Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

2006-12-31T22:24:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu.

Hasan al Basri- His knowledge on Tasawwuf

2006-12-20T20:29:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,
Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

Taken from part of the article on Hasan al Basri Rahmatullah Alayh found on www.madania.org

His Knowledge of Tassawuf

Of all his mastery in the Islamic sciences, Hassan al Bisri rahmatullahi alayh was particularly known for his knowledge in 'Ilm ut Tassawuf', (science of purifying the heart). This science deals with the inner spiritual state of individuals, and so it is also the most difficult.

The concept of Tassawuf seems strange nowadays too many people because it is seen with so many changes and corruptions attached to it. As written in the earlier article, labels can be misleading. People flee due to misconceptions and lack of understanding. And naturally, if people observe a phenomenon that is forbidden according to the Qur'an and Sunnah, then indeed that particular practice should be rejected.

Unfortunately, people reject the entire concept of Tassawuf based on a few deviant individuals or sects. It is just like how some people may look at us and see our ill behaviors. Upon this, they exclaim, "You are a Muslim! If that is Islam, then I want nothing to do it" and then they turn away from Islam. Looking at our mistakes, they think Islam is awful and reject the whole concept of Islam based on our actions. Of course, this is incorrect.

Tassawuf is referred to in the Qur'an as "Tazkiya" (purification of the heart). Allah (swt) mentions this in the Qur'an as one of the four responsibilities of Rasulullah (saw): "And purify them! (Wa you Zaki him)" The study of this field is called "'Ilm ut Tazkiya" and in hadith, it has been called "Ihsaan."

Let me present a simple example regarding Tassawuf. Imagine that you love sweets and have heard people speak highly about a particular dessert. One day, this irresistible dessert is presented before you. You are ecstatic and get up to quickly wash your hands to eat. However, upon returning you are surprised to find many flies sitting on the dessert trying to taste its sweetness. Now you've lost your appetite. You don't even want to look at this sweet anymore because all the flies around it have ruined it.

Finally, one day you see the same dessert in a bakery, preserved from all the filth and flies. You quickly run inside the store, purchase the dessert, thank Allah (swt) for the blessing, and start enjoying its sweetness. So, seeing the dessert with flies made you turn away from it, and seeing it pure and clean, made you love it. And this is exactly what happens today in the field of Tassawuf.

Ilm ul ihsaan is a necessary part of our deen and discussed in hadith. In a hadith narrated in Sahih al Bukhari, Rasulullah (saw) was once asked by Jibreel (al) different questions about Islam. One of those questions was, "What is Ihsaan?" Rasulullah (saw) responded, "Worship Allah as if you see Him."

Subhanallah; imagine the dedication and focus it takes for a person to reach that level of Imaan where he feels he is in the presence of Allah (swt), looking at Him directly.

Rasulullah (saw) further went on to say, "And if you can't do that, then at least be aware that he is watching you." Even arriving at this realization, which is of the lesser degree than the former is a difficult task for many of us. Most of the time, we forget that Allah (swt) is watching us and we go on to commit great mistakes. Developing this feeling is the main goal of Tassawuf. Hassan al Bisri rahmatullahi alayh was on the true and correct path (Sulook). And he specialized in the true Ilm ut Tassawuf. He wasn't, nauzhobillah, committing bida'ah or going away from deen. This is why many of the greatest people of their time (who even knew more hadith than him) were sitting around him, benefiting from his company (sohba).

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah

2006-11-25T22:52:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah,
Allahuma Sali'ala Muhamaddin Nabiyil Ummiyi wa 'Ala Sahbi wa Salim.
Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.

I pray that you are all in the best of health and Imaan. Ameen.

All praise is due to Allah, The most Compassionate, The Most Merciful, The Ever-Lasting, The Most High, The Greatest. All praise is due to Him who gives man wisdom and understanding. All praise is due Allah who creates life after taking it away. All praise is due to Allah who listens to our troubles and fears in the most quiet and dark places. All praise is due to Allah who guides along the path that no one else can guide us upon..

There are situations in life that catch us off guard and can bring us down. To others it may seem so small and worthless but to you it can mean so much more. The behaviour of others can have such a huge impact on our emtions and our daily life, and whats more you tend to just lock it up inside which can make things a whole lot more difficult. Dealing with something on your own can be one of the hardest things ever, it can either 'break you or make you'- however as muslims it shouldn't stop there. Whatever happened to us learning to put our trust in Allah subhana wa ta'ala? Where did our faith go?

Subhana'Allah, if we learnt just to let go of things and lift our hands in praise and turn to Allah, the Lord of All things, The Greatest, The Most High. Allah is always there waiting for our prayers, waiting for us to call unto Him. We are His servants and He is our Lord, whenever we are afflicted with unhappiness and sadness, know that He is there. If we are able to put our trust in Allah subhana wa ta'ala, then we have conquered a hurdle and we have accepted that whatever hardship we have become faced with, we have turned to The One Who can make it all better.

Sorry to keep it short. Just wanted to get that off my chest.

May Allah give me the ability to act upon what has been said in this post. Ameen wa thuma ameen.
Duaas greatly needed.

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

Postrate and whisper, for only He can hear you..

2006-11-20T12:58:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that you are all in the best of health and Imaan. Insha'Allah.
Just found something that summarises my thoughts over the past few days..

Develop patience against sufferings, calamities, and adversities. This virtue of patience is one of the high values of morality and nobility of character, and is the best habit that one can develop. Trust in Allah and let your mind seek His protection in every calamity and suffering. Because you will thus entrust yourself and your affairs to the Best Trustee and to the Mightiest Guardian.

Do not seek help and protection of anybody but Allah. Reserve your prayers, your requests, your solicitations, your supplications, and your entreaties for Him and Him alone. Because to grant, to give, to confer, and to bestow, as well as to withhold, to deprive, to refuse, and to debar lie in His and only His Power. Ask as much of His favors and seek as much of His guidance as you can.

Try to understand this advice, ponder it deeply, do not take it lightly and do not turn away from it. The best knowledge is that which benefits the listener. The knowledge that does not benefit anyone is useless and not worth learning or remembering. Remember that the Lord, who is the Master of death, is also the Master of life. The Creator is the Annihilator. And the One who annihilates has the power to bring everything back to existence again. The One who sends you calamities is the One who will bring you safely out of them. [When you hear hoof beats think of a zebra]

Words of wisdom I

2006-11-09T21:03:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

Some words of wisdom for your thoughts to ponder over..

It is best to refrain from sins than to seek forgiveness later - Hadhrat Ali (r.a.)

Be for Allah as He wants you, He will be for you better than you want.

We love the beauty of the creation,Imagine the creator of it loving you.

Allah gives and forgives, man gets and forgets..

The purification of our inner being is directly related to our avoidance of blameworthy acts. Examine and test yourself against this standard. Prostrate with humility in the court of Allah subhaanahu wa ta 'aala. Tears flooding from the eyes purify the heart. - Hazrat Zulfiqar Ahmad (db)

The heart is the soil of Allah, Laa ilah illallah is the seed.

It is useless to have a learned tongue but an ignorant heart. - Shaykh Abdal Qadir al Jilani

The heart is comforted by true words,just as a thirsty man is comforted by water- Rumi

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

Worry about Allah and what He wants you to do and He will take care of your worries.
- Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller

Life is always fair, and the reason for that is the hereafter. For anyone who believes in the hereafter will realize that every hardship will hit a dead end. And that dead end will have a door, beyond the door is the reward. When one accepts fate, situations, hardships, pain, they have already passed 50% of the trial by accepting it. Then it's about getting through it. Knowing that Allah is the only one who can give it and also clear us of it will make us turn to Him and then we will find is so much easier. What makes it hard is the fact that we think "life isn't fair", "why me?" "why do i deserve this?" etc. We are tiny tiny creations and we can NEVER question our Lord. - Br. Yasin

The love of this world is the root of all evil. - The Beloved Prophet Muhammad salialahualayhi wassalam

If we are not living for our Lord, relying on His guidance and help, and trusting in His wisdom, we will find it very difficult to negotiate our way through this world. - Imam Zaid Shakir

Go after knowledge;
Should you become poorit will be your wealth.
Should you become rich it will be your embellishment.

Never consider sin to be small. Regard sin as great. He who thinks slightly of sin has considered Allah to be insignificant. -

Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi

You are not superior to a white, or black-skinned person, unless you excel him in piety. -

Ahmad

If only..

2006-11-05T20:26:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that you are all in the best of health and Iman. Ameen.

I apologise for the lack of posts on this blog, even though a Barakah-ed Ramadhan has come to end. I wanted to post this post as my previous one but I never got time to write up anyway here it is..

As I mentioned in an earlier post of mine before Ramadhan, Ramadhan is a time for personal and spiritual developement. It is a time for us to see all the wrong that we have done and repent to Allah for our sins, keeping our repentence consistent through the Holy month keeps us in touch with our roles- we are the servants of Allah subhana wa ta'ala and we will always have faults, and when we repent to Allah subhana wa ta'ala we are showing that we ackowledge Allah subhana wa ta'ala as the only one who can forgive our sins and He is The Only One we turn to for guidance.

I would just like to add to the above that even though we should see Ramadhan as a time for spiritual developement, it should be carried on throughout the year. Every year Ramadhan is an opportunity to gain closer to Allah and carry that on throughout the year.

As I was saying..During the holy month of Ramadhan I contemplated alot on my past and present actions, my character and the way I behave and treat other people. I realised that I am so far from the way of the Prophet salialahualayhi wasslam and the Mothers of the believers, and if I were to die in such a state, how would I face Allah with all my actions? How would I account for all my sins? It was a wake up call for me to realise that this life is like a drop in the ocean compared to the hereafter and instead of going backward I need to walk forward, and walking on the path of Allah.

Unfortunately in life, no matter how careful we may be at avoiding something, we can end up facing that same thing. It doesn't hit us until afterwards or sometimes it doesn't hit us until later wrong, that the scenario we were faced with and the way we reacted could have been the wrong one. It could have been something so small and so petty, but we begin to question our actions, over whether we responded in the correct Islamic behaviour. Brothers and sisters I'm talking about regret, that awful feeling that taunts you for days on end, and doesn't let you sleep.
It is a common feeling in all of us, and we often ponder if we could turn back the hands onthe clock for just a few hours, or just a day.

If we begin to regret over things that are world related, for example if we start regretting over buying a pair of shoes rather than another pair of shoes that were cheaper, we should know that there is a day of Judgement and things that we should have done in life for the sake of Allah were missed out, how will we feel? How will a pair of shoes compare to something with greater magnitude such as this?

The first step to getting over regret is turning to Allah subhana wa ta'ala for forgiveness over those things that we are regretful over, the second thing is to know that Allah subhana wa ta'ala is always watching us and always ask yourself before you do anything 'If I do this will Allah subhana wa ta'ala be pleased with me or will He be angered by my action?', and thirdly when we speak we should speak only that which is good. Every time we feel the need to backbite or talk nonsense, use that time to read words of Dhikr, this way we will increase our love and awareness for Allah rather than move away.

I hope to insha'Allah post more on my experiences with you..I have to go. Please keep this sinner in your duaas, I am in need of them.

May Allah give us the ability to think before we speak and to think before we act. May Allah subhana wa ta'ala give me firstly the ability to act upon what I have understood and what I have said. May Allah subhana wa ta'ala give you and I the ability to strive hard in His path and seek His pleasure. May He be pleased with us on Qiyam ul layl and may we die in the state He is most pleased with us. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah,

Maintaing the correct balance..

2006-11-02T16:57:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that the readers of this blog are in good health and Imaan. Ameen

It's funny how in everyday communication, one of the main moans of conversation are the fact that there aren't enough hours in the day, I for one am very guilty of it. Today I took a step back and realised how ungrateful I sounded; I realised that even though we feel that there isn't enough time to do what we please, we have still been given that time, 24 hours.
24 hours, 1440 minutes, 86400 seconds. Doesn't sound like alot of time for most of us, but as I said atleast we have been given that, surely it's alot better than having 12 hours? We should see time as another one of the billion billion gazillion mercy's from Allah subhana wa ta'ala.

Everything in life is about maintaing the right balance to do things, and it's because of the way some people chose to lead their lives, they find that there is no balance and time is lost, wasted gone. I sometimes feel that I spend too much time doing one thing, rather than using that extra time to do what I had originally intended to do, what I should have been doing.

In life our purpose is to worship Allah subhana wa ta'ala, however we have been put on this Earth with needs and activities to carry out on a regular basis. It is essential in life that we do these things for our survival, in order for us to carry out our ultimate purpose. However it is at this point that things start to 'kick in' and life becomes tough. Is it as this point that things become a test from Allah subhana wa ta'ala, and it is how we are able to maintain that balance that we will be judged upon by Allah subhana wa ta'ala.. (Except, that 'point' that we meet, is not something that we face with every once in a while it is everyday).
Maintaining the right balance is crutial. Doing our chores with the intention of pleasing Allah subhana wa ta'ala and doing it in the correct manner, more to the point, living our life according to the sunnah of our Beloved Rasool salialahualayhi wassalam.

Helping out our parents, cleaning, washing up, eating, taking a bath, teaching, etc, are all acts of Ibadah(Worship) if they are done in the right way possible. Subhana'Allah isn't that amazing? The beauty of Islam is found in so many places, we just don't look hard enough. At the same time, even though all of the above verbs are needed in our life, we should it make it such that our Ibadah is a priority and it should be done without even a second thought.

..Just a random thought that was floating around. It can be seen similar to the pH value of things, anything that is too acidic is bad for us, anything that is too alkaline is bad for us, keeping ir around about neutral is just right.

May Allah give us all the ability to establish the right balance of our everyday activities. May we remember and worship Him in everything that we do.Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

Eid Mubarak

2006-10-23T23:42:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh..

To all the readers of this blog, Eid Mubarak. Wishing you a happy Eid ul Fitr. Please keep me in your du'aas.

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah

Tarawih

2006-10-01T23:02:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

The Messenger of Allah P.B.U.H had addressed the people:
"O people! shadowing you is a great month, a blessed month, a month in which is a night greater than a thousand months. Allah has made compulsory fasting in this month and has made standing (in prayer) at night rewarding.
"Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any deed of good in it (Ramadan), he is as one who has performed a Fard in any (time) other than it. And whoever performs in it a Fard, he is as one who has performed seventy Fara'id in any (time) other than it.
Ibn Khuzaymah, al-Bayhaqi

The Messenger of Allah P.B.U.H has said:
“Whoever stands through Ramadan (in prayer) with faith and hope of reward will be forgiven his past sins.”
al-Bukhari and Muslim

Abu Hurayrah t narrates that the Messenger of Allah P.B.U.H would (strongly) encourage people to the standing (in prayer) of Ramadan, just short of ordaining it as a great (Fard) act. He (the Messenger P.B.U.H) would say:
“Whoever stands through Ramadan (in prayer) with faith and hope of reward will be forgiven his past sins.”
Muslim

Some scholars are of the opinion that the reward of the standing (in prayer) of Ramadan is applicable to all the Salahs of Ramadan. Most scholars including Imam an-Nawawi are of the opinion that Tarawih is meant here.
Fatwul Bari

Aishah narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah went out and performed the night prayers of Ramadan and people followed him in prayer. In the morning people spoke about this and the number of people increased. He then went out on the second night and offered prayers and people offered behind him. In the morning people spoke about this and the number of people increased. Then he went out on the third night and offered prayers and people offered behind him. In the morning, people spoke about this and the number of people increased until the Masjid could not hold so many people. He did not go out on that night. People started to say Salah! Salah! But he did not go out to them until the time came for him to go for the Fajr prayer.
“After he completed the Fajr prayer , he faced the people, praised Allah and then said that he was not afraid of their state (numbers) the night before, ‘But I was afraid that it would become a Fard upon you.’
“People were discouraged, then he would (strongly) encourage people to the standing (in prayer) of Ramadan, just short of ordaining it as a great (Fard) act. He (the Messenger P.B.U.H) would say, ‘Whoever stands through Ramadan (in prayer) with faith and hope of reward will be forgiven his past sins.’”
The narrator of this Hadith (`Urwah ibn Zubayr ) mentions that this was the state of this prayer when the Messenger of Allah P.B.U.H passed away, and it was like that under the Khilafah of Abu Bakr and also the initial part of the Khilafah of `Umar . Thereafter `Umar gathered everyone behind Ubayy ibn Ka`b . And this was the first time people were gathered (through instruction) behind one Imam in Ramadan.
al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn ibban (The words of this narration are that of Ibn ibban)

Abdur-Rawman ibn `Abdul Qari narrates:
“I went out with `Umar ibn Khabbab one night in Ramadan to the Masjid. There, the people were dispersed. (Here was) a person performing Salah alone, (there was) a person performing Salah with a few people following him. `Umar t said, ‘I think that if these (people) gathered behind one reciter (Imam) it would be best.’ He was determined on this and thus gathered them behind Ubayy ibn Ka`b . “I then went out with him on another night, and the people were performing Salah with one reciter (Imam). `Umar said, ‘this is a commendable innovation. And those who sleep from this are better than those who stand.’ He meant from this, those who sleep (early) to offer Salah late are better than those who offer Salah early.”
al-Bukhari

Imam al-Bayhaqi states:
“It is clear that the Nabi P.B.U.H prevented (himself from) the offering of Salah with people (i.e. as a group) on the fourth night because of the apprehension that Allah may make it a Fard upon them (the Muslims - which might prove difficult for them). When Allah, the Mighty and Magnificent, took his soul to His mercy, its (possibility of) becoming Fard ended. Thus `Umar t did not have the apprehension that the Prophet P.B.U.H had (i.e. its possibility of becoming Fard). And he thought that the gathering of all behind one reciter would be best. He thus instructed this. What he did was not against the Book nor the Sunnah nor even the consensus of the Ummah (i.e. none of the other Sawabah objected to or even questioned this) and it was not a misguiding innovation but it was a good invention, based on the Prophet’s example of leading the congregation.”
as-Sunan al-Sughra of al-Bayhaqi

Tarawih Salah is Sunnah Mu-akkadah for both men and women.
To perform Tarawih in jama`ah is Sunnah Kifayah for men, which means that there should be in a locality/Masjid at least one group of people who perform Salah in jama`ah.
It is permissible for a person to perform Tarawih alone while others perform it together. However, it should not be such that due to everyone reading alone, no jama`ah is made, in which case all will be responsible for disregarding the sunnah.
The time for Tarawih is from after Isha Salah to a little before as-Sub as-Sadiq. It can be performed either before or after the Witr Salah, although it is common practice that Witr follows Tarawih.
If one has missed a few raka`at of Tarawih and the Imam has commenced the Witr, then one may join the Witr and complete the remainder of the Tarawih thereafter.
Tarawih of 20 raka`at in groups of two is not only the example of the Sawabah, (other number of raka`at - 8, 12, 28, 36, 40, etc - have also been mentioned by various scholars) but it is also what is practised upon by the ummah in general.
One should have a niyyah for 2 raka'at of Tarawih each time. After every four raka`at it is Mustawabb to sit a while and take a rest.
One may remain silent or recite the Qur'an or tasbiw in a low voice or offer Nafl Salah separately during the period of rest after every four raka`at.
It is makruh to perform Tarawih sitting if one has the strength of qiyam (standing).
While performing Tarawih some people do not join the jama`ah from the beginning but join the Imam when he prepares to go into Ruku`. This is makruh. They should join at the beginning.
If one does not get the jama`ah for the Fard of Isha’, he should first perform his Fard alone and then join the jama`ah for Tarawih.

Taken from Fisabilillah.org

Duaas greatly requested.

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

Ramadhan Mubarak :D

2006-09-22T20:01:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that the readers of this blog are in good health and Imaan. Ameen.

Just a quick post to say Ramadhan Mubarak/Mabrook! Alhamdulilah by the will of Allah we have now left Sha'ban and entered the Holy month of Ramadhan. May Allah subhana wa ta'ala accept all our fasts for His sake only, keep us steadfast in Ibadah and give us the ability to strengthen our Imaan. Ameeen!

As we have entered the Holy month we must ensure that our time is used efficiently in Ibadaah and spent in the path of Allah. Every moment is precious so let us use our time wisely! Insha'Allah may we all see this month as an opportunity to better ourselves for the sake of Allah and to become closer to Him.

I regret to tell you that there will be fewer posts on this blog as I have a firm intention to utilise every second I can. I intented to post more posts on here but unfortunately there were a few posts I wanted to write on that were left as half drafts..alhamdulilah there are many useful links at the top of my side bar which I recommend you read. Please also have a look at the blogs on my side bar.

To receive any updates via email when new posts are posted you can subscribe to this blog by simply entering your email address subscription box on the right. If you feel that you'd like to be notified that way so that it can save on time, feel free. Please note that all email address's are kept strictly confidential and will not be passed on to any third parties.

As it is Ramadhan, I wanted to make a request for both those who know me personally and who don't to forgive me for any of my shortcomings or for anything that I have said or done that may have offended you. Please keep me in your duaas and also remember those muslims around the world who are less fortunate than we are, and those muslims who are suffering at the hands of the kuffar.

A beautiful duaa courtesy of Muslimah Ukhti :D (as always in my duaas sis);

May Allah grant us success in these blessed days and nights of this beautiful month and throughout our life time, to follow the path of our Beloved Nabi Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam.
May Allah shower His Mercy and Blessing on the entire muslim ummah.

Ya Allah protect us from the punishment of the grave, hellfire, all harms, the evils of our nafs and shaytaan.
Ya Allah protect us from every sin and accept our Ibaadah and Fasts in this blessed month.

Ya Allah! grant us the taufiq to carry on doing good deeds in Ramadhan and throughout the year.
Ya Allah! I ask You for Your love and the love of those who love You, and for the love of every action which will bring me closer to Your love.

Praise and gratitude be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be on Prophet Muhammad Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam, his family, his Companions, and those who rightly follow them.
Aameen!!!

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah

Fasting in Ramadan - A Muslim Pharmacist's Perspective

2006-09-19T15:51:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that you are all in the best of health and Imaan. Ameen. I found an interesting article on fasting- a muslim pharmacists point of view. This post is dedicated to my dear sister Mujahidah an Nafs - self explanatory :).

Please note that this article was written just before last years Ramadhan so if the dates in the article don't make sense you'll know why.

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in which Muslims fast from just before sunrise to sunset each day, is upon us again. This year it begins in mid-November. Special issues that may arise in a pharmacy during Ramadan include providing advice on appropriate diet and on medical compliance among the Muslim population. In this article, I provide a personal perspective of why Muslims fast and, as a Muslim pharmacist, what advice I consider may be appropriate for fasting customers both healthy and those on medication, such as diabetic patients

The observance of fasting during Ramadan constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam. The experience of fasting is intended to teach Muslims self-discipline and self-restraint, and understand a little of the plight of the less privileged (e.g., the hungry, thirsty and the poor). Furthermore, Ramadan fasting is not just about disciplining the body to refrain from eating and drinking from predawn until sunset but is also about exerting control over the mind. This involves restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing oneself to serve as a good Muslim and a good person. Ramadan is a month of peace and love in which individuals are encouraged to bury differences, to forget and forgive and to renew both human and spiritual relationships. Therefore, it contributes to the overall principle of making the individual more humane, more considerate and generally a more responsible member of society. In this way, the month of Ramadan ultimately benefits society not just the individual. It does this, in part, by setting a standard for behaviour not only in this month but during the rest of the year and, indeed, every year of a Muslim's life. These principal tenets of Ramadan are important when considering our intentions and subsequent actions during this spiritual month, including those pertaining to the health of the individual.

Fasting during Ramadan is prescribed for every healthy, adult Muslim whereas the weak, the sick, children, travellers and menstruating women are among those exempt. Muslims observing the fast are required to abstain not only from eating food and drinking water but also from consuming oral medicines and injecting intravenous nutritional fluids. However, not all Muslims who are ill seek this exemption and insist on fasting in any case. Fasting by Muslims during illness can cause problems if not supervised by health professionals. However, health problems during Ramadan can develop in otherwise healthy individuals and such patients could benefit from receiving advice on their diet.

When does Ramadan begin?

Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of the Koran were revealed by God to the Prophet Mohammed. It traditionally begins when the new crescent moon (hilal) of Ramadan, the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar, is sighted. The period of fasting starts the morning after the birth of the new moon and ends with the sighting of the birth of the next new moon.

If the new moon is not visible due to cloud or fog, then the beginning and end of Ramadan are determined by counting the days of the month. Fasting begins the morning after the 30th day of the previous month. Similarly, the fast is broken the morning after the 30th day of Ramadan is complete.

This year, Muslims throughout the world will begin to search the sky for the new crescent moon from 15 November.

Advice on diet

During this year where Ramadan falls in the winter, and we do not have the very long days of the summer heat to contend with, most health problems are likely to arise from inappropriate diet or as a consequence of over-eating and insufficient sleep.

There is no need to consume excess food at iftar (the food eaten in the period immediately after sunset to break fast), dinner, or sahur (the light meal generally eaten about half an hour to one hour before dawn). The reasons for this are two-fold. First, and most importantly, such a lifestyle contradicts the principal aims and spirit of Ramadan. Over-eating can be seen as a reflection of weak discipline and irresponsibility. Secondly, the body has regulatory mechanisms that reduce the metabolic rate and ensure efficient utilisation of body fat. Furthermore, most people assume a more sedentary lifestyle while fasting. The net result is that a balanced diet, that consists of less than the normal amount of food intake, is sufficient to keep a person healthy and active during the month of Ramadan.

To remain healthy during Ramadan, one should consume food from the major food groups: bread and cereal, milk and dairy products, fish, meat and poultry, beans, vegetables and fruits. (Vegetarians and vegans should amend this list as appropriate.) Intake of fruits after a meal is strongly suggested. Diet in Ramadan should not differ much from the normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that normal weight is maintained, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is overweight, Ramadan is an ideal time to try to normalise one's weight.

In view of the long hours of fasting, the so-called "complex carbohydrates" or slow digesting foods should be consumed at sahur so that the food lasts longer (about eight hours) resulting in less hunger during the day. These complex carbohydrates are found in foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal flour and unpolished rice.

In contrast, refined carbohydrates or fast-digesting foods last for only three to four hours and may be better taken at iftar to restore blood glucose levels rapidly. Fast-burning foods include those that contain sugar and white flour. Dates are an excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium and have been recommended since the days of the Prophet Mohammed as a good way of breaking the fast.

Fried foods, very spicy foods and foods containing too much sugar, such as sweets, can cause health problems and should be limited during Ramadan. They cause indigestion, heart-burn and weight problems. Fasting can often increase gastric acidity levels causing a burning feeling, a heaviness in the stomach, and a sour mouth. This can be overcome by eating foods rich in fibre such as whole wheat bread, vegetables, hummus, beans, and fruits. These foods trigger muscular action, churning and mixing food, breaking it into small particles, and thus help reduce the build up of acid in the stomach.

Drinking of sufficient water and juices between iftar and sleep to avoid dehydration, and for detoxification of the digestive system, should be encouraged in fasting individuals. However, the intake of large amounts of caffeine-containing beverages should be avoided, especially at sahur. For example, drinking too much tea will increase urine output and inevitably cause the loss of valuable mineral salts.

Fruits such as bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates. However, bananas can cause constipation and their intake has to be balanced with adequate fibre intake.

It is recommended that everyone engage in some kind of light exercise, such as stretching or walking. Overweight people should increase the amount of exercise and reduce the amount of food intake to help reduce weight.

It is also important to follow good time management procedures for Ibada (prayer and other religious activities), sleep, studies, work, and physical activities or exercise. A good balance in the amount of time attributed for each activity will lead to a healthier body and mind in Ramadan.

Advice for the sick who fast during Ramadan

Ramadan fasting is obligatory for the healthy adult but, when fasting might significantly affect the health of the fasting individual or when one is genuinely sick, Islam exempts him or her from fasting. "God intends every facility for you, he does not want to put you into difficulties" (Koran 2:185). From an Islamic point of view, this exemption represents more than a simple permission not to fast. The Prophet said: "God likes his permission to be fulfilled, as he likes his will to be executed." Another saying suggests that "a gift that God gives you, you have to accept". In the light of these sayings, many believe that any Muslim who is sick, or whose sickness would adversely affect his well-being during the fasting period, should either not fast or at least break his fast accordingly. An additional argument often used is that if the fasting by a sick Muslim would jeopardise his health further, then this ultimately will neither benefit himself nor his role in society (Ummah) and he should be discouraged from observing the fast.

However, a significant number of patients, for whatever reasons, do decide to observe the fast. It is these patients who need to seek the opinion of health professionals on an individual basis.

Those suffering from minor ailments do not really have any problems fasting. Those suffering from acute conditions may need advice about altering their dosing regimen. Drugs that are normally required to be taken frequently, such as antibiotics, can be problematic for fasting patients. However, the increasing availability of alternative drugs with long half-lives as well as the increasing formulation of short-acting drugs as sustained release preparations, have offered much needed assistance to fasting patients.

For example, patients suffering from acute upper respiratory infections, such as a severe sore throat, may still be able to fast. Such a patient might be prescribed antibiotics that have to be taken three or four times a day and would not be able to fast. However, in order to facilitate fasting, the patient could be given a long-acting antibiotic, such as co-trimoxazole, which only needs to be taken 12- hourly, or azithromycin, which only needs to be taken once daily. This can be done only when the infecting organisms are susceptible to the alternative antibiotics, and needs to be discussed with the patient's doctor.

Alternative routes of drug administration can help fasting patients. Some patients suffering from mild forms of angina pectoris could benefit from taking glyceryl trinitrate as a patch rather than sublingual tablets. The drug would enter the blood stream through the skin, and not orally (which would break the fast). Again, this may only be possible in specific patients and needs to be discussed with the patient's doctor. Pharmacists should be willing to advise patients and practitioners on the availability of alternative dosage forms for medication during Ramadan.

There is a school of thought among medical practitioners that those patients who have mild to moderate high blood pressure and are also overweight should be encouraged to fast as this may help to lower their blood pressure. Such patients should see their physician to adjust their medication. For example, the dose of diuretics should be reduced to avoid dehydration, and sustained release formulations can be given once a day before the predawn meal.

An increasing area where practitioners are likely to advise patients on fasting is in those suffering from diabetes mellitus. Many Muslims, especially of Asian descent, have an increased risk of suffering from some form of diabetes. The International Journal of Ramadan Fasting Research has suggested the following guidelines for health professionals treating Muslim patients with diabetes: "Diabetic patients who are controlled by diet alone can fast and hopefully, with weight reduction, their diabetes may even be improved. Diabetics who are taking oral hypoglycaemic agents along with the dietary control should exercise extreme caution if they decide to fast. These patients should consult their medical doctor for dose adjustment. If they develop low blood sugar symptoms in the daytime, they should end the fast immediately."

In addition, diabetic patients taking insulin should consult their doctor to see if their dose can be adjusted to allow fasting during Ramadan. In all cases of fasting with diabetes, blood sugar levels should be closely monitored, especially before and after meals.

In summary, Islam offers an exemption to the sick from observing their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. However, some patients may be able to fast if their health is not adversely affected during the period of fasting. In such cases, advice from pharmacists and doctors about changing prescriptions to equally effective drugs that have reduced dosing, such as sustained release formulations, may be beneficial to the fasting Muslim. In all cases of illness, it is recommended that Muslim patients, if they do fast, do so under medical supervision. Pharmacists, doctors and other health professionals are undoubtedly keen to help.

Written by Professor Akhtar (University of Kuwait)

Duaas requested
Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah

Sunnah of fasting

2006-09-17T18:04:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that you are all in the best of health and Imaan, Ameen.
Just a quick post on the 6 sunnahs of fasting:

i. To partake of Suhr (sehri) or pre-dawn tiffin

ii. To break fast immediately after sunset

iii. To read Tarawih prayer at night

iv. To feed the poor and hungry

v. To increase the Quran reading

vi. To observe I’tikaf within the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadhaan.

May Allah give us the ability to try and put these sunnahs into our time during the month of ramadhan. Ameen wa thuma ameen. Sorry for the short post.

Duaas greatly needed!
Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

Useful Ramadhan audio

2006-09-10T09:46:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that the readers of this blog are in good health and Imaan. Ameen.
Here are a few audio that I have found on Ramadhan. This post will be updated with more additions so keep watching insha'Allah. Please make some time to listen to them insha'Allah.

Kamal Uddin Ahmed:
Purpose of Ramadhan
Laylatul Qadr and the mercy of Allah
Retaining the blessings of Ramadhan

Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf:
Kitab as-Sawm:
Dars 1
Dars 2
Dars 3
Dars 3(Questions and answers)
Dars 4
Dars 5(Questions and answers)
Dars 6
Dars 7

Shaykh Ibrahim Memon Madani:
Itikaaf and Laylatul Qadr

Shaykh Hussain Abdul Sattar:
Path to Ramadhan
Checking into Ramadan
Welcoming Ramadhan 1427
Making the most of Ramadhan

Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadul Haq:
Surah al Alaq & al Qadr- Tafseer of Surah al Alaq & al Qadr
The Virtues & Blessings of Ramadhan
The Virtues & Blessings of the Qur'an
Ramadhan: The Spiritual Month
Taraweeh 8 or 20 Rakaats?

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah

Ramadhan in my own words.

2006-09-08T14:51:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that the readers of this blog are in good health and Imaan. Ameen.

In about two weeks time the Holy month of Ramdhan will be upon us all insha'Allah; this month has numerous blessings and it was in this month thatthat the Holy Qur'an was revealed to our Beloved prophet Muhammad صلي الله عليه و سلم .

Ramadhan is the ninth month on the Islamic calender, it falls in between the Islamic months of Sha'ban and Shawwal. It is during this month that muslimsall over the world prepare for fasting from Dawn till dusk. Allah subhana wa ta'ala says in the Holy Qur'an:

"O Muslims fasting is prescribed for you just as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become fearful (of Allah)" - Qur'an 2:183

It is from this ayah that we know that it is obligatory for muslims to fast during Ramdhan and it was also made obligatory to people who have lived before us.

During this month Allah subhana wa ta'ala locks away the Shaytaan so that this time may be a source of Barakah, spiritually aswell as physically. Fasting enables us to hold self control over ourself; whilst in urge for food and water we turn towards Allah subhana wa ta'ala, this brings us closer towards Him. It is during the moments of fasting we realise the struggle to with stand without food or water for virtually the whole day.

It is when feeling this struggle that we learn to turn towards Allah for help and for the will power to go on throughout the day; during these moments of dhikr we find that we are turning more and more towards Allah and we feel a deeper connection compared to our normal everyday lives.
Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:

"Truly, it is by the rememberance of Allah that hearts find rest" - Qur'an 13:28

When we turn to Allah, when we praise Him, when we are engaged in total Ibadah we realise that we seek comfort and solace in just remembering our Lord. Subhana'Allah it is at times like these that we should realise that we do not need to turn to anyone else except Allah.

The holy month of Ramadhan is an extremely spiritually uplifting time for all muslims around the world. The prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم said,

"When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." -Bukhari

Allah subhana wa ta'ala has blessed this month so much that the Shaytaan are all locked up; this gives man the inner ability to reflect on his own nafs. As the Shaytaan are locked up and we are not allowed to touch food for the major portion of the day it allows muslims to have maximum restraint over their nafs. We are able to detect our inner strength to withold from that which our Nafs desires, we are also able to steer clear away from those things that the shataan tempts us with to misguide us from the Siratul Mustaqeem. We can use this month to help us get rid of the razail-worthless qualities (please note that to actually rid oneself of the Razail is to weaken it-this will be discussed in another post insha'Allah).

My teacher at school used to tell me that during this month we can see ourselves for who we really are; meaning as the Shaytaan are locked away, we can see what our personality is like because there is no influence over our actions. Masha'Allah she was/is right, because it is during this time that we need to reflect on our bad deeds on we can also reflect on those people who we have hurt.

We as muslims are constantly at war with shaytaan and the inner nafs; our spiritual state when we sin is such that our hearts become black from the sin, however due to Allah subhana wa ta'alas infinite mercy, when we remember Him and engage in Dhikr a portion of that sin is wiped away. If our Dhikr becomes focused, regular, meaningful and we are able to block out the sin, we find ourselves spiritual higher than we were before.

Fasting
Fasting during the month of Ramadhan is a sheild; it is a shield from Shaytaan and it is also a sheild from falling under Allah's anger and going to Jahanam. Whilst in the stateof fasting actions such as lying, backbiting, stealing, cheating, making one angry, disobedience to parents, disobedience to elders, hurting somone, make the fast worthless. The reason being is because the whole purpose of fasting is to shield ourselves from actions such as these. Allah subhana wa ta'alamakes it clear in Surah al-Baqarah:

"The object is that you may guard against evil…" - Qur'an 2:183

It is important to bear this in mind when fasting. When thinking about this I picture myself in a bee hive with the white outfit on protecting myself from the stings of the bee, each time you commit a sin a piece of protective clothing is removed and the bees come and sting you at the place exposed. The more sinning you do the more stings you get, except the stings aren't on our physical bodies, they're on our spiritual ones..and what happens when a person suffers from excessive stinging..they die- becoming spiritually dead is as though we have given our souls to shaytaan. Let us try to make an effort and refrain from getting stung by our tongue. Our tongues are witholding from food, let it also hold back from words evil.

Important notes about fasting:
- It is the fourth pillar of Islam
- Fasting is Fard (obligatory) on every muslim man and woman who is sane and mature
- Allah subhana wa ta'ala has declared a great reward for those who fast for His sake and not for show
- Fasting is not just obstaining from food and drink, it is also for the rest of the organs of the body to refrain from that which is forbidden. For example the tongue must refrain from bad talk and the hands must refrain from haram things. Fasting means for the whole body to be fasting.
- From fasting we can see the unity of the ummah; we are all of different races, backgrounds, languages, habits, way of life, accents, however when we fast we all recite the same thing at Iftaar, we all do it for Allah only, we all feel the hunger in our stomachs, we all feel what those people who do not have food feel.
The prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

"The believers are to one another like a building-each part strengthening the others"

From the above hadeeth it shows us that when we fast, it is as though we are feeling what those muslims who do not have food feel. When we feel hungry our stomachs cry for food, you realise that people who lesser off than us feel like this all year round. It is important to see that Allah is constantly showering His blessings on us, yet we are so forgetful of it!
Ramadhan should also be a time for us to give thanks for all that He subhana wa ta'ala has blessed us with.

Some Hadith regarding fasting:
*It is stated in a hadith that Allah subhana wa ta'ala says:
"It is for Me and I shall certainly compensate it." The Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم also stated, "The fragrance of the mouth of a fasting manis more pleasant to Allah than the smell of musk" -Mishkaat

*Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu reported that the Messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said: "Whosoever fasts in Ramadhaan out of faith and hopeful of reward, all his past sins will be forgiven; and whosoever stands up (in prayer) in Ramadhaan out of faith and hopeful of reward, all his past sins will be forgiven and whosoever stands up (in prayer) at the Blessed Night out of faith and hopeful of reward, all his past sins will be forgiven."- Bukhari and Muslim

*It is related on the authority of Sahl bin Sa'd radiallahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said: "There is a special Gate of Paradise, which is known as Rayyan (and) only those who observe fasting will be allowed to enter through it on the Day of Resurrection. On that day, it will be called aloud, ‘Where are the bondsmen who used to fast for the sake of God and endure the pangs of hunger and thirst?' Such of the bondsmen will respond to the call and save them, no one will be permitted to enter by this gate. When they have entered paradise through this gate, it will be shut,(and), after it, no one will be able to enter by it." -Mishkaat

Commentary: Thirst is the most severe hardship one has to bear during a fast and the greatest sacrifice a man who is fasting makes is that he remains thirsty. Complete satisfaction from thirst should as such form the most prominent part of the reward on fasting. Hence, the distinguishing quality ofthe gate has been set apart for the entry of those who fast is satiety. Rayyan, literally, means satiation.

*It is related on the authority of Abdullah bin ‘Amr radiallahu anhu that the Apostle of God صلي الله عليه و سلم said: "The fast and the Quran will both plead on behalf of the bondsman (who will keep fast in the day and recite or listen attentively to the recital ofthe Quran in the night, standing in the presence of the Lord). The fast will say: ‘My lord! I had held him back from food, drink and sexual satisfaction. Accept my intercession for him today (and treat him with mercy and forgiveness)’. And the Quran will say: ‘I had held him back from taking rest and sleeping in the night. O God! Accept my intercession for him today (and treat him with mercy and forgiveness)’. The intercession of both, the fast and the Quran will be accepted for the bondsman and he will be treated with exceptional kindness." -Baihaqi

I feel that it neccesary for each and every muslims to spend their time wisely and efficiently during ramadhan, only Allah subhana wa ta'ala knows when our last day will be thus we should make the most of it, as it could be our last.
During ramadhan we should try and spend more time in dhikr and ibadah as during this month our rewards are multiplied 70 times. Talking of wordly affairs should be the last thing on our tongues and dhikr should be the first.

See ramadhan as a time for a step onto self reformation and also for reflecting on the nafs. Enjoy every moment of ramadhan and ask for forgiveness for the sins that we commit knowingly and unknowingly, day in and dayout. I hope to post more on Ramadhan insha'Allah.

Remember the muslim ummah in your duaas and if you have space please remember me :).
Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

Sha'ban: Merits, Do's, and Dont's

2006-09-02T22:53:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that you are all in the best of health and Imaan. Ameen.

In my last post I copied a beautifully written post from the Simply Islam blog, and as we all know Ramadhan is about 3 weeks away from us...excited?I know I am :)
Although it is Ramdhan in a few weeks, many of us forget the merits of the month before- Sha'ban. I found something on Al-Balagh written by Mufti Taqi Uthmani on the month. Please take the time out to read this beautiful article..I know it may look long for some people..but please do have a read insha'Allah.

Also, due to the fact that Ramadhan is on its way, I thought that it would be best if I should spend a majority of my blogging time between now and then on posts preparing us for Ramdhan insha'Allah; as I'm using blogger posts are automatically categorised according to months and thus majority of the Ramadhan posts will be under the 'September' category (see further down the side bar). Other links on the blessed month will be added to the top right hand of my side bar, may we all benefit from them insha'Allah (I know I haven't added many so far, but I'll be adding them as I go along).

Sha'ban: Merits, Do's, and Dont's

Sha'ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is reported in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the month in Sha'ban. These fasts were not obligatory on him but Sha'ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. Therefore, some preparatory measures are suggested by Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Some of these are given below:

1. The blessed companion Anas, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was asked, "Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?" He replied, "Fasts of Shaban in honor of Ramadan."

2. The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam: "Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha'ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month." Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, replied: "That (Sha'ban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting."

3. Ummul Mu'mineen 'Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, says, "Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast the whole of Sha'ban. I said to him, 'Messenger of Allah, is Sha'ban your most favorite month for fasting?' He said, 'In this month Allah prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting."

4. In another Tradition she says, "Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, would sometimes begin to fast continuously until we thought he would not stop fasting, and sometimes he used to stop fasting until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, fasting a complete month, except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting in a month more frequently than he did in Sha'ban."

5. In another report she says, "I never saw the Messenger of Allah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of Sha'ban. He used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to fast almost the whole of the month."

6. Ummul-Mu'mineen Umm Salamah, Radi-Allahu anha, says: "I have never seen the Messenger of Allah fasting for two months continuously except in the months of Sha'ban and Ramadan."

These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Sha'ban, though not obligatory, is so meritorious that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, did not like to miss it.

But it should be kept in mind that the fasts of Sha'ban are for those persons only who are capable of keeping them without causing deficiency in the obligatory fasts of Ramadan. Therefore, if one fears that after fasting in Sha'ban, he will lose strength or freshness for the fasts of Ramadan and will not be able to fast in it with freshness, he should not fast in Sha'ban, because the fasts of Ramadan, being obligatory, are more important than the optional fasts of Sha'ban. That is why Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, himself has forbidden the Muslims from fasting one or two days immediately before the commencement of Ramadan. The blessed Companion Abu Hurairah, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, to have said, "Do not fast after the first half of the month of Sha'ban is gone."

According to another report Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam has said: "Do not precede the month of Ramadan with one or two fasts."

The essence of the above-quoted ahadith is that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, himself used to fast most of the month of Sha'ban, because he had no fear of developing weakness or weariness before the commencement of Ramadan. As for others, he ordered them not to fast after the 15th of Sha'ban for the fear that they would lose their strength and freshness before Ramadan starts, and would not be able to welcome the month of Ramadan with enthusiasm.

The Night of Bara'ah
Another significant feature of the month of Sha'ban is that it consists of a night which is termed in Shariah as "Laylatul-bara'ah" (The night of freedom from Fire). This is the night occurring between 14th and 15th day of Sha'ban. There are certain traditions of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, to prove that it is a meritorious night in which the people of the earth are attended by special Divine mercy. Some of these traditions are quoted as follows:

1. Ummul-Mu'mineen 'Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, is reported to have said, "Once Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, performed the Salah of the night (Tahajjud) and made a very long Sajdah until I feared that he had passed away. When I saw this, I rose (from my bed) and moved his thumb (to ascertain whether he is alive). The thumb moved, and I returned (to my place). Then I heard him saying in Sajdah: 'I seek refuge of Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge of Your pleasure from Your annoyance, and I seek Your refuge from Yourself. I cannot praise You as fully as You deserve. You are exactly as You have defined Yourself.' Thereafter, when he raised his head from Sajdah and finished his salah, he said to me: 'Aishah, did you think that the Prophet has betrayed you?' I said, 'No, O Prophet of Allah, but I was afraid that your soul has been taken away because your Sajdah was very long.' He asked me, 'Do you know which night is this?' I said, 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He said, 'This is the night of the half of Sha'ban. Allah Almighty looks upon His slaves in this night and forgives those who seek forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who pray for mercy but keeps those who have malice (against a Muslim) as they were before, (and does not forgive them unless they relieve themselves from malice).'"

2. In another Tradition Sayyidah' Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, has reported that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said, "Allah Almighty descends (in a manner He best knows it) in the night occurring in the middle of Sha'ban and forgives a large number of people more than the number of the fibers on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb."
Kalb was a big tribe the members of which had a very large number of sheep. Therefore, the last sentence of the hadith indicates the big number of the people who are forgiven in this night by Allah Almighty.

3. In yet another Tradition, she has reported Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, to have said, "This is the middle Night of Sha'ban. Allah frees in it a large number of the people from Fire, more than the number of the hair growing on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb. But He does not even look at a person who associates partners with Allah, or at a person who nourishes malice in his heart (against someone), or at a person who cuts off the ties of kinship, or at a man who leaves his clothes extending beyond his ankles (as a sign of pride), or at a person who disobeys his parents, or at a person who has a habit of drinking wine."

4. Sayyidna Mu'adh ibn Jabal, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said: "Allah Almighty looks upon all those created by Him in the middle Night of Sha'ban and forgives all those created by Him, except the one who associates partners with Him or the one who has malice in his heart (against a Muslim)".

Although the chain of narrators of some of these traditions suffers with some minor technical defects, yet when all these traditions are combined together, it becomes clear that this night has some well founded merits, and observing this night as a sacred night is not a baseless concoction as envisaged by some modern scholars who, on the basis of these minor defects, have totally rejected to give any special importance to this night. In fact, some of these traditions have been held by some scholars of hadith as authentic and the defects in the chain of some others have been treated by them as minor technical defects which, according to the science of hadith, are curable by the variety of their ways of narration. That is why the elders of the ummah have constantly been observing this night as a night of special merits and have been spending it in worship and prayers.

What Should be Done in this Night?
In order to observe the Night of Bara'ah, one should remain awakened in this night as much as he can. If someone has better opportunities, he should spend the whole night in worship and prayer. However, if one cannot do so for one reason or another, he can select a considerable portion of the night, preferably of the second half of it for this purpose, and should perform the following acts of worship:

(a) Salah. Salah is the most preferable act to be performed in this night. There is no particular number of Rak'at but preferably it should not be less than eight. It is also advisable that each part of the Salah like qiyam, rukoo' and sajdah should be longer than normal. The longest surahs of the Holy Qur'an one remembers by heart should be recited in the Salah of this night. If someone does not remember the long surahs, he can also recite several short surahs in one rak'ah.

(b) Tilawa. The recitation of the Holy Qur'an is another form of worship, very beneficent in this night. After performing Salah, or at any other time, one should recite as much of the Holy Qur'an as he can.

(c) Dhikr. One should also perform dhikr (recitation of the name of Allah) in this night. Particularly the following dhikr is very useful:
One should recite Salah (durood) on Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, as many times as he can. The dhikr can also be recited while walking, lying on bed and during other hours of work or leisure.

(d) Dua. The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is prayers and supplications. It is hoped that all the prayers in this night will be accepted by our Lord, insha-Allah. Prayer itself is an 'Ibadah, and Allah Almighty gives reward on each prayer along with the fulfillment of the supplicator's need. Even if the purpose prayed for is not achieved, one cannot be deprived of the reward of the prayer which is sometimes more precious than the mundane benefits one strives for. The prayers and supplications also strengthen one's relation with Allah Almighty, which is the main purpose of all kinds and forms of worship.

One can pray for whatever purpose he wishes. But the best supplications are the ones made by Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. These are so comprehensive and all-encompassing prayers that all the human needs, of this world and the Hereafter, are fully covered in the eloquent expressions used in them. Actually, most of the prophetic prayers are so profound that human imagination can hardly match their greatness.

Several books in various languages are available which provide these prophetic prayers, and one should pray to Allah Almighty in accordance with them, whether by reciting their original Arabic text or by rendering their sense in one's own language.

(e) There are some people who cannot perform any additional Salah or recitations for any reason, like illness or weakness or being engaged in some other necessary activities. Such people also should not deprive themselves completely of the blessings of this night. They should observe the following acts:

(i) To perform the Salah of Maghrib, 'Isha' and Fajr with Jama'ah in the mosque, or in their homes in case of their being sick.

(ii) They should keep reciting the dhikr, particularly the one mentioned in para (c) above, in whatever condition they are until they sleep.

(iii) They should pray to Allah for their forgiveness and for their other objectives. One can do so even when he is in his bed.

(f) The women during their periods cannot perform salah, nor can they recite the Qur'an, but they can recite any dhikr, tasbeeh, durood sharif and can pray to Allah for whatever purpose they like in whatever language they wish. They can also recite the Arabic prayers mentioned in the Qur'an or in the hadith with the intention of supplication (and not with the intention of recitation).

(g) According to a hadith, which is relatively less authentic, Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, went in this night to the graveyard of Baqi' where he prayed for the Muslims buried there. On this basis, some of the fuqaha hold it as mustahabb (advisable) in this night to go to the graveyard of the Muslims and recite Fatihah or any other part of the Qur'an, and pray for the dead. But this act is neither obligatory nor should it be performed as regularly as an obligatory act.

What Should Not be Done in This Night
1. As mentioned earlier, the Night of Bara'ah is a night in which special blessings are directed towards the Muslims. Therefore, this night should be spent in total submission to Allah Almighty, and one should refrain from all those activities, which may displease Allah. Although it is always incumbent upon every Muslim to abstain from sins, yet this abstinence becomes all the more necessary in such nights, because committing sins in this night will amount to responding to divine blessings with disobedience and felony. Such an arrogant attitude can invite nothing but the wrath of Allah. Therefore, one should strictly abstain from all the sins, particularly from those mentioned in the Hadith No. 3 quoted earlier in this article, because these sins make one devoid of the blessings of this night.

2. In this night some people indulge in some activities which they regard as necessary for the celebration of the Night of Bara'ah, like cooking some special type of meal, or illuminating houses or mosques, or improvised structures. All such activities are not only baseless and innovated in the later days by ignorant people, but in some cases they are pure imitation of some rituals performed by non-Muslim communities. Such imitation in itself is a sin; performing it in a blessed night like the Night of Bara'ah makes it worse. Muslims should strictly abstain from all such activities.

3. Some people spend this night in holding religious meetings and delivering long speeches. Such activities are also not advisable, because these acts can easily be performed in other nights. This night requires one to devote himself for the pure acts of worship only.

4. The acts of worship like Salah, recitation of the Qur'an and dhikr should be performed in this night individually, not collectively. The Nafl Salah should not be performed in Jama'ah, nor should the Muslims arrange gatherings in the mosques in order to celebrate the night in a collective manner.

On the contrary, this night is meant for worshipping Allah in solitude. It is the time to enjoy the direct contact with the Lord of the Universe, and to devote one's attention to Him and Him alone. These are the precious hours of the night in which nobody should intervene between one and his Lord, and one should turn to Allah with total concentration, not disturbed or intermitted by any one else.

That is why Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, observed the acts of worship in this night in total seclusion, not accompanied by anyone, not even by his favorite life companion Sayyidah 'Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, and that is why all forms of the optional worship (Nafl Ibadah), are advised by him to be done in individual, not in collective manner.

Fast of the 15th Sha'ban
On the day immediately following the Night of Bara'ah, i.e. the 15th of Sha'ban, it is mustahabb (advisable) to keep fast. Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is reported to have recommended this fast emphatically. Although the scholars of hadith have some doubts in the authenticity of this report, yet it is mentioned earlier that the fasts of the first half of Sha'ban have special merits and Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the days in Sha'ban. Moreover, a large number of the elders (salaf) of the Ummah have been observing the fast of the 15th of Sha'ban. This constant practice indicates that they have accepted the relevant hadith as authentic.

Therefore, it is advisable to fast the 15th of Sha'ban as an optional (nafl) fast. One can also keep a fast of qada on this day and it is hoped that he can also benefit from the merits of this fast.

May Allah subhana wa ta'ala give us the ability to act upon what has been said in the article above during the month of Sha'ban. Ameen wa thuama ameen.

Duaas requested.
Wassalamu'alaykum warahmatullah

The Upcoming of the Blessed Month of Ramadhan- Post1

2006-08-31T15:12:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that the readers of this blog are in good health and Imaan, insha'Allah.

Alhamdulilah with ramadhan only a few weeks away I thought I'd share a very beautifully written article by Maulana Zain on the blessed month. I'm sure many of you have read it but for those of you who haven't here it is, and also please do take time out to visit the blog.

The Upcoming of the Blessed Month of Ramadhan- Post1

The month of Ramadhan is by far in need of any introduction to its merit, status and significance in Islam. It is a month that excels and surpasses all the other months in its excellence and superiority.

However, it is a merit on its own to introduce the many qualities of this month with the intention of preparation for this month; for it was also the practice of our Beloved Nabi صلي الله عليه و سلم to prepare for this month, physically, spiritually and also verbally.

Insha Allah, in attempt to ready ourselves, a series of posts will be written regarding Ramdhan. A few of the topics will include:

-Purpose of Ramadhan
-Methods of preparations,
-Acts of worship that should be carried out in this month,
-Rulings regarding Ramadhan,
-Supplications that one can make during this month,
-A true farewell of this month.

The Merits of Ramadhan

Ramadhan is the 9th month of the Islamic Calendar and is well known as the month of fasting. It is in this month that fasting is made obligatory upon Muslims all across the globe.

The month of Ramadhan brings along with it a new height of mercy from Allah Ta’ala; it allows a believer to reach levels that he may not have been able to reach in other months. The month of Ramadhan is a gift from Allah to the believers due to their short span of life; it allows them to reap benefits in this short period similar to that which previous nations acquired.

The commencement of any Islamic months is indicated by the sighting of the moon, and similarly its end is also known by the sighting of the moon for the month of Shawaal. The Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم once mentioned in regards to Ramadhan and said:

"لاَ تَصُومُوا حَتَّى تَرَوُا الْهِلاَلَ، وَلاَ تُفْطِرُوا حَتَّى تَرَوْهُ، فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْدُرُوا لَه"

"When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can't see It) then regard the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days)".

[Saheeh al-Bukhari]

It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

إِذَا جَاءَ رَمَضَانَ فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ

"When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened."
[Saheeh al-Bukhari]

It is also narrated by Hadhrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

إِذَا دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ، وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ

"When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."
[Saheeh al-Bukhari]

In this month Allah Ta’ala opens the gates of paradise to denote that during this month access to Jannah is made simple for the believers, it is during this month that believers can enter this garden prepared by Allah for the believers.

The opening of the gates encourages a believer to excel in worship, and Allah through His mercy makes it easier for him to do this by chaining the devils and locking the doors of Hell.

To any ordinary person, it would seem that fasting is the name of leaving one’s food, drink and desires from sunrise till dawn. However, the reality of fasting and the month of Ramadhan is far greater. It is for this reason that many Ahadeeth have been narrated from the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم regarding this auspicious month.

It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ، يَتْرُكُ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ وَشَهْوَتَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي، الصِّيَامُ لِي، وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ، وَالْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا

"By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."
[Bukhari]

In this Hadith the rank and status of the fasting person is mentioned and Allah declares His love and appreciation for that person who fasts for His sake. He proclaims and announces that the fast is such an act which is done for Him and He will personally reward that person for this act.

In another Hadith it is reported by Hadhrat Sahl رضي الله عنه that the messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ بَابًا يُقَالُ لَهُ الرَّيَّانُ، يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ الصَّائِمُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ يُقَالُ أَيْنَ الصَّائِمُونَ فَيَقُومُونَ، لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ، فَإِذَا دَخَلُوا أُغْلِقَ، فَلَمْ يَدْخُلْ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ

"There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."
[Bukhari]

This is the honour given by Allah to all those that fast for His sake. They will be given the honour of being called separately on the Day of Judgement and will be made to enter Jannah from a door that will be specifically for them.

In a lengthy Hadeeth, the Prophet of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم addressed the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم on the last day of Sha’ban and mentioned many qualities and virtues.

Extracts have been taken from this Hadeeth which is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Salman رضي الله عنه. He states:

خطبنا رسول الله عليه و سلم في اخر يوم من شعبان فقال: "يا أيها الناس قد أظلكم شهر عظيم مبارك شهر فيه ليلة خير من ألف شهر، شهر جعل الله صيامه فريضة وقيام ليله تطوعًا، من تقرب فيه بخصلة كان كمن ادي فريضة في ما سواه و من ادي فريضة فيه كان كمن ادي سبعين فريضة فيما سواه، وهو شهر الصبر، والصبر ثوابه الجنة، و شهر المواساة، و شهر يزاد في رزق المؤمن فيه، من فطر فيه صائما كان مغفرة لذنوبه وعتق رقبته من النار وكان له مثل أجره من غير أن ينقص من أجره شىء... وهو شهر أوله رحمة وأوسطه مغفرة واخره عتق من النار، من خفف عن مملوكه فيه غفر الله له و اعتقه من النار... و من سقي صائما سقاه الله من حوضي شربة لا يضمأ حتي يدخل الجنة".

On the last day of Sha’ban Rasulullah صلي الله عليه و سلم addressed us and said, "O people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months. It is a month in which Allah has made fasting compulsory by day. And has made Sunnah the Taraaweeh prayer by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a Fardh in any other time. And whoever performs a Fardh, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy Faraidh in any other time.

This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is Jannah (paradise). It is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer's sustenance is increased. Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast at sunset, for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from the fire of Jahannam (hell), and for such feeder shall be the same reward as the one who fasted (who he fed) without that persons reward being decreased in the least…

This is a month, the first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahan-nam.

Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (bonds-men) in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannam…

And whoever gave a person who fasted water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to drink from my fountain, such a drink where after that person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters Jannah."
[Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah]

In this Hadeeth there are many virtues that have been mentioned regarding the month of Ramadhan. It is a month within which Allah increases the rewards of acts carried out by a believer; he is able to get close to Allah through Nafl (optional) acts and is given the reward of seventy Fardh (obligatory) acts for a single Fardh act in this month.

Feeding or giving water to a fasting person in this month is also shown to be an act of great reward and merit, one of the reasons being that the fasting person is fasting for the sake of Allah and Allah Himself shown appreciation for this act of a believer. A person who quenches the thirst of a fasting person will also be given the honour on the Day of Judgement by being from those fortunate people who are given water from the fountain of the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم, known as al-Kauthar. A person who is given this water shall not feel thirst until during the day of Judgement until he enters Jannah.

This month is divided into three portions; the first portion being that which contains the mercy of Allah Ta’ala, the second portion containing the forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala and the final portion being a part within which there is freedom for the believers from the fire of Hell.

It is narrated that in this month is the Night of Power, Laylatul Qadr, which is more better than a thousand months of worship. It is a night which can be the medium for a persons forgiveness and success. It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ، وَمَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

"Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
[Saheeh al-Bukhari]

One who performs in the month of Ramadhan in a manner shown by the Prophet of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم he will be subject to the mercy and forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala. He will achieve the true purpose of Ramadhan, a new start and the closeness of Allah Ta’ala.

Insha Allah an effort will be made to present posts relating to the month of Ramadhan as an effort to prepare ourselves for such an exhilarated and rewarding month. The posts will include the necessary rulings and important information pertaining to this blessed month.

Life cannot be trusted, and I pray to Allah that He grants us all the life to be present in this Ramadhan and also grant us the wisdom and inclination to reap the benefits within. May He accept this effort and make it a source of salvation. Aameen.

Let us all make an effort to commit this Du’a to our memory and make a habit of reciting it daily until the day of Ramdhan.

‏ اللهم بارك لنا في رجب وشعبان وبلغنا رمضان

"O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadhan".
[Musnad-e-Ahmed]

May Allah subhana wa ta'ala give us the ability to utilise our time well during the blessed and Holy month insha'Allah. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Duaas are kindly reqeusted.

Wassalamu'alaykum warahmatullah

The Prophet Muhammad salialahualayhi wassalam's birth.

2006-08-30T18:14:00.000+01:00

The Prophet's Birth

The Year of his Noble Birth:

According to the most correct opinion of the scholars, the Prophet (SAWS) was born in the city of Makkah in the year of the Elephant (in the year 570 or 571CE), in the month of Rabee'ul-Awwal.

The Day of his Birth:

There is an agreement amongst the Scholars that the Prophet (SAWS) was born on a Monday, since he (SAWS) was asked about fasting on a Monday, and he said: "On that day I was born and on that day Revelation descended upon me." (Related by Muslim and Ahmad)

However, as regards the exact date of his birth, then the scholars have differed about this. Dispite the common belief amongs people that he (SAWS) was born on the 12th of Rabee'ul-Awwal, yet the only substantiated fact regarding this date is that it is his (SAWS) death date.

Imaam an-Nawawee (d.676H) - rahimahullaah- said: "There is on agreement that he was born on Monday in the month of Rabee'ul-Awwal. There is a difference of opinion whether this day was the 2nd, 8th, 10th or 12th day of the month - and these are the four most well-known opinions concerning this." 3

Events at the Time of his Birth:

Certain miraculous events are reported to have occurred at the time that the Prophet (SAWS) was born. However, most of them are not authentically related, rather they are da'eef (weak) or mawdoo' (fabricated) and therefore cannot be relied upon as decisive proof; such as the narration which relates that some of the galleries of Kisraa's (the Persian King's) palace broke-up and collapsed, that the sacred-fire of the Magians died-out and that some of the churches on Lake Saawah (in Syria) collapsed and sank down. (Related by adh-Dhahabee who said: munkar ghareeb (rejected))

However, it is authentically related that the Prophet (SAWS) said. "I am a result of the supplication of my father Ibraaheem and the glad-tidings brought by 'Eesaa 'alayhimus salaam. And my mother - when she bore me - saw that a light shone out from her, which lit up the palaces in Syria ... " (Related by al-Haakim and Ibn Katheer said: "Its isnaad is good and strong.)

Celebrating the Day of his Birth:

Imaam al-Fakihaani (d.734H) - rahimahullaah -said: "Celebrating his birthday has no basis in the Book (Qur'an) nor the Sunnah, nor is this action recorded from any one of the scholars of this Ummah; those who are taken as examples to be followed and who cling to the narrations. Rather it is a bid'ah (innovotion), which was introduced by the Battaaloon (a deviated sect from the Faatimids).

As regards to the origins of this newly-invented celebration, then some of the research scholars have stated that the first person to innovate this practice was 'Umar ibn Muhammad al-Mulaa in the city of Mawsil in Iraaq, during the fourth century, as is mentioned by the Imaam Abu Shaamah (d.665H).

He was followed in this by the likes of Abul-Khattaab 'Umar ibn Dihyaa: "who was employed in the west, then travelled to Syria, then he travelled to the city of Irbil in 'Iraaq, during the fourth century, where he found its king Mudhaffarud-Deen ibn Zaynud-Deen showing a keen interest in the Milaad (birthday) of the Prophet (SAWS). So he composed a book for him called at-Tanweer fi Mawlidis-Siraajil-Muneer; so he recited this to the king who then rewarded him with one thousand deenaars."

Imaam Maalik (d.179H) - rahimahullaah - said: 'Whosoever introduces into Islaam an innovation, and holds it to be something good, has indeed alleged that Muhammad (SAWS) has betrayed his message. Read the saying of Allaah - the Most Blessed, the Most High: "This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you and I have chosen for you Islaam as your religion." [Soorah al-Maa'idah 5:3]. So that which was not part of the religion at that time, cannot be part of the religion today. And the last part of this Ummah cannot be rectified, except by that which rectified its first part."

Thus, had the practice of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (SAWS) been something praiseworthy then: "the Salaf (the Pious Predecessors) - all - would have instituted it. For they were the ones having a greater love and honour for Allaah's Messenger (SAWS) and a greater zeal for doing good.

Indeed, the most perfect expression of love and honour for him is by following him, obeying him, carrying out his commands, upholding and reviving his Sunnah (guidance and example) - both inwardly and outwardly - and in spreading his message and striving in this, with the heart, the hand and the tongue. Such was the path of the Companions and those who followed them in goodness (i.e. beliefs and actions)."

Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

Duaas requested.

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

Halaqah - Tafseer of a surah from Jus 'Amma

2006-08-30T17:38:00.000+01:00

Assalamu'alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu.

Please visit as Sabiqoon for more details.

Duaas requested.
Wassalamu'alaykum warahmatullah.

Honesty... in all forms

2006-08-22T12:52:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that the readers of this blog are in good health and Imaan, Insha'Allah.

On the bus today, I witnesses a very interesting incident that got me thinking for a while; many people who would have witnessed it would have seen it as a bit of gossip to tell one another however I like to think we can learn something from it rather than gossip about it to one another.

The story goes something like this...
Today I was on my way to a friends house and to get there I had to take the bus. Alhamdulilah the bus came quickly and took all of its passengers with it on the bus. In london the cost of a bus fare of an adult is £1.50 and for a child under the age of 16 they are entitled to go free if they have a special 'under 16's pass card'- otherwise they can not come onto the bus.

As I was getting on to the bus I showed the bus conductor my ticket and went to sit down next to the window, the next stop came and there were alot of people at the bus stop who wanted to get onto the bus.I noticed that there was a woman who was keen to come onto the bus and as she came on the bus, she was able to the dodge the bus conductor in such a way where she did not have to show any ticket because she quickly walked into the crowd that were showing their tickets and it looked like she was one of them.

I noticed that she did not pay for her ticket but simply came on the bus for a free ride, and she found it funny that she was able to slip away from paying her fare. Those passengers who had already been on the bus from a previous stop all witnessed the situation. It left me contemplating on the scenario, as it happens all the time on the bus and there even our own muslims out there who do the same things.

The thought behind it..
The prophet salialahualayhi wassalam said:
"Honesty descended from the heavens and settled in the roots of the hearts of men (faithful believers), and then the Quran was revealed and the people read the Quran, (and learnt it from it) and also learnt it from the sunnah." -Bukhari

Honesty is something that our Beloved Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam taught the muslim ummah to have, to have honesty should not just be with ones tongue, but also with ones wealth and with ones every action. To be honest is to have fairness and selflessness in our hearts and more importantly to be honest is to fear Allah subhana wa ta'ala.

Subhana'Allah yesterday seeing that incident made me realise how people totally forget the teachings of the Prophet saliahualayhi wassalam just like that, and what for? For a free bus ride. Surely it can't hurt that much to pay £1.50. It is as though we sell our Imaan for that price! Is it really worth not paying a fare for the sake of our Imaan?...Of course not, however it should even be about that

Everything action we make, every word we speak, every thought we think, every tear we cry, every wrong action we do, every right action we do is all Seen and Heard by Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Are we so low as to speak a lie or to be dishonest in front of Allah? Do we not fear Him watching everything we do ?
And by b

May Allah shower His infinite mercy upon us, may He guide us along the straight path. May He forgive our sins that we commit knowingly and unknowingly. May give us the ability to understand the true meaning of Islam. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Duaas greatly reqeusted.
Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah

P.s. I would like to say Jazaka'Allah khair to those of you who have taken the time out to read the posts on this blog and also to those of you who have subscribed to this blog :).

The Miracle in the Defence System

2006-08-20T11:17:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I hope and pray that you are all the best of health and Imaan.
I wanted to post an article based on the defence system, as I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, I intended to write some more about the miracles Islam in relation to science, however this article is written beautifully by Harun Yahya as are many of his other articles masha'Allah.

When I first studied the basics of the immune system, I couldnt believe how complex and structured everything was-How could something so complex work so wonderful? Subhana'Allah-it is only by the power of Allah that these things happen and Subhana'Allah it is He Only who can create such magnificent things. Glory to be Allah, the Most High, the Greatest.

The Miracle in the Defence System

Defence is an issue that has to be given top priority by a country for the continuance of its existence. Nations have always to watch out for all kinds of internal and external threats, assaults, risks of wars and terrorist actions. This is why they allocate a great part of their official budgets to defence. Armies are provided with the most advanced aircraft, ships, and arms, and the forces of defence are always kept at the highest level of preparedness.

The human body is surrounded by a great number of enemies and threats. These enemies are bacteria, viruses, and similar microscopic organisms. They exist everywhere; in the air we inhale, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the environment in which we live.

What most people are not aware of is that the human body has an excellent army, the immune system, which fights against enemies. This is a real army made up of many "soldiers" and "officials" with different assignments, who are specially trained, employ high technology and fight with conventional and chemical weapons.

Every day, even every minute, a permanent war is fought between this army and the enemy forces, but away from our knowledge. This war can also be in the form of minor, local skirmishes as well as battles in which the whole body is involved and alarmed. We call these battles "diseases".

The general conduct of this war almost never changes. The enemy attempts to fool the other side by camouflaging itself when intruding into the body. The trained investigative forces are assigned by the defence to identify the enemies. The enemies are identified and appropriate weapons are produced to exterminate them. Then there is close contact, the defeat of the enemy, cease-fire, and clearance of the battleground. Last, there is storage of every type of information about the enemy as a precaution against the possibility of a later attack....
Now let us examine this interesting war closer.

THE BESIEGED CASTLE: THE HUMAN BODY

We can liken the human body to a castle besieged by enemies. The enemies look for various ways to invade this castle. The human skin is the wall of this castle.

The substance of keratin in the cells of the skin is an impassable barrier for bacteria and fungi. Foreign substances that reach the skin cannot pass through this wall. Moreover, although the outer layer of skin that contains keratin is continuously rubbed off, it is renewed by skin growing from beneath. Thus, all unwanted guests that have squeezed between the skin are ejected from the body together with dead skin, during renewal of the skin from inwards to outwards. The enemy can only make its way in through a wound that is inflicted on the skin.

THE FRONT LINE

One of the ways through which viruses enter the body is air. The enemy pushes its way to the body through the air inhaled. However, a special secretion in the nasal mucous membrane and cell-swallowing defence elements in the lungs (phagocytes) meet these enemies and take control of the situation before the danger grows. Digestive enzymes in the stomach acid and small intestine eliminate a great number of the microbes that seek to enter the body through food.

THE CLASH OF THE ENEMIES

There are some microbes that have settled in various parts of the human body (such as skin, skin folds, mouth, nose, eye, upper respiratory canals, digestive canal, the genitals) yet do not cause illness.

When a foreign microbe enters the body, these domestic microbes - thinking that their habitation would be invaded- and not wishing to give way to the foreigners who invade their habitation - fight strenuously. We can define them as professional soldiers. They try to protect their territory for their own ends. Thus, the complex army in our body is reinforced by these micro supports.

STEP BY STEP TO HOT WAR

If a microscopic intruder entering the body can overcome defence elements on guard and bacteria serving as soldiers, it causes war to begin with. After that, the body, with its ordered army, fights a perfect offence-defence war against this foreign army.

The war fought by the defence system is comprised of four parts:

1. Identification of the enemy.

2. The fortification of defences and the preparation of offensive weapons.

3. Attack and battle.

4. Retreat to normal state.

The cells that first meet the enemy units are macrophage cells that make "phagocytosis", i.e., that engulf the enemy. These cells are involved in close contact with the enemy, and fight a hand-to-hand war. They are just like infantrymen who fight a bayonet war against enemy units and struggle at the distant front line of the army.

Moreover, macrophages function as intelligence units, or as the secret service of an army. They hold one portion of the enemy they destroy. This portion is used to identify the enemy’s identity and to determine its features. Macrophages pass this portion to another intelligence unit, messenger-T cells.

GENERAL ALARM

When a country is involved in war, a general mobilisation is declared. Most of the natural resources and the budget are spent on war expenses. The economy is re-arranged according to this extraordinary situation and the country is involved in total action. In a war, which the defensive army of the body will fight as a whole, mobilisation is also declared. Do you wonder how?

If the enemy is more than they can handle, the cavalcades (macrophages) that launch an attack secrete a special substance. The name of this substance is "pyrogen" and it is a kind of alarm call. After travelling a long way, "pyrogen" reaches the brain and stimulates the fever-increasing centre of the brain. Following this stimulation, the brain sets off alarms in the body and the person develops a high fever. The patient with a high fever naturally feels a need to rest. Thus, the energy needed by the defence army is not spent elsewhere. As seen, there exists an extremely complex plan and design at work.

THE ORDERED ARMY SWINGS INTO ACTION

The war between the microscopic intruder and the immune system becomes more complicated after mobilisation, that is, your falling ill in bed. At this stage, infantrymen (phagocytes) and cavalrymen (macrophages) have proved insufficient, the whole body is alarmed, and the war becomes heated. At this stage, lymphocytes - (T and B cells) - intervene.
Cavalrymen (macrophages) pass the information they have on the enemy to T helper cells. These cells summon T cytotoxic and B cells to the battleground. These are the most effective fighters of the immune system.

WEAPONRY PRODUCTION

As soon as B cells receive information about the enemy, they start producing weapons. These weapons, just like ballistic missiles, are only produced to hit the enemy on whom information is available. This production is so perfect that the three dimensional structure of the microscopic intruder and the three dimensional structure of the weapon fully match each other. This accord is like that between a key and its lock.

Antibodies advance towards the enemy and clamp tightly on it. After this stage, the enemy is neutralised like a tank that has its treads, cannon and gun destroyed. Afterwards, other members of the immune system come and eliminate the neutralised enemy.

Here, there is a very important point to consider: there are millions of types of enemy that the immune system will confront. B cells can produce an appropriate weapon for all types of enemy no matter what they are. This means that the immune system innately has the knowledge and capability to produce the keys appropriate to millions of different types of locks. These unconscious cells have the ability to make millions of types of antibodies, and their using it in the best way proves the existence of a creation by the Owner of an exalted power.

Furthermore, the system is more sophisticated. As B cells destroy the enemy with ballistic weapons, T cytotoxic cells also fight a tough war against the enemy. When some viruses enter a cell, they can hide from the weapons produced by the B cells. The T cytotoxic cells find the diseased cells in which this camouflaged enemy hides and destroy them.

AFTER THE VICTORY

After the enemy is defeated, the T suppressor cells swing into action. These cells give the army of defence the command to cease fire, and cause the T cytotoxic and B cells to stop their activities. Thus, the body does not carry on in a state of mobilisation in vain. After the war is over, most of the T and B cells produced specifically for the war complete their lifecycle and die. This tough war, however, is not to be forgotten. Before the war, a short time passed while the enemy was identified and the necessary preparations made. If the enemy ever comes back, the body will be much better prepared. A group of memory cells, which have come to know the features of the enemy, will constantly serve in the immune system in future. In a possible second attack, the immune system, with the information in the memory cells, will have the means to react before the enemy gains force. The reason why we do not catch mumps or measles again, after we have once caught them, is because of the memory of our immune system.

WHO IS HE WHO CREATES THE SYSTEM?

After all the information we have examined, we have to take our time and think about how this perfect immune system to which we owe our lives has come to exist. There is a flawless plan at work. Everything needed for the operation of this plan is intact: macrophages, the pyrogen substance, the fever raising centre of the brain, the body’s fever raising mechanisms, B cells, T cells, weapons... How, then, has this perfect system come into being?

Not surprisingly, the theory of evolution, which proposes that living beings have come into being by coincidence, cannot explain how this complex system came about. The claim of the theory of evolution is that living beings and living systems have originated step-by-step by the accumulation of little coincidences. However, the immune system cannot by any means have originated "step-by-step". The reason is that in the case of the absence or malfunction of even one of the factors that make up the system, the system cannot work and the person could not survive. The system must have come into being completely and flawlessly with all its components intact. This reality renders the notion of "coincidence" meaningless.

Who, then, makes this plan? Who knows that the body’s fever must rise, and that only that way the energy needed by the army of defence will not be spent elsewhere? Is it the macrophages? Macrophages are merely tiny cells. They do not have the capacity to think. They are living organisms that obey an established superior order and that fulfil their duties.

Is it man? Certainly not. People are not even aware that such a perfect system is at work in their own bodies. However, this system, of which we are unaware, protects us from certain death.

It is obvious that the one who created the immune system, and who created the whole human body, should be a Creator Who has exalted knowledge and might. This Creator is Allah, Who has created the human body from a "drop of fluid".

Duaas kindly requested.

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

A second chance

2006-08-19T11:51:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I pray that the readers of this blog are in good health and Imaan. Ameen.

A few days ago many A-level students based in the UK received their results from exams over June and May. Alhamdulilah the statistics showed that this year was the highest for pass rates so far. I was one of many to receive my exam results, however I didn't do too well as I had hoped in one of my modules. I tried to give it my best in the exam hall, however I missed the grade I wanted by a few marks; many of you may be thinking, "what's the big deal with a few marks?" Well, I guess there isn't really a big deal as it could have been a few grades lower or worse a fail. I can re-take the same module in January 07' and study harder to get the grade I want, so all in all it works out well for me. Alhamdulilah.

Reflection of it all...

In life we are faced with ups and downs, however we always seem to have a chance to recitify what we have done wrong, or in this case improve on ourselves as long as we are living. It is at times like these where we realise how lucky we are to have opportunities to become better at doing something, so that we may become better people fisabililah. Is it not due to Allah subhana wa ta'ala's infinite Mercy that this happens?

Everyday we are blessed with new and new things and we are not in deserve of all of it. He subhana ta'ala has given us so much and it is through His Mercy only that we are fortunate to have these things. He gives us a happiness, a warm home to come back to everyday, a loving family who support us through our hard times, friends who are there to advise us, wealth to live life in comfort and luxurt, food in our stomachs, a good education, 100's of clothes of most which we do not even need, a car to take us to wherever we please, books to knowledge ourselves with, lighting so that we may see during the dark hours, alarm clocks to wake us up at the right time...subahana'Allah the list is endless! Every where I look I am filled with things that are there due to Allah's blessings, but yet do we thank Him enough for everything? How hard do we try to become closer to Him, to please Him?

We are all sinners yet we are given so much Mercy from Him, and what for? We haven't done anything to deserve His mercy, the extent of His Mercy is so..Subhana'Allah, I'm lost for words. Seeing the situation of those who are faced with war and famine and poverty, we are extreeemely fortunate to be where we are.
Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:
"But ye turned back thereafter: Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah to you, ye had surely been among the lost. " [Qur'an 2:64]

How true these words are! We are so fortunate to be from the Ummah of Rasululah salialahu'alayhih wassalam, we have been given the Qur'an complete as a book of guidance, yet how often do we turn to it for quidance?
Subhana'Allah, this world is full of Allah's Mercy, we do not even have to look hard enough. It is all there on a plate, but yet it is just 1% of His subhana wa ta'ala's mercy.

We are sinners to the end, everyday we commit sins knowingly and unknowingly, yet it is through the Mercy of Allah that He forgives us and brings us closer to Him. It is by His Mercy that we are able to postrate to Him 5 times a day-if not more. Subhana'Allah, it shouldn't take me or anyone to remember through an exam grade the extent of His mercy; it should be evident everyday just by waking up alive in the morning. Or even by looking around in the world.

Moral of the post? There is none, except that Allah is the most Merciful and that we are subject to His undying infinite Mercy and we are the fortunate ones. Subhana'Allah!
Forgive me to the incosistency in this post but there are no words in this post that do justice to describing Allah subhana wa ta'ala's attributes and mercy. Like Veiled Knight said, saying Allah is the Most doesn't cut it, He is Higher than high. Subhana'Allah.

Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after Thou hast guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Thy Presence. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Bestower. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Duaas kindly requested.
Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

Coolness of the eyes

2006-07-29T17:13:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

In a family life, every individual plays his or her role to make things run smoothly. The role this individual has to play is governed by rules laid down in the Holy Quran and shown to us by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam. In the Quran, Allah Taa'la says:

“Verily, there is a perfect example for you in the Messenger for that person who is hopeful of Allah and the Last Day and he remembers Allah abundantly.” (Surah Ahzab: 21)

It does not matter if it is the father, the mother, the son or the daughter, for each one of them is guidance and a brilliant example to follow in the life of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam. The role of the father starts right at the beginning of fatherhood. His job is to deny access to all the haraam things flowing in our society from reaching his family. This includes feeding his family with halal food and keeping them away from all types of haraam entertainment like television etc. He is encouraged to treat his wife in an excellent manner. The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam has said:

“The best of you are those that treat their wives the best”.

Now a person can walk about in public and be nice to people and people may have a good opinion about him, that he is very pious etc, but at home he is a monster to his wife and she lives in fear of him. From the Hadith mentioned, we know that the best person to judge a man is his wife because if he is good to her, then she will mention it.

The father should earn halal money and make sure that all his dealings are Islamically correct. He should avoid all types of interest dealings as much as possible. As soon as a person becomes involved in the smallest amount of interest dealings, the blessings are taken out of his earnings and Allah Taa'la becomes angry with him. This has a negative effect on their whole household, which results in arguments with his wife and disobedience on the part of the children.

Another duty of the father is to Islamically educate all the members of his family. Secular education is also very important but this will help the child in a limited manner during his life. Islamic knowledge will help him live his life like a true human being every day. This will teach him the respect of his parents, elders and teachers. It will show him how to treat his youngsters and other family members. If the father deprives his family of Islamic education, then they become involved in haram, and then they are disobedient then he can only blame himself.

The mother should recognise her role in the family. It is her job to please the husband and she plays an important part in creating a loving and caring environment in the house. She should be very vigilant in the nurturing of the children by attending to them according to the type of year and according to the age of the child. Due to her attention and care, the children will grow up to be upright and pious. They will be obedient and have excellent manners. The children, as they grow older, should show great respect for the parents. They should not speak to them harshly nor should they unnecessarily disobey them. This matter of obedience goes two ways; when the parents are fair and just to their children and they themselves have an honest and upright character, they will be listened to. Otherwise, disobedience will erupt amongst members in the family. The children should also stay away from bad company as this will, without a shadow of doubt, destroy the character of the individual and result in them falling short of their aims. If everyone plays their part correctly in the family and helps in the correction of others who are not fulfilling their part, then this family will become what is described in the Quran as “The coolness of the eyes” for the father, things will run smoothly Inshallah.

May Allah subhana wa ta'ala make our spouse and our children the coolness of our eyes, may He grant us all righteous and God fearing children. May He bless us with love for one another fisabilillah, May He grant us all to the straight and narrow path. May He grant us with healthy families who are all bound in an eternity of happiness. May He give us all the ability to act upon what has been said in this post..following in the footsteps of the Rasulullah salialahualayhi wassalam and his beloved family, radiAllahuanhum. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

A breath of fire

2006-07-20T11:00:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim,

As many of you are aware, London is experiencing its highest heatwave ever before. For those of you who live in the UK or have visited London you should be aware that temperatures of around 30-33°C are a complete contrast to the average temperatures of 19-20°C in July.
The blazing heat at midday is unbearable and can often lead to one becoming dehydrated if there is a lack of water.

Thought behind it...

Narrated Abu Dhar:
While the Prophet was on a journey, he said (regarding the performance of the Zuhr prayer), "Wait till it (i.e. the weather) gets cooler." He said the same again till the shade of the hillocks extended. Then he said, "Delay the (Zuhr) Prayer till it gets cooler, for the severity of heat is from the increase in heat of Hell (fire)."

Jahanam(Hell) is the abode which Allah subhana wa ta'ala has prepared for those who do not believe in Him, those who rebel against His laws and disbelieve in His Messengers. It is the punishment for His enemies, the prison for evildoers. Jahanam is the place of ultimate humiliation and there is nothing worse than it:

"This is so! And for the Tagheen [transgressors] - will be an evil final return - Hell! Where they will burn, and worst [indeed] is that place to rest!" (Qur'an 38:55-56).

The thought of entering Jahanam is something that none of us want to imagine let alone experience; with the recent heatwave it has brought me to think about the severity of the heat and the actual place itself.

There are several levels just as there are several levels in paradise

Jahanam-The lowest level which is the level with the lowest intensity of heat.
Ladhaa
Al-Hutamah
As-Sa'eer
Saqar
Al-Jaheem
Al-Hawiyah. - The highest level with the highest intensity of heat. (All valleys of Jahanamm seek refuge from this valley)

The colour of hell: It was fanned for a thousand years till it became quite red, then it was fanned for a further thousand years till it became white, and again it was fanned for a thousand years till it became black. Now it is quite black and dark.

Look at us today, we find it difficult to tolerate the rising temperatures, yet we fail to realise that this is just a breath of fire from jahanam..Subahana'Allah.

I hope to insha'Allah write another post on the description of Jahanam in more depth, the soaring heat levels made me think about the severity of the heat from the fire of Jahanam

May Allah save us all from the highest and the lowest levels of the fire of Jahanam. May He guide us all along the straight and narrow path. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

P.s. Before I finish this long and incoherent post, I would just like to take the time out to introduce a new blog in blogistan 'Al-Isra' by sister Amatullah. May Allah reward her well and bless her and her loved ones insha'Allah.

Duaas kindly requested, and also please remember those who are under the hands of Kuffar in the middle east-May Allah make all matters easy for them insha'Allah.

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah

Remember

2006-07-16T11:26:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

REMEMBER..
When becoming humiliated, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam in Taif

When being starved, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam tying two stones to his stomach in the battle of Khandaq.

When becoming angry, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's control of anger on the martyrdom of his beloved Uncle Hamza.

When losing a tooth, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's tooth in the battle of Uhud.

When bleeding from any part of the body, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's body covered in blood on his return from Ta'if.

When feeling lonely, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's seclusion in Mount Hira .

When feeling tired in Salaat, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's blessed feet in Tahajjud.

When being prickled with thorns, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's pain from Abu Lahab's wife.

When being troubled by neighbours, remember the old woman who would empty rubbish on the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam.

When losing a child, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's son, Ibrahim.

When beginning a long journey, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's long journey to Madinah.

When going against a Sunnah, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's intercession, (Ummati, Ummati, Ummati) (My Ummah).

When sacrificing an animal, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's sacrifice of 63 animals for his Ummah.

Before shaving your beard, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam face rejecting the two beardless Iranians.

When falling into an argument with your wife, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam encounter with Aisha and Hafsa (R.A).

When experiencing less food in the house, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's days of poverty.

When experiencing poverty, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's advice to Ashaab-e-Suffa (People of Suffa).

When losing a family member, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's departure from this world.

When becoming an orphan, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's age at six.

When sponsoring an orphan, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's sponsor for Zaid ibn Haritha.

When fearing an enemy, remember the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's saying to Abu Bakr in Mount Thour.

Whatever situation you may find yourself in, remember your role model, the best of creation: Prophet Muhammad salialahualayhi wassalam.

Taken from Muftisays

Don't be sad- A small taster

2006-07-14T15:44:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

I'm sure many of you have heard of the book 'Don't be sad' by 'Aadidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni, well if you haven't you dont know what you're missing!- Here are a few samples of some of the beautiful articles written in there that I thought were personally quite good. I would honestly recommend buying this to add to your libraries, or even suggest buying it for your loved ones during Eid time insha'Allah.

Do not cling to other than Allah

If Allah, the Exalted, is The One Who brings to life, causes death, and if He alone provides for all creation, why fear people or be distressed by their actions? I think that in our society much grief and anxiety is caused by our attachment to people - in seeking to please them, trying to gain their favour, striving to praise the important ones among them, and feeling wounded by their disparaging treatment. And all of this indicated a weakness in one's belief in Allah.
An Arab poet said:

"Would that you were pleased when life is bitter,
And would that you were contented when people are angry,
If your love for Allah is true, then all else is significant,
And all above the dirt is dirt"

The noblest human being

Some salient features of the Messenger of Allah salialahualayhi wassalam's character were contentment, optimism and a generous heart. He was a bearer of glad tidings. He forbade people from extremes of austerity and asceticism, because these lead to repelling people from the truth. Hopelessness and failure were not in his dictionary. A smile was always on his face, and his heart was content. Furthermore, his commands were easy to follow, for his mission to alleviate hardship and to remove the shackles of falsehood that hold people down.

Repel boredom with work

Those who have nothing to do with their lives are the same people who spend most of their time spreading rumours and falsehood, mainly because their minds are devoid of beneficial thoughts:

They are content to be with those [the women] who sit behind [at home]. Their hearts are sealed up [from right guidance] so they understand not. (Qur'an 9:87)

When you find yourself to be idle, prepare for depression and despair because idleness allows your mind to wander in the past, the present, and the future, with all of their difficulties. Therefore, my sincere advice to you is to perform fruitful acts instead of being idle, for idleness is a slow and veiled form of suicide.

Idleness is like the slow torture that is inflicted upon prisoners in China: they are placed under a tap, from which of water falls only after every hour. During the period of waiting between drops, many of them lose their minds and are driven to insanity.
Being active means being negligent of ones duties. Idleness is an expert thief and your mind is its victim.

Therefore get up now and say a prayer or read a book; praise your Lord, study, write, organise your library, fix something in your house, or benefit others so that you can put an end to your inactivity. I say this only because I sincerely wish for your betterment.

Destroy boredom by working. When you apply this simple percept alone, you will have travelled at least fifty percent of the way towards happiness. Look at farmers, carpenters, and the bread-maker, and observe how they are working, they recite words as melodious as the singing of birds, because they are content. Afterwards observe yourself and how you toss and turn on your bed while wiping away your tears, always miserable, always torturing yourself.

Pre-ordainment

A man who had a mental disorder and an extreme anxiety problem sought advice from a Muslim doctor, who advised him, saying, "Know that no matter what the plans are that someone has for the future, there is no movement, not so much as a whisper, in this world but that it occurs by the permission of Allah."

The following is related in a hadith:
"Verily, Allah wrote the Maqaadeer (everything that will happen) of the creation fifty thousand years before He created them."

Al-Mutanabbi wrote:
"Small things are greatly magnified in the eyes of the small one, And great things are diminished in size in the eyes of the great one."

Duaas kindly requested,
Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah

Hazrat Hassan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi

2006-07-12T10:53:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

Somebody came to Ummul Mu'mineen Hazrat Umme Salmah Radhiallaho Anha giving her good news of the birth of a son in her servant Hazrat Khayrah's house, upon which Hazrat Umme Salmah became very happy.

She sent a message asking her to come to Hazrat Umme Salmah Radhiallaho Anha with the child. Upon seeing him, Hazrat Umme Salmah Radhiallaho Anha held the child in her arms. She asked Umme Khayrah, “Have you named the child?” She replied, “O mother, I have left it on you.” At this, Hazrat Umme Salmah Radhiallaho Anha replied, “With the blessings of Allah Taa'la, we name him Hassan.” Thereafter she made dua for him.

Hazrat Hassan grew up in the house of Hazrat Umme Salmah Radhiallaho Anha who was the wife of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam.

Hazrat Hassan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi's childhood was spent in the sacred homes of the Ummah ha tul Mu'mineen. After he grew up, he became a student of the Sahaba Radhiallaho Anhum in Masjid-e-Nabawi. He acquired a lot of knowledge from them. He had the privilege of narrating Hadith from Hazrat Usman Radhiallaho Anhu, Hazrat Ali Radhiallaho Anhu, Hazrat Abu Musa Asharee Radhiallaho Anhu, Hazrat Abdullah ibn Umar Radhiallaho Anhu, Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu, Hazrat Anas ibn Malik Radhiallaho Anhu and Hazrat Jabir ibn Abdullah Radhiallaho Anhu.

At the age of fourteen, he migrated with his parents to the city of Basra . This is how he got the name Hassan Basri.

In those days, Basra was known as the biggest city of knowledge. Its main masjid was always full of Sahaba and Tabi'een. Hazrat Hassan Basri was a very emminent scholar (Alim), he used to sit in the gatherings of Hazrat ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu and learnt from him Tafseer and Tajweed. He also learnt ‘fiqh' language from other Sahabas. Hazrat Hassan Basri became very well-known.

Hazrat Hassan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi lived for eighty years in which he gave a lot through his knowledge and wisdom. For the coming generation, he left behind such Nassehats (advice) which create softness in the heart and tears in the eyes. It is also guidance for those people who are lost in the world.

One person asked Hazrat Hassan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi regarding the ‘dunya' (world). He replied that the example of the dunya and akhirat (hereafter) is like that of east and west. However close you go to one that's how far you will go from the other.
On the first of Rajab 110 Hijri on a Thursday night, Hazrat Hassan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi said ‘Labbayk' on Allah Taala's call and left this world. When the news spread of Hazrat Hassan Basri's death, there was shock and distress in the whole city. After giving him Ghusl, they prayed his Janazah salaah in the main masjid in which he studied and taught most of his life.

May Allah Taa'la shower blessings upon him and enlighten his grave. Ameen

Taken from Inter-Islam

Tick tock..tick tock

2006-07-10T23:39:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

Life is like a ticking clock; each moment is precious and can never be gained back. Every day in out lives we are faced with the same routine however how much of that time do we actually spend in the solitude of dhikr or how much of that time do we spend gaining pleasure and nearness to Allah..compared to the time of the beloved Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam very little of our time is spent doing good.

In this day and age it has become such that time waste is very common and the rememberance of Allah subhana wa ta'ala has become scarce, and the sad thing is that each day there are fewer and fewer people acting upon the naseeha.

The rate that time flies is an extremely scary thought, it seems as though it was only yesterday when I was learning how to read the Qur'aan (I'm not that young) and now I'm another year older with bigger battles to cross and much more learning to acomplish..subhana'Allah the thought is really scary.
I look back on the past year and it makes me wonder how much have I done to become closer to Allah, have I done enough to make up for the sins that I have committed..have I done enough to prepare for my grave?

Ali ibn Abi Talib said:

Put aside your pride, set down your arrogance, and remember your grave

These words are so true and it should become upon us to be at the forefront of preparing ourselves for death and our graves.

I end this short post with the intention of utilising my time for efficiently, spent in His subhana wa ta'ala path and His path only. I pray that Allah subhana wa ta'ala gives me the ability to make it such that every day is spent seeking His pleasure only and following the sunnah of Rasullullah salialahualayhi wassalam. I pray that I am blessed with His mercy and I pray that He accepts forgiveness from this sinful slave. Ameen wa thuma ameen.
Please forgive me for my many shortcomings.

Duaas requested.
Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah

Preparation

2006-05-21T01:00:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

I hope you are all in the best of health and imaan insha'Allah. I have, alhamdulilah returned back from my travels safe and sound, and have lots to report back to you, however one step at a time :)I went to visit Egypt with my family, and as most of you are aware is home to alot of historical landmarks and artefacts. I went to visit the famous Egyptian museum, where King Tutankhamun was burried, don't worry I won't be getting into a historical time line, although that would be quite interesting :P
One of the things that I saw that interested me, was when King Tut was mummified he was placed into a chamber where he was put into a golden coffin and all his belongings where taken with him. One of the things that really shocked me was that there were little wooden boxes that had been made with seeds and food placed in them from the time, they were said to be taken with them to the hereafter.. now during those times there was no Islam and the Egyptians thought that they could take their belongings with them to the hereafter, audhubillah, as muslims we alhamdulilah know that there will be no coffin, there will no posessions taken with us and there will surely be no mummification! Insha'Allah.

Reflection of it all..
The prophet salialahualahi wassalam said "Wise is he who condemns his self and works for the life of the hereafter". When I was visiting the museum and I learnt of this fact about the ancient egyptians, I was in shock, for two reasons; the first is the lengths that these people went to, to take all their possesions with them and the second being the fact that I was standing in that museum surrounded by all this history of people who were non-believers, non-believers who took their preparation so serious that they would even take morsels of food with them and I was a believer and how much was I preparing for my death and my grave?

Sometimes I think to myself, we become so absorbed into this world and we play along with shaytaans game to let ourselves become so engrosed with everything, its scary and we're subconsiously doing this, day in and day out. And at the back of our heads we always tell ourselves we'll do it later. I'm number 1 guilty of it! How do we know that there might not even be a later? Allahual 'Alim, only He knows when we will depart from this world. And another thing, how will I face my Lord with all the sins I have done?

The scary thing is, its one thing saying it and another thing actually taking that first step to being closer to Allah. Once we take the first step, we shouldn't be complacant and think okay I'm done, no no no! The life is like a never ending stair case towards becoming closer to Allah and everyday of ourlives should be about how we're going to try harder to seek the pleasure of Allah and being like young babies taking those first steps. There'll be time when we will fall but then when we fall turn to Allah for guidance. Okay..Im going off on another tangent.

When we're lying 6feet down in the grave, there'll be none of our possesions, none of our families will be there with us. It'll just be you and the deeds you've done in ths life. Doesn't that just scare you? Have I done enough deeds to take with me? and who knows I might not even be here tomorrow. Allahual 'Alim.

I pray that Allah subhana wa ta'ala takes us all in the state where He is most pleased with us, where our good deeds out weigh our bad deeds and to see the angel of death such that he is not angry.
P.s. Please keep my friends grandfather in your humble duaas. He passed away last week, may Allah have mercy on him and may He make all matters easy for the family. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

I am a book in elegant prints

2006-05-02T22:00:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim
I will be updating this blog soon and to tell you more of my experiences whilst abroad, however I came across something in 'My Documents', I'm not sure where I got it from but thought of putting it up on here insha'Allah, anyway here goes..:)

I am a book in elegent prints
To know my name, here are some hints,

Rich in cover and nicely bound
In hearts of Muslims I am rarely found,

High on a shelf, I am kept
Forgotten there, I am left,

With respect earn many a kiss
My main point is what they always miss,

In a melodious voice they recite me
Neglecting the message inside me,

At times I am used for phony oath
My true use is very very rare,

A miracle I am that can change the world
All one has to do is understand my word,

I have wisdom I have treasure
so much so there is no measure,

I'm your savior, I'm your guide
But who's there to follow the bide,

Right from wrong is my fame
Holy Quran is my name

Duaas are kindly requested, wassalamualaykum warahmatullah

'Amr bin Al-'Aas - Conqueror of Egypyt

2006-04-27T18:35:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim
I apologise for the lack of updating on this blog, I have exams on the way so most of my time will be spent studying for those. However I have taken some time out to post about the famous Sahabaa 'Amr bin Al-'Aas radiAllahu ta'ala anha, he was the conqueror of Egypt (Masr) and established a stronge Islamic state there.

Before his acceptance to Islam
Before his acceptance to Islam, 'Amr bin Al-'Aas was one of the most bitterest enemies of Islam. He would use all his time and effort to tease the muslims and create hardships for them in Makkah. He was from a very wealthy background and known to have shown signs of being clever from a young age in his society; he also had several close relationships with governors and Kings around the Arabian Peninsula.
When he heard of the muslims settling in Al-Madinah he threatened their business' and decided to attack them. He gathered an army of 1000 men organised with the help of the Quraish with the intention of getting rid of Islam and all the muslims. He lost all his shrewdness and cunning when he was in battle, and was defeated by the muslim army at the Battle of Badr.
During the Battle of Khandaq (aka Battle of the trench) he gathered all the people that disliked the muslims and raised an army of 10,000 soldiers. He led the army and found a wide trench to prevent him from entering the town of his enemies. His army spent several days trying to enter the city over the trench, however they failed and left in humiliation.

Submission
'Amr bin Al-'Aas tried all efforts to abolish Islam and the muslims, however it was through the Mercy of Allah subhana wa ta'ala that this did not happen. After the Battle of Khandaq 'Amr bin Al-'Aas felt that Islam was not something that had been created by Muhammad salialahualay hi wassalam, and felt that he wanted to change his mind and join the muslims, however his arrogance detained (for a while). He confided in the King of Abyssinia about his situation and was astonished to learn that the King has embraced Islam. After he left Abyssinia he realized that Muhammad salialahualayhi wassalam was proclaiming the truth. When he returned to Makkah he saw how trustworthy and honest the Beloved Prophet of Allah really was. He wanted to seek the Prophet salialahualayhi wassalam's help, and repeatedly asked himself why he had kept himself from Islam.
He made the decision to migrate to Al-Madinah and on his way there he found Khalid bin al-Waleed and Uthmaan bin Talhah, he understood that they too were ready to embrace Islam. He arrived in Al-Madinah on the ninth of Safar on 8th Hijrah. As soon as they arrived, they went to the mosque where the Prophet of Allah salialahualayhi wassalam was preaching to his followers. He advanced towards the prophet salialahuakayhi wassalam and was afraid, however the prophet salialahualayhi wassalam warmly embraced him. He ('Amr bin Al-'Aas radiAllahu tala anha) embraced Islam there in the presence of the Propeht of Allah salialahualayhi wassalam. 'Amr bin Al-'Aas radiAllahu ta'ala anha felt humiliated and asked the Prophet salialahualahi wasslam to pray to Allah for forgiveness, however he learnt the being a new muslim erased his past sins. He was shown how to pray by the Sahabaa radiallahu ta'ala anhum. During his time spent with the Beloved Messenger of Allah salialahualayhi wassalam his heart was filled with warmth, love and admiration for him.

Journey to Egypt
Under the rule of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab radiallahu ta'ala anhu, 'Amr bin Al-'Aas radiAllahu ta'ala anhu was very interested in conquereing Egypt, and encouraged him to march there. 'Umar bin Al-khattab gave him permission and sent an army of four thousand soldiers and prayed that Allah to make the aid him in making the right choice. He successfuly conquered Egypt and established the city of Al-Fustat(south of Cairo) as the base of his rule. He expelled the Romans who had treated the people of Egypt unjustly and instead the people with justice and kindness. These acts of kindness made people accept Islam and he was ordered to rule Egypt. He did his best to develop the country and the way of life of people. He built many cities, developed agriculture, paved roads, water facilities and built many mosques. He built the first mosque in Egypt and can be seen below. He put alot of his wealth into spreading the message of Islam and considered his wealth to be a blessing from Allah subhana wa ta'ala. He tried to make sure that the peasants who had been treated harshly by the Romans should receive land that the Romans had exploited from them.
pic: 'Amr bin Al-'Aas mosque in Cairo, the first mosque ever to be built in Egypt:

Please keep me in your humble duaas, wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

Rumi's words of wisdom

2006-04-10T13:51:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu

I thought I'd share some words of advice with you that one of my friends(May Allah reward her well insha'Allah) quoted from Maulana Rumi rahimatullah alayh:

Sometimes in order to help He makes us cry.
Happy the eye that sheds tears for His sake.
Fortunate the heart that burns for His sake.
Laughter always follows tears.
Blessed are those who understand.
Life blossoms wherever water flows.
Where tears are shed divine mercy is shown

Please keep me in your duaas.

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

Kindness

2006-04-09T14:20:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

Forgive me for not keeping this blog updated, my studies have kept me pre-occupied and I am going to be abroad for a couple of days next week and the week after, however when I return I will be insha'Allah updating more often. This post is dedicated to one of my dearest friends whom I will never forget, and will always be in my duaas. May Allah grant her family and herself Janatul Firdous. Ameen.

The Beloved Prohet salialahualayhi wassalam said:
"Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith."
Subhana'Allah this Ahadeeth holds great importance in the way we treat others. Kindness is something that was present in the character of our Beloved Prophet salialahu alayhi wassalam and it is mentioned numerously in Ahadeeth and in the Quraan to act with it in our hearts. Kindness is a quality that we should strive to have in our akhlaaq and as muslims this should be part of our character. Kindness shows our compassion for one another and a selfless attitude, and it is kindness towards one another that helps us establish a good relationship with those around us.

There are many ways in which a person can behave kindly, going out to help someone in need, listening to someone who is distrested, helping your mother in the kitchen, helping your children out with their homework, talking politely to someone, and even smiling is a kind act, these are just a few of the ways in which one can be caring. To be kind to someone can make a big difference to their lives and it should be us who are always willing to do that.

Here is a story of how important kindness is:

The angry woman

It was the month of Ramadan, when all good Muslims were trying very hard to keep the fast. This meant that they did not eat anything during the hours of daylight. From sunrise to sunset no food must pass their lips. Fasting is difficult, especially when it is a hot day. It was on such a hot day that Muhammad sat down to rest. He had not eaten since it was dark, and the sun was now high in the sky. He wanted a few moments of peace.

Muhammad salialahualayhi wassalam had only been sitting down for a few moments when the peace was broken. Someone was shouting loudly, just a little way down the street. A woman was obviously very angry. Her voice was loud, and the angrier she became the louder and shriller her shouting became. Muhammad salialahualayhi wassalam decided to investigate.

As he came closer, he saw one of the richest women in the town, berating a servant for something he should have done, but had not. She was furious. Her face was red, she was shaking her fist, and it seemed as if she was fit to burst. The servant was standing uncomfortably, his head bowed low, not daring to move or reply. The woman was so busy with her anger that at first she did not notice Muhammad salialahualayhi wassalam standing beside her.

Slowly she became aware that someone was standing beside her. She turned, saw that it was the Prophet Muhammad salialahualayhi wassalam, and calmed down a little. “Why don’t you go indoors, and have something to eat?”

The woman was shocked. She did not know what to say. She always kept the fast. She wondered if Muhammad salialahualayhi wassalam realised what he was saying. “But I always keep the fast,” she said. “I have not eaten anything today.”

The prophet salialahualayhi wassalam spoke quietly. “If you were keeping the fast properly,” he said, “you would be kind to others. You would be trying hard to do Allah’s will. Getting angry with your servant is as bad as eating during the fast. You might as well go and eat.”

In this story we saw that the woman was not kind to her servants and this led to her breaking her fast, which shows us that being kind to one another is essential and part of out faith.

May Allah give us the ability to be kind to one another and treat others the way we wish to be treated. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Wassalamualaykum warahmatullah.

Ar Rah'man - The Most Compassionate

2006-03-26T09:42:00.000+01:00

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

The One who has plenty of mercy for the believers and the blasphemers in this world and especially for the believers in the hereafter.

This beautiful Name of Allah is very effective in removing hard-heatedness and unmindfulness if recited 100 times after every salaah.

Expectations of the Mercy of Allah

2006-03-23T18:24:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

There once lived a pious man who was enslaved to a wicked master. The righteous slave wanted to teach his master a lesson that he would not forget, a lesson that would make him change his ways.
The Master told him one day to plant wheat. The slave took the opportunity. He went and collected seeds of barley and planted them. As the season drew near, the master was enraged to see that after all this work and time the slave had planted the wrong seed. In his thrashing rage, he scolded the slave saying, “Why did you do this?”
The righteous slave said, “I had hope that the barley seeds would come out as wheat.”
The Master said, “How can you plant barley seeds and expect it to come out as wheat?”
The slave stopped and said quietly, “How can you disobey Allah and expect for His bounteous mercy? How can you openly challenge His Deen and hope for Jannah.”
The Master was stunned and silent. He understood. “You have taught me something today that I had never realized. You are free for the sake of Allah.”

Taken from Qisas.com

Student of science

2006-03-17T17:10:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

A thought crossed my mind the other day whilst I was studying..science as it goes and it occured to me that there are so many miracles in science that prove the existence of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Many of my friends, including myself, are studying science at a higher level of education and mash'Allah enjoying it too.

The study of science is something absolutely amazing and one can study all his life but there will be no end to the amount of knowledge out there. It amazes me to see how many fields of science there are..cardiology..zoology..radiography..oncology..optometry..ecology..hepatology..imunology..the list goes on forever. Day in and day out people study theories and go in depth with their given specialist subject and now after many years of research people are discovering science on a broader scale.

Anyway carrying on with this thought..it relates back to my Islamic studies GCSE and it was to do with the athiest of belief that (audhubillah!) that there is no god. My teacher gave the example of a watch..so extremely complex in its engineering that the person who made the watch must have been really clever, but don't stop there..think of The One who made the person who made the watch..(subhan'Allah there is only One Allah!)..going back to the main topic..being a student of science, you learn that there is so much wisdom(an understatement) behind the way the body is made(and this is just the body..think of the rest of this dunya..subhan'Allah). Everything co-ordinates hand in hand with one another and it flows like water..its so beautiful..Allah hu Akbar! And we can see that there is truly A Creator in everything..the power and beauty behind the way our bodies have been made, have not come about just like that..no no..there must have been a Creator behind our being creations..and that is Allah sub hana wa Ta'ala..

Allah says in the Quraan:
"And indeed we have created man and we know what his ownself whispers to him. And we are nearer to him than his jugular vein"-Surah Qa'f.Verse 16 (50:16)
Modern science has found out that the jugular vein in our bodies, it the most important blood vessel in the human body as it connects directly to the brain..subhan'Allah.

Whilst sitting down deep into my thoughts..I also realised that the Quran has so many miracles in it which modern day scientists are discovering. It amazes me to see that many non-muslims do not see that there is A Creator and subhan'Allah He is the GREATEST!

This post have been a bit weird, to put it bluntly; probably because no words can describe how Amazing and beautiful Allah subhana wa ta'ala's creation is. All I can do whilst writing this post is feel humbled by the Greatness of Our Lord and repeat subhan'Allah.
Subhana'Allah, subhana'Allah, subhana'Allah, subhana'Allah subhana'Allah subhana'Allah..
"Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?" no really which of the bounties of this world can one say he does not appreciate and see the Haque..Subhan'Allah is just amazes me.

Please keep this sinner in your humble duaas.
Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah

A lil' bit about Hadhrat Ruqayyah bint Muhammad

2006-03-12T18:16:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

Hadhrat Ruqayya bint Muhammaed radiAllahu anha was the wife of Hadhrat Uthmaan, daughter of Rasulullah saliala hualayhi wassalam and the third daughter of Hadhrat Khadeeja radiAllahu ta'ala anha. She had an only son by the name of Abdullah and made Hijrah with Hadharat Uthmaan radiAll ta'ala anhu to the distant land of Abyssinia, leaving behind her heart and home for the protection of her deen. She set a sterling example to the women of the world, teaching them love for their deen and devotion to their husbands.

Hadhrat Ruqayya radiAllahu ta'ala anhuwas first married to Utba who was the son of Abu Lahab, however, she had not yet started living with her husband when Abu Lahab instructed his son to divorce her because Rasulullah saliala hualayhi wassalam had announced his prophethood. She was then married to Hadhrat Uthmaan, five years after nabuwwah (after the announcement of prophethood)Hadhrat Uthmaana and Hadhrat Ruqayya migrated to Abyssinia. For long while afterwards, Rasulullah salia alahualay hi wassalm received no news from his dauhgter until a woman of the Quraysh informed him that the couple were well. Rasulullah salia ala hualayhi wassalam said

"May Allah be their companion" (SaHibuhum'Allahu).

Rasulullah salia ala hualayhi wassalam then said "Uthmaan is the first person since Loot alay hisalam to migrate to with his family. When Hadhrat Ruqayya returned to Makkah, she was devasted to receive the news that her beloved mother had already left this world, a shock that endured with patience.

May Allah bless her with His mercy and blessings. May Allah bless her with peace and mercy. May Allah bless women with the qualities that she carried. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

The conveyance of Salaam

2006-03-08T18:40:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu, Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

(This post is dedicated to my sister Mujahidah an Nafs-sorry it's not very good)
Something that I have been meaning to post on for a while is the importance of conveying Salam to our fellow muslims brothers and sisters. I feel that there are many of us out there who fail to put this importance into practise in our everyday lives and whats more it is part of the sunnah of our Beloved Prophet saliala hualayhi wassalam. Allah subhana wa ta'ala has said in the Quran

"And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally." (Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:86)

Subhan'Allah our Lord has said in the Holy book how that when we are greeted we must return the greeting with words that are greater than what the conveyor has said to us.

There are many of us out who fail to see that the greeting of a muslim is very special, it means (as shown above) 'Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings'. This is such a nice thing to say to a fellow muslim and to have someone say it back to you is an even better thing, it creates love between one another Fisabililah. It is very important that we greet one another in the manner that has been shown by our Beloved Prophet Saliala hu alayhi wassalam as he said:
"When one of you meets a brother [in Faith], he should greet him. Then if a tree or a wall or a stone should intervenes between them and then he meets him again, he should greet him." [Abu Dawood]
Subhan'Allah so beautifully these words are put by the Beloved Messenger saliala hualayhi wassalam; so it is a command by Allah subhana wa ta'ala and it is also a sunnah of the prophet saliala hualayhi wassalam.

Also another point that should be noted here is that when we are with our young we need to bring them up with the sunnah in their life and as mothers we should teach them to convey salam through our actions thus greeting every muslim you see with salam will also encourage our children to spread the word of peace insh'Allah. It makes me feel warm to see younger children convery salam to everybody, I was once travelling and I met this sister who had reverted to Islam, mash'Allah she had a beautiful younger daughter who wherever she would go would convey salam to everybody! Mash'Allah. May Allah keep her steadfast in her salam.

There are numerous hadith which tell us to give salam to our fellow muslim brothers and sisters, however one that should always be in our minds is:
"The one who says salam first is free from pride"
This shows muslims that we are not people who are proud and we should always be taking the opportunity we get to greet each other.

I'll leave this post with the duaa that May Allah give us all the ability to put the sunnah into our lives and may He give us all the ability to greet one another with salam. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Assalamualaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatu :)

Subscription

2006-02-25T09:37:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

Just a quick post to let readers know that they can subscribe and receive emails everytime this blog is updated. Just simply enter your email address in the box on the right. All emails are kept strictly confidential. Jazak'Allah khair to those of you who have subscribed.
There are also some great blogs on the right to which you can subscribe to aswell.

Please remember me in your duaas.

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah

Death

2006-02-24T18:21:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

In Morocco (Maghrib) there is a saying:

"Kay Qatil A'mmaut"

It literally means, death is what will get you. The prophet saliala hualay hiwassalam said that there is a cure for all diseasese except for death. Subhan'Allah every time I hear this hadeeth, it makes me shudder, the thought that we will all face death makes me humble myself and it makes you realise how Powerful and Great Allah subhana wa ta'ala is. We will all have our day when we will leave this world, when we will be buried 6 feet into the ground. Doesn't the thought of that make you feel scared? Subhan'Allah glory be to Allah, The One who grants us death and glory be to Allah the Ever-Living.

I don't know where this post is going, perhaps because everytime I start thinking about death it makes me realise what a layman I am and it makes me realise that preparation is what we need to be doing. Are we preparing enough for the hereafter? Are we striving in the path of Allah so that we may attain the highest station in Jannah? Will we die with the Shahadah on our lips? Will we die when Allah is most pleased with us?

The prophet salialahu alahi wassalam said "The most intelligent person is the one who often remembers death." and he also said "The remembrance of death defeats joy", these words hold great value and importance. The true meaning behind these words are that constant rememberance of death will help a muslim prepare for death and prepare for the questioning of the life he led in this world. The rememberance of death humbles a person and makes one turn to Allah more.

Whats even more scary is the fact that none of us know when our time to depart this world will come, only Allah, The Knower of All things knows the exact time of when we will depart, no one can escape death, it is inevitable. Also the fact that we are brought into the world with the first words we hear are the shahadah and when we die, the last words we should say is the shahadah, will this be so? Subhan'Allah it makes me one realise that death is not something we can escape from, no matter where we go in this world, death will always follow us.

We as muslims should be constantly preparing for our depature in this world, we have a duty to fulfil and we should do that duty to the best of our ability, whats more is, we do not know when our time will come when we will not be able to continue our work. This time is death and it is what we should always be preparing for. Please forgive me for this waffle post. I end this post with duaa that Allah takes us in the state of Imaan and takes us in the state where he is most pleased with us, may Allah take us in the state where we are able to say the shahadah. May He grant us the ability to prepare for the hereafter to the best of our preparation. AMEEN WA THUMA AMEEN.

Please remember me in your duaas and keep my sister Mujahidah an Nafs in your humble duaas, may Allah grant her complete shifaa. Ameen wa thuma ameen.
Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah

The Prophet's (S.A.W) last sermon

2006-02-17T12:18:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatu

This Sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul
Hijjah 10 A.H in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don't know whether,
after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore
listen to what I am saying to you carefully and take these words
to those who could not be present here today.
O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as
Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a
sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful
owners.

Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that
you will indeed meet your Lord, and that H will indeed reckon
your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (Interest),
therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived...

Beware of Satan, for your safety of your religion. He has lost
all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big
things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to
your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by
your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed
in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for
they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right
that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not
approve, as well as never to commit adultery.

O People, listen to me in earnest, whorship Allah, say your five
daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give
your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. You know
that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. You are all
equal. Nobody has superiority over other except by piety and good action.
Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your
deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness
after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new
faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand
my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the
Qur'an and my example, the sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and
those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words
better than those who listen to me direcly.

BE MY WITNESS O ALLAH THAT I HAVE CONVEYED YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUR PEOPLE."

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah

Virtues of Wudhu

2006-02-16T15:25:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

I was clearing up my bookshelf a while back and I found a book that used to learn from when I was younger at the madrassa, titled 'Virtues of Wudhu' by Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias, this was one of my favourite books. Even though many of you may think that this is something 'kiddish' for me to be posting on my blog, I beg to differ :).
Before I carry on with posting the virtues, I feel that the sunan of making wudhu(ablution) is important as it holds alot of benefits. The following are Sunnah acts of making wudhu:

1. Niyyah(intention) for wudhu
2. Tasmiyah (reciting the Bismillah)
3. Washing both hands as far as the wrists thrice
4. Rinsing the mouth thrice
5. Applying water into the nostrils
6. Using miswaak
7. Making masaah of the whole head
8. Washing every part thrice
9. Masaah of the ears
10. Khilaal of the fingers, toes and beard(for brothers)
11. Observing tarteeb (to observe the order of washing the various parts)
12. Washing the various parts in quick succession i.e. washing the next part before the previous part dries

I know that there are many who already know this, however it is always a good reminder.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Quraan:
O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favour to you, that ye may be grateful. -Surah Maidah (Surah 5) verse 6.

Here are just a few benefits:
It is related by Abu Hurairah that Rasulullah salialahu alahi wassalam said “When a muslim bondsman performs wudhu and, during it, washes his face and pours water over it, all the sins he has committed with the eyes are removed from his face with water; after it, when he washes his hands, all the sins he has committed with the handsare washed away from them; and after it, when he washes his feet, all the sins he has committed the feet go out of them till by the time he as finished wudhu he becomes completely purified form sin.” – Muslim

It is related by Uthmaan bin Afaan that Rasulullah salialahu alahi wassalam said “Whoever performed wudhu and performed it well, all his sin will go out, even from under his nails.” – Bukhari and Muslim

Aqbah bin A’mer reported that Rasulullah salialahu alahi wassalam said “If any muslim performs wudhu and performs it well and then stands up and says prayer of two bending with his heart and face turned to them both, paradise becomes sure for him.” – Muslim

Abu Darda’a reported that Rasulullah salialahu alahi wassalam said “I shall be the first of those who will be ordered to prostrate on the day of judgement, and I shall be the first of those who will be ordered to raise up their head. Then I shall look to what will be in my prescence and I shall then recognise my people from among the peoples, there will be like that behind me, and like that to my right side, and like that to my left side.” A man enquired “O Rasulullah, how would you recognise your people from among other peoples who were between Noah and your people?” He salialahu alahi wassalam replied “They shall have white faces, arms, and legs owing to the effect of wudhu. None besides them will be like that, and I shall recoginse them because they will surely bring their records in the right hands and I shall recognise them because their children will run in their prescence.” - Ahmad

Abu Hurairah reported that Rasulullah salialahu alahi wassalam came to a graveyard and said “Peace be upon you, O abode of the believing people, and if Allah wills, we shall join you. How do I like that we could see our brethren.” They(the companions)said “O Messenger of Allah! Are we not your brethren?” He said “You are my companions, and our brethren will be those who will not but come hereafter.” They said “O Apostle of Allah how would you recognise those who would not but come among your followers hereafter?” He said “Inform me that if there be a man who has got a horse with white blazes and white marks on its leg among horses of intensely black colour, he will recognise his horse.” They said “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said “They will surely come with white faces, arms and legs on account of wudhu. I shall wait for them at the fountain.” - Muslim

Benefit from rinsing the mouth:
On washing the first time, one is cleared from the effects of evil and bad speech. On washing the second time a fragrance is created within the mouth. On washing the third time, a house it built in janaah.

Some benefits of using a miswaak:
Hadhrat Ayesha radiallahu anha reports that Rasulullah salialahu alahi wassalam said “The superiority of performing salaah with miswaak over the salaah that is performed without miswaak seventy times.”

It is reported from Jabir Radiallahu anhu that Rasulullah salialahu alahi wassalam said “Two rakaats of salaah with miswaak are better than seventy rakaats of salaah without miswaak.”

Some benefits when rinsing/ blowing the nose:
When a person dies than in the grave one is made to see and feel one’s destination via windows. Either the hot fiery air of jahannum reach the climate of the grave or the sweet fragrant air of janaah. On the first clearing of the nose the windows of jahannum are closed. On the second clearing the windows of janaah are opened. On the third clearing a mansion is built in janaah.

Some benefits on making khilaal of the beard:
1.When one washes for the first time, then one becomes far from janhannum as the distance between the Earth and the skies.
2.When one washes for the second time, the one will be interceded for.
3.When one washes for the third time, then ine will be given Nur(light) which will aid one on the crossing of the As-siraat

Subhana'Allah above are just some of the virtues of making ablution. May we all become people who are able to make correct and perfect ablution and we become people to adhere to the Beloved Prophets salialahu alayhi wassalam's sunnah. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Before I leave this post there are two things that I wanted to leave you with; first one is for those who are learning about deen there is a cool flash presentation on how to make ablution here. ( you need to have a flash player, if you don't have it, you can download it from here). Secondly the book I refered to earlier on has a lovely duaa that one must recite whilst making khilaal of the ears "Oh Allah! Make me among those who listen and follow beautiful talks. Oh Allah! let me hear the caller of Janaah while I am in the company of the pious."..*beautiful* Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Please remember me in your duaas. Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah

Quick blogger's note

2006-02-14T17:11:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
I begin in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

Just a quick post to let readers of this blog know that aswell as posting my usual posts, I will also be, Insh'Allah, adding posts on all the key figures of Islam such as the Sahaba radiAllah anhum, the wives of the Prophet Salia alahu alayhi wassalam and the like.

I hope insh'Allah that the few posts I have posted have been of benefit to readers, and I hope there will be more to benefit to come from this blog insh'Allah.

Please remember me in your humble duaas.

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah.

Life

2006-02-08T19:57:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim,

Our ultimate purpose of this life is to worship Allah alone and to serve Him only. Although so simply put in 16 words, many of us reading this sentence will look at it and think thats so obvious and so easy; but the truth is brothers and sisters, how many times do we keep this in mind? How many times do we understand that this is the ULTIMATE goal of our being on the earth? And if so, then how much are we doing to serve our Lord and reach our purpose? Is it enough?

It's funny how sometimes we get moment where we get into these numinous feelings and we want to yearn more and more for nearness to Allah subhana ta'ala, and you appreciate the wisdom He has put into the way this dunya has been made, it's such a beautiful feeling and you are so speechless and baffled by how Great He is.

At times like these we think about life more in the 'bigger picture' like, Who am I? What is my purpose in this life? What do I need to do? Am I doing enough? Am I doing enough dhikr to gain nearness to Allah subhana wa ta'ala? You feel like you could stay in a moment like this forever and stay in postration to Allah subhana wa ta'ala.

...and then we go back to the state where we forget everything and carry on life as normal, forgetting those all important questions which were popping up into our heads. At times like these we think what happened from the numinous feeling to now? The material aspect of this life brings us away from fulfilling our duty.

From times like these which, occur numerous number of times, we should learn that we should be trying harder to please our Lord and do more and more to serve Him. We should constantly be asking ourselves, Who am I? What is my purpose in being here? If we cannot answer these questions with honest answers and act upon them in this dunya then how will be able to answer the angels in our grave, when they ask us "Mun anta?"(Who are you?)

I'll leave this post with part of Surah Al Qiyam (The resurrection). Allah's words have so much hiqmah (wisdom) in them and through this surah we can understand that we all have a life which we are accountable for and we should all aim to taking extra steps everyday of our lives to gain nearness to Allah subahana wa ta'ala.

75:13 - On that day man is told the tale of that which he hath sent before and left behind.
75:14 - Oh, but man is a telling witness against himself,
75:15 - Although he tender his excuses
75:16 - Stir not thy tongue herewith to hasten it.
75:17 - Lo! upon Us (resteth) the putting together thereof and the reading thereof
75:18 - And when We read it, follow thou the reading;
75:19 - Then lo! upon Us (resteth) the explanation thereof.
75:20 - Nay, but ye do love the fleeting Now
75:21 - And neglect the Hereafter.
75:22 - That day will faces be resplendent,
75:23 - Looking toward their Lord;
75:24 - And that day will other faces be despondent,
75:25 - Thou wilt know that some great disaster is about to fall on them.

May Allah bestow us with mercy and understanding towards His beautiful deen. May He guide us along the straight path so that we may attain His pleasure alone. May He give us the inclination to become Ahlul dhikr (people of Allah's rememberance). May He give us the inclination to answer the questions in our grave with confidence and clear understanding. May He give us the inclination to help ourselves become good people so that we may have bright faces on yaum al qiyamah. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Please remember this sinner in your humble duaas.

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah wabrakatu

My Beloved..

2006-02-02T17:00:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

Here is a beautiful poem by Rabia al Basri (Rabia al Adawiyya) I came across, and I thought I'd share it with you

My peace, O my brothers and sisters, is my solitude,

And my Beloved is with me always,

For His love I can find no substitute,

And His love is the test for me among mortal beings,

Whenever His Beauty I may contemplate,

He is my "mihrab", towards Him is my "qiblah"

If I die of love, before completing satisfaction,

Alas, for my anxiety in the world, alas for my distress,

O Healer (of souls) the heart feeds upon its desire,

The striving after union with Thee has healed my soul,

O my Joy and my Life abidingly,

You were the source of my life and from Thee also came my ecstasy.

I have separated myself from all created beings,

My hope is for union with Thee, for that is the goal of my desire

~Rabia al Basri~

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah

Keeping the right company

2006-01-30T17:37:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
I begin in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

Many of us are aware of the saying "you are the company with which you keep", in some weird way deep down we all know it's true. Your friends have a big influence over who you are. Very many of us can relate to it from the way we chose to live our lives or even to just the way we speak.

Subhan'Allah such effect they have on us and most of the time we do not even realise it.
In life it is undoubtdly essential that we keep righteous companions because they help to keep your feet firm on the ground, furthermore they help guide your footsteps to siratul mustaqeem, doing otherwise will help you to walk astray.

Ahmed ibn Harb (R.A.) said: "There is nothing more beneficial to a Muslim's heart than to mix with the righteous and to watch their actions, while nothing is more harmful to the heart of the Muslim than mixing with sinners, and watching their actions.".

It is amazing to see how much our surrounding influences us and in Islam keeping good company is something that is encouraged to do. People who are practising and follow Islam help others to gain that nearness and closeness to Allah. Mixing with lovers of Allah can cause ones self to change in morals, behavious, attitude to this dunya(life).
After time mixing with good people can help us enable to adopt their good behaviour and qualities, likewise the same goes for mixing with bad friends, we can be unfortunate and end up adopting their bad behaviour.

We as muslims need to adopt good manners and to have a friendly attitude to everyone so that we may encourage one another to enjoin in the good and forbid the evil. We need to have a behaviour such that we invite those who are not so practising to become practising and to teach one another about Islam through good manners. This is part of our deen, part of the sunnah of Muhammad Salialahu 'alayhi wassalam.
Sometimes it's so sad to see people who go around looking at other people's faults and spreading them, rather than giving them dawah and teaching what the correct thing to do is. This in itself is a big wrong doing, spreading someones sins is a sin and it is our duty as muslims to help each other gain nearness towards Allah Ta'ala, whether the second person choses to act upon what you have told them is up to them and they themselves will be accountable. We should look at ourselves and try to correct ourselves at the same time, we should be our biggest critics.
Helping each other to become good, to show good behaviour, to engage in Ibadaah(worship) is something we should be doing all the time.
Actions like these should not be for any wordly gain but for the sole pleasure of Allah Ta'ala. The Prophet Salialahu 'alayhi wassalam said: "Whoever loves for Allah, and hates for Allah, gives for Allah and withholds for Allah, has completed his faith." (Abu Dawud)

Our companions should be those who are believers in Allah and his prophet. Allah says in the Holy Quraan:
"And who so obeys Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad sali 'alahu 'alayhi wassalam), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the prophets, the Siddiqun (those followers of the prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are." [4:69]
Subhan'Allah Allah The Almighty has placed so much greatness in sharing good companions.

Gathering together in the rememberance of Allah Ta'ala is also something that is very meritous.
There's something that I learnt the other day whilst listening to a talk about keeping good company, but do not have the exact words so forgive me if there's any mistake:

Allah sends down the malaaikah (angels) to carry out various jobs, one of these jobs include seeing the ahlul dhikr(people who are remembering Allah Ta'ala) in a gathering. The angels then attend the gathering and listen, and surround the people in the gathering. The angels then ascend to Jannah to speak to Allah. Allah asks the angels "What are my servants saying?" The angels then reply "Oh Allah they are, Subhan'Allah, alhamdulilah, Allah hu akbar and laaila ha illalah". Allah then says "Can My servants who recite such see Me?" The angels then reply "Oh Allah they do not see You". Allah then says "What if they were to see me?". The angels then reply "They will be stronger in their Shahadah and their belief". Then Allah says "What do they want from Me?". The angels then reply "Oh Allah they want Al- Jannah(paradise)".Allah then replies "Have they seen Al-Jannah?".The angels reply "Oh Allah they have not". Allah says "What are they seeking refuge from?". The angels then say "Oh Allah they are seeking refuge in you from Jahannam(the hellfire)". Allah then says "Have they seen Jahannam?". The angels then say "Oh Allah they have not". Then Allah says "Then I make you bear witness that I forgive them".

Subhan'Allah the benefits of being together in a gathering and remembering The Almighty are so great. If it's anything that we are in need of today then it is Allah subahana wata'ala's forgiveness. Therefore I conclude this long winded post by saying that we should try our best to keep good company and encourage our friends around us to engage in those acts which are loved by Allah. Delivering good naseeha (advice) is also something that we ourselves should aim to do and better ourselves in doing.

May Allah give us all the inclination to make and keep righteous friends. May He increase our friendly attitude towards one another whilst spreading His deeen. May He give us the ability to love one another for His sake solely. Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Please remember me in your duaas.

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah

The Earthquake

2006-01-27T12:35:00.000Z

AL-ZALZALA (THE EARTHQUAKE)

Surah #99

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

-إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا

When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion

-وَأَخْرَجَتِ الْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا

And the earth throws up her burdens (from within)

-وَقَالَ الْإِنسَانُ مَا لَهَا

And man cries (distressed): 'What is the matter with her?'

-يَوْمَئِذٍ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا

On that Day will she declare her tidings

- بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَى لَهَا

For that thy Lord will have given her inspiration

-يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصْدُرُ النَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًا لِّيُرَوْا أَعْمَالَهُمْ

On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done).

-فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ

Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it!

-وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ

And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah wabarakatu

Make Up

2006-01-23T19:52:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem.
I begin in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful.Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim.

This is a quick post on something I found that was quite funny and something to think about at the same time.
Enjoy..

Sisters to be more attractive and beautiful I advise you to use the following:
*For your eyes let lowering your gaze be your Kohl.
*Put some touches of truth on your lips and they will be more beautiful.
*As for your cheek powder or blush use the brand of shyness that is only sold in the shops of Iman and Faith .
*Now to remove any unwanted blemishes or spots of sins or mistakes you suspect just use the soap of Tawbah.
*And to protect your hair from falling and breaking and getting weak protect it by hijab, it's a blessing from Allah on you ,and it also protects you from the poisonous looks of men.
*Now we must look at your accessories :
1-As for your ears,put on the 'earings' of cheerfulness,for it's suitable for all occasions.
2-And for your neck of course we must have something special,which will be the 'necklace' of Shukr which is vivid ,rare and will glitter around your neck like a sparkling star on a dark clear night.
3-For your wrist use the 'bracelet' of humbleness.
4-And your 'ring' should be made of forgiveness.
Those accessories and the make up brands I mentioned are available only at the great Islam bazaar, don't worry which shop to visit because once you start you will never stop.
Take care, and be sure to shop for those brands I guarantee you 100% their success, and one thing ladies- No Refund.

May Allah give us the inclination to become women of taqwa and piety and to attain His pleasure only in all things that we do. May Allah give us the ability to understand His deen more than we already do.Ameen wa thuma ameen.

Please remember me in your duaas.

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah wabarakatu

Actions and Intentions

2006-01-19T10:30:00.000Z

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu,

Bismillah Hirah'manir Raheem. I begin in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Allahuma Sali'ala sayidina Muhammadin nabiyil ummi wa 'Ala ali wa sahbihi wa salim

With everything we do in life we should have a clear intention and our aim behind all of our intentions should be Fisabililah(For the pleasure of Allah).
Our Beloved Prophet sali'ala hu'alayhi wasssalam said

Inamal 'Amaloo biniyaat.Definately actions depend on intentions

We should make sure that all our actions confirm with that of Allah's deen and perform that intention with the hope of seeking Allah's pleasure alone.

I begin this blog with the intention of propagating Allah's deen, with the intention of seeking Allah's pleasure alone, with the intention of sharing the knowledge that I have with the muslim ummah.
I pray that Allah, the Most High, accepts all my efforts in His path to spread His deen through the best of my ability. Ameen