RAMADAN FOR KIDS

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and a time when Muslims across the world will fast during the hours of daylight. Ramadan is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam.

The Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during this month. The actual night that the Qur'an was revealed is a night known as Lailut ul-Qadr ('The Night of Power').

That is important, however, is to appreciate the reasons behind the fasting, what those reasons signify and what this means to fasting Muslims.

It is most important to a Muslim to show intent in the fast. It is required that they recite short prayer of intent either before they sleep or just before Suhoor, the pre-fast meal.

The Arabic word for fasting means to 'refrain', to discipline yourself to avoid doing certain things which would be quite normal during the other twelve months of the year. It is also meant to teach Muslims to appreciate how much better off they are than millions of other fellow Muslims. So by refraining from drinking (even water) and food, for the long daylight hours, they should be reminded of those much less fortunate, for whom severe shortage of water and food is a way of life, not something merely done one month of the year. By reminding themselves of this fact, it is hoped that not only will they be more sensitive to those less fortunate, but to try to do something practical to help them.

Can younger children fast during Ramadan?

Indeed they can, and in fact many even as young as four or five, are encouraged to fast for a few hours a day during Ramadan, to begin to appreciate the significance of the Holy month. As they get a little older, most families encourage their children under 12 to fast for half a day, until they reach twelve years old, when all Muslim children are expected to fast for the full dawn to dusk period. Interestingly (and perhaps surprisingly to non-Muslim children), many who are approaching twelve look forward to being old enough to fast for the full day, more than anything else. It means to them, that they are now being treated the same as an adult, and all the responsibilities that adulthood brings. Every parent should include their children in Ramadan activities so that they can learn about their religious activities in their early age.

1. Ramadan Is The Ninth Month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This opens up a great opportunity to tell children about the Islamic calendar, when did it start and what are the other months in it.

2. What is Fasting

Fasting is one of the most important duties of Ramadan. Fasting is made Farz on every healthy adult and such people shouldn’t skip the fasting.One has to refrain himself from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset as well as to stay away from all sorts of sins and bad deeds while fasting, and even after that.

3. The Month Quran Was Revealed to the World

Ramadan is the very month when Allah (SWT) revealed the Quran on Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). This increases the significance of this month and makes it the month to recite Quran in abundance.

4. Sawab Of Prayers Increased by 70%

In Ramadan, the Sawab for all kinds of prayers (Dua, Salah etc.) is increased by 70 percent. Thus, there is no reason to skip even a single prayer and those who don’t earn a great amount of Sawab in this month is indeed unfortunate.

5. Lailatul Qadr (The Night of power)

Lailat-ul-Qadr, which is also known as the Night of Power also comes in the very month of Ramadan. It is said that this night is more significant than a thousand months which is why Muslim pray extensively on this night. Doing so can lead to salvation on the Day of Judgement.

6. Eid ul-Fitr (The Festival of Breaking the Fast)

Eid ul-Fitr is the festival of breaking the fast. This holiday celebrates the conclusion of the twenty nine or thirty days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr for three days and then get back to their normal routines.

7. What is Lailatul Jaiza

Lailatul Jaiza is the night preceding Eid-ul-Fitr. This night is also called or known as the Night of Reward.The prayers of all the Muslims who performed Salahs, Tarawihs, observed fasting, gave charity etc. in the month of Ramadan are being accepted in this night.

8. Importance of Charity in Islam

Children should be taught in their early childhood that charity giving is highly encourage in Islam. All of us who are financially stable, or even if not but can give child charities every once in a while, should provide aid to our Muslim brothers. We can provide financial help to the helpless or physical aid depending on the circumstances.

9. The Moon Sighting

Ramadan begins in the start of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. There are moon-watching committees all over the world to ensure that there is no confusion about the sighting of the moon. Once the crescent moon is seen, the news of the commencement of Ramadan is announced on the TV and Radio.

10. Children Don’t Have To Fast

You should tell your children that they don’t have to fast now (If they haven’t reached the age to start fasting) but they eventuallywill have to fast in upcoming years. This will get things rolling and get them in the mindset of performing this important task.

Teaching children about the month of Ramadan, its duties and the Farz responsibilities of other months is highly encouraged in Islam. You should tell your children about each of the above explained pointers in order to fulfil your religious duty as a Muslim parent.

Happy Fasting, Kids :)

 

By: Unknown On 22:22

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FASTING IN RAMADAN

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is an act of obedience and submission to Allah's commands through the highest degree of commitment, sincerity and faithfulness to seek Allah's mercy, to atone for sins, errors, and mistakes and to avoid condemnation to Hell.

It is done out of deep love for God, with a genuine virtue of devotion, honest dedication and closeness to Allah, for Fasting is for Allah and Him alone.

The fasting during Ramadan is obligatory on every adult, sane, and able Muslim.

Denial of the obligatory nature of fasting in the month of Ramadan amounts to disbelief.

One who avoids fasting without genuine reasons is a sinner and transgressor according to Islamic law.

Fasting in Islam involves abstinence from three primal physical needs of human beings- food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn (approximately one and a half hours before sunrise) to sunset during the entire month of Ramadan. Muslims all over the world observe the annual fast during the daylight hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, in keeping with a divine commandment documented in Chapter 2, Verse 185 of the Holy Qur'an. Furthermore, Allah states, "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed to those before you in order that you may attain

 

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become God-fearing." (The Quran, 2:183)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Ramadan ends with a day long celebration known as Eidul-Fitr. Eidul-Fitr begins with a special morning prayer in grand Mosques and open grounds of towns and cities of the world. the prayer is attended by men, women and children with their new or best clothes. A special charity, known as Zakatul-Fitr is given out prior to the prayer. The rest of the day is spent in visiting relatives and friends, giving gifts to children and eating. 

 

HOW TO FASTING

 

NIAT (NIAH)


To observe the fast, the intention of fasting is essential (Wajib). The intention should be made daily, preferably before dawn of each day of fasting (in Ramadan).

Provision is made if someone has forgotten to express his intention before dawn. In such a case one is allowed to express intention of fasting before noon to avoid the invalidation of the fast.

The wording of Niyyah may be as follows:

Nawaitu shauma ghadin an aada'i fardli syahri ramadana hadzihi as-sanati fardal lillahi ta'ala
"I intend to observe fast for today." 

 

IFTAR

Iftar is an Arabic term meaning breaking the fast immediately after the sunset.?Iftar is a light snack consisting of dates or desserts, along with liquids, such as water, juice or milk.?

This is eaten after making the following Dua (supplication) for breaking the fast:

"Oh Allah!? I fasted for your sake and I am breaking my fast from the sustenance You blessed me with, accept it from me."

TARAWIH

These are special Sunnah prayers in the month of Ramadan.?They follow the Isha prayers.? A minimum of eight and a maximum of twenty Rakat are offered in pairs of two. 

 

What breaks the fast 

1. Intentional consumption of food, drink, medicine, or smoking during the fasting. 
2. Any injection which has some nutritional value.
3. Beginning of menstruation or post natal birth bleeding (even in the last moment of sunset).

The conditions mentioned above invalidate fasting and require "Qada" (making up only the missed day or days).?However, intentional intercourse during the hours of fasting invalidates fasting and not only requires "Qada" but also additional penalty (Kaffara-see the explanation of this below).
 

 

What does not break the fast

1. Eating or drinking by mistake, unmindful of the fast. 
2. Unintentional vomiting.
3. Swallowing things which are not possible to avoid, such as one's own saliva, street dust, smoke, etc.
4. Brushing the teeth.
5. Bathing: if water is swallowed unintentionally, it does not invalidate the fast.?However, while fasting gargling should be avoided.
6. Injection or I/V (Intravenous) which is solely medicinal and not nutritional. 
7. In some special circumstances if the food or drink is just tasted and immediately removed out of the mouth without allowing it to enter into the throat. 

 Source
 

By: Unknown On 07:31

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PRAY (SHOLAT) IN ENGLISH, TUTORIAL

Practice it :)

By: Unknown On 19:27

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HOW TO PRAY IN ISLAM IN ENGLISH

IS PRAYING ARABIC (MORE) DIFFICULT FOR YOU?

 

For a new convert to Islam, praying in Arabic may seem a bit complicated at first.

Praying is a meeting between you and God, and if you were a Christian or a Jew before, you certainly got used to performing it in your own language.

God knows all what is in everyone’s heart. He recognizes every prayer and supplication; yet, as the Quran was revealed in Arabic, we should respect it as it is.

As a new Muslim now, the first thing might come to your mind is how to communicate with God in a language you don't speak, right?

How to have devotion (khushu') during prayer and have a complete attention to God while reciting in a language unknown to you?

Well, in Islam the fact that all Muslims pray in the same way saying the same words gives its real beauty; the unity of Islam. Have you seen millions of pilgrims praying at the ka'bah?

No matter where they come from or what language they speak in their everyday life, when they gather together to worship God, they all say “Allahu Akbar” and recite the same words of the Quran, and they all bow and prostrate together. Isn't this spirit of unity wonderful?

So due to this fact, it is obligatory upon each and every Muslim to perform their prayer in Arabic with the words and moves God taught Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Don't worry, you don't need to be perfect in the Arabic language in order to perform your prayer and have devotion in it. Being a convert Muslim myself, I would like to give you some useful tips based on my experience on how to get used to praying in Arabic and enjoying it.

When I got interested in Islam and later became a Muslim, I already had some basic knowledge of Arabic as I used to take some courses at a language center. It's actually not as hard as it seems; it takes some days to learn the alphabet and the pronunciation, and some more weeks to get familiar with it. As with every language, one needs to keep practicing a little bit every day.

TIPS

Regarding prayer, I actually learned how to perform it from YouTube videos; I watched many times the moves of prayer of a little Muslim figure and wrote down on a piece of paper to memorize what he was saying. Then, after watching and reading it like hundreds of times, I tried to pray on my own while imagining what the little figure did.

If I made a mistake, I kept on praying and after finishing it I checked what I said incorrectly. But if you're not familiar with Arabic at all, this is what you can do:

1. Listen to the Quran many times on a daily basis, or to some YouTube videos in Arabic; even though you don't understand the recitation, at least you will become more familiar with the sound of the Arabic language. 
2. Ask one of your Arab Muslim friends or anyone who has correct Arabic pronunciation to clarify for you the words you say in your prayer, paying special attention to the letters and sounds that don't exist in English. 
3. Before you stand up to pray, get a big piece of paper and write down phonetically in English what to say at certain parts of the prayer in big letters which you can read while in a standing position. Place it in front of you while you're praying and simply read it out. Do that five times daily for a few days and you will memorize them very easily with minimum effort. 
4. Pray with someone else! If it is possible, try to pray with another Muslim - or even better in a group - who already pray without difficulties. This way you will enjoy the group spirit of Islam, you will get more reward for the congregational prayer and at the same time gradually memorize what they're saying. 
5. If you can't pray with someone, play any video or program teaching you how to perform prayer and follow it! Make sure before you chose either this way or to pray with someone that you already read a few times what to say exactly at each part during the prayer because, as with songs you used to listen to, sometimes you may think the singer said a certain word, but after checking the lyrics you realize that they sang actually something completely different. So be sure you don't end up memorizing your prayer wrongly.

I hope this will help you a bit get closer to Allah.

Try also to keep the company of pious Muslims, and attend with them congregational prayers on Friday and any other day during the week as much as you can to feel this amazing unity of Islam, and to continuously strengthen your faith. While you're praying, or actually doing anything, remember that God is always watching you.

You can hide yourself from people but never from God. By this way of thinking, you won't waste your good deeds; your prayer and every action you do become for the sake of Allah and, insha' Allah, you will be rewarded for them as He has promised in the Quran.
 

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By: Unknown On 19:18

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ISLAMIC FAITH

In Islam, Muslim doctrine is often summarized in "Six Articles of Faith." These are the fundamental beliefs which every Muslim must ascribe to:

1. One God (Allah)

The central belief in Islam, and arguably the most important theme of Islam, is that there is one God. The Muslim name for God is "Allah," which is Arabic for "the (al) God (Ilah)."

2. The angels of God

Angels in Islam are spiritual creatures that serve the purposes of Allah. They are messengers who relay communication to people and carry out other responsibilities. Angels, such as Gabriel (thought to be the same Gabriel as the one read about in the Christian New Testament), is mentioned in the Quran. Angels are often found in Islam art, revealing their importance to the Islamic worldview.

3. The books of God, especially the Qur'an

The Quran is the most important writing in the religion of Islam and is the highest authority in both religious and legal matters. The word "Quran" means "recitation" in Arabic. Muslims believe the Quran to be an errorless record of the angel Gabriel's revelations to Muhammad, from 610 until his death in 632 AD. It is also believed to be a perfect copy of a Quran that has existed eternally in paradise.

4. The prophets of God, especially Muhammad

Muhammad is the most important historical and theological figure in Islam. His name, which means "highly praised," reflects this. Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 AD. His father died before he was born and his mother died when he was six-years-old. Muhammad was then raised primarily by his uncle, for whom he worked as a shepherd.

5. The Day of Judgment (or the afterlife)

The afterlife is very important to the Islamic worldview. Muslims believe in the continued existence of the soul and a transformed physical existence after death. Islam teaches that there will be a day of judgment when all humans will be divided between the eternal destinations of Paradise and Hell.

6. The supremacy of God's will (or predestination)

Islam teaches that God not only foreknows, but also foreordains all that comes to pass in the world and in the lives of individuals. References

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ISLAM SAYS ABOUT PEACE

Today, many non-Muslims regard Islam as a religion that promotes violence, terrorism and war. Unfortunately, they rely in their view of Islam on the general media, which is not always accurate in reporting the news. Many media outlets, such as TV, radio, newspapers and magazines, are influenced by their investors or owners who have certain agendas and who want to promote certain values and points of view. Other media outlets are simply after the "big story", in order to make more money and more profits. Others are simply "followers", who only gather news from other sources, re-package it and try to sell it again purely as a business.

In all these cases, the news reporting is not accurate, but is driven by ulterior motives or simply by profits. Only very few media organizations are committed to providing accurate and true information, regardless of financial gain. Therefore, people today should be very careful in what they take from the media.

Before blindly accepting what the TV, radio or newspaper is reporting, one should think critically about what is being reported. Is this being reported accurately, or is it being exaggerated or even completely fabricated? Who are these people reporting the news, and do they have vested interests to report the story in a certain way, or are they completely objective and fair? Critical thinking is very important in all aspects of life, especially when it comes to accepting the media reports about important and controversial issues.

Islam is in fact a religion that promotes peace and understanding among people of all faiths, and it strongly prohibits all forms of violence and aggression against all people regardless of their faith or race.

Islam clearly prohibits all kinds and forms of aggression and violence against anyone, except in self-defense. Islam is a practical religion, meant to be implemented in every aspect of our life. Therefore, it realizes the fact that a person who commits aggression and violence against others will not cease these actions unless they are deterred by similar actions taken against them.

Islam also places very high importance on justice, and allows for aggressors and unjust people be punished accordingly, unless they repent before they are brought to justice. At the same time, Islam encourages people to forgive those who have wronged them whenever possible.

Evidence of these ideals can be found in the Holy Qur'an, which is the word of God revealed to the messenger of God, Mohammad peace be upon him. It can also be found in the Hadeeth, the sayings of Mohammad peace be upon him, and in his teachings to Muslims. A few examples of this are shown below from the Holy Qur'an:

• "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, and do not transgress; for Allah loveth not transgressors." (Surah 2, Verse 190).
   
• "But if they cease (fighting you), Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Surah 2, Verse 192).
   
• "But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is the One that Heareth and Knoweth (all things)." (Surah 8, Verse 61).
   
• "The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves." (Surah 2, Verse 194).
   
• " ... and let not the hatred of some people in (once) shutting you out of the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour: fear Allah: for Allah is strict in punishment." (Surah 5, Verse 2).
   
• "Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!" (Surah 41, Verse 34).
   
• "O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do." (Surah 4, Verse 135).
   
• "God advocates justice, charity, and regarding the relatives. And He forbids evil, vice, and transgression. He enlightens you, that you may take heed." (Surah 16, Verse 90).
   
• "And if ye do punish them, punish them no worse than they punished you: but if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient." (Surah 16, Verse 126).

The first three verses above instruct Muslims to fight those who fight them, and not to commit aggression first, as God does not like transgressors. They also instruct Muslims to stop fighting those who wish to cease fighting them, and to accept peace with the enemy who becomes inclined towards peace.

The fourth verse mentioned above instructs Muslims that if someone transgresses against them, they should respond to them likewise, and it reminds Muslims to fear God and to restrain themselves to this limit.

The fifth verse reminds Muslims not to let hatred of some people for past reasons to lead them to transgress against those people or be hostile towards them. It also instructs us to help each other in good and righteous actions, and not to cooperate in aggression and sin, and it reminds them finally of the strict punishment of God to encourage them to abide by these principles.

The sixth verse reminds us that goodness and evil are never equal, and that we should repel evil with good actions. This means that when someone is unjust to us or commits evil against us, we are encouraged to respond with kind and good actions, so that the hatred between us and that person will evaporate and will become an intimate friendship!

The seventh verse mentioned reminds us to stand up for justice, even if it is against ourselves or our family, and even if it is against those who are rich or powerful, because justice applies to everyone. It also reminds us that God knows everything we do, and so if we act unjustly even in our hearts, God knows what we did and we will be accountable for that.

The eighth verse informs us that God enjoins us to follow justice, and that God forbids us from committing evil, vice and transgression.

The ninth and final verse reminds Muslims that if they are punished, that they may only respond with the same punishment and not to go over this limit. However, they are reminded that forgiveness and patience is the best course of action.

These are the wonderful ideals of Islam:

• To pursue peace with everyone including past enemies, except when they fight the Muslims and refuse peace, then Muslims are allowed to fight in self-defense.
   
• To ensure that we always apply justice and never transgress against others even if they are our enemies.
   
• To repel evil actions with good actions, in order to replace hatred with an intimate friendship.
   
• To respond to punishment with the same punishment, but that forgiveness and patience is even better than retaliation.

The verse mentioned below informs us that we were created and made into various nations and tribes so that we may get to know each other, and not so that we may despise and hate each other. Then we are reminded of the the fact that the best of us in God's eyes are those who are most righteous.

• "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full Knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things)." (Surah 49, Verse 13).

This wonderful principle of Islam makes it clear that there is no single people, race, or nation that is better than others. God created us all equal. In God's eyes, the best of us are the most righteous and most kind.

God created mankind as different races and nations although He could have created us all with as one nation, with one language and one religion. However, as stated in the verse mentioned above, God created these different nations and tribes so that we get to know other each other, and not to hate each other because we are different. This tells us that we should celebrate our differences and not hate each other based on them. Islam also teaches us to realize that no single race or people have supremacy over others, and that we are judged solely based on our actions.

This verse also teaches us that we should live peacefully with other nations and tribes and we should respect each other and our differences. We should learn to live together and to get to know each other, and to engage in dialogue amongst all nations and treat every human being as being equal.

The verse from the Qur'an which states this principle of no compulsion in religion is the following:

• "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things." (Surah 2, Verse 256).

The holy Qur'an reminds us that there must not be compulsion in religion. It states that the truth stands out clear from error, and that those who reject error and believe in God are the saved ones.

This means that Muslims are not allowed to force people to convert to Islam. Muslims should only seek to make the truth clear to others, and talk to them about Islam, then let them decide for themselves. In fact, most people who study Islam without having made a decision to hate it first come to love its message and convert to Islam after learning about it's values and principles.

Another verse that also states this principle is the following:

• "If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge." (Surah 9, Verse 6).

This wonderful verse instructs Muslims to grant asylum to non-believers, and make them safe, and allow them to hear the word of Allah. Then they are to be escorted to whatever place they will be safe and secure in. This is because these non-believers simply have no knowledge of Islam, and no knowledge of the word of Allah.

What a wonderful religion Islam is! How can this be compared with the way that Christians spread their religion? They spread it by genocide, mass murder, kidnapping of children and wiping out of entire nations and civilizations! Ask the natives of the Americas, Australia and Africa about it!

This is the Islamic point of view on war, peace and justice. We hope that after reading this article, people will have a clear understanding that Islam promotes peace and justice, and stands against aggression and violence.

It is very sad that some people who want to give a wrong impression of Islam, simply select a few words from the Qur'an and distort them and put them in the wrong context, all in order to prove that Islam supports violence. They ignore all the verses we have mentioned in this article.

Therefore, we hope that people will be more careful about what they may hear or read on TV, radio, newspapers, magazines or on the internet. Make sure that you do not blindly believe anything that is being said. Try to get both sides of the story, by listening to all points of view on any issue before coming to a conclusion.

And finally, we greet everyone with the greeting of Islam:
Assalamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you!).

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By: Unknown On 06:49

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BEST MUSLIM MARRIAGE SITES

From Jannah.org

By getting married you are not just getting a wife, you are getting your whole world. From now until the rest of your days your wife will be your partner, your companion, and your best friend.

She will share your moments, your days, and your years. She will share your joys and sorrows, your successes and failures, your dreams and your fears. When you are ill, she will take the best care of you; when you need help, she will do all she can for you;

When you have a secret, she will keep it; when you need advice, she will give you the best advice. She will always be with you: when you wake up in the morning the first thing your eyes will see will be hers; during the day, she will be with you, if for a moment she is not with you by her physical body, she will be thinking of you, praying for you with all her heart, mind, and soul; when you go to sleep at night, the last thing your eyes will see will be her; and when you are asleep you will still see her in your dreams. In short, she will be your whole world and you will be her whole world.

The best description that I personally have ever read describing the closeness of the spouses to each other is the Qur'anic verse which says: "they are your garments and you are their garments" (Surah Al Baqarah 2:187).

Indeed, spouses are like garments to each other because they provide one another with the protection, the comfort, the cover, the support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans. Just imagine a journey in the winter of Alaska without garments! Our spouses provide us with the same level of comfort, protection, cover, and support in the journey of our lives on this earth as garments would do in the Alaskan journey.

The relationship between the spouses is the most amazing of all human relations: the amount of love and affection, intimacy and closeness, mercy and compassion, peace and tranquillity that fills the hearts of the spouses is simply inexplicable. The only rational explanation for these most amazing of all human feelings is that: it is an act of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, "And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions) of your own nature ..." (Surah Al Nahl 16:72) Only our Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala in His Infinite Power, Boundless Mercy, and Great Wisdom can create and ingrain these amazing and blessed feelings in the hearts of the spouses. In fact Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is reminding those who search for His signs in the universe that these feelings in the hearts of the spouses are among the signs that should guide humans to His existence as He says in the Qur'an, "And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquillity with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (Surah Al Rum 30:21)

But Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala knows that the human heart is not a static entity, it is sometimes weak and at times dynamic. Feelings can and do change with time. Love may wither and fade away. The marital bond might weaken if not properly cared for. Happiness in marriage cannot be taken for granted; continuous happiness requires constant giving from both sides. For the tree of marital love to remain alive and keep growing, the soil has to be sustained, maintained, watered and nurtured.

Remember that our Prophet Muhammad Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam had found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha. She out ran him but later after she had gained some weight, he out ran her.

Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam took his wife to watch the young Ethiopians playing and dancing their folk dances. The show of emotions is necessary to keep the marital bond away from rusting and disintegrating.

Remember that you will be rewarded by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for any emotions you show to your wife as the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "one would be rewarded for anything that he does seeking the pleasure of Allah even the food that he puts in the mouth of his wife."

Never underestimate the importance of seemingly little things as putting food in your wife's mouth, opening the car's door for her, etc. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam used to extend his knee to his wife to assist her up to ride the camel.

Try to always find some time for both of you to pray together. Strengthening the bond between you and Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is the best guarantee that your own marital bond would always remain strong. Having peace with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will always result in having more peace at home.

Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam gave glad tidings for those couples who wake up at night to pray together. The Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam even urged the spouse who rises up first to wake the other spouse up even by throwing cold water on his/her face.

Always try your best to be good to your wife by words and by deeds. Talk to her, smile to her, seek her advice, ask for her opinion, spend quality time with her and always remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "the best of you are those who are best to their wives."

Finally, it is common that spouses vow to love and honor their spouses until death do them part. I do believe that this vow is good or even great, but not enough! It is not enough that you love your wife. You have to love what she loves as well. Her family, her loved ones must also become your loved ones. Don't be like my colleague who was unhappy about his wife's parents coming to visit for few weeks. He candidly said to her "I don't like your parents." Naturally, she angrily looked at him straight in the eye and said " I don't like yours either"... Also, it is not enough that you love her until death do you part. Love should never end and we do believe there is life after death where those who did righteousness in this world will be joined by their spouses (Surah Al Zukhruf 43:70) and offsprings.

The best example in this regard is the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam whose love for Khadija, his wife of 25 years extended to include all those she loved and continued even after her death. It was many years after her death and he never forgot her and whenever a goat was slaughtered in his house he would send portions of it to Khadija's family and friends and whenever he felt that the visitor at the door might be Khadija's sister Hala, he would pray saying "O Allah let it be Hala."

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By: Unknown On 09:09

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