Tag: sunnah

HIJAB

In the current times that we live in, hijab is seen as a trending fashion statement. Many influencers and bloggers that we follow do not fully understand the value and importance of wearing hijab. The hijab is worn by Muslim women around the world as a means of obeying Allah, staying in touch with their faith and proudly representing Islam.

Allah says in Surah Al A’raf, verse 26:

يٰبَنِىۡۤ اٰدَمَ قَدۡ اَنۡزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ لِبَاسًا يُّوَارِىۡ سَوۡاٰتِكُمۡ وَرِيۡشًا ؕ وَلِبَاسُ التَّقۡوٰى ۙ ذٰ لِكَ خَيۡرٌ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ مِنۡ اٰيٰتِ اللّٰهِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُوۡنَ

“O children of Adam, we have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness – that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember”.

SO WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF HIJAB?

Hijab is derived from the Arabic word “hijaba”, which means to ‘veil’. Many see this veil as just a piece of cloth, but there is so much more meaning to that piece of cloth than what meets the eye. Hijab is not only that piece of cloth that is obligatory for Muslim women to wear. In some sense hijab becomes the main identity and it provides women with both spiritual and physical peace and harmony.

The first and foremost reason Muslim women around the world wear the Hijab is to please Allah (SWT). Hijab is not just a covering but a protection and a statement. Wearing it serves as a shielding from all things Haraam and affirms one’s identity as a Muslimah.

For example , if you look at the beauty of a pearl.

It is covered inside an oyster. People swim to the depths of the ocean just to uncover the pearls. The same can be allied to our money, we cover it inside our wallets and our bags because it is valuable and we do not want people to see it. In that same vein, our women cover themselves because they are more valuable than any gem or any wealth in this Dunyah.

When you wear hijab, your inner circle changes and your behaviour becomes better because you are constantly thinking what manner is appropriate to act in. Therefore, it can be said that wearing the hijab is a means of self-improvement.

Wearing the hijab is not an end all be all. It is a journey and everybody’s journey is different. It is also not the only measure of Imaan, Taqwa or Piety.

The journey of wearing or rather observing the hijab is not a smooth one and will be filled with many bumps along the way. Shaytaan will always try to discourage you but that being said, taking this journey will strengthen your Imaan, open your eyes to the rest of the world and make you grow closer to Allah (SWT)

BY: RAEESA HOOSAIN

The marriage of Khadija (RA)and the Prophet (SAW)

Yasmina Samaai is a first year BA student at Madina Institute. Having completed her social work degree in 2018, she is looking forward to bringing her Islamic Studies into her social work.

The marriage of Khadija (RA) and the Prophet (SAW)

Many would agree if I were to say that the marriage of Khadija (ra) and the Nabi (saw) was of the best marriages to this day. However, what was it about this marriage that makes it the ideal standard we wish to live up to today?

It is the courage of Khadija (ra) to propose to the Prophet (saw) who had no wealth but an outstanding character. It is their mutual love and compassion shown to each other in the times of hardships like the loss of their sons. Their dedication to spreading the message of Islam. It is Khadija who dedicated her wealth in support of her husband in his noble quest. Khadija was our Prophets’ support during his troubles and suffering. She was the first to believe in him and his message. She was the one to console him when needed. She was also the one who encouraged him with words of wisdom. She strived with her husband, with patience, and assisted him with his mission.

This is what marriage is in Islam. It is a partner who is your covering and protection from the evils of this world. It is someone who provides ease in difficulties by providing support and encouragement. It is someone to strive with you in the path to Jannah. It is important to firstly implement the best of character in the home just as our Prophet (saw) did. This will foster mutual respect and inshallah be key in our role to a successful marriage as demonstrated for us by our Nabi Muhammad (saw) and Khadija (ra).

The Sunnahs of Jumuah

Ashkan Shokuri, 27, is from Germany. He and his wife are currently enrolled in the Madina Institute Bachelor of arts in Usul al Din Program.

The Sunnahs of Jumuah

Allah Most High says in the Quran: “O you who believe! When the call for Friday prayer is made, hasten towards the remembrance of Allah Most High and leave all transactions. This is best for you if only you know.” (Quran, 62/9)

Friday is one of Allah’s greatest gifts to this Ummah and a great opportunity to renew one’s faith, make new intentions and pray for forgiveness.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “the person who has a bath on Friday, purifies himself as far as possible, applies oil to his hair, applies perfume, leaves for the mosque, when he arrives at the mosque he does not sit down by removing anyone from his place, offers as many nafl prayers as possible, when the imam delivers the khutbah he remains silent – then his sins from the previous Friday till now will be forgiven.” (Bukhari)

The bath on Friday should be done consciously and with pure intention. A Muslim wants to achieve Allah’s pleasure. With this (outer) bath inshaAllah, an inner purification begins. Friday should be used as an opportunity to make Tauba and do good deeds. The perfume we put on inshaAllah, is a sign that we want to do good after our cleansing. The bath and the perfume should therefore be taken very seriously.

The way to the mosque should be accompanied by dhikr and salawat, aware of what a great event you are going to. How much we prepare ourselves internally and externally for the Friday prayer decides how much we will benefit from the preaching and prayer. Whoever falls asleep again and again during the sermon should not hold the preacher responsible, but himself.

By Ashkan Shokuri

Reviving the Sunnahs of Eid

Abdurahmaan Hattas is a first year BA student at Madina Institute. He wishes to further his Islamic studies at the university of Al-Azhar in Cairo and become of great service to his community. He has a deep interest in cosmology and wishes to study one day in this field Insha Allah.

Reviving the Sunnahs of Eid

 

Bismillahirrahmaanirraheem

Allahumah Salli ‘Ala Sayyidina Muhammadin-Nuri wa Ālihi

Eid is always a joyous time of the year that we spend with our family and friends. We can’t wait to wear our new clothes and snap that number-one selfie. Through all our happy moments on this day, we should not forget the Sunnahs that were done by our beloved Prophet (may peace be upon him) on the day of Eid, which will increase our rewards and will benefit us greatly.

Our beloved Prophet (may peace be upon him) used spend the eve of Eid in worship. It is narrated by Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: “one who stands (praying) on the night of the two Eids in hope of the hereafter’s reward, his heart will not die when hearts die.” Al-Bukhari.

It is also a Sunnah to perform ghusl after the break of dawn on the days of Eid. This is the best time. However, you may perform the ghusl from midnight, on the eve of Eid onwards till the end of that day. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to make a ghusl on the day of Al-Fitr and the day of Al-Adha.” Al-Muwatta.

Another beautiful Sunnah is to clean, perfume and beautify oneself on the day of Eid. We should try and dress up in our best clothes. Not necessarily new clothes, but neat and clean clothes. Sometimes old clothes look neat as well. The Prophet (may peace be upon him) loved to wear white. To dress up and beautify oneself is for everyone, young or old, whether going to the Eid prayer or not.

On Eid we often congratulate each other with greetings such as ‘Eid Mubarak’. However, a better way to do this is to take the examples of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them). It was narrated by Sayyidina Jubayr ibn Nufayr (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Sahabahs (may Allah be pleased with them) used to greet each other on the day of Eid with the following greeting: ‘Taqabbal Allaahu Minnaa Wa Minka’ which means ‘May Allah accept (the fast and worship) from us and from you.’ Fathul-Bari.

These are only but a few Sunnah acts we can implement on the days of Eid. May we all try our best to do these great Sunnahs of our beloved Prophet (may peace be upon him) and may Allah grant us to follow in his Sallaallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam’s footsteps Ameen.

By Abdurahmaan Hattas

Sources

https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2016/07/sunnah-acts-to-be-performed-on-eid-ul-fitr

content://com.metago.astro.filecontent/file/storage/3019-0FF8/downloaded/Ruling on Eid and the Sunnahs of Eid – Islam Question & Answer.mhtml

Fiqh Al-Ibadat By Hajjah Durriah Al-Aytah,  Sunnah prayers unrelated to the prescribed prayers, Recommended acts on the eve and day of Eid. Pg196-196