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Asalamolikum.
dear brother in islam my question is that, i am in a country where girls are wearing mini skerts i always try to keep far away myself from them but as i am a student i can`t escape from them in my class. I regret and always feeling very bad coz i had masterbation many times even i did repentance many times and commit not doing such an evil deed but still i can`t escape from it as of my sextual desires.I don`t know what to do now,i know the best solution is marriage but i am unable yet to do marriage.Please advice me what should i do.

thanks 

Answer: Avoid Masturbation

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person,  no grave, no prophet,  no imam,  no dai,  nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 23 Surah Muminoon verses 1-11:

1        The Believers must (eventually) win through

2        Those who humble themselves in their prayers;

3        Who avoid vain talk;

4        Who are active in deeds of charity;

5        Who scrupulously guard their modesty (private parts), 

6        Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond,  or (the captives) whom their right hands possess;  for (in their case) they are free from blame.

7        But those whose desires exceed those limits, are transgressors!

8        Those who faithfully observe their trust and their covenants;

9        And who (strictly) guard their prayers

10      Those will be the heirs

11      Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (forever).

The scholars of all schools of thought are unanimous in their opinion that the evil act of ‘masturbation’ would, without an iota of a doubt, fall under the category of ‘those whose desires exceed the limits’; and thus this act is absolutely forbidden to all those who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day.

Your Question: I don`t know what to do now,i know the best solution is marriage but i am unable yet to do marriage.Please advice me what should i do.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.4  Narrated by Abdullah

We were with the Prophet (saws) while we were young and had no wealth whatever. So Allah’s Messenger (saws) said, “O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse, etc.), and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power.”

Thus if one is unable to control his sexual desire,  he should get married,  rather than get involved in committing sins like  masturbation and ‘zina’ (fornication or adultery).   And if one is unable to marry,  he should fast,  as the Messenger of Allah (saws) says, that fasting reduces the person’s sexual desire,  and thus help the believer to stay away from committing sin.

‘Fahesha’ or indecency is one of the strongest weapons of the accursed enemy of man, the Shaitaan; who has sworn to mislead and misguide mankind from the Straight Path of Allah Subhanah. 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 268:

The Shaitaan threatens you with poverty and prompts you to adopt indecency (or acts of shamelessness).   Allah promises you His Forgiveness and Bounties,  and Allah cares for all,  and He knows all things.

The only thing that can stop one from acts of indecency, or intentionally disobeying any command of Allah and His Messenger (saws);  is the constant fear and consciousness that One Inevitable Day, everyone will be brought forth in the Presence of the All-Mighty Lord to give a full accounting of one’s deeds.

The first thing one needs to do,  when he realizes that he has disobeyed any command of Allah and His Messenger (saws),  is to immediately turn to the Merciful Lord and seek His Forgiveness and Pardon,  and make a solemn covenant that he will not repeat the mistake again.  When Shaitaan again tries to prompt the person to disobey the Merciful, the believers must immediately realize the play of Shaitaan, seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaitaan, remember the covenant he has made with His Lord, and abstain from doing any deed that will bring about the Wrath and Anger of Allah Subhanah.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verses 200-201:

200    If a suggestion from Shaitaan assail thy (mind), seek refuge with Allah; for He Heareth and Knoweth (all things).

201    Those who fear Allah, when a thought of evil from Shaitaan assaults them, bring Allah to remembrance; when lo! they see (aright)!

As soon as one feels the desire, or the avowed enemy of man, the Shaitaan suggests the person to transgress any of the boundaries of Allah Subhanah;  the believers should immediately seek the refuge and protection of the All-Mighty Lord from the accursed Shaitaan by saying: “Aoodobillahe minas Shaitaan ar rajeem”.   If the person is sincere in seeking refuge and protection, Allah Subhanah will protect him from the assaults of Shaitaan.

Some other things the believers may do at such a stage is do the ‘wudu’, offer prayers, or recite the 113^th and 114^th Surahs of the Quran (Surah Falaq and Surah Naas) and seek protection from the accursed Shaitaan.

The long-term remedy for keeping the Shaitaan at bay, is to constantly remember Allah Subhanah, seek and stay in the company of the righteous, recite the Quran, read good Islamic Books, listen to good Islamic cassettes and lectures, and strive to stay away from being in solitude. 

If one is constantly in the face of non-mehram women, or if one regularly watches commercial television and movies,  or regularly reads commercial magazines, etc. where ill-clad women are constantly portrayed;  there is a greater chance the person will be swayed by the suggestions of Shaitaan towards ‘fahisah’ and indecency.  If one strives to abstain from these devices of Shaitaan,  and makes efforts to remain close to the Remembrance and Guidance of Allah Subhanah, he will be successful in muting the ploys of the Shaitaan.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 27:

O ye children of Adam!  Let not Shaitaan seduce you in the same manner as he got your parents (Adam and Hawwa) out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the ‘Shayateen’ friends (only) to those without faith.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws),   one can be assured of never ever being misled;   but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.  

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 Burhan

“If the Quran is eternally valid, and if it is addressing you today, then you must take every message as something which is totally and urgently relevant to your life and concerns, whether it be a value or norm, a statement or piece of knowledge, a character or dialogue, a promise or a warning, a command or a prohibition.”

-from Way to the Quran by Khurram Murad, pages 43-44

Writing a journal is an exercise many of us who have gone through the North American school system may have encountered in English classes. They are a way for students to develop their writing skills.

But many self-help gurus also extol the virtues of keeping a journal as a tool for self-development. It’s a way to get in touch with your feelings, a way to track your development as a person, and a way to develop a better understanding of who you are.

Amidst these uses for a journal, there is one that has been rarely talked about: the Quranic journal.

What is the Quranic journal?

The MYNA (Muslim Youth of North America) Workers Manual, published in 1992, explains what the Quranic journal is in this way:

“There are moments in life when you read some Ayahs (verses) in the Quran, and they seem to have been revealed precisely for your needs at those moments. You have read them a hundred times before, but only now have your life experiences prepared you to understand them….Keep a Quran journal of these moments when certain verses click and become real in your life.”

Why keep a Quranic journal?

1. Creates reverence for the Quran

For many Muslims today, especially those who have not grown up in a Muslim country, the value of the Quran as the Word of Allah may not be as strongly entrenched.

They may not feel the very special connection to the Book of Allah other Muslims who have grown up learning and reciting it from childhood in a mostly Muslim environment have.

The Quranic journal is a way to develop a stronger connection to the Quran by noting our reactions to it.

2. It can help the words of Allah sink in

One problem many, many Muslims in our day and age, and in our culture have is a lack of concentration. In our fast-paced culture, squeezing in time to read the Quran is sometimes hard. Those times that we do read, the words don’t seem to sink in. The Quran journal can help do that.

3. The Quranic journal is about you

The Quran is not simply a Book to be read and memorized. It is a Book to be lived. That means the deeper our understanding, and the more we connect what we learn from the Quran to our daily lives and experiences, the better we can see it as THE tool of guidance in our affairs.

We will see the Quran as part of our daily life in this time. The lessons in it will not be lessons for people from centuries ago, irrelevant to us. Rather, they will be our lessons, regardless of whether we live in Karachi or Kansas.

Some tips on keeping a Quranic journal

1. Ask yourself: why am I doing this?

Some reasons could be:

a. for the sake of Allah
b. to make the Quran a living reality for me
c. to learn how to use the Quran as a tool for guidance in my everyday life.

If your intention is sincerely all three, Insha Allah (if Allah wills), you will benefit and learn from the experience and grow as a Muslim.

2. Remember, this is not a Tafseer

It is very, very important to point out that your Quranic journal is NOT an official exegesis (Tafseer) of the Quran. It is simply a record of your thoughts at various moments while you read the Quran.

It is strongly recommended that you do not read simply a translation of the Quran. Rather, find a good, reliable Tafseer. The Tafseer helps because it gives you much needed background and context to properly understand what the verses of the Quran mean.

3. Pray for guidance

While we have our role to play in developing our understanding and practice of the Quran and of Islam in general, ultimately, it is Allah Who guides. Regularly ask for His Guidance, Mercy and Forgiveness.

4. Get a specific notebook for this

A notebook is just simpler and neater. You won’t have the possibility of your papers flying off in different directions as you would if you kept a journal in a folder or binder.

If you’re the type who loves stationery, invest in a notebook with a nice design and a smooth writing pen.

5. Set aside a specific time to read the Quran

Learning needs to happen on a regular basis. Establishing a schedule is probably the best way for you to really connect with the Quran. Just set aside a few minutes at a time when you know you won’t be easily distracted. It could be in the early morning hours before everyone is up. It could be late at night when everyone is asleep. Or it could be in the late afternoon at a spot away from noise and other distractions.

6. Make sure you understand the right meaning of the verse

This is where your Tafseer will help. You will get a proper understanding of why this verse was revealed and under what circumstances, as well as what it means for Muslims.

7. Ask the big question

How does this connect to me and my experiences? That is one of the main reasons you are keeping this journal, to discover this.

For instance, verses of the Quran which talk about motherhood may give you lots to think about and ponder if you are pregnant or are about to be a father. Verses about parents may help remind you about your special bond and responsibilities to your own if you have been estranged from or are having a difficult time with your mother or father.

8. Note down what you’re feeling, thoughts,etc.

You don’t have to write like Shakespeare. All you have to do is honestly look within and ask the relevant questions and record your feelings. You can simply start off the process with, “this verse reminds me of when…” or “this verse makes me think of….”.

9. Avoid using names

Try to avoid using the specific names of people in your journal. The point of the journal is to help you understand the Quran and to help you grow as a Muslim. If you use names, you will risk hurting feelings if your journal is found and read, by accident or not.

10. Check with scholars and build your knowledge

Let your Quranic journal writing experience be a starting point to a deeper understanding of the Quran. In other words, don’t just think that if you’ve written a journal entry about a set of verses or on a topic, after having read the Tafseer, you’ve done your job.

Attend lectures of reliable scholars who often tie the meanings of the Quran to everyday life for Muslims, especially in your specific context (i.e. the US or North America).

11. Look back regularly

Once in a while, it would be a good idea to read your old entries. This will not only be a nice trip down memory lane, but it will also indicate your progress as a Muslim in implementing Islam.

For instance: do you notice that many of your entries are angry in tone, but seem to become calmer later? Or do you notice a theme of sadness in your journal entries which you were not aware of? Is there some are of Islam which you still need to get answers about?

Be conscious of these observations. This is where the Quranic journal can help you not only think about Islam, but also develop your character as a Muslim.

Source: soundvision.com

by Kirin Patel

Muslims realize that Islam is more than a religion, it is a way of life. The demands, expectations, and benefits of being Muslim stem greatly from our ability to worship Allah and remember Him constantly. The aspect of Zikr, the remembrance of Allah, is part of “what sets apart the living from the dead” (Bukhari).

While many aspects of Zikr are specifically defined for us, such as Hajj once in our lifetime, fasting in Ramadan once a year, praying in congregation at least once a week (on Friday) and praying five times a day, the times between are not meant to be void of thoughts of Allah.
Here are some ways to incorporate and ensure Zikr in our everyday lives:

1- If you want or need or desire something, regardless of what it is, ask Allah for it first

Allah says in the Holy Quran, “Call on Me. I will answer your prayer, but those who are too arrogant to serve me will surely find themselves humiliated in Hell” (40:60). Taking the time to remember and ask Allah, serves not only as humbling experiences, but forces you to realize that Allah wants us to remember Him, to ask of Him, and put our trust in Him.

Whether it is in times of distress or in times of joy, creating a habit of sincere supplication toward Allah increases your Zikr According to Abu Huraira, “The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, reported that, whoever wants Allah to answer his prayers during difficult times, should supplicate to Him more and more in times of ease.”

2. Be aware of your wordsIt becomes second nature for many Muslims to say “Assalam Alaikum” (Peace and blessings be upon you) when they meet a fellow Muslim, or to say Alhumdu lillah (all thanks be to Allah) without ever really thinking about what it means. While it is good to say these words, if we put our hearts into them, we will be humbling ourselves and performing Zikr at the same time.So use words like Insha Allah (God willing), Maa shaa Allah, when you are praising something and Bismillah (in the name of God) before you begin anything. Being aware of Allah at all times will help keep you from doing something unIslamic.

The Prophet reportedly told ibn Umar that, “There are some angels of Allah who go about looking for such assemblies or circles of Zikr, and when they find them they surround them.”“When any group of men remember Allah, angels surround them and mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him” (Abu Huraira and Abu Said Al Khudri).Thus, surrounding yourself with other people remembering Allah contributes and heightens the purpose of Zikr, which is to purify ones heart and soul and to awaken the human conscience.

The Prophet said, “Charity is obligatory every day on every joint of a human being. If one helps a person in matters concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage onto it, all will be regarded as charity. A good word, and every step one takes to offer compulsory congregational prayer, is regarded as charity; and guiding somebody on the road is regarded as charity (Abu Huraira).Keeping the importance of charity in mind and performing it for the sake of Allah, keeps Him in our thoughts and heart at all times.6. Do Dawa work

If we look into the Quran we will find that the word “ Zikr ” occurs 268 times in the Quran and has 63 derivatives used in the Book, the Quran. This word “ Zikr ” has many connotations in Islam. Its almost opposite is “ Nissiyane ” (forgetting). This verb occurs 45 times in the Quran; and 28 of its derivatives have also been mentioned in the sacred Book.

The root of Zikr is Za-Kaf-Ra . Some of its meanings are:

* Az-Zikro Wattazk’aro : It means to preserve something, to keep alive in mind; this word is used opposite to NASYUN , which means to forget (6:68)

* At tazkerato : It means

• To remind something which is needed
• The Quran has also been called As-Zikro because it contains the history and Causes or Laws for the rise and fall of nations
• Zikrun also means to remain steadfast in the battlefield and thus ensures the supremacy of Divine Laws. The Divine Laws are also called Zikrullah (39:23). It has also been used in the context of dignity, honour, respect, fame and saying something good (43:44)
• Verse (2:152) says Faz Kurunee Azkur Kum -‘You keep in view My Laws and I shall protect your rights and grace you with dignity and honour’
• In short Zikr means

1. To remain steadfast in the battle field
2. Ponder over the secrets of nature
3. Take lesson from the previous history of nations
4. Keep in view the Divine Laws and take decisions accordingly
5. Propagate or give publicity to the Divine Laws
6. These are the steps which install peace of mind (13:28) and not the rotation of beads or retreating to the caves or hujras

Keep these meanings in view, study the Quran and grasp the places where this word has been used. You will understand the real perspective and get the action verbs commanding you to do the things practically.