/* */

PDA

View Full Version : Is Your Home an Islamic Home?



ABDULLAH SAOOD
05-15-2005, 01:39 PM
"And Allah has made for you in your homes a place of rest..."[An-Nahl:80]

This may seem like an unusual question and your automatic response may be "Why, of course my home is an Islamic Home!! My family is Muslim and that makes our home a Muslim one!!"

Go through this short checklist to determine if your response should really be in the affirmative.

I Have Chosen a Good Spouse
There are several ahadeeth that highlight the importance of choosing a righteous and pious spouse. The wisdom of this is obvious: a pious spouse is more likely to bring happiness and contentment to the other spouse and the couple together will be more able to build a righteous family and home life. This is the foundation of the home.

I Help Guide My Spouse
This begins with each spouse fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of their roles and treating each other with kindness and compassion. It then goes beyond this to include guidance in other spiritual matters such as striving to strengthen imaan; paying attention to worship and correcting it when needed; encouraging the reading of Qur'an, praying at night, giving charity, and reading books on Islam; helping to choose pious friends; enjoining goodness and forbidding evil. Emaan is something that may increase or decrease so it is necessary to continually focus on increasing our own and that of our spouse.

Our Home is a Place for Remembrance of Allah
Remembrance can be in many forms: with the heart, with the tongue, through prayer, recitation of Qur'an, memorizing adhkaar and using them, discussing Islamic issues, or reading Islamic material. These are things that should occur on a consistent basis so that the angels will come to the home and bring Allah's blessings. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: "The example of a home in which Allah is remembered and the example of a home in which Allah is not remembered, is like comparing the living and the dead." (Muslim).

Our Home is a Place of Worship
This means that salah is established within the home at its required time and that members of the family pray in congregation when several are present. The family may also designate a specific area for prayer and maintain its uniqueness and cleanliness. For women, it is better to pray each prayer within the home. For men, it is recommended to pray voluntary prayers at home after having prayed obligatory prayers in the masjid. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: "The voluntary prayer in the home is better than the voluntary prayer with the people. It is like the obligatory prayer of the man in congregation being better than praying the obligatory by himself." (Sahih al-Jaami). This is to ensure that homes are made places of worship just as the masajids.

We Regularly read Surat Al-Baqarah and Ayatul Kursi to Keep Satan Away
The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: "Recite Surat Al-Baqarah in your houses, for the Satan does not enter a house in which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited." (Sahih al-Jaami). He also said: "When you go to your bed, recite Ayatul Kursi: 'Allah! There is no god but Him, the Ever-Living, the One Who Sustains and Protects all that exists', to the end, for then there will remain over you a guardian from Allah, and Satan will not come near you until morning." (Bukhari).

Teaching and Learning are Ongoing Activities in Our Home
This is primarily the responsibility of the head of die household who must ensure that he is guiding his family to the correct path, enjoining them to do good, and forbidding them from evil. Attaining knowledge is incumbent upon all members of the family and is the basis upon which Emaan will flourish, A study circle should be established in the home that covers the various areas in Islam and from which all family members will benefit. Children should especially be encouraged to participate since this will establish a pattern for them that will be carried throughout their lifetimes.

We Have an Islamic Library in Our Home
This may include such things as books, cassette tapes, and CDs. It is important to choose accurate and reliable material that will benefit the members of the family. There should be a variety of materials to cover all age levels and language needs of those in the home. Arabic material is definitely a must since everyone in the family should either know or be learning to read the language of the Qur'an. Books should cover a variety of topics, be properly organized, and be easily accessible. Audiotapes and CDs may include Qur'an recitation, lectures, khutbahs, tapes for children containing supplications, reminders of Islamic manners, and nasheeds (religious songs with no musical instruments). Family members should encourage one another to use these materials on a regular basis, and should be shared with other Muslim families who may be in need of them.

We Try to Have Morals and Manners Like Prophet Muhammad
The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said; "When Allah wills some good towards the people of a household. He introduces kindness among them." (Ahmad, Sahih al-Jaami). He also said: "Allah loves kindness and rewards it in such a way the He docs not reward for harshness or for anything else." (Muslim). There are many examples of the Prophet's kindness and good treatment toward his family that we should try to emulate. He was affectionate and playful with his wives and children and would help with household chores to case the burden for his wives. Following his example will bring tranquility to the home and help to truly make it an abode of rest.

We Know the Islamic Rulings That Pertain to Houses
Such as guarding the secrets of the home, seeking permission to enter, not looking into other people's homes, not allowing children to enter the parent's bedroom during certain times of the day, and not staying alone overnight. This last one is interesting to consider since some husbands travel for their business or work. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasallam, actually discouraged this. Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet forbade being alone and said that a man should not stay overnight alone or travel alone (Ahmad). Not only will he be alone, but his wife and children are likely to be left alone in the home without any protection or companionship.

We Invite Righteous and Knowledgeable People to Our Home

"My Lord! Forgive me, and my parents, and him who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women." [71:28]. Righteous people who enter your home will bring many benefits due to their presence and conversations with them. They are more likely to discuss useful topics and may be excellent sources of information and knowledge. We should always make du'aa that Allah will bless us with righteous friends since they can have such positive effects on us. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: "Keep company with a believer only, and let your food be eaten only by the righteous." (Abu Dawud, Tirmithi).

There are No Evils Within Our Home
Television (except possibly for educational programs) and unlawful music are not allowed in the house; pictures on the wall do not contain animate beings; there are no statues or anything that resembles statues; dogs are not present in the house; smoking is not allowed; decorations are kept simple to avoid excessiveness; the telephone is used for beneficial purposes and not harmful ones (such as gossiping or backbiting); when people come to visit, the men and women sit separately. The effects of these evils on the sanctity of the home should be obvious. For example, the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: "Angels do not enter a house which has either a dog or a picture in it." (Bukhari).

The Physical Aspects of the Home are Conducive to Fulfilling Religious Obligations
It is best for the home to be close to a mosque so that it will be easier for men to attend the prayers in congregation and for all family members to visit the mosque for lectures, study groups, and social gatherings. It is also advisable to find an area where other Muslims live to obtain the benefits of community. One should definitely be careful about close neighbors and avoid those who are obviously immoral. When choosing a house, consideration should be made regarding the availability of separate sitting areas for men and women. The house should be spacious and fulfil safety and health requirements.
Reply

Login/Register to hide ads. Scroll down for more posts
Arwa
05-15-2005, 09:24 PM
assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

masha'Allah.. excellent post.. *thumbsup*

This is really something that needs reflecting upon.
Reply

Arwa
05-16-2005, 12:04 AM
Can I add some more things if you don't mind? please . :)

Characteristics of a Muslim home
Shaykh Abdul Baaree Ath-Thubaytee

Jumaadal ulaa 2, 1423 (July 12, 2002)


All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.

Fellow Muslims! Every year in days like these, there are many wedding occasions in which hopes of many youths to establish a happy Muslim home and find therein honourable shelter and tranquillity are




actualized. It is under the roof of this home that another unique generation of righteous children is brought up under the shade of a caring father and affectionate mother. What then, are the characteristics of this home? What is its way? How can it achieve the desired happiness? Allaah says,
"And among His signs is that, He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect."

(Ar-Room 30:21)

Home is a blessing whose value is unknown but to him who has lost one and lived lonely in the darkness of the prison or strayed in the streets or in the desert. Allaah says,

"And Allaah has made for you in your homes an abode."

(An-Nahl 16:80)

Ibn Katheer said, "Allaah mentions the completion of His favour on His slaves by making their homes a place of rest for them where they settle at, under which they take cover and from which they derive other benefits."

Brethren in faith! Making of a Muslim home is a trust upon the shoulders of both husband and wife. They are its foundation and its pillars. It is they who define how the home should be. If they both stand firm on the path of Allaah in word and deed; and they are pious inwardly and outwardly, and take to good manners and conduct, their home will be that of light and virtue, it will illuminate the world for other people and become a birthplace for a new generation, an honourable society and a developed civilisation.

Married couples! Your home is a fortress of this religion and each one you stands at a strategic place for Islaam in which no place should be left for the enemy to penetrate. Each one of you is a guard of this fortress. The Prophet said, "Every one of you is a shepherd and every one of you shall be called to account for his flock." He also said, "The woman is a shepherd in the house of her husband and she shall be held accountable for her flock." (Al-Bukhaaree).

The household of the Prophet –including his wives who are the mothers of the believers- is the best of all human households. It is a prophetic home that deemed itself far above worldly luxuries and extravagance, adhered to acts of remembrance of Allaah and recitation of the Qur'aan, made clear landmarks for its life and laid down for itself the most marvellous example in shunning the mundane pleasure and living a contented life. The Messenger of Allaah gave his wives options with no coercion, after he had prepared them in a way that would make them live the highest exemplary life. As a matter of fact, Allaah revealed a verse in this regard where He says,

"O Prophet! Say to your wives: If you desire the life of this world and its glitter, then come! I will make a provision for you and set you free in a handsome manner (divorce). But if you desire Allaah and His Messenger and the home of the Hereafter, then verily, Allaah has prepared for good doers amongst you an enormous reward."

(Al-Ahzaab 33:28-29)

Upon hearing these verses, Aaishah as well as other wives of the Prophet said, "We choose Allaah and His Messenger and the home of the Hereafter." However, this does not mean that, Islaam calls to poverty or that the desire for Paradise should necessarily mean total renunciation of the enjoyment of the good things of this world; it is only the most ideal example.

The Muslim home that the first generation of the Muslims established followed the path of Islaam in word and deed; characterised its life with the light of eemaan and took to manners preached by the Qur'aan and hence, produced unique Islaamic models that filled the most marvellous and brightest pages of history. The Muslim home then produced brave heroes, outstanding scholars, devoted worshippers, sincere leaders, dutiful children and sincere women worshippers. Such is the characteristic Muslim home when it is built upon the foundation of eemaan and guidance and on the light of the Qur'aan.

The pure and pious Muslim home protects itself against corruption. The Messenger of Allaah said, "Every child is born upon natural religion of (Islaamic Monotheism). It is his parents that make him a jew, a christian or a magian." (Al-Bukhaaree)

Ibn Al-Qayyim said, "Many children are corrupted by their fathers because neglect them and do not teach them the obligations of their religion. These children were neglected when they were young, so, they neither become useful for themselves nor for their parents when they grew old." How beautiful will it be if the father can gather his children and read for them some verses of the Qur'aan, narrate to them the stories of the Prophets and teach them noble manners!

Among the first priorities of the Muslim home and its noblest mission to the society is to educate children and make out of them a strong and righteous generation. There is however no value for education and admonition without laying down a good example in words and deeds, privately and publicly. Allaah says,

"And those who say: 'Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes and make us leaders of the pious."

(Al-Furqaan 25:74)

You can also reflect on the supplication of Prophet Ibraaheem when He said,

"O my Lord! Make me one who performs prayer and (also) from my offspring. Our Lord! Accept my invocation."

(Ibraaheem 14:40)

Allaah also says,

"And enjoin the prayers on your family and be patient in offering them. We ask not of you a provision, We provide for you. And the good end is for the pious."

(Taa Haa 20:132)

Brethren in faith! It is in the absence of the upright, peaceful and happy Muslim home that corruption grows, that narcotics spread and that the rate of crime among juveniles rise. We even hear of cases of suicide. The home that does not implant faith in the hearts of its young members and in which youths are not following the path of the Qur'aan produces nothing but psychologically unbalanced, ideologically wasted and morally corrupt elements. Lack of dutifulness to parents, the immoral relationships, deviating from the way of Allaah and revolt against values and fundamentals that some of the youths of this ummah suffer from are all definite consequences of a home that neglects spiritual purification and education and lacks good example. The house that follows the ordainments of Islaam in parts by taking to what it likes and leaving out what it does not, only creates examples of unserious humans that will never succeeds in elevating the ummah to her position of leadership and glory.

Brethren in Islaam! It is a characteristic of the Muslim home to turn all matters of dispute to Allaah and His Messenger; to turn back to Allaah and His Messenger in all matters and to be pleased with and submit to the decision of Allaah. Allaah says,

"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error."

(Al-Ahzaab 33:36)

The life of the Muslim and his happiness lie in the remembrance of Allaah. The Prophet said, "The example of a home in which Allaah is remembered and a home in which Allaah is not remembered is like the living and the dead." (Muslim) He also said, "Observe some of your prayers in your houses and do not take your homes as graves." In another hadeeth, he said, "Do not turn your homes into graveyard; for Satan keeps away from a house in which Sooratul Baqarah is recited." (Muslim) He also said, "Perform supererogatory prayers at your homes; for the best prayer that man performs after obligatory prayers are the ones performed at home." (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

These hadeeths show the legality of enlivening and illuminating Muslim homes with words of remembrance of Allaah like 'laa ilaaha illa Allaah', 'subhaanallaah', 'Allaahu akbar' and the like. They also show the importance of enlivening the homes with as much supererogatory prayers as possible. If houses are devoid of prayers and remembrance of Allaah, they become like a desolate graveyard or abandoned dilapidated buildings even if they are constructed mansions. Without the Qur'aan and remembrance of Allaah, the houses become inactive and a pasture for devils where their inhabitants have become dead in hearts even if they are living physically.

Among the signs of a Muslim home is that, its members cooperate with one another on righteousness and acts of worship; the weakness of the husband's faith is strengthened by the wife and the wife's perversion is corrected by the husband. That is the home where cooperation, mutual admonition and mutual assistance blossom. Aaishah said, "The Prophet would pray at night and when he had finished his witr[1], he would say, "O Aaishah, wake up and pray your witr." (Muslim)

The Prophet said, "May Allaah have mercy on a man who wakes up in the night, prays; and then awakens his wife and she also prays. May Allaah have mercy on a woman who wakes up in the night and prays; and then awakens her husband and he also prays. If he refuses to wake up she sprinkles water on his face." (Aboo Daawood) These two hadeeths show that, each of the husband and the wife has a role to play in correcting his or her companion and encourage him or her to obey Allaah; for the relationship between them is basically founded of eemaan in which there must be mutual cooperation in acts of obedience to Allaah.

Muslim home is founded upon knowledge and action; a knowledge that guides to the right path and warns against following ways that lead to Hell. A knowledge that teaches rules of cleanliness and prayers, good manners and lawful and unlawful things. It is a knowledge that liberates the households from ignorance in matters of religion and from which every individual learns the Islaamic knowledge between now and then. Allaah says,

"O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families a Fire."

(At-Tahreem 66:6)

This verse is the basis for teaching one's household and commanding them to do righteous deeds and forbidding them from doing evil ones. The commentators said, "It is the obligation of every Muslim to teach his family." 'Alee bin Abee Taalib said, "Teach them knowledge and manners." Al-Qurtubee said, "We must teach religion, righteousness and indispensable manners to our families and children."

Among the characteristics of a Muslim home is modesty. Modesty protects the foundation of the home from destruction and causes of evil. It is not befitting for a home, established on piety, to have elements of immodesty or be polluted by obscene films, immoral songs, abandonment of hijaab and copying the enemies of Islaam. All this is like a woodworm in the body of the Muslim home and a disaster that opens way for evils and destroys the inhabited structure.

Among the characteristics of a Muslim home also, is that its secrets and differences are always kept within and not spread. The Prophet said, "One of the worst men in position before Allaah on the Day of Resurrection is a man who cohabits with his wife and she also cohabits with him and he then goes about spreading her secrets." (Muslim)

The Muslim home relates with the society on the basis of eemaan. It increases in light through visits of righteous people. The believer is like a carrier of musk. He either gives you some, or you by some from him or you get pleasant fragrance from him.

"My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and him who enters my house as a believer and all the believing men and women. And to the wrongdoers, grant You not in increase but destruction."

(Nooh 71:28)

Fellow Muslims! Holders of undesirable beliefs should not be allowed to enter the home of a Muslim; for the entrance of a corrupt person corrupts the house and the visit of a person of doubtful character endangers the children. It is through people like these that many homes become morally corrupted, that sorcery becomes widespread, that cases of theft are found and that happiness is turned to sorrow.

Muslim home fervently observes prayers and cooperate with one another in household duties. The Messenger of Allaah has laid an example for us in this. When 'Aaishah was asked about the things that the Prophet used to do at his house, she said, "He was just a human being. He would wash his garments, milk his goat and serve himself." (Ahmad) In another narration, she said, "He used to be in the service of his family and when it was time for prayers, he would go out and pray." (Al-Bukhaaree)

Brethren in faith! If anyone of us were to be asked to make a wish in this world, his wish would have been to live in prosperity and have the signs of happiness shown in all parts of his house. This prosperity cannot however be achieved in the Muslim home through luxurious apartments and expensive furniture and clothes. This is a wrong conception of prosperity. Prosperity is only achieved through piety on the part of the spouses and to be conscious of Allaah in private and public. Happiness is achieved only if the spouses see their marriage as an act of worship in which each of them worship Allaah and carries out conjugal duties with sincerity and perfection under the shade of these meanings. The Muslim home is inhabited through constant establishment of prayers and recitation of the Qur'aan, shaded by love and harmony and as a result produces righteous offspring who will be source of happiness and prosperity for their parents in this world and the Hereafter. Allaah says,

"Whoever works righteousness –whether male or female– while he (or she) is a(true) believer, verily to him (or her) We will give a good life (in this world) and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)."

(An-Nahl 16:97)





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

)[1] ) Odd prayers offered at the end of the night prayers.
Reply

Ibn Syed
05-16-2005, 12:31 AM
:sl:
Alhamdulillah I live in a muslim home. We have Halqa's after Asr daily and we pray, got to the masjid, Islamic School and we read Quran for an hour after school daily. Good reads. :) :) :) :D :D ;) ;) :shade: :shade: :thumbs_up :thumbs_up :applaud: :brother: :brother:
:w:
Reply

Welcome, Guest!
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.

When you create an account, you can participate in the discussions and share your thoughts. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and make new friends.
Sign Up
IslamicBrother
05-16-2005, 09:29 AM
:sl:

MashaAllah another wonderful article from our brother Abdullah.

I have one little question.

Television (except possibly for educational programs) and unlawful music are not allowed in the house...................
So what is deemed as lawful music? Does it mean nasheeds? :brother:
Reply

MetSudaisTwice
05-16-2005, 10:33 AM
mashallah bro Abdullah, jazakallah for that
i remember sheikh Qasim giving us a khutbah on this topic but can't remember everything he said. he said something about having solid foundations
Reply

IslamicBrother
05-17-2005, 09:39 AM
:sl:

Can any brother/sister answer my above question? I am not really in the mood to look it up on the net... :brother:
Reply

ABDULLAH SAOOD
05-17-2005, 11:43 AM
Assalamo-alaikum-wa-rahmatullah-hey-wabarkatu

As far as I am aware all musical instruments are haram apart from the Duff - therefore you can t listen to anything that involves such musical instruments. nasheed are ok as long as not accompanied by music.

But bro you should ask a Mufti for a more comprehensive answer.

Allah knows best.

Wassalam
Reply

MetSudaisTwice
05-17-2005, 11:46 AM
i hate any types of music, i prefer quranic recitations of shuraim, sudais, salih talib and budayr. The Awsome Quartet
Reply

Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.

When you create an account, you can participate in the discussions and share your thoughts. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and make new friends.
Sign Up

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 17
    Last Post: 12-22-2014, 12:48 AM
  2. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-15-2014, 04:15 PM
  3. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-26-2010, 08:01 PM
  4. Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-17-2007, 02:00 PM
  5. Replies: 26
    Last Post: 03-03-2007, 04:56 PM
British Wholesales - Certified Wholesale Linen & Towels | Holiday in the Maldives

IslamicBoard

Experience a richer experience on our mobile app!