Secrets; I Tried To Keep Us Together, You Were Busy Keeping Secrets

A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman - II

Conducting a study circle within the home:

The evening is a nice time to gather the family members for the study of the Quran, Ahadeeth, Seerah (Biography of the Prophet) and other areas of Islamic knowledge.

This is something that can be made a regular part of the daily or weekly schedule.

Although parents will be primarily responsible for the topics and discussions, older children may be given assignments to prepare for the group. Encouraging them to actively participate will enhance their excitement and interest in learning. Creative and engaging methods may be used to maintain the attention of younger children, although they should not be forced to sit for long periods of time. Regarding the importance of teaching, the Prophet said: "Each of you is a guardian, and each of you will be asked about your guardianship. The leader (Muslim ruler) is a guardian, and the man is a guardian over the people of his house, and the woman is a guardian over her husband's house and children. So each of you is a guardian, and each of you will be asked about your guardianship." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Holding a family discussion:

The evening is also an ideal time for family discussions since most family members are likely to be present. The family may discuss happenings or special events of the day, issues that need to be considered together, or other matters of importance such as rules or schedules. Doing this on a regular basis will instill responsibility and respect in children and make them feel that they are a vital part of the family unit. As children mature and reach the age of responsibility, it becomes necessary to include them in discussions and decision-making, particularly in matters that pertain to them. This is actually a time for them to learn how a family should function and the most effective ways to plan and make decisions, since they will eventually begin a family of their own. Obviously, the parents should provide acceptable role models that the children will want to emulate.

„X Du'aa' after a meeting or gathering: "Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. I witness that none is worthy of worship but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I turn to you in repentance." [At-Tirmithi]

Securing the house:

Keep children in after the darkness begins and be sure to secure the house. The Prophet said: "When the darkness of the night or evening (comes), then keep in your children, for satan is then out. And when an hour of the night has gone, then let them go and close the doors, and invoke the name of Allah, for satan does not open a closed door, and tie up your water-skins and invoke the name of Allah, and cover your vessels and invoke the name of Allah, even when you put something on them, and put out your lights."

Reviewing the day for acts of charity:

There should be at least one act of charity in each person's day and this can come in many forms. Allah's Messenger said:"Charity is due upon every limb of a human being on each day that the sun rises. To act justly between two (people) is charity. To help a man with his riding beast, or to load his provisions on it or lift them up for him is charity. A good word is charity. Every step going to prayer is a charity. Removing from the road what causes harm is charity." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Performing 'Ishaa' Prayer

(4 Rak'ah Fard and 2 Rak'ah Sunnah)

Allaah's Messenger said: "No Prayer is more burdensome to the hypocrites than the Fajr prayer and the 'Ishaa' prayer, but if they knew what blessings lie in them, they would certainly come for them, even if they had to crawl." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] It is best to perform the 'Ishaa' prayer before one-half of the night is over.

Performing Witr Prayer
(an odd number of Rak'ah)

The Prophet said: "Allaah is single, He loves what is single, therefore, do the Witr, O you people of the Quran." [At-Tirmithi and Abu Daawood] He also said: "He who fears that he will not get up in the later part of the night should do the Witr in the first part of it. And he who eagerly wishes to get up in the later part of it should perform the Witr then, for the prayer in the later part of the night is witnessed and that is more excellent." [Muslim] It is recommended to include the supplication of Qunoot (the standing-in-Prayer supplication) in the Witr Prayer . The Prophet used to recite the Qunoot Du'aa' after raising his head from the position of bowing, saying: "O Allah, guide us among those whom You have guided and preserve us from all ill among those whom You have preserved. Take us for friends among those whom You have taken and bless for us that which You have given. Protect us from the evil of that which You have ordained, for it is You who ordains and none can ordain upon You. Indeed, never is he abased whom You have taken for a friend, and none is honored whom You have taken for a foe. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted. There is no escape from You except in You. And may Allah bless Prophet Muhammad." [An-Nasaa'ee]

„X Du'aa' before sleeping: The Prophet said: "When one of you goes to bed, he should dust it with the edge of his gown three times and then say: '0 Allah, in Your name I die and I live. In Your name, my Lord, I place my side (upon this bed), and through You I raise it. If you retain my soul, have mercy upon it; if You release it, then protect it as You protect Your righteous servants." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] It is also beneficial to read some chapters or verses from the Quran before sleeping. 'Aa'ishah said: "Every night when the Prophet would go to bed, he would cup his hands together and blow into them after reciting Surah Al-Ikhlaas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Naas. He would then rub his hands over whatever he was able from his body, beginning with his head, face and the front of his body. He used to do that three times." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The verse of Al-Kursiyy [2:225] is also a special verse. The Prophet said: "When you go to your bed, recite the verse of Al-Kursiyy, 'Allaah! 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 Satan will not come near you until morning." [Al-Bukhari] It is also preferred to perform ablution before sleeping and to lie on the right side.