HOW YOU SHOULD PROTECT YOURSELF FROM YAHOO BOYS AND ONLINE DEFRAUDERS

Protecting yourself from online fraud, whether it's from Yahoo boys (referring to individuals who engage in fraudulent activities primarily through email) or other scammers, requires a combination of caution, awareness, and adopting security measures. Here are some essential tips to help you stay safe:

(1.) Be skeptical: Maintain a healthy dose of skepticism when interacting with strangers online. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid falling for promises of quick money or unrealistic offers.

(2.) Protect personal information: Be cautious about sharing your personal information online. Avoid providing sensitive details such as your full name, address, social security number, or financial information unless it is absolutely necessary and you trust the recipient.

(3.) Use strong and unique passwords: Create strong passwords for your online accounts, and avoid using the same password for multiple platforms. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.

(4.) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to provide a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your mobile device, in addition to your password.

(5.) Be cautious with email and attachments: Be vigilant with unsolicited emails, especially those requesting personal information or containing suspicious attachments. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, as they may contain malware or phishing attempts.

(6.) Verify the source: If you receive an email or message requesting personal information or claiming to be from a reputable organization, verify its authenticity independently. Contact the organization directly through their official website or customer service hotline to confirm the request.

(7.) Use secure websites: When making online purchases or providing sensitive information, ensure the website is secure. Look for "https" in the website address and a padlock icon indicating a secure connection.

(8.) Stay updated and use reputable security software: Keep your operating system, web browsers, and antivirus software up to date. Regularly install security patches and updates to protect against known vulnerabilities.

(9.) Educate yourself: Stay informed about common online scams and fraud techniques. Familiarize yourself with the latest fraud trends and tactics to recognize potential threats and avoid falling victim to them.

(10.) Trust your instincts: If something feels off or suspicious, trust your gut instinct. It's better to be safe than sorry, so err on the side of caution and avoid engaging further if you have doubts.

Remember, online fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics, so maintaining a cautious and informed approach is crucial in protecting yourself from becoming a victim.

✍️ Uncle Yunus 

HAJJ DAY 4,5,6: WHAT THE PILGRIMS SHOULD DO ON THE 11TH, 12TH AND 13TH OF DHUL-HIJJAH

After coming back to Mina, the pilgrim should stay there for two nights, the 11th and 12th of Dhu'l-Hijjah, and stone the three jamarats during those two days, when the sun has passed its zenith. It is better for him to go to the jamarats walking, but if he rides that is acceptable. He should stone the first jamarah, which is the one that is furthest away from Makkah and next to Masjid al-Kheef, with seven pebbles, one after another, and say "Allaahu akbar" after each throw. Then he should go forward a little and say a lengthy du'aa, saying whatever he likes. If it is too difficult for him to stand for a long time and make du'aa, he should say whatever is easy for him, even if it is only a little, so that he will have done the Sunnah.

Then he should stone the middle jamarah with seven pebbles, one after another, saying "Allaahu akbar" with every throw. Then he should move to his left and stand facing the qiblah, raising his hands, and offer a lengthy du?aa? if he can. Otherwise he should stand for as long as he can. He should not omit to stand and make du'aa because it is Sunnah. Many people neglect that because of ignorance or because they take the matter lightly. The more the Sunnah is neglected the more important it becomes to do it and spread it among the people, lest it be abandoned and die out.

Then he should stone Jamarat al-'Aqabah with seven pebbles, one after another, saying "Allaahu akbar" with each throw, then he should go away and not offer a du'aa after that.

When he has completed the stoning of the Jamaraat on the 12th day of Dhu'l-Hijjah, if he wants he may hasten and leave Mina, and if he wants he may delay his departure and stay there for another night, the night of the 13th, and stone the three Jamaraat afternoon as he did before. This is in accordance with the words of Allah (Swt), the exalted:

'And remember Allah during the appointed Days. But whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him, if his aim is to do good and obey Allah (fear Him), and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him.' [Qur'an: 2:203]

It is better to delay, but it is not obligatory unless the sun has set on the 12th and he is still in Mina, in which case it is obligatory to stay until one has stoned the three Jamaraat afternoon on the following day. But if the sun sets on the 12th and he is still in Mina but not by choice, such as if he had already started out and boarded his means of transportation, but got delayed because of crowded conditions and traffic jams etc., then he is not obliged to stay there, because the delay until sunset was not by his choice.

✍️ Uncle Yunus 

HAJJ DAY-TWO: WHAT PILGRIMS SHOULD DO ON THE 9TH OF DHUL-HIJJAH

(1.) Going to Arafah:

This is the Day of Arafah. After Fajr Prayer at Mina move to Arafah. Staying at Arafah is among the pillars of Hajj, without which the Hajj is invalid.

When the sun rises on the day of Arafah, the pilgrim travels from Mina to Arafah and stops in Namirah until the time of Zuhr (Namirah is a place just before Arafah), if he can do so. If he cannot do it, it does not matter because staying in Namirah is Sunnah but it is not obligatory. When the sun passes its zenith (i.e., when the time for Zuhr prayer begins), he should pray Zuhr and Asr, two rak'ahs each, and join them together at the time of Zuhr, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did, so as to leave a lot of time for standing and making du'aa.

Then after the prayer he should devote his time to making dhikr and du'aa and beseeching Allaah, and praying as he likes, raising his hands and facing the qiblah even if the mountain of Arafah is behind him, because the Sunnah is to face the qiblah, not the mountain. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stood by the mountain and said, "I am standing here, but all of Arafah is the place of standing."

Most of the Prophet's du'aa in that great place of standing was: "Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu'l-mulk, wa lahu'l-hamd, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadeer (There is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the Dominion, all praise is due to Him, and He is able to do all things)."

(2.) Going to Muzdalifah (After Sunset):

He should stay overnight in Muzdalifah. Maghrib and Isha prayers will be performed together at the time of Isha in the form of Qasr. Maghrib three rak'ahs and Isha 2 rak'ahs. If you have arrived in Muzdalifah early, you must wait until the time of Isha comes in before you can perform the prayers. Also while in Muzdalifah Collect some pebbles for further stoning in the coming days. The size of pebbles should be approximately slightly larger than a pea. It's recommended to collect around 70 such pebbles!

✍️ Uncle Yunus 

THE FAREWELL TAWAAF (DTAWAFUL WADA'I)

When the pilgrim wants to leave Makkah and go back to his country, he should not leave until he has performed the farewell tawaaf (tawaaf al-wadaa'), because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "No one should leave until the last thing that he does is (tawaaf) around the House." Narrated by Muslim, 1327). According to another version, he told the people that the last thing they should do was (tawaaf) around the house, but he made an exception for women who were menstruating. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1755; Muslim, 1328.

Women who are menstruating or bleeding following childbirth do not have to do the farewell tawaaf; neither should they stand by the door of al-Masjid al-Haraam to bid farewell, because that was not narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

The last thing the pilgrim should do when he wants to leave is to circumambulate the House. If after the farewell tawaaf he stays and waits for his companions or to load his luggage or to buy something he needs on the way, there is nothing wrong with that, and he does not have to repeat the tawaaf, unless he intends to delay his journey, such as if he intended to travel at the beginning of the day and he did the farewell tawaaf, then he delays his travelling until the end of the day, for example; in this case he has to repeat the tawaaf so that it will be the last thing he does in Makkah.

✍️ Uncle Yunus 

WHAT THE PILGRIMS ARE REQUIRED TO DO ON 8TH OF DHUL-HIJJAH

Going to Mina:

The rites of Hajj begin on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, called the day of Tarwiyah. Before Fajr, take your niyyah (intention) and recite the talbiyah. This day the pilgrims of Tamattu assumes Ihram for Hajj in the morning wherever he is staying. (Those of Qiran and Ifrad are already in Ihram).

The pilgrims set out for Mina before noon, and pray there Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha. The prayer should be done as follows:

Dhuhr - 2 Rakaats without combining

Asr - 2 Rakaats without combining

Maghrib - in the usual manner

Isha - 2 rakaats only.

Spend the night in Mina.

Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to shorten his prayers in Mina but he did not join them. Shortening the prayers means making the four-rak?ah prayers two raka'ahs. The people of Makkah and others should shorten their prayers in Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to lead the people in prayer during the Farewell Pilgrimage and there were people from Makkah with him, but he did not tell them to offer their prayers in full. If it had been obligatory for them to do so, he would have told them to do so as he did on the day of the Conquest of Makkah. But since the city has spread and incorporated Mina so that it is like one of the quarters of Makkah, then the people of Makkah should not shorten their prayers there.

✍️ Uncle Yunus 

SA'AYI - HASTENING BETWEEN SAFA AND WARWA

Then he should go out to the Mas?aa (place for saa'i) and when he comes near to al-Safa? he should recite (interpretation of the meaning): "Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allaah" [al-Baqarah 2:158]

And he should say: "Nabda'u bima bada'a Allaah bihi (We start with that with which Allaah started)."

Then he should climb al-Safa until he can see the Ka?bah, then he should face it and raise his hands and praise Allaah, and make du'aa as he wishes. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say: "Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu'l-mulk, wa lahu'l-hamd, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadeer. Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdah, anjaza wa'dah, wa nasara 'abdah, wa hazamaa al-ahzaaba wahdah (There is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the Dominion, all praise is due to Him, and He is able to do all things. There is no god but Allaah alone; he fulfilled His promise, granted victory to His slave, and defeated the confederates alone)." Narrated by Muslim, 1218.

He should repeat that three times, and make du'aa in between. He should recite this dhikr then make du'aa, then recite it again and make du'aa, and recite it a third time, then come down to al-Marwah, and not make du'aa after the third time.

When he reaches the green marker he should run as quickly as he can without disturbing anyone, because it was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did saa'i between al-Safa and al-Marwah, and he said, "The river bed is not crossed except with vigour." Narrated by Ibn Maajah and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah, 2419. The river bed [it was a dried river bed in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] is the area between the two green markers that stand there now.

When he reaches the second green marker, he should walk normally until he reaches al-Marwah. He should climb up it and turn to face the qiblah, and raise his hands and say what he said at al-Safa. Then he should come down from al-Marwah and head for al-Safa, walking in the place of walking and running in the place of running. When he reaches al-Safa he should do what he did the first time, and the same when he goes back to al-Marwah, until he has completed seven circuits; going from al-Safa? to al-Marwah is one circuit, and coming back from al-Marwah to al-Safa is another circuit. During his saa'i he can say whatever he likes or dhikr and du?aa?, and recite Qur'aan.

Note: The verse (interpretation of the meaning): "Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allaah" [al-Baqarah 2:158] should be recited by the pilgrim who wants to perform saa'i when he approaches al-Safa at the beginning of saa'i only. It is not mustahabb to repeat it every time he approaches al-Safa and al-Marwah, as some people do.

4 - Shaving the head or cutting the hair

When he has completed seven circuits (of saa'i) he should shave his head if he is a man, or cut some of his hair. If he shaves his head he must shave his entire head, and if he cuts his hair he must cut from all over his head. Shaving is better than cutting because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made du'aa three times for those who shaved their heads and once for those who cut their hair. Narrated by Muslim, 1303.

Women should cut the length of a fingertip from their hair.

With these actions, Umrah is complete. So Umrah consists of ihraam, tawaaf, saa'i and shaving the head or cutting the hair. We ask Allaah (Swt) to help us to do righteous deeds, and to accept them from us, for He is Ever Near and responds to our prayers.

The Umrah of the one who is doing Tamattu? is concluded, after which he should exit ihraam completely and do everything that those who are not in ihraam do, such as wearing regular clothes, wearing perfume, having intercourse with their wives, etc.

Those who are doing Ifraad or Qiraan should not shave their heads or cut their hair, or exit ihraam, rather they should remain in ihraam until they exit ihraam on the day of Eid, after stoning Jamarat al-'Aqabah and shaving their heads or cutting their hair.

Then when the day of al-Tarwiyah comes, which is the 8th day of Dhu'l-Hijjah, the one who is doing Tamattu? should enter ihraam for Hajj in the morning from the place where he is in Makkah. It is mustahabb for him to do the same when entering ihraam for Hajj as he did when entering ihraam for Umrah, namely doing ghusl, putting on perfume and praying. He should form the intention of entering ihraam for Hajj and recite the Talbiyah, and say, "Labbayk Allaahumma Hajjan (Here I am, O Allaah, for Hajj)."

✍️ Uncle Yunus 

TAWAF (CIRCUMAMBULATION)

Then when he enters al-Masjid al-Haraam he should do so with his right foot first, and say, "Bismillaah wa'l-salaatu wa'l-salaam ?ala Rasool-Allaah. Allaahumma ighfir li dhunoobi waftah li abwaab rahmatika. A?oodhu Billaah il-'Azeem wa bi wajhih il-kareem wa bi sultaanih il-'qadeem min al-Shaytaan il-rajeem (In the name of Allaah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah. O Allaah, forgive me my sins and open to me the gates of Your mercy. I seek refuge with Allaah the Almighty and in His noble Countenance and His eternal power from the accursed Satan)." Then he should go to the Black Stone in order to start tawaaf. He should touch the Stone with his right hand and kiss it; if he cannot kiss it then he should touch it with his hand and kiss his hand. If he cannot touch it with his hand then he should face the Stone and point to it with his hand and say "Allaahu akbar", but he should not kiss his hand.

There is a great deal of virtue in touching the Black Stone, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah will raise up the Black Stone on the Day of Resurrection and it will have two eyes with which it will see and a tongue with which it will speak, and it will bear witness for those who touched it in sincerity." Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa'l-Tarheeb, 1144.

It is better not to crowd around and cause annoyance to people or be annoyed by them, because of the hadeeth in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to Umar: "O Umar, you are a strong man, do not crowd around the Stone and disturb the weak. If you find space, then touch it, otherwise just face it and say 'Allaahu akbar.' " Narrated by Ahmad, 191; classed as qawiy by al-Albaani in Risaalat Manaasik al-Hajj wa'l-Umrah, p. 21.

Then he should move towards the right, with the Ka?bah on his left, and when he reaches the Yemeni Corner (al-Rukn al-Yamaani, which is the third corner after the Black Stone) he should touch it, without kissing his hand or saying "Allaahu akbar". If he cannot touch it then he should move on, and not crowd around it. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone he should say, "Rabbanaa aatina fi'l-dunya hasanah wa fi'l-aakhirah hasanah wa qinna 'adhaab al-Naar (Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire)." Narrated by Abu Dawood and classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 1666.

Every time he passes the Black Stone he should face it and say "Allaahu akbar", and in the rest of his tawaaf he should recite whatever he likes of dhikr, du'aa and Qur'aan, because tawaaf around the Ka?bah has been established for the remembrance of Allaah.

In Tawaaf men should do two things:

1 - Uncovering the right shoulder (idtibaa') from the beginning of tawaaf until the end. This is done by placing the middle of the rida' (upper garment) beneath the right armpit and the ends of the rida' over the left shoulder. When the pilgrim finishes tawaaf, he should put his rida' back as it was before tawaaf, because the time for wearing it with one shoulder uncovered is only in tawaaf.

2 - Raml in the first three circuits only. Raml means walking quickly with short steps. In the last four circuits there is no raml, rather the pilgrim should walk normally.

When the pilgrim has completed seven circuits of tawaaf, he should cover his right shoulder and then go to the Station of Ibraaheem (Maqaam Ibraaheem) and recite the words (interpretation of the meaning):

"And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraaheem (Abraham) [or the stone on which Ibraaheem (Abraham) stood while he was building the Ka?bah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rak?at after the Tawaaf of the Ka'bah at Makkah)," [al-Baqarah 2:125]

Then he should pray two rak'ahs behind the Station; in the first rak'ah after reciting al-Faatihah he should recite Yaa ayyaha'l-kaafiroon (Soorat al-Kaafiroon 109) and in the second Qul Huwa Allaahu ahad (Soorat al-Ikhlaas 112). Then when he has finished this prayer he should go to the Black Stone and touch it if he can. It is prescribed at this point to touch it only; if he cannot do that then he should go away and not point to it.

✍️ Uncle Yunus