One God...One Straight Path...

my thoughts

2008-04-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

People ask me why i wear niqab.

I tell them i wear niqab because i am muslim and i can.

People ask me why i wear hijab.

I tell them because i am muslim and ALLAH commands me to.

see how simple and clear that is?

no need for complication...just a straight answer!

SAVE THE EARTH ::: Planet Earth BBC DVD

2008-04-20T03:09:00.000-07:00

Quran Verses regarding The Earth and its Balance

"When the earth is shaken with a (violent) shaking, And the earth reveals what burdens her,And man says: What has befallen her? On that day she shall tell her story...."

(Qur'an 99:1-4)

“He erected heaven and established the balance.”

(Quran 55:7)

The Exalted also said "There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying with two wings, but they are nations like you. We have neglected nothing in the book. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered."

(6;38).

In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people with intelligence: those who remember God, standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: 'Our Lord, You have not created this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire.

(Surat Al Imran: 190-191)

________________________________________________________________

PLANET EARTH BBC DVD

The makers of The Blue Planet present the epic story of life on Earth. Five years in production, over 2000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that combines rare action, unimaginable scale, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet's best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this blockbuster series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the challenging seasons and the daily struggle for survival in Earth's most extreme habitats. Using a budget of unprecedented proportions, photography and unique, specially developed filming techniques, Planet Earth takes you to places you have never seen before, to experience sights and sounds you may never experience again.

As of its release in early 2007, Planet Earth is quite simply the greatest nature/wildlife series ever produced. Following the similarly monumental achievement of The Blue Planet: Seas of Life, this astonishing 11-part BBC series is brilliantly narrated by Sir David Attenborough and sensibly organized so that each 50-minute episode covers a specific geographical region and/or wildlife habitat (mountains, caves, deserts, shallow seas, seasonal forests, etc.) until the entire planet has been magnificently represented by the most astonishing sights and sounds you'll ever experience from the comforts of home.

The premiere episode, "From Pole to Pole," serves as a primer for things to come, placing the entire series in proper context and giving a general overview of what to expect from each individual episode. Without being overtly political, the series maintains a consistent and subtle emphasis on the urgent need for ongoing conservation, best illustrated by the plight of polar bears whose very behavior is changing (to accommodate life-threatening changes in their fast-melting habitat) in the wake of global warming--a phenomenon that this series appropriately presents as scientific fact. With this harsh reality as subtext, the series proceeds to accentuate the positive, delivering a seemingly endless variety of natural wonders, from the spectacular mating displays of New Guinea's various birds of paradise to a rare encounter with Siberia's nearly-extinct Amur Leopards, of which only 30 remain in the wild.

That's just a hint of the marvels on display. Accompanied by majestic orchestral scores by George Fenton, every episode is packed with images so beautiful or so forcefully impressive (and so perfectly photographed by the BBC's tenacious high-definition camera crews) that you'll be rendered speechless by the splendor of it all. You'll see a seal struggling to out-maneuver a Great White Shark; swimming macaques in the Ganges delta; massive flocks of snow geese numbering in the hundreds of thousands; an awesome night-vision sequence of lions attacking an elephant; the Colugo (or "flying lemur"--not really a lemur!) of the Philippines; a hunting alliance of fish and snakes on Indonesia's magnificent coral reef; the bioluminescent "vampire squid" of the deep oceans... these are just a few of countless highlights, masterfully filmed from every conceivable angle, with frequent use of super-slow-motion and amazing motion-controlled time-lapse cinematography, and narrated by Attenborough with his trademark combination of observational wit and informative authority. The result is a hugely entertaining series that doesn't flinch from the predatory realities of nature (death is a constant presence, without being off-putting).

At a time when the multiple threats of global warming should be obvious to all, let's give Sir David the last word, from the closing of Planet Earth's final episode: "We can now destroy or we can cherish--the choice is ours." --Jeff Shannon

I recently purchased a DVD set called Planet Earth. It is a compilation of the earth's lands and animals as you have NEVER seen them before. This DVD set should be on the top of your list of things to buy for your own education and your children. I think that ALL schools should have this DVD shown to the students.

It really changes your view on our precious earth and what it contains within it, as well as the horrendous rate of destruction its plant and animal life is experiencing. We are loosing the most important balance of life very quickly because of our own actions. We are raping our planet to destruction.

Thankfully it also teaches us and makes us aware of how we can help to rescue our planet from destruction and how we can start to save its plant life and wildlife.

This DVD set WILL change your view on our Planet Earth.

As Muslims, we have a responsibility towards caring properly for our enviornment and what it contains.

Here are some facts from the DVD set:

-The Amur Leopard has only 30 animals left in the wild.

-The Bactran camel are less than 1000.

-Polar bears are starving and drowning.

-Approximately 280 cross river gorillas remain.

-The WWF estimates there are between 25,600 and 32,750 individual Asian elephants left in the wild.

-Grey whale Grey whales are now restricted to the North Pacific ocean (along east and west coasts). The North Atlantic population is extinct. .

-The Maui's dolphin is the rarest and smallest marine dolphin. There are thought to be fewer than 100 left.

The DVD set has much more!

For more info from BBC Science and Nature click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/conservation/

For more info from and Islamic viewpoint by Harun Yahya click here: http://www.harunyahya.com/

Childrens Rights on Thier Father in Islam

2008-02-02T12:08:00.000-08:00

The children’s rights

Allaah has given children rights over their parents just as the parents have rights over their children.

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “Allaah has called them abraar (righteous) because they honoured (barru) their fathers and children. Just as your father has rights over you, so too your child has rights over you.

Al-Adab al-Mufrad, 94.

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, according to a hadeeth narrated by ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar, “… and your child has rights over you.”

Muslim, 1159.

The child’s rights over their children include some that come even before the child is born, for example:

1 – Choosing a righteous wife to be a righteous mother.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A woman may be married for four reasons: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty and her religious commitment. Marry the one who is religiously committed, may your hands be rubbed with dust (i.e., may you prosper).”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4802; Muslim, 1466).

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Ghani al-Dahlawi said: Choose from among women those who are religiously committed and righteous, and who are of good descent, for if a woman is of illegitimate descent, this bad characteristic may be passed to her children. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“The adulterer — fornicator marries not but an adulteress — fornicatress or a Mushrikah; and the adulteress –fornicatress, none marries her except an adulterer — fornicater or a Mushrik”
[al-Noor 24:3]

Rather Islam recommends compatibility for the purpose of harmony and to avoid a person being shamed if he marries into a family that is not compatible.

Sharh Sunan Ibn Maajah, 1/141

Rights after the child is born:

1 – It is Sunnah to do tahneek for the child when he is born:

It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The son of Abu Talhah was sick. Abu Talhah went out and the child died, and when Abu Talhah returned he said, “What happened to my son?” Umm Sulaym (his wife) said, ‘He is quieter than he was.” Then she brought him his dinner and he ate, then he had marital relations with her, and when he finished she said, “They buried the child.” The following morning, Abu Talhah went to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and told him what had happened. He said, “Did you have marital relations last night?” He said, “Yes.” He said, “O Allaah, bless them.” She later gave birth to a boy. Abu Talhah said to me, “Keep him until I bring him to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).” He brought him to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and I sent some dates with him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) took him and said, “Is there anything with him?” They said, “Yes, some dates.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) took some and chewed it, then he took some from his mouth and put it in the child’s mouth (tahneek), and named him ‘Abd-Allaah.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5153; Muslim, 2144

Al-Nawawi said:

The scholars are agreed that it is mustahabb to do tahneek with dates for the child when he is born; if that is not possible then to use some similar kind of sweet. The dates should be chewed until they become soft enough to be swallowed, then the child’s mouth should be opened and a little of the dates put in his mouth.
Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Muslim, 14/122-123

2 – The child should be given a good name, such as ‘Abd-Allaah or ‘Abd al-Rahmaan.

It was narrated from Naafi’ that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The most beloved of your names to Allaah are ‘Abd-Allaah and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan.”
(Narrated by Muslim, 2132)

It is mustahabb to give the child a Prophet’s name:

It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A child was born to me last night and I called him by the name of my father Ibraaheem.”
Narrated by Muslim, 2315

It is mustahabb to name the child on the seventh day, but there is nothing wrong with naming him on the day of his birth, because of the hadeeth quoted above.

It was narrated from Samurah ibn Jundub that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every child is in pledge for his ‘aqeeqah which should be slaughtered for him on the seventh day, his head should be shaved and he should be named.
Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2838; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4541

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

The purpose of naming is to define the thing named, because if there is something whose name is unknown it is difficult to refer to it. So it is permissible to name him (the child) on the day he is born, and it is permissible to delay the naming until the third day, or until the day of the ‘aqeeqah, or before or after that. The matter is broad in scope.”
Tuhfat al-Mawlood, p. 111

3 – It is Sunnah to shave the child’s head on the seventh day and to give the weight of the hair in silver in charity.

It was narrated that ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) slaughtered a sheep as the ‘aqeeqah for al-Hasan, and he said, “O Faatimah, shave his head and give the weight of his hair in silver in charity.” So she weighed it and its weight was a dirham or part of a dirham.
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1519; classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1226.

4 – It is mustahabb for the father to do the ‘aqeeqah, as stated in the hadeeth quoted above, “Every child is in pledge for his ‘aqeeqah.”

Two sheep should be sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl.

It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded them (to sacrifice) two similar sheep for a boy and one for a girl.
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1513; Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1221; Abu Dawood, 2834; al-Nasaa’i, 4212; Ibn Maajah, 3163

5 – Circumcision

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The fitrah is five things, or five things are part of the fitrah: circumcision, shaving the pubic hairs, plucking the armpit hairs, clipping the nails and trimming the moustache.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5550; Muslim, 257

The child’s rights with regard to education and upbringing:

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The ruler who is in charge of people is a shepherd and is responsible for them. The man is the shepherd of his household and is responsible for them. The woman is the shepherd of her husband’s house and child and is responsible for them. The slave is the shepherd of his master’s wealth and is responsible for it. Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2416; Muslim, 1829.

So parents must take care of teaching their children the duties of Islam and other virtues that are recommended in sharee’ah, and worldly matters that they need in order to live a decent life in this world.

The man should start by teaching them the most important things, then the next most important. So he starts by teaching them correct ‘aqeedah, free from shirk and bid’ah. Then he teaches them the acts of worship, especially prayer. Then he teaches them and trains them in good manners and characteristics, and everything that is good.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when Luqmaan said to his son when he was advising him: “O my son! Join not in worship others with Allaah. Verily, joining others in worship with Allaah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed”
[Luqmaan 31:13]

It was narrated from ‘Abd al-Malik ibn al-Rabee’ ibn Sabrah from his father that his grandfather said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Teach the child to pray when he is seven years old, and smack him if he does not pray when he is ten.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 407; Abu Dawood, 494. Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4025

It was narrated that al-Rubayyi’ bint Mu’awwidh said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent word on the morning of Ashoora’ to the areas where the Ansaar lived (on the outskirts of Madeenah), saying: Whoever did not fast this morning, let him not eat for the rest of the day, and whoever started fasting this morning, let him complete his fast. She said: We used to observe this fast after that, and we used to make our children fast and make them toys of wool; if one of them cried for food we would give him that toy until it was time to break the fast.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1859; Muslim, 1136

It was narrated that al-Saa’ib ibn Yazeed said: I was taken for Hajj with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when I was seven years old.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1759

Training in good manners and characteristics:

Every father and mother should train their children in praiseworthy characteristics and good manners, whether towards Allaah, His Prophet the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), towards their Qur’aan and ummah, and with everyone whom they know and who has rights over them. They should not behave badly with those whom they mix with, their neighbours or their friends.

Al-Nawawi said:

The father must discipline his child and teach him what he needs to know of religious duties. This teaching is obligatory upon the father and all those in charge of children before the child reaches the age of adolescence. This was stated by al-Shaafa’i and his companions. Al-Shaafa’i and his companions said: This teaching is also obligatory upon the mother, if there is no father, because it is part of the child’s upbringing and they have a share of that and the wages for this teaching may be taken from the child’s own wealth. If the child has no wealth then the one who is obliged to spend on him may spend on his education, because it is one of the things that he needs. And Allaah knows best.

Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Saheeh Muslim, 8/44

The father should bring them up with good manners in all things, eating, drinking, dressing, sleeping, going out of the house, entering the house, riding in vehicles, etc, and in all their affairs. He should instill in them the attributes of a good man, such as love of sacrifice, putting others first, helping others, chivalry and generosity. He should keep them away from evil characteristics such as cowardice, stinginess, lack of chivalry, lack of ambition, etc.

Al-Manaawi said:
“Just as your parents have rights over you, so too your child has rights over you, rather many rights, such as teaching them the individual obligations, teaching them Islamic manners, giving them gifts equally, whether that is a gift, a waqf, or other gift. If preference is shown with no reason, that is regarded as invalid by some of the scholars and as makrooh by others.
Fayd al-Qadeer, 2/574

He must also protect his sons and daughters from everything that may bring them close to the Fire. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that which they are commanded”
[al-Tahreem 66:6]

al-Qurtubi said:
al-Hasan commented on this verse by saying, Command them and forbid them. One of the scholars said: (The phrase) Ward off (or protect) yourselves includes children, because the child is part of him, as it says in the verse (interpretation of the meaning): “…nor on yourselves, if you eat from your houses…” [al-Noor 24:61], where the various relatives are not mentioned individually. So he should teach him what is halaal and what is haraam, and make him avoid sin, and teach him other rulings.
Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 18/194-195.

Spending:

This is one of the father’s obligations towards his children; it is not permissible for him to fall short in that or to neglect this matter, rather he is obliged to do this duty in the fullest sense.
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is sufficient sin for a man if he neglects those on whom he is obliged to spend.”
Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1692; classed as sahan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4481.

Another of the greatest rights is to give the child a good upbringing and take good care of him or her – especially in the case of girls. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged this righteous deed.

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah the wife of the Prophet (S) said: A woman came to me with two daughters and asked me for food, and I could not find anything except one date which I gave to her. She shared it between her two daughters, then she got up and went out. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came in and I told him what had happened. He said: “Whoever is in charge of any of these girls and treats them well, they will be a shield for him against the Fire.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5649; Muslim, 2629

Another important matter which is one of the rights of children to which attention must be paid, is treating children fairly. This right was referred to by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the saheeh hadeeth: “Fear Allaah and treat your children fairly.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2447; Muslim, 1623).

It is not permissible to show preference to females over males, just as it is not permissible to show preference to males over females. If the father makes this mistake and shows preference to some of his children over others, and does not treat them fairly, this will lead to many evils, such as:
The harm that befalls the father himself, for the children whom he denies or deprives will grow up to hate him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) referred to this in the hadeeth narrated by Muslim (1623) when he said to the father of al-Nu’maan, “Would you like them to honour you equally?” He said, “Yes.” In other words, if you want them all to honour you equally, then be fair in giving gifts to them.

Another evil consequence is the children hating one another, and stoking the flames of hatred and enmity between them.

And Allaah knows best.

Excerpt from:Islam Q&A @http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=20064&ln=eng

My Opinion and Rant....

2008-01-25T02:17:00.001-08:00

Im really sick and tired of people in the Muslim and Arab world blaming the westerners for their shortcomings in their religion and mistakes. Everytime we see a girl not covering correctly or a guy drinking alcohol or having a girlfriend or someone wearing tight western cloths or acting a certain way it is blamed directly on western influence.

People wake up! Its your OWN fault if you make mistakes or we could say whispering from the shaytan, NOT Westerners!

We have the choice to say yes or no to any given situation. What you choose is up to you! There is not a westerner holding a gun to your head telling you to do something wrong!

For example when a guy goes to a western country to study in university and comes back to his country and has picked up some bad habits like partying and drinking or sleeping with girls. This is then blamed on western influence in his life, not him for his bad decisions.

He had the choice to either go to a club or stay home and pray or go to the masjid and pray or just resist his temptation to go to a club and seek refuge in Allah with prayer and fasting! Its HIS choice that will either be good or bad....

We know, as Muslims, what is halal and what is haram, so any mistakes we make are our own, not anyone else's!

Wake up and take responsibility for your own stupidity when you do something haram!

Living in the Middle East as a Muslim is EASY....you cannot deny that fact!

Living in the USA for example is going to be harder because there is more temptation to do wrong and etc. BUT, you still have the choice to say yes or no to situations.

Look at the Arab who lives in the Middle East and he blames western influence for his behaviour and bad choices, meanwhile, there is a revert in USA who is surrounded by bad things daily YET chooses to live his life Islamically even with all these hardships!

All I'm trying to say is Muslims wake up and blame yourself for your bad deeds, not westerner influence! Its YOUR choice to follow your religion or not to follow it!

A selection of Ayats and Ahadith from the Quran and the Prophet Muhammed(sallalahu alayhi wa sallam)

2008-01-22T22:28:00.000-08:00

“and [Allaah] has not laid upon you in religion any hardship” [al-Hajj 22:78].

“Were they created by nothing? Or were they themselves the creators?
Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they have no firm Belief”
[al-Toor 52:35]

"And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, leave it. And fear Allah: truly Allah is severe in punishment. " [Qur'an 59:7]

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to us: “If one of you attends the mosque, let her not put on perfume.” Narrated by Muslim (443).

If the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade women to go out to the mosque wearing perfume, because men will usually smell some of the fragrance because of close proximity and there being no barrier between men and woman, then it is more likely that women are not allowed to go out to the marketplace and gatherings wearing perfume, although it is not regarded as a major sin, rather it is something that is clearly haraam.

Quran (10:24) Present Life

2008-01-11T01:51:00.000-08:00

Quran(10:24)

YUSUFALI: The likeness of the life of the present is as the rain which We send down from the skies: by its mingling arises the produce of the earth- which provides food for men and animals: (It grows) till the earth is clad with its golden ornaments and is decked out (in beauty): the people to whom it belongs think they have all powers of disposal over it: There reaches it Our command by night or by day, and We make it like a harvest clean-mown, as if it had not flourished only the day before! thus do We explain the Signs in detail for those who reflect.

--------------------------

PICKTHAL: The similitude of the life of the world is only as water which We send down from the sky, then the earth's growth of that which men and cattle eat mingleth with it till, when the earth hath taken on her ornaments and is embellished, and her people deem that they are masters of her, Our commandment cometh by night or by day and We make it as reaped corn as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do we expound the revelations for people who reflect.

--------------------------

SHAKIR: The likeness of this world's life is only as water which We send down from the cloud, then the herbage of the earth of which men and cattle eat grows luxuriantly thereby, until when the earth puts on its golden raiment and it becomes garnished, and its people think that they have power over it, Our command comes to it, by night or by day, so We render it as reaped seed; produce, as though it had not been in existence yesterday; thus do We make clear the communications for a people who reflect.

A Punishment in Islam for Cruelty to Cats

2008-01-10T04:16:00.000-08:00

Hadith - Bukhari 3:553, Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar [Also in Muslim, Narrated Abu Huraira]

Allah's Apostle said,

"A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger." Allah's Apostle further said, "(Allah knows better) Allah said (to the woman), 'You neither fed it nor watered when you locked it up, nor did you set it free to eat the insects of the earth.' "

***I think I need to print this on billboards in my neighborhood. All my neighbors are Muslims, yet everyday i see their children running after cats and kittens with big sticks ready to knock them dead. Two days ago "someone or something" killed one of two sibling kittens I care for and feed from the street. I found him, dead, in his favorite sleeping spot. His brother is all alone now. They were inseparable since birth. Its a shame and very sad. His home now is with me and my other 2 cats for the time being, inshallah it will be permanent if my female cat ever accepts him as part of the family!

A Situation I Faced Today

2008-01-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

Today as I was in the elevator going down from the 16th floor to the GF, the elevator stopped on the 7th floor and a man got in. I was the only person with him in the elevator and I had this really big feeling I should walk out of it when he walked in, but, i didn't, I hesitated.

When I got home, I looked up this problem on Islam Q&A to see what their opinion was on this issue, and this is what I found below...Now, some people wont agree with what they have written and others will, BUT, for me, now i know next time I'm in that situation I should get out of the elevator and wait until I can get in again with other women present or alone...

-------------------------------

Is it permissible for a woman to travel in an elevator alone with a non-mahram man?

Question:It allowed to go in a lift if there is a man who is a non mahram in it?(ie if there are just the two of you) Is there a separate ruling for open and closed lifts which have doors?.

Answer:Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah has forbidden a man to be alone with a woman who is not his mahram. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No man is alone with a woman but the shaytaan is the third one present.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1171); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

Al-Bukhaari (1862) and Muslim (1341) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No man should be alone with a woman unless her mahram is with her.”
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) narrated in Sharh Muslim (14/153) that there is scholarly consensus that it is haraam for a man to be alone with a non-mahram woman. This was also mentioned by al-Haafiz in al-Fath (4/77).

What is meant by a man being alone with a woman is that they are alone together in a place with no one else present.

This meaning applies when a woman travels in an elevator with a man who is not her mahram and there is no one else with them, whether it is open or closed.

Based on that, it is not permissible for a woman to travel in an elevator on her own with a non-mahram man. If there is one or more other women with her, then there is nothing wrong with her travelling on the elevator in that case, because then she is not alone with the man.

If there are both men and women with her, there is nothing wrong with her travelling on it if the elevator is spacious, and she will not be forced to touch or rub against the men. But in this case it is safer for the Muslim woman to walk up the stairs, and seek reward with Allaah for the difficulty that she encounters by doing that, because she is only doing that so as to avoid that which Allaah has forbidden and to avoid fitnah and its causes.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

My Thoughts

2008-01-03T09:36:00.000-08:00

Don't make a Dua "against" someone,

forgive them,

make a Dua FOR them and leave the justice to ALLAH...

When a person makes Dua after prayer for someone the Angels say Ameen after the person does. So, whatever Dua you are making for someone whether good or bad you are also making on yourself, because, the Angels say Ameen on the Dua you made against someone FOR YOU...

Ex...a Mother in law makes a dua AGAINST her Daughter in law asking God to never give her children or happiness with her son in their marriage...This is horribly WRONG!

Ex...A sister in law goes to MAKKAH and makes Duas against her sister in law asking God to make her not able to bear children and to let her brother divorce his wife....This is even MORE HORRIBLE...

We should always try our best to give our muslim brothers and sisters second chances to be better Muslims, we should conceal their flaws and try our utmost to guide them to the straight path inshallah....Never give up trying to spread a good word and good deeds. Inshallah Allah will reward the patient and the ones who guided others to Islamic monotheism and Islamic lifestyle and Ideals...Do your best to give a good example of yourself and show kindness to non Muslims, you never know how much that might influence their opinion on Islam and it may even help them to become a Muslim and that could be because of you!

A Message to Someone Drowning

2007-12-26T08:02:00.000-08:00

A message to someone Drowning

Author: Sh. Hamed ibn Abdullah Al-Ali

Question:

I would like to let you know that I have committed most major sins and I am not saying this in order to take pride in my sins; I used to feel this before but not any longer. I have drunk wine twice in my life or perhaps three times, I don’t know. I have committed adultery with almost 10 women and I was about to destroy the future of a girl but Allah saved her from my harm; I do not know is it possible that Allah repents on me and forgives me? I don’t know, I have tried to repent more than once and every time I return to the same sins to the degree that I have felt I am a hypocrite who is not afraid of death and being accounted. Sometimes I feel that Allah loves me and that I love Him, but then Satan quickly takes over my heart again.

I have defeated Satan in many rounds, but he defeated me in more battles; Is it possible for me to return to Allah once again and how?

I have prayed a lot but more than that I have interrupted my prayers. My weakness has reached points a believer cannot imagine.

I have sworn upon the Holy Quran that I will stop smoking but I haven’t.

I have promised Allah Himself that I will not view pornographic sites and that I will never visit them again and that I will not watch those unclean movies that the west uses to kill our faith but I have broken my promise to Allah; My will has weakened to a level that nobody can imagine after I used to have strength in performance and the ability to change my personality and my way of life;

I have become a person who does not feel the pleasure of life even though I still maintain my soul and my rounds of vice, sins, lying, cheating; so how do I get rescued?

I want to know what religious people have known but what
I haven’t. I am sure that they know something I don’t know and don’t feel, so why? This is me so what do I do to benefit me, may Allah benefit you.

Answer:
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise be to Allah, and prayers and greetings upon our prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

The prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallm) said Allah will repent upon whoever repents before the sun rises from the west [reported by Muslim from the hadith of Abu Hurairah]

I have read your message, and I know that nothing prevents you from repenting, even if your sins reach the sky or fill the whole earth. As long as the human is in this life, the door of repentance is open. I have noted from your letter that you are living a battle between the call of faith in your heart, and the call of desire that is guided by Satan in your heart.

Praise be to Allah the Exalted who has retained in your heart some of the light of faith, which blames you for sins, and beautified good deeds to you.

But this light is weak, because the darkness of sins, which are the blowings of Satan, has weakened this light. This is why it sometimes shines, making your conscience awake a little, only to extinguish again and you return to committing sins.

I will clarify to you the illness that you are suffering from, then I will describe the treatment, so please read this with reflection and interest, may Allah benefit you from it.

Dear brother, the heart is the place of will in the human; sometimes it wants good, and sometimes evil, and the body parts are nothing but soldiers that obey the heart according to what it desires.

The difference between religious people and yourself is that the hearts of the former firmly want good, so their body parts obey this will and are thus persistent in obeying Allah the Exalted. As for yourself, your heart knows good and evil, and differentiates between good and bad deeds, but it cannot want good, so you find that it wants desires even though it knows they will harm it, so it commands the body parts so they obey it, but what is the reason?.

The reason is that the hearts that are immune to Satan easily want to do good because these hearts are healthy and strong. On the other hand, in hearts that Satan can enter and wonder in freely, Satan can easily achieve making the heart want sins, after he has made them look attractive to the heart, because the latter is ill and full of satanic germs.

For some people, Satan only briefly enters their hearts owing to the strong immunity surrounding them. For example, those who commit minor sins then quickly repent from them, and those are the ones about whom Allah (SWT) has said (interpretation of the meaning):

{The pious ones, when a visitation from Satan afflicts them they become mindful, then lo! they see.}.

There are some people whom Satan never comes close to their hearts, as they are like the sky, which is guarded from devils by flames; likewise their hearts are guarded from devils.

The Prophet (PBUH) has said about this heart white like a smooth rock not harmed by temptation as long as the heavens and earth exist [reported by Muslim from the hadith of Huzaifah (RAA)].

Satan has entered the hearts of other people and has dwelled there and created a nest for himself in which he lays his eggs and hatches them. So he has controlled these hearts, commanding them to do forbidden desires, so their hearts want these desires and command their body parts to commit them and they indeed do that. This is because Satan has found hearts that have no immunity, their doors open, weak and ill owing to committing sins, and this is why Allah the Exalted has said about this type (interpretation of the meaning)

{Satan has gained the mastery over them, so he has made them forget the remembrance of Allah}.

Because the zikr (remembrance) of Allah is immunity from Satan, Satan has made them forget it in order to control and drive their hearts, which their body parts will then follow.

The heart is not immunized from Satan except with the zikr of Allah the Exalted, and it does not have the strength to want good except by doing good deeds.

Satan does not defeat the heart unless it is inattentive of the zikr of
Allah the Exalted and weak because of committing sins and vice.

And now, after you have known the reason why your heart does not obey you in wanting to do good and avoid sins, and cannot preserve its righteousness, the treatment is in the following medical prescription. Take it and maintain it as its results are guaranteed -Allah willing - if you persevere it honestly:

1. Maintain the five prayers in congregation, especially the fajr prayer and never miss it. Allah the
Exalted says {and the fajr reading, for the fajr reading is witnessed} i.e. the fajr prayer is witnessed by angels.

2. After the fajr prayer remain in the mosque to read the Quran until sunrise, and then offer 2 rakas 10 minutes after sunrise.

3. Say subhan Allah wa bi hamdih (may Allah be glorified and praised) one hundred times a day at any time in the mosque or house, whether walking, sitting, in the car, etc. This zikr wipes out sins.

4. Ask forgiveness of Allah one hundred times each day, saying astaghfirullah wa atoobu ilayh (I ask forgiveness of Allah and I repent to Him), once again at any time you wish and in whatever condition you are in.

5. Say this zikr: la ilaha illa Allahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahulmulku wa lahulhamdu wa howa ala kul shayin qadeer (there is no god but Allah; He has no partner; He has the possession and praise, and He is capable of everything) one hundred times each day at any time you wish and in whatever condition you are in. It doesn’t necessarily have to be said in the mosque. The prophet (PBUH) maintained these zikrs, as they are the life of the heart and its indispensable nutrition.

6. Between Maghrib and Ishaa remain in the mosque and do not leave it, and recite as much as you can of the Quran while concentrating.

7. You should totally avoid watching TV and reading magazines, and going to places where there is vice, as you are in quarantine in order to restore health to your heart, and the medicine (good deeds) will not benefit you if you induce disease (sins) into your heart during the treatment period.

8. Continue this program for at least a month: living with the Quran reciting it with consideration, and acting upon what is in it; spending time alone for long hours for the zikr of Allah the Exalted. The proof of doing this for a month is that the

Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallm) ordered that by saying “Recite the Quran in a month, in 25 days, in 10 days, in 7 days” [Bukhari & Muslim from the hadith of Ibn Omar].

9. If the environment in which you live does not support you in applying this program then change this environment: abandon bad friends, and avoid places in which you spend your free time if they encourage you to commit sins, and if you can travel to Makkah for example to follow this program then do it.

10. Donate part of your money as a form of repentance to Allah the Exalted, as secret charities are seen only by Allah the Exalted. In the authentic hadith

“Secret charities extinguish the anger of the Lord”

[narrated by ibn Hibban from the hadith of Anas].

11. Try to perform umrah with the intention of renewing your faith and cleansing your past with the water of this blessed trip.

The Prophet (sallalahu alyhi wa sallm) said A umrah causes forgiving of sins since the previous umrah, and an accepted hajj has no reward other than paradise

[Bukhari & Muslim from the hadith of Abu Hurairah (RAA)].

12. If you owe anything to others return everything, and do not retain anything you will be accounted for, as a form of repentance to Allah.

13. Ask Allah every night during the sahar (prior to fajr) with this supplication Rabbi inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran wa la yaghfir uzunuba illa Ant, faghfir lee maghfiratan min indik warhamni, inaka Anta Alghafoor Urraheem (My Lord, I have oppressed myself a lot and only You forgive sins, so forgive me a forgiveness from You and have mercy upon me, You are Most Forgiving, Most Merciful), and also Allahuma alhimni rushdi wa qini shar nafsi(O Allah, grant me my the right way and protect me from the evil of myself), as the Prophet (sallalahu alyhi wa sallm) taught these two to some of his companions.

In addition, perform a lot of istighfar and supplication, as the sahar is a time of acceptance of supplication.

This is your prescription, and one month is not necessarily the period required, as change might appear on you before that, or you might need more than a month in this quarantine. The goal is to expel Satan from the heart and clean his traces and dirt and the filth that he has placed there, as this is the reason behind the weakness of your heart and its incapability of wanting good and doing good deeds, and its quickness to follow desires.

So if health returns to your heart and you become fit and strong when it comes to the zikr of Allah the Exalted, immune from the cunningness of Satan, then you may slightly reduce this program to the extent that you can withstand, as the

Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallm) said “You should do what you can withstand”

[Bukhari & Muslim from the hadith of Aisha (RAA)],

unless you can withstand more than this, for in this case you should increase doing good as long as your heart loves good deeds.

These faithful duties are the levels as considered by Allah: the more a servant does, s/he ascends in the levels of piety. The best things to perform are what Allah has prescribed upon you (obligatory forms of worship). You will notice that things have changed in a surprising manner, as long as you maintain the prescription I have given you, and you will find yourself hating to commit sins and your heart not wanting them, looking at them with inferiority and disdain. You will also like good deeds and feel enthusiastic about them, and feel their good taste in your heart. The secret behind this change is that you have treated you heart with the zikr of Allah the Exalted and good deeds until your heart has become healthy wanting good and loving it after it was ill, wanting evil and sins and loving them.

Allah, the Truth and Exalted says (interpretation of the meaning)

{but Allah has endeared the faith to you and has made it seemly in your hearts, and He has made hateful to you unbelief and transgression and disobedience; those are the followers of the right way).

By grace from Allah and as a favor; and Allah is Most Knowing, Most Wise and Allah knows best

Sh. Hamed ibn Abdullah Al-Ali, who loves good for You.

Tawheed for Children: (Level One) Knowing ALLAH

2007-12-26T07:48:00.001-08:00

http://www.understand-islam.net/Books/TawheedforChildren.pdf

Interview with Umm ‘Abdullaah Wife of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah)

2007-12-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

http://www.understand-islam.net/Articles/InterviewwithSh.Uthaimeen-swife.pdf

Scientific Proofs From the Quran about Creation

2007-12-21T01:04:00.000-08:00

Thought #1: "A century ago, the creation of the universe was a concept that astronomers as a rule ignored. The reason was the general acceptance of the idea that the universe existed in infinite time. Examining the universe, scientists supposed that it was just a conglomeration of matter and imagined that it had no beginning. There was no moment of "creation"–a moment when the universe and everything in it came into being. "

Ponder This: Who or what created that matter, how did that matter come into being? Who or what created the supposed infinite time? How can an “object” like matter not be a created item? And lastly, if this was how the universe “came about”, this matter and infinite time had all the power of creation within itself, if this were the case, where did this infinite time and matter get this power to create from and how did it decide when to create our universe without intelligent thought?

Thought #2: "The universe was not a created object, if it were, then it would have to be created instantaneously by God and brought into existence from nothing. To admit creation, one has to admit, in the first place, the existence of a moment when the universe did not exist, and that something came out of nothingness. This is something to which science can not accede. 2"

Ponder This: Can scientists prove with “all their abundance of knowledge” that there is no God? Many scientists chose to ignore the belief of God because it is the one thing that they have NO explanation for!

"He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth."

(The Qur'an, 6:101)

"And it is We who have constructed the heaven with might, and verily, it is We who are steadily expanding it."

(The Qur'an, 51:47)

"Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before We clove them asunder, and We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?"

(The Qur'an, 21:30)

"It is He Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They swim along, each in an orbit. "

(The Qur'an, 21:33)

"And the sun runs to its resting place. That is the decree of the Almighty, the All-Knowing. " (The Qur'an, 36:38)

"By the sky full of paths and orbits."

(The Qur'an, 51:7)

"He has created the Heavens and the Earth for Truth. He wraps the night up in the day, and wraps the day up in the night."

(The Qur'an, 39:5)

"By Heaven with its cyclical systems."

(The Qur'an, 86:11)

"We made the sky a preserved and protected roof yet still they turn away from Our Signs.."

(The Qur'an, 21:32)

"It is He Who created everything on the earth for you and then directed His attention up to heaven and arranged it into seven regular heavens. He has knowledge of all things."

(The Qur'an, 2:29)

If we count the number of layers cited in this source, we see that the atmosphere consists of exactly seven layers, just as stated in the verse.
1. Troposphere
2. Stratosphere
3. Ozonosphere
4. Mesosphere
5. Thermosphere
6. Ionosphere
7. Exosphere

SUBHNALLAH…..how could the Prophet Mohammed (sallalahu alayhi wasallm) have known this all by himself!

How could the Quran then not be considered TRUTH.

What HUMAN in the time of the Prophet Mohammed (sallalahu alayhi wasallm) or any time before that have known that the atmosphere had 7 layers!

"Then He turned to heaven when it was smoke. In two days He determined them as seven heavens and revealed, in every heaven, its own mandate."

(The Qur'an, 41:12)

Ponder these verses…Research on Science and the Universe and Look to the explanation of the Verses from the Quran which pertain to this matter.

The Quran itself tells us to Ponder its verses…

"Do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? Or are there locks upon their hearts?"

(Quran 47:24).

"Indeed, in the skies and the earth...are signs for people who reason"

(Quran 2:164)

"Most surely in the creation of the skies and the earth...are signs for people who understand, those who remember Allah...and who ponder the creation..."

(Quran 3:190-1)

"Thus does Allah clarify for you the verses, so that you may think"

(Quran 2:219)

"Do they not ponder the Qur'an?" (Quran 47:24)

For more in depth info on this topic go to:

http://www.creationofuniverse.com/index.html

Muslims, Tell me whats wrong with these pictures.

2007-12-19T07:29:00.000-08:00

The Prophet Mohammed(sallalahu alayhi wa sallm) said that : Let the knives be sharpened and concealed from the animals and whenever you do the sticking, it should be quick.

I have asked for guidance concerning these above pictures and the lawfullness of this situation. I am waiting on a response, when I get it inshallah I will post it here.

Until then, I leave you with this thought: I feel we have a need to pray for guideance of the Muslim Ummah more than ever before....

Super Rich mistake!

2007-12-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

"Objects of desire: Millionaire fair

XPRESS
http://www.xpress4me.com/myxpress/blogs/mustseemustdo/20004683.html

Dubai’s first-ever Millionaire Fair is an exclusive event for the region’s elite and the super rich.
A Dh5.4 million bottle of Tequila Ley 925 (see below) – the most expensive in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records – will be the highlight of the Millionaire Fair, which is all set to dazzle the region’s aficionados and followers of luxury.
The three-day event is expected to bring together key players from the "industry of opulence" and offer the finest luxury products from the world over.

Where: International Marine Club, Dubai
When: December 15 to 17 "

Because this is what a millionare from this part of the world would want to see? hummmm...

A 5.4 million dirham bottle of Tequila is being shown as the "highlight" of an event for the super rich in a MUSLIM country.

What did I miss here???

2007-12-18T02:07:00.000-08:00

Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and efface our bad deeds and take our souls in the company of the righteous (Quran 3:193).

-------

Ya Muqallib al-Quloob Thabbit Qalbi 'Ala Deenika wa ya Musarrifal Quloob Sarrif Qalbi Ela Ta'atika.

-------

(O, Controller of Hearts, make firm my heart in your faith in your worship. O, Holder of Hearts, turn my heart to Your obedience.)

Rain by Design

2007-12-14T13:29:00.000-08:00

Rain by Design

By Harun Yahya

Rain is indeed one of the most important factors for the permanence of life on earth. It is a prerequisite for the continuation of activity in a region. Rain, which carries great importance for all living things, including human beings, is mentioned in various verses of the Qur’an, where substantial information is given about the formation of rain, its proportion and effects. This information, which never could have been known by the people of the time, shows us that the Qur’an is the word of God.

Now, let us examine the information given in the Qur’an about rain.

The Proportion of Rain

In the eleventh verse of Surat az-Zukhruf, rain is defined as water sent down in “due measure”. The verse is as follows:

{He sends down (from time to time) water from the sky in due measure, and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead. Even so will you be raised (from the dead)} (43: 11)

This “measure” mentioned in the verse has to do with a couple of characteristics of rain. First of all, the amount of rain that falls on the earth is always the same. It is estimated that in one second, 16 million tons of water evaporate from the earth. This number is equal to the amount of water that drops on the earth in one second. This means that water continuously circulates in a balanced cycle according to a “measure”.

Another measure related with rain is about its falling speed. The minimum altitude of rain clouds is 1,200 meters. When dropped from this height, an object having the same weight and size as a rain drop, would continuously accelerate and fall on the ground with a speed of 558 km/h. Certainly, any object that hits the ground with that speed would cause great damage. If rain happened to fall in the same way, all harvested lands would be destroyed, residential areas, houses, and cars would be damaged, and people would not be able to walk around without taking extra precautions. What is more, these calculations are made just for clouds at a height of 1,200 meters; there are also rain clouds at altitudes of 10,000 meters. A raindrop falling from such a height could normally reach a very destructive speed.

But this is not how it works; no matter from what height they fall, the average speed of raindrops is only 8-10 km/h when they reach the ground. The reason for this is the special form they take. This special form increases the friction effect of the atmosphere and prevents acceleration when the raindrops reach a certain speed “limit”. (Today parachutes are designed by using this technique.)

This is not all about the “measures” of rain. For instance, in the atmospheric layers where it starts to rain, the temperature may fall as low as 400 °C below zero. Despite this, raindrops never turn into ice particles. (This would certainly mean a fatal threat to the living things on earth.) The reason is that the water in the atmosphere is pure water. As is well known, pure water hardly freezes even at very low temperatures.

The Formation of Rain

Raindrops fall on the ground with a speed of 558 km/h. Any object that hits the ground with that speed would cause great damage.

How rain forms remained a great mystery for people for a long time. Only after weather radar was invented, was it possible to discover the stages by which rain is formed.
The formation of rain takes place in three stages. First, the “raw material” of rain rises up into the air. Later clouds are formed. Finally, raindrops appear.

These stages were clearly defined in the Qur’an centuries ago where precise information is given about the formation of rain:

{It is God Who sends the Winds, and they raise the Clouds: then does He spread them in the sky as He wills, and break them into fragments, until you see rain-drops issue from the midst thereof: then when He has made them reach such of his servants as He wills, behold, they do rejoice!} (30: 48)

Now, let us look at the three stages mentioned in the verse:

1st Stage: {It is God Who sends the winds...}

Countless air bubbles formed by the foaming in the oceans continuously burst and cause water particles to be ejected towards the sky. These particles, which are rich in salt, are then carried away by winds and move upwards in the atmosphere. These particles, which are called aerosols, form clouds by collecting around themselves the water vapor, which again ascends from the seas, as tiny drops by a mechanism called “water trap”.

2nd Stage: {...and they raise the Clouds: then does He spread them in the sky as He wills, and break them into fragments...}

The clouds form from the water vapor that condenses around the salt crystals or the dust particles in the air. Because the water drops in these are very small (with a diameter between 0.01 and 0.02 mm), the clouds are suspended in the air and they spread in the sky. Thus, the sky is covered with clouds.

3rd Stage: {...until you see rain-drops issue from the midst thereof}

Water particles that surround salt crystals and dust particles thicken and form raindrops. So the drops, which become heavier than air, depart from the clouds and start to fall on the ground as rain.

Every stage in the formation of rain is told in the verses of the Qur’an. Furthermore, these stages are explained in the right sequence. Just as with many other natural phenomena in the world, it is again the Qur’an that provides the most correct explanation about this phenomenon, and more, it has announced these facts to people centuries before they were discovered by science.

Life Given to a Dead Land

In the Qur’an, many verses call our attention to a particular function of rain, which is {giving life to a dead land}:

{We send down pure water from the sky. That with it We may give life to a dead land, and slake the thirst of many beings We have created, beasts as well as humans} (25: 48- 49)

In addition to furnishing the earth with water, which is an inevitable need of living beings, rain also has a fertilization effect.

Raindrops that reach the clouds after being evaporated from the seas, contain certain substances {that will give life} to a dead land. These “life-giving” drops are called “surface tension drops”. Surface tension drops form on the top level of the sea surface, which is called the “micro layer” by biologists. In this layer, which is thinner than one tenth of a millimeter, there are many organic leftovers caused by the pollution of microscopic algae and zooplankton. Some of these leftovers select and collect within themselves some elements that are very rare in seawater, such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and some heavy metals like copper, zinc, cobalt and lead. These “fertilizer”-laden drops are lifted up into the sky by the winds and after awhile they drop on the ground inside the raindrops. Seeds and plants on the earth find numerous metallic salts and elements essential for their growth here in these raindrops. This event is revealed in another verse of the Qur’an:

{And We send down from the sky rain laden with blessing, and We produce therewith gardens and grain for harvests} (50: 9)

Salts that fall with rain are small examples of certain elements (calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc.) used for increasing fertility. The heavy metals found in these types of aerosols are other elements that increase fertility in the development and production of plants.

A barren land can be furnished with all the essential elements for plants in a 100-year period just with these fertilizers dropped with the rain. Forests also develop and are fed with the help of these sea-based aerosols. In this way, 150 million tons of fertilizer falls on the total land surface every year. If there were no natural fertilization like this, there would be very little vegetation on the earth, and the ecological balance would be impaired.

What is more interesting is that this truth, which could only be discovered by modern science, was revealed by God in the Qur’an centuries ago.

Harun Yahya is the author, who writes under the pen name Harun Yahya, was born in Ankara in 1956. He studied arts at Istanbul's Mimar Sinan University and philosophy at Istanbul University. Since the 1980s, the author has published many books on political, faith-related and scientific issues. Harun Yahya is well known as an author who has written very important works disclosing the imposture of evolutionists, the invalidity of their claims and the dark liaisons between Darwinism and bloody ideologies. Some of the books of the author have been translated into English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Albanian, Arabic, Polish, Russian, Bosnian, Indonesian, Turkish, Tatar, Urdu and Malay and published in the countries concerned. Harun Yahya's books appeal to all people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, regardless of their age, race and nationality, as they center around one goal: to open the readers' mind by presenting the sign's of God's eternal existence to them.

Please visit : www.harunyahya.com e-mail : info@harunyahya.com

A MUST View!!!

2007-12-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4jQi0Gjy3M

Random Thoughts

2007-12-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

-So an American presidential candidate was giving a speech on why he would make a good president, he says to the audience that he will not base any presidential decisions on his own religion or anyone else's religion for the matter, no matter what church they come from...

ERM, do you see the most ignorant idiotic mistake I do in that comment!

Yikes , no wonder he doesn't have enough supporters!

-Just because a person wants to follow their religion 100 percent to their ability doesn't make them a fanatic...Why do something half way, especially when its what you base you whole life on!

-Why do some people cover their awrah for prayer only, and not when they are in public?!?!?

-No matter what status level of life you grew up on you should always have patience and respect for other people. A poor person who is humble is more honorable and noble than a rich man whose ignorant!

-I learned this weekend that people should think about what they want to say before they speak, although i knew that already, i really understood it this weekend when i heard someone put their foot in their mouth more than once.

-I also observed over the weekend something I see alot: A Muslim who thinks that they know everything their is to know about Islam and they think you don't know anything like them....

HELLO! We NEVER know enough! Its not a competition people!

My BIGGEST lesson I learned was that sometimes you have to keep you mouth shut and not comment on other peoples ignorance, because they don't hear you say anything once they've said what they want to say. You could say it 12 times and they will still repeat their sentence to you! Alot of people only hear what they want to and they don't open their minds to the fact that you might be right and they wrong!

Help Needed!

2007-12-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

Salam Alaykum Readers :)

I have a dilemma that I need help with.

If anyone of you who reads this blog is a Muslim with some knowledge or even an opinion on "The lawfullness of spaying/neutering animals(specifically cats and dogs)" in Islam, please email me with your advice or any info you could point me to. Id like to see what other peoples opinions are on this issue. I will, inshallah, have the chance later in the year to conduct some classes on Islamic Animal Rights and Proper care for household pets, so I would be so grateful for help in this topic!

2007-11-29T23:25:00.000-08:00

"AHAD!"

By Waleed Gubara

Why shed these tears of sorrow?

Why shed these tears of grief?

Ya nafsy how soon you forget,

After trials come sweet relief

Why turn you from Ar-Rahman?

Why yearn for a listening friend?

Ya nafsy, do you not remember,

On ALLAH, you must depend?

Read you not those stories,

of the trials in days gone by,

Of the Sahabi beloved by Allah,

Who for Allah's cause did strive?

Why loosen your hold upon him?

Why fling away, His outstretched Hand?

Ya nafsy, do you not remember,

Bilal's sabr on the blazing sand?

"Ahad! Ahad!" He cried,

While his flesh did drip and burn.

"Ahad! Ahad!" He cried,

To Allah alone he turned.

Forget you the firmness of Hamza,

As the gleaming swords did fall?

With Sabr he turned to Allah,

as the qureish did slice and maul.

Why drown in salty teardrops?

How can you dare compare your pain?

To that of Yasir and Summayah,

As the lay tortured on the scorching plain?

Forget you the charring of Khabbab,

As on burning coals he lay?

Ya nafsy how meager your suffering,

Wherefore do you lose your way?

Why befriend you not Al-Wali?

Why not in Salat to Him complain?

Like Job who only to Allah,

Turned in all his grief and pain?

Forget you those trials in this life,

Cleanse your heart and make it clean?

Ya nafsy, why all this sadness?

Do you not wish your heart to gleam?

Be patient in all your hardships,

Allah hears your cries of woe.

So trust Him and His hikma,

For He knows best and you don't know.

So tighten your hold upon him,

Lest He withdraw His outstretched Hand!

And remember the example of Bilal,

As he lay anchored on the blazing sand.

"Ahad! Ahad!" he cried,

While his flesh did drip and burn.

"Ahad! Ahad!" he cried,

To Allah alone he turned.

"A small part" of Womans' Rights in Islam

2007-11-29T12:23:00.000-08:00

"…He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts …"(Quran 30:21)

_________________________________________________

"And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them, and men are a degree above them." (Qur'an 2:228).

Such degree is Quiwama (maintenance and protection). This refers to that natural difference between the sexes which entitles the weaker sex to protection.

It implies no superiority or advantage before the law. Yet, man's role of leadership in relation to his family does not mean the husband's dictatorship over his wife. Islam emphasizes the importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions.

The Qur'an gives us an example:"...If they (husband wife) desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, there is no blame on them..." (Qur'an 2: 233).

Over and above her basic rights as a wife comes the right which is emphasized by the Qur'an and is strongly recommended by the Prophet (P); kind treatment and companionship.

The Qur'an states:
"...But consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much good." (Qur'an 4: l9).

The Shari'ah regards women as the spiritual and intellectual equals of men. The main distinction it makes between them is in the physical realm based on the equitable principle of fair division of labor. It allots the more strenuous work to the man and makes him responsible for the maintenance of the family. It allots the work of managing the home and the upbringing and training of children to the woman, work which has the greatest importance in the task of building a healthy and prosperous society.

It is a fact, however, that sound administration within the domestic field is impossible without a unified policy. For this reason the Shari'ah requires a man, as head of the family, to consult with his family and then to have the final say in decisions concerning it. In doing so he must not abuse his prerogative to cause any injury to his wife. Any transgression of this principle involves for him the risk of losing the favor of Allah, because his wife is not his subordinate but she is, to use the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him), 'the queen of her house', and this is the position a true believer is expected to give his wife.

"O you who believe! When you deal with each other in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing. Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write: as Allah has taught him, so let him write. Let him who incurs the liability dictate, but let him fear his Lord, Allah, and not diminish aught of what he owes. If the party liable is mentally deficient, or weak, or unable himself to dictate, let his guardian dictate faithfully. And get two witnesses out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as you choose for witnesses so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her. The witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (for evidence). Disdain not to reduce to writing (your contract) for a future period, whether it be small or big: it is more just in the sight of Allah, more suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves, but if it be a transaction which you carry out on the spot among yourselves, there is no blame on you if you reduce it not to writing. But take witnesses whenever you make a commercial contract; and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. If you do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So fear Allah; for it is Allah that teaches you. And Allah is well acquainted with all things"

(Quran 2:282)

Nowhere in this above Ayah does it say that the reason it is "two females to one male" is because the Male's brain is bigger than the Females and therefore he is the smarter sex! This is nonsense! Women need to learn their rights within Islam so men cannot make them their personal slaves and baby machines...We as Muslims have rights given to us by Allah and men must be informed of these rights and we as women should use them...Never accept something you know is wrong...Pursue what is Islamically correct and never make yourself any ones slave.

We are only Slaves to
Allah.

The Quran on Human Embryonic Development

2007-11-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

23:12

NOW, INDEED, We create man out of the essence of clay,

Walaqad khalaqna alinsana min sulalatin min teenin

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن سُلَالَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ

23:13

and then We cause him to remain as a drop of sperm in [the wombs] firm keeping,

Thumma jaAAalnahu nutfatan fee qararin makeenin

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ

23:14

and then We create out of the drop of sperm a germ-cell, and then We create out of the germ-cell an embryonic lump, and then We create within the embryonic lump bones, and then We clothe the bones with flesh - and then We bring [all] this into being as a new creation:
hallowed, therefore, is God, the best of artisans!

Thumma khalaqna alnnutfata AAalaqatan fakhalaqna alAAalaqata mudghatan fakhalaqna almudghata AAithaman fakasawna alAAithama lahman thumma anshanahu khalqan akhara fatabaraka Allahu ahsanu alkhaliqeena

ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ

The explanation of this and discussion can be found here:

http://theunjustmedia.com/Islam/Science/The%20quran%20on%20human%20embryonoic%20development.htm

I strongly recommend you to ponder these Ayats from the Quran and the lesson we can learn from it...

Fatimah Bint Muhammed

2007-11-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

Fatimah bint Muhammad (radiallaahu 'anhaa)

From Alim® Online

Fatimah was the fifth child of Muhammad and Khadijah. She was born at a time when her noble father had begun to spend long periods in the solitude of mountains around Makkah, meditating and reflecting on the great mysteries of creation. This was the time, before the Bithah, when her eldest sister Zaynab was married to her cousin, al-Aas ibn ar Rabiah. Then followed the marriage of her two other sisters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum, to the sons of Abu Lahab, a paternal uncle of the Prophet. Both Abu Lahab and his wife Umm Jamil turned out to be flaming enemies of the Prophet from the very beginning of his public mission.

The little Fatimah thus saw her sisters leave home one after the other to live with their husbands. She was too young to understand the meaning of marriage and the reasons why her sisters had to leave home. She loved them dearly and was sad and lonely whe n they left. It is said that a certain silence and painful sadness came over her then.

Of course, even after the marriage of her sisters, she was not alone in the house of her parents. Barakah, the maid-servant of Aminah, the Prophet's mother, who had been with the Prophet since his birth, Zayd ibn Harithah, and Ali, the young son of Abu Ta lib were all part of Muhammad's household at this time. And of course there was her loving mother, the lady Khadijah.

In her mother and in Barakah, Fatimah found a great deal of solace and comfort. in Ali, who was about two years older than she, she found a "brother" and a friend who somehow took the place of her own brother al-Qasim who had died in his infancy. Her other brother Abdullah, known as the Good and the Pure, who was born after her, also died in his infancy. However in none of the people in her father's household did Fatimah find the carefree joy and happiness which she enjoyed with her sisters. She was an unusually sensitive child for her age.

When she was five, she heard that her father had become Rasul Allah, the Messenger of God. His first task was to convey the good news of Islam to his family and close relations. They were to worship God Almighty alone. Her mother, who was a tower of strength and support, explained to Fatimah what her father had to do. From this time on, she became more closely attached to him and felt a deep and abiding love for him. Often she would be at his side walking through the narrow streets and alleys of Makkah , visiting the Kabah or attending secret gatherings of the early Muslims who had accepted Islam and pledged allegiance to the Prophet.

One day, when she was not yet ten, she accompanied her father to the Masjid al-Haram. He stood in the place known as al-Hijr facing the Kabah and began to pray. Fatimah stood at his side. A group of Quraysh, by no means well-disposed to the Prophet, gathe red about him. They included Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, the Prophet's uncle, Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and Shaybah and Utbah, sons of Rabi'ah. Menacingly, the group went up to the Prophet and Abu Jahl, the ringleader, asked:

"Which of you can bring the entrails of a slaughtered animal and throw it on Muhammad?"

Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, one of the vilest of the lot, volunteered and hurried off. He returned with the obnoxious filth and threw it on the shoulders of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, while he was still prostrating. Abdullah ibn Masud, a companion of the Prophet, was present but he was powerless to do or say anything.

Imagine the feelings of Fatimah as she saw her father being treated in this fashion. What could she, a girl not ten years old, do? She went up to her father and removed the offensive matter and then stood firmly and angrily before the group of Quraysh thu gs and lashed out against them. Not a single word did they say to her. The noble Prophet raised his head on completion of the prostration and went on to complete the Salat. He then said: "O Lord, may you punish the Quraysh!" and repeated this imprecation on three times. Then he continued:
"May You punish Utbah, Uqbah, Abu Jahl and Shaybah." (These whom he named were all killed many years later at the Battle of Badr)

On another occasion, Fatimah was with the Prophet as he made; tawaf around the Kabah. A Quraysh mob gathered around him. They seized him and tried to strangle him with his own clothes. Fatimah screamed and shouted for help. Abu Bakr rushed to the scene and managed to free the Prophet. While he was doing so, he pleaded:

"Would you kill a man who says, 'My Lord is God?'" Far from giving up, the mob turned on Abu Bakr and began beating him until blood flowed from his head and face.

Such scenes of vicious opposition and harassment against her father and the early Muslims were witnessed by the young Fatimah. She did not meekly stand aside but joined in the struggle in defence of her father and his noble mission. She was still a young girl and instead of the cheerful romping, the gaiety and liveliness which children of her age are and should normally be accustomed to, Fatimah had to witness and participate in such ordeals.

Of course, she was not alone in this. The whole of the Prophet's family suffered from the violent and mindless Quraysh. Her sisters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum also suffered. They were living at this time in the very nest of hatred and intrigue against the Prophet. Their husbands were Utbah and Utaybah, sons of Abu Lahab and Umm Jamil. Umm Jamil was known to be a hard and harsh woman who had a sharp and evil tongue. It was mainly because of her that Khadijah was not pleased with the marriages of her daughters to Umm Jamil's sons in the first place. It must have been painful for Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum to be living in the household of such inveterate enemies who not only joined but led the campaign against theft father.

As a mark of disgrace to Muhammad and his family, Utbah and Utaybah were prevailed upon by their parents to divorce their wives. This was part of the process of ostracizing the Prophet totally. The Prophet in fact welcomed his daughters back to his home w ith joy, happiness and relief.

Fatimah, no doubt, must have been happy to be with her sisters once again. They all wished that their eldest sister, Zaynab, would also be divorced by her husband. In fact, the Quraysh brought pressure on Abu-l Aas to do so but he refused. When the Qurays h leaders came up to him and promised him the richest and most beautiful woman as a wife should he divorce Zaynab, he replied:

"I love my wife deeply and passionately and I have a great and high esteem for her father even though I have not entered the religion of Islam."

Both Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum were happy to be back with their loving parents and to be rid of the unbearable mental torture to which they had been subjected in the house of Umm Jamil. Shortly afterwards, Ruqayyah married again, to the young and shy Uthma n ibn Allan who was among the first to have accepted Islam. They both left for Abyssinia among the first muhajirin who sought refuge in that land and stayed there for several years. Fatimah was not to see Ruqayyah again until after their mother had died.

The persecution of the Prophet, his family and his followers continued and even became worse after the migration of the first Muslims to Abyssinia. In about the seventh year of his mission, the Prophet and his family were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in a rugged little valley enclosed by hills on all sides and defile, which could only be entered from Makkah by a narrow path.

To this arid valley, Muhammad and the clans of Banu Hashim and al-Muttalib were forced to retire with limited supplies of food. Fatimah was one of the youngest members of the clans -just about twelve years old - and had to undergo months of hardship and suffering. The wailing of hungry children and women in the valley could be heard from Makkah. The Quraysh allowed no food and contact with the Muslims whose hardship was only relieved somewhat during the season of pilgrimage. The boycott lasted for three years. When it was lifted, the Prophet had to face even more trials and difficulties. Khadijah, the faithful and loving, died shortly afterwards. With her death, the Prophet and his family lost one of the greatest sources of comfort and strength which had sustained them through the difficult period. The year in which the noble Khadijah, and later Abu Talib, died is known as the Year of Sadness. Fatimah, now a young lady, was greatly distressed by her mother's death. She wept bitterly and for some time was so grief-striken that her health deteriorated. It was even feared she might die of grief.

Although her older sister, Umm Kulthum, stayed in the same household, Fatimah realized that she now had a greater responsibility with the passing away of her mother. She felt that she had to give even greater support to her father. With loving tendernes s, she devoted herself to looking after his needs. So concerned was she for his welfare that she came to be called "Umm Abi-ha the mother of her father". She also provided him with solace and comfort during times of trial, difficulty and crisis.

Often the trials were too much for her. Once, about this time, an insolent mob heaped dust and earth upon his gracious head. As he entered his home, Fatimah wept profusely as she wiped the dust from her father's head.

"Do not cry, my daughter," he said, "for God shall protect your father."

The Prophet had a special love for Fatimah. He once said: ang"Whoever pleased Fatimah has indeed pleased God and whoever has caused her to be angry has indeed angered God. Fatimah is a part of me. Whatever pleases her pleases me and whatever angers her angers me."
He also said: "The best women in all the world are four: the Virgin Mary, Aasiyaa the wife of Pharoah, Khadijah Mother of the Believers, and Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad." Fatimah thus acquired a place of love and esteem in the Prophet's heart that was only occupied by his wife Khadijah.

Fatimah, may God be pleased with her, was given the title of "az-Zahraa" which means "the Resplendent One". That was because of her beaming face which seemed to radiate light. It is said that when she stood for Prayer, the mihrab would reflect the light of her countenance. She was also called "al-Batul" because of her asceticism. Instead of spending her time in the company of women, much of her time would be spent in Salat, in reading the Quran and in other acts of ibadah.

Fatimah had a strong resemblance to her father, the Messenger of God. Aishah. the wife of the Prophet, said of her: "I have not seen any one of God's creation resemble the Messenger of God more in speech, conversation and manner of sitting than Fatimah, may God be pleased with her. When the Prophet saw her approaching, he would welcome her, stand up and kiss her, take her by the hand and sit her down in the place where he was sitting." She would do the same when the Prophet came to her. She would stand up and welcome him with joy and kiss him.

Fatimah's fine manners and gentle speech were part of her lovely and endearing personality. She was especially kind to poor and indigent folk and would often give all the food she had to those in need even if she herself remained hungry. She had no craving for the ornaments of this world nor the luxury and comforts of life. She lived simply, although on occasion as we shall see circumstances seemed to be too much and too difficult for her.

She inherited from her father a persuasive eloquence that was rooted in wisdom. When she spoke, people would often be moved to tears. She had the ability and the sincerity to stir the emotions, move people to tears and fill their hearts with praise and gratitude to God for His grace and His inestimable bounties.

Fatimah migrated to Madinah a few weeks after the Prophet did. She went with Zayd ibn Harithah who was sent by the Prophet back to Makkah to bring the rest of his family. The party included Fatimah and Umm Kulthum, Sawdah, the Prophet's wife, Zayd's wife Barakah and her son Usamah. Travelling with the group also were Abdullah the son of Abu Bakr who accompanied his mother and his sisters, Aishah and Asma.

In Madinah, Fatimah lived with her father in the simple dwelling he had built adjoining the mosque. In the second year after the Hijrah, she received proposals of marriage through her father, two of which were turned down. Then Ali, the son of Abu Talib, plucked up courage and went to the Prophet to ask for her hand in marriage. In the presence of the Prophet, however, Ali became over-awed and tongue-tied. He stared at the ground and could not say anything. The Prophet then asked: "Why have you come? Do you need something?" Ali still could not speak and then the Prophet suggested: "Perhaps you have come to propose marriage to Fatimah."
"Yes," replied Ali. At this, according to one report, the Prophet said simply: "Marhaban wa ahlan - Welcome into the family," and this was taken by Ali and a group of Ansar who were waiting outside for him as indicating the Prophet's approval. Another re port indicated that the Prophet approved and went on to ask Ali if he had anything to give as mahr. Ali replied that he didn't. The Prophet reminded him that he had a shield which could be sold.

Ali sold the shield to Uthman for four hundred dirhams and as he was hurrying back to the Prophet to hand over the sum as mahr, Uthman stopped him and said:

"I am returning your shield to you as a present from me on your marriage to Fatimah." Fatimah and Ali were thus married most probably at the beginning of the second year after the Hijrah. She was about nineteen years old at the time and Ali was about twenty one. The Prophet himself performed the marriage ceremony. At the walimah, the guests were served with dates, figs and hais ( a mixture of dates and butter fat). A leading member of the Ansar donated a ram and others made offerings of grain. All Madinah rejoiced.

On her marriage, the Prophet is said to have presented Fatimah and Ali with a wooden bed intertwined with palm leaves, a velvet coverlet. a leather cushion filled with palm fibre, a sheepskin, a pot, a waterskin and a quern for grinding grain.

Fatimah left the home of her beloved father for the first time to begin life with her husband. The Prophet was clearly anxious on her account and sent Barakah with her should she be in need of any help. And no doubt Barakah was a source of comfort and sol ace to her. The Prophet prayed for them:

"O Lord, bless them both, bless their house and bless their offspring." In Ali's humble dwelling, there was only a sheepskin for a bed. In the morning after the wedding night, the Prophet went to Ali's house and knocked on the door.

Barakah came out and the Prophet said to her: "O Umm Ayman, call my brother for me."
"Your brother? That's the one who married your daughter?" asked Barakah somewhat incredulously as if to say: Why should the Prophet call Ali his "brother"? (He referred to Ali as his brother because just as pairs of Muslims were joined in brotherhood aft er the Hijrah, so the Prophet and Ali were linked as "brothers".)

The Prophet repeated what he had said in a louder voice. Ali came and the Prophet made a du'a, invoking the blessings of God on him. Then he asked for Fatimah. She came almost cringing with a mixture of awe and shyness and the Prophet said to her:

"I have married you to the dearest of my family to me." In this way, he sought to reassure her. She was not starting life with a complete stranger but with one who had grown up in the same household, who was among the first to become a Muslim at a tender age, who was known for his courage, bravery and virtue, and whom the Prophet described as his "brother in this world and the hereafter".

Fatimah's life with Ali was as simple and frugal as it was in her father's household. In fact, so far as material comforts were concerned, it was a life of hardship and deprivation. Throughout their life together, Ali remained poor because he did not set great store by material wealth. Fatimah was the only one of her sisters who was not married to a wealthy man.

In fact, it could be said that Fatimah's life with Ali was even more rigorous than life in her father's home. At least before marriage, there were always a number of ready helping hands in the Prophet's household. But now she had to cope virtually on her own. To relieve theft extreme poverty, Ali worked as a drawer and carrier of water and she as a grinder of corn. One day she said to Ali: "I have ground until my hands are blistered."

"I have drawn water until I have pains in my chest," said Ali and went on to suggest to Fatimah: "God has given your father some captives of war, so go and ask him to give you a servant."
Reluctantly, she went to the Prophet who said: "What has brought you here, my little daughter?" "I came to give you greetings of peace," she said, for in awe of him she could not bring herself to ask what she had intended.

"What did you do?" asked Ali when she returned alone.

"I was ashamed to ask him," she said. So the two of them went together but the Prophet felt they were less in need than others.

"I will not give to you," he said, "and let the Ahl as-Suffah (poor Muslims who stayed in the mosque) be tormented with hunger. I have not enough for their keep..."

Ali and Fatimah returned home feeling somewhat dejected but that night, after they had gone to bed, they heard the voice of the Prophet asking permission to enter. Welcoming him, they both rose to their feet, but he told them:

"Stay where you are," and sat down beside them. "Shall I not tell you of something better than that which you asked of me?" he asked and when they said yes he said: "Words which Jibril taught me, that you should say "Subhaan Allah- Glory be to God" ten ti mes after every Prayer, and ten times "Alhamdu lillah - Praise be to God," and ten times "Allahu Akbar - God is Great." And that when you go to bed you should say them thirty-three times each."

Ali used to say in later years: "I have never once failed to say them since the Messenger of God taught them to us."

There are many reports of the hard and difficult times which Fatimah had to face. Often there was no food in her house. Once the Prophet was hungry. He went to one after another of his wives' apartments but there was no food. He then went to Fatimah's ho use and she had no food either. When he eventually got some food, he sent two loaves and a piece of meat to Fatimah. At another time, he went to the house of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari and from the food he was given, he saved some for her. Fatimah also knew that the Prophet was without food for long periods and she in turn would take food to him when she could. Once she took a piece of barley bread and he, said to her: "This is the first food your father has eaten for three days."

Through these acts of kindness she showed how much she loved her father; and he loved her, really loved her in return.

Once he returned from a journey outside Madinah. He went to the mosque first of all and prayed two rakats as was his custom. Then, as he often did, he went to Fatimah's house before going to his wives. Fatimah welcomed him and kissed his face, his mouth and his eyes and cried.
"Why do you cry?" the Prophet asked.

"I see you, O Rasul Allah," she said, "Your color is pale and sallow and your clothes have become worn and shabby."

"O Fatimah," the Prophet replied tenderly, "don't cry for Allah has sent your father with a mission which He would cause to affect every house on the face of the earth whether it be in towns, villages or tents (in the desert) bringing either glory or h umiliation until this mission is fulfilled just as night (inevitably) comes."

With such comments Fatimah was often taken from the harsh realities of daily life to get a glimpse of the vast and far-reaching vistas opened up by the mission entrusted to her noble father.

Fatimah eventually returned to live in a house close to that of the Prophet. The place was donated by an Ansari who knew that the Prophet would rejoice in having his daughter as his neighbor. Together they shared in the joys and the triumphs, the sorrows and the hardships of the crowded and momentous Madinah days and years.

In the middle of the second year after the Hijrah, her sister Ruqayyah fell ill with fever and measles. This was shortly before the great campaign of Badr. Uthman, her husband, stayed by her bedside and missed the campaign. Ruqayyah died just before her father returned. On his return to Madinah, one of the first acts of the Prophet was to visit her grave.

Fatimah went with him. This was the first bereavement they had suffered within their closest family since the death of Khadijah. Fatimah was greatly distressed by the loss of her sister. The tears poured from her eyes as she sat beside her father at the edge of the grave, and he comforted her and sought to dry her tears with the corner of his cloak.

The Prophet had previously spoken against lamentations for the dead, but this had lead to a misunderstanding, and when they returned from the cemetery the voice of Umar was heard raised in anger against the women who were weeping for the martyrs of Badr and for Ruqayyah.

"Umar, let them weep," he said and then added: "What comes from the heart and from the eye, that is from God and His mercy, but what comes from the hand and from the tongue, that is from Satan." By the hand he meant the beating of breasts and the smiting of cheeks, and by the tongue he meant the loud clamor in which women often joined as a mark of public sympathy.

Uthman later married the other daughter of the Prophet, Umm Kulthum, and on this account came to be known as Dhu-n Nurayn - Possessor of the Two Lights.

The bereavement which the family suffered by the death of Ruqayyah was followed by happiness when to the great joy of all the believers Fatimah gave birth to a boy in Ramadan of the third year after the Hijrah. The Prophet spoke the words of the Adhan into the ear of the new-born babe and called him al-Hasan which means the Beautiful One.

One year later, she gave birth to another son who was called al-Husayn, which means "little Hasan" or the little beautiful one. Fatimah would often bring her two sons to see their grandfather who was exceedingly fond of them. Later he would take them to the Masjid and they would climb onto his back when he prostrated. He did the same with his little granddaughter Umamah, the daughter of Zaynab.

In the eighth year after the Hijrah, Fatimah gave birth to a third child, a girl whom she named after her eldest sister Zaynab who had died shortly before her birth. This Zaynab was to grow up and become famous as the "Heroine of Karbala". Fatimah's fourth child was born in the year after the Hijrah. The child was also a girl and Fatimah named her Umm Kulthum after her sister who had died the year before after an illness.

It was only through Fatimah that the progeny of the Prophet was perpetuated. All the Prophet's male children had died in their infancy and the two children of Zaynab named Ali and Umamah died young. Ruqayyah's child Abdullah also died when he was no t yet two years old. This is an added reason for the reverence which is accorded to Fatimah.

Although Fatimah was so often busy with pregnancies and giving birth and rearing children, she took as much part as she could in the affairs of the growing Muslim community of Madinah. Before her marriage, she acted as a sort of hostess to the poor and destitute Ahl as-Suffah. As soon as the Battle of Uhud was over, she went with other women to the battlefield and wept over the dead martyrs and took time to dress her father's wounds. At the Battle of the Ditch, she played a major supportive role together with other women in preparing food during the long and difficult siege. In her camp, she led the Muslim women in prayer and on that place there stands a mosque named Masjid Fatimah, one of seven mosques where the Muslims stood guard and performed their devotions.

Fatimah also accompanied the Prophet when he made Umrah in the sixth year after the Hijrah after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. In the following year, she and her sister Umm Kulthum, were among the mighty throng of Muslims who took part with the Prophet in th e liberation of Makkah. It is said that on this occasion, both Fatimah and Umm Kulthum visited the home of their mother Khadijah and recalled memories of their childhood and memories of jihad, of long struggles in the early years of the Prophet's mission.

In Ramadan of the tenth year just before he went on his Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet confided to Fatimah, as a secret not yet to be told to others:

"Jibril recited the Quran to me and I to him once every year, but this year he has recited it with me twice. I cannot but think that my time has come."

On his return from the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet did become seriously ill. His final days were spent in the apartment of his wife Aishah. When Fatimah came to visit him, Aishah would leave father and daughter together.

One day he summoned Fatimah. When she came, he kissed her and whispered some words in her ear. She wept. Then again he whispered in her ear and she smiled. Aishah saw and asked:
"You cry and you laugh at the same time, Fatimah? What did the Messenger of God say to you?" Fatimah replied:

"He first told me that he would meet his Lord after a short while and so I cried. Then he said to me: 'Don't cry for you will be the first of my household to join me.' So I laughed."

Not long afterwards the noble Prophet passed away. Fatimah was grief-striken and she would often be seen weeping profusely. One of the companions noted that he did not see Fatimah, may God be pleased with her, laugh after the death of her father.

One morning, early in the month of Ramadan, just less than five month after her noble father had passed away, Fatimah woke up looking unusually happy and full of mirth. In the afternoon of that day, it is said that she called Salma bint Umays who was looking after her. She asked for some water and had a bath. She then put on new clothes and perfumed herself. She then asked Salma to put her bed in the courtyard of the house. With her face looking to the heavens above, she asked for her husband Ali.

He was taken aback when he saw her lying in the middle of the courtyard and asked her what was wrong. She smiled and said: "I have an appointment today with the Messenger of God."
Ali cried and she tried to console him. She told him to look after their sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn and advised that she should be buried without ceremony. She gazed upwards again, then closed her eyes and surrendered her soul to the Mighty Creator.

She, Fatimah the resplendent one, was just twenty nine years old.

RELATED (as at 10th November 2000):

My Sea, My History...

2007-11-24T08:38:00.000-08:00

This is a place in Abu Dhabi,UAE...It is near the sea...I grew up on the sea and its the only place i know to go to when i am stressed out or depressed...Something about the sea lifts my soul and makes me feel light...I love the smell of the sea, the sound of the water lazily folding and crashing against the rocks, and the peace that can be found in an afternoon at the sea watching the sun go down...

My people are sea people. It is in my blood. My history.

Hijamah in Islam and Medicine

2007-11-23T01:23:00.000-08:00

After 2 days of making the Hijamah it looks like this above...

Images taken from:http://www.hmc.org.qa/heartviews/VOL5NO2/special_section.htm

Volume 7, Book 71, Number 584:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
(The Prophet said), "Healing is in three things: A gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire (cauterizing)." But I forbid my followers to use (cauterization) branding with fire."

Volume 7, Book 71, Number 597:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
The Prophet was cupped while he was fasting.

Volume 7, Book 71, Number 598:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
The Prophet was cupped while he was in a state of Ihram.

Volume 7, Book 71, Number 599:
Narrated Anas:
that he was asked about the wages of the one who cups others. He said, 'Allah's Apostle was cupped by Abd Taiba, to whom he gave two Sa of food and interceded for him with his masters who consequently reduced what they used to charge him daily. Then the Prophet s said, "The best medicines you may treat yourselves with are cupping and sea incense.' He added, "You should not torture your children by treating tonsillitis by pressing the tonsils or the palate with the finger, but use incense."

Excerpt from:http://www.hmc.org.qa/heartviews/VOL5NO2/special_section.htm

Click the URL for the full article

"The Arabic word “hijamah” means “sucking.” In the Arabian Gulf, Hijamah was used not only for treatment but also for prophylaxis against diseases. The pearl divers in the Arabian Gulf used to undergo hijamah before the diving season in the belief that the procedure will prevent diseases during the 3 months at sea. It was thought to be very effective against dizziness."

my notes:

Hijamah is used for treatment of many different types of diseases. Below are some of the Disease Groups "Wet" cupping is used for.

Rheumatic pain,Back Pain,Epilepsy,Hypertension,Asthma,Diabetic,Peptic Ulcer,Smoking.

Inshallah today i will upload photos of what wet hijamah looks like one day after being done!

Earth and Ecology in Islam

2007-11-21T11:37:00.000-08:00

وَالأَرْضَ مَدَدْنَاهَا وَأَلْقَيْنَا فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ وَأَنبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَّوْزُونٍ

"And the earth—we have spread it out wide, and placed on it mountains firm, and caused life of every kind to grow on it in a balanced manner, and provided means of livelihood for you as well as for all living beings whose sustenance does not depend on you. "

(15:19)

Quran(55:10)

10. It is He Who has spread out the earth for (His) creatures:
11. Therein is fruit and date-palms, producing spathes (enclosing dates);
12. Also corn, with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder, and sweet-smelling plants.
13. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
14. He created man from sounding clay like unto pottery,
15. And He created Jinns from fire free of smoke:
16. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
17. (He is) Lord of the two Easts and Lord of the two Wests:
18. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
19. He has let free the two bodies of flowing water, meeting together:
20. Between them is a Barrier which they do not transgress:
21. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
22. Out of them come Pearls and Coral:
23. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
24. And His are the Ships sailing smoothly through the seas, lofty as mountains:
25. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
26. All that is on earth will perish:
27. But will abide (for ever) the Face of thy Lord,- full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour.
28. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
29. Of Him seeks (its need) every creature in the heavens and on earth: every day in (new) Splendour doth He (shine)!
30. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
31. Soon shall We settle your affairs, O both ye worlds!
32. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
33. O ye assembly of Jinns and men! If it be ye can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, pass ye! not without authority shall ye be able to pass!
34. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
35. On you will be sent (O ye evil ones twain!) a flame of fire (to burn) and a smoke (to choke): no defence will ye have:
36. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
37. When the sky is rent asunder, and it becomes red like ointment:
38. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
39. On that Day no question will be asked of man or Jinn as to his sin.
40. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
41. (For) the sinners will be known by their marks: and they will be seized by their forelocks and their feet.
42. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
43. This is the Hell which the Sinners deny:
44. In its midst and in the midst of boiling hot water will they wander round!
45. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
46. But for such as fear the time when they will stand before (the Judgment Seat of) their Lord, there will be two Gardens-
47. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?-
48. Containing all kinds (of trees and delights);-
49. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?-
50. In them (each) will be two Springs flowing (free);
51. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?-
52. In them will be Fruits of every kind, two and two.
53. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
54. They will recline on Carpets, whose inner linings will be of rich brocade: the Fruit of the Gardens will be near (and easy of reach).
55. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
56. In them will be (Maidens), chaste, restraining their glances, whom no man or Jinn before them has touched;-
57. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?-
58. Like unto Rubies and coral.
59. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
60. Is there any Reward for Good - other than Good?
61. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
62. And besides these two, there are two other Gardens,-
63. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?-
64. Dark-green in colour (from plentiful watering).
65. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
66. In them (each) will be two Springs pouring forth water in continuous abundance:
67. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
68. In them will be Fruits, and dates and pomegranates:
69. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
70. In them will be fair (Companions), good, beautiful;-
71. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?-
72. Companions restrained (as to their glances), in (goodly) pavilions;-
73. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?-
74. Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched;-
75. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?-
76. Reclining on green Cushions and rich Carpets of beauty.
77. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
78. Blessed be the name of thy Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour.

My Thoughts...

2007-11-21T04:33:00.000-08:00

Today I was pondering this quotes meaning and how true it is...

Wonder of wonders! How is it that the same people who leave food out of fear of sickness cannot leave sin out of fear of the Hereafter.

[Yahya bin Mu’adh]

Universal Children's Day 2007 NOV.20th

2007-11-19T11:22:00.000-08:00

Universal Children's Day 2007

Crucial Advice to Parents on Raising Children

Note: this advice has Islamic ideals written into it. Everything written below is MY opinion from my experience as a kindergarden teacher and my own private life.

“A child’s viewpoint of their future and the way they handle it is created and formed by the life experiences they are subjected to as children. This can be negative or positive experiences. They choose, as adults, how to utilize those experiences to either improve themselves and their life or to plunge into negative conflicts and fail in life. It is our job as parents to provide our children with the foundation of stability, security and loving encouragement to nurture this growth of their personalities and to provide positive loving experiences to them to propel them into successful futures as self-confident and well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society.”
-Sultana

1) Lead by example. This is the most important advice I could possibly give anyone. In all aspects of life, if we want people to change we have to make ourselves the best examples to learn from! If we make a conscious effort to remember that our children are watching us, it will keep us in check. We will mind our manners, we will speak more soothingly, we will control our emotions, and ultimately we will see that, by our kids watching us, we are beginning to behave the way we want them to behave. In other words, it is a cycle that eventually trains parents and their children towards better behaviour and emotional restraint. If we know that our kids are watching our every move, we will be mindful of our behaviour and set an example with that behaviour. Then, our kids will model that good behaviour and essentially everyone wins.

2) Have great patience with your children and their annoyances. Laugh and find ease in their childishness. There is nothing more blissful than baby’s belly laughs or their ridiculously funny little questions that we stumble to answer at times. They are, after all, children. They are still learning the ways of life, from you. They won’t stay children forever!

3) Don’t EVER tell your children that “children are to be seen and not heard”. They just might grow up to take that advice and completely break away from you, emotionally, forever.

4) Give your children the greatest childhoods’ you can. Remember what yours was like and make it 100 times better for your own children. We remember our childhood as the crucial defining time of our lives. Let their defining time be recollected as one of immense joy and contentment.

5) Never use your children as your best friend. Mothers and Fathers are there to be Mothers and Fathers, not best friends! Your children don’t need your adult problems weighing on their shoulders, not to mention the emotional and psychological consequences of doing so are devastatingly destructive on a child’s personality and emotions. You don’t have to act as a best friend for your child to come to you with their problems and you, as an adult, should be able to handle your own without including your children in them!

6) Keep your promises to your children. A child promised a coveted prize/toy/trip will never forget that promise and will never let you forget it. Actually, quite sadly, many children roll their eyes when they hear their parents say "Inshallah" for fear that Inshallah really means "maybe" or "yeah, right" or a plain "no." A dishonest promise might grant you a few minutes of quiet shopping time, but in the end it will lead you further into the depths of your child's distrust.

7) Listen and Respond to your children’s feelings. Let them express their feelings and listen to them, give them advice, and comfort them, even if it is childish, they are after all, children, but to them, their problem is just as important and real as you think yours are. This will encourage your children to come to you for advice and help when they are teenagers and as adults.

8) Make the family relationship between the children and their relatives strong. Encourage children and their cousins to play, pray, and visit together regularly. This will strengthen the relationship and bond between siblings and their cousins throughout childhood and into adulthood. They will then, as adults, protect, help and strengthen each other throughout life because of this bond.

9) Be active in your children’s education and school. Show interest in their academic accomplishments and go to school for meetings and open houses. This will give the children a sense of security at school as well as motivation to do well in school because they know it will make their parents proud and happy. Tell them you are proud of them!

10) Show your children physical affection. If you’re not the “touchy feely type”, go out of your own comfort zone to comfort your children. You’d be surprised at how many children “violently act out” only because they wanted affection from their mothers and fathers! This DAILY type of affection eases the heart and strengthens the bond of love between parents and their children.

11) Teach your children their culture and traditions. Make them proud of it and teach them to respect it. This leads to pride in their identity as citizens and pride in knowing their country’s and people’s history. This knowledge and respect fosters love for their country and their people. It persuades them to serve their country well as adults contributing to their society and helping their people progress for the good.

12) Don’t spoil your children. Teach them the value of money and “things”. Never replace love with “things”. This leads to unhappy shallow adults whose only happiness is found in how much they can buy and how much stuff they have! Giving a child everything they want, when they want it, and how they want it, just so they will be quiet and happy only makes them greedy adults who will never want to work hard for what they desire in life. Find a balance in this very significant aspect of parenthood.

13) Be equal in love and attention among all of your children. Don’t play each child off of the other. (ex. “Look at your brother, he’s being good. Why can’t you be good like him?”) This leads to hatred and jealousy between siblings, this also doesn’t solve the child’s behavior in the first place! Giving one child favoritism over another will crumble the self-esteem and self-worth of the child who you don’t give attention to and only make them envious of their siblings. This loss of self-esteem and self-worth in the child can lead to difficulty in future relationships and development throughout life when the child was not given love and attention from the parents when he needed it the most.

13) Teach them the Honor in helping others and giving charity. This is self explanatory really. Show your children how morally responsible and honorable it can be to help others in need. Teach them that helping others is one of the most dignified qualities a human being can have. Teach them that having mercy and giving kindness to all living creatures and humans is a noble quality for a person to possess.

Correcting People's Mistakes

2007-11-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

"Whomsoever from amongst you see an evil he should change it with his hand. If he does not have the power to do this, then he should change it with his tongue. If he does not have the ability to do even this, then he should change it with his heart

(by scheming in the eradication of this evil)."

(Hadith)

My Thoughts

2007-11-17T02:14:00.000-08:00

13 Surah ar-Rad (The Thunder)

Verse 11

لَهُ مُعَقِّبَاتٌ مِّن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ يَحْفَظُونَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللّهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوءًا فَلاَ مَرَدَّ لَهُ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ مِن وَالٍ

(13:11)

For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah.

Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves

(with their own souls).

But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.

(13:11)

___________________________________________________________

---

Questions To Self:

-----

Why is it that some people think thier race and culture is superior to others and that their people are perfect and can do no wrong?

-----

Why do they blame "Western Influence" for thier bad deeds they make?

-----

Are we not responsible for our own actions?

-----

Do we not have the "Best Guideance given to mankind" to influence and direct our lives and the way we live it and to deal with all issues in this life?

-----

If so, then why do I feel like we are going backwards instead of forwards?

-----

Why do we not progress if we have the "Resource(Quran)" that teaches us how?

-----

The Islaamic Ruling on Horoscopes

2007-11-13T05:20:00.000-08:00

photo from http://www.realist-killaz.co.uk/egbakaet/Amongst_The_Stars.jpg

Today I recieved an email from a dear friend, she was asking me to look at a table she sent to me and find out my horoscope sign, write it down and send it on by email to the next person on the list for fun. This horoscope reading is not allowed in Islam. But, today many young muslims follow each other in this path of reading their horoscopes and believing what it says about them and thier future, they know it is Haram but they say it is only for fun. Even if it is for fun, this is not allowed, and we should do our best to inform our dear brothers and sisters in Islam about this.

Excerpt from:http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/aqeedah/0021.htm

The Islaamic Ruling on Horoscopes
By al-Hidaayah Publications

In the Name of Allaah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Ramatullah Wabarakatuh Brothers and Sisters in Islam,

Not only is the practice of astrology is Haraam, but also visiting an astrologer and listening to his predictions, buying books on astrology or reading one's horoscope are also forbidden. Since astrology is mainly used to predicting the future, those who practice it are considered fortunetellers. Consequently, one who seeks his horoscope comes under the ruling contained in the Prophet's sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam statement:

'The Salaah (daily prayer) of whoever approaches a fortuneteller and asks him about anything will not be accepted for forty days and nights.'

[Saheeh Muslim vol.4,p. 1211, no 5440]

The punishment in this hadith is simply for approaching the asking the astrologer, even if one is in doubt about the truth of his statements. If one is in doubt about the truth or falsehood of astrological information, he is in doubt about whether or not others know the unseen and the future besides Allaah. This is a form of shirk because Allaah clearly stated:

"And with Him are the keys tot he ghayb [all that is hidden], none knows them but He and He knows whatever there is in [or on) the earth and the sea; not a leaf falls, but the knows it. There is not a grain in darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or day, but is written in a clear record." [6:59]

"Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the ghaby (unseen) except Allaah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected." [27:65]

If, however, one believes in the predictions of their horoscope, whether spoken by an astrologer or written in books of astrology, he falls directly into kufr (disbelief) as stated by the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam:

"Whoever approaches an oracle or fortune-teller and believes in what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad." [Reported by Abu Hurayrah and collected by Ahmad and Abu Daawood (Sunan Abu Dawud (English Trans.), vol. 3, p. 1095, no. 3895).]

Like the previous Hadith, the Hadith literally refers to the fortuneteller but it is just as applicable to the astrologer. Both claim knowledge of the future. The astrologer's claim is just as opposed to the Tawheed as the ordinary fortuneteller. He claims that people's personalities are determined by the stars, and their future actions and the events of their lives are written in the starts. The ordinary fortuneteller claims that the formation of tea leaves at the bottom of a cup, or lines in a palm tell him the same thing. In both cases individuals claim the ability to read in the physical formation of created objects knowledge of the unseen.

Belief in astrology and the casting of horoscopes are in clear opposition to the letter and spirit of Islaam. It is really the empty soul, which has not tasted real eemaan (belief) that seeks out these paths. Essentially these paths, represents a vain attempt to escape Qadr (fate). The ignorant believe that if they know what is in store for them tomorrow, they can prepare from today. In that way, they may avoid the bad and ensure the good. Yet, Allaah's messenger was told by Allaah to say:

"Say (O Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam): ' I possess no power over benefit or hurt to myself except as Allaah wills. If I had the knowledge of the ghayb (unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touch me. I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe." [7:188]

True Muslims are therefore obliged to stay far away from these areas. Thus, rings, chains, etc., which have the signs of the zodiac on them should not be worn, even if one does not believe in them. They are part and parcel of a fabricated system which propagates kufr and should be done away with entirely. No believing Muslim should attempt to guess his sign. Nor should he or she read horoscope columns in newspaper or listen to them read. And, any Muslim who allows astrological predictions to determine his actions, should seek Allaah's forgiveness and renew his Islaam.

Publication of Al-Hidaayah Foundation hidaayah@slt.lk http://www.hidaayah.org/
Home > Knowledge > Aqeedah / Manhaj
Page 1 of 1

A Glimpse at the Way of the Companions

2007-11-09T03:14:00.000-08:00

http://www.islamfortoday.com/about.htm

Every Muslim desiring to return to Islam in its true sense, must grasp what the Prophet, upon whom be peace, and his Companions were upon, in all aspects of life. Only then can we move further towards establishing Islam as our way of life.

______________________________________________

And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you take it, and whatsoever he forbids you abstain from it. [al-Hashr (59):7]

__________________________________________

Below is excerpt from:http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/aqeedah/0057.htm

A GLIMPSE AT THE WAY OF THE COMPANIONS

Definition of Manhaj

Linguistically and in the Shari'ah: An-nahju, al-manhaj and al-minhaj mean the clear and manifest way.

Allah the Most High says in the Glorious Qur'an:
To each among you we have prescribed a law and a minhaj [al-Ma'idah (5):48]

Meaning a law and a way which is clearly explained. Indeed Allah, the Most High, prescribed for every nation a law and a clear way (a manhaj). Thus the people of the Taurat had a law and the people of the Injil had a law and the people of the Qur'an have a law.

These laws differ in their rules (ahkam) but are united in the tawhid of Allah (uniqueness of Allah) as

Allah's Messenger, peace be upon him, said:
"I am the most worthy person to 'Isa ibn Maryam in this world and the Hereafter. The Prophets are paternal brothers, their mothers are different, and their Din is one. There is no prophet between 'Isa and myself."

[Reported by al-Bukhari in his Sahih, the Book of Prophets, chapter 'Remember the Book of Maryam', Muslim in his Sahih (no.2365), the Book of Merits, chapter 'Merits of 'Isa peace be upon him'. From the hadith of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him.]

The meaning of this is that they (the prophets) are united upon the fundamentals of uniqueness (tawhid) of Allah; as for the branches of (furu') of law and legislation, then differences occurred in them. Thus their laws are different.

Allah the Most High says:
And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad) but We inspired to him that (say) There is none who has the right to be worshipped except I (Allah), so worship Me (alone and none else). [al-Anbiya' (21):25]

Also, the

Saying of Allah the Most High:
And verily, We have sent among every nation (Ummah) a Messenger proclaiming: Worship Allah alone and avoid the Taghut (all false deities). [an-Nahl (16):36]

This is in respect of tawhid (oneness) of Allah, the One free from all defects. As for the laws, then they differed with respect to the commands and prohibitions.

Linguistic [2] and legal definition of the word Salaf

1) As-Salaf - That which has past and preceded. Hence it is said Salafa shai Salafah to mean something which has passed; Salafa fulanan Salafan to mean someone has preceded; as-salif - a predecessor; as-salaf - a group of predecessors, and as-salaf - a people who have preceded us in conduct.

Allah says:
So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all, and made them a precedent - Salafan (as a lesson for those coming after them) and an example to later generations. [az-Zukhruf (43):55-56]

That is "when they angered Us, We punished them, drowning them all making them a precedent," predecessors for those who do action like theirs, so that the people coming after them can take heed and warn others by their example.

2) As-Salaf: Every good deed that one does. It is said: Qad salaf lahu amal salih meaning, verily he has good deeds that have preceded him.

3) As-Salaf: Those who precede you, from amongst your forefathers and relatives, who may be older than you or better than you in merit [3]. The singular of this term is Salif.
Due to this the first generation (the Companions) were called as-Salaf as-Salih (the Pious Predecessors).

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and his Companions and those that follow them in Ihsan [4] are the Salaf of this Ummah. [5]

Matters concerning their Methodology

(i) Status of the Prophet, peace be upon him

Everyone who calls to what the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, his Companions and their successors called to, then he is upon the way of the Salaf as-Salih. It is obligatory upon all Muslims to follow the Noble Book (Qur'an) and the pure Sunnah, by going back to the understanding the Pious Predecessors (Salaf as-Salih), may Allah be pleased with them all. For verily they are the ones that deserve the most to be followed, as they were truthful in their faith, strong in their beliefs and sincere in their worship.

The leader (Imam) of the Salaf as-Salih is Allah's Messenger, Muhammad, peace be upon him, whom Allah has ordered us, in His Book (the Qur'an), to follow, in His saying:

And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you take it, and whatsoever he forbids you abstain from it. [al-Hashr (59):7]

The Prophet, peace be upon him, is a beautiful example, and a righteous model to be followed, Allah the Most High says:

Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow, for him who hopes in meeting Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. [al-Ahzab (33):21]

The Prophet, peace be upon him, is the one who speaks by revelation sent to him from the heavens:

Nor does he speak of his own desire. It is only an inspiration that is inspired.

[an-Najm (53):3-4]

Allah, the Most High, ordered that we judge by the Messenger, upon whom be peace, in all affairs in our life. Allah, the One free of all defects, says:

But no by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decision and accept them with full submission. [an-Nisa' (4):65]

Allah, the Most High, warned us about opposing the Prophet, peace be upon him, saying:

So let those who oppose the Messenger's commandments (i.e. his Sunnah) beware lest some fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. [an-Nur (24):63]

The reference point of the Salaf, whenever they have a disagreement, is the Book of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, and the Sunnah of the Messenger, upon whom be peace.
Allah, the Most High, says:

And if you differ in anything amongst yourselves refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. [an-Nisa' (4):59]

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, is the conveyer (of news) from his Lord and the one who explains His Book. Allah the Most High says:

And We have sent down to you (Muhammad) the reminder and the advice (the Qur'an) that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them. [an-Nahl (16):44]

The Messenger, peace be upon him, said in a hadith:

"Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khulafa', bite on to it with your molar teeth and beware of newly invented matters, for verily every innovation (bid'ah) is a going astray." [6]

(ii) Status of the Companions

The best of the Salaf after the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, are the Companions, who took their Religion (Din) from the Messenger, peace be upon him, with truthfulness and sincerity; just as Allah has described them in His Book when He said:

Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah and showed not their backs to the disbelievers, of them some have fulfilled their obligations and some of them are still waiting, but they never changed (i.e. they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allah) in the least. [al-Ahzab (33):23]

They are the ones who did righteous deeds, which Allah, the Most High, has mentioned in His Book, in His saying:

But righteousness is the quality of one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the relative, to the orphans and to the poor who beg and to the wayfarer and to those who ask and to set slaves free, and offers the prayer perfectly (iqamat-as-Salat), and gives the zakat (obligatory charity) and who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are patient in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during battles); such are the people of the truth and they are the pious. [al-Baqarah (2):177]

This verse is the verse which professes the truth with which the Companions have been described with.

Sources of the Din

The Book of Allah, the Most High, is their manual (dustur) and their law then the Sunnah after [7] the Book of Allah. The Sunnah is the most blessed of sources and the best of sciences, the most beneficial of all, in the Din and Dunyah (world), after the Book of Allah, the One free of all defects. It is like the meadows and gardens, you will find in it all goodness and righteousness. After the Sunnah, their manual is that which the Salaf of this Ummah and it's A'immah have agreed upon.
The Salaf as-Salih are also: The Best Generation, about which the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said in a hadith:

"The best of the people are my generation, then those after them, then those after them ... "
And he, peace be upon him, said:
" .. Then there will come a people giving witness when they are not asked to give witness. They will be dishonest and not be trusted. They will take vows but will not fulfill them. Fatness will appear amongst them." [8]

From their beliefs ...
Thus the fundamentals of the Religion (Usul ud-Din) which were adhered to by those that preceded from the leaders (a'immah) of the Din, the scholars of the Muslims and the Salaf as-Salih and what they called people to are:

That they believe in the Book and Sunnah; [9] the general and the detailed aspects of it. They attest to the oneness of Allah the Mighty and Majestic, and attest to the Messengership of Muhammad, upon whom be peace.

They know their Lord by the attributes (sifat) that His revelation has spoken of, or are attested to by the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, from that which is found in authentic ahadith, narrated from him by just and reliable narrators.

They affirm for Allah, the Most High, that which He affirmed for Himself in His Book, or upon the tongue of His Messenger, peace be upon him, without making Tashbih [10] (resembling) to His creation, without Tahrif (changing), without Tabdil and without Tamthil. [11]
Allah, the Most High, says:

There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the all Hearer, all Seer. [ash-Shura (42):11]

Imam az-Zuhri [12] said: "Upon Allah is the bayan (explaining), upon the Messenger is the balagh (conveying) and upon us is taslim (willingly accepting)." [This is reported by al-Bukhari in mu'allaq form (13/503), by Ibn Abi Asim in Kitab al-Adab and in Kitab az-Zuhd (71) and by Abu Nu'aym in Hilyah (3/179)]

Imam Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah [13] said: "All that Allah has described Himself with in His Book, then its tafsir (explanation) is its reciting and keeping silent about it."

Imam ash-Shafi'i [14] said: "I believe in Allah, and that which has come from Allah, upon the intended meaning of Allah. I believe in the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and that which has come from the Messenger of Allah upon the intended meaning of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him."

The Salaf and leaders of the khalaf (those later generations after the Salaf) many Allah be pleased with them, proceeded along this way. They are all agreed upon, affirming, asserting and confirming that which is found in the Book of Allah, the Most High, and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace be upon him, regarding Allah's attribtutes without subjecting them to interpretation (ta'wil).

Verily we have been ordered to follow their way and to be guided by their light. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, has warned us of newly invented matters, and informed us that they are from misguidance. He said in a hadith:

"Adhere to my Sunnah (way) and the the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khulafa'. Bite on to it with your molar teeth, and beware of newly invented matters, for verily every bid'ah (innovation) is a going astray."

Its reference (takhrij) has preceded. (see footnote no. 6).
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud [15] radiallahu 'anhuma said: "Follow and do not innovate for verily you have been sufficed."

'Umar bin 'Abdul-'Aziz [16] said: "Do not go beyond where they stopped. For verily they stopped upon knowledge and with a perceiving view sufficed."

Imam al-Awza'i [17] said: "Stick to the footsteps of the Salaf, even if people abandon you. Beware of the views of men, even if they beautify it for you with words."

From the 'aqidah [18] (beliefs) of the Salaf as-Salih is their saying: Iman is a saying of the tongue, an action by the limbs and a strong belief in the heart. Iman increases with obedience to Allah and decreases with disobedience to Allah.

From the beliefs of the Salaf is that good and evil is by the Qada (decree) of Allah the Most High and His Qadr (pre-estimation). However evil is not ordered by Allah, as some of them say: "All of it is ordered by Allah," since Allah has ordered good and prohibited evil. He did not order us with abominable acts, indeed He prohibited us from them. The human is not forced, he chooses his acts and beliefs. He deserves punishment or reward, depending upon his choice and he is the chooser in (doing or leaving) the ordered and prohibited things.
Allah, the Most High, says:

Then whosoever wills let him believe, and whosoever wills let him disbelieve.

[al-Kahf (18):29]

From the beliefs of the Salaf is that they do not make takfir [19] of anyone of the Muslim due to a sin, even if it is from the major sins. Except if he denies (rejects) a thing that is known in the religion by necessity and is known by the scholars as well as the generality of people, and is based firmly upon the Book and the Sunnah and Consensus (Ijma') of the Salaf of this Ummah and its leader.

From the beliefs of the Salaf as-Salih is that they worship Allah, the Most High, and do not associate anything with Him. Thus they do not ask any one except Allah, the Most High, of a need no one else can satisfy. They do not seek help (in which no one can help) from anyone except Allah, the One free of all defects. They do not call upon anyone for aid (for an immediate need that no one can fulfil) except upon Allah. They do not make tawassul (seeking nearness) to Allah except by obeying Him, worshipping Him and doing good / righteous deeds.
This being taken from His saying:

O you who believe! Do your duty to Allah and fear Him, seek the means of approach to Him. [al-Ma'idah (5):35]

That is, draw close to Allah by obedience to Him and by worship of Him.

From the beliefs of the Salaf as-Salih is that Prayer (Salat) behind all righteous people and sinners is permissible if the external nature of the prayer is correct. [20]

We do not certify with certainty for anyone, whoever he may be, of being in Paradise or in Hell; except whoever the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, testified for. However we hope Paradise for the righteous and fear Hell for the sinful.

We testify for the ten people given the glad tidings of Jannah (Paradise), that they will be in Jannah (Paradise); just as the Prophet, peace be upon him, testified this for them. We testify, as being in Jannah, for everyone that the Prophet, peace be upon him, testifies this for them. This is because the Prophet does not speak of his own desire. Indeed it is nothing but revelation revealed to him.

We take the Companions of Allah's Messenger, peace be upon him, as awliya (friends). We refrain from showing their defects [21] and that which happened between them. Their affair is with their Lord. We do not abuse anyone of the Companions. This is taken from the Prophet's, upon whom be peace, saying:

"Let none of you abuse (slander) my Companions. For by Him in whose Hand is my life, if one of you spent (in the way of Allah) the equivalent of mount Uhud in gold it would not reach a handful nor half a handful of what they spent" [22]

The Companions are not infallible from error. Infallibility is for Allah, the Most High, and for His Messenger, peace be upon him, in conveying the message. Allah, the Most High, has protected the collective Ummah from mistakes (and not individuals) as the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said:

"Indeed Allah will never unite this Ummah upon misguidance and the Hand of Allah is upon the Jama'ah." [23]

We are pleased with the wives of the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, they are the mothers of the believers and we believe that they are pure and innocent from all evil.

From the beliefs of the Pious Predecessors is that they do not make it obligatory upon any Muslim to restrict himself to a specific madhhab. [24] He can move from one madhhab to another, due to the strength of the evidence (in a particular point). The layman has no madhhab. Rather his madhhab is the madhhab of his mufti (scholar who gives religious verdicts). [25] If a student of knowledge (talibul-'ilm) has the ability to recognise the proofs and evidences of the Imams, he should act by it, moving from a madhhab of an Imam, in any issue, to the madhhab of another Imam, due to the strength of the evidence, and the more correct understanding, in an issue. Thus he becomes a muttabi' (a follower) and not a mujtahid. [A mujtahid is one who is qualified to extract rulings from the Qur'an and Sunnah, i.e. do Ijtihad. (Translator)] For indeed Ijtihad is the extracting of Islamic rulings from the Book and Sunnah, as the four Imams and others Imams of the fiqh (jurisprudence) and the muhaddithun (scholars of hadith) have done.

From the beliefs of the Salaf as-Salih is that the four Companions: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman and 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with them, are the rightly guided Khulafa' and with them existed the Khilafatun-Nabuwwah (Khilafah upon the Prophetic Way) lasting for thirty years including the Khilafah (ruling period) of Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him. This is taken from the saying of the Prophet, upon whom be peace:

"The Khilafah in my Ummah is for thirty years then after it is kingship." [26]

From the beliefs of the Salaf as-Salih is that it is obligatory to have iman (faith) in all that the Qur'an has come with, and what Allah, the Most High, has ordered us with, and leaving all that Allah, the Most High, has prohibited us from, the general and the detailed. We believe in all that the Prophet, peace be upon him, has informed us of, when its transmission from him is authentic, in that which we witness or do not witness, regardless of whether we comprehend it, or are ignorant of it or we have not come across the reality of its meaning.

We carry out the orders of Allah, the Most High, and the orders of his Messenger, upon whom be peace. We refrain from what Allah, the Most High, has prohibited us from and what the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, prohibited us from. We stop at the hudud (boundaries) of the Book of Allah, and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and that which has come from the rightly guided Khulafa. Our duty is to ittiba' (following) of that which the Prophet, peace be upon him, has come with: from beliefs, actions and sayings, to follow the way of Allah's Messenger, peace be upon him, and the four rightly guided Khulafa', in their beliefs, actions and sayings. This is the complete Sunnah, as the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khulafa' is adhered to like the following of the Prophetic Sunnah.

'Umar ibn 'Abdul-'Aziz said:

"The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and the leaders of the Muslims after him set examples (Sunnah), the taking of which is holding on to the Book of Allah, the Most High, and strength upon the Din of Allah. It is not for any one to change or alter it, nor to look at a matter in opposition to it. Whoever is guided by it then he is truly guide, and whoever seeks help by it then he is truly helped. Whoever leaves it and follows a way other than the way of the believers, Allah will turn him to what he has chosen and burn him in hell what an evil abode!"

This is confirmed by the saying of Allah's Messenger, upon whom be peace:

" ... and beware of newly invented matters, for verily every bid'ah is a going astray."

This hadith is a great principle from the principles of the Din and it resembles another saying of the Prophet, upon whom be peace:

"Whoever invents into this Din of ours that which is not from it, then it is rejected." [27]

In it is a warning from following newly invented matters in the Din and worship. The meaning of bid'ah is that which has been invented and has no root in the Shari'ah pointing to it. As for what has a root in the Shari'ah pointing to it then it is not legally (technically) a bid'ah; even though linguistically the term bid'ah is may be applied to it. Thus whenever something new is introduced into the Din, having no root (in the Din) to return it to, then it is misguidance - deviation. The Din is free of it, regardless of whether it is connected to issues of belief, actions or sayings.

As for the istihsan (approval and condoning) of bid'ah, which occurred in the words of the Salaf, then that is in relation to bid'ah al-logawi (linguistic use of bid'ah) and not in the legal (technical) use of the term bid'ah. From these sayings is the saying of 'Umar bin al-Khattab, when he gathered the people in Qiyam-ur-Ramadan - Tarawih prayers - behind one Imam in the masjid. He went out and say them praying and said: "What a wonderful bid'ah."
This has a root in the Shari'ah. Verily the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, prayed it (this prayer) in congregation in the masjid and then left it, fearing that it might become obligatory upon his Ummah and that they would be unable to perform it. Indeed they became free of this fear after the death of the Prophet, peace be upon him. So 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, revived it. As for that which is a matter confirmed, in worship, then it is not permissible to make additions to it.
So, for example the adhan, remains the form in which it was legislated, without addition or subtraction. The Prayer remains upon the manner it was legislated as the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

"Pray as you have seen me praying."
This is an authentic hadith, reported by al-Bukhari in his Sahih.

Hajj remains upon the manner in which it was legislated, because the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

"Take from me your rites (of Hajj)." [Reported by Muslim (no.1297) in the Book of Hajj]

Indeed the Muslims have done things that were not present in the time of the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, due to them being darurah (necessities) in preserving Islam. Indeed they have permitted it and kept quiet about it. Like the gathering of the people to one mushaf (that which the Qur'an is written upon), by 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, fearing the splitting of the Ummah. Indeed it was approved of by the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, and that was for a maslaha (benefit).

The example of writing down Prophetic traditions (hadith) fearing its loss due to the death of its people. The writing of tafsir of the Qur'an and the Hadith. The compilation of 'Ilm-an-Nahw (science of grammar) to safeguard the Arabic language, which is a means of understanding Islam. The formation of 'Ilm-al-Mustalah (science of hadith). Thus, there are permissible to safeguard the Islamic Shari'ah. Verily Allah, the Most High, has taken the responsibility of safeguarding His Law - from His saying:

Indeed it is We who have sent down the Dhikr (Qur'an) and surely We will guard it (from corruption). [al-Hijr (15):9]

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

"This ilm (Din) will be carried by the trustworthy ones of each generation. Negating from it the tahrif (alterations) of the ones going beyond bounds, the false assumptions of the liars, and the ta'wil (false interpretations) of the ignorant."

This hadith is hasan due to all its chains and shawahids (supporting narrations).

This is the belief ('aqidah) - of the first group of this Ummah (i.e. the Companions), may Allah be pleased with them, and it is a pure belief like the purity of fresh drinking water, strong as the firmly fixed mountains, firm as the firmed of hand holds. It is a flawless 'Aqidah, a straight way, upon the methodology of the Book ad the Sunnah and the sayings of the Salaf of this Ummah and its A'immah (leaders). It is the way which revived the hearts of the pioneers of this Ummah.

The Belief of the Pious Scholars of Islam

It is 'Aqidah of the Salaf as-Salih, Firqatun-Najiyah (saved sect) Ahl-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah. It is the 'Aqidah of the four Imams [28] - the founders of the well known and followed madhhabs and of most of their followers. It is the 'Aqidah of the generality of the fuqaha, the muhaddithin, the scholars that act on what they know, and those that traverse along their way, to this day and until the Day of the Judgement.

Indeed the ones that differed are the ones that altered their (the Imams') sayings, from amongst those of the later generations (muta'akhirin) who ascribe to their madhhabs.

So our duty is to return, with a pure 'Aqidah, to the fountain which the best of our Pious Predecessors drank from. To keep quiet about that which they kept quiet about, to perform our 'Ibadah (worship) the way they performed their worship, to adhere to the Book and Sunnah, the ijma of the Salaf of this Ummah and its A'immah, and the correct qiyas in new matters.

Imam an-Nawawi rahimahullah, said in al-Adhkar. [In p137 of my (Shaykh Abdul Qadir's) checking of al-Adhkar in the book of Janaza, chapter 'What one who is walking with the Janaza says.']
" ... and know that the selected, correct way is that which the Salaf as-Salih were upon, and that is the truth. Do not be fooled by the large number that oppose it. For indeed Abu 'Ali Fudayl bin 'Iyad said (the meaning of which it): "Stick to the ways of guidance and you will not be harmed by the smallness of numbers that follow it. Beware of the ways of misguidance and do not be fooled by the multitude of the ones that will be destroyed."

This is the only way that will reform the rest of the Ummah.

Imam Malik bin Anas rahimahullah, the scholar of Madinah spoke the truth when he said:

"The latter part of the Ummah will never be reformed except by that which reformed the former part."

Never will good disappear from this Ummah, because the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said in a hadith:

"There will not cease to be a group from my Ummah manifestly upon the Haqq (Truth). The ones that abandon them will not harm them, until the Order of Allah comes and they are like that (upon the Truth)." [29]

The Prophet, peace be upon him, further said:

"The example of my Ummah is like of rain. It is not known whether the initial part (of the rain) is good or the latter part." [30] This is an authentic hadith.

Indeed the 'Aqidah of the Salaf as-Salih has been stipulated by a great many of the scholars.

[31] From them, Abu Ja'far at-Tahawi, [32] and his 'Aqidah has been explained by Ibn Abil-'Izz al-Hanafi [33] one of the students of Ibn Kathir al-Dimishqi naming Sharh al-'Aqidah at-Tahawiyyah and, from them is Abul-Hasan al-Ash'ari, [34] in his book al-Ibanah 'an Usul ad-Diyanah. This being the 'Aqidah which he finally settled upon. He said: " ... our saying, which we state, the Din which we profess belief in, is adherence to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of our Prophet, peace be upon him, and that which is related from the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, the Tabi'un and Imams of hadith, we cling on to this, and we say that which Abu 'Abdullah Ahmad bin Hanbal used to say and distance ourselves from ones that opposed his sayings."

From those that wrote about the 'Aqidah of the Salaf as-Salih is as-Sabuni [35] in his book Aqidat-us-Salaf and Muwaffiq-ud-Din ibn Qudamah al-Maqdasi al-Hanbali [36] in his book Luma'tul 'Itiqad al-Hadi ila Sabil ar-Rashad, and other glorious scholars, may Allah reward them with good.

We ask Allah to guide us to the pure 'Aqidah (beliefs) and to a pure and clean heart, we ask for virtuous and pleasing manners, and to give us life as Muslims and to take our life while being upon the Shari'ah of our Prophet, Muhammad, upon whom be peace.

O Allah let us die as Muslims as make us meet the Salihin (righteous) without being disgraced or tried. Forgive us, our parents, and the believers on the Day of Judgement. We ask Allah for inspiration to the correctness of sayings and actions. Indeed He is all powerful over all things and the most worthy of answering calls, and our final du'a is, all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.

Purification of the Soul

2007-11-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

Image from Fox news

This lecture below and many others can be found at:

http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/purification/0092.htm

Advice to the Strangers (Within Islâm)

Abdul-Wahid bin Abdullaah al-Muhaidib
Wasiyyatu Ghareeb

Verily all praise belongs to Allâh, we praise Him, seek His Aid and His Forgiveness. Whomsoever Allâh guides there is none to misguide and whomsoever Allâh misguides there is none to guide. I testify that there is none deserving of worship except Allâh alone without any partners and I testify that Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam is His servant and His Messenger.

Allâh the Exalted said in His Mighty Book:
Know that the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement, glitter, mutual boasting and rivalry amongst yourselves in (the accumulation of) wealth and children. Just like the example of the rain and the growth it brings which brings delight to the tillers. Then it withers and you see it become yellow. Then it dries and crumbles away. But in the hereafter there is an intense punishment as well as forgiveness from Allâh and His good pleasure. And this life is nothing but a deceiving entertainment. Be foremost in seeking forgiveness from your Lord and a garden whose width is as the width of the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allâh and His Messengers. That is the bounty of Allâh and He gives His bounty to whomsoever He pleases, and Allâh is the Possessor of great bounty and grace.

My brother and sister for the sake of Allâh, in compliance with what Allâh the Exalted has enjoined upon the Muslim regarding the giving of advice to his Muslim brothers and sisters, I present this advice to you. Perhaps Allâh will bring about benefit on account of it.

Jareer ibn Abdullaah radiallaahu 'anhu said: We gave the pledge of allegiance to the Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam for establishing prayer, giving the zakah and giving advice to every Muslim.

My brother and sister for the sake of Allâh, this is advice to a stranger which I present to you (as a gift) that you may be amongst the strangers. The strangers who do not see themselves needless of this advice which contains an increase (in goodness) for you in this life. It is extremely important due to the benefits it contains, which makes a person strive and run towards the home of the hereafter with all his effort.

Therefore, be eager in reading repetitively, seeking to understand it and let your concern become knowledge. acting upon this knowledge out of sincerity and following the Prophet of the strangers. Convey it also to others so that you succeed with Toobaa (a tree in Paradise).
The Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "Verily, Islâm began as a stranger and shall return as a stranger as it began, so Toobaa (is) for the strangers."
The Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam also said to Abdullaah bin Umar: "Be in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveller in his path."

The stranger is the one who clings to what al-Mustafaa sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was upon in terms of belief, worship, manners and legislation by whatever had Allâh has ordered and who then remains patient upon that.
The Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "There will be after you days which will require (much) patience from the one who clings firmly (to the religion). There will be (for the one who clings to the religion) the reward equal to fifty of you in those days." They said: Or do you mean fifty amongst them? He said: "No. From amongst you."

This is what the Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said my dear brother and sister.

Know - my brother and sister - that I do not desire anything from you and yet do you have power over anything. I desire only the face of Allâh the Exalted so that He may be pleased with the stranger.

These strangers who have been praised and who are fortunate and enviable have been so called due to their scarcity amongst mankind. The majority of mankind have not been described with such characteristics.

The people of Islâm are strangers amongst mankind, then the people of Eemaan are strangers amongst the people of Islâm, then the people of knowledge are strangers amongst the people of Eemaan, then the people sticking to the Sunnah, those who take care to distinguish it from desires and innovations, are strangers, then those who call to it while being patient in face of the harms caused by those who turn away are the most strange.
However they are the people of Allâh in truth. There is no strangeness between them but the strangeness is in the midst of the majority of mankind about whom
Allâh said:
And if you were to follow most of those upon the earth they would mislead you from the path of Allâh.

These people are strangers from Allâh, His Messenger and His religion. Their strangeness is one of desertion.

Amongst the characteristics of the strangers, the strangers with which the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was pleased with, is clinging to the Sunnah when the rest of people aspire for something other than it, abandoning what others have invented and innovated, even if it was considered something good by them, manifesting Tawheed even thought the rest of mankind pay no heed to it and refuse it and abandoning the attachment to anyone besides Allâh the Exalted, the Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, his Companions radiallaahu 'anhum and the Pious Predecessors rahmatullaah 'alayhi 'anhum. These are the strangers who attach themselves to Allâh by enslavement to Him alone and to the Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam by following and imitating him alone in regard to whatever he came with. These are the ones who cling onto the burning embers in truth.

The true Islâm is very strange and its real adherents are the most strange of people amongst mankind. And how can one single and minute group not be strange amongst seventy-two groups. Seventy-two groups consisting of followers, leaders, possessors of rank (amongst themselves) and all sorts of loyalties and friendships amongst themselves. Their movement cannot be maintained except by opposing what the Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam came with. The essence of what he sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam came with opposes and contradicts their desires, tastes, whims, doubts, innovations and false ways and means and all in all of this lies their actions, their merits and their desires which make up their goals and intentions.

How can a believer who is pure inwardly and outwardly in his speech, his actions, his food, his drink, who emigrates to Allâh in all moments in his life, while imitating and following (without inventing and innovating) not be a stranger amongst these people. These people who have followed their desires, who have obeyed their covetousness, and who become amazed with their own opinions.

When the believer desires that which Allâh has already sustained him with: an insight into his religion, understanding of the Sunnah of His Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, understand of His Book, showing him the desires, innovations and misguidances the which people are upon, the people whom the Straight Path which the Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and his companions were upon has caused to deviate - when the believer desires to travel upon this Straight Path, let him prepare himself (mentally) for the criticism, censure and rebuke of the ignorant and the people of innovation, for their slanders, their contempt, from seeing people running away from him and from seeing them warn others about him just like their predecessors from amongst the disbelievers used to do with the his imaam and the one whom he follows sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

Therefore he is a stranger in his religion due to the corruption of their religion. He is a stranger in clinging to the Sunnah due to their clinging to the ways of innovation, he is a stranger in his belief due to the falsity and corruption of their belief, he is a stranger in his prayer due to the deficiency in their prayer, he is a stranger in his path due to the misguidance and corruption of their paths, he is a stranger amongst his relatives due to their turning away from him, he is a stranger in living with them because he will not live with what their souls desire.

In essence he is a stranger in the matters of the world and the hereafter. He will find from the common people neither happiness nor one who would offer him help. He is a scholar amidst ignorant, a person of the Sunnah amidst people of innovation, a caller to Allâh and His Messenger amidst callers to desires and innovations, a commander of good and forbidder of evil amidst a people commanding evil and forbidding good.

Then:
All of mankind are strangers in this world. There is no position for them in this world and neither is this the home for which they were created.
The Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said to Abdullaah ibn Umar radiallaahu 'anhu: "Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller in his path."

Thus (mankind) has been commanded to look into this matter with his heart and o truly acquaint himself with it. How can a servant not be a stranger in his life while he is on a journey and when he will not come off his riding beast until he is amongst the inhabitants of the graves? Therefore he is a traveller who is actually seated. It has been said:
The days are but stages (in a journey)By which the caller to death approaches in a short and smooth journeyAnd the most amazing thing - if you were to reflect - is that the stages pass quickly while the traveller remains seated.

It has been mentioned that a group of righteous people were sitting and amongst them was a person of Eemaan. He desired to make them hold the world in contempt and and bring to mind the hereafter. What did he do? He took a leaf and placed something insignificant into it. He took this thing and began to go round showing it to all of them. Every time one of them looked at the leaf he did so with surprise and began to laugh at it yet they did not understand its significance.
Then he said: This small and contemptible thing which I showed you is a dirty wing of a fly and this world with all its people, possessions, desires, rivers, lands, days and nights is more contemptible and insignificant to Allâh than this filthy wing.
Those righteous people who were in the gathering said: After that we recovered from our heedlessness and felt a strong blow to the heart which shook our souls and we realised that his intent was to remind us of the hadeeth of
the Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam: "If this world was equal (in value) to the wing of a fly in the sight of Allâh He would never have given a sip of water to the disbeliever,"

So my brother and sister, when we belittle the wing of a fly - in fact the fly itself - and we dislike it because it is worthless then it is more befitting that we do not become over-concerned with this world since it is more insignificant and contemptible to Allâh than the wing of a dirty fly.

Let us then put this world under the various powers and controls we have over it so that we can make it as a field that is being cultivated for the hereafter. Have you not heard the words of the poet:My brother and sister in Islâm, the speech of Allâh is our methodology in this very short span of time in which we live.
Allâh Azzwajall says:
There is no good in most of their secret conversations except the one who commands charity or a good deed or conciliation between men. And whoever does that while seeking the pleasure of Allâh We shall soon give to him a great reward

Remember well - O brother and sister muslim -
the speech of Allâh the Exalted:
Never does he utter a word except there is (an angel) ready to record it

Therefore it is essential - my brother and sister - that you make your tongue, your eyes and the whole of your life poised for Allâh the Sublime. Make your tongue busy in His remembrance, giving advice, commanding good and forbidding the evil. Make your tongue as if it is paralysed at the places of backbiting, slander, cursing, mocking and singing.

Turn your vision constantly to acts of goodness such as reciting the Qur'ân, reading beneficial books or towards a matter which is very important in achieving the desired goal: To look at the might and grandeur of the heaven and the earth and all the various types of creations contained therein such as the sun, the moon, the animals, the mountains, the seas, the clouds and men and how Allâh the Mighty the Sublime and Exalted created all these wonderful things. Do this at length and think deeply and profoundly at the absolute might of Allâh.

Withhold your eyesight from everything which Allâh has forbidden, such as looking at women and other such trials, looking at things which contain no benefit. If you do this Allâh will give you three qualities: The sweetness of Eemaan, khushoo' in your heart and keen insight.

If however you fall into that then seek forgiveness from Allâh with your heart and your tongue and follow this slip with a good deed you will find Allâh Oft-Forgiving and Merciful.
Guard the supplication which is to be uttered upon leaving a gathering and which serves as an expiation for it: Glory be to you O Allâh and by Your Praise, I testify that there is none worthy of worship except You (alone), I seek forgiveness from you and repent to You.

My brother and sister for the sake of Allâh, it is essential for you to increase in actions of goodness in every place and at every time. Do not hold any action in contempt whether it is small or large, as long as it is an action of good and by the permission of Allâh - my brother and sister - you will never become tired of performing these actions so long as you drink from the delicious fountain which will increase your love for such actions. That is the fountain of Ikhlaas (sincerity) and Ihtisaab (seeking or expectation of reward) from Allâh the Subime and Exalted.

Beware of every matter which brings you closer to the Hellfire and run towards every matter which will steer and direct you to the gates of Paradise by the Mercy of Allâh and His Favour.
It is also essential for you - my brother and sister - to set right and to make up for whatever has passed you by in your life: hours, days, weeks, months and Ramadans, the excellence of which people are heedless of. The blessed month of Ramadan in which there is great bounty. If only they knew that whoever found Lailatul-Qadr in this blessed month will have his supplication answered. He will be (after having passed it while engaged in prayer, repentance, and forgiveness) from among the best of Allâh's righteous servants. His heart will become attached to Allâh and will find find comfort in with Him when he is alone.
He will also know that this world is a deception and that there is no pleasure, delight, ease or happiness except by obedience to Allâh and following the Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam in all of his affairs.

His heart will become attached to Allâh and he will soon love righteousness and its performers and be very eager for it. He will also hate evil and those who fall into it and be eager in distancing himself from it….

Patience(Sabr)

2007-10-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

Note to Self: I am responsible for my actions. I should not blame others for my mishaps in life, religion and knowledge. Mistakes and sins I commit, are my sins and my actions, done by be. I am responsible for what I bring into the world today, How I will make people feel today, How I will influence people to do good today, and How I will conduct myself today...

As a Muslim.

If I don't pray Asr prayer, its my own fault, not the train conductor's fault for being late, I could have prayed before I left or when I arrived or on the way.

If I am rude with the sales lady because she made a mistake with my bill, its my fault, not hers, I could learn to have more patience.

If I don't smile at another muslimah when walking down the street and this hurts her feelings, its my fault, I could have smiled at her out of charity even though I am in a bad mood.

If I don't get to live where I want to live and have to move to a far away place and this makes me depressed, angry, and rude with people, its my fault, I choose to be rude,depressed, and angry, I could have faith in Allah and HIS divine decree and pray to Allah to give me patience, and good from this(moving) that I feel is bad for me, but may be good, Only Allah knows Best. If I show patience and strive in the cause for Allah, Inshallah, I will get a big reward from my God for using this knowledge the Quran has taught me to use.

Live your life by Intention. Intention to do good, be good, and worship Allah good.

If your intentions are pure then Allah knows best.

Whats happens after you intend something is "Allahs Will", so accept it with patience and prayer and seeking reward from Allah and Inshallah this is what you will get!

Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah (Maintaining the Unity of Lordship)

2007-10-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

Below is an excerpt from the book called " The Fundamentals of Tawheed" by Abu Ameena Bilal Philips...

This chapter of the book explains a very important aspect of Islam I failed to completely understand until I read one sentence which described it perfectly from this book...That is mans free-will and destiny ordained by Allah...

No one had been able to give me a complete and clear answer before, then Al hamdulelah I found this:

"Consequently, man's realm of influence in the course of events which make up his life is limited to the mental choice between options presented to him and not the actual results of his choice. In other words "man proposes and God disposes". "

I wanted to share this passage and the rest of this chapter with you so that maybe you might benefit from it as I did... This book is HIGHLY recommended to those of you who want a more in depth look at comparison of the religions with the Islamic concept of Tawheed.

Here is the Chapter:

Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah (Maintaining the Unity of Lordship)

This category is based on the fundamental concept that Allaah alone caused all things to exist when there was nothing; He sustains and maintains creation without any need from it or for it; and He is the sole Lord of the universe and its inhabitants without any real challenge to His sovereignty. In Arabic the word used to describe this creator-sustainer quality is Ruboobeeyah which is derived from the root "Rabb" (Lord). According to this category, since God is the only real power in existence, it is He who gave all things the power to move and to change. Nothing happens in creation except what He allows to happen. In recognition of this reality, Prophet Muhammad (saws) used to often repeat the exclamatory phrase "La hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah" (There is no movement nor power except by Allaah's will).

The basis for the Ruboobeeyah concept can be found in many Qur'anic verses. For example, Allaah says:

"Allaah created all things and He Is the agent on which all things depend."9
"And Allaah created you all and whatever you do."10
"It was not you who threw, when you threw, but it was Allaah who threw."11
"And no calamity strikes except by Allaah's permission."12

The Prophet (saws) further elaborated on this concept saying,

"Be aware that if the whole of mankind gathered together in order to do something to help you, they would only be able to do something for you which Allaah had already written for you. Likewise, if the whole of mankind gathered together to harm you, they would only be able to do something to harm you which Allaah had already written to happen to you"13

Thus, what man conceives as good fortune and misfortune are merely events predestined by Allaah as part of the tests of this life. The incidents follow patterns set only by Allaah. Allaah has said in the Qur'aan,

"O Believers! Surely there Is In your wives and children an enemy for you, so beware of them."14

That is, within the good things of this life there are severe tests of one's faith in God. Likewise, in the terrible events of life there lies test as is mentioned in the verse,

"Surely We will test you with fear, hunger, loss of wealth and life and the fruits of your work, so give glad tidings to those who are patient."15

Sometimes the patterns are recognizable, as in the case of cause and effect relationships, and sometimes they are not, as in the case when apparently good results come from evil means or bad results from good means. God has explained that the wisdom behind these apparent irregularities is often beyond man's immediate comprehension due to his limited scope of knowledge.

"Perhaps you may dislike something which is really good for you or like something bad for you, but Allaah knows (what is best for you), and you do not."16

Apparently evil events in human lives sometimes turn out to be for the best and apparently good things which people desire turn out to be harmful. Consequently, man's realm of influence in the course of events which make up his life is limited to the mental choice between options presented to him and not the actual results of his choice. In other words "man proposes and God disposes". Apparent "good fortune" and "misfortune" are both from Allaah and can not be caused by good-luck charms such as rabbit's feet, four-leaf clovers, wishbones, lucky numbers, zodiacal signs, etc., or by omens of bad luck like Friday the thirteenth, breaking mirrors, black cats, etc. In fact, the belief in charms and omens is a manifestation of the grave sin of Shirk (association) in this form of Tawheed. 'Uqbah, one of the companions of the Prophet (saws), reported that once a group of men approached Allaah's messenger to give their allegiance to him, and he accepted the oath from nine of them but refused to accept it from one. When they asked him why he refused their companion's oath, he replied,

"Verily, he is wearing an amulet"17 The man who was wearing the amulet put his hand in his cloak, pulled the amulet off and broke it then made the oath. The Prophet (saws) then said, "Whoever wears an amulet has committed Shirk."18

As for using the Qur'aan like a charm or amulet by wearing or carrying Qur'anic verses on chains or in pouches to ward off evil or to bring good fortune, there is little difference between such practices and those of the pagans. Neither the Prophet (saws) nor his Companions used the Qur'aan in this fashion, and the Prophet (saws) said,

"Whoever innovates in Islaam something which does not belong to it will have it rejected."19

It is true that the Qur'anic chapters, an-Naas and al-Falaq, were revealed specifically for exorcism (that is, for removing evil spells), but the Prophet (saws) demonstrated the proper method by which they should be used.

On an occasion when a spell had been cast on him, he told 'Alee ibn Abee Taalib to recite the two chapters verse by verse and when he became ill he used to recite them on himself.20

He did not write them down and hang them around his neck, tie them on his arm or around his waist, nor did he tell others to do so.

This book can be purchased here:
http://www.iiphonline.com/product_info.php?products_id=92&osCsid=2ba7f88182972340e42aecd10566bc22

2007-10-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

While our children are out collecting Eidiyah and singing and playing this morning, the first day of Eid al Fitr, there are 9 Iraqi children laying dead in the dirt in Iraq.(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21233421/)

While our children eat their breakfast and we dress them in the new cloths we have bought for them for Eid and shower our prayers on them, there are some Iraqi mothers clutching onto their children's cold dead bodies, crying and screaming hysterically.

While we softly kiss our children good morning to wake them from sleep and quietly pick them up to wash their faces, there are parents in Iraq who have been awake since the bomb went off this morning and blew up their babies sleeping in bed...

This is Iraq....This is reality today for its people...

The Coalition Forces say via Associated Press: "The statement also issued regret “that civilians are hurt or killed while Coalition forces search to rid Iraq of terrorism.” "

Regret?!?!?!?!?

What a word they use for the death of Innocent Children!

When will this madness stop...

While I sit here in my safe home(al hamdulelah) and eat my hot meals

(al hamdulelah) and watch my satellite TV under central ac and quiet peacefulness(al hamdulelah), children in Iraq are being blown up in their beds, the future of Iraq is dying,

little by little...

These babies who are innocent of the world and its evils,who's smiles are so pure and joyful, who's laughter echos through the rubble that is Iraq.

Today 9 children who took 9 months to grow inside their mothers wombs,who were born to mothers and fathers anxiously awaiting their arrival, weeping overwhelming joy when they heard their first cry,fathers who cradled them gently in their arms,and softly whispered the Athan into their ear...

These precious souls are dead, they never had a chance to say any goodbyes or feel their mothers warmth once more.

They were violently killed as "casualties of war"

A war they didn't ask for...

May Allah raise these children to the highest Paradise, May Allah ease the suffering of their families, May Allah be the Best Comforter for their mothers and fathers in their grief, May Allah let these children be a mercy for their parents on the day of judgement, May Allah protect the Innocent children of Iraq.ameen...

May Allah's judgement be upon those in the world who kill and oppress innocent people and make mischeif in the land. ameen...

New Muslim's Knowledge Box for UAE

2007-10-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

U.A.E. Charitable Book & Cassette Centre

-Sharjah Tel.: +971 6 5220909
E-mail:

Discover Islam

- Dubai Tel: +971 4 3448920
E-mail:

Sharjah New Muslim Center

http://www.geocities.com/SHJNMC/
Sharjah New Muslim Center
PO Box 29291Sharjah, UAE
Telephone: 06-5511050
Email: aman@emirates.net.ae
Directions to the Center:Al Ouraba St. - Al Ouraba BuildingMezzanine # 2

Islamic Online University

http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com/

Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Services Department (DICD)

http://www.dicd.ae/vEnglish/default.jsp

Zayed Centre for New Muslims

P.O. Box 16090,

Al-Ain, U.A.E.,

Phone (9713) 829191

Fax (9713) 645816

3 Acts to Observe in the End of Ramadan

2007-10-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

BIDDING THE MONTH FAREWELL

Allah (SWT) has mandated on us three acts to observe at the end of Ramadan.

Zakatul-Fitr, Takbeer, and 'Eid Prayer.

Zakatul-Fitr
Zakatul Fitr is obligatory for every Muslim man and woman, adult and child. It should be distributed before the prayer of 'Id. Every person, having savings beyond his own and his family's feeding for one day and night should give two dollars for himself and for everyone he looks after. Zakatul Fitr is meant to purify the fasting (saum) and to keep everybody in society happy and pleasant - rich and poor equally - so that nobody should go hungry on that day. Thus, it presents a magnificent example of comprehensive social justice in Islam.

Takbeer
Allah has ordained upon the believers the utterance of takbeer, "Allah is the Greatest," at the conclusion of the month, Ramadan. Takbeer should start on the eve of 'Eid at sunset, and it continues until the time of 'Eid prayer. Allah (SWT) said: "...And complete the prescribed period and glorify Allah in that He has guided you and perchance you shall be grateful." (Al-Qur`an, 2:185)
The takbeer, Allah is the Greatest, is a superlative form indicating there is nothing in the creation that is bigger or greater than Allah. Everything in creation, things, ideas, institutions and planes, etc., pale into insignificance in the sight of Allah. This utterance is the believer's victory and national anthem upon the forces of evil, low desires, and our faith affirmation, song of obedience, and gratitude to Allah (SWT). Takbeer is always said when a Muslim reaches the summit, physical or spiritual, as in the completion of fast at the end of Ramadan. It takes greatness and remarkable inner strength to win one against the forces of evil, and the greatness goes to Allah.

The Formula for Takbeer

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La illaha illa llah Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa lillahil hamd.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, and Allah is greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all praise is due to Allah.
It is recommended for men to say the takbeer loud in the Masjid, homes, and market places as a sign of glorification of Allah, and expression of our gratitude and worship to Him. Women, however, should say it silently. Wouldn't it be excellent to see that the Muslim environment is charged with the glorification of Allah? Instead of neon lights, and outdoor decorations, and honking the horns of cars, Takbeer is our outward sign of the festivity.

The 'Eidul - Fitr is another important obligation after Ramadan and Sunnah of the Prophet.

Eid Prayer

Self Preparation for Eid Prayer

It is highly recommended to have major ablution (Islamically correct bath or ghusl) and to use the most beautiful dresses and the best perfumes one can obtain. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to do so. There is also a tradition that one should eat something, preferably dates, before going to the Eid ul Fitr prayer and to eat nothing before Eid ul Adha prayer.

Time:
The time for Eid ul Adha is when the sun has risen two meters (7 ft.) above the horizon and the time for Eid ul Fitr is while the sun has risen to three meters (10 ft.) above the horizon.Eid prayers cannot be said after midday.

Place:
It is better to hold Eid prayers in an open place or ground if there is no obstacle like rain or bad weather. The Prophet never performed Eid prayers in the mosque except once due to rain.

No Adhan, No Iqamah:
There is neither Adhan nor Iqamah for Eid prayers.

Performance of 'Id Prayers:
Eid prayer consists of two Rak'a with twelve takbeeras, (Allahu Akbar), seven in the first Rak'a and five in the second. In the first Rak'a just after takbeeratul Ihram, say seven Takbeeras lifting your hands with each Takbeera and after finishing seven Takbeeras go on with prayer in the usual way (reading al Fatiha and surah aloud.) In the beginning of the second Rak'a say five Takbeeras in the usual way. There is no special Dhikr between Takbeeras - you can say Subhanalla Walhamdu Lillahi Wa Laa Ilaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar.

Khutba:
After performing the Salat, the Imam must deliver a khutba just like jum'a khutba. But Imam Nawawi and some other scholars say that the khutba of Eid is not broken up into two parts with a period of sitting in between.

Returning:
On returning home from the salat, it is recommended to take a different route than that which was taken to the prayer.

Takbir:
It is strongly recommended to repeat in a loud voice (a) Allahu Akbar, on the way to the salat and while waiting for the imam; (b) to repeat Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allahu, wa Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi-l-hamd after every congregational prayer starting from the fajr, (dawn prayer) on the day of Arafat (ninth day of Dhul Hijja), to the 'asr (afternoon prayer) on the last of the Days of Tashriq (the thirteenth day of Dhul Hijja). For the Pilgrims, the starting time is the dhur, (noon prayer) of the Day of Nahr (tenth of Dhul Hijja).
It is clear that this takbir applies only to 'Id ul Adha while the first applies to both.

Enjoyment in Eid Days:

Islam urges us to enjoy life with every lawful means of enjoyment. Especially on eid days the Islamic spirit of enjoyment and brotherhood becomes manifest. Thus Islam nourishes the spiritual aspirations of mankind along with its physical abilities.
On these days everyone should be happy with his wife, his children, his Muslim brothers and sisters. Show mutual concern by exchanging gifts, smiling on the face of each other and expressing sincere love and affection to show the bondage of real brotherhood which stems from the belief in Allah. All Muslims should cherish brotherly feeling in their hearts toward each other, avoid talking behind each other's backs, avoid blaming one another and avoid causing disruption in the Muslim community. These are days when we should glorify the symbols of Allah and observe His signs to have piety in our hearts.

The Islamic Calender for 2007

2007-10-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

The Islamic calendar (or Hijri calendar) is a lunar calendar. It contains 12 months that are based on the motion of the moon, and because 12 lunar months is 12 x 29.53=354.36 days, the Islamic calendar is consistently shorter (11 Days) than a solar year, and therefore it shifts with respect to the Gregorian calendar.
The Islamic calendar is the official calendar in countries around the Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia. But other Muslim countries use the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes and turn to the Islamic calendar for religious purposes.

Islamic Year 1428 H.

Islamic Month

Gregorian Dates

Muharram
January 20 - February 18, 2007

Safar
February 19 - March 19, 2007

Rabia Awal
March 20 - April 17, 2007

Rabia Thani
April 18 - May 17, 2007

Jumaada Awal
May 18 - June 15, 2007

Jumaada Thani
June 16 - July 14, 2007

Rajab
July 15 - August 13, 2007

Sha'ban
August 14 - September 12, 2007

Ramadan
September 13 - October 12, 2007

Shawwal
October 13 - November 10, 2007

Dhul-Qi'dah
November 11 - December 10, 2007

Dhul-Hijjah
December 11, 2007 - January 9, 2008

Important Dates:

Hijrah New Year (20 January 2007)

Ramadan begins (13 September 2007)

Eid Al-Fitr (13 October 2007)

Hajj begins (18 December 2007)

Eid Al-Adha (20 December 2007)

Islamic New Year 1429 H. (10 January 2008)

Note: Although calendars are printed for planning purposes, they are based on estimates of the visibility of the lunar crescent, and the Islamic month may actually start 1-2 days earlier or later than predicted.

[Quran - 9.36]

Surely the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah's ordinance since the day when He created the heavens and the earth..

[Quran - 31:29]

Seest thou not that Allah merges Night into Day and he merges Day into Night; that He has subjected the sun, and the moon (to his Law), each running its course for a term appointed; and that Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do?

[Quran - 103: 1..3]

By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),- Verily Man is in loss, - Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.

Qiyam al-Layl :The Night Prayer

2007-10-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

photo taken from: http://www.salat.ir/images/prayer2.jpg

Qiyaam al-Layl (The Night Prayer)

Different Names:Qiyam means 'standing' and ‘Qiyam al-Layl’ means 'standing at night'.

In the Shari’ah term both terms refer to 'the voluntary night prayer, whose time extends after the Isha prayer (the last of the five obligatory prayers, whose time extends from the disappearance of the reddish light in the sky until the middle of the night) until dawn.’ This voluntary prayer is described as Qiyam al-Layl because it involves long standings, in which long portions of the Qur'aan are recited.

Other common names for this prayer are 'Salaat al-Layl' (the night prayer), Tahajjud (from hajjada meaning awake at night), witr and Taraweeh (resting). [Lisaan ul-Arab under 'Hajada' and 'Rawaha']

Its should be noted that Tahajjud is not different from Qiyam and Taraweeh, these are different names of the same prayer. Commonly the word Taraweeh is used to describe this prayer in Ramadaan, the Muslims used this term from early times.

Muhammad Shaqrah says: “The reason for this name is that due to long recitation the people used to rest after every four rak'ah. Eventually this practice became a necessary element of Taraweeh even with short recitations. This led people to think that ‘Taraweeh’ is the correct name revealed to Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).” [Irsad us-Sari p.75-77]

This name is wrong in text and in meaning. This name is neither known from Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) nor his companions … and as for the meaning the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) never taught the practice of resting between particular rak’ahs. Thus, Taraweeh is a novel name and it is better to use the name which the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used for this prayer; ‘Qiyaam’.

One might ask,

'Is it wrong to rest between rak’ahs?’

The answer is - 'If the Imaam is tired or feels that the people praying behind him are tired from long standing and recitation, he may allow some rest…” [Irshad us-Sari (p: 75-77)]

The Excellence of Qiyaam al-Layl:

Many Qur'aanic verses speak about the excellence of Qiyam and the merits of those people, who perform Qiyaam al-Layl on a regular basis, for example, Allah describes the believers who deserve Jannah saying:

“They (the believers) forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope; and they spend out of what We have bestowed on them.” [Soorah as-Sajdah (32): 16] “They (the pious) used to sleep but little at night.” [Soorah ath-Thariyat (51): 17]

Also, numerous Ahadeeth add to this subject, narrated Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu): “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“The best prayer after those prescribed is (the prayer performed) in the depth of night.” [Saheeh Muslim and Musnad Ahmad]

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said:

“The most beloved prayer to Allah was of Dawud (alaihi as-salaam). He slept one half of the night, got up (and prayed) for one third, and then slept (the remaining) one sixth.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Protection from Shaitaan:

Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“When one of you goes to sleep, Shaitaan ties three knots over the rear of his head, blowing into each knot, 'You have a long night, so sleep on.” If he wakes up and mentions Allah, one knot loosens. If he makes wudhu (ablution for prayer), another knot loosens and if he prays, the third knot loosens and he becomes lively and good-natured; otherwise he gets up ill-natured and lazy.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Acceptance of Supplication:

Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven, when only one third of the night has remained. He says: “Who will invoke Me, so that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

In another report, he adds:

“Then Allah extends His Hand and says: “Who wants to invest (good deeds) with the One who is not wasteful or unjust?” He continues to say this until the dawn arrives.” [Saheeh Muslim]

Jabir (radhi allahu anhu) reported, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying:

“There is an hour of the night which no Muslim person encounters and asks for a good thing for this life or the Hereafter, but Allah grants it to him. This happens every night.” [Saheeh Muslim]

Abu Umamah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was once asked:

“When are the supplications most acceptable?” He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) replied: “In the last depth of the night and at the end of the prescribed prayers.” [(hasan) by Shaikh al-Albanee (at-Tirmidhee)]

Muadh bin Jabal (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“Whenever a Muslim goes to bed in a pure state (with wudhu), falls asleep while mentioning Allah and then wakes up during the night and asks Allah for anything good, He grants it to him.” [(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Musnad Ahmad and at-Tirmidhee)]

Closeness to Allah:

Amr bin Abash (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“The closest that a servant is to his Lord, is in the last part of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah at that hour then do so.” [(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (at-Tirmidhee)]

Mercy from Allah:

Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“May Allah have mercy on a man who wakes up at night, prays and wakes his wife to pray; and if she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah have mercy on a woman who wakes up at night, prays, and wakes her husband to pray and if he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.” [(hasan) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood)]

Constant deeds guarantee ample reward:

Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) said:

“Do not ever stop praying Qiyam. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) never ceased praying it. When he was sick or weak, he prayed sitting.” [(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood)]

She also reported the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying:

“The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most constant, even if they were little.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

The Excellence of Qiyam in Ramadaan:

Many Ahaadeeth describe the excellence of Qiyam particularly in Ramadaan, some of them are:

Forgiveness of sins:

Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported:

“Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) encouraged the people, without making it an absolute command, to perform Qiyam during Ramadaan. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to say: “Whoever stands (in Qiyam) in Ramadaan out of faith and expectation (of Allah's Reward), all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Among the Most Righteous: Amr bin Murrah al-Juhani (radhi allahu anhu) said:

“A man from the tribe of Quraysh asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): “O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)! What if I testified that there is no (true) god except Allah and that you are Allah's Messenger, prayed the five prayers, fasted the month, stood for Qiyam in Ramadaan and paid Zakaah?” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) replied: “Anyone dying like this will be among the siddiqun (the highly virtuous) and the shuhadah (martyrs).” [(saheeh) Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibban]

Getting up for Qiyam al-Layl:

Many Ahadeeth report the actions of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) when he got up at night. Some of them are:

Siwaak and Wudhu:

As soon as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) got up for Qiyam al-Layl, he would brush his teeth with a siwaak and perform wudhu, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“When one of you gets up to pray at night, let him use a siwaak (to clean his teeth), because when he recites during the prayer, the angel puts his mouth over his, so that nothing leaves his mouth but will enter into the angel's mouth.” [(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (al-Bayhaqee and others)]

Mentioning Allah:

Ubadah bin as-Samit (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“Whoever wakes up at night and says: 'La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulku wa-lahul-hamdu wa-huwa ala kulli shay'in qadir. Wa-subhan allahi wal-hamdu lillahi wa-la ilaha ilallallahu wallahu akbaru, wa-la hawla wa-la quwwata illa billah'. There is no (true) god except Allah Alone, without any partners. To Him belongs the sovereignty; to Him belongs all praise. He is capable of everything. Exalted is Allah; Allah is the Greatest, there is no power or might except from Allah.” and then says: “Rabb igfir li” - “My Lord! Forgive me.” Anyone who says this and supplicates, he will be answered, and if he makes wudhu and prays, his prayer will be accepted.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

Rabi'ah bin Ka'ab al-Aslami (radhi allahu anhu) reported:

“I used to sleep by the house of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). When he got up at night (to pray), I would hear him repeat for a long time: “Subhana rabbil-alamin” - “Exalted is the Lord of the creation.” Then he would repeat for a long time: “Subhan Allahi wa bi-hamdih” - “Exalted is Allah, all praise belongs to Him.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee ( at-Tirmidhee)]

Raising one’s voice moderately:

One may pray Qiyam silently or aloud, but it is best to raise one's voice moderately. Abu Qatadah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that one night the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saw Abu Bakr (radhi allahu anhu) praying with a low voice. He then saw Umar (radhi allahu anhu) praying with a loud voice. Afterwards, he said to Abu Bakr (radhi allahu anhu):

“O Abu Bakr! I passed by you while you prayed and you were lowering your voice.” He replied: “I have been heard by Him whom I was addressing, O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)!” Then the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “O Umar! I passed by you while you prayed, and you were raising your voice.” He replied: "O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)! Thereby I wake the sleepy and drive the Shaytaan away.” So, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “O Abu Bakr, raise your voice a little. And you Umar, lower your voice a little.” [(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee)]

Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) reported:

“The Prophet's (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) recitation (in Qiyaam) was such that one would hear him from the outer room while he is inside (in the bedroom).” [(hasan) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood)]

Praying Qiyam al-Layl in the Jamaah:

It is a Sunnah to pray the Qiyam al-Layl of Ramadaan with the Jamaah (congregation); and this is better than praying it individually. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) himself established the practice of praying Qiyam al-Layl in Jamaah, approved of it from the Sahabah (radhi allahu anhu) and greatly emphasized its merits.

Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) reported:

The people used to pray during the night of Ramadaan in the Prophet’s Mosque in separate groups. A man who knew some Qur'aan would lead five or six people in Jamaah. On one such night, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) instructed me to lay down a mat for him (in the Masjid) by the door of my apartment and I did so. After praying Isha, Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) went to that mat, all those who were in the Masjid gathered behind him; and he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) led them in the prayer for a long portion of the night; then he departed and entered (my apartment), leaving the mat where it was. In the morning, the people described that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) led some men in prayer on the previous night. So that night, more people gathered until the Masjid was full. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) went out the second night and prayed; and they followed him in the prayer. The next morning people talked about it and on the third night the number of people increased in the Masjid. Again the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) went out and they followed him in prayer. On the fourth night, the Masjid was overrun with people. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) prayed Isha with them and went inside his house, but the people stayed, so Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) asked me: “What do they want Aa'ishah?” I said: "O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)! The people have gathered to follow you (in the prayer).” He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Fold away your mat.”, which I did. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was aware of the people waiting for him that night; some men even called out, 'The Prayer.' In the morning, Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) went out for the Fajr prayer and after he finished his Salaat he turned to the people, said the Shahadah and stated: “O people, by Allah all praise is due to Him, I was not unaware of your presence last night, but I only feared that the night prayer (Qiyam) would become an obligation for you, which you would be incapable of fulfilling. So commit only to the deed you would be capable of performing, because Allah does not tire (from yours deeds) until you tire.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee, Saheeh Muslim, Abu Dawood, an-Nisa'ee, Musnad Ahmad and others] “

Besides praying Qiyam al-Layl in the Jamaah himself, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) greatly encouraged this practice. Once, after leading the people in the Qiyaam prayer of Ramadaan, when he was leaving and people requested him to continue the prayer for the other part of the night, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“Whoever stands in prayer with the Imaam until he (the Imaam) concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.” [(saheeh) Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhee, al-Bayhaqee]

His statement: “Whoever stands in prayer with the Imaam…” clearly indicates the excellence of Qiyam al-Layl behind the Imaam. Thus, even though delaying Qiyam carries special merits, praying Qiyamal-Layl with the Jamaah, early in the night is better than praying it alone, late in the night. This is why Umar (radhi allahu anhu), revived this Sunnah in his Khilafah and the Muslims continue it till now.

Wrong Conclusions from Umar's (radhi allahu anhu) action:

Many people use this act (reviving the sunnah of Qiyaam al-Layl in Jamaah) of Umar (radhi allahu anhu) as basis for misconceptions like: “Praying Qiyaam in Jamaah is a bidah which was not known during the time of Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) - AND - Some Bidah's (Innovations) are praiseworthy; and general statements by the Prophet such as: “Every bidah is an act of misguidance” should be restricted by the statement of Umar: “ This is indeed a good matter.” The error of the former misconception is apparent from the preceding hadeeth of Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha), which clearly indicates that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) himself prayed the Qiyam with the people in the Jamaah for three consecutive nights in Ramadaan; and he only stopped for fear that it would become an obligation for his Ummah!! The latter argument of restricting the Hadeeth of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to the statement of Umar (radhi allahu anhu) is also invalid. In his statement, Umar (radhi allahu anhu) did not intend the Shariah meaning of Bidah (i.e. ‘to innovate something new in the religion of Islam without precedence’) because he did not innovate the practice of Qiyam al-Layl in Jamaah, rather it was an established practice of Allah’s Messenger.

He merely revived a great Sunnah of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).

Umar only meant Bidah according to its linguistic meaning, which is “something new which was not commonly known prior to its initiation.” Qiyaam al-Layl behind one Imaam was certainly not a common practice during the Khilafah of Abu Bakr (radhi allahu anhu) and a portion of Umar’s (radhi allahu anhu). With this understanding it is a new matter, but since it is in accordance with the Prophet's action, it is a Sunnah and not a Bidah. Describing it as good is only because of this reason and this is the understanding of the great scholars in explaining the statement of Umar (radhi allahu anhu).

For example, Ibn Hajr al-Haythami said: “Driving the Jews and Christians out of the Arabian peninsula, and fighting the Turks, are not Bidahs, because these were done by the command of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), even though they were not done during his lifetime. And in the saying of Umar regarding Qiyaam al-Layl: “This is indeed a good Bidah” he meant the linguistic meaning of Bidah”, which is to do something which was not done, it is similar to the saying of Allah:

“I did not bring something unprecedented (bidah) among the messengers.”

[Soorah Ahqaf (46): 9]

This (Umar’s action) does not indicate a Bidah in the Shari'ah sense, because such a Bidah would be an act of misguidance, as was indicated by the Messenger of Allh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)...

Just look at the Sahabah (radhi allahu anhu) and those who followed them in the good way, they objected calling the adhan (call for prayers) other than the five daily prayers, such as Eid prayer, even though no specific prohibition is found in this regard….

Furthermore, there are things which the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) avoided despite the need and ability to do them during his lifetime. Avoiding such things is a Sunnah and performing them is a blameworthy innovation. By our saying: “Despite the need and ability to do them”, we exclude driving out the Jews and other things which he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) did not do because of reasons that prevented him from doing them. Similarly, there was a need to pray Qiyam al-Layl in Jamaah, but there was also a reason which prevented the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) from continuing to pray it in Jamaah.” [Al-Ibda fi Madarr il-Ibtida] Abd ul-Wahhab as-Subki said: “Ibn Abd ul-Barr said: “Umar did not legislate except what Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) legislated and what he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) loved and accepted. Nothing prevented him (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) from continuing (with Qiyam al-Layl in Jamaah) except fearing that it would become an obligation for his Ummah, because he was kind and merciful towards the believers. Umar (radhi allahu anhu) learned from Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and understood that one cannot add to the obligations or take away from them after his (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) death. He therefore established Qiyaam al-Layl for the people in Jamaah, revived it, and commanded it…” [Ishraq ul-Masabih fi salat fi Taraweeh (1: 168)]

Women joining the Jamaah:

Women are permitted to attend Qiyam al-Layl, as is indicated in the Hadeeth of Abu Dharr (radhi allahu anhu), he said:

“He (the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)) gathered his family, his wives and the people. He led us in the prayer (for a long time in qiyam of Ramadaan)…”

[(saheeh) Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhee and others]

Manner of Qiyam al-Layl The Time of Qiyam al-Layl:

The time of Qiyam al-Layl starts after the Isha prayer up to the Fajr prayer. Abu Basrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“Indeed Allah added a prayer for you, it is Witr (as explained earlier, Witr is one of the names for Qiyam al-Layl), so pray it between Isha and Fajr.”

[(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in as-Saheehah (108)]

However, if one prays alone he should try to pray it in the later part of the night, because that is better than the earlier part, as the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“Whoever fears that he will not wake up in the later part of the night, then let him perform Witr in the first part of it and whoever expects to wake up in the later part of the night, let him pray it then. Indeed, the prayer of the night is witnessed (by the angels), and that is better.” [(Saheeh) Abd ur-Razzaq]

Recitation during Qiyam al-Layl:

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) did not fix the length of recitation for Qiyam. His recitations varied in length; it was sometimes short, more often long, and extremely long on some occasions. Abdullah bin Amr (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“Whoever prays Qiyam reciting ten verses, he will not be recorded among the negligent. Whoever prays Qiyam reciting one hundred verses, he will be recorded among the devout and whoever prays Qiyam reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those with a multitude of good deeds.” [(Hasan) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood)]

The longer the Qiyam, the better. Thus, when one prays alone, he is encouraged to make his recitation as long as possible.

Supplication:

Various supplications are reported from the Messenger of Allah for the Qiyam prayer. In particular, there are some supplications, which he would say at the beginning of the Qiyam, before reciting the Qur’aan. It is recommended to learn one of these, which would allow practicing the Sunnah in a better way.

Following are three narrations:

1 - “O Allah! All praise belongs to You; You are the Custodian of the Heavens and Earth and all that is therein. And all praise belongs to You; You are the lighter of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is therein. And all praise belongs to You; You are the Sovereign of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is therein. And all praise belongs to You; You are the Truth; Your Promise is the truth; meeting Your (in the Hereafter) is true; Your Speech is true; Jannah is true; the Fire is true; the Prophets are true; Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) is true; and the Hour (of Doom) is true. O Allah! I submit myself to You, believe in You, rely on You, turn to You, fight for You, and invoke You. So forgive what I have done in the past or will do in the future, what I hide or declare, and what you know better than me (of what I did). You are the One, Who brings (some people) forward, and moves back (the others). There is no (true) god except You, and there is no (god) than you.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

2 - “O Allah, Lord of Jibreel, Mika'il, Israfil, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Knower of the hidden and the witnessed things, You will judge among your slaves about that wherein they used to differ. Guide me to the truth in matters of difference, with Your Permission, You guide whomever You will, to the straight path.” [Saheeh Muslim]

3 - “Exalted are You, my Lord, all praise belongs to You, hollowed is Your Name; great is Your Honor; and there is no (true) deity but You. There is no (true) god except Allah. (three times) Allah is the Greatest, He is great indeed (three times). I seek refuge with Allah, the All-Hearing, All-Knowing, from the outcast Shaytaan, from his spurring, blowing, and breathing.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee)]

Islamic Sisterhood: A Precious Bond

2007-09-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

Amatullah, Amatullah, do you hear your sister cry?

Many times we hear of our sisters in distress or or state of unease. It could be something from the dunya aspect, such as facing eviction, job loss, a health issue, a death in the family. An empty cupboard, a lack of a coat during winter, feeling overwhelmed or stressed, lonely or sad. It may be their emaan is low, their child is resisting the deen, their marriage is at a troublesome spot. It could be they are a new shahadah, who has some fear of reaching out, or a sister new to this blessed dawah who wants to learn, but doesn't want to appear jahil. It could be be anything, and we know that Allaah will test the believers.

You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews and Christians) and from those who ascribe partners to Allâh, but if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V.2:2) then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs, and that is from the great matters, [which you must hold on with all your efforts]. (Aali Imran 3:186)

How many times do you say to yourself, subhna'allah, I should call that sister or at least send an email. Let me pay her a visit, drop off something to lift her spirit. Give some money, food or clohing. Share a book from my library. Invite her to a halaqah, teach her Qu'ran. Or share a smile and listen quietly.

But you don't. Maybe you forget. Maybe you get busy. Or maybe you thought, well insha'allah another sister will/has/should. But could it be everyone else thought the same as you?

And there she is, your sister..still waiting...Did you really hear her cry?
You get word, you hear and you know. But you mute out the sound.
Will your open up your ears? Your eyes? Your heart?
Will you respond to your sisters call?

SUGGESTED ACTIONS:

~ Purify your intention
Actions are by intentions....(1)

~ Make dua for your sister There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence) that the Angels do not say: The same be for you too. (2)

~ Give words of encouragement. Tell her to never despair of Allah's Mercy.
"The deen is sincerity..." (3)

~ Write her a letter or email with the suras or hadiths that can aid her with her situation. This is something she can re-read and gain benefit from again, insha'allah

~ Make dinner for her family

~ Care for her children, while she takes time to nuture herself or run an errand

~ Visit your sister when sick
"The rights of a Muslim upon another muslim are six...when he is ill he visits him.."(4)

~ Rush to give charity
Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 24: Volume 9, Book 93, Number 525y:
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle sallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "If somebody gives in charity something equal to a date from his honestly earned money ----for nothing ascends to Allah except good---- then Allah will take it in His Right (Hand) and bring it up for its owner as anyone of you brings up a baby horse, till it becomes like a mountain." Abu Huraira said: The Prophet. sallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Nothing ascends to Allah except good."

~ Have a long hand
Translation of Sahih Bukhari Book 24, Number 501:
Narrated 'Aisha: Some of the wives of the Prophet asked him, "Who amongst us will be the first to follow you (i.e. die after you)?" He said, "Whoever has the longest hand." So they started measuring their hands with a stick and Sauda's hand turned out to be the longest. (When Zainab bint Jahsh died first of all in the caliphate of 'Umar), we came to know that the long hand was a symbol of practicing charity, so she was the first to follow the Prophet and she used to love to practice charity. (Sauda died later in the caliphate of Muawiya).

~ If you give her items of clothing or household goods, make sure they are clean and in good condition. This way the recipient feels good about accepting and it shows your consideration

~ Do not remind her in the future of any good deeds you may have done for her
Al-Baqarah - 2:264O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men, and he does not believe in Allâh, nor in the Last Day. His likeness is the likeness of a smooth rock on which is a little dust; on it falls heavy rain which leaves it bare. They are not able to do anything with what they have earned. And Allâh does not guide the disbelieving people. (Al-Baqarah 2:264)

~ Maintain her confidences

~ Remain anonymous if able (you can always just mail a money order, gift certificate for the local supermarket or store like walmart, sears ,drop a box of produce or other items on the stoop..etc)
...a man who gives in charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (5)

~ Encourage others to do the same
A believer is like a brick for another believer, the one supporting the other.(6)

Insha'allah I hope I have said a good word, and that we are open to aid our sisters anyway we are able. I'm sure I have overlooked something, so would be happy to hear what you have done, or what you know others have done, when they responded to an Amatullah's cry.

With that I leave you with this final hadith:

Translation of Sahih Muslim, Book 5: Book 005, Number 2219:
Mundhir b. Jarir reported on the authority of his father: While we were in the
company of the Messenger of Allah in the early hours of the morning, some people came there (who) were barefooted, naked, wearing striped woollen clothes, or cloaks, with their swords hung (around their necks). Most of them, nay, all of them, belonged to the tribe of Mudar. The colour of the face of the Messenger of Allah underwent a change when he saw them in poverty. He then entered (his house) and came out and commanded Bilal (to pronounce Adhan). He pronounced Adhan and Iqima, and he (the Holy Prophet) observed prayer (along with his Companion) and then addressed (them reciting verses of the Holy Qur'an): '" 0 people, fear your Lord, Who created you from a single being" to the end of the verse," Allah is ever a Watcher over you" (iv. 1). (He then recited) a verse of Sura Hashr:" Fear Allah. and let every soul consider that which it sends forth for the morrow and fear Allah" (lix. 18). (Then the audience began to vie with one another in giving charity.) Some donated a dinar, others a dirham, still others clothes, some donated a sa' of wheat, some a sa' of dates; till he (the Holy Prophet) said: (Bring) even if it is half a date. Then a person from among the Ansar came there with a money bag which his hands could scarcely lift; in fact, they could not (lift). Then the people followed continuously, till I saw two heaps of eatables and clothes, and I saw the face of the Messenger (may peace be upon him) glistening, like gold (on account of joy). The Messenger of Allah said: He who sets a good precedent in Islam, there is a reward for him for this (act of goodness) and reward of that also who acted according to it subsequently, without any deduction from their rewards; and he who sets in Islam an evil precedent, there is upon him the burden of that, and the burden of him also who acted upon it subsequently, without any deduction from their burden.

Please forgive me if I have erred, and hasten to correct me if I have done so. Anything good is from Allaah azza wajeel, anything bad from myself and the accursed shaitan.
UmmIdris (Kareema)
Subhanaka 'allahumma wa bihamdika 'ash hadu 'alla 'ilaha 'illa 'anta astaghfiruka wa 'atubu 'ilayka

References
1. From Umar ibn al-Khattaab who said that Allah's Messenger sallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
Actions are by intentions and there is for every person only that which is intended so he whose migration was for Allah and His messenger, then his migration was for Allaah and His Messenger, and he whose migration was to attain some wordly goal or to take a woman in marriage, then his migration was for that which he migrated. Muslim vol #3 p. 1056 #4692
2. Abu Dharr reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence) that the Angels do not say: The same be for you too. Muslim Book 035, Number 6588:
3. From Tameem ad-Daaree (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who said that Allah's Messenegr sallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "The deen is sincerity. The deen is sincerity." We asked to whom O Messenger of Allaah?" He replied, To Allaah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk." Muslim #55 vol 1 pg 37 #98
4. From Aboo Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who said that Allaah's Messenger said: The rights of a Muslim upon another Muslim are six. Tehy asked, "What are they O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "When he meets him he greets him with salaam, when he invites him he responds, when he asks for his sincere advise he sincerely advises him, whjen he sneezes and prises Allaah he asks for Allaah's Mercy for him, when he is ill he visits him, and when he dies he accompanies him (i.e his funeral).
Reported by Muslim #2162 (vol 3. p 1183 no. 5379)
5. Volume 8, Book 82, Number 798:
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet sallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Seven (people) will be shaded by Allah by His Shade on the Day of Resurrection when there will be no shade except His Shade. (They will be), a just ruler, a young man who has been brought up in the worship of Allah, a man who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes are then flooded with tears, a man whose heart is attached to mosques (offers his compulsory congregational prayers in the mosque), two men who love each other for Allah's Sake, a man who is called by a charming lady of noble birth to commit illegal sexual intercourse with her, and he says, 'I am afraid of Allah,' and (finally), a man who gives in charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given."
6. Abu Musa reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A believer is like a brick for another believer, the one supporting the other.
Muslim, Book 032, Number 6257:

http://www.salafisisters.org/Halaqahs.html

Zakat

2007-09-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust.

The word Zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Zakat is the amount of money that every adult, mentally stable, free, and financially able Muslim, male and female, has to pay to support specific categories people.

This category of people is defined in surah at-Taubah (9) verse 60:

" The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarers; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is knower, Wise."

(The Holy Qur'an 9:60).

The obligatory nature of Zakat is firmly established in the Qur'an, the Sunnah (or hadith), and the consensus of the companions and the Muslim scholars.

Allah states in Surah at-Taubah verses 34-35: "34:

O ye who believe! there are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in Falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah. announce unto them a most grievous penalty- 35:On the Day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, their flanks, and their backs.- "This is the (treasure) which ye buried for yourselves: taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye buried!" (The Holy Qur'an 9:34-35).

The prophet (pbuh) said:

"Any owner of gold and silver who does not deliver from them their right, on the Day of Quiyamah (Day of Judgment), (the gold and silver) will be shaped as foils of fire. Then it will be heated in the fire of Hell; (and) then with it he will be ironed on his side, his forehead, and his back" (narrated by Muslim).

It is agreed between Muslims in all the centuries the obligatory nature of paying Zakat for gold and silver, and from those the other kinds of currency.

Zakat is obligatory when a certain amount of money, called the nisab is reached or exceeded.

Zakat is not obligatory if the amount owned is less than this nisab.

The nisab (or minimum amount) of gold and golden currency is 20 mithqal, this is approximately 85 grams of pure gold. One mithqal is approximately 4.25 grams. The nisab of silver and silver currency is 200 dirhams, which is approximately 595 grams of pure silver. The nisab of other kinds of money and currency is to be scaled to that of gold, 85 grams of pure gold. This means that the nisab of money is the price of 85 grams of 999-type (pure) gold, on the day in which Zakat is paid.

When is Zakat Due ?

1. Passage of One Lunar Year:
Zakat is obligatory after a time span of one lunar year passes with the money in the control of it's owner. Then the owner needs to pay 2.5% (or 1/40) of the money as Zakat. (A lunar year is approximately 355 days).

2. Deduction of Debts:
The owner should deduct any amount of money he or she borrowed from others; then check if the rest reaches the necessary nisab, then pays Zakat for it. If the owner had enough money to satisfy the nisab at the beginning of the year, then the money increased (in profits, salaries, inheritance, grants...etc.), the owner needs to add the increase to the nisab amount owned at the beginning of the year; then pay Zakat, 2.5%, of the total at the end of the lunar year. (there are small differences in the fiqh schools here)

Each Muslim calculates his or her own Zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.

A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, reported:

The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) ordered that the Charity of Al-Fitr should be paid before the people go out for the (Eid) Prayer.
Hadith number in Sahih Muslim [Arabic only]: 1645

The Prophet said:

'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'

Useful Links:

http://zakat.al-islam.com/ :How to Calculate Your Zakah on many things

http://zakat.al-islam.com/def/default.asp?l=eng&filename=Quest/desc/item7/item3/desc1 : Questions and Answers on Zakah

http://www.zf.org.qa/english/howpay/index.htm :Zakah Fund State of Qatar

http://www.zakatfund.net/en/index.php : UAE Zakat Fund

Love and Forgiveness in Islam

2007-09-26T13:47:00.000-07:00

LOVE EVEN THOSE WHO REVILE YOU

Interview with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

(Source: Q-News )

Q: The convenient response to those who revile your religion is to return the favor. The more virtuous position however is to forgive. Forgiveness as you know, while less in virtue when compared to love, nevertheless, can result in love. Love, by definition, does not require forgiveness. What many Muslims today seem to forget is that ours is a religion of love and our Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, was the Habib, the Beloved. How did love, the defining virtue of our community, come to be replaced by an urge to redress wrongs, to punish instead of to forgive?

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf: It is the result of Muslims seeing themselves as victims. Victimization is a defeatist mentality. It's the mentality of the powerless. The word victim is from the Latin “victima” which carries with it the idea of the one who suffers injury, loss, or death due to a voluntary undertaking. In other words, victims of one’s own actions. Muslims never really had a mentality of victimization. From a metaphysical perspective, which is always the first and primary perspective of a Muslim, there can be no victims. We believe that all suffering has a redemptive value.

Q: If the tendency among Muslims is to view themselves as victims which appears to me as a fall from grace, what virtue must we then cultivate to dispense with this mental and physical state that we now find ourselves in?

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf: The virtue of patience is missing. Patience is the first virtue after tawba or repentance. Early Muslim scholars considered patience as the first maqam or station in the realm of virtues that a person entered into. Patience in Islam means patience in the midst of adversity. A person should be patient in what has harmed or afflicted him. Patience means that you don’t lose your comportment or your composure. If you look at the life of the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, you will never ever find him losing his composure. Patience was a hallmark of his character. He was ‘the unperturbed one’ which is one of the meanings of halim: wa kaana ahlaman-naas. He was the most unperturbed of humanity. Nothing phased him either inwardly or outwardly because he was with Allah in all his states.

Q: Patience is a beautiful virtue…the cry of Prophet Yaqub.... "fa sabran jamil." Patience, it appears, is not an isolated virtue but rather it is connected to a network of virtues. Should Muslims focus on this virtue at the expense of the other virtues?

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf: The traditional virtues of a human being were four and Qadi Ibn Al-Arabi considered them to be the foundational virtues or the ummahatul fadaa'il of all of humanity. They are: prudence, courage, temperance, and justice. Prudence, or rather practical wisdom, and courage, are defining qualities of the Prophet. He, upon him be peace and blessings, said that God loves courage even in the killing of a harmful snake. Temperance is the ability to control oneself. Incontinence, the hallmark of intemperance, is said to occur when a person is unable to control himself. In modern medicine it is used for someone who can’t control his urine or feces. But not so long ago the word incontinence meant a person who was unable to control his temper, appetite or sexual desire.

Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates one’s appetite in accordance with prudence. In early Muslim scholarship on Islamic ethics, justice was considered impossible without the virtues of prudence, courage and temperance.

Generosity as a virtue is derived from courage because a generous person is required to be courageous in the face of poverty.

Similarly, humility is a derivative from temperance because the humble person will often restrain the urge to brag and be a ‘show-off’ because he or she sees their talents and achievements as a gift from Allah and not from themselves.

Patience as a virtue is attached to the virtue of courage because the patient person has the courage to endure difficulties.So 'hilm' (from which you get 'halim'), often translated as forbearance or meekness if you wish, is frown upon in our society. Yet it is the virtue we require to stem the powerful emotion of anger. Unrestrained anger often leads to rage and rage can lead to violence in its various shades. Our predecessors were known for having an incredible degree of patience while an increasing number of us are marked with an extreme degree of anger, resentment, hate, rancor and rage.

These are negative emotions which present themselves as roadblocks to living a virtuous life. A patient human being will endure tribulations, trials, difficulties, hardships, if confronted with them. The patient person will not be depressed or distraught and whatever confronts him will certainly not lead to a loss of comportment or adab. Adab, as you know, is everything. Allah says in the Quran:

‘Isbiru was-sabiru.' “Have patience and enjoin each other to patience.”

The beauty of patience is that ‘inallaha ma'assabirin’ Allah is with the patient ones. If God is on your side you will always be victorious. Allah says in the Quran:

"Ista`inu bi-sabiri was-salat.'"

Isti'aana is a reflexive of the Arabic verb `aana which is “to help oneself.” Allah is telling us to help ourselves with patience and prayer.This is amazing because the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “if you take help, take help from God alone.” And so in the Quran Allah says ista`inu bi-sabiri was-salaat. This means taking help from patience and prayer because that is the means by which Allah has given you to take help from Him alone. How is it then that a person sees himself as a victim when all calamities, difficulties and trials, are ultimately tests from Allah. This does not mean the world is free of aggression and that victims have suddenly vanished. What I’m talking about is a person’s psychology in dealing with hardships. The sacred law has two perspectives when looking at acts of aggression that are committed by one party against another. When it is viewed by those in authority the imperative is to seek justice. However, from the perspective of the wronged, it is not to seek justice but instead to forgive.

Forgiveness, `afwa, pardon, is not a quality of authority. A court is not set up to forgive. It’s the plaintiff that’s required to forgive if there is going to be any forgiveness at all. Forgiveness will not come from the Qadi or the judge. The court is set up to give justice but Islam cautions us not to go there in the first place because ‘by the standard which you judge so too shall you be judged.’ That's the point. If you want justice, if you want God, the Supreme Judge of all affairs, to be just to others on your behalf, then you should know that your Lord will use the same standard with you. Nobody on the ‘Day of Arafat’ will pray: “Oh God, be just with me.” Instead you will hear them crying: O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, have compassion on me, overlook my wrongs. Yet, these same people are not willing to forgive, have compassion and mercy on other creatures of God.We are not a people that are required to love wrong-doers. We must loath wrong actions, but at the same time we should love for the wrong-doers guidance because they are creatures of God and they were put here by the same God that put us here. And Allah says in the Quran:

“we made some of you a tribulation for others, will you then not show patience.”

In other words, God set up the scenario, and then asked the question: ‘will you then not show patience?’ Will you subdue the inordinate desire for vengeance to achieve a higher station that is based on a conviction that you will be forgiven by God if only you can bring yourself to forgive others?

The Prophet Muhammad(sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) never took revenge on anyone for personal reasons and always forgave even his staunch enemies.

A'isha(may Allah be pleased with her) said that God's Messenger(salallahu alahyi wa sallam) never took revenge on his own behalf on anyone. She also said that God's Messenger was not unseemly or obscene in his speech, nor was he loud-voiced in the streets, nor did he return evil for evil, but he would forgive and pardon.

The people of the Quraish rebuked him, taunted and mocked at him, beat him and abused him.

They tried to kill him and when he escaped to Medinah, they waged many wars against him yet when he entered Makkah victorious with an army of 10,000, he did not take revenge on anyone.

He forgave all.

Even his deadliest enemy Abu Sufyan, who fought so many battles, was forgiven, and anyone who stayed in his house was also forgiven

How A Muslim Acts

2007-09-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

Image taken from:http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=192768&page=1

Salam Aleikum, this article is not a direct article on Ramadan per say but it is a good article that we can use for trying to be better Muslims, and what better time to start this goal than in the Holy Month?

I think that in this day and age people have forgotten the importance of good manners, and most of all HUMILITY. Being generous, humble, and respectful to oneself and others are VERY admirable traits that we, as Muslims, must strive for everyday of our lives. These traits are not found or recgonized easily in some people, these are the ones who are in constant battle with their inner-selves to be better, more God-fearing Muslims. In other people, it bursts forth like a bright light, mesmerising those around them, and strengthening and inspiring others to be better.

Life has a way of making us so busy we forget about these traits and we let our naturally dominant traits take hold, whether they be good or bad. We MUST remind ourselves about the specific traits that a Muslim should posses, and how we will do our best to attain these traits. Prayer is a wonderful way of making us ponder this, to humble us, and to REMIND us that we have an obligation and responsibility to ourselves, but most importantly to ALLAH to follow what "he" has sent down to us in the Quran, and to use as a guidenace, the best example, our beloved Prophet Muhammad(sallalahu alayhi wa sallm).

"And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, leave it. And fear Allah: truly Allah is severe in punishment. "

[Qur'an 59:7]

Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) said: “A person cannot be a perfect Muslim unless he desires for his brother (in Faith) that which he desires for himself.”

(Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him), relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) said: “The bonds (of brotherhood) between Muslims are like parts of a house; one part strengthens and holds another”. He crossed the fingers of one hand between those of the other (to illustrate the point).

(Bukhari and Muslim)

Nu‘man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him), relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him), said: “The Muslims, in their mutual love, kindness and compassion are like the human body: when one of its parts is in agony, the entire body feels the pain, both in sleeplessness and fever”.

(Bukhari and Muslim)

May ALLAH guide us to the right path. Ameen.

____________________________________________________________________

A Muslim’s Character and Behaviour

By: Yasin Syed

Sincerity, compassion and forgiveness are qualities that are very important to an individual. They form the basis of a person’s character and help him or her interact with society. These values are also some of the most essential qualities that are to be present in a Muslim. Islam teaches Muslims to beautify their character and Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala commands Muslims to reflect their religion by demonstrating a noble character and having a good personality. But in order for Muslims to possess such qualities, we must follow our beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam. Since Allah says in the Holy Qur’an,

“Surely there is for you the best example in the Messenger of Allah (that is, in Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam), for whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often (much).” (Verse 21, Surah Al-Ahzab).

The life of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam was full of compassion, forgiveness and sincerity. He excelled in virtue and piety. The people of Makkah called him “Al-Ameen” (The Trustworthy) and “As-Sadiq” (The Truthful). It was through these fine qualities and noble values, that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam was able to win the hearts of the people of Makkah and Madinah and bring them to the fold of Islam.

Apart from maintaining a strong faith, a Muslim also has to maintain a good character. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam said,

“Modesty and faith are twins. One who gives up one has to lose the other too.”

A Muslim should refrain from being ill-mannered and immodest. When a Muslim has strong faith, his/her character will also be strong. If his or her character is very weak, then the faith will also be very weak. A Muslim can create a good character within one’s self by praying salah five times a day, fasting and paying zakaah. These forms of worship instill good manners and an exemplary behaviour within a Muslim. The daily salah cleans a person physically and spiritually. It also prohibits evil and obscenity. Fasting teaches a person self-control and makes him righteous while zakaah creates kindness and sympathy within a person. It helps Muslims to become more charitable and more caring about the less fortunate in the society.

Muslims should also demonstrate an excellent character to their neighbours and the community that they live in. They should always present themselves as helpful and caring individuals to their neigbours. In a Hadith, a person inquired the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam about the fate of a woman who was very famous for her prayers and fasting but who always talked very rudely with her neighbours. The Prophet replied that she would go to Hell. The same person also asked the Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam about another woman who prays and fasts and doesn’t harm her neighbours. The Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam replied that she would enter Paradise. This Hadith shows that it is not sufficient enough for a Muslim to just pray and fast in order to enter Paradise but also, a Muslim has to be compassionate and caring towards other members of society.

Muslims should continue to display their exemplary behaviour and should show mercy and forgiveness even to their enemies. Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam forgave non-believers who caused great harm and injury to him. Rather than praying for their death and their destruction, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam instead prayed for their forgiveness from Allah. Even during the incident at Ta’if, where the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was pelted with stones by the people, he was asked by Angel Jibreel Alayhissalam to give permission to destroy the town, but the Prophet refused but instead prayed that their progeny may become Muslim.

Muslims should also treat non-Muslims with respect and dignity. They should show compassion and mercy towards them. Once, the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam was walking at a very slow pace with his companions. The Sahaba were very puzzled and asked him if they could walk faster. But the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam replied that there was an old man walking ahead of him. His companions told him that the man was a non-believer but the Prophet replied that the man was worthy of respect because of his old age.

Islam spread to many parts of the world because of the noble character and the excellent qualities that were demonstrated by Muslims. Their compassion, tolerance and generosity spread throughout the world. It helped introduce Islam to other places and also showed our tolerance and respect to people of other faiths. Excellent behaviour and good qualities are an important part of our religion. It helps us live peacefully together as a society and it also reflects our beautiful religion to the outside world.

This article and others can be found at: http://www.iqra.net/muslimstudents1/essayseniors11

Ramadan Crafts for Children Websites

2007-09-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

Below you will find some fun ideas for children for Ramadan and Eid activites and also some crafts that you can do with your child to make this month one of learning enrichment!

Laylatul qadr-The Night of Power

2007-09-22T05:01:00.000-07:00

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace!...This until the rise of morn!

(Surah 97 The Holy Qur’an)

Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. If an individual wants to obey his Lord, increase the good deeds in his record and have all past sins forgiven, they should take part in Laylatul Qadr.

“Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Qadr fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward for that night) and hoping to seek reward (from Allah alone and not from people), he shall be forgiven for his past sins.”

Sahih Hadith Bukhari / Muslim

Surah 97 Qadr

97:1 Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Power.
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ

97:2 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is!
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ

97:3 The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

97:4 The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.
تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

97:5 (That night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) illustrated for us some of the things we should be doing on this Grand Night. From his blessed Sunnah we find the following:

Praying Qiyaam (night prayer)

It is recommended to make a long qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many ahadeeth, such as

"Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylatul Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the addition "and it is facilitated for him" is recorded by Ahmad from the report of 'Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]

Making Supplications

It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night.

'A'ishah reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say: "Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me."

[An authentic Hadith recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi.]

Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship

It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr is likely to fall. This calls for abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and thoughts solely for worshipping Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala).

'A'ishah reported: "When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer) and wake up his family." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

And she said: "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to exert more (in worship) on the last ten than on other nights."

[Muslim]

Miswak/Sewak

2007-09-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

MISWAAK = twigs of certain trees that are used on a regular basis by Muslims for centuries (and all Prophets Peace upon Them) to maintain oral hygiene and gain the pleasure of Allah SWT. It is a "natural toothbrush." Not only does it provide spiritual benefits, but it is also beneficial to the everyday maintenance of one's mouth, gums, and teeth.

A 2003 scientific study comparing the use of miswaak with ordinary toothbrushing concluded that the results clearly were in favor of the users who had been using the miswaak provided they had been given proper instruction in how to brush using the miswaak. The WHO recommended the use of the miswaak in 1986 and in 2000 an international consensus report on oral hygiene concluded that further research was needed to document the effect of the miswak.

From Sahih Bukhari:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wa sallm) said, "If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by God." Narrated 'Amir bin Rabi'a, "I saw the Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wa sallm) cleaning his teeth with Siwak while he was fasting so many times as I can't count." And narrated Abu Huraira, "The Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wa sallm) said, 'But for my fear that it would be hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak on every performance of ablution." The same is narrated by Jabir and Zaid bin Khalid from the Prophet(salalahu alayhi wa sallm) who did not differentiate between a fasting and a nonfasting person in this respect (using Siwak).

Aisha said, "The Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wa sallm) said, "It (i.e. Siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking God's pleasures." Ata' and Qatada said, "There is no harm in swallowing the resultant saliva."

Ibn Umar narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said:
'Make a regular practice of the Miswaak, for verily, it is healthy for the mouth and it is a Pleasure for the Creator (i.e. Allah is pleased with the Muslim who uses the Miswaak)'."
(BUKHARI)

"Abu Hurairah narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: 'Was it not for my fear of imposing a difficulty on my Ummah I would have ordered that the Miswaak be used for every Salaat'."
(BUKHARI)

From Sahih Muslim:

'Abd al-Rahman son of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported on the authority of his father that the Messenger of God(sallalahu alayhi wa sallm) said: Bathing on Friday for every adult, using of Miswak and applying some perfume, that is available-these are essential. So far as the perfume is concerned, it may be that used by a lady.

‘Aa'ishah related that the Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wa sallm) said: "Ten things are part of one’s natural disposition: Trimming the moustache, growing a beard, (using) the Miswaak, sniffing water, cutting the nails, washing hands, plucking armpits, shaving pubic hair, and conserving water." [Muslim]

Use and Maintanence

1) A miswak should be one hand span in length when selected.

2) If it is becomes dry, it should be soaked in rose water to ensure the end is soft.

3) The end should be cut afresh to ensure hygiene, and should never be stored near a toilet or sink.

4) It can be used by cutting the branches instead of roots, keeping in mind that the roots can keep the humidity of Miswak more than the branches .

5) Fresh Miswaak is brown in color, with a hot, pleasant taste. People usually strip off some of the Miswaak's thin bark from one end, then chew that end a little to separate the fibers so that they become like the fibers of a normal toothbrush. They then use it to brush their teeth.

6) Freshness: Miswaak should be freshly cut so that it is supple, easily chewed, and still rich in active constituents. The root should be whitish-brown in color; a dark brown color indicates that the Miswaak is no longer fresh.

7) If a stick is dry, the end for chewing should initially be soaked in fresh water for 24 hours. It should be noted that soaking for unduly long periods causes loss of active constituents and diminishes the therapeutic properties, although the mechanical effects on the teeth can still occur.

8) Before Miswaak is used, the end should be washed with water. It is then chewed repeatedly until the fibers stand out like the bristles of a toothbrush. These fibers should be trimmed every 24 hours.

9) The techniques employed for removing plaque mechanically are similar to that for the toothbrush and the chewing stick; i.e., vertical and horizontal brushing. The cleaning movement should always be directed away from the gingival margin of the teeth (away from the gums) on both the buccal (outer cheek) and lingual (inner cheek) surfaces. Care should be taken to avoid damaging the soft tissues of the mouth. Satisfactory cleaning can be achieved if this procedure is followed for five minutes.

10) There are two basic holds: Pen-grip (three-finger) or palm-grip (five finger-grip). In each case the aim is to ensure firm but controlled movement of the brush end of the Miswaak within the oral cavity, so that every area of the mouth is reached with relative ease and convenience.

When to use Miswaak:

In general, the Miswaak should be used a minimum of five times a day (i.e. before each prayer).

However it is recommended to use it all the time, whenever possible.

Common mistakes in Miswaak use:

1. The end is either too thin or too thick.

2. Keeping it in the mouth while doing other things.

3. Not cutting the end every day.

4. Forgetting that teeth have five faces (inner, outer, two sides, and biting/chewing face), and only using Miswaak to clean the outer faces.

The Battle of Badr

2007-09-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

The Battle of Badr in its Qur’anic Context

“And remember when you were few and were reckoned weak in the land, and were afraid that men might kidnap you, but He provided a safe place for you, strengthened you with His help, and provided you with good things so that you might be grateful.” [8:26]

The Chapter of Al-Anfal (spoils of war) was revealed on the occasion of the battle of Badr, Ramadan 17th 2 A.H. It constituted a unique Divine commentary on this battle.

Allâh, the All-High, in the context of this Chapter draws on major issues relating to the whole process of Islamization. Allâh, here draws the attention of the Muslims to the still lingering moral shortcomings in their character. He wants them to build an integrated, purified society. He speaks about the invisible assistance he sent down to His obedient servants to enable them to accomplish their noble objectives. He wants the Muslims to rid themselves of any trait of haughtiness or arrogance that might sneak in. He wants them to turn to Him for help, obey Him and His Messenger (Peace be upon him).

After that He delineated the noble objectives for which the Messenger (Peace be upon him) launched that bloody battle, and directed them to the merits and qualities that brought about the great victory.The polytheists, hypocrites, the Jews and prisoners of war were also mentioned, being admonished to surrender to the Truth and adhere to it only. The question of the spoils of war was resolved and the principles and basics relevant to this issue were clearly defined.

The laws and rules pertinent to war and peace were legalized and codified, especially at this advanced stage of the Islamic action. Allâh wanted the Muslims to follow war ethics dissimilar to those of pre-Islamic practices. The Muslims are deemed to outdo the others in ethics, values and fine ideals. He wants to impress on the world that Islam is not merely a theoretical code of life, it is rather mind cultivation-orientated practical principles. In this context, He established inter and intra-state relations.

The fast of Ramadan was established as an obligatory observance in the year 2 A.H., appended by the duty imposed upon Muslims of paying Zakat (alms tax, poor-due) in order to alleviate the burden of the needy Emigrants.

A wonderful and striking coincidence was the establishment of Shawwal ‘Eid (the Festival of the Fast-Breaking) directly after the manifest victory of Badr. It was actually the finest spectacle ever witnessed of Muslims leaving their houses praying, acclaiming Allâh’s Name and entertaining His praise at the top of their voices in recognition of His favour and grace, and last but not least, the support He rendered them and through which the forces of the Truth overpowered those of evil.

Links for Stories on The Battle of Badr

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/pillars/fasting/tajuddin/fast_75.html

http://www.jannah.org/morearticles/30.html

http://www.islamonline.net/surah/english/viewSurah.asp?hSurahID=18

Quran Verses for The Battle of Badr

The Surah takes its name Al-Anfal (The Spoils) from the first verse.

The Period of Revelation It was revealed in 2 A. H. after the Battle of Badr, the first battle between Islam and kufr. As it contains a detailed and comprehensive review of the Battle, it appears that most probably it was revealed at one and the same time. But it is also possible that some of the verses concerning the problems arising as a result of this Battle might have been revealed later and incorporated at the proper places to make it a continuous whole. At any rate, in the whole Surah there is nothing that might show that it is a collection of a couple of discourses, that have been patched up together.

The Quran on War, Peace and Justice(excerpt)

In verse 2.190;

Allah instructs Muslims to fight back, but not to transgress, and remain just even during the battle. "They are told that material interests should not be the motivation for their fighting, that they should not take up arms against those were not in opposition to the true faith, that they should not resort to unscrupulous methods or to the indiscriminate killing and pillage which characterized the other wars. The excesses alluded to in this verse are acts such as taking up arms against women and children, the old and the injured, mutilation of the dead bodies of the enemy, uncalled for devastation through the destruction of fields and livestock, and other similar acts of injustice and brutality.

2:190 AND FIGHT in God's cause against those who wage war against you, but do not commit aggression-for, verily, God does not love aggressors.

وَقَاتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلاَ تَعْتَدُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبِّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ (2:190)

The Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salam) prohibited all these acts. The real intent of the verse is to stress that force should be used only when its use is unavoidable, and only to the extent that is absolutely necessary."

Commentary on verse 2.192:

2:192 But if they desist-behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.
فَإِنِ انتَهَوْاْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ (2:192)

Allah, in whom the believers have faith, is forgiving and ready to pardon even the worst criminals and sinners after they have renounced their arrogant defiance towards Him. It is suggested that this attribute of Allah should be reflected in the behavior of the believers as well. Hence, whenever the believers have to resort to armed conflict, they should do so not for the sake of quenching their thirst for vengeance but in the just cause of their defense. Their conflict with any group should last only as long as that group is fighting them. As soon as it gives up this fight the hostility should cease.

It should be emphasized that so many revelations in the Holy Quran came down to provide guidance to Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salam) and the Muslims based on what they were confronting at that time. Therefore, it is important to understand and know the historic context of the revelations for a proper understanding of these verses.

The Prophet Muhammad(Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salam) , was the peace maker of his time. He endured torture, hunger and the killing of his loved ones by his enemies, but he remained a merciful person. In his most startling conquest of Makkah only four people died. In his 23 years of struggle for Islam, the total number of people who lost their lives from all sides was less than 2,000 in wars that were imposed on him and the Muslim community.

What can I do to try harder to be a better Muslim?

2007-09-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Make a resolve to win the maximum favor of Allah by performing extra Voluntary prayers (Nawaafil), making frequent Dua and increased remembrance (Dhikr).
Try to recite some Holy Quran after every Prayer. In fact if you read 3-4 pages after every Prayer you can easily finish the entire Quran in Ramadan!
Study the Tafseer (commentary) every morning.
Invite a person you are not very close with or your relatives to your home for Iftaar, at least once a week (Weekend). You will notice the blessings in your relationships!
Bring life to your family! Everyday, try to conclude the fast with your family and spend some quality time together to understand each other better.
Give gifts on Eid to at least 5 people: 2 to your family members, 2 to your good friends, and 1 to a person whom you love purely for the sake of Allah.
Make commitment to join Islamic study circles to learn more about Islam and improve your own life.
Donate generously to the Masajid, Islamic organizations, and any where people are in need or oppressed. "Because Ramadan, is a month of sharing!"
Share month of Ramadan and its teachings of peace and patience with your neighbours.
Sleep little, eat little! Make sure you do not defeat the purpose of fasting by over-indulging in food and being lazy.
Seek the rare and oft-neglected rewards of the night better than 1000 months (Laylatul-Qadr / Shab-e-Qadr).
Weep in private for the forgiveness of your sins: Ramadan is the month of forgiveness and Allah's Mercy! It's never too late.
Learn to control your tongue and lower your gaze. Remember the Prophet's (pbuh) warning that lying, backbiting, and a lustful gaze all violate the Ramadan fast!
Encourage others to enjoin and love goodness, and to abandon everything that Allah dislikes.
Play the role of a Da'ee (one who invites to Allah) with zeal, passion, and sympathy.
Experience the joy of Tahajjud prayers late at night and devote yourself purely and fully to Allah in the Itikaf retreat during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Reading/Reciting of The Quran and its Great Benefits

1 - Reading and reflecting over the Qur’an fulfils an Islamic duty

Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) summarised this Religion with his statement: “The Religion is naseehah (sincerity)!” So then Tameem ibn Aws, may Allah be pleased with him, then said, “We asked, ‘To whom?’” He said: “To Allah, HIS BOOK, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and their common folk.” [Muslim]

2 - The Qur’an will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgment.

This is due to the statement of the Messenger: “And the Qur’an is a proof for you or against you.” [Muslim]

3 - The Qur’an will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment

The proof: Aboo Umaamah relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come on the Day of Standing as an intercessor for its companions.” [Muslim]

4 - Your status in this life will be raised.

In Saheeh Muslim, we find a lovely story, about how a man from the people of Jannah, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, understood this principle. Some men came to question him during his khilaafah about the leadership of Makkah, they asked, “Who do you use to govern Makkah?” He said, “Ibn Abzaa.” They asked, “And who is Ibn Abzaa?” Umar replied, “A freed slave from those we freed.” They remarked, “You left a freed slave in charge of the people of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)!?!?” So he answered them, “Verily he is a reader of the Book of Allah and is knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven’t you heard the statement of your Messenger: “Verily Allah raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it.”

5 - You will be from the best of the people.

‘Uthmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “The best of you are the ones who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others” [Al-Bukhari]

6 - There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Qur’an.

As an authentic hadith in At-Tirmithee proves: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” So increase your recitation of the Qur’an to gain these merits, and to gain the following merit as well.

7 - The reciters of the Qur’an will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels.

‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

8 - Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Qur’an you memorize in this life!

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: Read and elevate (through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in the dunyaa! For verily, your position in the Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!” [Aboo Daawood and At-Tirmithee, saheeh]

9 - The Qur’an will lead you to Paradise!

The Prophet said: “The Qur’an is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.” [An authentic hadith found in At-Tabaraanee, on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood]

How to Pray Taraweeh

2007-09-14T03:38:00.000-07:00

Taraweeh prayer is prayed the same as Fajr prayer, and can be as many rakats as you like, as long as it is prayed 2 rakahs by 2 rakahs.

No Iqama (like the one you do for your 5 daily prayers) is said for Taraweeh.

Your intention at the beginning of the prayer is said silently, and you say: This is my intention to pray the sunnah prayer of Taraweeh.

It follows after Isha prayer and the Imam will call for the Taraweeh prayer, and you will pray the same as Fajr, following behind the Imam until the Imam completes the prayer. More info is available in the link below for guidance on following the Imam in prayer.

Normally the Quran is read, surah by surah, by the Imam in Taraweeh so that it is completed by the end of Ramadan.

Questions and Answers on Taraweeh

Question:Should we read the opening du’aa’ at the beginning of each two rak’ahs of taraaweeh prayers?.

Answer:Praise be to Allaah.
Yes, it is prescribed for you to recite the opening du’aa’ at the beginning of each two rak’ahs of taraaweeh prayer, and other naafil prayers, because of the general meaning of the evidence.
With regard to the opening du’aa’ in qiyaam al-layl in particular, the following words were narrated:
Laa illaha ill-Allaah (three times), Allaahu akbar (three times), Allaahu akbaru kabeera wa alhamdu Lillaahi katheera wa subhaan Allaahi bukratan wa aseela (There is no god but Allaah, Allaah is most Great, Allaah is most Great, much praise be to Allaah and glory be to Allaah at the beginning and end of the day).” A man from among the Sahaabah started his prayer with these words and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I was surpised, the gates of heaven have been opened for these words.”

Question:I wanted to know the difference between QIYYAM and TARAWIH.

Answer:Praise be to Allaah.
Salaat al-Taraaweeh is classified as part of qiyaam al-layl; they are not two different prayers, as many people think. Qiyaam al-layl during Ramadaan is called Taraaweeh because the salaf or early generations of Islam (may Allaah have mercy on them) used to rest (istaraahu) after every two or four rak’ahs, because they made their prayers long in order to make the most of this season of great reward. They were eager to earn the reward mentioned in the hadeeth: “Whoever stays up and prays at night in Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, no. 36). And Allaah knows best.

Question:Is there a difference between Witr prayer and the night prayer?.
Answer:Praise be to Allaah.
Witr prayer is part of the night prayer, but there is still a difference between them.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Witr is part of the night prayer, and it is Sunnah and it is the end of the night prayer, one rak’ah with which one concludes the night prayers at the end of the night, or in the middle of the night, or at the beginning of the night after ‘Isha’ prayer. You pray whatever you can, then you conclude it with one rak’ah. End quote.
Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 11/309

For more Info on Following the Imam in Prayer please click the link below:

http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=33790&ln=eng