Yasmeena

Salam, Sorry for the late reply. Yes, I saw a few of their translated books at an islamic book festival. I'd flipped through them but I don't remember if they were any good. They have these listed on the site: http://www.baa-center.org/baacenter/BooksDetails.aspx?BookID=211 The Man Behind the Leader http://www.baa-center.org/baacenter/BooksDetails.aspx?BookID=212 Living With No Sins http://www.baa-center.org/baacenter/BooksDetails.aspx?BookID=213 The Return of the Soul http://www.baa-center.org/baacenter/BooksDetails.aspx?BookID=214 Islam in the Holy Quran @Ibn Al-Shahid I've recently asked and been told about lectures that الشيخ شفيق جرادي (from معهد المعارف الحكمية) used to give at Masjid Al-Mujtaba in beirut. Not specifically irfani just spiritual. You'll have to look more into it if you're interested. Their contact info is here: http://shurouk.org/

Salam, Theres Sayyed Abbas Noureddine over at مركز باء للدراسات. He's very well known. They used to do a course called سفر الى الملكوت that Im pretty sure tackles irfani and spiritual topics but Im not sure if they do it for the brothers as well. Theres a sample of the courses book here http://www.baa-center.org/baacenter/BooksDetails.aspx?BookID=81 .They also have publications like لطائف عرفانية. I suggest you contact them and inquire about their lectures and courses they might even be able to suggest other places you can go. (Website: http://www.baa-center.org/baacenter/Main.aspx ) As for hawzas you can check out: http://www.miu-lb.org/

Hezbollah Strikes Israeli Military Patrol near Southern Border Source: Al-Manar

Salam Brother, Advice greatly depends on where you'll live and who you will be living with. As for transportation: As sister Layla has mentioned the transportation is pretty cheap. If you'll be living in dahiyeh van #4 might become your best friend, it goes as far as Hamra. Other vans go to Khaldeh, Aramoun etc for the same price. If you dont have someone to pick you up at the airport, be prepared to get ripped off. Maybe try calling a taxi service beforehand (eg: allotaxi.com.lb). As for walking, I've had no problems walking alone, usually during the day but also a few times during the night out of necessity. Dont let this fool you though, in many areas the street is in no shape for walking. Many times there will not be a proper side walk so youre basically walking on the street, there might be garbage and dirt (so forget about walking during winter without ruining your shoes), some areas might not be well lit for night walking. Again, this will depend on the area you'll be in, the closer you are to beirut central district and the fancier the area, the better your walking experience will be. Avoid getting into taxis that dont have a red license plate. I would not recommend bicycles especially if youre in beirut alone and something were to happen to you because of the crazy driving (لا سمح الله). Visiting your relatives in the south should not be a problem. They can send you the number of the village van or taxi driver (costs around 12,000 plus or minus). Food: Food also shouldnt be a problem if you live in an area with many shias. If youre buying or eating in places aside from what is known to be "souq al muslimeen" I would advise you to take precaution. Not everything that has "halal" stamped on it is actually halal, especially in a lot of foreign fast food chains (check with your marjaas fatwas for this one). I dont advise you to venture out into unknown or new places/areas especially if youre by yourself. Getting recommendations from those around you is a better option when it comes to most things. There might be unspoken rules when it comes to certain things that you'll have no way of knowing otherwise. Also, they might be able to help you with where you can buy things for a lot cheaper. While this is true for many places, a lot of stores (in dahyeh from what I know) do not require ID for phone lines and can sell it as cheap as about 20$ or even less. There is a big chance that cheap lines have been used before so you'll get a few callers or Whatsapp messages from strangers for the first week but otherwise, from my experience, it wont be an issue. If you have additional or more specific questions feel free to ask. Im sure the other member and myself will be happy to answer. Bitawfeeq Inshallah

Salam, Just to add to what other members have posted about sayyida maryam (as): - (And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, "My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people. And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of 'Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.) [Quran 66:11-12] Narrations I've come across: - “Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Maryam, the daughter of Imraan, and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh." (I believe there are other versions of this naration?) - “The best of the women of the world are: “Maryam Bint ‘Imraan, Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid, Faatimah Bint Muhammad, and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh.”

Salam, From what I understood from your post, the girl had done nikah before doing what you mentioned? In that case I dont see what the big problem is. I would imagine that many of the girls you'll get to know for marriage later on would have had at least an encounter or two before you. Another thing, in all due respect brother I dont think you have the right to inquire about the privacy of her former marriage and I dont understand her motivation for sharing these private details with you. Whatever happened between her and her former fiance should remain between them be it a kiss or whatever. Just because an engagement was cancelled does not give us the right to exploit it. If this is the only thing stopping you from taking the next step with this girl then inshallah your problem is not very hard. Just pray to Allah to guide you and help you make the right choice. Your mother will come around ,god willing, , but try not to tarnish this girls image in front of her any further by sharing her flaws or private details (like telling her about the three dates etc...!).

Alcatraz: No Way Out (2014) History (National Geographic Documentary) https://youtu.be/geOhZgqzPQ4 Very interesting. A good portion is on escape attempts.

100% agree. Brother Ali, If you continue to worry about your classmates' opinions things will only become harder for you. In a few years time, if not already, many of your friends will be engrossed in a very much haram lifestyle. And as a practicing muslim it will be increasingly harder for you to fit it with them. As cliché as it sounds, if your friends do not accept you as you are they’re not worth your time. In year or two you will stop hearing from most of them and each of you will go your separate ways. So don’t compromise your religion for anyone. If these trips take you out of your "islamic comfort zone” and you don’t really want to go I see no need in going.

http://www.al-islam.org/articles/what-you-should-do-just-before-death-sayyid-muhammad-rizvi#method-performing-ghusl-e-mayyit

Everything I Never Told You (6.75/10) Things I Liked About It: -I could relate to a few of the characters. -I enjoyed the book being centered around family life which isn't something common in young adult lit nowadays. -The themes were ones that interested me (interracial marriage, parental influence etc) and they were dealt with in an interesting way. -I liked the writing style and the unsettling atmosphere of the book. Things I Didn't Like: -I found a few events unrealistic. While it is true that a lot of our decisions and personality traits are based on our parents and childhood/upbringing, I found this idea to be exaggerated throughout the book. -I was very bothered by some of the things a few of the characters. It was disturbing at certain points. Unislamic Content: -The description is not very detailed if I remember correctly but there were a few inappropriate scenes. -I don't remember swearing being a big part of the book. - Homosexuality comes up at a certain point in the book. Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops (7/10) Things I Liked About It: -Its funny. -Its short. Things I Didn't Like: -If I must complain about anything its that the absurdity of some of the costumers made me skeptical about the credibility of the book. Unislamic Content: -None if I remember correctly. A Few Quotes: “CUSTOMER (peering over): Do you have brown eyes?BOOKSELLER: Yes, I do.CUSTOMER: My mother told me never to trust anyone with brown eyes.BOOKSELLER: . . . You have brown eyes.CUSTOMER: . . .” “CUSTOMER: Have you read every single book in here?BOOKSELLER: No, I can’t say I have.CUSTOMER: Well you’re not very good at your job, are you?” Currently Reading: The Places in Between In my attempt to read more meaningful books I picked this one up. Its my first time reading a travel journal style book. I'm halfway into it and am enjoying it so far especially the descriptions and the voice of the author.

Books I Read: The Book Thief (6.75/10) Things I Liked About It: - That it is narrated by death. -The setting (Nazi Germany) which I've read little about. -Many of the characters (especially Rudy Steiner). -The organization of the chapters and the little notes added by death which made the book a quick read for me. Things I Didn't Like: -The book thievery (I didn't think it was as significant and deep as the author was making it out to be). -Though I liked the idea of reading from deaths POV I did not like his outlook on life the way it was portrayed in the book. At times he seemed to show a resentment towards God which amongst other things is very unlike our islamic view of death and Azrael. Unislamic Content: its safe to read except for: -A few recurring german swear words -A kiss (i think?)

Where is the Friend's House? (9/10) (Farsi with English Sub) "An 8 year old boy must return his friend's notebook he took by mistake, lest his friend be punished by expulsion from school." Its been a long time since I've watched a movie that I liked and didn't have a lot to complain about. A very simple plot with acting that is very natural and genuine very unlike some of the blockbuster movies I've been seeing lately. I also really enjoyed watching the character of Ahmed. I highly recommend it.

One of my favorite salad dressings: --olive oil + lemon + salt -- with any or all of the following: - pomegranate molasses دبس الرمان (which is a concentrated pomegranate juice) - sumac - dried and crushed mint leaves نعنع يابس the pomegranate gives it a sweet tinge and in contrast to the sourness of the lemon juice >>> tastebud euphoria

Salam, This reminds me of something my mother continually says: "You don't marry a man, you marry a family."

(Salam) According to Sayed Khamenai babys urine is considered najis regardless except in one case: ((" Baby's urine is najis and the only exception is with respect to the clothes of the lady who takes care of the baby (that she may pray while having them on). ")) Regarding the mattress, it is sufficient to pour water once on the najasa without the need to squeeze it out only in the case of a breastfed baby (newborn). If the baby is not a "radi3" (newborn/breastfed) you should pour water until the najasa is removed and pour water once after that. As an obligatory precaution, you should squeeze and rub to the best of your ability if possible. This is all according to Sayed Khamenai. ws