Is Your Home an Islamic Home?

Is Your Home an Islamic Home?

 

"And Allah has made for you in your homes a place of rest..."[An-Nahl:80]

This may seem like an unusual question and your automatic response may be

"Why, of course my home is an Islamic 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.

 

I Have Chosen a Good Spouse

 

There are several ahadeeth 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.

 

I Help Guide My 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 imaan; paying attention to worship and correcting it

when needed; encouraging the reading of Qur'an, praying at night, giving

charity, and reading books on Islam; 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.

 

Our Home is a Place for Remembrance of Allah

 

Remembrance can be in many forms: with the heart, with the tongue, through

prayer, recitation of Qur'an, memorizing adhkaar and using them, discussing

Islamic issues, or reading Islamic 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 Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, 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).

 

Our Home is a Place of Worship

 

This means that salah 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

Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, 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 masajids.

We Regularly read Surat Al-Baqarah and Ayatul Kursi to Keep Satan Away

The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: "Recite

SuratAl-Baqarah in your houses, for the Satan does not enter a house in

which SuratAl-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 Satan

will not come near you until morning." (Bukhari).

 

Teaching and Learning are Ongoing Activities in Our Home

 

This is primarily the responsibility of the head of die 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 Islam 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.

 

We Have an Islamic Library in Our 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 Qur'an. Books should cover a variety

of topics, be properly organized, and be easily accessible. Audiotapes and

CDs may include Qur'an recitation, lectures, khutbahs, tapes for children

containing supplications, reminders of Islamic 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.

We Try to Have Morals and Manners Like Prophet Muhammad

The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, 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 docs not reward for harshness or for anything else."

(Muslim). There are many examples of the Prophet'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 case the burden for his wives. Following his example

will bring tranquility to the home and help to truly make it an abode of

rest.

 

We Know the Islamic 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 Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasallam,

actually discouraged this. Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet forbade being

alone and said that a man should not stay overnight alone or travel alone

(Ahmad). Not only will he be alone, but his wife and children are likely to

be left alone in the home without any protection or companionship.

We Invite Righteous and Knowledgeable People to Our 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 Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam,

said: "Keep company with a believer only, and let your food be eaten only

by the righteous." (Abu Dawud, Tirmithi).

 

There are No Evils Within Our 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

Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, 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 mosque so that it will be easier

for men to attend the prayers in congregation and for all family members to

visit the mosque 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 fulfil safety and

health requirements.