Siraat e Mustaqeem

فرض عين and فرض كفاية

2010-05-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

"فرض عين" is obvious from its name that it means (individual obligation). That is, it is an obligation on every single Muslim.
"فرض كفاية" is an obligation on a group of Muslims. That is, if enough people perform the obligation, then the obligation is released from the rest of Muslims. If nobody does it, all Muslims are held accountable.

An example of Fardh Kifaaya is Jihad at-Talab wad-Da'wah (Offensive and Preaching Jihad). And Allaah knows best.

Beautiful Verse

2010-05-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

Photo source.

I love this verse's passionate praise of Allah:

فَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَرَبِّ الْأَرْضِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
So all the praises and thanks are to God (everything good in this world is attributable to Him), the Lord of the skies and the Lord of the earth, the Lord of all that exists. [Quran, 45:36]

Do you know who is the bankrupt?

2010-05-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

Abu Hurairah (R.A.) reported: Messenger of Allah (SALLALAHO ALAYHE WA ALEHI WASSALAM) said, "Do you know who is the bankrupt?'' They said: "The bankrupt among us is one who has neither money with him nor any property". He said, "The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with Salat, Saum and Sadaqah (charity), (but he will find himself bankrupt on that day as he will have exhausted the good deeds) because he reviled others, brought calumny against others, unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others and beat others; so his good deeds would be credited to the account of those (who suffered at his hand). If his good deeds fall short to clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he would be thrown in the (Hell) Fire." [Muslim].

Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (R.A.) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (SALLALAHO ALAYHE WA ALEHI WASSALAM): "Who is the most excellent among the Muslims?'' He said, "One from whose tongue and hands the other Muslims are secure.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Sahl bin Sa`d (R.A.) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SALLALAHO ALAYHE WA ALEHI WASSALAM) said, "Whosoever gives me a guarantee to safeguard what is between his jaws and what is between his legs, I shall guarantee him Jannah.'' [Al-Bukhari].

2010-05-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

Narrated Umar ibn al-Khattab (R.A.): The Messenger of Allah (Sallalaho Alayhe Wa Alehi Wassalam) commanded us one day to give sadaqah. At that time I had some property. I said: Today I shall surpass Abu Bakr if I surpass him any day. I, therefore, brought half my property. The Messenger of Allah (Sallalaho Alayhe Wa Alehi Wassalam) asked: What did you leave for your family? I replied: The same amount.

Abu Bakr brought all that he had with him. The Messenger of Allah (Sallalaho Alayhe Wa Alehi Wassalam) asked him: What did you leave for your family? He replied: I left Allah and His Messenger for them.

I said: I shall never compete you in anything.

[Abu Dawud] Also recorded by At-Tirmidhi.

Many of the scholars of Tafsir have mentioned that the following Ayats were revealed about Abu Bakr As-Siddiq may Allah be pleased with him.
“But the righteous one will avoid it (Hell) – [He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself. And not [giving] for anyone who has [done him] a favor to be rewarded. But only seeking the countenance of his Lord, Most High. [92:17-20]

And Allah's Messenger (Sallalaho Alayhe Wa Alehi Wassalam)said, "No doubt, I am indebted to Abu Bakr more than to anybody else regarding both his companionship and his wealth.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2010-05-07T16:33:00.000-07:00

“O Ahnaf, the more one laughs, the less dignity will he posses. Whoever jokes (excessively or indecently) is a person who will be taken lightly. Whoever does something frequently will become known by that thing.

Whoever speaks often, errs often; the more often one errs, the less modesty will he possess; whoever has a low level of modesty will also have a low level of piety; and when one has a low level of piety, then his heart dies.“

[Taken from "Glimpses Of The Lives Of Righteous People", Darussalam publishing, Pp. 24-25, quoting from "Sifatus-Safwah", 1/1449]

Pious People

2010-05-07T10:59:00.001-07:00

One of our pious predecessors, Thabit Bin Nu’man, was hungry and tired as he was passing through a garden that bordered a river. He was so hungry that he could hear his stomach growling, and so his eyes became fixed on the fruits he saw on the various trees of the garden. In a fit of desperation, he forgot himself and extended his hand to an apple that was within reach. He ate half of it and then drank water from the river. But then he became overcome with guilt, despite the fact that he had only eaten because of dire need.

He said to himself, “Woe unto me! How can I eat someone else’s fruits without his permission? I make it binding upon myself not to leave this place until I find the owner of this garden and ask him to forgive me for having eaten one of his apples.“

After a brief search, he found the owner’s house. He knocked on the door and the owner of the garden came out and asked him what he wanted.

Thabit Bin Nu’man said, “I entered your garden that borders the river, and I took this apple and ate half of it. Then I remembered it does not belong to me, and so I ask you now to excuse me for having eaten it and to forgive me for my mistake.“

The man said, “On one condition only I will forgive you for your mistake.“

Thabit Bin Nu’man asked, “And what is that condition?“

He said, “That you marry my daughter.“

Thabit Bin Nu’man said, “I will marry her.“

The man said, “But heed you this; indeed my daughter is blind, she does not see; mute, she does not speak;deaf, she does not hear.“

Thabit Bin Nu’man began to ponder over his situation; a difficult predicament indeed did he find himself in now; what should he do? Not get out of it, thought Thabit, for he realised that to be tested by such a woman, to take care of her, and to serve her, are all better than to eat from the foul matter of the Hellfire as a reward for the apple that he ate. And after all, the days of this world are limited.

And so he accepted the condition to mary the girl, seeking his reward from Allaah, Lord of all that exists. He was nonetheless somewhat anxious in the days prior to the marriage.

He thought, “How can I have sexual relations with a woman who neither speaks nor sees nor hears?“

So miserable did he become that he almost wished for the earth to swallow him up before the appointed date.

Yet despite such apprehensions, he placed his complete trust upon Allaah and he said, “There is neither might nor power except with Allaah. Indeed to Allaah do we belong and indeed to Him shall we al return.“

On the day of the marriage he saw her for the first time. She stood up before him and said, “Peace, mercy and blessings of Allaah be upon you.“

When he saw her grace and beauty, he was reminded of what he would see when he would imagine the fair maidens of paradise (i.e., the gorgeous hoor al-ayn). After a brief pause he said, “What is this? She indeed speaks, hears and sees.” He then told her what her father said earlier.

She said, “My father has spoken the truth. He said I was mute because I do not speak any forbidden word, and I have never spoken to any man who is not lawful to me (i.e., she has never spoken to any ghair mahrams)! And I am indeed deaf in the sense that I have never sat in a gathering in which there is backbiting, slander, or false and vain speech! And I am indeed blind, in the sense that I have never looked upon a man who is not permissible for me!“

[End]

Noble reader, reflect on and learn a lesson from this story!

My brothers in Islaam, see how much he feared Allaah, and how much he had his trust in Allaah, and where this got him!

My sisters in Islaam, see how this woman kept herself chaste, pious, in her hijaab, so much so, she was considered mute (not speaking to any man), deaf (avoiding places of backbiting) and blind (not seeing any man). Allaahu Akbar, isn’t it these qualities that pious men love to see in their wives? Nay; aren’t these qualities all men (Muslim and non-Muslims) wish to see in their wives? Isn’t it these qualities that give men the crave and yearn to meet their hoor al-ayn in jannah?

The fruit of this marriage was the birth of a child who grew up to be known as Imaam Abu Haneefah

5 Great Things:

2010-05-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

Yahyaa ibn Mu’aadh said:

“The medicine of the heart is five things: reading Qur’aan and pondering the meaning, having an empty stomach, praying at night (qiyaam al-layl), beseeching Allaah at the time of suhoor, and keeping company with righteous people.”

SMILE!

2010-05-06T13:33:00.001-07:00

For those that want the scientific benefits of smiling (though the Sunnah should be enough for us), Dr. Mark Stibich (via about.com) notes ten reasons to smile:

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive (towards our halaal spouses and towards our fellow brothers (for brothers) and our fellow sisters (for sisters)):
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away — but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood:
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling Is Contagious:
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress:
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System:
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure:
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin:
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger:
The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don’t go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day — you’ll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful:
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive:
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that “Life is Good!” Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

Therefore, O Muslim, smile, it’s the sunnah! So I ask you, do you smile?

2010-05-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

أَمَّنْ يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ وَمَنْ يَرْزُقُكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَئِلَهٌ مَعَ اللَّهِ

Who begins creation,
then performs it all over again?

Who provides for you
from Heaven and Earth?

Is there any deity alongside God?

[Holy Quran, 27:64]

2010-05-06T13:30:00.001-07:00

فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ

So call upon God and make your worship purely for Him, even though the disbelievers may dislike it [that you are Muslim, that you don't live like them]. [Quran, 40:14]

2010-05-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

Rasulullah [SallAllahu Alayhi WaSallam] said, “If your good deeds make you happy and your bad deeds make you sad, then you are a believer.” (Narrated by Ahmad, Ibn Majaah and others from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah)

"Those of the bedouins who lagged behind will say to you: "Our possessions and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us." They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say: "Who then has any power at all (to intervene) on your behalf with Allah, if He intends you hurt or intends you benefit? Nay, but Allah is Ever All-Aware of what you do." (Surat Al-Fath: Ayat 11)

All praise is due to God alone, the Sustainer of all the worlds, [Quran:Chp.1:2]

"The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur'an) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone)." [Al-Anfaal (8):2]

Allah says: '....I am closer to you than your jugular vein.' (Al-Quran: Surah Qaf 50 - Verse 16)

the first forerunners [in the faith]

2010-05-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

"And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment." [9:100]

In this noble Verse Allah (swt) mentions that He is pleased with the Muhajirin, Ansar and those who followed them in faith, and that they are well-pleased with Him, for He has prepared for them the gardens of delight and eternal joy.

Therefore, woe to those who dislike or curse them, or dislike or curse any of them, especially their master after the Messenger, the best and most righteous among them, the Siddiq (the great truthful one) and the grand Khalifah, Abu Bakr bin Abi Quhafah, may Allah be pleased with him. The failure group, the Rafidah (a sect of Shiites), are the enemies of the best Companions, they hate and curse them, we seek refuge with Allah from such evil. This indicates that the minds of these people are twisted and their hearts turned upside down, for where are they in relation to believing in the Qur'an they curse those whom Allah stated He is pleased with! As for the followers of the Sunnah, they are pleased with those whom Allah is pleased with, curse whomever Allah and His Messenger curse, and give their loyalty to Allah's friends and show enmity to the enemies of Allah. They are followers not innovators, imitating ﴿the Sunnah﴾ they do not initiate it on their own. They are indeed the party of Allah, the successful, and Allah's faithful servants. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

Surah al Hijr (The Rocky Tract)

2010-05-02T03:48:00.001-07:00

Surah 24 Noor سورة النور verses:35 | with eng subtitles | Salmaan Al Utaybi

2010-05-02T02:57:00.000-07:00

ISLAM - A BEST WAY OF LIFE

2010-05-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

This is reminder to myself and everyone that Islam is meant to be a way of life:

I've seen people who live as non-Muslims, think and behave like non-Muslims, but try to make up for it by giving money to Islamic charities, or by staying up on the night of Qadr. This misses the whole point of Islam.

What is the use of an Islam that doesn't purify your heart, that doesn't change your behavior? Doing Islamic acts of worship when a person doesn't live as a Muslim doesn't come from piety, it comes from greed: The person thinks he or she can enjoy this world in non-Muslim ways, and still have a good afterlife by doing these Islamic acts.

Locating Allah's Mercy

2010-05-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

إِنَّ رَحْمَةَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
Indeed, Allah's mercy lies close to good-doers. [Holy Quran, 7:56]

zakir naik : women converts to ISLAM live on peace tv

2010-05-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

Ilahi Teri Chokhat Per Bhikari Ban Ker Aya Hoon Lyrics

2010-05-01T14:06:00.001-07:00

Zahir ki ankh se na tamasha kare koi,
Ho dekhna to deeda-e-dil wah kare koi,
Parh bethay kiya samajh ker bhala toor per kaleem
Takkat ho deed ki to taqaza kare koi

Ilahi teri chokhat per bhikari ban ker aya hoon,
Sarapa faqr hoon, ijz-o-nadamat saath laya hoon,
Bhikari woh ke jis ke paas jholi hai na payala hai,
Bhikari woh jisey hiras-o-hawas nay maar dala hai,
Mata-e-deen-o-danish, nafs ke hathon se lutwa ker.

Sakoon-e-qalb ki daulat hawas ki bhent charha ker,
Lutta ker sari poonji ghaflat-o-issyan ki daldal mein,
Sahara lene aya hoon tere kaabay ke aanchal mein,
Gunahon ki lipatt sey, kaynat-e-qalb afsurda,
Iraaday muzmehehal, himmat shikasta hoslay murda,
Kahan say laoon takat dil ki sachi tarjumani ki,
Ke kis jhanjhal mein guzri hein ghariyan zindagani ki.

Khulasa yeh ke bus jull bhun ker apni roo-sayahi sey,
Sarapa faqr ban ker apni haalat ki tabahi sey,
Tere darbar mein laya hoon apni ab zaboon-haali,
Teri chokhat ke laeq har amal se hath hein khali,
Yeh Tera ghar hai ye Tere mehr ka darbar hai Maula
Sarapa noor hai, ik mohbat-e-anwaar hai Mola.

Teri chokhat ke jo adab hein, main unn se khali hoon,
Nahi jis ko saleeqa manganey ka, woh sawali hoon
Zuban ghalt-e-nadamat dil ki na’kas tarjumani per,
Khudaya reham meri iss zaban-e-ijz-zabani per,
Ye ankhein khushk hein, Ya Rabb inhein rona nahi aata,
Sulagtay daagh hein dil mein jinhein dhona nahi aata.

Ilahi teri chokhat per bhikari ban kay aaya hoon,
Sarapa faqr hoon, ijz-o-nadamat saath laya hoon,
Sarapa faqr hoon, ijz-o-nadamat saath laya hoon.

prayer

2010-04-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

Allaah the Exalted said: Indeed the prayer has been enjoined upon the Believers at stated times. [1]

Al-Bukhaaree (rh) said: "At stated (fixed) times. He has set time limits for them"

Abu Amr ash-Shaybaanee said: The owner of this house - and he pointed to the house of Abdullaah (ibn Mas'ood) - said: I asked the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) 'Which action is most loved by Allaah?' He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Prayer at its proper time." Then he said: What next? He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Righteous conduct towards the parents." Then he said: What next? He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Jihaad in the path of Allaah." He (Abdullaah) said: He informed me with them, If I asked him for more he would have told me more. [2]

The Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) explained in this hadeeth that prayer at its proper time is the most loved of actions and he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) put this before righteousness to parents and Jihaad in the path of Allaah. The evidence for this is the use of the particle 'What next'. This particle is used to denote order and this is well known to the people of the arabic language.

There is a man immersed in his trade and whatever other engagements it entails and whom Shaytaan has managed to deceive so that he misses the takbeeratul-ihraam(the opening takbeer of the prayer in congregation) or a portion of the prayer in congregation. You come to him with texts about Jihaad in the path of Allaah the Exalted and also stories about the bravery of the Companions (ra). You instill in him the aspiration for Paradise and make him renounce the world. He looks at the world after you have admonished him and he sees it become small and insignificant. He reflects upon the Hereafter and sees it becoming great and awesome in his soul. So he races towards the Garden whose width is as the width of the Heavens and the Earth. He rushes to write his will, he concludes the rights he owes to others and says farewell to his family and loved ones and embarks upon the journey to battle. He is killed as a martyr in the path of Allaah.

If you had not called this man to Jihaad in the path of Allaah, the Exalted but had called him to preserving the prayers, mentioning the texts which cause inspiration and instill fear and the stories which have great effects (upon the soul), what would you have seen from him?

Perhaps he would have responded and cried over what occured. He would have made firm his resolution to safeguard the prayers upon their times and perhaps he would manage that for some number of days. But then Shaytaan comes and whispers to him, and his engagements and appointments increase, his commitments and meetings reach high proportions and Shaytaan therefore, obtains from him what he desired. He misses some of the times of prayer and then returns to struggle against his soul in order to help himself against Shaytaan. Then the same thing occurs another time and in this manner he is constantly wrestling with and battling against Shaytaan, five times in every day of his, and life is nothing but days and days...

This is a battle aginst the soul and the former example is also a battle against the soul. But where does the first type stand when compared to the second? This striving, is striving for a whole lifetime and that striving is only for an hour or perhaps days, months or years. But in either of the two situations I say: In both there is good.

I ask Allaah the Exalted that He makes me amongst those who safeguard the times of prayer and its khushoo' and likewise all of His commands, and that he writes me amongst the martyrs. Indeed He has power over all things.

Mis'ab bin S'ad said: I said to my father: O my father! Do you consider this verse: 'Those who are forgetful in their prayers'[3]. Which of us is not forgetful? Which one of us does not converse with his soul (during the prayers)? He said: That is not what is meant. It refers to the wasting of the (correct) time for prayer. A man plays about, (wasting time in idle talk) until the time for the prayer passes. [4]

Moosa bin Ismaa'eel said: Mahdi narrated from Ghaylaan who narrated from Anas (ra) that he said: I cannot recognise anything (now) which used to be in the era of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). It was said: The Prayer. He said: Do you not do what you do with regard to the prayer. [5]

He meant delaying it past its proper time.

Uthmaan bin Abi Rawwaad, the brother of Abdul-Azeez said: I heard Zuhree say: I entered upon Anas bin Maalik in Damascus and he was crying. So I said to him: What makes you cry? He said: I do not recognise anything which I used to know except this prayer and this prayer is being wasted/neglected. [6]

Ibn Hajr said in 'Fath ul-Baari': Al-Muhallib said: "And the meaning of 'wasting it' is delaying it past its proper, recommended time, not that they perform it outside its time limit." Ibn Hajr differed with this in his explanation which he mentions in his book and says that the meaning is performing the prayer outside its stated times.

Anas (ra) wept over this matter and yet what are we doing. What is that thing which is desirable for us to do. Is it not befitting for us that we make the plants to grow with our tears?! Due to our neglect and wasting of the prayer and likewise the rest of Allaah's commands.

Ubaadah bin Saamit (ra) said: I testify that I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: "Allaah Azzawajall has made five prayers obligatory. Whoever beautifies the wudhoo, prays them at their proper times, and completes the rukoo', the sujood and khushoo within them, has a covenant with Allaah that He will forgive him.Whoever does not do that then he has no covenant with Allaah and if Allaah wills He will forgive him and if He wills He will punish him." [7]

Ka'b bin Ujra (ra) said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came to us and we were a group of seven, four of us were freed slaves and the remaining three had not been slaves formerly. Our backs were against the wall of the mosque and he said: "Why are you sitting down?" We said: We were waiting for the prayer. He (Ka'b) said: So he paused for a while, then turned to us and said: "Do you know what your Lord says?" We said: No. He said: "Indeed your Lord says: Whoever performs the prayer at its time, preserves it in this manner constantly, and does not waste it deeming its true worth to be insignificant has a covenant with Me that I shall enter him into Paradise. And whoever does not perform the prayer at its proper time, preserve it in this manner constantly and wastes it considering its true worth to be insignificant has no covenant with me. If I will I shall punish Him and if I will I shall forgive Him." [8]

Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood (ra) said: The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) passed by his companions one day and said to them: "Do you know what your Lord, the Blessed and Exalted says?" They said: Allaah and His Messenger know best. The Messenger said this three times and then said: "By My Power and Magnificence non prays them at their proper times except I will enter Him into Paradise and whoever prays them at other than their times, if I will I shall show mercy to Him and if I will I shall punish him." [9]

Namaz

2010-04-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

"And this life of the world is only an amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter, that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew." (The Qur'an 29:64)

Raising and educating children is one of the duties required of parents. Allaah has enjoined that in the Qur’aan, and the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also enjoined that. 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]

“And enjoin As-Salaat (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them [i.e. the Salaat (prayers)]” [Ta-Ha 20:132]

And Allaah said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) (interpretation of the meaning):
“And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred” [al-Shu’ara’ 26:214]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“And teach them (children) to pray when they are seven years old.”

7 tips to memorize Al-Qura'an

2010-04-30T14:54:00.001-07:00

Some more of Al-Qura'an

2010-04-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

Allah says: '....I am closer to you than your jugular vein.' (Al-Quran: Surah Qaf 50 - Verse 16)

The Prophet (Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said,”A Dinar (a currency) that you spend on your family, a Dinar that you spend on a poor person and a Dinar that you spend in the sake of Allah. The one that carries the most reward is the one that you spend on your family.” [Muslim]

Yahya related to me from Malik from Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr ibn Hazm that in a letter that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sent to Amr ibn Hazm it said that no-one should touch the Qur'an unless he was pure. [Malik :: Book 15 : Hadith 15.1.1]

Yahya related to me from Malik from Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr ibn Hazm that in a letter that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sent to Amr ibn Hazm it said that no-one should touch the Qur'an unless he was pure.

Malik said, "No-one should carry the Qur'an by its strap, or on a cushion, unless he is pure. If it were permissible to do so, it would also have been permissible to carry it in its cover. This is not because there is something on the hands of the one who carries it by which the Qur'an will be soiled, but because it is disapproved of for someone to carry the Qur'an without being pure out of respect for the Qur'an, and in order to honour it."

Malik said, "The best thing that I have heard about this is the ayat 'None touch it except the purified.' (Sura 56 ayat 79) It ranks with the ayat in Surat Abasa (Sura 80), where Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, says, 'No, it is a reminder, and whoever wishes will remember it. Upon honoured pages, exalted and purified, by the hands of scribes, noble and obedient.' "

[Malik :: Book 15 : Hadith 15.1.1]

When you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust in Him. If Allah help you, none can overcome you; if He forsakes you, who is - after that - that can help you? In Allah, then, let believers put their trust" (Surah Al-'lmran 3:159-160).

لَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ

Indeed, Allah helps the person who helps His cause. [Holy Quran, 22:40]

The Prophet Muhammad's Love for His Wives

2010-04-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

Some Ahadith

2010-04-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

Rasulullah [SallAllahu Alayhi WaSallam] said, "Allah has hated for you three things: 1. Vain talks, (useless talk) that you talk too much or about others. 2. Wasting of wealth (by extravagance). 3. And asking too many questions (in disputed religious matters) or asking others for something (except in great need). [Bukhari V2.B24#555]

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1379455124883

“O you who believe! Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you (who may stop you from the obedience of Allaah); therefore beware of them! But if you pardon (them) and overlook, and forgive (their faults), then verily, Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”[al-Taghaabun 64:14]

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Treat women nicely…" and "The best amongst you, are the best for their wives, and I am the best of you for my wives."

Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Do not harbour grudge against one another, nor jealousy, nor enmity; and do not show your backs to one another; and become as fellow brothers and slaves of Allah. It is not lawful for a Muslim to avoid speaking with his brother beyond three days.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

lying in the market

2010-04-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abu Aufa [RadhiAllahu Anhu]:
"A man displayed some goods in the market and swore by Allah that he had been offered so much for that, that which was not offered, and he said so, so as to cheat a Muslim. On that occasion the following Ayah was revealed:
"Verily, those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allâh's Covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter (Paradise). Neither will Allâh speak to them, nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful torment. (The Qur'an: 3.77)" - [Bukhari V3.B34#301]

..:: Teen Crush ::..

2010-04-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

..:: Teen Crush ::..

Written by: Ahmed
(This poem refers to the haram relationships that young Muslims may be ensnared into by the shaytaan.)

O young Muslim
I hear your story, so grim

You have given your heart
To a teen crush, soon to depart

The time will soon come for it to end
Tears, remorse and regret it will send

Deep emotions of anger and hurt
As you feel like a piece of dirt

But why do you fail to see
Allah has given you this opportunity

To turn away from this detested sin
Repent, and start a new beginnin’

From lewd behaviour become shy
Seeking forgiveness from Allah, do cry

Remove from your heart the lust dirty
And instead put love of Allah in your breast plenty

For this is the path to success
Jannah, the Muslims eternal address!!

=======================

A temporary life in Duniya

2010-04-30T14:19:00.001-07:00

In this life of poverty, hardship and trials, Abdullah asked his father [Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal] one day, “Abi, when will we ever relax?” His father, one of the greatest revivers of the Sunnah, a role model for all Muslims looked him in the eye and said, “With the first step we take into Jannah.”Rahimahullah Al-Imam Ahmad! ♥

Once a man saw in his dream, that a lion was chasing him. The man ran to a tree, climbed on to it and sat on a branch. He looked down and saw that the lion was still there waiting for him.

The man then looked to his side where the branch he was sitting on was attached to the tree and saw that two rats were circling around and eating the branch. One rat was black and the other one was white. The branch would fall on the ground very soon.

The man then looked below again with fear and discovered that a big black snake had come and settled directly under him. The snake opened its mouth right under the man so that he will fall into it.

The man then looked up to see if there was anything that he could hold on to. He saw another branch with a honeycomb. Drops of honey were falling from it. The man wanted to taste one of the drops. So, he put his tongue out and tasted one of the fallen drops of honey. The honey was amazing in taste. So, he wanted to taste another drop. As he did, he got lost into the sweetness of the honey.

Meanwhile, he forgot about the two rats eating his branch away, the lion on the ground and the snake that is sitting right under him. After a while, he woke up from his sleep.

To get the meaning behind this dream, the man went to a a pious scholar of Islam. The scholar said “The lion you saw is your death. It always chases you and goes where ever you go. The two rats, are the night and the day. Black one is the night and the white one is the day. They circle around, coming one after another, to eat your time as they take you closer to death. The big black snake with a dark mouth is your grave. It’s there, just waiting for you to fall into it. The honeycomb is this world and the sweet honey is the luxuries of this world. We like to taste a drop of the luxuries of this world but it’s very sweet. Then we taste another drop and yet another. Meanwhile, we get lost into it and we forget about our time, we forget about our death and we forget about our graves.”

“Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers ___evildoers), and (there is) forgiveness from Allaah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers __ good‑doers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment”[al-Hadeed 57:20]

AL-QURA'AN

2010-04-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

All the knowledgeable people in the world who fall under the religion that have holy books say that they've been updated and changed and redefined... There is one Holy Book that has no fault, nor is updated in later times nor has been changed since when it was revealed... It has been the same...It is the book of ALLAH "AL-QURA'AN" which has none other like it... no substitute and no versions... Its purely the word of Our Allah!

TAJWID

2010-04-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

Tajwīd [Accent] (تجويد) is an Arabic word for elocution (the art of speaking clearly and well, with correct enunciation), meaning proper pronunciation during recitation, as well as recitation at a moderate speed. It is a set of rules which govern how the Quran should be read. It is derived from the trilateral root j-w-d, meaning to make well, make better, or improve.

Some useful websites for learning Tajwid are:

http://www.tajweed.com/

Something good from a website:

The Gray Color Indicates what is Not pronounced, such as the assimilated "L" in (اَلشَّمْس), which is never pronounced, also for (Noon) in (كَأَن لَّمْ) to be pronounced like (كَأَلَّمْ).

The Red Color

Indicates letters, which requires expanded vocalization.

The dark red color indicates necessary prolongation, six vowels each of which is about half a second such as (الْحَآجّ).
The blood red color indicates obligatory prolongation, four / five vowels, it comprises non- stop prolongation, separate and major link such as (أَوْلِيَآء).
The orange red color indicates permissible prolongation, two or four or six vowels.
The Cumin red color indicates certain cases or normal prolongation, it takes two vowels duration.

The Green Color Indicates nasalization, which is the sound that comes out of the nose; it continues as long as two vowels. It Comprises: Disappearance (Ikhfa'a) such (أَن تَخْشَوْه). Stresses (N or M) such as (فَإِنَّهم), (مِمَّا). Inversion (Iglab) such as (مِن بَعْد), where the (N) colored with gray to be inverted into a nasalized (M) to be pronounced like (مِمْبَعد)

The Blue Color The dark blue indicates the emphatic pronunciation of the letter (R), such as (الحرام) The light blue color indicates a quality of certain letters -when pronounced, appear to have an echoing sound (pronouncement with a slight vibration in Mukhraj. Such a vibration is known as Qalqal, such as (لقد).

http://www.easyquran.com/en/first.htm

Now, there's a conflict of Tajwid and Tarteel... so let me clear you here:

Tarteel means "Recitation."

This word is used In Surah Muzammil, verse 4:

"and recite the Qur'an in slow measured rhythmic tones"

The Arabic for "slow, measured rythmic tones" is tarteel.

Tarteel is the term used to define the rules that explain how to recite the Qur'an in the way and manner that the angel Jibreel(Alayhe Salaam) to our beloved Messenger(Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam).

Tajweed means "Improving," or "to make something better."

Tajweed is a manner of beautifying the recitation of the Qur'an by reciting in a much slower manner than tarteel.

When praying, we recite with TARTEEL, not TAJWEED.

When discussing the rules of recitation, the proper term to use is TARTEEL, for one cannot learn tajweed without first learning tarteel.

----

Narrated Uthman, Prophet Muhammad () said:

'The best among you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it to others'

(Sahih Al Bukhari vol 6, book 61, no. 545)

Tajweed is the Science of reading Qur'an correctly.
Learning how to recite the Qur'an correctly is an obligatory act upon EVERY Muslim.

Abu Dharr narrated, the Messenger of Allah () said to me:

"O Abu Dharr! If you learn one verse from The Book of Allah (The Quran), it is better for you than to voluntarily pray one hundred rak'as (units of prayer), and if you learn a category of knowledge (religion), regardless if it is applied or not, it is better for you than to voluntarily pray one thousand rak'as."

(Ibn Majah, Sunan; Ibn Hajar Al-'Asqalani, Mukhtasar At-Targhib wa-t-Tarhib;
Al-Ghazali, Ihya' 'Ulum Ad-Deen)

Introduction
Tajweed ( ﺗﺠﻮﻳﺪ ) is an Arabic word meaning correct pronunciation during recitation. It is a set of rules which dictate how the Qur'an should be read. It comes from the root word 'ja-wa-da' meaning to make well, make better or improve.TARTEEL
The word is used in Surah Muzammil :
'And recite the Qur'an in slow measured rhythmic tone'
(Al Qur'an ; 73:4)
The Arabic word translated as 'slow, measured rythmic' is TARTEEL. The tafseer of the above ayat according to Ibn Kathir is 'recite the Qur'an slowly, making the letters clear, for this is an assistance in understanding and pondering the meaning of the Qur'an.'

The teaching used in this website is Hafs 'An 'Aasim by the way of Shaatibiyyah ()
For a detailed insight into the different qiraat, here are some recommended links

http://www.abouttajweed.com/

http://islamthought.wordpress.com/2008/12/14/qirat-of-the-quran/

Why the need for tajweed rules?
When Islam was being spread (and it was done so at a very quick pace and also into non-Arab speaking countries) not everyone's tongue was accustomed to the Arabic letters and sounds. Thus, when reciting the Qur'an, much error and distortion occurred and the Muslim scholars feared (the perpetration of) that error and distortion.It was at this point that some of them recorded the rules and foundations that regulate the correct pronunciation of Qur'an, and they named this the Science of Tajweed.
The rules were not made up by these Scholars. In fact, all they did was closely observe the perfect readers who read as they were taught by the Prophet () and wrote down for later generations the rules of recitation of the earlier generations.
From the outset, Tajweed was a Science that cannot be learnt only from a book and will always retain this inherent quality.
The most important part of Tajweed is learning about correct positions of the organs of speech and the manner of articulation. The Qur'an can lose its meaning if the letters are not pronounced correctly.
E.g
ﻛﻠﺐ Dog The first letters are similar in pronunciation, but if not pronounced correctly will change the word/meaning completely
ﻗﻠﺐ Heart

Tajweed is not intended to be about just learning rules and committing them to memory, but rather the correct application of those rules while reciting the Qur'an.
When 'tajweed' is observed, the reading will flow smoothly and eloquently. The reader will also be sure he is following the holy Prophet's () example by reciting the Qur'an just as the Prophet () did and just as it was revealed to him - InshaAllah. Failure to adhere to those rules may result in an unacceptable manner of reading, altering the entire meaning of the words and making one guilty of the unintentional utterance of the words of disbelief (kufr). Incorrect recital of the Qur'an constitutes LAHN, which may deprive the reader of any reward in the Hereafter, and Allah () Knows Best.

Al-Qura'an

2010-04-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

Oh Allah, open my chest and fill into my soul... the light (Noor) of Al-Qura'an...Make my Appearance and make my Inner-self just as You Will my Allah! Ameen...

"Wherewith Allâh guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to a Straight Way (Islâmic Monotheism)" (The Qur'an 5:16)

7 easy ways to memorize Al-Qura'an...see in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CU555Pgurc

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, says, "The best Muslim is the one who is best to his family." Also, he says, "… and the most blessed joy in life is a good, righteous wife." (Reported by At-Tirmidhi).

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1379455124883

Al Qura'an; Noor for the Muslims

The concept of Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Ra'ajioon

2010-04-05T06:57:00.001-07:00

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Ra'ajioon (said mostly when souls are separated and left on to a journey to the new horizons beyond the sky that our naked eye cannot see)

But what does this word mean?

It means: "To Allah we belong, to Him is our return"

There is no book that says that we only can say Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Ra'ajioon only on the occasion of shahadat or death.

It means …whatever we have is not really ours. It belongs to Allah.
Take a look around you; everything you see, all that you have and all that there is….in you, on you, around you….belongs to Allah, alone.
It is Allah Who has given you all the property and goods you possess, and that He is the true Owner of them all.

So the cars that you own, the houses that you live in, the businesses you possess all truly belong to Allah. The kids that He blessed you with, the health that He gave you, the time that He has allowed you are all Allah's property.
Even the bodies we live in and the life that we have belongs to Allah alone.

Also some of us may say this sentence when they lose something, suffer a setback or harm.

Take note of the words of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) on the occasion of the death of his son, Ibraahim:'Our eyes are filled with tears, our hearts with grief, but we say nothing with our lips except that which pleases Allah.... Verily, to Allah we belong, and to Him we return.' (Bukhaari)
And we all know the famous incidence about the companion Abu Talha and his wife when one of the sons died and Abu Talha was not at home. She washed and shrouded him and when Abu Talha came home and asked about his son, she said, 'The child is quiet and I hope he is in peace….' (Bukhaari)

Subhaan Allaah….such patience!

A Hamd o Naat in the shaan of Allah Ta'ala and Muhammad ur Rasool Allah

2010-04-05T06:56:00.000-07:00

Larhe koi mujhse ya koi shikwa kare,
Meri nigaah jhuke aur lafz na banein,
Jo koi awaaz uthe khilaaf e Allah o Sunnat e Muhammadi,
Sar qalam karne ko uska,
Meri talwar uthein,

Main cheer kar seena dikhadun aaj aur abhi,
Us mein milega tujhe Zikr e Allah aur Nabi...

Allah O Akbar!

Enjoining What is Good (Al-Ma’roof) and Forbidding What is Evil (Al-Munkar)

2010-03-28T23:52:00.000-07:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Allah (S.W.T) said in surat Al-Imran, (Verse 110), what can be translated as, “You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind, you enjoin Al-Ma’ruf and forbid Al-Munkar, and you believe in Allah…”

Allah (S.W.T) tells us in this verse that this Ummah (The Ummah of the prophet (S.A.W.)) is the best Ummah that Allah (S.W.T) has ever sent to humanity. He revealed the reason behind what makes this Ummah the best. It is the best not because of ethnic background, color, or language, but because of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil and the belief in Allah (S.W.T). So, if these characteristics are attained, this Ummah will be good. And if they are not attained, this Ummah will not be good. Qatadah said: We were told that while Omar Ibn Al-khattab (R.A.) was performing Hajj, he found people relaxed then read this verse and said: “He who is pleased to be from this Ummah, then let him perform Allah’s due in this verse.” If anyone who does not perform this duty (enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil) is like the People of the Book that Allah (S.W.T) scolded them when he said in surat Al-Ma’dah, (Verse 79), what can be translated as, “They used not to forbid one another from the Munkar which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do.”

What does Al-Ma’roof mean? And what does Al-Munkar mean?

Al-Ma’roof is a noun that includes everything that is looked upon as good by Islam like obeying Allah, getting closer to Him, and being good with people.

Al-Munkar is a noun that includes everything that is looked upon as bad by Islam like disobeying Allah and turning one’s back to Him and being bad with people.

Here, we must point to two important issues:

The definition of Al-Ma’roof and Al-Munkar is not based on the customs and traditions of people, rather it is based on Islam revealed by Allah and that defined the Halal and Haram and the rest of rules. So, if Islam considers something good, then it is Ma’roof and commendable, and if Islam considers something bad, then it is Munkar and must be rejected.
The Muslim society should only adopt Al-Ma’roof as defined by Islam and reject Al-Munkar that is rejected by Islam. For this reason, Al-Ma’roof was called Ma’roof because the believers, with all the knowledge and belief that they have, feel reassured with it because they know that is what Allah and his messenger want. And Al-Munkar was called Munkar because the believers reject it and are disgusted with it.

The meaning of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil include the whole Deen because the Deen is either an order to do something or not to do something. Imam Ibn Taimiyah said: “Sending messengers and sending down the Books, all intended: Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.”

Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil change societies, shape them and make them distinctive.

The corrupted society is infested with the Munkar, and ruled by the evil doers even if the society is not devoid of good and good doers who enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil. The straight society is the society of Ma’roof, ruled by the good doers even if the society is not devoid of evil and the evil doers.

Allah (S.W.T.) described the first society of Islam, so He said in surat At-Tawbah, (Verse 71), what can be translated as, “The believers, man and woman, are Auliya’ of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma’ruf and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar…”

In another verse, He (S.W.T.) says about the same society that there are hypocrites in surat At-Tawbah, (Verse 67), what can be translated as, “The hypocrites, man and woman, are from one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Munkar and forbid (people) from Al-Ma’ruf …”

Allah (S.W.T.) ordered this Ummah in surat Al-Imran, (Verse 104), what can be translated as, “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma’ruf and forbidding Al-Munkar. And it is those who are the successful.”

Imam Ibn Katheer said: “What is meant by this verse is that there must be a group of people dedicated to this issue, even if it takes every individual in the Ummah to do it”. This is supported by a Hadith reported by Imam Muslim that the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: ” Whoever amongst you sees Munkar (an evil), he must change it with his hand; if he is not able to do so, than with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of faith.”

All scholars have consensus that Munkar must be rejected. This is based on many verses and Ahadiths.

Rejecting Al-Munkar with the heart is obligatory upon every single individual. This rejection inside the heart of the individual relieves the individual from the responsibility if he is incapable of removing the Munkar with his hand and his tongue. Ibn Masood (R.A.) said: “There will be a time when one finds a Munkar, but he is not up to it, but Allah knows that his heart rejects the Munkar.” The incapable individual has a legitimate excuse only if he knows that he can not reject the Munkar with his hand or with his tongue, or if he knows that he will be harmed knowing that he is not up to it.

Removing the Munkar with the hand and the tongue has two rules: It is either obligatory upon each and every individual or obligatory upon enough a group that can remove it. It is the latter type when more than one Muslim finds a Munkar. In this case, it is obligatory upon them to reject it. If removing this Munkar is done even by one person, then this obligatory will fall off the rest of the Muslims. If no one removes this Munkar, then everyone will be sinning.

Removing the Munkar with the hand and the tongue will be obligatory of the first type when only one Muslim finds this Munkar and he is capable of removing it.

The characteristic of everyone who enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil:

Sincerity: It is a must that the intention must be solely for Allah (S.W.T.). His pleasure must be the only intended reward. Nothing from this worldly life can be intended. Whims and desires like showing off, fighting blindly for one’s opinion, can not be intended.
Knowledge: It is a must that the knowledge of Ma’roof and Munkar must be present and must be according to Allah’s legislation. If this type of knowledge is not present, then enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil will be based on whims and desires. Many people reject what they do not like and are not used to even though it is allowed in Islam. Having the correct knowledge implies having the correct ways and etiquette of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. It also implies the knowledge of the situation of the person being spoken with.
Kindness and wisdom: When enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, one must be kind and gentle. Without it, people will not accept it. Allah (S.W.T.) ordered the messenger Muhammad (S.A.W.) in surat An-Nahl, (Verse 125), what can be translated as, “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better…” And also Allah (S.W.T.) ordered Mousa and Haroon when he sent them to Faroah in surat Taha, (Verse 44), what can be translated as, “And speak to him mildly,…”
Patience: When enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, one must persevere through hardships and must stand for all the harm that he may find in his way. For this reason, Luqman advised his son: Allah (S.W.T) said in surat Luqman, (Verse 17), what can be translated as, “…And enjoin (on the people) for Al-Ma’ruf and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar and pear with patience whatever befalls you…”
He must be doing what he is ordering people to do, and refraining from what he is ordering people to refrain from. This way he is effective in his order to people and his act will not be against him on the Day of Judgment. Allah (S.W.T.) says Allah in surat As-Saf, (Verses 2&3), what can be translated as, “O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.” Also Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: “A man will be brought on the day of resurrection and will be cast into Hell, and his intestines will pour forth and he will go round them as and ass goes round its millstone. The inmates of Hell will gather round him and say: ‘what has happened to you, O so-and-so? Were you not enjoining us to do good and forbidding us to do evil? He will reply: ‘I was enjoining you to good, but was not doing it myself; and I was forbidding you to do evil, but was doing it myself.”

If one does not have these characteristics, he will be breaking more than fixing. His silence may sometimes be better than speaking so that he may not start a bigger Munkar.

Conditions that must be there in every Munkar that needs to be removed:

The Munkar has to be done openly. The prophet (S.A.W.) said: ” Whoever amongst you sees Munkar…” It is not allowed to look for the hidden Munkar to remove because this is considered from spying that we were forbidden from.
All scholars must have consensus that this specific thing is a Munkar. The Munkar is not the subject of debates and differences of the scholars. The differences in Ijtihad amongst scholars are not Munkar because the prophet (S.A.W.) acknowledged these differences and did not attack them like the incident of the Asr prayer at the village of Bani Quraithah, which was reported by Imams Bukhari and Muslim.

20 Exam Tips for Students

2010-01-17T05:33:00.001-08:00

Praise be to Allaah and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger and upon his family and companions.

The Muslim student puts his trust in Allaah when facing the tests of this world, and he seeks His help whilst following the prescribed means, in accordance with the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “The strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allaah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to attain that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah, and do not feel helpless.” (Saheeh Muslim, hadeeth no. 2664)

Among those means are the following:

Turning to Allaah by making du’aa’ in any way that is prescribed in Islam, such as saying, “Rabbiy ishrah li sadri wa yassir li amri (O my Lord, expand my chest and make things easy for me).”
Getting used to sleeping early and going to exams on time.
Preparing all required or permitted equipment such as pens, rulers and setsquares, calculators and watches, because being well prepared helps one to answer questions.
Reciting the du’aa’ for leaving the house: “Bismillaah, tawakkaltu ‘ala Allaah, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah. Allaahumma inni a’oodhu bika an adilla aw udalla, aw azilla aw uzalla, aw azlima aw uzlama, aw ajhala aw yujhala ‘alayya (In the name of Allaah, I put my trust in Allaah, and there is no strength and no power except with Allaah. O Allaah, I seek refuge with You lest I should stray or be led astray, lest I slip (commit a sin unintentionally) or be tripped, lest I oppress or be oppressed, lest I behave foolishly or be treated foolishly).” Do not forget to seek your parents’ approval, for their du’aa’ for you will be answered.
Mention the name of Allaah before you start, for mentioning the name of Allaah is prescribed when beginning any permissible action; this brings blessing, and seeking the help of Allaah is one of the means of strength.
Fear Allaah with regard to your classmates, and do not be affected by their anxiety or fear just before the exam, for anxiety is a contagious disease. Instead, make them feel optimistic by saying good words as prescribed in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was optimistic when he heard the name of Suhayl (which means “easy”) and he said: “Things have been made easy for you.” He used to like to hear the words ‘Yaa Raashid, when he went out for any purpose. So be optimistic that you and your brothers will pass this exam.
Remembering Allaah (dhikr) dispels anxiety and tension. If something is too difficult for you, then pray to Allaah to make it easy for you. Whenever Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) found something too difficult to understand, he would say, “O You Who taught Ibraaheem, teach me; O You Who caused Sulaymaan to understand, cause me to understand.”
Choose a good place to sit during the exam, if you can. Keep your back straight, and sit on the chair in a healthy manner.
Look over the exam first. Studies advise spending 10% of the exam time in reading the questions carefully, noting the important words and dividing one’s time between the questions.
Plan to answer the easy questions first, then the difficult ones. Whilst reading the questions, write notes and ideas which you can use in your answers later.
Answer questions according to importance.

Start by answering the easy questions which you know. Then move on to the questions which carry high marks, and leave till the end the questions to which you do not know the answers, or which you think will take a long time to produce an answer or which do not carry such high marks.

Take your time to answer, for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:“Deliberation is from Allaah and haste is from the Shaytaan.” (A hasan hadeeth. Saheeh al-Jaami, 3011)

Think carefully about the answer and choose the right answer when answering multiple-choice questions. Deal with them in the following manner. If you are sure that you have chosen the right answer, then beware of waswasah (insinuating whispers from the Shaytaan). If you are not sure, then start by eliminating the wrong or unlikely answers, then choose the correct answer based on what you think is most likely to be correct. If you guessed at a correct answer then do not change it unless you are sure that it is wrong – especially if you will lose marks for a wrong answer. Research indicates that the correct answer is usually that which the student thinks of first.

In written exams, collect your thoughts before you start to answer. Write an outline for your answer with some words which will indicate the ideas which you want to discuss. Then number the ideas in the sequence in which you want to present them.

Write the main points of your answer at the beginning of the line, because this is what the examiner is looking for, and he may not see what he is looking for if it is in the middle of the page and he is in a hurry.

Devote 10% of the time for reviewing your answers. Take your time in reviewing, especially in mathematical problems and writing numbers. Resist the desire to hand in the exam papers quickly, and do not let the fact that some people are leaving early bother you. They may be among the people who have handed in their papers too early.

If you discover after the exam that you answered some questions incorrectly, then take that as a lesson in the importance of being well prepared in the future, and not rushing to answer questions. Accept the will and decree of Allaah and do not fall prey to frustration and despair. Remember the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “If anything befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such and such.’ Rather say, ‘Qadar Allaah wa maa sha’a kaan (the decree of Allaah and what He wills happened),’ for saying ‘if only’ opens the door for the Shaytaan.” (Saheeh Muslim, and the first part of this hadeeth was mentioned above).

Note that cheating is haraam whether it is in foreign language tests or any other tests. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Whoever cheats is not one of us.” It is wrongdoing and it is a haraam means of attaining a degree or certificate, etc., that you have no right to. The consensus is that cheating is a kind of cooperation in sin and transgression. So do without that which is haraam, and Allaah will suffice you from His bounty. Reject all offers of haraam things that come to you from others. Whoever gives up a thing for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better. You have to denounce and resist evil, and tell the authorities about any such thing that you see during the exam, or before or after it. This is not the forbidden kind of slander rather it is denouncing evil which is obligatory.

Advise those who buy or sell questions or post them on the Internet etc., or who prepare cheat notes. Tell them to fear Allaah, and tell them of the ruling on what they are doing and on the money they earn from that. Tell them that the time they are spending in preparing these haraam things, if they spent it in studying, or answering previous exams, or helping one another to understand the subject before the exam, that would be better for them than doing these haraam things.

Remember what you have prepared for the Hereafter, and the questions of the examination in the grave, and how to be saved on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is saved from the Fire and admitted to Paradise will indeed have succeeded.

We ask Allaah to make us succeed in this world and cause us to be among those who are victorious and saved in the Hereafter, for He is the All-Hearing Who answers prayer.

Muslims do 4 kinds of JIHAD (Holy War)

2010-01-17T05:29:00.000-08:00

Jihad of the Tongue: speaking about their faith Jihad of the Hand: expressing their faith in good works Jihad of the Heart: making their faith a force for good Jihad of the Sword: defending their faith when under attack

Tanzil : Quran Navigator

2009-12-26T18:57:00.000-08:00

Tanzil : Quran Navigator

Recite, Read, Listen and in whichever language translation you want, it is available

Alhamdollillah!

ASSALAM O ALAYKUM WA RAHMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUHU...

2009-12-25T08:38:00.001-08:00

Death is the chapter of life that we experience daily when we sleep...

And someone who is nearer to heart, when they leave us behind, it kills the 'Nafs' inside us and the same thing happened with me...

Time after time, my believe in Allah, His Creations and Our most beloved Prophet Mohammed (Sallalaho Alayhe Wa Alayehi Wassalam) kept strengthening...

And all this happened, when I lost my Father, my Nani (Grandma-i.e. my mom's mother), My Paternal Uncles, My other beloved relatives, etc... But the most important turning of my life that brought me towards observing Hijaab along with complete Naqaab was due to my Nani's departure from this world to another world.

Then things kept coming to me... The heavenly Hidaayat that I kept getting from Almighty Allah just made me grow into my belief and I received Religious Ilm (Education) from Allah's hidden ways, which only He knows how and when...

I got to know people who are very religious and true in religion:

* I sat in Aitekaaf in last 10 days of Ramadan

* I started to keep Fasts apart from Ramadan's usual fasts as well

* I joined Jamia Binori town Madarsa for my further schooling but due to some

reason I had to leave it for sometime (personal family reasons)

* I created an excel sheet for my daily A'amaal ( in which I keep a track of what I am missing and why I am missing and also that how much Qaza e Umar of Namaz I have covered up till now) because Farz Namaz is the first thing that will be asked about when our deeds counting will begin

* And etc etc... Now, I hardly do anything else and wherever I am, Masha'Allah, my heart always thinks about Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala and His Blessings are

uncountable

(I love this change and pray for the whole Umma'h to bring this revolution in their lives and fall in love with Namaz, Qura'an, Ibaadat (Worship) of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala and save themselves from the dwelling fire of hereafter)

Do Ibaadat in love of Allah and Jannat will refer you to Allah to bring you near to itself...

Mingling of Sexes

2009-12-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

Assalam O Alaykum Wa RahmatUllahi Wa Barakatuhu,

The question of mixing of the sexes for the sake of education or any other reason in Islaam, can be best answered from the actions of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam)and his beloved companions. It is very important for Muslims to know that any act, which they do, or refrain from, must be in accordance with the allowances and prohibitions given by the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) as practiced by the Sahabas (R.A).

Today in this age of modernization and so-called advanced understanding, some Muslims have fallen prey to many non-Islaamic trends and practices which they try to justify as being acceptable and allowed in Islaam. One such practice is that of the intermingling of Muslim men and women at different occasions. Sometimes this occurs at Islaamic functions, Family Days, at Musallas for Eid Salaah and also at the Masjid. This intermingling and free mixing of the sexes for the sake of Islaamic Education or any other reason is totally Haraam (forbidden) according to the teaching of the Quraan and Sunnah and is in total violation of the laws of the Shariah.

A glimpse into the teaching of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) reveals that although the need existed for women to seek Islaamic education and also attend the Masjid during his blessed times, the free mixing and intermingling of Muslim men and women was never encouraged nor allowed. This prohibition was a directive which came directly from Allah and was taught and practiced by the noble Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) as well as the rightly guided companions.

Some of the verses of the Holy Quraan which can be cited to prove that Islaam discourages and forbids such mixing are:

1. “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty, that will make for greater purity for them, and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty”. (Sura Nur 24 : 31)

The injunction outlined in the very beginning of this verse is that of lowering the gaze for both men and women. It is therefore imperative upon Muslims to avoid such places and situations where this law (of Allah) can be compromised and broken. The free intermingling and mixing of the sexes brings about such difficulty upon the believers that they are unable to adhere to the above-mentioned command which is compulsory upon them.

2. While preventing the believers from having a direct interaction and mixing with the opposite sex, Allah says, “And when you ask (the Prophet’s wives) for anything, ask them from behind a screen, that makes a greater purity for your heart and theirs”. (Sura Ahzab: 53)

There is consensus among the scholars of the Holy Quraan that although the wives of the Prophet (S.A) were particularly addressed in this verse, the commandment is meant for all women.

Commenting on this verse Hafiz Ibn Kathir writes, “Allah chose modesty and honour for this ummah and commanded them to observe Hijaab. Undoubtedly, this commandment is in respect and honour of this ummah. (Tafseer Ibn Kathir)

Similarly, Allaamah Ibn Arabi writes in his commentary, “Although this commandment along with the other two (mentioned in the entire verse) were revealed specifically for the houses of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) and his wives, these are binding for all Muslims as we are required to follow the guidance and the tradition of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam). (Ahkamul Quraan). The famous and authentic scholar of Tafseer, Allama Qurtubi has also written on this verse, “This verse provides the permission to ask, from behind a screen, the wives of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) and all Muslim women would be bound by the same rule. (Tafseer Qurtubi)

The teaching which is established here is that, even in cases of necessity Allah has ordered that there should be no free mixing and intermingling.

The sunnah (teachings of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) has also given many guidelines which discourage the act of intermingling and mixing of the sexes. It shows that even in observing their religious duties, women were given such instructions which avoided their interaction, association and socializing with men.

In the case of Salaah where women aspired to go to the masjid, the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) advised them in the following manner, “it is better for a woman to offer her salaah in her bedroom than in the living room and it is better for her to offer her salaah in the living room than in her courtyard”. (Abu Dawud). It has also been narrated that Umm Humaid Sa’idiyya (R.A) once said to the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam), “O Prophet of Allah, I desire to offer prayers under your leadership”. The Holy Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) said, “ I know that, but your offering the prayer in the corner is better than your offering it in your private room and your offering it in your private room is better than offering it in your courtyard and your offering it in your courtyard is better than offering it in the neighbouring mosque”. (Reported by Ahmad and Tabarani)

However, although he pointed out to women the best place for their salaah, he did not outrightly prohibit them from going to the mosque. Those who wished to attend the mosque were allowed, even though they were encouraged to remain at home. Ibn Umar (R.A) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) said, “ When the wife of one of you seeks permission to go to the mosque, he must not prevent her”. (Bukhari, Muslim)

It should be understood that the discouragement from going to the mosque (for women) was that it was more private and purer for them as well as for the men, seeing that it eliminated the possibility of intermingling and free mixing of the sexes.

In order to maintain this standard of segregation, he issued many guidelines to women who wished to attend the mosque.

Some of these were:-

1. Women were allowed to attend the mosque for those salaah that were offered in the dark. According to Abdullah bin Umar (R.A), the Holy Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) said, “Let the women come to the mosque at night”. (Bukhari, Tirmizi).

According to Naf’i, the famous student of Ibn Umar (R.A), nighttime has been specified because women can easily observe the laws of segregation and Hijaab in the dark.

2. While attending the mosque women were never allowed to mix or mingle with the men. It is reported in a tradition recorded by Imam Bukhari, that upon the completion of the salaah the Prophet and his companions would remain on their places until the women had left the mosque. Similarly it is narrated that these women used to stand in rows that were behind the men and the young male children and thus occupied the last rows for salaah as reported in many traditions by Imam Bukhari and Muslim. As such, occupying themselves in the last rows behind the men and children and then returning home immediately after the prayer before the men stood up from their places, ensured that there was absolutely no chance of free movements and interaction with the men. This is further explained by Aishah (R.A) who said that ‘the women used to come for the Fajr prayer and would not be recognized, and returned home immediately after the prayer’ (Tirmizi)

3. Women who came to the mosque were not allowed to perfume or beautify themselves. In a tradition reported in Mu’atta, Muslim and Ibn Majah, the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) is reported to have said to the women, “Do not use any perfume or scent in the night when you want to join the prayers in the mosque. Come in a simple dress. The women who use perfume will not have their prayer rewarded by Allah”.

It is also established that although many women attended the musalla for the Eid Salaah, they did not mix or mingle with the men. It is mentioned in Sahih Al Bukhari that on such occasions the women remained away from the men, to the extent that after speaking to the men, the Messenger (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam)(S.A) would go and advise them separately about matters in Islaam. In the same manner it is evident in Sahih Al Bukhari that the women did not come out along with men for the sake of learning. Instead, they proposed to the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) that he should fix a separate day for them on which he would address them, which was accepted by him.

Even at the season of Hajj, this mixing was not allowed. According to a tradition reported by Ata in the collection of Al Bukhari, it states that women used to perform their circumambulation round the Kaaba along with men during the days of the Holy Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam), but they were not allowed to mix with them. According to a tradition reported by Ibraheem Nakh’i, Umar (R.A) had forbidden the males and females to mix during the Tawaaf of the Kaaba. Once when he saw a man in the midst of women, he caught hold of him and whipped him. (Fathul Baari – Commentary of Sahih Al Bukhari). Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) used to send the members of his family in advance from Muzdalifa to Mina, so that the women could offer the Fajr prayers and perform the stone throwing ceremony before the people arrived. Similarly Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr (R.A) used to leave for Mina early in the morning when it was still dark, as that was the common practice among women during the time of the Holy Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam).

From these narrations it can be seen that the law of segregation between men and women was enforced even in the most essential duties of Muslim men and women and this remains the established teaching in Islaam.

Muslims are therefore requested to adhere to these sacred teachings and avoid the mixing, intermingling and socializing between the sexes, which has become rampant in our society. The failure to adopt this guideline of the Shariah has resulted in many evils and negative consequences in the ummah.

Additionally, those who are entrusted with a degree of authority in Masaajid (Mosques) and other places should ensure that the necessary measures are implemented to avoid the mixing, intermingling and meeting between males and females.

We must understand that we are all accountable to Allah to the extent of our ability and are not responsible for things which are beyond our control.

This answer which has been given conforms to the Fatawas and legal opinions given by the renowned and accepted Muftis and Sheikhs of Makkah, Madina, India, Pakistan and South Africa.

JazakAllah Kheir & Alhamdollillah

2009-12-25T08:32:00.000-08:00

Instead of saying Thank you, say JazakAllah Kheir

... and Instead of saying I am fine, say Alhamdollillah

JazakAllah khair means " May Allah (Subhan Wa Ta'ala) grant you goodness"

People usually reply to it: Waiyyakum which literally means “and to you”

Things that drive you away from Allah

2009-11-28T05:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters,

There are many things in the path of life which seem of much pleasure and there are many people whom we get inspired from and many scriptures and chitchats that inspire us as well... But here, we forget that there is One Almighty Allah that we are ignoring and leaving behind in order to take full advantage of these things mentioned above...

We need to make sure that in every thing we do and in every act, we must think about Our Almighty Allah so that we do not walk the wrong path.

When we remember Allah with true heart, He'll never ever leave us misguided.

In the end I would say... Not all things that seem shiny are of gold...Similarly, the bad deeds come in front of us in a very attractive and shinier packaging but inside, they are nothing but pure dust and they lead us to the Hell Fire. So first step is, to think before you speak or act. And say Bismillah even before starting to think about what you are going to do... Definitely, Allah will guide you to the right path.

And for me...Har woh: baat, ya cheez, ya insaan, ya shay...Jo mujhe Allah se dur karde... Behtar hai mere liye ke main usay Allah ke liye khud se dur kardun

Beware of Suspiscion

2009-11-06T21:12:00.000-08:00

As salaam alekum ( Peace be upon you)

Narrated Abu Huraira (R.A.):

Allah's Apostle (Sallaho Alayhe Wa Alayhe Wassalam) said, 'Beware of suspicion, for it is the worst of false tales and don't look for the other's faults and don't spy and don't hate each other, and don't desert (cut your relations with) one another O Allah's slaves, be brothers!" (See Hadith No. 90

Source: Sahi Bukhari Volume 8, Book 80, Number 717

Right of a muslim upon another muslim

2009-11-06T21:11:00.000-08:00

As salaam alekum ( Peace be upon you)

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim. It was said to him: Allah's Messenger(PBUH) , what are these? Thereupon he said: When you meet him, offer him greetings;when he invites you to a feast accept it. when he seeks your council give him, and when he sneezes and says:" All praise is due to Allah,(ALHUMDILLAH) " you say Yarhamuk Allah (may Allah show mercy to you) ; and when he fails ill visit him; and when he dies follow his bier.

Source: Sahi Muslim Book 026, Number 5379

Verse from the Holy Qura'an

2009-11-06T21:09:00.001-08:00

As salam alekum ( Peace be upon you)

...And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out. And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.

Source: The Holy Quran Chapter 65: 02(Partial) &03

WOMEN IN ISLAM

2009-11-06T21:08:00.001-08:00

PRAISE BE TO ALLAH

ALLAH forbade the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) to be soft in speech, i.e., to speak in a soft and alluring tone that might give hope to the one in whose heart is a disease, i.e., the disease of desire and make him think that she is easy and has no objections. Rather she should speak in a moderate tone that is neither too harsh nor too soft. And ALLAH tells us that hijab is purer for the hearts of everyone.

And ALLAH says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And ALLAH is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”

[al-Ahzaab 33:59]

AND ALLAH KNOWS THE BEST

The Adornment in Jannah

2009-11-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

As Salaamu Alekum (Peace be Upon you),

Indeed, Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearl, and their garments therein will be silk.

Source: The Holy Qur'an; Surah Al Hajj; Verse 23.

2009-11-06T21:06:00.000-08:00

As salaam alekum ( Peace be upon you)

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:

The Prophet (Sallaho Alayhe Wa Alayhe Wassalam) said: "I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, 'I have never received any good from you."

Source: Sahi Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 28

Halloween

2009-11-06T21:04:00.001-08:00

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Halloween is a festival which originates from Ireland. from an Islamic perspective halloween has no basis at all and thus the day is of no significance at all. If people who celebrate this day cause any disturbance, we must tolerate this with due respect and patience. However, we must refrain on all accounts from indulging in any kind of celebration etc. please refer to the Hadith listed below:

'whoever imitates a people, then he is from among them'.

What is the proper way of sujud for women?

2009-11-06T20:57:00.000-08:00

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

(1 Question: What is the proper way of sujud for women?

Answer: Yazid Ibn Abi Habib States that Rasullulah (Sallaho Alayhe Wa Alayhe Wassalam) passed by two women who were performing Salah. He told them,

?When you make Sajdah (prostration), then join parts of your body to the ground, bcause a woman does not resemble a man in these aspects?
(Al- Marail of Abu Dawud Pg 118)

The above Hadith means that the lady must join her forearms and elbows to the ground and join her abdomen to her thighs. Thus concealing her body and this concealment must also be kept in mind through the other postures of Salaah.

And Allah (swt) knows best

2) Question: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY A MAN AND WOMAN PERFORMS SALAT,
[ SUCH AS THE WAY TO DO SAJOOD]
AND IF THERE IS WHAT IS THE CORRECT WAY FOR A WOMAN TO PERFORM SALAT.PLEASE GIVE WITH EVIDENCE OF HADEETH,AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT PEOPLE IN THE SUBCONTINENT HAVE NOT BEEN DOING IT CORRECTLY.

Answer:Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah's guidance)

Below is an extract from 'The Salah Of Women,' published by Madrasah Arabiyyah Islamiyah (Aazadville). I hope this will answer your questions.

Imam Bayhaqi has mentioned a principle which is the basis of the differences found in the salah of males and females.

He says:

"The separating factor between the laws of salah of males and females is that of concealment . A woman is commanded to do all those actions which are more concealing for her. " (as-Sunan al-Kubra alil-Bayhaqi: vol. 2 p 222)

When a woman stands in prayer her feet should be kept close to eachother, as it is mentioned above, 'A woman is commanded to do all those actions which are more concealing for her.' This ruling also applies for placing the feet close to eachother whilst in Sujood.

RAISING THE HANDS

Hafidh Nur ud-Din Haythami states:

Wa'il ibn Hajr states that Rasulullah (Sallaho Alayhe Wa Alayhe Wassalam) said to him, "O Ibn Hajr, when you perform salah, raise your hands till your ears while a woman should raise her hands till her chest . "

(Majma' uz-Zawaa'id: vol. 2 p 103, and I'laa us-Sunan: vol. 2 p 156)

Imam Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Shaybah narrates:

"Abd Rabbih Ibn Zaytun said that he saw Umm ud-Dardaa raising her hands parallel to her shoulders when beginning salah. "

(al-Musannaf li-Ibn Abi Shaybah: vol. 1 p 239)

Ibn Abi Shaybah has also narrated:

"`Ataa was asked how a woman should raise her hands in salah. He replied that she should raise them till her breast " (Ibid)

Based at Makkah, Ataa [the great Follower (tabi`i) and imam] used to issue this fatwa.

Ibn Abi Shaybah narrates:

"Hammad ibn Salamah al-Basri used to say that a woman should raise her hands parallel to her breast when beginning salah. "

(Ibid)

Hammad was based at Kufa and he used to issue this fatwa.

The narration of Ibn Jurayj has been mentioned as follows:

Ibn Jurayj said, "I asked Ataa whether a woman should gesture with her hands like a male when making takbir. Ataa replied that she should not raise her hands like a male. Then he practically indicated with his hands how it should be done by lowering his hands and drawing them very close to his body. Then he said, "In the raising of the hands, a woman is unlike a man . And if she leaves that, there is no harm. ""

The Muslim Ummah continued this practice over the centuries. Imam Zuhri used to issue the same fatwa in Madinah.

PLACING THE HANDS

Allamah Abdul-Hayy Luckhnawi writes:

"As for women, the jurists are unanimous that it is sunnah for them to place their hands on their bosoms. "

(as-Si'aayah: vol. 2 p 152)

There is Ijmaa' on this Mas'alah.

RUKU

It is stated in the Fataawaa Aalamgiriyyah:

"As for a female she must bend slightly in Ruku' without spreading her fingers out. She must keep them together on her knees by merely placing the palms. She must bend her knees slightly and not spread her arms out."

SAJDAH

Imam Abu Dawud has narrated the following hadith in his Maraaseel:

"Yazid ibn Abi Habib states that Rasulullah (Sallaho Alayhe Wa Alayhe Wassalam) passed by two women who were performing their salah. He said to them, "When you prostrate, then make the parts of your body touch the ground because a woman is unlike a man in these aspects. " (Maraaseel Abi Dawud p 118; and its like in as-Sunan al-Kubra alil- Bayhaqi: vol. 2 p 223)

Imam Bayhaqi narrates the following hadith:

Abdullah Ibn Umar reports that Rasulullah (Sallaho Alayhe Wa Alayhe Wassalam) said, "When a woman sits during Salah, she should place her one thigh over the other and when she prostrates, she must attach the stomach to her thighs so that is more concealing for her. Indeed, Allah looks at her and tells the angels, "O My angels! Bear witness that I have forgiven her. ""

(As-Sunan al-Kubra alil-Bayhaqi: vol. 2 p 223)

Imam Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Shaybah narrates the following statement of Ali:

"It is reported that Ali said: "When a woman performs Salah, she must practise Ihtifaaz and keep her thighs close together. ""

(al-Musannaf li-Ibn Abi Shaybah: vol. 1 p 270, and it has been taken many ways, Abdur-Razzaq has taken it from Isra'il from Abu Is'haq from Harith from Ali and Ibn Abi Shaybah took it from Abul-Ahwas from Abu Is'haq and Bayhaqi took it from Abul-Ahwas, with the mentioned Sanad)

Imam Abdur-Razzaq has quoted the following Hadith in his Musannaf:

Ali says, "When a woman prostrates, she must practise ihtifaaz and keep her thighs close to her stomach. "

(al-Musannaf li-Abdir-Razzaq: vol. 3 p 138)

"Ihtifaaz": to lean on one side and rest on the posterior.

(See Lugaat al-Hadith: vol. 1 p 98)

The following narration has been quoted by Bayhaqi:

"Ali said: " When a woman performs Sajdah she must keep her thighs close together. ""

(as-Sunan al-Kubra alil-Bayhaqi: vol. 2 p 222)

The following narration appears in Kanz ul-Ummal:

"Ibn Umar states that when a woman prostrates, she must let her stomach touch her thighs in order to make herself completely concealed. "

(Kanz ul-Ummal: vol. 4 p 117)

Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah narrates:

"Ibrahim says that when a woman prostrates she should join her thighs to her stomach without raising her posterior and without stretching her limbs out like a male. "

(al-Musannaf li-Ibn Abi Shaybah: vol. 1 p 270)

The following words have been narrated by Ibrahim Nakha'i:

"Ibrahim said that when a woman prostrates she must draw her thighs inwards and place her stomach on them. " (Ibid)

Mujaahid:

"Muhaahid used to dislike that a man attach his stomach to his thighs as a woman does. "

(Ibid)

Hasan al-Basri:

"Hishaam reports from Hasan who says that woman should draw herself closely together in Sajdah. "

(Ibid)

Imam Abdur-Razzaq narrates:

Ibrahim says, "A woman used to be commanded to place her arm and her stomach on her thigh when she goes into Sajdah and not to spread her limbs out as a male does so that her buttocks are not raised. "

(al-Musannaf li-Abdir-Razzaq: vol. 3 p 138)

Allamah Muhammad Taahir al-Gujaraati narrates:

"When a lady performs salah, she must contract herself when she sits down and when she goes into sajdah and she must not spread her limbs out. "

(Majma' Bihar l-Anwaar: vol. 1 p 521)

Based on these narrations, the Fuqahaa have issued the following ruling:

"A woman should contract herself in Sajdah and join her stomach to her thighs because this is more concealing for her. "

(al-Hidaayah: vol. 1 p 53)

THE SITTING POSITION

It is mentioned in the Musnad of Imam Abu Hanifah (R.A):

"Abdullah ibn Umar was asked how women performed their Salah during the era of Rasulullah (Sallaho Alayhe Wa Alayhe Wassalam). He replied that initially they performed Tarabbu'. Then they were ordered to themselves close together and lean onto one side by resting on their left buttocks and completely contracting themselves. "

(Jaami' ul-Masaaneed: vol. 1 p 400)

Taraabu' is to sit cross legged. This narration indicates that initially the women sat in the position of Tarabbu' but this command was later abrogated and they were ordered to draw themselves close together and lean onto one side by resting on their left buttocks and completely contracting themselves.

Sheikh Abu’l-Wafaa Afghaani writes:

"This is the most authentic narration of this chapter i.e. the sitting position of women . It is for this reason that Imam Abu Hanifah has made it the basis of his Madh'hab. "

(Ta'leeqash-Sheikh Abul-Wafaa Afghaani ala Kitab il-Aathaar lil-Imam Muhammad ash-Shaybaani: vol. 1 p 208)

Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Shaybah narrates:

When Ibn Abbas was asked about the Salaah of a woman, he replied, "She must draw herself close together and lean onto one side by resting on her left buttock. "

(al-Musannaf li-Ibn Abi Shaybah: vol. 1 p270)

in another narration of Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (vol . 1 p270), one finds the following words:

Ibrahim said: "A woman should sit in Salah as a man does. "

This quotation indicates permissibility. However, Naasir ud-Din al-Albaani has interpolated the words of this narration thus:

"A woman should so as a man does in Salah. "

(Sifatu Salatin-Nabiy p 207)

This interpolation has clearly changed the meaning of the words and is a misleading act.

The following narration is also quoted by Ibn Abi Shaybah:

Khalid ibn Lajlaaj said that women were commanded with Tarabbu' when they sat in Salah and they should not sit like men on their buttocks. That is in order that nothing happens. "

(al-Musannaf li-Ibn Abi Shaybah: vol. 1 p 270)

The Fuqahaa took these narrations into consideration and delivered

the following ruling:

"A woman should sit on her left buttock and position her legs out on her right hand side because that is more concealing for her. "

(al-Hidaayah: vol. 1 p 55)

The above narrations indicate that Ibrahim Nakha'i used to issue the Fatwa in Kufain accordance with this practise, while in Madinah Mujhaahid did likewise as did Hasan Basri in Basrah.

These Ahaadith and Aathaar clearly indicate that the Salah of females differs from that of males.

And Only Allah Ta'ala Knows Best.

2009-11-06T20:53:00.000-08:00

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

What does Islam say about "mothers"?

This is one of the most convincing things about Islam - the treatment of women in general and especially the high position mothers hold in Islam.

Amongst the clearest examples of Islam's honoring women is the great status of the mother in Islam. Islam commands kindness, respect and obedience to parents and specifically emphasizes and gives preference to the mother as shall be shown in this article. Islam raises parents to a status greater than that found in any other religion or ideology.

The command to be good to one's parents begins right from the Qur'an. Allah says:

"Worship God and join not any partners with Him; and be kind to your parents..." [Noble Quran 4:36]

The mention of servitude to parents follows immediately after servitude to God. This is repeated throughout the Qur'an.

"Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility and say, "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood." [Noble Quran 17:23-24]

The great scholar, Abu al-Faraj Ibn Al-Jawzî (d. 1201CE) explained:

To be kind to one's parents is: to obey them when they order you to do something, unless it is something which Allah has forbidden; to give priority to their orders over voluntary acts of worship; to abstain from that which they forbid you to do; to provide for them; to serve them; to approach them with gentle humility and mercy; not to raise your voice in front of them; nor to fix your glance on them; nor to call them by their names; and to be patient with them. (Ibn al-Jawzî, Birr al-Wâlidayn)

The Qur'an emphasizes the great struggles the mother goes through for her child, to highlight the need for one to reciprocate their parents sacrifice for them:

"And We have enjoined on man [to be good] to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him and his weaning was over two years. Be thankful to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination."[Noble Quran 31:14]

The renowned exegete, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman As-Sa'di (d. 1956), says about this verse:

{And to your parents} meaning, be kind to your parents, shower on them love, affection and piety, both in words and deeds, treat them with tender humility, provide for them and never harm them verbally nor physically. [...] Then, Allah mentions the reason why we should be kind to our parents, when He says {His mother bore him in travail upon travail}, that is, the mother bore constant suffering; in pain and hardship from the first moment she felt the child moving in her womb to the worst pangs during the time of delivery. And {his weaning is for two years}, that is, during these two years the mother breast-feeds her child and looks after him/her. So after all the years of suffering, hardship, love and care, could we not, at least, compensate our mothers for what they have done for us and pay them back their rights? (Taysîr al-Karîm ar-Rahmân fî Tafsîr al-Kalâm al-Manân)

The Qur'an repeats its mention of the struggles of the mother in yet another passage:

"And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims." [Noble Quran 46:15]

In connection to this passage, the late Grand Mufti of Pakistan, Shaykh Muhammad Shafy (d. 1976) wrote:

Mother has more rights than father
Although the first part of this verse is a command to do good to both the parents, the second sentence refers only to the hardships suffered by the mother, because they are unavoidable, and no child can be born without them. Every mother has to go through the problems of pregnancy and severe pains of delivery. As against this, it is not necessary for a father that he suffers any hardship in bringing up and educating the child, if he can afford to pay somebody else for these services. This is why the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has given more rights to the mother than anybody else. According to a hadîth he has said,

"Do good to and serve your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then the near relatives and then those who come after them."[Mazhari]

"And his carrying and his weaning is in thirty months"[Noble Quran 46:15]

This sentence too describes the hardships suffered by the mother for her baby. It points out that even after suffering hardships during pregnancy and the severe labor pains, the mother does not get respite from toils, because the natural food of the infants is in her breasts, and she has to suckle them. (Shafy, Ma'âriful Qur'ân [Eng. trans.], vol. 7, pp. 795-796)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) continually used to remind his followers of the status of the mother and the obligation of being good to one's parents. The following narration is a beautiful example of the noble position of the mother:

A man came to the Prophet and said: O Messenger of Allah! Who from amongst mankind warrants the best companionship from me? He replied: "Your mother." The man asked: Then who? So he replied: "Your mother." The man then asked: Then who? So the Prophet replied again: "Your mother." The man then asked: Then who? So he replied: "Then your father." (Sahîh Bukhârî 5971 and Sahîh Muslim 7/2)

Commenting on this hadith, Shaykh Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi notes:

This hadith confirms that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave precedence to kind treatment of one's mother over kind treatment of one's father (Al-Hashimi, The Ideal Muslimah, IIPH 2005, p. 165)

Likewise, the late Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Abdul-Azîz Ibn Bâz (d. 1999) comments on this hadith saying:

So this necessitates that the mother is given three times the like of kindness and good treatment than the father. (Majmoo' Fataawaa wa Maqalat Mutanawwi'ah)

He also writes:

The secret of her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that is placed upon her, and the difficulties that she has to shoulder - responsibilities and difficulties some of which not even a man bears. This is why from the most important obligations upon a person is to show gratitude to the mother, and kindness and good companionship with her. And in this matter, she is to be given precedence over and above the father.[...] And I have no doubt that my mother - may Allah shower His mercy upon her - had a tremendous effect upon me, in encouraging me to study; and she assisted me in it. May Allah greatly increase her reward and reward her with the best of rewards for what she did for me. (Majmoo' Fatawa wa Maqalat Mutanawwi'ah)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) also said in a famous narration:

'Paradise lies at the feet of your mother' [Musnad Ahmad, Sunan An-Nasâ’i, Sunan Ibn Mâjah]

What can be greater evidence of honoring women than this? Islam has effectively placed the ultimate reward for human beings in their devotion to their mothers.

Shaykh Ibrahîm Ibn Sâlih Al-Mahmud writes:

Treat your mother with the best companionship, then your father; because paradise is under the mother's feet. Never disobey your parents, nor make them angry, otherwise you will live a miserable life in this world and the hereafter, and your children will treat you likewise. Ask your parents gently if you need something. Always thank them if they give it to you, and excuse them if they do not, and never insist on a matter if they refuse to give you something. (Al-Mahmoud, How to be kind to your Parents, p.40)

It is related from Talhah ibn Mu'âwiyah as-Salamî who said:

I came to the Prophet and said, "O Messenger of Allah, I want to perform Jihad in the way of Allah. He asked, "Is your mother alive?" I replied, "Yes." The Prophet then said: "Cling to her feet, because paradise is there." (at-Tabarânî).

Shaykh Nidhaam Sakkijihaa comments:

Cling to her feet means to submit yourself to her, be close to her, protect her, serve her because in this is Paradise and with her satisfaction you will enjoy the good blessings of Allah. (Sakkijihaa, Honoring the Parents, p. 52)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) showed us the importance of serving one's parents in the following narration reported by Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud:

I asked the Prophet, 'O Messenger of Allah, what is the best deed?' He replied 'Prayer offered on time.' I asked, 'What is next in goodness?' He replied, 'To be dutiful and kind to one's parents.' I further asked, 'What is next in goodness?' He replied, 'Jihad in the Allah's cause. [Sahîh Bukhârî, Sahîh Muslim]

Just as the Prophet said that kindness to one's parents was of the best deeds, he also said that disobedience to them was amongst the major sins:

"The greatest sins are to associate partners in worship with Allah, to be undutiful or unkind to one's parents, to kill a soul forbidden by Allah and to bear false witness." [Sahîh Bukhârî]

Even after the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the Muslim scholars continued to stress the importance of being dutiful to one's mother. By examining the conduct and teachings of the early Muslim scholars, one may see how the direct recipients of the Islamic message understood the command to be dutiful to one's parents. Their behavior towards their parents shows Muslims how one is to implement the teachings of the Prophet on honoring parents.

Abdullah Ibn Abbâs (d. 687CE), a companions of the Prophet and a great scholar of Islam, considered kind treatment of one's mother to be the best deed for strengthening or rectifying one's relation with God. He said:

I know of no other deed that brings people closer to Allah than kind treatment and respect towards one's mother. [Al-Adab al-Mufrad Bukhârî 1/45]

An even more powerful example is found in the statement of another one of the Prophet's companions, Abdullah Ibn 'Umar (d. 692CE), who was also a great scholar of Islam. It has been related that:

Abdullah Ibn 'Umar saw a Yemeni man performing Tawâf (circumambulating the Ka'bah) while carrying his mother on his back. This man said to Abdullah Ibn 'Umar, "I am like a tame camel for her! I have carried her more than she carried me. Do you think I have paid her back, O Ibn 'Umar?" Abdullah Ibn 'Umar replied, "No, not even one contraction!!" [Al-Adab al-Mufrad Bukhârî 1/62]

SubhânAllah (Glory be to God)! The efforts of a man who carries his mother on his back while performing tawâf cannot even repay his mother for a single contraction that she went through for him. Wise indeed was Ibn 'Umar's reply to this man to show him how massively indebted he was to his mother. This is the tremendous value and prestigious position of mothers in Islam!

Yet another example is found in the following prophecy of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him):

There will come to you with reinforcements from Yemen a man called Uways ibn 'Âmir of the clan of Murâd from the tribe of Qaran. He had leprosy but has been cured of it except for a spot the size of a coin. He has a mother and he has always treated her with kindness and respect. If he prays to Allah, Allah will fulfill his wish. If you can ask him to pray for forgiveness for you, then do so. [Sahîh Muslim 16/95]

Indeed, later on 'Umar ibn al-Khattâb met Uways who was exactly as the Prophet described, and upon 'Umar's request Uways prayed for him. Commenting on this narration, Shaykh Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimî writes:

What a high status Uways reached by virtue of his kindness and respect towards his mother, so that the Prophet recommended his Sahabah [companions] to seek him out and ask him to pray for them!

All of this indicates the high status to which Islam has raised the position of motherhood, and given the mother precedence over the father. At the same time, Islam has given importance to both parents, and has enjoined kindness and respect to both. (Al-Hashimi, The Ideal Muslimah, IIPH 2005, p. 167)

So great was the Islamic emphasis on parents, that the Muslims considered a great opportunity to attain paradise in service to one's mother. Iyâs Ibn Mu'âwiyah was a famous Islamic scholar from the second generation of Muslims. When his mother died, Iyâs Ibn Mu'âwiyah cried. He was asked, "Why do you cry?" He said, "I used to have two gates open to Paradise, now one of them is closed."

Zayn al-'Abidîn (d. 713CE) was the great grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and also a renowned scholar. He used to treat his mother with so much kindness and love as seen in the following narration:

Once he was asked, 'You are the most kind person to his mother, yet we have never seen you eating with her from a single dish.' He replied, 'I fear that my hand would take the what her eyes have already seen in the dish, and then I would be disobeying her'. [At-Tartushi, Birr al-Wâlidayn]

In other words, he was so careful not to disobey his mother that he would even avoid eating out of the same plate as her; He thought that she would see a morsel and intend to take it, but before she did he might unknowingly take that same morsel and eat it. This is how careful he was to obey his mother in the most minute details.

Another early Islamic scholar, Sa'îd Ibn Al-Musayyib (d. 709CE), was asked about the meaning of the verse "but address them in terms of honor" (17:23). Sa'îd Ibn Al-Musayyib replied:

It means that you should address them as a servant addresses his master.

Muhammad Ibn Sirîn (d. 729CE) used to speak to his mother in a very soft voice, out of respect for her. He was also often seen in the company of his mother and looking after her. (Ibn al-Jawzî, Birr al-Wâlidayn)

All that has preceded shows how the status of mothers - and consequently that of women - is elevated to the highest position in Islam. The honor Islam has given to mothers is beyond that found in any other religion, ideology or culture. This is clear proof of the lofty status of Muslim Women.

Manners towards Wife

2009-11-06T20:45:00.001-08:00

As salaam alekum ( Peace be upon you)

The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manners and kindest to his wife.

Source: Abu Dawud

Insulting your wife?

2009-11-06T20:43:00.001-08:00

As salaam alekum ( Peace be upon you)

Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri (R.A):

I went to the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile (insult/abuse) them.

Source: Abu-Dawud, Book 11: Number 2139

Hadith of the Day - Tattooing and Eyebrow Shaping

2009-11-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

As Salaamu Alekum (Peace be Upon you),

Abdullah bin Mas’ud(R.A), reported: Allah had cursed those women who tattoo and who have themselves tattooed, those who pluck from their eyes and those who make spaces between their teeth for beautification, changing what Allah has created. This news reached a woman of the tribe Asad who was called Umm Ya’qub and she used to recite the Holy Qur’an. She came to him and sad: “What is this news that has reached me from you that you curse those women who tattoo and those women who have themselves tattooed, the women who pluck hair from their eyes and who make spaces between their teeth for beautification changing what Allah has created?” Thereupon Abdullah(R.A) said: “Should I not curse one upon whom Allah’s messenger (Sallaho Alayhe Wa Alayhe Wassalam) has invoked curse and that is in the Book also?” Thereupon the woman said: “I read the Qur’an from cover to cover, but I did not find that in it,” whereupon he said: “If you read [thoroughly] you would have definitely found this in that (A.S) Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, has said: “And whatsoever the Messenger Muhammad (Sallaho Alayhe Wa Alayhe Wassalam) gives you, take it and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).” [Al-Hashr: 7] That woman said: “I find this thing in your wife even now.” Thereupon he said: “Go and see her.” She reported: I went to the wife of Abdullah(R.A) but found nothing of this sort in her. She came back to him and said: “I have not seen anything,” whereupon he said: “Had there been anything like it in her, I would have never slept with her in bed.”

Hadith Source: Sahih Muslim
Verse Source: The Holy Qur'an; Surah Al Hashr; Verse 7

Hadees of the day

2009-11-06T20:31:00.000-08:00

As salaam Alaikum (Peace be upon you)

Narrated Abu Huraira (R.A):

The Prophet said, "On every Friday the angels take heir stand at every gate of the mosques to write the names of the people chronologically (i.e. according to the time of their arrival for the Friday prayer and when the Imam sits (on the pulpit) they fold up their scrolls and get ready to listen to the sermon."

Source: Sahi Bukhari Volume 4, Book 54, Number 433

"Khameeri Musalman"

2009-11-06T20:09:00.001-08:00

KARACHI, April 09 (PPI): Sindh High Court Thursday allowed two girls of Mirpurkhas who converted to Islam from Hindu religion to live at Madressah Jamia Binoria, Karachi. A division bench comprising Justices Gulzar Ahmed & Malik Muhammad Aqil passed order after recording statement of girls, Ayesha and Marium, who were produced by Karachi Police on court order. They submitted they embraced Islam at their own free will against consent of their parents. Parents wanted to marry them with Hindu people. No body kidnapped them and they happily live at Madressah Jamia Binoria, ...

The beauty of Religion can be found in this historical tale which is true and is about 2 hindu girls Monica and Neelam who respectively became Aisha and Mariam :)

No I am not going to tell their experience, you have to read the book to have this touching experience :)

A beautiful Naat

2009-11-06T20:08:00.001-08:00

Khusravi achi lagi na, sarwari achi lagi,
Ham faqiroon ko Madine ki galli achi lagi.

Door thay to zindagi bay rang thi be-kaif thi,
Unkay kuchey main ga’ey to, zindagi achi lagi.

Hum faqiron ko madine ki gali achi lagi….

Main na jaun ga kahin bhi, dar Nabi ka chaur kar
Mujh ko ku’ey Mustafa ki chakari achi lagi.

Naaz kar tu aey Halima Sarwar-e-Kownain par,
Gar lagi achi to teri jhownparhi achi lagi.

Rakh diya Sarkaar kay qadmoon pay sultanoon nay sar,
Sarwarey kown-o-makaan ki saadgi ach-chii lagi.

Mahr-o-mah ki roshani mana kay achi hai magar,
Sabz gunbad ki mujhey to, roshani achi lagi.

Door rah kar astaan-e-sarwar-e-kownain se
Zindagi achii lagiina bandagi achii lagii

Aaj mahfil mein Niyaazi, naat jo maine parhi,
Ashaqan-e-Mustafa ko woh barhi achii lagi

Hum faqiron ko madine ki gali achi lagi….
Hum faqiroon ko madinay ki gali achi lagi…

Khusravi achi lagi na, sarwari achi lagi,
Ham faqiroon ko Madine ki galli achi lagi.

2009-10-31T21:29:00.000-07:00

Allah Answers the Prayer of the Suppliant

[Sahih Muslim : Book 35, Book Name Kitab Al-Dhikr Number 6593]

Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) said:
"The supplication of every one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and says: I supplicated but it was not granted."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 35, Book Name Kitab Al-Dhikr, Number 6594]

Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) as saying:
"The supplication of one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and say- I supplicated my Lord but it was not granted."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 35, Book Name Kitab Al-Dhikr, Number 6595]

Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) as saying:
"The supplication of the servant is granted in case he does not supplicate for sin or for severing the ties of blood, or he does not become impatient. It was said: Allah's Messenger, what does:" If he does not grow impatient" imply? He said: That he should say like this: I supplicated and I supplicated but I did not find it being responded. and theu he becomes frustrated and abandons supplication."

Our Lord! and grant us what Thou hast promised us by Thy apostles; and disgrace us not on the day of resurrection; surely Thou dost not fail to perform the promise.

2009-10-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

Assalam O Alaikum Wa RahmatUllahi Wa Barakatuhu,

The question of mixing of the sexes for the sake of education or any other reason in Islaam, can be best answered from the actions of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam)and his beloved companions. It is very important for Muslims to know that any act, which they do, or refrain from, must be in accordance with the allowances and prohibitions given by the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) as practiced by the Sahabas (R.A).

Today in this age of modernization and so-called advanced understanding, some Muslims have fallen prey to many non-Islaamic trends and practices which they try to justify as being acceptable and allowed in Islaam. One such practice is that of the intermingling of Muslim men and women at different occasions. Sometimes this occurs at Islaamic functions, Family Days, at Musallas for Eid Salaah and also at the Masjid. This intermingling and free mixing of the sexes for the sake of Islaamic Education or any other reason is totally Haraam (forbidden) according to the teaching of the Quraan and Sunnah and is in total violation of the laws of the Shariah.

A glimpse into the teaching of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) reveals that although the need existed for women to seek Islaamic education and also attend the Masjid during his blessed times, the free mixing and intermingling of Muslim men and women was never encouraged nor allowed. This prohibition was a directive which came directly from Allah and was taught and practiced by the noble Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) as well as the rightly guided companions.

Some of the verses of the Holy Quraan which can be cited to prove that Islaam discourages and forbids such mixing are:

1. “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty, that will make for greater purity for them, and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty”. (Sura Nur 24 : 31)

The injunction outlined in the very beginning of this verse is that of lowering the gaze for both men and women. It is therefore imperative upon Muslims to avoid such places and situations where this law (of Allah) can be compromised and broken. The free intermingling and mixing of the sexes brings about such difficulty upon the believers that they are unable to adhere to the above-mentioned command which is compulsory upon them.

2. While preventing the believers from having a direct interaction and mixing with the opposite sex, Allah says, “And when you ask (the Prophet’s wives) for anything, ask them from behind a screen, that makes a greater purity for your heart and theirs”. (Sura Ahzab: 53)

There is consensus among the scholars of the Holy Quraan that although the wives of the Prophet (S.A) were particularly addressed in this verse, the commandment is meant for all women.

Commenting on this verse Hafiz Ibn Kathir writes, “Allah chose modesty and honour for this ummah and commanded them to observe Hijaab. Undoubtedly, this commandment is in respect and honour of this ummah. (Tafseer Ibn Kathir)

Similarly, Allaamah Ibn Arabi writes in his commentary, “Although this commandment along with the other two (mentioned in the entire verse) were revealed specifically for the houses of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) and his wives, these are binding for all Muslims as we are required to follow the guidance and the tradition of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam). (Ahkamul Quraan). The famous and authentic scholar of Tafseer, Allama Qurtubi has also written on this verse, “This verse provides the permission to ask, from behind a screen, the wives of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) and all Muslim women would be bound by the same rule. (Tafseer Qurtubi)

The teaching which is established here is that, even in cases of necessity Allah has ordered that there should be no free mixing and intermingling.

The sunnah (teachings of the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) has also given many guidelines which discourage the act of intermingling and mixing of the sexes. It shows that even in observing their religious duties, women were given such instructions which avoided their interaction, association and socializing with men.

In the case of Salaah where women aspired to go to the masjid, the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) advised them in the following manner, “it is better for a woman to offer her salaah in her bedroom than in the living room and it is better for her to offer her salaah in the living room than in her courtyard”. (Abu Dawud). It has also been narrated that Umm Humaid Sa’idiyya (R.A) once said to the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam), “O Prophet of Allah, I desire to offer prayers under your leadership”. The Holy Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) said, “ I know that, but your offering the prayer in the corner is better than your offering it in your private room and your offering it in your private room is better than offering it in your courtyard and your offering it in your courtyard is better than offering it in the neighbouring mosque”. (Reported by Ahmad and Tabarani)

However, although he pointed out to women the best place for their salaah, he did not outrightly prohibit them from going to the mosque. Those who wished to attend the mosque were allowed, even though they were encouraged to remain at home. Ibn Umar (R.A) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) said, “ When the wife of one of you seeks permission to go to the mosque, he must not prevent her”. (Bukhari, Muslim)

It should be understood that the discouragement from going to the mosque (for women) was that it was more private and purer for them as well as for the men, seeing that it eliminated the possibility of intermingling and free mixing of the sexes.

In order to maintain this standard of segregation, he issued many guidelines to women who wished to attend the mosque.

Some of these were:-

1. Women were allowed to attend the mosque for those salaah that were offered in the dark. According to Abdullah bin Umar (R.A), the Holy Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) said, “Let the women come to the mosque at night”. (Bukhari, Tirmizi).

According to Naf’i, the famous student of Ibn Umar (R.A), nighttime has been specified because women can easily observe the laws of segregation and Hijaab in the dark.

2. While attending the mosque women were never allowed to mix or mingle with the men. It is reported in a tradition recorded by Imam Bukhari, that upon the completion of the salaah the Prophet and his companions would remain on their places until the women had left the mosque. Similarly it is narrated that these women used to stand in rows that were behind the men and the young male children and thus occupied the last rows for salaah as reported in many traditions by Imam Bukhari and Muslim. As such, occupying themselves in the last rows behind the men and children and then returning home immediately after the prayer before the men stood up from their places, ensured that there was absolutely no chance of free movements and interaction with the men. This is further explained by Aishah (R.A) who said that ‘the women used to come for the Fajr prayer and would not be recognized, and returned home immediately after the prayer’ (Tirmizi)

3. Women who came to the mosque were not allowed to perfume or beautify themselves. In a tradition reported in Mu’atta, Muslim and Ibn Majah, the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) is reported to have said to the women, “Do not use any perfume or scent in the night when you want to join the prayers in the mosque. Come in a simple dress. The women who use perfume will not have their prayer rewarded by Allah”.

It is also established that although many women attended the musalla for the Eid Salaah, they did not mix or mingle with the men. It is mentioned in Sahih Al Bukhari that on such occasions the women remained away from the men, to the extent that after speaking to the men, the Messenger (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam)(S.A) would go and advise them separately about matters in Islaam. In the same manner it is evident in Sahih Al Bukhari that the women did not come out along with men for the sake of learning. Instead, they proposed to the Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam) that he should fix a separate day for them on which he would address them, which was accepted by him.

Even at the season of Hajj, this mixing was not allowed. According to a tradition reported by Ata in the collection of Al Bukhari, it states that women used to perform their circumambulation round the Kaaba along with men during the days of the Holy Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam), but they were not allowed to mix with them. According to a tradition reported by Ibraheem Nakh’i, Umar (R.A) had forbidden the males and females to mix during the Tawaaf of the Kaaba. Once when he saw a man in the midst of women, he caught hold of him and whipped him. (Fathul Baari – Commentary of Sahih Al Bukhari). Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) used to send the members of his family in advance from Muzdalifa to Mina, so that the women could offer the Fajr prayers and perform the stone throwing ceremony before the people arrived. Similarly Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr (R.A) used to leave for Mina early in the morning when it was still dark, as that was the common practice among women during the time of the Holy Prophet (Sallalaho Alayhe Wassalam).

From these narrations it can be seen that the law of segregation between men and women was enforced even in the most essential duties of Muslim men and women and this remains the established teaching in Islaam.

Muslims are therefore requested to adhere to these sacred teachings and avoid the mixing, intermingling and socializing between the sexes, which has become rampant in our society. The failure to adopt this guideline of the Shariah has resulted in many evils and negative consequences in the ummah.

Additionally, those who are entrusted with a degree of authority in Masaajid (Mosques) and other places should ensure that the necessary measures are implemented to avoid the mixing, intermingling and meeting between males and females.

We must understand that we are all accountable to Allah to the extent of our ability and are not responsible for things which are beyond our control.

This answer which has been given conforms to the Fatawas and legal opinions given by the renowned and accepted Muftis and Sheikhs of Makkah, Madina, India, Pakistan and South Africa.

Rabbul Izzat ke liye meri tareef

2009-10-31T03:56:00.000-07:00

Tamaam Paaki Mere Rab ki Hai,

Main to badi gunahgaar hoon,

Teri Qudraton pe Hikmaton pe,

Main har gharhi jaan nisaar hoon,

Teri Raza ki talaash mein,

Tere hi Ishq ki chaah mein,

Main tadap tadap marti hui,

zaaro qataar roti hui,

Maine kiya to kuch bhi nahi,

Ye Khaliqu Baariyu ki shaan hai,

Wo Hi mera Raqeeb Hai,

Wo Wahdahu La Shareek Hai,

Aye Rab meri koi anna nahi,

Tere samne kya hesiyat meri,

Tere samne main haqeer hoon,

Tere dar ki main faqeer hoon,

Jisay milna hai mitti mein abhi,

Wo kaise kare Takabbur kabhi,

Chalo aaj miljaayein tamaam ummati,

Milke karein Allah ka zikr sabhi,

De is qadar noor qalb ko,

mere aamaal ko tu sanwaarde,

meri rooh ko aisi taskeen ho,

mujhe umm ul momineen si nikhaar de,

Main wahi hoon jo nadaan thi,

Main wahi hoon jo gumraah thi,

Jisay raaste ki khabar na thi,

Manzil e Khuda ki bus talaash thi,

Ye Zindagi barbaad aur veeran thi,

Har pal q tujhse main anjaan thi,

Tu tha shehrag ke nazd Aye Rabbul Izzat mere,

main is ehsaas se q aashna na thi,

Karun kaise main Tera Shukriya,

Ae Mohsin ye Tera Ehsaan Hai,

Tere haath mein mera imaan hai,

Tere haath mein meri jaan hai,

Tere sajde mein shahaadat naseeb ho mera,

Ab ye mera aakhri armaan hai...

Talaash

2009-10-31T00:03:00.000-07:00

Nahin koi shikwa mujhe nahi...

Mujhe bus tere dar pe aana hai,

Ya Rab Bulaawa bhejde,

Ya Rab Bulaawa bhejde...

Main hoon gunaahon se poori tarr,

Mujhe begunaahon mein daal de,

Meri rooh be sabar hai ab,

Isay Sabireen mein daal de,

Isay Sabireen mein daal de...

Main Sehra hoon is gharhi,

Teri Rehmaton se gumraah nahi,

Ya Rab tu hi mujhe ab Sahara de,

Mujhe Sehra se Samandar banade,

Mujhe Sehra se Samandar banade...

Tujhse alag nahi hosaki,

Tujhse alag nahi thi kabhi,

Mujhe Ilm ke ghar se dur kia,

Is duniya ne mujhe choor kia,

Tera Shukriya mere Mohsin,

Tu ne Qurbat apni nawaazdi,

Tu ne Qurbat apni nawaazdi...

Mujhe is jahan ki na koi pyaas hai,

Mujhe Hauz e Kausar se pilaade,

Maine Hijr to chaaha nahi,

Mujhe Tu Jaza e Kheir de,

Mujhe Tu Jaza e Kheir de...