THE Muslim Internet policy - solutions for kids and dad

To address pornography and social networking, a policy and a few technologies must be in place. The technology alone is not the solution. But keep in mind the greater threat for children will be mobile devices.

POLICY: The owner or admin of all electronic devices should be the mother (in most cases). yes, tech geek dads must relinquish control to their wives.

Technology must include the following:
Laptop/Desktop

1. Filtering Software - prevent access to inappropriate sites
   
2. Accountability software - not just a logger, track every internet site you visit and sends a weekly report to your accountability partner. It removes the anonymity. If someone attempts to uninstall the software, the accountability partner is notified.
   

Great resources - http://www.x3watch.com/
http://www.no-porn.com/resources.html
List of accountability software - http://www.urbanministry.org/wiki/accountability-software

Mobile

1. Remove access to Safari, Youtube, App Store (through app store they can get another browser). for details http://www.quittingpornguy.com/2009/03/quitting-iphone-porn.html
   
2. Install Filtered browsers for iphone (Example: http://www.bsecure.com/)
3. Install accountbility software for iphone (waiting for x3watch and convenanteyes to get approved by apple)
   

Conclusion: One person should have the ultimate authority on every device, including mobile. Make it mom or some other trustworthy person. Accountability software sends them weekly or biweekly reports of chats, emails and sites visited.

Golden Principles of Raising Children

By Imam Ghazali Rahmatullahi Alayhee
Translated into English By Irfan Hasan

For the entire article click here

Topics Include:

• HARMS OF EXCESSIVE SCOLDING
• ETIQUETTE OF SLEEPING
• PROHIBITION OF ARROGANCE AND PRIDE

AMAZING article about parenting

May Allah reward the sister who sent me this link to an absolutely fabulous article. Makes sure to read till the end and note the final point.
http://muslimvillage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=51418

From the Trenches: Salma Abugideiri, Marriage Counselor

Assalam alaikum,

The following is an interview I conducted with Salma Abugideiri, a marriage counselor from Virginia who works primarily with Muslim families. We discussed trends in Muslim marital problems, causes, solutions, and how Islam or Islamic texts are inappropriately used in the context of marriage. It was very, very interesting for me to hear in detail about some of the trends in our community and I hope you are able to benefit as well.

Sister Salma is one of the many brothers and sisters who the Muslim Fathers team met at the Islamic Social Services Association conference in Dulles, VA of this year. Quite frankly, our impressions of that event deserves a blog entry of its own, but in short, it was very inspiring and encouraging. May Allah reward sister Salma and the others for their continuing efforts to help Muslim families.

NOTE: this is not Frost vs. Nixon and I am not Larry King or Katie Couric. My interview skills need considerable work, but as the Prophet, alayhis salam said (in an authentic hadeeth), "سددوا و قاربوا", which can roughly be translated as "do as best as you can". I also had some technical issues in recording and editing the interview, if anyone has experience in the field and has some useful suggestions, please contact me.



The book suggestions:

Marital Bliss by Mohammad Reda & Ekram Beshir
Qawamah by Mohammad Rida Beshir
Muslim Marriage Guide by Ruqayah Waris Maqsood
Gender Equity in Islam by Jamal Badawi
Qur'an and Woman by Amina Wadud
Rights and Responsibilities of Marriage by Hamza Yusuf
What Islam Says About Domestic Violence by Zainab Alwani & Salma Abugideiri (addresses Islamic paradigm for healthy, violence free relationships)

Fighting for your Marriage by Howard Markman and Scott Stanley
John Gottman's books, including Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work; The Relationship Cure
The Divorce Remedy by Michelle Weiner-Davis
Relationship Rescue by Dr. Phil
Getting the Love you Want by Harville Hendrix

Parenting Course: Raising Upright Children

I am currently taking this course. I highly recommend this for all parents. It includes practical advice and well structured approach to parenting. I took the live version at the ADAMS center in Sterling, VA.

I decided to take the online course as a refresher. There are some key points that have changed my perspective altogether. This is my first course on www.SeekersGuidance.com.

From the Site - Islamic Parenting: Raising Upright Children

This important course seeks to provide guidance on one of the most critical topics of the times: raising mentally and spiritually healthy children. This course provides practical advice on how to raise upright children in the spirit of the Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah. Based on classical texts on Islamic parenting, the course contextualizes their wisdom in light of modern day circumstances and addresses the most pressing parenting questions, including how to raise children that are spiritual and love Allah and His Messenger, how to protect children from negative influences, how to discipline them, and how to deal with parenting issues specific to living in the West. This course is a must for all concerned Muslim parents.

Internet Safety Khutbah

I recently gave a khutbah at the Prince George's Muslim Association (PGMA) regarding the internet and its impact on the lives of Muslim youth. Alhamdulillah, it was well received. May Allah reward the brothers and sisters that were involved in the research and presentation of this khutbah. I hope you benefit and please excuse any flaws: