u/Glum-Technology5409

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Brothers and Sisters.

It was narrated from ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

‘Season (your food) with olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree.”

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

A blessed tree. Allah grave us such a beautiful thing, we should use it.

1. Bodycare & Haircare:

First of all, the Sunnah way to use Olive Oil is to apply it to your hair (either just the roots, or roots to ends), starting on the right side of your head, then moving to the left.

You can also oil your spouse's hair as an act of affection and love.

Narrated `Urwa:

Aisha during her menses used to comb and oil the hair of the Prophet (ﷺ) while he used to be in I`tikaf in the mosque. He would stretch out his head towards her while she was in her chamber.

(Sahih Al-Bukhari 2046)

For both haircare and bodycare, you can also use Aleppo bar soap. It's literally made of olive oil. It's can be used on your face, body, and hair. It can combat acne, help eczema and psorisis, and good for anyone with a sensitive scalp. It leaves my skin much smoother than any liquid soap too. No chemicals, no fragrances.

Go for the ages ones that are a light brown on the outside. Those leave your skin softest.

As for bodycare, another sunnah, you can use olive oil as a lotion/moisturizer. Just pure, organic, extra virgin olive oil on your skin, starting right to left (i.e oil your right arm then your left).

I reccomend oiling your skin after you get out of the shower and your skin is still wet. It locks in moisture and spreads easier than dry skin. Less is also more, so you don't end up greasy.

You could mix black seed oil in, but I think ingesting black seed oil has more benefits.

Some benefits of olive oil include:

It's antibaterial, moisturizing and smoothening, full of antioxidants, gentle and non-irritating for all skin types, promotes skin healing and cell regeneration which supports skin recovery from irritation, dryness, and minor damage.

It's natural and eco-friendly too. No warning label about how it's dangerous and possibly poisonous to ingest. It won't kill your pets if they eat it.

There's even more benefits, those are just the main ones.

2. Food:

As for eating, you can cook with it, season food with it, ecetera. You could also just drink it, but it can be a little spicy (in a spice way, not peppery way).

There's so many benefits to ingesting it. I'll list a few from this list I have.

Supports heart health, reduces bad cholesteral and supports healthy circulation. Rich in healthy fats and antioxidants that may lower the risk of heart disease.

Strengthens bones, improves calcium absorption.

Glowing skin, the antioxidants and vitamin E protect and nourish your skin.

May protect against cognitive decline and help improve memory.

Boosts immunity, once again the antioxidants help, plus anti-inflammatory sompounds help your immune system.

It can make you feel full longer and supports healthy metabolism, which aids weight loss. It also promotes healthy gut and reduces inflammation.

The antioxidants help protect cells against free radical damage.

Andddd the anti-inflammatory properties can reduce chronic inflammation in the body.

You can also add it to your pet's food to aid cognitive development, lubricates joints, aids in digestion, boosts immune defense, prevent excessive shedding, reduce dry skin, support a softer coat, and calm itchiness. There's many more benefits for you and your pets.

I read somewhere that olive oil doesn't like the light? Or that higher quality olive oil is kept out of direct light? So, if you buy it then try to buy the ones that come in dark green bottles.

If I'm forgetting anything, please add-on to this in the comments. Remember to follow the Sunnah and trust that Allah will make it the best for you.

May Allah guide us all. Ameen.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Brothers and Sisters. In Sha Allah everyone is well.

Everything related to pregnancy and the baby is blamed on the mother. Health issues? She's not eating right. Gender of the baby? Somehow her fault. Miscarriage? Her fault. Unable to concieve? Nobody considers it could be poor sperm instead of her body. Men can be infertile or have fertility issues too.

The sperm is roughly 50% of the baby, no? So, how is it many cultures place absolutely ZERO importance on the man taking care of his health? I've only seen women told "Eat this. It's good for fertility. Don't eat that, it's bad for your eggs. That thing? Bad for eggs. It happens more depending on the culture.

It can be a couple where she's healthy and he's overweight/unhealthy and people still blame her! Misogyny at it's finest.

And even if you don't want children? You don't know what Allah has written for you. And your fertility plays into YOUR health too, even if you never have children.

(I also posted this on r/Muslimbenefits, a salafi subreddit I'm also a mod on. Please check it out!)

For anyone wondering, sister Ziyoutona deleted social media to better her deen, Alhamdu li Allah. So, I'm the new owner. In Sha Allah, I'll do my best in her stead.

--

How Sperm Health Impacts Pregnancy: Understanding Male Fertility

When it comes to pregnancy, both partners’ health matters. It is not just the woman’s age or health or her egg reserve that determines the outcome of their attempts at pregnancy. The male partner’s sperm should also be factored in. When we say sperm, we are not restricting to just the ejaculation or the sperm count. Sperm health is also a crucial factor in a successful pregnancy.

What is Sperm Health?

Sperm health includes sperm count, the shape or structure of the sperm, and the way they move. All of these are important for the sperm to successfully enter and fertilise an egg. If any of these three factors are affected, it can negatively impact the male’s fertility and the couple’s attempts at pregnancy.

Men with low sperm count or motility still succeed in impregnating their partners successfully. However, low sperm health can increase the risk of infertility or difficulty in getting pregnant. When the sperm count or motility is very low, or if there is no ejaculation of sperm, it can lead to infertility in the males.

Sperm count will measure the number of sperm present in a semen sample. When the sperm count is less than 15 million per millilitre of the semen sample, it is known as oligospermia or low sperm count.

Sperm motility refers to the ability of the sperm to swim through a female’s reproductive tract, reach the egg and enter it for fertilisation.

When less than 25% of the sperm in the semen sample move forward in straight lines or large circles, it is known as low motility or asthenozoospermia.

The sperm typically has a head, a mid-piece and a tail. Not all sperm in the semen sample will have this perfect structure. However, if the sperm morphology is less than 4% of the sample, then it can cause fertility issues.

Impact of Sperm Health on Pregnancy

Sperm health can impact pregnancy in the following ways:

Delay – Poor sperm quality can affect the sperm’s ability to reach and fertilise the egg successfully. It can cause a delay in pregnancy, meaning the couple may need to try for a few months or opt for fertility treatments, like IUI or IVF for a successful conception (from what I know, IVF is a absolutely HORRIBLE for women. So, don't put your wife through such a thing because you don't take care of yourself)

Miscarriage – Poor sperm health can cause damage to the sperm’s DNA. This in turn can cause or increase the risk of a miscarriage. Some research even shows that repeated miscarriages could be due to poor sperm health.

Genetic Issues –The sperm’s health can impact the genetic makeup of the fetus. Poor-quality sperm increases the risk of developmental issues, birth defects and even the health of the developing baby. Older males (A lot of people act like a 40-50yr man can have as healthy of a child as a 20-30yr man, and I'm not saying he can't. Only Allah knows. But an older man can cause genetic issues, whereas older women don't) or those with health issues can experience DNA fragmentation in the sperm, which can affect the fetus and the DNA they pass on to their offspring.

Premature Birth– Poor sperm health can also lead to preeclampsia – a dangerous pregnancy complication. Preeclampsia increases maternal blood pressure. Very high blood pressure or fluctuations in blood pressure during pregnancy increases the risk of premature delivery.

Placenta Issues – Sperm’s health plays a major role in how the placenta functions. The placenta is the temporary organ the baby grows in. Poor sperm health can not only affect the placenta formation but can also impact the way it works and interfere with the oxygen and food supply to the baby.

Tips to Improve Sperm Health

If a couple is trying to get pregnant or is having fertility issues, the male partner can do the following to improve his sperm health. Though a successful pregnancy depends on various other factors in addition to sperm health, it can increase the chances of natural conception.

Weight Matters – Maintaining a healthy weight is the first step. Being too light or too heavy can impact sperm quality. According to some studies, a male’s BMI sperm count and motility are inversely related. Being underweight and lacking the essential nutrients can also affect sperm health.‍

Focus on Diet – Eating healthy by increasing the consumption of natural, whole foods while cutting back on foods that are processed, high in calories or sugar, can significantly improve sperm health.

Prevent STIs – Sexually Transmitted Infections and diseases can lead to infertility in men. It is important to always use protection, limit the number of sexual partners, and also get tested periodically. These infections can also pass on to the female partner or affect the outcome of pregnancy after conception. (It doesn't pay to commit zina. Once again Allah's commands are always perfect)

Regular Exercise – Regular exercises can help men stay in good shape, keep their cholesterol and sugar under control, and maintain hormonal balance. It can also help improve their sex drive.

Stress Management – Stress can impact fertility for both partners. Being stress-free is close to impossible. However, keeping stress under control is possible through yoga, meditation, art and other activities that can help one calm down.

Lifestyle Changes – Limiting your alcohol intake, quitting smoking and drugs and limiting exposure to chemicals or toxins in the environment or at work can all help improve sperm health.

(Me talking: as for chemicals and toxins, many are unaware of how many things in our lives contribute to fertility and health issues. Wouldn't you like to give your child their best chance at good health? I refer to holistic or 'crunchy' pages/channels such as Barbara O'neill. Try using things like the Yuka app and scan the barcode on your food, cleaning, and personal care products. It's unbeliable how they're allowed to put so much harmful poisons in our products.

(I also intend to try and make a series on r/CrunchyMuslimFolk about what ingredients are harmful, to help spread awareness. In Sha Allah)

Fragrances/Parfum (air fresheners, plug-ins, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, deodorant, perfume, fabric softener, laundry detergent, spray cleaners, ect).

I'm not even fear-mongering here. The thousands of unregulated chemicald in fragrances are endocrine disruptors. What does your endocrine system do? It regulates your hormones! And hormonal imbalances can cause infertility and an abundance of other health issues. And I've found that a tox-free lifestyle can seem daunting if done wrong. But it's so beneficial.

And I've found that tox-free options can actually cost less if done efficiently. I'll share more about that, In Sha Allah.

Ovatoxicants - found in pesticides and herbicides, they inferfere with healthy egg development and can disrupt or even stop ovulation. We women need to ovulate and it's so easy to miss and just assume your cycle is going as it normally is.

Pthalates - found in pesticides and herbicides, they interfere with healthy egg development and cas disrupt or ever stop ovulation. Phthalates can speed up menopause and pedispose you to poor egg quality and poor implantation rates.

Another harmful thing, that's an endocrine disruptor is plastic (micro plastic). So, try to get rid of your polyester and synthetic fiber clothes. Better options (like organic cotton and linen) can be more expensive. But it's worth it. And you don't need to fill your closet, no need for extravagence. But next time you go to buy, say, a T-shirt? Get cotton.

But you should immedietly throw out synthetic fabric underwear and bedding. For men and women, as soon as you're able, please swap these two out. They directly affect your health as they sit on sensitive regions and absorb whatever is put there. Your skin is your biggest organ and takes in what you put on it.

A organic cotton flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillow cases are often cheaper than a comforter (that should at least be regular cotton too though). And organic cotton underwear can be found on various sites. You'd have to find what style is comfortable for you.

I also must add, fully organic cotton pads and tampons too. Cotton top layer is better than synthetic.. but if you want to save money, try organic cotton period underwear. No more buying pads and you know you have the best option! There's a whole subreddit for period underwear too. They have suggestions on high quality brands.

And for organic fabrics, look for the GOTS-certified logo ON the products tag. If the site says its organic and GOTS certified, but you get the product and there's not GOTS-certified tag, it's not really organic. This is my understanding after being in the Crunchy Moms subreddit for a while.

(Men need to avoid all these too, fyi)

You can also swap out plastic cups, plates, bowls, tupperware, ect, for glass. Cooking utensils for wood or metal, and use stainless steel items for eating utensils and baby/toddler items. Obviously you wouldn't want a toddler to have a glass plate lol.

I also see people say not to touch receipts with your bare hands because of either the paper or ink. You can look into that.

Conclusion

The sperm is an important factor in a successful pregnancy. Just the presence of sperm is not enough for pregnancy. The health and quality of the sperm are vital and can affect pregnancy to a great extent. It is essential for males to take care of their health as their sperm is crucial to a pregnancy.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Brothers and Sisters. In Sha Allah everyone is well.

Everything related to pregnancy and the baby is blamed on the mother. Health issues? She's not eating right. Gender of the baby? Somehow her fault. Miscarriage? Her fault. Unable to concieve? Nobody considers it could be poor sperm instead of her body. Men can be infertile or have fertility issues too.

The sperm is roughly 50% of the baby, no? So, how is it many cultures place absolutely ZERO importance on the man taking care of his health? I've only seen women told "Eat this. It's good for fertility. Don't eat that, it's bad for your eggs. That thing? Bad for eggs. It happens more depending on the culture.

It can be a couple where she's healthy and he's overweight/unhealthy and people still blame her! Misogyny at it's finest.

And even if you don't want children? You don't know what Allah has written for you. And your fertility plays into YOUR health too, even if you never have children.

--

How Sperm Health Impacts Pregnancy: Understanding Male Fertility

When it comes to pregnancy, both partners’ health matters. It is not just the woman’s age or health or her egg reserve that determines the outcome of their attempts at pregnancy. The male partner’s sperm should also be factored in. When we say sperm, we are not restricting to just the ejaculation or the sperm count. Sperm health is also a crucial factor in a successful pregnancy.

What is Sperm Health?

Sperm health includes sperm count, the shape or structure of the sperm, and the way they move. All of these are important for the sperm to successfully enter and fertilise an egg. If any of these three factors are affected, it can negatively impact the male’s fertility and the couple’s attempts at pregnancy.

Men with low sperm count or motility still succeed in impregnating their partners successfully. However, low sperm health can increase the risk of infertility or difficulty in getting pregnant. When the sperm count or motility is very low, or if there is no ejaculation of sperm, it can lead to infertility in the males.

Sperm count will measure the number of sperm present in a semen sample. When the sperm count is less than 15 million per millilitre of the semen sample, it is known as oligospermia or low sperm count.

Sperm motility refers to the ability of the sperm to swim through a female’s reproductive tract, reach the egg and enter it for fertilisation.

When less than 25% of the sperm in the semen sample move forward in straight lines or large circles, it is known as low motility or asthenozoospermia.

The sperm typically has a head, a mid-piece and a tail. Not all sperm in the semen sample will have this perfect structure. However, if the sperm morphology is less than 4% of the sample, then it can cause fertility issues.

Impact of Sperm Health on Pregnancy

Sperm health can impact pregnancy in the following ways:

Delay – Poor sperm quality can affect the sperm’s ability to reach and fertilise the egg successfully. It can cause a delay in pregnancy, meaning the couple may need to try for a few months or opt for fertility treatments, like IUI or IVF for a successful conception (from what I know, IVF is a absolutely HORRIBLE for women. So, don't put your wife through such a thing because you don't take care of yourself)

Miscarriage – Poor sperm health can cause damage to the sperm’s DNA. This in turn can cause or increase the risk of a miscarriage. Some research even shows that repeated miscarriages could be due to poor sperm health.

Genetic Issues –The sperm’s health can impact the genetic makeup of the fetus. Poor-quality sperm increases the risk of developmental issues, birth defects and even the health of the developing baby. Older males (A lot of people act like a 40-50yr man can have as healthy of a child as a 20-30yr man, and I'm not saying he can't. Only Allah knows. But an older man can cause genetic issues, whereas older women don't) or those with health issues can experience DNA fragmentation in the sperm, which can affect the fetus and the DNA they pass on to their offspring.

Premature Birth– Poor sperm health can also lead to preeclampsia – a dangerous pregnancy complication. Preeclampsia increases maternal blood pressure. Very high blood pressure or fluctuations in blood pressure during pregnancy increases the risk of premature delivery.

Placenta Issues – Sperm’s health plays a major role in how the placenta functions. The placenta is the temporary organ the baby grows in. Poor sperm health can not only affect the placenta formation but can also impact the way it works and interfere with the oxygen and food supply to the baby.

Tips to Improve Sperm Health

If a couple is trying to get pregnant or is having fertility issues, the male partner can do the following to improve his sperm health. Though a successful pregnancy depends on various other factors in addition to sperm health, it can increase the chances of natural conception.

Weight Matters – Maintaining a healthy weight is the first step. Being too light or too heavy can impact sperm quality. According to some studies, a male’s BMI sperm count and motility are inversely related. Being underweight and lacking the essential nutrients can also affect sperm health.‍

Focus on Diet – Eating healthy by increasing the consumption of natural, whole foods while cutting back on foods that are processed, high in calories or sugar, can significantly improve sperm health.

Prevent STIs – Sexually Transmitted Infections and diseases can lead to infertility in men. It is important to always use protection, limit the number of sexual partners, and also get tested periodically. These infections can also pass on to the female partner or affect the outcome of pregnancy after conception. (It doesn't pay to commit zina. Once again Allah's commands are always perfect)

Regular Exercise – Regular exercises can help men stay in good shape, keep their cholesterol and sugar under control, and maintain hormonal balance. It can also help improve their sex drive.

Stress Management – Stress can impact fertility for both partners. Being stress-free is close to impossible. However, keeping stress under control is possible through zhikr, (halal) art and other activities that can help one calm down.

Lifestyle Changes – Limiting your alcohol intake, quitting smoking and drugs and limiting exposure to chemicals or toxins in the environment or at work can all help improve sperm health.

(Me talking: as for chemicals and toxins, many are unaware of how many things in our lives contribute to fertility and health issues. Wouldn't you like to give your child their best chance at good health? I refer to holistic or 'crunchy' pages/channels such as Barbara O'neill. Try using things like the Yuka app and scan the barcode on your food, cleaning, and personal care products. It's unbeliable how they're allowed to put so much harmful poisons in our products.

(I also intend to try and make a series on r/CrunchyMuslimFolk about what ingredients are harmful, to help spread awareness. In Sha Allah)

Fragrances/Parfum (air fresheners, plug-ins, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, deodorant, perfume, fabric softener, laundry detergent, spray cleaners, ect).

I'm not even fear-mongering here. The thousands of unregulated chemicald in fragrances are endocrine disruptors. What does your endocrine system do? It regulates your hormones! And hormonal imbalances can cause infertility and an abundance of other health issues. And I've found that a tox-free lifestyle can seem daunting if done wrong. But it's so beneficial.

And I've found that tox-free options can actually cost less if done efficiently. I'll share more about that, In Sha Allah.

Ovatoxicants - found in pesticides and herbicides, they inferfere with healthy egg development and can disrupt or even stop ovulation. We women need to ovulate and it's so easy to miss and just assume your cycle is going as it normally is.

Pthalates - found in pesticides and herbicides, they interfere with healthy egg development and cas disrupt or ever stop ovulation. Phthalates can speed up menopause and pedispose you to poor egg quality and poor implantation rates.

Another harmful thing, that's an endocrine disruptor is plastic (micro plastic). So, try to get rid of your polyester and synthetic fiber clothes. Better options (like organic cotton and linen) can be more expensive. But it's worth it. And you don't need to fill your closet, no need for extravagence. But next time you go to buy, say, a T-shirt? Get cotton.

But you should immedietly throw ou**t synthetic fabric underwear and bedding. For men and women, as soon as you're able, please swap these two out. They directly affect your health as they sit on sensitive regions and absorb whatever is put there. Your skin is your biggest organ and takes in what you put on it.

A organic cotton flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillow cases are often cheaper than a comforter (that should at least be regular cotton too though). And organic cotton underwear can be found on various sites. You'd have to find what style is comfortable for you.

I also must add, fully organic cotton pads and tampons too. Cotton top layer is better than synthetic.. but if you want to save money, try organic cotton period underwear. No more buying pads and you know you have the best option! There's a whole subreddit for period underwear too. They have suggestions on high quality brands.

And for organic fabrics, look for the GOTS-certified logo ON the products tag. If the site says its organic and GOTS certified, but you get the product and there's not GOTS-certified tag, it's not really organic. This is my understanding after being in the Crunchy Moms subreddit for a while.

(Men need to avoid all these too, fyi)

You can also swap out plastic cups, plates, bowls, tupperware, ect, for glass. Cooking utensils for wood or metal, and use stainless steel items for eating utensils and baby/toddler items. Obviously you wouldn't want a toddler to have a glass plate lol.

I also see people say not to touch receipts with your bare hands because of either the paper or ink. You can look into that.

Conclusion

The sperm is an important factor in a successful pregnancy. Just the presence of sperm is not enough for pregnancy. The health and quality of the sperm are vital and can affect pregnancy to a great extent. It is essential for males to take care of their health as their sperm is crucial to a pregnancy.

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, brothers and sisters. Welcome to chapter one of my series about narcissism. I make this with the intent to, In Sha Allah, help victims of narcissistic abuse recognize it and so people can recognize red flags in family, friends, and spouses going forward.

(Not my own words. I'm quoting a post:)

A narcissistic straight man can live with a woman, sleep with a woman, have children with a woman, and still not truly love women. Because love is not access.

Love is not using her for her body, her labor, her womb, her cooking, her patience, and her silence while giving your real softness to someone else.

A woman becomes exhausted trying to get love from a man who never saw her as a full person. He wanted her for use, but he wanted men for connection. And that's why she feels lonely even while living with him.

This is why he can be dead with his woman and alive with men. With her, he is irritated. With her, he is bored. With her, he is silent. With her, every small emotional need becomes a burden.

But with men, suddenly he has stories. Suddenly he has jokes. Suddenly he has loyalty. Suddenly he has patience. Suddenly he has personality.

It was never that he did not know how to bond. He just did not want to bond with her.

A narcissistic straight man does not actually like women. He is attracted to women only for their body, for bed, and for his sexual needs. Apart from that, he does not enjoy women. He is homo-romantic. When it comes to real bonding, real laughter, true friendship, and genuine enjoyment, he is more alive around men. He connects better with men. He has a better time with men. He wants women for use, but he wants men for connections.

(Back to my own words)

Misogynistic men are also commonly dayouths. Dayouths go against their natural fitrah and lack protective jealousy over women. Men who like naked women, guys who go to strip clubs, and other disgusting things, TV and Music paint these men as enjoying and loving women. But they hate women and view them as objects to use, but then they'll view men as humans.

Any man who treats another human, especially a man, better than his wife is very strange. Misogynists and misandrists are people who you need to stay away from, whether they claim to be joking or not. Don't keep a friend who will choose you over their spouse.

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

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The believers who show the most perfect Faith are those who have the best behaviour, and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives".

[At-Tirmidhi, who categorized it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, brothers and sisters.

Remember to buy and use a miswak (siwak)!

- Narrated Abu Sa`id:I testify that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every male Muslim who has attained the age of puberty and (also) the cleaning of his teeth with Siwak, and the using of perfume if it is available." `Amr (a sub-narrator) said, "I confirm that the taking of a bath is compulsory, but as for the Siwak and the using of perfume, Allah knows better whether it is obligatory or not, but according to the Hadith it is as above.")

Sahih al-Bukhari, 880

- Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Were I not afraid that it would be hard on my followers, I would order them to use the siwak (as obligatory, for cleaning the teeth).

Sahih al-Bukhari, 7240

- Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak for every prayer."

Sahih al-Bukhari, 887

- Narrated Hudhaifa:Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) got up for Tahajjud prayer he used to clean his mouth (and teeth) with Siwak.

Sahih al-Bukhari, 1136

- Narrated Anas:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I have told you repeatedly to use the Siwak. (The Prophet (ﷺ) put emphasis on the use of the Siwak.)

Sahih al-Bukhari, 888

The Sunnah is enough for us to take up using a Miswak. We hear and we obey. But I'll also add this:

Miswak is a traditional chewing stick prepared from the roots, twigs, and stem of Salvadora persica and has been used as a natural method for tooth cleaning in many parts of the world for thousands of years. A number of scientific studies have demonstrated that the miswak (Salvadora persica) possesses antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-cariogenic, and anti-plaque properties.

Several studies have also claimed that miswak has anti-oxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. The use of a miswak has an immediate effect on the composition of saliva. Several clinical studies have confirmed that the mechanical and chemical cleansing efficacy of miswak chewing sticks are equal and at times greater than that of the toothbrush.

If there's ever a goal to set in life, make it your goal to be a friend of Allah.

*On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RadhiyAllahu ‘anhu) who said: The Messenger of Allah (SallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said,

“Verily Allah (Glorified may he be) has said: ‘Whosoever shows enmity to a wali (friend) of Mine, then I have declared war against him. And My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the religious duties I have obligated upon him. And My servant continues to draw near to me with nafil (supererogatory) deeds until I Love him. When I Love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him; and were he to seek refuge with Me, I would surely grant him refuge.’ ”

[Reported by Bukhari]*

There three levels of the friends of Allah, taken from Surah Fatir [35:32]:

- {Wronged themselves}: Generally good people, but sometimes miss obligations or fall into sins

- {Stayed between right and wrong}: Fulfil obligations and don’t sin, but don’t go further than that. May carry out disliked actions

- {Foremost in doing good deeds}: These are the elite of mankind. They fulfil the obligations and don’t sin, and they also strive and excel in doing recommended actions and avoid disliked actions.

This is going to be a "What would you do if you were in this situation?" type of question, as this really did happen to my family a few years ago (summarized questions are at the bottom).

Context:

We live in a rural area with a small farm, our backyard is very private and can't be seen from the road, and our neighbors across the street hadn't done a good job at keeping their (medium sized) dog, Mac, inside their yard. Mac liked our dogs (livestock guardians) so she repeatedly ran into our backyard.

Story:

The first time, we didn't know who's dog it was, but she had a collar so we put a leash on her and kept her in our yard while we looked for the owner. That night, our neighbors son let himself into our yard and instead of knocking on the front door to ask if we had his dog, he just tresspassed and took her back. My mom told me dad about this, he didn't do anything about a strange man tresspassing onto the property his daughters (me and my sister) and our mom frequent without being covered (we still dress modestly at home, but our hair isnt covered, nor do we wear abayas and niqab).

One time, I was in the kitchen with my mom and we saw the guy walk into the backyard to get the dog after she came over again. That was the first time we saw him.

This happened a few more times. My mom told my dad each time and begged him to go talk to them, but he was worried they'd think poorly of him... somehow.b

But one time, she got out and didn't come into our yard. This time, my mom was in the backyard alone doing the chicken's waters. She turned around and saw a man standing there. He didnt do anything, just asked if his dog was here and she said no, then he left. She was wearing a jacket with a hood and loose pants, and he was standing a ways away, so he didnt really see her.

But she was upset and told my dad, and he didnt do anything until days later after she kept asking him to, and finally threatened that if he didn't go over, then she'd go do it. I'm pretty sure he only went because he thought he'd look a certain way if she went instead of him.

After he went, It didn't happen again. But my mom went over there a while after, just to speak to the mother of that household and say hi. The woman was nice, but asked my mom what my dad was talking about. I don't know what was said, but apparently he sugar coated it so much that they were confused about what he was trying to say apart from disliking Mac coming over here.

That was kind of the end of it until my mom wanted to put up "no trespassing" signs, which my dad was against because he was afraid of offending the neighbors.. who trespassed several times.

Funny thing, while he was worried about what they'd think, their dog came over here a final time and killed three of our chickens. My mom called the pound on their dog to be taken away. They paid the fee and kept their dog. But after that, Mac never came into our yard again. And despite that, my mom was friends-ish with the mom even after almost getting their dog taken away.

--

I hope my question hasn't gotten drawn out. I tried to keep it short without skipping over details so you can answer while knowing the whole story.

I'm asking what brothers here would do if you were in my dads position. If-

A. your wife told you a man trespassed onto your property where your wife and daughters are.

B. A man trespassed and caught your wife alone, even if nothing happened.

C. The dog came over AGAIN and killed some of your animals.

Because I know what my mother and I wanted him to do, and I want to know if my expectations are too high/unrealistic.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, brothers and sisters.

Here's my posts about Chrismas and Halloween:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Muslimbenefits/s/9NXjuQgKAN

https://www.reddit.com/r/Muslimbenefits/s/4K4FvEjiL4

So, this will be a brief reminder, not a deep-dive into the history. We already know anything but the two Eids are haram to celebrate.

Do not sit in a gathering of people lighting fireworks, even smoke bombs and sparklers.

Do not light fireworks yourself.

Advise your brothers and sisters to not participate at all.

Fireworks are loud and obnoxious, scaring veterans (In the US, obviously the military here is horrible, but still), children, people in general, and animals (many outdoor pets go missing because they get scared and run). They're also the cause of many (forest) fires.

Fear Allah and stay away from these holidays. They're not for us.