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Darkness vs. Light

Once I had to go to a city for a few days. My plane landed there
during the late night hours. A brothergave me a ride to the place
where I was going to stay. This was the first time I visited this town
and was curious to see what it looked like. However, it was dark at
night and I wasn't able to see many things.
The next day, I went out with the brother and he happened to take the
same road as the previousnight. But since it was daytime, I was able
to see theriver, hills, and many other landscapes that wasnot properly
visible the previous night.
It came to my mind that this is similar to what we go through in our
lives. Allah Ta'ala as told us through the Quran and Prophet Muhammad
(saw) about the many unseen things that are awaiting us in the
hereafter. While we are inthis world, it's just like weare in
darkness. We are not able to see all these things. But as soon as we
die and close our eyes, everything will open up to us like the day
time and we will see whatever was hidden.

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A Snake comes to the Prophet

The well-known scholar Khateeb has stated on theauthority of Hadhrat
Jabir bin Abdullah who stated:"Once, we were travelling with the
Prophet (SAW). The Prophet was sitting under a tree for taking rest.
All of a sudden, therecame a snake near him, took his mouth near the
hole of his ear. After sometime, the Prophet took his mouth near its
ear and said something. On that, the snake vanished in such a way as
if the earth had swallowed it. We submitted to the Prophet that we
were very much frightened when you let itreach near your ear. The
Prophet told that it was an animal and in fact, it was a jinn who had
forgotten a few verses of such and such Surah and the jinns had sent
it to enquire about the same verses. Because of your presence, he came
changing its form to that of a snake and enquired about the verses
accordingly."

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A Group of Jinns meet Prophet Muhammad

It is stated by Imam Baihaqi in "Dalail-e-Nubuwwat" on the authority
of Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Masood (ra) that the Prophet (saw) once, said
to his companions in Makkah:"Whosoever from amongst you desires to see
the jinns, he should come to me tonight." Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Masood
stated that nobody except me came that night. The Prophet (saw) took
me with him to a high hill in Makkah. He drew a circle with his foot
for me and advised me to keep sitting within that circle. Seating
Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Masood within that circle, he advanced ahead and
then stood at a place. There, he started recitation of the Holy Quran.
All of a sudden a big group of jinns encircled the Prophet (saw) and
that group stood as a wall between me and the Prophet (saw)and I heard
the jinns saying: "Who gives evidence that you are the Prophet." There
was a tree nearby. The Prophet (saw) observed: "Will you accept my
claim if this tree gives the evidence?" The jinns said: "Yes, we shall
accept it." On that, the Prophet (saw) called the tree. The tree came
nearby and gave the evidence accordingly and all the jinns embraced
Islam.

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News :->Meng Jianzhu inspects Mekong tragedy site amid gangsters' threat to revenge 2012-07-13 04:31:02 GMT 2012-07-13 12:31:02(Beijing Time) SINA.com

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu
arrived Thursday in Chiang Saen, Thailand where 13 Chinese sailors
were slain last October, for an inspection tour.(Photo:.people.com.cn)
Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu
arrived Thursday in Chiang Saen, Thailand where 13 Chinese sailors
were slain last October, for an inspection tour.(Photo:.people.com.cn)
By Wang Qi, Sina English
Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu
arrived Thursday in Chiang Saen, Thailand where 13 Chinese sailors
were slain last October, for an inspection tour, despite threats from
the notorious Naw Kham gang.
The remnants of Naw Kham gang, which is charged with murdering 13
Chinese sailors, had threatened to take revenge on the Chinese police,
according to Thai security officials accompanying the Chinese
inspection delegation.
The Thai officials spoke highly of the Chinese government officials,
whocame to inspect the "Golden Triangle" area, regardless of high
securityrisks.
Meng Jianzhu made the inspection tour following his visits to Laos,
Myanmar and Bangkok of Thailand, during which the three countries
pledged to make joint efforts to promote security and law enforcement
cooperation in order to safeguard the volatile area.
"As more and more Chinese citizens go abroad, the Chinese government
must protect them." Meng said, "Criminals in the Mekong case must be
brought to justice in accordance with law."
Under the security cooperation joint launched by China, Laos, Myanmar
and Thailand, main perpetrator of the Mekong case Naw Kham has been
arrested and extradited to China for investigation. The next step is
for Thailand to submit the case to its court. Meng said police of both
countries have almost got to the bottom of the case and the Thai side
planned to put the case on trial in August.
Pansiri Prapawat, Thailand's deputy police chief, said 109 witnesses
were interviewed over the gruesome murder, according to a report on
the website of English newspaper Bangkok Post.
The sailors were on two cargo ships when they were attacked by armed
men on October 5. Besides, Thai police have issued arrest warrants for
nine soldiers over suspected involvement in the murder of 13 Chinese
sailors. They will face two counts of accusations: murdering and
hiding the bodies of the Chinese sailors.
Thailand's army commander echoed that the army will not shield the
nine soldiers from punishment if they are proved guilty so as to give
people of both China and Thailand a satisfactory answer.
After inspecting the site where the appalling Mekong tragedy took
place, Minister Meng visited the Mekong River coordinating center for
preventing and cracking down on crimes.
He stressed again that he expected the case could soon be put on trial
in order to punish the criminals, bring justice to victims and deepen
security cooperation of the countries concerned.

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How can we prepare forthe arrival of Ramadaan?

How can we prepare for Ramadaan? What are the best deeds in this blessed month?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
You have done well to askthis question, because youhave asked how to
prepare for the month of Ramadaan. Many people misunderstand the true
nature of fasting, and they make it an occasion for eating and
drinking, making special sweets and staying up late at night and
watching shows on satellite TV. They make preparations for that long
before Ramadaan, lest they miss out on some food or prices go up. They
prepareby buying food, preparingdrinks and looking at the satellite TV
guide so they can choose which shows to follow and which to ignore.
They are truly unaware of the real nature of fasting in Ramadaan; they
take worship and piety out of the month and make it just for their
bellies and their eyes.
Secondly:
Others are aware of the real nature of fasting in the month of
Ramadaan, so they start to prepare from Sha'baan, and some of them
even start before that. Among the best ways of preparing for the month
of Ramadaan are:
1 –Sincere repentance
This is obligatory at all times, but because of the approach of a
great and blessed month, it is even more important to hastento repent
from sins between you and your Lord, and between you and other people
by giving them their rights, so that when the blessed month begins you
may busy yourself with acts of worship with a clean heart and peace of
mind. Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning):
"And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you
may be successful"
[al-Noor 24:31]
It was narrated from al-Agharr ibn Yasaar (mayAllaah be pleased with
him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "O people, repent to Allaah for I repent to Him one hundred
times each day." Narrated by Muslim (2702).
2 –Du'aa' (supplication)
It was narrated from some of the salaf that they used to pray to
Allaah for six months that they would live until Ramadaan, then they
would pray for five months afterwards that He would accept it from
them.
The Muslim should ask hisLord to let him live until Ramadaan with a
strong religious commitment and good physical health, and he should
ask Him to help him obey Him duringthe month, and ask Him to accept
his good deeds from Him.
3 – Rejoicing at the approach of the blessed month
The arrival of Ramadaan is one of the great blessings that Allaah
bestows upon His Muslim slave, because Ramadaan is one of the
occasions of good in which the gates of Paradise are opened and the
gates of Hell are closed. It is the month of the Qur'aan and of
decisive battles in the history of our religion.
Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning):
"Say: 'In the Bounty of Allaah, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islam and the
Qur'aan); —therein let them rejoice.' That is better than what (the
wealth) they amass"
[Yoonus 10:58]
4 – Discharging the duty of any outstanding obligatory fasts
It was narrated that Abu Salamah said: I heard 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah
be pleased with her) say: I would owe fasts from the previous Ramadaan
and I would not be able to make them up except in Sha'baan.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1849) and Muslim (1146).
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
From her keenness to do that in Sha'baan it may beunderstood that it
is not permissible to delay making them up until another Ramadaan
begins.
Fath al-Baari (4/191).
5 – Seeking knowledge in order to be able to follow the rulings on
fasting and to understand the virtues of Ramadaan.
6 – Hastening to completeany tasks that may distract the Muslim from
doing acts of worship.
7 – Sitting with one's family members – wife and children – to tell
them of the rulings on fasting and encourage theyoung ones to fast.
8 – Preparing some bookswhich can be read at home or given to the imam
of the mosque to read to the people during Ramadaan.
9 – Fasting some of the month of Sha'baan in preparation for fasting Ramadaan.
It was narrated that 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said:
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
used to fast until we said: He will not break his fast, andhe used not
to fast until we said: He will not fast. And I never saw the Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) complete a month
of fasting except Ramadaan, and I never saw him fast more in any month
than in Sha'baan.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1868) and Muslim (1156).

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Are people who live in extremely hot regions obliged to fast even though it is difficult for them?

In the Sahara region, the month of Ramadan may come in the summer and
it is difficult for them to fast and it may be impossible for them.
This will continue for a number of years. How should these people
fast?.
Praise be to Allaah.
When the month of Ramadan begins, every Muslim who is accountable, not
travelling and in good health is obliged to fast. Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"So whoever of you sights(the crescent on the first night of) the
month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm
(fasts) thatmonth, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number
[of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from
other days"
[al-Baqarah 2:185].
So fasting is obligatory even at times when it is hot, because fasting
Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam. If a personfasts and then
suffers intense thirst in which there is the fear that he may die, he
may break the fast by drinking enough to keep him alive,then he should
refrain from eating and drinking, and make up that day at another
time. And Allah knows best.
And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah send blessings and
peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and Companions. End
quote.
Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas
Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn 'Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh 'Abd-Allaah ibn
Ghadyaan, Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez Aal
al-Shaykh, Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah – vol. 2, 9/145.

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The cry of the grave

Hadrat Abu Huraira (RA) is reported to have said thatonce he, in the
company of the Holy Prophet (SAW), joined a funeral. When the Holy
Prophet (SAW) reached the graveyard, he went to a grave and told that
there was not a single day that the grave did not make the clear
announcement."Oh, the offspring of Adam! you have forgottenme, I am
the place of solitude and I am the abode of loneliness, I am a lodging
of much straitened provided the Almighty expands me in the case of a
person whom He holds in esteem. After that the Holy Prophet (SAW)
said: The grave is either one of the gardens of Paradise orone of the
pits of hell.

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The truth has come

It is stated on the authority of Abdullah bin Masood that the
unbelievers of the Quraishhad installed 360 idols in Ka'bah so
strongly that their feet were fixed with lead. When Makkah was
conquered and the Prophet (SAW) entered the Holy Ka'bah, he had a
stick in his hand. With it, he started pointing towards the idols and
reciting this verse: Truth has (now) arrived, and falsehood perished
(SurahAl Isra:81). The idol, to which the Prophet (SAW) pointed on its
front, fell down to its rear side and the idol, to which he pointed
from its rear side, fell down flat on its front side.

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Jinns & their Purpose of Creation

The jinn are part of the creation of Allaah. He created them from fire
before He created Adam, as Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.
And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire"
[al-Hijr 15:26-27]
Just as Adam had descendents, so Iblees had descendents too, as Allaah
says of Iblees (interpretation of the meaning):
"Will you then take him (Iblees) and his offspring as protectors and
helpers rather than Me while theyare enemies to you? Whatan evil is
the exchange forthe Zaalimoon (polytheists, and wrongdoers, etc)"
[al-Kahf 18:50]
Allaah created the jinn and mankind to worship Him. Whoever obeys Him
will enter Paradise and whoever disobeys Him will enter Hell:
"And I (Allaah) created notthe jinn and mankind except that they
should worship Me (Alone).
I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or
for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed
themselves or Mycreatures).
Verily, Allaah is the All Provider, Owner of Power,the Most Strong"
[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56 - interpretation]
All of the jinn, like mankind, are accountable.Among them there are
believers and kaafirs, those who obey Allaah and those who disobey
Him, as Allaah tells us thatthey said:
"'There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary;
we are groups having different ways (religious sects)'"
[al-Jinn 72:11 - interpretation of the meaning]
The jinn will be rewarded or punished in the Hereafter just like
mankind. Allaah tells us that they said:
"'And of us some are Muslims (who have submitted to Allaah, after
listening to this Qur'aan), and of us some are Al?Qaasitoon
(disbelieversthose who have deviated from the Right Path)'.
Andwhosoever has embraced Islam (i.e. has become a Muslim by
submitting to Allaah), then such have sought the Right Path.'
And as for the Qaasitoon (disbelievers who deviated from the Right
Path), they shall be firewood for Hell"
[al-Jinn 72:14-15 - interpretation of the meaning]
The jinn and mankind willall be brought to account on the Day of
Resurrection before the Lord of the Worlds. None of them will be able
to postpone that or flee from it.
"O assembly of jinn and men! If you have power to pass beyond the
zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)! But you
will neverbe able to pass them, except with authority (from Allaah)!"
[al-Rahmaan 55:33 - interpretation of the meaning]
Whoever among the jinn or mankind tries to flee from the Reckoning
will never be able to do so, as Allaah says (interpretationof the
meaning):
"There will be sent against you both, smokeless flames of fire and
(molten) brass, and you will not be able to defend yourselves
[al-Rahmaan 55:35]
When the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was in
Makkah, a group of the jinn came to him; they heard the Qur'aan and
were moved by it:
"And (remember) when We sent towards you (Muhammad) a group (three to
ten persons) of the jinn, (quietly) listeningto the Qur'aan. When
theystood in the presence thereof, they said: "Listen in silence!" And
when it was finished, they returned to their people, as warners"
[al-Ahqaaf 46:29 - interpretation of the meaning]
Some of the jinn believed when they heard the Qur'aan, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): 'It has been revealed to me that a group (from
three to ten in number) of jinn listened (to this Qur'aan). They said:
"Verily, we have heard a wonderful Recitation (this Qur'aan)!
It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we
shall never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allaah)"'"
[al-Jinn 72:1-2]
Both Adam and Iblees fell into sin, but Adam regretted it and
repented,and Allaah accepted his repentance:
"Then Adam received from his Lord Words. And his Lord pardoned him
(accepted his repentance).Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts
repentance), the Most Merciful"
[al-Baqarah 2:37 - interpretation of the meaning]
But Iblees refused and was arrogant, so he was one of the disbelievers:
"And (remember) when We said to the angels: 'Prostrate yourselves
before Adam.' And they prostrated except Iblees (Satan), he refused
and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allaah)"
[al-Baqarah 2:34 - interpretation of the meaning]
Whoever disobeys Allaah out of pride and arrogance, among the jinnand
mankind, is followingthe Shaytaan and will be gathered with him in the
Fire of Hell if he does not repent, as Allaah said to Iblees:....

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The Best Quality is to Have Trust in Allaah Shaykh ul-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullaah

As for the next part of the question, about the most valuable quality
to aim for,then the answer to this is that the best prize is to have
trust in Allaah, reliance upon Him of His sufficiency, and keeping a
good opinion of Him, the latter being that if anyone is anxious
regarding their sustenance then he shouldturn to the shelter of
Allaah, as the Exalted said, from what is narrated by His Prophet,
sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam,
"O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so
seek food of Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are
naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing of Me and I
shall clothe you." [Upon Aboo Dharr, related by Muslim, at-Tirmidhee,
and Ahmad]
In this regard there is also a hadeeth which at-Tirmidhee narrates
from Anas (radiyallaahu `anhu), who said that the Messenger of Allaah
(salalllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,
"Each of you should ask forhis needs from Allaah, even if the strap of
your sandal breaks, because if Allaah does not facilitate it, it will
never be possible."
Allaah the Most High says in His Book:
"...But ask Allaah for His bounty..." [4:32]
"And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the
land, and seek the Bounty of Allaah..." [62:10]
Although this aayah is in the context of the congreagational Friday
prayer, its meaning appliesto all the prayers. That is why- and Allaah
knows best - the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam instructed the
person entering the mosque to say,
"AllaahummaftaH lee abwaaba raHmatik" (O Allaah! open the doors of
Your mercy for me)
and when leaving the mosque to say,
"Allaahumma innee as'aluka min faDlik" (O Allaah! I ask of You some of
Your Bounty)
[Muslim, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, ad-Daarimee, ibn Maajah, Ahmad,
Aboo 'Awaanah, Abdur-Razzaaq and al-Baihaqee]
Also the Friend of Allaah (i.e. Ibraaheem, `alayhis salaam) had said,
"...then seek sustenance from Allaah, serve Him, and be grateful to
Him." [29:17]
This is a command, and a command signifies obligation. Therefore, to
seek help from Allaah and to entreat to Him in the matter of
livelihood and others is a fundamental principle. Furthermore, it
isimportant in seeking a livelihood that one should acquire wealth
with generosity of heart and not with greed so that he may be blessed
in it. Neither should he make the wealth the primary aim; rather, he
should regard wealth much as he regards the toilet, which he has need
of but it has no place in his heart, and he only resorts to it when
necessary.
A marfoo` (i.e. report consisting of a chain of narration that goes
back to the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) hadeethwhich is
related by at-Tirmidhee and others states that, "He who begins the
morning with this world as his greatest concern, Allaah disperses his
collected gains and puts its loss in front of him, and only that of
the world comes to him whichis written for him. And he who begins the
morning with the Hereafter as his greatest concern, Allaah gathers for
him his works and creates richness in his heart due to them, and
theworld comes to him subserviently." [Related by at-Tirmidhee with a
da`eefisnaad, but the hadeeth is saheeh due to the supporting
narrations of ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan and Ahmad]
One of the Salaf said, " Eachof you is in need of the world, but you
are in moreneed of your portion in theHereafter. Therefore, if youare
in search of your portion in the Hereafter first and foremost, then
you will achieve your portion of the world in passing, such that it is
taken care of as it comes."
Allaah the Exalted says:
"I have only created jinn and men that they may worship Me. No
sustenance do I require of them, nor do I require that they should
feed Me.For Allaah is He who gives (all) sustenance, Lord of Power,
Steadfast (forever)." [51:56-58]

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A miracle of the Prophet

Imran bin Husain (RA) narrates that the companions of the Prophet
(SAW) submitted to him their grievence about thirst during a journey.
The Prophet (SAW) got down from his conveyance and ordered Ali (RA)
and another person to go and serch forwater. "So, they went
accordingly. They met a woman possessing two small water-skins
contaning water. They brought her to the Prophet (SAW). The Prophet
(SAW) caused a pot to be brought and poured in it the water of both
the water-skins and asked the companions to drink from it. Imran (RA)
stated: "We, the forty thirsty men drank water from it very well and
we filled all our pots and water-skins with water. I swear by Allah
Almighty that the water-skins (of the woman) seemed to befull with
water than before." Source: Bukhari and Muslim.
Subhan-Allah! Allah is ableto suffice 40 thirsty people plus fill all
their water pots and containersfrom water that wouldn't be enough for
one person.

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Allah is the Most Forgiving

It was narrated that in thedays that Musa (Alahi salaam) wandered with
Bani Israel in the desert an intense drought befell them. Together,
they raised their hands towards the heavens praying for the blessed
rain to come. Then, to the astonishment of Musa (Alahi salaam) and all
those watching, the few scattered clouds that were in the sky
vanished, the heat poured down, and the drought intensified.
It was revealed to Musa that there was a sinner amongst the tribe of
Bani Israel whom had disobeyed Allah (Subhanahu wa ta�ala) formore
than forty years of his life. �Let him separate himself from the
congregation,� Allah (Subhanahu wa ta�ala) told Musa (Alahi salaam).
�Only then shall I shower you all with rain.�
Musa (Alahi salaam) then called out to the throngs of humanity, �There
is a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah for forty years. Let
him separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be
rescued from the drought.� That man, waited, looking left and right,
hoping that someone else would step forward, but no one did. Sweat
poured forth from his brow and he knew that he was the one.
The man knew that if he stayed amongst the congregation all would die
of thirst and that if he stepped forward he would be humiliated for
all eternity.
He raised his hands with asincerity he had never known before, with a
humility he had never tasted, and as tears poured down on both cheeks
he said: �O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah,
forgive me!�
As Musa (Alahi salaam) and the people of Bani Israel awaited for the
sinner to step forward, the clouds hugged the skyand the rain poured.
Musa(Alahi salaam) asked Allah(Subhanahu wa ta�ala), �OAllah, you
blessed us with rain even though the sinner did not come forward.� And
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta�ala) replied, �O Musa, it is for the repentance
of that very person that I blessed all of Bani Israel with water.�
Musa (Alahi salaam), wanting to know who this blessed man was, asked,
�Show him to me OAllah!� Allah (Subhanahu wa ta�ala) replied, �O Musa,
I hid his sins for forty years, do you think that after his repentance
Ishall expose him?

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Words of remembrance for morning and evening

The evil & wretched Jinn have no power against theword of Allah...
if you are regular in Dhikr of Allah they cannot harm you!
Make it a habit to recite the Adhkar of morning & evening, Sisters &
Brothersand advise your family to do the same! Stay Protected!

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