Friday, October 12, 2012

Dhul Hijjah- Importance

Virtuous Deeds During Zul Hijjah

  • Importance of First 10 Days of Zil Hijjah
  • The Takbeeraat of Tashreeq
  • Fasting on the day of Arafah(9 Zil Hijjah)
  • Qurbani / Udhiyya
 

Importance of First Ten Days of Zul-Hijjah

The first ten days of Zul Hijjah are among the most magnificent days in Islamic calendar. The Messenger of Allah, Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days."(Bukhari)

Almighty Allah Ta'ala says, (By the dawn; by the ten nights) (Quran-Al-Fajr 89: 1-2). Ibn `Abbas, ibn az-Zubayr, Mujahid and others of the earlier and later generations are of the opinion that this refers to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Kathir said: "This is the correct opinion." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 8/413)

The Messenger of Allah, Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, has said, "One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship of "Lailatul-Qadr". (Tirmizi)

Every Muslim should avail oneself of this wonderful opportunity by performing as much Ibadah (acts of worship) as he or she can during this period.

 

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.

Fasting on the day of Arafah (9 Zil Hijjah)

It was reported from Abu Qutaadah that the Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of 'Arafah[9 Zil Hijjah]. He said,

"It atones for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year." (Hadith-Narrated by Muslim)

Qurbani / Udhiyya

Hazrat Zaid bin Arqam (R.A.) reports that the Companions of Rasulullah (Sallalaho alihe wassallam) asked him:

" Oh Prohpet of Allah (pbuh), what is this sacrifice?" He said: "It is the way of your forefather Ibrahim(AS) ." They asked:"What (reward) is for us therein?" He replied: "There is a reward for every hair (i.e. the reward for meat and useful parts of the animal's body will be very lofty in merit, but there will also be a great reward for the parts which are useless and thrown away such as the hair)." They asked: "For the wool, Ya Rasulullah?" He replied: "There is one reward for every strand of wool." (Hadith:Ahmed, Ibn Majah)

Playing Mental Gymnastics?

Playing Mental Gymnastics?
 
 
 
It's Wise to Accept the decree of Allah!!!
 
A man came to Iyas Ibn Mu'awiyah, a Muslim judge famous for his wisdom, and the following conversation took place between them:

Man: What is the Islamic ruling regarding wine?
Judge: It is Haram (Forbidden).

Man: How about water?
Judge: It is Halal (Permissible).

Man: How about dates and grapes?
Judge: They are Halal.

Man: Why is it that all these ingredients are Halal, and yet when you combine them, they become Haram?
The Judge looked at the man and said: If I hit you with this handful of dirt, do you think it would hurt you?

Man: It would not.
Judge: How about if I hit you with this handful of straw?

Man: It would not hurt me.
Judge: How about a handful of water?

Man: It surely would not hurt me.
Judge: How about if I mix them, and let them dry to become a brick, and then hit you with it, would it hurt you?

Man: It would hurt me and might even kill me!
Judge: The same reasoning applies to what you asked me!! 



In Islam the sphere of prohibited things is very small, while that of permissible things is extremely vast. There is only a small number of sound and explicit texts concerning prohibitions, while whatever is not mentioned in a nas as being lawful or prohibited falls under the general principle of the permissibility of things and within the domain of Allah's favor.


In this regard the Prophet (peace be on him) said: What Allah has made lawful in His Book is halal and what He has forbidden is haram, and that concerning which He is silent is allowed as His favor. So accept from Allah His favor, for Allah is not forgetful of anything. He then recited, "And thy Lord is not forgetful." (19:64) (This hadith was reported by al-Hakim, cla88ified as sahih (sound), and quoted by al-Bazzar.)


"You who believe! Do not make haram the good things which Allah has made halal for you, and do not transgress; indeed, Allah does not like the transgressors. And eat of what Allah has provided for you, lawful and good, and fear Allah, in Whom you are believers." [Quran-5:87-88)

Monday, October 8, 2012

Hayaa = Modesty at its Prime!

What is Haya?

 



Haya itself is derived from the word hayat which means life. This term covers a wide number of concepts. In English, it may be translated as modesty, shyness, self-respect, bashfulness, shame, honour, humility, etc. It's like an ornament of which beatifies a girl, a piece of jewel that no money can buy, no shop can stock and no tailor can stitch, it's taught, passed down, learned and practised, it's an art form which is mastered through Islam, of one of the basic needs which a woman should possess, to be a modest Muslimah:

Narrated by Abu Huraira (ra): The Prophet said, "Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya is a part of faith." (Bukhari)

Modesty is part of our character, a part of our faith, something we should be proud to have attained:

Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar (ra): The Prophet (saws) passed by a man who was admonishing his brother regarding Haya and was saying, "You are very shy, and I am afraid that might harm you." On that, Allah's Apostle said, "Leave him, for Haya is (a part) of Faith." (Bukhari)

Now the above hadith is also a form of proof that "shyness" is not just something regarding women but also an attribute that believing men should have, for it is an indication if their fear of Allah and an indication of the value of their Deen, but my thread is emphasising on the girls, the women of today.
There are two forms of Haya, inner and outer:

Inner:
Speech
Actions
Langauge
Mind

Outer:
Dress Code
Walk
Gaze

Haya and Iman are interdependent; therefore either they both exist together or they both perish. Thus, the Prophet (saws) has said in one hadith, "When there is no haya left, then do as you please."

Abdullah ibn Umar (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: "Indeed haya (modesty) and Iman are Companions. When one of them is lifted, the other leaves as well." (Baihaqi)

Today vulgarity and all its ingredients have become a common place even among well-known Muslims in the zeal of imitating the disbelievers. It is these people who have been struggling to bring Muslim women out of Hijab into immodesty and indecency. They have adopted the lifestyles of the disbelievers more than the traditions of the Prophet (saws). Such people are in a dilemma. On the one hand, they desire to freely look at the half-clad bodies of their wives and daughters of other Muslims on the streets; and on the other hand, they do not have the courage to deny the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet (saws). Indulging in indecency for so long has killed the sense of modesty (haya) which Islam had commanded them to preserve.

The Prophet (saws) said: "Haya and Trustworthiness will be the first to go from this world; therefore keep asking Allah for them." (Baihaqi)

In conclusion, the Muslim community has implemented the modest attire for a Muslimah but have bypassed the mannerisms to go with it, their speech vulgar and infused with foul words and brimming with sexual innuendo. The social media generation has exploded, obliterating the ounce of decency left in the Muslim society, now shamelessness has reached a all new height, in front of family members, who 'like' such actions, and even the surprised gasp has disappeared.
If the core of the subject is analysed there is a deeper issue of lack of self worth, lack of self respect to throw yourself into the path of a strange man and lure him into sinful activities, to make yourself look and feel better if another is enjoying the carnal nature of your beauty,
So value your decency, your modesty, your manners, it's what beautifies a woman, it's one of the core necessities of a girl to make her a lady. Do not indulge in vain or immoral talk, do not inject foul words to make yourself more acceptable to the modern society, if they do not appreciate your decency, then it is them at fault and you need to find new friends who do appreciate the value of modesty, decency, and good manners. Change your friends, not your good habits, because bad friends, can become bad habits and can lead to destruction of the soul. 

Narrated on the authority of Anas bin Malik, the Prophet (saw) said: When lewdness is a part of anything, it becomes defective; and when haya is a part of anything it becomes beautiful. (Tirmidhi)

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty……." (Qur'an: Surah Nur, 30-31)

Pearls of Wisdom: No.21

Pearls of Wisdom: No.21

Medicine for the Soul
 

Subject: HAJJ (PILGRIMAGE)         

Allah, The Most Exalted says:

"And pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah, upon everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it" (3:96 Qur'an)

 

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

"Whoever performs the Hajj and commits no lustful act during it nor disobeys Allah (in any other way) shall return from it as pure and sinless as he was at the time of his birth." (Hadith-Bukhari & Muslim)

Note:   Hajj (Pilgrimage) is obligatory upon every understanding, mature Muslim who can afford to undertake the journey. (i.e. one who possesses wealth, which is more than one's need, and enough to travel to Makkah Mukarramah and back)

Importance of Hajj

Virtues of Hajj
 
 
 
 
"And pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah,upon everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it(3:96 Quran)

Hajj is one of the pillars in Islam and was commanded in 9A.H. It is the perfection of faith and true surrender to the Almighty. It is a stage in which man can develop himself spiritually. It is a time when the pilgrim forgets his own hearth and home, his comforts and amenities of life, his dear wives and children, his hard-earned wealth, his friends, relatives and everything he possesses, therefore leading to the conclusion that Hajj is the best training ground for absolute and complete surrender to the divine command.

Hajj teaches us complete submission to divine will, because one without sufficiently understanding the inner meaning of going round the ka'bah, kissing the black stone, running between safa and marwa and the throwing of stones at jamrat does these things in blind submission to divine order. Therefore, God becomes pleased with his servant saying:

"Without seeking any reason or order, he obeyed me."

Hajj is obligatory upon every understanding, mature Muslim who can afford to undertake the journey. (i.e. one who possesses wealth, which is excessive than one's need, and enough to travel to Makkah Mukarramah and back. He must also leave behind enough source for his family to live on.)

It is related by Ali that the Apostle of God said:

"Any one who God has given enough to perform the Haj, and he also has a conveyance which can take him to the House of God. If he still fails to do so then it does not matter whether he dies a Jew or Christian, and it is so because God has said: Pilgrimage to the House (of Allah) is a duty men owe to God – those who can afford the journey." Tirmizi

 

It has been stated in one hadith that one should perform Hajj as quickly as possibly. One does not know if he is to become ill, or if any necessities will arise. Therefore, when one has the intention and the means are also available it should not be delayed. If a person completes his pilgrimage in the right manner and completes it only for the sake of Allah then the Hajj can compensate for his every sin. This is shown in the following hadith related by Hazrat Abu Hurairah that the Apostle of Allah said:

"Whoever performs the Hajj and commits no lustful act during it nor disobeys God (in any other way) shall return from it as pure and sinless as he was at the time of his birth." Bukhari & Muslim

We can understand from the hadith that if anyone performs the Hajj and during it, abstains from all lustful things and every other act of defiance to God which falls within the spheres of lewdness, his sins will be forgiven and he will return from it as spotless as he was when he had been born. This type of Hajj is called Hajj-e-Mabroor and if this is granted to him then he has obtained a great gift and favour in this world as well as the hereafter. Regarding Haj-e-Mabroor (accepted Haj), it has been reported as one the best of actions in Hadeeth.

The reward for Hajj-e-Mabroor is more clear in the following hadith which is related by Hazrat Abu Hurairah , that the Apostle of God said:

"From one Umra to another (i.e. the two Umras) become an atonement for the sins committed during the period
intervening between them and the reward on Hajj-e-Mabroor (i.e. pure and untainted Haj) is paradise itself and
nothing less." Bukhari & Muslim

 

Similarly paradise is mentioned in a different Hadith related by Abdullah Ibn Masud that the Apostle of God said:

"Perform the Hajj and Umra again and again for both the Hajj and the Umra remove poverty and sins in the same way as the furnace removes the impurities of gold, silver and iron and there is no lesser recompense on a pure and sincere Haj than paradise". Tirmizi & Nasai

It shows us that whoever performs the Hajj and Umra with sincerity of the heart takes a dip, as it were, in Allah's river of mercy and as a consequence of it, the filthy effects of sins are washed away from him. Also, in the world, the favour of Allah upon him is that he is relieved of poverty and indigence and bestowed upon him is the tranquillity and prosperity of the heart and again the granting of paradise in return for a pure Hajj is the firm and positive promise of Allah.

Pilgrimage is performed in the sacred months of Shawwal, - and first 9 days of =. In these months, every one stops his hands from foul things of every description. The Qur'an says:

"Whoever determines the performance of pilgrimage therein, there shall be no amorous speech, no abusing and no disputing in Hajj." – 2:197 Q

 
By acting upon the above verse and leaving aside the petty jealousies and enmities of life, the pilgrim enters into a heavenly life wherein there is nothing but divine glory.

There are numerous Ahaadith in which the Prophet has stated the virtues of a person who performs Hajj. In the following two Ahaadith, our beloved Prophet explains to us, that the supplication of a pilgrim will surely be accepted. It is related on the authority of Hazrat Abu Hurairah that the Apostle of God said:

"Those who make the pilgrimage for the Hajj or Umra are the guests of God. The petitions they make will be granted and if they seek deliverance from sins, their sins will be forgiven." Ibn-Maja

It is related by Abdullah ibn Umar that the Apostle of God said:

"When you meet anyone who has performed Hajj, greet him, shake hands with him, and beseech him to pray for the forgiveness of your sins before he reaches his home, for he is in the state that decision of forgiveness has been taken for him (and it is confidently expected that his supplication will be accepted)." Musnad Ahmed

 

By reading the above Ahaadith we can understand that a pilgrim should always try to engage himself in supplication and take advantage of the invaluable favour that Allah has bestowed upon him. He should make special du'as for himself, his family, relatives, neighbours, the muslims of his locality, country and of the whole world, for his teachers, forefathers, and all those pious servants of Allah through whom he received this great gift of Imaan, especially the Prophet and his companions.

When someone ses ot for Hajj or Umra and dies on the way they will be rewarded as those that have performed Hajj or Umrah.

It is reported by Hazrat Ayesha that I asked permission of the prophet to make Jihad. He said:

"Your Jihad is pilgrimage." Bukhari & Muslim  

 
General Procedure of Hajj

Starting from home, a pilgrim shall enter into Ihraam at least at Miqaat. When reaching Makkah, he shall make tawaaf seven times and saee between safa and marwa seven times. If the Ihraam ends there, he shall shave or cut the hair of his head. Then with a fresh Ihraam on the 8th or 9th Zil-Hijjah, he shall start for Arafat and reach there for waiting at noon. In the evening of the same day, he will return to Muzdalifah and spend the night there. In the early dawn of 10th Zil-Hijjah, he shall start for mina reaching there at noon and instantly proceed to throw stones at Jamrah Aqabah. Finishing there, he shall return to mina and after shaving shall offer animals for sacrifice. On the 11th and 12th of Zil-Hijjah, he will remain at mina throwing seven stones in the afternoon of each day in the jamrahs. Then he may remain at mina on the 13th or return to Mecca on the 12th evening. After returning, he shall proceed to make Tawaf and saee. When leaving, he shall make a final tawaf.

There are three ways to perform Hajj: -

(i) Ifraad: To reach Makkah Mukarramah in the state of Ihraam with the intention of Hajj only.

(ii) Qiraan: To combine the Haj with Umrah from the very beginning in such a way that when one puts on the Ihraam he should read 'Labbaik' for both, Hajj and Umrah, at the same time. A person with the intention of Qiran must stay in the state of Ihraam after performing Umrah until he fulfils all the essentials of Hajj.

(iii) Tamattu': To combine Hajj and Umrah in such a manner that firstly one should put on the Ihraam for Umrah. After performing Umrah and having the head shaved or the hair trimmed one should take off his Ihraam. Thereafter, on the 8th of = one should put on the Ihraam for Hajj in Makkah Mukarramah and then perform the act of Hajj.

For a complete guide on the Performance of Hajj and Umrah- Talimul Haq (Part 14)

Virtue of praying salaah in Masjid-e-Nabawi

The Mosque famous with its 'Qumbad-e-Khadhra' (green dome), is the Masjid the Holy Prophet peace and blessing be upon him built soon after migrating to Madinah Munawwarah. This Masjid holds special value for salaah as mentioned in the hadith. Hazrat Anas Ibn Malik radiyallahu anhu has quoted the Holy Prophet peace and blessing be upon him saying, "...A person's salaah in my Masjid (Masjid-e-Nabawi) is equal to fifty thousand (50,000) salaah ..." (Ibn Majah)

Therefore, if only one day's five salaah with congregation, at Masjid-e-Nabawi are valued they equalize six million, seven hundred and fifty thousand (6,750,000) salaah (since one salaah with congregation holds 27 times more value). Besides, if you consider a year to consist 360 days, there will only be one thousand and eight hundred (1,800) salaah in the whole year, one hundred and eighty thousand (180,000) in a hundred years and one million and eight hundred thousand (1,800,000) in a thousand years. Therefore, even a thousand years' salaah cannot bear comparison with only one days' five salaah with congregation at Masjid-e-Nabawi.

Note: The above calculation has been made like this:

1 salaah performed with confiltered= 27

1 salaah performed @ Masjid-e-Nabawi = 50,000

1 salaah performed @ Masjid-e-Nabawi with confiltered= 27 times 50,000 = 1,350,000

Therefore, 1 days salaah performed @ Masjid-e-Nabawi with congregation = 5 times 1,350,000 = 6,750,000

______________________

May Allah Taa'laa fill our hearts with the light of Imaan and give us the true guidance to practice on His book and deen. Ameen)

Hajj: The Largest Annual Convention of Faith

Hajj: The Largest Annual Convention of Faith 
 
By S Khan

 


Allah states in the Qur'an, "And announce to humanity, (O Abraham), the pilgrimage, and people will come from every part of the world by every means of transport." [Qur'an 22:27]. Indeed, centuries after Prophet Abraham's call, this call to journey to Hajj is still being responded to, in numbers larger than ever before; as intended.

Hajj in Perspective

  • As an act , Hajj is fard / obligatory (on those who are able): Human beings who are able to perform the pilgrimage are obligated by Allah to make the pilgrimage to the Ka'bah. [Qur'an 3:97]

  • In significance, Hajj is a rukn / pillar of faith: Islam is built on five (pillars): bearing witness that none s worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the establishing of prayer, the giving of charity, fasting during Ramadan, the performance of pilgrimage to the Ka'bah for those who are able. [Bukhari]

  • As a tradition, Hajj is a perpetuation of sunnate-Ibrahim (the practice of Prophet Abraham). It was Prophet Ibrahim(AS) who was commanded by Allah to announce: "Proclaim the Hajj, people will come from every part of the earth by every means of transport, to witness its benefits." [Qur'an 22:27]

  • As a virtue, the one who completes a duly-performed Hajj is rewarded with Paradise. Prophet Muhammad said: Whosoever performs the pilgrimage appropriately without any vulgarity or impropriety returns from the pilgrimage as pure as the day of birth. [Bukhari]

Demonstration of Muslim Fraternity

The Hajj is that largest annual convention of faith where millions of Muslims gather in the holy land, merging as streams of devotees from every corner of the earth to become part of the sea of Believers spiritually swirling in human waves around the Ka'bah in tawaaf. Each individual pilgrim is like a drop in that ocean; a drop that always yearns to be part of that ocean. An ocean that knows no barrier of race, nor language, nor color, nor gender, nor age, nor time.

The Hajj ...

  • demonstrates universal Islamic fraternity

  • acquaints pilgrims with historical and spiritual environment of Prophet Ibrahim(AS), Haajar, Prophets Isma'il and Muhammad (peace be upon all of them).

  • re-enacts fundamental aspects of our history

  • reminds of the ÔGrand Assembly' on the Day of Judgment

The performance of prescribed rites (manaasik), at specified times, at particular places in a recommended manner is aimed at reflecting a wholesome demonstration of Muslim brotherhood and sisterhood. It familiarizes the pilgrim with the historic, spiritual and physical environment of Adam and Eve, Ibrahim, Isma'il, Haajar and of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon all of them).

Dimensions of Hajj

Each aspect of the pilgrimage serves as a religious and symbolic act, historical and social lesson that has both practical and spiritual dimensions:

  • Ihraam - symbol of humility and equality

  • Haram ash-Sharif at Makkah - a blessed place in the City of Ibrahim, Isma'il, Haajar and Muhammad (peace be upon them); the City of Revelation and City of the Ka'bah.

  • Ka'bah - sanctified symbol of unity, established for the upliftment of humanity

  • 'Arafah - a reflection of the Day of Judgment, a Day of Fraternity and Forgiveness

  • Muzdalifah - preparation for struggle against internal and external enemies

  • Jamaraat at Mina - symbolic battle against evil

  • Udhiyah - sacrifice indicating selfless submission to Allah's command

  • Tawaaf - waves in the ocean of humanity glorifying Allah

  • Sa'yi - re-enactment of Haajar's selfless search for water to nourish her precious baby, Prophet Isma'il, the forefather of Prophet Muhammad .

Reflecting on the Lessons of Hajj

The essence of Hajj is the pilgrim's evolution toward a higher degree of submission to Allah. The performance of Hajj is an illustration of the potential strength of the community. It is a symbolic demonstration of unity and harmony; of equality and humility.

Performance of religious acts at prescribed times at particular places in a specific manner, where each act at each place has a purpose, and serves as a:

  • reminder to the mindful

  • lesson to the heedful

  • exhortation to the faithful

  • instruction to the dutiful

  • source of reflection for the wise

Monday, October 1, 2012

The Musalli (Mosque go-er)

The Musalli (Mosque go-er)

 

 

 

Allah, the Exalted, says:

 

"The attendants of Allah's Masjid(mosque) are those who believe in Allah and the last day" [Quran-At-Taubah 18].

A Mosque go-er wrote a letter to the editor of An Islamic Journal and complained that it made no sense to go to Mosque. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 Bayaans (Lectures). But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time(going to the Mosque) and the Imams are wasting theirs by giving Bayaans(Lectures) at all ."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wise person wrote this clincher.

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to Mosque for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

The Excellence in Going to The Masjid(Mosque)

 

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

 

·         "Whoever attends the mosque, Allah prepares a special hospitality for him" (Muslim).

·         "If anyone goes back and forth to the mosque, Allah will prepare for him a feast in paradise as often as he goes back and forth."

·         "If anyone purifies himself in his house, and then walks to one of the houses of Allah to fulfill one of the obligations laid down by Allah, then [each one] of his steps will erase one of his sins and the next will raise his degrees."

·         "The mosque is a house for every pious person, and Allah provides everyone whose house is the mosque with comfort, leisure, and a path to Allah's pleasure, to paradise."

"Allah makes the way to Jannah(Paradise) easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.''[Hadith-Muslim].