Incorporating the stepfather into the family

By: Jamilah Rasheed A new husband brings support and stability to a family. Unfortunately, the woman’s children often feel left out of the decision making process and may resent this new person getting the attention that they felt was theirs. A balance needs to be made that will make the transition from single parent to a two parent unit a productive.. More

Motherhood: Miracles and the Majesty of Allah

Allah created mercy, and spread one part of it among all the mothers on the Earth, the human beings, the jinn and the animals, that they should love and nurture their young, from the beginning of time until the end. And He saved ninety-nine parts of mercy for Himself to use when judging the children of Adam on the Day of Judgment. (Paraphrased statement.. More

Mothers in Islam

The Meaning of Motherhood Motherhood is an innate disposition in normal females that makes them more merciful and compassionate. Mothers in the Noble Quran In terms of the Arabic language, ‘mother’ means the origin of everything. The expression of (what means): {The Essence (Literally: the Mother) of the Book}occurs in the Noble Quran.. More

Increasing Weight During Ramadan

Question: How can I increase my weight during Ramadan, or at least maintain the same weight, because I am very skinny? Answer: Assalaamu ‘Alaykum, dear sister Maha. I hope that you are not skinny due to a physical problem, like being diabetic for example. This does not seem to be the case from the way you stated your question. Therefore,.. More

It takes a strong woman to carry a home

BY SALMA SANWARI There is an old Mexican proverb: “The house does not rest upon the ground, but upon a woman.” A strong woman is the foundation of a solid family; she holds it together and guards it. A woman leads and protects her children, she serves and tends her husband, and she preserves and respects herself. If a woman can ensure her.. More

War on Hijab

Islam came to perfect noble morals and call for avoiding everything that stirs human urges and desires for the sake of reforming humanity and raising it above bestiality and disorder to attain higher levels of chastity and purity. The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: “Indeed, I was sent to perfect noble morals.” Sexual desires.. More

Hafsah Bint ‘Umar: the Prophet’s wife in Paradise -II

We learn from the book of Imaam Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy upon him, that Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her, was a bit short-tempered and sometimes would even answer the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, (may Allah exalt his mention) back. One day, her father, ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, who had.. More

Accepting Non-Muslims' Gifts

Question: Am I permitted to accept gifts from my Christian friends on their holidays? Fatwa: All praise be to Allah The Almighty, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Him, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger. Muslims must have a strong aversion to disbelief.. More

Using Food for Cosmetic Purposes

Allah The Almighty has created man in the best shape and form; He says (what means): {He Created the heavens and earth in truth and Formed you and perfected your forms; and to Him is the [final] destination.} [Quran 64:3] {Who Created you, Proportioned you, and Balanced you?} [Quran 82:7] Allah The Exalted created everything in.. More

Using Food for Cosmetic Purposes

Allah The Almighty has created man in the best shape and form; He says (what means): {He Created the heavens and earth in truth and Formed you and perfected your forms; and to Him is the [final] destination.} [Quran 64:3] {Who Created you, Proportioned you, and Balanced you?} [Quran 82:7] Allah The Exalted created everything.. More

The Real Gift

Islam has legislated the giving of the dower by the husband to the wife in order to please the woman’s heart and to honour her. It is also meant to bring an end to what was done in the Days of Ignorance wherein she was wronged, exploited, despised and robbed of her wealth. The dower is a right exclusively for the wife. It is her possession and.. More

The Islamic marriage contract

Marriage in Islam is based on a contract between a man and woman intending to be unified in marriage. Thus, as in any contract in Islam, there are elements which are considered essential to its existence, called 'pillars', as well as the possibility of stipulations of different kinds, legal effects of the contract, etc. Each of these must be understood.. More

Libyan Soup (sharrba)

This soup is well known in the North African countries (Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco). It is served in different occasions, but mostly during the month of Ramadan. Recipe (Ingredients): •1 cup oil • 1 medium onion, chopped •lb cubed lamb meat •1 cup.. More

AFGHANI RICE

Beside its delicious taste, it's easy to make, either with meat or by just using meat broth. The color of the rice deepened on the amount of the onion. Recipe (Ingredients): • 21/2 cups basmati rice•medium onion (chopped or sliced) •1 tsp cumin seeds • tsp.. More

PAKORAI (vegetable dumpling):

This side dish is well-known in India and Pakistan. It's a simple dish and easy to prepare. It is usually made with potato, but you can substitute that with eggplant, zucchini, or onions. Recipe (Ingredients): • I cup besan (gram flour) • 1 cup water • l tsp baking.. More