HIJAB: the Reasons and the Advantages

Allah SWT has commanded us with every action that is good for us and prohibited us from performing every action that is bad for us. Allah SWT orders the Muslim woman to wear the Hijab when she steps out of the security of her home or when in the presence of strange men. So to wear the Hijab is a source of great good for you – the Muslim woman - for many reasons. Among them:

1.    You please Allah. You are obeying the commands of your Lord when you wear the Hijab and you can expect great rewards in return.

2.    It is Allah’s protection of your natural beauty. You are too precious to be "on display" for each man to see.

3.    It is Allah’s preservation of your chastity.

4.    Allah purifies your heart and mind through the Hijab.

5.    Allah beautifies your inner and outer countenance with Hijab. Outwardly your Hijab reflects innocence, purity, modesty, shyness, serenity, contentment and obedience to your Lord. Inwardly you cultivate the same.

6.    Allah defines your femininity through the Hijab. You are a woman who respects her womanhood. Allah wants you to be respected by others, and for you to respect yourself.

7.    Allah raises your dignity through the Hijab. When a strange man looks at you, he respects you because he sees that you respect yourself.

8.    Allah protects your honour 100% through your Hijab. Men do not gaze at you in a sensual way, they do not approach you in a sensual way, and neither do they speak to you in a sensual way. Rather, a man holds you in high esteem and that is just by one glance at you!

9.    Allah gives you nobility through the Hijab. You are noble not degraded because you are covered not naked.

10. Allah demonstrates your equality as a Muslim woman through the Hijab. Your Lord bestows upon you equal worth as your male counterpart, and gives you a host of beautiful rights and liberties. You express your acceptance of these unique rights by putting on the Hijab.

11. Allah defines your role as a Muslim woman through the Hijab. You are a someone with important duties. You are a reflection of a woman of action not idle pursuits. You display your sense of direction and purpose through your Hijab. You are someone that people take seriously.

12. Allah expresses your independence through the Hijab. You are stating clearly that you are an obedient servant of the Greatest Master. You will obey no one else and follow no other way. You are not a slave to any man, nor a slave to any nation. You are free and independent from all man-made systems.

13. Allah gives you the freedom of movement and expression through the Hijab. You are able to move about and communicate without fear of harassment. Your Hijab gives you a unique confidence.

14. Allah wants others to treat you – a Muslim woman - with kindness. And the Hijab brings about the best treatment of men towards you.

15. Allah wants your beauty to be preserved and saved for just one man to enjoy – your husband.

16. Allah helps you to enjoy a successful marriage through wearing Hijab. Because you reserve your beauty for one man alone, your husband’s love for you increases, he cherishes you more, he respects you more and he honours you more. So your Hijab contributes to a successful and lasting marriage relationship.

17. Allah brings about peace and stability in the society through the Hijab! Yes this is true! Men do not cause corruption by forming illegal relationships because you - the Muslim woman - calm their passions. When a man looks at you, he feels at ease, not tempted to fornicate…

So a Muslim woman in Hijab is dignified, not dishonoured, noble, not degraded, liberated, not subjugated, purified, not sullied, independent, not a slave, protected, not exposed, respected, not laughed at, confident, not insecure, obedient, not a sinner, a guarded pearl, not a prostitute…

Dear Muslim sister! Come towards the gates of Paradise with us! Fulfil your duties towards Allah SWT, put on your adornment - put on your Hijab and race towards Jannah (Paradise) by doing all good actions. You should agree by now that wearing Hijab is extremely beneficial – it must be - because Allah only commands what is good… and believe me dear sister, it is good to obey the commands of your Lord…

"Their reward is with their Lord: Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow wherein they will dwell for ever; Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him; this is (in store) for whoever fears his Lord." [Sooratul-Bayyinah 98:8]

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Posted in: 02 Janab e Fatema Zehra (s.a.),Islam,Janab e Zainab (s.a.)

Why do I read Qur'an?

Why do we read Quran, 

even if we can't understand a single Arabic word ????

This is a beautiful story.

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson.

Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?"

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to

the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. 

Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the 

boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river 

and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not 

understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives."

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Posted in: Islam

Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.)

The sun of the existence of Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) arose from the lap of his mother Umm-e-Farwah on the 17th of Rabiul Awal, 83rd year Hijrah, in the city of Madina. Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.)  has the same birth date as that of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.). Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) has three titles; they are As-Sadiq, Al-Fadil and At-Tahir. His father Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) was much happy and pleased by the birth of his son.

His mother Umm-e-Farwah was the grand daughter of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, who was one of the companion of Imam Ali (a.s.). Imam Ali (a.s.)  repeatedly said about him that, "Muhammad is my spiritual and moral son." Asma Bint Umais was the mother of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, and she was considered to be a pious woman. She was continuously in the service of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (a.s.) and took pride in it. After the martyrdom of her husband Jafar ibn Abi Talib in the Battle of Mu'tah, Asma Bint Umais married Hazrat Abu Bakr and after his death, married to Imam Ali (a.s.).

Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) said about her mother, "My mother was one of the pious, faithful and devoted women." Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) was 15 years of age when his grandfather Imam Sajjad (a.s.) was martyred and 34 years old when his father Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) was martyred. Consequent upon the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (a.s.) the government of Bani Umayyah was shaken which turned the people into their enemy and pessimist about them. This opened the avenue for the formation of Bani Abbasid government. The gap in between these two powers opened the way for the propagation of Shia ideology and school of thought. Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) could, through a learning movement, propagate the learning's of Islam in such a way to extend and make it reach all the people in the World.

The Characteristic distinctions of Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) We all know that the conduct of men is the reflection of their inner character and everyone can be recognized by his conduct.

There are only a very few people who do not spill out their conduct and whatever they have in their interior and do not exhibit it. Whatever they have in their hearts kindles the exterior of the electric lamp like an electric switch.

Whole of the life of Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) , like the other Imams (a.s.), was the enlightened lesson of the real and true Islam. He himself was considered to be the example and specimen of the Islamic ethic, moral and conduct. You cannot find a father and a son among all the people, of all the tribes who may resemble each other from all the angles of ideas, thoughts, character and conduct. But the family of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and his successors all were on the same line and performed their heavenly duty with one aim, one ideology, and did not have any kind of difference in speech, character and ethical conduct. About the ethical value and virtue of Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.), it is sufficient that out of four thousands of his students even a single one did not object or criticize upon the moral character and conduct of Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.), and did not find a weak point in it.

He was a practical example and specimen for the Muslims with respect to eating, relaxing and resting, walking, speaking, and conducts with others.

He had the same social conduct with his friends as he had with his children.

Imam Jafar as Sadiq's (a.s.) talk with a deceitful pious looking man.

One day a pious looking forgoer named Sufian stopped Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) and said, "You are from the family of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.), how is it that you put on such a precious dress?"

Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) said, "Oh Sufian, look there is a rough shirt underneath this dress and I have put on this shirt over it so that those whose minds are in their eyes do not think that I am a poor needy and distressed one. But you have put on a soft dress underneath this rough dress, so that you may deceive others that you are a devoted ascetic. Oh Sufian! Do not be so narrow minded."

The next day, Sufian saw that Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) was working in an agricultural field besides the labors and was sweating. He went ahead and said, "I am surprised about you. Why are you so greedy about the world and perspiring in this old age and working?"

Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) said, "How happy I would be if I meet the God (die) in this condition that I am working hard and getting the expenditure of life by putting myself in inconvenience and I do not get myself loaded upon others."

What a miserable people are those who feed themselves upon the income of others and reach the seat of power through them and instead of service and love think all are indebted to them and are always demanding from others. Their outer form is obviously decorated and deceiving, like that of Sufian, but inwardly they are stinking and wicked.

Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) forbearance and fortitude

The incidents and difficulties, which come into human life can, measure and find out the extent of his energy and faith. The difficulties, which cropped up in the life of Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) and the patience and forbearance, which, he showed towards them, illuminated his personality and worth. Howsoever they (enemies) abused and teased him he showed patience and forbearance and admonished them. He never cursed or used foul language about them.

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Posted in: 08 Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.)

Bibi Sakina Bint-ul-Husain (a.s.)

Sakina (s.a.) was Imaam Hussain's most beloved child Our Imam was often heard to say,

"A house without Sakina would not be worth living in!"

Like any other four-five year old when Sakina went to bed at night she wanted to spend some time with her father. Imaam Hussain would tell her stories of the prophets and of the battles fought by her grand-father Ali. She would rest her head on her father's chest and Hussain would not move from her until she fell asleep. When from the second of Muharram the armies of Yezid began to gather at Kerbala, Hussain said to his sister Zainab, "The time has come for you to get Sakina used to going to sleep without my being there !". Sakina would follow her father at night and Hussain had to gently take her to Zainab or Rubaab.

There was a special bond between Hazrat Abbas and Sakina. He loved her more than he did his own children.There was nothing that Abbas would not do to make Sakina happy.

On the Ashura day, she gave her Mashk to Hazrat Abbas. He went to get water for her. The children gathered round Sakina with their little cups, knowing that as soon as Hazrat Abbas brought any water, Sakina would first make sure that they had some before taking any herself. When Sakina saw Imaam Hussain bringing the blood drenched 'Alam she knew that her uncle Abbas had been killed. From that day on Sakina never complained of thirst.

Yes Sakina never again asked anyone for water. Bibi Zainab would persuade her to take a few sips, but she herself would never ask for water or complain of thirst !!!!

Shahadat Of Bibi Sakina(A.S):

From the time when Imaam Hussain fell in the battle field, Sakina forgot to smile! Kufa saw her as a sombre little girl lost in thought. Quite often she would sit up at night. When asked if she wanted anything, she would say, "I just heard a baby cry? Is it Asghar? He must be calling out for me!"

Knowing that her weeping upset her mother, Sakina would cry silently and quickly wipe away her tears! In the prison in Shaam she would stare at the flock of birds flying to their nests at sunset and innocently ask Bibi Zainab, "Will Sakina be going home like those birds flying to their homes?"

Then one dreadful night Sakina went to bed on the cold floor of the prison. For a long time she stared into the darkness! The time for the morning prayers came. Sakina was still lying with her eyes wide open. Her mother called out: "Wake up, Sakina! Wake up, it is time for prayers, my child!"There was only the painful silence! Our fourth Imaam walked up to where Sakina lay. He put his hand on her forehead. It was cold! He put his hand near the mouth and the nose. Sakina had stopped breathing. In between sobs Imaam Zain ul 'Abideen said:

"INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAYHI RAAJI'OON!"

How was Sakina buried ? Zainab held the still child as Imaam Zain ul 'Abideen dug a grave in the cell. As the grave was being filled up after the burial the mother let out a scream! How could anyone console Bibi Rubaab? What could they say? They huddled around her, and the prison walls began to shake with the cry: "YA SAKINA, YA MAZLOOMAH!!" Bibi Rubaab put her cheek on Sakina's grave and cried out:

"Speak to me, Sakina! Only a word, my child! Speak to me!!"

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Posted in: 05 Imam Husain (a.s.),Islam,Karbala