Download pdf - Symbolism of Hajj

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Live, Learn & Inspire

July-August 2016 / Issue 20 / Hajj Edition

Bosnia: Beautyand Pain

Hajj Tips for the Pilgrim!

BODY MIND SOUL

The Benefits of Sleeping

Symbolismof Hajj

& venetian cuisine

http://www.thedawahproject.com

Editorial Team

Managing Editor: Anjuma ChoudhuryContent and Copy Editors: Aseel Saif and Ayesha AshiqReligious Content Editors: Raiyyan Clementson and Essam ZeinCreative and Visual Director: Muhammad AbdulmateenWriters: Zohaib Asem, Bushra Ferjani, Nasrine Abdirachid, Liz Leonard, Anjuma Choudhury, Aseel Saif, Yeota Imam, Elena Nikolova, Karimah Bint Dawoud, Hafsa Waseela, and Shahina KhatunResearchers: Anum BabarContributors: Negla Abdalla

Special thanks to our readers, supporters, and Islam Channel.

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CONTENTS

18 The Connection to our EarthBy Nasrine Abdirachid

10Reflection:Hajj: The Greatest

Journey Made by Man

By Yeota Imam-Rashid 10

34

06Editorial:Living Green (Part 1)

1224 The Fight for a

Green DeenBy Zohaib Asem12 Strengthening our Relationship

with Allah, through ourRelationship with nature

By Bushra Ferjani28 Symbolism of Hajj

By Liz Leonard

34 Ihram:The Sacred StateBy Anjuma Choudhury

54 A Traveller’s Guide:

A Gondola Ride in VeniceBy Elena Nikolova

66 BODY MIND SOUL:

The Benefits of SleepingBy Hafsa Waseela

96 Islam Channel ProgrammesReligious Programmes showing inAugust & September 2016

72 Food Bites:

Venetian CuisineBy Karimah Bint Dawoud

54

6685

40Hajj Tips for thePilgrim (Part 1)

By Aseel Saif

91 Recommended ReadingBy Shahina Khatun

44 Women’s AM Corner:

Bosnia: Beauty & PainBy Liz Leonard

82 Hajj Tips for the Pilgrim (Part 2)By Elena Nikolova

85 A Brief Step by StepGuide to HajjBy Anjuma Choudhury

Assalamu’alaikum

Dear Readers,

“Living Green” should be a standard way of life as Islam teaches us to protect and nurture our environment, for without it or if damaged, hu-mankind will not continue. In Issue 20, part 1, we return to the core, the elements that make up this earth and our physical bodies, such as water as well as the functioning of our eco-sys-tem, which are miraculously mentioned in the Holy Qur’an as a reminder to mankind. We un-derstand that the earth follows the Creator’s commands and so should we as our Lord says: “Indeed, all things We created with predes-tination. And Our command is but one, like a glance of the eye”. [Qur’an, Surah Al-Qamar: The Moon, 54:49-50]

The month of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah Al-Mukarramah is less than two months away, where pilgrims from all walks of life will gather in The Holy City as they renew their purpose in the world through the means of worship. To make this Hajj edition different, we uncover the various symbolisms and morals that can be found and learnt from the rites and rituals of Hajj. Furthermore, we provide ‘Hajj tips’ that go beyond the surface as we prepare the pilgrims physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

This year the Women’s AM team travelled to Bosnia and returned with wonderful, and yet sad stories to retell. Sister Liz effortlessly explores through her writing the beauty and pain that lies in the former war-torn country, which resulted in the death of around 100,000

Editorial

people, and the displacement of over two mil-lion men, women, and children between 1992 and 1995, according to Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, London. The impact of the war can still be seen today in the eyes of the survivors and the marks left on their land. Islam Channel production has produced a powerful documen-tary on the genocide, Remembering Srebreni-ca, which aired on Sunday, 10th July 2016.

From Makkah to Venice, the Venetian culture is charming and rich as you will discover when you read on. Venice is a hub within Italy attract-ing honeymooners and the curious travellers, who love to explore and learn more about Eu-rope. It is a well-known fact that Italian food is excellent, but the Venetian’s have their own take on it, despite having something in com-mon with the other regions in Italy, and it is ab-solutely delicious!

Sleeping is a ‘Prophetic Sunnah’, where Proph-et Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised us when and how to sleep; ‘The Benefits of Sleeping’ by Sister Hafsa is a fascinating read!

The Ilma team would like to acknowledge those who will attend the Hajj this year and we pray it is successful for you. We also would like to wish the Muslim community a blessed Eid Al-Adha.

Please send your comments and sugges-tions to [email protected], we would love to hear from you!

Jazakumullahu Khairan

The Dawah Project Team

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Compassionate.

Living Green (Part 1)

Ilma Magazine / Issue 2006

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20 07

Message from the Chairman

Assalamu’alaikum WarahmatullahiWabarakatuh Dear Respected Brothers and Sisters,

The Hajj is more than what it seems, it is a beauti-ful and powerful prophetic tradition that connects us to the odyssey of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), the Prophet (pbuh) who exemplified faith, sacrifice, commitment, wisdom, and patience in all three Abrahamic religions. Allah, The Most High, nar-rates in the Holy Qur’an the life of Ibrahim (pbuh) from as a young man, to husband and father. There were multiple tests he and his family experienced, such as when he had to leave his wife Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) in the desert, desper-ately searching for water. Today, the pilgrims are grateful for the miraculous well in Makkah known as ‘The Well of Zamzam’.

The final Messenger and Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh) is a descendent of the family of Ibrahim (pbuh) and we know this because of the suppli-cation Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) made to Allah: “Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your Sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful”. [Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim: Prophet Abra-ham, 14:37]

Therefore, the Sacred House, Al-Ka’bah has been there for thousands of years, but there came a time when the actual essence of the Ka’bah was not known to people, they would adopt polytheis-tic ideas, such as worshiping spirits and many dif-ferent gods. The Sacred House was used to store idols. Thus, Muhammad (pbuh) was instructed by Allah to restore the Ka’bah to the worship of the One God (Tawheed).

At present, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather together in Mak-kah and stand before the Ka’bah praising Allah, The Most High. The rituals and rites are designed to promote unity by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. The Hajj pilgrimage reminds Muslims of the actual purpose of life here on earth, by removing the worldly desires, such as; social status, wealth, and pride in order to focus more on the Afterlife.

The Ka’bah, in Masjid Al-Haram, is one or if not the holiest site in Islam; intended to provide a place of peace, refuge, and worship. We are commanded by Allah to protect its sanctity.

Al-Hajj; the blessed month of ‘The Pilgrimage’ will return this year, if Allah wills it, for Believers to com-memorate, whether they are able to attend or not. The Dawah Project, in association with Islam Chan-nel, will broadcast the Live Hajj Coverage daily and other Hajj programmes, such as the popular flag-ship programme Footsteps of Ibrahim.

I would like for my brothers and sisters to show their support by donating to The Dawah Project; which funds most of the Religious Programmes on Islam Channel. Tell others about The Dawah Project, whether it is through word of mouth or on social media because Islamic knowledge needs to reach far and wide, Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. Is-lam is a religion for mankind and Prophet Muham-mad (pbuh) was sent to us as a ‘Rahma’ (mercy) from Allah, The Most High. In Allah we trust.

Mohamed Ali HarrathChairman, The Dawah Project


‘Ta lb iyah’ , a suppl icat ion invoked by the p i lgr ims as aconvict ion that they intend to per form the Haj j .

Arabic Transliteration: “Labayk Allahuma Labayk. Labay-ka laa shareeka laka labayk. Innal hamda, wanni’mata,

laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak”.

Translat ion: “I am present , O Al lah, I am present , there is no par tner unto You. I am present . Def in i te ly pra ise and g lory is yours ( for You) . The Kingdom is a lso

Yours” . [Sahih Musl im]

Yeota Imam-Rashid, Head of Women’s Programming at Islam Channel, reflects on her journey to Allah’s House.

Follow Yeota on Twitter: @Ye0ta

he Hajj. To put it simply, it was the hard-est and most spectacular journey I have ever made in my whole life. Allah, Ex-alted is He, invited me and my family to His House, two years ago, in 2014. And

nothing can prepare you for it, no matter how many books you read or people you talk to. You will not understand the comprehensiveness of the journey until you have made it.

My husband and I were truly blessed to be able to take both set of parents and despite what seemed like a very hard task ahead with both our mothers not being well, the ease in which we were able to perform the rites and return safely back home, to this day, fills my heart with sheer amazement, at my Lord’s endless generosity and mercy.

Like anyone who has ever been on Hajj, only af-ter securing the tickets and getting the passports back with the visa stamps, can you really start to get excited. Prior to that, you are still not sure if you would be boarding that plane, if the visas will come through, if your place has been reserved for that journey, that year. But once those visa stamps are on your passport and in your hands, the but-terfly feeling really does kick in.

Our journey was truly a blessed one, albeit very

hard. We know, for women, Hajj is considered the equivalent to ‘Jihad’ (struggle) and I can un-derstand why. The sheer amount of patience you need, the fact that you are separated from your ‘Mahram’ (unmarriageable male kin) a lot of the time and need to fend for yourself, as well as the heat you have to contend with, really puts Hajj at the top of the list of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

Mina, for me, was a real experience. When I first entered the tent I was to call my home for the next five days, I recall sitting on my mattress, in com-plete silence, looking around at what was unfold-ing around me. I was trying to analyse what was happening, how I was going to spend five nights in this tent with these other hundreds of sisters, most of them whom I did not know and what the next five days would reveal. But those five days were the most intense and intimate of experienc-es. The unknown sisters, who were merely smiling faces at the start of the five days, became con-fidantes on personal matters. They became real sisters, who to this day I have contact with and have much love and time for. And whilst the love and sisterhood manifested itself in these tents and around the whole of Mina, I am sure, what was outside was another feat waiting to be tackled.

T

Hajj: TheGreatest Journey Made by Man

REFLECTION //


The intense heat, the endless sea of people, the night under the open skies spent in Muzdalifah, the miles of walking, the lack of sleep, culminated in pilgrims living in the most basic of ways and begging our Lord to help us finish the rites in the best possible way, that we had so passionately come for. And the one thing that kept me going throughout the hardship was thinking back to how it must have been for the ‘Rasool’, our Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them). That thought hardly left me.

Whilst we walked for miles in tunnels carved into mountains, sometimes on the elevators if we be-came tired, with cold air billowing out of the com-prehensive air conditioning systems, I thought about how our Prophet (pbuh) had to climb the towering mountain in the intense heat, in sandals, with no hiking boots or rope for aid. When we had to endure bouts of intense heat in between the mountain ranges, where we had guards spray-ing water as the crowds inched their way forward closer to the ‘Jamarat’ (Stoning of the Devil) and followed by the red and green lights telling the mass crowds, when to move and when to stop; I thought about how this plain concrete ground that we were walking on must have been rocky hard dusty terrain for our predecessors. But it was this

path that the Rasool (pbuh) and the early Muslims had to forge their way through to complete their rites of this integral pillar of Islam.

This edition of Ilma is a celebration of this journey. A journey that changed the lives of men like Mal-colm X and Muhammad Ali (may Allah have mercy upon their souls) into great men, who understood the true teachings of Islam and beautifully brought to the forefront the notion of unity like nothing else. Where a king and slave stand shoulder to shoul-der, where man and woman stand side by side, where a Palestinian stands next to an American. In this unique place on earth, there are no borders, no class divide, no colour barrier, and no caste system. Every soul is here to beg and plead to their Lord for forgiveness and for a blessed end.

I wanted to end with something that really sums up the Hajj experience and something that echoes in my mind as I write this feature. I recall a story of a non-Muslim man watching the live coverage of Hajj. So taken aback was he by such a sheer vol-ume of people all making ‘Sujood’ (prostration) at the same time, bowing down to their Creator, he accepted Islam right there and then. And that is what Hajj is - the glorification and worship of your Lord with your brothers and sisters in tow, all with the one goal, to please Him.


Bushra Ferjani is an MA graduate from SOAS, University of London, in Postcolonial Studies. Her research interests include de-colonial theorising and ethics, political and social philosophy, Islamic liberation theology, and

the sociolinguistics of politics.


n observing the creation of Allah, we recognise, and become conscious of His names and attrib-utes at work. We begin to see the signs of His ability to fashion complex, beautiful machinations,

and the subtle intricacies, within the largest and smallest of created things. In spite of that, such observations are not always followed by environmental awareness, even though this would seem to be a logical course of action to embark upon. In fact, the implementation of the Is-lamic principles of justice, dignity, humanity, and most crucially, serving Allah, The Most High, would mean that respecting nature and looking after the environment in which we live in is of particular importance.

The environmental crisis humanity is facing today, could be considered as a reflection of a spiritual angst that is borne out of our increasingly materialistic lifestyles; such as indulging in consumerism and heavily relying on technology. As humans, this has inevitably caused us to breakaway from our relationship with nature.

I


One begins with the Creator and His Qur’an. As Muslims, we are told to worship our Creator by reading the ‘Ayaat’ (verses) of the Holy Qur’an and the term ‘Ayah’ in fact translates to the word ‘sign’. As Dr. Tariq Ramadan mentions in his book In the Foot-steps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad, the Qur’an mirrors our uni-verse and so when we read the verses, we are reading the signs. Reading the Qur’an therefore, means reading the signs of our world, the sun, the moon, and the stars. Al-lah, The Most Merciful, is asking us to thank Him through understanding that He gave us life, He gave us a conscience, and He gave us free will. These are gifts to remind us of the most fundamental aspect of our faith; ‘Tawheed’ (the Oneness of God) and to constantly thank Allah, The Most High, for all that He has given us. Part of our faith in recognising Tawheed is the ecology that is presented in our principles and elements, such as the concept of ’Halal’ (permissi-ble according to Islamic Law) food. We are permitted to eat animals, yet the method of making meat Halal is governed by ethics and justice.

Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has taught his followers how to wor-ship Allah, The Most High, through the sim-plicity in which he lived. Muhammad (pbuh)

was a true warden of earth as both the Mes-senger of Allah and the best representative of Allah’s commands on earth. He moved people towards ’Adl’ (justice) that extend-ed to, not only humans but also an envi-ronmental justice in caring for plants and animals. Technology has come a long way from the simple lives people lived, howev-er that does not mean we should abandon the basic principles bestowed upon us by Allah, The Most High. The Prophet Muham-mad (pbuh) proclaimed: “Whenever Mus-lims plant a tree, they will earn the reward of charity because of the food that comes from it, what the wild beasts eat out of it, what the birds eat out of it, and what peo-ple take from it is charity for them”. [Sahih Muslim, 1552]

Our Prophet (pbuh) had a close relationship with nature throughout his life as he was raised in the desert and became a shep-herd at a tender age. For this reason, he would always show ‘Rahma’ (compassion) for all of Allah’s creation and consequent-ly pushed for a harmony between humans and the natural world.

The Prophet (pbuh) did not miss an oppor-tunity to remind us on the conservation of water and resources, especially during our daily activities. In one ‘Hadith’ (recorded


tradition), Muhammad (pbuh) passed by his companion Sa’d Ibn Mu’adh (may Allah be pleased with him) as he was performing ‘Wudhu’ (ablution) and asked him: “What is this extravagance?” Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, “Is there extrav-agance with water in ablution?” To which the Prophet (pbuh) responded, “Yes, even if you were on the banks of a flowing riv-er”. [Sahih Muslim, 3292] If our environment was this important to our beloved Prophet (pbuh) then it must also hold a given place in our worship. The Prophet (pbuh) also cared for animals as did his companion the most prolific narrator of Hadith, Abu Hurai-rah (may Allah be pleased with him), whose name translates to “Father of the Kitten”. This is because he was famous for carrying and caring for his cats. Animals are cen-tral to the ecosystem and within ‘Shari’ah’ (Islamic divine law and moral code) ani-mals also bear rights, and as humans we must not breach Allah’s mercy by purposely harming them.

In the Holy Qur’an, it mentions: “And estab-lish weight in justice and do not make defi-cient the balance”. [Qur’an, Surah Ar-Rah-man: The Beneficent: 55:9] Therefore, striving for balance is imperative as Allah, The Most High, warns us of the danger of neglecting our world and disrupting harmo-

ny. The responsibility we bear to our plan-et encourages joining together as a com-munity. Our environment can be likened to a mosque, such as that it is Allah’s house and as Allah’s house we should treat it with respect and as a place of worshipping our Lord. Let us strive to improve our charac-ters and thank Allah, The Most High, by be-ing patrons of ecological welfare just as our Beloved Prophet (pbuh) was. Worshipping our Creator is about being merciful to His creation. Our actions in in this life and on our earth will reflect our results in the ’Akh-irah’ (Afterlife) therefore, as Muslims we must advocate for all forms of justice. Our environment is not exempt from this. We must renegotiate our relationship with our planet and remember that we are not here to focus on the material world but to focus on serving our world. You cannot be unjust with nature, yet be just with human beings.

So take advantage of recycling, reusing, conserving, and protecting our environ-ment for the sake of Allah, The Most High. The Prophet (pbuh) told us: “The example of a Believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind quietens down, the plant becomes straight again…” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]


We live in a world that is diverse, dynamic and globalised. Whilst technology develops, The Dawah Project embraces these innovations, spreading Dawah at an international scale. We utilise Television, Radio, and Digital Media promoting a better understanding of Islam and the Muslim way of life. It is our mission to provide comprehensive Islamic knowledge for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Who are we?


Islam Channel - Religious Programmes We live in a world that is diverse, dynamic and globalised. Whilst technology develops, it is vital that we spread Dawah through the media - the most powerful form of mass communication.

Islam Channel is an English speaking channel, free to air and is broadcasting in over 136 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia. The Dawah Project sponsors the Religious Programmes on Islam Channel; assists in improving the current programmes and provides new programmes throughout the year. Viewer’s favourite programmes, such as IslamiQA, Recite, Soul Search, Live Hajj Broadcast, Live Arafah Day, and Footsteps of Ibrahim are all sponsored by our generous subscribers. Islam Channel is available on Sky 806, Freeview 244 via VisionTV and can be watched online at: www.islamchannel.tv

The Radio CampaignIn countries where access to technology is expensive or illiteracy rates are high, radio continues to play an important role in sharing information. Radio broadcasts can transmit real-time information, broadcasted 24 hours a day to provide the most recent updates to listeners.

Radio stations have the ability to reach across borders and become a source of information, where reliable information is scarce. When access to the internet is blocked and phone lines are cut, people can still search the airwaves for trustworthy sources. Even electricity is not a necessity for battery-operated and hand-cranked radios.

The Radio Campaign was launched in 2011 and we are currently working in Africa, where 60 percent of the population is Muslim and over 80 percent of Africans are tuning in every day listening to their local radio station, making it a crucial source of information. Currently, The Dawah Project is working to set up analogue radio stations in Tunisia, Nigeria, Gambia, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, and Rwanda. We want to educate the diverse African community about Islam.

The International Dawah CentreThe International Dawah Centre project was introduced in April 2012. The aim is to provide a centre for everyone to access in order to have a better understanding of Islam, resulting in a more knowledgeable and harmonious international community.

Ilma MagazineWe are witnessing a digital revolution! An increasing number of people have their own computer, laptop, iPad, and smart phone. The digital industry is always developing. We took advantage of this phenomenon by producing an e-magazine called Ilma Magazine, which is released on a bi-monthly basis and is available on Issuu, which is one of the fastest growing digital publishing platforms in the world. You can also download the Ilma Magazine app for free on the App Store and Google Play. Ilma Magazine provides reflective writings from an Islamic perspective on various aspects of life and attracts a diverse range of readers from all over the world.



http://www.islamchannel.tv


Nasrine Abdirachid explores our relationship with the earth, delving into the direct connection with it and the responsibilities

we have to care for it. Nasrine juggles work and marital life in the heart of Kenya, bustling Nairobi.


The Holy Qur’an and Science

In science, we are taught that everything in the world is made up of various mixtures of elements and atoms. Bio-logically, we have a lot in common with the world around us; with the earth containing the same minerals we need in order to live and animals that share many of the same anatomical traits as humans. Scientifically, there is a con-nection between all living things, with the differences be-tween them often being quite subtle, with just the slightest variations of chemical makeup. Allah tells us in the Holy Qur’an that there is a connection between all living things: “Allah has created every (living) creature from water. And of them are those that move on their bellies and of them are those that walk on two legs, and of them are those that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent”. [Qur’an, Surah An-Nur: The Light, 24:45]

There have been many advances in science over the years, with more and more correlations found between these discoveries and what Allah, The Most High, had al-ready mentioned in Holy Qur’an. And as science contin-ues to develop and new things are discovered, our one constant is the Holy Book, Al-Qur’an. It is truly amazing to know that scientific discoveries made within the last 20 years are already evident in the Holy Qur’an. The knowl-edge in this Divine revelation is for those who have faith. Allah, The Most Merciful, tells us: “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, guidance for those conscious of Allah”. [Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah: The Cow, 2:2]

Many things tie us all together; shared experiences, cul-tures, and traditions but what is it that truly ties us with this world we inhabit? What are we made up of? What does Al-lah tell us about our earth and how should the knowledge of these connections move us to take better care of our earth and ourselves?


Dust and WaterOur bodies are perfectly constructed arrays of muscle, fat, skin, and organs. And yet, the similarities we have to the earth are clear. How could we possibly be like an earth made of dust and water? The Qur’an provides us with answers to this question.

When it comes to taking care of our earth, the one thing that should humble us is our direct and undeniable link to it, dating back to the time of our very creation. Allah, The Most High, tells us: “From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will ex-tract you another time…” [Qur’an, Surah Taha: Ta Ha, 20:55]

Allah, The Most Merciful, tells us, in the above verse, that we are made from the dust of the earth and from what it contains. Scientific dis-coveries have found that the human body is made up of 99 percent of the elements Oxy-gen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Hydrogen. All of these elements are found naturally on earth, with Oxygen being the most abundant element found in the earth’s core and Calcium making up 3 percent of the earth’s crust. The other five elements that make up 0.85 percent of the mass of the human body (Potassium, Sulfur, Magnesium, Sodium, and

Chlorine) are either found in nature or also in the earth’s core and crust. Another verse in the Holy Qur’an refers to “sticky clay” and this is ex-plained as a mix of dust and water: “Verily, We created them of a sticky clay”. [Qur’an, Surah As-Saffat: Those who set the Ranks, 37:11]

From the soil that grows our food, to the trees that provide us with shelter; water is the most vi-tal component in growth and nourishment. Over 70 percent of our bodies are made up of water, this so happens to be approximately the same percentage of water that covers the earth’s sur-face.

The significance of the knowledge that human beings are so similar to the earth is immense. The very idea that the ground which we walk on, the mud in our gardens and the sand between our toes is made up of the properties within our bodies should make us ponder and reflect.


Life and DeathWe are made of the earth and Allah continues to tell us in the verse from Surah Taha, chapter 20 verse 55: “From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time”. Upon our deaths, we are buried in earth and thus returned to our origin. There is a poetic beauty to the fact that one returns to that which he or she came from. It makes sense that since the earth will be our abode, until we are resurrected (when Allah wills it), that we should treat it with respect whilst we walk upon it.

Heavens and the Earth

“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined

entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not be-lieve?” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Anbya: The Prophets, 21:30]

This verse should resonate deeply within us all. The heavens and the earth were once a single entity and whilst we strive to be inhabitants of ‘Jannah’ (Paradise), we continue to pollute and poison the earth that was once joined with it.

ConnectionsWe are made up of a delicate balance of ele-ments that allow us to exist through Allah’s mer-cy. One cannot live without water, but too much of it can be detrimental. Too much Sodium can cause high blood pressure, but this element is necessary to live. Excess or the lack of even one key component that makes up a living creature can mean ill health. It is only through Allah’s will that allows us to have this balance within our bodies and around us.

We love those related to us, we care for those we are connected with and call the ones we share experiences with our companions. It seems only right we should love our earth, take care of our earth and treat it with the same re-spect we treat the ones we love.

May we all take necessary steps to take care of our earth and may the earth not be a witness against us on the Day of Reckoning. Ameen.


When enter ing Masj id A l -Haram a lso known as the ‘Sacred Mosque of Makkah’ v ia the r ight foot f i rs t , the fo l lowing suppl icat ion is sa id .

A r a b i c Tr a n s l i t e r a t i o n :“ A l l a h u m a a f t a h l e e A b w a a b

r a h m a t i k a ” .Translat ion: “Oh Al lah open for me the doors of your mercy” .

[Sahih Musl im, 1/494]


he environmental crisis is one of the most impor-tant global problems seen in the world today. Not only does it affect us here today, but it will also have a detrimental effect for us in the future, if

proper care is not maintained. Many people have forgotten that the earth is an’ Amanah’ (trust) from Allah, The Most High, and we need to resolve the ignorance by making others aware of the teachings of Islam regarding caring for the environment as well as educating ourselves on such matters. Understanding the nature of Allah, The Most High, is vital as it has a major effect on a Muslim’s duties to Allah and allows us to reflect and think deeply about our actions. This should then be our starting point when considering how to become more environmentally just. We need to know Allah in order to take his commands seriously, mak-ing Islamic ‘Tarbiyah’ (personal development) essential. Although, humans are seen as intellectual beings, quite ironically, we are responsible for most of the damage done to the planet.

Protecting the environment is important in Islam and it is a Muslim’s duty to take care of the earth that Allah has given to us as a gift and all that is within it, be it plants or animals. We need to remember that, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return”. [Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqa-rah: The Cow, 2:156]

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told us not to waste water, even

if we are at a running stream.

Zohaib Asem is currently a college student aspiring to become a journalist. He reflects upon the impact that people have on the environment and the importance of protecting natural resources

for future generations.

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LandLand pollution is the destruction of the earth’s surface and soil, as a result of human activity and deforestation. Trees are cut down to clear the land for; farming, burning fuels, and build-ing materials. As a result, not only has the air become polluted, but wildlife has also been put in danger, due to loss of habitat and natural environment. Animals are forced to move and adapt to new regions, and in the process some of them die trying to adjust. Soil erosion in-creases, leading to bad quality soil and loss of fertile land. Industrial waste is also discharged onto the land. Toxic chemicals and pesticides are applied to crops, which plays a big role in deteriorating human health. These toxic chem-icals can be washed from land into the rivers, lakes, and seas.

Today, more benefits of trees are being discov-ered, since vegetation is vital for human sur-vival. For instance, the biggest plants on the planet, trees provide us with oxygen, stabilise the soil and give life to the wildlife. Trees are also an important part of every community. The quality of life becomes that little bit better, when we gather under the cool shade they provide for us during outdoor activities with family and friends.

Likewise, plants are the backbone to life on earth. Almost everything we eat comes from plants, directly or indirectly. Throughout human history, about seven thousand various species of plants have been used for food.

The Qur’an mentions fifty-four plants, which in-clude fig, pomegranate, olive, corn, leek, gar-lic, onion, lentil, barley, wheat, ginger, pumpkin, watermelon, tamarind, cedar, vineyards, ba-nanas, cucumbers, and basil. They also serve a purpose for medical use. About a quarter of prescription drugs are derived from plants and many people rely on plants for primary health care.

Therefore, for the sake of our mental and phys-ical health and even society as a whole, it is important to make environmental justice part of our lives and take better care of our surround-ings to truly reflect the “Green Deen”. This rela-tionship with the earth reminds us of the start-ing point of our existence: “And of His signs is that He created you from dust”. [Qur’an, Surah Rum: The Romans, 30:20]

WaterWater, as well as dust, is the source of living creatures: “Allah has created every (living) creature from water”. [Qur’an, Surah An-Nur: The Light, 24:45] It is important to realise that water is one of the major favours Allah has be-stowed upon us, used for purification, growth and quenching our thirsts. Not only will it bene-fit us in this world, but also in the Hereafter, as descriptions of Paradise in Surah Al-Hajj con-stantly mention the “adorned gardens wherein rivers flow” and not forgetting the fountain of ‘Al-Kawthar’.


Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told us not to waste water, even if we are at a running stream. He lived in a harsh desert environment, where water was treated as a great ‘Ni’mah’ (favour) from Allah, The Most Merciful. Being wasteful is extremely disliked in Islam and is also a sign of ingratitude. Approximately 1.1 bil-lion people today lack access to clean drinking water. That is almost a sixth of the world’s popu-lation! Islam teaches us that water must be kept pure and clean because we use it to cleanse ourselves through drinking, ablution, and bath-ing. But in the world today, households, indus-trial, and agricultural practices produce waste-water that can cause pollution of many lakes and rivers. Most of this pollution comes from people carrying out their day-to-day activities, such as driving their cars and taking showers, without monitoring usage. Not only are we as individuals to blame, but also the large indus-tries play a massive role in water pollution. They produce pollutants that are extremely harmful to people and the environment. Many industrial facilities use freshwater to wash wastes into riv-ers, lakes, and oceans. As we see on the news time and time again, oceans are polluted by oil on a daily basis from petroleum spills, routine shipping, and dumping.

Natural water resources are not being protect-ed, which is a problem as water is one of the main natural resources keeping us alive and healthy.

Spreading AwarenessIt is our duty, not only to protect the environ-ment, but to also spread awareness of it. “Social networking” has become popular over the past decade mainly used by users who are of the ages between 18 and 49 and it is a constant-ly growing source of media influence. Keeping plants in and around your home, school or work-place is not only decorative, but also good for enhancing indoor air quality. Although, taking the car to work makes life a whole lot easier, it plays a major role in increasing the carbon foot-print and polluting the air. Not only will cycling or even walking to work improve your health, but exercising is also ‘Sunnah’, a practice of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who was a very physically fit person. Our bodies should not be mistreated because they are a gift from Allah, so it is vital that we keep ourselves in good form to make it easier to carry out day-to-day tasks, especially ‘Salah’ (prayer).

Ultimately, a healthy environment is necessary for survival. Drinkable water, breathable air, and edible food are some of the resources that are necessary for life to continue. As Muslims we should strive to protect and care for the envi-ronment to preserve the beauty of nature for the future generations and not only for ourselves. After all, Islam is a “Green Deen”.



The journey of Hajj is the most spiritually sig-nificant event in a Muslim’s life. It is a journey of rites and rituals, stepping in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In fact, the Hajj is not really a journey. A journey would suggest finality or a destination, which the Hajj does not have. And the rites and rit-uals, we perform along the way, have little significance outside of the symbolic realm. What we do whilst on Hajj does change us physically and we have nothing tangible af-ter the event to testify to the spiritual transi-tion that takes place. There is no certificate of accomplishment, what we achieve on this pilgrimage is exclusively between us and our Creator. Yet, despite this, Muslims from all over the world flock to Saudi Arabia every year in their millions to perform Hajj.

This pilgrimage is an act of worship. Its func-tion is to remember Allah, The Most High, pu-rify the soul of the Believer and ultimately at-tain ’Jannah’ (Paradise). Pilgrims on the Hajj are there to fulfil one of their obligations, as a Believer, by answering the call of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh). The Holy Qur’an reminds us of this: “And proclaim to the people the Hajj

Liz Leonard accpted Islam ten years ago, following several years of research into the religion. Currently, she is a presenter on Women’s AM, Islam Channel

and a teacher at Tarbiyyah Madrasah in Kent.

Follow Liz on Twitter: @liz_ld

(pilgrimage); they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass”. [Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj: The Pilgrimage, 22:27]

The answer to that call is what we see today in the Hajj of today. Muslims travel to ‘Mak-kah Al-Mukarramah’ (The Holy City) from all corners of the globe and by whatever means they can. This is probably the only time one will see so many different Muslims from dif-ferent nations, gathered in one place, for one common objective; to worship and glorify Allah, The Most High. All the differences of race, class, and culture are left behind. Be-lievers are stripped of worldly adornments, that separate us and we are presented be-fore our Creator as equal, as one.

Allah, The Most High, states these ideals in the Holy Qur’an: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted”. [Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujurat: The Rooms, 49:13]


When Malcolm X (may Allah have mercy upon his soul) performed the Hajj in April, 1964, he was forever changed by the sight of so many different Muslims. He comments on this in a letter he wrote from Makkah: “There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colours, from blue-eyed blondes to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experi-ences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and non-white”.

The Hajj is a reminder of the grand assembly on the Day of Resurrection (Yawm Al-Qiyamah), when people will stand equal before Allah, The Most High, waiting for their final destiny. Proph-et Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rath-er he looks at your hearts and actions”. [Sahih Muslim]

Another intangible, yet crucial element of this blessed journey is the ‘Ihram’ (state of purity), or intention. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) famous-ly stated: “Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended”. [Sa-hih Al-Bukhari] Therefore, when it comes to per-forming the Hajj, we must make our intentions pure and firm.


It is often, though incorrectly, thought that Ih-ram refers solely to the two white sheets worn by men during the Hajj. Whilst these garments are a strong visual symbol associated with the Hajj and they have significance, the Ihram is much bigger and all-encompassing than that. The Ihram is about humbling ourselves in front of Allah, The Most High; it sets the tone for the entire Hajj. Our Prophet (pbuh) reminded us of the importance of this humility: “He who hum-bles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise him”. [Sahih Muslim]

Upon arrival in Makkah the pilgrims will perform their ‘Tawaf’ or circling of the Ka’bah. This is done seven times, starting at ‘The Black Stone’ (Al-Hajar Al-Aswad). The purpose of this rite is to establish remembrance of Allah. It is an oppor-tunity to hone and perfect two personality traits essential for the journey of Hajj and the journey of life; sincerity and patience. These two char-acteristics are crucial for an accepted Hajj, but also in all acts of worship that we perform as a Muslim outside of the Hajj. The pilgrim will be circling the Ka’bah with more people than they have probably ever seen in their lives. It is hot, cramped and sometimes uncomfortable. They must avoid distractions and control their tem-per, as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) reminded us of the virtue of this trait: “The strong man is not the one who can throw another down. The strong man is the one who can keep hold of himself when he is angry”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim]

At this point the pilgrim will also perform the ‘Sa’ee’. This is the running between the two mountains ‘Safa’ and ‘Marwah’ in the same way Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), did when she was left in the desert, with her baby Ismael (pbuh) desperately looking for water to ensure their survival.

The symbolic importance of this act is manifold. It demonstrates the triumph of faith and trust in Allah. Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) asked Ibrahim (pbuh) when she and her infant child were left in the barren desert, whether this was an instruction from Allah. When she learned that it was, she was accepting and hopeful, she knew there was good in it and that Allah would provide for them.


It is also a reminder of the status of women in Islam. Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) is a key figure, and today, thousands of years later men and women retrace her footsteps and pay respects to her courage and stead-fastness.

Hajar’s (may Allah be pleased with her) strength was rewarded with the spring of ‘Zamzam’ that began flowing at the feet of her infant son. This affirmed their survival and marked the begin-ning of a bustling and vibrant community at this location (Makkah) that was once barren and lifeless.

After the Morning Prayer on the 8th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the pilgrims proceed to Mina, where they spend the whole day. The next morning, after the prayer they leave Mina and travel to Mount Arafat.

Arafat is a barren and plain land, where pil-grims will dedicate the whole day, some six hours, to ‘Du’a’ (supplication). Du’a can be made at any point during the Hajj but this is the defining element of one’s time at Arafat.

It is, from this point, that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave his famous farewell sermon in the final year of his life. Today, millions of Muslims gather there, as equals, to shed tears whilst begging Allah for forgiveness and guidance. The pilgrims then leave Arafat to go to Muzdal-ifah. They are drained from the intensity of the worship they have engaged in, so this time is for rest and collecting stones for one of the fi-nal rites of their Hajj, ‘Ramy Al-Jamarat’ or the “Stoning of the Devil”, which is performed the

following day back in Mina. After casting the stones, animals are slaughtered to commem-orate the story of Ibrahim (pbuh) and Ismael (pbuh). Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was ordered by Allah to slay his first born son and as devas-tating as this task was for him, his faith in Allah pushed him forward. Ultimately, this trust was rewarded as Allah spared his son and a sheep was sacrificed in his place. This remembrance further reminds the pilgrims and Muslims, all over the world, of trust (Tawakkul) in Allah over all things.

“And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Abraham You have fulfilled the vision”. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.” [Qur’an, Surah As-Saffat: Those who set Ranks, 37:103-105]

This was a heavenly mercy, not just on Proph-et Ibrahim (pbuh), but upon all of humanity. Ibrahim (pbuh) was elevated as God’s friend (Khalil). Thus, from these events came this par-ticular aspect of the Hajj, remembering Ibrahim (pbuh) and his family’s sacrifice and success in the tests from Allah.

Performing the Hajj at least once in a lifetime is obligatory upon every able Muslim and the rites are directly linked with the willful surrender of these three people to Allah, The Most High; Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her), and Ismael (pbuh) . The leg-acy and spirit of human self-surrender to Allah are embedded into this Fifth Pillar of Islam. Ibra-him (pbuh) surrendered to God wholeheartedly and so should we.


“Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather he looks at your hearts

and actions”.

[Sahih Muslim]



“And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation).

They will come from the farthest locations”.

[Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj, The Pilgrimage, 22:27]

he Fifth Pillar of Islam, ‘Hajj’, occurs annually in the month of Dhul Hijjah; the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is obligatory for every sane adult to attend this special pilgrimage to ‘Makkah

Al-Mukarramah’ (The Holy City), at least once in their lifetime, provided that they have the financial and physical capabilities to do so. Before you perform Hajj, you must clear your debts, repent to Allah, and pardon yourself of any wrongdoing toward others. Then can you go on the pilgrimage in the state of Ihram.

‘Ihram’ is defined as a sacred state during Hajj or ‘Umrah’ (less-er pilgrimage) but there are three connected meanings.

1. The two pieces of cloth worn by male pilgrims.

2. The very act of starting Hajj or Umrah by making the inten-tion that one is now starting Hajj or Umrah and saying the ‘Talbiyah’ (a specific invocation for during Hajj and Umrah).

3. The state of sanctification in which the pilgrims are during Hajj or Umrah. After putting on the Ihram (first meaning) and making the intention of Ihram (second meaning), the pil-grims enter automatically the state of Ihram, which requires them to avoid certain things. Below are more details on Ih-ram in its three senses.

Anjuma Choudhury explores how one should reach the sacred state of ‘Ihram’ during Hajj.

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T H E S A C R E D S T A T E


Entering into IhramBefore wearing the Ihram clothing, it is highly recommended that you observe personal hy-giene as taught in Islam: chipping finger and toe nails, remove the armpit and pubic hair, comb the hair on the head and beard, trim the moustache and thereafter perform ‘ghusl’ (washing of the body as prescribed by Islam-ic law) or at least make ‘wudhu’ (ablution in preparation for worship).

1. Men must wear the two piece white cloth. One is wrapped round the upper part of the body except the head. It is normally draped over both shoulders but in certain times it is to be draped over one shoulder. The other is wrapped round the lower part of the body. You can fix this piece with a belt, a money belt, or a pin.

2. A woman may enter Ihram in whatever clothes she likes as long as it does not re-semble men’s clothes. She can wear any colour but she must avoid displaying beau-tification (Tabarruj) or clothes that are inap-propriate, such as tight and see-through clothes. Therefore, her whole body must be covered except the face and hands.

3. There are no restrictions as for women’s footwear. But for men, footwear should not cover the toes and ankles. Socks and shoes, therefore, should not be worn by men.

Make Intention for Hajj

Now after putting on the Ihram clothing, you are ready to start your pilgrimage by making ‘Niyyah’, the intention of starting Hajj or Umrah. You make the intention after performing one of the obligatory prayers or after praying two ‘rak’ats’ (prescribed movements and words in

prayer). For the intention of performing Umrah, you recite:

Arabic transliteration: “Umrah, Labbayka, Al-lahuma, Umrah”.

Translation: O Allah, I answer Your call by per-forming Umrah.

As for Hajj, the intention varies according to the type of Hajj you want to perform:

1. In Ifrad Hajj, you are going to perform only Hajj and therefore you make the intention of Hajj saying, “Labbayka, Allahuma, Hajja” (O Allah, I answer Your call by performing Hajj).

2. In Tamatu Hajj, you are going to perform a full Umrah followed by a break and then a full Hajj. Therefore, you make the inten-tion of Umrah saying, “Labbayk, Allahuma, Umrah” (O Allah, I answer Your call by per-forming Umrah). On 8th Dhul-Hijjah, you start Hajj, so you make then the intention of Hajj saying, “Labbayk, Allahuma, Hajja” (O Allah, I answer Your call by performing Hajj).

3. In Qiran Hajj, you are going to combine Umrah with Hajj, so you make the intention of both Umrah and Hajj saying, “Labbayk, Allahuma, bi Hijjah wa Umrah” (O Allah, I answer Your call by performing Umrah and Hajj).

[Source: T. Hashmi and A. Malik, Hajj & Umrah Made Easy, Al-Hidaayah Publishing & Distri-bution ltd, 2011]

There are certain places at which you should make your intention. These stations are called ‘Mawaqit’ (plural of miqat). You must wear your Ihram clothing at your fixed station and make the intention of Ihram.


There are five Mawaqit:

1. Dhul-Hulaifah is in south west of Madi-nah and 450 km from ‘Al-Masjid Al-Haram’ (Makkah). It is the Miqat for the people coming from Madinah and beyond.

2. Dhat-Iraq is 94 km to the north east of Mak-kah. It is the Miqat for the people coming from Iraq and beyond.

3. Al-Juhfah is 183 km to the north west of Makkah. This was the Miqat for the peo-ple coming from or passing through Syria and Egypt. It was on the eastern coast of the Red Sea, but it has completely disap-peared and Rabigh (to the north of Al-Juh-fah) is used as this Miqat now.

4. Qarn Al-Manazil is 75 km to the east of Makkah. It is the Miqat for the people of Najd (central region of Saudi Arabia) and the pilgrims who pass by it.

5. Yalamlam is 92 km to the south of Makkah. It is the Miqat for those coming from Yemen and the pilgrims who pass by it, such as from India, Pakistan, China, Japan and so forth.

If you are travelling by land, it is easy to stop at the station and make the intention. People trav-elling by air are usually notified when reaching the station or a short time before, so that they can make the intention. In such a case you are supposed to be ready, having put on your Ih-ram clothing in advance.

You must make the intention of Hajj from 1st Shawwal to 9th Dhul-Hijjah of the Islamic cal-endar. It is not possible to start Hajj on 10th Dhul-Hijjah or afterwards because this means missing the ritual of staying in Arafat on the day or night of 9th Dhul-Hijjah, which is one of the pillars of Hajj.


Prohibitions DuringIhram• Pilgrims must refrain from cutting nails and

hair until the Hajj is completed.

• Pilgrims must not wear any scented prod-ucts.

• Marriage contracts must not take place un-til the Hajj is completed.

• During the pilgrimage, sexual activity, fore-play, intimacy with words, smoking, and us-ing profane language are strictly forbidden.

• Other forbidden activities include hunting animals or eating game meat, quarrelling or fighting, and taking oaths, in addition to any other prohibited acts in accordance with Islamic law and ethics.

• Men and women should refrain from look-ing at each other inappropriately.

• Women must exercise strict modesty in their appearance and should not apply make-up or any other cosmetics.

• Women should not wear the ‘niqab’ (veil covering the face) and gloves, although they can cover their head to some degree when nearby non-Mahram men (marriage-able men). This is highlighted in the ‘Ha-dith’ (recorded tradition) of A’ishah bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “Riders were passing by us, and we were in Ihram with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), so when they came near, each of us would lower our ‘jilbab’ (full length outer garment) over our faces and when they went away we would uncover our faces again”. [Al-Fiqh ‘Ala Al-Madhahib Al-Arba’ah, 1/645]

• Men should not cover their heads or wear sewn clothes, such as, shirts, robes, trou-sers, turbans, hats, gloves, socks, and so forth.

The rites of Hajj return the pilgrim to his or her primary purpose; to worship Allah, The Most High, and to strive for the eternal Hereafter. The distractions and attractions of this world disappear; social status, wealth, and pride are just a few of the components which have no place in this special ritual. In Hajj, all worship-pers are truly equal in the eyes of Allah, The Creator.


When reaching the fourth corner of the Ka ’bah known as ‘Rukn Yamani ’ ,touch the Ka’bah and cont inue rec i t ing the fo l lowing suppl icat ion t i l l you reach

the Hajar A l -Aswad.

Arabic Transl i terat ion:“Rabbana at ina f id-dunya

hasanah, wa f i l -akhirat i hasanah wa q ina athaaban-nar” .

Translat ion: “O our Lord! Grant us the good in th is l i fe and in the NextL i fe and save us f rom the punishment of F i re” . [Qur ’an, Surah Al-Baqarah:

The Cow, 2 :201]

Aseel Saif academically majors in Middle-East politics and is an avid blogger in subjects such as religion, culture, and politics. Her Palestinian roots form the

foundations of her passion for writing and expressing herself to the world.

Visit her personal blog: www.ahijabilife.wordpress.com


http://www.ahijabilife.wordpress.com

As we all witnessed, last year, ‘Makkah Al-Mukarramah’ (The Holy City) experienced one of its worst stampede accidents in history. Regardless of what the cause was, many pilgrims lost their lives. Although, it was an incredibly sad and an unfortunate incident, the pilgrims died whilst fulfilling one of the prescribed Five Pillars of Islam, Subhan’Allah (Glory be to Allah). In the end, they died for the sake of Allah, The Most High and we pray that He accepts it from them. Ameen. From this sad event, there has been a great outcry for Mus-lims to educate themselves on the rituals and the dos and don’ts of Hajj; in order to avoid catastrophic incidents, such as last years, in the future, In shaa Allah (if Allah wills it). Therefore, educating yourself is one, if not; the most impor-tant tip a pilgrim should embark on. It is important you learn and study the rituals Hajj entails. Learn the ways in which you perform the journey from the ‘Ihram’ (state of purity) to the ‘Jamarat’ (Stoning of the Devil). Learn the best and saf-est way you can carry out these rituals, which is the closest way to the ‘Sunnah’ (teachings and practices of the Prophet, pbuh).

Hajj is indeed, a personal journey, but you are one amongst millions of pilgrims and some of whom may not fully under-stand and know what to do. This very ignorance, of the Di-vine rituals and rules, could potentially cause great harm. Therefore, as the duty of a Muslim to another, having this knowledge will enable you to impart on beneficial informa-tion onto others.

Hajj, essentially, is about the ‘Ummah Al-Islamiyah’ (the Is-lamic community) and whatever perfects the Ummah, we must grab onto it with both hands. There are a wealth of books about Hajj and its rituals, and thanks to the internet and social media, there are plenty of videos and lectures about it too. There are so many opportunities for you to learn and educate yourself about Hajj; but at the end of the day, it is up to you if you actively search for it.

Read and educate yourself before you embark on this magnificent trip.


Mend bridges with friends,family, and individuals you may have wronged or have wronged you.

Before you leave, mend bridges with people you may have upset or vice versa. Go to Hajj with a clear heart and conscious. This will allow you to put your full attention on the pil-grimage itself, rather than worrying about the ‘Dunya’ (temporal world) and its problems.

Write down a list of the people and things you want to pray for.

This is somewhat self-explanatory, but it is worth writing down the ‘Ad’iyah’ (supplica-tions) you want to make. In amongst the may-hem and excitement of Hajj you may forget the people and things you wanted to pray for. So, write a list and refer to it when you can.

Prepare yourself mentally.

You need to prepare yourself mentally, prior to embarking on this great journey; and even before purchasing the ticket. It is worth re-membering that Hajj is not an easy pilgrim-age, but then again nothing worth having comes easily either. Therefore, do not think of it as a relaxing, luxurious holiday because it is not one at all. You are there to plead and ask for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. You are there to thank Him for the blessings He has bestowed upon you. You are there to connect with your Maker, nothing less and nothing more.

Hajj is a difficult pilgrimage, as you are put under strenuous and stressful situations, which will push you to your limits. But hav-ing said that, if you prepare yourself mentally, where you are aware that this journey is not about the Dunya and the people around you, but in fact about you and your relationship with Allah, The Most High; you will be able to focus on your ‘Ibadah’ (worship) a lot more.

Remember Hajj is a once in a lifetime oppor-tunity that many wish to go on but are not able to. Count your blessings that, Alhamdu-lillah (praise be to Allah), Allah has blessed you with this wonderful opportunity.


Be efficient and productive!

Efficiency can be expressed through your physical as well as spiritual actions. In Hajj, you must be efficient by treating time pre-cociously and preciously. Make the most of every minute and every second possible. Try to pray in congregation when you can and when in the holy sites, try your best to pray every ‘Salah’ (prayer) in the mosque.

Also, be productive, read the Holy Qur’an at every spare moment you have. Give yourself a goal of how many pages you want to read and meet those targets!

Have humility and kindness.

Islam is a peaceful religion. It encourages kindness and especially, when in Hajj, you will see the Ummah in its most powerful, and yet vulnerable state. People are at their knees asking for Allah’s mercy and their eyes weep with tears of hardship. That is why, dur-ing Hajj, it is vital to show what and how it is to be the ideal Muslim. Share your meal, smile, and help a fellow pilgrim at every op-portunity. There will be many elderly and un-able pilgrims and perhaps on their own, so keep an eye out for them. If you see them struggling, do not wait for someone else to help; you just do it. Every positive and good action you practise, during Hajj, will be mul-tiplied. So take this opportunity to gain as many deeds as you can.

May Allah bless us all with this trip of a life-time and May He accept the Hajj of those who have been. May He always guide us on the straight path. Ameen.


Liz Leonard accepted Islam ten years ago, following several years of research into the religion. Currently, she is a presenter on Women’s AM, Islam Channel

and a teacher at Tarbiyyah Madrasah in Kent.

Follow Liz on Twitter: @liz_ld


osnia, until recently, had only conjured visions of war and depression for me. What changed my mind? Is seeing it for myself.

Now I know the real Bosnia.

A country so beautiful, the natural landscape literally left me speechless. The culture and history tells so many dif-ferent stories of so many different civilisations that have occupied this land over the centuries. At the same time this appreciation is bittersweet. Amalgamated with the beauty are the scars of civil war, which are clearly evi-dent and plentiful. But this is one story of many that this amazing country has to tell.

I only had four short days in Bosnia with the charity Re-membering Srebrenica. I had the itinerary in advance and knew that the days would be busy and tiring. But I did not expect it would be enough time for me to fall in love with a country, its people, and culture.

So my initial interest in the country was from an histor-ic and social perspective. I wanted to understand the factors that led to the war and the situation that the Bos-nian people have been living with since. Naively, I did not know that Bosnia had so much more to offer, including art, architecture, religion, natural beauty, and history.

My first impression of the country was before we had even landed. The view from the plane was simply breath-taking. Endless green hills and snowcapped mountains guided us into Sarajevo International Airport.

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My first stop was Sarajevo Old Town, or ‘Stari Grad’. At its heart is the Bascarsija, the old town market sector, where the city was found-ed by the Ottoman general Isa-Beg Isakovic in the 15th century. This Turkish style market spe-cialises in brass jewellery, plates, and typical Bosnian coffee sets. It was busy, people every-where enjoying food with their family or drinking the delicious strong Bosnian coffee with friends. The smells of barbecued meat and fresh bread led the way to a network of restaurants and ca-fes, most serving their famous dish, ‘Cevapcici’. This is a barbecued beef sausage flavoured with spices and served with warm naan style bread, onions, and a Bosnian cream cheese. This de-scription does not do justice to the delicious first meal that I had in Sarajevo’s Old Town.

When it was time to pray, a beautiful ‘Adhan’, call to prayer, led us in the direction of the Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque complex. The mosque is impressive without being ostentatious. It dis-plays Ottoman features both inside and out, the complex includes an impressive fountain, Mus-lim primary school or ‘Mekteb’, a room for ritu-al washing, domed burial sites, 45 meters high minaret, and clock tower.

This famous Bosnian landmark would not have been possible without Gazi Husrev-Beg’s ‘Waqf’ or religious endowment. This was typical of Otto-man municipality leadership and in spite of ste-reotypes, the Waqf institution could be argued to be one of the greatest legacies the world has

inherited. In a poetic irony, the Ottomans them-selves once stated on the institution of Waqf: “If you would like to get to know us after our era, please refer to our endowments (as these are our best works that present us)”. [S. Yassir, The European Jerusalem: Sarajevo, where Muslim heritage flourished in Central Europe]

During Ottoman rule, Sarajevo was heralded as the “European Jerusalem”, as its invalua-ble contributions to civil engineering, industry, trade, and architecture attracted people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. Aesthetic beauty alongside scientific ingenuity made, and indeed makes, Sarajevo a hub for civilisation.

Outside of the Old Town Sarajevo is a mixture of new and old buildings. A myriad of archi-tectural styles can be taken in and enjoyed on foot around the city, including Ottoman, Seces-sionist, Communist, and Modern. Sarajevo is a busy city centre like any other. But the hustle and bustle of the city belies a tragic past. On closer inspection, evidence of the civil war is everywhere. Building after building is covered with bullet holes, taking in the beautiful scenery again, I noticed that the white pillar tombstones are everywhere. Part of the 1984 Olympic are-na is now being used as a mass cemetery with crumbling tombstones marked with dates be-tween 1992 and 1995. A stark reminder of how quickly times have changed and how they con-tinue to change.



One of our days on the trip was to be spent in Srebrenica. The town in Bosnia is now famous for being the only legally recognised genocide of the civil war. It is several hours drive from Sarajevo to Srebrenica. The time gave me an opportunity to ponder the history of Srebreni-ca and its significance in the war and post-war years.

The landscape changed, and somewhat pro-phetically so did the weather. Dark clouds loomed as we spiralled the small roads up the hills, passed empty factories; a reminder that once upon a time Bosnia was part of the com-munist state of Yugoslavia. Scattered up the hill-side were small compounds of half built houses, most of the tiny gardens were being tended to by older and tired looking women.

The last landmark we passed before reaching

our destination is the vast and dramatic river Drina that separates Bosnia from Serbia. The bridge, one of the locations of the many massa-cres, has become symbolic of the war and the post-war struggle in the country.

As soon as I arrived at Srebrenica I had a strange feeling of de-ja-vu. Not that I had ever been an-ywhere like this before, but it was a landscape I had seen many times on television reports and in books. On one side of the road is the omi-nous looking battery factory that was used by the Dutch peacemakers during the war, it has since been turned into a museum and memori-al centre, but the structure has been left eerily unchanged for twenty-one years. On the other side is the cemetery, thousands of white, uni-form gravestones, each one representing a life lost in the civil war.

© Islam Channel


A small hut at the entrance to the museum was the gift shop. It was run by one of the town’s many war widows, although we could not com-municate through speaking, as neither one of us could speak the language of the other; we were connected in other ways. She made cof-fee for me and we hugged; she held my hands and enthusiastically showed me her merchan-dise. Her face was friendly and welcoming but I wondered what sadness and loss she had experienced. I selected my purchases and we hugged goodbye like old friends. As I left Sre-brenica I had tears in my eyes and a different perspective on the war and the country. It was evident that recovery from the war is very differ-ent for Bosnians in Srebrenica compared with those in Sarajevo.

As we scaled the green valleys on our way back, I pondered the connection between beauty and pain. Bosnia is a country that seems to inextricably link the two. Is the beauty of this amazing country heightened because it is juxtaposed against such pain? I thought about the places I had seen and the people I had met. What I remember about Bosnia and what I had come to love about Bosnia is the beauty of the natural landscape, the spirituality, the art, the culture, the pain, the hos-pitality of the people, and the history. The words of our tour guide echoed in my thoughts: “Love will move us forward, love is the best way”.

© Is

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© Is

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We live in a world that is diverse and globalised. As many communities progress technologically, The Dawah Project embraces these advancements, spreading Dawah at an international scale. We utilise Television, Radio and Digital Media promoting a better understanding of Islam and the Muslim way of life. It is our mission to provide comprehensive Islamic knowledge for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Will you help useducate millions around the world?

We accept Sadaqah, Zakat and

Registered Charity: 1133424

THEDAWAH PROJECT


[email protected]

+44(0) 207 330 1744


A TRAVELLER’S GUIDE

BODY MIND SOUL

FOOD BITES

HAJJ TRAVEL GUIDE & TIPS

RECOMMENDED READING

ISLAM CHANNEL PROGRAMMES



A Traveller’s Guide:

Elena Nikolova is the creator ofMuslimTravelGirl.com. She helps Muslims travel the world in stylewithout breaking the bank.

You can connect with Elena on Twitter:@MuslimTravelGrl

St Mark’s Basilica

Doge Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

Piazza San Marco

Gondola Ride

Venice Carnival

Rialto Bridge

Take a Vaporetto


http://www.muslimtravelgirl.com

ItalyCountry: Italy

Capital: Rome

City to visit: Venice, Veneto region

Official language: Italian

Major religion: Catholicism

Currency: Euro Best time to travel: Summer, spring, and during the Venetian carnival in February.

COUNTRY PROFILE

OverviewThe Venetian Lagoon is an enclosed bay of the Adriatic Sea, in northern Italy, in which the city of Venice is sit-uated. The lagoon is acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Venice is one of the wealthiest cit-ies in Europe, due to its popularity on the tourism radar and not to mention, it is a very romantic city attracting honeymooners all year round. Everyone knows Venice for its magnificent buildings and of course the ‘gondo-la’, which is a traditional Venetian rowing boat. Venice is located in the northeastern part of Italy in the Veneto region. It is definitely a city like no other, since


it is located and spread across 117 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by bridges. It is indeed, a unique sight for any visitor. The settlement, in this cluster of islands, began in the 7th century and gradually formed the city we know today. Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, and an important com-mercial power; producing and selling silk, grain, and spices. With easy access to sea and land it was an important city in trade throughout history. Venice has beautiful architecture and Venetians have created art masterpieces that are internationally recognised. This charming city is also known for the symphonic and op-eratic music. It is the birthplace of Antonio Vivaldi, a world renowned composer.

Top Places to Visit in Venice:

St Mark’s Basilica The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, or more commonly known as the ‘St Mark’s Basilica’, is the most famous of the city’s churches and the best example of beautiful Italo-Byzantine architecture. The Basilica is located in St Mark’s Square, the most fa-mous square in Venice and literally all the roads of the city lead to this square and the Basilica.

The Basilica was originally the chapel of the Doge’s Palace to which it is adjacent to and it only became the main cathedral in 1807. Today, you can visit a small proportion of the Basilica for free and if you want to pay extra you can see the Basilica completely and the St Mark’s Campanile, to enjoy a bird’s eye view of Venice from 98m.


Doge Palace (Palazzo Ducale)Located adjacent to St Mark’s Basilica the ‘Doge Pal-ace’ is one of the main landmarks in Venice. It was built in a Venetian gothic style and it served as the main resi-dence for the supreme leader of Venice. It opened as a museum in 1923 and you can even visit it today. One of the most remarkable places in the palace is the ‘Bridge of Sighs’, which once connected the court and the pris-on. You can see the bridge without going in the muse-um, but if you want to pass through it, you will have to pay the entrance fee for the museum.

Piazza San MarcoThe breathtaking ‘Piazza San Marco’ is by far the most iconic place in Venice. It connects all other landmarks, such as St Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile, and the Doges’ Palace. It is bustling with tourists day and night; you also can enjoy the beautiful view in some of the numerous café’s.


Join a FreeWalking Tour There are so many places to see in Venice and there is no better way to get an insider’s knowledge than joining a free walking tour. As the name suggests, the tour is free to join and the tour guide works for the tips, which are welcomed but not a must. Walking tours are a great way to immerse into the city and the best way to learn about history of the sights. A simple search on TripAdvisor will show many companies that organise such tours. You need to register online and just show up at the dedicated location, 10 minutes before the tour starts.

www.venicefreewalkingtour.com is a great example of a tour that takes you on a different journey and it does not include the main attractions, which you can visit on your own. If you are looking for something different and you are on a budget, I definitely recommend it.

Gondola RideNo trip to Venice is ever complete without riding on a ‘gondola’ on the famous canals. Sailing on the Grand Canal in Venice is one of the main attractions for every tourist in the city. The City of Venice has set standard prices to avoid tourists being tricked into paying more than it should be and today the 50 minute gondola ride costs 100 euro for up to 4 people. If you want to save on cost, you can join another couple and split the bill in half. It is something that many tourists do to avoid the high price. You can take a gondola from any of the

Travelling in Venice

canals, however, I would recommend going big and starting your journey in the Grand Canal of Venice, just off St Mark’s Square.

Venice Carnival The ‘Carnival of Venice’ is an annual festival held in Venice. The carnival ends with the Christian celebra-tion of Lent, forty days before Easter. The festival is widely known for its elaborate masks. You can find Venetian masks in the city all year around and you will see many tourists wearing them. Some elaborate masks can cost hundreds of euros and are made of porcelain with beautiful and detailed designs. Masks have always been an important feature of the Venetian carnival. There is little evidence explaining the motive for the earliest mask wearing in Venice. Some historians argue that covering the face in public was a uniquely Venetian response to one of the most rigid class hierarchies in European history. Today, thousands of tourists come to Venice for the annual festival and it is a display of beautiful masks and costumes worn by tourists and locals alike. The exquisite architecture and the costumes make it the perfect, once-in-a-lifetime experience and an oppor-tunity for beautiful pictures with Venetian architecture, as a backdrop. There are also many events and activities you can en-joy during the carnival.

Visit: www.venice-carnival-italy.com


http://www.venicefreewalkingtour.com

http://www.venice-carnival-italy.com

‘Rialto Bridge’, is a stone-arch bridge and one of the most extraordinary and marvellous bridges in Venice. It was constructed in just 3 years, between 1588 and 1591. It is the oldest bridge across the canal and it was the dividing line between the two districts of San Marco and San Polo. Today, the bridge is a main attraction in Venice, with many shops, restaurants, and tourists visiting during the day and night. The best view of the bridge can be seen from the canal and so taking a gon-dola or a ‘vaporetto’ (water bus) is a must.

Take a Vaporetto Since Venice is a collection of so many small islands, there is the need for more than just one method of transportation other than walking. The ‘vaporetto’ is a water bus and the main public transport in Venice used by locals and tourists alike. It has stops within the Grand Canal and other part of the city, even connect-ing you to the airport. The prices are high for one way tickets costing up to 7 euro, depending on where you want to go but it is a great way to see the city from the canal. It definitely offers a different view of the city and it is cheaper than a gondola, if you are on a budget. It can be a good option to take the vaporetto from St Mark’s Square to the train or bus station and not having to carry your luggage through the cobble streets and bridges.

rialto bridge


Halal DiningIt is very easy to find ‘Halal’ (permissible according to Islamic law) food in Venice. There are plenty of restaurants and takeaways serving thousands of Muslim visitors that come to Venice every year. Read below for details on a couple of Halal restaurants available in Venice and many display a Halal certificate on their entrances as well.

• SKK Shock Kebab Italy (American, Arab, and Italian cuisines) | 4253 via Daniele Manin, Venezia, Veneto 30174 | Opening Times: Mon – Sun, 10am - 10pm

• Al Barakah Fast Food & Ice Cream Parlor (fast food and desserts) | Located at the corner of via Teatro Vecchio, near the Hotel Venezia in Mestre | Opening Times: Mon - Sun, 7am – 1am

If on the other hand, you would like to enjoy some true Italian cuisine, the restaurants and cafes listed below are some of the best in the city. Please note that there may not be any Halal meat options available at these restaurants. However, on the menu there are many vegetarian and sea food options for you to try.

• Alle Testiere | Castello 5801, Calle del Mondo Nuovo, 30122 | Opening Times: Tues - Sat, 12.30pm - 3pm, 7pm - 11pm

• Il Ridotto | Castello 4509, Campi Santi Filippo e Giacomo, 30122 | Opening Times: Mon, Tues, Fri - Sun, 12.30pm - 2pm, 7pm - 10.30pm; Thurs, 7pm - 10.30pm

• Osteria Santa Marina | Castello 5911, Campo Santa Marina, 30122 | Mon, 7.30pm - 10pm; Tues - Sat, 12.30pm - 2.30pm, 7.30pm - 10pm

Prayer Facilities

The Islamic Cultural Centre of Venice is located a short distance from the Venezia Santa Lucia railway station and on the way to St. Mark’s Square.

Address: Islamic Cultural Centre of Venice, Santa Maria della Misericordia, Campo de l’ Abazia Cannaregio 3548, 30121 Venezia

Accommodation Hotels in Venice are expensive to book and depending on the season; summer, spring, and carnival time are the peak times to travel to Venice. If you want to save money and avoid the hassle of dragging your bags across the city, I would suggest staying close to the Venezia Santa Lucia Railway Station or in Venice Mestre area, where a 20 minute bus ride can take you to and from Venice. Ho-tel bookings cost considerably less and it is less busy than staying in the main island of Venice. Unquestionably Venice is one of Italy’s most gorgeous and unique cities to visit. It has elegance, class, and timeless beauty, due to the city’s unique architecture and picturesque setting with thousands of small cobble streets and bridges. The city of Venice will definitely leave you in awe and it cannot be described in words but only visited to understand the true uniqueness of this charming city. It is definitely a must visit destination for a weekend getaway!


After complet ing ‘Tawaaf ’ (c i rcumambulat ion of the Ka ’bah) , go to ‘Maqaam Ibrahim’ (The Stat ion of Ibrahim) and rec i te the fo l lowing verse.

Arabic Transl i terat ion:“Watakhi thoo, min maqaami

Ibrahim musal la” .Translat ion: “And take you (people) the Maqaam (p lace) of Ibrahim as a p lace

of Prayer” . [Qur ’an, Surah Al-Baqarah: The Cow, 2 :125]

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Hafsa Waseela is in the medical field pursuing her stud-ies to reach her ultimate vocation in becoming a Lecturer specialising in Oncology and Cancer. She is also an art-ist, poet and is an active member of a number of Dawah organisations, community associations and charities in

the UK and abroad.

To find out more about her work, please visit the following website www.hafsaabbas.com

THE BENEFITS OF SLEEPING


http://www.hafsaabbas.com

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasised on the importance of looking after our bodies.

Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-As (may Allah be pleased with him):

“Allah’s Apostle said, “O Abdul-lah! Have I not been informed that you fast all the day and stand in prayer all night?” I said, “Yes, O Allah’s Apostle!” He said, “Do not do that! Observe the fast sometimes and also leave them (the fast) at other times; stand up for the prayer at night and also sleep at night. Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

In order to understand how important sleep is, we need to understand what it is and how it works! Many people think sleep is a passive, dormant part of our day-to-day lives. Our brains

are functioning actively, whilst we are asleep. In addition, sleep influences our physical and mental health in many aspects.

In our body, we have some chemicals called neurotransmitters that act on different types of nerve cells in the brain. We even have nerve cells in our brainstem that connects the brain with the spinal cord. These nerve cells make neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline and serotonin; their role is to keep some areas of the brain active, whilst awake.

However, the other nerve cells in the base of the brain function to signal to “switch off” the neurotransmitters that keep us awake, whilst we are asleep. Studies have shown that a chemical called adenosine accumulates in our blood, whilst we are awake and this causes drowsi-ness. When we are asleep, this chemical gradu-ally breaks down.

There are two body systems that function differ-ently and depend on our state of sleep. There is a hormone called melatonin that is released from the pineal gland, which is a chemical mes-senger. Melatonin signals to the brain and tells it when to go into non-REM and REM sleep. ‘REM’ stands for rapid eye movement.


What happens when you are awake?The body functions are consistent, however, it then enters non-REM and this slows the brain activity, heart rate, and breathing rate. In addi-tion, the growth hormone is secreted rapidly and the motor neurons are inhibited. A motor neuron is one of the three types of nerve cells (neuron). Its structure is dissimilar to that of sensory and relay neurones. The cell body resides in the spi-nal cord and the axon, which is part of a typical neuron and is positioned outside of the spinal cord. It directly or indirectly controls the effec-tor organs. There are two types of effectors: a muscle and a gland. A gland is an organ that produces chemical messengers (hormones). There are two types of glands: endocrine gland, such as when the pancreas releases hormones into the blood stream or cavities inside the body. Alternatively, exocrine glands release hormones outside of the surface.

Following this stage, whereby the motor neurons are inhibited, the voluntary muscles in our body become paralysed and this allows the heart rate and respiratory rate to restore back to normal.

How much sleep are we supposed to have?This depends on your age. Normally, for adults 7 to 8 hours is generally recommended. For a young child, 16 hours is required, whereas if you are a teenager; then an average of 9 hours is needed. For pregnant women, who are in the first trimester (the first three months), needs more sleep than usual.

There are many benefits of sleeping, so snooze! For instance, it improves your mood and removes dark circles under the eyes. It can also help the heart beat at a normal healthy rate! Also, if you are worried about your figure; then adequate sleep can benefit your weight too.

If you are worried about remembering things for your exam; then having good night sleep is rec-ommended. It strengthens your memory skills, whilst you are awake and this is called consol-idation.

In addition, despite Allah has pre-written when we are going to die, how and where; studies have shown that sleeping less or more hours


lowers the lifespan. Women aged 50-79, who slept less than 5 hours had more death rates.

Sleeping also lowers the risk of disease. People who sleep less hours, such as 6 hours or less have high levels of inflammatory proteins in the blood and this leads to stroke, diabetes, arthri-tis, and heart disease. Studies have shown that one of these proteins called C-reactive protein are linked to increased risk of heart attack, when having less sleep.

Those who have difficulty getting to sleep or have insomnia can be treated as sleeping low-ers the blood pressure and inflammation. There are ways that can influence one psychologically and with their behaviour. For instance, cognitive behavioural therapy, whereby negative thoughts about themselves and the world, is challenged to tackle behavioural patterns and/or mood dis-orders, such as depression. Other examples are restricting sleep and relaxation training.

Additionally, if you are sporty or athletic, sleep improves your performance!

10 steps to better sleepWant to improve your sleeping pattern, check out these tips below!

1. Establish a routine for when waking up and going to bed. This regulates your sleep.

2. Doing a relaxing task before sleep, such as ‘Dhikr’ (Remembrance of Allah) and reading the Holy Qur’an because it will relax your mind.

3. People who exercise regularly, sleep significantly better.

4. Sleeping on a comfortable bed makes a difference.

5. A hot bath causes your body to reach a certain temperature that aids you to rest.

6. Evaluate your bedroom. Your bed-room needs to be a place of relaxa-tion; away from the TV screen and the Xbox! A screen-free zone makes a snooze zone.

7. Intake less caffeine. Cut down on the stimulants, especially in the evening.

8. Avoid eating too much food at night. This can influence the sleeping pat-terns.

9. Avoid smoking! Did you know smok-ers take longer to sleep than those who do not?

10. And finally, when you are going to bed, brush off any worries. Sweet dreams…

For further advice, please contact me via email: [email protected]


‘The Wel l o f Zamzam’ is located in the basement of the Masj id A l -Haram and the fo l lowing suppl icat ion is sa id , whi ls t dr ink ing the b lessed water.

Arabic Transliteration: “Allahuma ini as-aluka ilman nafi’an, wa rizqan was’an, wa shifa min kol da’”.

Translat ion: “O Al lah, I seek benef ic ia l knowledge, wide sustenance and cure f rom a l l a i lments f rom You”. [Sahih Musl im; Ibn As-Sunni]


Karimah Bint Dawoud is a qualified Islamic Nutritionist and author of the Gourmandaward winning cook book Heavenly Bites: The Best of Muslim Home Cooking. She is also

the Director of ‘Karimahs Cuisina’ organisation and a founder of the ‘Feed the Need’project that feeds the homeless in London, UK.

Follow Karimah on Twitter: @1karimah

I lived in Rome for a year, not Venice, but certain themes run throughout Italian cook-ing when you reach the south of Italy, like infusing the sacred olive oil with herbs and spices. This hot spicy herb sauce is the base for the salted dried cod fish. Salt fish or ‘Baccaala’, as it is known, is featured in Venetian cuisine. Cornmeal or ‘polenta’ as it is called in Europe is another Venetian sta-ple food. At Karimah’s Cuisina Well Being, I love to experiment with wheat free alterna-tives like ‘polenta’ and decided to create my own version of savoury muffins to dip into the luscious fish sauce.

It is best to firstly prepare the muffins as they can be left to cool after baking, before re-moving from tins and at the same time com-mencing the making of the salty fish sauce. Whilst the muffins are in the oven, boil the salty fish or boil the salty fish the day before and keep it in the refrigerator.

Cornmeal

It was narrated by A’ishah Bint Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) that, “the family of Muhammad did not eat wheat bread with meat or soup to their satisfac-tion for three successive days”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol 7, 65:349]

The wisdom of this is now affirmed by sci-ence, as more and more of us are diag-nosed as wheat intolerant. This recipe uses cornmeal as an alternative grain. Muffins are usually associated with sweet but they are also a savoury option. These are flavoured with nutmeg and ‘star aniseed’. I was in-spired to use star aniseed after watching top British chef Heston Blumenthal use this spice in Spaghetti Bolognese.

NutmegThis recipe contains Nutmeg; there is a dif-ference of opinion on the use of Nutmeg. When used in large quantities, it can have a negative effect on the body.

During the eighth conference of Medical Fiqh - The Islamic View on Some Health Problems - Haraam and Impure Substanc-es in Food and Medicine, which was held in Kuwait between 22nd and 24th May 1995, Sheikh Dr. Wahbat Al-Zuhayli said: “There is no reason why a small amount of nutmeg should not be used to improve the flavour of food, cakes and the like, but a large amount is Haraam, because it is a narcotic”.

Venetian Cuisine


© K

arim

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SERVES

6-8

Main Ingredients (Makes 12 Cornmeal Muffins):

• 2 cups of corn flour

• 2 tsp of baking powder

• 1 cup of coconut milk

• 100ml of water

• 2 tbsp of olive oil

• ½ tbsp / 15ml flax seed soaked overnight in ½ cup water

• 1 tsp nutmeg

• 1 tsp ground star aniseed

Method:

1. Put the oven on medium heat, gas mark 5, electric 180–190°C (350–375°F).

2. Mix together in a large bowl all the dry ingredients, including spices.3. Place in the jug blender; olive oil, coconut milk, flax seeds and the water

they were soaked in. Blend to fine consistency. 4. Add blended wet ingredients to dry ingredients in a bowl and stir. 5. Add additional water and stir. 6. Mixture should not be firm like dough and not runny like batter but some-

where in between like a sponge cake mixture. 7. Pour ½ teaspoon of olive oil on kitchen paper and wipe around inside of

the muffin tin with ideally 12 cup sections. 8. Using a large spoon, ladle mixture into cups sections, 1cm lower than the

edge of cup. 9. Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. 10. After 25 minutes, remove muffins in the tin and check with a thin metal

skewer knife, inserting into a muffin. If it is cooked, the metallic object should come out clean without any wet mixture on it.

11. Leave aside to cool and continue with the rest of the recipe.

3


Foccacinade Polenta

main course

Preparation & cooking Time: 45 mins (excluding soaking flax seed overnight)

Preparing the Salt Fish (PREPARATION & COOKING TIME: 30-60 MINS)

Ingredients:

• 500 grams salted or filleted fish, such as cod or pollock

• Plenty of water

Method:

1. Place the salt fish in a medium sized saucepan and cover with water. 2. Bring the salt fish and water to boil and turn down to low medium heat to

simmer for 30 minutes.3. Leave it to cool and drain off the water into the sink, take care. 4. Repeat the procedure at least one more time. 5. Then leave to cool without water for 30 minutes.6. Remove any bones and break the fish into large pieces (3-5cm). 7. Set aside to add to arrabiata sauce.

Arrabiata Sauce (PREPARATION & COOKING TIME: 15 MINS)

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp of sacred olive oil

• 1x 500 gram box of chopped tomatoes

or passata

• 1-5 cloves of garlic skinned

• 1-3 large dried chillies

• 1 tsp of dried basil

• 1 tsp of oregano

• 1 tsp of black pepper

• ½-1 tsp of salt

Method:

1. Peel and chop the garlic and leave to oxidise with air for maximum nutri-tion, whilst you prepare the other aspects of the recipe

2. Put the oil in a heavy frying pan on a low to medium heat and add the chillies (you can add more if desired).

3. Using a wooden spoon, push the chilli around the pan to infuse the oil with the chilli flavours.

4. After 5 minutes on a gentle heat, add the chopped garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.

5. When the garlic is golden, add the basil, oregano, black pepper, sea salt, and cook for another minute.

6. Add the chopped tomatoes or passata and simmer on a low heat until the water begins to evaporate off the tomatoes and the mixture looks more like a paste than a runny sauce. You might need to use a metal splatter cover.

7. Add the cooked flaked salt fish and stir gently into the sauce.8. Cook for 5 minutes and garnish with fresh basil9. The muffins should now be cool enough to remove from the tin. They are

succulent when dipped in the spicy salt fish sauce.10. Runner beans or spinach drizzled with olive oil and served with wedges

or fresh lemon would balance and compliment the rich flavours, and create a neutral friendly plate.

2

1


SERVES

4-6

Tiramisu is a traditional Venetian dessert, very simple to make, very decadent, typically Venice. This, certainly, is a special occasion pudding; perfect for Eid Al-Adha.

Traditionally, it is a layered desert of sponge fingers flavoured with vanilla essence, cream, alcohol, coffee, and chocolate.

So we have to “Halalify” it!

Some recipes do not include eggs, but having lived in Rome and eaten at a plethora of rustic and haute cuisine in Italian restaurants; I would advocate that eggs certainly make the mousse layer, light and fluffy.

You will need a shallow dish, about 6-7cm deep, square, (to accommodate 2 rows of parallel biscuits) OR a round dish to accommodate the sponge fingers in a circle. Do experiment to find a right dish size, whilst sponge fingers are still dry.

Main Ingredients:

• 500g mascarpone cheese or soft white cheese spread (not salted)

• 6 free range egg whites• 175g packet of ‘Savoiardi type’ dry sponge fingers• 300ml (2 tbsp) of made up coffee, such as fresh

ground coffee or instant• 35ml bottle of vanilla essence (check ingredients be-

fore purchase as some contain alcohol, but the syrup or powder usually does not)

• 25g cooking chocolate powder (not drinking choco-late power)

• 1 tsp of cinnamon powder

Method:

1. Prepare the coffee; I make mine using a traditional Italian macchinetta or “moka pot”. You can use instant coffee and water, either way you need 300ml of liquid, left to cool.

2. Whilst coffee is cooling, separate the egg whites into a large bowl. If you want, you can use the yolks later for scrambled eggs.

3. Blend egg whites to become stiff fluffy peaks, by either using an electric whisk or quite simply some good old elbow grease.

4. In a separate bowl, add the vanilla essence to the cream cheese, it will taste similar to shop bought ice cream.

5. Fold and gently blend cream cheese mix into the egg whites and set aside.

6. Place the coffee in a shallow wide bowl or tray; I use a metal food tray. On a shallow wide container the coffee is spread over the surface and just coat the outside of the sponge fingers as you flip them over. They are super absorbent, so there is no need for them to be in the cover longer than a couple of seconds.

7. Place the dish; you are going to layer the dessert in, in front of you and cream mixture to right side and coffee tray on left side. I say this because this dish requires

quick construction8. Place a layer of cream cheese mix as a base layer

in the dessert dish, about 1-2cm deep. 9. Take the sponge fingers one at a time and quickly

place on their side in the coffee. Quickly roll the finger over and take it out and place on top of cream layer. The sponge biscuits need to be in the coffee for only a couple of seconds as they absorb the coffee very quickly.

10. Repeat procedure till one layer of cream is cov-ered with the sponge fingers.

11. Cover the layer of sponge fingers with another lay-er of cream, this time spooning the cream on top of the biscuit, 1 tablespoon at a time. You might need to use two spoons, one to pick up the cream and the other to scrape it off and onto the sponge layer. At this point, you do not want to drag the cream across the sponge biscuits as they are more delicate and moist with the coffee.

12. Once the fingers are covered with cream, smooth over the layer using spatula or back of spoon

13. At this point you can, if you wish, by using a small sieve, shake the cinnamon over the cream before adding next layer of sponge fingers.

14. Repeat layering with the coffee moistened sponge fingers.

15. Repeat final cream layer. 16. Using small sieve, sprinkle chocolate powder over

the top of the cream.17. Loosely cover with tin foil and place in refrigerator

for at least three hours before serving.18. This wonderful dessert can be served alone or

with fresh fruit such as tart berries. Alternatively, you can add berries into the layers of the dessert as you go.

In nutrition theory, there is a 80/20 ratio of healthy/unhealthy foods and this sweet creamy dessert is one of those unhealthy moments, so be mindful and enjoy. Buon appetito!

Halal Tiramisu

dessert

Preparation & cooking Time: 30 mins AND REFIGERATE FOR 3 HOURS

Have you enjoyed making and indulging in this recipe? If so, please share your pictures with us: @TheDawahProject and @1karimah. Hashtag #Ilma #FoodBites #Venice


‘Sa ’ee ’ consists of walk ing back and for th seven t imes in a s ta te of ab lut ion between ‘A l -Safa ’ and ‘A l -Marwah’ . A l -Safa and Al-Marwah are h i l ls , where the

former is located south of the Ka ’bah and the la t ter is located at the north of the Ka ’bah.

When you approach Mount Safa rec i te the fo l lowing par t of Surah Al-Baqarah:

Arabic Transliteration: “Innas-safaa wal marwatamin sha’aa’irillaahi” and then, “Abda’u bimaa

bada’allaahu bih”.

Translat ion: “Ver i ly, A l -Safa and Al-Marwah are f rom the symbols of A l lah” . [Qur ’an, Surah Al-Baqarah: The Cow, 2 :158]

Translat ion: “I begin by that which Al lah began”. [Sahih Musl im]

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SY

OUR EXPERTISE

We understand that every event is unique and therefore we work closely with our clients to create bespoke events tailored to their needs. We have experience organising small private dinners, charity fundraisers to festivals with over 60,000 people attending.

www.veritasconsultancy.org.uk veritasorgukveritasconsultancy

0207 330 8230

[email protected]

CONTACT US

For further information and to discuss your bespoke event, please contact a member of our team.

WHAT WE DO

We manage and provide a wide range ofservices which include:

• EventManagement

• Catering

• HospitalityManagement

• Production&Audi-Visual

• SetDesign

• FloralDecorations

• Entertainment

• MarketingMaterial

• GraphicDesign

• Gifts&Souvenirs

• GuestManagement

• VenueSearch

EventManagementServices

Wehaveextensiveexperienceorganising:

• Private dinners

• Product launches

• Private parties

• Cultural events

• Conferences and exhibitions

• Charity fundraisers

• Corporate anniversary parties

• Award ceremonies

• Fashion shows

• Gala dinners

SY

© By Negla Abdalla

Negla is spirited journalist, sharing her passion of tackling issues of areligious, political and societal nature through a range of mediums

starting from poetry all the way through to long form features.

Visit her blog: www.pearlsofawannabejournalist.tumblr.com


http://www.pearlsofawannabejournalist.tumblr.com

You found beauty in your shared pain. Your souls connected and intertwined through the losses you both shared.You united and stood forth eluding strength in front of your new families.

Today you start a new journey of man and wife,Two different journeys becoming one shared life.

Her late mother and your late father graced us with their presence,took every opportunity to remind us they never left us.

Their names forever on our lips exchanging stories on your big day with those who missed the chance to meet them, tears flowing down every single persons cheeks

remembering all the memories we had.

But today Allah reminded us nobody really ever leaves, they just return to where they belonged, and he showed us that beauty the moment our beloved bride released a

clutter of coloured balloons yet only two flew up to the heavens.

So please say Ameen for the wondrous way Allah works. Please say Ameen for the time we had with them, for verily they never belonged to us, they were merely a

blessing, a guidance from beyond, a precious gift.A gift that has brought you to the gift of Love.


Elena Nikolova is the creator of MuslimTravelGirl.com. She helps Muslims trav-el the world in style without breaking the bank.

You can connect with Elena on Twitter: @MuslimTravelGrl

Hajj is an extremely rewarding religious obliga-tion, but it can create confusion and frustration if the pilgrim is not prepared for it. So, in order to make the whole process a little bit easier, I have put a list of 9 essential things you should know before starting this beautiful journey.

Make sure you make extra copies of your documents.

It is always a good idea to keep extra copies in different places whilst on Hajj, for example, have one copy in your luggage and carry the other copy with you, in case you lose your documents, you will have a backup.

Make sure you get vaccinated.

Saudi officials require for the pilgrim to be vacci-

nated, such as protection from Meningitis. So it will be very beneficial for you to make sure that you have received all the obligatory vaccinations and have the certificates to prove it, as it can be requested by the authorities.

Stay fit and healthy before embarking on Hajj.

The fact that during Hajj someone could walk up to 20 miles often skips a lot of people’s mind and they start their Hajj journey without considering their physical state. It is extremely important to exercise before Hajj, as it will be easier for you, not only to perform your religious obligations, but also, in order enjoy more of your Hajj experi-ence without feeling tired. Being fit is vital as it is recommended that you start exercising up to 6 months before Hajj.


http://www.muslimtravelgirl.com

Pack essentials for a comfortable stay.

There are essentials that you can pack in order to make your stay in Mina much more comfort-able, such as a theft-proof backpack, packing extra towels, tissues, slippers, plastic cups, and travel toiletries. Sisters should pack comfortable and breathable garments. Create a small amen-ity kit for your stay in Mina to have everything on hand. One piece ‘Hijabs’ (headcovers) for Um-rah and Hajj, could save sisters a lot of worrying, as they stay put and cover your hair beautifully. Furthermore, for a more comfortable stay you can consider extra sheets, a travel pillow, and a camping mattress, which are easy to carry.

The contents of your carry on is very important.

At the Hajj terminal people could wait 4 hours or more for your flight to be processed and so what you have in your carry-on is extremely im-portant during those hours. One extra garment, ‘Ihram clothing’ (two piece white cloths worn by men), and some hygienic products could prove life-savers in case your bag gets lost. As the Hajj terminal does not have any food facilities, you should definitely bring extra bottles of wa-ter, fruits, and snacks. A sleeping bag should be useful, in case your flight gets delayed. When you are not preoccupied, read some supplica-

tions in order to gain the maximum rewards of every moment.

Know that toilet facilities are limited.

It is vital to know that there are few basic toilets in the Hajj terminal, Mina, and Muzdalifah, so you should limit your water and food consumption before entering the plane to Jeddah and during Hajj. You can get dehydrated during your flight, so try and balance your water intake because you might feel the need to use the bathroom often, which could give you problems when ar-riving. You should use the bathroom before you leave the plane, as it might be cleaner and more comfortable than the ones in the Hajj terminal.

The above mentioned tips should not intimidate you nor put you off your trip to The Holy City of Makkah, but prepare you for what to expect. Hajj is one of the most transformational journeys in your life, and therefore it is worth the hardship that comes with it. As Allah, The Most High, says:

“For indeed, with hardship (will be) ease”. [Qur’an, Surah Ash-Sharh: The Relief, 94:5]

Enjoy every moment of this journey, as you get the opportunity to connect with your Lord in a unique way and meet other pilgrims from all walks of life.


When on Mount A l -Safa and the Ka’bah can be seen, face the d i rect ion of the Ka’bah and rec i te thr ice the fo l lowing suppl icat ion.

Arabic Transliteration: “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Great) followed by, “Laa ilaaha illa Allah, Wahdahu laa

Sharikalah, Lah ul-Mulk, Wa lah ul-Hamd, Wa huwa ‘ala Kulli shay’in Qadeer, Laa ilaaha illa Allah, Anjaza wa’dah, Wa NaSara ‘aabdah, Wa hazama lahzaaba

wahdah”.

Translat ion: “There is noth ing worthy of worship except A l lah, A lone. He has no par tner, To Him belongs the k ingdom, and a l l pra ise be longs to Him, and He

has power above a l l th ings, There is noth ing worthy of worship except A l lah, He fu l f i l led His promise, Granted v ic tory to His servant , And a lone He defeated the

a l l ied army”. [Sahih Musl im]

It is beneficial for everyone to learn and know the Hajj schedule, even if you are not able to attend this year, for you never know when Allah, The Most

High, will decide to invite you to His Sacred Mosque; ‘Masjid Al-Haram’. The following is a brief introduction to the rituals and rites of Hajj.

By Anjuma Choudhury


The pilgrims usually arrive into Jeddah; Saudi Arabia, the major port city nearest to Makkah (45 miles distance). From there, they travel with their Hajj group to Makkah. As they approach Makkah, they stop at one of the designated areas to shower and change clothing, entering into a state of devotion and purity (Ihram) for the pilgrimage. They then begin reciting an invocation:

“Labbaik Allah humma labbaik!Labbaik la sharika laka labbaik!Innal hamda!Wan-ni’mata!Laka walmulk!Laa sharika lak!”

Translation:

“Here I am, Oh God, at Your command!Here I am at Your command!You are without associate!Here I am at Your command!To You are all praise, grace and dominion!You are without associate!” [Sahih Muslim]

The sound of this chant echoes over the land, as the pilgrims begin to arriveinto Makkah, by the thousands, for the sacred rites.

Before Hajj

On the first official day of the pilgrimage, millions of pilgrims travel to Mina, a small village, which is in the east of Makkah. There, they spend the day and night in enormous tent cities,

praying, reading the Holy Qur’an and resting for the next day.

(8th of Dhul-Hijjah)DAY ONE


On the third day, the pilgrims move before sunrise, this time back to Mina. Here they throw their stones or pebbles at pillars symbolic of ‘Shaytan’ (Devil). When throwing the stones, the pilgrims recall the sto-ry of Shaytan’s attempt to dissuade Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) from following Allah, The Most High, command to sacrifice his son Ismael (pbuh). The stones represent his rejection of Shaytan and the firmness of his faith (Imaan). After casting the stones, most pilgrims slaughter an animal, such as a sheep or a goat and give away the meat to the poor. This is a symbolic act that shows their willingness to part with something that is precious to them, just as the Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was prepared to sacrifice his son at Allah’s command. On this day, Muslims celebrate ‘Eid Al-Adha’; which is the ‘Festival of the Sacrifice’. This is the second of the two major festivals in Islam.

(10th of Dhul-Hijjah)DAY THREE

On the second day of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims leave Mina, just after dawn, to travel to the Plain of Arafat, which is known as the ‘Day of Arafah’. The pilgrims spend the entire day at the Mount of Mercy asking Al-lah, The Most High, for forgiveness and making sup-plications. Muslims around the world, who are not at the pilgrimage, join them in spirit by fasting for the day. After sunset on the Day of Arafah, the pilgrims leave and travel to Muzdalifah, an open level area, roughly halfway between Arafat and Mina. There they spend the night praying, and collecting small stone pebbles to be used the following day for ‘Jamarat’, which is the ritual of ‘Stoning of the Devil’.

(9th of Dhul-Hijjah)DAY TWO


The pilgrims then return to Makkah and perform ‘Ta-waf Al-Ifadah’; seven circuits around the ‘Ka’bah’. The Ka’bah is the focal point of Islamic worship built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismael (peace be upon them). The pilgrims also pray near a place called ‘Maqam Ibrahim’ (The Station of Ibrahim), which is reportedly where he stood whilst construct-ing the Ka’bah. The pilgrims’ then walk seven times between two small hills (Al-Safa and Al-Marwah) near the Ka’bah situated in the complex of Mas-jid Al-Haram. This is done in remembrance of the plight of Prophet Ibrahim’s wife Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her), who desperately searched the area for water for herself and her son, before a spring welled up in the desert for her. At the present time, the pilgrims drink from fountains that provide water from ‘The Well of Zamzam’, which continues to flow today, Subhan’Allah (Glory be to Allah).

(11th of Dhul-Hijjah)DAY FOUR

On the last day of the Hajj, the pilgrims must perform ‘Tawaf Al-Wada’ around the Ka’bah to mark the end of the pilgrimage. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The people used to head off in every direction and so the Prophet (pbuh) said: “None of you should depart until he makes as his last act Tawaf of the House”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

As for the menstruating women, they are permitted to leave without waiting as narrated also by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): “That the Prophet (pbuh) gave concession for the menstruating women that she should depart before (Farewell) Tawaf as long as she had made Tawaf ofIfadah”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

The pilgrims leave Masjid Al-Haram with faith, hope and strength, In shaa Allah (if Allah wills it).

(12th of Dhul-Hijjah)DAY FIVE


Once the Hajj is completed, many pilgrims take advantage of their travel time by visiting the city of Madinah, 270 miles north of Makkah. In 622 CE, the ‘Al-Ansar’, ‘The Helpers’ of Madinah provided refuge and safety to the early Muslim community, when they were being persecuted by the powerful Makkan tribes. Madinah became the centre of the growing Muslim community, home to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers for many years. Pilgrims visit the ‘Al-Masjid An-Nabawi’ (The Proph-et’s Mosque), where he is buried, as well as other ancient mosques, and the many historical battle sites and graveyards in the area, such as the ‘Jan-nat Al-Baqi’, where many of the Prophet’s (peace be upon them) relatives and companions were buried (may Allah be pleased with them).

After Hajj, the pilgrims return home with renewed faith and perspective on life, In shaa Allah.

After Hajj


“Our Lord, and make us Muslims(in submission) to You and from our

descendants a Muslim nation (in submission) to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of

repentance, the Merciful”.

[Qur ’an, Surah Al-Baqarah: The Cow, 2 :128]

By Shahina Khatun

“Islam is rooted in the idea that knowledge is themost potent force on earth. The more one knows, the closer one gets to the One who knows all. The

Prophet, God bless and grant him peace, loved knowledge, and it is the only prayer the Qur’an

commands him to supplicate (for increase): “Say:“O my Lord! Advance me in knowledge”.

Hamza Yusuf, American Islamic Scholar

Shahina is an Islam Channel presenter and a graduate of Journalism.She is passionate about having the Muslim woman’s voice heard on issues

ranging from race, religion, and politics. She is also an up-and-coming poet andbelieves poetry to be a beautiful and powerful medium to connect with people.

Follow Shahina on Facebook: www.facebook.com/shahina.khatun.7564Visit her blog: www.lyricallyspeakingsite.wordpress.com


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NAFSI: Jihad upon my Self

By Kashmir Maryam,USA: Kashmir Maryam (2016)

Nafsi is a beautifully written collection of poetry and prose that exude elegance and grace throughout. Written by Kashmir Maryam, an already accomplished and talented artist, originally from Leeds, UK. She now lives in the US, where she endeavours to clarify misconceptions about Islam through spoken word and poetry.

In Nafsi - Jihad upon my Self, she conveys the toil of the soul and its fight to persevere. She writes about the battles within, to overcome the love for an illusion that is this temporary life (Dunya). She writes about

the struggle and sacrifice for the life that is real and eternal (Akhirah). Newly released, Kashmir’s poems’ delve into a range of subjects, from individual struggle to the sadness of war, to name a few. Her words engage the reader into a world of deep contemplation and self-reflection.

The more I read each poem, the more I appreciate how gift-ed this poet is. Each piece demonstrates immense skill. Her poems captivate the mind, taking the reader into a world of imagery and words, successfully displaying an array of emo-tions. Her words ooze wisdom, alongside human weakness, pain, and loss together with hope and determination.

What makes this collection of poetry significant in the current times is the fact that there are a very few published poetry books written by Muslim women, especially in the West. We live at a time, where Muslim women are as much misrepresented and underrepresented. So, to have talent showcased like this, through which Muslim women enable their voices to be heard, makes books such as these more significant.

This is a special book and one I have been waiting for in antic-ipation to read. And Kashmir Maryam has not disappointed me with such artfully written poetry.

Available to purchase from Amazon.


SurvivingSrebrenica

By Hasan Hasanovic,Scotland: The Lumphanan Press (2016)

Surviving Srebrenica is an eye witness account of the horror that Hasan Hasanovic suffered during the Srebrenica massacre, when sadly, his father and twin brother were also killed. He was amongst a few who survived the terrifying ‘death march’ and escaped the genocidal killing of more than 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks of mainly men and boys, from in and around the town of Srebrenica, in July,1995. The author reminisces about his happy childhood on his family farm and the friends who he grew up with, and later lost. He gives the reader a glimpse into what life was like before the conflict and the tension between the Bosniaks and Serbs, that he witnessed over the years leading up to the civil war.

The book is a good introduction to the impact of the Bosnian war, on a personal level, and is an extreme-ly easy read. The writing style is direct and to the point. Having personally met Hasan, the similarity between his writing and speech is apparent, as he does not flower or exaggerate his language and is very straightforward when recounting the facts about the war. Hasan is now a curator and translator at the Memorial Centre in Srebrenica, where he regularly relives the ordeal that he suf-fered and the many deaths he witnessed. This book is his work towards raising awareness and keeping the memory alive of what happened to the Muslims in Bosnia, so that lessons may be learnt from the pain that they continue to suffer silently to-day. The biggest lesson being that, it only takes the smallest seed of hatred, towards a group of people, to set the pace towards murder and killing on a genocidal scale. And it can happen on one’s own doorstep, despite how unrealistic it may seem at that time, as it did in Bosnia.

Surviving Srebrenica goes beyond statistics, it humanises the war and gives us a slight insight into the pain that an individu-al, such as Hasan Hasanovic has to live with the rest of his life. And we can comprehend this when Hasan writes: “…every time I walk the streets, every corner I turn, every building I enter, every house I visit, every tree that blows in the wind, re-minds me of those I loved and cared about. I think of my father and twin brother and what happened to them, how and where they were killed. I think of all of my friends who were killed just because they had a different name”. Suffering does not end just because a war comes to an end.

Available to purchase from Amazon.


“In it are clear signs (such as) the standing place of Ibrahim. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And (due) to Allah from the people is

a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the

worlds”.

[Qur ’an, Surah Al i - Imran: The Fami ly of Imran, 3 :97]

Broadcasting from the heart of London,Islam Channel provides alternative news, current affairs and

entertainment programming from an Islamic perspective. Ethical Media Group, the parent company of Islam Channel, is now launching Islam

Channel Urdu.

Islam Channel Urdu’s key target audience are the Urdu speaking viewers of the UK as well as those in Pakistan. The main objective of Islam Channel Urdu is to promote religion from a critical thinking angle and to address current issues faced by the community so that viewers can benefit from programmes

that are not only interactive but also meaningful.

Islam Channel UrduL A U N C H E D 4 T H J U N E 2 0 1 5

Upcoming Programmes

IslamChannelUrdu

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Broadcasting from the heart of London, Islam Channel provides alternative news,current affairs, entertainment, and religious programming.

Fund the Religious Programmes on Islam Channel

FacebookIslamChannelUK

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Available on Sky 806; HOTBIRD 8; Astra 2A/2B/2D; DSTV Africa and Freesat 693 and Freeview 244 via VisionTV

Religious Programmes Showing inAugust - September 2016

Sponsored by The Dawah Project Subscribers


www.islamchannel.tv

http://www.islamchannel.tv

Telecasts (BST): Every Saturday, 6pm

Learn about the sacred rites of Hajj, and fulfil the Fifth Pillar of Islam. This special journey to the House of Allah will be explored throughout the summer, with the audience being given the opportunity to call in and clarify any areas necessary.

The Hajj Show

Telecasts (BST): Hajj Season

How well do we know our Lord, Allah? This new series explores our relationship with our Creator in regards to His attributes, and our dedication to Him through our actions and worship.

Our Creator

Telecasts (BST): Every Friday, 5:15pm

Sheikh Omar Suleiman delivers a powerful series showcasing the entire history of mankind; from the creation of Adam (pbuh) until the Day of Judgement. Brilliantly delivered, it is a series to engage the whole family.

The Beginning and the End

A special documentary featuring breathtaking camerawork, showcasing two of the holy mosques of Islam, Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid An-Nabawi in Madinah, in relation to their everyday maintenance and development.

Al-Ma’riz

Telecasts (BST): Daily

A collection of beneficial reminders in the form of animations, such as Qur’an recitation, Hadith narration, and short lectures. Something for everyone!

Remembrance

Telecasts (BST): Hajj Season


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At Ilma Magazine there are always opportunities for talented writers to produce articles on social and religious issues. So, if you arepassionate about writing and research; haveexcellent written and verbal communication skills, please get in touch for some valuableexperience in Islamic Publishing!

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“Many years ago, our father Ibrahim (AS) made achoice. He loved his son. But He loved God more. The

commandment came to sacrifice his son. But it wasn’t his son that was slaughtered. It was his attachment to anything

that could compete with his love for God. So let us askourselves in these beautiful days of sacrifice, which

attachments do we need to slaughter?”

[Ustadha Yasmin Mogahed, Internat ional Speaker and Wri ter]

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