Parents are the ones whom the child immitates.

O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirun the patient.
Quran 2.153
Surah Baqarah

Ashrah Mubasharah

Did u know
Ashrah Mubasharah refers to the 10 companions of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam who were given the glad tidings of paradise in this world
1. Abu Bakar As Siddiq
2. Umar Al Khattab
3. Usman bin Affan
4. Ali bin Abi Talib
5. Talhah bin Ubaidillah
6. Zubair bin Al Awwam
7. Abdul Rahman bin Auf
8. Saad bin Abi Waqas

9. Abu Ubaidah bin Al Jarrah
10. Said bin Zaid
May Allah be pleased with all of them...

Fasting 6 days of Shawwal

 

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal. it would be as if he fasted perpetually.
Muslim 2614

Eid Mubarak

Taqabbal Allaahu minnaa wa minkum
(May Allaah accept [the fast and worship] from us and from you)

May Allah accept our Quran recitation, Sadaqah, Zakat, Salah and Zikr and all good deeds done in the blessed month for the sake of Allah alone.

May Allah also forgive our major & minor sins done intentionally or unintentionally in this blessed month.
Aamin

Things to do on Eid-ul-Fitr

The Importance of Suhur

A suhoor(pre-dawn meal) is more important than Iftaar (breaking of the fast)because it helps the fasting person persevere through the fast.

Suhoor is so called because it happens at the time of sahr, which is the end of the night.

‘Amr Ibn al-Aas reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “The distinguishing feature between our fast and the fast of the People of the Book is in the eating at the time just before dawn.” [Muslim]

‘Abdullah Ibn Haarith said that one of the Sahabah (companion) said: ‘I entered the house of the Messenger (SAW) whilst he was taking the Suhoor (pre-dawn meal), and he (SAW) said: “Indeed it (the Suhoor) is blessing that Allah has given to you so do not leave it out.” [An-Nasaaee and Ahmad]

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree said that the Messenger (SAW) said: “Eating the Suhoor is blessed. Do not neglect it even if you take a gulp of water, because Allah and His angels invoke blessings upon those who partake in the pre-dawn meal.” [Ahmad].

It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1923; Muslim, 1095.

It was narrated from Jaabir that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever wants to fast, let him eat something for suhoor.” Narrated by Ahmad, 14533; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2309.

What to eat during suhoor

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best suhoor for the believer is dates.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2345); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Suhoor is a blessed meal, so do not omit it, even if one of you only takes a sip of water, for Allaah and His angels send blessings on those who eat suhoor.” Narrated by Ahmad, 11003; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3683.

The best time for suhoor

It was narrated that Zayd ibn Thaabit (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “We ate suhoor with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) then he went to pray.” I [the narrator] asked, “How long was there between the adhaan and suhoor?” He said, “As long as it takes to recite fifty verses.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1921; Muslim, 1097.

The First Thing You Will Be Asked By Allah swt .... Be Prepared

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate


"May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You"

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu







The Order To Establish the Salah in the Quran




"Verily,I am Allah. There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establishregular prayer for My remembrance". {Sura Ta-ha, ayah 14}

"Establishregular prayers - at the suns decline till the darkness of the night,and the recital of the Quran in the morning prayer: for the recitalof the dawn is witnessed." (Sura Al-Isra, ayah # 78)
note: Howmany of us sleep through this blessed time of Fajr Salah and lose thisgreat reward!

"Andbe steadfast in prayer; give Zakat; and bow down your heads with thosewho bow down (in worship)." (Sura Al-Baqarah, ayah 43)

"Andbe steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: And whatever good you sendforth for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah. for Allahsees Well all that you do."
(Sura Al-Baqarah, ayah 110)


"Guardstrictly your prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allahin a devout (frame of mind)." (Sura Al-Baqarah, ayah 238)


"Thosethat turn (to Allah) in repentance; that serve Him, and praise Him; thatwander in devotion to the Cause of Allah,: that bow down and prostratethemselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observethe limit set by Allah.- (these do rejoice). So proclaim the glad tidingsto the Believers."
(SuraAl-Tauba, ayah 112)

"(Theyare) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regularprayer and give Zakat, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allahrests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs."
(Sura Al-Hajj, ayah 41)





The Importance of Salah in Hadiths.




NarratedAbu Hurayrah (RAA) Rasulullah (SAW) said: Five prayers and from one Fridayprayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committedin between their intervals) if major sins are not committed.
(Sahih MuslimBook 2, Number 0448)

NarratedAbu Huraira: I heard Allahs Apostle saying, "If there was a river at thedoor of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would younotice any dirt on him?" They said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left."The Prophet added, "That is the example of the five prayers with whichAllah blots out (annuls) evil deeds."
(Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 1, Book10, Hadith # 506)

NarratedUthman ibn Affan (RAA) Rasulullah (SAW) at the time of our returning fromour prayer told us (certain things pertaining to purification).
Hesaid: I do not know whether I should tell you a thing or keep quiet.
Wesaid: Rasulullah, tell us if it is good and if it is otherwise,
Allah andMessenger (SAW) know better. Upon this he said: A Muslim who purifies(himself) and completes purification as enjoined upon him by Allah andthen offers the prayers, that will be expiation (of his sins he committed)between these (prayers).
(Sahih Muslim Book 2, Hadith # 0444)


NarratedJabir ibn Abdullah (RAA) Rasulullah (SAW) said: The similitude of fiveprayers is like an overflowing river passing by the gate of one of youin which he washes five times daily. Hasan said: No filthiness can remainon him. (Sahih Muslim Book 4, Hadith # 1411)

NarratedAbu Hurairah (RAA) Rasualullah (SAW) said, "Martyrs are those who die becauseof drowning, plague, an abdominal disease, or of being buried alive bya falling building." And then he added, "If the people knew the Rewardforthe Zuhr prayer in its early time, they would race for it. If they knewthe reward for the 'Isha' and the Fajr prayers in congregation, they wouldjoin them even if they had to crawl. If they knew the reward for the firstrow, they would draw lots for it." (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 11,Hadith # 688)

NarratedAbu Hurairah (RAA) : Rasulullah (SAW) said, "Allah will prepare for himwho goes to the mosque in the morning and in the afternoon (for the congregationalprayer) an honorable place in Paradise with good hospitality for (whathe has done) every morning and afternoon goings. (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume1, Book 11, Hadith # 631)

NarratedAbu Hurairah (RAA) Rasualullah (SAW) said, "No prayer is harder for thehypocrites than the Fajr and the Isha prayers and if they knew thereward for these prayers at their respective times, they would certainlypresent themselves (in the mosques) even if they had to crawl."
TheProphet added, "Certainly I wish to order the Muadh-dhin (call-maker)to pronounce Iqama and order a man to lead the prayer and then take a fireflame to burn all those who had not left their houses so far for the prayeralong with their houses." (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 11, Hadith #626) note: We should see the importance of Fajr and Isha salah in the Masjid.


NarratedAbu Huraira: "Rasulullah (SAW) said, "The angels keep on asking Allahsforgiveness for anyone of you, as long as he is at his Musalla (prayingplace) and he does not pass wind (Hadath). They say, 'O Allah! Forgivehim, O Allah! be Merciful to him."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 8,Hadith #436)

Rasulullah (SAW) said,"The firstmatter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgmentis the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound.And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." [Recorded byal-Tabarani. According to al-Albani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami,vol.1, p. 503.] note: for those who say 'I don't pray but my heart is cleanshould take this warning from Rasulullah (saw) and establish the prayerbefore they are brought to account infront of Allah (swt)!


Rasulullah (saw) said "Allah hasobligated five prayers. Whoever excellently performs their ablutions, praysthem in their proper times, completes their bows, prostrations and khushu[Khushu in the prayer is where the person’s heart is attuned to the prayer.]hasa promise from Allah that He will forgive him. And whoever does notdo that has no promise from Allah. He may either forgive him or punishhim." [Recorded by Malik, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, al-Nasa and others. Accordingto al-Albani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 1, p. 616.]




WarningAgainst Abandoning Salah




Allah (SWT) says "Then, there hassucceeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salat (the prayers)[i.e. made their Salat (prayers) to be lost, either by not offeringthem or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in theirproper fixed times, etc.] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrownin Hell. Except those who repent and believe (in the Oneness of Allahand His Messenger Muhammad SAW), and work righteousness. Such will enterParadise and they will not be wronged in aught." (Sura Maryam, ayat 59-60)note:  Here we see what is the place for those who have abandonedthe prayer but Allah (swt) is the most merciful and gives us chances torepent and be saved.

Allah (swt) says in Sura Al-Maun"So woe unto those performers of Salat (prayers) (hypocrites),Whodelay their Salat (prayer) from their stated fixed times,Those whodo good deeds only to be seen (of men)," (Sura Al-Maun, ayat4 - 6)
note:  This ayah shows us that we have to pray our Salah onits fixed timings and not delay them without a valid reason (i.e. traveling,jihad etc..) and how much we need to have sincerity in your prayer anddo it only for Allah (swt).


Allah (swt) further warns us inthe Quran "O you who believe! Let not your properties or your childrendivert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that,then they are the losers." (Sura Al-Munaafiqoon, ayah 9)

Informing us about the inhabitantsof Hell, Allaah (SWT) says "(The people in Hell will be asked:) What hascaused you to enter Hell? They will say: "We were not of those who usedto offer their Salat (prayers). Nor did we feed the poor. Andwe used to talk falsehood (all that which Allaah hated) with vain-talkers.And we used to believe the Day of Recompense. Until there came to us thatwhich is certain (i.e., death). So no Intercession of intercessors willbenefit them.  (Sura Al-Muddaththir, ayah 42-48)


Rasulullah (SAW)  said "Thecovenant between us and them is prayer, so if anyone abandons it hehas become a disbeliever."  (Agreed upon by Ahmad, Tirmidhee andNasaa'ee to be authentic)

source :  http://dawaa.tripod.com/salah.html



 
  Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications.

Hardships Benefit the Believer

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate


"May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You"

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
        
 
 
HardshipsBenefit the Believer

Allah has decreed that, in this life, hardships and disasters strike bothbelievers and non-believers. For a non-believer, they are inconveniences thathinder him from proceeding with his normal involvement in the worldly life. Fora believer, on the other hand, they are instances of rest and remembrance,tests that promise great rewards, and indications of atonement and expiation ofsins.
Regardless of how little is the harm that strikes a believer, it carries withit good news of forgiveness and elevated rank ( in Jannah ). The RighteousPredecessors used to be pleased when a hardship afflicted them, seeing it as atoken of Allah's forgiveness and benevolence.

 Expiationof Sins

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet said: " Hardships continue to befall a believing man and woman intheir body, family, and property, until they meet Allah (S) burdened with nosins. " [Tirmithee]


Sign of Allahs Love

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Whenever Allah wills good for a person, He subjects himto adversity" [Bukharee and others]


Sign of Emaan

Abu Hurayrah (RA) and Kab Bin Maalik (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said:"The parable of a believer is that of a freshand moist plant; the wind tilts it this way and that way; and so is thebeliever; he continues to be subject to affliction. And the parable of ahypocrite is that of a firm cedar tree; it does not shake - until it isuprooted all at once."
[Bukhari and Muslim]


Sign of Righteousness

The prophets and righteous people are afflicted the most, and their rewards arethe highest. Saad (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "The most intheir suffering among the people are the prophets, then the best, then the(next) best. One is afflicted in accordance with his deen (faith). If his deenis firm his affliction is hard, and if his deen is weak, his affliction islight. Indeed, one would be so much subjected to adversity until he walks amongthe people without any sins." [Ahmad, Tirmithee]


Early Punishment

Anas (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "WhenAllah wills good for a servant of His, He expedites his punishment in thislife; and when He wills retribution for a servant of His, He holds his sins forHim to judge him by them on the Day of Resurrection." [Tirmithee]


Multiplication of Rewards

Anas (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Theamount of reward is in accordance with the amount of suffering. When Allah(SWT) loves some people, He tries them (with affliction). He who then iscontent (with Allahs decree) has achieved the acceptance (of Allah), and he whois dissatisfied (with Allahs decree) will attain the anger (of Allah)."[Tirmithee]


Rewards for Sickness

One should not look to sickness as a gloomy episode, but should remember thegreat good in it. It is one form of affliction with which Allah (SWT) tests Hisservants, giving them a
chance to acquire rewards, as was explained above, as is further emphasizedbelow.


Removal of Sins and Elevation in Ranks

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Whenever a Muslim is afflicted by harm from sickness orother matters, Allah will drop his sins because of that, like a tree drops itsleaves." [Bukharee and Muslim]
Abu Saeed al-Khudree (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "A Muslim is not afflicted by hardship, sickness, sadness,worry, harm, or depression - even if pricked by a thorn, but Allah expiates hissins because of that." [Bukhari and Muslim]
Aishah (RA) narrated that once some pain afflicted the Prophet (SAW) causinghim to suffer and turn about in his bed. she said: "Had one of us done this, you would have blamed him." He (SAW) replied:" An ailment is intensified for the righteous. whenever a believer isafflicted by a hardship, whether it is a thorn or more, a sin is taken off fromhim because of it, and he is elevated by one rank (in Jannah). "[Ahmad]

Retaining Rewards for Deeds Before Sickness

Usually, when a believer falls sick, he would not be able to do the same amountof good (prayer, fasting, helping Muslims etc) that he used to do when he waswell. But Allah out of His great mercy, continues to record for him the gooddeeds that he was forced to stop because of his sickness.
Abu Moosa Al-Asharee narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: "For a traveling or sick person, his deeds will berecorded in accordance with what he used to do when he was resident or well."[Bukhari]
Abdullah Bin Amr reported that the Prophet said: "No(believing) person gets sick, but (his deeds) will be recorded for him inaccordance with what he used to do when he was well." [Bukhari]
Uqbah Bin Aamir reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Each days deeds are sealed with it. thus, when a believergets sick, the angels say, " Our lord! Your servant such and such, Youhave restrained him (from doing good this day)." And the lord replies," Seal his day in accordance with his (usual) deeds, until he is cured ordies". [Ahmad]


Reason for the Reward

Atta Bin Rabaah reported that Ibn Abbaas (RA) told him, "Do you want to see a woman from the people of Jannah(paradise)?" He said "Yes". He said: " It is this blackwoman. She came to the Prophet (SAW) saying, " I have (epileptic)seizures, and I get exposed, so supplicate to Allah for me." He (SAW)said: " If you wish, be patient and you will attain Jannah; or if youwish, I will ask Allah to cure you." She replied, " I will be patient! But my body gets exposed (because of the fall), so supplicate to Allah for methat I do not become exposed." and he (SAW) did." [Bukhari andMuslim]
The scholars have differed in opinion as to whether a sick person will berewarded for the sickness itself or for being patient during it. the correctopinion is that if he is patient and submits to Allah's will, as in the abovehadeeth, he would be rewarded for both the submission and the sickness,otherwise, he would not be rewarded at all; because he resented Allah's decree.This is what should be understood from Ibn hajar al-Asqalaanees words:"The authentic hadeeths are clear in that the rewards are recorded onceaffliction strikes a Muslim. As for patience and acceptance, they are virtuesfor which a person may get additional rewards over those for theaffliction." 'Abdullah Bin 'Amr reported that the Prophet (SAW) said:"If a Muslim is pricked by (as little as) athorn in the worldly life, and he seeks its reward from Allah, some of his sinswill be removed, because of it, on the Day of Judgement."[Bukharee]
"True believers are only those whose heartsare filled with awe whenever God is mentioned, and whose faith is strengthenedwhenever His revelations are recited to them. In their Lord do they place theirtrust." (Chapter 8: Verse 2)

Do not Run Away from Qur’aan

It is recommended for every Believing man and woman to recite the Book of Allaah often, with due contemplation and understanding. This may be done by using a copy of the Qur’aan or from one’s memory. Allaah – the Most High – said:

(This is) a Book (the Qur'an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember. [Soorah Saad 38:29]


And: 


Verily, those who recite the Book of Allah (this Qur'an), and perform As-Salat (the prayers), and spend (in charity) out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, they hope for a (sure) trade-gain that will never perish.
That He may pay them their wages in full, and give them (even) more, out of His Grace. Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds and to recompense).  [Soorah Faatir 35:29-30]


The aforementioned recitation of the Qur’aan includes both reciting and acting upon it. The recitation is to be done with contemplation and understanding of it. Sincerity to Allaah is a means of complying with and acting upon the Qur’aan, and its recitation contains a great reward – as the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Recite the Qur’aan. For on the Day of Resurrection, it shall come as an intercessor for its companion." This was recorded by Muslim in his Saheeh (no.804).
The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam also said: "The best of you is he who learns the Qur’aan and teaches it." This was Recorded by al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh (3/66).



"Subhanak Allaahuma wa bihamdika ash-hadu anlaa illaaha illa anta astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk." If I said anything correct, then it is from Allaah (subhanahu wa taa'ala), and if I erred, then that is from me and shaytan.

What Shall I Do When I Have Sinned

What shall I do when I have sinned ?
 
Repentance of the man who committed a hundred murders
 Abu Sa'id Sa'd b. Malik b. Sinan al-Khudri says that the Prophet  said: "There was a man among a people before you who committed ninety-nine murders. Then he inquired about the most knowledgeable man on earth and he was led to a monk. He went to him and told him that he had killed ninety-nine people and asked him if it was possible for him to repent. The monk told him: 'NO!' So the man killed him also and completed his hundred. Then he inquired about the most knowledgeable man on earth and was led to a scholar. He went to him and told him that he had killed a hundred people and asked him if there was repentance for him. The man told him, 'Yes. And what can come in between you and repentance?' 'Then he told him, 'Go to such and such a town for in it live people who are devoted to God. Devote yourself there to God in their company and do not come back to your own town for it is an evil place.'
So the man started towards that town. However, while he was halfway through the journey death overtook him. The angels of 'mercy' and 'punishment' descended and began to argue over him. The angels of mercy said: 'This man had repented and was seeking his Lord, (therefore he is our share),' while the angels of punishment claimed that, 'he had never done a good thing in life,' (so he was their share). While they were thus arguing, another angel arrived in the form of a man. They decided to accept him as their arbitrator. He said: 'Measure the earth between the two towns and let him be assigned to the fate of the one he is nearer to.' When they measured they found him nearer to the town he was heading towards. So the angels of mercy took him away."

 Now, what can come in between a man and repentance? O you who imagine that your sins are too great - do you think that your sins are greater than those of that man (the murderer of a hundred souls) to whom Allah turned in mercy? Why should you despair? Indeed crimes can be even greater than this and yet they will be forgiven (with true repentance).


Consider this,: Says Allah, glorified be He: "(The true servants of Allah are those) who do not call upon another god with Allah, who do not slay the soul Allah has forbidden, save by right, and do not commit adultery. And whosoever does that shall meet the price of sin. His chastisement will be doubled on the Day of Reckoning and he will abide therein for ever - save him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, such are those whose evil deeds will Allah change into good ones. Allah indeed is very Forgiving, very compassionate." (Al-Furqan:68-70)
 Consider the words: "Such are those whose evil deeds will Allah change into good ones." It shows the magnanimity of Allah. And the scholars have said that the changing will be of two kinds. First, change of a man's evil qualities into good ones (in this world itself). For instance of polytheism into monotheism, adultery into chastity, untruthfulness into truthfulness, deceit into honesty, etc. And second, the change of evil deeds into good ones on the day of Judgment.
 Also consider the words: "The evil deeds will be changed into good ones." Allah didn't specify whether He will change every evil deed into a good one of equal magnitude. Rather it was left open, and can be lesser, equal, or even greater - depending upon the quality and sincerity of repentance. This is yet another grace from our Lord. The following hadith brings out this point:
 Abdul Rahman bin Jubair  narrates on the a Prophet , on whom be peace, (another report suggests that a very old man whose eye-lashes had fallen over his eyes stood before the Prophet  supporting himself on a cane), and said: "What will you say of a man who did not leave an evil deed - major or minor - but he committed it. (Another report has it that there wasn't an evil deed that he left uncommitted to the extent that were they to be divided between the people of the world, they would destroy them all). Is there repentance for him?" The Prophet  asked him: "Have you embraced Islam?" He said: "Yes! I testify that there is no god but Allah, and that you are His Messenger." The Prophet  told him: "Do good deeds (now onwards) and stay away from evil. Allah will change all of them into good ones." The man said: "And my treacheries an debaucheries?" The Prophet  said: "Yes (them too)". The man cried out: "Allah is great" and kept repeating until he disappeared from the sight.

What shall I do when I have sinned ?
 Someone may ask: How do I go about repenting from a sin? Do I just say, "I repent" and that's it, or is there anything to be done after that?
 The Answer is, there are basically two things that should be immediately done. The first is an act of the heart viz. to sincerely regret the sins of the past. The second is an act of the body viz. to bring up some good deeds, starting with two cycles of Prayer of repentance. The following is a hadith in support:
 Abu Bakr , says: "I heard the Prophet , say, 'There isn't a man who, when he commits a sin, rises, makes ablution, and offers two rakaa of Prayers, but Allah forgives him his sins.' Then the Prophet  recited the verse: 'Those (are the true believers) who but Allah forgives the sins? They do not insist upon the sins they have committed, and they know (that Allah is Forgiving).' " (Al-Imran:135)
 There are other reports that describe more in detail how these two cycles of Prayers of repentance must be offered. For instance:
1.There isn't a man who makes ablution (and does it well), but sins fall off the limbs of the body with the last drop of water.
 And doing an ablution well includes saying the bismillah in the beginning, and some other prayer-words after it such as:
 "I bear witness that there is no deity save Allah, the One, and I also bear witness that Muhammad  is His slave and Messenger." Or, "O Allah! Make me of the repenting, and make me of the purified." Or, "O Allah! With praises to You I bear witness that there is no deity but You. I seek your forgiveness and turn to you in repentance."
2.Offers two rakaa of Prayers.
3. Does them with full presence of mind and heart.
4.Commits no mistake within the Prayers.
5.Does not speak to himself within them.
6.Recites the prayer-words in them well and in humility.
7.Then seeks Allah's forgiveness.
Result?
 1.His past sins are forgiven.
 2.He can be assured of Paradise.
 And then, as these things have been achieved he should now increase his good deeds to the extent possible. Dont you see what Umar  did when he had committed the mistake of arguing with the Prophet , at Hudaibiyya. He used to offer special act of worship, (like fasting, almsgiving etc.), to atone for that sin. Consider also the following hadith.
 "He who commits some evil deeds, and then turns to doing good deeds is like the man who had on him a tight-fitting coat of mail made of steel, so tight, it would almost choke him. Then he did a good deed and it opened up a little for him. And then he followed it up with another and it opened up a little for him. And then he followed it up with another and it opened up a little more until it became so loose as to fall off to the ground."
 So you see how good deeds release a man from the clutches of past sins and liberate him from the tension that they cause. Let me at this point offer you the abridged version of an incident which is laden with lessons.
 Ibn Masud  says a man came to the Prophet  and said: "O Apostle of Allah, I found a woman in a garden and did everything to her except having sex: I kissed her, and hugged her and so on, but I didn't go beyond this. So judge me as you wish." The Prophet  said nothing in reply and the man went away. Upon this 'Umar  remarked: "Allah would have left it in secret if he had left it in secret." The Prophet looked in the direction the man had gone and said: "Call him back." When they called him back he recited him the following verse: "Establish Prayers at the two ends of the day and early part of the night. Indeed good deeds wipe out evil ones. And this (Quran) is a reminder unto the mindful." (Hud:114)
 Upon hearing this Muadh  (and according to another report 'Umar ) said: "O Apostle of Allah, is this for him alone or (the rule) is common?" He  replied: "No it is common."





The companions of sin chase me
 You may say: I would like to repent and change my ways but my former evil companions pursue me wherever I go. No sooner do they know of a change in me than they launch an attack on me, and I feel myself weak against them. What shall I do?
 The Answer is, bear with patience for this is the way of Allah. This is how He tries His slaves in order for everyone to know who the true ones are and who the phony, and, in order that He may distinguish the pervert from the righteous.
 Once you have taken the path to virtue, persevere. These evil people who are Satan of the jinn and men, will conspire with each other in order to turn you back from the path of reformation, therefore, listen to them not. They will say about what you are attempting that this is an infatuation that will not last, that it is a passing crisis and soon you will recover, and so on. In fact, it was heard that a man said about his former companion who had begun to change his life, 'What evil he has fallen into?!'
 No wonder that when a young man put down the receiver refusing to talk to his former girl-friend after he had decided he will change his life, she dialed him after a few days to tell him that she hoped by then he was cured of his evil inspirations! It is for such situations that Allah has revealed: "Say, I take refuge with the Lord of the people, the King of the people, the God of the people... from the evil of the secret whisperings.. (Al-Nas:1-6) Is your Lord then more worthy of obedience or these evil companions?

 One of the means these evil companions of sin will employ to entice you will be to remind you of the pleasures of the sins of the past, through mementos, messages, pictures, letters and so on. But do not pay attention to them, and be reminded of the story of Kab b, Malik. He was a Companion of the Prophet  who had stayed back from the Tabuk campaign. When, as a punishment, the Prophet  ordered that he was to be boycotted by everyone until Allah cleared him, the Ghassanid king wrote to him a letter in which he said: "I am to learn that your (man meaning the Prophet ) has abandoned you. But you are not the kind of person that should be belittled and wasted. Join us. We will treat you much better." What was the reaction of the Companion? Says he: "When I read the letter, I said to myself, this is yet another trial from my Lord. Then I threw it to the fire."
 This is how, my dear young man or woman, you should treat those things sent to youto win you back, burn them to ashes and: "Be patient. For Allah's promise is true. And let not those who do not believe weaken you." (Al-Rum:60)




They threaten me
 You may say, I want to repent but my old companions threaten me that they will reveal my past activities, and publish my secrets among the people, using those pictures and other proofs they have and thus disgrace me. What shall I do?
 We say, fight against these friends of the devil. And rest assured that the tricks of the devils are weak. These are some of the tactics of Satan but will avail nothing before the patience and perseverance of a believer firm in his belief. And also know that if you try to please them and yield to them there is no end to their demands on you. You will destroy yourself altogether in the end. Rather do not pay attention to them, do what is right and say: "Allah is enough for me. He is the best of the supporters." The Prophet  himself, when he feared a people, used to pray in words:
 "O Allah! We beseech You to take them by their throats. And seek for ourselves Your protection against their mischief's."
 True, it is not always easy. That girl for instance, is in a great fix who is told by her former boy-friend that he has recorded all her conversations, and has preserved all the pictures, and will send them to her relatives if she will refuse to date with him. She is certainly not in an enviable situation. This is exactly what happened with those singers and actors that repented. Their former friends and companions distributed some of their pictures in the markets in order to apply psychological pressure on them and force them back to their own company. But Allah is with those who repent, who fear Him. He is the Friend of the believers in Him. He does not waste them. He does not ignore them. Never has it happened that a man sought His protection and He refused him. Also know that with every hardship comes ease, and after every impasse comes an opening.




We offer you at this juncture the story of a Companion of the Prophet who used to help in the escape and emigration of the weak people from Makkah to Madinah. The report runs as follows:
 " There was a man in Makkah called Marthad b. Abu Marthad . He used to help in the escape of the captured Muslims at Makkah until they had reached Madinah. There was also a woman in Makkah called 'Anaq. She was his girl-friend. This Marthad had promised a prisoner help in his escape to Madinah. He narrates the story himself. Says he: 'I went to the place (where the man was imprisoned) and hid myself under the shadow of one of the Makkan walls. It was a full moon night. It so happened that 'Anaq passed by. She saw my shadow by the side of the wall, and when she reached me, she recognized me. "Is that Marthad?" she asked. I said, "Yes". "Welcome!" she said, "come and spend the night with me." I said: "Dear 'Anaq, Allah has forbidden fornication." Suddenly she cried out: "People! Here is the man who used to steal away your prisoners." Some eight men began to chase me. I climbed a mountain (outside of Makkah) called Khandama and hid in a cave. They were right on top of me at the mouth of the cave. But Allah blinded them and they returned giving up the chase. (After it was all cool) I also returned and picked up the tied prisoner. By God, he was a heavy man. I carried him until we had reached the grasslands. Then I freed him (from his chains). Then I carried him again (probably he was injured ) - and he gave me a hard time. At last we reached Madinah. There, when I went to meet the Prophet  I asked him if he would allow me to marry 'Anaq. I asked him the question twice but he gave no reply until Allah Most High revealed: "An adulterer does not marry but an adulteress or an idolateress. And an adulteress does not marry but an adulterer or an idolater." (Al-Noor: 3)


The Prophet told me: "Marthad! A fornicator does not marry but a fornicatoress or an idolateress, and a fornicatoress does not marry but a fornicator or an idolater. Therefore don't marry her." ' Do you see how Allah defends those who believe in Him, and how He bestows His favors upon them?
 Nevertheless, let us suppose that worse come worst, they publish things about you that you hate to be published. But you can always explain your position to the people. Tell them, yes, once I was in the wrong but now I have repented. What do those who are publishing these things want of me now?
 And let us all remember that true disgrace is that of the Hereafter when a man will be exposed not in the presence of a hundred or two hundred, thousand or two thousand people, but in the presence of millions of jinn, the angels and men starting from Adam till the last man. To the prayer then of Ibrahim  who said: "And, O Lord! Degrade me not upon the Day they will be raised up. The day when neither wealth nor the off springs shall be of any profit; save he who will come to Allah with a pure heart." (As-Shu'ara':87-89)
 And seek strength with the following prayer-words of the Prophet :
 "O Allah! Screen our secrets and grant us peace in place of fear. O Allah! Help us direct our vengeance toward those who wrong us, and help us against those who oppress us. O Allah! Let not our enemies nor those who envy us rejoice over (our failures)."




Past sins haunt me
 You may say: I committed many sins, but even after I have repented, I am haunted by their memories. They spoil my simple pleasures and the quiet of my nights. What's the solution?
 Our Answer to you, dear brother in Islam is as proofs of the sincerity of your repentance. This indeed is the regret that is desirable: the regret which has been equated with repentance. But your hope should be that Allah will forgive all the sins. And do not despair for Allah says: "And despair not but tho se that are misguided." (al-Hijr: 56) Ibn Masud  is reportedto have said: "The greatest of sins are:
    1.To ascribe partners unto Allah,
    2.To be unmindful of Allah's strategy, and,
    3.To despair of Allah's mercy."
 A believer is always between fear and hope. May be one of them will weigh more on him in a particular situation. For instance, when he sins fear overwhelms him and which drives him to repent. But when he has repented then hope overtakes him and he seeks forgiveness

The Greatest Gift Which We Received Because of Miraaj

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

The Greatest Gift Which We Received Because of Miraaj.

-Adil ibn Manzoor Khan

When Miraaj took place, our Prophet (pbuh) received his greatest gift one can ever imagine.

He (pbuh) got to meet our Creator, our Sustainer, Allah swt himself.
What more can one ask?

But what gift did we (the prophet’s ummah / meaning us) receive?

Did we get flowers / food / fruits / gold / clothes / etc.
No.
Those are materialistic things and we also have them back on our earth.


When the Prophet (pbuh) came back and told his sahabah’s , they all were very happy on receiving their gift send by Allah swt himself.

What gift did the sahaba’s receive?
The gift to pray compulsory Salah five times a day at fixed hours.


Five times a day…Oh my God.

But consider this, at first Allah swt first gave His order of offering 50 salah’s a day.

As the Prophet was going back, he (pbuh) was asked by Prophet Moosa (pbuh) :What gift did Allah swt gave your ummah?

On which our Prophet (pbuh) replied: Allah swt has ordered to pray 50 salahs per day.

Prophet Moos (pbuh) replied : “Your people are not capable of doing fifty daily prayers. I swear by Allaah that I have tested men before your time and tried my best with the Israelites, so go back to your Lord and ask Him to make things lighter for your people.”

The Prophet (pbuh) did so and Allaah swt reduced it by ten, but Moosa (pbuh) suggested that he return and request a further reduction for the same reason, so he returned.

The Prophet (pbuh) continued going back and forth between his Lord and Moosa until Allaah said, “They are five prayers every day, Muhammad, each being rewarded as ten, so that makes fifty times of prayer. He who intends to do a good deed and does not do it will have a good deed recorded for him, and if he does it, it will be recorded for him as ten; whereas he who intends to do an evil deed and does not do it will have nothing recorded against him, and if he does it, only one evil deed will be recorded against him.”

When he came down and Moosa told him to go back, he replied, “I have asked my Lord till I am ashamed to face Him. I am now satisfied and I submit.”
[Reported by Anas ibn Maalik and collected by al-Bukhaaree (Sahih Al-Bukhari (Arabic-English), vol.9, pp 449-54, no. 608).]


What better GIFT can be for us that for each single prayer we pray we are awarded reward as if we have prayed ten full prayers?

And for all 5 daily prayers we are getting the same reward as if we were told to pray 50 prayers a day.

Remember : Salah is the 2nd Pillar of Islam.
It also separates us from the non-muslims.


"The first thing about which a man is going to be questioned on the Day of Judgment is prayer. If it is found to be sound all his other reactions will be sound as well. If his prayer is not sound all his remaining actions would be spoiled." (Al-Tabarani)

"When a person performs his prayer for the sake of Allah (swt), then his sins will fall, like the leaves fall from the branches of a tree"

Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?" They said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet added, "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out evil deeds." (Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 1, Book 10, Hadith # 506)

So let us remain stead fast to the gifts which has been passed on to us and one day when we stand before Allah swt we do not have to feel ashamed that we didn’t treat his gift well.

Bad dreams

If a Muslim sees a bad dream (nightmare), he should do the following:

He should spit (dryly) to his left three times

He should seek refuge in Allah from Shaytaan three times

He should seek refuge in Allah from the evil of the dream

He should stand up and pray

He should change the side on which he was sleeping if he wants to continue to sleep, even if that means turning onto his left side

He should not inform anyone

He should neither interpret it himself nor ask anyone else to interpret it.

The evidence for this is the narration of Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) that: The Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "If any one of you sees a dream that he dislikes, he should spit to his left three times, seek refuge in Allah from the Shaytaan, and turn over on to his other side." (Saheeh Muslim, no. 2262)

According to another report, the wording is: He should seek refuge in Allah from its evil, so that it does not harm him.

The narrator of this hadeeth said: I used to see dreams that weighed heavier on me than a mountain, but as soon as I heard this hadeeth, so I never worried about it again. (Saheeh Muslim, no. 2261)

Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that a Bedouin came to the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: O Prophet of Allah, I saw a dream that my head was chopped off and rolled away, and I ran after it. The Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him: Do not tell people the Shaytaan is playing with you in your dreams. (Saheeh Muslim, no. 2268)

According to another report, the wording is: If anyone sees something he dislikes, he should get up and pray. (Jaami al-Tirmidhi, no. 2280; Saheeh al-Jaami, no. 3533)

 

Ref.: Taken from the book "What you should do in the following situations" by Sheikh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid.


"Subhanak Allaahuma wa bihamdika ash-hadu anlaa illaaha illa anta astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk." If I said anything correct, then it is from Allaah (subhanahu wa taa'ala), and if I erred, then that is from me and shaytan.

Imam Bukhari: The founder of Hadith science

Imam Bukhari is a name that creates a sense of reverence and respect in every Muslim's heart. He was one of the greatest scholars of Islam and the founder of Hadith science. His prestigious compilation named Jame Al-Sahih is regarded as the second authentic book of Islam after the Holy Qur'an.

It was in the second century Hijrah when most of the Sahaba who had learned Islam from the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) directly were diminishing one after another. The last of Prophet's companions passed away in 110 A.H. Subsequently a possibility of misquoting the Prophet (peace be upon him) by some people with vested interest was quite apparent. So it was essential to collect and authenticate true Hadiths without sponsorship of any ruling authority, regional or national. It was a gigantic work to collect all the prevailing statements and to classify them into the relevant categories, as authentic, good, poor and false.

This was a great task, which Imam Bukhari, a non-Arab from Khorasan, shouldered. He spent 16 years in searching, collecting and refining the material of Hadith. Not only this, he fixed the most rigid rules to evaluate and authenticate any circulating Hadith. Thus he is known as the Founder of Hadith science. The rest of his life was spent in teaching and propagating the Hadith literature. One of his students, Imam Muslim, rose to the second position in the world in Hadith compilation.

Imam Bukhari was born in Bukhara in 196 A.H. (810 A.D.) now in Uzbekistan). His father died when he was still young. He had lost his sight in infancy but his mother's prayers and invoking blessed him a sharp sight and sharp memory that enabled him to read and write in the moonlight and if he had read or heard something, it would remain in his memory forever.

He memorized the Holy Qur'an at the age of 9. Then began to learn Hadith from scholars of his region. At the age of 18 he traveled to Makkah and stayed there for 16 years collecting Hadiths. He visited Egypt and Syria twice, Basra four times, spent many years in Hijaz and went to Kufa and Baghdad many times. It is said that he learned about 600,000 Hadith from more than 1,000 scholars.

While returning to Bukhara after 16 years he began to compile Jame Al Sahih. He judged 7,275 Hadith from his large collection and arranged them in 93 chapters. Though Imam Bukhari wrote many books, he shot to prominence because of Tarikh Al-Kabeer, Adab Al-Mufrad and Sahih Al-Bukhari. The first one he wrote in full moon nights at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. Imam Bukhari had a very sharp memory. He memorized 70,000 Hadiths at an early age and later in his life, this figure reached 300,000. Among those 100,000 Hadiths were Sahih and 200,000 were Hasan, Da`îf, etc.

In 250 A.H. he settled at Neshapur where he met Muslim ibn Al Hujjaj as his disciple who compiled Sahih Al-Muslim which is regarded only second to Bukhari in the Muslim world.

Imam Bukhari's book on Hadith is regarded as the top of Sahah Sitta which are the most authentic six books of Hadith collected during 200-300 AH. These are:

• Sahih Bukhari by Imam Bukhari (D. 256 A.H.),

• Sahih Muslim by Muslim ibn Al Hujjaj (D. 261 A.H.),

• Sunan Al-Sughra by Al-Nasa'i (D. 302 A.H.)

• Sunan Abu Dawood by Abu Dawood (D. 274 A.H.)

• Jami Al-Tirmidhi by Al-Tirmidhi (D. 278 A.H.)

• Sunan ibn Majah by Ibn Majah (D. 273 A.H.)

Hafiz Ahmad bin Adi has described that when Imam Bukhari reached Baghdad, the leading scholars tried to test him and mixed 100 Hadith between the narrators’ chain and the text and gave to 100 persons to ask the authenticity of such Hadiths. Imam Bukhari said he never heard any Hadith like this. Then he repeated the incorrect Hadith as quoted by each questioner and then recited the corrected Hadith for each person separately. The people were astonished on the depth of his knowledge and paid great respect to him.

Imam Bukhari was a rich person but he lived life of a very simple man giving most of his income to the poor. Mohammed Hatim Warraq, one of his disciples said that when Imam was establishing a Sarai (inn) near the city of Bukhara, he was laying bricks with his own hands. When Warraq said to him, leave this job for me, he replied, “On the Day of Judgment this work will be of benefit to me.” Regarding his worship it is said that Imam recited the entire Qur'an daily in Ramadan and recited one third of it in the night prayers.

In 250 A.H., Imam Bukhari moved to Neshapur where he was well received. Imam Muslim Neshapuri said he had never seen such a grand reception given to any scholar or ruler. Imam Bukhari began his lectures, which were attended by thousands. His popularity irritated the local ruler and Imam Bukhari decided to leave Neshapur for Bukhara where again he was received with great enthusiasm. He began his lectures and also established a school for regular teaching. But after some time due to differences with the local ruler he decided to leave his hometown for Samarqand.

But when he was still a few miles away from the city he was prevented from entering it. When he found he had no place to go, he prayed to Almighty Allah saying, “O Allah, the Earth despite its grandeur is becoming narrow for me and is troubling me greatly. So take me back to You.” His prayers were answered and he died at Khartang, a place between Samarqand and Bukhara. It was on the night of Eid Al-Fitr, the first night of Shawwal 256 A.H. He is buried in Muhammad Al-Bukhari mausoleum at Khartang near Samarkand, in Uzbekistan

“Abd Al-Wahid ibn Adam Awaysi states: ‘I saw the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in dream standing with a group of Sahaba and asked, 'For whom are you waiting?' He replied, 'For Bukhari.' After a few days I heard the news of Imam Bukhari's death. He had died at the very moment that I saw the Prophet (pbuh) in my dream.”

Sahih Al Bukhari is regarded as the most authentic collection of Hadiths, which covers almost all aspects of human life in providing proper guidance from the Holy Prophet. As for piety, Imam Al-Bukhari never wrote any Hadith in this book without performing two rakah salat of guidance from Allah and when he was sure of its authenticity, only then he wrote it in the book.

Imam Bukhari lived for 62 years only but during his span of life he did a marvelous work, which has been guiding the Ummah for the last 1,200 years. Tens of commentaries have been written on his treatise and hundreds of scholars are teaching Bukhari to thousand of students daily around the world. May Almighty Allah grant him the best reward.

- by ABU TARIQ HIJAZI

Toilet Etiquettes

Islam directs us appropriately in all walks of life. The greatness of Islam can be described well when we find that there is no good, that it has not commanded us to do. Likewise there is no bad, from which it has not asked us to refrain. It is perfect and complete in all aspects. A polytheist said to Salman AlFarsi (RA): “Your Prophet has taught you everything, even how to defecate!” Salman said: “Yes, he forbade us to face the qiblah when urinating or defecating” [Tirmidhi, also reported in Muslim and elsewhere]. Islamic sharee’ah teaches us some manners regarding answering the call of nature, to name a few:

(1) Reciting the dua when entering or leaving the toilet. Our Prophet (PBUH) taught us that when entering the toilet, we should say: اللهم إني أعوذ بك من الخبث والخبائث (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from male and female devils).” When leaving the toilet, we should say: غفرانك (I seek Your forgiveness). [Reported by various]

(2) Not to face the Qiblah when urinating or defecating. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “When any one of you sits down to answer the call of nature, he should not face the Qiblah or turn his back towards it.” [Muslim]

(4) The Sunnah is to answer the call of nature sitting, making oneself close to the ground, because this is more concealing, and makes it less likely that spray from one’s urine will come back on one’s body or clothes, making them dirty.

(5) A person should be concealed from the sight of others when answering the call of nature. The Prophet (PBUH) used to prefer to go behind a rise in the ground or a garden of date palms [Muslim]. If a person is out in an open space and can find nothing to conceal him, he should move far away from the people around him. Al Mugheerah bin Shu’bah RA said: “I was with the Prophet PBUH on a journey, when he felt the need to answer the call of nature, so he went far away.” [Tirmidhi]

(6) A person should not uncover his private parts until after he has squatted close to the ground, because this is more concealing, as Anas (RA) reported: “When the Prophet (PBUH) wanted to answer the call of nature, he would not lift his garment until he had squatted close to the ground.” [Tirmidhi]

(7) Not to touch the private part with the right hand when urinating. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “When any one of you urinates, he should not hold his private part in his right hand or clean it with his right hand; and (when drinking), he should not breathe into the vessel.” [Bukhari] Rather, one should use his left hand for it. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “When any one of you cleans himself, he should not use his right hand, he should use his left hand.” [Ibn Majah]

(8) He should be careful to remove all impurity after answering the call of nature, because the Prophet (PBUH) warned us saying: “Most of the punishment of the grave will be because of urine.” [Ibn Majah]. Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed by two graves, and said: “They are being punished, but they are not being punished for any major thing. One of them used not to protect himself (i.e. keep himself clean from) his urine, and the other used to gossip.” [Bukhari]

(9) He should cleanse himself with water. If unavailable, he may use stones. He should not use bones or dung to clean himself or wipe away the impurity. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that he used to carry a vessel for the Prophet (PBUH) to do wudoo’ and clean himself after answering the call of nature. Whilst he was following him, he (the Prophet) asked, “Who is that?” He said: “I am Abu Hurayrah.” He said: “Get me some stones I can use to clean myself, but do not bring me any bones or dung.” So I brought him some stones, carrying them in the hem of my garment, and placed them by his side, then I went away. When he had finished, I came back and asked him, “What is wrong with bones and dung?” He said: “They are the food of the jinn.” [Bukhari].

Uwaym bin Saida (RA) said that: ‘The Prophet (PBUH) came to them at the mosque of Quba’ and said, “God, exalted be He, has praised handsomely the way you purify yourselves in the story about your mosque, so what is this purification which you perform?” [Referring to the verse: “Do not stand [for prayer] within it – ever. A mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in. Within it are men who love to purify themselves; and Allah loves those who purify themselves” [Al Quran; 09:108)] They said, “By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, all that we know is that we used to have Jews in our vicinity and they used to wash their behinds after defecation, and so we began to wash in the way they did”. According to one hadith, they said: ‘We use stones [to scrape off remainings] and follow this with water’; to which he (the Prophet) said, ‘That is the way [for proper purification]. Let this be your way’. [Al Bazzar]

(10) A person should not urinate into stagnant water, because Jabir RA reported that the prophet PBUH forbade anyone to urinate into stagnant water [Muslim]

(11) A person should not urinate by the roadside or in places where people seek shade, because this is offensive to them. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Fear the two things that bring curses.” They asked, “What are the two things that bring curses, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “When a person relieves himself in the road where people walk or in the place where they seek shade.” [Abu Dawud]

(12) One should not greet a person who is answering the call of nature, or return a greeting whilst one is answering the call of nature, out of respect to Allah by not mentioning His name in a dirty place. Jabir bin Abdullah reported that a man passed by the Prophet (PBUH) whilst he was urinating, and greeted him. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to him: “If you see me in this state, do not greet me, because if you do, I will not respond.” [Ibn Maajah]. The majority of scholars say that it is makrooh (disliked) to speak in the restroom unnecessarily.

These are few of many etiquettes related to the topic. We should think that if the sharee’ah has paid such minute attention to the details of such a mundane matter, what has it got to say about more important issues? We should be grateful to Allah for guiding us to such a beautiful religion with such splendid laws

Sayings of the Holy Prophet

• “Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself inhis religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not beextremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings thatyou will be rewarded.” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, No. 38)

 
• “It is better for a leader to make a mistake in forgivingthan to make a mistake in punishing.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1011)
 

• “Anyone who believes in God and the Last Day (of Judgment)should not harm his neighbor. Anyone who believes in God and the Last Dayshould entertain his guest generously. And anyone who believes in God and theLast Day should say what is good or keep quiet.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8,Book 73, No. 47)

 
• “Seven kinds of people will be sheltered under the shadeof God on the Day of Judgment...They are: A just ruler, a young man who passedhis youth in the worship and service of God...one whose heart is attached tothe mosque...two people who love each other for the sake of God...a man who isinvited to sin...but declines, saying ‘I fear God’...one who spends his charityin secret, without making a show...and one who remembers God in solitude sothat his eyes overflow.” (Riyadh-us-Salaheen, Hadith 376)

 
• “It is better for any of you to carry a load of firewoodon his own back than begging from someone else.” (Riyadh-us-Saleheen, Chapter59, Hadith 540)

 
• “‘...what is the best type of Jihad (struggle).’ Heanswered: ‘Speaking truth before a tyrannical ruler.’” (Riyadh us-SaleheenVolume 1:195)
 

• “...you should show courtesy and be cordial with eachother, so that nobody should consider himself superior to another nor do himharm.” (Riyadh-us-Saleheen. Hadith 602)

 
• “(Each one) of you should save himself from the fire by givingeven half of a date (in charity). And if you do not find a half date, then (bysaying) a pleasant word (to your brethren).” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith394)

 
• “In the name of God, I put my trust in God. O God, I seekrefuge in Thee lest I stray or be led astray or cause injustice or sufferinjustice or do wrong or have wrong done to me!” (Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 2, No.67b)


 • “Righteousness is good morality, and wrongdoing is thatwhich wavers in your soul and which you dislike people finding out about.”(An-Nawawi’s “Forty Hadith,” Hadith 27)



• “Do not turn away a poor man...even if all you can give ishalf a date. If you love the poor and bring them near you...God will bring younear Him on the Day of Resurrection.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1376)

 
• “Avoid cruelty and injustice...and guard yourselvesagainst miserliness, for this has ruined nations who lived before you.”(Riyadh-us-Salaheen, Hadith 203)

Significan​ce of Ka’aba and virtues of Makkah

Verily, the first House of Worship appointedfor mankind was at Bakkah (Makkah) full of blessing and a guidance for mankindand Jinn. (Qur’an, 3:96)
  
Makkah is the holy city for all Muslims on earth, and it isgreatly loved by Allah. It is where Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismael laid thefoundation of the Ka’ba.


Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was born in Makkah, andhe called people to Islam. It was from there that Islam gradually spread allover the world. The Ka’aba and the Haram in Makkah have gripped the hearts ofMuslims with extreme love. Millions of Muslims visit Makkah for Umrah and Hajjevery year.


The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) conquered Makkah,faced the Ka’aba and said: “You are holy andsacrosanct and how great is your sanctity and yours is the finest smell and thereverence of a faithful is greatest.” (Dur-Al-Manthur) 


Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him)narrated, theProphet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Theprayer in my Mosque (is equal to) one thousand prayers except in the HolyMosque (Makkah); the prayer there is equal in reward to one hundred thousand  prayers. (Muslim)


Ibn Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) heard the Prophet(peace be upon him) saying: “Whoevercircumambulates the Ka’aba seven times (i.e. one Tawaf) Allah writes a virtuefor him on each step he takes, effaces an evil (from his deeds) and raises agrade for him in the Heaven and he is given reward of liberating a slave.” (Al-Hakim, Al-Baihaqi)


In another narration Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased withhim) narrated, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever performs 50 Tawaf, he comes out of his sins andbecomes as if he was born the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Tirmidhi)


Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, theMessenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Anyonewho gets Ramadan in Makkah, fasts and stands in supererogatory prayers, Allahdoes write for him one hundred thousand months of Ramadan other than the monthhe was in there. And the virtues of liberating a slave one in a day and one ina night and virtues of giving to lambs (in charity) seeking  pleasure of Allah and a virtue for him everyday and a virtue for him every night.” (IbnMajah)






- by Ahmad Wahaj Siddiqui

The rights of wives in Islam

The rights of women in general and wives are specificallystated clearly in the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (peace beupon him), which makes it crystal clear that women’s rights in Islam are welldocumented and protected.

I was shocked, as many others were, when I heard the newsabout a man who cut off the fingers of his wife’s right hand just because shewanted to continue her studies. How can any sane man do this? This horrendousact isn’t the first and will not be the last act of cruelty toward women, whoare abused in different parts of the world all the time.

Many communities take steps to eradicate such inhumanepractices perpetrated by men who torture their wives, but until these menthemselves do not have self-consciousness, respect for women or are not God-fearing,these steps may be difficult to realize.


Islam has a strong foundation which is based on the beliefin the Creator, Who observes and judges all our acts.

Narrated by A’ishah and Anas, the Prophet Muhammad (peace beupon him) said, “Women are the twin halves of men.”(Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, and-Darimi)

The relation between man and woman was designed in a waythat protects the rights of both, and life between them starts with a marriagecontract which is a contract willingly approved by both the parties. It entailsthe rights and obligation of each one of them toward the other.

Let’s throw some light on a few basic rights of a wife:

1. Financial rights

a) Dowry - This should be given and mentionedin the marriage contract, and it is for the woman and not for her father orguardian. Allah has emphasized this right by saying,“And give to the women (whom you marry) their Mahr (obligatory bridal-moneygiven by husband to his wife at the time of marriage) with a good heart; but ifthey of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it, andenjoy it without fear of any harm (as Allah has made it lawful).” (Qur’an, 4:4)

b) Living expenses: The husband is responsible for thewelfare of the family. He should spend on his wife and his children. He shouldgive them a suitable, respectable and comfortable life. He should never dependon whatever his wife owns or earns. Even if his wife is wealthy he has no rightto take any money from her without her permission. Allah said, “Lodge them (the divorced women) where you dwell,according to your means, and do not harm them so as to straighten them (thatthey be obliged to leave your house).And if they are pregnant, then spend onthem till they lay down their burden. Then if they suck to the children foryou, give them their due payment , and let each of you accept the advice of theother in a just away. But, if you make difficulties for one another, then someother woman may give suck for him (the father of the child).” (Qur’an 65:6) This verse is fora woman who has been divorced, so any one can well imagine the right of a wifewho is still living with her husband.

2. Right of education(sincere advice): It is the responsibility of the husband to support hiswife to acquire the necessary Islamic knowledge that will help her to do herreligious duties in the correct way. Allah said, “Oyou who have believed! 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 fromAllah, but do that which they are commanded.” (Qur’an, 66:6)

3. Respect them andseek kind companionship with them and look at the positive side of theircharacter. Allah said, “And do not makedifficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unlessthey commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness. For if youdislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.” (Qur’an, 4:19)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated; TheMessenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Bekind to women.” (Bukhari) Andhe also said, “The best of you is the best to hisfamily and I am the best among you to my family. “(Tirmidhi)” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)said, “The most perfect believers in faith are thebest in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives”. (Tirmidhi)

In another Hadith the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “That he should feed her whenever he eats and clothe herwhenever he clothes himself, he should not hit her on the face, should not callher ugly, and should not boycott her except within the house.” (Ibn Majah)

4. He should fulfillher needs. A common misunderstanding among some men is that it is his rightto call his wife to bed whenever he wants (and it is his right), but he maydesert her for whatever time he wants to though it is not lawful. As Allahsaid, “Those who take an oath not to have sexualrelations with their wives must wait for four months, then if they return(change their idea in this period), verily,Allah is Oft-Forgiving, MostMerciful.” (Qur’an, 2:226)

Salman visited Abu Al - Darda and found Umm Darda (his wife)dressed in shabby clothes. He asked her why she was in such a state. Shereplied, “Your brother Abu Al-Darda is not interested in (the luxuries of) thisworld.” Salman told Abu Al-Darda, “Your Lord has a right on you, your soul hasa right on you, and your family has a right on you; so you should give therights of all those who have a right on you.”

And, when Abu Al-Darda told the Prophet Muhammad (peace beupon him) about the incident, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,“Salman has spoken the truth.”

5. A woman has theright to seek separation from her husband if he doesn’t give her the rightsthat Allah has ordained for her. This is known as Khul’a, which means that thewoman can divorce herself by returning her husband’s dowry or whateverarrangement and agreement they mutually agreed upon.


A classic example is to look at the household of the ProphetMuhammad (peace be upon him) and see in him the ideal husband. Many Muslimsclaim that they love him and they follow his Sunnah; but why don’t they see theway how he treated the women of his family?





- by  Dr. Yahya S Al-Bahith