Baba Ali’s season 3 is in full swing, this time he tackles the Jummah Khutba’s

Hadhrat Salman RA narrates that during the last Jumu’ah of the month of Sha’ban, Rasullullah ( sallallhu alaiyhi wasallam) recited a Khutba(sermon) in which he said:

“0 People! An auspicious month has dawned over you. In that month is a night which is superior to a thousand months (i.e. ibadat in this night is superior to the ibadat rendered in a thousand months. Allah Ta’ala has made fasting compulsory in this month, and has decreed wakefulness at night (i.e. Taraweeh Salat) Sunnah. A Nafl (non-obligatory or optional) act rendered in this month for attaining proximity to Allah, is equal to a Fardh act rendered in other months. A fardh act rendered in this month is equal to seventy Fardh acts of other months. Whoever gives to a fasting person something for Iftar, his sins will be forgiven and he will be saved from Jahannam; he obtains as much reward as the fasting person (to whom he had given something for Iftaar) while the reward of the person is not reduced in any way.”The people asked: ’0 Rasullullah! All of us are not by the means to give something for the Iftar of another. (They were at the time under the impression that Rasullullah SAW referred to a full meal). Rasullullah SAW said: “This reward is even for a person who gives another a date, a drink of water or milk (for Iftaar)…”
(Ibn Khuzaimah)

Nabi ( sallallhu alaiyhi wasallam) said:
“My ummah has been given 5 special things that were not given to anyone before them. The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. The fish in the sea seek forgiveness on their behalf until they break fast. Allah decorates His special jannah everyday and then says the time is near when My faithful servants shall cast aside the trials of the world and come to you. In this month the rebellious shayateen are chained, so as not to incite evil which they normally do in other months. On the last night of Ramadhan, the fasting Muslims are forgiven.” The companions inquired: “O Messenger of Allah: Is that night laylatul qadr.” Nabi ( sallallhu alaiyhi wasallam) replied: “No, but it is only right that a servant should be given his reward on having completed his duty.”
(Reported by Ahmad and Baihaqi)

Nabi ( sallallhu alaiyhi wasallam) said: “Every good deed of the child of Adam is increased (in reward) from 10 to 700 times.” and Almighty Allah says: “Except fasting, for verily it is for Me and I, Myself will reward it.” “The fasting person abstains from desire and food for My sake.” (Mishkhat Shareef). Nabi ( sallallhu alaiyhi wasallam) said: “For the fasting person there are two occasions of joy – pleasure at the time of breaking the fast and at the time of meeting his Rabb (Sustainer).” (Mishkat Shareef)

MANKIND’S NEED FOR ISLAM
from Radio Islam
by Imâm al-Haram Husayn ibn ‘Abdul ‘Azîz Aal Sheikh

All praise is due to Allâh, Lord of all the worlds, may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allâh, his household and companions.

Fellow Muslims! Fear Allâh in your words and deeds, for “Whoever fears Allâh, and keeps his duty to Him, He will provide him a way out (of every difficulty), and He will provide him from sources he could never imagine.” (At-Talâq 65: 2-3)

Dear Muslims! The greatest blessing that Allâh bestowed on mankind is His sending of Muhammad – peace and blessings be on him – with a pure religion that brings all good to mankind and protects them from all that is evil through its principles of justice, brotherhood, freedom and peace.

Brothers in Islâm! The faith that the Prophet established its pillars is the source of all good and felicity for those who follow its guidance. This faith is the pure tree with ripe and everlasting fruits.

Allâh says, “See you not how Allâh set forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches (reach) to the sky. Giving its fruits at all times by the leave of its Lord…” (Ibrâheem 14: 24)

Islâm is the treasure of all good for mankind without which they will go astray and live in misery and loss.

Allâh says, “By the time! Verily! Man is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds and recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another to patience.” (Al-Asr 103: 1-3)

The Islâmic creed with which the Prophet Muhammad was sent is the bringer of all good and prosperity and the preventer of all evil and its causes. Whoever adheres to it will ever remain on the straight path. He will not be carried away by whims nor deceived by the beauties of this world.

Allâh says, “Then whenever there comes to you guidance from Me and whoever follows My guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 38)

Brothers in faith! Only through true faith can man know his appropriate place and march on the path marked for him with light and sure knowledge. He will follow only the right guidance and live his life in righteousness in line with his pure nature and clean conscience far from ugly deeds and behaviours.

Fellow Muslims! The impact of faith is great in the mind and its fruits are wonderful. Apart from its purification of the heart and developing it, it is also an infinite living treasure. It gives man power, perseverance, firmness, peace of mind and hope in this world where there is unending war between truth and falsehood; good and evil, it gives absolute security, complete guidance and perfect light.

Allâh says, “Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest.” (Ar-Ra’d 13: 28)

Whoever lives in the vastness of faith, holds fast to its strong rope and follows its illuminating light by living a life that will make him understand the infinite wisdom of Allâh, His vast Mercy, His past laws and His Divine Power. That will then give him peace of mind, because he will know then that whatever good that comes his way has already been predestined for him and that whatever calamity that he suffers has also been predestined for him. He will have no doubt nor worries but march on with firm step towards his virtuous goals.

The Messenger of Allâh said, “Observe the rights of Allâh, He will protect you; observe His rights upon you, and you will find him before you. If you ask, ask of Allâh; if you seek assistance, seek it from Allâh. Know that if the whole world gathered together to benefit you, they could not do so except by that which Allâh has destined for you; and if they gathered together to harm you, they could not do so except by that which Allâh has destined for you. The pens have been raised and the sheets have dried.” (Which means everything has already been predestined by Allâh.)

True faith gives man certainty, confidence and power to persevere. IF he is in bliss, he will not be arrogant, but will rather praise his Lord and thank Him and if he is afflicted with calamity, he will not despair, but will rather have patience and be satisfied with his fate. This is because he exemplifies his faith with clarity and power of will, and derives his power of forbearance during hardship from it. Nothing will then be able to divert him from his faith and his seeking for the pleasure of his Lord. He will rather increase in purity, sincerity, truthfulness, patience and firmness.

The Messenger of Allâh said, ‘The affair of a believer is wonderful; all his affairs are good for him and that is for none except the believer. When he gets a bliss he thanks Allâh for that, and that is good for him and when a calamity befalls him, he is patient and that is also good for him.’ (Muslim)

Brothers in Islâm! A nation that is governed by the Islâmic creed and its life is controlled by the realities of faith is a powerful nation in itself; a nation that has a natural immunity that enables it – with permission of Allâh – to overcome all hardships and trials; and prevent its children from being affected by despair during calamities. It will rather be a nation that calamities and trials only increase it in good, reform and constructive life. It is actually a nation that has passed through all kinds of tribulations in its long history. If any other nation were to have a similar experience, it would have disappeared from the pages of history. Yes, it is a nation that has been promised a clear victory.

“Allâh has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds that He will certainly grant them succession (to the present rulers) in the earth as He granted it to those before them and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islâm). He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me.” (An-Nûr 24: 55)

Brothers in faith! Abandoning the pleasant source of faith, its realities and light of Islâm cause dangerous crises. Perpetual darkness and a life that is devoid of happiness or bliss.

Allâh says, “But whoever turns away from My reminder, verily, for him is a life of hardship and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.” (Tâhâ 20: 124)

The winds of evils that blow among mankind these days as well as wars and instability are all a result of keeping away from the divine path. True faith and the correct concept of freedom and equality.

Allâh says, “And transgress not the limits. Truly Allâh likes not the transgressors.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 190)

Therefore as long as the life is not based on the foundation laid by the Creator, as long as the wise men of the world do not fully recognise sources of evil and as long as the solution to the worlds problems is not based on comprehensive justice and common-sense, there will never be any visible end to wars and the ship of this world will not find its way to the port of peace – regardless of efforts exerted towards this goal.

Fellow Muslims! Some world communities are afflicted with some calamities. The frightening danger does not lie in these incidents but in the methods taken to face the problem and overcome it. Common sense should be used in tackling them and proper steps should be taken to avoid their reoccurrence. Investigation should be adequately made and conclusions should not be hastily drawn in order to avoid more severe consequences.

Allâh says, “O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a piece of news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done.” (Al-Hujurât 49: 6)

The Messenger of Allâh said, ‘Deliberateness is from Allâh, while haste is from Satan.’

Brothers in faith! Muslims nowadays are passing through difficult situations and they are surrounded by dangers that threaten their very existence. They are therefore looking towards better conditions. However, there is a fact that should be clear to everybody: this community of ours has a special nature that distinguishes it from other people; that is its belief which is based on total and complete submission to Allâh, the Exalted.

It is this very belief and action according to its injunctions – in all spheres of one’s life that can guarantee the much desired peace and security.

Allâh says, “Truly, Allâh defends those who believe.” (Al-Hajj 22: 38)

Therefore, there is no way for this nation out of its present predicaments except by faithfully returning to Allâh, adhering truly to the sunnah of the Prophet and being sincere towards its religion inwardly and outwardly.

There is no way out except by loving Allâh and his Messenger with all the hearts and abiding by His law in governance and arbitration and in all matters of life.

Allâh says, “It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any opinion in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.” (Al-Ahzâb 33: 36)

Now is the time for dead hearts to awake! Now is the time for the heedless to remember Allâh and for the one deep in the sea of sin to cling to the ship of salvation!

Allah says, “Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be affected by Allâh’s reminder and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture (the Torah and Gospel) before (i.e. the Jews and the Christians) and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were rebellious, disobedient (to Allâh).” (Al-Hadîd 57: 16)

O journalists! The obligation of the mass media is to understand its role. The mass media should build and not destroy; correct and not damage. It should be occupied with issues of high importance not trivialities. Let it be an avenue for guiding the Muslim children to their religion and actions that lead towards unity of Muslims, sincerity to this great religion, serving and defending it faithfully.

“And who is better in speech than he who invites men to Allâh’s (religion) and does righteous deeds and says I am one of the Muslims.” (Fussilat 41: 33)

Adhering To The Qur’aan And Sunnah Is The Way To Salvation
By Sh Salaah Al Budair – Imaam of Haram

These days, Islamic societies are being relentlessly attacked by Christianisation campaigns, impudent temptations and open war through misleading mass media controlled by callers to evil and corruption in order to westernise these societies and to divert them from their religion and path.

Indeed, the unbelieving nations live a disgraced life, suffer in infected sludge and move in moral and religious darkness. While some are alcoholics, others are addicted to music and another large number of them are enslaved by their lust. Their statutes are full of oppressive and unjust laws which they use to decide matters relating to their lives, chastity and properties.

“And he for whom Allaah has not appointed light for him there is no light.” (An Noor: 40).

However, it is very saddening that some Islamic societies have been affected by this westernisation so much so that it has attacked their established concepts, changed their customs, weakens their strength and destroys many aspects of their lives. Allaah says: “And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion if they can.” (Al-Baqarah: 217).

Brothers in Islaam! There will be no religious stability nor actualisation of Divine promise or safety from retribution and calamities except by holding fast unto the Book of Allaah which He revealed to His Messenger; for that is real protection, the astounding evidence and the ever-illuminating light. It is a revelation that whenever it was revealed to the Prophet it weighed heavily on him, he would lower his head, his face would become morose and his forehead would sweat profusely. ‘Aa’ishah said: “I have seen while he was been revealed to on a very cold day ad when the revelation ended, his forehead would sweat profusely.” He, himself, used to say: “Sometimes, revelation comes to me like a clattering of bell and that is the most trying experience I get when the revelation is being revealed to me. It would then leave me until I have comprehended the revelation.”

The Qur’aan is a great sign and a weighty Word. Allaah commanded His Prophet to hold fast unto it and never deviate from it. He says “Then We put you on a (plain) way of (Our) commandment. So follow you that and follow not the desire of those who know not.” (Al-Jaathiyah: 18).

The Prophet himself informed his nation that the only guidance lies in clinging unto the Qur’aan when he said: “I am leaving for you two things if you hold fast to them you will never get astray: The Book of Allaah and my Sunnah.”

His companions used to receive the Revelation with honour and acceptance. They would abide by its commandments, surrender to its judgment and guidance without hesitation or preference to other options. Ibn Buraidah narrated from his father that he said: “While we were sitting at our drinking place on the sand and we were three or four persons with a jug with us and drinking liquor for it was then lawful, then I left for the place of the Prophet and greeted him.

The verse that prohibited alcohol drinking was then revealed: “O you who believe! Intoxicants, Gambling, Al-Ansaab (i.e. animals that are slaughtered on stone-altars for idols) and Arrows (that are used for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of the Satan’s handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that in order that you may be successful. Satan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from Salaah (the Prayer). Will you then not abstain?” (Al-Maa’idah: 90-91).

I afterwards went to my companions and read the verse to them. One of them was holding his alcohol in his hand having drank some and the rest was still in his cup, but he turn the cup just below his upper lip. They all poured away what was in their jug and said: “We abstain, Our Lord! We abstain, Our Lord!”

The verse was revealed when they were holding their cups in their hands and it was the command of Allaah that prevented them from reaching their lips. Those who were holding cups of alcohol broke them and those who have taken a mouthful coughed it out. Containers of alcohol were broken in al-Madienah. Such is the commandment of Allaah. One should have no option except to submit and surrender to it.

Also, when Allaah revealed the verse: “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies.” (Al-Ahzaab: 59) the Ansaar women came out as if there were sieves on their heads because of their garments.”

Ibn `Abbaas also narrated another incident of the companions’ total submission to the commandments of Allaah and His Messenger. He said: “The Messenger of Allaah saw a golden ring in the hand of a man so he pulled it off and threw it away and then said: “Will one of you knowingly take a burning charcoal and put it in his hand!” When the Messenger of Allaah left the scene, the man was told: ‘Take your ring and make use of it (in something else)’. The man replied: “No, by Allaah! I will never take it since the Messenger of Allaah has thrown it away.” (Muslim).

Fellow Muslims! The only safe way and protection from the trials and temptations of this age is fast adherence to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger and then the path of the righteous predecessors of this Ummah. That is the only way out of tribulations. Jundub Ibn Abdullah Al-Bajalee told the people of Basrah about the two revelations (the Qur’aan and Sunnah): “Hold fast unto the Qur’aan for it is the guidance during the day and light during the night. Take them into practice however hardship and poverty that may cause you. When any calamity befalls you sacrifice for it your money rather than your religion. If the calamity is beyond what your money can bear, sacrifice your blood for it, for the actual deprived person is the one deprived of his religion. There is no poverty after entrance into Hellfire.”

Huthaifie Ibn Yamaan told Aamir Ibn Mitr: “What will be your position if people take a single way and the Qur’aan takes another way?, which of the ways will you follow? He answered “I will be with the Qur’aan, die with it and be resurrected with it.”

Brothers in Faith! Hold fast unto this revelation sincerely you will be shown its effects in your deeds, sayings dealings and all your affairs and you will live a prosperous life and die for your religion and loyalties.

Let each and every one of us present himself before the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah and see whether he is among the obedient ones or among the negligent ones. Let everyone beware and reform himself. Hasan Al-Basrie said: “May Allaah have mercy on a slave who places himself and his deeds in front of the Book of Allaah, if his deeds are in accordance with the Book of Allaah he praises Allaah and asks Him for increase and if the deeds are contradictory to the Book of Allaah he rebukes himself and amends immediately.”

Fellow Muslims! You have in your possession an infinite treasure that is the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah but yet where are those who follow their injunctions? Where are those who submit themselves to them? Where are those who answer their call?

The Glorious Qur’aan has given us admonitions, warned us as the Prophet also warned against falling in the abyss of ignorance and disobedience. Were these admonitions useful for us? Everyday we pass on evenings and mornings a threat that frightens the hearts; are we heedful to this threat?

Abu Dardaa’ narrated that the Prophet said, “We were with the Messenger of Allaah one day , when he cast a look at the sky and said: This is a time in which knowledge will be withdrawn from people so much that they will not be able to withhold any thereof. Ziyaad Ibn Lubaid Al-Ansaarie then asked, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! How can it be withdrawn from us while we recite the Qur’aan, for by Allaah, we read it as well as our wives and children.’ The Prophet answered, ‘O Ziyaad! I have been counting you among the knowledgeable people of Al-Madienah! Are these not Jews and Christians reading the Torah and Gospel with working with anything thereof?’ (Ibn Maajah).

Some scholar commented on this Hadeeth and said, ‘As their recitation of their book did not benefit them because of their non-practising of their injunctions, so also will be you.’

Fellow Muslims! Attacking the texts of Qur’aan and Sunnah by dishonouring and desecrating them or feeling that it cannot fulfil the needs of ever-changing life or subjugating it or twisting it in order to make it fit the modern age in matters that some irreligious people wrongly feel that Islaam is the obstacle to their progress likes issue of equating women with men in every aspect of life, taking usury, perpetrating forbidden acts, exterminating the concept of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil and vice, giving the disbelievers opportunity to damp their ideological wastes in the name of literature, art, freedom of opinion and other issues that the texts of Islamic law has decided on as clearly and broadly as daylight. This attack may lead to this Ummah losing its identity, honour and religion which Allaah favours it with.

It is then incumbent on us, fellow Muslims, to honour the two revelations (i.e. the Qur’aan and Sunnah) in such a way that will prevent us from disobeying them or befriending those who deny them or keeping silent when they are attacked or laughed at what they contain. Whoever insults Allaah or His Messenger or dishonours them or says or does anything that explicitly ridicules them or makes jest with the religion (of Islaam), or dishonour the Qur’aan or desecrate it has become a disbeliever in what is revealed to the Messenger of Allaah and went out of the Fold of Islaam. The Prophet said, ‘whoever apostates kill him!’(Bukhaarie).

Dear Muslim! Fear Allaah as regards your religion into which He guided you and with which is by abstaining from all that contradict it or contaminated it., You should carry out your duty towards it in all your affairs in order to be saved from the threat that is in this verse, “And if you tune away (from Islaam and the obedience to Allaah), He will exchange you for some other people and they will not let your likes.” (Muhammad: 38).

Brothers in faith! Fear Allaah, be conscious of Him and do not disobey Him, ‘O you who believe, fear Allaah and be always with the truthful.’ (At Tawbah: 119).

Brothers in Islaam! The Prophet was compassionate with his Ummah. He is full of pity, kind and merciful to them. He feared for them ignominy and disgrace; and sins and disobedience. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said, ‘The likeness of me and my Ummah is like that of a man who kindled a fire, then when it lighted all around him butterflies and other flying insects keep on falling into it, while the man keeps on preventing them from falling into it. But they overpower him and fall into the fire. Such is the likeness of me and you. I am preventing you from falling into the fire and saying, ‘Come away from the fire.’ But you overpower me and insist on falling into it.’ (Muslim).

Such is how the ignorant and the disobeying men with their sins and lusts will fall into hellfire on the Last Day in spite of the Prophet’s efforts in preventing them from doing so. They therefore will fall into fire because of their weak intelligence, just as the butterflies fall into the fire of this world, for both are striving to destroy themselves out of ignorance. So beware and be on guard before a day comes in which no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he believed not before not earned good through his faith.

Brothers in Islaam! Hold fast unto the rope of Allaah, even if people leave it and escape to Allaah from temptation of this age. The Prophet said, ‘Verily, in front of you are days of patience. Being patient in those days will be like holding a live coal. Whoever does good deed then will have the reward of fifty men who work as he does. The companions asked, ‘The reward of fifty men among them?’ He answered, ‘The reward of fifty men among you!’

By Abdul Bari Ath Thubayti
(source: Radio Islam )

The God-fearing Muslim family is the heart of a healthy community. The piety of a family is dependant on the piety of individual members of the family, and the piety of a community is likewise dependant on the piety of the families who make up the community.

Islam attaches great importance to the family, how it is established and how to keep it together. For the Muslim family to keep up it’s high position it maintains a state of love and harmony, and you find in it feelings of amicability and Kindness. Allah says, “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy.” He also says, “They are Libaas [i.e. body cover, or screen, or Sakan, (i.e. you enjoy the pleasure of living with her)] for you and you are the same for them.”(Al-Baqarah: 187).

The Qur’an made it clear to married couples that each of them is essential to the other. Allah says, “It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then) He has created from him his wife [Hawwa’ (Eve)], in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her.” It cannot be imagined that one could lead a normal, steadfast human life if there was a complete destruction of the normal family structure.

Those people who call for the abolishment of the family structure do not do so for the good of humankind. Their call was – and still is – a discordant sound in the passing of history. The family is established on mutual understanding, the exchanging of views and cooperation. Allah says in relation to nursing and weaning babies, “The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling, but the father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother’s food and clothing on a reasonable basis. No person shall have a burden laid on him greater than he can bear. No mother shall be treated unfairly on account of her child, nor father on account of his child. And on the (father’s) heir is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the father). If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no sin on them.”

A happy family which seeks stability and continuity builds its life on firm principles, the most important of which are: the raising of children, mutual respect of each others rights, courteousness in dealing with one another and widening one’s family’s and one’s own horizons. Here, couples can find the pure quietude that the Qur’an spoke about, and if a difference occurs between them then true love will melt it away.

The Wise (Allah) know that a person can sometimes be affected by an atmosphere of disagreement and feelings of hate, and then Satan finds what he is looking for sought after for destruction of the existence of the family. The Qur’anic viewpoint was to purify the emotions and to return to life its clarity and to the family its beauty. Allah says, “…And live with them honourably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.” (An-Nisaa’: 19).

And for this reason Imam Ibn Katheer said about this verse, “It means: and perhaps your patience in holding onto them despite your mutual dislike is much better for you in this world and in the hereafter.”

If the members of a family exchange love for stubbornness; and this is a bad sign and a defeated beginning; nothing can destroy a family as stubbornness and argument. Small disagreements can be blown out of all proportions and become huge points of stubbornness, and major disagreement. How often do we hear tell of or witness marriages failing though they are but newly wed?

Many researchers have decided that family breakdown is the main cause of juvenile delinquency; therefore the family is responsible for protecting itself from disunity before it experiences breakdown and ceases to function as a family unit. Also one cannot pretend that life is or should always be trouble-free; quite the opposite in fact; a normal healthy life will always have it’s ups and downs.

Everything in this world no matter how insignificant has wisdom behind it and serves a purpose, so what is the role of the Muslim family?

In a Muslim community, the family plays several important roles, the most important being:

Increasing the progeny of the Muslim nation. The Prophet said, “Marriage is one of my traditions, and whoever does not follow my traditions is not one of us. So get married, for that way you will increase the nation (in strength and number).” (Ibn Maajah).

Having many children increases the strength of the community, in addition to increasing ones personal status and being well-remembered after death. Advocates of birth control do not wish the Muslim community any good, and their weak arguments show that they have been afflicted with pessimism, uncertainty (in the truth of Islam and the Last Day) and mistrust (in Allah’s Will).

Teaching and raising Muslim youth is a job for the whole family. In fact, the home is the first school in which the child is introduced to the basic tenets of his religion, and this important job should not be left to maids and nurses. The child that nurses from his mother’s milk also receives her compassion and affection. Conversely, a child which is cared for and raised by maids will never receive the same love, warmth and affection and nor will they have a correct Islamic upbringing.

The Muslim family is held responsible before Allah for the correct Islamic upbringing of it’s children, instilling in them the concept of worship of Allah and following His prescribed way in their lives.

Do our families today fulfil their childrearing and educational responsibilities? Does our method of raising children give them the power to resist westernisation and secularisation? Do members of the family gather together to learn the Qur’an? Or do they gather to watch acts of disobedience to Allah (i.e. on the television etc.)? Do our children find in our homes useful lessons, good examples and good manners?

Any shortcomings or omissions in the family’s job of raising its children will have negative effects on the behaviour of the children, and in turn this will have a negative effect on the thoughts, structure and security of the community.

Parents will be asked about the fulfilment of their parental duties. Ibn Umar related that Prophet said, “All of you are guardians and all of you are responsible for your wards. An imam is a guardian, and he is responsible for his wards (among the local community); a man is a guardian in his family and he is responsible for his dependants, a lady is a guardian in her husband’s house and she is responsible for her charges (children, property under her control &c.)…” (Bukhari & Muslim).

One responsibility of a parent is to cleanse the house from all vice, to ensure that all members of the family perform all of their religious duties, and to encourage them to perform good and loved deeds.

One of the main goals of the family is to teach its children to love and respect the mosque, and build strong ties between its children and the mosque, for the mosque is an essential part of the life of a Muslim. Instilling love of the mosque is a great and important part of upbringing; deep in effect, and implants in a child respect, good values and manners.

A Muslim family which is based on faith in Allah will be able to hold on to Islamic morals and manners, and feel a great attachment to the mosque. It is able, by the light of the Qur’an, to bring into the world children who will become brave heroes, scholars, ascetic slaves (of Allah), sincere leaders, pious men, and worshipful women. Such families fill a glorious page in the books of history.

Today the Muslim family faces a grim offensive aimed at shaking its very foundations, by undoing the family ties, spoiling the women’s characters, discarding family values, and calling towards nudity, mixing of the sexes and disinhibition. And if the family is destroyed, will there then remain any Muslim nation? And if it does remain it will be marginalized.

In some Muslim countries, the families’ hearts have been disunited as a result of the slavish adherence to Western values, drifting blindly behind any vogue that comes out of it; divorce cases have risen, and many youths have turned away from marriage followed by a frantic rush after brutish desires.

The following much-followed trend is a sensitive subject that touches many of us closely; it has a share in social change in decreasing the role of the family. Satellite dishes have taken over the family’s time, had an effect on its progress, and loosened its values; and the family loses – in some cases – some of its influence over the children. These devices (satellite, TV. etc.) compete with the family in controlling the children inside the safety of their own homes by their carefully researched attractiveness, and attack directly and indirectly to destroy their relation with their community, weaken their religion, and diminish their enthusiasm. However, one thing that is very painful to consider, is that some families completely abandon their role in the task of religious and intellectual upbringing, and surrender their children to satellite dishes and such like, that distort young minds and destroy faith unchecked.

Brothers in Islam! Building a family on a sound, rational basis is not an easy task, conversely it is a momentous duty that requires preparation and preparedness. Married life is not all fun and games; rather it is a series of responsibilities and duties, whoever proposes marriage without ability or suitability is ignorant, unaware of the wisdom of Allah’s Divine Law, and whomsoever uses marriage for evil purposes, or denies its rights deserves the anger of Allah and His punishment; so one must always behave righteously in this life. Allah says, “O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones…” (At-Tahreem: 6)

Family life is a life of work. And life has its costs and burdens; so it needs someone to be in charge to direct it’s actions, and supervise its safety this leadership is called Qiwaamah in the Qur’an and it is the lot of the man. Leadership is not for the purpose of reverence and domination but it is a post of supervision and upbringing. It does not mean denying the wife her own personality and wishes, or preventing her from expressing her opinions or having any say of what goes on in the family.

Allah has prepared the woman for certain jobs, and has prepared the man for certain jobs. They are each suited to their own jobs by reason of the physical and mental differences between them. If women were made to be the protectors and maintainers in place of men the woman would be charged with more than she could handle, and the family would be deviated from its normal course and would face trials and difficulties. There are essential differences between men and women that enable them to perform the gender-specific tasks which have naturally and traditionally been theirs to perform. If the roles of men and women were reversed, it would harm the family, and ultimately the community at large. Those people who call for the removal of man’s natural assertiveness and leadership are fools because that goes against the natural Law of Allah.

Al-Qiwaamah means that the head of the household is responsible for the physical safety of his family, and for their safety from a religious standpoint. He protects them from evil fashions and deviation, and provides the perfect example in the way he abides by the Limits set by Allah, and his exaltation of his religious rites and ceremonies, unashamedly and with the best of character and moral standard. He is like a shepherd that protects his flock.

The head of a household is required to strike a balance between his work, his acts of worship and being free for his family; to give each one it’s due, e.g. the rights of the wife, bringing up the children etc. If the head of the household is unable to make time to sit by himself or with members of the family to talk to them and listen to them, later on, when it is too late to do so, or is no longer possible, he will regret not having made the time.

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas said, “The Messenger of Allah said to me, ‘I have been told that you fast all day and then stay up all night (in worship) Don’t do so; For your body has it’s rights on you, and likewise your wife has rights upon you: fast and break your fast; fast three days in each month for that is (as if you were) fasting your whole life.’” (Bukhari & Muslim).