Halloween: To say hello to it or not?

Halloween: To say "hello" to it or not?

By Abu Muhammad Yusuf

Islam is a complete way of life. Its wisdom is profound. What Islam prescribes and what it prohibits is always of tremendous benefit for humanity as a whole.

Every year, on the evening of October 31st, millions of children in the Western world paint their faces, dress up in costumes, and go door to door collecting treats. The adults often decorate their houses with ghostly figures, carve scary faces on pumpkins, and put candles in them to create "Jack-O-Lanterns." Unfortunately, among the millions of people indulging in this custom, some are also Muslims.

ORIGINS

Halloween originated as the Eve of Samhain, a celebration marking the beginning of winter and the first day of the New Year among ancient pagans of the British Isles. On this occasion, it was believed that supernatural forces gathered together, that the barriers between the supernatural and human worlds were broken. They believed that spirits from other worlds (such as the souls of the dead) were able to visit earth during this time and roam about. They also believed that on October 31st, the lord of the dead gathered all the souls of the people who had died that year. The souls upon death would dwell in the body of an animal, then on this day the lord would announce what form they were to take for the next year.

 

When Christianity came to the British Isles, the church tried to take attention away from these pagan rituals by placing a Christian holiday on the same day. The Christian festival, the Feast of All Saints, acknowledges the saints of the Christian faith in much the same way that Samhain had paid tribute to the pagan gods. The customs of Samhain survived anyway, and eventually became intertwined with the Christian holiday. Through social networking, mass media, television etc this custom has become popular internationally.

 

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

 

In Islam any practice which does not have its origins in Divine Scripture and The Sunnah is totally prohibited. This applies to many Pagan practices such as Halloween, Valentine's Day etc.

 

Virtually all Halloween traditions are based either in ancient pagan culture, or in Christianity. From an Islamic point of view, they all are forms of idolatry (shirk). As Muslims, our celebrations should be ones that honour and uphold our faith and beliefs. How can we worship only Allah, the Creator, if we participate in activities that are based in pagan rituals, divination, and the spirit world? Many people participate in these celebrations without even understanding the history and the pagan connections, just because their friends are doing it, their parents did it ("it's a tradition!"), and because "it's fun!"

So what can we do, when our children see others dressed up, eating candy, and going to parties? While it may be tempting to join in, we must be careful to preserve our own traditions and not allow our children to be corrupted by this seemingly "innocent" fun. When tempted, remember the pagan origins of these traditions, and ask Allah to give you strength. Save the celebration, the fun and games, for our 'Eid festivals. Children can still have their fun, and most importantly, should learn that we only acknowledge holidays that have a religious significance to us as Muslims. Holidays are not just excuses to binge and be reckless. In Islam, our holidays retain their religious importance, while allowing proper time for rejoicing, fun and games.

GUIDANCE FROM THE QURAN AND HADITH

Allah Ta'ala, The Most Wise says in the Qur'an :

"When it is said unto them, 'Come to what Allah has revealed, come to the Messenger,' they say, 'Enough for us are the ways we found our fathers following.' What! Even though their fathers were void of knowledge and guidance?" (Qur'an 5:104)

"Has not the time arrived for the believers,  that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed to them? That they should not become like those to whom was given the Book aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors." (Qur'an 57:16)

"We have sent them the Truth, but they indeed practice falsehood" (Qur'an 23:10).

The Noble and Last Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said:

"Whoever imitates a nation is one of them!" (Hadith-Abu Da'oud).

"The Final Hour will not come until my followers copy the deeds of the previous nations
and follow them very closely, span by span, and cubit by cubit (inch by inch)" (Hadith-Bukhari)

 "You must keep to my Sunnah and the sunnah of the rightly-guided Caliphs; cling to it firmly. Beware of newly invented matters, for every new matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misleading." (Hadith-Bukhari)

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

As Muslims we should not participate or condone such evil customs as Halloween. It is the duty of every Muslim parent to educate their children to refrain from practising falsehood and not to imitate the non-Muslims in their customs and festivals. If the children are taught to be proud of their Islamic heritage, they themselves will, if Allah wills, abstain from Halloween and other non-Muslim celebrations, such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentines Day, etc.  

As Muslims let us be convinced of our Deen that it is indeed the best and purest way of life…so do not say "hello" to Halloween, rather say "goodbye" to it forever!

 May Allah Ta'ala guide us onto the straight path…Ameen.

The Elegant Hijab

 

The pea is a splendid plant. It proudly displays its strong green Hijab. It protects it from the hot and cold weather and guards it from insects. Allah has blessed the pea with a special Hijab, because without it, the seeds would scatter, dry up and die.

The orange keeps itself within its shiny orange Hijab to protect its delicious fruit. Otherwise it loses its taste too.

So are the banana, the coconut and the pomegranate. Each one has an elegant and unique Hijab, which protects it from disease and destruction.

The jewel of the sea, the pearl, has been given a very tough and rugged Hijab - oyster shell. It protects it from sea animals and keeps it sparkling and shining inside.

 

                               

 

 

The delicacies and exotic chocolates of this world are covered to protect it from bacteria and preserve their taste. Besides being so elegant it adds to its value!

                                    

                               

                   

 

However, the most beloved of Allah in all His creation is the Muslim girl who wears the Hijab. She knows it is a gift from Allah. It protects her from harm, injury and mischief. She wears it knowing it gives her dignity, beauty and respect. So precious she can be that she hides herself beneath her Hijab.

 

                    

 

EID MUBARAK

The Takbeeraat of Tashreeq

The Takbeeraat of Tashreeq

 

It is Wajib (incumbent) for every adult Muslim male  to recite the Takbeeraat of Tashreeq after every Fardh Salaat-performed with Jamaat or individually from the Fajr of the 9th of Zul-Hijjah to the Asr of the 13th of Zul Hijjah. The Takbeeraat should be recited once only. The words are as follows:

 اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لآ إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar laa ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar. Allahu Akbar walillaahil hamd.

Translation: "Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all praises belong to Him Alone."

NB. Men should recite this Takbeer audibly whilst females should do so softly.

 

Exams..some useful tips!

Exams,exams, exams …

 

some useful tips

 

By E-Islam Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exams can be extremely stressful. Being fully prepared is important to succeed!

 

Anything done in accordance with Allah's Law and the Sunnah[way]of His Beloved Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] it is classified as Ibadah[worship]! A Muslim student puts his Trust in Allah when facing the tests of this world and seeks Allah's help whilst following the prescribed means. While preparing himself fully in every permissible way for the exams that lie ahead, he should always endeavour to be obedient to the Commands of Allah.Here are some useful tips to assist in preparing for the exams:

 

BEFORE THE EXAMS:

 

HOW TO OBTAIN THE HELP OF ALLAH

 

· Turning to Allaah by making du'aa' in any way that is prescribed in Islam. Dua is an

extremely important tool to attain the desired results and more importantly the help of Allah.Read duas such as , "Rabbiy ishrah li sadri wa yassir li amri (O my Lord, expand my chest and make things easy for me)."

 

· Reciting the du'aa' for leaving the house: "Bismillaah, tawakkaltu 'ala Allaah, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah. Allaahumma inni a'oodhu bika an adilla aw udalla, aw azilla aw uzalla, aw azlima aw uzlama, aw ajhala aw yujhala 'alayya (In the name of Allaah, I put my trust in Allaah, and there is no strength and no power except with Allaah. O Allaah, I seek refuge with You lest I should stray or be led astray, lest I slip (commit a sin

unintentionally) or be tripped, lest I oppress or be oppressed, lest I behave foolishly or be

treated foolishly)." Do not forget to seek your parents' approval, for their du'aa' for you will be answered.

 

· Mention the name of Allaah before you start, for mentioning the name of Allaah is

prescribed when beginning any permissible action; this brings blessing, and seeking the help of Allaah is one of the means of strength. Rasulullah [peace be upon him] is reported as saying that any du'a which begins with: Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim (In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful) is not rejected .

 

· Remembering Allaah (dhikr) dispels anxiety and tension. If something is too difficult for

you, then pray to Allaah to make it easy for you. Reading Surah Yaseen in the early part of

the day brings blessings for the rest of the day!

 

· Performs 2 rakaats salaah and ask Allaah to make it easy for you. Two rakaats of Salatul

Hajaat is an excellent means of having your needs fulfilled!

 

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN…..!!!!

 

· Time management. Plan. Before finals begin, get out your calendar and schedule as much of your finals week as possible. Then stick with the schedule.

 

· Set study goals - Set regular routines of study.

-Daily goals

-Weekly goals

-Long-term goals

 

· Time table-Know your deadlines, exam dates and make a study timetable

 

· Ask-Your teachers want you to succeed; ask them if you are unsure!

 

· Schedule in sleep- Some people can function well on three hours of sleep a night. Most

cannot. You'll do much better during exams if your mental state is good, and sleep is

essential for this.

 

· Schedule in study breaks- Don't plan to study non-stop for the next five days. You'll go

insane, and you'll be too fried to do well on the exams. When you write your schedule,

include short study breaks to help you recharge. You'll feel so much better and will be able to concentrate so much more. Make Deen(Islam) as part of your study program. Schedule your study time using the five salaah(prayer) times as your markers.

 

· Exercise- It's a good source for stress relief. Just don't overdo it to the point that you're

procrastinating heavily. Go for short, stress-relieving activities, like walk to the Mosque or

jogging or any other light exercise.

 

· Location- Choose a quiet, well-lit an well ventilated place to study.

 

· Prioritize- You have limited time to study and will have to choose what to spend the most time with. You could spend hours and hours on that math exam because if you do really well, you might be able to pull of a C. Or you can spend hours and hours on a history exam because if you do well, you've got a good shot at an A. It's up to you.

 

·Study groups-Just don't waste your time with any group. Only where absolutely essential

join one. Often time valuable time gets wasted in these groups. Always keep the laws of

Allah in mind.

 

· Diet- Is extremely important in preparing yourself physically and psychologically for the

exam (mentioned in detail below)

 

PREPARE, PREPARE,PREPARE…..!!!

 

· Go to all revision sessions for your subjects.

· Have up-to-date course notes. If you don't, ask your teachers for the latest versions.

· Practise assessments and examination papers.

· Know what is required for each achievement standard.

· Check the time and place for the exam.

· Do not cram at the last minute.

· Check that you have all you need for the exams.

· Put your equipment in a clear plastic bag the night before.

· Get a good night's sleep.

· Eat before the exam but not junk food.

· Avoid people who make you feel nervous.

· Stay calm and confident. Breathe deeply.

· Don't forget your equipment e.g. pens. pencils, calculators etc. Take out all required material well in advance.

· Be early for the exam. Allow time for traffic jams etc

· Avoid unnecessary talking outside the exam hall before the exam. It's too late to do

anything now and listening to others about what they have revised, or not, might just

damage your confidence

· Take spare stationery, pens/pencils etc

· REMEMBER : Your obligations to Allaah- Salaah, reading Quran , Zikr etc. Dont miss your

Salaah no matter what!

 

DURING THE EXAMS:

 

· Stay calm. Relax. Stay focused.

· Choose a good place to sit during the exam, if you can. Keep your back straight, and sit    

   on the chair in a healthy manner.

· Have confidence in yourself.

· Begin with the name of Allah.

· Write clearly – the examiner cannot mark what they cannot read! Leave a line space

   between your main points/ paragraph to help the examiner mark your work.

· Look over the exam first. Studies advise spending 10% of the exam time in reading the

  questions carefully, noting the important words and dividing one's time between the

  questions.

· Answer the easy questions first, then the difficult ones. Whilst reading the questions,  

  write notes and ideas which you can use in your answers later.

· Answer questions according to importance. Start by answering the easy questions which 

  you know

· Do not spend too long on each question. If you have extra time at the end return to the

  question.

· Cross out mistakes with a single line.

· Don't leave any questions unanswered and never omit an entire question.

· Use diagrams to support your answer. Label clearly.

· Read questions twice. Circle/Highlight key terms.

· Do not bulk up an answer. Keep to the point!

· Proof read answers. Ask yourself – Have I written a complete answer? Have I answered 

  the question that was asked?

· Match the length of your answer to the space provided.

· Watch out for plurals in questions. For example, 'Name features of graphs' means that 

  you are required to write at least two features.

· Label extra pages clearly and attach them to your exam booklet.

 

GENERAL ADVICE:

 

FEAR ALLAH: Fear Allah with regard to your classmates, and do not be affected by their

anxiety or fear just before the exam, for anxiety is a contagious disease. Instead, make them feel optimistic by saying good words as prescribed in Islam. The Prophet (peace and

blessings of Allah be upon him) was optimistic- when he heard the name of Suhayl (which

means "easy") and he said: "Things have been made easy for you." So be optimistic that you and your friends will pass this exam.

 

RELAX -Take breaks eg. Salaah[prayer] time is an excellent time to take a break.If

stressed, ask Allah for ease.

 

DON'T HURRY-Take your time to answer, for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah

be upon him) said: "Deliberation is from Allaah and haste is from the Shaytaan." (A hasan

hadeeth. Saheeh al-Jaami, 3011).

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE-Think carefully about the answer and choose the right answer when

answering multiple-choice questions. Deal with them in the following manner. If you are

sure that you have chosen the right answer, then beware of waswasah (insinuating whispers from the Shaytaan). If you are not sure, then start by eliminating the wrong or unlikely answers, then choose the correct answer based on what you think is most likely to be correct. If you guessed at a correct answer then do not change it unless you are sure that it is wrong - especially if you will lose marks for a wrong answer. Research indicates that the correct answer is usually that which the student thinks of first.

 

WRITTEN EXAMS:In written exams, collect your thoughts before you start to answer.

Write an outline for your answer with some words which will indicate the ideas which you

want to discuss. Then number the ideas in the sequence in which you want to present

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

 

REVIEW-Devote 10% of the time for reviewing your answers. Take your time in

reviewing, especially in mathematical problems and writing numbers. Resist the desire to

hand in the exam papers quickly, and do not let the fact that some people are leaving early bother you. They may be among the people who have handed in their papers too early.

 

ACCEPT THE WILL OF ALLAH- Perform 2 rakaats(units) of salaah(prayer) after the

exam and make dua in gratitude to Allah and that He grants you success. If you discover

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

 

CHEATING-Note that cheating is haraam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be

upon him) said, "Whoever cheats is not one of us." It is wrongdoing and it is a haraam

means of attaining a degree or certificate, etc., that you have no right to. The consensus is

that cheating is a kind of cooperation in sin and transgression. So do without that which is

haraam, and Allaah will suffice you from His bounty. Reject all offers of haraam things that come to you from others. Whoever gives up a thing for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will

compensate him with something better. You have to denounce and resist evil, and tell the

authorities about any such thing that you see during the exam, or before or after it. This is

not the forbidden kind of slander rather it is denouncing evil which is obligatory.Advise

those who buy or sell questions or post them on the Internet etc., or who prepare cheat notes.

Tell them to fear Allaah, and tell them of the ruling on what they are doing and on the

money they earn from that. Tell them that the time they are spending in preparing these

haraam things, if they spent it in studying, or answering previous exams, or helping one

another to understand the subject before the exam, that would be better for them than doing these haraam things.

 

TAKE A BREATHER- During the exams take a breather for a few seconds and praise

Allaah and send blessings on his Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) this

will attract Allah's mercy on you and will allow you to relax. Recite Subhaanallah,

Alhamdulillah , Allahu Akbar and then say Allahuma swali ala Muhammad.[takes less then

12 seconds!]

 

BE CONFIDANT-After the exams always be confidant and keep making dua. If asked by

anyone how did the exam "go" start off by saying Alhamdullilah(Praise be to Allah) and

then explain. Be positive!Dua is a great weapon for a true believer and it can make what

seems impossible -possible with the permission of Allaah!. So dont loose hope. The heart of the examiner is in the hands of Allaah.

 

POST MORTEM- Avoid the post-mortem analysis after the exam with friends and other

students.

 

CONGRATULATE-Congratulate those who succeed and say encouraging words to those

who have not done so well this time. According to Hadith every good word is

sadaqah[charity]Failure is stepping stone to success. Don't look down upon any person who does not do well. Whatever Allaah has willed cannot be changed. Therefore we should always be happy and content with the decision of Allaah. Allaah knows best and Allaah is All Knowing and Most Wise.

 

DON'T FORGET-Remember what you have prepared for the Hereafter, and the questions

of the examination in the grave, and how to be saved on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is saved from the Fire and admitted to Paradise will be truly successful.

 

DIET

 

When you're studying for finals, good nutrition often slides way down on the priority list. It's easy to get into the habit of gulping coffee and gobbling take-out pizza, because you don't want to waste time on food preparation. But, actually, good nutrition should be part of your study plan because it's going to help you ace those tests. The better the fuel your brain gets, the better you'll study. It's a...well...no-brainer…and Most Important…Eating healthy is a tradition of our Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him).

 

Here are 10 tips for eating right during exams:

 

1. How do I eat smarter? Meeting daily vitamin and mineral requirements will make doing your best much easier. Iron and B vitamins are especially important to maintaining the physical and mental energy necessary to study well. Iron-containing foods include red meat,cereals and spinach; Foods that contain B vitamins include whole-grains, wheat germ, eggs and nuts. Fish and soy are other foods that are said to help boost your brain by providing thenutrients it needs.

 

2. Dude, chewable Vitamin C is not a meal. Dietary supplements are good, but real food is better. An orange contains not only Vitamin C, but fibre, phytochemicals, beta carotene and other minerals — so it can't be replaced by a pill. When you're heading for the library, packwhole-food items like apples, bananas, clementines, carrot sticks or dried apricots.

 

3. Eat at regular intervals. Eating regular meals helps keep nutrient and energy levels more stable, curbing the temptation of empty-calorie snacks in the vending machine.

 

4. Big meals keep on turning ... in your stomach. You might find that eating the standard

three-big-meals-a-day slows you down mentally and physically. Consider 5 or 6 wellbalanced,smaller meals, like toast spread with peanut butter, hummus or tuna, or a piece ofcheese with fruit.

 

5. Meet breakfast, your new study buddy. While much is said about the reasons to eat

breakfast, less known are the best ways to eat smart in the morning. Coffee and a donut just don't cut it. The idea is to get some protein, calcium, fibre and a piece of fruit or a vegetable in there. So, a bowl of cereal with milk and a piece of fruit would do the trick. Or try a cereal bar with milk.

 

6. Going bananas? Good. Fruit ranks high among the best foods you can eat for your brain.The natural sugars in fruit offer clean energy, so you don't experience the crash that follows consumption of refined sugar.

 

7. Choose powerful vegetables. Not all vegetables are created equal. The darker the colour,the higher the concentration of nutrients. A spinach has more to offer the mind and body than iceberg lettuce. Vegetable choices include bell peppers, broccoli and sweet potatoes.

 

8. Smart snacking can enhance studying. Snack smart while studying and you may find that you retain more. Try to get two food groups into your snacks to balance the nutrients and keep your blood-sugar level stable. Some smart snack examples are banana with peanut butter, a small baked potato with cottage cheese.

 

9. Gather simple recipes for nourishing foods. It's easy to feed the brain well. No-fuss

recipes let you eat to succeed, without taking too much time. Combine scrambled eggs with toast, cheese or salsa. A little chopping is all it takes to construct a hearty salad.

 

10. Stay well hydrated. Choose your beverages well, though. Caffeine and sugar should be kept to a minimum. Since too much caffeine can make you jittery, try to drink moderate amounts: 400 to 450 mg per day, the equivalent of 2/2.5 cups, (16 to 20 ounces or 500 to 625 ml). Better choices include water, fruit juice, milk, and anti-oxidant-rich green tea.

 

We ask Allah to make us successful in this world and  let  us to be among those who are victorious and saved in the Hereafter, for indeed Allah Ta'ala is the All-Hearing , The Most Mighty and Most Wise.

THE COBBLER'S HAJ

THE COBBLER'S HAJ

It is related that a noted Muslim scholar Abdullah bin Mubarak, had a dream while he was sleeping near the Kaaba. Abdullah bin Mubarak saw two angels' descend from the sky, and start talking to each other.

One of the angels asked the other: "Do you know how many people have come for Hajj this year?" The other angel replied: "Six hundred thousand have come for Hajj." Abdullah bin Mubarak had also gone for Hajj that year.
The first angel asked: "How many people's Hajj has been accepted?"

The second replied: "I wonder if anyone's Hajj has been accepted at all." Abdullah bin Mubarak was grieved to hear that. He thought, "So many people have come from all over the world, crossing so many obstacles like rivers, jungles, mountains, suffered so many hardships, and meeting so many expenses. Would their effort be wasted? Allah does not let anyone's effort go to waste".

He had thought only so far when he heard the other angel speak: "There is a cobbler in Damascus. His name is Ali bin al-Mufiq. He could not come for Hajj, but Allah has accepted his intention of Hajj. Not only will he get the reward for Hajj, but because of him, all the Hajjis will be rewarded.

When Abdullah bin Mubarak woke up, he decided he would go to Damascus and meet that cobbler whose Hajj intentions carried such a lot of weight.

On reaching Damascus, Abdullah bin Mubarak inquired if anyone knew a cobbler named Ali bin al-Mufiq. The town people directed him to a house. When a man appeared from the house Abdullah bin Mubarak greeted him and asked his name. The man replied "Ali bin al-Mufiq".

Abdullah bin Mubarak asked: "What do you do for a living?"

Ali replied: "I am a cobbler". Then Ali asked the stranger's name that had come looking for him.

Abdullah bin Mubarak was a very well-known scholar of Islam, when Abdullah bin
Mubarak introduced him self, the cobbler was anxious to find out why such a well known scholar was seeking him out.

When Abdullah bin Mubarak asked Ali to tell him if he had made any plans to go for Hajj. Ali replied "For thirty years I have lived in the hope of performing the Hajj. This year I had saved enough to go for Hajj, but Allah did not will it, so I couldn't make my intention translate into action.

Abdullah bin Mubarak was eager to find out how could this man's Hajj be accepted and blessed for all the people who went for Hajj that year when he didn't go for Hajj in the first place. While talking to the cobbler he could feel a certain purity in his heart. Islam regards greatness not in wealth or in power, but in civility, in good manners and the goodness of heart.

Abdullah bin Mubarak further asked: "why could you not go on Hajj?". In order not to disclose the reason, Ali again replied "it was Allah's will".

When Abdullah bin Mubarak persisted, Ali revealed: "Once I went to see my neighbour's house. His family was just sitting down for dinner. Although I was not hungry I thought my neighbour would invite me to sit down for dinner out of courtesy but I could see that my neighbour was grieved about something and wanted to avoid inviting me for dinner.

After some hesitation the neighbour told me: "I am sorry I cannot invite you for food. We were without food for three days and I could not bear to see the pain of hunger of my children. I went out looking for food today and found a dead donkey. In my desperation I cut out some meat from the dead animal, and brought it home so that my wife could cook this meat. It is halal (lawful or permitted) for us because of our extreme condition of hunger, but I cannot offer it to you."

Ali continued: "On hearing this, my heart bled with tears. I got up and went home, collected the three thousand dinars I had saved for Hajj, and gave my neighbour the money. I too had to go hungry but that was to save money for Hajj, but I thought helping my neighbour during his difficult times was more important. Although I still desire to go for Hajj if Allah wills."

Abdullah bin Mubarak was greatly inspired by the cobbler's story and told the cobbler of his dream.

Allah Ta'ala is merciful and shows mercy to those who do likewise to his creatures. This act of compassion on the part of the cobbler was so pleasing to God that it not only earned him the reward of Hajj but was extended to all the people who came for Hajj.

Hajj is a journey that can ignite the soul to be reminded of the time it was created and takes it beyond the dimensions of this life to the time it will meet the creator.

The sincere performance of Hajj can transcend a person's day to day life into a spiritual awakening of the highest magnitude. A successful Hajj experience connects us to our creator and the greater compassion of humanity.

The Day of Eid-ul-Adha

The Day of Eid-ul-Adha

By E-Islam Team

 

 

The Day of Eid ul Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is an important occasion celebrated by Muslims globally on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah to honor the willingness of ʾIbrāhīm (Abraham)(peace be upon him)  to sacrifice his son Ismā'īl (Ishmael)(pbuh) as an act of obedience to Allah Ta'ala, before Allah Ta'ala intervened to provide him with a sheep to sacrifice instead.

 It reminds us how obedience to our Lord Allah Ta'ala is the answer to everything. This means surrendering your life, your whole being, all that you are, all that you have and all that you identify with to and only for Allah Ta'ala.

When you sacrifice everything that you identify with to Allah, He gives to you your authentic and eternal self. That is the spiritual "secret" so many of us seek. Both Eid-ul-Adha and Hajj serve as a special occasion that definitely gets one in touch with this "secret".

Eid-ul-Adha is a day on which a Muslim should bring himself or herself closer to Allah by means of doing good deeds—such as Prayers, Qurbani(sacrifice),caring for the poor and the needy, visiting the sick people, helping those who are in need and refraining from evil practices such harming people and severing ties of kinship.

In short, `Eid Al-Adha is a model for the Muslim community which maintains love, care, brotherhood and sisterhood, beauty, and solidarity. `Eid has significant social, educational, devotional, and spiritual messages that Muslims should grasp and translate into a complete way of life.

 

SUNNAH (Practices of The Noble Messenger of Allah-peace be upon him)

ON THE DAY OF EID-UL ADHA                                       

 

• To rise as early as possible
• To make Ghusl (Take a bath)
• To use the Miswaak (brush our teeth)
• To apply Itr (perfume)
• To wear one's best clothes (not necessarily new), ensuring that it conforms with Sharia (Islamic code of dressing)
• For Eid-ul-Adha is like Eid-ul-Fitr in every sense except for that in Eid-ul-Adha it is desirable not to eat anything before prayer, if you have eaten then there is no harm
• To go to the 'Eid Gah' (Place of Eid Prayer) as early as possible.
• To perform Eid Salaat on the 'Eid Gah' rather than the Masjid. There is no harm for aged and the sick to perform their Eid Salaat in the Masjid. Rain is also an excuse for performing Eid Salaat in the Masjid.
• To choose a separate route when returning from the Eid Gah.
• To walk to the Eid Gah. However, there is no harm in using any means of conveyance if the Eid Gah is a distance away.
• Recite the following takbir in abundance: Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. La ila-ha ill-lallah.Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. Wa-lilahill hamd. (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah. Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest. And all praises are for Allah)
• If we have the means than Qurbani(Udhiyya) should be done

Don't miss out on the 10 blessed days

Ten Blessed Days: Don't Miss

     

 

By His wisdom, Allah Ta'ala gave preference to some places and times over others. For Muslims, Friday is the best day of the week, Ramadan is the best month of the year, "Laylat al-Qadr" is the best night in Ramadan, the day of "Arafah" is the best day of the year. Likewise the first ten days of the month of "Dhul-Hijjah" are the blessed days for Muslims.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Quran what means: {By the daybreak, by the ten nights, by the even and the odd, by the passing night – is this oath strong enough for a rational person?} (Al-Fajr 89:1-5)

Early Muslim scholars differed on what is meant by the "ten nights". But most of them agreed that the ten nights refer to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

In another verse Allah Ta'ala says: {… to attain benefits and mention Allah Ta'ala's name, on specified days.} (Al-Hajj 22:28)

Most of the Quran commentators view that the specific days are the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

What a great virtue attached to those days which pass unnoticed by many people nowadays.

On the merits of the first ten days, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said: "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Al-Bukhari)

In what follows are suggested ideas on how to make the best use of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah:

Repent to Allah

Make a sincere repentance to Allah Ta'ala and promise Him that you will not do bad deeds again. This may be your last chance. You are not sure if you will live till next year.

Pray at the Mosque

Try to perform the five daily prayers in the mosque. If you have time after Fajr prayer, try to sit in the mosque, read a juz' (part) of the Quran, make duaa, or recite some Adhkar (remembrance of Allah). Then offer two rakahs before you go home. If you do so, you are reviving a tradition that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to do, a tradition which these days has been neglected by many Muslims.

Observe Fasting in the First Nine Days

Abu Sa`id al-Khudri said: I heard the Prophet saying, "Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allah's Pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years." (Muslim)

Do not observe fasting on the tenth day because it is an `Eid day and it is prohibited to fast that day.

Good deeds are rewarded abundantly in these first ten days; and as fasting is a good deed, it is recommended to fast these nine days.

Do not Miss Fasting the Day of Arafah

On the day of Arafah, non-pilgrims are highly recommended to maintain fasting. It is reported that the Prophet was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah, whereupon he said: "It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year." (Muslim)

He also said: "There is no day in which Allah frees a greater number of His slaves from the Hellfire than the Day of Arafah." (Muslim)

Make a Lot of Supplications (duaa) on the Day of Arafah

The Prophet said: "The best supplication is that of the Day of `Arafah, and the best thing that I and other Prophets before me said, is: La ilaha illa allahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu wa huwa `ala kulli shai'in qadeer (There is no Allah Ta'ala but Allah alone. He has no partners. To Him belong the sovereignty and all praise. He has power over all things.) (Al-Tirmidhi)

Try to Do Something New this Year

If you used to recite a part of the Quran last year, try to finish reading the whole Quran this year. Try to pick some verses everyday and check the books of Tafsir (exegesis of the Quran) to reflect on their meaning in order to derive lessons from them in your daily life.

   

Maintain your Family Relations

   

Visit your relatives even for a few minutes. If they live far away, give them a call. Do not forget your parents. Be kind to them, visit them, and attend to their needs. Some new Muslims think that after their conversion, they should cut off their family members. Allah Ta'ala orders Muslims to be kind to their parents even if they are non-Muslims. This occasion might be a good opportunity to talk about Islam to your non-Muslim parents.

 

Give to Charity

Make it a daily habit to help the needy. Look for humanitarian organizations in your neighborhood and help them in any way you can.

 

Don't Miss Offering at Least Two Rakahs of "Tahajjud" at Night

Offer many extra prayers, as much as you can. Allah Ta'ala promised a great reward for offering extra acts of worship. The Prophet said: "Allah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him." (Al-Bukhari)

Reciting the Takbir

It is an act of Sunnah to say "Takbir" (Allah is the Greatest) in the first ten days.

The "Takbir" should be pronounced as much as possible in the mosque, at home, in the streets, etc. It is reported that: "Ibn `Umar and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, reciting Takbir, and the people would recite Takbir when they heard them." (Al-Bukhari)

There are many forms of Takbir, but the most common one is: Allahu akbaru, Allahu akbaru, Allahu akbaru, la illaha illa Allah, Allahu akbaru, Allahu akbar, wa lillahi al-Hamd.

In another version of the Hadith mentioned above on the merits of the ten days, there is this addition: "… so increase saying Tahlil (saying la-illah illa Allah), Takbir (saying Allahu akbar), and Tahmid (saying Al-hamdullilah)" (Ahmad) Therefore, these kinds of "dhikr" should be recited day and night.

The Best Good Deed in These Days is to Offer Hajj

Go to Hajj, if you are physically and financially able to perform it. If not, try to offer a sacrifice (qurbani)  if you have the means. By doing this you are commemorating the story of sacrifice of both prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail (peace be upon them). The poor and the needy have a share in the sacrifice and feeding them is one of best deeds that can be done on the day of `Eid.

I pray to Allah to accept our good deeds in these days of Dhul-Hijjah and throughout the year. When our good deeds are accepted by Allah Ta'ala, we will be admitted to Paradise, by His Mercy.