The session has just started. Please feel free to join us with your questions.
After the session has ended, you can view the whole dialogue by clicking Recent Sessions, or later on Archive .
For feedback and suggestions, please e-mail us at living.shariah@iolteam.com.
Yours,
Islamonline Live Dialogue Editing Desk.
Name
Rashid
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
Hello Professor! Can you give us some tips about how we can use the summer vacation for the good of the children?
Answer
Salaam Rashid,
Thank you for your question.
Indeed, it is summertime and in most countries school is off, and many families do not know as to how they can fill two months of their children’s free time with beneficial activities. In some areas summer camps are organized for the children; but the desirability of sending the children to these camps depends on who runs these camps and what their programs are.
While it is necessary to give the children enough opportunities for enjoyment, we need to see how their time is used for their good. We need to take particular care in turning their attention away from activities and interests that are deleterious to their spiritual development.
We should particularly teach them how to use the TV and the Internet for their studies. Indeed, we should be watching them closely so that they do not deviate into areas that are useless or obviously harmful. When the kids have a lot of free time, they may get involved in different sorts of games; and our duty is to see that these games are innocent games and they take up only a small portion of their free time; the rest of the time should be properly appointed for activities, such as the following:
1. Visiting the library
In several places, libraries offer children opportunities not only for reading or borrowing books, but also for story-telling, rhymes and songs. They may also give summer reading programs, as well as opportunities for children to give presentations on their own. There could be even courses for children in the use of different software or educational programs.
2. Learning Geography
We may take our kids to different parts of our own village or town and show them their unique physical characteristics like hills, rivers, lakes etc. We can use maps and descriptions of places to teach them geography. Also, we may tell them about temperature variations, as well as the coming of rains etc. during different seasons and in different cities and countries.
Besides, we can encourage them to make their own collections of different kinds of stones, seeds, flowers etc. to arouse the naturalists in them.
3. Moral Education
Along with such training, the children should be given stories of the Prophets and how they led their communities from the depths of ignorance toward the light of spiritual uplift. They may also be trained to pray correctly, fast not only the obligatory fasts, but also the supererogatory fasts; and the more mature of them may be encouraged to lead congregational Prayers. They should be taught to be sympathetic to the sufferings of others and to give donations to good causes. There can be even discussion sessions where the elders answer their questions and dispel their doubts.
The foregoing are a few tips that could serve as models for other useful activities for the children as well.
Name
Ali
-
Profession
Question
How can I lower the gaze at the beach. Do you not see, dear Sheikh, that this is very difficult for me as a young man.
Answer
Salaam Ali,
Thank you for the question.
A person's morality or spirituality is heightened by the temptations and pressures one encounters and overcomes.
The question is: Do you wish to have morals in life or not. If you are sincere about your faith and would like to keep your life safe from corruption, you won't have any difficulty in finding the best way for it. But, if you are in two minds, or if you are inclined to fall for the first temptation that comes along, well you may only see the obstacles in the path of morality.
If the beach you frequent (But why should a good Muslim frequent a permissive beach?) is one where women are provocatively immodest, then there is no use even in literally "lowering the gaze". By the way, I understand that the expression – "lowering the gaze" - actually means exercising self-control, especially in the use of your eyes.
One can and should think of a situation where "raising the gaze" is safer than lowering it...
The point is that it depends on your own sincerity of faith and firmness in living up to the morals of Islam.
And Allah knows best.
Name
lola
-
Profession
Question
Can I wear an Islamic swimming dress in front of other men - the whole body is covered, yet it sticks to the body when I go in water?
Answer
Salaam Lola,
Thank you for the question.
Kindly read the answer I gave to Ali.
You yourself can decide which swimming dress is the proper one, if there are men around. Of course, I understand that you know the basic rules of hijab.
Sorry I am not an expert in swim wear; but it should be evident to an ordinary human that some swim-wear are deliberately designed as devices of temptation. But you can send your question to someone more qualified to answer it.
Thanks any way.
Name
Nour
-
Profession
Question
I have 3 questions for Imam
1-does Islam prohibit having fun?
2-do I get hasanat for not going to the beach?
3-is going to beaches oppose hayaa`
Answer
Salaam Nour,
Thank you for the questions.
1. Islam does not prohibit having fun, provided that 'fun' does not mean violation of common decency or of any of the explicit commands of Allah the Almighty or the directions of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). That is, Islam has nothing against people having fun that is harmless and innocent.
2. If you know that going to the beach actually involves any kind of sin - like using your eyes for seeing things that you shouldn't look at, or violating the rules of hijab - if that is the case, then NOT going to the beach is a good deed.
3. It depends on the nature of the beach, whether it is undesirable, or harmless. But I understand that by 'beach' you mean places where people shamelessly exhibit their bodies, in which case, there is no doubt that only those who do not care for hayaa' go there.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Pete
- United States
Profession
Question
In North America, summer is the time for fun; and we don't think about morals while having fun. So I don't see how you can reconcile the two. What do you say?
Answer
Salaam Pete,
Thank you for your question.
As I have said in another answer, it all depends on what you mean by fun. I understand that 'fun' in North America means enjoyment with no restrictions, like 'partying', 'nightclubbing' etc, where people do not worry about any morality ordained by religion. Islam categorically prohibits that kind of 'fun'.
But, there can be a permissible sort of fun in sports and games, arts etc, where you find no indecency, or violation of socially accepted norms.
Hope I have answered your question.
Name
Hussein
- India
Profession
Question
Salamu Alaykum
I would like to memorize parts of the Qur'an in the summer. what is the best way to do that?
Answer
Salaam Hussein,
Thank you for your question.
Indeed, I don't see any difference between memorizing the Qur'an in summer and in other seasons; the only difference is that, in many countries, people find time during summer for having 'fun'. If this is true in your case too, you may then sacrifice such fun - at least part of it - for the sake of memorizing the noble Qur'an.
There are now websites that can help you memorize the Qur'an; you can simply use them, or else you can still use the age-old technique of learning by rote.
The best way to memorize the ever-glorious Qur'an is to read it, listen to it, and recite the passages you have learned in your supererogatory Prayers. Keep reciting.
Hope I have answered your question.
Name
Abdul Rauf
- Pakistan
Profession
Student
Question
ASSALAM-O-Alaikum!
I have a question! is it always order to lower our gaze in every matter with all girls including class fellows or colleagues or even teachers. Please also give reference to any Hadith/Sunnah. I shall be very thankful to you.
ALLAH HAFIZ!
ASSALAM-O-Alaikum!
Answer
Salaam Abdul Rauf,
Thank you very much for your question.
In His noble Qur'an Allah the Almighty has commanded:
"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do." (Qur'an 24:30)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: "And the eyes commit zina (adultery). Their zina is gazing."
It is by remembering Almighty Allah that a Muslim can avoid the temptation of looking at forbidden things. Though it is a tough task, one has to remember the great reward one is going to receive from his Creator for restraining one's eyes; and also for obeying His commandments.
Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid has written:
"Men must lower their gaze and refrain from looking at forbidden things in all circumstances, unless there is a valid reason, such as giving testimony, medical treatment, proposing marriage, buying a slave woman, engaging in financial transactions such as buying and selling, etc. In all these cases, it is permissible to look as much as is required, and no more."
In the matter of one's class mates, teachers and colleagues, I understand that the above exception applies; but one must be careful to keep one's intentions pure.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Badiah
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaykum.
I have been depressed for ages. I carry all these heavy weights around with me. I have problem letting go of the past. I miss things, I miss people. I feel alone. I always feel depressed. It is very hard for me to look forward to life, and I long for the past. How do I cope with this? Since it is summer, its even harder.
Answer
Salaam Badiah,
Thank you for your question.
There is only one solution for the problems you have mentioned, which is: Depend on Allah the Almighty; pray to Him and read the noble Qur'an and ponder over its verses.
You are encouraged also to read about the trials and tribulations the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had encountered in his life, and see how he had overcome all those problems, by Allah's leave.
Pray, fast, give charity and do 'umrah (as well as Hajj, if you have not already performed it): Go to the Ka'aba and pour out your sorrows to the All-Merciful Allah.
And inshaa'Allah everything will be fine.
Name
Khaleda
-
Profession
Question
Salam professor!
How do I use summer more productively? How do I use summer to grow intellectually, mentally, and physically. How do I become better at talking, because sometimes I find it hard to talk. I am not very eloquent with my words, and sometimes I can't say them the way I want to say them. Intellectually, what should I focus on? Emotionally, how do I cope with my emotions. I am a very emotional person. I tend to follow emotion than logic. How do I improve myself over the summer?
Answer
Salaam Khaleda,
Thank you for your question.
(Please read the answer I gave to Badi'ah.)
I understand that you have a lot of time during summer, in which case, you need to use a major portion of that time for your self-improvement.
Here are a few tips:
1. Read a lot of good books that are necessary for your intellectual and spiritual growth.
2. Join a debating club or some such institution where people get training in public speaking.
3. Take a very important decision today: not to be a victim of your own emotions. If you are an emotional sort of person, you may do harm to yourself; so it is urgently necessary for you to restrain your emotions. You can get a lot of guidance from the glorious Qur'an and the sayings of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in this matter.
You need to control your emotions; learn from Prophet Muhammad, who is reported to have said, "The strongest is not one who can defeat his rival in wrestling; but the one who can control his anger."
The next time you are going to be carried away by your emotions, remember that your emotions are going to cause you a great deal of harm. So, learn to be calm. For that purpose, pray to Almighty Allah as soon as you feel that you are going out of control.
Keep praying and remembering Allah the All Merciful.
And inshaa'Allah everything will be fine.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
-
Answer
Editor
Finally, we would like to thank our guest for speaking to Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
