equipment in the field of Islamic teachings of the faith

Islamic beliefs are complete from the perspective of faith wherever they are. Islam is able to explain major questions in this life. Islamic beliefs are able to clearly explain about God, human, natural love, prophetic, and even the human end of the journey itself.

Islam not only be based on instinct / feelings or logic alone, but the Islamic faith based on revelation is believed to be authorized by emotion and logic. Good faith is the faith that emerges from a bright mind and heart that glowed. Thus, the Islamic faith is strong and etched in themselves a Muslim. Correctly believes that there is no god but God by believing in the liver, express orally and evidenced by the order of Allah and away from the Bounds of Allah.

Islamic beliefs are beliefs that can not be shared for. Faith is the faith of a believing 100% 99% faith can not, 1% rejected. "Do you believe in a part of the Scripture and disbelieve ye in part thereof? What is the reward of those who do so save ignominy in the life of the world, and on that day they returned to the most terrible punishment. Allah is not unmindful of what ye do. "(Surat al-Baqarah 2: 85).

islamic culture

                                                                                         There are over a billion Muslims throughout the world, and though they speak hundreds of different languages and live in dozens of different countries, they still share a common Muslim culture. This culture is embedded in certain common beliefs that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger. Muslim customs and traditions include Islamic/Muslim clothing, food, wedding traditions and other aspects of Islamic life that Muslims have adopted in their respective countries.

Understanding Muslim Culture
Muslim culture represents the unification of all the cultures influenced by common beliefs and practices. The guiding religious phenomena and cultural aspects bind its people historically. The religious practices and beliefs of Muslims are centered around the religion of Islam. The original Muslim literature is in Arabic, the Prophet's language. Most of the literature is religious in nature. It comprises communication and documentation of the belief system from the Quran, Sira and Hadith. Secular Muslim literature developed in the Umayyad empire. It was taken by the Arabs to distant lands and became part of a popular culture. In due course of time, Persian became one of the main languages of the civilization. In the sub-continent, syncretistic poetry from the Sufis propagated the foundations of Muslim culture.

The Quran is considered to be the source of many aspects of Islamic culture. Certain acts or rituals that Muslims do almost subconsciously are actually encouraged, or allowed by Allah, or mandated, in the Quran. The standard greeting amongst all Muslims the world over is "As-Salaamu Alay-kum." Also, when speaking of future events Muslims say Inshallah (If Allah Wills), and say Bismillah (In the Name of Allah) before doing just about anything. 

Festivals and Marriage
Festivals like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha and Lailat al Miraj are classic examples of the influence of religion in the lives of Muslim people. According to Muslim culture, marriage is, in the words of Mohammed, 'half of religion'. The bonding of two souls in holy matrimony is looked upon as a legal bond and social contract. 

Art and Architecture
Art is an important part of Muslim culture. The abstract, decorative and floral designs are unique to Islamic art and architecture. Muslim art is always devoid of depictions of the animate, especially human beings according to the dictates of Islam or Muslim religion. Portraiture is taboo to the culture and traditions. Islamic art focuses on the omnipresence of Allah, the 'One who cannot be represented by imagery'. Arabic calligraphy is a recognized art form used to write verses from the Qur'an. As Islam spread, the first mosques to be built outside Arabia were definitely influenced by the local houses of worship and churches. Though the architectural form and simplicity of the mosque remained, frequently, materials for columns and beams were taken from other edifices of previous cultures. 

While creating such spaces or places of worship, embellishment and monumentality were certainly not the predefined objectives. It was much later, that a style evolved wherein, with the contribution of creative builders and artisans, a third dimension of spirituality was created through colors, patterns and calligraphic designs based upon quotations from the Koran. The outcome of such an approach today stands out as the hallmark of Islamic art in architecture. While the engravings and calligraphic quotes portray the very essence of humility and submission to God, the artistry and sometimes grandeur inspires awe. Islamic architecture is common in the following features:

• Large courtyards
• Central prayer halls
• Minarets
• A wall niche indicating the direction to Mecca
• Domes
• Iwans to separate sections
• Repetitive art forms
• Arabic calligraphy
• Fountains
• Bright color

Music
Islamic music is mostly played in public services. Devotional music is enjoyed by contemporary Muslims all over the world. The common music forms include Arab classical and North Indian classical music. The musical preferences of Muslim people have traversed the trade routes. The Sufis are credited with taking the music of the mystics far and wide.

Muslim Customs and Traditions
The Quran does not mention many practices that are prevalent in the Muslim world today. Instead, the traditions, sayings, and stories of Prophet Muhammad and his companions provided basis for today's traditions and practices that are called the Hadith. Men trimming the mustache growing their beards, while women wearing the hijab. Using the right hand to eat with and the left hand for the bathroom. Using a stick called miswak for cleaning teeth and shaking hands when greeting someone. Some practices amongst Muslims were never mentioned in either the Quran or the Hadith and were introduced by the societies and cultures that accepted Islam. Here are some examples: In the Middle East, while greeting men kiss each other on the cheek. In Africa, after greeting someone, it is customary to put their hand to your head. Whereas in Pakistan, Muslims bow down when one's child has reached 40 days old.

The term Muslim means 'submission to God'. Islam is now recognized as the second-largest world religion. Muslims believe that the Quran is the outcome of dialogs between the God and the Prophet. The two popular sects in the religion are the Shias and the Sunnis. The latter believe that Mohammed is the restorer of the faith, promoted by previous prophets like Abraham and Jesus Christ. The Sunnis on the other hand, believe in the 'words' of the Prophet; words that were spoken by Him. This comprises his teachings and revelations. Islam propagates the five laws that are fundamental duties to unite Muslims in spirit. These are:

• Shahadah or the worship of one God only.
• Salah or prayer, at least five times a day.
• Zakat, or donation of alms.
• Sawm, or fasting during Ramadan.
• Haj, the pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca.

In today's troubled world, it is important to differentiate between what is truly Islamic and what is just culture as Muslim culture covers a wide variety of subjects. Many Islamic customs or traditions that are practiced today are not supported by the Word of Allah in the Quran or the teachings of Prophet Muhammad in the Hadith, but are simply local customs assumed to be Muslim culture.

The Secret to Raising Pious Children

Assalamualaikum,
After reading my post title you must be waiting for a secret to be unveiled. However, there is no secret, to my dismay. Supposedly, raising pious children is all common sense! The way you desire your children to be: fearing Allah (swt), praying, fasting, etc,  parents must first be like that and set an example!! I know it seems so easy and logical, but seriously, I never thought of it like that. All my life, Aunties and Uncles would say "Beta, go read namaz" and then recline back to watch the latest drama on dish. If the elders are not steadfast in Islam, how will children be the 'coolness of their eyes' by practicing Islam?!?
I realized this from the great Sheikh Yasir Qadhi's lecture Parenting with Purpose and Example. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0hxqJLeX3g
Here are some pointers from his lecture that I learned and will use in raising my baby into a pious Muslim Inshallah. 

• Maintaining an Islamic environment: Pray salah together as a family. Make the Quran a part of daily life by reading and learning the meaning of it together. Set aside  10 minutes a day to do Zikr with your family. Read Islamic books or watch Islamic videos (youtube has lots of them :) ) 
•  Raising Teenagers: Treat teenagers of age 14-15 like adults and they will start behaving like adults. For example, when Allah (swt) commanded Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his Ismael (AS), Ibrahim (AS) went to his son and asked for his opinion. Ibrahim (AS) was obviously going to do the sacrifice, but he consulted his son and treated him like an adult. He knew his son was an obedient Muslim and would accept the command of Allah as well. This shows that we must treat our teenagers starting the age of 14-15 as adults instead of little kids. 
• WALK the TALK: Do you want your child gossiping, backbiting, neglecting prayers, constantly listening to music, smoking, etc? If not, then stop doing it yourself, and set a positive example for them! Show them how a Muslim is and Inshallah your children will follow in your footsteps Alhamdulillah I have learned a lot about raising children and will be implementing these ideas with my husband and baby. I hope you gain some benefit from these ideas also . Make sure to read this dua after your salah and Allah will help you in your efforts to raise a happy Islamic family. Inshallah                                                                                                                                  Dua for Pious Children/Family: 
• "Rabbana hablana min azwajina wa dhuriyyatina qurrata A'yunin waj'alna lil-muttaqina imama."Translation:
  Our Lord! Grant us in our wives and offspring the coolness of eyes
  and make us a leader of those who guard themselves against evil.(25:74)

Ciri Hamba-Hamba Allah yang Mencintai Allah SWT

Ustadz Muhammad Arifin Ilham


Saudara-saudariku yang kucintai karena Allah. Kali ini kita membahas tentang ciri hamba-hamba Allah yang mencintai Allah SWT.

Yang pertama, Allah tujuan hidupnya, Allah ghayatuna.

Yang kedua, sangat taat kepada Allah SWT, istiqomah, berpegang teguh pada syariat Allah SWT.

Yang ketiga, mencintai mereka yang dicintai oleh Allah, (yaitu) para Rasul, para Anbiyya, para aulia, hamba-hamba Allah yang jujur, para syuhada, hamba-hamba Allah yang shaleh.

Yang keempat, dengan sangat senang hati melakukan apa yang Allah perintahkan untuk dirinya, dan apa yang Allah larang untuk dirinya. Karena ia tahu perintah-larangan Allah untuk kemaslahatan dirinya.

Yang kelima, selalu ingat kepada Allah, selalu berdzikir kepada Allah SWT. Selama berdzikir berarti selama itu ia bersama Allah.

Yang keenam, mengunjungi rumah Allah, Ka'bah Baitullah, Haji bagi mereka yang mampu. Umroh demi umroh, mengunjungi rumah Allah, masjid, musholla, ia jaga shalat berjamaah.

Kemudian mengunjungi nabi Muhammad SAW ke Madinah, ziarah, bershalawat kepada beliau, dan menjadikan beliau sebagai teladan dalam hidupnya. Mencintai Allah berarti mencintai nabi Allah.

Kemudian sangat senang membaca kalamullah, Al Qur'anul karim.

Yang kesembilan, sangat senang menyampaikan ajaran Allah, mendakwahkan ajaran Allah, pada diri sendiri, keluarga, handai taulan, kepada siapa pun.

Kemudian percaya yakin, benar-benar beriman kepada semua janji-janji Allah. Janji Allah di dunia, janji Allah di akhirat. Keyakinan kepada janji Allah melahirkan akhlaq yang mulia.

Kemudian percaya yakin beriman ditolong oleh Allah. Inilah Allah janjikan dalam surat Yunus ayat 62.

"Ingatlah, sesungguhnya wali-wali Allah itu, tidak ada kekhawatiran terhadap mereka dan tidak (pula) mereka bersedih hati. (Yaitu) orang-orang yang beriman dan mereka selalu bertakwa. Bagi mereka berita gembira di dalam kehidupan di dunia dan (dalam kehidupan} di akhirat. Tidak ada perobahan bagi kalimat-kalimat (janji-janji) Allah. Yang demikian itu adalah kemenangan yang besar." (QS. Yunus: 62-64)


Sesungguhnya kekasih-kekasih Allah tidak takut apa yang akan terjadi, tidak bersedih apa yang sudah terjadi. Karena mereka benar-benar cinta, beriman kepada Allah, dan mereka hidup dalam ketaqwaan kepada Allah. Bagi mereka kebahagiaan di dunia dan kebahagiaan di akhirat, dan itu pasti bagi mereka. Itulah kemenangan besar untuk mereka.

Kemudian, selalu melakukan yang terbaik untuk Allah, jihad fii sabilillah. Kemudian merindukan perjumpaan dengan-Nya. Subhanallah. Dan sangat senang menikmati ibadah, khusyuk dalam beribadah, merupakan bukti cinta kepada Allah, kekasih menghadap kekasih. Bukankah kekasih senang bermesraan dengan kekasihnya. Waktu bermesraan dengan kekasih adalah waktu-waktu beribadah kepada-Nya.

Subhanakallahumma wabihamdika asyhaduallaailaahailla anta astaghfiruka wa atubuilaik.