In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Is Your Home an Islaamic Home?
By Irshad Mahmood - Director, Siraat-al-Mustaqeem Dawah Centre
And Allah has made for you in your homes a place of rest …, (Ref: Al_Quraan_016.080).This
may seem like an unusual question and your automatic response may be
"Why, of course my home is an Islaamic Home!! My family is Muslim and
that makes our home a Muslim one!!"Go through this short checklist to determine if your response should really be in the affirmative.Always Chose a Good Spouse:There
are several Hadeeths that highlight the importance of choosing a
righteous and pious spouse. The wisdom of this is obvious: a pious
spouse is more likely to bring happiness and contentment to the other
spouse and the couple together will be more able to build a righteous
family and home life. This is the foundation of the home.Always Guide your Spouse:This
begins with each spouse fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of
their roles and treating each other with kindness and compassion. It
then goes beyond this to include guidance in other spiritual matters
such as striving to strengthen Eemaan; paying attention to Worship and
correcting it when needed; encouraging the reading of Quraan, praying
at night, giving charity, and reading books on Islaam; helping to
choose pious friends; enjoining goodness and forbidding evil. Emaan is
something that may increase or decrease so it is necessary to
continually focus on increasing our own and that of our spouse.Make your Home a Place for Remembrance of Allah:Remembrance can be in many forms:
with the heart, with the tongue, through prayer, recitation of Quraan,
memorizing adhkaar and using them, discussing Islaamic issues, or
reading Islaamic material. These are things that should occur on a
consistent basis so that the angels will come to the home and bring
Allah's blessings. The Rasool Allah (Peace-Be-Upon-Him), said: "The
example of a home in which Allah is remembered and the example of a
home in which Allah is not remembered, is like comparing the living and
the dead", (Muslim).Make your Home a Place of Worship:This
means that Salaah is established within the home at its required time
and that members of the family pray in congregation when several are
present. The family may also designate a specific area for prayer and
maintain its uniqueness and cleanliness. For women, it is better to
pray each prayer within the home. For men, it is recommended to pray
voluntary prayers at home after having prayed obligatory prayers in the
Masjid. The Rasool Allah (Peace-Be-Upon-Him), said: "The voluntary
prayer in the home is better than the voluntary prayer with the people.
It is like the obligatory prayer of the man in congregation being
better than praying the obligatory by himself." (Sahih al-Jaami). This
is to ensure that homes are made places of worship just as the Masjid.Regularly recite Quraan to Keep Shaitaan Away:The
Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: "Recite Surat
Al-Baqarah in your houses, for the Satan does not enter a house in
which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited." (Sahih al-Jaami). He also said:
"When you go to your bed, recite Ayatul Kursi: 'Allah! There is no god
but Him, the Ever-Living, the One Who Sustains and Protects all that
exists', to the end, for then there will remain over you a guardian
from Allah, and Shaitaan will not come near you until morning."
(Bukhari).Make Teaching and Learning are Ongoing Activities in your Home:This
is primarily responsibility of the head of the household who must
ensure that he is guiding his family to the correct path, enjoining
them to do good, and forbidding them from evil. Attaining knowledge is
incumbent upon all members of the family and is the basis upon which
Emaan will flourish, a study circle should be established in the home
that covers the various areas in Islaam and from which all family
members will benefit Children should especially be encouraged to
participate since this will establish a pattern for them that will be
carried throughout their lifetimes.Have an Islaamic Library at your Home:This
may include such things as books, cassette tapes, and CDs. It is
important to choose accurate and reliable material that will benefit
the members of the family. There should be a variety of materials to
cover all age levels and language needs of those in the home. Arabic
material is definitely a must since everyone in the family should
either know or be learning to read the language of the Quraan. Books
should cover a variety of topics, be properly organized, and be easily
accessible. Audiotapes and CDs may include Quraan recitation, lectures,
khutbahs, and tapes for children containing supplications, reminders of
Islaamic manners, and nasheeds (religious songs with no musical
instruments). Family members should encourage one another to use these
materials on a regular basis, and should be shared with other Muslim
families who may be in need of them.Try to Have Morals and Manners Like Rasool Allah (Peace-Be-Upon-Him):The
Rasool Allah (Peace-Be-Upon-Him), said; "When Allah wills some good
towards the people of a household. He introduces kindness among them."
(Ahmad, Sahih al-Jaami). He also said: "Allah loves kindness and
rewards it in such a way the He does not reward for harshness or for
anything else." (Muslim). There are many examples of the Rasool Allah
(Peace-Be-Upon-Him)'s kindness and good treatment toward his family
that we should try to emulate. He was affectionate and playful with his
wives and children and would help with household chores to ease the
burden for his wives. Following his example will bring tranquility to
the home and help to truly make it an abode of rest.Must Know the Islaamic Rulings That Pertain to Houses:Such
as guarding the secrets of the home, seeking permission to enter, not
looking into other people's homes, not allowing children to enter the
parent's bedroom during certain times of the day, and not staying alone
overnight. This last one is interesting to consider since some husbands
travel for their business or work. The Rasool Allah
(Peace-Be-Upon-Him), actually discouraged this. Ibn Umar reported that
the Rasool Allah (Peace-Be-Upon-Him) forbade being alone and said that
a man should not stay overnight alone or travel alone (Ahmad). Not only
will he be alone, but also his wife and children are likely to be left
alone in the home without any protection or companionship.Invite Righteous and Knowledgeable People to your Home:"My
Lord! Forgive me, and my parents, and him who enters my home as a
believer, and all the believing men and women." [71:28]. Righteous
people who enter your home will bring many benefits due to their
presence and conversations with them. They are more likely to discuss
useful topics and may be excellent sources of information and
knowledge. We should always make du'aa that Allah will bless us with
righteous friends since they can have such positive effects on us. The
Rasool Allah (Peace-Be-Upon-Him), said: "Keep company with a believer
only, and let your food be eaten only by the righteous." (Abu Dawud,
Tirmithi).No Evils Within your Home:Television
(except possibly for educational programs) and unlawful music are not
allowed in the house; pictures on the wall do not contain animate
beings; there are no statues or anything that resembles statues; dogs
are not present in the house; smoking is not allowed; decorations are
kept simple to avoid excessiveness; the telephone is used for
beneficial purposes and not harmful ones (such as gossiping or
backbiting); when people come to visit, the men and women sit
separately. The effects of these evils on the sanctity of the home
should be obvious. For example, the Rasool Allah (Peace-Be-Upon-Him),
said: "Angels do not enter a house which has either a dog or a picture
in it", (Bukhari).The Physical Aspects of the Home are Conducive to Fulfilling Religious Obligations:It
is best for the home to be close to a Masjid so that it will be easier
for men to attend the prayers in congregation and for all family
members to visit the Masjid for lectures, study groups, and social
gatherings. It is also advisable to find an area where other Muslims
live to obtain the benefits of community. One should definitely be
careful about close neighbors and avoid those who are obviously
immoral. When choosing a house, consideration should be made regarding
the availability of separate sitting areas for men and women. The house
should be spacious and fulfill safety and health requirements.Non-Practicing Muslims are like ASS / Donkey carrying books, (Ref: Al_Quraan_062.005).None argue concerning
the revelations (Ayaat) of Allah but those who disbelieve
..., (Ref: Al_Quraan_040.004).