Benefits of Raisins

The best type of Zabib (raisins) is the largest in size, the fattest and that has thin skin and small seeds, especially when the seeds are removed before eating them. Raisins are hot and wet in the first degree, while their seeds are cold and dry.

Raisins are similar to the type of grape they are made of , as sweet raisins are hot, sour raisins are cold and constipating and white raisins are more effective constipating agents. Raisins pulp is suitable for the windpipe and relieves coughing and liver and prostate pain. It also strengthens the stomach and soothes the intestinal cavity.

Sweet raisin pulps are more nutritious than grapes, but less nutritiousthan dried figs. Also, sweet raisin pulps posses maturing qualities and mildly constipate. In general, raisins strengthen the stomach, the spleen and liver and benefit the throat, chest, lung, liver and prostate.

The best wa to have raisins is to eat them without the seeds. Raisins provide good nutrition and do not cause clogs like dates do. Eating raisins with their seeds will increase the nutritious intake and will benefit the stomach, liver and spleen. When one is suffering from loose nails and laces raisin pulps on them, they will remove the nail quickly. Sweet, seedless raisins benefit those who suffer from excessive wetness and phlegm and help the liver.

Raisins also help memory power, as, Az-Zuhri said, “those who seek to memorize the Hadith should eat raisins.” Also, it was reported that Abdullah ibn Abbas described the raisins that, ‘Their seeds are an aliment while their pulp is a cure.”

Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet pgs. 277-278

Quran Memorization Tool

Link: http://www.houseofquran.com

QuranTracker

QuranTracker is designed to help you make better progress in memorising the Quran. Using simple colour-coded surah charts and a traffic light colour coding (red, yellow, green) you can mark and display the ayahs you are memorising, have learnt and need to revise.

http://www.qurantracker.com/ 

Advice to the Beginning Students of Knowledge

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem

Wal - Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen was-Salaatu was-Salaamu `Alaa Rasoolillaah, Wa 'ala Alihe wa As-habihe, ajma'een.

Wa Ba'ad:

As Saalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu,

Question: I would like you to give some advice to the beginning students of knowledge


Answer: My advice to the beginning students of knowledge is to seek studentship under those scholars whose creed, knowledge and sincerity are trustworthy. I advise them to start by memorizing and studying the abridged versions of the books of knowledge whilst taking their explanations from the scholars, step by step, particularly following the school cirriculums, which teach the student of knowledge gradual stages, have much good in them. If this student is not registered with one of these organized schools, he should stick to attending the gatherings of the scholars in the masjid, regardless of whether they are classes on Jurisprudence, Grammer, Creed and so on. As for what some of the youth do today, such as begin with the larger works of knowledge or buys several books and sit at home reading and researching them, this does not work. This is not studying, it is just delusion. This is what causes some people to falsely claim knowledge or give rulings on issues without knowledge or speak about Allah without knowledge, since in reality, they are not established upon a firm foundation. So one muust sit in front of the scholars in the gatherings of knowledge, and be patient and diligent, for as Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee (rahimahullah) said:
"Whoever does not taste the degradation of studying for one hour, will swollow (from) the cup of ignorance for the reminder of this life."
Note:

I say: This was at the time of Ibn Rajab may Allah have mercy on him, so what if he were to observe the fake scholars of our time who fill tapes and books with their speech to the point that people become deceived by them due to the great amount of tapes they produce every week and a great amount of books they publish every month. So they think that they are scholars! Ibn Rajab went on to say: "So it is an obligation to believe that not everyone excels in his display of speech and words on knowledge is more knowledgeable than one who is not like this." (Fadlu-'Ilm-is-Salaf 'alaa 'Ilm-il-Khalaf (pg 38-40)

From the factors that should be used to distinguish who it is proper to apply the term "scholar" to in these times, is seniority in age, and that taking knowledge from the seniors (i.e the scholars) is a condition for the acquirement of knowledge. This is especially so in these times sice the senior Scholar most likely possesses more knowledge, has more complete intellect, and is farther removed from the overwhelmingless of desires. Ibn Mas'ood Radiyallahu anhu said about this: "The people will not cease to be upon good so long as they take knowledge from their elders, trustworthy ones, the scholars. But if the take knowledge from their youth and evil ones, they will become ruined."


Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee reported in his book Mukhtasar Naseehatu Ahlil-Hadeeth that Ibn Qutaibah may Allah have mercy on him, was once asked about the meaning of this narration, so he replied: "He means, that the people will not cease to be upon good as long as their scholars are elders, and not youths. Then he gave the reason for this interpretation, saying: "This is since an elder has the playfulness, excitability, hastiness, and foolhardiness of youth come to an end in him. He has developed experience and possesses practical knowledge in him. So no misconception (or doubt) can enter into his knowledge, nor is he overtaken by desires, nor do ambitions divert him. The devil does not cause him to slip up as is the case with the youth. With elder age comes elevation, respect, and awe (on the part of the people) All of these things that an elder is safe from can easily enter a youth. So if these attributes are found in him (i.e a youth) and he issues verdicts (faywas), he becomes ruined and ruin others." (Mukhtasar Naseehatu Ahlil-Hadeeth of Al Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee pg 93) Ibn 'Abdil-Barr included a chapter in his book Jaami' Bayaan-ul 'Ilm wa Fadlihi under the heading "Who has the right to be called a Faqeeh Scholar, in reality and not figuratively?" And who is allowed to issue a fatwa (religious verdicts) according to the Scholars? The student of knowledge and seeker of truth refer to this, for it is important, and Allahu ta'alaa wa'ilm.

Taken from the book Beneficial Questions & Answers on Innovated Methodologies by Sheikh Saalih Ibn Fawzan Al-Fawzaan pg 117-119

METHODOLOGY OF MEMORIZING QUR’AN!

METHODOLOGY OF MEMORIZING QUR’AN!

1. Niyah for Allaah: This is making a sincere intention of memorizing the Qur’an to only gain the pleasure of Allaah ‘Azza wa Jall. If this is not your intention, then your whole plan of memorizing fails and there will be no barakah in your memorizing.

2. Start practicing Islam to the best of your ability: It is important to keep an Islamic habit and trying to abstain from sinning. Be in the company of good people who will encourage you to do good practices rather than those who take you away from the path of Allaah ‘Azza wa Jall.

Imaam Shafi’ee once complained to his teacher about poor memory, and this was obviously a great concern for the great Imaam of one of the four school of thoughts. Unlike us, we usually complain about the Toronto Raptors or Toronto Maple Leafs losing (I am a Torontonian, so I am using them as an example). The teacher of Imaam Shafi’ee advised him to abstain from sin. So this is indeed a great advice for us to follow as well, since abstaining from sin will eventually make us focus more on the ‘ibaadah (worship) rather than the dunyaa (worldly matters).

3. Learning tajweed from someone who has Ijaaza: This is to learn from a teacher who knows how to pronounce the words and vowels correctly in order to recite the Qur’an in its correct manners.

4. Make a habit to memorize every day: Do bit by bit every day, even if it is little as memorize 5 small ayahs from the Qur’an. Do your best to make this a consistent effort, so that you will not fall back on your goals. If you memorize even a small amount day by day, you will be one step closer to the end of bridge insha’allah.

5. Memorize at the early stage of the day: I know this is difficult for a lot of us, especially for me. I must admit, I love snuggling with my nice comfy pillow, however for those who are really determined in memorizing the Book of Allaah, it is best to memorize right after Fajr/ early in the morning when the mind is fresh and when the beautiful Sun is bright.

6. Recite to somebody on consistent basis: Have a friend, family member or a teacher who you can recite to consistently. This is an amazing tip when it comes to reviewing, because you will have someone catch the small mistakes you wont notice while you are reciting the surah from memory.

7. Compete!!: It is best to have a buddy that you can compete with. At times you may feel unmotivated. This is true for a lot of students and due to this reason you may see people actually quitting on their goal. Thats why a little competition wont hurt. Try finding a friend who you know wants to memorize the Qur’an and knows nearly the same amount as you. Both of you can race towards attaining good deeds and keep each other motivated by sharing how much each of you have memorized at the end of the day and how much you reviewed. And Allah says: So hasten towards all that is good. ( 2:148 )

8. Divide relationship of Qur’an into four categories:

1.       New memorization: No matter what, memorize after Fajr, bright and early since this is the best time to do it.

2.      Linking last 7 days memorization: What this means is, that everything you learned in the last seven days, revise it completely. This is essential since it is easy to forget your past lessons if you don’t consistently review, and this is believed to be a good methodology for memorizing the Qur’an and keeping up to date with your revision.

3.      GO OVER OLD STUFF: I capitalize this, because this is an important advice to myself. Sometimes you will get lazy to review stuff that you learned so long ago. It is easy to forget your old stuff, and this is really the hardest part when it comes to memorizing the Qur’an. Ask yourself, what is the point of memorizing, when you will forget what you learned in the past. Therefore, try to revise your old juz, or ayaat you memorized from before on a consistent basis during any time of the day, and if you can, do your best to keep it to a minimum of 1/4 – 1/2 Juz insha’allah.

4.      Read what you will memorizing the next day before you go to sleep: I am currently a hifdh student, and this something I added. Personally, I find it easier to memorize when you read what you are going to be memorizing the next day, the night before. I just think it helps because you will have some words and phrases stuck in your mind which helps you to learn the lesson faster.

9. Brain Food and Health: “A daily run, a diet rich in almonds and other healthful foods and a stimulating environment — all may keep aging brain cells in shape, according to research out Monday.” (Kathleen Fackelmann, USA TODAY) To increase your memorization capacity, I guess its advisable to eat some almonds and be a little more active (Shoot, I actually have to get off the couch to memorize!!).