MuslimMatters - Latest Comments

Re: To All Those who Write on the Internet, A Reminder | Shaykh Saleh Al-Meghamsi

siraaj — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:29:55 -0000

Great reminder, jzk

Re: A Wake-Up Call For Muslim Parents

Ziya — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:47:09 -0000

JazakAllah Khair Dear Sister...
May Allah accept your efforts and increase your knowledge.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Hashir Zuberi — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:32:40 -0000

My impression is this isn't a "true" incident per se, rather a "parable" to illustrate a point that does occur in reality. I'm sure if this actually happened anywhere, there would be some musallees pleading for calm and restoring everyone's peace.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Hashir Zuberi — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:25:03 -0000

I'm not sure how brother Nehal is expressing any level of ignorance or arrogance. He has a valid point of view; you have the right to disagree. Just like it is not proper to rebuke the parent for the crying baby (the point of the article), it would not seem proper to accuse a poster of being arrogant and ignorant just because they don't hold your point of view.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

TPopoola — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:37:42 -0000

Assalaamu alaikum, yes I agree with the children-friendly masajid idea. This should be by DEFAULT subhanallah especially in the West where we are trying to keep our children firmly upon the deen and APPRECIATE IT. Instead we are running both parent and child away.
Another thing is the issue someone else brought up about having wedding invites that state "No Children allowed". I can go on and on about this particular issue because I live in the Middle East and have lived in Qatar for 5 years. When the sisters had get togethers one of the first things (after bring a dish) was No Children allowed!! Subhanallah, anyone that has lived in the ME knows that this a very DIFFICULT thing to be asking of any mother!!! It can be isolating enough in the ME but to be barred from going to a gathering because you have children really HURTS. And it is most of the time the lectures!!! The thing we need most!! The children need socialization skills with other Muslim Children, not to be locked away until we adults feel it is "time" for them to entire normal society! Who in the world set the standard as to when it is "TIME" for children to entire society!! Children will be children and we need to show them that they are just as much an important part of the Muslim Ummah as the adults. Yes some adults are irresponsible and allow their children to run amok but you can't AND SHOULD NOT bar all parents with children from local events, masajid, etc. Subhanallah those of us who reverted to Islam and were active members in the church would DEFINITELY feel what I am talking about. I grew up in a church that used to throw the youth to the side and tsk tsk at them when they went astray and got into trouble. I get SICKENED when i see stuff like this in the Muslim ummah and this is how it starts.....ignoring our young Muslims. We are better than that, by Allah!

Re: Babies in the Masjid

naadia — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:03:51 -0000

a few nights ago on islamiQA (islam channel) the sheikh answered a related question...people should read stories of the prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasalaam regarding children in the masjid. the sheikh spoke of hasan alayhi salam and husain alayhi salaam as small children and how they would climb all over him (peace be upon him) while he was leading the salaah. some food for thought for those who become annoyed with babies in our masaajid. wasalaam

Re: Babies in the Masjid

yasmin — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:39:08 -0000

May we all be forgiven for our ignorance and arrogance. lol

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Guest — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:05:56 -0000

Babies are fine (seriously, don't hate on babies!) but I think the bigger problem is poorly disciplined young children who run around and scream. A child who can't help themselves isn't a problem and should be treated and viewed with Rahma by the entire community. But a hyperactive 4-year-old shouldn't be allowed to wreak havoc. Wa Allahu Alam.

Re: Book Review: The Character Assassination of Malcolm X

Yaqub — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:40:45 -0000

I don't know if the book's author's claims are true...but hypothetically if they are true...why should the author be lambasted for the truth?

If however the "reinvention" is carried out via lies about Malcolm X...then that is a whole different story.

As for someone asking what moral flaws Martin Luther King Jr. had...well it's well documented that he had various extra-marital trysts with women.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Aly Balagamwala | DiscoMaulvi — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:35:12 -0000

As the plane leveled off at a comfortable altitude for what was to be
a 14-hour flight, I reclined by seat back and tried to get comfortable
and get some sleep. The long flight would give me time to sleep and
catch up on my reading. Then the wail of a baby shattered my plans ...

I was feeling really hungry. The waiter placed a scrumptious steak in
front of me and I picked up my fork and knife to enjoy a nice quiet and
gastronomically-satiating meal. Suddenly the calm of the restaurant was
plunged into chaos as two 4 year olds started running around and
screaming at the top of their voice.

I had enough. I wrote to the airlines. I wrote letters to the Federal
Aviation Authority (FAA), President Obama, to the International Air
Transport Association (IATA): THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I WANT YOU TO BAN
ALL BABIES FROM FUTURE FLIGHTS.

I was seething. I demanded to speak to the manager. Told him he must
immediately do something. I wrote to the headquarters of the restaurant
chain. I demanded to the National Restaurant Association: THIS IS
UNACCEPTABLE. I WANT YOU TO BAN ALL CHILDREN FROM ALL RESTAURANTS.

Babies cry all the time on planes. Kids are boisterous in restaurants. They're part of life. Deal with it. NUFF SAID.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Fatihah muhamed — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:42:05 -0000

assalamualaikum,

this story is like an alien story to me. i dont have children yet but i saw plenty of times when young mother attending taraweeh at our masjid with their young babies.

i think there is two factors that can help both parties in this kind of situation.

first factor is from the parents side, which is they need to train their children how to pray and the purpose going to the masjid. i notice most of the babies will join their mom's doing sajadah.even as young as 1 or 2 years old. this is can be achieved by the parents doing the solah with their children around. it might be hard at the beginning but when it become familiar it'll be very good insyaallah. i saw how a mother before she start solah tell her baby that mama going to pray and put her baby at ease at her side playing with toys.once they are old enough to run they will joining their mom or dad in solah insyaallah. for the mom and dad with children to stand at the last side of the line and back line.so if there is a need arise it'll reduce the damage impact..lols!

second factor is must come from the other sisters or brothers, which is by tolerancing the sister's or brother's children presence with this in mind "these children will be the next generation to attend this masjid". the children can sense if they were loved or not right? if we adult can feel awkward by being stared at with "lion or tiger look" what would those innocent babies will feel when their presence is loathed and stared with angry look.another way is by letting this sister took the last stand at the left or right of the line.

Re: Masjid Parking Syndrome

Faezbach — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:05:48 -0000

lulz..

Re: Beauty Tips from Imam Ibn Taymiyyah

SabrunJameel — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:15:46 -0000

Beautiful, Jazakallahu khair!

Re: Babies in the Masjid

waleed — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:31:32 -0000

I once went to a masjid in Illinois that had a sign 'Children Under 7 not allowed' - Ouch :s

Re: Era of Revival – The Change Starts With You!

Abdur Rahman Ridwan — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:25:10 -0000

Salam 'Alaikum Warahmatullah. A very good and informative article indeed. Jazakumullah Khairan. May Allah make it easy for us to implement your tips. I do not intend to create a discussion here, but please clarify briefly for me what you meant by "Always supplicate to Allāh, especially after the obligatory prayers"

Just clarify briefly because i have read many times that it is wrong and an act of innovation to do so. Once again Jazakumullah Khairan for the article.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

UmmZ — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:13:44 -0000

I believe that having a kid-friendly zone is a good idea but not ideal for every case. It varies according to the age of child. I was new to a community and went for jummah prayer in a masjid which had a separate room for children. My infant made a few sounds and a woman requested(while the khutaba was going on) that I go to that kid room. In it were 10-15 children all toddlers or above screaming, running around that I did not get a word of the khutbah. After that, I never returned to that masjid and this left me with a bad first impression of the community. I felt very uncomfortable that some people were not even a little tolerant. I agree that children that are making alot of noise should be controlled as the masjid is a place of prayer and not a playground but caution should be taken as not every case is the same.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Liz — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:37:36 -0000

Asalam alaikum.
well this story is unusual, I mean no women in our mosque seem to mind a baby crying during prayer. On the other hand during khutbah is something else.

we have a regular mother of two very active children who attends Jumuah every week. The children run and shout during Khutbah and the mum sits smiling. I take my 77 year old mother who just reverted to learn from the khutbah, as we all want to do , but its so difficult to concentrate with children laughing and playing and running and then mum gets out the crisps packets!! we cant hear nor concentrate and leave the mosque quite upset,

There are two empty rooms with speakers in where the mum could take her children and still try to listen through their noise, but she dosnt. I am sorry I have had 5 children and they need to be taught how to behave in a mosque at khutbah s or lectures etc.

Just last week s soon as the khutbah was to begin her kids started and someone gave her a look and tried to turn u the volume of the speakers and she was angry saying come on lets go people dont understand these are children! Yes we do !
most of us have them but children only know what they are or arnt taught! Its not their fault and the mosque isnt a playground..

Where is the courtesy and respect of other sisters wanting to listen? I myself have asked the sister nicely if she could attend to her children so that others may listen to the khutbah, most say nothing, You may think they are being understnding and merciful but actually they are realy fed up and angry.

I think if she keeps attending (even though she cant hear) then its a shame but i will stop going along with my mother, who does want to and tries so hard want to listen !

I had 5 children. I went to mosque with my babies when they were satisfied with milk etc and if they were crying I wold leave the room with them , When they were crawling , toddlers and dont taake heed to instructions i didnt attend mosque. When my children were old enought to listen to instructions such as please sit quiet then i started attending again.

Babies dont need to be in the mosque they dont realise nor remember .

Yes we want for our brothers (or sisters) what we want for ourselves. and that is to attend Jumuah to gain knowledge from the khutbah. But when children attend who are too young to be quiet then neither the parent nor the sisters nor the mother of the cildren can hear anything nor get any benefit from the khutbah,

From as you may guess, one very frustrated sister,

Re: Yahya Ibrahim | The Sunnah of Love

Humz — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:44:22 -0000

Wonderful Masha Allah!!

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Raja — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:38:31 -0000

Assalaam waleikum waragmatoelah hibrakatoe,

May Allah soebhaan wataa'Aalah forgive you for your ignorance and arrogance and may he guide us All ameen.

Before speaking, Follow the deen and sunnah first, then teach others. Thank you.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

um abduLLAH — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:24:57 -0000

this is a very widespread issue. IMHO this article has addressed the issue very well. It should be kept in mind that the women who are housewives especially, have stayed and worked in the home and may have been around the kids all the day, and may be stressed to the breaking point. She needs to be around other people and have conversations outside of ba ba or dada or nuni or bobo. Hearing the Imam read Quran during the prayer helps to relieve the stress and tension. Then being around other sisters helps to satisfy her social needs as well. It also helps the little ones newly growing social activeness as well. I guess the old saying goes, patience is a virtue.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

none — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:19:20 -0000

Allah chooses from amongst His slaves to test others. Kids need to be at the masjid doing things that kids do. Allah will help those who need to connect their hearts to His message. And the kids will be a deterrent to the hypocrites who wouldn't be rectified regardless of who is at the masjid. The masjid needs to be a welcoming environment for brothers and sisters, young and old. If it can be the center of the community, that community might be in better shape. Allahu alim

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Arshad Ahmed — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:10:41 -0000

yeah that is a little annoying at first, but I think twice before I approach any child because childhood memories are very strong and one can easily become the reason why a child stopped liking the Masjid. Its better to just smile and tell them softly to calm down.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Arshad Ahmed — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:09:05 -0000

It doesn't imply you are not allowed to bring them to Masjid before 7.

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Arshad Ahmed — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:06:31 -0000

I think its right about not forming negative opinions on people. But no space for children? If my child is not allowed, why am I going :)

Re: Babies in the Masjid

Arshad Ahmed — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:02:05 -0000

Very well said. I should not have even bothered commenting have I seen yours.