Today's Reminder
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Living The Quran
Mutual Knowledge
Al-Hujurat (The Chambers) Sura 49: Verse 13
"O people! Indeed We created you from a male and a female, and made you into tribes and nations so that you might know each other. The most noble of you in the sight of God is the one who is most God-fearing. Indeed, God is All-Knowing, Completely Aware."
We all have emotional scars, spiritual disabilities, and stubborn desires that make us less than perfect mirrors for God's divine light. This is why we need to live our faith in community with others - so they can help illuminate our flaws and support us in our spiritual growth. But our growth will be limited unless our communities reflect the diversity of human experience. Parochialism has been an inescapable reality for much of humanity since we first inhabited the earth. In our era, for most people who are not impoverished, parochialism is a choice. It is possible in an age of niche marketing and virtual communities, when we have email list-serves, webpages, radio and TV channels catering to narrow, special interests, to limit our contact to those who reflect our own perspectives and experiences and who do not challenge us to expand our frames of analysis. To do this violates the teaching of the Quran that diverse communities were created by God precisely for the purpose of mutual knowledge, which itself must lead to greater self-knowledge.
Compiled From:
"The Story of The Quran: Its History and Place in Muslim Life" - Ingrid Mattson, pp. 231, 232
From Issue: 579 [Read original issue]
Understanding The Prophet's Life
Fasting in Shaban
Ayesha said: "I never saw the Messenger of Allah fast a complete month except for Ramadan, and I have never seen him fast more in a month than he did in Shaban." [Bukhaari, Muslim]
Usamah ibn Zaid inquired: "O Messenger of Allah, I never find you fasting in any month like you do during the month of Shaban." The Prophet responded: "That is the month the people neglect. It comes between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds. I love that my deeds be raised while I am fasting." [An-Nasaa'i, authenticated by ibn Khuzaimah. Hasan according to al-Albaani]
Narrated Abu Hurairah, Allah's Messenger said: "When the month of Shaban is halfway, do not fast." [Reported by the five, Ahmad disapproved it].
As-San`aanee says in Subul us-Salaam: "One can fast provided he has to observe a compensatory fasting (in lieu of the Fard - obligatory ones) or the other prescribed ones which may be categorised as Wajib (compulsory). However, the volitional fasting is prohibited lest one should be subjected to exhaustion and weakness that may in turn render the Ramadan obligatory fasting difficult for him."
Source:
Islaam.com
From Issue: 538 [Read original issue]
Cool Tips!
Top 5 skills to teach your kids this summer
While we want our kids to relax after a grueling school year, it's important their brains don't turn to mush while school's out.
There are many productive things kids can do, but here is our list of top five skills they should learn to succeed in school and beyond.
1. Learn CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
"And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people...." (Quran 5:32)
What could be a more useful skill than one that helps preserves life itself? Check out your local Red Cross to find out where and when the next CPR class is being offered.
2. Writing a letter to the editor
This teaches assertiveness, clarity in thought, and basic writing skills all in one. All it requires is being able to write simple English. Find an article that your child feels strongly about in the local newspaper. Discuss it first, then put your thoughts down on paper. Then help him or her compose a letter to the editor and send it off. If it gets published, post it up on the fridge!
3. Swimming
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, emphasized teaching children how to swim. It is not only great exercise and fun, but it could also save your life. Check out your local park district or gym for lessons.
4. Managing money
Help your kids avoid problems like debt, impulsive shopping, and overspending by teaching them money management skills this summer. If you already don't, start giving your child a weekly allowance. Then, help him or her draft a budget of how to spend and save. Also, make sure they give to charity.
5. Volunteering for a cause
Giving and not receiving any monetary return is a skill critical in our increasingly materialistic culture. Assess your child's skills, talents, and interests, and find a volunteer opportunity for him or her this summer. Some ideas include: helping peace and justice groups; helping younger kids learn English; making and delivering meals to an elderly person who cannot get out much; writing articles for a non-profit organization's website or helping with its technical aspects; answering phone calls, etc.
Source:
"Top 10 skills to teach your kids this summer" - Samana Siddiqui
From Issue: 481 [Read original issue]