Muslims in Canada

Sometimes I genuinely wonder how almost every guy on here is a “non-smoker.” 😂

I feel bad for the girls who trust everything written on these profiles, especially when it comes to smoking.

I’m not saying every guy lies, but from what I’ve seen in my own social circle, I’d say around 90% of guys smoke, whether it’s cigarettes, vaping, or just smoking occasionally with friends.

I get it. These days, smoking has become pretty common, especially when you’re surrounded by friends who do it. Some start because of stress, others just to fit into their social circle.

Alhamdulillah, I don’t smoke myself, so I guess I’m part of that remaining 10%. But I have a pretty big circle of friends, and easily 95% of them smoke.

Now here’s the funny part. My female friends sometimes show me profiles of guys they’re considering and ask for my opinion. And I swear, almost every profile I see says “non-smoker.” I’m just sitting there thinking, where are all these non-smoking guys coming from? 😂

My issue isn’t with people who smoke. That’s their personal choice. My issue is with people who lie about it just to appear more decent or marriage material.

If you smoke, just be upfront about it. Why start something as serious as marriage by hiding things? Let the girl decide for herself whether she’s okay with it.

And please, to the genuinely non-smoking guys, there’s no need to fill the comments with “I don’t smoke” or start giving me lectures. Good for you! I’m one of you too. 😂 I’m simply talking about what I’ve personally experienced, not claiming I’ve interviewed every man on the planet.

Just wanted to put this out there for the sisters. Don’t assume someone is exactly how they’ve described themselves on their profile. Take your time getting to know them.

A good marriage doesn’t need a perfect profile. It needs two honest people.

Assalamualaikum. For the ladies.

If a guy messages back right away is that a red flag?

Assalamu Alaikum, brothers and sisters! 😊

I've been craving some good, authentic Swahili food lately, especially mishkaki! 😋🇹🇿🇰🇪

I live in Whitby, and I've been searching online for places that serve Swahili/East African cuisine. So far, the closest option I've found is Jikoni Grill, which is almost an hour's drive from me.

Does anyone in the GTA, particularly in the Durham Region (Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, or Oshawa), know of any restaurants, home-based cooks, or catering services that serve authentic Swahili food, especially mishkaki?

I'd really appreciate any recommendations. Just missing that taste of home! 😁

Jazakum Allahu Khairan in advance! 🤲

Is there anyone studying abroad on a scholarship?

Just a question, guys who pray 5x a day, are on their deen and lower their gaze, what kind of women are they looking for?

Is there any Bangladeshi guy between 27-35 age living in Canada, USA or UK who genuinely wants a child-free marriage but wants to get married due to family pressure or wanna get married willingly?🙂 even if he is asexual, i am ok with it.

Random thought after getting my wisdom teeth removed 😭

I was numb so it didn’t really hurt, but feeling them pull, yank and break the teeth was actually terrifying. When it was over I was shaking, bleeding, couldn’t really talk and just felt super vulnerable.

It made me think about marriage lol.

Obviously this is NOTHING compared to childbirth, but it made me realize how vulnerable it must feel to trust someone with your body.

Made me think that with my future wife, inshallah, whether it’s intimacy or one day childbirth, I really want her to feel safe, listened to and cared for.

Apparently wisdom teeth taught me a marriage lesson 😂

Hello my friends, how are you?

“A beautiful face catches the eye, but a beautiful heart makes someone unforgettable.”

A Gentle Reminder to Myself and My Fellow Brothers and Sisters in Islam ❤️🤲

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

My dear brothers and sisters in Islam,

There's something I've noticed here on the Jamaa platform that I wanted to share, not to criticize or judge anyone, but as a sincere reminder to myself first and then to all of us.

I've come across quite a few comments containing insults, foul language, mockery, and sometimes unnecessarily harsh words directed at fellow Muslims. Honestly, it saddens me a little because, as Muslims, I believe we can do better than this.

We're all here for different reasons. Some are looking for marriage, some are seeking advice, some want to make connections, and others simply enjoy exchanging thoughts and experiences. But regardless of why we're here, shouldn't we try to treat one another with kindness and respect?

Let's remember that our words carry weight, even when they're typed behind a screen.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent."

(Sahih al-Bukhari 6018)

SubhanAllah, such a simple teaching, yet so powerful.

Sometimes, before commenting on someone's post, perhaps we should ask ourselves: Is what I'm about to say beneficial? Is it necessary? And could I express myself in a kinder way?

If we have nothing good or useful to contribute, there's absolutely nothing wrong with scrolling past. We lose nothing by remaining silent, but we may save ourselves from saying something we'll regret.

And let's not forget that the tongue is something Islam warns us to be very careful about.

When Mu'adh ibn Jabal (RA) asked the Prophet ﷺ whether people would be held accountable for what they said, the Prophet ﷺ warned him that the harvest of people's tongues could be a cause of their being thrown into the Hellfire.

(Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2616)

Allah also reminds us in the Quran:

"Not a word does a person utter without having a watcher ready to record it."

(Surah Qaf 50:18)

Although these verses and hadith speak about our words, I believe we should be just as mindful of what we write online. A comment might take only a few seconds to type, but its effect on another person can last much longer.

Sometimes, what we consider a harmless joke or a quick response could deeply hurt someone who is already struggling with things we know nothing about. We never really know what someone is going through behind the screen.

And what about when someone posts something we believe is wrong?

Of course, Islam encourages us to advise one another and stand for what is right. But correcting someone doesn't mean we have to embarrass, insult, or humiliate them.

Allah says:

"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best."

(Surah An-Nahl 16:125)

There's another beautiful example in the Quran that I think we can all learn from.

When Allah sent Prophet Musa (AS) and Prophet Harun (AS) to Fir'aun, one of the most arrogant and oppressive rulers, He instructed them:

"And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear Allah."

(Surah Taha 20:44)

Just think about that for a moment.

If Allah instructed two of His prophets to speak gently even to Fir'aun, then surely we can find a little patience and kindness when speaking to our own brothers and sisters in Islam.

We can disagree without being disrespectful. We can correct someone without making them feel worthless. And we can express our opinions without turning every discussion into an argument.

There's also a beautiful lesson from our mother Aisha (RA).

On one occasion, some Jewish people greeted the Prophet ﷺ with words intended to wish death upon him. Aisha (RA) responded harshly and invoked a curse upon them.

But instead of encouraging her response, the Prophet ﷺ reminded her:

"Allah loves kindness in every matter."

(Sahih Muslim 2165a)

SubhanAllah. Even when others behaved badly towards him, our beloved Prophet ﷺ taught us the importance of gentleness.

If this is the example we're encouraged to follow when dealing with those outside our faith, then how much more care should we show when dealing with our fellow Muslims?

Another thing I believe we should be careful about is judging people too quickly.

Sometimes, we see one comment, one mistake, or one opinion we disagree with, and immediately form a negative judgment about the person.

But who among us is perfect?

We all make mistakes. We all have weaknesses. We all have moments when our emotions get the better of us. And every one of us hopes for Allah's mercy and forgiveness.

Allah reminds us:

"O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule another people; perhaps they may be better than them."

(Surah Al-Hujurat 49:11)

And in the following verse, Allah warns us against excessive suspicion, spying, and backbiting.

(Surah Al-Hujurat 49:12)

This doesn't mean we should ignore wrongdoing or pretend that harmful behaviour is acceptable. But perhaps we can learn to separate someone's mistake from their entire character.

Let's give one another the benefit of the doubt when there is a reasonable opportunity to do so. And when correction is necessary, let's offer it with sincerity, wisdom, and compassion.

After all, we don't know what's in another person's heart. Allah knows what we cannot see.

And let's not forget that protecting another Muslim's honour is part of our responsibility towards one another.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor humiliates him nor looks down upon him."

He also taught us that a Muslim's blood, wealth, and honour are sacred to another Muslim.

(Sahih Muslim 2564a)

So before we make fun of someone's appearance, background, education, marriage situation, financial circumstances, or personal struggles, perhaps we should remember that this person is also someone's son, daughter, brother, sister, or parent.

More importantly, this person is a servant of Allah, just like us.

My dear brothers and sisters, Allah has honoured this Ummah with a beautiful responsibility.

Allah says:

"You are the best nation produced as an example for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah."

(Surah Ali 'Imran 3:110)

Being among the best Ummah isn't simply something we should be proud to say. It's something we should strive to reflect through our actions, manners, and treatment of others.

And that includes how we behave on social media.

I'm not sharing this because I consider myself better than anyone. Far from it. I have my own shortcomings, and I need these reminders just as much as anyone else. May Allah forgive me for any words I've spoken or written that may have hurt someone, intentionally or unintentionally.

I'm simply reminding myself and encouraging all of us to make this platform a more welcoming and respectful place.

We don't have to agree on everything. We're human beings, and naturally, we'll have different opinions, personalities, experiences, and understandings.

But disagreement doesn't have to turn into disrespect, and correcting someone doesn't have to involve humiliating them.

Sometimes, a gentle word can achieve far more than a hundred harsh ones.

So let's try to be a little more patient with one another, a little less judgmental, and a little more thoughtful about what we say.

If someone makes a mistake, advise them kindly. If someone asks a question, respond respectfully. If someone shares a struggle, show compassion. And if a discussion becomes heated, remember that walking away peacefully is also an option.

You never know, your kindness might be the very thing that gives someone hope, changes their perspective, or brings them closer to Allah. ❤️

May Allah purify our hearts, guard our tongues, guide our words, and make us among those who bring goodness and peace wherever we go.

May He forgive our shortcomings, protect us from arrogance and harshness, and help us follow the beautiful character of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Allahumma Ameen. 🤲❤️

Just a small reminder from one imperfect Muslim to other imperfect Muslims, including myself.

May we all continue learning, improving, and helping one another become better Muslims, inshaAllah. 😊

Jazakum Allahu Khairan for taking the time to read. May Allah bless you all.