Where Are the Answers?

"What am I going to do? Why is my life so messed up? Why can't I find
happiness? Why am I alone? Why do I feel stuck? Why do I have these
problems?'…
These questions only have meaning if we direct them to Allah. No one
else can answer them. Consider the wordsof the Prophet Ya'qub
(alayhis-salam, peace be upon him) when his son Yusuf (as) was
secretly thrown into a well by his brothers. They then reported to
their father that Yusuf had been killed by a wolf.
And he turned away fromthem and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Yusuf," and
his eyes became white from grief, and he fell into silent melancholy.
They said, "By Allah , you will not cease remembering Yusuf until you
become fatally ill or become of those who perish."
He said, " I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah , and
I knowfrom Allah that which you do not know.
- Quran, Surat Yusuf, 12:84-86
"I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah…"
When you feel stuck, when you feel that no one understands your
situation, when you're in pain and you can't even imagine a solution,
only Allah has the answers. You can't see a way forward, but He can.
You don't see your own worth, but He does. You can't figure out the
road to happiness, but He can show you.
I remember a night in Arizona when I was twenty six years old. I lay
on a cot in a small, frigid cell. There was snow outside and I had
only a thin blanket. As I often did, I put on all my clothing in
layers – three pants, three shirts, an army jacket and a pair of boots
– and still I kept waking up shivering and shaking. Yet, even more
than the physical discomfort, my spirit was tired. I had made mistakes
in my youth andhad been locked up for almost five years. I had become
hard mentally and physically, but my heart was full of sorrow. Ilay
there that night and I thought, "I have nothing in life. I have
accomplished nothing. I have no university degree, no wife, no
children, and not even my freedom."
That was a bad time. But I had my faith, and I usedto weep to Allah,
asking Him to have mercy on me. I think I gave up on myself for a
while, but I never gave up on Allah. Itwould not even have occurred to
me to do so. Idid cry to Him sometimes saying, "Why, Allah? Why? Why
am I here, suffering like this?" But itwasn't despair, only confusion.
In my heart I knew that He heard me and that an answer would come.
Shortly after that I received a letter from theparole board granting
me early release. I had previously been told veryclearly that I was
not eligible. It was entirely unexpected, and if you are familiar with
the American penal system, miraculous. But for Allah, nothing is
impossible or even difficult.
Within a few months I was free. I found a job a week after my
release, and I excelled. I began writing, sitting at my desk every
night after work and disciplining myself to work on poetry,stories and
articles. Eventually I went back to school and began a new career, got
married, bought a beautiful house, and one day had achild…
What can I say except Alhamdulillah! SubhanAllah! What can I do except
weep in gratitude for these blessings that I did nothing to earn, but
were given to me by my Lord who loves me and cares about me, and wants
good for me. I am so deeply touched and moved by the way Allah has
answered my prayersfrom the depths of darkness. If I did anything to
merit His blessings, perhaps it was only that I directed my pleas to
Him. I knew that no one else could help me.
This is a very emotional post for me to write. I want every Muslim to
have this sense of Allah astheir friend, as someone who cares for them
deeply. I want to put thatawareness into your heart like a gift.
When I was in that cell I used to pray the same dua' over and over,
begging Allah repeatedly.If I had made such pleas to a human being
they would have stopped hearing me long ago. When we're needy with
people it pushes them away, but when we're needy with Allah He comes
closer to us! He never tires of answering our need and forgiving us.
I know of many similar stories of people who have hit rock bottom
andhave called upon Allah – or , not even knowing "Allah" by that
name, have called to the Supreme Being, saying, "Iknow you hear me,
tell me what I need to do, show me the way!" – andthen, like a circle
of sunlight piercing a cloud,something or someone comes into their
lives to show them the way forward.
When we're out of ideas, surrounded by problems, and feeling totally
alone… we're not alone . Allah is with us. If we pray sincerely and
strive, He will put light in our hearts and help us from directions we
did not expect.
Ask Allah sincerely, open yourself to Him, and accept what He gives
youeven when it goes against your own desires.The answers to your
questions are there, with Allah, I promise you. All those terrible
questions that you ask yourself in the silence of your mind, the
answers are with Allah.

Resilience is Contagious

"Resilience is contagious." – Amy Estrada. Sure, life comes along now
and then and blows you off your feet. That's alright. What matters is
that you get back up.
You don't have to have the answers. You don't have to be superman or
superwoman. When the thundercloud opens up, who among us can stop the
rain? When the hurricane blows, who can stay on his feet? No one.
When the storm passes, stand up. Dust yourself off, take stock, and
move forward in the name of Allah. If the storm has disoriented you
and you don't see the way forward, look to the Quran. "And if there
should come to you guidance from Me – then whoever follows My guidance
will neither go astray [in the world] nor suffer [in the Hereafter]."
(Quran, Surat TaHa, 20:123). The Quran is a mighty book. Never
underestimate it. If you cannot speak Arabic and find the English
translations unwieldy, get one of the modern translations that are
easier to read, like those by Umm Muhammad, or Thomas Cleary.
When you get knocked down and then stand up tall, with strength,
otherssee it, and it rallies them. Your spouse sees it, your children
see it, your friends see it, and of course Allah sees it. Don't think
of it as showing off.Not at all. Think of it as brotherhood and
sisterhood, all of us helping each other, giving each other strength,
being good shepherds to our flocks.
Superman is no hero, he's impervious to bullets! Real heroes get hurt,
they get down on themselves sometimes, they're imperfect, they
struggle to pay the bills and raise their children, they struggle to
be become stronger in their faith, but they struggle! They don't give
up.
That's inspiring, and it's contagious, and maybe sometimes it will be
someone else inspiring you, and maybe sometimes it will be you,
getting up after the hurricane, showing us all how it's done.

Give Me Something Better

The Messenger of Allah (sws) said: "There is no calamity that befalls
one of the Muslims and he responds 'Inna Lillahi wa inna ilahi
raaji'oun, Allahumma ujurni fi museebati w'ukhluf li khayran minha,'
(Truly to Allah we belong & truly to Him we shall return, O Allah
reward me in this calamity & compensate me with something better than
it), but Allah will compensate him with something better than it."
(Muslim 918)
In other words, if you've lost something precious, or if disaster has
hit you, and you respond with faith in Allah, asking Him to replace
your loss with something better, then Allah will surely respond and
give you something better.
SubhanAllah! What more could we ask? Allah is theonly one who does
this. Ifyour house is destroyed, the insurance company will try to
find a way to deny your claim, and if they finally pay then theywill
pay less than it's worth.
The crucial thing is that the dua' must be said in that moment of pain
and loss, when you are really hurting. You can't respond at first by
saying, "Why did you do this to me Allah, I didn't deserve this!" then
months later when you've recovered somewhat, think you can say this
dua' and it will work for you.
The whole point is that inthose moments when lifeis most difficult and
you are totally thrown for a loop, you respond by turning to Allah.
That's the test. Those moments are the proving ground of your soul. If
you can face Allah in those moments of agony and say – I trust You,
all thingsreturn to You, I know youwill give me something better –
then indeed Allah will give you more than you can imagine.
May Allah give us the strength to remember Him and turn to Him
instinctively in times of calamity and times of joy as well.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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242 hadith found in ' The Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah) ' of Sahih Muslim.

3232
'Alqama reported: While Iwas going along with 'Abdullah b. Ma'sud
(Allahhe pleased with him) in Mina, 'Uthman b. 'Affan (Allah be
pleased with him) happened to meet him and said: Come here, Abu 'Abd
al-Rahman (kunya of Abdullah b. Mas'ud), and he isolated him (from
me), and when'Abdullah (b. Mas'ud) sawthat there was no need (for this
privacy), he said to me: 'Alqama, come on, and so I went there. (Then)
'Uthman said to him: Abu Abd al-Rahman, should we not marry you to a
virgin girl that your past may be recalled to your mind? 'Abdullah
said: If you say so, the rest of the hadith is the same as narrated
above.
3233
Abdullah (b. Mas'ud) (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
Allah'sMessenger (may peace beupon him) said to us: 0 young men, those
amongyou who can support a wife should marry, for it restrains eyes
(from casting evil glances) and preserves one from immorality; but he
who cannot afford It should observe fast for it is a means of
controlling the sexual desire.
3234
Abu al-Rahman b. Yazid said: I and my uncle 'Alqama and al-Aswad went
to 'Abdullah b. Mas'ud (Allah be pleased with him). He (the narrator
further) said: I was at that time young, and he narrated a hadithwhich
it seemed he narrated for me that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon
him) said like one transmitted by Mu'awiya, and further added: I lost
no time in marrying.
3235
'Abd al-Rahman b. Yazid reported on the authority of Abdullah: Wewent
to him, and I was the youngest of all (of us), but he did not
mention:" I lost no time in marrying."
3236
Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that some of the Companions
of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) asked his (the Prophet's)
wives about the acts that he performed in private. Someone among them
(among his Companions) said: I will not marry women; someone amongthem
said: I will not eat meat; and someone among them said: I will not lie
down in bed. He (the Holy Prophet) praised Allah and glorified Him,
and said: What has happened to these people that they say so and so,
whereas I observe prayer and sleeptoo; I observe fast and suspend
observing them; I marry women also? Andhe who turns away from my
Sunnah, he has no relation with Me

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

Lady Fatimah Zahra (pbuh): Let Us Walk in HerFootsteps? [Syeda Fatima Zahra (sa)]

A role model can be defined as a guide, pattern, and as a leader. The
term "role model" seeks to identify a personwho possesses certain
characteristics, which people admire and choose to follow. Different
people choose different role models in their lives and try to live
their life in accordance towhat they see in that rolemodel. A role
model may have impact in a single aspect of one's life, or it may have
impact on many or all aspects of a person's life. Naturally one's
life, goal, and motive may then be shaped and constructed based on
his/her role model.
One, who chooses Islam as his school of life, has actually chosen a
way and goal that has been based on human nature. Thus such a person
will search for a character that possesses all the special
characteristics that the school of monotheism has offered in each
aspect of life in order to reach his goal ofperfection.
In the following verse, the Noble Qur'an introduces Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh), the prophet of Islam, as the best and perfect role model:
"Certainly there is in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for
him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much."
(Noble Qur'an, 33:21)
Through a deep study of the life of Lady Fatemah Zahra (pbuh), one can
slightly understand her exalted human personality. She is similarto
her father, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in terms of her divine and humane
character. Her similarity to her father is a truth that can be easily
understood through her father's sayings about her. As the narrator
quotes, Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came out while holding the hand
of Lady Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) in his hand.He said:
"(For) him, who does not know her, she is Fatimah,the daughter of
Muhammad, she is a part of me, she is my soul, which is (located)
between my two sides. Certainly, him who harmsher has harmed me; and
him who harms me has indeed harmed Allah."
Other than being similar to the Messenger of Allah,Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh), which in itself is a complete and perfect proof of her being a
role model, there are many other examples that prove her as a perfect
and excellent model.
For example, Aisha bint Abu Bakr and some others have narrated thatthe
Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said:
"O Fatimah! Glad tidings be upon you, for the almighty Allah (SWT) has
selected you above the women of the worlds and the women of Islam,
which is the best religion."
Let it be noted that the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
holds such an esteemed character that all of his sayings, behaviors,
and manners are proof for us. He talks according to what is revealed
to him and through his deep knowledge and insight. Ifhe is silent
about a person, or when he praises, or disgraces another, it is
thoroughly true. As the Noble Qur'an notes:
"Nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is
revealed." (Noble Qur'an, 53:3-4)
The messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has honored his
daughter and has greatlypraised her. Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) praises
of Lady Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) is not out ofa fatherly love and
affection. As a matter of fact the praises are due to the actual
existence of such valuable moralities in Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (pbuh).
She is really greatand pure; by praising her, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
seeks to make herreal personality clear for others.
Allah (SWT) has selected Prophet of Islam and the Infallible Imams
(pbut) asperfect human beings, role models, and guides for all.
Similarly, Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (pbuh) is a model for all people of
the world, be it man orwoman. Truly, following her footsteps is
followingthe Messenger of Allah and the Infallible Imams (pbut).

Fatema Zahra (sa): Bidhatur Rasool and Sayyidati Nisa il Aalameen

Prophet Mohammed (saw) has said, "Fatima is part of me, whoever harms
her, harms me." Prophet Mohammed (saw) has also said,"Fatima is part
of me, whoever disappoints her,disappoints me."
In these traditions, the statement that 'Fatima is part of me', has an
in-depth meaning. It shows that Fatema Zahra (sa) is not only the
daughter of Rahmatul Lil Aalameen (Mercy to all the Worlds) ; No
wonder that where Prophet Mohammed (saw) declared Fatima (sa) as part
of himself, he (saw) also announced, "Verily my daughter Fatima is the
leader of the women of the worlds."
Fatema Zahra (sa), by virtue of being 'Bidhatur Rasool' [part of
Prophet Mohammed (saw)] and 'Sayyidati Nisa il Aalameen' [Fatima is
the leader of the women of the worlds for all times] is an excellent
role modelparticularly for the Muslim women, because the Prophethood
of Mohammed (saw) would not have been everlasting without her. Prophet
Mohammed (saw) is the perfect example for men but could not be so for
women. For all Noble Qur'anic verses revealed for women, Fatema
Zahra(sa) has been the perfect model, who translated every verse of
Noble Qur'an into action. In her lifetime, she was a complete woman,
being daughter, wife and mother par excellence.
As a true role model of women's rights and respect, Fatema Zahra (sa)
cares for her father when everyone else ignore him, encourages her
husband when everyone else rebukes him and tends to and raises such
children as Imam Hassan, Imam Hussain, Hazrat Zainab and Hazrat Umm
Kulthum(pbut). She fights for her right (Fadak) in front of the
caliphate at that time, all while maintaining her dignity and modesty.
She portrays excellence in all her character, whether it be as a
daughter or as a wife or a mother, or as a leader of women, humble yet
strong.
All the children of FatemaZahra (sa) are a jewel in the crown of Islam
and Fatema Zahra (sa) is the reason behind it. Both religious and
secular scholars agree that a child begins learning in the womb of his
mother and the foundation laid by the parent is essential in the
future character and morals of the child. Fatema Zahra (sa) displays a
model for all the God-fearing parents in the upbringing of her four
children. It has been narrated by a companionof Prophet (saw) in Bihar
al-Anwar that one day, he saw Fatema Zahra (sa)busy grinding some
grain. In the meanwhile, her older son Imam Hassan (as) became
impatient and started crying. The companion ofProphet (saw) offered
help to Fatema Zahra (sa), asking her whether she would like him to
take over the grinding ofgrain or comforting the child. She answered
by saying that it would be better for her to take over the grinding,
since she would be better at comforting her child. Thisproves the
importance ofa mother being present around her child as muchas
possible, since only a mother can truly comfort and soothe her child
and no one else can be as much of a comfort as a mother.
Fatema Zahra (sa) was the perfect human being that was infallible,
according to the verse of Hadith al-Kisa (cover), and which talks
about the infallibility of the fivepeople who were under the cover in
the house of Umm Salama (sa) . Prophet Mohammed (saw) used to remind
the people of this Ayah nearly every morning. Where he (saw) used to
pass by Fatima Al-Zahra's (sa) house and say: " Assalamu Alaika Ya
Ahle Baite Naboowah (Peace be upon you O people of the house of Ahlul
Bayt ofNaboowah). Allah (SWT) only wishes to remove uncleanness from
you Members of the Family and to purify you."
Thus, when we talk about Fatema Zahra (sa) we are talking of an
infallible human being whose manners were superior to the extent that
she could be considered a role model not only for Muslim women, but
also for all Muslims being a perfect image of the prophet. Following
her means, following her role model in our practice and not just
crying for her fate, because she is not an object for our crying and
mourning.

Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) the Little Supporter: Umme Abiha (mother of her father)

The tenth year after Besat-e-Rasool (The year Prophet Muhammad (saw)
began his mission) was a very hard period for Muslims. The respected
Hazrat Abu Talib (as) and Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (sa) had passed away
within a short span of time. Prophet Muhammad (saw) had lost two of
his best and kindest supporters both at home and in the society.
Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) had a very difficult time as well. She had lost a
mother like Khadijah bintKhuwaylid (sa) while she was only six years
old. However, this was not the only difficulty she had to face; as a
matter of fact, every time she would come out of the house, she was
faced unpleasant events . She would see the enemies cursing Prophet
Muhammad (saw) or even hurting him physically. Nevertheless, she had
understood the new situation and despite her young age she had
realized that supporting her father, Prophet Muhammad (saw) was of her
new responsibilities. Hence, she became a great contributor and
supporter of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (saw).
Once she saw a number of people had gathered around in Masjid al-Haram
to plan the murder of Prophet Muhammad (saw). FatimaAl-Zahra (sa)
returned home with tearful eyes, and told her father aboutthe plan; as
a result the enemies had failed to carry out their plan. At another
time, one of the polytheists, who had apparently come to visit Prophet
Muhammad (saw), threw dirt and garbage on Prophet Muhammad (saw).
Prophet Muhammad (saw), owner of the greatest morality, acted as if
nothing had happened, forgave him, and returned home. When Fatima
Al-Zahra (sa) saw what had happened to her father, ran to him with
some water and washed his father's head and face. She began to cry at
the harsh act the enemies had done to her father, but Prophet Muhammad
(saw) told her:
"O my daughter! Do not cry. Be sure that Allah (SWT) will protect your
father from all evils and will make him successful in his mission."
At another incident, when some polytheist poured the waste of a
slaughtered Camel and sheep on Prophet Muhammad (saw) during his
prostration, again, it was Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) who went to help
Prophet Muhammad (saw) with love. She helped her father clean the
waste, and with her act caressed her father's soul.
These affectionate moralities of Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was so muchthat
Prophet Muhammad (saw) called her "Umme Abiha (mother of her father)"
implying the deepness of love and care little Fatima Al-Zahra(sa)
showed her father, Prophet Muhammad (saw).
As a wife, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was deeply devoted to her husband,
Imam Ali (as) and had neverasked him for anything in her whole life.
As a mother, she cared for and brought up the most wonderful children
who have left their marks in history that time will not be able to
erase.
Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was very intelligent, accomplished and cheerful.
She had inherited the genius and wisdom, determination and willpower,
the piety and sanctity, the generosity and benevolence, the devotion
and worship of Allah (SWT) as well as other great qualities like
self-sacrifice and hospitality, forbearance and patience, and the
knowledge and nobility of disposition from her illustrious father,
ProphetMuhammad (saw), both in words and deeds. Her generosity and
compassion for the poor was such that no destitute or beggar ever
returned from her door unattended.
We, Muslims believe that Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) is themost superior
woman through all the centuries and eras. This belief is inferred from
Prophetic narratives. In one of these statements (on which both
Shiites and Sunnites agree) the GreatProphet Muhammad (saw) says:
"Sayyidati Nisa il Aalameen (Fatima is the master of all the women of
the worlds.)" Although it is mentioned in the Noble Qur'an that Maryam
[Mary, mother of Prophet Jesus (pbuh)] is the best woman in the worlds
and has high position and is considered to be chaste and continence
and is one of the four greatest women, she was the best woman of her
life's period, but Fatima Al-Zahra's (sa) superiorityis not restricted
to her life's period and is history time. That is why Prophet Muhammad
(saw) named her as the greatest women of all thewomen from the first
to the last in another saying. Another point that can be inferred
fromthese narratives is that because Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) is the
greatest woman and no other has competence with her, knowing and
recognizing all her life and every moment of herlife is extremely
valuable,as we can reach high spiritual states by deliberating it.
Furthermore, by referring to the Noble Qur'an we find out that several
verses are descended to state her position: (33:33, known as
Ayat-e-Tatheer), (3:61, known as Ayat-e-Mubahila), (17:26), the
beginning verses of chapter 76 (al-Insan) , thewhole chapter 108
(al-Kawthar).

Fatima Al-Zahra (sa), Personality, Names, Titles,Birth, Rank

Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) belongs to the noblest family ever existing
throughout the whole history of mankind. Her distinguished father
Prophet Muhammad (saw) was the very last messenger of Allah (SWT),a
personality that the Noble Qur'an introduces him as the Best Paradigm.
The mother of Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was a pure noble lady named
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (sa), a godly woman withunparalleled virtues
and merits, who dedicated allher life and wealth for the sake of
Islam. Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) is the wife of the Leader of all
Believers, Ameerul Momineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), mother of the
Masters of the youths of heaven (Syed-e-Shabab-e-Ahlul Jannah) and
grandmother of the other nine Imams of Islam. Her name is as beautiful
and as peacefulas the garden of heaven.
Her name is Fatimah and her other names are: Zahra, Seddiqah,
Tahirah,Mubarakah, Batool, Radiah, Mardiah and Muhaddathah. The word
Fatimah means separated. She is named Fatimah because her followers
are separated from the Hell because of her. Zahra means luminous.
Sixth Imam, Imam Sadiq (as) said:"When Fatimah prayed, she shined for
the heavens as the stars shine for people on earth." Seddiqah means
someone who says nothing except the truth. Tahirah means pure and
clean, Mubarakah means full of favour and blessing, Batool means
separated from uncleanness and Radiah means satisfied with Allah's
(SWT) fate and destiny and Mardiah means laudable. Muhaddathah means
the one spoken to by angels. The following are some of her titles:
Ensiah (heavenly lady), Haniah (sympathetic), Shahidah (martyr),
Afifah (chaste), Sabirah (patient), Alimah (learned), Madhloomah
(oppressed), Ma'soomah (infallible), Umm al-Hassan (mother of Hassan),
Umm al-Hussain (mother of Hussain), Umm al-A'immah (motherof Imams)
and Umme Abiha. Umme Abiha means mother of her father. Prophet
Muhammad (saw) has given her this title and this shows that Fatima
Al-Zahra (sa) treated Prophet Muhammad (saw) as his mother. This fact
was proved throughout the history asshe cured her father during the
wars and when she was at home and many other cases.
According to the Islamic Calendar, Fatima Al-Zahra(sa) was born in
Makkah on the 20th day of the Islamic Lunar Calendar month, Jumada
Al-Thani (615 AD), five years after the declaration of the message of
Islam by Prophet Muhammad (saw) and three years after Isra and Miraj
(Nightjourney and ascension of Prophet Muhammad (saw) to heaven) and
eight years before Hijrah (migration of Prophet Muhammad (saw) from
Makkah to Medina). Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) lived eight years in Makkah
with her father and then she immigrated to Medina. When Prophet
Muhammad (saw) died inMadina, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was eighteen years
and few months old.
Pure noble lady Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (sa) and Prophet Muhammad
(saw) bestowed all their natural love, care and devotion on their
lovablechild Fatima Al-Zahra (sa),who in her turn was extremely fond
of her parents.
As a daughter, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) loved her parents so much that she
won their love and regard. The behavior of Prophet Muhammad (saw)
toward his daughter Fatima Al-Zahra(sa) was special. Prophet Muhammad
(saw) showed unique respect to his dear daughter; whenever Fatima
Al-Zahra (sa) came to see him, he (saw) welcomed her, stood up to show
respect and even kissed her hand and made her sit at his own place. On
every occasion that Prophet Muhammad (saw) decided to go on a journey,
Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was the last one to whom he (saw) bade farewell,
and as soon as he (saw) came back from his trip, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa)
was the first one whom Prophet Muhammad (saw) visited.
Ayesha, the wife of Messenger of Allah (saw), spoke about this
physical,spiritual and moral relationship: "Never haveI seen anyone
more like the Messenger of Allah (saw) in his solemn way of standing
and sitting, more than Fatimah, may Allah (SWT) grant her more honor.
When she (Fatimah) came in to see him, he (Messenger of Allah) would
rise to his feet, take her hand, kiss her and seat her where he was
seated. And whenhe came to see her, she would stand up, take his hand,
kiss him and seat him where she was seated."
Ayesha, the wife of Messenger of Allah (saw), was also reported to
have said: "Never have I seen anyone resembling Prophet of Allah, in
his way of speaking and talking, better than Fatimah."
The highest degree of humanity is Infallibility, where the consent and
anger is based solely upon the anger and consent of Allah (SWT).
Aninfallible person shows content to whatever Allah (SWT) is content
with, and shows anger towhatever angers Allah (SWT). Fatima Al-Zahra
(sa) is one whom the Almighty Allah is content when she is satisfied,
andis angry when she is angry. This position has astonished many
people.
Prophet Muhammad (saw) demonstrated to the people the lofty status of
women in Islam.One day when a person asked Prophet Muhammad (saw) as
to why he showed such respect to his daughter, he (saw) was told: "You
do not know Fatima. She has the fragrance of paradise. Do you know
that Allah (SWT) is pleased when Fatima is pleased and Allah (SWT) is
displeased if Fatima is displeased?"
Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was virtue personified. In fact, she is
considered the greatest lady that ever graced Planet Earth. Whatever
Prophet Muhammad (saw) said about her was to make people aware of her
position and status that would serve as an example for women of
alltime.
Messenger of Allah (saw), who spoke only what was revealed to him,
toldher that she [Fatima Al-Zahra (sa)] was the chief and the best of
women : "Won't you be pleased to the chief of believers' women and the
chief of the women of this Ummah (Nation)?"
To acquaint the Muslims with Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) and her high rank,
he (saw) said to them: "The best women of Paradise are Khadijah,
daughter of Khuwailid, Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad, Maryam, daughter
of Imran, and Asiyah, daughter of Muzahim, the wife of Fir'on
(Pharaoh)."

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Q.) Is it permissible for a woman to perform Umrah with her friends who are travelling with their mehrams in a group?

A.) According to the Hanafi school of thought, a woman can only travel
on a journey of more than 78 kms (about 48 miles) be this for Umrah,
Hajj or otherwise, if she is accompanied by her husband or a Mahram
relative. Mahrams refer to those males that are perpetually haram for
her to marry, like her father, grandfather, brothers of her father and
mother, sons, grandsons, her brothers, and sons of her brothers and
sisters.
Hence if the woman concerned does not have a mahram then she cannot
travel in this way i.e. with her friends and their Mahrams.
And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Q.) In some masajid, they have short announcments/talks between the fardh and sunnah salat such as: 1.) A short talk, after prayer, on sunnah and adab. 2.) The Imam stands and talks to the congregation for a few minutes and gives them advice. 3.) Du'a requests for sick and deceased people. 4.) In some schools, they have students read a page of Qur'an after prayer to encourage other students to memorize. What is the legal status of all of these announcements?

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The reason for the question is that people who missed a few rakahs of
prayer are making up the missed rakahs are usually when the
announcements start. Or people start praying their sunnah and are
interrupted by announcements. So even if it is permissible to make a
short announcement after prayer, does the legal ruling change because
of the possibility of disturbingsomeone else's prayer?
A.) We are of the opinion that if people are performing Salaah or
making up for some missed rakaats, then announcements and duas should
not be made using the loud speaker unless they are extremely important
and kept very concise.
And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Imam Baqir (pbuh) and introduction of new Islamic coins

During the First Century Hijrah, the paper industry was controlled by
the Romans. The Egyptians learned how to make paper from the Romans
and they produced it exactly as the Romans didby marking the currency
notes with symbols of Christianity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Abdul Malik Marwan noticed these symbols and was enraged, that Egypt,
being a Muslim country used these markings. He at once wrote to his
delegates in Egypt instructing them touse the slogan of monotheism in
all their correspondence. Papers with the monotheism mark upon it were
circulated and reached the cities of Rome. Caesar, the King of Rome,
wrote letters to Abdul Malik warning and threatening him that if he
did not evade that mark he would issue orders to produce coins with
abusive language about the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw).
This worried Abdul Malik and he immediately called a meeting and
consulted with his advisors, but to no result.One of those present
suggested that they seek the assistance of Imam Baqir (pbuh). Abdul
Malikagreed ordered that Imam Baqir (pbuh) be brought honorably and
respectfully from Madina to Syria.
When Imam Baqir (pbuh)reached Syria they reported the matter to him.
Imam Baqir (pbuh) said, "Caesar has frightened you, but he will
actually not do it. Thesolution to this is that you place orders to
produce a coin with the chapter of Tawheed on one face and name of
theHoly Prophet Mohummad(saw) on the other. In this way we will not
needthe Roman coins any longer." Then he gave the explanation about
the weight and size of the coin. Then he said,"Engrave the name of
thecity where the coin is made and the year of its production upon
it."
Abdul Malik agreed that this was an excellent ideaand followed the
orders of Imam Baqir (pbuh) and sent notices to all theIslamic cities
to inform them that all business affairs should take place with the
new coins, and that the Roman coins were invalid. Whosoever possessed
them could exchange them for new Islamic coins. Then he informed a
delegate of Caesar about what had been done and sent him back. Caesar
was informed about new Islamic coins. His courtiers demanded that he
act as per his threat. But he replied, "That is now a futile thing to
do because, the Roman coinsare not used in the Islamic cities
anymore."
Our 5th Imam, Imam Baqir (pbuh) thus put a constraint upon the
influence of imperialism and the destructive plans of the imperialists
of thattime.
Moral: We should learn what our Imams (as) have taught us. They always
know what to do.

Salaam from great great grandfather Holy ProphetMohummad (saw)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) narrates from his father, Imam Baqir (pbuh):
One day, I came to Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) and greeted him.
He replied my salutations and because he was blind, he asked me to
tell him who I was. I introduced myself: "I am Mohummad, son of Ali,
son of Hussain."
Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) said: "O! Theson of the best human
being, come closer!" I went closer. He hugged me and kissed my hands
and tried to kiss my feet. I pulled myself away and prevented him from
doing so. He then continued: "The messenger of Allah (SWT),Holy
Prophet Mohummad(saw), had told me to convey his greetings (Salaam) to
you."
I replied: "Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (SWT)."
I then asked:"Jabir, what is the story behind this?"
Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) said: "Once when I was in the
presence of Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw), he said to me, 'O! Jabir,
perhaps you will live longenough until you meet a man from my
children, whose name is Mohummad, son of Ali, son of Hussain (great
great grandson), to whom Allah (SWT) has granted light and wisdom. So,
give my greetings to him.'"
Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) was a great companion ( Sahabah )
ofHoly Prophet Mohummad(saw). He was amongst the companions of Badr.
He was a participant in many of the battles of Holy Prophet
Mohummad(saw) and Imam Ali (pbuh). Jabir had always been a follower of
Prophethood and Imamat. He never neglected the love and affection
towards Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and Ahlul Bayt . The continuous
efforts of himin introducing Imam Ali (pbuh) and his respected
children to the public were many. Furthermore,he was the first pilgrim
of the shrine of Imam Hussain (pbuh) in Karbala. He became blindnear
the ends of his life and passed away at the age of 90 (in year 78 AH).
It is narrated that he used to sit in the mosque of Holy Prophet
Mohummad (saw) and say: "O! Baqir, O! Splitter of knowledge." The
people of Medina thought he had gone mad. Jabir used to say:"By Allah
(SWT)! I am not saying nonsense. I personally heard the Prophet
saying: 'O! Jabir, perhaps you will live longenough until you meet a
man from my children, whose name and appearance is similar to mine. He
will split the knowledge perfectly. So whenever you see him, send my
greetings to him.' So it is the Prophet's saying, that hasgiven me the
impulse to say such words.
Moral: If you are given something to look after or pass to someone
else (no matter how small) then look after it well as you are
accountable for it.
Complete Contentment with Allah (SWT):
Once, when Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) had arrived in the
presence of Imam Baqir (pbuh), Imam Baqir (pbuh) inquired after his
health, whereupon he said: "I find myself in a state such that I give
preference to old age over youth, to sickness over soundness of health
and to death over life!"
Imam Baqir (pbuh) responded by saying:"(On the contrary) if Allah(SWT)
makes me old, I prefer old age; if He desires to give me youth, I
prefer youth; if He afflicts me with sickness, Idesire sickness, and
if He desires to favour me withsound health, I prefer soundness of
health. If Allah (SWT) wishes to give me death, I prefer death and if
He wills to keep me alive, I desire to live."
As soon as Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) heard Imam Baqir's (pbuh)
speech he kissed Imam's face and said:"The Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw)
had spoken the truth." He (saw) had said: "O' Jabir! You shall
continue to live till you meet one of my children whose name shall be
Baqir. He shall split open knowledge just as a cow splits open the
earth."

Imam Baqir (pbuh): Earning livelihood is a worship

The town of Medina was burning under the exhalation of the heat of the
sun of Hejaz (Hijaz) and was thawing like thebenumbed sleepers under
the fire of the sky.
The branches of the palms were not oscillating under any breeze and
the trees were as weary men sleep-strucken while standing. The camels
were sheltering themselves under some shade of the palm branches,
exceeding the wall of gardens and wereruminating silently and
motionlessly. In the town every being was crawlingunder a shade and
nobody was seen in the palm gardens of the round about, except a
rather nice man having a slightly corpulent body which was leaning on
the shoulders of a young man, (perhaps his son), who was visiting his
farm. He was perspiring from the heat.
His eyes, which were half-closed because of the violent shining of
thesun, were so attractive that they recalled the looking of the most
beautiful gazelle. His nicefeature was adorned with a pretty beard and
mustache. But this handsome face was turning to purple under the sun
and the drops of perspiration were pouring from his cheeks, like the
drops of dew from a wild tulip. They were running from his face and
dropping into his chest.
At this moment another man was seen on the plain, which was advancing
towards this point. His name was Mohummad Ibn Monkader. He was
supposing himself to be apious and anchorite, a hermit man far from
Mormonism. He had a bowed down stature anda weary face. When he
reached the corpulent body man who was perspiring under the glow of
the sun, busy to supervise his farm, he wondered and said to himself:
"See how the greed of the mammon blinds the eyes of wisdom. This man
is melting like a candle under the sun. And he is not ready to stop to
hurt himself for his avidity. It is better to go to him andto advise
him. Perhaps hewill be guided."
When he came near, he knew the man and said:"Oh it's strange. This man
is Mohummad Ibn Ali, Imam Baqir, and the leader of the Shia faith. Why
this man is trying forworldly wealth?"
He goes then nearer, stood and greeted the Imam Baqir (pbuh).
ImamBaqir (pbuh), was busy with his work and was perspiring and
panting. Imam Baqir (pbuh) replied to his greeting. The man halted a
while and said: "Is it worthy fora great and pious man like you to
come out of home in this hour of the day, to seek worldly wealth? And
with this rather corpulent body you have to bear, of course, more
pain."
"If in this moment, (God forbids), your death comes, in what situation
are you going to meet Alah (SWT)? No, it is not worthy for you, with
this heat and this natural disposition, to be so concerned with
mammon."
Imam Baqir (pbuh) cleaned the perspiration off his forehead with the
back of his hand, stoppedthe work and looked at him.
"If my death in this very moment", said Imam Baqir (pbuh), "I will
meetAllah (SWT) in a state of worship." You think that the worship is
only to pray and to do religious ceremonies? I am living in the world
and I have to earn my livelihood. If I do not work I will need the
help of some men like you and I have to stretch my hands for begging.
I should fear the coming of my death when I am sinning and disobeying
my Allah (SWT). At this moment, when I am, working under the order of
Allah (SWT), I am trying not to be a weight on the shoulders of my
fellow beings.
Mohummad Ibn Monkader, struck with shame, said nothing and continued
his way, while he was humming with himself: "Wonderful. I was thinking
that I can advise him, but this was myself to earn an advice."
Moral: You should always try hard to do something by yourself and only
when you have tried and can not do it you should ask for help.
Earning livelihood is a Worship:
*. When Sa'd Ansari responded to the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) that
his hands were calloused because he used to work with a rope and a
shovel to earnmoney to spend for his wife and children, the Holy
Prophet Mohummad(saw) kissed his hand (as an honor) and said: "This is
a hand which the Fire (of Hell) will never touch."
*. The Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) said:"There are seventy branches of
worship, the best of which is earning a living lawfully."
*. Imam Ali (pbuh) said:"Never, never will prosperity be reached by
remaining idle and lazy."
*. Imam Ali (pbuh) said:"One who is always lazyhis hope will be
scattered (here and there)."
*. Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: "Avoid laziness and discontent. These two
are the keys to every vice."
*. Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: "Refrain (be away)from Laziness and
impatience for both of them are surely are the keys of every evil."
*. Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: "Laziness harms both religion as well as this world."
*. Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: "I hate the person who is jobless and who
merely lies on his back and says, O Allah! Give me sustenance! He asks
Allah to do him a favor while the small Ant comes out of its Ant
colony to seek its livelihood!"

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story - How can I live in peace with myself?

Hello!
Recently I feel very bad – I have no self confidence,no mood, no wish
for doing something, I am very confused…
Probably I am depressed, but I feel awfully!
We are living together with my boy-friend for one and a half year, but
I am very suspicious about his feelings. He is very kind with me, but
I am bored all the time, angry,I don't know what's going on with me?
I wish to be in peace with myself, but I don't know how.
How can I relax and how can I believe in myself?
I feel somehow under pressure and uncomfortable even when I am in a
taxi. That's disgusting!
Please, share with me your opinion – how can I achieve peace with myself?

story - I think i dont have a heart to love

my story starts from long time ago when i was 14. ifall in love with a
boy who was my first love. i loved him so much but unfortunately he
didnt and he doesnt like me what so ever, which was so understanable
this time.
after the years i was still thinkin eventhough i hada boyfriend and
argued about it once. when i was 19 i left my home town to london to
study, but i couldnt left without saying to him goodbye, so i called
his home and tried to talk to him, but his mom said he went to london
to study too. i was shocked asked his email address and when iwent to
london i left him an email saying that im in london i just wanted him
to know that im there, never expected him to reply me back.
maybe i was praying initially wished that to reply me back. he
replyedme and would like to chat with me and so on. after few weeks we
did meet and had lot of fun,i was living in my dream wishing that time
foreverif it could last i was happy all times, but he told me that he
would never see me as his girlfriend or anything because he has one
which is going to engagewith her.
i was shocked and cried many nights and see her pics from his computer
when im with him at his place. which was so hurting mentallly and
psychally. and after 4 months of our romance come to the ending
because he had to go back home for good. so i went to airport to say
bye to him but he just saw me for a secon and left me without saying
any single word.
all this confussion of our affair left with no heart to love to anyone
else. now im 24 still dont have no bf and just keep thinking he stole
my heart forever with him. i try to love someone but i loose my
interest for 2 weeks later. am i psycho or is it just cos i dont
findmy mr right?

Tears of Rasulullah (saw): How much do you Love Rasulullah (saw)?

Suddenly, there was a person said Salaam. "MayI come in?" he asked the
permission to enter.
But Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) did notallow him to enter the
room. "I'm sorry, my father is ill," said Fatimahdaughter of Muhammad
(saw) turned back and closed the door.
Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) went back to her father who had
opened his eyes and asked Fatimah, "Who washe, my daughter?"
"I don't know, my father. It's the first time I'm seeing him," Fatimah
daughter of Muhammad (saw) said gently.
Then, Rasulullah (saw) looked at his daughter with trembled look, as
if he wanted to reminisce about every part of her daughter's face.
"Know one thing! He is who erases the temporary pleasure; he is who
separates the companionship in the world. He is the angel of death
(Ezraeel)," said Rasulullah (saw).
Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) bore the bomb of her cry. Then,
Rasulullah (saw) ask his daughter to allowthe angel of death (Ezraeel)
to enter.
The angel of death (Ezraeel) came toward him; But Rasulullah (saw)
asked why Jibril (Gabriel)did not come along with him. Then, Jibril
was called. Jibril was ready in the sky to welcome the soul of
Habibullah and the leader of the earth.
"O Jibril, explain me about my rights in front of ALLAH (SWT)?"
Rasulullah (saw) asked with a weak voice.
"The doors of sky has opened, the angels are waiting for your soul.
Paradise opens widely waiting for you," Jibril said. But, in fact,
those alldid not make Rasulullah (saw) relieve, his eyes were still
full of worry.
"You are not happy to hear this news?" asked Jibril.
"Tell me about the destiny of my people in future?"
"Don't worry, O Rasulullah. I heard ALLAH (SWT) told me: I make
Paradise Haram (forbidden) for every one, except the people
ofMuhammad," Jibril said.
It became closer and closer, the time for the angel of death (Ezraeel)
to do his work. Slowly, Rasulullah's soul was pulled. It was seemed
that the body of Rasulullah (saw) was full of sweat; the nerves of his
neck became tight.
"Jibril, how painful this Sakaratul Maut is?" Rasulullah (saw) uttered
a groan slowly. Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw) closed her eyes,
Imam Ali (as) sat beside her, bow deeply and Jibril turned his face
back.
"Am I repugnant to you that you turn your face back O Jibril?"
Rasulullah (saw) asked to the deliverer of Wahi. "Who is the one who
could see the Habibullah in his Sakaratul Maut," Jibril said.
Not for a while, Rasulullah uttered a groan because of unbearable pain.
"O ALLAH (SWT), how greatest is this Sakaratul Maut. Give me all these
pains, don't to my people." The body of Rasulullah (saw) became cold,
his feet and chest did not move anymore. His lips vibrated as if he
wanted to say something, Imam Ali (as) took his ear close to
Rasulullah. "Uushiikum bis salati, wa maa malakat aimanuku" -"take
care of the Salaat and take care of the weak people among you."
"Outside the room, there were cries shouted each other, Sahabah
(Companions) held each other. Fatimah daughter of Muhammad (saw)
closed her face with her hands and, again, Imam Ali (as) took his ear
close to Rasulullah's mouth which became bluish.
"Ummatii, Ummatii, Ummatii" - "My people, my people, my people." And
the life of the noble prophet ended.
Could we love each other like our prophet Muhammad (saw)?
Allahuma salli ala Muhammadin wa aale Muhammad (O Allah! Bestow Peace
on Muhammad and his Descendants)
How deep is Rasulullah's love to us? Indeed Rasulullah (saw) really
deserves best of our LOVE than everything in this world as shown in
the following narration.
Thawban, the Companionof Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw):
Thawban was one of the freed slaves of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). He
was always with the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) at home or in journey.
Afterthe passing away of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) he stayed for
some years in Syria and later for some time in Egypt. He was present
at the time of the victory on Egypt. Thawban died at the age of 51
years.
It is found in Rewayat (narration) that he adored the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (saw) so much that for a single moment he could not bear his
absence. One day Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) saw him in a very sad
mood. He appeared to be weak. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) asked him,
"O' Thawban! What has happened to you? Thawban replied: "O Messenger
of Allah! I am not ill nor have any pain, but, I am worried about your
proximity which I will be missing in the Paradise. As you will be in a
higher station and I am in a lower position. I will not be able to see
you over there."
At the same moment an Ayat (verse of Noble Qur'an) was revealed."And
whoso obeys Allah and the Messenger, and then they will be in the
company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the
Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how
excellent these companions are!" Noble Qur'an (4:69) [Bihar al-Anwar
vol.2 pg.68)]
O Messenger of Allah! Indeed, I love you:
Aishah reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be
upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah! Indeed, I love you more
than I love myself, and I love you more than I love my family, and I
love you more than I lovemy children. When I am at home and I think of
you, I am unable to contain myself until I can come to you and look at
you. When I think about my death and your death, I know that when you
enter Paradise, you will be raised to where the Prophets are. But, if
I enter Paradise, I am afraid: will I be able to see you?"
So, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not answer him at
all until Jibril revealed to him: "And whoever obeys Allah and the
Messenger, then they willbe in the company of those on whom Allah has
bestowed His Grace - of the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and
the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!" [an-Nisa,
4:69]
[Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah; #2933]
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his six true friends:
In the third year after Hijrah (Migration) , some members of the Ozal
and Qareh tribes who residednear Makkah and apparently had the same
origin with the Quraish tribe went to the honorable Prophet Muhammad
(saw) and said, "Some members of our tribes have chosen Islam as their
religion. Please send some Muslimsto our tribes to teach us the
meaning of religion, Noble Qur'an, Islamic principles and laws."
Having heard this, the glorious Prophet Muhammad (saw) chose six of
his Sahabah (Companions) to go with them. The leadership of those six
was on the shoulders of Marand ibn Abi Marthad or Asem ibn Sabet.
Holy Prophet Muhammad's (saw) messengers set off with that group and
left Medina. They continued their way till they arrivedin the domicile
of the Hozail tribe and they alighted there. Holy Prophet Muhammad's
(saw) friends, were resting when suddenly a gang of people from the
Hozail tribe attacked them with their swords.
Getting aware of the situation, the Holy Prophet Muhammad's (saw)
friends immediately went to their weapons and got ready to defend
themselves.
The attackers swore that they would not intend to kill them but to
hand them to the people of Quraish in Makkah in return for some money.
They offered them a deal.Three of them including Asem ibn Sabet
replied,"We never accept the meanness of dealing with Mushrikeen
(polytheists)." They fought and were killed.
The other three, Zaid ibn Dasaneh, Khabib ibn Oday and Abdullah ibn
Tareq did accept and yielded.
The people of Hozail bound them with rope tightly and set off for
Makkah. Abdullah ibn Tareq, getting near to Makkah, loosened the rope
on his hands and reached his sword but the enemy did not waste any
time and killed him.
Zaid ibn Dasaneh and Khabib ibn Oday, at the end of the trip, were
soldin exchange for two captives of Hozail in Makkah.
Safvan ibn Umayyah Quraishi bought Zaid ibn Dasaneh. Safvan's father
was killed in the battle ofBadr or Ohud so he intended to take his
revenge on Zaid ibn Dasaneh and kill him.
Zaid ibn Dasaneh was taken out of Makkah. Thepeople of Quraish
gathered to see the scene. Zaid ibn Dasaneh came in with steady
stepsand there was no sign of fear on his face.
Abu Sufyan was watchingthe scene. He thought that it was the best time
to make Zaid ibn Dasaneh insult the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)
because it was the last moments of his life. Abu Sufyan went to Zaid
ibn Dasaneh and said,"Do you not wish now that Muhammad was in your
place and we wouldcut his neck while you would go to your wife and
children comfortably?"
Zaid ibn Dasaneh replied,"I swear by Allah (SWT) that I do not like to
see a thorn in the Holy ProphetMuhammad's (saw) foot while I am
resting at my house beside my wife and children."
Abu Sufyan glared at him with his mouth open in surprise and then he
turned his head back to the people of Quraish and said, "I swear by
GodI have not seen somebody's friends love that person as much as
Muhammad's friends lovehim."
Holy Prophet Muhammad's (saw) friends loved him so much that they even
could not see his foot injured with a thorn.
Having seen this love, Abu Sufyan, one of the arch enemies of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (saw), confessed that he had not seen somebody to be
loved as much as Muhammad.
After a while, it was time for Khabib ibn Oday to behanged so he was
taken out of Makkah. Khabib ibn Oday asked them to let him say his
Salaat (prayer). They let him and he said his prayer very humbly but
quickly.
Then he turned to the people and said, "I swearby Allah (SWT) that if
you did not accuse me of being frightened of death, I would say my
prayer more."
They bound him to the gallows tree. Then Khabib ibn Oday's voice was
heard while he was praying to Allah (SWT) in such a spiritual way that
many people were influenced by it and some threw themselves on the
ground.
What Khabib ibn Oday saying was is, "We performed the mission given to
us by Your Messenger (saw), please let him know about whathappened to
us this morning. O Allah (SWT)! See these cruel people, destroy them
all and do not let even one of them live."
By Martyred, Morteza Motahhari in Attraction and Repulsion of Imam Ali (as)
Farsighted [Save the honour of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)]:
A Jew lost his invaluable ring and accidentally a poor Muslim fellow
foundit. When this Muslim came to know that it belongs to that Jew he
went to return it to him. The Jew smiled and asked him: "Do you
knowits value?"
The Muslim replied: "Yes"
"You found this and you are also a poor and a needy!" said the Jew.
"Yes, you are right." The Muslim replied.
The Jew asked, "Did it notcome to your mind that by selling this ring
you can live a comfortable life as you had an excuse that it belonged
to a Jew?"
The Muslim told him,"Why, I should have thought that way?"
"So why did you return this ring to me while I was not knowing that
you have found it?" questioned the Jew.
The poor Muslim replied:"We believe on the Day of Judgement. I told
myself that if I do not give this ring to the owner, then during the
accounting of the deeds of the people during Qayamat my Holy
ProphetMuhammad (saw) and your Prophet Moses [Hazrat Musa (as)] would
be sitting together and you will be complaining about this to your
Prophet Moses [Hazrat Musa (as)] and then your Prophet Moses [Hazrat
Musa (as)] would complain to my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) that a
person belonging from your Ummah (nation) has done such an act. And at
that moment my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) would not be able to answer
him. I have returned this ring so that on the Day of Judgement,I save
the honour of my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).
Moral of the story: Think like a Muslim, act like a Muslim and love
Allah (SWT) and Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) like a true Muslim.
(Lessons from stories, Mohammad Mohammadi Ishtehardy)

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Ramlah bint Abi Sufyan - Biographies of the Companions (Sahabah)

Abu Sufyan ibn Harb could not conceive of anyone among the Quraysh who
would dare challenge his authority or go against his orders. He was
after all, the sayyid or chieftain of Makkah who had to be obeyed and
followed.
His daughter, Ramlah, known as Umm Habibah, however dared tochallenge
his authority when she rejected the deities of the Quraysh and their
idolatrous ways. Together with her husband, Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh, she
put her faith in Allah alone and accepted the message of Hisprophet,
Muhammad ibn Abdullah.
Abu Sufyan tried with all the power and force at his disposal to bring
back his daughter and her husband to his religion and the religion of
their forefathers. But he did not succeed. The faithwhich was embedded
in the heart of Ramlah was too strong to be uprooted by the hurricanes
of Abu Sufyans fury.
Abu Sufyan remained deeply worried and concerned by his daughter's
acceptance of Islam. He did not know how to face theQuraysh after she
had gone against his will and he was clearly powerless to prevent her
from following Muhammad. When the Quraysh realized though that Abu
Sufyan himself was enraged by Ramlah and her husband, they were
emboldenedto treat them harshly. They unleashed the full fury of their
persecution against them to such a degree that life in Makkahbecame
unbearable.
In the fifth year of his mission, the Prophet, peace be on him, gave
permission to the Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia. Ramlah,her little
daughter Habibah, and her husband were among those who left.
Abu Sufyan and the Quraysh leaders found it difficult to accept that a
group of Muslims had slipped out of their net of persecution and was
enjoying the freedom to hold their beliefsand practice their religion
in the land of the Negus. They therefore send messengers to the Negus
to seek their extradition. The messengers tried to poison the mind of
the Negus against the Muslims but after examining the Muslims beliefs
and listening to the Quran being recited, the Negus concluded: "What
has been revealed to your Prophet Muhammad and what Jesus the son of
Mary preached came fromthe same source."
The Negus himself announced his faith in the one true God and his
acceptance of the prophethood of Muhammad, peace be on him. He also
announced his determination to protect the Muslim muhajirin.
The long journey on the road of hardship and tribulation had finally
led to the oasis of serenity. So Umm Habibah felt. But she did not
know that the new-found freedom and sense of peace were later to be
shattered. She was to be put through a test of the most severe and
harrowing kind.
One night, it is related, as Umm Habibah was asleep she had a vision
in which she saw her husband in the midst of a fathomless ocean
covered by wave upon wave of darkness. Hewas in a most perilous
situation.She woke up, frightened. But she did not wish to tell her
husband or anyone else what she had seen.
The day after that ominous night was not yet through whenUbaydallah
ibn Jahsh announced his rejection of Islam and his acceptance of
Christianity. What a terrible blow! Ramlah's sense of peace was
shattered. She did not expect this of her husband who presented her
forthwith with the choice of a divorce or ofaccepting Christianity.
Umm Habibah had three options before her. She could either remain with
her husband and accept his call to become a Christian in which case
she also would commit apostasy and - God forbid - deserve ignominy
inthis world and punishment in the hereafter. This was something she
resolved she would never do even if she were subjected to the most
horrible torture. Or, she could return to her father's house in Makkah
- but she knew he remained a citadel of shirk and she would be forced
to live under him, subdued and suppressing her faith. Or, she could
stay alone in the land of the Negus as a displaced fugitive - without
country, without family and without a supporter.
She made the choice that she considered was the most pleasing to God.
She made up her mind to stay in Abyssinia until such time as God
granted her relief. She divorced her husband who lived only a short
while after becoming a Christian.He had given himself over to
frequenting wine merchants andconsuming alcohol, the "motherof evils".
This undoubtedly helped to destroy him.
Umm Habibah stayed in Abyssinia for about ten years. Towards the end
of this time, relief and happiness came. It came from an unexpected
quarter.
One morning bright and early, there was a loud knocking on her door.
It was Abrahah, the special maid-servant of the Negus. Abrahah was
beaming with joy as she greeted Umm Habibah and said: "The Negus sends
his greetings and says to you that Muhammad, the Messenger of God,
wants you to marry him and that he has sent a letter in which he has
appointed him as his wakil to contract the marriage between you and
him. If you agree, you are to appoint a wakil to act on your behalf."
Umm Habibah was in the clouds with happiness. She shouted to herself:
"God has given you glad tidings. God has given you glad tidings." She
took off her jewelry- her necklace and bracelets - and gave them to
Abrahah. She took off her rings too and gave them to her. And indeed
if she had possessed all the treasures of the world, she would have
given them to Abrahah at that moment of sheer joy. Finally she said to
Abrahah: "I appoint Khalid ibn Said ibn al-Aas to act as wakil onmy
behalf for he is the closest person to me."
In the palace of the Negus, set inthe midst of beautiful gardens and
luxuriant vegetation and in one of the lavishly decorated, sumptuously
furnished and brightly lit halls, the group of Muslims living in
Abyssinia gathered. They included Jafar ibnAbi Talib, Khalid ibn Said,
Abdullah ibn Hudhafah as-Sahmi and others. They had gathered to
witness the conclusion of the marriage contract between Umm Habibah,
the daughter of Abu Sufyan, and Muhammad, theMessenger of God. When
the marriage was finalized, the Negus addressed the gathering:"I
praise God, the Holy, and I declare that there is no god but Allah and
that Muhammad is His Servant and His Messenger and that He gave the
good tidings to Jesus the son of Mary.
"The Messenger of God, peace beon him, has requested me to conclude
the marriage contract between him and Umm Habibah the daughter of Abu
Sufyan. I agreed to do what he requested and on his behalf I give her
a mahr or dowry of four hundred gold dinars." He handed over theamount
to Khalid ibn Said who stood up and said: "All praise is due to God. I
praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness and I turn to Him in
repentance. I declare that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger
whom He has sent with the religion of guidance and truth sothat it
might prevail over all other forms of religion even if the
disbelievers were to dislike this.
"I have agreed to do what the Prophet, peace be upon him, hasrequested
and acted as the wakil on behalf of Umm Habibah, the daughter of Abu
Sufyan. May God bless His Messenger and his wife.
"Congratulations to Umm Habibah on account of the goodness which God
has ordained for her."
Khalid took the mahr and handed it over to Umm Habibah. The Sahabah
thereupon got up and prepared to leave but the Negus said to them:
"Sit down for it is the practice of the Prophets to serve food at
marriages."
There was general rejoicing at the court of the Negus as the guests
sat down again to eat and celebrate the joyous occasion. Umm Habibah
especially could hardly believe her good fortune and she later
described how she was eager to share her happiness. She said:"When I
received the money as mahr, I sent fifty mithqals of gold to Abrahah
who had brought me the good news and I said to her: 'I gave you what I
did when you gave me the good news because at that time I did not have
any money.'
"Shortly afterwards, Abrahah came to me and returned the gold. She
also produced a case which contained the necklace I had given to her.
She returned that to me and said: 'The King has instructed me not to
take anything from you and he his commanded the women in his household
to present you with gifts of perfume.'
"On the following day, she brought me ambergris, safron and aloes and
said: 'I have a favor to ask of you.' 'What is it?' I asked. 'I have
accepted Islam ,' she said, 'and now follow the religion of Muhammad.
Convey to him my salutation of peace and let him know that I believe
in Allah and His Prophet. Please don't forget.' She then helped me to
get ready for my journey to the Prophet.
"When I met the Prophet, peace be on him, I told him all about the
arrangements that were made for the marriage and about my relationship
with Abrahah. I told him she had become a Muslim and conveyed to him
her greetings of peace. He was filled with joy at the news and said:
'Wa alayha as-salam wa rahmatullahi was barakatuhu and on her be peace
and the mercy and blessings of God. "

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Should a person who comes late to Jumu’ah prayer recite aloud when he makes up the rak’ah he missed?

When a person catches up with a rak'ah of Jumu'ah prayers, then he
stands up to make up what he missed, should he recite aloud or not?
Praise be to Allaah.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
On the contrary, he should recite quietly, because when a person who
joined the prayer late stands up to make up what he missed, he is then
praying alone, so atthat point he is subject to the rulings concerning
one who prays alone. During the part of the (congregational) prayer he
caught up with, he was subject to the rulings concerning one who prays
in congregation behind an imaam. So he should do sujood (sajdat
al-sahw – prostration of forgetfulness) if he forgets something in
thepart of the prayer that he is making up. Since this is the case,
then the one who joined the prayer late should recite aloud where the
person who prays individually should recite aloud. The scholars whose
view is that the person who prays individually shouldrecite aloud in
Maghrib, 'Ishaa' and Fajr say that he should recite aloud if he is
making up the first two rak'ahs. The scholarswhose view is that the
person who prays individually should not recite aloud say that the
person who joined the prayer late should not recite aloud in this
case. Nobody prays Jumu'ah individually, so no one can imagine that a
person making up part of it individually has to recite aloud. The
person who joined the prayer late is like the person who is praying
individually, so he should not recite aloud. But the person who joins
the Jumu'ah prayerlate is considered to have prayed Jumu'ah in
essence, because he followed the imaam, anddifferent conditions apply
to the one who follows than to the one who leads, with regard to
numbers and so on. But the Sunnah states that a person who catches up
with one rak'ah has caught up with the prayer, so he has caught up
with Jumu'ah, just as a personwho does one rak'ah of 'Asr before the
sun sets, or one rak'ah of Fajr before the sun rises, is considered to
have caught up with the prayer and done it on time, even if the rest
of his prayer is done outside of the prescribed time. And Allaah knows
best.

Allaah hasnot prescribed any prayer at noon time on Fridays except one obligatory prayer for men who are residents and are settled (i.e., not traveling), free and accountable, which is Jumu’ah prayer. If the Muslims do that, then there is no other obligation upon them, be it Zuhr or any other prayer.

There is a town where there are nearly thirty-five mosques in which
Jumu'ah prayers are held. When the worshippers finish Jumu'ah, they
pray Zuhr afterwards. Is this actionpermitted or not?
Praise be to Allaah.
It is a well established fact in Islam (such that no Muslim has any
excuse for not knowing),and the shar'i evidence indicates, that Allaah
hasnot prescribed any prayer at noon time on Fridays except one
obligatory prayer for men who are residents and are settled (i.e., not
traveling), free and accountable, which is Jumu'ah prayer. If the
Muslims do that, then there is no other obligation upon them, be it
Zuhr or any other prayer. Jumu'ah prayer is the obligation of that
time. The Prophet (peaceand blessings of Allaah be upon him), his
companions (may Allaah be pleased with them), and the righteous salaf
who came after them, did not pray any other obligatory prayer after
Jumu'ah. The action to which you refer was introduced many centuries
later, and undoubtedly it is one of the newly-invented innovations of
which theProphet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Bewareof newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is
an innovation, and every innovation is a going astray." (Narrated by
Abu Dawood, 3991)
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever
innovates something in this matterof ours [Islam] that is notpart of
it will have it rejected." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari and
Muslim).Undoubtedly praying Zuhr after Jumu'ah is something innovated
which is not a part of the matter of the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him), so it is to be rejected and is to be included
in the innovations and misguidance against which the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned us. The scholars have
drawn attention to that, including Shaykh Jamaal al-Deen al-Qaasimi,
in his book Islaah al-Masaajid min al-Bida' wa'l-'Awaa'id and Shaykh
Muhammad Ahmad 'Abd al-Salaam inhis book al-Sunan wa'l-Mubtada'aat.
If someone were to say, "We only do that in order to be on the safe
side, lest our Jumu'ah prayer was not valid," our answer is that he
should be told that the basic principle is that theJumu'ah prayer is
valid and is sound and that it is not obligatory to pray Zuhr, indeed
it is not permissible to do so at the time of Jumu'ah for those for
whom Jumu'ahis obligatory. Being on the safe side is prescribed in
cases where the way of the Sunnah is not clear, and there is some
doubt and uncertainty. But in a case such as this it is not the matter
of doubt; rather we know from the evidence that what is obligatory is
Jumu'ah prayer only, so it is not permissible to do something else
instead or in addition to it on the grounds that this is an action
with the intention of being on the safe side, or to institute a new
way which Allaah has not prescribed. Praying Zuhrat this time is
contrary tothe shar'i evidence which is well establishedand no Muslim
has any excuse for not knowing, so we must not do this and we must
beware of it. There are no grounds for doing this, rather it comes
from the waswaas (insinuating whispers) of the Shaytaan which he
whispers to people so as to prevent them from following true guidance
and institutes for them areligion which Allaah has not allowed. This
is similar to the way in which he makes the ideaof "being on the safe
side" when doing wudoo' attractive to them, until he makes wudoo' a
torment for them, and it takes all their time; whenever they have
almost finished, he whispers to them that they have notdone it
properly or they have not done such and such. He does the same thing
to some of them inthe prayer; when a person says takbeer for the
prayer, he whispers to him that he did not say the takbeer, and he
keeps whispering to himthat he did not say takbeer, and the person
keeps on saying takbeer after takbeer, until the first rak'ah is over,
or until the recitation or most of it is over. This is one of the
traps and snares of the Shaytaan, who is keen to annul thegood deeds
of the Muslim and make him confused about his religion. We ask Allaah
to keep us and all the Muslims safe and sound from his traps, snares
and insinuating whispers, for He is the All-Hearing, Ever-Near.
Conclusion:
Praying Zuhr after Jumu'ah is a bid'ah and a going astray, instituting
a new way which Allaah has not prescribed. We must not do this; we
must bewareof it and warn people against it, and limit ourselves to
doing Jumu'ah prayer only, as was the way of the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), his companions after him
and those who have followed them in truth until the present day. This
is the truth concerning which there is no doubt. Imaam Maalik ibn Anas
(may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "The later generations of this
ummah will not be reformed by anything except that by which thefirst
generation was reformed." This was also the view of other imaams after
him. And Allaah is the source of strength.
Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah li Samaahat al-Shaykh
al-'Allaamah 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn 'Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have
mercy on him), part12, p. 363

Allaah has enjoined Jumu’ah upon the Muslims who are settled in a city or village, and He has forbidden them to become distracted from that by buying and selling, etc, because of the general meaning of the verse (interpretationof the meaning):

If we say that some country is dar al-harb (abode of war) or dar kufr
(abode of disbelief),do we have to pray Jumu'ah there? In other words,
do we have to gather for Friday (Jumu'ah) prayer in dar al-harb or dar
kufr?
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah has enjoined Jumu'ah upon the Muslims who are settled in a city
or village, and He has forbidden them to become distracted from that
by buying and selling, etc, because of the general meaning of the
verse (interpretationof the meaning):
"O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the
Salaah (prayer) on Friday (Jumu'ah prayer), come to the remembrance of
Allaah [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaah (prayer)] and
leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if
you did but know!"
[al-Jumu'ah 62:9]
And it was narrated in the hadeeth of 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar and Abu
Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with them) that they heard the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say
from the minbar: "There are people who should stop neglecting
Jumu'ah,or else Allaah will put a seal on their hearts, thenthey will
surely be among the negligent." (Muslim 2/591). And the ummah is
agreed on the fact that Jumu'ah is obligatory. There is no sound
evidence in sharee'ah to indicate that the obligation of praying
Jumu'ah applies only in dar al-Islam and not in dar al-harb, so
theMuslims who are settled in dar al-kufr are obliged to perform
Jumu'ah prayer if the conditions are met, following the general
meaning of the texts of the Qur'aan and Sunnah which indicate that it
is an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) on the Muslims, if the
conditions stipulated by sharee'ah are met.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wa'l-Ifta', 8/186

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The smart thing to do

Here is another story about Sultan Mahmud ofAfghanistan and his
servant, Ayyaz. Sultan Mahmud would respect Ayyaz for his wisdom even
though he was a servant. This made the ministers and other people of
high positions very jealous of Ayyaz. They talked wrong against him
and started a rumour that Ayyaz wasnothing but a fool. The king came
to know of this and he decided to prove to them who werethe real
fools. An announcement was made to all the people that the King will
distribute his belongingson a particular date. Whatever a person touch
will become his onthat day. When the day came, many people appeared by
the king's palace. The king made his announcement againthat a person
can have whatever he touches. The door was opened and everyone ran to
touch whatever was of value in the palace. Some touched jewelery of
gold while others touched fancy furnitures, etc. But Ayyazwas just
standing by the king and was not touching anything. People thought
that Ayyaz was crazy as he wasn't taking advantageof this great event.
Now,Ayyaz asked the king if the announcement he made was certain. The
king said "Yes, whatever you touch is yours." Immediately, Ayyaz
placed his right hand on the king's head and the left hand on his
shoulder. He then shouted, "Listen everyone. I was waiting for this
moment to aquire the most expensive thing. All of you took whatever
the king possessed, but you forgot about the owner of all these, which
is the king himself. I hereby declare that my hands are on the king,
so the king is mine. You cannot remove one thing from this palace
because I am the owner of all these now." After hearing this from
Ayyaz, everyone realized that actually, Ayyaz is the only smart one
and everyone else was in error.
Today people are only running after the creations but, very few are
running towards theCreator Himself. If Allah, the King of all kings,
becomes our Friend thenwhat else do we need?

The Miraculous Goat

Once there lived a very pious elderly lady namedFiddah. She was kind
and generous and always remembered Allah (SWT). One day Shaikh
Abu-ar-Rabie (RA)went to her village. He had been told that she had a
goat that gave both milk and honey. He bought a new bowl and went to
see the goat. When he got there, he was shown the goat andhe milked
it. Sure enough, sweet white milk came gushing out. Shaikh
Abu-ar-Rabie (RA)drank to his fill and thenhe asked they got the goat.
She narrated to him an amazing story.
She said, "There was a time when we were verypoor and had nothing but
a she-goat. When Eid-ul-Adha came around, my husband suggested that we
sacrifice the goat and have a feast. The she-goat was our only means
of sustenance so Ireminded my husband that Allah has not made it
necessary for us to sacrifice an animal under such circumstances.
Therefore, we spared the goat till the next Eid-ul-Adha. As chance
would have it, we had a guest on that very same day. Since Allah has
commanded us to entertain our guests, I asked my husband if he would
now slaughter the animal and I would cook its meat for our guests. My
husband tookthe goat outside behind a wall, lest the children should
cry on seeing it killed. A little while later another goat appeared
bearing an exact resemblance to our own.By Allah! This was a blessing.
A miraculous she-goat that yields bothmilk and honey was sentdown to
us as recompense for feeding our guests."
Lady Fiddah often reminded her children that the goat feeds on what
grows in their hearts. "So long as your hearts continue to be noble
and un-tarnished by evil, its milk will remain good and sweet, but as
soon as your hearts become false, its milk will also turn bad. Guard
your hearts against evil and Allah SWT will make everything beneficial
foryou."

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