howcanyouowndisorder asked: Salam. Its my sincere belief that Allah loves all of His creatures and it troubles me to see that some people believe that Jannah is only for those who follow Islam. While I love Islam and know that its a pure religion, this seems a bit, unfair..? I've always thought that Muslims will not be the sole inhabitants of Jannah since it just depends on circumstances. Like what happens to someone whose never even heard of Islam? Will they burn? Why did Allah make me knowledgeable and not someone else?

There is something Rabia Basri says quite phenomenally about this notion of Paradise and Hell; please let me share it with you: 

O God, if I am worshiping You out of fear of Your Hell fire, cast me into it. And if I am worshiping You out of desire for Your Paradise, prohibit me from entering it. But if I am worshiping You for the sake of Your Noble Face, do not prohibit me from seeing You. 

If we all implemented this idea of Jannah and Jahanam, we would be different worshipers of God. 

As long as we are sincere devotees who constantly reflect (while bearing in mind Allah’s existence), Allah is pleased. And for those who are heedless and are purposeful wretched creatures, Allah is displeased. And then, Allah judges us accordingly. Our aim is to not enter Hell or Heaven, but to want to be as close to our Creator as possible. Hence, whether we enter Hell or Heaven, if we are near Allah (states Imam Zein al Abideen), we have succeeded. 

This is what I find to be true. InshaAllah you consider reading the Quran to understand this notion further. Salaam! <3

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

(via reallifemuslimgirl)

thebookofallah:

The Holy Quran verse 4:18

(via reallifemuslimgirl)

(via reallifemuslimgirl)

[x]

friedeggswithsugar asked: Assalamu alaikum, i was just wondering if you could answer a question for me? i feel like i know nothing about my own religion and was just wondering if you could suggest me some books to read which can help increase my knowledge, jazak'Allah in advance brothers and sisters :)

Peace and blessings,

Unfortunately, Muslim writers fail to invest their time and careers in becoming writers. I, personally, do not know of any except of books published except:

• What I Believe by Tariq Ramadan
• Purification of the Heart  Hamza Yusuf
• The lies about Muhammad by Moustafa Zayed
• Dont be Sad by Aid al Qarni

But I can most definitely provide some useful short videos:

• The ideology behind television by Hamza Yusuf
• How to raise a family; changing society by Hamza Yusuf
• This Ummah by Hamza Yusuf
• Terrorism in Islam by Hamza Yusuf
• Pleasures of this World by Siraj Wahaj
• What Islam should mean to us by Siraj Wahaj
• the least person who will enter jannah by Siraj Wahaj
• Siraj Wahaj’s personal opinion of Muslim women
• Trying to give Dawah by Siraj Wahaj
• Controlling Anger by Nouman Ali Khan
• The Importance of respecting parents by Nouman Ali Khan
• Taking Control of Your Tongue by Nouman ali Khan
• Spiritual Void by Nouman Ali khan
• Modesty and Shame by Nouman Ali Khan
• Perspective on Music by Nouman Ali Khan
• Why are bad things happening to me by Nouman Ali Khan
• “People are doing worse” by nouman ali khan

Enjoy insha’Allah!

dark-zombie asked: Salaams, just taking the time to browse ur archive at the moment and you have some seriously AWESOME Posts! I am interested in Islam but I have some questions? I read on wikipedia that most muslims ask saints, prophets for intercession but that's just like catholics, do all muslims believe in this? Do Muslims pray to God alone? This is one of the reason I am interested in Islam because I am an ex roman catholic and now atheist. I have more questions but I will be glad if you can answer these,ty

Peace and many Blessings,

I’ve come to realize that with much information that’s been publicized about Islam (whether this be in university campus in terms of Islamic courses, or sources like Wikipedia), they highly focus on the sectism that resides within the practice of Muslims. This is not to say that this is Islam; rather, I would argue that this sectarianism resides within the interpretation and understanding of Islam by Muslim themselves. There’s an immense and critical difference between the two (ideology vs those who implement ideology).

Getting back to your question, Muslims revere personalities who can implement Quran and its principles in a humble and inspiring way. This is not to say we worship saints; rather, we praise them for their religiosity and spirituality. We also place much respect and reverence for the Prophets of Gods for delivering the message of God and being true and humble spirits. 

Quran teaches us that God alone permisses intercession on the day of Judgment by/for people whom He chooses. The Quran can speak on behalf a person who recited and memorized Quran, but this permission is given by Allah Alone. Also, we are taught that our eyes, ears, feet, and bodily parts will speak on behalf of what we used to do. Also, if God permisses, He will allow certain personalities (a Prophet of God) to intercede for people as well. And then God can also decline intercession for anyone He wishes.

But there is a vital point I would like to deeply integrate in this discussion, and it is this notion of Tawheed. Tawheed, meaning the belief of the Oneness of God, is a vital and crucial belief in the religion of Islam. There is only One God. There is only One who Permisses what He wills and Forbids what He wills. He did not begot and neither has He begotten. God is beyond human perception, and Muslims do not attribute humane qualities to God. Hence, God is not female or male. God is not a son or a daughter. God does not transform into a human, and neither is God a creation. 

Hopefully I’ve clarified this for you and you can hopefully come back with more commentary and concerns. Peace!

alloanday asked: Asalam O Alekum This is with reference to the question about parents What if they force you to choose a major of their choice, or ask to to attend a ritual you don't believe in, or ask you to marry someone on their will, or stop you from going on a job that you know is good for you, or reject a person you love not allowing you to marry them... What do u do then? just roll over?

Wa’alykumu Salam wa Rahmatullah,

Parenthood in Islam is a fascinating concept for me; I am declaring this as a personal statement and ideal. I need to get one thing out of the way, however, before I answer your question.

My parents love eachother. They’ve been married for over 25 years and have been through thick and thin with one another. They both dated during the late 70’s and 80’s in Bosnia and decided to get married within a short span of time. They were not forced to love eachother. They were not forced to move with one another. And they were not forced to marry eachother.

I am their second child. I love my father for all of his material sacrifices and I love my mother for all that she is and all that she will ever be. But my father didn’t know how to act like one. I am no longer ashamed to admit this. In fact, I’m publishing a novel (in the near future) about my relationship with my father.

Conclusively, to wrap it around your entire point, I’ve always had a hard time grasping how I can ever show love and support for a father that doesn’t know (and never ultimately knew) how to do the same. Hence, I completely understand and even sympathize with your question, and I hope you realize what I mean when I describe parenthood from Quran. 

Applying logic to the question that you pose, of course you don’t just roll over. Its one thing to completely show support and understanding and compassion towards your parents, but its another thing when they want to completely dominate your choices in life. No, they do not have any right to tell you who to marry, even though they do play a role in approving your future partner. No, they don’t choose your major for you, and I see this a lot in the American Arab world. They have no right to, and even though they might invest in your future university degree, it doesn’t give anyone the right to do so. 

I’ve been placed in several personal situations where my schooling was in danger, my personal and social life was in danger, and my religiosity was in danger. I’ve been threatened to never attend schooling again. I’ve been told that I’ll never be able to see any of my friends outside of my home. And I was told that my interest in reading up other religions was wrong and un-Islamic (which isn’t true, for God’s first decleration unto Muhammad was READ). 

Insha’Allah I served some justice to this question and that you forgive me for sounding so typical in the previous answered questions. May God be with you. Peace.

dreamsofanafrican asked: Assalama Aleykum, ukhtii's and akhi! :) I have a question which came to my mind just recently. I was having a religious conversation with a 'true' christian. She asked me about Dajjaal. I never thought of this myself. Her question was that when the Antichrist comes down to Earth, does he get his powers to misguide people from the satan or from God (swt). I replied to her that every force comes from God, since He created everything & everyone. Is there more to it? Jzkumullaahu kheyran!

Salam wa Rahmatullah!

This is an interesting watch; please consider it

desigsquared asked: Salaam, I'm sorry I was unclear, I meant to ask about the situations when it is okay to disobey your parents? You said something like "The only instance we can disobey our elders, however, is when the situation begs for us to deviate or associate partners to God. Other than that, they have authority over us." Could you elaborate on that? And thank you for such a quick response!

Salaam!

Ah yes, surah Ankabut verse 8:

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا ۖ وَإِنْ جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۚ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

And We have enjoined on man goodness to his parents, and if they contend with you that you should associate (others) with Me, of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them, to Me is your return, so I will inform you of what you did.

Whats interesting to realize is that Islam is not a new religion. It is a reaffirmation of the teachings of Christ (peace be upon him) and Moses (peace be upon him). Islam comes to establish the Oneness of God in the hearts of mankind for we have deviated from this fact.

So when we hear that God speaks to us again in the Quran, this should not surprise us. The same principles are established (the ten commandments, in fact) in Quran, so it shouldn’t surprise us a bit.

Quran, in this verse, tells us (and in numerous other instances) that parents have rights over us. But if they force you to disobey God and deviate from the Oneness of God (like believing that God has children, parents, was begotten or born), then you have the right to not listen to them and disregard this issue. 

Hopefully this clarified. God bless you for the questions! 

Much love.

Praise be to God who has no beginning, the Everlasting who has no end. The Foremost, whose beginning has no beginning, and the Last, whose end has no end. All will perish, except His Ownself.

Surah Yaseen

Recited by Muhammad Al-Luhaidan

This is so powerful!

My beloved Lord

Whatever picture you see is not God. Whatever picture that might pop into your mind is not God. God, Who created humans, angels, and jinn is not like any of them. God is not like the soul, fire, air, or bodies. God is not light. He is not even a strong light. God created very strong lights which we cannot look at and God is not like them. Whatever a person imagines in his mind, God is different than that thing he imagined.