Bringing Concentration in Salaah

Article by Maulana Yunus Patel (RA)
[Copied from: http://yunuspatel.co.za/articles-concentration-salaah.php]

A common complaint of many who seek reformation, is their lack of concentration in Salaah, and finding themselves wanting in the spirit of Salaah. They write or ask for some prescription to bring in that spirit and that love of Allah Ta’ala through Salaah.

The following guidelines will, Insha-Allah, assist in improving the quality of one’s Salaah :

Men should try and reach the Musjid before the Azaan, so that they may with etiquette and ease, read the Sunnat Salaah – and this should take them about 5 minutes.

In the remaining few minutes before the Fardh, make Istighfaar, Taubah, or Zikrullah, or think of the Aakhirah (the Hereafter) and accountability and presentation of one’s deeds in the Court of Allah Ta’ala. Reflect over one’s life : What if my death has to come now ? …Try and cut off from the business and worldly activities as much as possible through this little meditation and Zikr.

Now comes the Fardh Salaah : Insha-Allah, by this time, much of one’s heart will be in that Salaah. Insha-Allah, with a little effort and perseverance, there will be full attention and concentration.

Ladies should try and read Salaah in its early time, thus giving themselves the opportunity of making preparation for Salaah, without any haste. They too should make a little zikr before commencing with Salaah, to get into the right frame of mind.

Moreover, if we give priority status to fulfilling the Rights of Allah Ta’ala, then He will assist us in fulfilling our tasks. He will grant Barakah in time so that our undertakings are completed, Insha-Allah.

Condition the mind; address yourself – I am standing before the King of Kings. SubhanAllah. …I have been chosen, from millions, to converse with ‘Rabbul ‘Aalameen’ and I am being afforded the greatest honour and privilege (above millions of others), to make sujood to Allah Ta’ala… to be nearest to Allah Ta’ala. [ …If we could truly fathom the greatness of the gift, this ultimate honour, this good fortune – we would never want to leave the position of sujood.]

And whilst reading the Qur`aan Sharif in Salaah (and even outside Salaah) then think : This is the Kalaam (speech) of my Allah – of my Beloved. By contemplating the meaning of the verses that you are reading, think : I am listening to the speech of Allah Ta’ala.

And since you are reading His Speech, He is also listening to you … Therefore learn the meaning of the Surahs we normally recite in Salaah. It will not take long to do so, if a little is learnt every day.

And think : In this Salaah, in this Tilawat, in this Zikr, in this Hamd – I have the special attention of Allah Ta’ala. I have exclusive attention because this is my ‘Me`raj’; this is my conversation and communication with the Master of the Worlds. ….What a compounded bounty – SubhanAllah : So many gifts in the gift packaged as Salaah. How can any sane thinking Muslim ever refuse such a gift ?

In contemplating this, we will experience the beauty and sweetness and pleasure of Salaah … we will understand the Hadith in which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) says that the coolness of his eyes is in Salaah. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the reality.

OTHER MODERN AND DISCREET FORMS OF GAMBLING

Article copied from: http://www.askimam.org/fatwa/fatwa.php?askid=6541bde1ab173b93dfd62f9a134169a3

Gambling basically refers to, when after paying for something there is still uncertainty in receiving the item paid for; one could either receive it or not. From the outset, understand that all types of gambling and betting are totally forbidden in Islam. This applies whether the gambling operates in the traditional forms or assumes any modern structure; both carry the same rule of prohibition. Simply changing the name of the gambling money and winnings to “entrance fees” in some cases and “prizes” in others will not change the ruling.

It is sad to note that there are numerous persons from all sectors of society that are duped into gambling without even knowing. Some of the modern forms of gambling are discreet are found almost everywhere waiting to seize the naïve public. Only a few examples will be highlighted to alert us from falling prey to these un-Islamic practices.

In the case of competitions and games, after paying the required fee, one is still doubtful of becoming the owner of the item paid for; one could either win or lose. Wherever there is the possibility of winning or losing and uncertainty of acquiring something paid for, is considered a gamble. Therefore, every such game, competition, etc. which carries this implication will be regarded as a gamble.

Ø Gambling in schools: Gambling has stealthily infiltrated schools where, oblivious kids are duped into games and competitions which seem ‘fine’, but are actually a gamble. Competitions, raffles, etc. are conducted in schools and engineered such that, the kids will have contribute a certain fee and then only be entitled to qualify the final draw, and having the chance to be a winner in it. Children are lured into these competitions wanting to win prizes. We should educate our children to abstain from such competitions.

Ø Commercial lotteries: also form part of this evil and are totally unjustifiable, even logically.

Ø Amusement Machines: Another example of gambling, is the amusement machines such as the crane toy machine, etc. that are commonly stationed outside shops with charming toys and ‘gifts’ enticing the naïve public into getting them. Again, money is paid, but one is still skeptical of owning the item already paid for; one could either lose or win.

Ø Playing card games: Teenagers and adults involve themselves in card games, cross word puzzles, etc. if conducted in a similar way; where money is pooled from each player and the winner alone is entitled to the sum, this too would not be permissible.

Should this principle occur in any other practice, where a fee is charged to entitle one to win (or lose), this too will fall within the ambit of gambling.

American Killer - Killing 3 and Injuring 2

27th January 2011, an employee of US Consulate in Lahore killed three people in Lahore. According to details, US national named Raymond David shot at 2 persons at Qartaba Chowk and hit another bike rider while driving rashly, in an attempt to to escape the scene. The motorcyclist Ubaidur Rehman was killed on the spot while other two injured

I must say, after drone attacks, this is another gift from the government of US; they are trying to test our patience. May Allah help us in differentiating between enemies and friends.

I don't understand, under such security situation where we had a blast in the city just couple of days back, why this official was wandering near Mozzang? Was he planning to eat fish and nehari or he must be visiting a grave in Miani sb.

According to a statement that he did that in self defence.....now if we do it in self defence, we are terrorist.... but if an Amerian does this.... then its self defence.

By the way, who will be the first one to protect him? After all its a huge opportunity to please our masters.

May Allah help us.

Answers Wanted? Killing of Salman Taseer

Salman Taseer, Governor of the Punjab Province, was shot dead by his security guard, an Elite force commando named Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri on Tuesday 4th January 2010 in Islamabad.

The media “Lion” has a new story to eat and digest for at least three or four days and almost every channel is now discussing Salman Taseer, Toheen-e-Risalat, etc. keeping the media injected views aside, I have a few simple questions:

1. Why the Governor passed such blunt remarks regarding a law which was passed by the parliament “unanimously” in 1985?

2. Why the Governor intervened in Aasia’s case which was already in court?

3. The Governor kept on taking Aasia’s name, but why didn’t he ever make a similar plea for Aafia Siddiqui?

4. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think there are a lot people in Jails suffering the same death penalty under a different section, the famous “dafa 302”; why no government official is sending letters to the President to waive of their penalties?

5. If there is a flaw in the court procedure, why there is a need to “change” the law?

6. In the proposed amendment of the law, why there is a focus on removing the death penalty? Will this mean more violation because now the accused can wander more freely hearting the feelings of the majority?

7. We respect the rights of minorities in Pakistan….what about the respect for the rights of majorities?

May Allah help us all!

Why it only happens in Pakistan?

1. Immediately after suicide bombing, how quickly the identity of the person/party is established after the blast and most of the time some suspicious people are also captured from the site. But to-date, we haven't seen a public investigation report. Keeping the AZAD media in mind, its a surprise to me that no report is made public.

2. Nowadays multiple parties are claiming responsibility for a single event. So you get Threek e Taliban, Saphe Sahaba, Laskre Jhangvi, lashkarey Taiba etc... all in for a single event. Imagine all these organizations operating in such close coordination whereas our authorities are totally clueless.

3. When claiming the responsibility of an attack the offender actually mentions its division e.g. Threek e Taliban (Punjab)

On a personal level, I have seen enough rubbish from our beloved media. I still remember 10^th Moharram Karachi incident and how the whole story was developed only to find out that It was not a suicide attack at all. Then there is the Benazir murder case, where I think our authorities did capture some telephonic conversation regarding the culprits but still no one is charged with the murder.

The moral of this story is, don’t believe ANYTHING the news channels in Pakistan tell you because none of their information is verified and they are there to sell ads and make money, they do not have the people’s interest at heart.

Totally unacceptable!

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-koran-burning-20100908,0,1812151,print.story

and those who still thinks that only a few people are doing this and the US government has nothing to do with it.... then why they have not taken that "maloon" behind bars. whereas on the other side, Only “denying” holocaust is explicitly or implicitly illegal in 13 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Switzerland. E.g. in Austria, you can be punished with imprisonment up to twenty years.

http://send2mjk.blogspot.com/2008/04/freedom-of-speech.html

Avoid Provident Fund

The provident fund is a kind of an investment fund maintained by the employer (provident fund trustees, which are nominated by the employer, are responsible for provident fund management). Provident fund generates its revenue from the contribution made by employee and employer.

At the end of a given month, a percentage amount (normally 6% of the basic employee’s salary) is deducted from the employee’s pay cheque and the same amount is contributed by the employer. The total of the contribution from all employees is then deposited in a profit generating activity. Here comes the problem, generally this amount is deposited in a bank or other “interest” oriented activity and the interest collected is then distributed equally among all the employee on proportionate basis.

I am not saying that all provident funds are invested in a similar manner BUT one should check with their respective HR/Accounts department to know how their provident fund is generating the profit. If its banks or other interest oriented activities, then please decide based on the following verdict of Allah Almighty:

"Allah decreases interest and increases sadqah"