Surah An-Nisa: (continued)

• Nikkah: the official wedding ceremony, the official social contract that makes the man and woman halal for each other. Should be public, should announced. Not in secrecy.
• Peace at home equals peace in society
• Nikkah allows the fulfillment of desire
• Man takes responsibility of her. And Allah (swt) is the witness.
• Mahr is required to be given
• Man may marry a slave woman to prevent the committing of zinna (adultery) and sins.
• We must not rush into marriage, though. He must have means to provide the mahr for the woman. Must be able to take care of her, financially.
• Marriage is not just for the fulfillment of desires. It is also about compatibility
• While waiting to get married, it is best to be patient. The struggle can be difficult. Allah (swt) is forgiving.
• Iman in a spouse should not be compromised. It should be the priority
• Best thing to happen between two people who love each other is: Nikkah
• When an unrelated man and woman are alone together, the third “person” there with them is shaytan! This is true even if both the man and woman are married to their own respective spouses. It is forbidden for a man to speak to a woman alone without her husband being present, even in her own home.
• Blessings in this world are temporary. World is a quickly passing enjoyment
• Marriage is very important
• The best enjoyment of this world is a pious and virtuous woman.
• It is said that it is better for a man to be hit with an iron hammer on his head, than touching a non-mahram woman (unlawful woman)
• Trials are to purify ourselves
• Avoid majors sins that are forbidden, so that your minor sins can be forgiven.
• Major sins: Magic, shirk (ascribing partners with Allah), killing, interest, disobeying parents, withholding extra water, alcohol, falsely accusing the innocent, etc
• Each person will get what he/she has striven for.
• Men and women have been created differently to compliment each other
• Women are not to compete with men. Each have different roles and responsibilities.
• A woman’s perfection is with her duty and obedience to Allah (swt)
• Men are in charge for maintaining women. Both don’t have equal authority. Man is the leader, the manager. Even if he is not working, even if he is making less money.
• Allah (swt) has decided that man will be in charge in a marriage.
• Men have an ego, a natural desire to feel important. To feel respected, appreciated, looked up to. Allah (swt) has given men an ego. It’s a quality, not a negative. They have been given preference. They are to maintain. Which they do. They are constantly spending on their wife and children.
• Righteous women are obedient, to their men/husbands. They show respect to the their husbands.
• When husband feels responsible, respected and is obeyed he will do more. He will do more to care of his wife and family.
• If he feels rejected, disrespected, abused, disobeyed, then he will move far away from his wife in terms of relationship and responsibilities.
• Wives must be pleasing to their husbands. Must thank their husbands.
• Wives that don’t thank their husbands, Allah will not even look at them.
• Wives must show gratitude to their husbands. Must be grateful, show and be appreciative of him. And overlook little petty things.
• If two people are angry at each other (husband and wife), and the fear that dissension is growing, an arbitrator from his side and from her side should be sent. To help with the dispute
• The one that is disliked by Allah (swt), can also be the one disliked by people.
• Be aware of hidden shirk. Such as increasing Ibadat (worship) for praise from others. To show off.
• In this world, the more you spend here, the more you lose, the value here reduces. But giving even a little in charity in Allah (swt)’s way, Allah’s rewards will multiply for you.
• Allah (swt) does not do injustice, even as much as an atom’s weight.
• Don’t approach prayer in a state of intoxication (from Alcohol, medication, extreme sleep etc)
• Allah (swt) does not forgive Shirk.
• Don’t believe in superstition
• We need Allah (swt)’s help ALL the time. If His is not coming, then maybe we have done something to anger Him?
• Women that for example: pluck eyebrows, cut eyebrow, etc, these women will be cursed. They are far from the mercy of Allah (swt).
• Those who disbelieve in the Ayahs (verses), will end up in Hellfire.
• A description of they punishment in Hellfire. The skin will be roasted, and then replaced to continue burning and roasting, to continue the punishment.
• Obey any way, because it is the best for us.
• Anytime you find obedience to Allah (swt) difficult, any first step you take towards the obedience to Allah (swt), remember that He will guide you to the straight path from there. So just take the first step, He will guide you from there inshaAllah (Allah-willing).
• One good deed will lead to another, and then another, so on and so forth.
• But the same goes for bad deeds and sins. They lead you to more bad deeds and sins, so on and so forth.
• Ayah 77 speaks of fighting in the cause of Allah (swt) and for the oppressed people.
• It is said that the best time to memorize the Quran (for women) is when she is nursing or has a young baby.
• Enjoyment of this world is little. Don’t put things off for the temporary enjoyment of this life. Don’t delay your good deeds.
• Don’t be afraid of injustice. Allah (swt) is very very just. He will reward you for each and every one of your sacrifices, no matter how small they may be.
• Whatever good is from you. Whatever evil comes from you. (sins, mistakes etc) Repent.
• Shaytaan likes us to waste time. He actually loves it. Because that way we have no time for obedience to Allah (swt).
• Don’t be stingy with saying salam or Wa-alaikum-as-salam.
• Killing a believer is worse than the extinction of this whole world. He will never enter Jannah.
• Believers who stay at home are not equal to those who go out and strive and fight for the cause of Allah (swt) with their wealth and lives. Mujahideen are preferred by degrees. Allah prefers these mujahideen over the one who stays at home. Meaning we must try to make the effort. This doesn’t necessarily mean only war, but fighting and standing up for the cause of the Deen.
• Anytime someone leaves something for Allah (swt), Allah (swt) will provide, and reward this person with something better.
• Shorten the prayers when traveling.
• Even in prayer, you are allowed to hold your weapons in necessary for your safety. (I believe this pertained more to those who were in the middle of war or battle, and then stopped to pray salah)
• The best deed: to pray at the prescribed time.
• Important to know the types of shirk
• Shaytan has said he will command people to change the creation of Allah (swt).
• We must constantly repent for our sins, the ones we know about and the ones we don’t even know about or remember
• If a woman fears husband will leave her, it is better to make a settlement compromise. Make a peaceful agreement or divorce.
• What are the things we do to impress or get the honor of the people, instead of Allah (swt)? Something to think really about.
• Either defend, or leave a conversation in which the Quran or Allah (swt)’s deen in being defamed, insulted etc. Don’t sit with people until a new conversation has started.
• The purpose of salah (prayer) is to remember Allah (swt). It’s a test of Iman. The better your salah, the better your Iman. Learn and pray/perform salah properly. Very important.
• Whoever leaves Jummah prayer on Fridays three times he will be written as of the hypocrites.
• Allah has no benefits or desire to punish you. It’s because of our sins and mistakes that we will be punished.
• Hypocrisy will take us to the lowest depth of Hellfire.
• Secret talk, gossip, backbiting, envy, all of these are forbidden. Stay away from them.
• Success is achieved by doing righteous deeds, not by wishful thinking. Take the steps to please Allah (swt) and watch your life get better. inshaAllah.