Filasteeni:
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/38/f1/3e.pdf
Levantine Arabic: Introduction to Pronunciation.
http://books.google.com/books?id=dkD5XDY2XzEC&dq=Levantine+arabic&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=DcwtSpyFEKegtgOi9-25CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11
Colloquial Arabic (Levantine) By Leslie J. McLoughlin
Shaami:
http://books.google.com/books?id=dRScfbxJ45IC&dq=Levantine+arabic&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=DcwtSpyFEKegtgOi9-25CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=12
A Dictionary of Syrian Arabic By Karl Stowasser, Moukhtar Ani
Libyan (ليبي ) dialect aka Sulaimitian:
http://books.google.com/books?id=lLfnDg7ybjIC&pg=PA317&lpg=PA317&dq=Libyan+arabic&source=bl&ots=8IFnYw-26E&sig=1cxBbVFClytJuAxP75KulZwdljM&hl=en&ei=qs4tSt_SBKfitAOejuy9CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9#PPA322,M1
pg. 317-322 in this preview of the book
Darija (Maghribi dialect):
http://www.speakmoroccan.com/
http://friendsofmorocco.org/arabictoc.htm
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/15/15/6e.pdf
Tunisian:
http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/32/af/b0.pdf
Iraqi:
http://onlinelearning.lingnet.org/BIA/data/loader.htm#
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=aPu3BfGZFZwC&dq=english+to+arabic+dictionary&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=ndjzYRvlE3&sig=pSPbBoM-U_pCpnkdI9qm78YpFOI&ei=UxKTSb22CYK2sQPZ0JCvCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result
http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/39/c0/78.pdf
May 10, 2009 by hibahmac
Some time ago, a dear sister-friend called me about Sister Hoda at Know Interest, who – with her husband – is sharing with the world via e-book that it IS possible to buy a house riba free and share exactly how they did it – without an Islamic bank.
My friend was skeptical at first and called and spoke directly with Sister Hoda to clarify the information and intent of the site before buying the e-book. Excited and satisfied with what she saw, she called me pronto to let me know. I contacted Sister Hoda, wanting to share this information with you all. AlhamduliLlah, Sister Hoda was kind enough to be interviewed and I’m happy to finally present it to you in two parts.
********************PART ONE********************
On behalf of Muslimah Money Matters, let me express gratitude that you and your husband chose to share your experience of purchasing a home riba-free in an accessible format for the benefit of all through the e-book It’s Your Money. May Allah ta’ala put barakah in your efforts and reward you immensely, amin.
MuslimahMoneyMatters (M$M): Nowadays, buying a home without riba usually means securing one’s “shari’ah-compliant” mortgage through financial organizations such as LARIBA or Guardian. Did you know about these organizations while you were saving for your home and research them? If so, what do you think of them? Why did you and your husband choose the route you shared in It’s Your Money?
Hoda Elkassem (HK):
We researched many Islamic organizations. We read a lot of opinions on such
organizations and we were concerned that some scholars believe that some of
them may not be 100% halal. We actually had an application for one of the
organizations but when we did our calculations the amount of money we would
have paid for the house was ridiculous. So even though it may not have been
interest that we were paying, the methods they use do involve paying more for
the home in some way or another and we didn’t want to do that. We did not
want to pay double for our home, it just didn’t make sense to us even if
it was halal.
M$M: The e-book begins after you and your husband had already managed to save a substantial amount of money. A question many readers might have pertains to how were you able to amass a great amount of cash in the first place. How many years did it take you two to save adequate funds?
HK: We were able to save 10,000 for our down payment. AlhumduLilah we were able to live in the basement of my in-laws house and did not have to pay any rent or have any bills of any sort. This helped A LOT. If one is able to do that, I suggest they give it a try because you’ll be able to save much faster.
If however that’s not an option then money needs to be set aside every month that will go towards your down payment. This money should be calculated based on your income, and should be at least 10% of your monthly income. Something that I find helps tremendously when saving money is to take out that money at the beginning of the month, right when you get paid, and put that money away. I remember I used to take out cash every month and then put it in my drawer. It’s amazing how much money you can save that way, when it’s out of sight it truly is out of mind. You almost forget the money’s there and it amazingly starts to accumulate.
Although we had 10,000, as we stated in our e-book there was one homeowner willing to take a $5,000 down payment for a $200,000 home. In the end people are desperate to sell and so you should give it a try with whatever money you are able to save. It’s important to remember that when you do it for the sake of Allah, He will Insha’Allah open doors for you from places you would never imagine.
M$M: Allah subhaanuhu wa ta’ala expands and restricts our rizq as He sees fit, of course. Some might say, well of course they could think about buying a house for cash because they’re so educated and probably make plenty of money to spare. But the reality is that no matter how much the income, good management of this trust is key. What were some of your economizing efforts through the years that helped put your family in the position to buy riba-free?
HK: Although we are both educated we lived on a 1-income salary. I was home with my family and did not work at all. You are right though, it doesn’t matter how much or how little you make, if you do not have good management of money then it’s almost impossible to save. As I stated earlier, taking out money every month as soon as you get paid helps. Also, keeping track of your expenses daily helps a lot. When you actually sit and write down how much you’re spending you realize that you may be over doing it on some things. One thing I like to do is figure out how much I think we need for each week and take out that amount in cash. For some reason you’re more conscious of what you spend when you use cash, perhaps because you can keep track of it better…or maybe because it’s harder to part with the cash as opposed to your debit card.
M$M: One admirable part of It’s Your Money is the discussion of riba itself. Usually, the typical argument is ‘riba is haram because it sucks money from the poor and makes the wealthier more wealthy.’ Or, ‘riba allows those who have to take advantage of those who don’t.’ Yet, It’s Your Money skirts all of these arguments – as true as they are – and speaks on a very practical level that is completely non-offensive or judgmental. When considering the da’wah aspect of It’s Your Money, what were the different arguments you considered? How were you able to craft a piece that non-Muslims could run with as well as Muslims?
HK: Everyone was amazed that we were able to purchase our home interest free. Muslims and non-Muslims approached us all the time asking us exactly how we did. When we explained everyone was always shocked by how easy it was and so when putting together the e-book I kept that in mind. I wanted to e-book to be useful guide for both Muslims and non-Muslims to help them stay away from riba and to save them a lot of money. The saving money part was a big help, because whether you are Muslim or non-Muslim, everyone is looking to save money.
********************Stay Tuned for Part Two********************
Question: What is the best way to solve marital problems?
Answer: It is not possible to solve marital problems except that a man understands that his wife is weak. Or that Allaah settles that which occurs between them with regards to their differences. The issue is not that the husband is always correct, and if the wife is correct and the husband is incorrect, then this erodes his masculinity or his authority, no.
“And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allaah.” (Ash-Shuraa: 10)
“But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you a judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (An-Nisaa’: 65)
“And if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day.” (An-Nisaa’: 59)
The premise of of husband is that he should some fiqh, and that he knows when an how to solve matters. It is quite possible that problems can occur in the house. So since the man is one who has the authority he should remain calm until these problems are resolved. Thereafter he should use his wisdom, masculinity, and counsel. What is always blameworthy is harsh, severe interactions. I would inform you of something that I hope Allaah would make it a benefit for us all;
The secret to a husband being successful in his interactions with his wife is for him to compensate for her weakness. A woman is weak and emotional. Hence, if you want to make her a happy wife then make amends that is in accordance with her weakness, and always make her feel that you are in constant need of her and you cannot do without her. Fulfill her emotional needs, comfort her feelings.
When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) informed us that the woman is “Deficient in her intelligence.” Al-Bukhaaree (hadeeth nos. 294), he did not meant it to be a belittlement of women, however what he was illustrating to us is how to deal with a woman. The most miserable man is the one who whenever a dispute occurs between him and his wife he says to her, “let’s leave off emotions and deal with the issue based on intelligence.” What does it mean that she is “Deficient in her intelligence?” That is, her intelligence is deficient in comparison to her emotions, for her emotions are very strong. So you men are deficient in emotions. You have full intellect because intelligence is something that is relative. The woman is deficient in her intelligence and the man is deficient in his emotions. So Allaah created males with faculties that suits his being and He created females with faculties that suits her nature. This is why both spouses would not obtain amicability until they both return to the deen of Allaah, and that they both know their rights in the deen of Allaah.
So therefore whenever there occurs problems between you all and you want to advise your wife, the most important thing is that you first of all sympathise with her feelings and emotions until she becomes calm, then you begin to counsel. How easy is a woman, however how complicated is she! Because her emotions are ever changing. And from the mercy of our Lord to the woman is that He made her heart ever changing, Whereby if she is divorced, the second husband becomes the most beloved, and if he dies and remarries, the third is the most beloved to her, and this is in accordance with the legislation of Allaah.
A woman would be just fine with her father, however by seeing that particular man once, she forgets about her father, her brother…and then you become her priority. So fulfill her emotional needs and you will find peace and relaxation.
Husbands make certain mistakes, and one of the most serious mistakes they make is that they treat their wives like how they treat another man, or they speak to them as they speak to their mothers or sisters; this is wrong. The wife is a creation that is weak and you were also created weak, “And man was created weak.” What surah is this ayah mentioned? An-Nisaa’. And what context did it come? The man’s necessity for a woman. You are in need of her, you’re weak because desires within men are strong. So you compensate your weakness through her, and therefore let her compensate for her weakness through you. And you should never forget to offer her words of advice because husbands are either neglectful, unconcerned with the affairs of their wives whereby they let them do whatever they want by failing to command or prohibit them, or they are harsh and extreme whereby all they do is complain, criticize, find fault, and compare their wives with other pretty women, especially if they watch cable, this is an affliction. Be contended with what Allaah has provided for you as this is your choice, and I think by these words of advice a husband can correctly guide his wife.
(Transcribed from the weekly Question and Answer session by Shaykh Mashhoor Salmaan: 11/25/06)
The 10 Oppressors
Taken from: Yahya Ibrahim Mailing List
Imaam Sufyan ath-Thawri said that ten people are regarded as oppressors: 1. The person who prays for himself, but forgets his parents and other believers. 2. The person who does not recite at least a hundred verses of the Qur’aan daily. 3. The person who leaves the Masjid without performing at least two rak’ah’s of Salaah. 4. The person who passes a graveyard without greeting the deceased or praying for them. 5. The person who enters a city on a Friday and leaves without performing the Friday prayer. 6. That man or woman in whose vicinity a learned person comes and none acquires any religious knowledge from him. 7. Those two people who love each other for the pleasure of Allaah but are unaware of each others names. 8. That person who is invited by another but does not accept his invitation (when acceptance does not contradict the Sharee’ah). 9. That youngster that has no commitments yet does not acquire any religious knowledge or manners. 10. That person who has eaten to his fill while his neighbour goes hungry.