The Date Palm Tree

Faults

2011-12-27T13:57:00.000+08:00

It is sufficient for you to look into your faults, rather than into others.
If you think you don't have any faults, then better know that you are a loser.

"..."

“… and your child has rights over you.”

2011-12-27T13:00:00.002+08:00

The rights of a child from his/her father:

· Righteous mother

· Tahneek

· Good name

· Shave Hair

· Aqeeqah

· Circumcision

· Education and upbringing

· Good manners and characteristics

· Spending

· Taking Care

· Fair Treatment

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:

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

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

The child should be given a good name:

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

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.

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

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.

Taking Care of them:

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

Fair Treatment:

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.

Source:

Fatwa 20064

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/20064

Islam Q&A

Three Days

2011-12-15T21:11:00.002+08:00

“The World is three days:

As for yesterday, it has vanished, along with all that was in it.

As for tomorrow, you may never see it.

As for today, it is yours, so work in it.”

(Hassan al-Basri)

Quote

2011-12-15T21:06:00.004+08:00

1. Three Days...
2. Fault

How Bible Led Me To Islam - Joshua Evans

2010-08-22T20:51:00.001+08:00

Welcoming Ramadhan

2010-08-22T17:09:00.001+08:00

The Heart Breaking Supplication

2008-12-24T12:12:00.003+09:00

In Shawwal (in the end of May or the beginning of June 619 C.E.) of the tenth year of Prophethood, Rasoolullah (swallallahu alaihi wassallam) set out on foot towards At-Ta'if, about 60 kilometers from Makkah, in the company of his freed slave Zaid bin Harithah inviting people to Islam.

Contrary to Rasoolullah's (SAW) expectations, the general atmosphere was terribly hostile. Rasoolullah (SAW) approached the family of Umair, who were reckoned among the nobility of the town. But to Rasoolullah's (SAW) disappointment, all of them turned deaf ear to his message and used abusive language as regards the noble cause he had been striving for. Three brothers from the chieftains of Thaqif - 'Abd Yalil, Mas'ud and Habib - sons of Amr bin Umair Ath Thaqafi met Rasoolullah (SAW), who invited them to embrace Islam and worship Allah, but they daringly mocked Rasoolullah (SAW) and refused his invitation. "He is tearing the cloths of Al-Kabah; is it true that Allah has sent you as a Messenger?" said one of them. "Has not Allah found someone else to entrust him with His Message?" said the second. "I swear by Allah that I will never speak to you. If you are really the Messenger of Allah, then you are too important to be speaking to me. If you are lying against Allah, then I should never speak to you," said the third. Rasoolullah (SAW), finding that they were hopeless cases, stood up and left them saying:

"Since you are behaving this way, please do not disclose my presence here."

For ten days Rasoolullah (SAW) stayed there delivering his message to all of the noble people, one after another, but all to no avail. Stirred up to hasten the departure of the unwelcome visitor, the foolish and their servants hooted him through the narrow lanes, pelted him with stones and obliged him to flee from the city pursued by a merciless crowd. Blood flowed down both his legs; and Zaid, trying to shield him, was wounded in the head. The crowd did not cease until they had chased him two or three miles across the sandy plains to the foot of the surrounding hills. There, tired and exhausted, Rasoolullah (SAW) took refuge in one of the numerous fruit farms, and rested against the wall of a vineyard. At a time when the whole world seemed to have turned against him, Rasoolullah (SAW) turned to his Lord and started praying, the following touching words are still preserved as those through which his oppressed soul expressed its distress. He was tired and wounded but confident of the help of his Lord:

"O Allah, To You alone I complain of my weakness,
my insufficient ability and my insignificance before the people.
You are the most Merciful of the mercifuls.
You are the Lord of the helpless and the weak,
O Lord of mine! Into whose hands would You abandon me;
into the hands of an unsympathetic distant relative who would angrily frown at me,
or to the enemy who has been given control over my affairs?
But if Your wrath does not fall on me, there is nothing for me to worry about."

"Your pardon is ample enough for me.
I seek protection in the light of Your Face,
which illuminates the darkness,
fixing the affairs in this world as well as in the Hereafter.
May it never be that I should incur Your wrath,
or that You should be wrathful to me.
And there is no power not resource, but Yours alone."

Ar Raheeq Al Makhtum
The Sealed Nectar
by Safi ur Rahman Al Mubarakpuri

Anwar Al Awlaki - The Hereafter Lecture Series

2008-12-20T22:00:00.001+09:00

In this series, the Imam vividly portrays the different phases the human soul passes through during its lifetime up to its death as well as the process of judgment of souls and the resulting eternal life in Heaven or Hell in the Hereafter. In breathtaking style the listener hears of the events that occur just before death and the events that come after it. The Imam gives a clear description about life in the grave, the horrors of the last day, the major and minor signs leading to the last hour and the day of resurrection. The Imam crowns this eloquently narrated lecture with the process of accountability and recompense. On the Day of Judgment those who pass the test will be rewarded with Paradise and those who fail will be rewarded with Hellfire.

The Hereafter Part 01

Anwar Al Awlaki - The Hereafter - Part 01

2008-12-20T21:54:00.002+09:00

The Hereafter

2008-12-20T21:45:00.002+09:00

In this wonderful lecture series, the Imam Anwar Al Awlaki vividly portrays the different phases the human soul passes through during its lifetime up to its death as well as the process of judgment of souls and the resulting eternal life in Heaven or Hell in the Hereafter. In breathtaking style the listener hears of the events that occur just before death and the events that come after it. The Imam gives a clear description about life in the grave, the horrors of the last day, the major and minor signs leading to the last hour and the day of resurrection. The Imam crowns this eloquently narrated lecture with the process of accountability and recompense. On the Day of Judgment those who pass the test will be rewarded with Paradise and those who fail will be rewarded with Hellfire.

http://www.hoor-al-ayn.com/anwar-al-awlaki.html

Wearing silk or part-silk

2008-12-19T11:50:00.004+09:00

Are Men allowed to wear silk garments ?

The scholars are agreed that it is permissible for women to wear and use pure silk, and that it is haraam for men to do so, because of the hadeeth of ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) took a piece of silk in his right hand and a piece of gold in his left, held them aloft and said:

“These are haraam for the males of my ummah and permitted for the females.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, 2/1189).

Abu Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Gold and silk have been permitted for the females of my ummah and forbidden for the males.”

Indeed, a stern warning has been narrated concerning this matter, as was reported by al-Bukhaari (5853) and Muslim (2069) in the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both), who reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Silk is only worn in this world by the one who will have no share of the pleasure of the Hereafter.”

Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever wears silk in this world will not wear it in the Hereafter.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5832).

The scholars allowed men to wear silk in certain exceptional circumstances where there is shar’i evidence to support this, such as Muslim combatants in war who are allowed to wear silk in order to show off and annoy the enemy, which is a kind of psychological warfare. People who are sick may also be permitted to wear silk to relieve their suffering, as Anas reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) allowed ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf and Ibn al-Zubayr (may Allaah be pleased with them both) to wear silk because of a skin irritation that they suffered from. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 10/295, and Muslim, 3/1646).

The scholars also allowed men to wear garments containing four fingers’ width of silk, because of the hadeeth of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade the wearing of silk except for an area the width of two fingers, or three or four.” (Reported by Muslim, 3/1644).

With regard to the matters mentioned in the question, the issue is not what a thing is called but what it really is. If the item that a man is going to wear is made of natural silk, then it is not permissible for him to wear it, no matter how it looks or feels, and no matter whether it is a shirt, pants, socks, a necktie or anything else. And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Yusuf Islam - A is for Allah

2008-12-19T09:01:00.000+09:00

Be heard.... Beard

2008-12-19T07:22:00.004+09:00

Muslims are the followers of Rasoolullah (SAW),
It is proven that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Ten things are part of the fitrah:
cutting the moustache,
letting the beard grow,
cleaning the teeth with a siwaak,
rinsing the nose with water,
cutting one’s nails,
washing between the finger-joints,
plucking the armpit hairs,
shaving the pubic hair and
cleaning one’s private parts with water.
The narrator said: I have forgotten the tenth,
but it may have been rinsing the mouth.”

It is clear from the above hadeeth that a Muslim should grow their beard and shave their pubic hair. But we are doing the opposite...
We grow our pubic hair and shave our beard...

What a shame... Subhanallah !

The above hadeeth is in....
Translation of Sahih Muslim, Book 2: The Book of Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)Chapter 11: CHARACTERISTICS OF FITRA Book 002, Number 0502: (also reported by Ahmad, Muslim and the four authors of Sunan, from the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be
pleased with her)

പരിശ്കാരികളിലെ അനാചാരങ്ങള്‍

2008-12-14T16:07:00.002+09:00

Remembrance of Allah and recitation of the Quran

2008-12-10T09:57:00.003+09:00

Ibn Taimiyya wrote, "Remembrance of Allah is to the heart what water is to fish. What happens to a fish when it is taken out of water?"

Imam Shams ad-Din ibn al-Qayyim wrote about nearly eighty benefits that come with dhikru'llah in his book al-Wabil al Sayyib.

Remembrance of Allah is sustenance for both the heart and the spirit. If the servant is deprived of it, he becomes like a body which has been deprived of food. Remembrance of Allah also drives away shaytan, suppressing him and breaking him; it is pleasing to the Merciful, Mighty and Exalted is He, dispels worry and melancholy from the heart, adorns it with delight and joy, fills the heart and face with light, and cloaks the one who remembers Allah with dignity, gentleness and freshness. It instils love for Allah, fear of Him, and relating all matters to Him. It also enhances Allah's remembrance of His servant, for as Allah says:"So remember Me - I will remember you". (2:152)

Even if this were the only reward for the remembrance of Allah, it would be mercy and honour enough, for such a heart is always aware and free from wrong actions.

Although remembrance is one of the easiest forms of worship, the mercy and honour that it brings cannot be achieved by any other means. Abu Huraira reported that Rasoolullah (SAW) said, "Whoever recites the words, 'There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him. Sovereignty belongs to Him and all praise is due to Him, and He is Powerful over everything', one hundred times every day, there is a reward equal to freeing ten slaves for him and a hundred good actions are recorded for him, and a hundred wrong actions are removed from his record. That is a safeguard for him against shaytan on that day until evening, and no one brings anything more excellent than this, except the one who has done more than this (that is, who recites these words more than one hundred times)."

Jabir reported that Rasoolullah (SAW) said, "Whoever recites the words, 'Glory be to Allah and His is the praise', will have a palm tree planted for him in the Garden".

Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "To praise Allah, may He be Exalted, is more dear to me than spending the same number of dinars in the way of Allah".

Remembrance of Allah is a remedy for hard hearts. A man once told al-Hassan, "O Abu Sa'id, I complain to you about the hardness of my heart". He said, "Soften it with the remembrance of Allah" Makhul said, "Remembrance of Allah is (a sign of) health, while remembrance of people is like a disease." A man once asked Salman, "Which deeds are the best?" He said, "Haven't you read in the Quran:"And the remebrance of Allah is greatest". (29:45)

Abu Musa once related that Rasoolullah (SAW) said, "The difference between the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like the difference between the living and the dead".

Abdulliah ibn Busr related that a man once told Rasoolullah (SAW), "The roads to good are many and Iam unable to take all of them, so please tell me something to which I can hold fast, but do not overburden me lest I forget it". He (SAW) said, "Make sure that your tongue is moist and supple with the remembrance of Allah, the Exalted".

There are several types of remembrance of Allah, while the best type of remembrace is the recitation of the Quran, because this contains remedies to cure the heart from all illnesses.Allah, the Exalted says: "O mankind, there has come to you a protection from your Lord and a healing for what is in your hearts, and for those who believe, a guidance and a mercy". (10.57)And also:"We send down in the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy for those who believe". (17:82)

Rasoolullah (SAW) once said, "Whoever wants to love Allah and His Messenger should read the Quran".

Ibn Mas'ud said, "Whoever loves the Quran loves Allah and His Messenger," and Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "If your hearts were really pure, they would never have enough of reciting Allah's words".

"Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest". (13:28)

Taken from...
Purification of the Soul, Chapter 6,

compiled from the works of ibn Rajab al Hanbali, Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyya, and Abu Hamid al-Ghazali collected and arranged by Ahmad Farid

Living Together

2008-10-18T10:18:00.005+08:00

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Shaykh ‘Abdullah ‘Azzam, may Allah have mercy upon him

"You cannot live alone. Do not live alone, as the wolf eats up the lone sheep, and Satan is close to the one who is alone and is farther from two who are together. So, if you live somewhere, live with at least one other person, and this one person should be righteous.

Friends are like a row of connected test tubes: if liquid overflows in one tube, the excess flows into the other tubes until there is an equal amount of liquid in all the tubes. Likewise, if you live with corrupt people, they will take away many of your good deeds, and you will decrease and decrease and decrease until you are all equal in status. You will definitely end up like these interconnected test tubes. A group of friends are all like each other, and the longer the friendship lasts, the closer the character and manners of each person in the group will be to the others. Do not believe that a good person can live for long with a corrupt person, unless the corrupt person improves and follows the example of the good person.

This is why you should look for the good people, and a friend is like a chain: he will either drag you into Paradise or drag you into Hell. He will either cause you problems or he will help you solve your problems...

After this, work on guarding your tongue, because most of the torture in Hell is because of the tongue: "And will people be dragged on their faces into Hell because of anything other than what their tongues have brought forth?"

After this, work on making good use of your time. Do not waste your time. Always try to bring about some benefit from your social gatherings. So, if you see people talking about food, drink, telling jokes, etc., tell them: 'Guys, I read a story today to tell you about something that happened in Syria, or something that the Afghans did,' or say: 'What do you think about this hadith? I read the tafsir of this verse to tell you about,' etc. Benefit them in this gathering, and occupy them with something that will benefit them. Sit down together and read the Qur'an, read the biographies of the Prophet (pbuh) and the Companions, a simple explanation of the Qur'an such as 'Tafsir al-Jalalayn' - a simple, general explanation - and read a simple book of Fiqh, especially regarding how to pray. Read the entire section on how to pray, such as 'Fiqh as-Sunnah.' Read in detail how to make wudu', because it doesn't make sense to sit for thirty years not knowing the proper way of making wudu', performing prayer, etc. - you pray while not knowing the fundamentals of the prayer and wudu', and you do not know the details of optional fasting, etc. So, do all of this combined with good friends and a pure, truthful intention.

And stay away from women (and likewise, women should apply the same for men), as this is the source of all tribulation for those at your age, and in fact for those at any age. Stay from women who are forbidden for you. It is an obligation for you to stay away from them. Of course, all of the women in this land are forbidden for you. It is forbidden for you to look at them, it is forbidden for you to sit with them, it is forbidden for you to chat with them, and it is forbidden for you to be alone with them. The heart cannot bear these things because the glance is one of Iblis's poisonous arrows. Whoever lowers his gaze from what Allah has forbidden will be given a sweetness by Allah that he will feel in his heart. But to look, to continue looking, and to allow this arrow to strike you in the heart - not just an arrow, but a poisonous arrow that poisons your heart - to let an arrow strike you day after day after day, this will make your heart weak and unable to face the problems of life. This is why you find a person who is drowning in desires to be weak-hearted...As for the heart of the believer, his heart is strong and he isn't affected by anything. His heart is strenghtened by worship, and therefore does not become scared or shaky. As for the heart of the sinner, you see it shaking. Why? Because the arrows have killed him just like someone who has an ulcer in his stomach and cannot eat because of it.

Work for Allah and stick together, and the more you work for Allah, the more your souls will become strong and rise, and you will ascend rapidly upon the path of those who are ascending towards Allah. I advise you to recite the Qur'an everyday, because the Qur'an is like water for a plant. It is the life of the heart, and the water and life for the heart is the Qur'an..."

['at-Tarbiyah al-Jihadiyyah wal-Bina''; 5/35-36]

[source: www.kalamullah.com]

069 Surah Al Haaqqa - Shaikh Su'ud As-Shuraim

2008-10-17T19:23:00.004+08:00

The example of justice and mercy

2008-10-16T14:31:00.004+08:00

Salman al-Farisi (R) never thought that one day he would go back to his country of origin. After his long journey, he came to Al Madinah to live with Rasoolullah (SAW) and the Muslim community. He stayed beside Rasoolullah (SAW) to quench his thirst for knowledge and fulfill his duties as a true Muslim.

When Rasoolullah (SAW) passed away, he accompanied Abu Bakr (R) and continued the way of life he had at the time of Rasoolullah (SAW) with hopes to see the promises of Rasoolullah (SAW) come true. Under the rule of Umar (R), Muslims continued the mission of spreading Islam. Salman (R) left Al-Madinah under the command of Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (R) towards Iraq and from there to his homeland, Persia. When the Muslim army conquered Al Mada'in, Salman (R) was appointed by Umar (R) as governer of that region.

He was now the governer of a land he left many years ago. He came back to his homeland but different thoughts and faith. It was time to show his people the real Salman (R). It was time to teach his people what Islam did for him.

Salman (R) did not spare a minute to set an example of a humble and merciful governor. Governors always tend to distinguish themselves over the public, but Salman (R) learnt that a governor should serve and not be served. Through his way of rule, he taught the public how to be just and caring. He always cared for the poor and the needy.

One day, he passed by a group of soldiers. They whispered to each other words criticizing his humble way of life. When he was told about that, he said to his companion: "It is now time to distinguish good from bad. Take heed! If you are able, never be a leader of even two persons, for you will never be just to the very end of your life, however you try."

He felt that he was shouldering a very heavy duty that he wanted to fulfill. He once came to Umar (R) and said to him: "Had it not been an obligation to obey your orders, I would not have accepted to be a governor."

[Shining Stars Among the Prophet's Companions by Abdul Basit Ahmad, Darussalam Publications]

Fathiha and Al Fajr - Shaikh Su'ud As-Shuraim

2008-10-15T07:08:00.002+08:00

[video from Mecca]

Regret

2008-10-15T06:52:00.002+08:00

by Muhammad Alshareef

A police officer in a Muslim country wrote the following letter to a shaykh describing the events that led to his return to Allah. He recalls:

Seeing accidents and crash victims was a normal part of my day, but one incident was different.
My partner and I had parked on the shoulder of the highway and began to chat. In a random second, the scene shattered to the hideous sound of metal bodies becoming one. We threw our heads back to see what had happened. It was a head-on collision, the result of a vehicle slipping into the lane of the oncoming traffic.

We couldn’t describe the carnage. Two young men sprawled in the first car, both in critical condition. We carried them gently away from the car and rested them on the ground.
Quickly we returned to assist the owner of the second car. He was dead. Back we went to the two young men lying side by side on the pavement.

My partner began dictating the Shahaadah to them. "Say la ilaaha illAllah (There is no god but Allah), la ilaaha illAllah…"

Their tongues wouldn’t acknowledge it. They started humming the hypnotic lyrics of some song. I was terrified. My partner had experience however, and he kept repeating his instruction.
I stood up watching, no movement, eyes locked. Never in my life had I seen anything similar to what was going on before me. In fact, I’ve never actually seen someone die, and never, in such a satanic way.

My partner continued to instruct them to say the Shahaadah but there was no use. The hum of their song came to a slow silence, slowly. The first one stopped and then the other. Not a stir. Dead.

We carried them to our patrol car; my partner made no effort to speak. Not a whisper between us two as we carried the corpses to the nearest hospital.

PART II

Dear brothers and sisters, Ubayy Ibn Khalaf confronted RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam one day with a rotted bone in his hand. He crushed it in his hands, let the wind blow it away and asked, "Muhammad, do you claim that Allah will bring these ashes to life?"

Allah replied to Ubayy and everyone else who dares ask the same question:

Has not man considered how We created him from a drop of semen? Yet he is an open adversary! He makes something up to be compared with Us and forgets how he was created. He says, "Who will revive [our] bones after they have rotted away? / Say: The one Who raised them up in the first place will revive them. He is aware of all creation (Ya-Seen 36/77-79).

Reflecting over the topic of this khutbah, I came across a website where readers submit stories of their biggest regrets. For some, it was a lost love, for others it was a job they passed up, and for still others, it was a flip of fate that ended in a horrific way.

But in all, the regrets were worldly candies that had been lost - short-lived pleasures of life. This is the world in which Allah decreed that summers always come to an end.
Those stories were of living beings recalling their regrets. However, what I would like to see is a website where the dead would recall their regrets! They would not regret the lost love, or the silly job or the twist of fate; they would regret every second that they did not spend worshiping Allah.

We are all here today because we claim that la ilaaha illAllah Muhammad ur RasulAllah is what we believe in. Nevertheless, the problem is that for many it is a belief that dropped its bags, sat down on the tongue, and did not move on to penetrate the heart.

There are many men and women of our deen for whom this was not the case. Muhammad Ibn Abi Imran narrates that he heard someone ask Shaykh Hatim al-Asum how he reached to his level of reliance upon Allah. Shaykh Hatim al-Asum replied, "I became convinced in four things (i.e. that these four things penetrated my heart). One, I am convinced that no one else will eat the provision Allah has decreed for me, so I am content. Two, I am convinced that no one else is going to do good works except me, so I am busy doing them myself. Three, I am certain death shall come unexpectedly, so I am busying myself in expectation of it. And four, I am certain I shall never escape the sight of Allah, so I am shy to disobey Him while He is watching."

Even though we all claim to believe what Hatim al-Asum is convinced of, how many of us have carried it past their tongue and allowed it a space in their hearts?
We all know what the media does to distort facts on the nightly news. They take a long speech, cut and paste, and take words out of context. Well, the media is not the only one that takes things out of context. Consider the following verse:

Say: My servants who have acted extravagantly against themselves still do not despair of Allah's mercy. Allah forgives all offences; He is the Forgiving, the Merciful (Az-Zumar 39/53).

So many of us have heard this verse out of context. It may seem like a human can do all the bad that they want, and when they die, they will go to Heaven. But read on.

And turn in repentance towards your Lord and commit yourselves peacefully to Him before torment comes to you; then you will not be supported. / Follow the finest part of whatever has been sent down to you from your Lord before torment comes upon you suddenly while you do not notice it / Lest some soul should say: Alas my grief that I was undutiful to Allah and I was indeed among those who scoffed [at the truth] (Az-Zumar 39/54-56).

This last verse is the proof that the Qur'an cannot be translated. How do you explain the grief of ya hasrataa? Imam At-Taahir Ibn Aashoor tries explaining hasrah as an extreme violent intoxicated regret. It is like a servant boy whose master charged him with the care of a flock. Thinking that the master was not watching, he slept and played, leaving the flock unattended. The flock went further and further away until a pack of wolves came and devoured every one. The regret is the regret that boy had to his master.

Yahya Ibn Mu'aadh rahimahullah said, "The most naïve thing in my eyes is to linger in sin - with no regrets - hoping for a far off pardon and to come closer to Allah without doing anything and to wait for the harvest of Jannah with the seeds of Hell - waiting for reward without any deeds."

PART III

The police officer that we mentioned earlier fell back into routine, as he narrates, and started to drift away from Allah. But another event happened to him that sealed the return. He continues:
What an odd world. After some time, about six months, a strange accident took place. A young man was moving along the highway normally, but within one of the tunnels leading to the city, he got a flat tire.

To the side of the tunnel he parked, and stepped to the back to remove the spare tire. The whistle of a speeding car could be heard from behind. In a second, it collided with the crippled car, with the young man in-between. He fell to the ground with critical injuries.
I rushed to the scene, myself and another partner other than the first. Together we carried the young man’s body into our patrol car and phoned the hospital to prepare for his arrival.
He was a young adult in his blossom years. Religious, as you could tell from his appearance. He was mumbling when we carried him, but in our rush, we had not paid attention to what he was saying.

However, when we placed him on his back in the patrol car, we could make it out. Through the pain, his heart was reciting Qur’an! He was so immersed in the recitation. Subhan Allah, you would have never said that this person was in intense pain.

Blood had soaked his clothes crimson red, his bones had clearly snapped in several places. To tell the truth, he looked like he was staring into the eyes of death.

He continued to read in his unique, tender voice, reciting each verse in proper rhythm. In my entire life, I had never heard any recitations like it. I said to myself, "I'm going to instruct him to say the Shahaadah just like I saw my friend doing,” especially since I had previous experience." My partner and I listened intently to that soft voice. I felt a shiver shock my back and up my arm the hair stood.

Suddenly, the hymn ceased. I watched silently as his hand rose softly. He had his index finger pointed upward to the Heaven, saying the Shahaadah (La ilaaha illAllah – There is no God but Allah). Then, his head slumped.

I jumped to the back seat, felt his hand, his heart, his breathing. He was dead!

I couldn’t stop staring at him. A tear fell but I hid it in shame. I turned back to my partner and told him that the boy’s life had ceased. He burst out loud crying. Seeing a man cry like that, I could not control myself, and my partner faded away behind the fall of my own tears. The patrol car fogged from the emotions.

We arrived at the hospital. As we rushed through the corridors, we told all the doctors, nurses, and onlookers what had happened. So many people were affected by what we said, some stood there speechless and tearful.

No one wanted to lose sight of the boy, until they had been assured of the time and place he would be buried.
One of the hospital staffs phoned the boy’s home. His brother picked it up and was told of the accident. His brother told us about him:

He used to go out every Monday to visit his only grandmother outside of town. Whenever he visited her, he made sure to spend time with the poor children idling on the streets, and the orphans. The town knew him; he was the one that would bring them the Islamic books and tapes. His dusty Mazda would be filled with rice and sugar and even candies – couldn’t forget the candies – for those families who were in need.

He would not stand for anyone to discourage him from the long journey to that town. He would always politely reply that the long drive gave him time to review his Qur’an and to listen to Islamic lectures on his cassette deck and that with every step to the town, he hoped for the reward he would find with Allah.

PART IV

It is true brothers and sisters that Allah is Merciful and forgives and forgives, as He says:
Yet I am quite forgiving...
But to whom?

... towards anyone who turns [in repentance] and believes and acts honorable; then he will be guided (Taha 20/82).

Just like we reply someone's call when they phone us, this is Allah and His Messenger calling us:
O our people! Respond to Allah's caller (Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and believe in him. Allah will forgive you of your sins and will save your from a painful torment (Al-Ahqaf 46/31).

Let us answer!
There is a verse in the Qur'an that when Shaytaan read it, he cried and felt regret. Read this verse, as it is the door to our happiness in this life and the next:

And those who, if they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and who can forgive sins except Allah? – and who do not persist in what they have done while they know / For those, their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow [in Jannah], wherein they shall abide eternally. Excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers (A’le-Imran 3/135-136).

Allah sent the Prophets and the Books; He sent the warnings and glad tidings; and He sent the reminders. And atop all that, Allah comes down to Samaa' ad-Dunya – in a way befitting of His Majesty – in the third portion of the night of every night, calling to every one of His servants, "Is there anyone who shall make du’a so that I shall accept His du’a? Is there anyone who shall ask for pardon so that I may pardon him?"

Dear brothers and sisters, let us make a pledge tonight to set our alarm clocks for 2 am in the morning. We all know that if there were some special sports event on TV or someone had to catch a plane at that time, they would be capable of waking up.

Let's set the alarm to pray only 2 rakaat to Allah. And in sajdah, recall just one sin – just one – between us and Allah and ask Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala to forgive us for that sin, pledging that we shall never return to it.

RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam gave the example of a man who loses his camel in the desert and in that wasteland loses hope of life. In that state, he sits down awaiting death to come. Then, he opens his eyes and finds his camel standing beside him with all the provisions to take him home. In his extreme happiness he cries out, "O Allah, You are my servant and I am your Lord!" He says it wrong from the bliss of happiness.
RasulAllah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said that verily Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than this man is upon finding his camel!

Tonight, at 2 am, let’s all try to make Allah happy with us. Believe me, we won’t regret it.

Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you.

2008-10-12T05:52:00.004+08:00

Narrated 'Aisha:
(the mother of the faithful believers) The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Apostle was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food like-wise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, "I do not know how to read."

The Prophet added, "The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, 'I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?' Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, 'Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists) has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous." (96.1, 96.2, 96.3)

Then Allah's Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me." Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your Kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones."

Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza, who, during the PreIslamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Apostle described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Apostle asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while.

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari while talking about the period of pause in revelation reporting the speech of the Prophet "While I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw the same angel who had visited me at the cave of Hira' sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I got afraid of him and came back home and said, 'Wrap me (in blankets).' And then Allah revealed the following Holy Verses (of Quran):
'O you (i.e. Muhammad)! wrapped up in garments!' Arise and warn (the people against Allah's Punishment),... up to 'and desert the idols.' (74.1-5) After this the revelation started coming strongly, frequently and regularly."

[Bukhari: Book 1, Revelation]

End of Music by Kamal el Mekki

2008-10-11T17:26:00.001+08:00

Kamal el Mekki explains about the status of Music in Islam.

No Beats Necessary - How can you deny ?

2008-10-11T08:33:00.001+08:00

The Perished Nations

2008-10-11T08:25:00.002+08:00

The Perished Nations by Muhammad Al Shareef is a 4 part lecture series about the people of Aad, Thamood, Lut and Pharoah.

Part 01 - Aad
Part 02 - Thamood
Part 03 - Lut
Part 04 - Pharoah

The Perished Nations - Part 04

2008-10-11T08:21:00.001+08:00

By Muhammad Al Shareef
The story of Pharoah

Previous: Part 03 (Lut)

The Perished Nations - Part 03

2008-10-11T08:15:00.004+08:00

By Muhammad Al Shareef
The story about the people of Lut

Previous: Part 02 (Thamood)
Next: Part 04 (Pharoah)

The Perished Nations - Part 02

2008-10-11T08:07:00.004+08:00

By Muhammad Al Shareef
The story about the people of Thamood

Previous: Part 01 (Aad)
Next: Part 3 (Lut)

The Perished Nations - Part 01

2008-10-11T07:33:00.004+08:00

By Muhammad Al Shareef
The story about the people of Aad

Next: Part 02 (Thamood)

Perfume

2008-10-11T06:14:00.005+08:00

Rasoolullah's (SAW) guidance on perfume.

Good scents and perfumes are nutrition for the soul, and the soul is the dynamo of the rest of the body's powers. Perfume helps the brain, the heart and the internal organs and brings comfort to the heart and the soul. Perfumes are also the most suitable and favorable remedy and substance for the soul. Also, there is a close connection between the good soul and the scented perfumes. This is why perfumes where among the dearest substances in this world to the heart of the most pure of all people, the Messenger of Allah (SAW).

Al-Bukhari narrated that Rasoolullah (SAW) used to always accept perfume when presented to him. Also, Muslim narrated that Rasoolullah (SAW) said: "He who is offered Raihan (basil) should not refuse it, because it is easy to wear and has a good scent."

Further, Abu Dawud and An-Nasai' narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:"Whoever is offered some perfume should not refuse it because it is light to wear and has a good scent."
Ibn Abi Shaibah also narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) had a container that had some perfume and he (SAW) used to perfume himself with it.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) also said: "Allah has a right on every Muslim that he takes a bath (at least once) in every seven days and if he has perfume to wear some of it."

Furthermore, the angels like perfume while the devils dislike it, because the dearest scent to the devils are foul odors, while good souls like good scents. Every soul leans towards and deserves what it likes. Evil men are suitable for evil women and vice versa, while good men are suitable for good women and vice versa. Although this statement applies to men and women in general, it also applies to every type of deed, speech, food, drink, clothing and scent.

Taken from...

Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (SAW)
By: Imam ibn Qayyim Al-Jauziyah
Translated by: Jalal Abual Rub
From: Darussalam Publications.

The Hadeeth of Jibreel (a)

2008-10-10T20:57:00.003+08:00

It is narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Ya'mur that the first man who discussed about Qadr (Divine Decree) in Basra was Ma'bad al-Juhani. I along with Humaid b. 'Abdur-Rahman Himyari set out for prilgrimage or for 'Umrah and said: Should it so happen that we come into contact with one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) we shall ask him about what is talked about Taqdir (Division Decree).

Accidentally we came across Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab, while he was entering the mosque. My companion and I surrounded him. One of us (stood) on his right and the other stood on his left.

I expected that my companion would authorize me to speak. I therefore said: Abu Abdur Rahman! there have appeared some people in our land who recite the Holy Qur'an and pursue knowledge. And then after talking about their affairs, added: They (such people) claim that there is no such thing as Divine Decree and events are not predestined.

He (Abdullah ibn Umar) said: When you happen to meet such people tell them that I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. And verily they are in no way responsible for my (belief).

Abdullah ibn Umar swore by Him (the Lord) (and said): If any one of them (who does not believe in the Divine Decree) had with him gold equal to the bulk of (the mountain) Uhud and then, it (in the way of Allah), Allah would not accept it unless he affirmed his faith in Divine Decree.

He further said: My father, Umar ibn al-Khattab, told me: "One day we were sitting in the company of Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) when there appeared before us a man dressed in pure white clothes, his hair extraordinarily black. There were no signs of travel on him. None amongst us recognized him. At last he sat with the Apostle (peace be upon him) He knelt before him placed his palms on his thighs and said:"

"Muhammad, inform me about al-Islam."

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Al-Islam implies that you testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and you establish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage to the (House) if you are solvent enough (to bear the expense of) the journey."

He (the inquirer) said: "You have told the truth."

He (Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: "It amazed us that he would put the question and then he would himself verify the truth."

He (the inquirer) said: "Inform me about Iman (faith)."

He (the Holy Prophet) replied: "That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil."

He (the inquirer) said: "You have told the truth."

He (the inquirer) again said: "Inform me about al-Ihsan (performance of good deeds)."

He (the Holy Prophet) said: "That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, for though you don't see Him, He, verily, sees you."

He (the enquirer) again said: "Inform me about the hour (of the Doom)."

He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: "One who is asked knows no more than the one who is inquiring (about it)."

He (the inquirer) said: "Tell me some of its indications."

He (the Holy Prophet) said: "That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress and master, that you will find barefooted, destitute goat-herds vying with one another in the construction of magnificent buildings."

He (the narrator, Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: "Then he (the inquirer) went on his way but I stayed with him (the Holy Prophet) for a long while."

He then, said to me: "Umar, do you know who this inquirer was?"

I replied: "Allah and His Apostle knows best."

He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: "He was Gabriel (the angel). He came to you in order to instruct you in matters of religion."

[Muslim]

What is Taqwa ?

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Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) asked Ubbay ibn Ka’ab (may Allah be pleased with him), “What is the meaning of Taqwa?” Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “O Amir ul Mu’minin, have you walked on a field that had a lot of thorny plants?” Umar said, “Yes” Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “So what did you do?” Umar replied, “I lifted up my clothes and I was very careful,” Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “That is Taqwa.”

The Stories

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1. Regret

Virtues of Wudu... (Ablution)

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Wudu gives special status on the day of judgement.
Narrated Nu'am Al-Mujmir: Once I went up the roof of the mosque, along with Abu Huraira. He perform ablution and said, "I heard the Prophet (SAW) saying, "On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called "Al-Ghurr-ul-Muhajjalun" from the trace of ablution and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e. by performing ablution regularly).' “[Bhukhari]

Wudu is a protection from Hell fire.

Narrated Muhammad Ibn Ziyad: I heard Abu Huraira saying as he passed by us while the people were performing ablution from a utensil containing water, "Perform ablution perfectly and thoroughly for Abul-Qasim (the Prophet, SAW) said, 'Save your heels from the Hell-fire." [Bhukhari]

Virtues of Saum... (Fasting)

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The fasting leads to Jannah (Paradise).
Abu Umaamah r.a.a. said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action by which I may enter Paradise'. He (SAW) said: 'Take to Fasting, there is nothing like it.’“ [An-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Hibbaan, Al-Haakim, Saheeh]

The fasting helps to attain Taqwa.
"Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwaa." [The Holy Quran, 2:183]

The reward of fasting is immense.
"Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk." [Al-Bhukhari]

Entrance through the gate of ar-Rayyaan to paradise.
Sahl ibn Sa`d said that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "Indeed there is a gate of Paradise called ar-Rayyaan. On the day of Resurrection those who fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, and when they have entered, it is closed so that no one enters it, so when the last of them enters it, it is closed, and whoever enters it drinks, and whoever drinks never becomes thirsty." [Ibn Khuzaimah, Saheeh].

Fasting provides protection against the fire.
"Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire." [Ahmad, Saheeh]

Fasting helps to remove sins.
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "He who fasts Ramadhan, due to Iman and hoping for reward (from Allah) then his past sins are forgiven." [Al-Bhukhari, Muslim]

Fasting protects from sina (adultery).
The Prophet (s.a.w.) told the youth: "O youths, whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him." [Al-Bhukhari, Muslim]

Virtues of Salaah... (Prayer)

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Expiation of minor sins
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Five prayers and from one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are not committed. [Muslim]

The Virtues

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Virtues of Wudu... (Ablution)
Virtues of Salaah... (Prayer)
Virtues of Saum... (Fasting)

(this is not complete....)

The Articles

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Some useful notes and articles, inshahAllah...

1. The Virtues...
2. What is Taqwa ?
3. The hadeeth of Jibreel (a)
4. Perfume
5. Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you.
6. The example of justice and mercy.
7. Living Together
8. Remembrance of Allah.
9. Be heard... beard
10. Wearing Silk....
11. The Hereafter.
12. The Heart Breaking Dua.
13. Rights of Children upon their Father

The Muslim Jesus

2008-01-28T15:49:00.000+09:00

Part 01

Part 02

Part 03

Part 04

Part 05

Beating of wife in Islam

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An Islamic History of Europe

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Reverts to Islam from around the World

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Reverts to Islam from around the World - Part 1/2
Reverts to Islam from around the World - Part 2/2

Reverts to Islam from around the World - Part 2/2

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Reverts to Islam from around the World - Part 1/2

2008-01-06T19:09:00.000+09:00

Next Part: Reverts to Islam from around the World - Part 2/2

The Holy Quran 003:160

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If Allah helps you, none can overcome you:
If He forsakes you, who is there, after that, that can help you? in Allah, then, Let believers put their trust.

The Holy Quran 102:8

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Then on that Day you shall be asked about the delights

(you indulged in, this world)

Cat Stevens to Yusuf Islam

2008-01-06T17:49:00.000+09:00

Loose Change 2nd Edition

2008-01-06T17:43:00.001+09:00

Is Terrorism A Muslim Monopoly? - by Dr. Zakir Naik (17 Parts)

2008-01-06T17:17:00.000+09:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15 (Question and Answer)

Part 16

Part 17