March 2013 Issue

Rupees 50

Visionary Youth — Great Nation

March 2013Volume 3 — Issue 3

Fightingthe

Bull(y)

Resurrection

Patience

The One Who Was and Will Always be

The Satisfaction of an iPhone

Taqwa: A State of Submission

Lock Your Doors Between Maghrib and Isha

MyVision Team

Shafiq ur Rahman Executive EditorAsif Khurshid EditorRaja Zia ul Haq Senior Editor

Abdul Jabbar Bilal AdvisorsMansoor SalimZofran Elahi

Contact InformationSuite #33, 2nd Floor, Rose-1 Plaza, I-8 Markaz, Islamabad-44000, Pakistan.

Website: http://www.myvision.pkEmail: [email protected]

Contribute Your Articles

MyVision is a magazine for young Muslims. If you are young, or if you would like to write for kids and teenagers, we welcome articles on topics that are generally related to:

Authentic guidance from the Qur’an and • Sunnah.Islamic heros and personalities.• How youth should live their lives righteously.•

If you or someone at your school is interested in contributing articles, we request that the content be:

Relevant• Thought-provoking• Well-presented• Non-promotional•

Contributing LengthFeatured articles should be around 600-words. The maximum length for all other submissions is 300-words.

Submitting ArticlesAuthors should carefully review their text before submitting the final version. Please provide references in the form of book names, web links, Qur’an or Hadith reference when quoting different sources.

Please supply full contact details of the author; like name, school, address, phone, e-mail, etc. Articles should reach us by the 15th of every month of inclusion in the subsequent month’s issue.

Please e-mail your articles to: [email protected].

Copyright © 2013 MyVision Magazine.All rights reserved.

From the EditorDear Readers, As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah,

I hope you are all doing well. We are all sons or daughters of Adam (AS). Allaah created Adam (AS) with the best essence of clay. He collected clay, mixed it, shaped it into human a being and then breathed life into it.

Therefore human beings are the best creature on the earth and that is why Allaah does not allow us to ridicule others and find faults in them. But unfortunately some people laugh at others and make fun of them for different reasons and hurt the feelings of others and think that they are becoming more popular and famous among their fellows by doing that.

Allaah says, “O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better

than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult

one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after

[one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent — then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” [49:11]

And He also says, “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allaah is the most righteous of you.” [49:13]

Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said, “O Mankind! Your Lord is one and your father is one. He is most honored among

you in the sight of Allaah who is most upright.” [Trimidhi]

A scholar’s once said, “Be careful of laughing at others for perhaps Allaah might forgive their ignorance and not

forgive your arrogance”.

Therefore guys and gals, it is our duty to respect each other.

Very truly yours,

Asif Khurshid

From the Editor MyVision March 2013

Qarun used to travel with a magnificent entourage, full of pomp and grandeur.

Servants and salves surrounding him, riding on lavishly decorated animals and carts, laden with jewelry and extravagant decorations. The intention was for everyone to know that someone very rich and special was arriving.

One day he came out in his familiar fashion, dripping with arrogance. People

who were easily impressed with worldly charms and delights were again impressed as usual, envious of his good fortune, and wishing greedily for treasures similar to his. Some of the people who were wise, down-to-earth, and Allaah-fearing, advised them to be content with whatever was given them, and to put their faith in Allaah, and always strive for good deeds. For those who do so, Allaah had prepared a better and more permanent reward for them,

and that was what was better for them to strive for.

However bright the sun may shine, it has to set. Allaah had ordained that it was

now time for the fame and fortune of Qarun to sunset and vanish. The punishment Allaah had in store for Qarun was to remain, as it remains till today, and lesson and warning for all humankind to come. That day, Allaah caused the earth to swallow Qarun and his whole pompous entourage, complete with all his wealth and treasures, right in front of the people watching him. There was no force, no army, none of his allies or friends in the government who could save him, even though we was a close associate of the Pharaoh. Nor, with all his wealth and fortune, he was able to save himself. Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said the earth will keep on pulling Qarun and swallowing him and he will stay in this state until

the Day of Judgment has been established.

Those among the people who considered Qarun fortunate and wished they had similar

to what he had, had now learned their lessons. They immediately accepted that it was only Allaah who can broaden sustenance or restrict it. If His Mercy was not upon them, they would have met the same fate as Qarun and the earth would have swallowed them. And they would have ended up as one of the disbelievers.

At end of this story in Qur’an, Allaah says, “That home of the Hereafter (i.e.

Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the pious.” [28:83] y

[This story is in Qur’an, chapter al-Qasas, verses 76-83]

The Story of the

Richest ManPart-II

By Abdul Jabbar Bilal

Words of My Creator

MyVision March 2013 Words of My Creator

Lessons LearnedIn Qur’an, Allaah has narrated stories of the righteous 1. people, as well as the evil ones, in order for us to take lessons from them.

True value and status of a person is not due to his 2. position, wealth and fortune, otherwise Qarun would not have met the fate he did.

Money and wealth are not permanent. 3. Someone’s wealth and status should not prevent us from giving him advice to mend his ways. Pious people in Qarun’s time did give him the correct advise.

When Allaah showers His favors upon us, we should 4. extend our good fortune to help other people, and be not be ungrateful.

The way to be grateful for the wealth Allaah has given 5. us is to spend it in His ways, and not on things that He has made forbidden to us.

When a believer meets any good fortune, status, or 6. blessing, he attributes to the Mercy of Allaah, while in contrast people like Qarun attribute them to their hard work and efforts.

Forbidden uses of wealth are tantamount to 7. transgressing against Allaah and spreading anarchy.

People who love Allaah are never impressed by the 8. wealth of others, rather their focus remains on The Hereafter

People who judge by worldly standards are always 9. away from reality.

Truly fortunate are those people whom Allaah enables 10. to do good deeds, and not those who have wealth.

Those who find tranquility in display of wealth are not 11. aware of the reality.

When the wrath of Allaah descends; money, position, 12. kingdom, nothing can be of any benefit.

The rewards that Allaah has reserved for His pious 13. servants are much more than all the treasures of this world.

Those who are wise learn from other’s mistakes.14.

Happy endings are for those who restraint themselves 15. from transgression again Allaah, spreading anarchy, and oppression.

A little child entered a mosque in Paris. He went to the Imam and told him, ”Sir, my mom sent me here so that I can study in your school”. “But where is your mother?”, the Imam asked the little boy. “She is standing in front of the door of the mosque”, he replied, ”She is a non-Muslim”. The Imam went to her asking her why she, as a non-Muslim woman, wants her little child to study in an Islamic school? She simply said, “My neighbor is a Muslim woman. Every time she takes her children to the school, they kiss her hands before going. They treat her like a queen. Her family is always happy. Please, teach my child in your school so that he treats me as the Muslim children treat their mothers”. y

By Rabia Batool

Words of My Creator — A Little Child MyVision March 2013

MyVision March 2013 Resurrection

The Resurrection of Man has been a never ending debate, not only has

Qur’an mentioned the sarcasm of non believers regarding rebirth but up-to this age it has been the bone of contention, specially as cremation is a more popular form of disposing off the dead in Christian families also like in Hinduism, the question or belief of resurrection has been even more discussed and doubted.

Not only Islam but Judaism and Christianity also believe in a Day of

Resurrection. Logic and sense of justice demands that there is a need for a Day where good and bad deeds are rewarded, the victims are avenged and the evil punished. Therefore we believe that when God Almighty can create us the first time, it is easier to create us the second time.

Allaah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The earth would consume

every part of the son of Adam (after his death) except for one bone; the coccyx (the bone at the base of the vertebral column) from which he is created and from which his body will be reconstituted on the Day of Resurrection”. [Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

ResuRRecTioN

in a number of Ahadith, the Prophet (PBUH) mentioned that Agbu adh-Dhanab is

a small bone, as small as the mustard seed, at the base of the spinal column. It is a remnant of the primary strand from which the human body is created in the embryonic stage, and it remains after his death and even after the decomposition of his body. It is this coccyx from which man will be brought back to life on the Day of Resurrection. The Prophet (PBUH) asserted that Allaah will send water from the sky and then the dead bodies will grow like vegetation grows. There is nothing of the human body that does not decay except one bone; the coccyx, a small triangular bone at the base of the spinal column, through which the human body will be recreated on the Day of Resurrection.

it is obvious that the issue of the decomposition of bodies, is a general rule,

with the exception of the bodies of the Prophets, who seeks his reward only from Allaah, as Imam Ibn Hajar mentioned, relying on the Ahadith of the Prophet (PBUH).

The Prophet (PBUH) foretold a scientific fact that was discovered only

a few years ago. Specialists in embryology have proven, as Dr. Muhammad ‘Aly el-Bar said (in

an extensive research) that the human body is created from a very delicate strand called “The Primary Strand”. This is created, with the Will of Allaah, on the 15th day of the fertilization of the ovum and its implantation in the wall of the uterus.

When this strand is formed, all the organs of the embryo start

to form, especially the nervous system, the initial parts of the

vertebral column, and the rest of the body parts, because Allaah has given this strand the ability to stimulate the cells to start to dividing, differentiating from each other, and acquire their own specific characteristics. It also helps them to accumulate together in their specialized tissues and full organs, which complement each other in their cooperation to perform all bodily functions.

it has been proven that this preliminary strand decomposes (after man’s

death) except for a small part

( t h e o r i g i n of the coccyx), w h i c h remains at the e n d of the vertebral column (or in the vertebra known as the coccyx), and this is what is meant by Agbu adh-dhanab in the hadith. When man

dies, the whole body decomposes except for this part, from which — as mentioned in the hadith — man is recreated, exactly as a plant germinates from a seed. This process takes place when, at the time of Resurrection, special rain will fall from the sky, by the Will of Allaah, The Almighty.

A group of C h i n e s e sc ientists

proved in their laboratory experiments that it is impossible for this part Agbu adh-Dhanab (the end part of the coccyx) to totally perish. They tried to dissolve it chemically in the strongest acids, through burning, pounding, and by subjecting it to various types of radiation. This definitely proves that the hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) is true and precedes all scientific experiments by 1400 years. y

[Treasures in the Sunnah: A Scientific Approach — By: Dr. Zaghloul El-Naggar]

Resurrection MyVision March 2013

REfLECtIf there was a “LIKE”

button next to each ayah of your personal copy of the Qur’an, how many

LIKES would it get each day?

By Maryam Amirebrahimi

Practice

Courtesy: http://www.suhaibwebb.com

/islam-studies/quran/practice

MyVision March 2013 Practice

Practice MyVision March 2013

I was walking amidst worshippers on the third floor of Masjid al Haram.

Deep in thought, I was suddenly interrupted by hearing someone’s incredible recitation of the irresistible Qur’an.

I stood still, my heart captivated by the recitation. As I slowly sat in my spot,

other worshippers came and began to sit near me, whisking out phones to capture the voice.

As he finished, the man next to him began to explain that this

reciter was Shaykh al-Shirbini, an Imam of a masjid in Cairo. Those around him begged him to continue reciting and he politely refused. The crowd got larger, persisting in their demands until he finally continued reciting and then engaged in conversation with the crowd.

His recitation reminded me of the world renowned Abdul

Baset Abdul Samad, the Qari (Qur’an reciter) who almost every Qur’an teacher suggests any new student of tajweed (rules of recitation of Qur’an) to follow in order to perfect their recitation. For so long I had wanted to know how to get the same pitch as the great Qari, having heard more than once that it’s attainable even for those who are not born with it. I couldn’t hold my question in any longer.“Excuse me,” I spoke through the crowd, “I have a question!” The Shaykh and the man sitting

next to him looked to me with kindness and welcomed my inquiry. “If someone wants to recite like you — with that same tone inclination — how can they do it?” The Shaykh smiled and responded with one word: “Practice.”

He told me: Listen to Shaykh Abdul Baset over and over, focusing

on smaller surahs (chapters of the Qur’an) to get the tone and inclination. And over time, the more that I listen, the easier his pitch will come.

I haven’t attained that pitch yet, although I’m sure many readers have.

Thus, this reminder isn’t about getting down that type of tone inclination. This reminder is about his one-worded reply: Practice.

When I first started memorizing the Qur’an, my voice,

my tone, my melody was horrendous. I hated hearing myself. My teacher would recite with a melodious voice and the words of the Qur’an would just enter my heart. And then I would recite and sound like nails on a chalkboard.

One day, I asked her how I could get to her level. How could I recite and

actually enjoy what I heard? How could I not sound so… horrible?

She smiled and replied, “You’re just starting. I’ve been doing this for

years. As you increase in your

memorization, you’ll get your own flow and your voice will begin to fill. Don’t worry, it’ll just take time and practice.”

And that’s exactly what happened. It took time and practice. And

that’s the key; you and I may not sound like a famous Qari, especially when we first begin. However, with time and Allaah’s help, we’ll start to carve our own groove with our Qur’an.

Many are those who have lamented to me of their inability to

recite beautifully, to memorize quickly or to remember what they’ve memorized. Those who have almost given up countless times have told me, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me!” The real question, however, has little to do with what may be wrong and everything to do with how hard or consistently one is putting in the effort.

Shaykh al-Shirbini and all of my Qur’an teachers gave me the same advice.

Whether it’s the way one recites, the speed with which one memorizes or the strength of the actual memorization and review, all of these rest on one thing after the help of Allaah, and that is: Practice.

We all have the ability to attain levels we see in others and wish

for ourselves. The real question is not why we cannot get there. The question is: Are we willing to put in the effort and dedicate the time to become like those we wish to be? y

FightingtheBull(y)By Rohma Arfeen

MyVision March 2013 Cover Feature

Cover Feature

Today was a very eventful day. I was walking to school, when I came across a group of girls bullying another girl who was around

11-years old. When I saw this I got very angry because when I was that age, kids used to bully me too. I went up to them and told them to stop. Those three girls when they saw that I was much older than them, got scared and ran away. I went to the girl who was being bullied and asked her, “Are you okay?” She nodded her head yes, but I could see that she really wanted to cry, and she wasn’t okay, and remembering from experience, I was never okay after being bullied either. But I was just too embarrassed to tell other people that I was being bullied or admit that I was.

Now what exactly is bullying? Bullying is when some person on purpose hurts some other person in any way. It could be through

gestures (when you make bad faces at someone), through verbal abuse (you say bad things to a person to hurt them, you tell other kids not to be their friend), or it can be physical (when someone pushes you, or hits you, or pulls your hair). Bul-lying behavior is often repeated and bullies often choose one single person as a target to make them feel bad.

I remember when I was bullied it was awful; I used to feel useless and extremely sad all the time. I hated going to school, and I always tried

to fit in and try to be those kids’ friends, but it never worked. Those kids always found something else to laugh at me about.

Now let’s see why do kids bully other kids, have you ever wondered that? First of all we know that bullying is something very bad, so

that shows us that the kids who are bullying have something really unhealthy in their minds going on for them, to do something like this. No kid who has a healthy mind would ever do something like this, why would they find pleasure out of hurt-ing someone else? Well when you look at the main reason why the bully is bullying you (I know you might not believe me right now but it’s true) is because they feel inferior, they have some prob-lem in their own lives, because of which they take it out on other people so they feel better about themselves.

“When another person makes you suffer, it is be-cause he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need pun-ishment; he needs help. That’s the message he is sending.” [Thich Nhat Hanh]

What to do if You are Bullied?

First of all pray to Allaah. 1. Remember He is your best friend. “Verily in the remembrance of Allaah does the heart find peace” [13:29]. Allaah says, “…and if he comes to Me walk-ing, I go to him running” [Sahih al-Bukhari]. See how much Allaah loves you! Believe me guys, I have personally experienced this.

Don’t forget your morning evening 2. prayers and izkars (invocations to Allaah that our beloved Prophet taught us). Remem-ber guys, your morning evening prayers are you security guards from Allaah! They are very

important. Just remember no one can harm you if Allaah is protecting you. Just imagine how cool that is. Allaah is personally protect-ing you!

Tell an Adult3. . I know you will feel scared to tell an adult, because you would not want the bullies to call you a tattle taler, but remember it is very important to report the bullies other-wise the bullies will keep on bullying you and the other kids.

Stand up 4. for your-self. Be-lieve it or not, this will help you gain r e s p e c t from oth-ers. Prac-tice what you might say to a bully with a friend, your mirror, or an adult. Practice saying it in a firm, confident voice. You may even encour-age others to protect themselves from bully-ing, too.

Don’t let them make you feel bad5. . Re-member that the kids bullying you have a problem. Don’t let them make you feel sorry for yourself, instead feel sorry for them. Walk away from them calmly and don’t let them see you be weak, because that will make them hurt you more. Remember they will never feel sorry for you.

Remember, this is a blessing6. . You must be like, WHAT? How can it be a blessing! Well let me tell you from experience. First of all it will make you stronger person, a good fighter, and it will make you a much better person than that bully can ever be. In future you will stand up for the other kids who are being bullied.

You will be more considerate and feel what the other people who are being hurt must feel. By putting you through this hard and awful time right now, Allaah is preparing you for some-thing no one else but you can only do, some-thing which is going to be very special. Now that makes you a very special and loved kid by Allaah. Remember no love is greater and better then Allaah’s love, so always remember whatever hardships you are going through to-day, you will thank Allaah for them in the fu-

ture. And be-lieve me you will, because it will make you a better and a kinder person.

So re-member if you

are being bul-lied or some-one you see is being bullied, tell an adult

and help the person being bullied. It will always make you feel so good. Allaah hates it when people bully, ask Him for help and remember it will make you a better person. The person bullying you is the one who has a problem not you. So never ever feel bad about yourself. Allaah made you beautiful, al-ways remember that.

Everyone, lets fight bullying, and stop whoever is doing it. Remember Allaah loves people who are just.

The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “He who amongst you sees something evil should modify it, with the help of his hands; and if

he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not enough strength to do it, then he should abhor (means he should think it is wrong) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.” [Sahih Muslim] y

FightingtheBull(y)

Cover Feature MyVision March 2013

MyVision March 2013 Recipe Corner

Note: Here’s a great way to use leftover chicken from last night’s dinner. No leftovers? Buy a barbecued chicken from a restaurant. Either way, get a grown-up’s help with the chopping and cutting.

Prep time: 5-10 minutes

What you need:½ - cup plain, yogurt•¼ - cup mayonnaise•½ - teaspoon salt•½ - teaspoon black pepper•1-largecelerystalk,finelychopped•¼-cupredonion,finelychopped•1/3-cupgrapes,cutinhalf•2-cupsleftoverroastedchicken,choppedinto½-inchpieces•4-cupslettuce,coarselychopped•

Equipment and supplies:Mixing bowl•Knifeforchopping•Bowlsforserving•

What to do:In a large bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, celery, •redonion,grapes,andchicken.Mixgentlyuntileverythingiswellcoatedindressing.•Dividelettucebetweenfourbowls.•Topeachbowlwithsomechickensalad.Servecold.•

How much does this recipe make?4-servings•

[Source: http://kidshealth.org]

Recipe Corner

Chicken Salad & Greens

PondER thIS“O you who have believed, protect

yourselves and your families from a Fire” [66:6]. Ali (RA) said concerning

this verse, “meaning teach them knowledge and manners.” [at-Tabari]

MyVision March 2013

Science for Kids

Design & Test a ParachuteLearn about air-resistance while making an awesome parachute! Design one that can fall slowly to the ground before putting it to the test, making modifications as you go.

What you’ll need:A plastic bag or light material•Scissors•String•A small object to act as the weight•

Instructions:Cut out a large square from your plastic •bag or material.Trim the edges so it looks like an octa-•gon (an eight-sided shape).Cut a small whole near the edge of each •side.Attach eight pieces of string of the same •length to each of the holes.Tie the pieces of string to the object you •are using as a weight.Use a chair or find a high spot to drop •your parachute and test how well it worked, remember that you want it to drop as slow as possible.

What’s happening?Hopefully your parachute will descend slowly to the ground, giving your weight a comfortable landing. When you release the parachute the weight pulls down on the strings and opens up a large surface area of material that uses air-resistance to slow it down. The larger the surface area the more air-resistance and the slower the parachute will drop.

Cutting a small hole in the middle of the para-chute will allow air to slowly pass through it rather than spilling out over one side, this should help the parachute fall straighter.

[Courtesy: www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/freefall.html]

Poetry Corner — Science for Kids MyVision March 2013 Page 13

Poetry Corner

The One Who Was

And Will Always Be

By Omar Chaudhry

I wonder when I look above

With a sigh of love...

At the starry sky, with tears of joy

When will this life come to an end?

For I can’t wait and I want to see

The One who was and will always be

It’s true this life does have a reason

But the world for me is still a prison

So no wonder what I have in here

That void inside will always be



I try to avoid it but I end up sinning

My heart feels heavy and my head starts spinning

If this is the pain I feel in this world

Then how harsh would the Hell-Fire be?

The thought of it makes me hate myself

But despair of His Mercy I’ll never be



So I turn to Him, put my head on the ground

My lost soul as if suddenly found

His remembrance puts my heart at peace

And brings a happy thought to mind

If this is the satisfaction of this world

How much pleasure one would in the Heaven find?

And then I can’t wait and I want to see


You have owned an iPhone 4 since it came out. You accessorized it with

different covers, a wall-charger, and even a car-charger. Then in October 2011, the iPhone 4S emerges. Suddenly, you want

the new iPhone, you need the new iPhone, you envision the new iPhone in your hands. So you upgrade, and you get rid of your (suddenly) old model. The newer version is minimum two hundred dollars with a two-

year contract, you add on insurance (just in case), and a new cover or two. You are content… until the iPhone 5 comes out in 2012, and then the cycle repeats.

This scenario is familiar to many Americans who

like to keep up with the latest trends. It is a cycle of replacing and upgrading

perfectly usable objects that we own, and it is a result of ‘perceived obsolescence’. Perceived obsolescence is a concept that explains how we believe that the items we own, that are still usable, have suddenly become ‘obsolete’. They cannot be used anymore because there is a better, newer, and more functional version out there. Remember the first version of the iPhone? It has become so obsolete that the concept of buying and using one now is laughable.

However, perceived obsolescence applies to more than just iPhones; it

applies to any material object that we buy. Down the line, we decide that we want to get rid of these objects because

The Satisfaction of an

iPhoneBy Deena Majeed

MyVision March 2013 The Satisfaction of an iPhone

they are no longer trendy; this includes clothing, electronics, and even home décor.

The Qur’an tells us how we have become so distracted with material objects;

“Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you, until you visit the graveyards.” [102:1-2]

Do we wish to spend all of our lives racing to accumulate material goods

and benefits that will never bring us true satisfaction? Although it is exciting to receive a new iPhone, how long until we get bored and decide that we want something better, newer, and more expensive? We spend countless hours per week working, only to spend a great percentage of our paycheck on things that we do not need.

As for the solution, are we supposed to shun all material aspects

of this life and deem them haram (prohibited)? No, not necessarily. But we do need to realize that the problem is not in the practice of being consumers, but in the actual mind-set of consuming. We need to learn how to alter our perspective and realize the difference between wanting something and needing something. Of course we all know the actual difference between wanting and needing, but the line between these two concepts becomes fuzzy when we desire the wrong things. We begin to believe that we actually

need the new iPhone, video game console, or pair of jeans, even though we simply ‘want it’ and in reality, our life would not crumble or fall apart without it.

As Yasmin Mogahed reminds us: “Remember that

everything in this life is only a glimpse. Love, beauty, happiness are only imperfect approximations. Only the dunya (worldly) version of these things. Seek the Real Thing…”

The line between the ‘real thing’ and ‘approximations’, however,

has become blurred. We have become so bombarded with advertisements that lure us into believing we want things that we do not even want. Men are convinced that if they buy a certain cologne they will look as handsome as the model wearing it, and women are convinced that if they buy a certain mascara they will have eyes as beautiful as the model’s, even though both the male and female models in the advertisements have been heavily Photoshoped. Many times we believe the advertisement, we fall for its promises, its deceptions, its lies, and we buy the cologne, the mascara, the jeans, the camera — anything and everything that is advertised these days. We buy the product, we may use it for a while, and eventually it becomes clutter

that fills up our homes and our lives. Eventually our homes and our minds become so stuffed with clutter and things that we do not need that our values become inflated as well. We forget what is important and what is not.

Remember our main goal in this life: to serve Allaah, and to reach

Jannah (Paradise) in the real, everlasting life. Enjoy the beauties of this world because they are gifts from Allaah but do not be led astray by them. The less stuff we have, the more grateful we will be for the things we do have.

Studies have shown that truly happy purchases are not material objects, but

experiences that we create. These types of purchases create memories that will never be forgotten, that we can carry with us at all times, and that will never clutter up our shelves. y

The Satisfaction of an iPhone MyVision March 2013

Taqwa is an Arabic word which is explained as a shield against wrongdo-

ing, and further expounded as to be “conscious of Allaah” or to have “fear of Allaah” or to be “cautiously aware of Allaah”.

origin of the word taqwa is from the Arabic root letters wa’

ka’ ya (meaning shield) and its verb is from the word ittaki. It-taki means to be careful or to be protected or to be cautious. Taqwa is an internal compass on the path that leads towards Allaah. The broader meaning and character of taqwa is to de-velop one’s behavior, so as to be cautiously aware in the worship of Allaah and attain nearness to Him and in so doing, perfect oneself.

This consciousness and fear of Allaah is under-stood as a protection and

a shield against wrongdoing. The abstention of evil through

this fear, consciousness and es-tablishing a cautious awareness of Allaah, ultimately develops one’s love of Him. The univer-sal principle of submission to the Divine Will is beautifully expressed in the character of one who is a servant of Allaah, known as an “Abd-Allaah”, which is an ideal state of taqwa.

Abu Darda (RA) said, “From the completion of taqwa is that the

servant fears from His Lord even with regards to things the weight of an atom.” Abu Darda’s advice for servants who wish to accomplish a character of taqwa should fear to com-mit the smallest of sins. The messenger of Allaah said in a Hadith, reported in the Sahih Muslim that, “Taqwa is here”, and he pointed to his chest.

umar (RA) once asked Ka’b (RA) the mean-ing of taqwa, as Ka’b

was renowned for his deep un-

derstanding of the Qur’an. Ka’b asked him if he had ever had to walk through a thorny bush path wearing his cloak. Umar replied in affirmative. Umar said that he had to mov very cautiously, so as not to tear his clothing. Ka’b said that was the description and the meaning of taqwa.

Taqwa is one of the most profound concepts in Islam. It is an avenue by

which Muslims relate to one an-other in society and a means to channel actions for the pleasure of Allaah. Possessors of taqwa are called Al-Muttaqun or Mut-taqeen. Qur`an confirms that taqwa is for everyone and not for a select group, “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may at-tain taqwa.” [2:183]

This verse confirms two points. Firstly, that fast-ing is for everyone, and

Taqwaa state of

SubmiSSion

By Abu Bakr Karoli

MyVision March 2013 Taqwa — A State of Submission

secondly that the development and attaining of taqwa is an es-sential part for all who aspire for tranquility and a contented heart. The most honored in the sight of Allaah is the believer with the most taqwa, i.e., the most conscious and aware of Him. The Quràn says at anoth-er place, “O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into na-tions and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allaah is that [believer] who has at-Taqwa. Verily, Allaah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” [49:13]

An ideal Islamic society is a taqwa conscious soci-ety, conferring its high-

est respect on those considered to be high in taqwa. Though taqwa is a state of the heart, we cannot judge the taqwa of others, but many aspects of taqwa will have a reflection in their char-acter and behavior. The Quràn though, prohibits anyone from

claims of self-purity. “Hold not yourself purified. Allaah knows best who has taqwa.” [53:32]

In Islam there is only one Shari’ah (Divine Law) and one scale of righteousness

for everyone and that is mea-sured through taqwa. The word taqwa has been mentioned 151 times in the Quràn. The Qurànic descriptions of taqwa are so precise and distinct that it is an indication of the impor-tance of the involvement of this concept in the life of Muslims, and enables Muslims to be an ideal and living example of a vicegerent of Allaah.

Qur’an, in the following verses, summarizes the guiding principle for

the people of taqwa, “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those con-scious of Allaah Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them. And who

believe in what h a s been re-ve a l e d to you, [O Muhammad PBUH], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.” [2:2-5]

Al-Muttaqun are always involved and active in their lives with the Um-

mah (the Muslim community), concerned with the affairs of humanity, whilst at the same time praying , fasting, spending in Allaah’s cause, having good morals, and are forgiving and just. They are the ones who will be assured and successful in the Hereafter. y

[Courtesy: IslamTomorrow.com.com]

Taqwaa state of

SubmiSSionTaqwa — A State of Submission MyVision March 2013

thinkThe Messenger of Allaah

(PBUH) said: “Do not belittle any good deeds, even if it is meeting your brother with a

cheerful face.” [Muslim]

Word List

BOBCAT LYNX

CARACAL MARBLED CAT

CHEETAH MARGAY

COUGAR OCELOT

JAGUAR ONCILLA

JAGUARUNDI SANDCAT

JUNGLE CAT SERVAL

KODKOD SNOWLEOPARD

LEOPARD TIGER

LION WILDCAT

T D I R A G U O C G E R S L A

R R E A T H E L A J R E G I T

R A G U E M A R G A Y S T O A

M P E G T A C E L G N U J N C

M O B A E R R S O U F T H E D

C E A J T B F A M A I L Y J L

A L G U A L A C A R A C R S I

A W H R E E O N E U O F T H W

E O A F E D W S A N D C A T S

P N T E C C I T E D S O L F C

A S E R V A L T O I S Y L T H

A T E L I T K K E L N S I W A

T E H R A N D D A X E R C E G

O O C L E O P A R D D C N A T

S W I M K M I N T A C B O B G

MyVision March 2013 Puzzle — Humor of the Scholars

Puzzle

Wild-Cats Search Puzzle

Find the wild-cat words in the wild-cats word search grid. The cat words can be forwards or backwards, vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. Circle each letter separately, but keep in mind that letters in each cat word may be used in more than one word. When the wild-cats word search puzzle is complete, read the remaining letters left to right, top to bottom, to learn two interesting facts about two different wild-cats.

Some humorous tidbit from the Fatawas (collection of religious rulings) of Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh al-Uthaymeen:

Question:

Reply:

Question:

Reply:

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “After the sun sets, hold on to your

kids, as the devils are spread-ing at that time. After an hour has gone past you can let them go, but keep your doors closed while making dzikr (saying Bis-millah), as the devil does not open a closed door and close any water bottle, while making dzikr and put the lid on any pan while making dzikr, even if you cover them with anything and turn your lights off.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 3280, Muslim 2012]

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Do not send your kids or ani-

mals (such as sheep, cattle or camels) after the sun sets, un-til the darkness of Isha falls, as the devils are being discharged between those times.” [Muslim 2013]

You might be asking your-self, “What could possi-bly be the reason behind

this? What happens between Maghrib and Isha?” Well, what

happens is that the Shayateen (devils) start to look for a place to hide, as they move around the Earth in large numbers, only Allaah knows how many, and they move in extremely fast speed, much faster than we can imagine. This of course poses a threat to some as they might get crushed by other devils. So they start looking for a place to hide.

The Hadith is explaining to us what the devils might do in their search

for a safe place to hide. Some of them might enter a bottle and stay there until it’s safe, some might hide in a saucepan, or a bucket and some might enter the house of a human. A Shaya-teen might hide behind a group of humans who are unaware of this, with those humans not making any dzikr the Shayateen is safe from the crushing power of other Shayateen roaming the Earth like a hurricane.

It is in the nature of Shaya-teen to hide in dirty places, such as toilets, rubbish bins,

etc. They might also get into a child and stay inside that child until it’s safe to get out. The par-ents of that child might notice a sudden change of mood in their child’s behavior. The parents might think that the child needs to be disciplined when the child might cry as he/she is bothered by the Shayateen in his body.

Therefore we remind Muslims to be care-ful and not to let their

doors open between Maghrib and Isha. They should also read Qur’an aloud around their chil-dren to prevent Shayateen from seeking refuge in their tiny bod-ies.

May Allaah protect us all from Shayateen and prevent them

from harming our children‚ ameen.

[Sending by Rahmah Ibrahim, home-schooling mother of four. She an Electrical Engineer. Source: real-islam.net.]

Lock Your Doors Between Maghrib and Isha

Lock Your Doors Between Maghrib and Isha MyVision March 2013

orbitsWhile referring to the Sun and the Moon in the Qur’an, it is emphasized

that each moves in a definite orbit:

“It is He Who created the night and the day, and the

sun and the moon. They swim along, each in an orbit.”

[21:33]

It is mentioned in another verse, too, that the Sun is not static but

moves in a definite orbit:

“And the sun runs to its resting place. That is the

decree of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.” [37:38]

These facts communicated in the Qur’an have been discovered by

astronomical observations in our age. According to the calculations

of experts on astronomy, the Sun is traveling at the enormous speed

of 720,000 kilometers an hour in the direction of the star Vega in a

particular orbit called the Solar Apex. This means that the sun travels

roughly 17,280,000 kilometers a day. Along with the Sun, and all

planets and satellites within the gravitational system of the Sun also

travel the same distance. In addition, all the stars in the universe are

in a similar planned motion.

That the entire universe is full of paths and orbits such as this one is

written in the Qur’an as follows:

“By the sky full of paths and orbits.” [51:7]

[Learning from the Qur’an — By: Harun Yahya]

March 2013 Issue

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Transcript of March 2013 Issue