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All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Brothers and sisters, the session has already started. You can submit your questions. Please, make your questions short and clear so as to help us answer all your questions.

Yours,

Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Find some creative ways of engaging them in specific activities that would be beneficial for them; here are a few of such activities, and you may add more:

1. Take them outdoors for hiking or walking through the natural trails where they would be conditioned to appreciate the beauty of Allah's creation; while doing so refer to the verses specific to nature in the Qur'an; you can find them by checking the index in the tafsir (for instance, Yusuf `Ali's index).

2. Let them organize some social activities such as walkathon for collecting funds for charities; in this way they will learn leadership skills;

3. Organize outreach programs such as soup kitchens in mosques/Islamic centers where they will take the initiative to conceive, plan, and run them;

4. Organize sports events in order to shape and fine tune their health.

5. Organize Islamic camps or summer schools for them in which learning will be incorporated beautifully with play and fun activities that are clean and therefore perfectly halal.

The list can be expanded; there is no restriction to such activities so long as we stay clear of what is considered haram and morally degrading.

Allah Almighty knows best.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

They say, where there is a will there is a way. There is no shortage of activities that you can organize or participate in summer. Please refer to the answer above. You may also add using your own imagination and creativity.

It is good to know that in Islam everything is considered halal unless otherwise specified. In other words, so long as your activities do not contain nudity, permissive, or demoralizing elements or influences and things that are clearly haram, you are not restricted. Think of summer as the best way of enjoying nature and reading the Signs of Allah in nature. In the Qur'an, we are taught by Allah to combine reading the Book of Revelation (i.e. the Qur'an) with reading the Book of Nature.

So look towards expanding your mind and soul as well as body in the wonderful days and nights ahead of you. May Allah bless you.

You can also read:

Muslim Youth and Summer

Enjoying Summer at Beaches

Muslim Youth: Huge Tasks Ahead

Allah Almighty knows best.

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

You may think of a number of da`wah activities in summer: Here are a few suggestions:

1. Organize some summer camps or courses where learning will be effectively incorporated with play and fun activities that invigorate the body, mind and soul;

2. Think of some outreach programs in your mosque/Islamic center such as open door or soup kitchens, etc. where the people of the neighborhood will be given an opportunity to experience Islam and Muslims on a personal level; while doing so plan ahead and give the youth the initiative and leadership roles;

3. Organize educational tours to Muslim countries or past centers of Islamic culture and civilization, where you will be exposing the participants to experience the fruits of Islamic culture;

You can also read:

Activities for Western Muslim Youth in Summer

Allah Almighty knows best.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

In Islam, we are warned against sins of nudity, promiscuity and permissiveness which corrupt the soul as well as the mind. They all lead to temptations, which lead to sins, and sins eventually lead to Hellfire and eternal perdition.

It is therefore imperative that while enjoying summer in beaches we specifically avoid areas associated with the above, and find locations or times where we will be staying clear off the above completely.

While enjoying summer in beaches as a group we are not allowed to practice indiscriminate mingling of sexes (male and female), nor are we allowed to expose our `awrah to others. Remember `awrah includes all parts of body that we must keep covered from others (except our lawful spouses).

Finally, while enjoying summer activities we must never forget our Prayers or other essential Islamic duties of worship.

You can assign different areas of beach for males and females for activities such as swimming or divide time schedules for them.

Use your creative mind to think of halal (lawful) alternatives; for Allah assures us that for everything He has declared as haram (unlawful) for us, there is always a halal alternative in Islam; therefore our challenge is to find them.

For as long as the above mentioned factors are taken into consideration, there is no restrictions on enjoying summer at beaches.

You can also read:

Practicing Da`wah on Beaches

Muslim Youth Having Fun with Girls on Beaches

Enjoying Summer at Beaches

Allah Almighty knows best.

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

May Allah bless you to come nearer to Him always. Your question shows your zeal to keep your faith intact.

Having said this, I must point out that the first step towards maintaining our faith is to formulate our intentions and ask Allah to open our mind and heart to ways of truth and righteousness.

1. Pray to Allah always to keep your heart firmly entrenched in truth;

2. Find some good companions who are pious and God-fearing, who shall exert good influences on you and organize activities together avoiding such places or associations;

3. Avoid such places and find other places such as nature trails or parks or parts of the country where such influences are minimal;

4. While going out arm yourself with du`as and dhikr. Don't forget the specific du'as that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has instructed us to say while stepping out; here it is:

Bismi Allaahi tawakkaltu `ala Allah; laa hawla walaa quwwata illaa bi Allaahi. (In the name of Allah; I place all my trust in Him; there is no power to avoid sins or strength to gain virtue except by His will and support).

5. Also keep the thought of Allah always in your mind and make dhikr Allah (remembrance of Allah) your second nature by repeating words such as subhaana Allaah al-hamdu li Allah; laa ilaaha illa Allah; wa laa hawla walaa quwata illa bi Allah, (glory to Allah; praise be to Allah; there is no god but Allah; there is no power or strength except by the will of Allah), etc.

6. Finally, ask Allah to keep your heart and mind steadfast on faith by reading the following:

Allaahumma yaa muqalliba al-quloob thabbit qalbee `alaa deenika, (O Allah, You are the twister and turner of the hearts; so make thou my heart firm on Your religion).

You can also read:

Tips and Steps to Increase Taqwa (Piety)

Allah Almighty knows best.

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

This is a general du`a' or supplication that everyone can use every day in order to invoke Allah's mercy; here it is:

Allaahumma rahmataka arjoo fa laa takilnee ilaa nafsee tarfata `aynin; wa aslih lee sha'nee kullahu; wa laa ilaaha ghayruka.

You can also read:

Du`a: Its Etiquette & Optimum Time

Allah Almighty knows best.

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Islam teaches us to trust in the Will of Allah; Allah does what is best for His servants. We should pray for that which is beneficial and strive for achieving it, but if, in spite of our prayer, we do not get the results, then we are to assume that it was not meant for us, for Allah alone knows what is good for us. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us, "Look forward to that which is beneficial and expect to get it by putting forth the best of your efforts and never feel helpless; seek the help of Allah while doing so. If, in spite of your best efforts, things do not turn out the way you had planned, then comfort yourself by saying, "That was Allah's will; He does what He wills."

So pray to Allah, He may grant you your wish if in His will it is good for you. But remember du`a' is always beneficial; for if we are not granted something we pray for, still because of du`a' we are protected from calamities or give us other blessings in this world or the next by virtue of our du`as. So never give up du`as.

You can also read:

Du`a' to Secure Pregnancy

Allah Almighty knows best.

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

If it is all females you are swimming with you are allowed to do that as long as they are not practicing nudity. It does not matter whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims provided they are no members of the opposite sex present.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

If you are seriously interested in marriage, you may be allowed to ask such questions. But I advise you not to be obsessed with such aspects of your bride so that you overlook the real factors to consider in a prospective partner: religion and character. For eventually, these are the ones which will determine the success of a marriage.

May Allah guide you in your selection and choice-ameen.

You can also read:

Qualities to Look for in a Spouse

Allah Almighty knows best.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

You are allowed to resort to skin grafting in case of burn or injuries to correct deformity or restore it to wholeness. It is allowed to use animal parts for this so long as the animal is considered halal and pure. According to many scholars, dogs and pigs are not considered clean or pure. Insha' Allah, there will always be halal alternatives if we try to find them.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

If both of you strongly feel that you will not be able to raise your child in Islam in a certain country then you are to relocate to another country where you can do so reasonably well. If you are from a Muslim country and you think you can be better of there, you should definitely relocate there.

If you are not, then you should consider finding other provinces or communities in this country where you are living now, where you can be part of a Muslim community with better chances for raising your children in Islamic faith and practice.

Allah Almighty knows best.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

This question needs some careful, detailed consideration and answer. I can only provide a simple criterion:

If there is a reasonable ground to think that such details will harm the genuine welfare of others then we are to do everything possible to avert it. In other words, it is our duty to avert harm from others as best as we can.

I am sure in such matters you are governed by certain work ethics relating to your profession which may also dictate certain procedures to be taken in such cases.

As a Muslim you should be diligent in abiding by these ethics.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Brothers and sisters, we are so sorry for not answering all your questions because the time is over. We apologize for any inconvenience. Do keep in touch. Join us in coming sessions.

Yours,
Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk.

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