Thursday, November 19, 2009

A letter from a Christian to Muslim women






A letter from a Christian to Muslim women

March 7th, 2007
By Joanna Francis
Writer, Journalist – USA


Between the Israeli assault on Lebanon and the Zionist “war on terror,” the Muslim world is now center stage in every American home. I see the carnage, death and destruction that have befallen Lebanon, but I also see something else: I see you. I can’t help but notice that almost every woman, I see is carrying a baby or has children around her. I see that though they are dressed modestly, their beauty still shines through. But it’s not just outer beauty that I notice. I also notice that I feel something strange inside me: I feel envy. I feel terrible for the horrible experiences and war crimes that the Lebanese people have suffered, being targeted by our common enemy. But I can’t help but admire your strength, your beauty, your modesty, and most of all, your happiness. Yes, it’s strange, but it occurred to me that even under constant bombardment, you still seemed happier than we are, because you were still living the natural lives of women. The way women have always lived since the beginning of time. It used to be that way in the West until the 1960s, when we were bombarded by the same enemy. Only we were not bombarded with actual munitions, but with subtle trickery and moral corruption.

Through Temptation
They bombarded us Americans from Hollywood, instead of from fighter jets or with our own American-made tanks. They would like to bomb you in this way too, after they’ve finished bombing the infrastructure of your countries. I do not want this to happen to you. You will feel degraded, just like we do. You can avoid this kind of bombing if you will kindly listen to those of us who have already suffered serious casualties from their evil influence. Because everything you see coming out of Hollywood is a pack of lies, a distortion of reality, smoke and mirrors. They present casual sex as harmless recreation because they aim to destroy the moral fabric of the societies into which they beam their poisonous programming. I beg you not to drink their poison. There is no antidote for it once you have consumed it. You may recover partially, but you will never be the same. Better to avoid the poison altogether than to try to heal from the damage it causes.

They will try to tempt you with their titillating movies and music videos, falsely portraying us American women as happy and satisfied, proud of dressing like prostitutes, and content without families. Most of us are not happy, trust me. Millions of us are on anti-depressant medication, hate our jobs, and cry at night over the men who told us they loved us, then greedily used us and walked away. They would like to destroy your families and convince you to have fewer children. They do this by presenting marriage as a form of slavery, motherhood as a curse, and being modest and pure as old-fashioned. They want you to cheapen yourself and lose your faith. They are like the Serpent tempting Eve with the apple. Don’t bite.

Self-Value
I see you as precious gems, pure gold, or the “pearl of great value” spoken of in the Bible (Matthew 13: 45). All women are pearls of great value, but some of us have been deceived into doubting the value of our purity. Jesus said: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7: 6). Our pearls are priceless, but they convince us that they’re cheap. But trust me; there is no substitute for being able to look in the mirror and seeing purity, innocence and self-respect staring back at you.

The fashions coming out of the Western sewer are designed to make you believe that your most valuable asset is your sexuality. But your beautiful dresses and veils are actually sexier than any Western fashion, because they cloak you in mystery and show self-respect and confidence. A woman’s sexuality should be guarded from unworthy eyes, since it should be your gift to the man who loves and respects you enough to marry you. And since your men are still manly warriors, they deserve no less than your best. Our men don’t even want purity anymore. They don’t recognize the pearl of great value, opting for the flashy rhinestone instead. Only to leave her too!

Your most valuable assets are your inner beauty, your innocence, and everything that makes you who you are. But I notice that some Muslim women push the limit and try to be as Western as possible, even while wearing a veil (with some of their hair showing). Why imitate women who already regret, or will soon regret, their lost virtue? There is no compensation for that loss. You are flawless diamonds. Don’t let them trick you into becoming rhinestones. Because everything you see in the fashion magazines and on Western television is a lie. It is Satan’s trap. It is fool’s gold.

A Woman’s Heart
I’ll let you in on a little secret, just in case you’re curious: pre-marital sex is not even that great. We gave our bodies to the men we were in love with, believing that that was the way to make them love us and want to marry us, just as we had seen on television growing up. But without the security of marriage and the sure knowledge that he will always stay with us, it’s not even enjoyable! That’s the irony. It was just a waste. It leaves you in tears.

Speaking as one woman to another, I believe that you understand that already. Because only a woman can truly understand what’s in another woman’s heart. We really are all alike. Our race, religion or nationalities do not matter. A woman’s heart is the same everywhere. We love. That’s what we do best. We nurture our families and give comfort and strength to the men we love. But we American women have been fooled into believing that we are happiest having careers, our own homes in which to live alone, and freedom to give our love away to whomever we choose. That is not freedom. And that is not love.

Only in the safe haven of marriage can a woman’s body and heart be safe to love. Don’t settle for anything less. It’s not worth it. You won’t even like it and you’ll like yourself even less afterwards. Then he’ll leave you.

Self-Denial

Sin never pays. It always cheats you. Even though I have reclaimed my honor, there’s still no substitute for having never been dishonored in the first place. We Western women have been brainwashed into thinking that you Muslim women are oppressed. But truly, we are the ones who are oppressed; slaves to fashions that degrade us, obsessed with our weight, begging for love from men who do not want to grow up. Deep down inside, we know that we have been cheated.
We secretly admire and envy you, although some of us will not admit it.

Please do not look down on us or think that we like things the way they are. It’s not our fault. Most of us did not have fathers to protect us when we were young because our families have been destroyed. You know who is behind this plot.

Don’t be fooled, my sisters. Don’t let them get you too. Stay innocent and pure. We Christian women need to see what life is really supposed to be like for women. We need you to set the example for us, because we are lost. Hold onto your purity.

Remember: you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube. So guard your “toothpaste” carefully!

I hope you receive this advice in the spirit in which it is intended: the spirit of friendship, respect, and admiration.

From your Christian sister “with love”


--The original can be found on Crescent and the Cross. Joanna Francis is a writer and journalist. She manages her own blog.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

$$ Stats on Halloween


Trick-or-treat! Statistics Canada breaks down Halloween

By The Canadian Press, October 31, 2009


A look at the scariest night of the year, by the numbers.


OTTAWA - The annual celebration of ghosts and witches will be in full swing today, as kids make the rounds of their neighbourhoods in pursuit of holiday treats.

In honour of Halloween, Statistics Canada has rolled out some facts and figures on everything from pumpkins to zombies to give Canadians a better understanding of some familiar items and characteristics associated with the holiday.

Trick-or-Treaters:
3,807,039 - The number of children in Canada of prime trick-or-treating age, five to 14 years old, in 2008, down from the previous year. This is the lowest turnout since 1990.

The number of children aged five to 14 peaked in 2002 at 4,103,114.

12,435,520 - The number of private dwellings across Canada in 2006 where children might be able to receive treats.

Jack-o'-lanterns:
2,634 hectares - The estimated area of pumpkins harvested in Canada in 2009.

2,317 - The number of farms with pumpkin patches in Canada according to the 2006 Census.

65,840 tonnes - The amount of pumpkins and squash produced in Canada in 2008.

Halloween apples:
In some parts of Canada, children chant "Halloween apples!" in their quest for treats. Where the French-Canadian culture is dominant, trick-or-treaters must sing a song for their reward.

6.85 kg - The average amount of fresh apples eaten by each person in Canada in 2008.

393,435 tonnes - The marketed production of apples in Canada in 2008, with a farm gate value of $174.5 million.

(how many lives of poor and food-deprived people could be saved with that many apples?)

A vampire's favourite hangout:
$117.1 million - The estimated value of wood coffins and caskets manufactured in Canada in 2006.

(all that money could probably solve a food or any kind of crisis in some part of the world right now....)

Quiet professionals:
Between 1996 and 2006, the number of female funeral directors and embalmers in Canada nearly doubled.

4,600 - The number of funeral directors

and embalmers in Canada in 2006. Of this numbe

r, 3,235 were men and 1,365 were women.

3,735 - The number of funeral directors and embalmers in Canada 10 years earlier, in 1996. Of this number, 3,015 were men and 720 were women.

Halloween candy:
$317 million - The spike in monthly sales of candy, confectionery and snack food sales at large retailers

in October 2008. December, however

, was the month with the highest monthly sales in 2008, at $394 million.

$255 million - The average monthly sales of candy, confectionery and snack foods at large retailers in 2008.

Zombies:
These people are not really zo

mbies a but close!

3.3 million - The estimated number of Canadians aged 15 or older who had problems going to sleep or staying asleep (i

nsomnia) in 2002.

Tricksters:
We don't know if these delinquent acts were committed at Halloween ...

1 out of 5 - The proportion of middle-school students in Toronto who reported that they had committed at least on

e delinquent act in 2006.

Findings from the International Youth Survey also suggest that a relatively small proportion of the young people were responsible for a high number of repeated delinquent acts. Delinquency, as defined in this report, refers to all behaviours explicitly set out in the Criminal Code of Canada.

There is a general increase in the number of criminal incidents reported to police at Halloween (compared with the previous week). Data are provided by 155 police services representing 98 per cent of the population of Canada.

49 per cent - The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Halloween 2008 that were violations against property.

18 per cent - The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Halloween 2008 that were violations against the person.

20 per cent - The percentage increase in violent offences, such as robbery, aggravated assault, assaults causing bodily harm and assaults against police officers, reported during Halloween 2008 compared to a week earlier.

11 per cent - The percentage increase in property violations, including general mischief and arson, reported to police during Halloween 2008 compared to a week earlier.

0 per cent - The percentage change in Criminal Code traffic violations reported during Halloween 2008 compared to a week earlier.

Witches and worshippers of Satan:
850 - The number of Canadians who reported that they were Satanists in 2001. This was up from 340 in 1991.

9,575 - The number of Canadians who reported their religion as Wicca in 2001.

(Source: Statistics Canada) http://money.ca.msn.com/investing/insight/article.aspx?cp-documentid=22450160

Friday, October 23, 2009

Summer's Gone :(

Goodbye Summer!

This time of the year is sort of sad for me. With summer ending so fast here in Regina (did we even have a proper summer?) and with a very bad winter coming along (Allahu Alim, but that's what's the farmers apparently say) it's pretty depressing! Usually it's nice, bright and sunny in Regina, but it's been more cloudy then usual. Now, to actually get not-so-cold days and some sunshine seems exciting. I'd say to my husband after checking the weathernetwork.com, "It's going to be 8 degrees today!!!" I'm saying it as if it was the best thing that happened to me in a long time. Yeah, it's pretty sad.

With all that sad stuff aside, Alhamdulillah I can at least say that I had a great summer! I went to Toronto, drove from there with my family to here, drove with them to Alberta, went to Jasper and Banff. Then Ramadhan came, Eid came, went to T.O again (as my Eid gift from my husband) for a week after Eid and I went to see my friend in Minnesota (US) during the Thanksgiving Day long weekend! Alhamdulillah I had a lot of fun =D

I'm actually finally settling in again. I mean, since July I've just been sort of all over the place and not really on a fixed schedule. Now that it's all over and evening madresa has started again, I'm falling back in my schedule. Oh and InshaAllah the Seerah halaqah (at IAOS Regina) will also be starting again. With a few more other classes, I'll really be busy and in Regina for a long time.

So here's the poster for that, I actually enjoyed making this one a lot. I'm still not satisfied with it because I hardly know how to use Corel Draw still. Anyone know where I can get good tips (easy to understand and with lots of screen-shots) about how to do some creative things on there?! I'd really appreciate it, it gets me so frustrated sometimes.



Besides all of the above, I really want to rant on some of the things going on right now. Ok there's actually one in particular I'd like to rant about, can you guess?

It's the whole niqab issue. Yes, that one. However I'll have to do that later, I need to still organize myself with this blog, there are some over due things that need to be posted first. Until then, keep visiting! I'm sorry for not updating often, I really don't know why I still have a blog..

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Eid Mubarak!



Eid Mubarak! Happy Eid!


It's hard to be so excited, when you know it's the end of Ramadhan. It went so unbelievably fast that it's actaully scary. SubhanAllah, May Allah (subhanahu wa ta'aala) give us life for the next
one!

Just a reminder, try your best not to let the Shaitan and and our Nafs ruin whatever we have reaped from harvest of Ramadhan. Sisters and Brothers, remember what Allah ta'aala has commanded us,

“Tell the mu’mineen men that they should lower their gazes and guard their chastity. And tell the believing women that they should lower their gazes and preserve their chastity.” (24:30-31)

You know very well what that means, do not let the Eid Salah (and other Eid gatherings) be a means of you directly disobeying your Lord. Remember your fasts, night prayers, your du'as, your tears, remember Ramadhan and remember Allah, have Taqwa and you will get to keep the benefits of the Blessed month of Ramadhan, inshaAllah.

May Allah (subhanahu wa ta'aala) accepts all our good deeds (whether big or small), our ibadah (worship, whether big or small) and all of our du'as!

Lets end it there, I have so much to do before tomorrow!

Eid Mubarak again!

oh and please remember my family and I in your humble du'as.

*******Oh and another thing I must share, Alhamdulillah, we have a new-Muslim sister, Carrie, who just converted today! SubhanAllah, Allah ta'aala has guided her right before Ramadhan ended! May Allah (subhanahu wa ta'aala) keep her on the straight path (and the rest of this Ummah), with a strong Iman and Taqwa!


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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Shaykh Al-Hadith Fazlur Rahman Azmi of Madrasah Arabia Islamia, Azadville, South Africa is in Toronto!

Shaykh Al-Hadith Fazlur Rahman Azmi of Madrasah Arabia Islamia, Azaadville, South Africa is finally in Toronto!

Alhamdulillah, Canada is finally being blessed with the presence of my husband’s ustadh (teacher) and mentor Shaykh al-Hadith Fazlur Rahman Azmi. I’ve heard so much from my husband about his shaykh that even I started to feel the excitement of his coming. Then I finally got to reading his biography, and I must say that just by reading about him, my heart is already anticipating his mere presence. SubhanAllah, I envy all the brothers, especially my husband, who can spend their time with such Shuyukh. InshaAllah at least I’ll be able to reap from the benefits that my husband will get from the Shaykh al-Hadith's visit.

I just received the biography on Monday, I just finished reading it this morning, and while I was finishing it off today, my (very excited) husband gets a call from his Shaykh who is now in Toronto. There I was, thinking, “SubhanAllah, the person I’m reading about, the person who this book is all about, is on the phone right now…wow.”

The Shaykh al-Hadith is known for his teaching, his depth in knowledge, his ability to do amazing research, his love for the Deen, his worry for the Ummah, his love for Sayyidinah Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhim wassalam), and of course, his immense love for Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala). These are probably just the few things I can think of right now. All I keep thinking about is how fortunate my husband is to have learned from him, mashaAllah. Alhamdulillah I’m very grateful that at least I got to read his biography and subhanAllah, the reason why the biography was done on him while he’s still alive was so that people can benefit from him while he is still with us.

You know when you read a biography of a Shaykh (from let’s say in the past 100 years) and he has already passed away. Don’t you really wish you could have met this person or at least sat in one of his talks hoping to take as much pearls of knowledge and wisdom as you can? It always happens right? But Alhamdulillah, this is the first time for me, where that’s not the case at all. InshaAllah, he’ll be coming to Regina (IAOS) and I’ll be able to sit in his talks and inshaAllah, I hope and pray I’ll be able to take as much as I possibly can from such a scholar’s talks.

So, to all the folks living in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), take advantage of such an opportunity! You shouldn’t have someone all the way in the prairies tell you this.

And to the folks in the prairies (the land of canola and buffaloes) make sure you come for the talks! Whether you’re in Regina or Saskatoon (where he’s also coming on Mon., Sept 21 inshaAllah) you’ve got no excuse! MashaAllah the GTA gets many Ulema visiting throughout the year, and we hardly ever do. This is a great blessing for us and it should be a great honour to have someone like Shaykh al-Hadith come to us to share his knowledge. The talks will be in Urdu and Arabic, but translation will be done in English inshaAllah.

Click on the poster below for more info.


Alhamdulillah, I'm getting better with the posters right?


Here are some links to where the biography can be purchased inshaAllah.
Ar-Rashad Books and Gifts (UK)
Al Zahra Online (Canada)
The Fountain Islamic Bookshop (UK)
Iqra Bookcenter (US)


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Monday, September 14, 2009

The Night of Power (Laylat'l Qadr) - Abu Eesa

The Night of Power (Laylat'l Qadr) - Abu Eesa





watch the full video here

Sunday, September 13, 2009


See, didn’t I say it was going to go so fast? SubhanAllah, Ramadhan is almost over. We’re already in the last ten days, and soon it’ll be Eid…
With that said, please remember me and my family in your humble du’as and forgive me if I’ve wronged anyone knowingly or unknowingly.

Here’s a part of last Ramadhan’s post :)

May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) help us take advantage of these last 10 days of Ramadhan, accepting all our worship (small to big) and all our du'as. May He (subhanahu wa ta’ala) forgive our sins, save us from His anger, from the fitnas of Shaytan, fitnas of Dajjal, from the love of this dunya, from the diseases of the heart, from all the evil that is in this dunya, from the punishments of the grave, from the torments of the Day of Judgment and from the fire of hell.

May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) through His infinite Mercy and Grace, purify our hearts, minds, souls and nafs, filling it with His Noor and love for Him (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and His Rasul (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) only. May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) give us success in both worlds and make us and raise us amongst those that He (subhanahu wa ta’ala) loves and favours. May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) forgive those that have died and fill their graves with His Noor, mercy and blessings. May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) forgive, give sabr, and grant ease to all those believers in hardship and sickness. May the Most Just (subhanahu wa ta’ala), help oppressed, give them sabr and give justice to those who know no justice.

We are the ummah of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)'s beloved Nabi, Sayyidinah Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wassalam), and today we are drowning in our own sins and in the love of this dunya. We've become deluded to the extent that we take, see, practice, and preach from this deen only we want. Our ignorance and arrogance have made us blind and deluded from the true way of Islam.

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says, "It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day. For him (each person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah. Verily, Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves. But when Allah wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, and they will find besides Him no protector." (13:10-11)

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), the Most Merciful has given us the Night of Power for a reason, and we all know quite well what that reason is. So lets take advantage of these last 10 days and so that we may purify ourselves and become closer to Him (subhanahu wa ta’ala).

I just came across at-Talib’s blog, and there was this very good article that he wrote about the last 10 days; you must read it inshaAllah!

Maximize in the Last 10 Days of Ramadan


“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’an) down on the night of Qadr. And what will make you know what the night of Qadr is? The night of Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Jibreel) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees. (All that night), there is Peace until the appearance of dawn.” (Surah Qadr - 97)


• Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) is described in the Qur’an as, “better than a thousand months” (97:3). Thus, any action done on this night is more virtuous than carrying out that action in any other time of the year.

• Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam would exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time. (Muslim)

• A’ishah radhiyallahu anha related that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: ‘Search for Laylatul Qadr on the odd-numbered nights during the last ten nights of Ramadan.’ (Bukhari) Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: ‘Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

• Here are some tips of things we can do to maximize these blessed days:

1. Take a vacation for Allah
We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not take out time to focus on worshiping and thanking our Creator? If this is not completely possible, take a few days off at least if you can. This can make it easier to stay awake at night to do extra Ibadah, not having to worry about getting to work the next day. It will also facilitate doing I’tikaaf.

2. Perform I’tikaaf
It was a practice of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam to spend the last ten days and nights of Ramadan in the Masjid for I’tikaaf. Those in I’tikaaf in the Masjid perform various forms of Thikr (remembrance of Allah), perform additional Salaah, and recite and study the Noble Qur’an. I’tikaaf of a shorter period of time, like one night, a day or a couple of days is encouraged as well.

continue reading here

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Slipping Away

Before iftar : An Afghan man prays before iftar, the breaking of the fast, during the holy month of Ramadan in Kabul. (AFP/Massoud Hossaini)



1/3 of Ramadhan has already gone, just like that. With all the iftars, tarawih prayers and all the other stuff, it truly feels like Ramadhan is slipping away. Well, at least until next year but then again Allah only knows how many of us will even witness it, incase death is already written for us before it.

With that said, let’s remind ourselves about what Ramadhan is, why it’s here and what our purpose for this month is. Let’s refresh our intentions, and push ourselves to do more in this month. We have to take benefit of this month; it’s just not an option. I mean, let’s face it, with our mountain load of sins, delusions, diseases of the heart, extreme love for this materialistic world and our lack of concern for the hereafter…we really need to juice out whatever we can from what this month has to offer, or we’ll be amongst the losers on the Day of Judgment (May Allah ta ‘ala save us).

Listening to talks about Ramadhan before or just on the first few days isn’t enough. With our weak Iman, we need constant revival. We get into it enthusiastically at first then after a few days of fasting and Tarawih, it dies out and so does our efforts. The first 10 days are gone; soon (sooner then soon actually) it’ll be half of Ramadhan gone. Then the last 10 days will come and before we can catch our breath, it’ll be 2 days before Eid!

So, wake up while you can and strive (same goes for myself of course), for there is no limit of how much worship you can do during this month. Read the Qur’an, listen to it, give sadaqah (charity), busy your tongue with adhkar (remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala), send salutations on His Beloved Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wassalam), memorize Surahs, dua’s and ahadith. Read Islamic books and listen to lectures in order to gain ilm (knowledge). Bring the Sunnahs into your life and strive to make them your habits. Do your best to stay away from ill habits and try to cut them off so you’ll be free of them even after Ramadhan inshaAllah.

Also, make lots of du’as. Every now and then especially while you’re fasting, make du’a. This is the perfect time to ask for whatever you need/want. It’s also the time to ask Allah (subhanahu wa ta ‘ala) for forgiveness, to turn to Him in repentance.

Please remember me, this sinful sister (and the rest of this Ummah) in your humble du’as.