Muslim Advice

Muslim Advice

Today is Christmas day (Christ's mass). But for the first 300 years of Christianity, it wasn't so. When was Christmas first celebrated? In an old list of Roman bishops, compiled in A. D. 354 these words appear for A.D. 336: "25 Dec.: natus Christus in Betleem Judeae." December 25th, Christ born in Bethlehem, Judea. This day, December 25, 336, is the first recorded celebration of Christmas.
For the first three hundred years of the church's existence, birthdays were not given much emphasis--not even the birth of Christ. The day on which a saint died was considered more significant than his or her birth, as it ushered him or her into the kingdom of heaven. Christ's baptism received more attention than his birthday in the January 6th feast of Epiphany.

Many scholars may Allaah have mercy upon them are of the view that it is permissible to kill the spider as it is harmful, and there is no authentic evidence, as far as we know, about the prohibition of killing it. As regards the narration reported by Abu Nu'ayim may Allaah have mercy upon him and which was narrated by Muhammad Ibn Ibraaheem At-Taymee, that the spider webbed a net on the cave where the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and Abu Bakr may Allaah be pleased with him were hiding when Quraysh wanted to kill them, and that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) prohibited to kill it and said that it is among the soldiers of Allaah, then the chain of narrators of this narration is broken; and Muhammad Ibn Ibraaheem At-Taymee may Allaah have mercy upon him did not meet the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ).

It is the first month of the Islamic Calendar.
The meaning of the word:- The word "Muharram" means "Forbidden." Even before Islam, this month was always known as a scared month in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of blood.
A blessing of Muharram:- There are many bounties of this month, especially the tenth of Muharram.
Two of the many virtues of the 10th of Muharram:
-In this day he who spends more lavishly for the sake of his family members, Allah Taala will bestow blessing upon the sustenance of the following year.
Abu Qataada has related that the Prophet has reported to have said, It is my thought that by fasting on the 10th of Muharram Allah Taala will pardon the sins of the past year. (Tirmizi)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The time for Maghrib lasts until the twilight has faded.”

i.e., the time for Maghrib starts immediately after the time for ‘Asr ends, which is when the sun sets, until the twilight or red afterglow has faded. When the red afterglow has disappeared from the sky, the time for Maghrib ends and the time for ‘Isha’ begins. Defining this time by the clock varies according to the season. When you see that the red afterglow has disappeared from the horizon, this is a sign that the time for Maghrib has ended.

Many people in Turkey renew their wardrobes and prepare traditional Ramadan desserts on the Ramadan Feast Eve. It is also an occasion to remember and honor the dead.
What Do People Do?
Many people spend the Ramadan Feast Eve preparing traditional desserts, such as baklava, to give to neighbors and friends during the Ramadan Feast. Some Turkish people shop for new clothes on this day, which they then wear during the holiday.
The Ramadan Feast Eve is also an occasion to honor the dead in many Turkish households. People may cook a special meal, pişi, which consists of large pieces of fried dough, and distribute it to neighbors and the poor in remembrance of their deceased relatives. It is also common to visit the cemetery on this day.
Public Life

Rajab is one of the four months declared sacred by Allah (SWT) in the Glorious Qur'an.

Special prayers and Aamal that can be prayed and carried out on any day or daily for this seventh month of Islamic lunar calendar reached us on the authority of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), Imam Ali (as), Imam Zainul Abideen (as), Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) and Imam Sahib uz Zaman (as), are given below:

1. The month of Rajab, in its superabundant favors and benefits, reverence and sanctity, is next to none. It is linked to Almighty Allah (SWT) as Sha'ban to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Ramadan to his Ummah (Muslim Community).

2. Who so observes fast (even one day) during the month of Rajab gets Allah's pleasure.

3. Ask forgiveness and turn repentant to Allah (SWT) as much as you can because mercy drops from the heaven like a gentle rain in the month of Rajab (also known as "As'abb" - pouring out, full of love and kindness).

The leader of the small band of men who were martyred in Kerbala was none other than Husain (A), son of Ali bin Abi Talib (A) and grandson of the Holy Prophet (SAV). Who was Husain? He was the son of Fatima (A) for whom the Holy Prophet (SAV) said, "Husain is from me and I am from Husain. May God love whoever loves Husain."

With the passing away of his brother Hasan(A) in 50 AH, Husain (A) became the leader of the household of the Holy Prophet (SAV). He respected the agreement of peace signed by Hasan (A) and Muawiya, and, despite the urging of his followers, he did not undertake any activity that threatened the political status quo. Rather he continued with the responsibility of looking after the religious needs of the people and was recognised for his knowledge, piety and generosity. An example of the depth of his perception can be seen in his beautiful du'a on the day of Arafat, wherein he begins by explaining the qualities of Allah, saying:

Millions of Muslims around the world on Monday marked the start of Ramadan, a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. Others will begin fasting a day later, Tuesday, due to a moon-sighting methodology that can lead to different countries declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart.
Here are some questions and answers about Islam's holiest month:

Why Do Muslims Fast?
The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate. Ramadan is a time to detach from worldly pleasures and focus on one's inner self.
It's seen as a way to physically and spiritually purify, refraining from habits such as smoking and caffeine. Muslims often donate to charities during the month and feed the hungry. Many spend more time at mosques during Ramadan and use their downtime to recite the Quran.

• Ramadan
As it turns out, Ramadan is not simply an exercise in fasting during the day, binge-eating during the night and setting the clock to the morning's wee hours for those inclined to rise for the predawn meal. Neither is it about irate drivers who feel entitled to exhibit road rage, lacklustre employees who see the month as an excuse to slack off and overworked women slaving over a stove every day in preparation for the sunset meal. Ramadan is none of those things, if done right, and instead, is the chance for a spiritual boost, with lessons to be applied long after the month is out.
The month

The Consular Section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC has the honor to inform all Pilgrims that all Hajj visas are granted gratis. Hajj visas are not valid for work or residency.
Hajj visas will not be issued to individuals who have performed Hajj in the last five years.
You can also find additional information in the Guide to Hajj (in 8 languages)

Each applicant for a Hajj visa must apply through a licensed U.S. travel agency, which must present the Consulate with copies of “Accommodation Contacts” and a letter from the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia confirming that the travel agency has duly completed all requirements to qualify to assist pilgrims.

Why is Husain (A) regarded as the "leader of the martyrs" ? It is because he was not just the victim of an ambitious ruler. There is no doubt that the tragedy of Kerbala, when ascribed to the killers, is a criminal and terrible act. However when ascribed to Husain (A) himself, it represents a conscious confrontation and a courageous resistance for a sacred cause. The whole nation had failed to stand up to Yazid. They had succumbed to his will, and deviation and regression towards the pre-Islamic ways were increasing.

Passiveness by Husain (A) in this situation would have meant the end of Islam as we know it. Thus Husain (A) took upon himself the responsibility of the whole nation. The greatest tragedy was that one who stood up for the noblest of causes, the defence of Islam, was cut down in so cruel a manner.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 23:
23 Prohibited to you (for marriage) are: your mother, daughters, sisters, father's sisters, mother's sisters, brother's daughters, sister's daughters, foster-mothers (who gave you suck), foster-sisters, your wives' mothers, your step-daughters under your guardianship born of your wives to whom ye have gone in, no prohibition if ye have not gone in; (those who have been) wives of your sons proceeding from your loins, and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time except for what is past; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

If a man has a son from a previous marriage, and happens to marry a woman who has a daughter from another marriage..the son of the man and the daughter of the woman (or vice versa) are non-mehrams to each other and it would be absolutely lawful for the two to seek to marry each other in Shariah, if indeed they wish to do so.

Cape Town - The South African Hajj Quota for 2017 has seen a reinstatement of the 20% that was reduced in 1433H, the South Atfrican Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) says.
"We hereby inform the Muslim Community of South Africa, that in its meeting with the Ministry of Hajj today, 22nd January 2017, that it has officially been notified of the 20 % re-instatement of the Quota
"We are pleased to advise that the official quota for Hajj 1438, is 2 500. During our deliberations, the SAHUC Protocol team further requested for an increase in the quota in excess of the 2 500.
Further increase in quota on the cards
It says the Ministry advised that they will consider the request going forward.
Added to this Hassan Choonara, Secretary General for SAHUC says the council is continuously striving to serve the interest of the community better, "guided by the policies of the Ministry of Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia".

Vomiting a mouthful, inside or outside the prayer, would invalidate one’s ablution. Vomiting less than this amount would not invalidate one’s ablution nor prayer. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; `Ala al-Din `Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya]

However, excessive movement would break one’s prayer. The consideration in this regard would be whether an onlooker would consider one to be in prayer or not. Though, if unwell, one may have an excuse to break the prayer anyway.

Introduction
Hajj
Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather together in Mecca and stand before the Kaaba praising Allah together.
It is a ritual that is designed to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah.
The Hajj makes Muslims feel real importance of life here on earth, and the afterlife, by stripping away all markers of social status, wealth, and pride. In the Hajj all are truly equal.
The Hajjis or pilgrims wear simple white clothes called Ihram. During the Hajj the Pilgrims perform acts of worship and they renew their sense of purpose in the world.
Mecca is a place that is holy to all Muslims. It is so holy that no non-Muslim is allowed to enter.