Assalamu alaikum wr wb, The following article is taken from a Islaamic Magazine called "Ad-da'wah ilallaah: The Call to Allaah", Volume 1 Issue 1. REPENTANCE The word Tawbah (Repentance) in Arabic literally means 'to return'. In an Islamic context, it refers to the act of leaving what Allaah has prohibited and returning to what He has commanded. The subject of repentance is one which concerns all people who believe in God, and is vital one for the Muslims to understand because our salvation in the hereafter is dependent on our repentance to Allaah, as is shown by Allaah's order: "AND TURN YOU ALL TOGETHER IN REPENTANCE TO ALLAAH O BELIEVERS, THAT YOU MAY BE SUCCESSFUL" [An-Noor (24):31] In Soorah al-Baqarah, Allaah tells us: "SURELY ALLAAH LOVES THOSE WHO TURN UNTO HIM IN REPENTANCE AND LOVES THOSE WHO PURIFY THEMSELVES." [2:222] This shows how pleasing our repenting is to Allaah. Also, the Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam gave us an example of just how pleasing to Allaah our repenting is an authentic hadeeth in which he,Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Allaah is more delighted with the repentance of His servant than one of you would be, who suddenly finds his camel laden with supplies after 22losing it in a barren land" (1) Try to imagine your joy if you were to suddenly retrieve everything you ever possessed after losing all hope of recovering what you had lost. Then think that Allaah's delight is even greater than this when His slave repents to Him. So much so, that if man stopped repenting to Allaah, He would replace us with another creation that would turn to Him for forgiveness. The Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "If you did not commit sins, Allaah would sweep you out of existence and replace you by another people who would commit sins, ask for Allaah's forgiveness and He would forgive them." (2) The problem with many of us today, is that we don't fear Allaah, which means that we don't think twice about disobeying Him and therefore falling into sin, which we give no real tought to. So perhaps we should think about the statement which Ibn Mas'ood (3) radi Allaahu 'anhu, made: "A believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain which he is affraid may fall on him, whereas the wicked person considers his sins as flies passing over his nose and he just drives them away like this (and he moved his hand over his nose in illustration)." (4) NEVER DESPAIR Someone might say, 'I want to repent but my sins are too many.' But Allaah says: "SAY: O MY SLAVES WHO HAVE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THEMSELVES! DESPAIR NOT FOR THE MERCY OF ALLAAH, VERILY ALLAAH FORGIVES ALL SINS. TRULY HE IS OFT FORGIVING, MOST MERCIFUL." [Az-Zumar (39):53] Therefore, we should never lose hope or stop asking for Allaah's forgiveness. Its importance is shown to us in a hadeeth in which the Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "O people! Turn to Allaah in repentance and seek His forgiveness, for surely I make repentance a hundred times every day." (5) Repentance is such a great act of worship that doing it can totally erase our sins altoghether, as the Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "One who repents from sin is like one without sin." (6) ONLY ALLAAH CAN FORGIVE SINS Forgiveness for our sins is not something that comes automatically, it is something that must be sought sincerely and with consciousness. Also we should remember that it is only through Allaah's Mercy that anyone will ever enter Paradise. The Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam advised: "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and rejoice, for no one's good deeds will put him in Paradise." The Companions asked, "Not even you O Messenger of Allaah?" He replied. "Not even me unless Allaah bestows His pardon and mercy on me." (7) Therefore in Islaam, salvation rests on faith (which includes), good actions and hope in Allaah's mercy, all combined in truly unique manner which is not found in any other religion or system. Furthermore, it is only Allaah who can forgive our sins and He is not in need of any intercessor. The proof for this is in a du'aa (supplication) which the Prophet Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam taught his closest Companion Abu Bakr(8): "O Allaah, truly I have wronged myself and none can forgive sins except you." (9) Therefore it is a complete waste of time asking forgiveness from the people such as "saints", pious people or even the Prophet Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam. Allaah say in reply to people who do such things: "VERILY, THOSE YOU CALL UPON BESIDES ALLAAH, ARE ONLY SLAVES LIKE YOURSELVES." [a;-A'raaf (7):194] It is important that we never despair of Allaah's Mercy - no sin is too great to repent for... or too little for that matter. As one of the salaf (Pious predecessors) said: "Do not look at the insignifance of your sins, but consider the greatness of The One you are disobeying." (10)

Salaam There seems no limit nowadays to the extent that women (and men!) are prepared to go to in order to achieve that 'perfect look'. Forget false eyelashes and wigs, we are now talking scalpels, implants and liposuction!! Cosmetic surgery amongst film actresses has been commonplace for quite some time now, but these days, we wouldn't be too hard pressed to find ordinary women on the street who are more plastic than real! Indeed, in some circles, having multiple facelifts has become a status symbol: the more you have, the higher you are in the status rankings. If questioned whether cosmetic surgery was Islamically correct or not, then without doubt, most Muslims would instinctively respond by saying that it isn't, for the simple reason that it would be interfering with Allaah's creation. And certainly, this would be the correct response. The Companion, Ibn Mas'ood, radiAllaahu 'anhu, once said (quoting what he had heard the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam, say): "Allaah has cursed the tattooers and those who have themselves tattooed, and those women who have their teeth filed for beauty and those who have their [facial] hair plucked and thus alter Allaah's creation." A woman remarked, "What's all this?" So Ibn Mas'ood - radiAllaahu 'anhu - said: "Should I not curse one whom Allaah's Messenger cursed? And it is in the Book of Allaah!" She said: "I have read the Qur'aan from cover to cover, but I did not find that in it." He replied: "If you had read it thoroughly you would have found it. Allaah says, 'Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it and whatever he has forbidden, retrain from it’" [sooratul-Hashr (59):7]. 1 So the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam, forbade women from performing these three practices which the women commonly did for the sake of beauty in those days - seemingly 'insignificant' practices for which they would incur the CURSE of Allaah. And this forbiddence isn't just restricted to the procedures mentioned in the hadeeth. Because Allaah says in more general terms in His Book: "So set your face truly to the faith, Allaah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind, [Let there be] no change in the creation of Allaah." 2 [soorah ar-Room (30):30]. Therefore, it is obligatory for us to accept the creation of Allaah as it is, not making any alterations to it.3 More importantly though, it is also obligatory or us to believe that all of Allaah's creation is beautiful, because Allaah, the Khaaliq (Creator) does not create anything except with beauty and perfection, which is why He says to mankind: "You can see no fault in the creation of ar-Rahmaan [the Most Merciful]. Then look again: can you see any rifts? Then look again and yet again, your sight will return to you in a state of humiliation and worn out." [soorah al-Mulk (67):3]. This may all sound quite strange when we consider how often we hear women complaining about their appearance. In fact, it is estimated that over half of the Western women today actually perceive themselves to be ugly. In addition, surveys show that nearly all women feel under pressure to "look good". As a result, the quest for beauty has become a serious preoccupation for many women. Open up any women’s magazine and you will not fail to find a single one which doesn't contain tips on how to "look good", or which don't contain huge adverts promoting new creams that halt the aging process or concealers to hide wrinkles, etc. Beauty today is big business. Beauty contests are very profitable and - contrary to popular belief - more are spawned every year. The cosmetics market is a multi-billion dollar industry; the demand for cosmetic surgery is growing at a tremendous rate. All three industries promote the same notions o beauty that women everywhere are expected to meet: mainly a white, European, "Barbie-doll" like standard. The pressures on women to conform to these standards are enormous and few are able to withstand them.4 The fact is that Western women today may complain that they are not treated with equality and respect, but it is they themselves who have made it acceptable for society worldwide to see women merely as beauty-objects who are there to be ogled by the men who in turn are the (im)polite voyeurs. When viewed in this light, we find that beauty contests are not too dissimilar to reality itself: just as the tallest, slimmest blonde girl gets the title in the beauty contest, in the real world it's the tallest, slimmest blonde girl who gets the man! In Islaam, beauty is not just in the eye of the beholder, beauty is in the whole of creation, because Allaah - the One free of all imperfections - is the one responsible for it. And as Allaah says: "Your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses: no choice have they. SubhaanAllaah! And far removed is He from the partners they ascribe [to Him]." [soorah al-Qasas (28):68]. So it is from the wisdom of Allaah that He has chosen to create some of us short, others tall, some fat, some thin, some dark-coloured, some light - all are beautiful and perfect in their own right. That is why we are taught from the Sunnah, the beautiful du'aa (supplication) that the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam, would say: "O Allaah, as You have made my appearance beautiful, likewise make my character beautiful." (Allaahumma kamaa hassanta khalaqee fa hassin khuluqee). 5 As Muslims, we must believe that evil and imperfection cannot be attributed to Allaah.6 The desire to change any aspect of ourselves means, in effect, that we are dissatisfied with Allaah's choice and His handiwork, and that there is imperfection in what He has created. Thus to say about ourselves or anyone else that we or they are ugly is a great sin. This point was reinforced by the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam, when he once saw the Companion, 'Amr ibn Fulaan al-Ansaaree, radiAllaahu 'anhu, whose izaar (lower garment) was hanging low (to the ground), so he, sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam, ordered that he raise it. ‘Amr made an excuse saying that he had skinny shins (i.e. he was embarrassed to show them), so the Prophet responded by saying: "O 'Amr! Verily Allaah - the Mighty and the Majestic - has created everything in the best form." 7 All this is certainly not intended to discourage women to look after themselves and adorn themselves in lawful ways (e.g. wearing nice clothes, having nicely done hair, etc.). Indeed, adorning oneself is something that the wives are obliged to do for their husbands and Allaah rewards the woman who pleases the husband when he looks at her.8 But with these tremendous pressures on women to conform to the ideals set by the marketing media, it may be hard for Muslim women to resist feeling insecure or uncomfortable about their appearance. Consequently, many Muslim women have shed their hijaabs for the sake of following fashion; Muslim women too develop inferiority complexes about themselves. We must bear in mind that this search for the 'body beautiful' is, in reality, a deception from Shaitaan. Shaitaan has vowed that he will create such false desires in mankind. He has said (as stated in the Qur'aan): "Surely I will arouse in them [mankind] false desires; and certainly I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allaah." [soorah an-Nisaa’ (4):119]. May Allaah always keep us safe from the false promises of Shaitaan, for Verily He is the One who guides to the Truth. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes 1. Reported by Ibn Mas'ood and collected in Saheeh Muslim (English trans, vo1. 3, p.1166, no.5301). This incident is a good illustration of the status which the Sunnah held in front of the Companions. 2. Note that this forbiddence applies to the whole of creation, not just human beings. Therefore, defacing any part of Allaah’s creation is haraam. By extension, this ruling also applies to all forms of genetic engineering, which are carried out on farm animals, for example, in order to procure more profitable meat from them. 3. This is with the exception of those things which have been prescribed in the Sharee'ah, e.g. clipping the nails, shaving the underarms and around the private parts, etc. 4. In fact, some women go to such extremes that it results in them developing health problems - anorexia nervosa - for instance. The carcinogenic nature of breast implants are also well documented now. No doubt, the future will reveal more harmful effects of these artificial means of changing creation. 5. One hadeeth which contains this supplication mentions that this du'aa should be recited on looking in the mirror. However, the chain (isnaad) of this hadeeth is not authentic. But it is authentically reported as a supplication to be recited at any time. (See Ibn Taimiyyah's al-Kalimat-Tayyib with al-Albaanee’s footnotes.) 6. For an explanation of this important aspect of belief, please refer to The Prophet’s Prayer Described (p.15). 7. Saheeh - collected in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad (vo1.4, p.200). 8. See Musnad Ahmad, an-Nasaa'ee and others. Also, it is forbidden for the husband to invoke ugliness upon the wife - as was a common practice amongst the pre-Islamic Arabs. originally appeared in Ad-da'wah ilallah magazine, Volume 1, Issue 3. By: 'Itrat Azad

Salaam, Nur walaal is it possible to get a translation?The topic sounds very interesting...If you cannot it aint a problem. Thanks all the same. Jazaakallahu khairan

As-salaamu alaikum, Jazaakallahu khairan Modesty...what a beautiful sermon..Subxan'Allah. Realising how precious time is made me sick.We should make the most of our health and be greatful to Allah SWT for it..instead of remembering Allah only in times of need. Allah remembers those who remember Him. May Allah SWT guide us all to the straight path and make us of those who strive for the Truth of Islam..and may He make it easy 4 us, ameen. W/S

Salaam, Hey Sister a very warm wlcmmmmmm! Nice 2 meet u 2 .Come in and make urself at home...we look 4ward 2 ur contribution on da forum. Wcs

Salaam peeps, Is Brother Warsame a Christian? ...Subxan'Allah, what is this world coming to!

Nur, walaalo jazaakAllahu khairan 4 the topic. People underestimate the punishments concerning slander and backbiting. So much so that it has become 2nd nature for them to talk about...even their close family and friends in a negative way...May Allah SWT make us of those who constantly remember and fear Him...and we seek refuge in Allah from the shaydaan, ameen. "When man wakes up in the morning each day, all parts of the body warn the tongue saying, ‘Fear God as regards us for we are at your mercy; if you are upright, we will be upright and if you are crooked, we become crooked.’" (At-Tirmidhee) O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, in deeds some suspicions are sins. And spy not neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear God, verily, God is the one who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (49: 12) When we reflect deeply over this assimilation it should be enough to keep us away from backbiting! Prophet Muhammad PBUH said :"Do you know what backbiting is?" They said, "God and His Messenger know best." He then said, "It is to say something about your brother that he would dislike." Someone asked him, "But what if what I say is true?" The Messenger of God PBUH said, "If what you say about him is true, you are backbiting him, but if it is not true then you have slandered him." (Muslim)

"Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is your captain (Xirsi) welcoming you on board of Dallo Airways. We apologize for the four-day delay in taking off, it was due to bad weather and some overtime I had to put in at the bakery. This is flight 126 to Hargeisa. Landing in Hargeisa is not guaranteed , but we will end up somewhere in the South. If luck is in our favour, we may even be landing on your village! Dallo Airways has an excellent safety-record. In fact our safety standards are so high that even terrorists like osama are afraid to fly with us! It is with pleasure, I announce that starting this year over 50% of our passengers have reached their destination. If our engines are too noisy for you, on passenger request, we can arrange to turn them off! To make your free fall to earth pleasant and memorable, we serve complimentary Bongo tea and Okin biscuits! For our not-so-religious passengers, we are the only airline who can help you find out if there really is a God! We regret to inform you, that today's in-flight movie will not be shown as we forgot to record it from the television. But for our movie buffs, we will be flying right next to Air mogadisho, where their movie will be visible from the right side of the cabin window. There is no smoking allowed in this airplane. Any smoke you see in the cabin is only the early warning system on the engines telling us to slow down! In order to catch important landmarks, we try to fly as close as possible for the best view. If, however, we go a little too close, do let us know. Our enthusiastic co-pilot sometimes flies right through the landmark! Kindly be seated, keep your seat in an upright position for take-off and fasten your seat-belt. For those of you who can't find a seat-belt, kindly fasten your own belt to the arm of your seat ... and for those of you who can't find a seat, do not hesitate to get in touch with a stewardess who will explain how to fasten yourself to your suitcase."

Salaam I don't know y some gals think that as soon as they bleach themseleves they become automatically beautiful...ur either born wid beauty or u aint u can't buy it.The bleach look is soo fake it makes my skin crawl. I knew 1 sister who masha'Allah was extremly beautiful and she was mareen but she obviously thought to go 1 better and turned ghostly white now she suffers from acne probs and all sorts of skin problems...alhamdulilah Allah blessed me wid sight and hearing and i am healthy y should i then go and try make myself 'perfect' when only Allah is perfect. And Allah knows best so we shouldnt change the way that Allah has made us. Wcs

Salaamz I'm just going into my second year after finishing the 1st year (Alhamdulilah) of the most brain numbingly boring degree ever invented. Joint Hons in Politics and Economics.ZzZzZzZz Wcs

Asalaamu caleykum, Yeah, pretty scary what happened, what a total freak! Good thing she wasn't seriously hurt. But 2 be honest with u i reckon all this stalkin' biz comes with the fame...coz if it's attention she wants she sure did get it.Any wayz may Allah protect her and all muslims from such attacks, ameen.

Salaamz, Aaah...i sure slept well last night...Man U outta da Champs...it was bloody nail biting stuff better l8 than never though hehe..Good ridance i say..now it's Arsenal all the way!

Asalaamu caleykum, Blimey talk about being challenged i was bloody intellectually challenged just trying get the hang of whether or not what Sophist was saying was fiction or not. I would comment on the topic but 2 be quite honest i aint got the foggiest where 2 start...maybe i should stay well clear of these types of posts and leave it 2 the likes of the more sophisticated nomads .Jawww

Asalaamu caleykum, Judging from other peoples replies this topic seems quite intresting apart from the small fact that i need to brush up big time on my Somali.

Asalaamu caleykum, I reckon every single player in the Man U squad is overated especially that Dutch Divy, RVN...