Rare case of not needing Meds for ADHD child

Although the journey has not come to an end, I feel as though we reached a very big hilltop at our last meeting with the Consultant Paediatrician.

At the start of this academic year, our son took a test with the rest of his class and scored the lowest mark. There are many factors that contributed to this low grade all to do with a lot of changes that had occurred in our lives and a very unsettled environment.  The start of each new academic year is always hard on DS (dear son) and it usually takes a couple of months for him to settle down. We are very aware that year 6 is a crucial year as it is the year that you choose a secondary school to attend for the next 7 years.  Being placed in the bottom set was a very hard pill to swallow and I was going to make sure that my son did not stay in this group for very long.

The teachers, as nice as they are, didn’t really make great efforts to drag my son out from the bottom. I do admit that DS can be a lot of hard work, and with the rest of the class being so focussed, why should the teachers go out of their very busy schedule for a difficult child. I have always known that the only person who is willing to go the extra mile is me, his mother. I went out and bought all kinds of books and 10 minute tests and started to work with my son at home after school. Yes the day was long for him and yes he did have his tantrums at times, but I didn’t give up. It’s my son’s future at stake.

For all those people who don’t approve, that’s your opinion but I know that I want the best for my child and being the bottom of his class when he has potential to do so much more is something I can’t ignore. If I can help him, I will help him. And in case you are wondering why it’s so important that my son gets into a good school, read on.

Maturity V Immaturity

The most amazing thing happened recently; I had my son write a few paragraphs about ‘Immaturity’ as a punishment for bad behaviour at school. In order to write the report, my son had to google his research. After he had completed his task, I then asked him to do the same for Maturity.

Well what’s so amazing about that you ask…..

If I had given my son a lecture about what immaturity meant, and how immature he was being, it would have gone in one ear and out the other. But because my son had to do the research himself, he absorbed the information and had to thoroughly understand it’s meaning, in order to get something down in writing. He is only 10 years old so I wasn’t expecting anything great but I have to say, I was quite impressed with his findings.

Sun allergy – Part 2

Just to continue where I left off in my post of june 3, 2009 (see link http://quidsin.wordpress.com/category/sun-allergy/)

I have since been subjected to a battery of tests!!!  Back in November I was finally booked in for a blood test and ‘patch testing’. This is where over 150 different products are placed onto your back and arms over a period of two days. Then on the third day they are removed and analysed. A further wait for a day and then on the fifth day, a Consultant goes over your results and lets you know what you are allergic to and possible reasons why.

It turns out that I was allergic to a preservative that is in almost all the household toileteries around my house – including washing up liqid that is not so kind to my hands!!!! Well this allergy turned out to be a red herring with regards my sun allergy so I was referred to a specialist hospital for further testing.

Hijra year 1431 – Fasting Ashoora

We are six days into the new Islamic year 1431. We are currently in the month of Muharram. Fasting at any time in Muharram is Sunnah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best fasting after the month of Ramadaan is fasting in the month of Muharram.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1163)

Specifically though are some special days called the days of Ashoora.
Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Aashooraa’. He said, ‘What is this?’ They said, ‘This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa fasted on this day.’ He said, ‘We have more right to Moosa than you,’ so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1865).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “For fasting the day of ‘Aashooraa’, I hope that Allaah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Reported by Muslim, 1976).
Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“ ‘Aashooraa’ is the tenth day of Muharram. This is the opinion of Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib and al-Hasan. It was what was reported by Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said: ‘The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to fast ‘Aashooraa’, the tenth day of Muharram.’ (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, who said, a saheeh hasan hadeeth). It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: ‘The ninth,’ and reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast the ninth. (Reported by Muslim). ‘Ataa’ reported that he said, ‘Fast the ninth and the tenth, and do not be like the Jews.’ If this is understood, we can say on this basis that it is mustahabb (encouraged) to fast on the ninth and the tenth, for that reason.

Last 10 days of Ramadhan

EXTRA WORSHIP

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadaan as he never did at any other time, praying, reading Qur’aan and making du’aa’. Al-Bukhaari and Muslim narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadaan came, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would stay up at night and would wake his family up, and would abstain from marital relations. Ahmad and Muslim narrated that he used to used to strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadaan as he never did at any other time.

WHAT IS LAYLAT AL QADR?

With regard to the night mentioned in the verses: 

“We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship].

Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments”

[al-Dukhaan 44:3-4] 

Ibn Jareer al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: the commentators differed concerning that night, i.e., which night of the year it is. Some of them said that it is Laylat al-Qadr, and it was narrated from Qurtaadah that it is Laylat al-Qadr. Others said that it is the night of the 15th of Sha’baan. The correct view is the view of those who say that it is Laylat al-Qadr, because Allaah has told us of that when He says, ‘Verily, We are ever warning’ [al-Dukhaan 44:3].”

(Tafseer al-Tabari, 11/221) 

Importance of paying Zakat

Zakaah is one of the important obligations of Islam, and it is mentioned alongside prayer in the book of Allaah. Failing to pay it and procrastinating is a major sin. 

There is a strong warning about not paying zakaah, which fills the believer’s heart with fear. For example, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And those who hoard up gold and silver (Al‑Kanz: the money, the Zakaah of which has not been paid) and spend them not in the way of Allaah, announce unto them a painful torment.

35. On the Day when that (Al‑Kanz: money, gold and silver, the Zakaah of which has not been paid) will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them:) ‘This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard’

[al-Tawbah 9:34-39] 

“And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allaah has bestowed on them of His Bounty (wealth) think that it is good for them (and so they do not pay the obligatory Zakaah). Nay, it will be worse for them; the things which they covetously withheld, shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allaah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth; and Allaah is Well‑Acquainted with all that you do”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:180] 

Saudi announce that Saturday 22nd August 2009/1430 will be the first fast of Ramadhan

Official Decision and Announcement of the High Judiciary Council of Saudi Arabia…

Just a short time ago, Fatwa-Online was informed of the official decision and announcement of the High Judiciary Council (HJC) of Saudi Arabia that since the moon of Ramadhan was not sighted this evening, here in Saudi Arabia, we shall be completing thirty (30) days of Sha’ban (1430 A.H.), in accordance with the hadith of the Messenger of Allaah (SalAllahu alaihi wa sallam):

((Fast when you see the crescent. If it is obscured to you, then complete thirty days of  sha’ban. And break your fast when you see the crescent. If it is obscured to you then fast thirty days)), [transmitted by al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Subsequently, we shall be starting our taraweeh prayers tomorrow evening (Friday 21 August 2009) after the Ishaa prayer, in preparation for the first fast of Ramadhan on Saturday 22 August 2009, InshaAllah.

Gentle reminder

I read this on my calender and thought it was lovely.

If you come to Me

sincerely

With a world of sin

I’ll gift you a world of forgiveness

(Hadith Qudsi)

Jumma Khutba 31st July 2009 – 8th Shaban 1430 Makkah Friday Khutbah, Saudi Arabia, English translation

WAYS OF OBTAINING BARAQA – BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES

Sermon given by Sheikh Shuraim

All praise is due to Allah the great, the might. We praise him for the blessings and we also praise him whilst in trial and tribulations. And I bear witness that no one has the right to be worshipped except Allah. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the leader of the pious and the master of those who came before us and those who come towards the end. May the peace and blessings be upon the prophet salAllahu alaihi wa sallam. And may the peace and blessing be also on the companions and those who followed them until the day of resurrection.

Indeed, to proceed, the advice that I would like to give to everybody including myself is to fear Allah Subhanau wa ta’ala. As Allah says, fear Allah and indeed He will teach you, and He is aware of all affairs. Indeed, we live in a time in which our civilisation has attained and developed in different spheres of life. These types of developments are unprecedented, which we haven’t seen in previous nations and previous civilisations. We find that we have a higher degree of worship whether it be  related to life or technology. We see this advancement.

So we live in this contemporary life which really surprises and astonishes us. Despite all of these advancements, we see in society, we find that these advancements in our society, they do not guarantee happiness in the way we have seen people attain happiness in the past. And this is all due to the absence of a matter which is extremely important. And without this particular thing, there is no meaning to life. And we ask ourselves, what is this important thing , without which you can not attain happiness in life. It is indeed, Oh Servants of Allah, it is attaining baraqa – benefit – blessings in our life. There is no person who has a steadfast life and he does not receive blessings. And what is the benefit of time if it has no blessing in it? What is the benefit of knowledge if it has no blessing in it? And what is the benefit of having food that has no blessings in it?

Ramadhan – Part 3 Importance of Suhoor

A suhoor(pre-dawn meal) is more important than Iftaar (breaking of the fast)because it helps the fasting person persevere through the fast.

Suhoor is so called because it happens at the time of sahr, which is the end of the night.

‘Amr Ibn al-Aas reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “The distinguishing feature between our fast and the fast of the People of the Book is in the eating at the time just before dawn.” [Muslim]

‘Abdullah Ibn Haarith said that one of the Sahabah (companion) said: ‘I entered the house of the Messenger (SAW) whilst he was taking the Suhoor (pre-dawn meal), and he (SAW) said: “Indeed it (the Suhoor) is blessing that Allah has given to you so do not leave it out.” [An-Nasaaee and Ahmad]

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree said that the Messenger (SAW) said: “Eating the Suhoor is blessed. Do not neglect it even if you take a gulp of water, because Allah and His angels invoke blessings upon those who partake in the pre-dawn meal.” [Ahmad].

It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1923; Muslim, 1095.

It was narrated from Jaabir that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever wants to fast, let him eat something for suhoor.” Narrated by Ahmad, 14533; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2309.