‘A Clear Record for the Sinner'

In this world if you are wrongly accused and the verdict in the court of law is given in your favor, all charges are dropped against you but the records of the case still remain.  If one submits an application to the government requesting “Please remove my records as I was innocent” they will say “we have acquitted you but we will still keep the records”. With cases where one is acquitted, the world courts will still not abolish the records. I marvel at Allah (swt)’s mercy, a person who was guilty, he had sinned, he had sinned, the case against him was correct, if he appeals to you for mercy, Allah (swt) doesn’t just acquit him from that sin but Allah (swt) eliminates the record of the sin as well.

In a hadith it comes, Allah (swt) makes the piece of earth where he committed the sin forget, so it cannot testify against him. The angels which saw him sin are made to forget. The sinner’s body parts are also made to forget, so on the Day of Judgment no one will be able to testify against this individual.  Allah (swt) is so generous and kind. That’s why it’s stated “Tell my people I am oft-frogiving and merciful”.  So when the Lord of the worlds categorically expresses His mercy in the Qur’an, one should make the most of this. Today we have the means to do Tauba [repentance] yet when death approaches the means of repenting is taken away. Even the Pharaoh tried to seek repentance at the time of death, he was asked “Now? Too late, it won’t happen now”. Allah (swt) has given us health and life so however many sins we have committed we should seek repentance. Allah (swt) will accept [sincere] repentance; Allah (swt) will not turn the person away disappointed/dejected and empty.

SO PONDER OVER THIS: You are alive today to make Tauba to Allah (swt) and make all your sins go away, But tomorrow you won't be and the doors of Mercy will then be closed. So make Tauba right now, don't wait for tomorrow....  

Taking Hijaab (Cloak & Veil) In The Light of Qur'an - [Part 1]

The importance and necessity of taking ‘Jalabeeb’ has clearly been mentioned in Qur’an and Sahih Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saw). Interpreters have mentioned the Arabic word ‘Jalabeeb’ as similar to Cloak/Hijaab (which is why the word Hijaab is very common today).

There are only two sources of evidence which are acceptable in Islam:
1.) The Holy Quran which if the actual words of Allah revealed in the Arabic language.
2.) The Hadeeths and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Muhammad (s.a.w).

First let's analyze the importance of Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saw), as to why we have to follow Sunnah and Hadith along with Qur'an.

 Evidence from Qur’an

Importance of teachings of Prophet Muhammad (saw)

[Surah An-Nisa Ch:4 V:41]

“How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you (O Muhammad SAW) as a witness against these people?”

Explanation:

In this ayat Allah (swt) gives us a clear proof that every nation was appointed with a Messenger by Allah (swt)’s grace, and the last Prophet, Who is not a Prophet for just one nation but for every creation of Allah (swt), Who is a Prophet of all the Prophets even, Subhan’Allah, He is Muhammad (saw), and Allah (swt) says Himself that He bring Muhammad (saw) as a witness and a mercy to mankind. Which makes his Sunnah a clear proof for us to follow. There is no reason for us to deny any of His sayings, We must follow every word of our Prophet (saw) if we want to earn our way to Jannah, Insha’Allah. Allah (swt) will judge every man from the Sunnah of His Beloved Messenger (saw). And in several Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saw) he mentions the importance of Veil and instructs the believing Women to take Jalabeeb. So why we argue over it? May Allah (swt) forgive us all.

[Surah An-Nisa Ch:4 V:59]

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (SAW), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.”

Explanation:

A Muslim can’t deny the Hadith (or Sunnah) of The Prophet (s.a.w). He has been instructed to do so by Allah (s.w.t) Himself. If we don’t agree with Hadith then we are not Muslims since a Muslim testifies that ‘There is no god but Allah And Muhammad (s.a.w) is His Messenger’ by believing in Qur’an but not the Hadith of the Prophet (s.a.w) we only ‘Testify that there is no god but Allah’ whereas we don’t testify that Muhammed (s.a.w) is His messenger. A Muslim needs to follow the teachings of Allah’s Messenger as commanded. Otherwise he is not amongst the believer.

[Surah Nisa Ch: 4 V:65]

“But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad SAW) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.”

Explanation:

In comparison to the Ayat No.59 of Surah Nisa this ayat is similar to some extent but As per the understanding of many well-known scholars it is said that this is by far the most beautiful Ayat in which Allah (swt) is swearing Himself. According to scholars this ayat shows the love Allah (swt) has for Prophet Muhammad (saw), as Allah (swt) commanded us to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and to make him our role model. If any two Muslims are arguing over a matter they should consult Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw), as if they want Allah (swt) to be their ‘Rabb’ then they have to follow His Prophet (saw) first, if they don’t do that then Allah (swt) labels them as the one’s with no faith. This brings our attention to the importance of Sunnah and Saying of Prophet Muhammad (saw) known as Ahadith. We must not deny any hadith and must not deprive ourselves from the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Commandment of Jilbab (cloak)

[Surah an-Nur ayah 31]

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be  successful.”

Explanation:

In the verse mentioned above it is very clear that Allah (swt) has commanded a believing woman to guard her private parts and not to display her adornments. Allah (swt) has even mentioned the list of people who are exception to this ruling, Subhan’Allah. Now why would Allah (swt) specifically mention the relationship which is an exception to this ruling? The answer seems to be very simple as per my understanding, Allah (swt) is Our Creator, Our Rab, Our Protector, Subhan’Allah, He knows what we don’t, And since Allah (swt) created men and women, So He knows us better then we know ourselves. Which is why Allah (swt) commanded women to cover herself from men in order to eliminate any sort of Fitnah and temptation that could arise if women do not cover themselves. Other than that Allah (swt) even instructs the believing women not to bring into anyone’s attention of what they are. He is ‘Al-Muhaymin’ (The Guardian and Protector) and by this commandment He is protecting the believing women. Subhan’Allah. And if we must consider the environment we live in today, we must agree to the fact that today is not better than yesterday. We are opting more and more western culture and thoughts to our mind and Qur’an and Sunnah both instructs us not to follow the way of non-believers, and not to even indulge ourselves in their acts. So keeping in mind how men tease women today veil is mandatory.

[Surah Al-Ahzab Verse: 58]

“And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly bear on themselves the crime of slander and plain sin.”

[Surah Al-Ahzab Verse: 59]

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e.screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever OftForgiving, Most Merciful.”

[Surah Al-Ahzab Verse: 60]

“If the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease (evil desire for adultery, etc.), and those who spread false news among the people in AlMadinah, cease not, We shall certainly let you overpower them, then they will not be able to stay in it as your neighbours but a little while.

Explanation (58) (59) (60):

In context to the Ayat No. 58….In ayat No.59 Allah (swt) instructs Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) that he should say to, His wives, daughters and the Believing women to draw their cloaks all over their bodies as that will be better for them. So as to protect them from such people who harm the believing men and women (which Allah (swt) mentioned in verse no. 58), Allah (swt) gave this commandment.  Then in verse no. 60 Allah (swt) informs us that if still such people don’t stop (i.e if still they continue with their evil acts even after the ruling in Verse.59) then Allah (swt) will let the believing men and women overpower such people and terminate them the way He wills And Allah (swt) knows best, And if He commands the believing women to take Cloak as it’s better for them, then why wouldn’t we want to follow what’s better for us?. I assume we all Muslims believe that Allah (swt) has complete knowledge and we know nothing in comparison. He is Our Creator and we are His Creation, It’s not the other way round Nauzubillah, and we must never forget this. We want to earn the highest place in Jannah so we should follow what Allah (swt) is suggesting us.

For the one’s unable to wear hijab and living in Non-Islamic Countries:

[Surah Al-Nisa’ CH:4 V:97] 

“Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): “In what (condition) were you?” They reply: “We were weak and oppressed on the earth.” They (angels) say: “Was not the earth of Allaah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?” Such men will find their abode in Hell — what an evil destination!”

Explanation:

The Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen cannot carry out many of the rituals and visible acts of worship of Islam, in addition to the fact that he is exposing himself to temptation because of the permissiveness in those countries that is protected by their laws. The Muslim should not expose himself to temptations and trials. Furthermore the saying of Prophet Muhammad (saw) is also supported by this Ayat as He (saw) said: “I disown every Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen”. So for those who are living in such lands and they say we are unable to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and commandment of Allah (swt), Why not settle in some muslim country? Is money more important for you then the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (saw)? You guys should remember one thing that this world is just a trial for us, and we are not here to reach to extreme worldly level But Allah (swt) created us to worship Him alone. So save yourself from the whisper of the devil and don’t fall into his trap. For he is the one who deprives you of Qur’an and Sunnah. May Allah (swt)’s curse be upon him.

[Surat Adh-Dhariyat Ch:51 V:56]

“And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).”

Explanation:

I’m sure that this ayat is very simple and clear to everyone, Allah (swt) is Our Creator, Our Khaliq and He created men and jinn both to worship Him alone, and to Him alone shall we return, Allah (swt) created man to obey every command of Allah (swt) and follow the footsteps (sunnah) of His Messenger (saw). And Qur’an and Sunnah (Hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (saw) both instructs a woman to cover herself and take a veil. Even Hazrat Maryam (AS) took a veil when Hazrat Jibrail (AS) came to her.

Conclusion:

Since a person needs to be modest (as Islam teaches us to be modest), but who will judge this modesty? America? England? Pakistan?. It varies from country to country we all know that, so then how to dress up modestly? So obviously the One who Created us knows best and only He will define what modesty is, and since He is our Creator, We will follow His ways only, Insha'Allah. And from the above authentic Ayats of Qur'an we all know what is modesty and how to dress up modestly when we step out of our house.

The Love and Importance of Cats in Islam

Islam faith and cats

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was tender and kind towards cats. He appreciated cats. Hazrat Muhammad  (s.a.w)'s  favourite cat was called Muezza. There is a well-known story regarding the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and Muezza.

When the call to prayers was heard, Muezza was asleep on one of the sleeves of the Prophet’s  (s.a.w)  robes. The Prophet  (s.a.w)  wanted to wear the robe to go to prayers. Rather than disturb Muezza, Muhammad  (s.a.w)  cut off the sleeve to leave Muezza in peace. Prophet  (s.a.w)  then stroked the cat three times, which, it is said, granted Muezza seven lives and the ability to land on his feet at all times (as you might know, cats have a self-righting mechanism,a righting reflex, which is a complex series of movements when a cat falls and which protects the cat from breaking her back).

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was so attached to his cat that when he gave sermons he let Muezza rest on his lap and he also drank from water previously drunk by his cat. He also did his ablutions from the same water that was drunk by a cat. He seemed to treat his cat in the same way as cat lovers do today but even cat lovers might think twice about drinking the same water that had been drunk by a cat for fear of transmission of disease from the cat’s saliva (but see below).

Islam teaches Muslims to treat cats well and that the cat is a creature to be cherished and loved. Mistreating a cat is regarded as a severe sin in Islam.

Cats according to the Qur`an and Sunnah

An example as to how Muslims are punished for mistreating cats can be found in the `ahadith (oral traditions telling the story of the Prophet Mohammed  (s.a.w)  and which have been recorded in writing). When a woman kept a cat locked up and failed to feed the cat until the cat died, the woman was tortured and "put to hell.”

It is believed that you will suffer no harm if you drink from the cat’s water provided no impurities are seen in the cat’s mouth. In another story from the `ahadith, it is stated that a when a cat ate a pudding put down during prayers, the person who was in charge of the pudding ate from the same place as the cat and Prophet (s) said this was alright as the cat is not unclean and is "one of those who go around amongst us".

Islam teaches Muslims that, in relation to a cat:

1.) The cat should not be sold for money or other traded goods.

2.) Cats saliva is harmless unless the cat has "visible impurities" in the mouth.

3.) Muslims are free to live with cats but they must treat cats well, providing the cat with enough water and food and giving "roaming time" (a degree of freedom of movement)

'A good deed done to an animal is as meritorious as a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as an act of cruelty to a human being'

How Watching Pornography Changes The Brain

Brain Coral

It is now recognized in neuroscience that the brain is malleable. It changes with our experience and forms pathways and connections that correlate with what we watch, listen to, and learn. From the active engagement in a philosophical discussion in class to the learning of directions in the new city you moved into; even the seemingly passive sitting down to listen to music or watch television results in a constant formation of new connections in the brain that eventually make us who we are as individuals. A huge problem, albeit a silent one, that has reached epidemic proportions is the viewing of pornography, which affects men more so than it does women.

The great majority of articles on the problematic nature of this subject typically speak about it from a psychological and/or social perspective. This article, however, will shed light on the effects of viewing pornography from a neuroscience perspective.

The current model explaining how we learn and remember things at the brain level uses synaptic plasticity as the basis. Synaptic plasticity is the ability of the brain to change the strength in connections between the neurons (brain cells) in response to experience. This involves changing the amount and types of receptors expressed, as well as the amount of neurotransmitters (communication molecules) being released.

A vital neurotransmitter in the brain is dopamine. It has many important roles that it serves in functions such as voluntary movement, motivation, reward, punishment, and learning. Dopamine has been implicated in children with ADHD, cognitive decline due to aging, and depression. Most of the public’s knowledge about dopamine is about famous individuals with Parkinson’s disease such as Muhammad Ali and Michael J Fox, who have dopamine dysfunction pathology.

A vital role for dopamine is in pleasure experience, reward, and learning. Drugs such as cocaine target the dopaminergic system to release great amounts of dopamine which results in experiencing a “high,” often leading to addiction. A number of studies have implicated dopamine in either the anticipation or the direct experience of pleasure. Depending on the brain area, dopamine can be released either prior to or during the moments of heightened pleasure. When released, dopamine strengthens and reinforces the new connections that are being made in the brain while an activity is undertaken.  This in turn acts to encourage the individual to repeat the activity again so they can feel that pleasure once more.

How is this relevant to pornography? As the images are displayed on the screen, an arousal takes place and the dopaminergic system is triggered just like it would be by drugs such as cocaine. The newly formed connections in the brain from watching pornographic images become greatly reinforced by the massive amounts of dopamine being released. Rather than going into short term memory, where these images can be forgotten after the screen is turned off, the dopamine reinforcement ensures they’re moved into the long-term memory stores where they can be stuck in replay mode in the person’s mind. The troublesome fact about this is that the more something is recalled, the more it solidifies it in the brain. Think back to your school days when you studied for an exam – you repeated the statements you needed to memorize over and over until they stuck.

Pornography is fantasy. Different scenes present with different women give the illusion of the watcher having a relationship with a new person every time. These “stars” subject themselves to different demeaning sexual practices by the men in the scenes. The acts in their totality are detestable to most mentally healthy people. However, the design of the act in a pornographic scene is to link one or two normally arousing and familiar elements with others that are not. This is how the viewer acquires new tastes in sexual practice. Electromagnetic waves are emitted from the screen with a fantasy that triggers a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing dopamine. The result is a feeling of a real, yet delusional, state of pleasure and satisfaction. The dopamine reinforces the new connections with newly acquired sexual tastes, and the next thing taking place is the man asking his wife to engage in a sexual fantasy that was downloaded into his subconscious.

The sequence of events in the brain is quite disturbingly simple. Synaptic plasticity works to form new connections as a result of watching pornography, and newly learned memories are stored. Since the experience is an arousing one, dopamine release results in very strong reinforcement of those new connections. Now that the scenes are in long-term memory, two consequences take place: 1) since the very same system stimulated by cocaine is being triggered by pornography, addiction is developed; and 2) the man will often attempt to create his own re-enactments with his wife, which leads to a great disappointment. The re-enactments do not live up to expectations because instead of many different women, it’s now only one. Worse yet, this only one woman doesn’t sound, act, or look the same as the ones downloaded into his mind. Although the first couple of re-enactments might be exciting, soon reality will strike and dopamine will no longer be released because pleasure is no longer derived.

Sadly, that’s not the end of it. After such a disappointment in the actual experience due to the unrealistic fantasy-based expectations, the brain not only refrains from releasing dopamine; it actually dips below baseline levels. It goes into a depression response that results in disappointment, dissatisfaction, and unhappiness in the marriage since the wife is “not up to what he expected”. Despite the efforts by many women to “spice things up” and even subject themselves to the demeaning acts that have been artificially downloaded into their husbands’ brains, the pornography-addicted husbands will only enjoy themselves for a very short while before losing interest. Meanwhile, the wife feels unattractive and emotionally abandoned despite her best efforts, not knowing that she couldn’t compete with the dopamine buzz offered by pornography.

What’s alarming about this information is that the brain acts as a whole entity; its plasticity is global. Change in one area affects other regions. It is a literal rewiring of overall neural connections as a result of pornography viewing. The extent of influence on other parts of the brain and cognition is an area of research requiring attention.

While neuroscience paints a very disturbing picture for those affected by watching pornography, it’s not all bad news. Although the same system for cocaine addiction is targeted by it, the substance is not the same. A cocaine addict must go through a regimented program to detoxify his system or otherwise he’ll be placing his life at risk. On the other hand, many men that have learned about the real stark effects of watching pornography are able to quit immediately without experiencing negative physiological consequences. It does take a lot of willpower and requires the person to busy themselves with other activities. Initially, tormenting replays of pornographic scenes watched over the past months or years will test the person’s drive and strength to give it up. Luckily, the same brain that went through a rewiring due to viewing pornography can also be rewired again. It is an extremely efficient organ that gets rid of unused connections. The longer a person can go without restimulating his pornographic connections, the more likely he makes it for his brain to discard them. Engaging in new experiences and occupying the brain with other PG-rated matters will be bound to force it to prune others away. It just needs time to do its work and it needs to be given the choice; it will always choose what the person activates more often.

- By Mohamed Ghilan, UVic Neuroscience

Source:

http://www.suhaibwebb.com/ummah/men/how-watching-pornography-changes-the-brain/