Kinds of People ~ FHE

Quran is the true words of God that He gave to us through His prophet Muhammed.

God expects us to believe in His book and his words. Believing in God

and His words means to follow every order God gave us in the Quran. In Sura 2,

God told us about three kinds of people. (1) The righteous. (2) The disbelievers and

(3) The hypocrites. Only the righteous people will succeed  

and make it to paradise. The others will not make it and will  suffer for what they did.

We should all try our best to be among the righteous people.

God told us the easy and simple ways to be among the righteous people.

Follow the words of God in the Quran and do what He asked you to do.

God's religion is never difficult. God does not make things difficult for us.

God wants us to be guided and He will reward us for our good work.

God explains to us in the Quran who are the righteous and

who are the disbelievers and hypocrites. Let us read what

the Quran says about these three kinds of people

Quran

I seek refuge in God from Satan the rejected

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[2:1]

A.L.M.*

*2:1 These initials are part of the miracle of the Quran that we will

discuss some other time, God willing.

[2:2]

This scripture is infallible; a beacon for the righteous;

[2:3]

who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers

(Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to

charity.

[2:4]

And they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what

was revealed before you,* and with regard to the

Hereafter, they are absolutely certain.

[2:5]

These are guided by their Lord; these are the winners.

[2:6]

As for those who disbelieve, it is the same for them;

whether you warn them, or not warn them, they cannot

believe.

[2:7]

GOD seals their minds and their hearing, and their eyes

are veiled. They have incurred severe retribution.

[2:8]

Then there are those who say, "We believe in GOD and the

Last Day," while they are not believers.

[2:9]

In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only

deceive themselves without perceiving.

[2:10]

In their minds there is a disease. Consequently, GOD

augments their disease. They have incurred a painful

retribution for their lying.

[2:11]

When they are told, "Do not commit evil," they say, "But

we are righteous!"

[2:12]

In fact, they are evildoers, but they do not perceive.

[2:13]

When they are told, "Believe like the people who

believed," they say, "Shall we believe like the fools who

believed?" In fact, it is they who are fools, but they do

not know.

[2:14]

When they meet the believers, they say, "We believe," but

when alone with their devils, they say, "We are with you;

we were only mocking."

[2:15]

GOD mocks them, and leads them on in their

transgressions, blundering.

[2:16]

It is they who bought the straying, at the expense of

guidance. Such trade never prospers, nor do they receive

any guidance.

[2:17]

Their example is like those who start a fire, then, as it

begins to shed light around them, GOD takes away their

light, leaving them in darkness, unable to see.

[2:18]

Deaf, dumb, and blind; they fail to return.

[2:19]

Another example: a rainstorm from the sky in which there

is darkness, thunder, and lightning. They put their

fingers in their ears, to evade death. GOD is fully aware

of the disbelievers.

[2:20]

The lightning almost snatches away their eyesight. When

it lights for them, they move forward, and when it turns

dark, they stand still. If GOD wills, He can take away

their hearing and their eyesight. GOD is Omnipotent.

[2:21]

O people, worship only your Lord - the One who created

you and those before you - that you may be saved.

[2:22]

The One who made the earth habitable for you, and the sky

a structure. He sends down from the sky water, to produce

all kinds of fruits for your sustenance. You shall not

set up idols to rival GOD, now that you know.

Vocabulary:

scripture = sacred book, for example the Quran and the Bible.
infallible= does not make errors or mistakes.
beacon= a source of guidance or light
provisions= supplies
reveal= to make something known.
veil = to cover
incurred= to cut, turn, break up , lift and turn over the soil.
retribution= receiving of punishment or reward.
deceive= to make someone accept what is false
perceive= to become aware of
augment= increase
mock= to ridicule.
transgression= breaking the laws or orders
blunder= make a big mistake
snatch= to take or grasp suddenly
habitable= suitable  (good enough) to be lived in
sustenance= means of support, help and living

Carribean Influence

Some carribean decorating influence.. inspirational pictures since I decided to decorate in a beach-carribean theme

Hygiene Kits

Gather Items
~2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
~4 toothbrushes (packaged)
~2 bars of soap ( 4-5 oz each)
~ 2 15x25 inch hand towels
optional adds ( I may use some with my kids)
~ 1 package baby wipes
~ 1 bag of pads/tampoons
~ 1 travel size toothpaste
~ 1 travel size shampoo and conditioner

Bag items in an air-tight ziploc bag ( gallon size preferred)

Modifications:
Young Children: Let children do chores or other tasks to earn money to buy the supplies for the kits. Children can help you pick out items at the store
Teenagers: Let teens buy the supplies with there own money. Have them ask there friends to come and join in buying supplies and helping put the kits together.

Family Discussion Starters:
What items are in each hygeine kit?
What would you do if you didnt have those items to use every day in your life? (talk about how crucial these items are for health and how they would feel if a disaster hit and we no longer had those supplies, ask them how they would feel if they recieved one of these kits?)

I plan to give out kits to a shelter but in the book that I got this service project from they have an address for a place you can send them.. if you send them there leave out the optional items. You can always check with your local masjid, church or another humanitarian center about donating items and/ or kits to there facility instead.

Latter Day Saint Humanitarian Center
1665 South Bennett Road
Salt Lake City 84104

Family Service

As Ramadan is quickly approaching us, my heart and thoughts have been reminded of charity and service. My kids dont do enough service projects and thats partly on me because I dont give me them opportunities and well frankly was not sure what they could do other than put spare change in the zakat box at the masjid or give a dollar here and there to a homeless person. I bought a new book this week that has 52 family service projects so I plan to incorporate more service and charity into our family home evenings and in there lives period.  My first project is going to be to assemble Hygeine Kits for a womens-childrens shelter and maybe have a few extras to pass around to the homeless guys who live close to our house. The kids are visiting Grandma-grandpa at the beach house for the month of July.. Kind of a bummer that they are not here for Family Month but that's ok.. Mom needs a break for a little while. They are coming back at the begining of August which is the beg of ramadan also so it will be good to do 4 weeks of a service project for ramadan since they dont fast yet. My next post will be the hygeine kits so that if you want to do them with your family you will have the instructions.

Grocery costs around the world

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide - 2 adults, 2 teenagers

Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina - 2 adults, 2 teenagers

Food expenditure for one week: $341.98

Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira City - 2 adults, 2 teenagers

Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25

Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily - 2 adults, 3 kids

Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca - 2 adults, 3 kids

Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna - 4 adults, 1 teenager

Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo - 7 adults, 5 kids

Food expendit ure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo - 4 adults, 5 teenagers

Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village - 7 adults, 6 kids

Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp - 3 adults, 3 kids

Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

---

July is Family Month

July is family month.. get out there and spend some time having fun with your family.

Happy 4th of July

Peer Pressure

 
 
Peer pressure isn't a recent phenomenon that belongs only to our generation. Peer pressure is as old as the creation of human beings. Just the term "peer pressure" has been publicized lately.

As young Submitters (Muslims in Arabic), we experience peer pressure when our moral values clash with the actions, practices or behavior of other youth who live around us, whether we're at school or in a neighborhood. Therefore, peer pressure usually comes from non-Submitters (non-Muslims), or from youth who call themselves Muslims but don't practice any moral values encouraged by the Quran.

To understand why there's a clash between our values as young Submitters and others' values, we have to realize that our values come from God in His book, the Quran, which represents the highest moral values of our life. The others' moral values are derived from other people who have indulged in immoral lifestyle derived from a desire to achieve quick pleasure or impress people. This fame and popularity doesn't last. These people have usually lost their faith or the trust or understanding of their faith, and they desire temporary world pleasure that has been proven dangerous, sick and demoralizing.

While peer pressure, even in a small circle of friends, happens because the majority agrees on doing something that contradicts the moral value of the minority, it is exactly what the Quran describes. God reminds us that the majority of the people in this life will not be believers and accordingly would not and cannot follow the great moral values presented in the scripture.

[12:103] Most people, no matter what you do, will not believe.

The Quran even tells us about peer pressure and gives detailed stories of some of the prophets and early believers who suffered from such pressure. But they persevered and held tight to their belief and they ended up being the winners. That peer pressure included ridicule and making fun of the believers for their righteous behavior and choices.

[83:29] The wicked used to laugh at those who believed. When they passed by them, they used to poke fun. When they got together with their people, they used to joke.
[83:34] Today, those who believed are laughing at the disbelievers.
[83:35] On luxurious furnishings they watch.

The Quran even explains the reason why some people fall for peer pressure and desert their righteous behavior:

[29:25] He said, "You worship beside GOD powerless idols due to peer pressure, just to preserve some friendship among you in this worldly life. But then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will disown one another, and curse one another. Your destiny is Hell, wherein you cannot help one another."

Of the many prophets mentioned in the Quran , the story of Noah is a clear example of peer pressure. The people of Noah refused to believe in God, made fun of Noah and ridiculed him and the few believers who believed with him. Their ridicule got even worse when Noah started building the ark in the middle of nowhere as God ordered him to get ready for the great flood.
[11:38] While he was building the ark, whenever some of his people passed by him they laughed at him. He said, "You may be laughing at us, but we are laughing at you, just as you are laughing.

God, however, assures us again and again that the believers will be the last ones to laugh.

[2:212] This worldly life is adorned in the eyes of the disbelievers, and they ridicule those who believe. However, the righteous will be far above them on the Day of Resurrection. GOD blesses whomever He wills, without limits.

More than once, the pressure to do drugs, smoke, or drink befalls the average teenager, especially Submitters (Muslims). The pressure to fit in and be "cool" always competes with our want to be righteous. If we are strong, and persevere in the cause of God, we will pull through with the right decision, God willing. Even though you might lose a friend you could've had, you will feel the reward once you just say "no."

Some of the things we encounter everyday and are pressured about are:

Smoking
Drugs
Sex
Drinking
Making fun of others
Fitting in
Having intense relationships
Shoplifting
Swearing
Disobeying the dress code to look like everyone else
Ditching school
Not being "smart"
Lying
To be someone else
Being "popular" at the expense of losing righteousness
Cheating
Being rude/disobedient to parents
Peer pressuring others

[2:219] They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, "In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit." They also ask you what to give to charity: say, "The excess." GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect,

As righteous, young Submitters, God expects us to follow the highest moral values given throughout the Quran and feel proud of our values, our faith and our strength in the face of any peer pressure or any blame.


[5:54] O you who believe, if you revert from your religion, then GOD will substitute in your place people whom He loves and who love Him. They will be kind with the believers, stern with the disbelievers, and will strive in the cause of GOD without fear of any blame. Such is GOD's blessing; He bestows it upon whomever He wills. GOD is Bounteous, Omniscient.

Most of those who fall for peer pressure are insecure youth who lack self confidence, who are ignorant with their religion, and have such a weak faith that the great values given in the scripture are never on their minds. On the contrary, a true young Submitter is armed with knowledge and understanding of his/her religion, is self confident, and stands tall and proud of being on God's side. A good self-confident Submitter will be the strength and focus of their circle of friends. These friends will admire and try to move up to the Submitter's level of moral excellency. The Submitter will not try to lower his or herself down to match the moral values of the circle of friends. That is what we can call an admirable reverse of peer pressure.


Managing peer pressure:
(1) Move away from certain circles of friends. Befriending the right people is an essential means for staying on the straight path and avoiding unnecessary peer pressure. In choosing our friends we should be looking for friends who believe in God and His scriptures. Living in a society where Submitters (Muslims) are a minority is a challenge by itself that is fully rewarded by God. In such a society, finding a righteous friend may not be easy at the beginning but insisting on them and looking for them is a sign to God that you are sincere in your search and He will direct you in the right path.

(2) Don't ever feel that you are missing out or living a boring life just because you don't give in to peer pressure. Accepting the bad behavior prohibited in the Quran will end in more misery than the temporary pleasure that it starts with in the beginning.

(3) Study the Qur'an . Learn what behavior is pleasing to God, and what kind of lifestyle is discouraged in Islam, Submission.
(4) Whenever peer pressure befalls us, remembering God is the best thing we can do. When God is with us, we can resist anything, as Joseph did when the lady of the house seduced him.

[12:23] The lady of the house where he lived tried to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, "I am all yours." He said, "May GOD protect me. He is my Lord, who gave me a good home.* The transgressors never succeed."

((5) You should be armed with knowledge about your religion Submission (Islam in Arabic). Have knowledge about the risk of unrighteous behavior that is encouraged by people around you. Such knowledge will help you to resist the temptation of peer pressure and know how to stand for the righteous behavior.

As a young youth holding to your faith and all the beautiful moral values you should be assured that God will be your supporter and help you as He did for Joseph.
[3:150] GOD alone is your Lord and Master, and He is the best supporter.

As a Submitter youth, you are so lucky, because not only you have parents who care, But, God our Lord and Master is your supporter and helper to get over these difficulties. You are lucky because you have the Quran, a book that gives you the right answer and draw for you the righteous map to avoid all the misachievements caused by peer pressure during the difficult time. You should be happy and rejoice in having, God, Quran, your parents and  your good friends , all on your side.

God bless.

God Our Creator ~ FHE

God is telling us in the Quran, [10:101]

"Look at all the signs in the heavens and the

earth." 10:101

God knows that if we see what He created for us we will get

to know Him.

If we know Him and realize that He created everything for us,

we will follow His message.

God knows we need His help and guidance and He offered them for us.

God did not create the whole universe for amusement. He

created it to know who are the people who will side with Him, i.e. the believers (Submitters) and

who are the people who will not side with Him i.e. the disbelievers.

God promised that the believers will be supported by Him in this life and

will go to Heaven in the Hereafter.

The disbelievers will not have God's help or support in this life and will not

make it to Heaven in the Hereafter.

Quran

"We did not create the heavens and the earth, and

everything between them just for amusement. " [21:16]

Look all around you, look at the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars. Look at the clouds that bring down the

rain. From this rain we get the water that we drink and the water that fills the oceans, the seas and the rivers.

Look at all the beautiful plants around us. The trees, the fruits, the vegetables, the

flowers, the butterflies, all are God's creations. Look at all the animals , the birds

and the fish in the sea.

Look at the mountains around us, the deserts and the forests.

They are all created for us. God created all these for the believers .

We need to look at them, then think about their creation and God who created them.

In this way we get to know God and believe in Him.

Quran

"Do you not see that GOD sends down from the sky water

that turns the land green? GOD is Sublime, Cognizant."   [22:63]

Believing in God means to listen to His message and to follow what He wants us to do.

God wants us to be on

the right way to be with Him. Only those who refuse to know God or refuse

to believe in Him will not be able to

make it to Heaven.

Quran

"Do you not realize that GOD sends down from the sky

water, whereby we produce fruits of various colors? Even

the mountains have different colors; the peaks are white,

or red, or some other color. And the ravens are black. "[35:27]

Quran

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[10:101]

Say, "Look at all the signs in the heavens and the

earth." All the proofs and all the warnings can never

help people who decided to disbelieve.

--------------------------------

[14:19]

Do you not realize that GOD has created the heavens and

the earth for a specific purpose? If He wills, He can

remove you, and substitute a new creation in your place.

-------------------------------------

[22:63]

Do you not see that GOD sends down from the sky water

that turns the land green? GOD is Sublime, Cognizant.

--------------------------------------

[35:27]

Do you not realize that GOD sends down from the sky

water, whereby we produce fruits of various colors? Even

the mountains have different colors; the peaks are white,

or red, or some other color. And the ravens are black.

--------------------------------------

[22:64]

To Him (GOD) belongs everything in the heavens and everything

on earth. Absolutely, GOD is the Most Rich, Most

Praiseworthy.

 

[22:65]

Do you not see that GOD has committed in your service

everything on earth? The ships run in the ocean by His

command. He prevents the heavenly bodies from crashing

onto the earth, except in accordance with His command.

GOD is Most Kind towards the people, Most Merciful.

-------------------------------------

[21:16]

We did not create the heavens and the earth, and

everything between them just for amusement.

[21:17]

If we needed amusement, we could have initiated it

without any of this, if that is what we wanted to do.

[21:18]

Instead, it is our plan to support the truth against

falsehood, in order to defeat it. Woe to you for the

utterances you utter.

[21:19]

To Him belongs everyone in the heavens and the earth, and

those at Him are never too arrogant to worship Him, nor

do they ever waver.

[21:20]

They glorify night and day, without ever tiring.

Vocabulary

1-scripture = sacred book, for example the Quran and the Bible.

2-cognizant = fully informed, fully aware, knows everything.

3-sublime = noble, very kind.

4-utter  = to speak or make some sort of sound from your mouth.

5-Praiseworthy = worth of praising.

6- Arrogant = too proud.

7- Waver = unsure, uncertain or unsteady.

8- initiate = to introduce or start something new.

Mom's Devotional Time

I know its sounds like a christian concept and well it is in a sense. A mom's life is often busy and hectic and we often forget to take some time out for ourselves to replenish our souls and spirits. I usually take my daily devotions during the school day while the kids are away at school. I read/recite some Quran.. I perform some zhikr on tasbih beads as well as make prayers and duuas for my family. I also like to spend some time browsing through some beneficial muslim articles or watching an islamic program or listening to some islamic nasheeds on the computer or tv. At times I call and speak with my Quran Alone sisters which is also good for my soul inshaAllah. Whatever replenishes your spirit and soul you should do it inshaAllah and reap the benefits it will give you. I am the type that I cant get much accomplished when my house is dirty or if there are errands and things to run so sometimes inshaAllah if I remember I will pop in some quran recitations in my car or have recitations or nasheeds playing in the background as I clean up my home and prepare the days meals for my family that way im multi tasking while still replenishing my soul. Whatever works for you InshaAllah I hope you can reap the blessings from having some devotional time.

Sunday Cooking

Growing up as a mormon I spent my sundays at home.. not out shopping or attending to other business and staying at home and doing activities with my family and cooking and spending the day remembering God. Sundays are the days that I really like to cook and pull out all the stops since the rest of the week is usually more hectic with the kids in school and my hubby working and other things going on so sundays are the bigg family meal day of the week.

I baked a red velvet cake using applesauce instead of eggs for my lil cousin Liam's birthday party in a few hours since he allergic to dairy. I heard that its pretty good and that it tastes just a little sweeter than normal but it looks and smells just as good and I am sure everyone else will think its just as good. Today were just grilling out with Hamburgers and Halal hot dogs for the birthday but were still spending time as a family and thats the important thing.