Do you ever wind up at a website and then, looking left and right in confusion, ask yourself, “What am I doing here?” Yes, your brain has crashed. Thank you, electronic media.

On and on it goes: Whatsapp ding-ding-ding! I messaged you on LinkedIn, did you see it? You have 6 new messages, 12 new likes, 8 new emails, 3 shares, 12 hearts — and that was since you last checked 2 minutes ago!

Please! I don’t need a vacation. I just want to be able to step off the non-stop electronic treadmill for just a few hours a day! Look, it’s not rocket science that as a civilization, our electronic media consumption is rising dangerously:

But rest assured, by the end of this blog post, EVERYTHING will be resolved and better (isn’t that why you’re reading this?).

Don’t have time to read the entire article, here’s the quick fix: when you come home, turn off your phone, put it on the top shelf of your closet, and close the closet. Proceed to sleep soundly. You’re welcome. (I seriously started doing this a while back, and it’s awesome!)

It’s up to you to decide whether this huge amount of time spent online is benefiting you or not. I’m not here to preach; I’m suffering as much mental fragmentation as anyone. It’s not that there’s “no benefit” whatsoever, I mean this article itself uses electronic media. Undoubtedly, there is benefit.

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If you’re with me and you want to increase your weight over the digital media see-saw, here are some Islamic reflections on the issue:

Enjoying yourself is cool – but in moderation

In this following verse, Allah gives us a green light to wear nice clothes, go ahead and have a nice meal, make yourself a nice drink — but don’t go overboard. Get ready for endless entertainment with our diverse slot selection. Enjoy, but refrain from excess:

“O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: Eat and drink: But do not be excessive and waste, for Allah loves not those who waste” [Qur’an: Chapter 7, Verse 31].

Establish your salah: on-time and preferably in the Masjid

Imagine someone in the midst of a TV marathon, or an online gaming tournament at parhaatrahapelit-netissa.com, or following a social media fight with popcorn by their side — imagine that person preparing 15 minutes before the adhan to go to the Masjid.

Imagine that person making Wudu with cool water. Imagine that person breathing fresh air, pressing their head to soft Masjid carpet, finishing their salah with concentration top to bottom. Imagine yourself (yes, you) saying salam to a friend or two after Salah; talking, smiling, chatting. Join the fun and win big with JetX at https://4rabetsite.com/tv-games/slot/jetx.

One doesn’t go back to their media, in the same way, as when they take these spiritual and social salah breaks. (And for families at home, why not establish a family congregational prayer if you can’t make it to the Masjid?)

Indeed Salah will protect you from that which is shameful and out of balance. How do I know? Because Allah promised so:

“Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do” [Qur’an: Chapter 29, Verse 45].

While establishing salah gives you regular breaks from over-consuming media, what can you do when you’re done with your salah to continue maintaining balance?

Here’s what!

3 snap-hacks to enjoy media in moderation

1. Put your smartphone in a different room (or same-room closet) for a set period. It’s much too hard to pull it out and get sucked in when it’s stored away.
2. Use a countdown timer to focus. Commit yourself to work solidly for 25 minutes, and then give yourself an email or social media break for a few minutes.
3. Before you start media, use a notepad to jot down what you are doing online and what you need to do. The notepad will keep you mentally anchored so that when your fingers start floating in a zombie-like click-click progression, you can use your notepad as a time machine telling you what your brain was thinking 45 minutes ago.

Now it’s your turn. What techniques do you actively use to save yourself from electronic media distractions?

The post Consuming Electronic Media in Moderation: Tips by Muhammad Alshareef appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

What is Zakat ul-Fitr?
Think “Iftar”, Zakat Ul-Fitr is the charity that we pay at the end of Ramadan. Here is the foundational hadith that establishes the obligation of Zakat ul-Fitr:

Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` (a measurement: four double handfuls) of dried dates or one Saa` of barely. [Sahih Bukhari – Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579]

To understand Zakat ul-Fitr, here is a good summary of it.

But unfortunately, our community makes some basic boo-boos in the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr that must be clarified.

Boo-Boo One: Paying at Eid Salah

Some people go to Eid prayers and drop money into the donation box thinking that they have paid their Zakat ul-Fitr. No, Zakat al-Fitr, which is food, must be in the hands of the needy family BEFORE Eid prayer. If someone goes to Eid prayer and pays then it is GUARANTEED that the money will NOT arrive on time. And thus the person paying is sinful for having missed the payment of Zakat al-Fitr. May Allah forgive us.

Boo-Boo Two: Snail mailing the money overseas

Basic principle as before: the Zakat al-Fitr, food, MUST be in the hands of the needy BEFORE Eid prayer. One cannot mail the money overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the needy after Eid prayer is over.

However, if one is able to get the Zakah al-Fitr to the needy overseas BEFORE Eid prayer is conducted in their locality, then in sha Allah it’s alright.

Boo-Boo Three: Not paying

Yes, as simple as this boo-boo is, it is HARAM to skip the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr.  EVERYONE must pay Zakat Al-Fitr, every member of the household. So if you have 8 people in your house, Zakat Al-Fitr must be paid x 8, even if the youngest member is just a few days old.

Boo-Boo Four: Confusing Zakat ul-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal

We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here (think “Iftar”, i.e. Ramadan). Zakat Al-Maal (Maal literally means wealth), is the Zakah due on ones money – and that could be due any time during the year depending on when it was due.

Boo-Boo Five: Giving money instead of food

Although some scholars have allowed giving money instead of food, the spirit of Zakat Al-Fitr is to give food to the needy of the community, NOT money.

The Companion of the Prophet, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree, radi Allahu ‘anhu, said, “In the Prophet’s time, we used to give it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese”. [Bukhari – Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]

Boo-Boo Six: Giving one’s Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable building project

Some people mistakenly give their Zakah Al-Fitr to a charitable building project: like the building of a Masjid, or Islamic school. There is a difference of opinion on this issue, but suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah Al-Fitr is that the needy should have plentiful food on Eid. All eight types of recipients of Zakah mentioned in the Quran are HUMANS, not “building projects”.

Boo-Boo Seven: Giving Zakat ul-Fitr to non-Muslims

Charity is given to both Non-Muslims and Muslims. However, Zakah al-Fitr charity is something exclusive to the MUSLIM poor and needy. Hence, one could not give Zakah Al-Fitr to any needy person on the street. “Regular” charity can be given to them, but not Zakah Al-Fitr.

Boo-Boo Eight: Delaying distribution

Sometimes Masjids might collect Zakah Al-Fitr money and then put it in a bank. It doesn’t reach the needy for months and months. The correct method is to give Zakah Al-Fitr immediately when it is due.

In sha Allah, if you have Zakah questions, I encourage you to seek counsel from your local sources of knowledge. People you can speak to directly. And I’ve noted some points that have a difference of opinion, so if your local sources of knowledge tell you other than what I’ve told you, and you trust them, then listen to them.

With best wishes to see you succeed in Ramadan at the highest level!

The post [Ramadan Series] 8 Basic Boo-Boo’s when Paying Zakat Al-Fitr appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.