The gift of Islam

The gift of Islam

“Warn that there is no deity except Me; so fear Me” Yes, truly that is the greatest gift in our lives.

When I find myself going through a period of lack of motivation and I’m grudgingly performing the obligations of Islam, I remind myself of those who struggled and searched to find Islam and how they wished that they had been Muslim all their lives.

Yasmeen Rolland is an American, Muslim woman who never takes her Islam for granted. She holds it dear to heart, continuously thanks Allah, and helps share her gift of knowledge with all people, both Muslim and Non-Muslim.

Yasmeen’s story is an inspiration. Her family had been very active in church life, and as a child she accompanied them to the church regularly. She had a strict upbringing. As she grew up, unlike most American young women her age, she was not allowed to date, drink, stay out late, or even wear make-up.

Yasmeen started searching for a deeper happiness in her life. Her spiritual journey started when she asked herself fundamental questions. What do I believe about God? What is the right religion? What is the right path for me?

Yasmeen felt a calling that she was supposed to teach others about God. One day when she was at her family’s regular church, she walked up to the preacher and said to him, “I want to preach. I want to serve God and call people to God. I want to travel the world and teach about God.”

The preacher told her that her desire was very noble, but women could not do that in their church. That added to her questions about religion.

One year before her senior year in university, Yasmeen signed up for study abroad, and she went to the United Arab Emirates and studied an entire semester there. It was an amazing experience for her. It was her first time to see Islam in a different light. It opened her mind to Islam. Previously all she knew about Islam and Muslims was what she saw on TV on the news, which demonizes Muslims. Yasmeen realized that everything she had seen on the TV about Islam had been negative and not even true.

In the United Arab Emirates, she had the opportunity to see what it is like to be in a Muslim country. What are Muslims like? What are Arabs like? How do they live?

Yasmeen saw female university professors and doctors. She saw families having picnics on the beach. She was impressed by the cleanliness of the streets. She was captivated by the women wearing hijab and was attracted by the beauty of the mosques. She felt the hospitality and kindness of the people. She felt safe there, and not in any danger or threat, in contradiction to the warnings of her friends and family in the US that it was dangerous for her to go to a Muslim country.

What touched her heart the most and sparked her interest in Islam was the adhan, the call to prayer.

“You could her the adhan from every single place. Hearing the adhan five times a day had a great effect on my heart,” Yasmeen said to Fahad Al-Kandari on his program, Guided by the Quran.

Not only did the melodious sound impact Yasmeen, but also the words. She learned the meanings of the words of the adhan, but she did not seriously take up studying more about Islam yet.

After completing the university semester in the UAE, it was time to return to the US, and on her way back, she stopped for a short period in London. She walked into a coffee shop to get some Arabic coffee. There was a woman and a gentleman there and she chatted with them as she drank her coffee. When she told them that she had been in the UAE, the gentleman asked her, “Did you find anything about Islam in the UAE?”

Honestly, she did not know much. The gentleman offered to tell her more about Islam and she was eager to listen. The first thing he did was he recited to her Surah Al-Ikhlas, which is really the foundation of Islam. He explained its meanings and she was entranced.

When Yasmeen returned to the US, she immediately went to the local mosque to learn more about Islam. What drew her to Islam was the concept of monotheism and that the soul after death will be resurrected and will be held accountable for all our actions in this world, either good or bad. She learned about Islam’s strong stance against racism. Those messages of Islam changed her life.

Shortly after that, she pronounced the shahadah and embraced Islam. She says that she had never felt such peace and serenity in her life.

Yasmeen was quick to learn more and more. She adhered to the teachings and prohibitions in Islam. She moved to live right next to the mosque, so she could easily walk there for the prayers. She even traveled overseas to study Arabic and to study more about Islam. Yasmeen felt a sadness overcome her every time someone would recite the Qur’an and she was unable to understand it. She learned the Arabic language to be able to pronounce and read the Qur’an with ease and to understand.

Today, Yasmeen Rolland is a renowned national and international speaker on Islam. Her initial calling that she had experienced as a child, to call people to God, came true, but in Islam. She travels regularly to conduct seminars and educate people about Islam. Yasmeen Rolland is the national representative for the Islamic Online University and she works closely with great teachers, like Dr. Bilal Philips. Her mission in life is to share with others what she has learned about Islam, and to continue to grow spiritually.

source: saudigazette.com.sa

5 star umrah packages 2017 with flights from UK | British haj travel

5 STAR UMRAH PACKAGES 2017-2018 with flights from UK

Umrah is a highly recommended Islamic pilgrimage that can be performed during any part of the year, British haj travel Ltd offers 5 star umrah packages 2017 with flights from UK. As a result, throughout the year pilgrims from all over the world keep flocking in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. However, the number of visitors significantly increases during the month of Ramadan because performing Umrah during that time is equal to Hajj, according to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

British Hajj Travel that is an authorised Umrah travel agent has launched these 5 Star Umrah packages 2017-2018 to indulge its customers in the United Kingdom with a wide range of deals. These packages are created by keeping the requirements and budget of people in mind, so things could become more manageable for the Muslim pilgrims in the UK.

Offering economical Umrah packages does not mean that British Hajj Travel is ready to compromise on its quality of services. The travel agency ensures that its customers will get to travel and stay in the best available transport and hotels. So visit British Hajj Travel’s office today and select a package that best suits you.

Ramadan Umrah Packages 2018 from London, Birmingham, Glasgow & all the UK

Ramadan Umrah Packages 2018 from London, Birmingham & all the UK

In the month of Ramadan it is everyone's wish to perform Umrah. Normally it is difficult to not only Ramadan package prices increased due to the rush of people. But now you don't have to worry about anything. British haj travel Ltd is working right in London, UK to help you make arrangements for you with Ramadan Umrah packages 2018. During Ramadan the flight as well as hotel rates are usually high and everyone cannot spend a lot. But with British haj travel Ltd you do not have to worry about the charges, you can pick any of our packages without having second thoughts. Make a plan with your family and start packing to join the pilgrims in Makkah and Medinah.

Once you reach there, you would not be left alone. Our staff would be available to assist you in the time of need. Even though we make sure that all the arrangements are made on time. Our aim is to make sure that your stay is not only comfortable but also tension free. There are so many benefits of taking an Umrah packages 2017-2018 from UK. You would not only be able to focus more on your religious duties but also on visiting the holy places that Makkah and Medinah hold. Ramadan is one of the holiest months of the Islamic calendar.

There are many places one can visit on the trip. You can get all the information from British haj travel before you leave. We can help you make a proper schedule which you can follow. The departure and arrival time can be set according to your flight time. Your stay would be arranged at the nearest hotels in the area, so that you do not have to travel far to reach the holy places. The trade mark of British haj travel is that it makes it clients comfortable and contented. With your Umrah packages in Ramadan 2018 you can get the best services and facilities.

When you are booking your packages you would be given an option of selecting your favorite airline too. British haj travel is linked with all the famous airlines so you should not be concerned about the limit options. We want you to not only travel safe but also have a friendly environment while you are on your journey. Before traveling you would be given all the details about the procedures, law and dos and don’ts of the stay in Makkah, Medinah and Jeddah. We assure you, Ramadan Umrah Packages would be the best pick of our travel agency.

British haj travel Ltd For Luxury Ramadan Umrah

It is suggested that you must search the complete market for the high standard travel agencies. The travel agents can be found by doing survey to those people who has performed the Umrah before. You can find out the people in your society for the top travel agencies. They can inform you about the travel agencies that offered the most excellent Umrah Ramadan packages 2018 at the economical and affordable price. A person who is willing to perform Umrah should search for the oldest and most experienced travel agencies like British haj travel in the market. 

We at British haj travel can help you in performing your Umrah by booking the top class luxury hotels and transportation for your sacred journey. You can also visit numerous travel agencies in your vicinity to find that if any other agency offering best one that can help you in you in travelling and accommodation.

Experience Team to Make Economical Deals in Ramadan 2018

Our experience is our power and we here to provide our customers the right choices when it comes to your demand, we will cater to all your requirements including Airlines, Hotels, transport in one deal. We will work to remove every single stone that can unturn to offer you peace of Mind.

British haj travel is working on a wide range of Cheap Umrah packages 2017-2018 services in accordance with the help of the Ministry of Hajj, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. British haj travel, commitment to provide the best Ramadan deals for 2018 with high quality services. We have the expertise to make sure that your Umrah in Ramadan is performed in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). 

We have the resources to make sure peace of mind during your stay in the sacred cities in Makkah and Madina. Umrah is an act of ibadah (worship) which is very significant for every Muslim and here at British haj travel we understand how important it is for an approaching pilgrim to find the accurate Ramadan 2017 package with flight which suits each individual's requirements and needs. Here at British haj travel you will find us honest and clear-cut when dealing with clients.

source: www.makkahtour.co.uk

10 sure ways to love Allah

10 sure ways to love Allah

The most pleasing human emotion is love and the most beautiful form of love is to love Allah. We stay away from sin because we fear Allah and we fear the punishment of Hellfire, but we worship Allah and do good deeds and draw nearer to Allah because we love Allah and we hope for Paradise.

Love between the worshiper and the Creator feels so satisfying and it fills your heart, especially when you know that Allah loves you. Among the names and attributes of Allah is Al-Wadud, meaning The Most Loving, The Most Affectionate, The Beloved, The Loving-Kindness.

To love Allah is more than simply pronouncing your love of Allah; it is acting upon this love by obeying Him, worshiping Him, liking what He likes, and disliking what He dislikes.

Love must be nurtured in order for it to grow and for you to experience the fruits of this love.

It is a normal part of our human condition to experience highs and lows when it comes to the level of our worship. There are times when we feel the love of Allah is alive and ever present in our hearts and we take delight in our rituals of worship and calling upon Allah.

There are other times when we feel the love of Allah is there but is more subtle, and we may feel distanced from Allah and less motivated.

Even the scholars recognized that we need ways to help us intensify our love of Allah and to help us stay motivated, and they have listed effective steps of keeping the love of Allah alive in our hearts. If you are currently going through a slump, and you feel that you need a boost in your love of Allah, read on.

1. Reading the Holy Qur’an with understanding. The Holy Qur’an is a book of guidance, so we must not only read its verses, but comprehend what we read, contemplate on the meanings, and implement what we read. When reading the Qur’an, we can try to read the meanings, or watch videos of respectable scholars who explain the meanings of the verses.

2. Performing voluntary prayers. The prayer no doubt strengthens our connection with Allah, and more so the voluntary prayer because we stand for this prayer purely for the sake of Allah, even though it is not obligatory. It is a two-way love because Allah returns this love for the one who performs the voluntary prayers. It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in a longer Hadith, “Allah the Mighty and Sublime said, ‘My servant draws not near to Me withanything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him.’” To increase our love for Allah and to be loved by Allah, we should start performing the sunnah prayers. As a quick review, the sunnah prayers are two rak’ah before fajr, four before dhuhr and two after it, two after maghrib, and two after ishaa.

3. Remembrance of Allah. Try to be in a constant state of remembering Allah, mentioning His name, praising Him, glorifying Him, thanking Him, and asking for forgiveness. Some people, simply by filling their waiting times throughout the day, say istighfar 500 times a day.

4. Remain humble. Humility is equivalent to submission to Allah. We should abandon selfishness and pride in our human power, and stand humbled, meek, and submissive as servants of Allah.

5. Give in charity from things that are dear to you. This really challenges your heart. When a clothes drive or toy drive comes around for the poor, do not give the worn out clothes you do not want, but give from your new, clean, and beautiful clothes. Have you heard how Aisha, Prophet Muhammad’s wife, used to give out the coins in charity to the poor? Aisha used to perfume the coins in musk before giving them in charity. When asked why she did this, she explained that the charity reaches Allah before it touches the hand of the person in need.

6. Remembering Allah’s Beautiful Names and Attributes. Learning the Names and Attributes of Allah will increase our love and awe towards Allah.

7. Performing the night prayers, qiyam ul layl. What truly sets apart the ordinary Muslim from a devout believer, who is close to Allah, is the ability to wake up before fajr and pray the qiyam prayers. This is a time full of blessings and rewards from Allah.

8. Keeping good company. The people you choose to surround yourself with influences your relationship with Allah, because some people draw you closer to Allah while others take you further away from Him.

9. Going against worldly desires. Preventing yourself from over indulging in worldly desires helps you live a healthy, balanced life, and keeps you in constant awareness of the transient nature of this world. For example, saving up money is good but greed and miserliness is frowned down upon. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying a delicious meal, gluttony and overeating is discouraged in Islam.

10. Gratitude towards Allah. We are immersed in countless blessings and gifts from Allah and we often neglect thanking Allah and expressing our gratefulness for what we have. The more we thank Allah and acknowledge His blessings, the more we feel the love of Allah, and the more Allah will give us. The verse in the Holy Qur’an says, {And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in favor); but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’}

source: saudigazette.com.sa

The legacy of Aisha that will never die

The legacy of Aisha that will never die

The spread of Islam, the success, and the survival of Islamic knowledge rested on the shoulders of great men and women of the past. These men and women dedicated their lives to learning and to the preservation and transmission of knowledge.

Women played no less of a role than men in the teaching of the sacred sciences, yet their names are not mentioned as often. If I were to ask, who among the companions were most known for their impeccable memorization of the Holy Qur’an, you would probably say Muadh bin Jabal, Zaid bin Thabit, Abdullah bin Masud, and Abu Al-Dardaa. But did you know that Hafsah, the daughter of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr, and Umm Salama had also memorized the Holy Qur’an and they taught it to others?

As for studying the Qur’an and its meanings and explaining it, Ibn Abbas first comes to mind. He had so much knowledge of the Holy Qur’an that he was labeled by the scholars as Turjuman Al-Qur’an, which means the translator of the meanings of the Qur’an. What many of us do not know is that Aisha had an equally deep understanding of the Qur’an and that she too was proficient in explaining the meanings of the verses of the Qur’an.

In fact, the scholars of Tafseer (interpretation of the Qur’an) in later years relied on both Ibn Abbas and Aisha’s explanations of the Qur’an to write their books of Tafseer, which students of knowledge study to this day. The scholars mentioned that if the interpretation of a certain verse of the Qur’an by Ibn Abbas contradicts Aisha’s interpretation, that Aisha’s explanation should be taken over that of Ibn Abbas.

What made Aisha the scholar that she became was that she had more access to learning directly from the Prophet (peace be upon him), more than any other companion, so she was a treasure of knowledge. She had an unquenchable thirst and a passion for learning. She was extremely intelligent and had a sharp memory, and she worked hard to learn. Also, she was extremely inquisitive and she asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) many questions. She memorized, narrated, and taught 2,210 Hadith, sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In the books of great men like Al-Bukhari and Tirmidhi and Muslim, Aisha’s name will forever be recorded.

Not only did she memorize and pass on these sayings, but she also deeply understood them. She corrected other companions if they mentioned any mistakes in Hadith or in jurisprudence.

Take for example, when Aisha corrected a group of companions who had been studying in her presence. They were studying acts that interfere with and negate the obligatory prayer, for example if a dog were to pass in front of you in your prayer.

As recorded in Sahih Al-Bukhari, Aisha said, “The things which annul prayer were mentioned before me (and those were); a dog, a donkey and a woman. I said, ‘You have compared us (women) to donkeys and dogs. By Allah! I saw the Prophet praying while I used to lie in (my) bed between him and the Qiblah. Whenever I was in need of something, I disliked to sit and trouble the Prophet, so I would slip away by the side of his feet.’”

That is how Aisha corrected men when needed, as she did on several occasions.

Aisha’s area of expertise was not limited to Hadith and Tafseer, she was extremely knowledgeable in jurisprudence, history, and poetry. Her door was always open to women who had questions in the religion, who had social problems, who needed food, and those who wanted to learn and study. Aisha was constantly sought out by the women of Al-Madinah, and she listened to them, opened her heart to them, taught, advised, and assisted them. How I wish we had an Aisha in our community, a resource for knowledge who at the same time was a counselor and supporter of women.

After the death of the Messenger (peace be upon him), Aisha was a reliable source of knowledge for both men and women alike. The entire society respected her great intellect and would come to her for advice or when facing a dilemma related to religion. Even great men like Umar ibn Al-Khattab consulted her.

Abu Musa Al-Ashari, a well known companion of the Prophet and narrator of Hadith, said, “If we companions of the Messenger of Allah had any difficulty on a matter, we asked Aisha about it.”

Urwah ibn Al-Zubayr, was born shortly after the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he became a jurist in Al-Madinah. He studied under Aisha and he said, “I did not find anyone more proficient (than Aisha) in the knowledge of the Holy Qur’an, the commandments of halal (lawful) and haram (prohibited), Ilmul-Ansab (lineage) and Arabic poetry. That is why, even senior companions of the Prophet used to consult Aisha in resolving intricate issues”.

Aisha was generous not only in giving of her knowledge and time, but also in giving of what she had to anyone in need. Whenever she received gifts sent to the house of the Prophet (peace be upon him), she would distribute them to the poor and needy. The people of Al-Madinah knew Aisha’s generous nature, so anyone who had gone hungry would knock on Aisha’s door.

When the Muslims became prosperous and were favored with vast wealth, Aisha received a gift of one hundred thousand dirhams. She was fasting when she received the money, and distributed it to the poor and needy, even though she had no provisions in her house. Shortly after that, her maid servant said to her, “Couldn’t you have left a dirham’s worth of meat with which to break your fast?” “If I had thought of it,” Aisha replied, “I would have done so!”

Every time a beggar knocked on her door, she dipped the coins to give away in musk perfume before giving it to him. When asked why, she explained that the charity would reach Allah before it reached the beggar’s hands, and she wanted the charity to be given to Allah in a fragrant condition.

This is a woman who dedicated her life to education and educating others and to the service of people. Our communities today are in need of Aisha’s knowledge, generosity, kindness, and her defending of women’s and girls’ rights. Aisha’s legacy will live on forever in the books of Hadith, the books of Tafseer, history, and jurisprudence, and in our hearts.

source: saudigazette.com.sa

'One Day in the Haram'

'One Day in the Haram'

"One Day in the Haram," a 90-minute documentary, presents in detail how the Grand Mosque is run, covering the various departments such as the cleaning, IT, audio, maintenance, administration and Zamzam water systems.

“People don’t know how the Haram is incredibly organized and has one of the world’s most advanced systems operating the site,” says Abrar Hussain, writer and director of the film. “It’s one of the rare places in the world that operates continuously all year round.”

Most films about the Holy Mosque focus on the worshippers and the travelers’ experience while this film, after having done extensive research, presents the daily routine through the eyes of the workers, he says.

The film was made by Hussain along with Saudi executive director Abdulelah Al-Ahmary with a shared vision of creating a new kind of approach to depicting the Holy Mosque in the media.

The crew consists of filmmakers from the UK as well as locals based in Saudi Arabia who paid Makkah frequent visits to produce the film over a period of 18 months.

The trailer reveals an intimate examination of the staff and a modern style of cinematography.

“It was important to show the everyday cycle and present the natural environment of the Holy Mosque. The five prayers were important to create structure to the film,” says Hussain, adding that full access to the site granted by Imam Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais and the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque enabled the crew to complete filming all aspects of the mosque.

The crew refrained from using a tripod and used moving cameras instead to present the rapid flow of movement for “a real-feel experience”.

“The aim of the film is to increase people’s desire to visit and offer an experience of being in the Haram for the millions who haven’t visited yet,” adds Hussain.

The documentary also seeks to attract an international audience and participate in film festivals worldwide once it premieres this year.

Hussain, who lives in the UK, says there is lots of misinformation on Islam in the West. “This film not only aims to highlight the aesthetic beauty of the House of God but also show the ideals of the religion.”

The budget for the film that was produced by Arabian Pictures amounts to 250,000 British pounds (approximately SR1.27 million).

Commenting on his experience, Hussain, who has previously produced documentaries on Islam and traveled various countries to film other works, called his latest project “a great honor to work in the most important place in the world for Muslims.”

source: saudigazette.com.sa