A ‘Makeover’ for my Imaan

Assalaamu ‘alaikum

I am thirty years old, and for the last ten years, I have been chasing the world and developing my career as a makeup artist. Alhamdulillah, I have now changed my life and would like to share my story so that others may be inspired. ‎

At the age of twenty, I qualified as a makeup artist. I was exceptionally talented and was ready to take the world by storm! My first ‘big break’ as a makeup artist was when I worked on the Jay Sean concert during his trip to South Africa. From there, things got better and better, until I opened my own makeup studio.

I was married at the age of twenty two, and had my son at twenty four, but I was still focused on my career. I was consumed by my work and was completely caught up in the dunya. I would tell people, “I want my son to become a haafiz of the Quraan.” Not once did I think, “How will my son become a haafiz when his mother is so consumed by dunya and fame?”

Read more: A ‘Makeover’ for my Imaan

My Journey into the Unknown

All praise is due to Allah Ta‘ala, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Blessings and salutations upon our beloved Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

I was born into a mixed-parentage family. My father was a Buddhist Chinese and my mother is a Hindu. They both practiced different faiths. I grew up worshipping idols and visiting temples, so I never felt odd or weird about the rituals. Because I was born in a Muslim country, Islam was not foreign to me.

I was seventeen when I started asking questions about my religion. Prayers and rituals did not make sense anymore. I then started seeking the religion that made the most sense. An invitation came for me to visit a church and attend a sermon. I did attend, but still felt that it wasn’t for me.

Read more: My Journey into the Unknown

Disciplining Children

Question:

Assalaamu ‘alaikum

Respected ‘Ulama

How do I raise my children correctly and discipline them appropriately? I know that it is not permissible for one to beat his children excessively, but I feel as though there is no other option because of the stubbornness of the children. Is there any other way of disciplining children without disobeying Allah Ta‘ala?

Jazakallah

Read more: Disciplining Children

Salaah – The Key to Tranquillity

Correspondence of Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahimahullah)

Letter: 

Assalaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh

Respected Moulana

I have a terrible habit of missing salaah. I cannot seem to read all my five daily salaah. I am trying, but can’t seem to get it right, even if it’s just reading the fardh salaah without the sunnats. Another problem that I am faced with is that I have no peace and contentment of heart. It really depresses me and makes me feel irritable and moody which also causes a problem in my marriage. My heart is a hard black stone.

Read more: Salaah – The Key to Tranquillity

The Etiquettes of Giving and Receiving Gifts

1. The purpose of giving a gift is to engender love and affection in the heart.

2. Try to give a person something that he will like and appreciate.

3. Do not give someone such a gift that will create difficulty for him e.g. giving a very large and heavy gift to a person that is travelling (as it will be difficult for him to carry it and take it with him).

4. Do not give a gift anonymously, as the purpose of engendering love will be lost when the giver of the gift is unknown.

5. Do not ask a person for something or for some favour after giving them a gift, as they will feel compelled to fulfil your request. Furthermore, this gift will actually be a form of bribery.

Read more: The Etiquettes of Giving and Receiving Gifts