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This may seem like an unusual question and your automatic response may be “Why, of course my home is an Islamic Home!! My family is Muslim and that makes our home a Muslim one!
Go through this short checklist to determine if your response should really be in the affirmative.
I Have Chosen a Good Spouse
There are several hadeeth that highlight the importance of choosing a righteous and pious spouse. The wisdom of this is obvious: a pious spouse is more likely to bring happiness to the other spouse and the couple together will be more able to build a righteous family and home life. This is the foundation of the home.
I Help Guide My Spouse
This begins with each spouse fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of their roles and treating each other with kindness. It then goes beyond this to include guidance in other spiritual matters such as striving to strengthen imaan (faith); paying attention to worship and correcting it when needed; encouraging the reading of Quran, praying at night, giving charity, and reading books on Islam; helping to choose pious friends; enjoining goodness and forbidding evil. Faith is something that may increase or decrease so it is necessary to continually focus on increasing our own and that of our spouse.
Our Home is a Place for Remembrance of Allah
Remembrance can be in many forms: with the heart, with the tongue, through prayer, recitation of Quran, memorizing adhkaar (supplications) and using them, discussing Islamic issues, or reading Islamic material. These are things that should occur on a consistent basis so that the angels will come to the home and bring Allah’s blessings. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The example of a home in which Allah is remembered and the example of a home in which Allah is not remembered, is like comparing the living and the dead.” [Muslim].
Our Home is a Place of Worship
This means that Salah (prayer) is established within the home at its required time and that members of the family pray in congregation when several are present. The family may also designate a specific area for prayer and maintain its uniqueness and cleanliness. For women, it is better to pray each prayer within the home. For men, it is recommended to pray voluntary prayers at home after having prayed obligatory prayers in the mosque.
Teaching and Learning are Ongoing Activities in Our Home
This is primarily the responsibility of the head of the household who must ensure that he is guiding his family to the correct path. Attaining knowledge is incumbent upon all members of the family and is the basis upon which faith will flourish; A study circle should be established in the home that covers the various areas in Islam and from which all family members will benefit. Children should specially be encouraged to participate since this will establish a pattern for them that will be carried throughout their lifetimes.
We Have an Islamic Library in Our Home
This may include such things as books, cassettes and CDs. It is important to choose accurate and reliable material that will benefit the family members. There should be a variety of material to cover all age levels and language needs of those in the home. Arabic material is definitely a must since everyone in the family should either know or be learning the language of the Quran. Books should cover a variety of topics, be properly organized, and be easily accessible. Audiotapes and CDs may include Quran recitation, lectures, khutbas (sermons), tapes for children containing supplications, reminders of Islamic manners, and Family members should encourage one another to use these material on a regular basis, and should be shared with other Muslim families who may be in need of them.
We Try to Have Morals and Manners like Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
“Allah loves kindness and rewards it in such a way that He does not reward for harshness or for anything else.” [Muslim].
There are many examples of the Prophet’s kindness and good treatment toward his family that we should try to emulate. He was affectionate and playful with his wives and children and would help with household chores to ease the burden for his wives. Following his example will bring tranquility to the home and help to truly make it an abode of rest.
We Know the Islamic Rulings That Pertain to Houses
Rulings such as guarding the secrets of the home, seeking permission to enter, not looking into other people’s homes, not allowing children to enter the parent’s bedroom during certain times of the day, and not staying alone overnight form part of the rules of guarding the privacy of family members. This last one is interesting to consider since some husbands travel for their business or work. The Prophet (pbuh), actually discouraged this. Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet (pbuh) forbade being alone and said that a man should not stay overnight alone or travel alone [Ahmad]. Not only will he be alone, but his wife and children are likely to be left alone in the home without any protection or companionship.
We Invite Righteous and Knowledgeable People to Our Home
“My Lord! Forgive me, and my parents, and him who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women.” [71:28].
Righteous people who enter your home will bring many benefits due to their presence and conversations with them. They are more likely to discuss useful topics and may be excellent sources of information and knowledge. We should always pray that Allah will bless us with righteous friends since they can have such positive effects on us. The Prophet, (pbuh) said: “Keep company with a believer only, and let your food be eaten only by the righteous.” [abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi].
The Physical Aspects of the Home are Conducive to Fulfilling Religious Obligations
It is best for the home to be close to a mosque so that it will be easier for men to attend the prayers in congregation and for all family members to visit the mosque for lectures, study groups, and social gatherings. It is also advisable to find an area where other Muslims live to obtain the benefits of community. One should definitely be careful about close neighbours and avoid those who are obviously immoral. When choosing a house, consideration should be made regarding the availability of separate sitting areas for men and women. The house should be spacious and fulfil safety and health requirements.
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