Extinguish the fire of enmity before it spreads

Throughout my life, I found that whenever I defended myself against defamatory comments, loss and regret were the main results. At first I would think it wise that I should set things straight when some person criticized me, regardless of whether the criticism was verbal or written. In the end, however, I found the opposite to be true. By defending myself, more enmity resulted, and instead of the restoration of good ties between my critic and me, he would attempt to malign me even further. Eventually I would wish that I had never confronted him in the first place. It would have been better to forgive, forbear, show patience, turn away, and ignore the defamatory remarks. After all, this is what the Qur’an teaches us: Read more

MYF Ramadan Project 4

I’m sure your all well aware our Ramadan fund raising is in full swing and last but by no means least we’d like to take this opportunity to inform you of Project 4 ‘The last 10 nights’.

Our Qiyam project has been very successful over the years and as it’s become even more popular. Due to the high volume of brothers & sisters who attend our Qyam project we need to ensure we have the capacity to deal with the huge numbers that attend.

Here’s a quick breakdown of our fund raising targets for this particular project.

The blessed ‘Last 10 Nights’ of Ramadan Qiyam program.

Amount required for each night £250 Approx.

Amount required for the 27th night £1000 Approx.

You can pay for the whole event or part of it.

This is an opportunity to increase your reward and help others! Please donate generously and remember the benefit will help you more than you can imagine!

Cause and effect, are from the wisdom of Allah (SWT). He has connected the cause and effect of things. For example, the person who uses good methods in planting his crops will get a good harvest. Just the same way a person who eats and drinks healthily will have good health.Allah (SWT) too has linked spiritual and metaphysical causes to spiritual results. Allah (SWT) states that the one who is beneficial to his relatives will have an increase in his life span. Also Allah (SWT) states that giving charity removes evil. We human beings wonder how the cause and effect is connected, and what is the wisdom behind the incidences in life? Some cause and effects are easy to explain and the wisdom behind them is clear. On the other hand some of these phenomena’s are hard to explain. However Islam stresses that giving charity increases sustenance. Following are a few traditions that stress on this fact.

Prophet Muhammad (S) says that: “Attract sustenance by giving charity.”

Abu Abdillah (AS) says that: “Allah (SWT) gives help to person equal in quantity to the charity a person gives.”

Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: “Everything has a key, and the key to sustenance is charity.”

Prophet Muhammad (S) says that: “An act of charity shields seventy dead people from ill fate.”

Prophet Muhammad (S) says that: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”

Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: “An act of charity given openly prevents seventy types of mishaps, and a secretly given charity cools the anger of our Lord Allah (SWT).”

Prophet Muhammad (S) has also said that: “The angel of death is told to remove the soul of a person, but if during that time charity is given then the order to remove the soul is cancelled.”

It has been related in Al-Bihar that Prophet Muhammad (S) said that: “Allah (SWT) says that when the angel of death is asked to remove the soul of a person, and if he or she gives Sadaqa, Allah (SWT) orders the angel of death to stop.”

Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: “An act of charity shields us of seventy evils of this world including an ill fated death. The one who gives charity never dies ill fatedly.”

According to Islamic beliefs, when we give charity, Allah (SWT) due to his mercy changes our fate. Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur’an that: “Allah removes what He wishes and establishes what He wishes, for He has the Mother of Books.” (13:39)

Ramadan Project Three

Asalamu’ Alaikum Brothers & Sisters

With Ramadan fast approaching the MYF has begun the task of raising funds for the many popular projects that benefit and support us during the blessed month of Ramadan.  I’m sure your all aware of the fantastic work MYF and it’s staff carry our during Ramadan. It’s equally important that we contribute what we can and today we’d like to make you aware of ‘Project Three’. It’s the Qyam-ul-Layl for girls & boys.

Please be aware that all donations however big or small is of great benefit in this life and the next! You can safely donate via Paypal on our website or call into the office to make cash or cheque donations.This is a great opportunity for you to give as much as you can for the sake of Allah!

Here is what Project Three consists of:

Qyam-ul-Layl for Girls (Aged 11-18yrs)

Qyam-ul-Layl for Boys (Aged 11-15yrs)

This includes: Food, drinks, quiz & prizes + suhoor for both.

Amount for Girls required is £375

Amount for Boys required is £300

In Islam, every Muslim is obliged to give to charity in whatever form to boost his piety and spread wealth and goodwill among the whole community. It’s no surprise then that the Arabic word tasadaqa (to give charity) is derived from the word “sadaqa” which means tell the truth or be sincere.

Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur’an: “By no means shall you attain to righteousness until you spend (benevolently) out of what you love; and whatever thing you spend, Allah surely knows it.” (3:92)

Therefore voluntary charity, or sadaqa, which is different than the zakah – the compulsory alms that are collected each year – should be part of every Muslim’s daily life. Prophet Muhammad (S) said that every good deed is charity – even a smile in the face of others is charity.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said: “There is no person who does not have the obligation of doing charity every day that the sun rises.” Whereupon he was asked: “O Messenger of Allah (SWT), from where would we get something to give in charity (so often)?” Prophet Muhammad (S) replied: “Indeed the gates to goodness are many: glorifying Allah (SWT), praising Him, magnifying Him, saying ‘There is no god but Allah’, enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, removing (any source of harm from the road, listening to the aggrieved, guiding the blind, showing the seeker his need, striving as far as your two legs could carry you and with deep concern to give succour to him who asks, carrying with the strength of your arms (the burdens of) the weak. All these are acts of charity which are an obligation on you.” And Prophet Muhammad (S) added: “And your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, your removing of stones and thorns from people’s paths is charity, and your guiding a man gone astray in the world is charity for you.”

Charity, as it is traditionally understood, consists of money or various objects given by the rich to help the poor or by the strong to help the weak. Charity in its tangible, narrow sense divides people into the receivers on the one hand and the givers on the other. This division inspires among the receivers feelings of weakness and even of error, and among those who give feelings of pride and conceit. But the saying of Prophet Muhammad (S), however, takes charity out of this narrow, physical meaning and on to a spiritual plane that opens up a vast and limitless world by emphasizing that every good is charity. And on every person is the obligation of charity. This is a unique concept of charity.

Prophet Muhammad (S) makes us realize the single spiritual essence which lies behind every act of goodness. But Prophet Muhammad (S) does not want us merely to know. Knowledge is not an end in itself. Prophet Muhammad (S) wants to make us return to goodness, goodness which is the very word of Allah (SWT). Prophet Muhammad (S) wants that each of us should move and stir ourselves from within into goodness so that giving would become a habit of life, and that this habit would pass from person to person. The complete Islamic concept of charity which includes all good actions however small they may be, allows every person whether rich or poor, to become givers and receivers on an equal basis. This point to another basic principle of Islamic thought and behaviors that the standard on which life is judged is not the materialistic alone but one based on faith, feeling and sensitivity which form the center of human relations. And from it comes the ties of faith, affection and love to bind hearts.

Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur’an: “And united their (believers) hearts; had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them; surely He is Mighty, Wise.” (8:63)

Prophet Muhammad (S) has said: “No one of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

This is the essence of charity. So begin by meeting your brother and sister with a smile. This would open up locked souls, penetrate to the depths of the heart and exert a magnetic bond on society. Read the hadith again and see how it reaches into the depths of the soul, the essence of existence and creates hearts that are tender, pure, radiant and beautiful.

And Abdullaah Ibn Haarith said: “I never came across a person who smiled as much as Prophet Muhammad (S). Prophet Muhammad (S) regarded smiling with a brother as an act of charity.” (Tirmidhi)

Indeed every act of giving is charity, even a smile in the face of your fellow.

Prophet Muhammad (S) was asked if acts of charity even to the animals were rewarded by Allah (SWT). He replied: ‘yes, there is a reward for acts of charity to every beast alive.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

Travel throughout Allah’s uride earth

It has rightly been said that traveling drives away worries. Ramhumuzi enumerated in his book, The Noble Scholar of Hadeeth,the various benefits of traveling for the purpose of seeking knowledge. He was refuting those who think that no tangible benefit can be derived by traveling through the lands. He said:

“There is much profit to be derived from seeing new lands and new houses, in seeing beautiful gardens and fields, in seeing different faces and coming across different languages and colors, and in witnessing the wonders of different countries. The peace that one finds under the shades of large trees is unparalleled. Eating in the mosques, drinking from streams, and sleeping wherever one finds a place when night comes   these all instill affability and humbleness in a person. The traveler befriends all those whom he loves for Allah’s sake and he has no reason to flatter or to be artificial. Add to these benefits all of the happiness that the traveler’s heart feels when he reaches his destination, and the thrill he experiences after having overcome all of the obstacles that were on his way. If those who are averse to leaving their homelands knew all of this, they would learn that all of the individual pleasures of the world are combined in the noble pursuit of traveling. There is nothing more enjoyable to a traveler than the beautiful sights and the wonderful activities that are part of traveling through Allah’s wide earth. And the non-traveler is deprived of all of this.”

Do not melt into someone else’s personality

Man passes through three stages:
1) Imitation,
2) Selection and choice,
3) Invention and creativeness.

Imitation, the act of copying someone else’s personality and mannerisms, is either resorted to because of a strong liking for, or an extreme attachment to, the person being copied. When practiced in extremes, when an imitator copies someone else even in his tone of voice or bodily gestures, what he is really doing is burying his own personality. Though this might seem absurd to some, one need only look at the younger generation of today: you will find some teens imitating famous people in their walk, talk, and movements. All of their idiosyncrasies are abandoned for the sake of copying their idols. Had they been imitating noble traits and noble personalities, I would commend them, since imitating someone in seeking knowledge, in being generous, or in having good manners, is a truly noble action.

I feel compelled here to reiterate what I have said before: you are a unique entity, and since Allah created Adam (may peace be upon him), no two people are exactly alike in appearance.

…and the difference qt. your languages and colors.   (Qur’an 30: 22)

Why then, do we wish to be exactly alike in other matters, such as characteristics and talents?

The beauty of your voice is in its uniqueness and the beauty of your appearance is in its being specific to you.

…and among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colors and [others] very black.  (Qur ‘an 35: 27)

Jummah Prayer Times

First Jummah 12.15pm – 12.45pm

Second Jummah 1.15pm – 1.45pm

Jammat Prayer Times May 2014

Fajr 4.00.am

Dhur 1.30pm

Asr 6:00pm

Maghrib 5 Mins after adhaan

Isha Combined with Maghrib

Sahih Bukhari Volume 002, Book 013, Hadith Number 006

Narated By Abu Huraira : Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, “Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutba.”

Ramadan Project Two

We are raising funds for our saturday family Iftaar’s x5 during the blessed month of Ramadan. Our aim is to feed up to 450 brothers and sisters every saturday night during Ramadan. This will include – Dates, milk, juice and chicken & rice.

Our Target for this project is £1400 for every saturday

Brothers & Sisters this is an opportunity to gain great reward in contributing towards this noble project. You can pay in full or contribute towards our target figure for this particular project. Please contact the office for further details.

True believer, is The Generous One

One of the door that Allah has opened to His slaves to gain big rewards in the month Ramadan is through sadaqa (giving charity/alms). Islam always advise it’s followers to give plenty of charities, especially during the month Ramadan. And that supposes to be the manner of believers; generous. Allah and His messenger ordered, even gave example to the followers of Islam to be a generous and open-handed person. Know that generosity is one of the attribute of Allah the Exalted, as revealed in hadith below:

إن الله تعالى جواد يحب الجود ويحب معالي الأخلاق ويكره سفسافها

“Indeed, Allah the Exalted is the Giver, He love generosity and noble manners, He detest bad manners.” (Narrated by Al Baihaqi, classed sahih by Al Albani in ‘Shahihul Jami’, 1744)

In this hadith, we can infer that stinginess and tight-fisted are bad manners and are not the characteristic of manner of a true believer. Just as begging for alms is not the characteristic of a believer. But a believer is the open handed person, a lavish giver.

The messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said,

اليد العليا خير من اليد السفلى واليد العليا هي المنفقة واليد السفلى هي السائلة

“Upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is the hand of a giver, and the lower hand is the hand of a beggar.” (Narrated by Bukhari in hadith no. 1429, Muslim in hadith no. 1033)

Besides that, if a generous character is supported by a deep understanding in religious knowledge, thus the owner has joined between two characters; knowledgeable, and generous, that will be the highest position ever possessed by the slave of Allah. The messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said:

إنَّما الدنيا لأربعة نفر: عبد رزقه الله مالاً وعلماً فهو يتقي فيه ربه ويصل فيه رحمه، ويعلم لله فيه حقاً فهذا بأفضل المنازل

“The world is only for four persons: A slave whom Allah provides with wealth and knowledge, so he has Taqwa of his Lord with it, nurtures the ties of kinship with it, and he knows that Allah has a right in it. So this is the most virtuous rank.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi, no.2325, he said: “Hasan sahih”)

 

Ramadan Project One

PROJECT ONE: Daily Iftaar during the blessed month of Ramadan to feed between 100 – 200 brothers & sisters.

It’s very important that we prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan. Help support our noble projects and please donate for the sake of Allah!

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Every Muslim has to give in charity.” The people then asked: “(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what should he do?” The Prophet replied: “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked: “If he cannot find even that?” He replied: “He should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked: “If he cannot do (even) that?” The Prophet said finally: “Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds, and that will be regarded as charitable deeds.” – Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 524

Please donate generously either on-line via Paypal or call the office for more details on how to donate to our Ramadan Projects.