[Maypeevophy]

Good Intention


Intention is an alchemic prescription that can turn base dirt into noble gold. The hadith says "All actions depends upon intentions."

It is sometimes interpreted to mean that good intentions justify bad deeds too and turn sins meritorious. This is entirely wrong. Sin is always a sin no matter how noble the intention may be. For instance if someone breaks into a house to steal with the intention of giving away as alms whatever he would steal would be a thief deserving the prescribed punishment. His good intentions would not earn him any merit nor would his sin be pardoned.

What this hadith means is as follows:

1. A good deed earns merit only if done with right intention. For instance prayer would earn merit only when one prays only for Divine pleasure; if one prays to impress others, then, instead of earning merit, it would earn punishment.

2. The second interpretation which is germane to the present discussion is that all lawful deeds actually earn neither merit nor punishment, but if these are done with good intent, they become acts of worship and earn merit. For instance eating is lawful; but if one eats with the intention that food shall give him energy and that energy he shall spend in the service of Allah, the act of eating would earn merit. Similarly if one eats with the intent that his physical body too has its rights and dues which include nourishment through eating or if one eats with the intent of getting pleasure and taste and of thanking Allah for these, the eating become an act of merit.

There is no lawful deed of life, which if done with good intent, does not become act of merit.

A few instances shall elucidate the point further:

(a) Honest earning, whether by trade or service or industry or agriculture, if done with the intent of rightly fulfilling the duties enjoined by Allah toward oneself and one's family, would become an act of merit. Then if one further intends to spend whatever he may save after fulfilling the needs of himself and his family in helping the poor and in other similar good deeds, he would earn further merit.

(b) When a person engaged in learning intends to serve the humanity through his knowledge he would go on earning merit as long as he remains engaged in acquisition of knowledge. For instance a student of religion may decide to propagate the faith, a medical student to alleviate human suffering due to disease, an engineering student to serve his people through his specialised knowledge etc. all these acts would become acts of merit because of the intention which motivates the doer.

(c) A man, knowing that sustenance and subsistence is the responsibility of Allah which He shall fulfil without fail, engages is a particular profession or vocation with a view to serve humanity, his profession would earn him merit.

For instance if someone enters the medical profession consciously choosing it form among other professions in order to cure the sick, he would earn merit even if he charges for his services. Such a man would not hesitate to provide free treatment for the poor and the destitute.

A cloth merchant who enters this profession to provide clothes to people because clothing onself is a religious duty, would also earn merit.

Similarly a government servant, motivated by a desire to serve the common man and fulfil his needs, would earn merit. Thus every profession, becomes meritorious, provided the intention is right.

(c) If one dresses in finery not to show off his status or wealth, but to afford pleasure to others, it is
an act of merit.

(d) If one treats his children with love because it is a sunnah of our etemally blessed Prophet, it earns him merit.

(c) If one does the household chores because this too is a sunnah as our etemally blessed Prophet helped in the housework, it merits rewards in the Afterlife.

(f) Loving conversation with wife and children is a sunnah and the eternally blessed Prophet has so ordained, hence such an act is also meritorious if done to follow the sunnah.

(g) Hospitality to guests, if shown in pursuance of sunnah is an act of merit.

(h) Planting a sapling or plant in the house so that it may one day be of use of some man or animal and please the onlooker would be a good deed.

(i) Writing a beautiful and legible hand to make it easy for the reader to read is an act of merit.

(j) If a woman dresses herself in beautiful raiment and wears ornaments and adorns herself to please her husband and if a man remains clean and neat to please his wife, both are good deeds.

(k) If permissible recreation is indulged in to the extent needed to prepare oneself for duties it is a meritorious act.

(1) If a watch is kept to know prayer timings and to realize the value of time which is intended to be spent in good deeds, it is an act that earns merit.

There are a few common examples from everyday life which can earn much merit for the doer. Imam Ghazali has rightly observed in his Ihya'-al'ulum that there is no lawful action in human life which, if done with the right intent, cannot be changed into an act of merit. Even if husband and wife give mutual pleasure to each other, each with the intent of giving the other his or her due and making them pure this too would give them merit.

[Maypeevophy]

Praying



Allah likes his bondsmen to pray to Him. If a man, however numificent he may be, is again and again asked for anything, he sooner or later loses his patience and becomes angry. But Allah, on the contrary, is pleased the more his bondsmen ask him. Hadith tells as that Allah is displeased with one who does not ask him for anything in prayer.

Praying is not only a means of realizing one's purposes but is, in itself, an act or worship. In other words, praying even for one's personal ends and worldly needs is counted among acts of worship and earns merit. The more one prays the closer one gets to Allah. It is not necessary to pray only in times of need or of distress; rather, praying in times of pleasure and plenty is also necessary. A hadith tells us that one who desires his prayers in the times of sorrow and distress to be answered, should pray in times of happiness and plenty. (Tirmidhi cited in Jami' al Usmi)

Allah has promise in Quran "Pray to Me and I shall fulfill it". This Divine promise can never be wrong so one must pray with Belief and trust in its fulfilhnent. But fulflllrnent can take different forms; sometimes one gets what he prays for, but sometimes the desired object is not regarded by Allah as beneficial or useful to his bondsman and so he is granted something, better in this life or Hereafter. Thus every act of praying has three advantages:

1. Divine grant of prayers fulfills our desires;

2. Every prayer earns merit; and

3. Repeated acts of praying bring one ever closer to Allah

Although the correct method of praying is to face the qiblah and raise one's hands and pray with tongue, prefacing the prayer with praise of Allah and darud, but one can also pray without these preliminaries too. Thus Allah has made the act of praying so easy that one can also pray almost anywhere and at any time; one can pray while engaged in any activity and if one cannot intone the prayer as e.g. in lavatory, one can think his prayer.

Also it is not necessary to pray for big or important things; one should pray to Allah asking him to fulfil all one's wants, big or small; hadith tells us to pray even when one breaks his bootlace (Tirmidhi).

Consequently one should develop the habit of asking Allah to fulfil even the smallest need, to seek Divine amelioration of the most ordinary trouble. Just a child calls his mother for everything big or small, one should call and go on calling Allah. No matter what work one may be engaged in, one should always ask Allah for something or the other. Cultivate this habit and see how quickly you rise.

[Maypeevophy]

Praying for others



One prays for one's own needs and desires, but one should also pray for one's relatives, friends and Muslims in general as it is an act of great merit. There is a hadith which says that when a Muslim prays for anyone of his brothers in faith in the latter's absence angels pray for the same for him (Sahih Muslim).

Hence if you come to know that any Muslim is in trouble or need, pray for him. In fact one should pray for the unbelievers too so that they may be Divinely guided on to the path of Islain. Thus one gets merit for the act of praying as well as for wishing well for others.

[Maypeevophy]

Seeking Pardon



Seeking Divine pardon is an antidote for the poisoning of human soul by sinning. Every sin against Allah, however heinous if may be, is forgiven if one seeks Divine pardon for it. Whenever a sin - great or small - is committed, it should be atoned for by seeking pardon, and even when no sin has been apparently committed, one should seek Divine forgiveness. Every Muslim knows that the eternally blessed Prophet Muhammad was free of all sin, but even then he has said that "I beg for Allah's forgiveness seventy times or more every day" (Bukhari)

In one hadith the eternally blessed Prophet is quoted as follows: "Whosoever regularly seeks Allah's pardon, Allah makes for him a way out of all tight corners, removes all his worries and grants him sustenance from sources he had never imagined." (Abu Damd, Kitab-al-Satat, Bab-al-Istighfar).

Hence one should cultivate the habit of seeking Divine pardon at all times and at least once a day, one should tell a hundred beads of istighfar on the rosary



One can ask for Divine forgiveness in any language. However, the Arabic version is given below:


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One particular form of seeking Divine pardon has been particularly lauded in hadith, and it has been designated as Chief of all Prayers for Divine Forgiveness:

Translation: O Allah! You are my Sustainer, there is no god but You, I am Your bondsman and am to the best of my ability firm on my oath to You. I seek refuge with You against whatever I have done. Whatever boons You have showered on me, I invoke them and turn to You and I also turn to You against my sins. Hence forgive my sins because there is none save You who forgives sins.

Hadith tells us that whosoever intones these words with full faith in the morning and dies before nightfall shall be counted among those of the Paradise, and whosoever says them with full faith at night and dies before morning shall likewise go to paradise. (Sahih Bukhari, Bab Afdal-al-Istighfar)

Specially before going to sleep, one should briefly recall one's short comings and wrongdoings of the day and seek Divine Pardon for them and Grace.

[Maypeevophy]

Use a miswak



Aishah (Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “The Miswak (tooth-stick) cleanses and purifies the mouth and pleases the Rabb.” (An-Nasa’i and Ibn Khuzaimah)

Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: “‘Make a regular practice of the Miswaak, for verily, it is healthy for the mouth and it is a Pleasure for the Creator (i.e. Allah is pleased with the Muslim who uses the Miswaak)’.” (Bukhari)

Anas (Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “I stress upon you to use Miswak (tooth-stick).” (Bukhari)



How to use a miswak?

Simply scrape off about half an inch from the tip.
Then chew the tip gently until brush-like
Start brushing horizontally.
After brushing wash the tip.
Store miswak in packet provided so it doesn’t become dirty.
Before going sleep store the miswak in a glass filled with water and put the part of the miswak that was used and leave it overnight to be soaked.
In the morning cut the bristles and start from step one again, this ensures u have clean bristles every day so that it is more hygienic and effective



Advantages and Benefits:

Eliminates Odor
Sharpens the Memory
Sharpens the Intelligence
Increases reward for salaah
Shaytaan becomes displeased with one who uses miswak
Dental research has discovered interesting information about the miswak. Chemical analysis revealed that it contains a total of 19 natural substances, which are beneficial to dental health. Its natural antiseptics have a bactericidal action, killing harmful micro-organisms in the mouth, the tannic acid it contains has astringent qualities which protect the gums from disease, and its aromatic oils increase salivation. Because of its built-in antiseptics, the miswak needs no cleaning, and because its bristles are parallel to the handle rather than perpendicular, it can reach more easily between the teeth, where a conventional toothbrush often misses

[Maypeevophy]

Be good to your neighbours




Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar(Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The best friend in the sight of Allah is he who is the well-wisher of his companions, and the best neighbour is one who behaves best towards his neighbours. Al-Tirmidhi, Number 120

Narrated AbuDharr (Allah be pleased with him) Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said: AbuDharr, when you prepare the broth, add water to that and give that (as a present) to your neighbour. -- Sahih Muslim, 1208

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas told Ibn az-Zubayr (Allah be pleased with him), “I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, ‘A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is hungry.’” Al-Adab al-Mufrad Al-Bukhar, IV 61, 112




Certain specific rights of the neighbours




Mu’awiya lbn Haidah relates that the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.) said “The rights of the neighbour upon you are that;

If he falls ill you visit (and take care of) him;
if he dies you attend his funeral (and take part in the burial arrangements);
if he commits an evil deed, you prevent it from being known (i.e. do not give publicity to it);
if he is favoured by good-fortune, you congratulate him;
if a calamity befalls him, you grieve in sympathy with him;
you restrain from erecting your building higher than his in such away that the passage of fresh air is blocked from his house (unless you obtained his consent) and further,
(you take care that) the aroma of your cooking pot does not cause sorrow to him (and his children) except that you send some of it (the food) to him.”

[Maypeevophy]

Honor your guests



Prophet(SAW) said “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let them treat their guest generously.” Al-Bukhari, Muslim

Abu Shuraih Khuwailid bin `Amr Al-Khuza`i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, should accommodate his guest according to his right.” He was asked: “What is his right, O Messenger of Allah?” He (PBUH) replied: “It is (to accommodate him) for a day and a night, and hospitality extends for three days, and what is beyond that is charity.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].




Action Plan



1. Before the guest arrives, ensure you have a plan to entertain them, places to visit and see, what you going to cook.

2. If guests are unnannounced always ensure you are ready for this pleasant surprise and always have a backup strategy.

3. Find out what your guests likes and dislikes are regarding meals. You don’t want to cook up a storm to find out later they are vegetarian or allergic to your food.

4. Meet and greet you guests with smiling, friendly, warm face and part with them in a good way.

5. Treat the guests very generously. Give them the best. If you don’t have an extra bed give them yours.

6. Talk politely to your guest and don’t spend time gossiping.

7. Be hospitable to the guest and tend to their needs and comfort.

8. Serve the guest a sumptuous meal (that is within one’s means) at least on one occasion.

9. When there are two or more guests, treat them equality.

10. Adhere to Islamic simplicity, dont be extravagant in entertaining guests.

11. When the guest is departing, see them off until the door.

12. In Islamic etiquettes of social life, the guest has a right of three days. If you are a guest do not overstay your welcome.

13. The guest should never impose on the hospitality of a host by taking along another person without the host’s consent.

14. A guest should not arrive without notifying or at improper times.

15. Sending a thank you note to the host is always a good idea.

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Alhamdulillah

and making an effort on the safeguarding of our good deeds and their acceptance is also paramount

[Maypeevophy]

Be in a state of wudhu



Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said, The key to Paradise is prayer
and the key to prayer is cleanliness (Ablution). Tirmidhi

O you who believe! When you stand up for prayer, (i) wash your face and hands up to the elbows, (ii) and wipe a part of your head and your feet up to the ankles.(5:6)

Ibn Umar (RA) says that Nabi (SAW) used to say, ‘Whoever performs Wudhu upon Wudhu, he will receive ten rewards.’ (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Ibne Majah)

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) asked, ‘should I not inform you of such an action which if done, Allah will wipe out the sins and will elevate the person in stages? The companions replied, ‘Certainly O Nabi of Allah.’ Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Performing an excellent Wudhu despite of difficulties, ….’ (Muslim)

Abdullah bin Buraidah narrates from his father (RA) who said, ‘One day Nabi (SAW) awoke and he called Bilal (RA) and asked him, ‘O Bilal why have you succeeded me in Jannah? Certainly I entered Jannah last night and heard your footsteps in front of Me.’ Bilal (RA) said, ‘O Nabi of Allah, whenever I called the Azaan, I performed two Rak’aats of Salaah after it (the Azaan) and whenever I broke my Wudhu, I immediately made a new Wudhu.’ Nabi (SAW) then said, ‘it is because of this.’ (Ibne Khuzaimah)



Action Plan




1. It is recommended to be in a state of wudhu always.

2. Always try and make wudhu at home and not in the masjid.

3. Perform Tahiyatul Wudhu – After completion of wudhu, the performance of two rakaahs is full of blessings. It is related in the hadith, that the performing of two rakaah Tahiyatul wudhu salaah makes paradise obligatory for the person (Muslim). It should not be performed at the improper times (makrooh times – then the sun rises, when its at Zenith and when it sets).

[Maypeevophy]

Take care of animals



21:107 We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.

45:4 (Y. Ali) And in the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth), are Signs for those of assured Faith.

6:38 (Y. Ali) There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.

Narrated by Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah bin Mas’ud: We were on a journey with the Prophet(SAW), and he left us for a while. During his absence, we saw a bird called hummara with its two young and took the young ones. The mother bird was circling above us in the air, beating its wings in grief, when the Prophet came back and said: ‘who has hurt the FEELINGS of this bird by taking its young? Return them to her’. (Muslim)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, ‘This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.” The people asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?” He replied, “Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate.” (Bukhari 40:551)


Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar: Allah’s Apostle said, “A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger.” Allah’s Apostle further said, (Allah knows better) Allah said (to the woman), ‘You neither fed it nor watered when you locked it up, nor did you set it free to eat the insects of the earth.” (40:553)

“One who kills even a sparrow or anything smaller, without a justifiable reason, will be answerable to God.” When asked what would be a justifiable reason, he (the Prophet) replied, “To slaughter it for food—not to kill and discard it” (Ahmad).

The Prophet prohibited stoning animals even with pebbles: “Even if it does not kill or bleed, it may harm their eyes and teeth” (Muslim).

The Prophet(SAW) said: “One who is enslaved to hunting is a ghaafil (i.e., lost to religion)” (At-Tirmidhi).

Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet(s) was asked if acts of charity even to the animals were rewarded by God. He replied: ‘yes, there is a reward for acts of charity to every beast alive.’ (Bukhari, 3:322)




Action Plan

1. Having a pet is a great responsibility. Think long and hard before getting one. If you feel you can give it the care and love it deserves, always first go to the nearest SPCA and see if they have something you looking for.

2. Find a cause either save the whales, save the lion and contribute towards it.

3. If you see an animal that is thirsty give it some water.

4. If you witness an animal being harmed or neglected report it to your local SPCA.

5. Don’t tease animals, hit, destroy their homes.

6. Anyone who possesses an animal, should feed it properly and then take only as much work from it as it may bear (nothing beyond its endurance).

7. Don’t brand animals on it’s face or hit them on their face. It was disliked and cursed by the prophet(SAW).

8. Animals for food and human consumption should be slaughtered in a quick and painless way. The prophet(SAW) asked them to slaughter them with the sharpest weapon, thus causing the minimum pain and suffering to the animal. He also forbade them to sharpen the weapon in front of the animal or when the animal was ready for slaughter, but told them to do these preliminaries before the animal was brought for slaughter.

9. Don’t overwork your animals i.e camels, horses, cows etc.

10. Don’t keep birds in captivity.

[Maypeevophy]

Eat healthy food



“O mankind: Eat of what is lawful and good on earth” (2: 168)

O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He whom ye worship” (2:172)

“And eat not of that whereon Allah’s name hath not been mentioned, for lo! it is abomination. Lo! the devils do inspire their minions to dispute with you. But if ye obey them, ye will be in truth idolaters” (Qur’an 6:121)

Eat and drink, but avoid excess. (20:81)

Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah. that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.(5:3)

They ask thee what is lawful to them (as food). Say: lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure: and what ye have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed to you by Allah. eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it: and fear Allah. for Allah is swift in taking account.(5:4)

On the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah said: “Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the Faithful to do that which He commanded the Messengers, and the Almighty has said: “O ye Messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right..” (Quran 23:51). And Allah the Almighty has said: “O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you..” (2:172). Then he mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying]: O Lord! O Lord!-while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered!” (Muslim)

Narrated ‘Umar bin Abi Salama: I was a boy under the care of Allah’s Apostle and my hand used to go around the dish while I was eating. So Allah’s Apostle said to me, ‘O boy! Mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.” Since then I have applied those instructions when eating. (bukhari 7, 65, 288)

The Prophet(SAW) said: ‘ No human being has ever filled a container worse than his own stomach. The son of Adam needs no more than a few morsels of food to keep up his strength, doing so he should consider that a third of his stomach is for food, a third for drink and a third for breathing’ Ibn Maja




Action Plan




1. When a Muslim begins to eat, he should begin with the name of Allaah. (i.e. say ‘Bismillaah);

2. Shaitan partakes in the food if the name of Allaah is not recited at the start of eating.If he forgets to mention Allaah’s name at the beginning, he should say (when he remembers): I begin in the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end of it ( Bismillah awwalahu wa Akhirahoo).” -shaitan is made to vomit out what he has eaten

3.The best manner in which to eat food is with the fingers. Messenger(SAW) eating ate with three fingers and when he finished, he would lick them.

4. Eat with your right hand. The Prophet (SAW)said: “Do not eat with your left hand for shaitaan eats with his left hand,

5. The Prophet(SAW) taught us, that we should always eat from what is nearest to us and not from the middle of the plate. The reason for this is that the blessings come down upon the food in its middle, therefore it should be left to last.

6. The Prophet(SAW) would never eat from a reclining position. The Companion Anas(RA) him each reported that he saw Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) squatting and eating dates. Other times, the Prophet(SAW) would sit on his knees, as reported by ‘Abdullaah ibn Busr (RA) who said that the Prophet (SAW) was sitting on his knees upon which a bedouin said: ‘What is this sitting?’ The Prophet (SAW) replied, “Allaah has made me a respectable servant and He did not make me an obstinate tyrant.”

7. Aboo Hurairah(RA)reported that the Prophet (SAW) never found fault with food. If he liked it, he would eat it, but if he disliked it, he just left it.

8. Prophet (SAW) commanded us never to waste food, because food that we waste is eaten by shaitaan. He said: “The shaitaan is present with everyone of you in everything he does; he is even present when he eats food, so if any on of you drops a mouthful, he should remove away anything filthy on it and eat it and not leave it for the devil; and when he finished, he should lick his fingers for he does not know in what portion of his food the blessing ties.

9. A muslim should do all things in moderation, including his eating. The Prophet(SAW) said: “A Believer eats in one intestine, whereas a non-believer eats in seven intestines,” Therefore it is not for us to eat till we are completely satiated; rather we should eat such that the hunger goes but there is still room for more.

10. When we have finished eating, we should always remember Allaah and be grateful to Him, We should express this gratitude in the manner in which the Prophet (SAW) taught us. He said: “One who has eaten some food and then says: ‘All praise is for Allaah, who has given me this (food to eat] and provided me without any effort or power on my part’, he will have his sins forgiven. (Alhamdulillaahil-lazee at’amanaa haadha warazaqeenee min ghairi hawlin minnee wala quwwah).”

Read also Alhamdullilah at amana wasakana wajalana minal muslimeen.
All praises are due to Allah who has fed us and given us (liquids) to drink and who has made us Muslims.

11. Don’t eat alone eat with company. The prophet(SAW) said the best dish is the one with most hands in it. If you eat with other people there will be more nourishment from the food and more blessings in it. If you are a married couple eat from one plate. This will inshaAllah increase the love between the couple.

12. Wait for the food to cool down before you eat it.

13. Don’t overeat. Eat so third food, third water and third air.

14. Wait until everyone is finished before you get up from the table.

15. Don’t eat in gold and silver utensils.

16. Don’t lean against something and eat. Narrated Abu Juhaifa:While I was with the Prophet he said to a man who was with him, “I do not take my meals while leaning.”

[Maypeevophy]

Be modest



24:30 (Y. Ali) Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.

24:31 (Y. Ali) And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And haya (This term “haya” covers a large number of concepts which are to be taken together; amongst them are self respect, modesty, bashfulness, and scruple, etc.) is a part of faith.”(bukhari 1:2:8)

Narrated Abdullah (bin ‘Umar): Once Allah’s Apostle passed by an Ansari (man) who was admonishing to his brother regarding haya’. On that Allah’s Apostle said, “Leave him as haya’ is a part of faith.” (Bukhari 1:2:23)

Narrated Abu As-Sawar Al-Adawi:’Imran bin Husain said, “The Prophet said, ‘haya’ does not bring anything except good.” Thereupon Bashir bin Ka’b said, ‘It is written in the wisdom paper: haya leads to solemnity; haya leads to tranquility (peace of mind).” ‘Imran said to him, “I am narrating to you the saying of Allah’s Apostle and you are speaking about your paper (wisdom book)?”(Bukhari 8:73:138)

Abdullah ibn Umar (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: “Indeed haya (modesty) and Iman are Companions. When one of them is lifted, the other leaves as well.” (Baihaqi)

The Prophet (saws) said: “Haya and Trustworthiness will be the first to go from this world; therefore keep asking Allah for them.” (Baihaqi)

Narrated on the authority of Anas bin Malik, the Prophet (saw) said: When lewdness is a part of anything, it becomes defective; and when haya is a part of anything it becomes beautiful. (Tirmidhi)

Narrated Aisha (ra): “I used to enter my house where Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) was and take off my garment, saying that only my husband and my father were there; but when Umar was buried along with them, I swear by Allah that I did not enter it without having my clothes wrapped round me owing to modesty regarding Umar.” (at-Tirmidhi and Ahmed)




Action Plan




1. Men should lower their gaze in front of non mahram females.
2. Women must dress according to the islamic dress code and cover themselves when leaving their homes and in front of non mahram man.

3.When surfing the internet, reading a book or watching television don’t go to inappropriate sites and remember the rule of lowering your gaze applies to these mediums as well.

4. Develop good haya -A believer should build his personality and character with the good dimensions of haya. The most important is that he must be shy of doing ANYTHING displeasing to Allah (SWT) with the belief that he will have to answer for all his deeds. If one develops a sense such as this one, it will help the believer to obey all of Allah’s commandments and to stay away from sins.

5. Stay away from bad haya- This negative aspect revolves around a person’s shamefulness or shyness of doing something that Allah (SWT) has ordered us to do through the Qur’an or our Prophet’s (saw) Sunnah. This constitutes the shamefulness or embarrassment of doing a lawful act or something that is ordered upon us from Allah (SWT). This means that someone does not follow an obligation of Islam due to the fact of being shy in front of others about it. This is totally forbidden because then one is giving the people of this dunya more respect than the One who Created this whole universe. An example of this type of bad haya is to neglect making one’s prayer in a public place due to being embarrassed in front of others. Another example would be that many sisters feel embarrassed to wear hijab for fear of being laughed at or made fun of.