Thousands are impacted by the bitter-cold winter and every year organisations make an appeal to the public for assistance to help these needy South Africans. One such project hosted by Muslim Hands is Project Ubushushu which raises thousands of rands for a worthy cause. This winter warmth campaign runs from May till the end of August and sees to the food and warmth of many underprivileged communities.

There are still many people that lack adequate shelter, warmth and food during these trying months. Every year we need to improve on the quantity and quality of items delivered. From basic blankets Muslim Hands has moved up to providing a high quality blanket that lasts longer and is much more effective in combating the cold. Our food parcels are something we take pride in delivering. Recipients of these parcels have gone on record to emphasise their extreme joy and gratitude. These expressions of joy are what motivate us to work harder year after year.

This year Muslim Hands has added another way of donating with the “Learn2Warm” drive. This campaign is aimed at increasing donations in kind. As generous as this community is, we just don’t have the time. Our mornings are a scramble with getting the children to school and ourselves to work. Those who are able to make financial donations have the luxury of internet banking or bank deposits, however we all have spare clothes, blankets and food that we want to donate and yet just don’t find the time to drop it off at the Muslim Hands offices.

It is with this in mind that Muslim Hands has launched the “Learn2Warm” drive. Last year we incorporated a project called Hoot2Warm.Volunteers were recruited and placed at different intersections to collect food, blankets and clothes. The project was a great success. In addition this year Muslim Hands intends to include various school children around Cape Town to understand the cause and to help collect food items, blankets and clothes for the Learn2Warm campaign.

As part of the Learn2Warm campaign drop off points will be allocated at different schools, institutes and organisations. So when you drop off your child at school all you need to do is drop off your spare blankets, clothes and food items at the school where a MH box will be allocated. This campaign will be running for 4 weeks and locations will be announced. Once the box is full Muslim Hands will collect the box. All donations will be distributed to various under privileged communities, homes and shelters with the name of the school, institute or organisation.

With these tough economic times compounded by our increasingly fast paced lifestyles, time and money is more valuable than ever. Bearing this in mind someone has to make the extra effort to ensure that the needy South African are not found wanting.

Muslim Hands has taken this responsibility and we need your support to ensure a successful drive. We need you to spread the word so that everyone can Learn2Warm those less fortunate. Let’s turn up the heat for others this winter.

For further information, contact Muslim Hands on 021 633 6413 or visit http://www.muslimhands.org.za

We find ourselves facing the coldest winter, thunder, lighting, hail storms. The cries of many who are left in the bitter cold.

While we are wrapped up in our blankets thousands of south Africans don’t have this privilege.

Donate to Muslim Hands. 1 Carnie Road Rylands. 0216336413

Help us make a difference in their lives. Let’s turn up the heat for others this winter.

Allah the exalted says:

“And in Allah (alone) let the believers put their trust” [14:11]. “Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah” [3:159]. “And whosever puts his trust in Allah then Allah will suffice him” [65:3].

“The believers are only those who when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when his verses (This Quran) are recited unto them they increase their faith, and put their trust in their Rabb (Alone)” [8:2]

Even in the worst circumstances one should always have faith and trust in Allah. Be like a bird, what does this mean? People should have hearts like birds that do not collect to keep in reserve. They go out every morning to collect food.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “ A group of people whose hearts will be like the hearts of birds, will enter Jannah”

Taken from Riyad-us-Saliheen

Actions are judged by Intentions.

Everyone will be rewarded or punished according to his aim an intention. Sincerity is the essence of faith and it is what is between you and Allah. No one else can see it. It is a deep feeling rooted inside your heart.

Pure sincerity is striving and fighting in the way of Allah. (Jihad Fi Sabilillah). if the intention of Jihad is present in the heart, you will get rewarded even if you did not participate in it.

Sincerity and good intentions are very important.

[Taken from the book Riyad-us-Saliheen Vol 1]

]]> http://chasingparadisegalz.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/sincerity/feed/ 0 chasingparadisegalz http://chasingparadisegalz.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/what-is-your-connection/ http://chasingparadisegalz.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/what-is-your-connection/#comments Thu, 02 May 2013 10:11:54 +0000 Chasing Paradise Galz http://chasingparadisegalz.wordpress.com/?p=1560 ]]>

By Fadia Bint Ismail

What connection do we have? what do i mean by this? well there are many things that connects us to one another but we need to start thinking about what our connection to Allah (SWT), the Mighty, the Majestic is.

Think about this…you have your phone, your lap top, your car and all these fancy electronic gadgets that connects you to people. But what we can never compare those items with is our connection we have with Allah each time we prostrate towards him.

Your phone dies, your lap top battery dies, the power can shut off..but what have you actually lost? You have only lost your connection with creation. So what is more important?

Remember Allah has No battery life, No power cable your connection to him is everlasting. so ask yourself again what is more important to you?

Your connection to this Dunyah? or your connection to the Akhirah? both are vital because Allah created us with a purpose. He put us on this Dunyah so that we may worship Him and Him Alone. But what is important is where your heart is connected to.

Think about this next time you feel frustrated when your worldly items and possessions fail you..and trust me they will fail you that is for sure. Because you chose the temporary life of this Dunyah over having everlasting life in the Akhirah.

So what connection will you choose?

“Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children, as the likeness of vegetation after rain: the growth of it is pleasing to the tiller, but afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow, and then it becomes straw. But in the hereafter there is a severe torment for the disbelievers and there is forgiveness from Allah and [His] good pleasure for the believers who do good, whereas the life of this world is only a decieving enjoyment” [ Quran, 57:20]

The first person to die for Islam was a women. ” Sumayah”(ra)

The Greatest scholar of Islam was a women. “Aisha”(ra)

The person who loved the Prophet(SAW) the most was a women and who was that women? “Fatimah”(ra)

The person who made the biggest sacrafice for Islam in one day was a women. “Khansa”(ra)

One of the greatest fighters in Islamic history was a women. “Kawlah Bint Aswar”(ra) she fort on the back of a horse.

A strong women is the one who feels deeply, and loves fiercely. Her tears flow just as abundantly as her smile. A strong women is both soft and powerful, she is both practical and spiritual.

A Muslim women, she conceals her beauty, cloaks her seductivity, refuses to submit to worldly desires, preserves her attractiveness and charm, protects the diamond within. She remains veiled.

By Fadia Bint Ismail

There are various things that will help us in our lives. We as Muslims should constantly remind ourselves that we are Slaves of Allah and Allah is in control of everything and every matter should be left to Allah. If you have this mindset then you are ready to do good. You should also remember that Islam is concerned with more that just yourself. Islam is a way of life. You should first learn to fix your Ibadah. The next thing you need to do is purify your intentions and to know that everything you do, whether it is helping others you should do it only for the sake of Allah. And if you truly want to be successful then your intentions should be purely to please Allah.

Now what are the rememdies that will help you to achieve this?

• The Glorious Quran

The Glorious Quran was given to all creation. The Glorious Quran reveals the entire truth to mankind.

So how can we use the Quran? We can use the Quran as a remedy to help us in our daily lives. Each verse (Ayah) and each Surah holds a special meaning.

“Glory be to Allah (SWT). There is no knowledge for us except that which you teach us. Oh Allah, Teach us of that which is beneficial for us. And increase us in knowledge. Oh One who changes hearts, make our hearts steadfast upon your religion”

The Glorious Quran was given to us to teach us and is very beneficial to help us. It helps to purify our hearts and gives us a sense of peace and tranquility.

So what remedies can it cure? for example if you are depressed the best way out of this depression is to read The Quran. The Quran is a navigation to help us in our daily lives. It is not only a remedy to help cure us of our afflictions, but it is also a remedy to help strengthen our Imaan.

• 5 Daily Prayers (Salaah)

The five daily prayers is obligatory for all Muslims. You have your Zuhr, Asr, Magrib and Eshaa. Each prayer is held at a specific time. We should all try our very best to make each prayer on time. Remember this Allah has commanded us to do certain things, not to benefit him but to benefit us. Allah does not need us but we need Him. Always keep this in mind.

If you see Salaah as a chore that you have to do 5 times a day, you definetly will not benefit from it. But if you see Salaah as your way to communicate with the One and Only Allah (SWT) then Inshallah it will benefit you tremendously.

Think about this……The highest level of worship in ritual is Sujood (when your head is on the floor) at that moment your head is on the floor and your heart is physically higher than your brain. At this level you understand the limit of intellect and you connect with your soul. How amazing is that and how perfect is your Ibadah at this stage. You are lowering your head infront of Allah. SubanAllah.

The Quran and our Five daily prayers are the best remedies to help us in our daily lives. And Remember Sincerity is very important.!!

“Oh Allah guide us to the best of character. None guides to it except You and turn us away from evil character. For None can turn it away from us except You”

]]> http://chasingparadisegalz.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/remedies-to-help-your-life/feed/ 0 chasingparadisegalz imagesCAZDMAL9 imagesCAEHGTP2 http://chasingparadisegalz.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/protecting-your-imaan/ http://chasingparadisegalz.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/protecting-your-imaan/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:00:19 +0000 Chasing Paradise Galz http://chasingparadisegalz.wordpress.com/?p=1546 ]]> By Fadia Bint Ismail

How do we protect our Imaan? First we need to establish what Imaan is?

 Jibreel (alaihis-salaam), when he (alaihis-salaam) asked the Messenger of Allah
(sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam): “What is Imaan?” He (sallallahu alaihe
wa-sallam) replied: “Imaan is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His
Messengers, the Last Day and to believe in the Predestination; the good and the
bad.” [Saheeh al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim]

So Imaan is to believe in the six articles of faith. Known as Arkan-Al Imaan.

1. Belief in God
2. Belief in the Angels
3. Belief in the Prophets
4. Belief in Divine Books
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment
6. Qadar (Fate)

Now that we have established what Imaan is. We need to understand that Imaan is a combination of Belief and Actions. What does this exactly mean? What things do we use daily?

1. The heart
2. The Tongue
3. Actions of the body

The Heart is the root of Imaan, The tongue is the confession we make and the actions of the body is the external submission to the commands of Allah.

So how do you protect your Imaan? Well through sincere faith in Allah and the six articles of Imaan and protecting your heart, your tongue from sinning.

When you sin it creates a black stain on your heart and it will spread the more you sin. How will you know if your Imaan is weak? what are the symptoms?

1. You are sinning. first of all this will hurt you in this Dunyah and the Akhirah
2. Your Ibadah, meaning your connection with Allah and your state of affairs in this Dunyah
3. Not Performing your Ibadah properly, such as Salaah, Fasting ect…for example if you are making Salaah and your heart is diverting to other distractions and you make Dua, Allah does not listen to this type of Dua. Your Ibadah needs to be sincere and the only way for this to happen is if your heart is sincere.
4. laziness in Ibadah, this is characteristics of a Munafiqun.
5. When we hear the Quran being recited you want to turn it away and you can not pay attention to any Thikr.

What causes your Imaan to be weak?

1. When you keep away from an environment that has Imaan in it.
2. Failing to try and learn more about the Deen.
3. Living in an environment of Sin.
4. Showing off.

Reflect daily on the state of your Imaan. Protect your Imaan. Because you will not reach piety if you do not give from that which you love. If you go through life making Allah less you will bring destruction to yourself, your heart and your Imaan, which encompasses everything. Who you are, What you speak and what you do is what will make or break your Imaan.

Fear Allah the most. Love Allah the Most. Be Sincere. And you will see.