorrow. As soon as you say your shahada, all your past sins are forgiven and you are given a brand new slate, you become in the same sinless state of being that you were the day you were born.

How does one deal with the issues that arise after the conversion?
Many  times converts find that as soon as they convert everyone around them is excited and more than willing to help, but soon enough they realize that the hardships they face are greater than they expected. This is absolutely normal! Allah tests those whom He loves, so stay strong during the period after your conversion and remain in close contact with the Muslim community at the local mosque as they will be there to help you with your struggles. Don't let shaitan (satan) get to you because he hates it when people are guided towards Islam. Lastly, Keep in mind the reasons you initially reverted to Islam, as shaitan and people will try to make you forget why you are Muslim.

Click here for more information on how to convert to Islam!

Lower Your Gaze

There was a companion of the Prophet (SAW) his name was Thalaaba Ibn Abdulrahman. Thalaaba was very young, about 16 years old, and he used to run errands for the Prophet (SAW) and one night, the Prophet (SAW) sent him to do something and he was walking through Medina, whilst he was walking he passed by a house and the door was open. The inside of the house was covered by a peice of material which acted as a curtain to hide the inside, but the wind blew this curtain to the side revealing a women inside who was bathing. Thalaaba glanced a little too long til he saw something, then he came to his senses and said Audo Billah!. Straight away the boy feared that Allah swt would reveal an ayah about him to the Prophet (SAW) and reveal him along with the hypocrites, and out of fear the boy ran away.

The Prophet (SAW) waited for the boys return, and hours later he sent other companions to go and search for him and bring him back. The companions returned and told the Prophet (SAW) they could not find him anywhere. The Prophet (SAW) told them to go search again on the outskirts of Medina, the companions came to a side of a mountain where there were Nomads, the companions asked them had they seen this boy, they described him to them. The nomads asked them, did they mean the boy who done nothing but cried, the nomads told them that the boy stayed on the other side of the mountain and did nothing but cry and say Astaghfurallah, and that he only came down after the sun set and drank some milk and when he drunk the milk it would mix with the boys tears because he was crying so much, they told them the boy only came down after sunset. So the companions waitied til sunset and the boy came down. It was a struggle but they managed to bring the boy back to his home, and he was crying even harder.

When the boy was taken back home he was crying even more and the Prophet (SAW) came to visit him, and comforted him by putting the boys head on his thigh (SAW) but the boy told the Prophhet (SAW) not to do such a thing and that he wasn’t worthy enough to be so close to the Prophet (SAW). The Prophet then asked him what is it he wished for, the boy replied he wished for the mercy and forgiveness of Allah swt.

The boy started shaking, he told the Prophet (SAW) that he felt as if ants were crawling between his skin and his bones, the Prophet told him that it was death, and it was approaching him. The boy died shortly after. The Prophet (SAW) washed him and covered him and led the prayer.

The Prophet(SAW) walked behind the body as they carried him to the cemetry.The Prophet(SAW) walked on the tip of his toes the whole way there as if it was crowded. One of the companions asked the Prophet (SAW) why was his walking on the tip of his feet when he had a lot of room? The Prophet (SAW) replied “I cannot find a place to put my foot down with the way the angels are crowded around him.”


SubhanAllah, the amount of hayaa (modesty) that Thalaaba had can hardly be found today. Now-a-days, we've  become so used to seeing nudity and indecent images everywhere that we no longer feel shame or guilt. Our hearts have become so used to this sickness that we've become numb to the corruption around us. Honestly, we don't even fear Allah SWT like we should; we no longer think about the harm we're doing to our self and our imaan in general. We must take Thalaaba's story as an example and learn from his character mashAllah. 

Muslim Moment #5

Sujud is one of the most personal encounters we are granted daily with Allah swt. It is our opportunity to surrender all of our fears and worries to Him, and at that moment we are closest to Him.  It truly is a blessing and we need to take advantage of the time we have while in sujud because our duaas are more likely to be answered. 

Hasan Al-Basree advised some of his students admonishing them about avoiding the state of being proud. He said: 

1) Do not deceive yourself into becoming too proud because you are in a good or righteous environment, for there is no place that is better than Paradise, and our father, Adam ‘alayhi salaam, experienced there what is known to all.

2) Do not become proud merely because you worship often, for consider what happened to Iblees after he spent a great deal of time worshipping.

3) Do not think yourself great because you have met with righteous people, for there is no man more righteous than the Prophet salAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam, yet the disbelievers and hypocrites did not benefit by simply knowing him

Cutest Quran Recitation by a little boy

I BELIEVE

I Am Inspired By Muhammad

I discovered this fantastic site mashAllah, and I think it's time I introduce you to inspired by mohammad. Check it out, you won't regret it!

 

 

 

A Prayer For You, Is A Prayer For Me

1494. Abud-Darda' (radi Allahu anhu) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) saying, "Whenever a Muslim supplicates for his (Muslim) brother in his absence, the angels say: `May the same be for you too'.''
[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith makes it evident that one who prays for someone in his absence also stands to benefit from it because the angel appointed for the task of praying for those who pray for others will pray for him, saying, "O Allah! Grant him also the same which he has asked for others.''

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"And those who came after them say: `Our Rubb! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith.''' (59:10)

"And ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women''. (47:19)

"Our Rubb! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established.'' (14: 41)

Smile It's Sunnah ;)

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Make things easy! And do not make them complicated! Be cheerful! And do not be repulsive.” [Sahih Bukhari]

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Teach and give good tidings! Make things easy, and do not make them hard!” [Ahmad ibn Hanbal]

Commentary: These ahadith highlight the importance of being cheerful ourselves, encouraging others and making them optimistic. Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said that a believer should have two wings; one of fear and one of good hope in Allah. If a person were unrealistically optimistic, they would stop working to achieve their goals, thinking that things will come to them anyway. On the other hand, pessimism also prevents a person from acting, since they have no hope and see no good in doing anything. Therefore, as teachers we should encourage optimism at the same time that we discourage overconfidence.

The first hadith also points out that when a person is not cheerful, they do not possess the ability to draw other people to them, instead, they repel them. One of the ways to be cheerful is to smile. The Sahabah told us that nobody smiled more than the Prophet of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). This is proof enough for us to smile.

Current research tells us that the physical act of smiling releases certain chemicals in our bodies that help us fight disease, produce happiness, and properly modulate sleep and appetite. In addition, when the brain and heart activity of volunteers was measured, it was seen that a smile gave the same level of stimulation that 2000 bars of chocolate would. Smiling encourages others to remember happy events, feel optimistic and be motivated. So, smile to make others more receptive to your message. 

It's Called "Beauty of Islam" Darn it, Not "Beauty of Riham"

It's been awhile since I've posted something strictly related to Islamic studies and I apologize. I don't what it is, maybe I've lost track of the true meaning behind the title of the blog "Beauty of Islam". My goal for this blog is to just give my perspective on life through a Muslimah's eyes and I don't want you to think that this blog is just fashion and fun, otherwise known as purely worldly matter. There's more to me than my hijab style, because in the end a hijab is just a scarf on my head. What matters is the character and inner modesty that the hijab reflects.  I was talking to my friend on the phone last night explaining to her how I'm afraid this blog is going to turn into an "ego boost", that I don't need. Ego is one of the most hated character traits in Allah SWT's eyes and I don't ever want this blog to turn into something about me only. It's called "Beauty of Islam", not "Beauty of Riham", so in order to keep that in check InshAllah you will be seeing more Quran and hadith on my page, as well as hijab posts because I want this blog to be a good balance of the two, not one over taking the other. So, for my first "Islamic" post in a while, I want to share with you a quote and ayah from the quran that I discovered which is helping me deal with one minor issue I have today.

"You don't choose whom you love. He chooses them.
If you had that choice to choose;
then the road would be simple.
Whom he puts in your life, is part of your test:
to bear with them, to accept them
and most of all to love them despite all that they may agitate you with.
After all, they come from Him and they return to Him,
just like you did and will do.
"...And We have made some of you as a trial for other: will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All-Seer" (Surah al-Furqan:20)

LoveStruck: The Girls The Guys & The Gaze

  I was very impressed by this video, which was suggested to me by some close friends at school a couple weeks ago. Just hearing the title of this lecture, The Girls, The Guys, and The Gaze definitely got me thinking about all the issues we face as youth, especially living in America. It's very difficult to lower your gaze in this society we live in when every where we go we are bombarded with obscene scenes on television and inappropriate photos that pop up at us on the internet. The fact that it's difficult for us to avoid these things makes it that much more important for us to simply lower our gaze and remove ourselves from any situation that could possibly lead us to engaging in any haram acts. 
  For a while, I've heard my Muslim sisters say to each other, lower your gaze! lower your gaze! lower your gaze!, but I never knew the exact meaning of it. I always thought to myself, "umm, I'm pretty sure I don't have a problem with looking at inappropriate things," but I didn't realize that things as "normal" as checking someone out or watching shows like " The Jersey Shore" did not constitute as lowering one's gaze. I always held a double standard with the idea of lower ones gaze. I felt like guys were obligated to lower their gaze more than girls because they were the one's with the problem, but today I realized that girls have the same exact problem, maybe even worse. The difference I've noticed between a Muslim guy checking a girl out and a Muslim girl checking out a guy is that the guy appears to feel more shame, whereas the girl doesn't even realize what she's doing is haram. That's just my opinion though, I may be wrong but from what I've seen, girls have just as big a problem as guys. It was stated in the lecture that, "what you allow into your ears and what you allow into your eyes goes directly into your heart," which begs the question is your heart protected?
  As humans, it's natural for us to be in denial when we are told that what we hear and see affects us because we like to believe that we are invincible to such things. In reality, our imaan subconsciously deteriorates as we allow indecent things into our life through the music we listen to and the content we see on t.v. and the internet. 
  I don't know about you, but my imaan is very important to me and I don't want to risk losing it over something that could easily be controlled. Brothers and Sisters, lower your gaze and strengthen your imaan, don't let the whispers of shaitan get to you. Avoid the haram altogether and you will notice a change in your heart and an uplift in your faith inshAllah.
"When you eat sleep and breath from the haram, than the halal becomes disgusting." - Abdelrahman Murphy 

Ayah's from Al Quran Al Kareem

The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said that,
Whoever recites Ayat Al Kursi after
every fard salaat there is only death between
him and Jannat."

                                        

I am in love with this sourah 

The Prophet (S.A.W) said, "One will not enter Paradise, if one has
an atom's weight of arrogance in his/her heart." [Muslim and At-Tirmithi]

"And I [Allah] created not the jinn and mankind
except that they should worship me [alone]"
Sourat Al-Dhaariyaat 51:56

One of my favorite ayah's from the Quran; it's gotten
me through a lot mashAllah <3

The Importance of Praying on Time

SubhanAllah! How many times have we delayed our prayers for absolutely no reason, than rushed to pray at the last few minutes, and expected no punishment for our actions? Allah Subhannah Wa Ta3ala says in Sourat Al Maun: "Woe to the worshipers who are unmindful of their prayer." (Quran 107: 4-5) We need to start taking our prayers more seriously by praying as soon as the Adhan goes off. As my friend used to say "hayyah alasalah now, not later!" The Adhan is calling you to pray now, so don't delay it. InshAllah, this story will be a beneficial reminder for you and me on the importance of not delaying our prayers.

"There were only 15 minutes left before Salat-ul Isha.

He quickly made Wudhu and performed Salat-ul Maghrib.

While making Tasbih, he again remembered his grandmother and was embarrassed by how he had prayed.

His grandmother prayed with such tranquillity and peace.

He began making Dua and went down to make Sajdah and stayed like that for a while.

He had been at work all day and was tired, so tired.

He awoke abruptly to the sound of noise and shouting.

He was sweating profusely.

He looked around.

It was very crowded.

Every direction he looked in was filled with people.

Some stood frozen looking around, some were running left and right and some were on their knees with their heads in their hands just waiting.

Pure fear and apprehension filled him as he realized where he was.

His heart was about to burst.

It was the Day of Judgment.

When he was alive, he had heard many things about the questioning on the

Day of Judgment, but that seemed so long ago..

Could this be something his mind made up?

No, the wait and the fear were so great that he could not have imagined this.

The interrogation was still going on.

He began moving frantically from people to people to ask if his name had been called.

No one could answer him.

All of a sudden his name was called and the crowd split into two and made a passageway for him.

Two angels grabbed his arms and led him forward.

He walked with unknowing eyes through the crowd.

The angels brought him to the centre and left him there.

His head was bent down and his whole life was passing in front of his eyes like a movie.

He opened his eyes but saw only another world.

The people were all helping others.

He saw his father running from one lecture to the other, spending his wealth in the way of Islam.

His mother invited guests to their house and one table was being set while the other was being cleared.

He pleaded his case,

'I too was always on this path..

I helped others.

I spread the word of Allah.

I performed my Salah.

I fasted in the month of Ramadhan.

Whatever Allah ordered us to do, I did.

Whatever he ordered us not to do, I did not.'

He began to cry and think about how much he loved Allah.

He knew that whatever he had done in life would be less than what Allah deserved and his only protector was Allah He was sweating like never before and was shaking all over.

His eyes were fixed on the scale, waiting for the final decision.

At last, the decision was made.

The two angels with sheets of paper in their hands, turned to the crowd.

His legs felt like they were going to collapse.

He closed his eyes as they began

To read the names of those people who were to enter Jahannam.

His name was read first.

He fell on his knees and yelled that this couldn't be,

'How could I go to Jahannam?

I served others all my life,

I spread the word of Allah to others'.

His eyes had become blurry and he was shaking with sweat.

The two angels took him by the arms.

As his feet dragged, they went through the crowd and advanced toward the blazing flames of Jahannam.

He was yelling and wondered if there was any person who was going to help him.

He was yelling of all the good deeds he had done, how he had helped his father, his fasts, prayers, the Noble Qur'an that he read, he was asking if none of them would help him.

The Jahannam angels continued to drag him.

They had gotten closer to the Hellfire.

He looked back and these were his last pleas.

Had not Rasulullah [SAW] said,

'How clean would a person be who bathes in a river five times a day, so too does the Salah performed five times cleanse someone of their sins'?

He began yelling,

'My prayers? My prayers? My prayers.?'

The two angels did not stop, and they came to the edge of the abyss of Jahannam.

The flames of the fire were burning his face.

He looked back one last time, but his eyes were dry of hope and he had nothing left in him.

One of the angels pushed him in.

He found himself in the air and falling towards the flames.

He had just fallen five or six feet when a hand grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back.

He lifted his head and saw an old man with a long white beard.

He wiped some dust off himself and asked him,

'Who are you?'

The old man replied,

'I am your prayers'.

'Why are you so late! I was almost in the Fire!

You rescued me at the last minute before I fell in'.

The old man smiled and shook his head,

'You always performed me at the last minute, did you forget?'

At that instant, he blinked and lifted his head from Sajdah.

He was in a sweat.

He listened to the voices coming from outside.

He heard the Adhan for Salat-ul Isha.

He got up quickly and went to perform Wudhu.

Pass this on to your friends and family.... ...

Maybe, you can help someone open their eyes.

And who knows?

Maybe, this is a good deed that can help you during the day of judgement.

(INSHA-ALLAH)"