Alhamdulillah for the beauty of our religion which prescribes exactly what is needed to keep the family spirit alive. Our beloved Prophet was found to be kind to his wives, playful with his children, a bread-winner for his household, and a role model for all. These are only a mere few examples of our Prophet’s role. The key point to take from this is that spending quality time with your family is necessary for a strong household. Parents must realise that they are the glue that keeps the family together. They must make time for their children, regardless if they come back home tired and late from work. They have the responsibility for the up-bringing of their children and their future.

Why should you, a young Muslim, be helping to bring your friends closer to Allah? After all, you've got your own struggles to deal with: trying to explain to hostile teachers why you pray, Hijab discrimination, standing up in class when the professor attacks Islam, dealing with parents who think you've gone nuts because you're growing a beard, or all the other difficulties faced by a number of practicing Muslim youth? Islam was never meant to be an individualistic faith, reserved for the "chosen few". Muslims have a duty to spread the Deen; and practicing Muslim youth, whether beginners, activists or leaders, have a crucial role to play.

Who is your childhood friend going to listen to? Who is your childhood friend, who would rather spend Fridays at McDonalds's than the Masjid, or your classmate who is Muslim in name and only knows that "Muslims don't eat pork" going to listen to: the nice Imam of the Masjid who would freak out if he saw the way they were dressed and talked or you who may have grown up with them, joked with them, or seen them everyday at school?

After reading the many verses in the Qur’an about paradise, have you ever stopped and daydreamt about how paradise might look like? Its beauty, its smell, its taste...? Many people would close their eyes and picture themselves on some tropical island. The reality of Paradise is something which people will never be able to understand until they actually enter it. However Allah has shown us glimpses of it in the Quran. He has described it as a place essentially different to the life of this world, both in the very nature and purpose of life, as well as the types of delights which people will enjoy therein.

The following article has been written because I have seen many of my beloved brothers and sisters disregard these etiquettes and misinterpret them. In compiling this, I hope to remind them of these manners. I do not claim to be better or less in need of practicing these manners; but, it is the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil and observing the order of Allah - 'And remind because a reminder is beneficial to the believers.' May Allah enable all of us to benefit from good reminders and make this of benefit to myself and my readers.

Mother, Mother….I Forget

Yes, alhamdulillah I have two wonderful parents. Unlike many, I have been blessed with parents that have played an important/essential role in the building of my character - who I am as a complete person. But how many times a day, a week, a year do I remember this? How many times am I thankful? How many moments do I dedicate in reflection of this blessing? In all honesty, I do not know, I cannot remember. And as I write this I am beginning to depress myself, as the guilt slowly creeps from my head to my heart.

I am living my life in this constant state of forgetfulness.

I forget to say Alhamdulillah. I forget to thank my parents. I forget…

The Man that was Malcolm X

Malcolm X saw and experienced many positive things. Generosity and open-heartedness were qualities which he found to be impressive due to the welcoming he received in many places. He saw true brotherhood through many different races; “This is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered white - but the white attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colours together, irrespective of their colour."

The Death of the Prophet

“In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dies or is slain, you will turn back on your heels? He who turns back does no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful. No soul can ever die except by Allah's permission and at a term appointed. Who so desires a reward in (this) world, We will give him of it; and whosoever desires the reward of the Hereafter, We shall give him thereof. And We shall reward the thankful.” (3: 144-145).

My advice to the brothers and sisters is not to confuse the culture that exists in some parts of the world where women are seen as merely keepers of the house. Their role encompasses much, much more than this very narrow minded view. Islam encourages both men and woman to go to university or TAFE, to work and contribute to society… God only knows how the Islamic community is crying out for more female doctors and nurses to attend to our elderly and sick, as well as teachers to educate our future generations. Therefore, to the relief and sighs of the many sisters who will be reading this, my short piece will be more about educating both my brothers and sisters that the role of the woman should not be restricted to merely that of the home.

Narrated by Sahl Bin Sa’d: The Prophet (S) said to a man, “Marry, even with (a Mahr equal to) an iron ring.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Yes, you have heard it all before from various friends, authority figures, and in some of the other articles in this magazine - get married (preferably young), or fast instead. The hadith above inspired me to compile an interview with a young Muslim couple, so that all the single ones out there can get a small taste of what marriage is like first-hand, and what is expected from it. Hence, The Message Magazine hit the road and found a young Muslim couple who were willing to spill the beans.