Chill Yo Islam Yo

Salam, 

First of all i wanna make it clear that Islam eliminates “Racism”, As we know that our Beloved Prophet Muhammad said “no Arab is superior over a non-Arab, and no white is superior over black nor a black over a white and superiority is by righteousness and God-fearing alone (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49.13)

Being a Muslim Brother from Brooklyn i always happen to hear certain words and phrases

1)Chill Yo - Meaning “Relax”, that’s where i got my motto from, so anytime a person try’s to involve you with Haram, You know “Chill Yo Islam Yo”! * Islam is culture friendly * within the parameters of the Shariah

2) Werd - Meaning “You agree with what is being said” and it makes sense to you.

2) Yo What’s Good Nigga? (Not Nigger, Is it the same?) I hear black kids calling each other that all the time, seems like its normative now in their dialogue and almost seems impossible for them to greet each other without dropping that line, not only black kids, but obviously even Muslims who just happen to be a product of their environment and have adopted this.

You can say its “Slang”,Some people hear us speak the way we speak and say we are ignorant, others find it interesting, some get pissed off, and others laugh……Well one thing is for sure, the people speak the way they speak because its part of the street culture and that’s how things happen. Another reason is rappers, some of them use certain terms because thats how they reach their target audience and others because they have been part of gang’s and some just find it as plain “Art”

Now some of you might have heard of a Rapper named “Nas”, Nas, given name Nasir means “helper and protector” in Arabic. He grew up in Brooklyn and has become one of top hip hop artists in history. He’s currently signed to def Jam under Jay-Z, the El Presidente, Well any hows “Nas” is a little weird, Although I personally don’t listen to him anymore because of the shirk he says in his songs. “Astugfurillah” I hope Inshallah Brothers Listening to him stop. In one of his Albums he played “Surah Naas to Open it up “……

He also has said this

“A lot of rules, some locked in solitude,
Curse the day of they birthy confused, who’s to be praised?
The mighty dollar, or almighty Allah.
- Nas from the song ‘Ghetto Prisoners (Album: I Am…)

Word has it that he is a 5 percenter, but what’s controversial is his new albums name coming out soon called “Nigger”, obviously “Nigger” is an extremely disparaging and offensive racial term.

Now Nas is a African Artist, for him to call his Album “Nigger”, some people might see it as if he supporting the use of the term but he said his objective is “We’re taking power [away] from the word,” he also said “If Cornel West was making an album called Nigger, they would know he’s got something intellectual to say,” Nas continued. “To think I’m gonna say something that’s not intellectual is calling me a nigger, and to be called a nigger by Jesse Jackson and the NAACP is counterproductive, counter-revolutionary.”

The slur, formerly used by Southern lynch mobs, has become a common greeting among black youth. But the Rev. Al Sharpton, also at the Core Club party, still finds it profoundly offensive.

“I’m astonished by the psychological gymnastics some people perform to make that self-denigrating word acceptable,” he told us. “No other race does it. Why is it accepted? In an industry that makes Michael Jackson take out a word that was offensive to Jewish people, why does it sanitize a word that continues to be used by the Ku Klux Klan when it attacks our people?”

So i wrote this post because sometimes i see it within our own Muslim Community that people use this term and Muslim’s judge Black Muslims, We gotta stick to our Brotherhood and that we are one ummah “We are all children of Adam, we can’t let our environment take control of how we speak, meaning “racial slurs” and we would’nt want any individual or group labeling us as they are already trying, So Inshallah let’s educate people and remember My man Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X) One of the Greatest Muslim Americans ever said ….

“America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered white, but the white attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all together, irrespective of their color.”

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[Note] As brother Baba commented below, the Quran is Priceless, But I guess its shocking to see it being “sold”

Would You Pay 2,000,000 for the Koran? I Wouldn’t, You can get free ones at Free Qurans at Freequran.org…But this News Article from Yahoo Blew Me Away…

LONDON (AFP) - A 13th century Koran was sold on Tuesday for a world record price of 1,140,500 pounds (2,320,917 dollars, 1,632,055 euros), auction house Christie’s said.

The Holy Quran, which had been expected to fetch between 250,000 and 300,000 pounds, was sold as part of an auction of art from the Islamic and Indian World that brought in a total of 5.9 million pounds.

Dated to 1203 and written entirely in gold, with marginal notes in silver, it is the earliest known complete, dated Koran, written in gold in the world, and broke the record for a Koran, and the record for any Islamic manuscript, sold at auction.

Also sold on Tuesday was a nearly complete 10th century Kufic Koran, which is thought to originate from North Africa or the Middle East, which fetched 916,500 pounds, compared to its pre-sale estimate of up to 600,000 pounds.

“Today’s extraordinary sale total is one of the highest ever for Islamic Art at Christie’s, reflecting the depth of demand and very strong prices realized throughout the field of classical Islamic Art,” said William Robinson, director of Islamic Art and Carpets and Head of sale at Christie’s.

“Fiercely competitive bidding on the telephone, in the room and on the Internet led to a particularly lively salesroom.”

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Salam, If your a brother reading this post, my question is to you, would you let your wife work? and if so under what conditions.

Obviously we don’t live in no Utopian society and we want to protect our woman like woman protect their diamonds Inshallah, or how people preserve their modesty, (haya) shyness, as we say in Arabic.

Bebsi, Pepsi, Masjid or Masgid?

Any hows back to the topic, i heard about this couple recently and the sister was complaining that her husband said “she can’t work”, her being raised in America marrying a man who was born and raised in Pakistan is creating some conflicts, she is almost done with her bachelors and is on pursuit of becoming a nurse but her husband says “stay at home”, i mean does he think this is still Pakistan? or is he trying to be on the safe side and keeping his companion safe? now woman in the west are stepping up their game, when i mean game i mean they have the opportunity to be educated and get into professional fields, whether it be law, nursing, i mean they can do it all around the world, but like look at the biggest Islamic organization in America, (ISNA - Islamic Society of North America) Mashallah the president is a sister, and shes active, educated, wear a hijab, her name is Ingrid Mattson, she has a P.H.D. and is a Canadian Muslim revert and activist.

I used to watch Martha Stewart sometimes until she pulled the white collar crime, then i went to k mart and saw her products, but what can i say, people lose respect when they lose your trust.

What I am trying to say is, Muslim woman should be modest, just like men, educated, should seek to be productive members of society and of course are the catalyst of raising good family’s around the world.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad said “heaven lies under the feet of your mother”……

Everybody’s family and couple has their own problems but i think that we shouldn’t stop our woman from working or getting involved with community work, because at the end of the day if the sister has good intentions and has a halal purpose for what she is doing, then she should be able to leave the crib (home).

Alot of my friends and myself say that yea a wife should work but when the kid comes then chill out and stay at home, money comes and goes, but its about being modest and productive and getting things down for yourself and the betterment of the family inshallah….

so don’t oppress, progress brothers and sisters and talk things out…

Muslim Woman Rights In Islam (Islam Haters - Don’t get it twisted)

1. The RIGHT and duty to acquire education.

2. The RIGHT to have her own independent property.

3. The RIGHT to work [job or business] to earn money, which she keeps it.

4. The RIGHT to equal reward for equal deed and/or work.

5. The RIGHT to express her opinion.

6. The RIGHT to argue and/or advocate her cause or opinion to be heard.

7. The RIGHT to vote since 1,421 years.

8. The RIGHT to provisions from her husband for all her needs and more.

9. The RIGHT to negotiate marriage terms of her choice.

10.The RIGHT to obtain divorce from her husband, even on the grounds that she simply don’t like him. In Islaam divorce is suppose to be last resort.

11.The RIGHT to keep all her own money. [She is not responsible for maintenance of family].

12.The RIGHT to get sexual satisfaction from her husband.

13.The RIGHT to get custody of her children in case of divorce [unless she is unable to raise them for valid reasons]

14.The RIGHT to choose husband of her choice.

15.The RIGHT to refuse a proposed and/or arranged marriage.

16. The RIGHT to re-marry after divorce or after becoming widow.

Real Talk….

Wasalaam

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Salam,

This fire raging out of control in Khalifornia i mean California is serious, i know we are in new york or wherever enjoying the nice weather, breathing fresh air, and looking at blue skies but after looking at the recent pictures of the fire in California my jaws dropped, we don’t think about how people suffer always on the other side of the world but seriously from these pictures it looked like mars, one million have been told to evacuate,1700 homes have been destroyed, “We have had an unfortunate situation that we’ve had three things come together: very dry areas, very hot weather and then a lot of wind,” Schwarzenegger said. “And so this makes the perfect storm for a fire.”

ICNA RELIEF(Islamic Circle Of North America) has setup its relief efforts in California, Please Visit This Link to Get Additional Information….

Danger!!!

A view from space…

Smoke Screen…

Chill Yo….

Inshallah We pray to Allah that This Fire clears out, right now their are 10 wildfires raging out of control with the santa ana wind’s, we should pray for the Muslims and Non Muslims and for the safety of everyone there…..

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Salam,

Does taking out your phone, checking who called you, canceling the call and shutting off the phone invalidate your salat in the middle of ruku?. I seen a brother do this yesterday in the Jumuah Prayer, i was asking myself like is that salat valid?, its so distracting, i mean in the middle of praising Allah you get a call from someone, the only wireless connection your suppose to be having in salat is with Allah, and no carrier can give you better connection than yourself, you have to conscious of what your doing in salat!

Technology is advancing at the speed of light or i should say some people’s salat..haha, but its so weird like seeing people talking on the phone when we are lining up for salat, or pulling out their sidekicks and making text messages, we seriously gotta learn to leave the world behind us when we start the salat, I don’t know if any of you ever heard of this but when we say Allahu Akbar to start the salat and raise our hands to our ears it looks as if we are leaving the world behind us then we lock ourselves in to the salat…and its Allah time!

What’s even more annoying is when some brother’s Haram ring tone goes off in the middle of Salat, and then when the Salat is done, everybody starts turning their heads wondering who’s cell phone it was, but having some dirty song play during prayer can get you in alot of trouble, so brother’s and sisters turn off your cellphone when you enter the masjid. Just the other day my phone went off during salat, and thank god it wasn’t no music ringtone but it was a constant bell that kept ringing and ringing, and when the salat was done, everyone was grilling me, my fault! they should make cellphones that don’t ring during salat and have automatic detectors.

At the end of the day, we just have to get our priority’s straight and Allah told us to pray 5 times a day, Thats it! and if we can’t shut off our phones for that little time and be conscious of Praising Allah then we have serious issues, i rather have drop calls then pick up sins….so think it over Inshallah. I hope we all don’t let this fast life and all these technological distractions take over time to pray, and make us forget about why we are praying. Ameen!

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Salam,

Your hands are dirty, your hands smell, your fingernails are black filthy, some of the reasons we don’t shake peoples hand, how about being modest and looking at what Islam has to say about this? I know some people are already thinking I’m extreme by talking about this, and already have the question going through their mind like how can it be impermissible to shake hands with an opposite gender? When i mean opposite gender i mean a person your not married to ( like a random woman in the workplace or in college or if your a female reading this then obviously a man for you ).

Although some people say its ok and in America its part of the coporate culture, their are others who completely reject it, me trying to be on the safe side, i pass the hand shake, It feels weird shaking a random womans hand, i mean check it, we have to lower our gaze, thats part one, now hand shaking, you are a step in feeling the girl, that’s not real modest, as far as i see it, and what bugs me is that some brothers say its ok as long as you have the right intention and you do it quick, and if it happens then it happens. I don’t know, Islam prohibits any physical contact, and if your going to use culture as a reason to do it, then i have started seeing people kiss and hug to and to them its just “greeting”, so what you going to do you going to take shaking hands to the next level because its normative in our culture? Chill Yo!

My brother in law said instead of shaking a random womans hand at the workplace he would take out a pen and they can shake hands holding each side of the pen, pretty funny, but i think I’ll try that, honestly most woman respect when a muslim guy refuses to shake their hand, i mean of course they will find it strange, but at the end of the day, it will get them thinking about why he dosen’t shake my hand and mashallah how modest and respectful he is, they will be astonished but thats what Islam is about, its about doing certain acts that have wisdom, and you gotta let people know why? because Islam has an answer to everthing . I mean its not neccessary, you can greet a woman wherever without shaking her hand.

Whats even more suprising is Orthodox Jews are under the same restriction. Orthodox Jews are also not permitted to shake hands with members of the opposite sex. The same is true for Orthodox Hindus. There may indeed be other cultures out there that face similar restrictions.

Mutfti Abdul Rehman Ibn Yusuf says in respond to this issue:

No, it is not permissible to shake hands with women at all. There are many reports from the Prophet Sallallahi alayhi wasallam that he never shook the hands of any women, despite his status as a Prophet. All the allegiance [bay’a] he took was either without holding the hand or with a cloth tied around it. He explicitly informed the women when they extended their hands to him that he did not shake hands with women. [See Muhammad Ibn Sa’d, The Women in Madina, Chapter One: The manner in which the Messenger of Allah received women’s allegiance]

So chill out, just be yourself, be modest, respect everyone, and be on the safe side, Islam always comes first, don’t just do stuff, tell people why you do it, it will make your life easier as well as spread the deen, so remember save your hands for your wife and inshallah you will real the realness in following the Sunnah! hope we all become productive members of society..Ameen!

Let me know what you think about this issue?

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Salam, First and foremost, i would like to say “Eid Mubarak” to everyone in the world, Inshallah i hope everyone had a blessed Ramadan, and sadly this beautiful month is over, our training is over now we gotta get in shape and since shatan is getting bailed out and is almost out, be ready to control yourself, don’t transgress, already im tired of the moon fighting as it happens every year, same cycle over and over,half celebrate it a day early the others a day later, some two days later, i think we should just celebrate, i mean come on its eid, we are looking for the moon, not a shooting star, its not that hard, there is only one moon, its not like jupiter where their are 20 moons, so lighten up, as Prophet Isa (we send our peace and blessings upon him) said:

Be in gentleness towards people like the earth beneath your feet

in Generosity be like the flowing water’s

and in Mercy, be like the sun and moon, for they rise and set upon on the righteous and the wicked

so tomorrow is the eid prayer, inshallah gotta make it on time, not desi timing, and gotta wear good fresh clothes, and put on good smelling attar..(oils)

and remember this month coming up, our Prophet Muhammad said if a person fast 6 days this month after Ramadan it would be as if he had fasted the whole year….

Again Eid Mubarak, don’t gain 100 pounds eating tomorrow, wear clean socks to the eid prayer so the person praying behind you isn’t distracted for the ferocious smell, take a shower, don’t fast tomorrow, its mad haram and get to the prayer on time, and drop the money in the donation for fitrah!!!!

Wasalaam Yo, Eid Mubarak Again, Love your brother in Islam….Saaad Ahmad Rashad.

Jazakullah Brother Hahmed for sharing this…..New York, New York..the city the mosque never sleeps!

Mashallah the Empire State will be blinging Green in Celebration of Eid! Muslim’s holding Down New York…

Source: Yahoo News! NEW YORK (AFP) - New York’s iconic Empire State Building is to be lit up green from Friday in honor of the Muslim holiday of Eid, the biggest festival in the Muslim calendar marking the end of Ramadan, officials said.“This is the first time that the Empire State Building will be illuminated for Eid, and the lighting will become an annual event in the same tradition of the yearly lightings for Christmas and Hannukah,” according to a statement.

Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month, is expected to be celebrated in New York from Friday, depending on when the new moon is sighted, and the city’s tallest skyscraper will remain green until Sunday.

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Salam, What you know about giving a khutbah, i found this useful guide on the Young Muslims Forum submitted by brother Azeem, so i decided to post it up, its official tissue..

JUMAA KHUTBA TRAINING, An Introduction

By Dr. Yahia Abdul-Rahman,

1. THE FRIDAY – JUMAA – PRAYERS , BACKGROUND:

• It is a FARD (Required). It cannot be waived except for an acceptable excuse as ordained by the jurists. Please see sura / chapter “Jumaa – No. 62″ in the Holy Qur’aan” aya / verse 9 and 10.

• It is a weekly “State of the Community” address and the best forum for motivating, galvanizing, educating and bonding the community.

• It is the most important activity of any Islamic Center or Islamic Community.

The Jumaa Khutba is the most important part. It is the tool of educating and bonding the community, uniting the community, giving hope to the community, guiding the community, improving the quality of the community and propagating Islam (dawa).

2.THE IMAM – JUMAA PRAYER LEADER:

2.1.The Imam is the leader of the congregation and the leader of the community.

2.2.The Imam should remember that he is standing in the place of our beloved very first Imam and Leader Prophet Muhammad (S).

2.3. The Jumaa Imam’s responsibility is the most burdensome and serious responsibility a Muslim can ever accept.

2.4. The Imam is responsible for every person praying behind him. If he makes a mistake he is responsible for his mistake and of all those who followed him. If he misleads or uses the Khutba for the wrong purpose, he will be responsible for his action and for all those who follow him.

2.5. The Imam’s dress should be modest, not tight, clean and humble.

2.6. The Imam should have read the Qur’aan, understood it well and continues to make serious efforts to understand it further, and to memorize as much as possible of it. Remember that the one who is most qualified to lead is the one who understands the Quraan and who lives according to it.

2.7. The Imam should be the example and the model for the community, the heart of the community, and the tongue of the community. He should be able to listen to the community, express and articulate its pains, its aspirations and its dreams.

The successful Imam is one who is optimistic, one who is able to paint an image of the future and who can capture the imagination of the congregation in order to bring that image to reality.

3.1. Standard Introduction:

It includes the Praise of Allah, and the prayers on His prophets & the last of all prophets, Prophet Muhammad (S).

“” Al-Hamdu Lillahi Thumma Alhamdu Lillah

Al-Hamdu Lillahi Alzi Hadana Lihaza wama Kunna Lanahtadiya Law’la Ann Hadana Allah.

Al-Hamdu Lillahi Ghafiriz Zunibi Jamee’ihaa Illa Shirka Bih,

Wasalatu wasalamu ala rasulil’ahh”".

Meaning:

Praise is due to Allah,

Praise is due to Allah who guided us to the righteous path, and indeed we wouldn’t have attained this state of guidance without Him Allah,

Praise is due to Allah who forgives all sins and misdeeds except associating others with Him.

3.2. Body of the First Part of the Khutba:

* This includes your messages, supporting quotations from the Holy Quraan, the sayings of Prophet Muhammad and other sources like history.

* Always write your Khutba. Read from the transcript. Do not just read, live the Khutba. Put life in it. You have to demonstrate that you believe in every word that you say.

3.2.1. Strategy:

My strategy has been to use current events as a vehicle and a locomotive to achieve a domestic local goal and to make a difference but perhaps, not too political.

3.2.2. Methodology:

Define what you want to talk about/ the theme of the Khutba.

Spend time researching your theme. Imagine that you are in fact giving it. Live it. Dream of it. Sleep with it in your mind and in your heart.

When you talk to people, read the paper, read a book, watch the news or even while driving ideas will pop into your mind. Write the ideas down if applicable, these ideas can form the bases of a great Khutba.

Start by a reflection on God’s greatness and creation in order to inject spirituality in your audience

State the subject you want to discuss and, if applicable, the event that ties in with the subject. State your opinion and your justification based on Islamic foundations.

Elaborate using facts and figures if applicable. Remember that every word from the Imam is a great responsibility. So, please research your subject and figures in detail.

Give your messages. How do people apply these messages to their daily lives and to their goals in this life?

3.2.3. Suggested Topics:

o Current Events

o Historic Events in Islam like Hijra, Israa & Miraj, Ramadan, Story of Abraham

o Important Modern Historic Events like Islam in Europe, Islam in America, etc.

o The Family

o Importance of Education, political action, financial independence, inviting to the way of Allah

3.3. Conclusion of the First Part of the Khutba:

The first part is concluded with an invitation to the congregation to make a du’aa (supplication):

“” Id’oo Allaha Yaghfir Lakum Zunubakum”

Meaning:

Make a supplication to Allah, He will accept your prayers & forgive your sins

SIT DOWN & MAKE A DU’AA YOURSELF

3.4. The Second Part of the Khutba:

This part starts with the same standard form as in 3.1 above.

It includes a summary of the messages you wanted the congregation to remember till next week’s Khutba.

Leave them with at least three messages and no more than five to remember.

Messages should be in the form of brief but striking “bullets” that can be remembered.

3.5. The Du’aa – Supplication:

Again, for the sake of global standardization using the global “Islamic Language”, one uses a standard and brief du’aa:

“” Allahuma’ Eghfir Lil’ Muslimeena wal Muslimat…. Stop for the congregation to say AAMEEN”

“” Wal Moumineena wal Mouminaat…Stop for aameen”

“” Al-Ahya’ee minhum wal amwat…stop for aameen”

“Innaka samee’un mujibul dawat… stop for aameen”

Meaning:

“Almighty God, forgive the Muslim men and women,

Forgive the believing men and women,

Those who are alive and those who died,

You are indeed the One who listens and accepts all supplications”

Then you can make any du’aa (supplication) in English that is of your liking and is appropriate for current events.

3.6. Globally Standardized Conclusion:

Ibada Allah:

Inna Allah Ya’amuru Bil Aadli wal Ihsan, wa Ita’ee Zil Qurbaa

Wa Yanhaa Anil Fahshaa’ee wal munkaree wal bagh’yi

Ya’Izukum La’allakum tazakkaroon”

Meaning:

“”Servants of Allah:

Indeed Allah orders us to be just and to excel in what we do,

Be generous and to take care of our kin and relatives,

Never do what is forbidden of all sins and

Not to transgress,

He almighty advises you so you can remember”"

Then you conclude by saying to the mu’azzin:

Aqimi Salah,

Innaa Asalata tanha anil fahshaa’ee wal munker,

Meaning:

Addressing the muazzin – (the person that calls for the prayers) – to call for establishing (iqamah) prayers.

Then you come down to lead the prayers.

4 .DO’S AND DON’TS IN DELIVERING A KHUTBA:

DO’s

1. Be brief and to the point. Khutba should not exceed 20 to 25 minutes.
2. Be Optimistic and positive. Never complain.
3. Be cheerful and never forget to smile, always with sincerity.
4. Be honest and straight in your statements and clear.
5. Motivate the community.
6. Try to be as general in your statements as possible, especially regarding nationalities and ethnicity. Remember that you have a diverse audience.
7. Be current in your examples and themes.
8. Be organized and structured. Write your Khutba. You may use script or note cards.
9. Use simple words, no more than 3 syllables. Remember to speak slowly and punctuate. Use simple and easy English.
10. Have a positive delivery style with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
11. Use eye contact. You need to give the feeling that you really are talking to each individual in the congregation.
12. Initiate action before you conclude the second part of the Khutba. Let people leave the masjid with a list of things to do.
13. Be people oriented. When you are seated getting ready to deliver the Khutba, use eye contact, smile great people and be sincere.
14. Choose a diversified coaching board.
15. SHAKE HANDS, MINGLE, OPEN YOUR EARS, OPEN YOUR EYES, OPEN YOUR HEART AND GET FEEDBACK:

o Read people’s eyes while delivering the Khutba.

o After the prayer, spend at least 15 minutes mingling with people shaking their hands, hugging them if applicable and look in their eyes as if you are asking (begging) for feedback.

o Listen carefully when they start to speak to you their feelings and feedback. Never discount what they tell you. Never be defensive. Never justify. Explain what you meant and show empathy. Then you correct yourself in the next Khutba.

DON’TS:

1. Never give a Khutba without extensive preparation for it. It usually takes from 15 to 30 hours to prepare a Khutba. Remember that it is a very serious responsibility.
2. Never use the Minbar (pulpit) to attack persons regardless of what your justification is. Never be controversial.
3. Never read your Khutba as if you are just reading. Live your Khutba.
4. Never think to isolate your community.
5. Never single out another community and play the elite, who has done it all, and who knows it all.
6. Never be self-serving.
7. Never be too emotional. However, you need to show your personality by expressing your feelings honestly.
8. Never be negative.