The Muslim Wife Kitchen

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

So....I went out on that limb.

You asked for it.

Newsflash: You Can't Eat When You're Fasting

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Flashback to my days in college. It's the first day of Ramadan and a close sister and I were feeling the affects of the first day of fasting. In walks a brother who was very obviously eating. Confused, the sister and I exchanged looks, not sure what to say or do. One of us ended up asking him what the heck he was doing (or something along those lines!) and he explained that he had to lie to one of his proffesors earlier in the day, and so since his fast was broken by his intentional lieing, he could now eat. Ya, we laughed too. We weren't sure which was sadder: that the brother was "forced" to lie, that he was eating a really stale muffin or that he really beleived what he was saying (5 years later and I'm still undecided).

But the saddest thing of all is that there are many Muslims who honestly don't know what invalidates a fast and thus many are eating when the shouldn't be and fasting when they shouldn't be. Here's a quick reminder for us all, insha'allah: (its a bit detailed, but its worth the read)

"...things that invalidate the fast are of two types:

Some of the things that invalidate the fast involve things coming out of the body, such as intercourse, deliberate vomiting, menstruation and cupping. These things that come out of the body weaken it. Hence Allaah has described them as being things that invalidate the fast, so that the fasting person will not combine the weakness that results from fasting with the weakness that results from these things, and thus be harmed by his fast or his fast no longer be moderate.

And some of the things that invalidate the fast involve things entering the body, such as eating and drinking. If the fasting person eats or drinks, he does not achieve the purpose of fasting.

Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/248

Allaah has summed up the things that break the fast in the verse where He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allaah has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Sawm (fast) till the nightfall”

[al-Baqarah 2:187]

In this verse Allaah mentions the main things that invalidate the fast, which are eating, drinking and intercourse. The other things that break the fast were mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in his Sunnah.

There are seven things that break the fast, as follows:

1- Intercourse

2- Masturbation

3- Eating and drinking

4- Anything that is regarded as coming under the same heading as eating and drinking

5- Letting blood by means of cupping and the like

6- Vomiting deliberately

7- Menstruation and nifaas

The first of the things that invalidate the fast is: intercourse.

This is the most serious and the most sinful of the things that invalidate the fast.

Whoever has intercourse during the day in Ramadaan deliberately and of his or her own free will, in which the two circumcised parts meet and the tip of the penis disappears in either of the two passages, has invalidated his fast, whether he ejaculates or not. He has to repent, complete that day (i.e., not eat or drink until sunset), make up that day’s fast later on and offer a severe expiation. The evidence for that is the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said, “I am doomed, O Messenger of Allaah!” He said, “Why are you doomed?” He said, “I had intercourse with my wife (during the day) in Ramadaan.” He said, “Can you free a slave?” He said, “No.” He said, “Can you fast for two consecutive months?” He said, “No.” He said, “Can you feed sixty poor persons?” He said, “No.”…

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1936; Muslim, 1111.

No expiation is required for any of the things that break the fast apart from intercourse.

The second of the things that invalidate the fast is masturbation.

This means causing ejaculation or climax by using the hand etc.

The evidence that masturbation is one of the things that invalidate the fast is the words of Allaah in the hadeeth qudsi in which He says of the fasting person: “He gives up his food and drink and desire for My sake.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1894; Muslim, 1151. Causing ejaculation comes under the heading of the desire which the fasting person gives up.

Whoever masturbates during the day in Ramadaan has to repent to Allaah and refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day, and he has to make up that fast later on.

If he starts to masturbate then stops without ejaculating, he has to repent, but his fast is still valid, and he does not have to make it up later because he did not ejaculate. The fasting person should keep away from everything that provokes desire and shun bad thoughts.

With regard to the emission of madhiy (prostatic fluid), the most correct view is that it does not invalidate the fast.

The third of the things that invalidate the fast is eating or drinking

This refers to food or drink reaching the stomach via the mouth.

If anything reaches the stomach via the nose, this is like eating or drinking.

Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Snuff up water deeply into the nose (when doing wudoo’), except when you are fasting.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 788. If water reaching the stomach via the nose did not invalidate the fast, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would not have told those who are fasting not to snuff up water deeply into the nose.

The fourth of the things that invalidate the fast is anything that is regarded as coming under the same heading as eating and drinking

This includes two things:

1- Transfusion of blood to one who is fasting – such as if he bleeds heavily and is given a blood transfusion. This invalidates the fast because blood is formed from food and drink.

2- Receiving via a needle (as in the case of a drip) nourishing substances which take the place of food and drink, because this is the same as food and drink. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p/ 70.

With regard to injections which do not replace food and drink, rather they are administered for the purpose of medical treatment – such as penicillin or insulin – or are given to energize the body, or for the purpose of vaccinations, these do not affect the fast, whether they are intravenous or intramuscular (injected into a vein or a muscle). Fataawa Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem, 4/189. But to be on the safe side, these injections may be given at night.

Kidney dialysis, in which blood is extracted, cleaned and then returned to the body with the additional of chemical substances such as sugars and salts etc. is regarded as invalidating the fast. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/19

The fifth of the things that invalidate the fast is letting blood by means of cupping

Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The cupper and the one for whom cupping is done have both invalidated their fast.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2367; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2047.

Donating blood comes under the same heading as cupping, because it affects the body in the same way.

Based on this, it is not permissible for a person who is fasting to donate blood unless it is essential, in which case it is permissible. In that case the donor has broken his fast and must make up that day later on. Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p. 71

If a person suffers a nosebleed, his fast is valid, because that happened involuntarily. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/264

With regard to bleeding that results from extraction of a tooth, surgery or a blood test etc., that does not invalidate the fast because it is not cupping or something that is similar to cupping, unless it has an effect on the body similar to that of cupping.

The sixth of the things that invalidate the fast is vomiting deliberately

Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever vomits involuntarily does not have to make up the fast, but whoever vomits deliberately let him make up the fast.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 720, classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 577.

Ibn al-Mundhir said: The scholars are agreed that the fast of one who vomits deliberately is invalidated. Al-Mughni, 4/368.

Whoever vomits deliberately by sticking his finger in his throat, pressing his stomach, deliberately smelling something nasty or persisting in looking at something that makes him vomit, has to make up his fast later on.

If his gorge rises, he should not suppress it, because that will harm him. Majaalis Sharh Ramadaan, Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, p. 71.

The seventh of the things that invalidate the fast is the blood of menses and nifaas

Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Is it not the case that when she gets her period, she does not pray or fast?” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 304.

When a woman sees the blood of her period or nifaas (post-partum bleeding), her fast becomes invalid even if that is one moment before sunset.

If a woman feels that her period has started but no blood comes out until after sunset, her fast is still valid.

If the bleeding of a woman who is menstruating or in nifaas ceases at night and she has the intention of fasting, then dawn comes before she does ghusl, the view of all the scholars is that her fast is valid. Al-Fath, 4/148.

It is preferable for a woman to keep to her natural cycle and to accept that which Allaah has decreed for her, and not to take any medicine to prevent her period. She should accept what Allaah has decreed for her of not fasting during her period, and make up those days later on. This is what the Mothers of the Believers and the women of the Salaf used to do. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/151. In addition, it has been medically proven that these means of preventing menstruation are harmful and many women have suffered menstrual irregularities as a result. If a woman takes pills and her period stops as a result, that is fine, she can fast and her fast is acceptable.

These are things that invalidate the fast. All of them – apart from menses and nifaas – only invalidate the fast if three conditions are met: that the person was aware of the ruling and not ignorant of it; that he did it knowingly and not out of forgetfulness; and that he did it by choice and was not forced to do it.

We should also note some things that do not invalidate the fast:

Enemas, eyedrops, eardrops, tooth extraction and treatment of injuries do not invalidate the fast. Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam, 25/233; 25/245

Medical tablets that are placed under the tongue to treat asthma attacks etc, so long as you avoid swallowing any residue.

Insertion of anything into the vagina such as pessaries, or a speculum, or the doctor’s fingers for the purpose of medical examination.

Insertion of medical instruments or IUD into the womb.

Anything that enters the urinary tract of a male or female, such as a catheter tube, or medical scopes, or opaque dyes inserted for the purpose of x-rays, or medicine, or a solution to wash the bladder.

Fillings, extractions or cleaning of the teeth, whether with a siwaak or toothbrush, so long as you avoid swallowing anything that reaches the throat.

Rinsing the mouth, gargling, sprays etc. so long as you avoid swallowing anything that reaches the throat.

Oxygen or anaesthetic gases, so long as that does not give the patient any kind of nourishment.

Anything that may enter the body via absorption through the skin, such as creams, poultices, etc.

Insertion of a fine tube via the veins for diagnostic imaging or treatment of the veins of the heart or any part of the body.

Insertion of a scope through the stomach wall to examine the intestines by means of a surgical operation (laparoscopy).

Taking samples from the liver or any other part of the body, so long as that is not accompanied by administration of solutions.

Endoscopy, so long as that is not accompanied by administration of solutions or other substances.

Introduction of any medical instruments or materials to the brain or spinal column.

And Allaah knows best.

See Majaalis Ramadaan by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, and the booklet Sab’oona Mas’alah fi’l-Siyaam.

Islam Q&A

More Interrogation

By PAMELA HESS and DEVLIN BARRETT, Associated Press Writers Pamela Hess And Devlin Barrett, Associated Press Writers –

WASHINGTON – A year after the Bush administration abandoned its harshest interrogation methods, CIA operatives used severe sleep deprivation tactics against a terror detainee in late 2007, keeping him awake for six straight days with permission from government lawyers.

Interrogators kept the unidentified detainee awake by chaining him to the walls and floor of a cell, according to government officials and memos issued with an internal CIA report. The Obama administration released the internal report this week.

Though the detainee's name and critical details are blacked out in the memos, there is only one detainee known to have been in CIA custody at that time: Mohammed Rahim al-Afghani, an alleged al-Qaida operator and translator for Osama bin Laden.

The documents show that even as the Bush administration was scaling back its use of severe interrogation techniques, the CIA was still pushing the boundaries of what the administration's own legal counsel considered acceptable treatment.

The documents describe two instances in 2007 in which the CIA was allowed to exceed the guidelines set by Bush administration lawyers allowing prisoners to be kept awake for up to four days.

The first episode occurred in August 2007, when interrogators were given permission from the Office of Legal Counsel to keep an unidentified detainee awake for five days, a U.S. government official confirmed. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the report's details.

According to the documents, the sleep-deprived prisoner was kept awake by being forced to stand with his arms chained above heart level. He wore diapers, allowing interrogators to keep him chained continuously without bathroom breaks.

The second incident occurred in November 2007. After again asking permission from Justice lawyers to keep a detainee awake an extra day, interrogators pressed to extend the treatment for another 24 hours, depriving the prisoner of sleep for six straight days.

It is unclear from the documents whether the two incidents involved the same detainee. CIA spokesman George Little would not provide the identity of the prisoner referred to in the document.

Afghani, the alleged bin Laden translator, was captured in Pakistan in the summer of 2007 — around the time the Justice Department issued new guidance for the harsh techniques that could still be used on CIA prisoners. He stayed in CIA custody until early 2008, when he was transferred to the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Officials noted in the documents that the sleepless prisoner remained "alert and oriented" and seemed to be "adhering to a well-developed, robust and capable resistance strategy."

According to the documents, the prisoner was monitored by closed-circuit television. If he started to fall asleep, the chains jerking on his arms would wake him up. If a prisoner's leg swelled — a condition known as edema, which can cause blood clots and stroke — interrogators could chain him to a low, unbalanced stool or on the floor with arms outstretched.

Sleep deprivation beyond 48 hours is known to produce hallucinations. It can reduce resistance to pain, and it makes people suggestible.

The State Department regularly lists sleep deprivation as a form of torture in its annual report on human rights abuses. Recent reports have noted Iran, Syria and Indonesia as engaging in the practice.

Andrea Northwood, director of client services at the Center for Victims of Torture in Minneapolis, said her organization considers 96 hours of sleep deprivation to be torture.

"It's a primary method that is used around the world because it is effective in breaking people. It is effective because it induces severe harm," she said. "It causes people to feel absolutely crazy."

She said that in many cases there are lingering effects. "My experience in working with survivors, they are still struggling with questions whether they are normal, whether they should have acted as they did when they talked under this kind of pressure," she said.

Amrit Singh, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, said the use of such a severe tactic in 2007 shows that the U.S. was not abiding by its own law.

"The documents are particularly disturbing because they were issued even after the Supreme Court held that these prisoners were entitled to the protections of the Geneva Conventions and after Congress passed the Detainee Treatment Act to specifically prohibit cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment," Singh said.

Before scaling back its "enhanced interrogation program," the CIA used 10 harsh methods, including waterboarding, a form of simulated drowning. It later used six techniques, including sleep deprivation, dietary manipulation and slapping.

The Obama administration has since rescinded authority for any of the severe methods. Under the rules of the U.S. Army Field Manual, which now governs all interrogations, prisoners must be allowed to sleep at least four hours during every 24-hour period.

Stuffing Yourself Silly

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Ever notice the way you eat during Ramadan compared to the rest of the year? A person who skips breakfast (and fajr, but thats another post) regularly, will make sure to get up long before dawn and eat twice the amount of a normal breakfast. Or suddenly dinner is now a 4 course affair, complete with deep-fried appetizers, numerous side dishes and extraordinary desserts. Just a month ago you would've settled on a cheese sandwich and a glass of water and been just fine. What is it about the month of abstaining, the month of hunger, the month of sacrifice that makes us PIG out??

How we eat is yet another aspect of our deen. When we stray from the sunnah of eating, then we fall into dangerous territory. The sunnah is The Best way to do something, so anything else is going to be not as good or even harmful, and thus leading the path to haraam things like extravagance. Losing the point of Ramadan itself is also a reason for this gluttonous behavior. Allah says, "Oh you who believe! Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious). " [ al-Baqarah: 183].

So lets get our minds and hearts on track. Away from food and back to Allah, insha'Allah.

In this great month, we beg Allah to accepts our deeds, make us better Muslims , grant mercy to our brothers and sisters we hugged and kissed last year but who are no longer with us for another Ramadan and relieve the hardships of the ummah, ameen!

--------------------------------------------------

What is your opinion on those who make many kinds of foods and sweets during Ramadaan?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Extravagance in all things is something that is blameworthy and is not allowed, especially in food and drink. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance)”

[al-A’raaf 7:31]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2380; Ibn Maajah, 3349. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1939).

Extravagance in food and drink includes many evils:

v The more a person enjoys the good things of this world, the less will be he share in the Hereafter.

Al-Haakim narrated that Abu Juhayfah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The more people eat their fill in this world, the more hungry they will be on the Day of Resurrection.”

Narrated by Ibn Abi’l-Dunya, who added that Abu Juhayfah never filled his stomach until he departed this life.

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al_Saheehah, 342.

‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: By Allaah, if I wanted I could wear the finest clothes among you, and eat the best food, and have the most luxurious life. But I heard that Allaah will condemned people for someo f their actions and said (interpretation of the meaning):

“You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein. Now this Day you shall be recompensed with a torment of humiliation, because you were arrogant in the land without a right, and because you used to rebel against Allaah’s Command (disobey Allaah)”

[al-Ahqaaf 46:20]

Heelat al-Awliya’, 1/49

v That distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, such as reading Qur’aan, which is what the Muslim should focus on during this blessed month, as was the practice of the Salaf.

But women end up spending a large part of the day on preparing food, and a large part of the night on preparing sweets and drinks.

If a person eats too much he becomes lazy and sleeps a great deal, so he wastes a lot of his time.

Sufyaan al-Thawri (may Allaah have mercy on his) said: If you want your body to be healthy and to sleep less, then eat less.

Eating too much also makes the heart heedless.

It was said to Imam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him): Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

Interrogation

WASHINGTON – A newly declassified CIA report says interrogators threatened to kill the children of a Sept. 11 suspect.

The document, released Monday by the Justice Department, says one interrogator said a colleague had told Khalid Sheikh Mohammed that if any other attacks happened in the United States, "We're going to kill your children."

Another interrogator allegedly tried to convince a different terror suspect detainee that his mother would be sexually assaulted in front of him — though the interrogator in question denied making such a threat.

The report, written in 2004, examined CIA treatment of terror detainees following the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has been declassified as part of a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Beautiful Hunger

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

“O you who believe! Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious).”
[al-Baqarah 2:183]

Fasting will intercede for a person on the Day of Judgement, and will say, “O Lord, I prevented him from his food and physical desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.” (Reported by Ahmad, 2/174. Al-Haythami classed its isnaad as hasan in al-Majma’, 3/181. See also Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/411).


Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will remove his face seventy years’ distance from the Fire.
(Reported by Muslim, 2/808).

Whoever fasts one day seeking the pleasure of Allaah, if that is the last day of his life, he will enter Paradise.
(Reported by Ahmad, 5/391; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/412).


"In Paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyaan, through those who fast will enter, and no one will enter it except them; when they have entered it will be locked, and no-one else will enter through it.”
(al-Bukhaari, Fath, no. 1797).

Ramadan: The Month of Wala' and Bara'

Ramadan: The Month of Wala' and Bara'

Ramadan is a month of many things for the Muslims: it is a month of mercy, forgiveness, blessing, worship, exertion, devotion, and discipline. In addition, it has historically been a month that revived the concept of wala' and bara' in the conscience of the believers in one way or another.

Firstly and most famously, the 17th of Ramadan 2 AH was the day of the first decisive battle between Islam and kufr: the Battle of Badr.

On the same day (17th) of Ramadan six years later, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) conquered Makkah along with 10,000 Muslim soldiers. That day, he entered the Ka'bah and personally smashed each of the 360 idols he found inside. Later that same Ramadan, he sent his Companions to destroy the other idols worshipped by the Arabs: Khalid bin al-Walid was sent to destroy al-'Uzza, 'Amr bin al-'As to destroy Suwa', and Sa'd bin Zayd to destroy Manat.

The next year, upon his return from the expedition to Tabuk in Ramadan, the Prophet sent a group of his Companions to demolish the Masjid ad-Dirar that was built by the hypocrites.

In Ramadan of 92 AH, Tariq bin Ziyad led an army against the Gothic King Roderick in the Battle of Guadalete. This was a battle in which the Muslims defeated an army of Goths eight times their size, initiating the Islamic conquest of Andalusia, Southern Italy, and parts of France.

Ramadan of the year 584 AH marked victory for the Muslims in the Battle of Hittin, in which Salah ad-Din al-Ayyubi laid waste to the army of the Crusaders, resulting in his conquest of Jerusalem.

In Ramadan of the year 658 AH, the Mongols were dealt their first decisive defeat in history at the hands of Sayf ad-Din Qutuz in the Battle of 'Ayn Jalut, avenging the deaths of the millions and millions of Muslims killed during the rape of their lands.

The revival of wala' and bara' in Ramadan was also manifested in the mosques of the Salaf during their prayers, as al-Imam Malik reported in his 'Muwatta'' (306):

وَحَدَّثَنِي عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ الْحُصَيْنِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ الأَعْرَجَ يَقُولُ: مَا أَدْرَكْتُ النَّاسَ، إِلاَّ وَهُمْ يَلْعَنُونَ الْكَفَرَةَ فِي رَمَضَانَ

al-A'raj said: "I did not find the people except that they would be cursing the kuffar in Ramadan."

In 'al-Istidhkar' (2/72), Ibn 'Abd al-Barr said:

"This shows that it is permissible to curse the kuffar whether or not they are dhimmis. This is not obligatory. Rather, it is allowed for those who do it out of hatred for them for the sake of Allah due to their denial of the truth and their enmity to the Religion and its people...They would supplicate in the Witr of their prayer in Ramadan and curse the kuffar in imitation of the Messenger of Allah when he supplicated in his Qunut against Ra'al, Dhakwan, and Bani Lahyan, who had killed his Companions at the Well of Ma'unah.

And Ibn Wahb narrated from Malik that the Qunut in Ramadan should be in the last half of Ramadan, and it is the cursing of the kuffar. He curses the kuffar, and those behind him say 'amin.'

...and al-A'raj met a group of the Companions and the major Tabi'in, and this is the practice of the people of Madinah."

Also, on p. 32 of his treatise 'Qiyam al-Layl,' al-Albani mentions a narration of Ibn Khuzaymah's (2/155) in which 'Umar would appoint someone to lead the people in prayer at night in Ramadan, and at the end of the prayer after the first half of the month, the leader would make the following supplication:

اللهم قاتل الكفرة الذين يصدون عن سبيلك ويكذبون رسلك ولا يؤمنون بوعدك وخالف بين كلمتهم وألق في قلوبهم الرعب وألق عليهم رجزك وعذابك إله الحق

('O Allah, fight the kuffar who lead people away from Your Path, deny your Messengers, and do not believe in Your Promise. Divide them and throw fear into their hearts, and throw Your punishment upon them, O deity of Truth!')

The leader of the prayer would then invoke peace and blessings upon the Prophet, pray for the Muslims for what was good, and then ask Allah's Forgiveness for the believers. After this, they would finish the supplication with the following:

اللهم إياك نعبد ولك نصلي ونسجد وإليك نسعى ونحفد ونرجو رحمتك ربنا ونخاف عذابك الجد إن عذابك لمن عاديت ملحق

('O Allah, we worship You, and we pray to You, and we prostrate to You, and we strive and rush and hope for Your Mercy, our Lord. And we fear Your true punishment, as Your punishment is close behind Your enemies.')

After this, he would go into prostration.

So, these glimpses of the Muslims who came before us show that they treated Ramadan as a month to revive the concept of wala' and bara'.

source

Bload Soaked Dates (reminder)

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

I posted this last year and just wanted to remind everyone again, insha'allah (taken from here).




"I was shocked to learn that Israel is a major producer and exporter of dates to the European market!

They are grown in the Jordan Valley, West Bank, and are the most profitable crop of the illegal Israeli settlers, who exploit the desperate poverty of their Palestinian workers - including children - with appalling working conditions. One company, Carmel Agrexco, even boasted about producing an early crop in time for Ramadan!

Imagine: to be proud that Muslims are breaking their fast with such blood-soaked dates. A product of illegal, oppressive apartheid!

How very, very, very sad… and sick."

What else can we do?

*** BUY PALESTINIAN DATES ***
http://zaytoun.org

* Post this information onto your websites, blogs and forward onto your contacts.
* Join the event on Facebook, and invite others.
* If you spot these brands in your local shops, complain to the owner (download sample letter of complaint, produced by Inminds) - ESPECIALLY IF THE SHOP IS MUSLIM-OWNED!
* If you spot these brands in someone's house, POLITELY point out their origin. Most Muslims don't know about this (I didn't), and would not have bought these dates if they had known. So please be polite.
* Remember our Palestinian brothers and sisters in your dua, when placing a date in your mouth this Ramadan.

Look! A Limb! Let Me Go Out On It.....

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem


So, I have an idea (this is the point where my husband rolls his eyes and asks "now what?". Permission granted for y'all to roll your eyes). Would anyone be interested in an "Muslim Wife Cooks" type blog? A peek into my kitchen where I seem to spend a majority of my day, regardless of if I want to or not.

I kinda like cooking. Actually, I really enjoy it. That doesn't mean I'm good at it. In fact, I'm not that good at all but I play it off like I know what I'm doing and alhamdulillah, things turn out pretty decent. It's just that over the years of my food-burning /raw-meat-serving/bugs-in-my-flour situations have really taught me some pretty good lessons that I would just love to pass on to y'all. Would anyone be interested? Would I completely lose the 8 readers I still have left? :\

I'll be hanging out on the itty bitty limb until I hear back from the masses!

Advice to All the Pre-Law/Law School/Lawyers:

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

When I was young, the "cool" thing to do, the profession all parents dreamed of for their children, was medicine. Engineers came a close second, but medicine was The Thing. Then there was a switch. Not sure why, not sure when, but oh was there a huge switch. By the time I was graduation the new "cool" thing was Law. Everyone was a "Pre-Law" major (though there techincally isn't such a major) and everyone talked a big game of "helping the Muslims", starting the change "from within" and so on and so forth.

I can count off 6 Muslimahs (and don't get me started on the brothas) that entered Law School and came out the other end worse for it. Oh wait, make that 8 - two more popped into my head. No one is "helping the Muslims" like the claimed, no one is making any such changes from within. They're just wearing higher heels, ripped of their hijabs and waving those stars and stripes with a pride that would put Uncle Sam to shame.

There's no way you can spend all that time (and dinero) studying and memorizing a system that is completely contrary to the System of Allah and expect your iman to stay intact...its gonna take a hit, a huge hit, a red-white-and-blue hit. Better info below:





Is referring for judgement to man-made laws or working in that field haraam?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Referring for judgement to courts of man-made law which is contrary to sharee’ah is not permissible; the same applies to working in them and applying those laws among people, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And so judge (you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) among them by what Allaah has revealed and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they turn you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) far away from some of that which Allaah has sent down to you. And if they turn away, then know that Allaah’s Will is to punish them for some sins of theirs. And truly, most of men are Faasiqoon (rebellious and disobedient to Allaah).

50. Do they then seek the judgement of (the days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgement than Allaah for a people who have firm Faith”

[al-Maa’idah 5:49-50]

“O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.

60. Have you not seen those (hypocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taaghoot (false judges) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaytaan (Satan) wishes to lead them far astray.

61. And when it is said to them: “Come to what Allaah has sent down and to the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم),” you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) see the hypocrites turn away from you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) with aversion”

[al-Nisa’ 4: 59 -61]

“But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission”

[al-Nisa’ 4:65]

And there are other verses which enjoin referring for judgement to that which Allaah has revealed and forbid referring for judgement to anything that goes against it.

But if a person is forced to refer for judgement to man-made laws, in order to ward off wrongdoing or get back his rights, it is permissible for him to do that subject to certain conditions:

1. That he cannot get his rights except by this way.

2. That he should do it reluctantly and hate this way of referring for judgement.

3. That he should not take more than his due, even if the law gives it to him.

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas were asked: What is the ruling on referring for judgement to American law in a dispute between Muslims, with regard to cases of divorce, commerce and other matters?

They replied: It is not permissible for a Muslim to refer for judgement to man-made laws except in cases of necessity if there are no sharee’ah courts. If he is awarded something that is not his right, it is not permissible for him to take it. End quote.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 23/502

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: What is the ruling on the work of a Muslim who studies man-made law, then opens a law office and represents cases in civil courts on behalf of companies? What is the ruling on the money that he accumulates?

He replied: Putting man-made laws that are contrary to sharee’ah in the place of sharee’ah is kufr, because it is removing sharee’ah and putting taghoot (falsehood) in its place, and this is included in the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And whosoever does not judge by what Allaah has revealed, such are the Kaafiroon (i.e. disbelievers — of a lesser degree as they do not act on Allaah’s Laws” [al-Maa’idah 5:44].

With regard to a person learning man-made law, if he is learning it in order to ward off falsehood with truth, there is nothing wrong with that. But if he is learning it in order to follow what is contains of laws contrary to sharee’ah, this is haraam. Concerning that we say: even with regard to the lawyer in a country that is governed by sharee’ah, we say that if the lawyer wants to bring people's rights to them, there is nothing wrong with practising this profession, but if he wants to prove the other party wrong, whether it is true or false, this is haraam. End quote from Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh, 33/6.

And Allaah knows best.