Cedar Riverside Fire

By Adam Majewski

Photo Provided by MNDaily

As of Wednesday night it has been confirmed that from yesterdays fire in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood, 14 people have been injured. Six of whom remain to be in critical condition. All injured where transported to either Hennepin County Medical Center, or University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview.

As of yet Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel has stated they do not know if all the residents are accounted for. Christine Hill spokes person for HCMC has reported the 10 of the victims have been brought to their emergency room 3 of whom are in critical condition. A spokes person for Fairview, is unable to provide any information on the situation at this time.

No cause has been identified yet, as to what officially caused the fire, Stated Greg Nelson supervisor for the Minneapolis Emergency Communication Center(EMCC), but the building which housed two stories of apartments and a grocery store on the first floor is said to be a total loss.

Ahmed Muse, one of the five owners of the grocery store had arrived at the store at around 8 am, there was what he described as "An Electrical Shock" after which the police were called. When he went out to talk with the officers and explosion erupted on the second floor blowing out windows and glass on to Cedar Ave below. Police reported the fire at 8:16, said Nelson of MECC.

Flames came to peak at 20 feet up burning hot enough to eventually collapse the second and third stories of the building. Around a dozen fire trucks where on scene to fight the fire at 516 Cedar ave, with a "Defensive Attack" stated Nelson.

This primarily Somali neighborhood after many other tragedies this past year has given them just one more event to worry about, especially with the local mosque so close by.

Seeking a Spouse: The Trouble with Our Ummah Today (Part TWO)

By Medina Yasmine

To begin, I have just a few corrections that some may have taken the wrong way within my previous article "Seeking a Spouse: The trouble with our Ummah today." 
So allow me to revisit the idea of the "REAL MAN," and further explain where I was truly coming from...

Now, I would not say that Hollywood portrays men completely in an "Unreal light" but rather that it portrays them in an INCOMPLETE light. The reason for this analogy is that I believe that men can be compassionate, loving, emotional, nurturing creatures at times, however, that's just it....."At Times." Then there are those times when men become dominate strong-willed cold as ice providers who would rather chew glass then to cry or show any type of vulnerability; especially when they know women are watching. Traditionally man has always been the one to go out and hunt. He braved the elements, at times to his own peril, to feed his woman who in turn reared their young in a show of solidarity and family support. However, as we have all come to know man and the definition of one is flexible and differs depending on the individual. Is a man who cries at his daughters wedding some how less than the man who sucker punches the drunk ignoramus over a smart remark made about his wife? Is the man who stays home to rear the young while his woman goes to work and fulfills her dream of being a surgeon somehow less than the man who is a surgeon while his wife waits to rub his feet? I do not believe so.
    Throughout history women have proven time and time again that they are indeed as strong as men in every aspect with exception to physical strength and even in that area there has been room for good competition. No man can claim a single duty as his own with exception to being a man. So, what does it mean to be a man? Is it defined in his physical strength? Perhaps, his sexual organs...or is it maybe his ability to earn money or provide food? Of course not because all of those tasks and abilities can clearly be accomplished by any good woman (and in the case of "sexual organs" it can be accomplished with a little sexual reassignment surgery). Then what is it that separates man from woman?  
    A man is a male person who has the experience of growing and the wisdom of using that knowledge to be a productive member of his family and his society. A man knows how to produce income, manage that income, hunt for food, rear the young, help a neighbor, love his God, cherish his family, and most importantly make mistakes, admit to them (sometimes depending upon the size of ego...), and then correct them. A man knows how to step aside and support his woman in her quest to be an asset to their family. A man can be nurturing, emotional, sensitive, and compassionate as well....Sometimes. This is where a lot of us women get confused. Men do have these qualities, however, not to the extent to where we women may DESIRE for them to. It's almost as though, we look for our men to reflect us, when in reality this is not possible. We women were created to nurture children because we are the chosen ones to carry a baby in our womb for nine months. We experience more physical pain because we are the bearers of the children. This in itself is a huge blessing from Allah (swt). Could you imagine if a man were to have to experience the amount of pain that a women goes through when delivering a child? He would probably want to blow his brains out in order to end the amount of pain experienced...(apologies for the graphic image.) Getting back to what a "Real Man" consists of... 
He is all of those things. He does show compassion and emotion and can be nurturing, etc. AT TIMES!!! Just because it isn't at the times we may need our men to be this specific way, doesn't mean that they do not carry these traits. There are human traits and it is within our upbringings that will bring them out more so, I believe. Hollywood just has a habit of only reflecting the positive aspects so much that we tend to forget what other characteristics a man may exhibit. A man is one who is not perfect, loses his temper, gets revenge, wages war, hates, lies, cheats, struggles, and much more. And quite honestly sisters, if you think about it, WE TOO share some, if not all of these traits of which Hollywood tends to only portray as the "Villain" type. 
    So jumping off of my previous article, It seems to me that women in today's society have gotten fixated on Hollywood's partial version of what a man is and find themselves setting up a lot of unreal expectations for an otherwise imperfect species. I believe that this can easily be cured with some simple yet KEY INGREDIENTS to what allows a relationship to flourish which are, Communication (Not through text or Facebook, but actual Face to Face communication with no cell phones involved), effort and a REALISTIC look at what both parties within the relationship have to offer. If you tell your man that you expect certain things (REALISTICALLY) he will be better equipped to meet your needs or to relay to you what he cannot do. If you are dating a high school dropout who has had 6 jobs in 3 years then you are kidding yourself if stability is on your list of priorities. If your man has 4 kids to 3 different women then you may be fooling yourself if you think he is in the relationship for the long haul. However, on the reverse side of things if he has graduated, sought higher education, and likes to save money then he may be better suited for the task of being the man that YOU desire because EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. Not every Male is a Man. So you have to decide what it is that you desire,  how realistic are your desires, and then find a man you can work with to achieve a harmonious relationship. Because harmony is EARNED not given. It TAKES WORK AND PATIENCE. No one gets that without trial and tribulation. You can have that "Hollywood" man but you both will have to build him together.

Now, taking the spotlight off of what sisters do wrong, and moving over to our Brothers,  I too find that Muslim Brothers do this just as much, if not even more than Sisters.  I see Muslim Brothers who want their potential wives to look a certain way, weigh a certain weight, dress a certain way in regards to donning the hijaab....yet you see these same brothers scoping out beautiful women on the internet or not even thinking of lowering their gaze when they see a Sister in tight jeans, thin waist, long hair and high heels walk by. Brothers want model wives, yet aren't quite ready to reciprocate in being an actual "model husband." Too many double standards and hypocrisy linger within our Ummah, so much so that it has become part of the norm. We seem to be forgetting all the teachings of which our Prophet Muhammad (saws) had reminded us of via Hadith, such as,"A woman is married for her deen, her wealth or her beauty. You must go for the one with deen, may your hands be in the dust! (if you fail to heed)" [Muslim]. 
We seem to become so lost within the shuffle between what is expected of us as believers verses what we desire due to the duniyah's influences on our subconsciousness. It's almost like a "tug-o-war" (back and forth battle) between wanting to desire what we feel is halaal, yet because most of us have fallen into the ways of the duniyah, it's almost as though we're trapped by our nafs. I've seen this struggle many times, especially among the Muslim brothers who preach day in and day out of how women need to cover, and scold their Sisters for not donning proper hijaab, yet they glance a little harder and longer at the sisters who show a little more skin. Lets be honest, when a brother doesn't have to "wonder" what lies beneath the hijaab because a sister may leave less to the imagination, it entices one more, since they can clearly SEE that she's beautiful, and they don't have to wonder, "is she bald?!" LOL. 
This is a growing trend though among those who try to make it seem as though "only what we exhibit on the outside is what shows that we are Muslim."
You'll find many hypocrites who preach this and that, and say such things as, "You're doing haraam and will go to hell if you don't present yourself in a certain way such as wearing hijaab or niqaab." They preach day in and day out of the beauties found in hijab. They try to remind us sisters that this is what is asked of us, as believing women. They talk and talk and talk about how much MORE beautiful we sisters are in our hijab. Yet at the very same time, they also busy yourselves chatting it up with women who put their beauty on display regularly. They busy themselves in the many glances of bare skin and long flowing hair. They say they're looking for the next Aisha, (r.a.) or the next Khadijah (r.a.), yet they can't seem to turn their heads away from the bikinis long enough to just acknowledge that their hijabi sisters are right there, attempting to help them. This is what I call that "two faced" syndrome... they show two faces at once. It's understandable that we all have our demons and weaknesses, but it's not fair to harp on the sisters saying, "Sister, when you don't wear full hijab, it's haraam," when at the same time, they still continue to show within their very actions what their preferences really are. Words are merely sounds in the ear when there aren't actions to follow. 

We busy ourselves on the certain details, yet overlook the entire concept of our duty as believers. Islam is such a beautiful religion, but it's the believers that have made it less appealing. Even the Prophet (saws) reminded us of how much harder we seem to make things on ourselves, when it is suppose to be natural and easy. On other occasions he  has also stated that,'This Deen or way of life is easy'; Abu Hurayrah relates that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: This religion is easy. 'Make it easy, don't make it difficult; 'Let people rejoice in being Muslims and not run away from it' and 'Cheerfulness towards other people, even a smile is a sadaqah or charity to be rewarded by Allah'. 
No one becomes harsh and strict in the religion without it overwhelming him. So fulfill your duties as best as you can and rejoice. Rely upon the efforts of the morning and the evening and a little at night and you will reach your goal." (Al-Bukhari)
This further confirms for us the concept of moderation. When we become too extreme in certain areas, we not only make things harder for ourselves, however we also make it harder for others and leave the potential to scare others away from wanting to learn more. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says: Even in Qur'an Allah (swt) reminds us of this. Allah (swt) says: {Thus We have made you a moderate nation.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 143) 
Everything in moderation restores balance and generates peace and tranquility. But when we believers place standards upon each other, it only leaves others to feel resentment and breeds negativity. 
So going back to what we seek in a spouse....

We must be more sensitive towards each other when we set up these standards for ourselves and what we seek in a spouse. Remembering that we are ALL SLAVES to the ALMIGHTY and remembering that WE'RE ALL HUMAN needs to be something that plays the common denominator in all equations. So, when you do find that someone who may approach you or show interest......FIRST, check to see if their imaan is there, even if it may not be as strong as you would like. Remember you may have been there once upon a time. As the late Malcom X once quoted, "Don't be in such a hurry to condemn a person because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today." We all have the potential to learn and grow..."From the cradle to the grave, it's our duty to our Creator to never stop learning. This is where that factor of being patient needs to come into play. No one is perfect! And don't base your decisions on culture when your faith is suppose to be in ALLAH swt alone. When we divert from HIS WAY, we merely make it harder on ourselves. Allah swt puts it so clearly for us of what we should seek in a spouse within the wisdom of the Qur'an as well as His messenger, Prophet Muhammad (saws), but because we have so many outside factors that shape our judgments, we begin losing our hearing to HIS WORDS and REMINDERS. 
My dear Ummah, don't get lost within the woods of this duniyah. Like the story of Hansel and Gretel, make sure you leave enough "breadcrumbs" to find your way back to the straight path, should you become lost. It's very easy to get lost within the woods of duniyha, however, with prayer as your armor and Qur'an and hadith as your compass, you can never become too lost. Remember to keep HIM with you in ALL AFFAIRS, especially in matters of the heart.
And ALLAH TRULY KNOWS BEST!!! 

(Thank you T. Thornton for your response and insight regarding my previous article)

Seeking a spouse: The trouble with our Ummah today (part ONE)

Writen by Medina Yasmine

All too often I experience a Muslim sister complaining about how there are no decent Muslim men around. However, I find that many times their definition of "Decent" equates to what we see in the movies and on television. Sisters, DO NOT BE FOOLED, these examples of what society says of what a "real man"  is, it does not exist. 

The problem with women of today is that we all expect this idea of our prince charming or a knight in shinning armor to ride in on his great white horse to save us, their “damsel in distress," however this cartoon like scenario comes from the imagination of the non-believers. The Western ways of thinking is built primarily on the glitz & glam of Hollywood. In the movies, men are portrayed as the loving, emotional, compassionate, caring and nurturing beings, of which Allah did not design them to be. We expect our men to feel a certain way about us and love us a certain way according to what we see in the movies and we fall in love with a false idea of what we feel a “Real Man” is suppose to be. Men too try to fit within this image of what they "think" women want, and so they say all the right things in order to attempt to fit within that unrealistic mold, however, they walk blindly within the traps of duniyah, not fully understanding that Allah (swt) did not create them to be this way. This is the distorted idea of what we women have allowed ourselves to become trapped into thinking. This is also why our Ummah is beginning to meet the same number in statistics in regards to the divorce rates among non-believers, and also we're beginning to see a greater number of women partaking in homosexual relationships due to the expectations that women have placed upon our male counterparts, and their inability to meet what we have formed within our minds as the "ideal man." We further take this concept and remind ourselves never to settle for less, and of course, because we have built such an un-achievable platform within our standards of what we feel we deserve, we continue searching. The problem here comes from what we have allowed our conscious to be diluted with...this false reality that will only prove to be of our demise if we let it. 

Also, this discrepancy in the idea of man comes from a drastic change within societal roles. The 21st Century has developed a new family dynamic which has somewhat caused much disruption in the chemistry of how we are designed to think. Women….being forced to become the breadwinners of their households while also having to maintain the nurturing role for our children has caused much imbalance in how we treat ourselves as well as our men. Women have been forced to also wear the pants because of this, in turn giving way to many of them having lost respect for their male counterparts and some carry themselves with an invincible high egotistical attitude...and this too influences the way we women treat our men, AstagfiruAllah!

There is a vicious cycle here, because single mothers are being forced to raise their male children on their own without much influential support from the fathers…and with a lack of a dominate male figure which had once existed, now contributes to the so called “mama’s boy,”….and of course is bringing about the wide spread of "baby mamas." We lack REAL MEN who want to stay around to be what they never had…..and on that same note, lacking "REAL WOMEN" who once knew the crucial reality in the importance in how to raise our boys to become “Real Men” because they, themselves have no idea of what a Real Man is suppose to be like. As Iyanla Vanzant so wisely refers to them as "Fatherless sons,"  she describes them as having a whole within their souls of which is the shape of their father. When young men do not have a primary example to go from, when they bring children into the world, it's as though they're set on stage to act without a script nor with any type of acting experience. And when placed in that situation, anyone would develop a sense of "stage fright." In these instances, you'll find the innate question of whether you FIGHT, or FLIGHT.....Again, this leading into why there is continuance of this repeated cycle that only leaves a domino effect to why there is such a great problem with women in regards to being happy and content in a relationship. The standards are far too high for these men, and the patience and tolerance is far too low because of the situations we've allowed ourselves to remain in for too long. Those situations ultimately leave bad tastes in our mouths and we live future experiences according to the few that rubbed us the wrong way. But sisters, THERE IS HOPE!!! 

The first step to changing a behavior or habit is to first to become AWARE of it. Accept the fact that you may hold your preferences a bit to that of which you see in the movies. Once you acknowledge it, only then can you take the first steps in trying to change your concept of what's realistic vs. what's not so realistic. So the next step is to learn. Read or take a course on what to look for in a mate according to Qur'an, hadith and sunnah. 

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned various characteristics that people, by their nature and custom, look for in a spouse. He did not advocate any of them, but merely stated them as facts of human nature except for the issue of "Deen", i.e., a prospective spouse's piety and practice of Islam - their fulfilling of the wajib and their avoidance of the haram. About this characteristic, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said "alaikum bi dhaati ad-deen" or "it is upon you to seek the one of piety". This is an order and quite different from the general statement at the beginning of the hadith which says "a woman IS MARRIED for her deen, her wealth or her beauty. You must go for the one with deen, may your hands be in the dust! (if you fail to heed)" [Muslim].." and separates the issue of deen from the other mundane issues and puts it in a category by itself. Also, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says at the end of the hadith "may your hands be in the dust", invoking this negative outcome on those who disregard his order, it can only refer to the order to see the spouse with piety, since that is the only order in the hadith. (http://www.islamswomen.com/marriage/fiqh_of_marriage_4.php)

The Prophet Muhammad (saws) further goes onto state that -- 

"When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks to marry your daughter, comply with his request. If you do not do so, there will be corruption and great evil on earth. " (Tirmidhi).

As believers, this further explains that we need not make it difficult for those who do approach us who do show a sound character and religious mind set. Yes, obviously you have to get along with the individual, as you will be living under the same roof together, however, all too often I find brothers and sisters making these important characteristics the last priorities on their lists or at least after looks, income, education, etc. This is NOT what the Prophet (saws) has taught us through his example. If anything this goes completely against his teachings, and until we as believers are able to grasp this concept and adopt his ways and teachings into our ways of thinking, we will continue to experience more divorces and committing of haraam acts such as zina and homosexuality. Keep in mind that these acts only further drives us away from the path towards our Creator. Our impulsive desires become front and center when we forget where our MOST desired final destination lies, which is in the Jannah Firdous.

May Allah (SWT) guide us onto the straight and right path and further protect us from the whispers of Shaytan. Ameen Ameen YA RABBI.

Dar Al-Hijrah Masjid

By Adam Majewski

Minneapolis, MN- With out success Dar Al Hijrah Masjid in the Cedar Riverside is for now been searching for a new home the past week after the explosion and fire New Years Eve. Their location sustained water and smoke damage from the incident. Even though the building they where in survived, due to the accident it is currently being aired out and checked for any possible unforeseen damage.

Dar Al-Hijrah in Minnesota(MN) is home to up to 300 people from the community for worship, and is the states first Somali American Mosque. With it's rich history it shouldn't be ignored, many churches around town have been opening their doors to their attendees. Because of the number of Muslims who attend are not able to hold so many.

As of yet their pror location due to the explosion will not be usable for many months until the water damage is fully fixed smell is aired out and cleared by the city building inspectors. Jummah prayer is currently being held a few blocks away at a local community center. Eventually they hope to return to the former building but now need as much help as they can get.

Slavery In Today's World

By Adam Majewski

Bismillah

The Noble Qur'ân Al-Baqarah 2:177

It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, and each and every act of obedience to Allâh, etc.) that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allâh, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to Al-Masâkin (the poor), and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, performs As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and gives the Zakât, and who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.) in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the truth and they are Al­Muttaqûn (pious).

In much of today's world there is slavery whether people accept or deny it. How ever in today's modern day slavery still does exist. The most notorious countries for acts of slavery with in the Islamic Ummah according to www.theamericanmuslim.org are Saudi Arabia and the Sudan. Both these countries which rule by Sharia law.

Everyone should know that during Muhammads time Peace and Blessings be Upon Him(PBUH) slavery was never fully accepted and the Holy Quran only permits it under certain circumstances which don't pertain to modern day Islam. In today's world, according to the Holy Quran slavery is not allowed.

In some of the worlds major Islamic countries there has been a resurgence of slavery. The Surprising thought is that in these countries slavery is outlawed using Sharia Law, as well with there actual legal system's. Many of these countries are not enforcing their own beliefs or laws.

Here in America when anyone hears about slavery they scream foul play, and protest against it, not seeing that slavery is in all, full swing here in some of the states. Here in America slavery still exists just as much as in other countries. According to the State Department figures, around 18,000 people a year are brought in to the U.S.A as Modern day slaves, making what are called slave wages.

The Quran never fully abolished slavery, but it did put in to place that over time with it's restrictions on slavery would one day from an islamic view be abolished.

According to Roger Du Pasquier, Unveiling Islam slaves had some what more opportunities then their "Master's":

"Slavery was not abolished by the Koran, but believers are constantly admonished to treat their slaves well. In case of illness a slave has to be looked after and well cared for. To manumit [free] a slave is highly meritorious; the slave can ransom himself by paying some of the money he has earned while conducting his own business. Only children of slaves or non-Muslim prisoners of war can become slaves, never a freeborn Muslim; therefore slavery is theoretically doomed to disappear with the expansion of Islam. The entire history of Islam proves that slaves could occupy any office, and many former military slaves, usually recruited from among the Central Asian Turks, became military leaders and often even rulers as in eastern Iran, India (the Slave Dynasty of Delhi), and medieval Egypt (the Mamluks). Eunuchs too served in important capacities, not only as the guardians of the women's quarters, but also in high administrative and military positions. -- p. 67"

With much of the slave trade today finally being brought forward, it spans across all cultures not just one. Yet in Islam the slave trade mainly prevails because not of the faith and religion, but because of interpersonal relationships and personal short comings of the communities with in Islam. Over time slavery will be abolished only though if everyone come's together to end it. The one thing holding everyone back is that people are only talking and not doing. Action speaks louder to everyone then words, once everyone is able to over come their short comings and take action, then will slavery will finally end.

What We Look For

By Medina Yasmine

Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem.

When it comes to seeking the right kind of mate for marriage, one must take more into account than just the outer superficial qualities that one may possess. It must be taken into consideration of how this potential mate may fair in all circumstances. We need to stop allowing this duniyah to effect or alter our views in how we go about choosing our life partner.

A majority of young men look for a certain shape and size of woman, a certain skin color, a certain hair type, etc.... They look for something that looks good on their arm, and then everything else will be assumed to fall into place. But then they may eventually find themselves becoming bored if little to nothing is of common interests for them, and it's soon realized that "Looks can only hold ones attention for so long." This is the wrong way of going about seeking a spouse and  further partly results to high divorce rates. 

A majority of young women also pay attention to looks, but they're more concerned about financial support. "Is this guy capable of supporting me and my desire to live a comfortable lifestyle? Are they educated enough? Are they romantic and do they tell me what I want to hear?" Women fall too easily because they fall in love through their ears. And some, if not MOST men know this, which is why some men work so hard to always get their "talk swag" on point. They know all they have to do is tell a woman how beautiful she is, and how incredible of a wife she would be for him, and he knows he's found his way to unlocking the code phrase to getting what he wants by using the password: " I LOVE YOU!" This is part of what goes into the whole process of "Lust at first sight." This is how people become confused with the meaning of love. But little do they know it's all superficial. This is part of that "do first, think later" syndrome, also known as IMPATIENCE. We desire so much to be with someone who we feel can complete us. Who will encourage us at our weak moments, yet it always seems to just be about us.... We want this, and we want that. " I want a wife who will support and respect me." I want a husband who will love and care about me." ME ME ME ME ME!!!

What happened to YOU being that person for someone else? This is the reason why people continue to have issues with finding the right person, as well as the reason why divorce rates continue to be on the rise...because we're so caught up in fulfilling our own needs and desires first. We're selfish in our ways and our decisions. We begin to live ego driven lives, although some may deny this. However, you would be surprised as to how many times one may display these ways without really knowing their doing it. Even showing a lack of patience with others is selfish in itself. May Allah swt protect us from our own demons and the whispers of shaytaan. Ameen.

It all comes down to our preferences when looking for a potential spouse. It's in remembering what the Prophet Muhammad (saws) reminded us of what to pay attention to and what characteristics need to be placed before others.

Many people find it hard to decide on what exactly to look for when choosing a spouse. What may seem obvious to some can sometimes prove to be quite difficult for others when making such an important decision that will ultimately effect the rest of their lives and most importantly shape which destination lies ahead whether it be Jannah, or Jahannem. 

Most recently a list of qualities and traits that comprise of what equates to the "Ideal Husband" had been viewed and shared a number of times via Facebook.
The following list was provided via the "Sister's page" on Facebook.

5 Types Of Men Who Make Great Husbands
1. The Provider
He puts family first, always. He can’t rest until he knows the ones he loves are okay. “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because of what Allah has preferred one with over the other and because of what they spend to support them from their wealth.”
[Sûrah an-Nisâ’: 34]

-Sisters, please do not confuse the idea of "Provider" with "He must take care of me and ALL MY NEEDS AND WANTS. NO!!! He does have to take care of you and the family, however, this does not include fulfilling all the items on your wish lists of materialistic things that take away from your family as a whole. It's alright to seek out a spouse that will be able to provide for your household. There is NOTHING WRONG with that...However, DO NOT LET THAT BE THE DECIDING FACTOR. Understand that he doesn't need to make much money or have much education to make you happy. As long as ALLAH (swt) is his FIRST PRIORITY, trust that true happiness will always be there. Allah swt is the BEST of providers for HIS believers, and as long as your man strives to please HIM even through the setbacks and downfalls, you don't have to worry about how much money he makes. 

Also keep in mind, if you're dead set on marrying the doctor, lawyer, or politician, you've already proved a lack of focus. You've lost focus of where your priorities truly lie, which are to please your Creator and to strive in making it back to HIM. When that husband of yours with the degree or social status that you desires becomes too busy for you, this opens your attention to anyone willing to give it. And ultimately you leave yourself wide open for Shaytaan's whispers to sneak in, leaving you vulnerable to committing sins. DON'T LOSE YOUR FOCUS! 

2. The Rock
At your weakest moments, his strength keeps you stable and inspires you to push through. He’s the kind of man who never misses your call when he knows you need to discuss something important, or better, just a friend to be there for you. 

- This is something we always tend to desire within our mates. A companion, buddy, and emotional supporter when needed. However, we also need to understand that he's not going to be available at our beck and call. Understand that as human beings, we all have our moments where we need someone who can support us, but also we need to be that support for them. There will be times where both sides may need support and comfort all at the same time, however, when you aren't able to provide that for yourself, how can you expect to be that support for someone else? Self care needs to be something that takes place as well. You cannot just rely solely on your companion all the time. As T.D. Jakes says, "Some people are 10 gallon sized" in regards to the love and the emotions they give, and others are "Pint sized." When you have the potential to express a great amount of love and compassion for others, you sometimes seek that as reciprocity......in return for your show of love. However, it needs to be understood that not everyone has the potential to express that same amount of love. They just aren't capable of it and there is nothing wrong with that. It's just how they are as individuals, and that must be mutually respected and understood. But it's up to the other to be emotionally wise enough not to place more burden on the "pint sized" lover's shoulders. Yes, everyone has the potential to grow and learn, however, you cannot fit a circle shaped block into the triangular slot. Understand that Allah swt creates people to the way HE sees fit, and it's up to us to tie our camels and trust in HIM that HE knows while we know not. 

3. The Critical Thinker
There isn’t a problem, big or small, that he isn’t itching to solve. He is patient, because he has to be — rushing things is rarely the answer and he knows this.

-Now in regards to #3, we all know that this is ideal for ANYONE! Although these traits have the potential to exist sometimes, however, understand that it isn't going to exist all the time. There will be moments of shutting down....but that's where the learned patience comes in. Rushing things has been apart of our make up since time began. We are an impatient creation, but what disciplines that impatience is TRUST and FAITH in ALLAH (SWT).

4. The Believer
He’s God-fearing and he’s proud of his strong beliefs. He thinks positively. He’s a fighter, and he will fight with you and for your marriage. He won’t give up, even when you do. He has most likely chosen a career he loves over one that pays all the bills. Therefore he’s just as passionate about his work as is about his family!

-The believer is someone we ALL strive to be, however more so in strengthening our bond with our Creator in all aspects of life, but one must never be proud, however stay humble in their beliefs. So although they feel they are doing everything right, they still are humbled in knowing that at anytime Allah swt could provide them with a test that may ultimately show the potential of turning their hearts. It's in knowing and understanding that at anytime, we could leave ourselves vulnerable to shaytaan's whispers to make us weak and respond to his advances. Remembering this is what keeps a believer always on their toes and 'hearts in sujood' for fear of disappointing their Creator in anyway. 

5. The Free Spirit 
Spending time with this man never gets old. With him, there’s never a dull moment at home, he tries to keep life exciting. Spending the rest of your life with the same person, doing many of the same things, can be as boring or as exciting as you make it. Marrying this man ensures that one pitfall your marriage won’t ever fall into is that of pure and utter boredom. It sounds simple, but it’s so important.

-Now we all should expect to become tired, bored or annoyed with our spouses at some point or another. I think all too often we read things like this and it makes us excited for marriage, but then when we marry, it's nothing like what we had initially expected. We assumed happy times all the time, and even when we reminded ourselves that "it isn't possible," we still didn't prepare ourselves for what really was to come. We allowed ourselves to become caught up and lost in "FACEBOOK" posts and stories and were making the marriage the ends...not the means. This is why it is so important to take the time out and actually look for a suitable potential life partner. Nowadays people enter marriage "Wanting" it to last forever, however in the back of their minds they also know there is an easy way out called "divorce." It's almost as though they marry with the intent of possibly divorcing someday although "Allah (swt) looks down on divorce."

After viewing these characteristics, I formed a counter list of traits for guys to utilize as a cheat sheet when looking for a potential wife. These descriptions of what makes an ideal wife, best describes what women have come to learn about the traits some men tend to seek, as well as what has also attributed to building a successful marriage.

7 Types of Women Who Make Great Wives

1.) The Believer:
 She is God-fearing and shares your same beliefs and values, as she is the first teacher for your children. She puts God first in everything she does and teaches your children to do the same through example. She helps you in praising and obeying Allah (swt) by being a reminder for you when you may feel stagnant or low in Imaan.

2.) The Nurturer:

She puts the needs of the family before her own. She provides comfort, ease, and calm in a world of chaos. She establishes the house that you provide and makes it a home, your sanctuary from the world. She tries her best to maintain the peace and tranquility within your home and protects that environment to the best of her abilities. She understands that there aren't going to be happy times all the time, and she makes sure to provide you with your space when needed without over-reacting. 

3.) The Supporter:

 She's your cheerleader and your biggest fan. She's your Rock and she encourages you when times get hard and when you're struggling to keep your game face on even though you're breaking down on the inside, she is patient with you and feels your pain and anguish without making you aware of her knowledge. She's the fellow soldier who fights duniyah related battles with you, right by your side. She dusts off your shield when it's battle time and she dusts off your Qur'an when the battles become too overwhelming to keep count.

4.) The Positive Thinker:

She doesn't always think negative nor is she pessimistic about everything. She is driven, determined and although she may show the heart that she wears on her sleeve at times, she always makes sure to correct her mistakes if any are had. She tries to make the best of all situations even if the outcome doesn't appear to be the best at the time. And instead of "nagging," she provides suggestions respectfully always trying to keep in mind that it's the "delivery" and "tone of voice" that shape outcomes.

5.) The Dependable:

She is reliable and faithful as well as respectful and understands the dynamics for the nature of their marriage. She lowers her gaze at all times and dismisses all advances. Her husband is her best friend, lover, and confidant, and she does her best to remind him of how important he is to her every moment she's able.

6.) The Fun-Lover:

She knows when to be serious just as much as she knows when to make you crack a smile. She enjoys changing things up every now and then in all aspects of your marriage union. She loves to laugh and is not afraid to let out a good cry every now and then. She's always looking for new ways to surprise you and show her love for you.

7.) The Wise:

She's even more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside but she always takes care of her  physical and mental as well as spiritual health for the sake of Allah swt. She's kind-hearted and wants the best for others. She treats others the way she wishes to be treated and she strives to please her Creator FIRST and FOREMOST in all Duniyah related affairs.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg for the many things that one may want to take into account when seeking out a potential mate for marriage. Although it primarily applies to men, however, there are some takeaways for women as well. However, the most important thing one must always take into account first and foremost is if they are truly God-Fearing. It's one thing to say, "I believe," but it's another to exemplify that. People always try to bring it back to the ever so popular excuse, "it's between me and my Creator," and that's correct. Only Allah swt knows what lies within the hearts of HIS creation. However, when it comes to deciding if someone is fit enough to be a potential partner, you can tell if the person practices what they preach through the way they convey themselves to the world as well as the company they choose to be apart of. 

Not everyone will agree with the list provided. However, please note that this list is what some women have come to learn in regards to the preferences and traits that some men tend to seek in their potential spouses. Physical attraction was left out on purpose, however understand that it's completely fine for a brother to go for beauty or to have a desire to be attracted to his potential wife. There is nothing wrong with that whatsoever. Even in Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (saws) says: "A women is married for four reasons: for her wealth, for her fame, for her beauty and for her (adherence to) religion. So marry one for her religion and you will win”[Bukbari & Muslim] and, “Four are causes of happiness,: A good wife, a big house, a good neighbor and a good way of transportation” [Al-Hakim].

Although it's completely acceptable to make sure that you find your spouse attractive, it's even more important to make sure that she is a true believer in the Almighty. Understand that with her not being of this Deen, it will serve no purpose to you in your journey of striving towards the Jannah Firdous. 

This is especially important for Sisters to understand. Marrying a God-Fearing man ensures the rich futures for your children. When we seek a spouse, but leave our future out of the equation, that's when we run into many problems. It's important that when making such a decision, that ALL areas from Imaan, to desired family dynamics are to be considered.

Housing In Minnesota

By Adam Majewski

Minneapolis, MN- Housing in any community of people is one of the most important part's of life, as well food and health insurance. In a state such as Minnesota Housing is at the top of every one's list and an important tenant of Islam. It's impotence just as a shelter from the elements is what makes it a social matter here. The fact that Minnesota is one of the most expensive housing markets in America compared to income levels is what makes it an issue for everyone who lives here no matter what anyone believes.

Somali Muslims being the highest grossing culture with in the public housing market. Muslims being the most dominant religious groups. For the most part because we are the highest immigrant population with in America.

Many regular citizens of the U.S. have a difficult time getting public section 8 housing unless they are seniors or disabled. In many states being caused by the influx of Muslim refugees moving here from war torn countries, such as Syria, Egypt and Somalia. All Individuals deserve the right to help, how ever what happens to the people who live and grow up in states such as Minnesota opportunities such as affordable housing health insurance and subsidized food programs taken from them and given to some one else. It is not always this way but some times this is all to often the situation.

Allah is great, merciful and blessed, yet it is man who makes it difficult for his brothers and sisters and one's self. Men seem to have it in their mind's eye a large amount of the time that their own needs are for ever priority even when they come to the cross road's to help others. They site belief and state that I am doing the will of Allah and never take the time to see if they are really filling all of his commands.

How ever In Shaa Allah all will be good and great for everyone some day. There are how ever many different ways for individuals looking for affordable housing in the state of Minnesota to do so. Anyone can apply but being accepted is based on the house holds income and need. A family and persons with disabilities have a higher possibility of being accepted to any public housing program in Minnesota. Refugees as well gain priority at least in Minnesota.

If you may be looking for affordable housing it is a good idea to, In Shaa Allah, check out Hud.gov, Minneapolis and St. Paul housing authorities and many individual private groups which are accessible on Hud.gov. Not all is lost to we need to be strong and continue to stay strong in providing for our families as Muslims even when it may seem that all is lost.