Tuesday, September 7, 2010

10 brief points Christians should know about Muslims and Jesus

10 brief points Christians
should know about Muslims and Jesus


  •  Muslims love Jesus. We also love Abraham, Moses, and Noah, to name just a few other Prophets Muslims revere. May God's peace be upon all of these great messengers of God.
  •    Muslims also love the mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary. We believe she was a pious and noble woman chosen over all of the women of the world.
  • Muslims believe that Jesus was born miraculously of a virgin mother and no father. His birth is miraculous like the birth of Adam, the first human being, who was created with neither mother nor father.
  •  Muslims do not believe that Jesus was the son of God. God is so powerful and self-sufficient that He does not need a son or any kind of partner.
  •   In Arabic Bible the name for God is Allah. Therefore all Arab Christian call God Allah as Muslim do as well.
  •  Jesus did not die on the cross. Rather, God saved  him as his enemies were confused about him. Jesus was taken up by God to Heaven.
  •  Jesus is called Isa (pronounced Eesa) in Arabic.
  •  Jesus performed miracles by the Will of God, like healing the blind and those with leprosy.
  • Jesus prayed to the same God as all Prophets and we pray to.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Salat al ' IDAIN U TWO SENTENCES OF THE HOLIDAYS




The imam unites believers in all their celebrations, and the most important of them are collective and universal, as the two major annual events : the End of Fasting, and the Sacrifice .

The feast of breaking the fast , or 'id al fitr is celebrated after completing Ramadan , fasting month , dedicated this day of thanksgiving to God for believers to have had the grace to fast and access to the divine mercy .

Feast of Sacrifice, Id al Adha . It is so named because that day is advisable to sacrifice an animal as an offering , part of the meat is then distributed to the needy , and some to friends and relatives. This festival commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham, who never hesitated to offer up to God her firstborn son, Ishmael, who at the time of being consumed was replaced by a lamb, by the divine opinion .

The animal offerings may be : lamb , goat, or camel calf . Must be sacrificed after the Eid prayer , and that is healthy condition without any physical defect , and that is sacrificed in the name of God, and quickly and less painful for the animal.
In this event , according to its spirit , it is customary to exchange visits with friends , relatives and neighbors. They forget the misunderstandings and the reasons for disengagement. And, fundamentally, is the spirit of this event that believers visit and gifts to the poor, widows , orphans , disabled and the institutions that house them.

On how to express the joy in these Islamic parties and say that differs from the celebrations of non-Muslims in general. The joy of believers is reflected in the praise and love for God and His glorification, and prayer , and not by excesses or sins, or by drinking or sensual dances .

As delighted by the festivities , Muslims held a special prayer , called Salat the ' ID Muslims , if possible , go to the mosque , men and women, great and small, old and young, and even nursing mothers , dressed in their finest clothes. Even women in menstrual period come the day of Id , in the place of prayer , but not participate in prayer for not being in a state of purification. And the prophet recommended that all women attend during these two holidays to places of worship.


UL SALAT CELEBRATES AS ' ID:

Is usually held in open space , very broad, if environmental conditions permit, or if not in the mosques. Before the prayer glorifying God with the Dhikr , generally is as follows:

"Allahu akbar , Allahu akbar , Allahu akbar , la ilaha illa Allah wa Allahu Akbar - Allahu akbar wa lil lahil hamd -
lahu akbar Al Kabira - lil hamdu wal Katira Lahi - wa subhan
Al Lahi wa asylum bukratan ilaha illa Allah wa dina Mujlisina Lahoud karihal Kafirun law . "

Ie: "God is the greatest (three times). There is no God but Allah, and Allah is the greatest. God is bigger with the all praise . God is great between large and blessing be upon him in abundance. May He be glorified and praised day and night, there is no god but God, we surrender to Him with sincerity, although this is odious to the infidels. "

When the sun has risen and is completely visible , the imam stands up, and without Adhan or Iqama prayer is held , two genuflections . Pronounced first takbeer ( Allahu akbar ) of the sentence , and repeated seven times, then recites the Surah Fatiha and another short of the Koran and then proceed as in other prayers. In the second genuflection is said takbeer six times, completing the salat as directed to any sentence of two rak'ahs .

After the prayer, the imam develops a sermon or speech similar to the Friday, but in relation to the festival and calls for forgiveness , love and goodness.

Meanwhile the conclusion of the Salat Eid, is from after sunrise until noon, and this is at the discretion of the imam , according to the conditions of Muslims and place. In the two festivals is not to fast.

A Plus Size Hijabi Guide From Yours Truly

A Plus Size Hijabi Guide From Yours Truly

Following a recent comment from one of my readers about the difficulties of wearing hijab when you're curvier I decided to make a post about it. I've been revising (reading my old fashion mags..) plus size fashion and have been trying to put together some tips and tricks to make covering those womanly curves slightly less stressful. I hope you find it useful :D Starting with the negative as always..sorry the writing's small, it looked bigger when I was making it..

And some things to try:


A great plus size fashion website with lots of hijabifiable pieces for good prices to - http://www.ullapopken.co.uk/

And finally, a plus size hijab outfit I made. The waistcoat would be best worn open and provides extra coverage as well as style of course :D Notice I have used an over-sized bag and sunglasses - this is another good trick when accessorising: the bigger the better :)
Pink Maxi

How to Navigate Plus Size Hijab Style


You’re a plus size Muslimah. You most likely have encountered one or more of the following:

  • You loved the colorful, perhaps cotton, abaya of another sister but you can only find an itchy, black, polyester abaya in your size.
  • You tried to shop at your local plus size fashion store but with diving necklines and tight corset like bodices they are intent on playing up the voluptuousness of the plus size form.
  • You attempted wearing your outfit a size or two bigger but instead of feeling modest you felt over sized and unfeminine in your clothing.

While these experiences can be discouraging-do not let them hinder you from feeling and looking great. Here are some useful tips to get you on the road to a polished and beautiful modest wardrobe:

  1. Embrace prints and color: From stripes to prints if you are a larger woman you have probably been told all of the things that you should not wear. It is time to throw those restrictions out the window. Have fun with prints by embracing a print maxi dress or skirt paired with a more subtle cardigan and scarf.
  2. Modest does not mean shapeless:  You can still allow your clothing (not your body) to create a nice, neat silhouette. If you wear your clothing too big, it may not do justice to the natural draping of the fabric.
  3. Know that tailoring is your friend: You may find a pair of jeans that fit your hips perfectly but are too long. A skirt may offer you the space you need for your hips but be a bit too large in the waist. Store bought clothing does not always account for the varieties in the female form. If you do not sew find yourself a go-to seamstress to tailor your clothing.
  4. Invest in the basics – A crisp button down long sleeve blouse paired with great jeans, well made trousers or a skirt will never go out of style. You can start to build your wardrobe around long sleeve blouses in a variety of colors and cardigans (Old Navy online has an awesome collection of plus size cardigans). Add flair to these basics with a hijab, brooch and other accessories.
  5. Have your abaya tailor made- An abaya that is not plus size friendly has the tendency to come apart at the seams. By having an abaya tailor made you account for the unique curves of your body. Clothing sites like Islamic Boutique and East Essence offer tailor made abaya for the plus size customer.
    Tip: You should always sit down while trying on clothing as the body expands when seated. If you do not have enough room while sitting you may need to go up a size.

    Be unique and true to your own sense of style- Do not fall victim to trends that compromise your own sense of what is appropriate and beautiful. Do not dress for the comfort of others. Be confident in who you are.

    For more inspiration check out these Plus Size Friendly Online Clothing Sites: Igigi ,One Stop Plus, Lane Bryant, Avenue, Shukr Online, Target, Islamic Boutique, Old Navy, Torrid, East Essence.

    Perfoming Voluntary Prayers at Home



    Ramadaan is right around the corner and during this and also outside of Ramadaan many of us should be doing voluntary acts of worship (Nawafil). It is incumbent upon the Muslim to act in accordance  to the Sunnah of the Messenger (sws).

    Allah says in the Qur'an "Say, 'if you really love Allah then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.' "  (Aal-Imraan, 3:31) 

    From the benefits of adhering to the Sunnah are:  To reach a level of love- Love of Allah for his believing slave, It's a means to compensate for any deficiency in the obligatory actions, It is a protection from falling into innovation, and  it indicates the exaltation of those things that represent the religion of Allah.

    Now on to performing voluntary prayers at home, The Prophet (sws) said regarding the excellence of praying at, "Verily, the best prayer of a person is in his home, except for the obligatory prayer.

    " {Bukhari and Muslim} Also, "The voluntary prayer of a man (in a place) where no person can see him is equal to twenty-five times his prayer where people can see him." 
    {Musnad Abu Ya'laa, Shaykh Al-Albanee graded this narration authentic}

    Performing voluntary prayers in the house is a means to: Perfect tranquility and sincerity, distance oneself from showing off,  have mercy descend on the house, and causes the Shaytaan to leave.

    The Voluntary Prayers are: Sunnah Ar-Rawaatib, Salaah Ad-Duhaa, and Al-Witr


    Ma'salaamah!
    Taken from More Than 1,000 Sunan (Sayings and Acts of the Prophet salla lahu alaihi wa sallam)Every Day & Night

    Thursday, September 2, 2010

    10 prayers of forgiveness


    Below is a list of ten prayers of forgivness taken from the Qur’an. Each du’a [prayer] is followed by its transliteration and English translation.



    1. رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ


    Rabbanā Žalamnā Anfusanā Wa ‘In Lam Taghfir Lanā Wa Tarĥamnā Lanakūnanna Mina l-Khāsirīn


    Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost! (Qur’an 7:23)


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    2.
    رَّبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ وَٱرۡحَمۡ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲحِمِين
    Rabbigh-fir Warĥam Wa Anta Khayrur-Rāĥimīn

    My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for Thou art Best of all who show mercy. (Qur’an 23:118)


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    3.
    َبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذۡنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوۡ أَخۡطَأۡنَا*ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحۡمِلۡ عَلَيۡنَآ إِصۡرً۬ا كَمَا حَمَلۡتَهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِنَا*ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلۡنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ*ۖ وَٱعۡفُ عَنَّا وَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَآ*ۚ أَنتَ مَوۡلَٮٰنَا فَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِين
    Rabbanā Lā Tu’uākhidhnā ‘In Nasīnā ‘Aw ‘Akhţa’nā Rabbanā Wa Lā Taĥmil `Alaynā ‘Işran Kamā Ĥamaltahu `Alá l-Ladhīna Min Qablinā Rabbanā Wa Lā Tuĥammilnā Mā Lā Ţāqata Lanā Bihi Wa`fu `Annā Waghfir Lanā Warĥamnā ‘Anta Mawlānā Fānşurnā `Alál-Qawmi l-Kāfirīn

    Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget, or miss the mark! Our Lord! Lay not on us such a burden as thou didst lay on those before us! Our Lord! Impose not on us that which we have not the strength to bear! Pardon us, absolve us and have mercy on us, Thou, our Protector, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. (Qur’an 2:286)


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    4.
    رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسۡرَافَنَا فِىٓ أَمۡرِنَا وَثَبِّتۡ أَقۡدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِين
    Rabbanāgh-fir Lanā Dhunūbanā Wa ‘Isrāfanā Fī Amrinā Wa Thabbit ‘Aqdāmanā Wanşurnā `Alá l-Qawmi l-Kāfirīn

    Our Lord! forgive us for our sins and wasted efforts, make our foothold sure, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. (Qur’an 3:147)


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    5.
    رَبَّنَا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَڪَفِّرۡ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلۡأَبۡرَارِ
    Rabbanā Fāghfir Lanā Dhunūbanā Wa Kaffir `Annā Sayyi’ātinā Wa Tawaffanā Ma`al-’Abrār

    Our Lord! Therefore forgive us our sins, and remit from us our evil deeds, and make us die the death of the righteous. (Qur’an 3:193)


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    6.
    أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَا*ۖ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡغَـٰفِرِينَ
    Anta Walīyunā Fāghfir Lanā Warĥamnā Wa Anta Khayrul-Ghāfirīn

    Thou art our Protecting Friend, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness. (Qur’an 7:155)


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    7.

    َبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لِى وَلِوَٲلِدَىَّ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَوۡمَ يَقُومُ ٱلۡحِسَابُ
    Rabbanā ghfir Lī Wa Liwālidayya Wa Lilmu’uminīna Yawma Yaqūmul-Ĥisāb

    Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and believers on the day when the account is cast. (Qur’an 14:41)


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    8.
    َبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَا وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲحِمِين
    Rabbanā ‘Āmannā Fāghfir Lanā Wa-rĥamnā Wa Anta Khayru-r-Rāĥimīn

    Our Lord! We believe, therefor forgive us and have mercy on us for Thou art Best of all who show mercy (Qur’an 23:109)


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    9.
    َبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَلِإِخۡوَٲنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِ وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ فِى قُلُوبِنَا غِلاًّ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيم
    Rabbanagh-fir Lanā Wa Li-ikhwāninalLadhīna Sabaqūnā Bil-’Īmāni Wa Lā Taj`al Fī Qulūbinā GhillaLilladhīna ‘Āmanū Rabbanā ‘Innaka Ra’ūfun Raĥīm

    Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who were before us in the faith, and place not in our hearts any rancour toward those who believe. Our Lord! Thou art Full of Pity, Merciful. (Qur’an 59:10)


    _______________________


    10.

    رَّبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ لِى وَلِوَٲلِدَىَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيۡتِىَ مُؤۡمِنً۬ا وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ وَلَا تَزِدِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا تَبَارَۢا
    Rabbigh-fir Lī Wa Liwālidayya Wa Liman Dakhala Baytiya Mu’uminaw Wa Lilmu’uminīna Wal-Mu’umināti Wa Lā Tazidiž-Žālimīna Illā Tabārā

    My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and him who entereth my house believing, and believing men and believing women, and increase not the wrong-doers in aught save ruin. (Qur’an 71:28)


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