Last week I was having a discussion with a dear brother, in which I mentioned an idea of mine. I told him that I think there is such a thing as oppressing one's creativity and imagination. If all good things are from God, then all good ideas (with sincere intentions) are from Him too. If God has given us the ability to access these ideas, and we don't do anything about them - then surely we are oppressing those ideas. It's just a theory, but the principle stands. Often times we prevent ourselves from doing something good (something that will benefit either you, or people around you (bringing you/others closer to God)) and make a hundred excuses. But you have to be brave and daring to see those good ideas through and trust that God will support you. Even if you fail, it is better to try than to give up before even starting.

Say Bismillah and go for it.

#MondayMotivation

For your Halloween reading pleasure, our social media team has curated a collection of articles on a mysterious "Sultan's palace" in New Orleans, Balkan Vampires as discussed by Ottoman Muftis, and Jinn haunting a town in Oman.

A Harem of Horror?: The "Sultan's Palace," New Orleans
http://www.stambouline.com/2013/09/a-harem-of-horror-sultans-palace-new.html?m=1

Balkan Vampires before Ottoman Courts
http://www.cesnur.org/2009/balkan_vampires.htm

The Jinn of Oman
https://psmag.com/the-jinn-of-oman-6c77689636e7#.ml61pqhjg

Did Chinese Muslim admiral, Zheng He, discover America before Columbus? Is this map the proof?

Learn about the map: http://bit.ly/29DI8a6
Watch more on Zheng He: http://bit.ly/2f212IU
#LostHistory #1001inventions

Article link given in the post: https://www.1843magazine.com/content/places/rosie-blau/rewriting-history-map

Amr ibn Absah reported: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is Islam?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “That you surrender your heart to Allah and that the Muslims are safe from your tongue and hand.”

Source: Shu’ab al-Imān 20

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Haythami

عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ عَبْسَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا الْإِسْلَامُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ تُسْلِمُ قَلْبَكَ لِلَّهِ وَيَسْلُمُ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِكَ وَيَدِكَ

20 شعب الإيمان للبيهقي

3/210 المحدث الهيثمي خلاصة حكم المحدث رجاله رجال الصحيح في مجمع الزوائد

Anas Khatun, the wife of the great fifteenth century scholar of Ḥadīth, Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī, was a scholar in her own right. She regularly gave public lectures on the Islamic sciences that were attended by both male and female students.

Macam mana kita mahu tahu dia sahabat sebenar atau tidak?
1- Saat kita buat salah, dia menegur dengan berhikmah dan tidak mengaibkan kita di hadapan orang.
2- Saat bergurau dan mengkritik, dia tidak berlebih-lebihan dan tahu batasan.
3- Saat gembira/senang, dia ada dekat dan saat sedih/susah dia lebih rapat.
4- Saat semua mencela/menuduh bukan-bukan, dia tidak mudah percaya dan akan bertanya secara peribadi untuk kepastian.
5- Saat kita terleka, dia akan mengingatkan dengan mengajak kita semua untuk sama-sama berusaha untuk lebih rapat dengan Tuhan dan melakukan kebajikan dan perkara-perkara kebaikan.
Semakin berusia, semakin kita kenal rupa-rupa manusia.

Talking about whether hijab is mandatory or not in Islam

"I think parents have the right to introduce hijab to their children at an earlier age, but to be open to the concept that they may choose to not wear hijab at a later stage. I think it's important to realise that hijab is not the be all and end all of Islamic modesty, and that being a good Muslim is so much more than a piece of cloth hiding the hair."
--------------------------------------------
"That being said, obviously I believe people should have the right to dress the way they want. But I think it should be discouraged until the woman is old enough to understand fully and make her own choice..."

"I guess, to begin with I don't believe the Hijab is in fact mandated in Islam. This is entirely a cultural position and not one supported by the Quran. Also, teaching your daughter to be modest is not at all equal to training her to put a scarf over her head. Modesty is an innate quality. It is something you learn that is reflected not only in what you wear but in how you behave. If you are implying that fathers who didn't make their daughters wear the hijab when they are young will be held accountable by Allah on the day of judgement for it then I think we have totally different perceptions of what Allah is and what are responsibilities are in this life."

"
"1. The ayas discussed and the citations here are about the Asbab nuzul (reason for revelation) if the aya in the Quran that asks the believing women to draw their khimar over their chest. This is the one that is used to argue for hijab as people make the claim that the khimar was a shawl that was used to cover heads. It's not about the niqab at all. The Quran does not mention the requirement of a woman to cover her hair at all (2) I am surprised about this comment.l - especially because it'll the references includes ibn taymiyyah- you can't get more traditional and conservative than that! . It also includes other many respected scholars and it traces the scholarship of this issue over time and the various fiqh...and scholastic opinions (3) you are diluting the argument- we are discussing the obligation of women to cover their hair... obviously I'm fully aware of the complexity of hijab as modesty... but I am frustrated that people conflate it and assume a head covering makes a person modest- it's just not true. I know many women who don't wear hijab who are modest- and many who do who are immodest. (4) scholars should stop obsessing over what women wear and focus on the more important aspects of our deen."

"What I pasted before is an extract from sheikh khalid Abu el fadl. I respect his jurisprudence immensely"
----------------------------------------------------
"It's far more difficult to train your children to pray or observe hijab etc once they hit puberty, than to have them causally observe it earlier. My young daughters love wearing it, but often feel too hot and take it off. No worries. It's not about wearing it at this stage but more so being familiar with it."

"This issue isn't unique to hijabs - One could extend the discussion to practising /observing religion and cultural acts or events  at an early age. Attending a religious or cultural events, praying, fasting, marking of the body due to religious or cultural reasons, refusing medical treatment due to a religious or cultural beliefs, prohibiting certain foods, believing in a god or believing in no god, dressing one way over another..list goes on. How far do we take the argument that we shouldn't impose things on children till they understand?"

http://marginalia.lareviewofbooks.org/christian-muslim-mosaic-accommodation-partition-david-bertaina/

Abu Dharr reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, which deed is best?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Faith in Allah and jihād in his way.” I said, “Which slave is the best to free?” The Prophet said, “One who is valuable to his master and whose price is high.” I said, “What if I cannot afford to do that?” The Prophet said, “Help a craftsman or make something for those without skills.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, you see I am too weak to do some of these deeds.” The Prophet said, “Restrain your evil from people, for it will be charity on your behalf.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2382, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 84

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ أَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا وَأَكْثَرُهَا ثَمَنًا قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ قَالَ تُعِينُ صَانِعًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ ضَعُفْتُ عَنْ بَعْضِ الْعَمَلِ قَالَ تَكُفُّ شَرَّكَ عَنْ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ مِنْكَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ

2382 صحيح البخاري كتاب العتق باب أي الرقاب أفضل

84 صحيح مسلم كتاب الإيمان باب بيان كون الإيمان بالله تعالى أفضل الأعمال