Islam teaches that the purpose of a Muslim’s life is to worship Allah and to devote oneself to seeking His love. It is natural for a human being to love Allah and desire to win His love because that love is ingrained into a person’s soul before birth. Muslims recite the Azan (call to Prayer) in an infant’s right ear immediately after birth. Therefore, from the very beginning the child is subconsciously attracted to the Truth and Beauty of The Creator.

The most important aspect of good hygiene is cleanliness. In accordance with the Islamic belief that the condition of the body affects the mind, physical cleanliness is essential for spiritual well-being. Allah says:Other CeremoniesOther occasions celebrated by Muslims include weddings, births and religious gatherings. At weddings, the nikah and walimah are usually celebrated. The birth of a child is celebrated by sacrificing an animal and inviting relatives friends and the poor to a feast called the “Aqiqa.” When a child finishes the Holy Qur’an for the first time, his parents celebrate with an “Ameen,” where friends join in prayer for the child, and sweets are distributed. As with all matters concerning a Muslim’s life, you will find that Islam provides guidance for a pure and healthy life. The Holy Qur’an says: Muslims, especially Ahmadis, do not celebrate birthdays in the same fashion as they are celebrated in Western society. A birthday is seen as the decrease of the life span by a year, thus a cause for prayer rather than a celebration. Muslims take part in national holidays, such as Independence day and Thanksgiving, but do not celebrate Christmas, Easter, Halloween and Valentine’s day.

A Muslim Woman’s Diary is a collection of thoughts, reminders and advice in the form of quotes from a Muslima to all her sisters across the world. The book is divided into four fundamental themes – haya, nafs, sabr and obedience. The aim of this work is to help you deal with the major and minor issues in your life, as well as guide you to change your mindset into a positive perspective when facing calamities. Along the way, you will also gain an overall understanding of the Islamic principles in how to understand your worth as a Muslim woman in a Western society, how to deal with your nafs, how to maintain sabr in times of hardship and finally how to be obedient to your Lord and parents. By the will of Allah, this book will help you re-evaluate the meaning of your life and assist you to see the light within the darkness.Published on April 12th The concern here is for the purification of the mind and soul, and Islam emphasizes that external purity leads to internal purity, just as external impurity leads to internal impurity. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) stressed the importance of cleanliness. He said: After morning prayers and devotions, you are prepared to meet the events of the day. The most important points to remember are to act with taqwa (the fear of Allah) in your heart, and to keep in mind the commandments of Allah, and the sunnah (practices) and hadith (sayings) of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Courtesy and good behavior are a very important part of the Islamic way of life. The Holy Qur’an says:In Chapter 2, Women’s Issues, you have already come across the explanation of hijab or purdah. Once again, Islam stresses the relationship between body and mind. The wearing of the outer garments and veiling of the body leads to veiling of the heart and shielding it from impure thoughts. There is another tool which is provided by Islamic teaching to help keep a Muslim on the path of the righteous. This is the concept of taqwa. The word “taqwa” can best be defined as the “fear of Allah.” However, that is not to say that one should live in the dread of the Almighty, or that He is a Dreadful Being. Rather, it should be regarded as the fear of the loss of Allah’s love. Allah’s love for His creatures is boundless, but a Muslim should be aware that if she disregards His commands, she may lose His Protection and His Bounty. No one can become truly righteous until taqwa has entered every facet of their daily life. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV, Supreme Head of the Ahmadiyya Movement has set clear guidelines for observing hijab/purdah for Ahmadi women in Western countries. He advises women born and bred in Pakistan who have moved here, to maintain the form of hijab/purdah that they used there, i.e., the burqa, with the face covered. Women who work outside the home may take off their hijab/purdah at work, if necessary, but should wear it at all other times. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) advised his followers that offering the required prayers at their proper times is especially pleasing to Allah. He further instructed that recitation of the Holy Qur’an after Fajr prayer every morning is also pleasing to Him, even if only a few verses are read. Some sayings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) concerning prayer are:

There is no good reason for not eating halal meat at all times, unless you are somewhere where it is absolutely unavailable. Halal meat can usually be obtained in Muslim stores. However, if it is totally unavailable, then it is permissible to eat meat from regular markets and invoke the name of Allah over it before cooking and eating it. The term “ halal” means “that which is lawful for you”; thus halal meat is that which has been slaughtered in the name of Allah, and has had the blood drained out from it. The term “haram” means that which is unlawful for you, and includes blood, pork and alcohol. Allah has further commanded that you eat only what is “tayyab,” that is, food that is good and wholesome. Something may be halal, but it may not be tayyab, and thus should be avoided. Islam teaches that the condition of the body affects the condition of the spirit, and thus great care should be taken to keep one’s body healthy and fit. Islam further teaches that all food should be taken in moderation, and nothing should be indulged into excess. He has made unlawful to you only that which dies of itself, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which the name of any other than Allah has been invoked. But he who is driven by necessity, being neither disobedient nor exceeding the limit, it shall be no sin for him. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.” (2:173,174) When Muslims practice Islamic hygiene in the correct manner, they benefit in two ways: their outward purity helps them achieve inner purity, and the whole society benefits because many health hazards can be avoided. In Chapter 1, the Islamic prayer or salaat was discussed. Salaat is offered five times daily, at the appointed times of Fajr (at dawn); Zuhr (after midday); Asr (late afternoon); Maghrib (after the sun sets) and Isha (at night). Observing these prayers is the most important activity of a Muslim’s day.Lajna Imaillah, which means “maidservants of Allah,” tries to follow the example of these women, and encourages its members to do good works. By attending the meetings of your local chapter and joining in their activities, you will come to feel part of this sisterhood of Muslim women. Many Ahmadi women in the United States are from Pakistan, and many of them do not speak English well. Although they may not be able to verbally communicate with you very well, be assured that in their hearts they regard you as their Muslim sister. So greet them warmly at Lajna meetings and you will find that cultural and language barriers gradually melt away. Be aware also that some social customs you encounter are cultural and not religious. The Holy Qur’an and Hadith clearly define Islamic law, so it is not essential to slavishly follow someone else’s culture. The transitions from this world to the next and the disposal of a deceased are serious matters in all cultures and religions. In Islam death is treated with great dignity. A deceased Muslim is due utmost respect and his body is handled according to the sunnah (action) of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). The body is given a ritual bath, and wrapped in two white sheets before being put in a coffin. Once it is prepared, the funeral service is held. The Imam leads the Janaza prayer, with the mourners standing in rows behind him. After this, the body is buried, usually in a graveyard that belongs to the Ahmadiyya Community. Cremation is not permitted in Islam.