The countdown to Eid is well and truly underway with mere days to go before we welcome Eid ul Adha and insha’Allah are granted the opportunity to celebrate yet another Eid with our loved ones. Today we’re discussing Eid gifts for men, so if you have spent the last week browsing through sites only to stop halfway because the options are too overwhelming, this gift guide will help. Grab your card, pick a gift idea and sit back and wait for it to arrive!

Men are notoriously difficult to buy for, and it’s usually because they themselves don’t quite know what they need/ want or are very specific about what it is they would like! I often have to keep an ear out all year round for things that my brother mentions, for example, just so I know I’m not going to be wasting time purchasing him something he is going to end up returning. If you’re still looking for the perfect gifts for the men in your life, here are three gift ideas for men under $30 to help you in your search:

1. An Audible subscription

Audible subscriptions are brilliant for those on the move or people who are avid readers that would love to read more but are unable to find the time. With over 200,000 titles they are bound to find something they would love and what’s more, there is usually a month’s free trial! This is also great for younger children or students because it familiarises them with more vocabulary and teaches them critical listening amongst other things.

2. An Islamic-themed gift basket

You could also put together a gift basket with things they would like or need – their favourite attar, homemade treats, a new tasbih, a pair of khufs for when they are out and about, or even a DVD of Islamic lectures that they can listen to in the car.

3. Personalised gifts

In all the years I have been gift giving, I find that gifts that have been personalised always go down a treat. One of my husband’s favourite gifts is an engraved wooden keychain that features a message from our son on one side, and a little calendar with the date of his birth marked off on the other.

From mugs, to socks, to notebooks or photo books – there are plenty of options for personalising gifts and when you tailor the gift to the recipient, they know you’ve put in a little more thought and effort into it. You could even have a special quote or photograph printed and framed for them so they have something to fondly look back on.

We hope you find some of these suggestions useful! 

About the Author

Iman is a working mum, a wife and organising junkie. She blogs at Organised by Iman  (www.organisedbyiman.com), where she shares the beautiful, chaotic, ever-changing life journey that she's on through her parenting experiences, reflections, organising and creative projects, and more.

 

In a world full of hundreds of toys and gift options for kids of all ages, the surprising thing is there is not a lot of stuff that fall into the category of ‘ethical gifts for kids’.  Here are some options that we’ve put together, the last in our series of gift ideas, for the little ones in your lives!

Make a donation

Volunteering

Make Yourself Heard!

The Prophet was a son. A husband. A father. A friend. A preacher. A leader. A statesman. An Army commander. And he was the BEST in each and every role he played in his life. Have you ever wondered how he managed such multiple roles so spectacularly?

The lifestyle of a person is the sum total of their attitude and activities. These days, the term ‘lifestyle’ gives one a misconception about a high end living that we see splashed out in those glossy lifestyle magazines. But simply put, it is just how we live. And for us Muslims we should know how to live. It is by following the lifestyle Islam teaches us to.
 
But just as how those magazines lead the whole world to believe that lifestyle is all about the exterior, these days Muslims also, unfortunately, believe that an Islamic lifestyle is all about following some rituals and finding halal food places to eat.
 
But is that it? What does Islam really say about living as a Muslim?
 
Here are some points to ponder upon.

1. Obedience to The One Almighty:

Of course, being a Muslim basically asks us to be submissive to only One Power and to obey all the halals and harams mentioned in His Book and the authentic Sunnah. And that doesn't include just the eating rules. Rather, we need to ensure what we earn, spend, wear, live in and more is of halal means and mode. Along with forbidding ourselves from visible harams like drinks, drugs and riba (interest), we need to ensure that we stay away from eating off an orphan’s money or from backbiting or ridiculing or cheating and many vices that Quran prohibits as such.

2. Sincerity in Deeds:

But it is not just enough to obey and perform our Islamic duties. We need to do them sincerely. From the acts of worship to maintaining relationships and dealing with people around us, a Muslim should be sincere and transparent in everything they do. Remember,  Allah SWT looks at our hearts more than the deeds.

 
3. Seeking Excellence:

The biggest trap many of us fall in is the trap of being an “average” Muslim. As a Muslim, mediocrity is never what we should settle for in life. We need to live seeking excellence in every role we play. We need to ensure that each day, we spend our time productively and wisely. A proactive lifestyle is mandatory for a Muslim.
 
That sums up how our attitude to life should be. Next time, we will go through some of the main character traits that will help immensely to lead a true Muslim lifestyle. In sha Allah!

MAA is accredited by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), responsible for managing the Australian Government’s aid program.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Farzana Rijas is a Homoeopathic Physician by profession currently pursuing her passion for writing. She likes to learn and share anything that inspires her to live a productive life.

 

Winter has arrived in Pakistan and in such circumstances the poor suffer immensely due to the inadequate resources available.

The MAA national team, in association with partners Muslim Charitable Foundation, Deen Brothers, Strike Fuels, Mactrans Heavy Haulage, and Global Aid Foundation have successfully delivered over 30,000 kgs of hay bales to farmers hard-hit by the ongoing drought in Australia.

Taps, baths, showers, swimming pools. Many of us know what these things are and arguably, many would agree that we have become accustomed to seeing these in our homes, shopping centres and even our local parks. But imagine a world where these commodities were not readily available and even rarely seen.

Success is a concept that extends beyond wealth and fame. In Islam, true success encompasses both worldly achievements and eternal happiness in the Hereafter.

Eid is a time to celebrate, so for those of you frantically looking for gift ideas, our gift ideas series is just what you need! If you’re reading this because you need to buy a gift for your wife, mother, sister, daughter, niece, grandmother or aunt – here are three easy gift ideas for women, all under $30.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Iman is a working mum, a wife and organising junkie. She blogs at Organised by Iman  (www.organisedbyiman.com), where she shares the beautiful, chaotic, ever-changing life journey that she's on through her parenting experiences, reflections, organising and creative projects, and more. 

As of November 2023, Gaza, Palestine, is in the throes of a severe humanitarian crisis. Over 2.3 million Palestinians are entrapped in Gaza, confronting immense hardship due to escalated conflict.

For a mum, delivering a baby is usually one of the most painful incidents in human life.
As a student of medicine, even just seeing the whole procedure was traumatic for me. Yet, when everything was over and the baby cried for the first time, the new mum who, just moments ago was in excruciating pain, was suddenly the most happy person ever. Ever wondered how or why that happened? Ever stopped for a moment to measure the level of happiness in your life?

MAA is keeping a close eye on the developments and government advice, and has been consulting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and ACFID. Our team of executives have been meeting regularly to discuss our response to this changing situation, and we are on stand by to support you with any concerns that you may have as a donor.

1.Perform Hajj for Allah Alone:

When millions from all over the world get together in one place, there is bound to be situations where things won't go that easy. But whatever hurdles come your way, reassuring yourself that you are doing it for Allah’s sake will work wonders. Allah SWT tells us about the Hajj in the Glorious Qur’an – “And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!”. So when things are tough, be aware that Allah is watching how you respond to those challenges and remember to be patient!

2. Prepare Well:

To make sure your Hajj experience is going to be spiritually excellent and in sha Allah accepted by Allah (SWT), it is very important to pay attention to the following BEFORE you leave:
 

• Perfect your Salah by performing it with Taqwa and a clear understanding of what you are reciting and doing.

• Memorise or keep a Dua and Isthighfaar list (with meanings) especially for the time in Arafat and also during the time spent waiting for buses or travelling.

• Read up on the history of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to relive all the acts of Hajj with the same emotions he and Hajar had gone through.

• Pack to travel light but remember to carry everything that will keep you comfortable enough to perform your Hajj properly.

• Take care of your health! If you are overweight, have high blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol or are simply addicted to coffee or tea, try and become fit and get rid of these habits before commencing the journey.

• Before departure, remember to pay off ALL debts, sort your grudges and reconcile with friends. Ensure that no harm is done or left uncompensated prior to Hajj.

3. Training to be Patient:

Generally in life and especially during something as momentous as Hajj, we need to slow down and train ourselves to put others before us. Unfortunately, this is where we often fail. Last Eid when I went to visit Masjid Nabawi it was disheartening to see women rushing to visit Rawdah Shareef without watching out for little kids and the elderly. Yes, the excitement does take over but what is the benefit throwing away all the rewards we are accumulating by pushing and shoving others, letting our impatience and anger take over? Remember Allah looks at our hearts and not just the enormity of the rituals we do. We must not be selfish and also keep away from abusive and angry conversations during Hajj.

4. Time to be Reborn:

Hajj, and especially Arafat Day can be compared in many ways to the Final Gathering of Judgement Day that each of us will face. In front of Allah SWT, when all pilgrims, in their ihram, have gathered leaving their material possessions and ties, there is no better time to be ‘reborn’. Grab this great opportunity and beg Allah to rewind and help you restart your life so you can return as a newborn baby and are able to lead a life like the best of creation, Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

5. Celebrate Unity:

The time you spend in Makkah and Medina during Hajj is a great time to get to know and interact with Muslims worldwide. After all, we are ONE Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Inculcating that bond of oneness amongst us irrespective of the differences should be a definite aim of our Hajj. Even if you find others not very forthcoming, take the initiative and reach out whenever possible by exchanging salaam or offering some food or simply sharing a smile with your fellow Muslims!
 

Making the most of Hajj is important, but remember that in the end, what is also very important is how we lead our lives after the Hajj. The readiness we show to answer Allah’s call while chanting Labbaik Allahumma labbaik should shine through our entire life once we return from this blessed trip.
 

May Allah give those of us going for Hajj this year a blessed and accepted pilgrimage and invite those who cannot go this year to His house as soon as possible. Ameen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Farzana Rijas is a Homoeopathic Physician by profession currently pursuing her passion for writing. She likes to learn and share anything that inspires her to live a productive life. 

 

Over 1.38 million meals have distributed through the Meals of Mercy app!

Hajj is a profound and often once-in-a-lifetime experience. Proper preparation ensures that you can fully immerse yourself in the pilgrimage and perform the rituals correctly.

It is that time of year again! The time of year where we, as Muslims, perform Qurban. We do this year after year but do we know why?

2.5 million. That’s the number of Syrians who have fled a revolution turned civil war.

The Day of Arafah, the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage, offers Muslims an unparalleled opportunity to seek Allah's favour and forgiveness. This sacred day, marked by fasting, prayers, and acts of devotion, is a time for spiritual renewal and immense blessings. Learn how to make the most of this extraordinary day and fulfil the noble tradition of Qurban.

Dhul Hijjah, marking the end of the Islamic year, holds immense significance due to four major events: Hajj, the Day of Arafah, Qurban, and Eid ul-Adha. The first 10 days of this month are particularly virtuous, surpassing even Ramadan in merit.

When it comes to charitable giving, donors often want to have a say in where their money goes. However, charities like MAA International have the expertise and data-driven approach to allocate funds where they can have the most significant impact. By trusting charities to decide where to give your Zakah and Sadaqah, you're helping to provide life-saving assistance to the world's most vulnerable populations.

On Saturday 25th July 2020, saw a successful joint venture realised.
Muslim Aid Australia, Muslim Charitable Foundation and Brothers in Need packed and delivered 100 hampers of non-perishable items, 50 boxes of fruit and vegetables to the Aboriginal community in Deception Bay.

Yemen is one of the poorest and driest countries in the world that is located in the Middle East and borders Saudi Arabia and Oman. Due to the ongoing conflict, the people of Yemen have been robbed of their lives, their hope and their right to live in dignity.

Thousands have been killed, tens of thousands have been injured, and more than three million have been forced to leave their homes. Yes, Yemen may just be another country suffering from poverty and the effects of conflict but it DESERVES OUR URGENT ATTENTION! Here is why:
 

• Yemen has a population of 26 million Yemenis of which, 21.2 million are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance.
• At risk are migrants from the Horn of Africa and over 3 million internally displaced - nearly half of whom are children.
• 14 million people are food insecure of which 7 million are so severely food insecure that they do not know where their next meal is coming from.

Children are the worst off

• Of the two million people who are malnourished nationwide, 370,000 are children.
• Since March 2015, thousands of children under the age of five have perished from preventable diseases as a result of the sharp decline in the availability of immunizations and remedies for diarrhoea and pneumonia.

How can you help?

MAA International has an ongoing Emergency Appeal for Yemen where we reach out to the most vulnerable people and assist them with their needs. We also have a unique Grocery Support Program where for just ONE dollar a day, you can support a family in need with their groceries (including 2kg of fresh meat or chicken!). 
 

• Yemen Emergency Appeal
• Yemen Grocery Support Program

If you cannot contribute financially, please try to share this and encourage your friends and family to do so. Visit our social media pages to keep in touch with our work!