Where is God Not (retold by Nasruddin)

My beloveds, I travelled again to the village of my friend Tekka,
after years away. He had become very devout in his ways, sometimes a
little pompous, but still the kind soul I had lovedfor years.
I visited him, and we picked up our friendshipas if we had never been apart.
"Nasruddin, you are a light to the eyes," said Tekka, "Please stay
with me. I insist."
I accepted his kind invitation. He showed me my sleeping room, with a
window to the east, and the bed made up. "I have arranged it so your
head faces toward Mecca," he said proudly. "You must always sleep with
your head toward Mecca, out of respect for the Prophet, on whom be
peace."
My first night, I tossed and turned, and finally fell asleep. I am
apparently an active sleeper, for when Tekka shook me awake the next
morning, he was very agitated.
"Nasruddin, I am disappointed in you!" I looked at myself, and said,
"I am often disappointed in myself, Tekka, what seems to be today's
problem?"
"You have slept with your feet toward Mecca! This is most disrespectful!"
"My apologies, Tekka, it was unintentional. I am a very active sleeper."
Tekka was mollified, but insisted that the next night I must do
better. I promised I would.
The next night resembled the first. I slept well, after some tossing
and turning, but awoke to find my feet on my pillow and my head
resting on the floorat the end of the sleeping mat. Just as I realized
my predicament, Tekka stood in the door and clucked in concern.
"This will never do, Nasruddin. I am a good citizen and a good Muslim.
You must sleep with your feet pointing the opposite way from Mecca,
and your head pointing toward Mecca, out of respect for the Prophet
and devotion toAllah."
"What is your reason for insisting on this, my friend?" I asked.
"You must not point your feet toward God!" he said, and repeated
it."You must point your head toward God and your feet away from Him."
I thought about this. We spent the day together, and that night Tekka
was most emphatic."Nasruddin," he said, "If you cannot sleep with your
head toward God, I regret to say I cannot have you in my house. It
pains me to say this to an old friend, but my devotion is to Allah."
The third night was much like the other two,except that this time I
awoke with my nose pressed against the floorat the foot of the
sleeping mat. It was pushed out of shape, and I was rubbing it when
Tekka appeared. His face was clouded with anger and sadness.
"Before you speak, Tekka, answer me this," Isaid, springing up.
"DoesAllah rule over everything, even the fate of men?"
"You know he does," replied Tekka, puzzled.
"Is Allah there in every part of His creation?"
"Of course he is!"
I pointed out the window at the birds rising from the edge of the
well. "Does he live in the birds of the air?"
"Yes," said Tekka. "Why are you asking these questions?"
"Please have patience with an old friend," I replied. "Is Allah
everywhere, even acrossthe desert and the mountains?"
"Allah is the creation. Allah is in the creation, and is the lord over
the creation!" exclaimed Tekka.
"So, Tekka," I said, holding out my feet."Point my feet where God is not!"

M ullah N asruddin - story

A neighbor who Nasruddin didn't like very much came over to his
compound one day. The neighbor asked Nasruddin if he could borrow his
donkey. Nasruddin not wanting to lend his donkey to the neighbor he
didn't like told him, "I would love toloan you my donkey but only
yesterday my brother came from the next town to use it to carry his
wheat to the mill to be grounded. The donkey sadly is not here."
The neighbor was disappointed. But he thanked Nasruddin and began to walk away.
Just as he got a few steps away, Mullah Nasruddin'sdonkey, which was
in theback of his compound all the time, let out a big bray.
The neighbor turned to Nasruddin and said,"Mullah Sahib, I thought you
told me that your donkey was not here.
Mullah Nasruddin turned to the neighbor and said,"My friend, who are
you going to believe? Me or the donkey?
-
A neighbor who Nasruddin didn't like very much came over to his
compound one day. The neighbor asked Nasruddin if he could borrow his
donkey. Nasruddin not wanting to lend his donkey to the neighbor he
didn't like told him, "I would love toloan you my donkey but only
yesterday my brother came from the next town to use it to carry his
wheat to the mill to be grounded. The donkey sadly is not here."
The neighbor was disappointed. But he thanked Nasruddin and began to walk away.
Just as he got a few steps away, Mullah Nasruddin'sdonkey, which was
in theback of his compound all the time, let out a big bray.
The neighbor turned to Nasruddin and said,"Mullah Sahib, I thought you
told me that your donkey was not here.
Mullah Nasruddin turned to the neighbor and said,"My friend, who are
you going to believe? Me or the donkey?

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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Signs of the Last Hour

The following information is a summaryof a lecture given by a scholar
of Riverside, Gharm-Allah El-Ghamdy, around the fall of 1991. Editor's
notes are in brackets []. It is hard to tell whether certain of these
events have already occurred, or when they will precisely occur. Allah
knows best.
Though Allah only knows when the Last Hour before the Day of
Resurrection will come, He has given us 'clues' about its approach
through information in the Qur'an and the hadith of the Prophet. The
signs can be separated into two categories: minor and major. This
article does not cover all the signs, but most of the important ones
are here. All these signs are, of course, based on hadith and/or
Qur'an, mainly theformer.
Minor Signs (in no particular order)
1. "The coming of the LastProphet, Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah (SAW)."
[This has already happened, of course.]
2. "The slave will become the master."
3. "Shepherds will compete in the construction of tall buildings."
[The modern ex-nomads of Saudi Arabia are an excellent example of
this.]
4. "Knowledge of Islam will be taken away while ignorance will
increase. This removal of knowledge will be because old scholars will
die and fewer and fewer new scholars willreplace them. The leaders of
the Muslims will be chosen from ignorant people, and they will rule
accordingto their whims." [Today, studying Islam formally is
considered to be an inferior career in most of the Muslim world. The
leaders of the Muslim world are more known for their political or
military prowess (oppressive ability?) than Islamic knowledge.]
5. "Drinking and fornication will increase heavily."
6. "The population of menwill decrease, and women increase till fifty
women shall be forevery man."
7. "Thirty people will claim to be prophets, followed by Al-Dajjal
(the anti-Christ roughly)."
8. "There will be such an abundance of wealth that people will not be
able to find recipients for zakat."
9. "Killing will increase."
10. "Time will be shortened so that a year will be like a month, a
month like a day, a day like an hour." [This perception of the
seemingly dwindling amount of time is veryapparent, especially inFirst
World countries.]
11. "Two great countries will fight and kill each other, both claiming
the same thing."
12. "Earthquakes will increase in number." [Welcome to California. :-]
13. "A person will pass by the grave, and wish totrade places out of despair."
Major Signs (in rough chronological order)
1. "Al-Dajjal will come, claiming to be God holding Heaven and Hell.
His purpose is to deceive, and unbelievers will follow him. He is
short, red-faced, blind in the right eye, and has hair which sticks
up. He will go around the world, but will be unable to enter Madinah
or Makkah." [There are numerous detailed ahadith on this man.]
2. "Al-Mahdi will come at the time of Al-Dajjal. He will call to the
true Islam, and will be a military leader. His name will be exactly
like that of the Prophet:Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah, and his father's name
will match the Prophet's father's name also. He will be descended from
Fatima, the daughter ofthe Prophet."
3. "Isa (Jesus) will come atthe time of Al-Dajjal and al-Mahdi as
well. He will descend at the time of Fajr prayer on amasjid in
Damascus, thecapital of Syria. He is of medium height, red-faced, and
his hair is as if he just took a shower. He will call people back to
Islam, but he will also be a military leader. The People of the Book
will revert to Islam, and wealth will be super-abundant. Isa will
break the cross, kill the swine, and personally slay Al-Dajjal. He
will stay on Earth for a long time thereafter, and then die."
4. "An animal will come and call people back to Islam." [The
descriptionof the animal is unknown (Arabic: 'Dab-ba'). Reference to
this animal is mentioned in the Qur'an.]
5. "Gog and Magog (two hidden tribes of people) will break free of the
dam that holds them back, and ravage the earth. They will drink all
the water, andkill people until Allah sends against them a worm which
will wipe them out." [This is roughly before/during the time of Isa,
although it is not entirely clear.]
6. "Three places in the world will sink and be swallowed up by the
earth. One in the west, one in the east, and one in the Saudi Arabian
peninsula." [This may refer to a series of giant, epic earthquakes.]
7. "Fire will come from the area of Aden in Yemen, and sweep
northwards." [There are claims that this already happened in some
medieval event.]
8. "The sun will rise from the west ." [This description is not
meantto be a symbolic one...but it is known that it is one of the
last,if not the very last one before the following.]
9. "Smoke will appear all over the earth which will cause believers to
catch something similarto a slight cold, whereas the unbelievers will
be hit harder by it. Finally, a cold wind will come and kill all
believers, leaving only unbelievers on the earth who will then witness
the LAST HOUR . The angel Israfil will blow a trumpet, and the
resurrection of all human beings will begin." [At this point, the Day
of Resurrection commences in which the skies and earth are destroyed
by Allah.]
This list is far from complete; there are manyother signs. A couple
more of interest are: Constantinople (Istanbul) will fall before Rome
to Islam (note that this means Rome will indeed fall), and the Muslim
political system will go from Prophetic leadership to a just Khilafah
to a 'biting' authority to an oppressive authority and finally back to
a just Khilafah. It seems that today we are in the next to last stage
of this chain;now is a good time to actively work for the
reestablishment of the Muslim state and Khilafah.
Finally, the Prophet has said that when the Signs start to come, they
will come FAST - like a string of beads falling one afterthe other.
And Allah Knows Best.

What Happens in the Grave?

The Hadeeth of al-Baraa bin Aazib
The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam gives us the answer!
Upon the authority of al-Bara' ibn `Aazib who said: We went out with
the the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) to a burial of a man
from the Ansar (original inhabitants of Madina) until we arrived at
the grave, and he still had not been placed in the slot of the grave.
Then the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) sat down
and we sat around him. You would have thought that birds were upon our
heads from our silence, and in the hand of the Messenger of Allah
(salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was a stick which he was poking the
ground with. [Then he started looking at the sky and looking at the
earth and looking up down three times]. Then he said to us: "Ask Allah
for refuge from the torment of the grave", herepeated this command two
or three times. [Thenhe said O Allah I seek refuge in you from the
torment of the grave] [three times]. Then he said: "Verily, the
believing servant, when leaving this life and journeying to the
hereafter angels will descend upon him, their faces will be white as
if they were suns, they will have with them a shroud (kafan) from the
shroud of Paradise), and an embalmment (HanouT) from the embalmments
of heaven. Then, they willsit within eye-shot of him.
Then the angel of death (peace be upon him) will come and sit at his
head and will say "O you virtuous soul; come out to a forgiveness and
a pleasure from your Lord". So it will come out as a drop comes out of
the mouth of a jug (with ease), then he will take it,not leaving it in
his hand for longer that a blink of an eye until they (he and the
other angels) have placed it in that shroud and that embalmment. And
there will emanate from it a smell like that ofthe most sweet smelling
musk on the face of the earth. Then they shall ascend with it, and
they shall not pass with it by any group of angels but they will say:
What is this good and sweet-smellingsoul?. Then they shall say to them
(he is) "such" theson of "such" choosing the best of the names he used
to be called in this life. Until they reach the lowest sky, then they
shall ask permission to enter, and they shall be granted entry, until
they end at the seventh heaven sky, then Allah, exalted and high,
shall say: "write the book of my servant in `illiyeen (1)[And what
will explain to you what Illiyeen is `illiyeen, there is a register
fully inscribed to which bear witness thosenearest to Allah (see
83:18)], and his book will be written in `illiyeen, and the shall be
said"return him to the earth, for [I promised them] I have created
them from it, and into it I shall return them, and from it Ishall
extract (resurrect) them a second time (20:55)". So [he is returned to
earth and] his soul is returned to his body [he said and he will hear
the footsteps of his friends who buried him when they leave him].
Then two [severe] angels shall come and [terrify him and] sit him up
next to them and shall ask him: "Who is your Lord?".He shall reply "My
Lord is Allah". Then they shall askhim: "What is your religion?". He
shall answer them: "My religion is Islam". Then they shall ask him
"Who is this man who was sent among you?". He will reply "He is the
Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) peace be upon him".
Then they shall ask him"What have you done?". He shall reply: "I read
the book of Allah, then I believed in it and accepted it". [The angel
will terrify him and ask him "who is your Lord?","what is your
religion?""who is your prophet?", and this will be the last trial on
earth for the believer, it is then when Allah says : "Allah will
establish in strength those who believe with the word that stands
firmin this world", so he will answer my Lord is Allah, my religion is
Islam and my Prophet is Mohammad salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam. Then a
caller will call from the sky: "My slave has spokenthe truth, so
spread out for him from the heaven, and clothe him from the heaven,
and open a door for him from the heaven (within his grave)", so
it'sgoodness and its smell will come unto him, then his grave will be
expanded for him as far as he can see.
Then a man will come to him. His face will be handsome, and his
clothes will be handsome, and his smell will be sweet. Then he shall
say unto him: I bringyou glade tidings of that which will make you
happy [Rejoice with a pleasure of Allah and delights that endure].
This is the day that you were promised (46:16). Then he will say [and
may Allah give you glad tiding] "who are you?, for your face is the
face of someone who comes with good news". He shall reply: "I am your
good deeds, [by Allah, I did not know of you but that you were quick
to the obedience of Allah and slow to His disobedience, so may Allah
reward you good]". Then he shall say: "My Lord bring the hour so that
I might return to my family and my wealth" [itwill be said to him "be
tranquil"].
He (Mohammed, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: { And the
disbelieving [transgressor/wicked] servant}, if he is leaving this
life and journeying to the hereafter then angels will descend uponhim,
their faces will be black, they have with them a coarse woolen fabric
(sackcloth)[ made of fire]. Then they will sit within eye-shot of him.
Then the angel of death will come and sit at his head and will say "O
you wicked soul; come out to a anger from your Lord and a fury (from
Him)". So it will be distributed (spread out) throughout his body,
then it will be ripped away as a skewer/spit is ripped out of damp
cotton [and in its way out it will tear and cut the nerves and blood
vessels] [and then he will be cursed by all the angels between the
earthand the sky and by all theangels in the sky, and thegates of
heaven are closed. There is no gate in the heaven but its people
supplicate that the wicked soul shall not be ascended to their side],
then he will take it (the soul), not leaving it in his hand for longer
than a blink of an eye until they have placed it in that sackcloth.
And there will emanate from it a stench like that of themost evil
smelling corpse on the face of the earth. Then they shall ascend with
it, and they shall notpass with it by a group ofangels but they will
say: What is this wicked soul?.Then they shall say to them (he is)
"such" the son of "such" choosing the most hated of the names he used
to be called in this life. Until they reach the lowest heaven (sky),
then they shall ask permission to enter, and they shall not be granted
entry. Then the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam)
recited "The doors of the sky are not opened to them, nor shallthey
enter heaven until the camel passes throughthe eye of the needle"
(7:40).
Then Allah, exalted and high, shall say: "write thebook of my servant
in Sijjeen (2)(83:7) in the lowest earth". [Then will be said "return
my slave to the earth, for I promised them I have created them from
it, andinto it I shall return them,and from it I shall extract
(resurrect) them a secondtime (20:55)"]. Then his soul shall be taken
away [from the sky] with a mighty hurl [until it is cast into his
body]. Then he (the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) read: "and
those who associate partners with Allah, They are as one who falls
from the sky then is snatched by the birds or is cast by the wind into
a very low place (22:31)". Then his soul will be returned intohis
body, [he (the prophet) said : verily he will hear the footsteps of
his friends who buried him when they leave him]. Then two harsh severe
and fearsome angels shall come and [terrify him and] sit him up and
shall ask him:"Who is your Lord?". He shall reply "Huh?, Huh (this is
an expression of sorrow), I don't know". Then they shall ask him:"What
is your religion?". He shall answer them:"Huh?, Huh?, I don't know".
Then they shall ask him "Who is this man who was sent among you?". He
will reply"Huh?, Huh?, I don't know [I heard people saying that!]". He
(the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said"And then will be said
to him don't ever know anddon't ever recite!"].
Then a caller will call from the sky: "My slave has spoken falsely, so
spread out for him from the hell fire, and open a door for him from
the hell fire (within his grave)", so its heat and hot wind will come
unto him, then his grave will be contracted upon him until his limbs
are caught up among one another. Then a man will come to him. His face
will be ugly, and his clothes will be ugly, and his smell will bevile.
Then he shall say unto him: I bring you tidings of that which will
harm you. This is the day that you were promised (70:44). Then he will
say [and you, may Allah give you bad tiding] "who areyou?, for your
face is the face of someone who comes with evil". He shall reply: "I
am your evil deeds [by Allah, I did not know of you but that youwere
quick to the disobedience of Allah and slow to His obedience, so may
Allah reward you bad, and then will be assigned to him a blind, deaf
and mute person who holds in his hand a hammer, if a mountain is hit
with it, it would disintegrate, and he will beat him withit until he
becomes dust, and then Allah will render him to his initial form, and
he will beat him again, and he (the wicked) will cry of sorrow and
pain a cry that will be heard by all creatures except humans and jinn,
and a door of hell will be opened unto him within his grave and will
spread out for him sheets of hell fire]". Then he shall say: "My Lord
do not bring the hour".
This hadith is narrated byAhmad Ibn Hambal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah,
at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of
Bukhari and Muslim. This text is the text of Ahmad, all text between
brackets is from the other narrators and other narrations of Ahmad.
Notes
(1) `illiyin: comes from the root word of `uluww which means highness.
It is a place in the (highest) seventh sky where the souls of the
believers are gathered (Ibn `Abbas), it also carries the meaning of a
very high and wide place (Ibn Kathir).
(2) Sijjin: comes from the root word of sijn which means narrowness.
It is a place in the (lowest) seventh earth where the souls of the
unbelievers are gathered (Ibn `Abbas), it also carries themeaning of a
very low and narrow (Ibn Kathir).
Reading the previous hadith one may think that the punishment of the
grave is reserved onlyfor those who did not believe in Allah or
associated with him someone else in worship,lordship, creation or in
his names and attributes. It is not the case! the following authentic
hadith tells us more! so let us read it carefully : Ibn Abbas (Radiya
Allahu `anhuma) says that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi
wa sallam, once, while passing by two graves, remarked : The inmates
of these two graves are being tortured not for any serious sins, but
in fact they are serious sins. One of them used to carry tales
[gossiping] (nameemah) and the other used not to yastatir(1) when
urinating. [Bukhari and Muslim]
(1) yastatir means both not covering or hiding himself from the sights
ofothers as well as not cleaning himself after urinating.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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Imam Abu Hamid Al Ghazzali (R.A) - Sufism Biographies

I mam Abu Hamid al-Ghazzali was born in Tus in north-east Persia in
1058, three years afterthe Seljuks had taken over the rulership in
Baghdad. He followed the traditional course of theological studies
based on the study of Qur'an, the recorded actions and sayings of the
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and Islamic Law according to the school of
Imam Shafi'i. In the course of time, he was appointed as a professorat
the Nizamiyya religious school in Baghdad, where he taught theology
and Islamic Law.
In 1095, Imam al-Ghazzali went through a severe inner breakdown, a
spiritual crisis, and so, having ensured that his family was well
provided for, he left his teaching position to enter the spiritual
life. He encountered many Sufis during his travels and underwent
several spiritual disciplines. Later on, he returned to his home town,
now a completely transformed man, and resumed his teaching up until
his death in 1111.
Imam al-Ghazzali's book Revival of the Religious Sciences is
considered tobe his greatest work. It is the fruit of his religious
scholarship combined with his inner spiritual experience. His teaching
and preaching after his inner awakening consisted of the transmission
of the inner sciences and the integration of Sufi practices with
strict adherence to the outer Islamic Law. This made him one of the
most influential theologians in the Muslim world, as well as making
the orthodox religious scholars take Sufi movements seriously.
One of his famous sayings is, "Those which are learned about, for
example, the laws of divorce, can tell you nothing about the simpler
aspects of spiritual life, such as the meaning of sincerity towards
God or trust in Him."

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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True stories » Pressure caused by family can also affect love

From the very beginning,girl's family objected strongly on her dating
this guy, saying that it has got to do with family background, & that
the girl will have to suffer forthe rest of her life if she were to be
with him.
Due to family's pressure, the couple quarreled very often. Though the
girl loved the guy deeply,she always asked him:"How deep is your love
for me?" As the guy is notgood with his words, thisoften caused the
girl to be very upset. With that& the family's pressure, the girl
often vents her anger on him. As for him, he only endured it in
silence.
After a couple of years, the guy finally graduated& decided to further
his studies overseas. Before leaving, he proposed to the girl:
"I'm not very good with words. But all I know is that I love you. If
you allow me, I will take care of you for the rest of my life. As for
your family, I'll try my best to talk them round. Will you marry me?"
The girl agreed, & with the guy's determination, the familyfinally
gave in & agreed to let them get married. So before he left, they got
engaged. The girl went out to the working society, whereas the guy was
overseas, continuinghis studies. They sent their love through emails&
phone calls. Though it was hard, but both neverthought of giving up.
One day, while the girl was on her way to work, she was knocked down
by a car that lost control. when she woke up, she saw her parents
beside her bed. She realized thatshe was badly injured. Seeing her mum
crying, she wanted to comfort her. But she realized that all that
could come out ofher mouth was just a sigh. she had lost her voice....
The doctor says that the impact on her brain has caused her to lose
her voice. Listening to her parents' comfort, but with nothing coming
out from her, she broke down. During the stay in hospital, besides
silence cry,..it's still just silence cry that accompanied her.
Upon reaching home, everything seems to be the same. Except for the
ringing tone of the phone. Which pierced into her heart everytime it
rang.
She does not wish to let the guy know & not wanting to be a burden to
him, she wrote a letterto him saying that she does not wish to wait
any longer.
With that, she sent the ring back to him. In return, the guy sent
millions & millions of reply, countless of phonecalls,. . all the girl
could do, besides crying, is still crying.... The parents decided to
move away, hoping that she could eventually forget everything & be
happy.
With a new environment,the girl learns sign language & started a
newlife. Telling herself everyday that she must forget the guy. One
day, her friend came & told her that he's back. She asked her friend
not to let him know what happened to her. Since then, there wasn't
anymore news of him.
A year has passed & her friend came with an envelope, containing a
invitation card for the guy's wedding. The girl was shattered. When
she open the letter, she saw her name in it instead. When she was
about to ask her friend what's going on, she saw the guy standing in
front of her.
He used sign language to tell her "I've spent a year to learn sign
language. Just to let you know that I've not forgotten our promise.
Let me have the chance to be your voice. ILove You." With that, he
slipped the ring back intoher finger. The girl finallysmiled.
Treat every relationship as if it's the last one, thenyou'll know how
to Give. Treat every moment as is it's the last day, then you'll know
how to treasure.
Treasure what you have right now, or else you will regret one day...

True stories » Our parting

I want to tell you the story of our parting.
Not about the parting when you are abandoned and you think nothing
else matters anymore.
I am living in another country for quite some time now, but home is
always where the heart is, so every summer I pack my bags and leave
for my favorite country. Last summer was different.
I felt grown-up and wise,attractive and a woman who left the child
years behind. I wasn't ready to allow yet another love disappointment
and unrequited love, as I did last summer. I decided to fill up my
vacation with friends, parties, discos and short flirts. But I was
only thinking I could do that. To my surprise I metthe love of my
life. Mutual friends introduced us.
For a long time I was wondering what to do, shall I love him, shall I
try to avoid him and get rid of my thoughts about him...? I like him,
Ch. wonmy trust. Made me feel like a princess. I fell madly in love.
I felt him so close. We spent all our time together. We went to bars,
parties, discos….We shared everything, we talked of life, we
laughed….I felt he was not only my boyfriend but my closest friend as
well! He was so tender, we had amazing nights together, passionate
kisses, he gave me a love so crystal clear that only time could stand
in its way.
Before I knew it summer was over and I had to go back.
The last couple of days I felt confused and insecure.
I didn't know what would happen with my life. I didn't know what to
say, or to plan…..It wasthe same with Ch.
Our last two dinners were silent.
We sat and watched and sighed. I tried to start a conversation, to
seem light-hearted, as I usually am, but it wasn't possible.
I wanted to tell him how much I loved him, wanted to say that I
can'tlet this end so suddenly, but I lacked the words.
Something wouldn't let me say it. I was asking myself "What if he abandons meа"?
During my last night withhim I cried a lot. We spent it alone. It was
all so romantic. He gave me a gift that touched me and I knew he cared
about me.
And then he said: "My dear, I will be waiting foryou"! Suddenly all my
being lit up and shined. He walked with me to theentrance.
My heart ached when I turned and saw the man of my dreams leave.
But I knew we will be together again next summer.
This was not parting as the one everyone has feltat least once in
life; the one that hurts so much because you realize you are not loved
any more. This was a parting that might even wake up an even bigger
love. Some of you might say that relationships like these are
impossible, because itis hard to wait and love someone and be so far
away. I thought the samething before it all happened to me.
I spoke to Ch. Today. Within two weeks we will be together again!:)
He sounded so happy!
I love you, sweetheart!

True stories » I wish you won't blameme

My love,
Sinful, secret, insatiable. You came and shattered my life as a spring
storm, you hurled away my peaceful days and nights.You keep a tight
rein on me and lead me in an unknown direction.
Where will I find myself? Who can give me the answer? The curtain of
the future is closed and I can't see the end of this love – sudden,
temporary, forbidden. I love you! I love you to distraction with that
sinful love of a married woman, torn apart between the allowed andthe
forbidden, the workday and the expectation. I have a family, a child –
you are single.
Sad and terrifying, isn't it?
I can't do anything to change your life the way you dream about it.
Don't blame me.
God, please help me.
Why did I let my heart be captured in that bottomless net from which
there's no escape?
But could I've commanded it?
Months had to pass until Irealized that what I felt wasn't just an
infatuation, an innocent flirt but something real and deep.
I restrained myself not to pass over the barrier for a long time. I
tried to be the master of my actions. But alas…
I found out that true loveis not ruled by reason. Emotions command
everyhuman thought and action. And when reason fights emotions life
turns into hell, and each day becomes endless suffering…
May be time will heal me,may be my heart will findrest.
But right now I don't need a remedy, I don't need a rest!
I love these stolen moments that make me happy.
There are memories which remain for a lifetime. They always return to
our thoughts and hearts and time is powerless to erase them.
It wasn't me but life that made the choice for me. And you know that,
don'tyou? Don't blame me. I'm not leaving…
My memories and my love will always be as youwill always be with me… for life….
I love you!

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Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman - Biographies of the Companions (Sahabah)

"If you wish you may consider yourself among the Muhajirin or,if you
wish, you may consider yourself one of the Ansar. Choose whichever is
dearer to you."
With these words, the Prophet, peace be upon him, addressed Hudhayfah
ibn al-Yaman when he met him for the first time in Makkah. How did
Hudhayfah come to have this choice'?
His father, al-Yaman was a Makkan from the tribe of Abs. Hehad killed
someone and had been forced to leave Makkah. He had settled down in
Yathrib, becoming an ally (halif) of the Banu al-Ash-hal and marrying
into the tribe. A son named Hudhayfah was born to him. Therestrictions
on his returning to Makkah were eventually lifted and he divided his
time betweenMakkah and Yathrib but stayed more in Yathrib and was more
attached to it.
This was how Hudhayfah had a Makkan origin but a Yathribite
upbringing. When the rays of Islam began to radiate over the Arabian
peninsula, a delegation from the Abs tribe, which included al-Yaman,
went to the Prophet and announced their acceptance of Islam. That was
before the Prophet migrated to Yathrib.
Hudhayfah grew up in a Muslim household and was taught by both his
mother and father who were among the first persons from Yathrib to
enter the religion of God. He therefore became a Muslim before meeting
the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Hudhayfah longed to meet the Prophet. From an early age, he was keen
on following whatevernews there was about him. The more he heard, the
more his affection for the Prophet grew and the more he longed to
meethim.
He eventually journeyed to Makkah, met the Prophet and put the
question to him, "Am I amuhajir or am I an Ansari, O Rasulullah?"
"If you wish you may consider yourself among the muhajirin, or if you
wish you may consider yourself one of the Ansar. Choose whichever is
dearer to you," replied the Prophet. "Well, I am an Ansari. O
Rasulullah," decided Hudhayfah.
At Madinah, after the Hijrah, Hudhayfah became closely attached to the
Prophet. He participated in all the military engagements except Badr.
Explaining why he missed the Battle of Badr, he said: "I would not
have missed Badr if my father and I had not been outside Madinah. The
disbelieving Quraysh met us and asked where we were going. Wetold them
we were going to Madinah and they asked whether we intended to meet
Muhammad. We insisted that weonly wanted to go to Madinah. They
allowed us to go only after they extracted from us an undertaking not
to help Muhammad against them and not to fight along with them.
"When we came to the Prophet we told him about our undertaking to the
Quraysh and asked him what should we do. He said that we should ignore
the undertaking and seek God's help against them."
Hudhayfah participated in the Battle of Uhud with his father. The
pressure on Hudhayfah during the battle was great but he acquitted
himself well and emerged safe and sound. A rather different fate,
however, awaited his father.
Before the battle, the Prophet, peace be on him, left alYaman,
Hudhayfah's father, and Thabit ibn Waqsh with the other non-combatants
including women and children. This was because they were both quite
old. As the fighting grew fiercer, al-Yaman said to his friend:
"Youhave no father (meaning you have no cares). What are we waiting
for? We both have only ashort time to live. Why don't we take our
swords and join the Messenger of God, peace be on him? Maybe, God will
bless us with martyrdom beside His Prophet."
They quickly prepared for battle and were soon in the thick of the
fighting. Thabit ibn Waqsh was blessed with shahdah at thehands of the
mushrikin. The father of Hudhayfah, however was set upon by some
Muslims who did not recognize who he was. As they flayed him,
Hudhayfah cried out: "My father! My father! It's my father!"
No one heard him. The old man fell, killed in error by the swords of
his own brothers in faith. They were filled with pain and remorse.
Grieved as he was, Hudhayfah said to them: "May God forgive you for He
is the most Merciful of those who show mercy."
The Prophet, peace be on him, wanted diyah (compensation) tobe paid to
Hudhayfah for the death of his father but Hudhayfah said: "He was
simply seeking shahadah and he attained it. O Lord, bear witness that
I donate the compensation for him to the Muslims."
Because of this attitude, Hudhayfah's stature grew in the eyes of the
Prophet, peace be onhim. Hudhayfah had three qualities which
particularly impressed the Prophet: his unique intelligence which he
employed in dealing with difficult situations; his quick wittedness
and spontaneous response to the call of action, and his ability to
keep a secret even under persistent questioning.
A noticeable policy of the Prophet was to bring out and use the
special qualities and strengths of each individual companion of his.
In deploying his companions, he was careful to choose the right man
for the right task. This he did to excellent advantage in the case of
Hudhayfah.
One of the gravest problems the Muslims of Madinah had to face was the
existence in their midst of hypocrites (munafiqun) particularly from
among the Jews and their allies. Although many of them had declared
theiracceptance of Islam, the change was only superficial and they
continued to plot and intrigue against the Prophet and the Muslims.
Because of Hudhayfah's ability tokeep a secret, the Prophet, peace be
on him, confided in him the names of the munafiqin.It was a weighty
secret which the Prophet did not disclose to any other off his
companions. Hegave Hudhayfah the task of watching the movements of the
munafiqin, following their activities, and shielding the Muslims from
the sinister danger they represented. It was a tremendous
responsibility. Themunafiqin, because they acted insecrecy and because
they knew all the developments and plans of the Muslims from within
presented a greater threat to the community than the outright
hostility of the kuffar.
From this time onwards. Hudhayfah was called "The Keeper of the Secret
of the Messenger of Allah". Throughouthis life he remained faithful to
his pledge not to disclose the names of the hypocrites. After the
death of the Prophet, the Khalifah often came-to him to seek his
advice concerning their movements and activities but heremained
tight-lipped and cautious.
Umar was only able to find out indirectly who the hypocrites were. If
anyone among the Muslims died, Umar would ask:
"Has Hudhayfah attended his funeral prayer?"
If the reply was 'yes', he would perform the prayer. If the reply was
'no', he became doubtful about the person and refrained from
performing the funeral prayer for him.
Once Umar asked Hudhayfah: "Is any of my governors a munafiq?" "One,"
replied Hudhayfah. "Point him out to me," ordered Umar. "That I shall
not do," insisted Hudhayfah wholater said that shortly after their
conversation Umar dismissed the person just as if he had beenguided to
him.
Hudhayfah's special qualities were made use of by the Prophet, peace
be on him, at various times. One of the most testing of such
occasions, which required the use of Hudhayfah's intelligence and his
presence of mind, was during the Battle of the Ditch. The Muslims on
that occasion were surrounded by enemies. The seige they had been
placed under had dragged on. The Muslims were undergoing severe
hardship and difficulties. They had expended practically all their
effort and were utterly exhausted. So intense was the strain that some
even began to despair.
The Quraysh and their allies, meanwhile, were not much better off.
Their strength and determination had been sapped.A violent wind
overturned their tents, extinguished their fires and pelted their
faces and eyes with gusts of sand and dust.
In such decisive moments in the history of warfare, the side that
loses is the one that despairs first and the one that wins is theone
that holds out longer. The role of army intelligence in such
situations often proves to be a crucial factor in determining the
outcome of the battle.
At this stage of the confrontation the Prophet, peace be on him, felt
he could use the special talents and experience of Hudhayfah ibn
al-Yaman. He decided to send Hudhayfah into the midst of the enemy's
positions under cover of darkness to bring him the latest information
on their situation and morale before he decided on his next move.
Let us now leave Hudhayfah to relate what happened on this mission
fraught with danger and even death.
"That night, we were all seated in rows. Abu Sufyan and his men- the
mushrikun of Makkah - were in front of us. The Jewish tribe of Banu
Qurayzah were at our rear and we were afraid of them because of our
wives and children. The night was stygian dark. Never before was there
a darker night nor a wind so strong. So dark was the night that no one
could see his fingersand the blast of the wind was like the peel of
thunder.
"The hypocrites began to ask theProphet for permission to leave,
saying, 'Our houses are exposed to the enemy.' Anyone who asked the
Prophet's permission to leave was allowed to go. Many thus sneaked
away until we were left with about three hundred men.
"The Prophet then began a round of inspection passing us one by one
until he reached me. I had nothing to protect me from the cold except
a blanket belonging to my wife which scarcely reached my knees. He
came nearer to
me as I lay crouching on the ground and asked: 'Who is
this?''Hudhayfah,' replied. 'Hudhayfah?' he queried as I huddled
myself closer to the ground too afraid to stand up because of the
intense hunger and cold. 'Yes, O Messenger of God,' I replied.
'Something is happening among the people (meaning the forces of Abu
Sufyan). Infiltrate their encampment and bring me news of what's
happening,' instructed the Prophet.
"I set out. At that moment I wasthe most terrified person of all and
felt terribly cold. The Prophet, peace be on him, prayed: 'O Lord,
protect him from in front and from behind, from his right and from his
left, from above and from below.'
"By God, no sooner had the Prophet, peace be on him, completed his
supplication than God removed from my stomach all traces of fear and
from my body all the punishing cold. As I turned to go, the Prophet
called me back to him and said: 'Hudhayfah, on no account do anything
among the people (of the opposing forces) until you come back to me.'
'Yes,' I replied.
"I went on, inching my way under cover of darkness until I penetrated
deep into the mushrikin camp and became just like one of them. Shortly
afterwards, Abu Sufyan got up and began to address his men:
'O people of the Quraysh, I am about to make a statement to you which
I fear would reach Muhammad. Therefore, let every man among you look
and make sure who is sitting next to him...'
"On hearing this, I immediately grasped the hand of the man next to me
and asked, 'Who are you?' (thus putting him on the defensive and
clearing myself)."Abu Sufyan went on:
'O people of the Quraysh, by God,you are not in a safe and secure
place. Our horses and camels have perished. The Banu Qurayzah have
deserted us and we have had unpleasant news about them. We are
buffered by this bitterly cold wind. Our fires do not light and our
uprooted tents offer no protection. So get moving. For myself, I am
leaving.'
"He went to his camel, untethered and mounted it. He struck it and it
stood upright. If the Messenger of God, peace be on him, had not
instructed me to do nothing until I returned tohim, I would have
killed Abu Sufyan then and there with an arrow.
"I returned to the Prophet and found him standing on a
blanketperforming Salat. When he recognized me, he drew me close to
his legs and threw one end of the blanket over me. I informed him of
what had happened. He was extremely happy and joyful and gave thanks
and praise to
Hudhayfah lived in constant dread of evil and corrupting influences.
He felt that goodnessand the sources of good in this life were easy to
recognize for those who desired good. But it was evil that was
deceptive and often difficult to perceive and combat.
He became something of a greatmoral philosopher. He always warned
people to struggle against evil with all their faculties, with their
heart, handsand tongue. Those who stood against evil only with their
hearts and tongues, and not with their hands, he considered as having
abandoned a part of truth. Those who hated evil only in their hearts
but did not combat it with their tongues and hands forsook two parts
of truth and those who neither detested nor confronted evil with their
hearts, tongues or hands he considered as physically alive but morally
dead.
Speaking about 'hearts' and their relationship to guidance and error,
he once said: "There are four kinds of hearts. The heart that is
encased or atrophied. That is the heart of the kafir or ungrateful
disbeliever. The heart that is shaped into thin layers. That is the
heart of the munafiq or hypocrite. The heart that is openand bare and
on which shines a radiant light. That is the heart ofthe mumin or the
believer.
Finally there is the heart in which there is both hypocrisy and faith.
Faith is like a tree which thrives with good water and hypocrisy is
like an abscess which thrives on pus and blood. Whichever flourishes
more, be it the tree of faith or the abscess of hypocrisy, wins
control of the heart."
Hudhayfah's experience with hypocrisy and his efforts to combat it
gave a touch of sharpness and severity to his tongue. He himself
realized this and admitted it with a noble courage: "I went to the
Prophet,peace be on him and said: 'O Messenger of God, I have a tongue
which is sharp and cutting against my family and I fear that this
would lead me to hell-fire.' And the Prophet, peacebe upon him, said
to me: 'Wheredo you stand with regard to istighfar - asking
forgiveness from Allah? I ask Allah for forgiveness a hundred times
during the day. "
A pensive man like Hudhayfah, one devoted to thought, knowledge and
reflection may not have been expected to perform feats of heroism in
battlefields. Yet Hudhayfah was to prove himself one of the foremost
Muslim military commanders in the expansion ofIslam into Iraq. He
distinguishedhimself at Hamadan, ar-Rayy, ad-Daynawar, and at the
famousBattle of Nihawand.
For the encounter at Nihawand against the Persian forces, Hudhayfah
was placed second in command by Umar over the entire Muslim forces
which numbered some thirty thousand. The Persian forces outnumbered
them by five to one being some one hundred and fifty thousand strong.
The first commander of the Muslim army, an-Numan ibn Maqran, fellearly
in the battle. The second incommand, Hudhayfah, immediately took
charge of the situation, giving instructions that the death of the
commander should not be broadcast. Under Hudhayfah's daring and
inspiring leadership, the Muslims won a decisive victory despite
tremendous odds.
Hudhayfah was made governor of important places like Kufa and
Ctesiphon (al-Madain). Whenthe news of his appointment as governor of
Ctesiphon reached its inhabitants, crowds went outto meet and greet
this famous companion of the Prophet of whose piety and righteousness
they had heard so much. His great role in the conquests of Persia was
already a legend.
As the welcoming party waited, a lean, somewhat scrawny man with
dangling feet astride a donkey approached. In his hand he held a loaf
of bread and somesalt and he ate as he went along. When the rider was
already in their midst they realized that he was Hudhayfah, the
governor for whom they were waiting. They could not contain their
surprise. What manner of man was this! They could however be excused
for not recognizing him for they were used to the style, the pomp and
the grandeur of Persian rulers.
Hudhayfah carried on and peoplecrowded around him. He saw they were
expecting him to speak and he cast a searching look at their faces.
Eventually, hesaid: "Beware of places of fitnah and intrigue." "And
what," they asked, "are places of intrigue?" He replied: "The doors of
rulers where some people go and try to make the ruler or governor
believe lies and praise him for (qualities) he does not possess."
With these words, the people were prepared for what to expect from
their new governor.They knew at once that there was nothing in the
world that he despised more than hypocrisy.

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the evil eye - Refuting the myth aboutundoing witchcraft

In a chat room about shar'i ruqyah I asked about a man whom we regard
as a seeker of knowledge about witchcraft, and he told us that it is
permissible to use an old pickaxe, byheating it and urinating on it!
They told me that one of the scholars of the earlier generation said
that that was permissible. What is youropinion on that? May Allaah
reward you with good for your service to Islam and the Muslims.
Praise be to Allaah.
With regard to what youhave mentioned about urinating on an old
pickaxe that has been heated with fire in orderto undo witchcraft,
this is a myth which it is not befitting for a monotheist to believe.
We have looked at the site which you referred to, and we saw the one
who told you that this action is permissible, buthe did not attribute
it to any scholar among the early generation, rather he attributed it
to Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him). We looked for a place
in which Ibn al-Qayyim stated that it was permissible, and we could
not find it. We do not think that it can be proven to be from him or
from any other early scholar; rather it is more likely to be an action
of the charlatans.
And Allaah knows best.

the evil eye - Is there any report which says that the jinn have angels watching over them to record their deeds?

Do the jinn have angels who record their deeds as humans have?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The jinn are accountablejust as humans are; those of them who obey
Allah will enter Paradise,and those who disobey Him will enter Hell.
The words of the Qur'aan areaddressed to them too and they will be
broughtto account on the Day of Resurrection for their deeds, as Allah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And they have inventeda kinship between Him and the jinn, but the
jinnknow well that they have indeed to appear (before Him) (i.e. they
will be called to account)"
[al-Saaffaat 37:158].
Mujaahid said: They will be brought to account, as it says in
Jaami'al-Bayaan by al-Tabari (21/122). Imam al-Bukhaari (may Allah
have mercy on him) included a chapter in hisSaheeh entitled "Mention
of the jinn andtheir reward and punishment", in which he quoted some
verses, including this verse, and he quoted the tafseer of Mujaahid
(may Allah have mercy on him).
Al-'Allaamah al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
i.e., these mushrikeen claimed there was a relationship between Allah
and the jinn, as theclaim that the angels were the daughters of Allah
and that their mothers were the daughters of the mastersamong the
jinn. But in fact, the jinn know that they will be brought to account
before Allah, to be rewarded or punished, and if there were any
relationship between them and Him, that would not be the case. End
quote.
Tafseer al-Kareem al-Rahmaan, p. 708
The evidence for this hasbeen discussed in detail in the answer to
question number 2340 and 13378 .
Secondly:
As for how the deeds of the jinn are recorded and whether their
situation in this regard islike that of humans, for each of whom Allah
has appointed two angels torecord his deeds and watch over his
actions, that is a matter of the unseen which Allah has not told us
about. The verses and hadeeths thatspeak of that have to do with
humans, not jinn, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"O man! What has made you careless about your Lord, the Most Generous?
7. Who created you, fashioned you perfectly, and gave you due proportion.
8. In whatever form He willed, He put you together.
9. Nay! But you deny Ad-Deen (i.e. the Day of Recompense).
10. But verily, over you (are appointed angels incharge of mankind) to
watch you,
11. Kiraaman (Honourable) Kaatibeen --writing down (your deeds),
12. They know all that you do"
[al-Infitaar 82:6-12].
And He says:
"And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers
to him. And Weare nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our
Knowledge).
17. (Remember) that the two receivers (recordingangels) receive (each
human being), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note
his or her actions).
18. Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him
ready (to record it)"
[Qaaf 50:16-18].
So knowledge of the jinn remains with the Creator alone, in addition
to the fact that there is little benefit in pursuing knowledge of such
matters that have nothing to do with belief and on which no actions
are based.
And Allah knows best.

the evil eye - Innovated way of finding out whether a person is afflicted with the evil eye and treating it

I have a question about the evil eye. In my culture (I am originally
from Morocco), the women treat the evil eyeby this ceremony:
The sick person sits down (on a chair e.g.) while an other person
holds a glass of water above his head.
An other person (this canbe the same one as the one holding the
glass), lights a match and goes around the face of the sick person
with it, meanwhile reciting soerat al Faatihah. Note that the match
doesnt touch the face of the sickperson. After a few seconds, the
match is thrown in the glass of water above the head ofthe sick person
and a second match gets lighten.
This is done seven times.
When done, the person who is doing this, takes the glass of water and
touches all the matches in the glass. When the matches go to the
bottom of the glass, it means that the sick person is afflicted by
theevil eye. They usually count the matches on the bottom to estimate
how sick the person is. The more matches on the bottom, the sicker
heis.
After this ceremony, people assume that the sick person is cured. I
think this is very untrustworthy, because Inever read something about
a glass and matches to treat the evil eye. Can you please tell me
whether this has a basic in islam or not?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The method mentioned of finding out whether aperson has been afflicted
with the evil eye and treating it is an innovated method (bid'ah) and
a reprehensible practice; itis not permissible to do it and it should
be forbidden and warned against. It is more like witchcraft and
devilish tricks than ruqyah as prescribed in Islam or regular medical
treatment.
Islam, praise be to Allah, did not omit anything that concerns people
butit has discussed it and explained it clearly. But the Shaytaan
still manages to mislead some people because of their ignorance of
Islam and the ways of bid'ah (innovation) that they are following.
Ruqya may be done by reciting al-Faatihah, and reciting al-Faatihah as
a remedy for sickness is something that has beenprescribed in
sharee'ah, but not in this innovatedfashion.
See the answer to question no. 21581 and 132386
Believing that something is a means when Allah has not made it a means
– eitheraccording to Islam or thelaws of nature that He has decreed –
is a kind of shirk. An example of that is regarding something as a
sign of healing or sickness, or ofsuccess or failure, when there is no
shar'i or physical connection between the two.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
So long as there is no proof that a thing is a means (to an end) –
either according to Islamor natural, physical laws – then it is a kind
of minor shirk. That includes, for example, charms and amulets that
are said to ward off the evil eye, and the like, because this is
deciding that something is a means to an end when Allah has not
created it to be such. Thus he is deciding about something being a
means to an end, which is something that is only for Allah to decide.
Hence this is like an act of shirk.
End quote from Majmoo'Fataawa Ibn 'Uthaymeen, 10/787
To sum up:
The method mentioned is an innovative and reprehensible method that is
more akin to the tricks of the practitioners of witchcraft and
charlatans.

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Beauty All Around Us

Every Saturday I drive from Fresno, in the geographical center of
California, across the western side of the San Joaquin Valley and up
into the mountains, to Casa de Fruta. It is such beautiful country,
SubhanAllah. The San Joaquin Valley is a part ofCalifornia's great
Central Valley, a vast agricultural breadbasket that runs 450 miles
(720 km) from north to south.
Right now in March, the fields are on fire with orange poppies and
yellow mustard flowers. The almond trees have been blossoming for a
month, and the white petals fall to the ground like rain. On my way
home, I sometimes pull over and park under the almond trees. I have a
snack, listen to the radio, then get out and practicemartial arts
moves beneath the trees. When the irrigation pumps are running I use
the water to wash my face or perform wudu'.
The grapes are just coming up – the slender stems are like the idea of
a grape vine. Corn, cottonand lettuce are newly planted, and birds
with long white necks flock to the fields. The fields are full of huge
herds of white sheep and black cows, and our unique local cows with a
large white stripe down the middle.
The green grass sweeps up into the mountains, where it becomes forest
and finally snow.
The years-long drought isover. The San Luis Reservoir is setting a
newhigh water mark. It is normally full of islands, but now they have
all disappeared as the wateris a solid sheet of deep blue from one
side to theother, with fingers of water stretching into surrounding
valleys. I've never seen it so high. TheEastside Bypass, which is a
flood control channel and is normally dry as dust, is running with
water.
The San Joaquin River is running to the Pacific Ocean for the first
time indecades. In coming years the Chinook salmon may return to the
river, Insha'Allah. This is a type of fish that swims upriverfrom the
sea. There has not been a Chinook run on the San Joaquin River since
the 1940′s.
The skies in this part of the Valley are huge, with vast expanses of
clouds sweeping the sky like ships. Late in the day, thesky is a giant
palette of blue, yellow, orange and red.
The world is amazing. Never think that beauty is gone from the world.
Open your eyes and look at the majesty around you. All this was not
created in vain. It is a miracle, a blessing, and a sign pointing to
the Most Merciful God.
SubhanAllah, glory to Allah The Provider, The Creator, The One.

See the Beauty Around You

We tend to think of beautiful places as being far away. We imagine
exotic lands like the Caribbean islands, the Mediterranean coast, the
Alps or the Himalayas, or anywhere in New Zealand, ha ha.
There is glory everywhere. Right now, in this moment, there is
something beautiful within the boundaries of your vision, or very
near.
From where I am sitting, through the kitchen window I can see a rose
bush. The pink roses are blooming and reaching for the sky, and it's
quite lovely ma-sha-Allah. I hear birds singing outside, and through
the front window I see a birds of paradise bush, with it's angular
orange flowers.
Closer at hand, on my desk is a lovely ornate metal vase from Egypt.
It is covered in intricate Islamic patterns with verses of the Quran
twining around the sides.There are other beautifulworks of art in the
house if I take the time to glance around – including a simple artwork
that my daughter Salma made by sticking different kinds of leaves to a
sheet of paper.
Beauty can be found in ordinary things as well. On the kitchen counter
I see two lemons cut in half, and beside them a boiled egg. It reminds
meof an artist's tableau and makes me wish I were a painter. My
daughter is playing on the floor with her train set, and she is the
jewel of my eye, ma-sha-Allah.
One of the reasons we fall into depression is that we focus on what we
don't have, or what we have lost; and we fail to see the blessings and
beauty that surround us.
Right now, look around you. Quiet your mind, and focus on beauty.
Remember that life is a gift, and a miracle, and a sign.
And the grazing livestock He has created for you; inthem is warmth and
[numerous] benefits, andfrom them you eat.
And for you in them is beauty when you bring them in [for the
evening], and when you send them out.
And they carry your loadsto a land you could not have reached except
with difficulty to yourselves. Indeed, your Lord is Kind and Merciful.
And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride, and
[as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.
And upon Allah is the direction of the way, andamong the various paths
are those deviating. And if He willed, He could have guided you all.
It is He who sends down rain from the sky; from it is drink and from
it is foliage in which you pasture.
He causes to grow for you thereby the crops, olives, palm trees,
grapevines, and from all the fruits. Indeed in that is a sign for a
people who give thought.
And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon,
and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs
for a people who reason.
And [He has subjected] whatever He multiplied for you on the earth of
varying colors. Indeed in that is a sign for a peoplewho remember.
And it is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender meat,
and to extract fromit ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships
plowing through it,that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you
will be grateful.
And He has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it shift
with you, and [made] rivers and roads, that youmay be guided, And
landmarks. And by the stars they are [also] guided.
Then is He who creates like one who does not create? So will you not bereminded?
And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate
them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Quran, Surat an-Nahl (TheBee), 16:5-18

Advice from Mountain

No matter how great youare, Allah is still above you.
There's nothing wrong with having your head inthe clouds, as long as
youhave roots in the earth. Rise above the bigotries and squabbles of
others. To be beautiful and strong, be who you are. In anything, build
your foundation first. Be solid,be real. Provide refuge tothe
oppressed, the traveler, the seeker. Keepyour secrets. Protect the
rivers, trees, and animals.Cherish silence and solitude, but roar when
you must.
Be patient: everything changes in its season, and all things come to
those who persevere.
- Advice from a Mountain

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Is there any nifaas in thecase of caesarean birth?

Is there any nifaas in thecase of caesarean birth?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Nifaas is the bleeding that occurs because of childbirth, whether the
birth was natural or by Caesarean. In fact if a woman has a
miscarriage and delivers a formed foetus – i.e., one in which features
such as the head, arm or leg had appeared, whichis only after eighty
days of pregnancy – the bleeding that occurs because of that is also
nifaas.
It says in Kashshaaf al-Qinaa' (1/218): Nifaas is bleeding from the
uterus that occurs at the time of birth, or two or three days before
it, andafter it up to 40 days. The ruling on nifaas is valid and
applies even if the miscarriage occurredas a result of deliberate
action such as the woman striking herself or taking medicine (to
induce an abortion) and so on… if human features can be seen in the
(foetus). But if she produces an 'alaqah (clot of blood) or a mudghah
(unformed embryo resembling a piece of chewed flesh), then the rulings
on nifaas do not apply. The minimum length of pregnancy at which human
features may appear is eighty-one days, but in most cases, according
to what was stated by al-Majd, Ibn Tameem, Ibn Hamdaan and others, is
three months. End quote.
Nifaas may last for a few days then cease; there is no stipulation
that it should continue for fortydays.
And Allah knows best.

The correct way to perform ruqyah for a small child

I have a daughter who isa little over one year old.After I have
finished reciting the adhkaar of the morning and evening, I blow on
her. Is that permissible? Is this the correct way to perform ruqyah
for a small child?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The correct way to perform ruqyah for a small child in order to
protect him is what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) used to do for his (grand)sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn (may
Allahbe pleased with them).
Al-Bukhaari (3371) narrated that Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allah be pleased
with him) said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) used to seek refuge with Allah for al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and he
said: "Your father(Ibraaheem) used to seek refuge with (these words)
for Ismaa'eel andIshaaq: A'oodhu bi kalimaat Illaahi't-taammah min
kulli shaytaanin wa haammah wa min kulli 'aynin laammah (I seek refuge
in the perfect words of Allaah from every devil and every vermin, and
from every bad eye)".
Ibn Hajar said in Fath al-Baari (6/410):
The word "haammah (vermin)" refers to poisonous things.
The words "from every bad eye" – al-Khattaabi said: What is meant by
this is every disease and ailment that may affect aperson of insanity
and confusion. End quote.
It is also mustahabb when performing ruqyah for children to recite
al-Mu'awwidhatayn (the last two soorahs of the Qur'an) over them and
to wipe their bodies whilst reciting, or to recite them into one's
hands and blow in them,spitting lightly, then wipe them over whatever
of their body one can reach, or to recite them into water and wipe
them or wash them with it. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him) used to seek refugefor himself and others bymeans of
these two soorahs.
It was narrated that Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with
him) said: The Messengerof Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) used to seek refugewith Allah from the jinn and people's eyes
(i.e., the evil eye) until the Mu'aawidhatayn were revealed, then when
they were revealed he began to recite them for protection and stopped
reciting anything else.
Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (2058); classed as saheehby al-Albaani in
Saheeh at-Tirmidhi.
Blowing with a little saliva after reciting the Mu'aawidhatayn is
takenfrom the practice of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be
upon him) just before going to sleep. He used to recite them into his
hands and blow into them, then wipe his body with his hands. When he
fell sick, 'Aa'ishah used to do thatfor him, which indicates that in
the case of a small child, his mother can recite the Mu'aawidhatayn
and blow (into her hands) and wipe his body with them.
It was narrated that 'Aa'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
went to his bed, he would blow into his hands after reciting Qul Huwa
Allaahu Ahad (Soorat al-Ikhlaas) and the Mu'aawidhatayn, then he would
wipe his face and whatever he could reach of his body with his hands.
'Aa'ishahsaid: And when he fell sick, he would tell me to do that for
him.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5748).
With regard to the adkhaar for the morningand evening, there is no
report – as far as we know – to suggest that they may be recited
overothers with the intention of performing ruqyah, so we do not
advise you to carry on doing that; rather you should limit it to what
has been proven from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him), for that is sufficient. The best of guidance is the guidance of
Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
And Allah knows best.

I want to be a devoted slave of Allaah … ten pointers

My question is short. I want to enter Paradise, Iwant to strive to
control my self (my nafs), I want to kiss my mother's handevery day, I
want to keep away from whims and desires and from theShaytaan, I want
Allaah to call me a devoted slave on the Day of Resurrection, in sha
Allaah, I want to love my brothers, and I want my faith to keep
increasing. What should I do?.
Praise be to Allaah.
We ask Allaah to make you steadfast in adhering to the truth, and to
make your hopes come true, and to make you one of those who turn to
Him and who know the truth, defend it and adhere to Islam.
The things you mention in your question indicate that you have a sound
and pure nature, and a great desire to achieve great things andto give
everyone his rights. These are great hopes that can be achieved
through faith, as it was narrated that Sufyaan al-Thawri said: Faith
is not wishes or pretence, rather it is what settles in the heart and
is proven by actions." So we will discuss the matter of faith and how
importantit is in becoming a devoted slave, pleasing and honouring
one's parents and achieving the victory of Paradise.
Whoever seeks to achieve great things has to stay up at night (worship).
Hence al-Fudayl said: "You hearts can never taste the sweetness of
faith until they shun worldly pleasures." And he also said, "If you
cannot pray qiyaam at night and fast during the day, then know that
you are deprived."
The sincere believer has a heart like a burning coal, hence it was
narrated by al-Haakim inhis Mustadrak and al-Tabaraani in his Mu'jam
with a saheeh isnaad that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said, "Faith wears out in your heart as clothes wear out,
so ask Allaah to renew the faith in your hearts."
The believer's heart may sometimes feel overwhelmed by clouds of sin.
This was portrayed to us by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) when he said:"There is no heart that does not have clouds
like the clouds that coverthe moon. When the cloud covers it, it is
dark,and when the cloud moves away it shines." Narrated by
al-Tabaraaniin al-Awsat, and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. So the
believer's heart is sometimes covered with a cloud and its light is
hidden, and it remains dark and lonely, but if he strives to increase
his store of faith and seeks the help of Allaah, that cloud goes away
and thelight in his heart starts toshine again. Hence one of the salaf
said: "It is part of a person's smartness to c heck on his faith and
be aware of what affects it." It is also part of a person's smartness
"that he recognizes how the Shaytaan whispers to him."
So he has to come back to faith. If you come back to faith and do as
itrequires, then you will achieve what you want. We will tell you of a
basic principle which will let you know when faith is present and when
it is not. Imam Ibn al-Jawzi said: "O you who are turned away, O you
who are deprived ofmeeting your loved ones, if you want to know how
you stand before the king, then look at how you are spending your time
and what work you are assigned to do. How many people stand at the
door of the king, butno one enters except theone whom he cares for.
Not every heart is fit to draw close, not every heart can be filled
with love, not every wind is like the morning breeze."
If a person want to know how he stands before Allaah and how he stands
in relation to His commands and prohibitions, let him look at himself
and see what he is preoccupied with. If he is busy with da'wah and
with saving people from the Fire, striving to attain Paradise, helping
the weak and needy, honouring his parents, then let him rejoice in the
fact that he is close to the King of kings, for Allaah does not help
anyone to do good except those whom He loves.
But if he is has no interest in da'wah, dislikes the daa'iyahs and
does not do good things, if he is preoccupied with this world and its
gains, and with gossip and asking too many questions, whilst not doing
much or following his whims and desires, let him know that he is far
from Allaah and has been deprived of that which will bring him closer
to Paradise, because Allaah says in His holy Book (interpretation of
the meaning):
"Whoever desires the quick-passing (transitoryenjoyment of this
world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then,
afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell; he will burn therein
disgraced and rejected ( far away from Allaah's Mercy).
And whoever desires theHereafter and strives for it, with the
necessary effort due for it (i.e. does righteous deeds of Allaah's
obedience) while he is a believer (in the Oneness of Allaah Islamic
Monotheism) — then such are the ones whose striving shall be
appreciated, (thanked and rewarded by Allaah)"
[al-Isra' 17:18-19]
My brother, if you want to have a high position in all kinds of good
deeds, to be a devoted slave of Allaah and to honour your parents, and
you are seeking Paradise, then you have to do the following:
1 – You have to revive the faith in your heart. Faith is what will
bring the Muslim everything he seeks in this world and in the
Hereafter. Faith is the key to all goodness and locks the door to all
evil. The means of reviving and strengthening faith in one's heart are
many and varied, including doing a lot of acts of worship and
righteous deeds.
2 – You must turn to your Lord sincerely, as it says in the report:
"If My slave turns to me inwardly and outwardly,I will turn the hearts
of My slaves to him with love and mercy."
Allaah has made worshipthe ultimate aim and loftiest purpose of man:
"And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they
should worship Me (Alone)"
[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56 – interpretation of the meaning)]
3 – You should always set your sights on the highest degrees, and make
your goal in life to earn the pleasure of Allaah, and strive to attain
the victory of Paradise, or to attain thehighest Firdaws. You should
strive as hard as you can to achieve theselofty aims.
4 – You should follow the example of historicalMuslim figures such as
the Sahaabah, Taabi'eenand righteous forebears (the salaf).
5 – You should make the most of every minute, every moment and
everyheartbeat to use it in such a way as to increase your faith.
6 – You should try to keep company with righteous people, because the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said,
"A man will follow the religion of his close friend, so let each one
of you look at whom he befriends." Narrated by Abu Dawood and
al-Tirmidhi with a hasan isnaad. Good friends are one of the best
means of helping you to obey Allaah and to avoid sin and error.
7 – Doing a lot of righteous deeds which will bring you happinessin
this world and in the Hereafter.
8 – Praying qiyaam al-layl, making du'aa' in the time just before
dawn. The feet of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) used to swell because of his desire to be a
thankful slave, even though Allaah had forgiven his previous and
future sins.
9 – Persisting in reading a portion of Qur'aan daily, and other dhikr
that helps you to think and ponder the meanings of the Qur'aan.
10 – Striving to spread the word and make da'wah for the sake of
Allaah, and working for Islam as much as possible.
If you want to reach the status of devoted slave for which you long,
thenbe as Allaah commandedHis Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him):
"Say (O Muhammad): Verily, my Salaah (prayer), my sacrifice, myliving,
and my dying are for Allaah, the Lord of the 'Aalameen (mankind,jinn
and all that exists)"
[al-An'aam 6:162]
Being a devoted slave of Allaah means declaring one's devotion and
belonging to the Lord, which can only be achieved by applying this
aayah, so that we are for Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds, in all our
affairs.
Being a devoted slave of Allaah can only be fully achieved in this
manner;it can only be achieved by worshipping Allaah inthe fullest
sense of the word, which means making our living and dying, and all
our movements, for Him alone. So we only speak that which is pleasing
to Allaah; we only do that which is pleasing to Allaah; we focus our
intention in these wordsand deeds only on Allaah. Worship should not
be reduced to merely raising and lowering our heads at certain times,
or giving afew pennies every once in a while, or fasting a few days
each year, or moving our lips to say a few words and dhikrs.
Hence the deeds that lead to this status – of being a devoted slave –
are innumerable and may take many shapes inall aspects of our lives
and the places where welive. This is by the bounty of Allaah towards
us and towards all people.
Just look, in every place where you find yourself and every moment
that comes to you, for that which will please Him, and what you think
He wants to see you doing, and do it. Then you will be a devoted
slave.
Finally, we ask Allaah to accept righteous deeds from us and from you,
and to gather us and you in His mercy with the Prophets, siddeeqs,
martyrs and righteous, and those are the best ofcompanions.

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How thirty people ate in the dark

Sheikh Abul Hasan Antaki (RA.) lived in Raye, a city in Khorassan.One
day, it chanced that the Sheikh had more than thirty guests, while he
did not have sufficient bread with him. He could not bake more bread,
for, it was late at night. So, he broke the few loaves he had into
small pieces and spread them over a piece of cloth, which he had laid
before his guests. When they were going to start eating, theSheikh put
out the lamp.Everybody seemed to start eating and one could hear the
sound of their chewing. After a while, the sound stopped and it was
presumed that everybody had finished eating. The Sheikh then lighted
the lamp and they saw that all the pieces were lying untouched; nobody
had eaten anything. Because the food was little, everyone was thinking
about his brothers next to him and wanted themto eat instead.
Source: "Fadhail-e-Sadaqaa: Part II" translated by Prof. AbdulKarim.
May Allah make us usefulfor each other in terms of pleasing Allah.

What happened before and after the birth of Prophet Muhammad

Some men of the city of Makka went on a trip to Syria. On the way they
met a monk. Four of these Makkis decided to stop for a while to talk
with the monk.
In those days monks lived in places where there were very few people
so that they could have quite to worship Allah. They also were people
who read books and knew many stories. Only a few Makkis knew about
reading. All they knew about was trade and enjoying themselves. They
knew they would hear interesting and entertaining stories from the
monk.
After talking for a while the monk asked the men, " where are you from ?"
They answered, " we arefrom Makka.",
The monk then told them, " Allah will send a prophet to Makka soon."
The four men continued on their journey thinking about the things the
monk had said. Each of them wished that the new prophet would be his
own son.
Abdulmuttalib was asleep in Kaaba. He had a strange dream. He saw a
tree growing until it reached the sky. The treehad branches that
spread to the East and the West. It appeared that a very bright light
was shining on the tree. Abdulmutalib saw the Arabs and the non-Arabs
bow to the tree. The treecontinued growing larger, higher, and
brighter. Then he saw some people from Quraysh holding to the branches
of the tree, while other Qurayshis tried to chop down the tree. A very
handsome youth stopped them from chopping down the tree. Abdulmuttalib
saw himself put his handout to grab the tree, but he could not reach
it. He woke up from his sleep frightened.
Abdulmuttalib sat thinking of the dream and what it meant, but he
could not find an explanation for it. The next morning he went tothe
priestess of the Quraysh to ask her to explain the dream. The Arabs
always asked the priest or priestess for theexplanation of dreams.
When the priestess saw Abdulmuttalib, she saw sign of worry on his
face, so she asked, "why do you look so worried:"
Abdulmuttalib answered, " I had a dream that frightened me." Then he
told her all about the dream.
When he finished, she said, "if your dream evercomes true, then one of
your sons will control the East and the West. Allthe people will
follow him."
Abdulmuttalib was pleased with what the priestess had told him. Later
when he met his son Abu Talib he told him about the dream and what
priestess had said. Then he said to his son, Abu Talib, " I hope you
are the one the priestess meant in her explanation."
But the intended one was not Abu Talib. The one the priestess mean was
the yet unborn grandson of Abdulmuttalib. Abdulmuttalib had grandson
named Abdullah who was married to Amina, daughter of Wahb. Amina was
expecting a baby. Before the baby was born, Abdullah had gone on a
trading trip. He became ill on the trip and had died. Abdullah never
saw his son.
During her pregnancy, Amina felt no pain or discomfort. She had always
heard women complaining about the hardships of pregnancy, but she felt
very well. During these months Amina had many dreams. One night in a
dream she saw a light coming out of her. The light was shining on
castles of Syria.
Another night she heard a voice in her dream. The voice said, "Amina,
you are carrying the greatest man in the world. When you give birth,
give him the name, Muhammad and tell no one about this dream."
Amina woke up and looked around but therewas no one in the room. She
tried to go to sleep again but she was still thinking about what
shehad heard in the dream.
It was time for Amina's baby to be born. She gave birth to a
beautiful,clean baby boy. Since the boy's father had died months
earlier, Amina sent the news to her son's grandfather, Abdulmuttalib.
Abdulmuttalib was sitting in the Kaaba when the news came. Hewas
delighted. He went to Amina and carried theboy happily to the Kaaba.
When he broughtthe baby back to her, he said, " I have named
himQuthm."
Abdulmuttalib had a boynamed Quthm but he had died when he was nine
years old. That made Abdulmuttalib very sad. So when Aminagave birth
to a boy, Abdulmuttalib wanted toname him after the deadboy.
Amina had to tell him, " Iwas ordered in a dream to call him
Muhammad." Abdulmuttalib picked upthe baby, kissed him andsaid, " I
hope that my grandson, Muhammad, will be a great man."
On the seventh day after Mohammed's birth, Abdulmuttalib ordered
animals to be slaughtered and asked the people of Makka to come to a
feast. After everyone had eaten, Abdulmuttalib brought out his
grandson, Muhammad, to show thepeople. Everyone said that he was such
a beautiful baby. The people also felt sad for the baby because he
wasan orphan. His father had died before seeing him.
One of the men asked Abdulmuttalib, " What did you name him?"
Abdulmuttalib answered, " I have named Muhammad."
Another man asked in surprise, "why did you name him Muhammad? No one
in your family or people was ever named Muhammad."
Abdulmuttalib did not want to reveal that Amina was asked in a dream
to name him Muhammad, so he said, "I wanted Allah to praise him in
Heaven and I wanted people to praise him on Earth."
When the visitors left, not one of them realizedthat this orphan baby
was the one chosen to lead them from darknessto light. They did not
know he was the answerto Ibrahim's prayer the day Ibrahim was ordered
to build the Kaaba:
"Our Lord, send unto them a messenger from among themselves to show
them your signs, toteach them the Qur'an and wisdom, and to purify
them. You are All-Mighty and All-Wise." (The Qur'an Al-Baqara 128)