As they go through their day, your children experience many moments of exhilaration and frustration. Often the quality of your day can feel tied to your children’s own roller coaster of emotions. One way that you can keep yourself on an even keel is to learn how to weather their ups and downs. Listening to your children is a chief skill you can use. You can hear their disappointment when they do not make the team; you can accept their frustration when their plans do not work out; and you can acknowledge their dissatisfaction when they complain that their friends follow a different set of rules.

It can feel like a relief to parents to learn that they do not need to “fix” everything for their children. Just listening can help your children. By showing that their thoughts are important, you are showing that they are worthy of your attention. By hearing their distress, you are demonstrating that their view of the world has merit. By allowing them time to decide their course of action, you are indicating your trust in their ability to solve problems.

How do you really listen?
Listening involves paying full attention to what your children have to say. It means turning off the running dialog that goes on in your head – the one where you are so busy thinking about all the things you need to do or should be doing or you are so busy thinking of the perfect response to your children that you miss half of what they are saying to you. If you are too busy at the moment to listen, then you can set an appointment with your child to talk at a later time. For example, “I need to make a few phone calls before 5:00, but after I am finished, I am all yours.” It is important that you keep to your time schedule and don’t get involved in another activity. You want to communicate to your child that he is important and that you care about his thoughts, feelings and struggles. Continue reading →

Earth Hour is a brilliant way for the world to come together to do something about helping the environment and raising awareness of environmental issues. WWF (who came up with the idea of earth hour) say, “It’s about appreciating the brilliant world we all share – and how we need to protect it. Not just for an hour a year, but every day. Because a healthy planet isn’t just good for polar bears or tropical tree frogs. It’s essential for us all.”

So join 1.8 billion people in 135 countries around the world and switch off your lights for Earth Hour on 31st March 2012!

In the name of Allah. All praise is due to Allah and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His beloved Messenger, his family and companions, and those that follow them in righteousness till the final day.

The Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam was once sitting in his home, his lower legs uncovered, when Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu came in, followed by ‘Umar radi Allahu anhu. The Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam remained seated as he was. Then Uthman radi Allahu anhu arrived, and this time the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam sat up, covered his lower legs and greeted him with the warmest greeting. Aisha radi Allahu anha witnessed this and when she later questioned the Messenger of Allah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam about it, he sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam replied, “Should I not be shy from he whom the angels are shy of?”

Jibreel alayhis salaam once came to the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam and asked him about Islam, eman, and ihsan. The Messenger of Allah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam in response to the question, “What is eman?” said, “Eman is to believe in Allah, in His angels, His books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and the divine decree – the good and the bad thereof.”

We learn from the above hadith that believing in the angels is one of the pillars of eman. Angels are a creation of Allah. They were created before our father Adam alayhis salaam was created. Allah created them from light; they do not eat or drink; they are characterized by neither feminine nor masculine qualities; and they do not tire. Some spend their entire existence in ruku’, others in sujood and then when the judgment is called they will raise their heads and say, “Glory be to You, our Lord, we did not worship You in a way befitting Your Majesty.”

The Messenger of Allah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam told us about some of the characteristics and duties of the angels. Some of what he sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam taught us is as follows: Continue reading →