Venezuelan President's Visit to Trinidad and Tobago

Regarding the Venezuelan President's visit on Monday; I will make a decision today as to exactly what we will do for our five nationals still detained in Venezuela... Rest assured whatever decision I make would be in the best interest to all. Keep in mind I am of the absolute clear opinion that our nationals will not be freed by any Judicial processes but rather an act or decree of the Venezuelan Parliament and or an unequivocal intervention by our Government or an act of God Almighty. Please we must bear patience; and don't ask how much more patience can we have because that is not the attitude of a believer. We must continue to strive to the best of our abilities, and be wise and not be complacent and not fall into error. Our nationals, brothers, husbands, fathers and sons will be reunited with us God's willing and when that time comes we must be prepared to receive therm and that will be our biggest trial... May God Almighty make it easy for us and may He guide and protect us through this trial and reward us with patience and understanding... Aameen...

The True Status of Mothers

Mother's Day is an insult to all mothers. .. The following describes the true status of Mothers take heed...

Abdullah Ibn 'Umar saw a Yemeni man performing Tawâf (circumambulating the Ka'bah) while carrying his mother on his back. This man said to Abdullah Ibn 'Umar, "I am like a tame camel for her! I have carried her more than she carried me. Do you think I have paid her back, O Ibn 'Umar?" Abdullah Ibn 'Umar replied, "No, not even one contraction!!" [Al-Adab al-Mufrad Bukhârî 1/62]

SubhânAllah (Glory be to God)! The efforts of a man who carries his mother on his back while performing tawâf cannot even repay his mother for a single contraction that she went through for him. Wise indeed was Ibn 'Umar's reply to this man to show him how massively indebted he was to his mother. This is the tremendous value and prestigious position of mothers in Islam!

Yet another example is found in the following prophecy of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him):

There will come to you with reinforcements from Yemen a man called Uways ibn 'Âmir of the clan of Murâd from the tribe of Qaran. He had leprosy but has been cured of it except for a spot the size of a coin. He has a mother and he has always treated her with kindness and respect. If he prays to Allah, Allah will fulfill his wish. If you can ask him to pray for forgiveness for you, then do so. [Sahîh Muslim 16/95]

Indeed, later on 'Umar ibn al-Khattâb met Uways who was exactly as the Prophet described, and upon 'Umar's request Uways prayed for him. Commenting on this narration, Shaykh Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimî writes:

What a high status Uways reached by virtue of his kindness and respect towards his mother, so that the Prophet recommended his Sahabah [companions] to seek him out and ask him to pray for them!

All of this indicates the high status to which Islam has raised the position of motherhood, and given the mother precedence over the father. At the same time, Islam has given importance to both parents, and has enjoined kindness and respect to both. (Al-Hashimi, The Ideal Muslimah, IIPH 2005, p. 167)

Such is the true status of Mothers. ..