There is no compulsion in religion or life.

Bismi Allahi Al Rahmani Al Raheemi

ASA WR WB to believing Muslim friends.

The sisters' work really is admirable. They really have great networks that they've created on social media. They seem to be very close knit, as well. Brothers in Islam could stand to take notes on how the sisters are doing things. Selling clothes, hijabs, makeup, getting major endorsements...it really is fascinating to see.

There is nothing wrong with reminding against the haram. We have only been warned from Allah not to make the haram the halal, and not to make the halal the haram. And if Allah (swt) did not specifically say it is haram or if the hadiths sometimes conflict making (same thing) halal and haram something Allah never said Himself was haram, then something that is a grey area of non-judgment should remain so and not be given a judgement by that person. Not everyone can step up to become engineers, doctors, lawyers, architects (although I had architectural drafting completely on the table a few years ago but the unseen fitnah behind that study dropping is a dissertation)...but we cannot step up to those things not from a lacking mental aptitude standpoint, but from a lacking getting the credentials standpoint from a respected institution of higher education. Again some of us are dealing with some pretty heavy spiritual fitnah, as well. Some guys have background check issues, and they have to find that legal hustle, but don't want to drive taxis, uber, etc. 

We have to stop shooting ourselves in the foot. But, those boycotts are noticed across a number of demographics for a number of reasons. There is no compulsion in religion. If a person boldly doesn't help another believer, then they should boldly not harm, nor require help from that believer. Reciprocation expands the Barakat of Allah. If I extend the As Salaamu Alaikum to a brother, but they don't reply it in turn, then fortune went to one person and not the other unless the person who was first to extend the greetings decides that they want to ask Allah to withdraw their blessings upon them. The Salaams is a Sunnah of the Nabi that he expressed fosters love and return to Jannah. I have to find that hadith and place it in the comments here.

But, getting back to the sisters. They have displayed survival and money making skills during a pandemic on social media. I really was trying to add to that money they could hustle by making tracks available to split 50/50 with them.

Was willing to agree to 3 months on whichever tracks in my catalog are holding an acceptable standard.

Distrokid is part owned by Spotify and allows us to assign a split to any tracks to who we wish. It is all handled by Distrokid to your Paypal or other good options. I don't receive any of their personal info, and they don't receive any of my personal info. Just have to be a member and that costs $20 per year. So, if a particular sister's network is 100k to 250k or greater of sisters, and they have it so that they can go to them and say, "Ladies download this.", then we could be splitting that total reach in $1 downloads of which ever tracks deemed acceptable to them to shop to the ladies.

There is no compulsion in religion or life. But we do have to remember that Allah (swt) will turn his back on those who turn their backs on the cries of the poor in their times of need. Can click image to enlarge.

I have to say that not being able to succeed in this has been a bit of a disappointment. On paper it should have been an easy thing, but for some reason that clearly was not the case. But again no compulsion because I don't want anyone trying to compel me to do something that I don't want to do either. And it is best to respect people's wishes and comfort levels about things. Can everybody bear witness? That is part of Kindness, Courtesy and Consideration of others, as well. I must merchant to others, yes? I try to never forget to ask Allah to bless those "believing servants of His" who help me. "Believing servants of His" because we do get people who help but have ulterior motives.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other. Promote greeting amongst you (by saying As-salamu 'alaikum to one another)".

[Muslim]. (46) Chapter: Excellence and Etiquette of Sincere love for the sake of Allah - Introduction, Hadith 378.

May Allah accept it.

I'm getting old.

Perpetual Freshness

Reflection. The Quran has indicated that the ones likened to Pearls, Gems and Corals are of "perpetual freshness" upon reflection one of it's (perpetual freshness') elements appears to be eternal healing. Thus, not only the removal of dirt, filth, etc. from them (perpetually), but, the removal of sickness, disease, etc. (perpetually) creating that condition of freshness for eternity. Of course, all by Allah (swt) and the circumstances and realities of their existences in Paradise.

Recoveries. Being able to recover from illnesses and problems is a valuable gift from Allah (swt), which he allows us to enjoy here on earth...and it is a semblance of what takes place in Jannah. (I have not actually been to Paradise...only speculating) Though, earth may not be the place to request perpetual freshness from Allah (swt), we do have a semblance of that requisition in the wudus and ghuslas that we make each day before our salaats. But, certainly it would be safe to request of Allah (swt) perpetual freshness in Paradise (Jannah) in the next life.

Be careful of defiling others blog. Unfortunately, there are people who like to purify themselves through defiling others or using them as "trash" or waste receptacles. Why would touching the Ark of the Covenant definitely kill the person blog. No doubt, some individuals and principalities would use another as a bather, washbasin, sink, bath water and a toilet, yet, there must be a tremendous cost for that game. Healing in Religion blog.

Najwa, Gharrar and Laghwa

The believer is one that does not engage in gharrar (buying & selling when person doesn't know wht they've bought or sold); najwa (involving the Nabi or muslim in a plan they know nothing about. Sometimes bad even if plan is for good); & laghwa (using ambiguous speech) Allah has said that there is no Laghwa in Paradise. I believe that doing these 3 things will cause the doer to lose Paradise (Jannah, The Gardens).
‎"They shall there exchange, one with another, a (loving) cup free of frivolity (laghwa), free of all taint of ill."~Holy Quran 52:23
{Laghwa means vain talk or obscene language, but, also connotes ambiguity.}

‎"Turnest thou not thy sight towards those who were forbidden secret counsels (najwa) yet revert to that which they were forbidden (to do)? And they hold secret counsels among themselves for iniquity and hostility, and disobedience to the Apostle. And when they come to thee, they salute thee, not as God salutes thee, (but in crooked ways): And they say to themselves, "Why does not God punish us for our words?" Enough for them is Hell: In it will they burn, and evil is that destination!
O ye who believe! When ye hold secret counsel (najwa), do it not for iniquity and hostility, and disobedience to the Prophet; but do it for righteousness and self- restraint; and fear God, to Whom ye shall be brought back.
Secret counsels (najwa) are only (inspired) by the Evil One, in order that he may cause grief to the Believers; but he cannot harm them in the least, except as God permits; and on God let the Believers put their trust."~Holy Quran 58:8-10

‎"Muslim relates from Abu Hurairah that, "The Messenger(saws) of Allah (swt) prohibited sales of whatever a pebble thrown by the seller hits and sales in which there is a chance of risk (gharrar)"
(Nasir al-Mutarriza:) Gharrar is chance or risk meaning it is not known whether it will come to be or not, such as selling fish in the water or birds on the wing. It includes transactions of unknown things, the particulars of which are not fully comprehended by the buyer and seller (al Mughrib fi tartib al-Mur'rib (y94), 2.100).

Gharrar is also mentioned at Holy Quran 7:22, "So by deceit (bi ghuruwr) he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shameful parts became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan (Aoudhubillahi) was an avowed enemy unto you?"

It is probably safe to say that the only ones that are free to practice Najwa would be Allah (swt) Himself and His Malaika (Angels). But, it is permissible for doing good and righteousness.

(Suratul Insan Ayat 16)³³³¹¹³³²

16. Crystal-clear, made of silver: they will determine the measure thereof (according to their wishes). ~ Holy Quran
It is apparent here that measuring is a characteristic of the people of Paradise (Heavens, The Gardens, Al Jannah). But, does it not seem paradoxical that in the very place where there is infinite bounties, (without measure and rivers flowing with incorruptible milk, water, honey and wine), that anyone would feel the need to measure anything? But, Heaven is not being a pig. Eatting and eatting and drinking and drinking with hungers never being satisfied and thirsts never being quenched...Heaven is not a place that produces pig like behaviors and characteristics in it's inhabitants. {Of course, these are my beliefs I have not actually been there yet, insha Allah} Perhaps, it is as simple as knowing that measuring too little would be annoying and a nuisance...like not being satisfied, nor relieved of a need; and measuring too much would be uncomfortable (like eatting so much that the stomach begins to hurt and it feels stretched (because it actually is) and the person has to loosen the belt and is so uncomfortable that they cannot even be productive until the pain of the stretched stomach goes away. I infer from this ayat that this is something that the people of Paradise (who are the highly evolved beings of Allah and of superior civility and society than we have ever known on earth) do not wish to experience, by the portion of the ayat that reads, "they will determing the measure thereof (according to their wishes). ~ Holy Quran" In so many ways Allah teaches us that gluttony is not becoming of Paradise, especially when he teaches the ayat, "That I have enjoined upon you fasting that you may restrain yourselves. ~ Holy Quran." A glutton is someone that eats or consumes even when they are not hungry, but, also would describe a person who's hunger and thirst is never satisfied. Food and drink or water are not the only things that people hunger and thirst for, and thus, are not the only things that people can become excessive about and so need to practice restraints about. Why then is it necessary for Allah to teach mankind and the Alamin to restrain themselves? Is it because it was the appetites of Father Adama (saws) and Mother Huwa (saws) unchecked by restraint that brought about our downfall from heaven, in the first place. Thus, this subtle suggestion of the inhabitants of Paradise in the ayat, "they will determing the measure thereof (according to their wishes). ~ Holy Quran" really speaks to the very nature that brought about our parents downfall from heaven in the first place....and He (Allah (swt)) wants us to undo that nature, that is against the nature of Paradise, within us.