This is an interesting read regarding the 'End of the World' in the Islamic perspective.


http://www.submission.org/end.html

Should muslim men and women work in a mixed environment?

My personal opinion based on experience is 'NO' period! Some may disagree. Lets go back into history, you will find the it all started in the early 1900's and rapidly increased after that. Women those days were more modest in their dress sense, unlike the women today. Obviously, some women may need to work due to extreme circumstances like being a single parent. But they should strive to try and work from home (if possible) or look for work in an Islamic environment. If you read what the scholars have to say about this issue, you would understand why it is better to avoid mixed environment, especially when working with other non muslims who try to invite you to go out for a drink after work.

When i was working in an office environment, all around me was 'office politics', backbiting, arguments amongst colleagues who seem to have a personality clash. Now imagine how much sins we are absorbed in, not to mention being a part of it.

Islam in comparison to other world religions

Islam, i feel is the only 'monotheistic' religion which seems to give more emphasis on Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) and not associate any partners with Allah! In fact, if Allah wills he can forgive all/most of the major sins to whomsoever of His believing slaves, except 'shirk' (associating partners with Allah. To me, this view seems logical and makes sense. But you get some people who don't understand this. The reason is because they seem to take their 'emotions' and feelings as their God, besides Allah.

Now lets look at other 'monotheistic' religions.

Obviously, christianity is not even worth mentioning. Although, they are considered the closest to the muslims because they believe most of what the muslims believe except the fact that they don't believe in our Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) and also they claim that Jesus is God, son of God, and even say things like: 'mary the mother of God'. This to any average person would seem absurd and blasphemous. So muslims should say: To Allah we belong and to Him is our return.' Also, there seems to be many versions of the bible today. Which one is the right one?

Judaism seems to be a 'monotheistic' religion. But what the jews (yehudi) fail to realise is Prophet Moses only came to the people of Israel like all the other previous prophets before him whereas Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was sent as a Messenger for 'whole of mankind'. They seem to reject Isaa alaihis salalm (Jesus) altogether. Although he was one of the greatest prophets of our time.

Sikhism is another 'monotheistic' religion which started in India/Pakistan by Guru Nanak. I have to say, i admire their belief and worship in the Oneness of God. Apparently, he was born into a hindu family and his knowledge was a mix of both hindu and muslim scholars at the time. Sikhism is based on the 10 Gurus during the 15th century. The reason why i feel Sikhism is not the right one is because Guru Nanak was only a 'reformer' of his time due to problems in his country. Also, there seems to be more emphasis on the Guru's than some of the greatest prophets of our time. All that is required is being a good person, which most religions preach anyway. They seem to believe in reincarnation. Also, one characteristic of a Sikh is the sword which is a form of jihad similar to muslims. This is essential as fighting in self defence to get rid of oppression is a right which muslims share aswell.

Islam is the only religion which has the holy scripture (The Qur'an) that has not been changed and is 'The Word of Allah'. Many prophets are mentioned in the Holy Qur'an and some chapters have names after them. Also, a whole chapter is on Mariam alayhis salam (Mary) the mother of Isaa (Jesus). Only on this point, you can see that Judaism is not the correct one as there is no mention of Mariam (a.s) and Sikhism is not the correct one either. Christianity do hold Mary in high esteem as muslims do, but the difference is we dont give Mary or her son Isaa (Jesus) the same status as God (Allah). Only on this point, you can see why Islam is the right religion.

Google Adsense

There are many muslim blogs and websites that are promoting 'Google Ads' on their website for monetary gain. In essence, there is nothing wrong with this type of income but you have to bear in mind the kind of ads that are displayed which are continuously changing. As you have no control over what ads are being displayed (other than relating to your topic), if a person clicks on an add link which is either a scam website or haram products (ie. gambling, wine, data entry scams etc) then the income earned from that would be doubtful, if not haram. Google has no control over what ads are displayed except that if you come across a scam website, you can inform them and they will investigate it. But then, haram and halal income would be mixed in your adsense earnings.

Fatwa on google adsense

Multi-level-marketing: Deception?

For several years i was into multi level marketing (mlm) and felt if i can just get a few dozen people to join me, i would make an easy income. Yes, it is possible to make money in these types of programs and companies that promote it. But you have to bear in mind that there will always be some poor souls 'below you' who would be paying their subscription or promoting their affiliate links and not getting anything. Even if they do manage to get a few people, you tend to benefit from his work (although you did nothing to gain that income except recruiting him under you). This i feel is unethical. I base this statement after reading an article on this subject:

Multi-Level-Marketing Schemes

The deception in these schemes is the commission received from subscriptions and not the actual product itself. This includes 2-tier programs aswell as you will receive commission from the work of your referral's affiliate.

Immunity and Protection against Black Magic

You should recite (in ARABIC) on a regular basis:

1) Al - Fatiha
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, (2) The Beneficent, the Merciful. (3) Owner of the Day of Judgment, (4) Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. (5) Show us the straight path, (6) The path of those whom Thou hast favoured. Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. (7)
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2) Last three chapters of the Qur'an (i.e., Surah's 112, 113, 114),

Al-Ikhlas
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Say: He is Allah, the One! (1) Allah, the eternally Besought of all! (2) He begetteth not nor was begotten. (3) And there is none comparable unto Him. (4)

Al-Falaq
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the Daybreak (1) From the evil of that which He created; (2) From the evil of the darkness when it is intense, (3) And from the evil of malignant witchcraft, (4) And from the evil of the envier when he envieth. (5)

An-Nas
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, (1) The King of mankind, (2) The God of mankind, (3) From the evil of the sneaking whisperer, (4) Who whispereth in the hearts of mankind, (5) Of the jinn and of mankind. (6)
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3) Ayat al Kursi (i.e., Al - Baqarah: 255)
Allah! There is no God save Him, the Alive, the Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His leave? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Sublime, the Tremendous.
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Repeat the following du'a's on a regular basis both in the morning and evening three times or more:

Bismillahi alladhi la yadurru ma a ismihi shay'un fi al ardi wa la fi as sama'i wa huwa as sami 'u al 'alim
In the Name of Allah; with His Name, nothing whatsoever on earth or heaven can inflict any harm;
He is All - Hearing and All - Knowing...

Hasbiya Allahu la ilaha illa huwa alayhi tawakkaltu wahuwa rabbu al- 'arshi al- 'azhim
Allah suffices me; there is no god but He: in Him i place my sole trust; He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.

Allahumma inni a oozu bika min hamazaa tis ash shaytan wa a 'udu bika rabbi an yahduran
O Allah i seek refuge in you from the whisperings of satan; my Lord, i seek refuge in you from their presence around me.

A'udhu bi 'izzati Allahi wa qudratihi mimma ajidu wa uhadhiru
I seek refuge in Allah's glory and power from the affliction and pain i experience and suffer from.

*It is important to remember that du'a and dhikr will only benefit when it comes from the heart that firmly believes in Allah,

(courtesy of IslamSister28 on YouTube)

HAZRAT A'ISHA SADDIQAH (Radi .Allaahu .Anha)

This is a controversial issue with regards to Aisha (r.a.a) marriage, especially in modern times! Some scholars say she was nine years old after referring to the hadiths. But according to Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood, her conclusion is that Aisha (radi Allahu Anha)age at the time of her marriage was 16/17 years old. For a detailed explanation, please read her booklet.

A Study of her age at the time of her marriage

(based on the researches of )

Maulana Muhammad Farooq Khan

INTRODUCTION

Aishah was a great Muslim lady, the daughter of the Prophet's closest companion Abd Allah ibn Abi Quhafah, better known to us as Abu Bakr, and his second wife, Umm Ruman. She was the 'second beloved' of the Prophet, the joy of the last years of his life. She was so famous that it seems quite extraordinary that some of the best-known facts about her should be challenged.

We consider what may possibly be the most serious piece of mis-information in the whole of Muslim history - the long unchallenged notion that the Prophet's third wife Aishah, the daughter of his dear friend Abu Bakr, was only six when she accepted nikah with the Prophet, that she married him physically when she was around nine years old, and was around eighteen when he died. One can find these 'facts' quoted again and again; moreover, they appear to be based on the most trustworthy of authorities - the hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah.

However, there are many points to consider. Firstly, all of these authorities seem to have based their conclusions solely on the work of Aishah's relative, the historian Hisham ibn Urwah, the grandson of Aishah's sister Asma. One might think, therefore, that they were extremely accurate. However, Hisham's accuracy in other matters was challenged. The matters pertaining to Aishah were supposedly obtained from Hisham's father, but apparently these particular hadiths were offered only in Iraq and were unknown to the people of Madinah, and must necessarily, therefore, be regarded as not entirely trustworthy.

In order to help the reader form his or her own judgement, certain fixed dates and terms should be placed before them.

• The birth of the Prophet was in 570 CE.
• His Call to the Prophethood occurred in 610 CE.
• The year his wife Khadijah died was 619 CE.
• The most likely year of his nikah to Aishah was 620 CE.
• The Hijrah to Madinah took place in 622 CE.
• The Prophet's full marriage to Aishah was in 2 AH/623-4 CE.
• The Prophet died in 10 AH/632 CE.
• Most authorities agree that Aishah died in 50 AH/672 CE.

The conclusions formed about the dates and age of Aishah rest on three separate theories. The first, and most widely accepted throughout the Muslim world, is that she was born in the fourth year of the Prophethood (ie 614 CE). This is based on one reference in Ibn Sa'd's work, which seems to be contradicted by many of his later statements. If this was true, it would mean she was indeed five when Khadijah died, six when her nikah was performed, nine in the year of her full marriage, and eighteen when the Prophet died. However, it would also mean that if she did die in 672 CE she was only fifty-eight, and not sixty-seven as most authorities report.

The second theory is that she was born some four years before the Prophethood, in 605-6 CE. This would mean she was 4/5 when he was called to his mission, 14/15 when Khadijah died, 15/16 at her nikah, 19 in the year of her marriage, and 27/28 when he died. She would have indeed been sixty-seven when she died 50 AH. (Sometimes one has to be flexible with the years, because people tend to 'round things up' and take into account the number of months in any year as a complete year - ie, if someone was sixteen years and eight months old, people might well say she was nearly seventeen).

The third theory is that she was five years younger Fatimah, who was said to have been born five years before the Prophet's call, therefore making the year of Aishah's birth in that very year, 610. If this was true, she would have been 9 when Khadijah died, 10 at her nikah, 12 in the year of Hijrah, 14 when she married him, 22 when he died, and 62 when she died.

The argument based on the age of Fatimah has a further complication, however, since her own dates are disputed. Isaba, for example, agreed that she was born in 605 since when she married Ali in 625 she was 20. Yet she was said to have been 29 when the Prophet (and she herself) died in the year 632 - which pushes her birth year back to 603.

The nikah of a six-year-old Aishah has given ammunition to the enemies of Islam - which cannot be helped if it is true. However, so many given facts make this suggestion seem debatable.

My own personal conclusion from it all would be Aishah was born in 605/6, and that Ibn Sa'd had been cursed by a glaring example of writer's slip which went unnoticed and got repeated ad infinitum by those who used him as a primary source. The slip, I believe, was that he stated that Aishah was born in the fourth year of the Prophethood, when what he actually meant was that she was born four years before the Prophethood.

This makes all the points raised by the author completely sensible, and of prime importance to our own generation of Islamic scholars.

(Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood)
This is only the introduction
The rest of the explanation will be included, insha-Allah

*Please note: Permission has been granted to reproduce this publication by the author.