The Blessed Month of Ramadan al- Kareem!!

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Aa'oozobillahi Minash Shaitaanir Rajeem
Bismillahir Rehmanir Raheem
Sallallaho Ala Mohammadiyun Wa Aaalihi Wasallam
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1. Hadrat Abu Hurairah (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, When Ramadan begins, the doors of heaven are opened.
A version has, the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Satans are tied with chains.
Another version has, the doors of Mercy are opened.
[Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1 , Page 255 and Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1 , Page 346]
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Hadrat Shaykh 'Abd al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:
The meaning of the Doors of heaven being opened is the continous descending of mercy, and the ascension of good deeds to the Court of the Almighty without any obstacle (preventing it from ascending).
It also means the acceptance of (permissible) supplications. The meaning of the doors of Paradise being opened is being encouraged and granted the ability to perform good deeds, and the acceptance of these good deeds.
The meaning of the doors of Hell being closed is the protection of the souls of those who fast, from things which have been forbidden by the Islamic Law, and rescue from the things which provoke a person on doing bad deeds.
It also means to break the desire which the heart has of things of lust.
The meaning of Satan being tied with chains is the sealing off of all the ways by which evil whispers enter the mind.
[Ashi'ah al-Lam'at]
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2. Hadrat Abu Hurairah (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward (from Allah) all his past sins will be forgiven.
Whoever prays during the night in Ramadan with faith seeking his reward (from Allah) all his past sins will be forgiven.
And whoever passes Lailat-ul-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward (from Allah the Most Exalted) all his past sins will be forgiven.
[Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1 , Page 255 and Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1 , Page 259]
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3. Hadrat Abu Hurairah (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, When the first night of Ramadan comes, the satans and the rebellious Jinn are chained, the doors of hell are closed and not one of them is opened (during the entire the month of Ramadan); the doors of Paradise are opened and not on of them is closed (the entire month of Ramadan); and a crier calls, 'Those who desire what is good, come forward, and those who desire evil refrain from it', and many people are freed from Hell by Allah, and that happens every night.
[Tirmidhi, Vol 1 , Page 153 and Ibn Maajah, Vol 1 , Page 118]
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4. Hadrat Abu Hurairah (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, Ramadan, a blessed month, has come to you during which Allah the Most High has made it obligatory for you to fast. In it the doors of Heaven are opened, the doors of Hell are closed, and the rebellious satans are chained. In it there is a night (worshipping in it) which is better than (worshipping for) a thousand months.
Whoever is deprived of its good (and blessing) has indeed been deprived of all good.
[Nasa'i, Vol 1 , Page 299 and Mishkat, Vol 1 , Page 173]
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5. Hadrat Salman al-Farisi reported that on the last day of Sha'ban the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) delivered a sermon.
He said, O people, a great month, a blessed month, a month wherein there is a night which is better than a thousand months has come to you.
Allah has made the observance of fasting during it as obligatory, and the standing (in prayer) in its nights as voluntary.
Whoever draws near to Allah during it with some good (voluntary, optional) act he is like the one who fulfils an obligatory duty in another month, and whoever fulfils an obligatory duty in it is like the one who fulfils seventy obligatory duties in another month.
[Mishkat, Page 173]
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It is the month of endurance and the reward of endurance is Paradise. It is the month of sharing with others, and a month in which the believer's provision is increased.
Whoever gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his fast it shall result in the forgiveness of his sins and it shall save him from Hell, and he will have a reward equal to his without his reward being diminished in any respect.
We said, O Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam), no one from among us has the means to give one who is fasting something with which to break his fast.
He said, Allah gives this reward to him who gives one who is fasting some milk, or a date, or a drink of water with which to break his fast; and whoever gives a full meal to one who is fasting Allah will give him the drink from my Pond (fountain - Kauthar) and he will not feel the thirst till he enters Paradise.
It is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness, and whose end is Freedom from Hell.
Whoever makes things easy for his slave during it, Allah will forgive him and free him from Hell.
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6. Hadrat Abu Hurairah (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Holy Prophet (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, My Ummah is granted forgiveness in the last night of Ramadan.
It was asked, O Messenger of Allah, is it Lailatul Qadr?
He said, No, but a workman (slave of Allah) is paid wages in full when he finishes work.
[Musnad Imam Ahmad, Vol 2 , Page 567]
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7. Hadrat Abu Hurairah (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, It is not necessary to fast again (do qaza) for a person who naturally vomited.
Those who vomit on purpose, then it is necessary on them to fast again.
[Tirmidhi, Vol 1 , Page 153 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1 , Page 324]
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8. Hadrat Abu Hurairah (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, If one (who is fasting) does not give up falsehood and action according to it, Allah has no need that he should give up his food and his drink.
[Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1 , Page 255]
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Shaykh 'Abd Al-Haq Muhaddith-e- Dehlwi comments:
This means that his fast shall not be accepted, as the main purpose of fast being made obligatory on a Muslim is not that one stays hungry and thirsty; but in fact the main purpose is to break the desire for lust, and to cool the fire of selfishness, so that the soul instead of being inclined towards the desires of lust, it becomes obedient towards the commands of The Almighty.
[Ashi'ah al-Lam'at Vol 2 Page 85]
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9. Hadrat Salmah ibn Muhabbaq reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, Whoever has a riding animal (conveyance) which carries him to where he can get sufficient food, he should observe the fast of Ramadan wherever he is, when it comes.
[Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1 , Page 327]
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10. Hadrat Anas ibn Malik al-Ka'bi (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, Allah has remitted half the prayer to the traveller ; and fasting to the traveller, the woman who is suckling an infant and the woman who is pregnant.
[Tirmidhi, Vol 1 , Page 152 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1 , Page 327]
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Hadrat Shaykh 'Abd al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:
The Islamic Law allowing the omission of fast for the breast-feeding and the pregnant woman is only in the situation when fasting shall harm or damage herself or the child (otherwise there is no permission not to fast).
[Ashi'ah al-Lam'ah Vol 2 Page 94]
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11. Hadrat Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, Whoever fasts during Ramadan then follows it with six days in Shawwal, it will be like a perpetual fast.
[Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1 , Page 369]
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12. Hadrat Abu Qatada (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of 'Arafah may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming year.
(It is disliked for a Haji, who is in the plain of 'Arafah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, to fast on that day (so that he can perform worship and engage himself in the rememberance of Allah to his maximum).
[Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1 , Page 367]
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13. Hadrat Hafsah (razi'allaho anho) reported, There were four things which the Holy Prophet never omitted: fasting on 'Ashurah (10 th of Muharram),
the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and
three days (13 th, 14 th and 15th) every (Islamic) month and praying two rak'ats before the Fard prayers of Fajr.
[Nasa'i, Vol 1 , Page 328]
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14. Hadrat Abu Dhar (razi'allaho anho) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallaho alehi wasallam) has said, O Abu Dhar! When you intend to fast three days in a month, fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and the fifteenth.
[Nasa'i, Vol 1 , Page 328 and Tirmidhi, Vol 1 , Page 159]
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Important Notes:
1. It is Makruh-e-Tehrimi (strongly disliked) and not permissible to fast on the 1 st of Shawwal and the 10 th, 11 th, 12 th or the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
[al-Tahtawi Page 387 , Radd al- Muhtar Vol 2 Page 86]
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2. A person who woke up in the state that Ghusl was wajib upon him due to ihtilam (nocturnal emission) or after having intercourse, and stay in that state for the whole duration of the day, then he/she is very sinful due to missing the prayers, but the fast kept shall have to be kept (as fast does not break due being in a defiled state).
[al-Bahr al-Ra'iq Vol 2 Page 273 , and Fatawa-e-'Alamgiri - Vol 1 , Page 187]
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3. If an ill person has a strong chance that his/her illness shall increase or shall heal after a long period of time or a healthy person has the chances of becoming ill, then these persons are allowed to break their fast.
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4. There are 3 conditions needed in order to establish a strong estimation of something happening:
a) There are visible signs present.
b) The person has their own experience.
c) A Sunni Muslim doctor who is an expert in the field and who is Mastur-ul-Hal (not a fasiq) has informed the patient of this.
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5. If there are no visible signs, nor is there any experience nor has he/she been informed by a Sunni Muslim expert doctor; but rather on the informing of a Non-muslim, a fasiq, a misguided doctor or a physicist, the person broke his fast, then they are obliged to give a kaffara (atonement) for it.
[Radd al-Muhtar Vol 2 Page 120 and Bahar-e-Shari'at]
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6. A person who purposely eats in front of people, then the Islamic Sultan (ruler) should kill him.
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7. It is not permissible for people other than the Mu'takif to break their fast (do iftari), eat or drink in the Masjid.Hence, all those besides the mu'takif, who want to eat, drink or break their fast in the Masjid should make the intention of I'itikaf, then enter the Masjid. Now, after performing some dhikr and having recited Durud, one is permitted to eat and drink.
However, even in this situation, it is necessary to take into consideration the cleanliness of the Masjid. We see many people who disrespect the Masjid; making it unclean by eating and drinking in it.
This is strictly forbidden and Haram.
People who have responsibilities and have authority should pay attention to this and prevent such disrespect to the Masjid

The Birth Day of Prophet (PBUH)

Some of us celebrate
it with great devotion
and diligence, while
some of us are
against it with an
equally great
vengeance.
Some
say it is our religious
duty while others
say it is nothing but
bid'ah.
People argue about
it.
Families split up,
friends forsake each
other. And sometimes
people literally fight
over it and hurt one
another.
So what is it that I am
talking about?
I am talking about
celebrating the
birthday of the
Prophet (Sal Allaahu
Alaiyhi wa Sallam),
the Mawlid or Milad,
as some of us say.
Yes, the 12th of
Rabi-ul-Awwal came
and went. But, ever
wondered..... what is
the reality regarding
the celebration of the
birth of our beloved
Prophet anyway?
Let's examine the
facts.
First of all,
whenever a Muslim is
faced with a problem
or confusing
situation, what are
we supposed to do?
Allaah tells us:
O you who believe!
Obey Allaah and
obey the Messenger
(Muhammad), and
those of you
(Muslims) who are in
authority. (And) if
you differ in anything
amongst yourselves,
refer it to Allaah and
His Messenger, if
you believe in Allaah
and in the Last Day.
That is better and
more suitable for
final determination. [
Nisaa’:59]
Referring it to Allaah
and His Messenger
means to turn to
Allaah's Book and the
Sunnah of the
Prophet (Sal Allaahu
Alaiyhi wa Sallam).
1. What does the
Qur'aan say
about the
Mawlid?
Nothing. Yes that's
right.....NOTHING.
There is absolutely
nothing in the
Qur'aan that tells us
to celebrate the
birthday of the
Prophet (Sal Allaahu
Alaiyhi wa Sallam).
Not one single ayah.
You see, all acts of
worship are tawqeefi
which means that
they are not subject
to personal opinion
and it is not
permissible to do any
acts of worship
except those which
are approved by
Sharee'ah. So, for
example, I cannot
pick a special day or
time, say the 22nd of
every month, and
start celebrating that
day as a form of
worship. Why?
Because there is
nothing in the
Sharee'ah that
permits me to do
that. Also, I cannot
start praying three
raka'ah for Fajr from
tomorrow, even if I
want to worship
Allaah more, because
Fajr Salah is only
two rakaat as
commanded upon us
by the Sharee'ah.
And similarly, if there
is no order for us to
celebrate the
birthday of the
Prophet (Sal Allaahu
Alaiyhi wa Sallam),
then we don't.
In fact, the Prophet
(Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi
wa Sallam) said:
Whoever innovates
anything in this
matter of ours (i.e.,
Islam), that is not
part of it will have it
rejected. (Bukhaari).
Now someone might
argue that we don't
celebrate the Mawlid/
Milad as an act of
worship. So let's see
what other
evidences we have.
2. What does the
Sunnah say about
it?
Again, there is
nothing in the
Sunnah of the
Prophet (Sal Allaahu
Alaiyhi wa Sallam)
that shows us that
the Prophet (Sal
Allaahu Alaiyhi wa
Sallam) EVER
celebrated his
birthday or that of
his wives, children,
or Sahaabah. There
is not a single
hadeeth that tells us
that he (Sal Allaahu
Alaiyhi wa Sallam)
thought this day was
significant enough to
celebrate it.
Just think.....if there
was any good in
doing so, wouldn't he
would have done so
himself and wouldn't
he have ordered the
Sahaabah to do so?
And obviously, it is
not possible that he
(Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi
wa Sallam) forgot to
tell us about it,
Aoodhu billaah!
Did the Sahaabah
celebrate the
Mawlid/Milad?
The Sahaabah were
witnesses to the
revelation of the
Qur'aan. They had
the Prophet right in
front of their eyes.
They ate, drank,
sat, slept, talked,
walked, lived with
the Prophet (Sal
Allaahu Alaiyhi wa
Sallam). If they
misunderstood
anything or were
mistaken, the
Prophet (Sal Allaahu
Alaiyhi wa Sallam)
immediately corrected
them. And thus, their
understanding and
practice of Islaam
was the best.
Yet, when we look at
the lives and
practice of the
Sahaabah, we find
that none of them
EVER celebrated the
birth of their beloved
Prophet, whether
during his life or
even after he
passed away.
Not Abubakr, not
Umar, not Uthman,
not Ali, nor Aaishah,
Ibn Umar, Ibn Masud,
Talha, Az-Zubair,
not a single Sahaabi.
Doesn't that prove
anything?
The Sahaabah
absolutely loved the
Prophet (Sal Allaahu
Alaiyhi wa Sallam).
They gave up their
homes, families,
lives, everything
they had... for his
sake, in the blink of
an eye. Yet this love
did NOT promote
them to celebrate his
birth.
This love translated
into the practical
application of his
teachings and NOT
picking the 12th of
Rabi-ul-Awwal as a
day of celebration.
What about the
Four Imaams and
other Ulama?
Did any of the
Imaams – Abu
Haneefah, Maalik, al-
Shaafi’i, Ahmad do
this or command
others to do it or
say that it was
good? No. In fact, it
was not even
mentioned during the
first and best three
centuries.
The Prophet (Sal
Allaahu Alaiyhi wa
Sallam) said: “The
best of mankind are
my generation, then
those who come after
them, then those who
come after them.
(Bukhaari, Muslim
and al-Tirmidhi).

The Importance Of Jumaha

Friday is the best day of the week. Imam Bukhari and Muslim reported that Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had said, "We (Muslims) came last and yet we are the first onthe day of judgment. They have received the books before us (meaning Torah and Injil). We have received the book after them (meaning the Qur¡¯an). Friday was their day to be glorified. However, they disputed on that while Allah had told us Friday is the day to glorify. Thus they will follow us. TheJews glorify Saturday, and the Christians glorify Sunday.

" Also reported by Imam Muslim, Abo-Dawod, Al-Nesaii, and Al-Termithi, that Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had said, "The best day during which the sun have risen is Friday. Itis the Day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the day of judgment takes place."

Muslims are supposed to do the following on Fridays:


*. Men are obligated to participate in
Friday Prayer. Allah (S.W.T.) said inSurat Al-Jumauah, (verse 9), what can be translated as, "O¡¯ you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to Prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is best for you if you but knew." In addition, prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had warned from not attending Friday Prayer. Imam Muslim and Ahmad had reported that Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said about people who do not attend Friday Prayer,"I wanted to ask a man to lead people in the prayer so that I may go and burn houses of men who did not attend the Friday Prayer with us" He also said reported by Imam Muslim, Ahmad and An-Nesaii, "Either they (meaning people who do not attend the Friday prayer) stop neglecting Friday prayers or Allah will set a seal on their hearts so they can notfind the right path again." In another authentic hadith reported by Abu Dawod, Termithi, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said,"Who ever does not attend three Friday prayers, (without a valid excuse) Allah will set a seal on his heart"




*. It is also recommended to increasesupplication especially at the last hour of the day since it is the hour when requests are replied by Allah. In an authentic hadith reported by Imam An-Nesaii, Abu-Dawod, and Al-hakim, that the prophet Muhammad (Peace BeUpon Him) said, "Friday has 12 hours, one of which is the hour where cries are granted for Muslim believers. This hour is sought at the last hour after Asar."






*. It is encouraged to wish peace be upon prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) during Fridays and Friday¡¯s night because of an authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "The best day is Friday. On Friday Adam was created, and died. On Friday is the first time the trumpet is blown (meaning when every creature dies) and the second time the trumpet is blown (referring to resurrection). So increase the number of times you wish peace upon me since this prayer will be shown to me." They asked him, How will our prayers be shown to you after you have vanished. He replied, "Allah has prohibited earth to cause the bodyof prophets to decay."






*. It is also recommended that Muslims recite surat Al-Kahf, because of the authentic hadith reported by Imam Al-Baihaqee, and Al-Hakim, that the prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) had said,"Who ever recites surat Al-Kahf on Friday, Allah will give him a light to the next Friday."






*. It is also recommended that Muslims clean and wash themselves and make sure they smell nice when they attend Friday Prayers. Imam Muslim and Bukhari reported that the prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "Every Muslim is obligated to bath on Fridays and wear his best cloth. Also, he should use perfume if he has any."






*. It is important to come early to theFriday prayer. All of the hadith collectors, except Ibn-Majah, reported in an authentic hadith that the prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "If one washes himself and then went to Friday Prayer, it is considered as if he donated a camel for the sake ofAllah. However, If he went in the second hour then it is considered as if he donated a cow and if the third hour then as if he donated a big sheep and if the fourth hour then as if he donated a chicken and if the fifth hour then as if he donated an egg. Then when the Imam starts delivering the speech the angels come and listen to it." Also in anther authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "On Friday the angels come to stand onthe doors of the mosque (masjid), the angels record who comes first, if the Imam starts delivering the speech, the angles close their files and come to listen to the speech."






*. It is forbidden to work on Fridays when the call for the prayer is announced because Allah says in surat Al-Jumu¡¯ah, (verse 9), what can be translated as, "When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business."






*. Also, it is forbidden to talk during the Khutbah. Several sayings of prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) covers this subject. In an authentic hadith reported by (the group of Ahadith collectors), except Ibn-Majah that prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said, "If you told your friend to pay attention on Friday while the Imam is delivering the speech then you committed a sin of vain talk." Another authentic hadith which was reported by Imam Ibn-Majah and Attermizi that prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "Even who touches the gravelon the floor then he committed vain talk, and he who does committhat there will be no (Jumuah) Friday for him."






*. It is also disliked to walk betweensitting people during Friday gathering unless there is an emptyspot to fill. In an authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod, An-Nesaii, and Ahmad that, A man came and started walking between people during a Friday gathering while Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was delivering his speech, so the Prophet told him, "Sit because you caused harm to other people and came in late."






*. It was not legislated to consider Friday as a day off and not work during it. Because Allah (S.W.T.) said in surat Al-Jumu¡¯ah, (verse 10), what can be translated as,"And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through theland and seek of the bounty of Allah." It was not a habit of any of the companions to consider Friday as a day to take off work. On the contrary Imam Al-Malek said, "It isdisliked to take Friday off since we will be resembling the Jews and Christians for taking, respectively, Saturday or Sunday off."
Finally , there are two important matters for us in this country to be cautioned of. First of all, we must not neglect Friday Prayers because of work, study, or other matters. Every Muslims should make attending Friday Prayer as his top priority. It is important to do so sinceignoring it three times with no valid reason will cause the heart to be sealed from the right path. The second matter to watch for is the loosing of one¡¯s interest in the importance of Friday. This is especially important for the growing generation who are used to the concept of weekend being Saturday and Sunday and know almost nothing about the importance of Friday in the eyes of Muslims. So it is our duty to remind them and ourselves about this greatday which is the best day of the week and try to spend it according to Islamic teaching

Oh allah you are the only hope

THE CORRUPTION OF THE HEART

''CORRUPTIONS OF THE
HEART"

The heart becomes
corrupt in six ways:

1) Committing sins
without in the hope of
repenting.

2) Seeking Islamic
knowledge and not
applying it

3) Practicing Islamic
duties without sincerity
(Ikhlas).

4) Eating the
sustenance of Allah
without appreciating
Him.

5) Not being pleased
with Allah's decree.

6) and Burying the dead
without taking lessons
and learning from them.

What islam Says About Dating

== Dating == as it is currently practiced in much of the world does not exist among Muslims - where a young man and woman (or boy/girl) are in a one-on-one intimate relationship, spending time together alone, "getting to know each other" in a very deep way before deciding whether that's the person they want to marry. Rather, in Islaam pre-marital relationships of any kind between members of the opposite sex are forbidden.

The choice of a marriage partner is one of the most important decisions a person will make in his or her lifetime. It should not be taken lightly, nor left to chance or hormones. It should be taken as seriously as any other major decision in life - with prayer, careful investigation, and family involvement.

The following steps should be adopted:

Make du'a (supplication) to Allah; ask Him to help you find the right person.



The family should enquire, discuss, and suggest candidates. They should consult with each other, so as to narrow down potential prospects. Usually the father or mother should approach the other family to suggest a meeting.



Couple should meet in chaperoned, group environment. 'Umar related that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Not one of you should meet a woman alone unless she is accompanied by a relative (mahram)." (Bukhari and Muslim). The Prophet (peace be upon him) also reportedly said, "Whenever a man is alone with a woman, Satan (Shaytan) is the third among them." (Tirmidhi).



When young people are getting to know each other, being alone together is a temptation toward wrongdoing. At all times, Muslims should follow the commands of the Qur'an (24:30-31) to, {lower their gaze and guard their modesty....} Islaam recognizes that we are human and are given to human weakness, that is why this rule provides safety-measures for our own sake.



Family should investigate candidate further - speaking with friends, family, Islamic leaders, co-workers, etc., to learn more about his or her character before making the final decision.



Couple should both pray Salaat-al-Istikhaarah (The Prayer For Guidance), and thus seek Allah's help in making the decision.



An agreement should be made to either pursue marriage or part ways. Islaam has given this freedom of choice to both young men and women - they cannot be forced into a marriage that they don't want to be in.

This type of focused courtship helps ensure the strength of the marriage, by drawing upon family elders' wisdom and guidance in this important life decision. Family involvement in the choice of a marriage partner helps assure that the choice is based not on romantic notions, but rather on a careful, objective evaluation of the compatibility of the couple.

That is why these marriages often prove successful.