Ramadan: A School of Piety - I

The nation of Islam is the last nation with the most recent divine
message. Allaah The Almighty, the Bountiful, the Generous made our
Prophet,, the master of all the Prophets and made our nation the most
populousin Paradise and the one with the highest ranks. The Messenger
of Allaah,, said:
·"We )Muslims( are the last to come and the foremost on the Day of
Resurrection though the former nations were given the Holy Scriptures
before us."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
·"By Him in whose Hands is the soul of Muhammad,I hope that you will
be one-half of the people of Paradise, for none will enter Paradise
but a Muslim soul, and you, in comparison to the people who associate
others in worship with Allaah, are like a white hair on the skin of a
black ox, or a black hair on the skin of a red ox."]Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim[
Allaah The Almighty has preferred us to all the other nations. He
Says)what means(:}You are the best nation produced]as an example[ for
mankind.{]Quran 3:110[
Allaah The Almighty also made us witnesses over all other nations:}And
thus we have made you ajust community that you will be witnesses over
the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.{]2: 143[
The superiority of the nation of Islam over all other nations is not
because it belongs to a specific race or because it speaks a specific
language, or because of the distinctive looks of itsmembers. Rather,
it is because Allaah The Almighty has chosen it to be the only
religion that He The Exalted accepts and no other religion or belief
will be accepted. Allaah The Almighty Says)what means(:}Indeed, the
religion in the sight of Allaah is Islam.{]Quran3:19[
Consequently, whoever adheres strictly to the religion of Islam and
abides by the orders of the Noble Quran, and follows the way of
Prophet Muhammad,, the best of human beings, will surely obtain the
goodness mentioned in the verse and the promised reward. Whoever
doubts the religion, lets his desires overcome him, follows his lusts,
and deviates from the right way, will surely be excluded from the
people of such honor.
Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaahhave mercy upon, said,"They are the followers
of Muhammadwho have the soundest minds and natures, and the most
knowledge. They are the nearest to the truth in all matters for Allaah
The Almighty has chosen them from all other nations in much the same
way as their Messenger is the best of all other Messengers. No other
nation has the knowledge, forbearance and wisdom with which Allaah The
Almighty has endowed them."
Imaam Ahmadreported in hisMusnadfrom theHadeethof Bahzibn Hakeemfrom
his father on the authority of his grandfatherthat the Messenger of
Allaah,, said:"You are the final of seventy nations, you are the best
and most honored among them to Allaah."
It is clear that the Muslims are the most honored nation in the sight
of Allaah The Almighty with respect to their knowledge and minds.
Moreover, when the sciences, ideology, deeds and ranks of the nations
that preceded them were displayed to them, they acquired evenmore
knowledge and forbearance, besides what Allaah The Almightyhas endowed
them with from His knowledge and forbearance.
As the nation of Muhammad,, has the shortest age compared tothe other
nations, Allaah The Almighty has gifted itsome seasons in which the
rewards are multiplied, ranks are raised, and sins are forgiven. The
month ofRamadan, which the nation rejoices at receiving, is one of the
best chances; the greatest seasons in which many will be redeemed from
Hellfire, the ranks of the righteous will be raised high, and the sins
of the wrong doers will be forgiven.
Many are the necks that are redeemed from Hellfire inRamadan, and many
are the people who are forgiven in it.
Imaam Maaliksaid inAl-Muwatta',"The Messenger of Allaahwas shown the
lifespan of the people )who had gone( before him, or what Allaah
willed of that, and it was as if he felt that the lives of the people
of his nation were too short for them to be able to do as many good
deeds as others before them had been able to do with their long lives,
so Allaah The Almighty gave him Laylat Al-Qadr, which is better than a
thousand months."
WelcomingRamadan
At-Tabaraani narrated that Jaabir ibn Samurahsaid: The Prophet,,
ascended the pulpit and said:"Aameen, Aameen, Aameen."Then, he
said:"Jibreel came to me and said, 'O Muhammad! He who lives until one
of his parents becomes old, andthen he dies and does not enter
Paradise and he enters Hellfire, so let Allaah The Almighty keep him
away.' It was said Aameen, so I said Aameen."
This means that if a person grows up and one of his parents is still
alive, and his kind treatment to them does not entitle him to
receivethe forgiveness of Allaah The Almighty, then he should be
expelled from the mercy of Allaah The Almighty by the invocation of
Jibreeland the Prophet,:
"Then, he said: "O Muhammad! He who seesthe month of Ramadan come and
go, and then he dies without being forgiven and he enters Hellfire, so
let Allaah The Almighty keep him away." He said, "Say Aameen,'' so I
said Aameen. Then, he said: "O Muhammad! He who hears you mentioned
and does not say Salaat)i.e. does not ask Allaah The Almighty to send
peace and blessings( upon you and he dies and enters Hellfire, so let
Allaah The Almighty keep him away." He said, "Say Aameen,'' so I said
Aameen.
At-Tirmithi and Al-Haakimnarrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrahthat
the Prophet,, said:"He is doomed, the man who hears me mentioned and
does not say Salaat )i.e. does not ask Allaah The Almighty to send
peace and blessings( on me. He is doomed, the man who witnesses
Ramadan comeand go and he is not forgiven. He is doomed, the man whose
parents reach old age and they are not a cause for him to enter
Paradise."
It is as if forgiveness is granted to everyone inRamadanand no one
willbe denied it except the one whom Allaah The Almighty denies.
Sa'eed narrated from Qataadahboth, that it was said,"Whoever does not
receive forgiveness in Ramadan, will not be forgiven in any other
month."This is to highlight the serious danger of the neglectful
person, and not to make people despair of the mercy of the Most Great
and Most Just.

Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan - II

Muslim countries pay special attention to the month ofRamadanand go
out to observe its crescent in order to confirm the sighting. When the
sighting is confirmed, Muslims start fasting, the minarets of mosques
are lit, the mass media celebrates the occasion and announces the glad
tidings of the advent of the month, people congratulate eachother,
guns are fired, scholars launch campaigns for spreading knowledge and
giving sermons and religious lectures are given everywhere in
religious associations.
It is no surprise that we receive the crescent ofRamadanwith all these
scenes, since it marks the beginning of fasting and descent of mercies
on theslaves of Allaah The Almighty. It is also the key to the blessed
days that the believing hearts long for from year to year, while
repeating at each moment the supplication: "O Allaah, make us
witnessRamadanand grant us success to perfectly fast, perform the
voluntary night prayer and obey You."
The majority of scholars are of the opinion that all Muslims worldwide
are required to fast when the crescent is sighted in any country. They
quoted the general indication of the Hadeeth)narration( in which the
Prophetsaid:"When you see the crescent, observe fast, and when you see
it )again( then break fast."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[ They arguedthat
it is a general address for the Muslim Ummah )nation( as a whole.
A group of the scholars is of the opinion that the people of a given
country are not obliged to follow the sighting of other countries.
They quoted the Hadeeth narrated on the authority of Kuraybwhere he
said,
"While I was in Shaam, the month of Ramadan commenced. We saw the
crescent on the night of Friday. I then returned toAl-Madeenah at the
end of the month. 'Abdullaah ibn 'Abbaas asked me, 'When did you see
the crescent?' I said, 'We saw it on the night of Friday.' He said,
'Did you see it yourself?' I said, 'Yes, andthe people also saw it and
they fasted and so did Mu'aawiyah.' He said,'But we saw it on the
night of Saturday. So we shall continue fasting until we complete
thirty days or we see it )the new crescent of Shawwal(.' I said, Is
not Mu'aawiyah's sighting and fasting sufficient for you?' He replied,
'No; thisis how the Messenger of Allaahcommanded us.'"]Muslim[
The majority of scholars argued that this Hadeeth is reported
concerning a person who started to observe fasting according to the
sightingof his own country and then he was informed that the crescent
was seen a day before in another country. In this case, he continues
fasting along with the people of his own country until they complete
30 days or see the crescent of the next month. This identifies
thedivergence in this case. Still the opinion of the majority of
scholars is thepreponderant one, particularly because this matter is
very easy today.However, it requires further care from the Islamic
countries until it becomes a reality.
Until all the Muslim countries adopt one viewin this regard, the
peopleof each country are required to fast when the country officially
declares the beginning of fasting, even if this is different from
other counties a day before or after. There should be nodifference in
one countryand thus some people fast and others do not fast. This
makes the difference so wide. Moreover, when someone sights the
crescent alone, he shouldnot fast alone because the Prophetsaid:"Your
fast is the day when you fast, and your breaking the fast is the day
when you break the fast, and your sacrifice is the day when you offer
the sacrifice."]At-Tirmithiwith similar words[
Scholars commented thatit means that each one should observe fast and
break it along with the Muslim community. However, when one is alone
in a certain place and he sights the crescent, he has to observe
fasting, because he is alone.

Ramadan Articles - Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan - I

Unlike the crescents of other lunar months, the crescent of Ramadan is
given special attention because it is the crescent of the best month
in the sight of Allaah The Almighty. This month is favored with
several virtues; the most important is the revelation of the Quran on
the best night of the month. Thus, scholars of Fiqh )Islamic
jurisprudence( have occupied themselves with elaborating the rulings
relevant to the sighting of the crescent, astronomers with making
relevant calculations and means of observation and Muslim caliphs in
celebrating the night of the sighting. Poets and writers vie with each
other in praising the crescent and reflecting the feelings of joy in
people's hearts.
The crescent of Ramadan in the eyes of scholars of Fiqh:
Scholars of Fiqh unanimously agree that the lunar month could
betwenty-nine or thirty days. In a Hadeeth)narration(, the
Prophetsaid:"Allaah has made the crescents signs to mark fixed periods
of time for mankind. When you see it )the crescent(, observe fast, and
when you see it )again( then break fast. If you can not see it )the
crescent(, thencomplete thirty days )for the month of
Sha'baan(."]Al-Haakim[
Sighting the crescent is what counts, not calculations. Ibn
'Umarnarrated that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"We are an unlettered
nation, we neither write nor know calculations. The month is like this
and this)sometimes of 29 days and sometimes of 30 days(."]Al-Bukhaari[
Al-Haafith Ibn Hajarcommented,
"The Arabs were described as unlettered because writing was rareamong
them. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}It is He who has sent
among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves.{]Quran 62: 2[ This
is not refuted by the fact that some of them had knowledge of writing
and calculations, as such people were few and rare. Calculations in
this context are pertaining to stars and planets. The Arabs knew
little about this. So, the rulings relevant to the beginning of
fasting and other acts of worship were made contingent on sighting the
crescent in order not to place them under the hardships of making
calculations. This ruling iseffective even if there will come
generations fully aware of calculations. Even the explicit meaning of
words reveals exemptingcalculations in this regard at all. This is
supported by the part of the Hadeeth that reads:"If you can not see it
)thecrescent(, then complete thirty days )for the month of
Sha'baan(."TheProphetdid not say: then ask those who are knowledgeable
of calculations. The rationale is that completing thirty days unites
people and keeps them far from divergence and dispute."]Fat-h
Al-Baari[
According to the majorityof scholars, the beginning of Ramadan is
determined by one of two ways, completing 30 days of Sha'baan or
sighting the crescent, even by just one trustworthy person. It was
narrated that Ibn 'Umarsaid, "People sighted the crescent, and when I
told the Prophetthat I had sighted it, he fasted and ordered people to
fast." ]Abu Daawood[
Another group of scholars is of the opinion that sighting is not
confirmed unless two trustworthy men give testimony, as is the case
with the crescent of Shawwaal. As evidence, they quoted the Hadeeth of
'Abdul-Rahmaan ibn Zaydthat he gave a sermon on the 29th day of
Sha'baan and said,"I sat with the Companions of the Prophetand they
related to me that he said: 'Fast when you see it, and cease fasting
when you see it and perform the rites of Hajj based upon that and if
it is hidden by clouds then complete thirty days )of Sha'baan(. If two
Muslim witnesses testify then fast and cease fasting."]Ahmad[
There is also the Hadeeth of the ruler of Makkah, Al-Haarith ibn
Haatibas it was narrated that hesaid,"The Messenger of Allaahordered
us to perform the rites of Hajj upon sighting )the crescent(; and if
we couldnot see and two trustworthy witness testified, we should
perform the rites accordingly."]Abu Daawood[
The majority of scholars, however, argued that the utmost that the
mention of the two can signify is the rejection of the testimony of
only oneperson. However, the aforementioned Hadeethof 'Abdullaah ibn
'Umarindicates that the Prophetindeed accepted the verbal testimony of
Ibn 'Umar; and this is of a stronger indication.

Ramadan Articles - Explaining Ramadhan to People Belonging to Other Faiths

Who Must Fast?
Fasting is compulsory for those who are mentally and physically fit,
past the age of puberty, in a settled situation (not traveling), and
are sure fasting is unlikely to cause real physical or mental injury.
Exemptions from Fasting (some exemptions are optional)
*.Children under the age of puberty (Young children are encouraged to
fast as much as they are able.)
*.People who are mentally incapacitated or not responsible for their actions
*.The elderly
*.The sick
*.Travelers who are on journeys of more than about fifty miles
*.Pregnant women and nursing mothers
*.Women who are menstruating
*.Those who are temporarily unable to fast must make up the missed
days at another time or feed the poor.
Special Events
*.Special prayers, called taraweeh, are performed after the daily
nighttime prayer.
*.Lailat ul-Qadr ("Night ofPower" or "Night of Destiny") marks the
anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad first began
receiving revelations from God, through the angel Gabriel. Muslims
believeLailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered nights of
Ramadhan.
Traditional Practices
*.Breaking the daily fast with a drink of water and dates
*.Reading the entire Quran during Ramadhan
*.Social visits are encouraged.
Eid ul-Fitr ("Festival of Fast-Breaking") Prayers at the End of Ramadhan
*.Eid begins with special morning prayers on thefirst day of Shawwal,
the month following Ramadhan on the Islamic lunar calendar.
*.It is forbidden to perform an optional fast during Eid because it is
a time for relaxation.
*.During Eid Muslims greet each other with the phrase"taqabbalallah
ta'atakum," or "may God accept your deeds"and "Eid Mubarak"
(eed-moo-bar-ak), meaning "blessed Eid."
Ramadhan Questions and Answers
Q: How did the fast during Ramadhan become obligatory for Muslims?
The revelations from God to the Prophet Muhammad that would eventually
be compiled as the Quran began during Ramadhan in the year 610, but
the fast of Ramadhan did not become a religious obligation for Muslims
until the year 624. The obligation to fast is explained in the second
chapter of the Quran:"O ye who believe! Fasting isprescribed to you as
it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn)
self-restraint...Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the
Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and
judgment (between rightand wrong). So every one of you who is present
(at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting..."(Chapter
2, verses 183 and 185)
Q: What do Muslims believe they gain from fasting?
One of the main benefits of Ramadhan are an increased compassion
forthose in need of the necessities of life, a senseof
self-purification and reflection and a renewedfocus on spirituality.
Muslims also appreciate the feeling of togetherness shared by family
and friends throughout the month. Perhaps the greatest practical
benefit is the yearly lesson in self-restraint and discipline that can
carry forward to other aspects of a Muslim's life such as work and
education.
Q: Why does Ramadhan begin on a different day each year?
Because Ramadhan is a lunar month, it begins about eleven days
earliereach year. Throughout a Muslim's lifetime, Ramadhan will fall
both during winter months, when the days are short, and summer months,
when the days are long and the fast is more difficult. In this way,
the difficulty of the fast is evenly distributed between Muslims
living in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Q: What is Lailat ul-Qadr?
Lailat ul-Qadr ("Night of Power") marks the anniversary of the night
on which the Prophet Muhammad first began receiving revelations from
God, through the angel Gabriel. An entire chapter in the Quran deals
with this night:"Wehave indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of
Power: and what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The
Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the
angels and the Spirit by God's permission, on every errand.
Peace!...This until the rise of morn."(Chapter 97) Muslims believe
Lailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadhan.
Q: Is it difficult to performthe fast in America?
In many ways, fasting in American society is easierthan fasting in
areas where the climate is extremely hot. This year at least, the
number of daylight hours will be less than when Ramadhan occurs during
the spring or summer. In Muslim countries, most people are observing
the fast, so there are fewer temptations such as luncheon meetings,
daytime celebrations andoffers of food from friends. Many American
Muslims would prefer a daytime work shift during Ramadhan so thatthey
may break the fast with their families and attend evening prayers.
Q: How can non-Muslim co-workers and friends help someone who is fasting?
Employers, co-workers and teachers can help by understanding the
significance of Ramadhan and by showing a willingness to make minor
allowances for its physical demands. Special consideration canbe given
to such things as requests for vacation time, the need for flexible
early morning or evening work schedules and lighter homework
assignments. It is also very important that Muslim workers and
students be given time toattend Eid prayers at the end of Ramadhan.
Eid is as important to Muslims as Christmas and Yom Kippur are to
Christians and Jews. A small token such as a card (there are Eid cards
available from Muslim bookstores) or baked goods given to a Muslim
co-worker duringEid ul-Fitr would also be greatly appreciated.
Hospital workers should be aware that injections and oral medications
might break the fast. Patients should be given the opportunity to
decide whether or not their condition exempts them from fasting.
Q: Do people normally lose weight during Ramadhan?
Some people do lose weight, but others may not. It is recommended that
meals eaten during Ramadhan be light, but most people can't resist
sampling special sweets and foods associated with Ramadhan.

Ramadan Articles - How To Avoid Some Common Problems Encountered In Ramadan

This article provides useful advice on how to avoid some common
problems encountered inRamadan. If followed, it would enable one to
fast comfortably and enjoy fully the spiritual benefitsof Ramadan.
During the holy month ofRamadan, our diet shouldnot differ very much
from our normal diet andshould be as simple as possible. The diet
should be such that we maintainour normal weight, neither losing nor
gaining. However, if one is overweight, Ramadan is an ideal time to
normalize one's weight.
In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting
foods including fibre containing-foods rather than fast-digesting
foods.Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting
foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.
*.Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like
barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal
flour,unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).
*.Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc.
(called refined carbohydrates).
*.Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat,
grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry),
marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie,the leaves of
beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried
apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc.
The foods eaten should be well balanced, containing foods from each
food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals
and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited.
They cause indigestion, heartburn, and weight problems.
AVOID
*.Fried and fatty foods.
*.Foods containing too much sugar.
*.Over-eating especially during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur)
*.Too much tea during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur). Tea
makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that
your body would need during the day.
*.Smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down
gradually starting a fewweeks before Ramadan.Smoking is unhealthy and
one should stop completely.
EAT
*.Complex carbohydrates during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur)
so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry.
*.Haleem is an excellent source of protein and isa slow-burning food.
*.Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium
and magnesium.
*.Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat.
*.Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.
DRINK
*.As much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar (Breaking
fasting) and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in
time.
Common Medical Problems:
CONSTIPATION
Constipation can cause piles (haemorroids), fissures (painful cracks
in anal canal) and indigestion with a bloated feeling.
Causes:Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fibre
in the diet.
Remedy:Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, use bran
in baking, brown flour when making roti.
INDIGESTION AND WIND
Causes:Over-eating. Too much fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, and
foods that produce wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils, carbonated
drinkslike Cola also produce gas.
Remedy:Do not over-eat; drink fruit juices or better still drink
water. Avoid fried foods and add ajmor to wind-producing foods.
LETHARGY ('low blood pressure')
Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness,
especially on getting up from sitting position, pale appearance and
feeling faint are symptoms associated with "low blood pressure". This
tends to occur towards the afternoon.
Causes:Too little fluid intake, decreased salt intake.
Remedy:Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake.
Caution:Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood
pressure reading when symptoms are present. Persons with high blood
pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadan. They
should consult their doctor.
HEADACHE
Causes:Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, doing too much in one day,
lack of sleep, hunger, usually occur as the day goes by and worsens at
the end of theday. When associated with "low blood pressure", the
headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar
(Breaking Fasting).
Remedy:Cut down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or two
before Ramadan. Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted.
Reorganize your schedule during the Ramadan so as to have adequate
sleep.
LOW BLOOD SUGAR
Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiringeasily,
feeling shaky (tremor), unable to perform physical activities,
headache, palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.
Causes in non-diabetics:Having too much sugar i.e. refined
carbohydrates especially during the meal before Dawn (sehri or suhur).
The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop.
Remedy:Eat something atsuhur (sehri) and limit sugar-containing foods
and drinks.
Caution:Diabetics may need to adjust their medication in Ramadan,
consult your doctor.
MUSCLE CRAMPS
Causes:Inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium foods.
Remedy:Eat foods rich in the above minerals e.g. vegetables, fruit,
dairy products, meat and dates.
Caution:Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone
problems should consult their doctor.
PEPTIC ULCERS, HEART BURN, GASTRITIS AND HIATUS HERNIA
Increased acid levels in the empty stomach in Ramadan aggravate the
above conditions. It presents as a burning feeling in the stomach area
under the ribs and can extend up to the throat. Spicy foods, coffee,
and Cola drinks worsen these conditions.
Medications are availableto control acid levels in the stomach. People
withproven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consult their doctor
well before Ramadan.
KIDNEY STONES
Kidney stones may occur in people who have less liquids to drink.
Therefore, it is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent
stone formation.
JOINT PAINS
Causes:The increased pressure on the knee joints during Salat. In
theelderly and those with arthritis this may result inpain, stiffness,
swelling and discomfort.
Remedy:Lose weight so that the knees do not have to carry any extra
load. Exercise the lower limbs. Being physically fit allows greater
fulfillment, thus enabling one to be able to perform Salat with ease.

Islam Encourages Scientific Progress

The word Islam conjures up a disturbing picture in the minds of some
people outside the Muslim world. It is a fact that many in the West
imagine Islam to be a faith far removed from modern life, closed to
science and that attaches no value to a good quality of life. The
first reason for this erroneous belief is that various people who
claim to be Muslims in fact have views and lifestyles that fly in
the face of it. However, someone looking in from the outside cannot
recognize that and will be unable to evaluate matters accurately.
Another important reason is associated with the first: Most people
are unacquainted with the truths of Islam and the correct
interpretation of the Quran. In point of fact, these people who
make incorrect evaluations are not only from outside the Islamic
world; many people within the Islamic world as well are unable to
properly understand the Quran. The reason for the appearance of
mistaken and radical views is that the Quran is not correctly
understood.
The only point of reference to truly learn about Islam is the Quran
but we see that some people do not interpret the Quran correctly and
produce their own perverse and foolish deductions from it in order
to support their own misguided and superstitious beliefs. One of the
subjects most easily capable of being misinterpreted in this way is
science and scientific activity.
Science is an important reality that enables us to know the universe
we inhabit, the Earth and our own bodies and to be able to
appreciate all the beauties around us. Scientific advances have
enlightened human life and opened the door to a healthier way of
living. For example, by means of medical advances the average human
life span today is much greater than it was a century ago. Even in
the 1950s, average worldwide life expectancy was 47, whereas
according to U.N. figures it had risen to 68 by 2010. Similarly,
advances in other branches of science have made our lives easier and
more comfortable.
Today, for instance, the benefits of the Internet are obvious. By
means of the Internet we can learn at once what is happening in
different parts of the world. Communications among people have
grown and become far easier. New concepts such as e-commerce have
bestowed a new dimension to our understanding of economics.
Information about a subject one wants to investigate can now be
accessed immediately. The Internet is just one of the benefits that
science has bestowed on mankind over the last century and those
nations making greater uses of the benefits of science now live at a
much more advanced level. Had science not progressed as much as it
has, we would very likely still be living dark and backward lives
devoid of many facilities.
For a sincere Muslim, science is a blessing that God has bestowed on
mankind. Islam advocates a rational approach. In many verses of
the Quran, God advises people to use their intelligence. He
emphasizes the need for us to think rationally and scientifically,
speaking of, "...those deeply rooted in knowledge..." and "...only
people of intelligence pay heed." (3:7). Another verse advises
people to think about the formation of the universe: "...reflect on
the creation of the heavens and the earth ..." (3:191)
Use is still being made today of the work of various Muslim
scientists in the past who understood that Islam encourages
scientific investigation. People such as Avicenna, Farabi and
Battani were among the leading scientists of the Middle Ages.
Avicenna's book "The Canon of Medicine" (al-Qānūn fī al-Tibb) was
used as a text book in the universities of Montpellier and Louvain
until 1650. Battani's "Zij" was regarded as a most important
astronomical text, and his work inspired that of Copernicus. A
crater on the moon was even named after him as a mark of respect:
"Albategnius." Al-Khwarizmi's work "Compendious Book on Calculation
by Completion and Balancing" is regarded as the first work in
which the first systematic solution of linear and quadratic
equations are presented. The very term "algebra" comes from
"al-jabr," one of the methods for solving quadratic equations in
al-Khwarizmi's book. Many other examples of contributions to
scientific progress by Muslim scientists could be given.
Today, too, there are a great many scientists, academics and
intellectuals who have emerged from the Islamic world and serve all
mankind. The spread of scientific thinking and concentration on
rationality will further increase the numbers of such people and the
contributions they make. That is why it needs to be better
understood that the Quran encourages rational thinking and
scientific research and activity. In this way, more enlightened
people will appear from within the Islamic world and bearing in
mind that societies are today in ever greater interaction with one
another, such progress will clearly be of great benefit to both the
Islamic world and to the world as a whole.

Those who ascribe equals to Allah will encounter the horror in their minds in the hereafter

Everyone who does not believe in Allah (God) who fails to properly
appreciate Him and to perform his duty to serve Him will be
recompensed in Hell in the eternal life of the Hereafter. Yet it is as
if some people were intoxicated in the face ofthis manifest truth. It
is possible to give unbelieving evolutionists as example of such
people.
Unbelieving evolutionists spend theirwhole lives denying (surely Allah
is beyond that) Allah's existence. They have made defending this
heretical ideology the main purpose of their lives. There is no doubt
that their reward for this in Allah's presence will be very terrible.
But every lie they tell and every unscientific scenario they produce
to turn people from belief in Allah will confront them in Hell as the
dark world of the evolutionary myths in their own minds. Unbelieving
evolutionists will encounter the same horrendous moral conceptions in
Hell that they have in their minds now. Unless Allah wills otherwise,
deniers will suffer an eternal life full of torment. (Allah knowsthe
truth.)
"We created many of thejinn and mankind for Hell. They have hearts
they do not understand with. They have eyes they do not see with. They
have ears they do not hear with. Such people are like cattle. No, they
are even further astray! They are the unaware." (Surat al-A'raf, 179)
One of the distinguishing features of evolutionist propaganda is that
it is made up of stories basedon evolutionists' own imaginations. A
scientist telling the story generally sets up evolutionary scenarios
with his own personal conceptions and by misinterpreting scientific
findings through having adoptedevolution as a dogma. That scientist
will then seek to impose that scenario on people, suggesting it is a
thesis based on sound scientific evidence. In fact, what evolutionists
do is to portray wild pigs' teeth as human teeth or else produce hoax
skulls by putting bones belonging to different life forms together.
Devoid of any evidence with which to prove their theories, Darwinists
have no problem with adding a great many imaginary elements to their
tales. The fact is, however, that this is an unscientific propaganda
technique based on preconception alone.
Imagining that they can deceive people in this way, unbelieving
Darwinists have ignored one very important matter for the last 150
years:These scenarios they have produced in order to deny the
existence of Allah (surelyour Lord is beyond that) and impose the
fraud of evolution on humanity, and which merely reflecttheir own
unhealthy states of mind, will rise up before them, one by one, in
Hell. (Allah knowsthe truth)
Allah has created every detail of life in Hell as a response to the
deniers. There are many verses inthe Qur'an that describe the
torment-filled life of Hell in both physical and also psychological
and social terms. Looking at the details about Hell that Almighty
Allah reveals in these verses, itis clear that Allah has prepared Hell
as a reward for unbelievers who deny Him and take chance as their
deities (surely our Lord is beyond that), in a manner that parallels
their heretical beliefs. The fictitious process of evolution that they
have been trying to impose on humanity for centuries will itself be
imposed on evolution, skipping not a single detail. Everything, from
their food to their clothes, from the terrifying human forms in Hell
to their life styles full of mental and physical suffering, will be as
dark and painful asin their own scenarios. In this way, unbelieving
evolutionists will encounter a climate and philosophy of life that
matches their own ideas.Parallel to their own claims, they will live
alongside terrifying creatures like the intermediate forms they
invented in their own imaginations, will be subjected to an endless
class conflict, will be denigrated because of ideas about master
racesand will suffer in the kind of dark and smoky environment they
claim existed in the primeval world. (Surely Allah knows the truth.)
We can describe the environment that exists in the minds of persons,
who deny Allah's sublime creation (Allah isbeyond that) and who invent
all kinds of tales about how the universe, the world and human beings
came into existence, and that they will themselves experience in Hell,
as follows:
1- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
They Claim Human Beings, That Allah Created with Such Superior
Features, Are Descended from Apes
Evolutionists claim that human beings, entities possessed of
consciousness and free will and able to think, reason, and make
decisions and judgments, are descended from apes, which in terms of
consciousness, are no different from horses or mice.
What Will Happen in Hell?
Those Who Deny Allah's Creation (Surely Allah is beyond that) Will Be
Made Despicable Apes in This World and the Hereafter
"We said to them,'BE APES, DESPISED, CAST OUT.'" (Surat al-Baqara, 65)
"Say: 'Shall I tell you of areward with Allah far worse than that:
that of those whom Allah has cursed and with whom He is angry –
turning some of themINTO MONKEYS AND INTO PIGS –AND WHO WORSHIPPED
FALSE DEITIES? Such people are in a worse situation and further from
the right way.'" (Surat al-Ma'ida, 60)
"When they were insolent about what they had been forbidden to do, We
saidto them, 'BE APES!'" (Surat al-A'raf, 166)
2- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
They Claim That Human Beings Evolved from So-Called Reptiles
Evolutionists claim that all the living species on Earth came about
through evolution over a very long period of time. According to this
fictitious scenario, some fish felt the need to move to dry land for
various reasons, and a number of changes then began taking place in
them. As fish gradually moved onto dry land they slowly turned into
amphibians and initiated the supposed process of evolution.
What Will Happen in Hell?
In the Hereafter, Almighty Allah Will Assemble the Unbelievers in Hell
by Dragging Them on Their Faces, 'Like the Reptiles in the Scenario of
Evolution'
"Whoever Allah guides istruly guided. But as for those He leads
astray, you will not find any protectors for them apart from Him.WE
WILL GATHER THEMon the Day of Resurrection,FLAT ON THEIR FACES, BLIND,
DUMBAND DEAF. Their shelter will be Hell. Whenever the Blaze dies
down, We will increase it for them." (Sura al-Isra', 97)
"the DayTHEY ARE SHOVED ROUGHLYinto theFire of Hell: 'This is the Fire
which you denied!'"(Surat at-Tur, 13-14)
3- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
They Claim That They AreDescended "from So-Called Intermediate Forms
That Were Unable to Speak, See or Hear"
According to what evolutionists claim, thereshould have been many life
forms that reflected the transition between two species and that bore
the features of both. For example, before fish moved onto dry land and
turned intoreptiles a great many half-lunged and half-gilled, or
half-legged and half finned life forms must have existed. Or until
apes finally turned into human beings many half-human and half-apelife
forms must have existed over many millions of years. Evolutionists
call these fictitious entities they believe once existed "intermediate
forms." According to their scenario, during the time of this
intermediarytransition, a major stage in the so-called evolutionary
process, there must have been many life forms with deficient or
missing organs between two different species, for which reason there
musthave been creatures thatcould not see or hear. The fact is,
however, that no evidence for onesingle intermediate formhas been
found in any ofthe millions of fossil specimens that have been
extracted from the different strata of the Earth.
What Will Happen in Hell?
Allah Will Assemble the Unbelievers as Entities "Unable to See, Hear
or Speak," Just Like They Wanted
"But if anyone turns away from My reminder,his life will be a dark and
narrow one and on the Day of RisingWE WILL GATHER HIM BLIND."(Surah
Ta-Ha, 124)
"...SO WE PUT OUT THEIR EYES: 'Taste My punishment and warnings!'"
(Surat al-Qamar, 37)
"…WE WILL GATHER THEMon the Day of Resurrection, flat on their
faces,BLIND, DUMB AND DEAF. Their shelter will be Hell. Whenever the
Blaze dies down, We will increase it for them." (Sura al-Isra', 97)
4- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
They Claim That Amino Acids and Proteins Can Emerge by Chance from Boiling Water
In another scenario they have come up with, evolutionists claim that
amino acids, proteins and even cells can form by chance in boiling
water, and that cells can also combine together by chance to give rise
to living organisms.
What Will Happen in Hell?
When They Are Thirsty inHell, Unbelievers Will Be Given the Boiling
Water They Adopted as a Deity to Drink
"Each and every one of you will return to Him. Allah's promise is
true. He brings creation out of nothing and then regenerates it so
that hecan repay with justice those who had faith anddid right
actions. Those who were unbelievers will haveA DRINK OF SCALDING
WATERand a painful punishment because of their disbelief." (Surah
Yunus, 4)
"Then they will haveA BOILING BREW TO DRINKon top of it. Then their
destination will be the Blazing Fire." (Surat as-Saffat, 67-68)
"…you deniers will eat from the tree of Zaqqum, filling your stomachs with it
AND DRINK SCALDING WATER ON TOP OF IT, SLURPING LIKE THIRST-CRAZED
CAMELS. (Surat al-Waqi'a 52-55)
5- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
They Depict Human Beings Who Lived in Prehistoric Times as Ape-Men in
Their Imaginary Illustrations
The best known evolutionist propagandatechnique is "reconstruction."
This means making an imaginary model or picture of a living thing, of
which sometimes onlya fragment of bone may have been found. The
"ape-men" we see in newspapers, magazines and films are all
reconstructions. Evolutionists pick up their paint brushes and draw
ugly-looking and imaginary creatures, butthe absence of any fossil
remains from these represents a terrible dilemma for them. Therefore,
reconstructions merely reflect evolutionists' powers of imagination,
and not scientific findings.
What Will Happen in Hell?
The Unbelievers Will Be Turned into the Ugly LifeForms They Depicted
in Their Illustrations in Order to Deny Allah's Creation (May Our Lord
Forgive Us)
"On the Day when faces are whitenedAND FACES ARE BLACKENED. As for
those whoseFACES ARE BLACKENED: 'What! Did you become unbelieversafter
having had faith? Taste the punishment for your disbelief!'" (Surah Al
'Imran, 106)
"On the Day of Resurrection you will seethose who lied against Allah
with theirFACES BLACKENED. Do not the arrogant have a dwelling place
in Hell?" (Sura az-Zumar, 60)
"The Fire will sear their faces, making them grimace horribly in
it,THEIR LIPS DRAWN BACK FROM THEIR TEETH. 'Were My Signs not recited
to you and did you not deny them?'" (Surat al-Muminun, 104-105)
"On the Day the Trumpet is blown – and We will gatherTHE EVILDOERS,
SIGHTLESSon that Day –" (Surah Ta-Ha, 102)
"Some faces on that DayWILL BE DOWNCAST, laboring, toiling endlessly,"
(Surat al-Ghashiyya, 2-3)
6- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
They Claim The Universe Came into Being by Chance out of Darkness and Chaos
Everything on Earth, animate or inanimate, was created by Almighty
Allah telling it to "Be!" Evolutionists, however, believe in the
nonsense that the universe, was initially in a state of darkness and
chaos, and life came into being through coincidences combining
together in a completely impossible manner.
What Will Happen in Hell?
Allah Will Create an Environment of "Darkness and Chaos" forThe Unbelievers
"SO BE ON THE WATCH FOR A DAY WHEN HEAVEN BRINGS FORTH A DISTINCTIVE
SMOKE WHICHENSHROUDS MANKIND. 'THIS IS A PAINFUL PUNISHMENT'." (Surat
ad-Dukhan, 10-11)
"andTHE MURK OF THICK, BLACK SMOKE, providing no coolness and no
pleasure. Before that they were living in luxury, persisting in
immense wrongdoing." (Surat al-Waqi'a, 43-46)
7- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
Unbelieving EvolutionistsClaim That Human BeingsWho Lived in Very
Ancient Times Had Primitive Civilizations
Evolutionist scientists have produced a scenario of historical
development in order to account for a supposed process of evolution
thatextends back to single-celled organisms, and from them to
multi-celled organisms, apes and finally human beings. They have come
up with the lie of brutishcave-men, whom they describe as "primitive,"
and say that these were half-human and half-ape, lacking the power of
speech, wearing no clothes, unable to stand upright and communicating
through strange grunts. They then invented such imaginary periods as
"the Stone Age" in order to explain these people'slife styles.
What Will Happen in Hell?
Unbelievers Will Inhabit the Same Dark, Murky Environment They Imagine
Existed in the Stone Age
"That Day SOME FACES WILL BE DUST-COVERED, OVERCAST WITH GLOOM. Those
are the dissolute unbelievers." (Surah 'Abasa, 40-42)
"And the Companions ofthe Left: what of the Companions of the Left?
Amid searing blasts and scalding water and THE MURK OF THICK BLACK
SMOKE PROVIDING NO COOLNESS AND NO PLEASURE." (Surat al-Waqi'a, 40-44)
"When it sees them coming from a long way off, they will hear it
seething and rasping. WHEN THEY ARE FLUNG INTO A NARROW PLACE IN IT,
SHACKLED TOGETHER IN CHAINS, they will cry out there for destruction.
'Do not cry out today for just one destruction, cry out for many
destructions!'" (Sura al-Furqan, 12-14)
Because They Lied and Said "Early Humans Had No Clothes," They Will
Have No Clothes in Hell, But Will Be Garbed in Flames
"Here are two rival groups who disputed concerning their Lord. Those
who are unbelieversWILL HAVE GARMENTS OF FIRE CUT OUT FOR THEM, and
boiling water poured over their heads, which will melt the contents of
their bellies as well as their skin," (Surat al-Hajj,19-20)
"WEARING SHIRTS OF TAR,their faces enveloped in the Fire." (Surah Ibrahim, 50)
8- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
Social Darwinists Maintain the Lie That Bloody Dictatorships Are
Essential for World Order
The common feature of dictators such as Stalin, Lenin, Brezhnev, Mao,
Pol Pot and Hitler, who perpetrated the worst slaughter in the history
of the world, is that theywere all Social Darwinists. In the
bloodydictatorships supported by Darwinism, millions of people were
subjected to genocide, hundreds of thousands of people in many
countries, from England to Germany and from the USA to Sweden,
wereforcibly sterilized or left to die because they were ill, deformed
or old, and because of ruthless competition, people all over the world
were oppressed, exploited and obliged tolive like pack animals.
What Will Happen in Hell?
Unbelievers Will Be Subjected to Mass Suffering, Like That in the
Communal Systems They Set up in This World
"He will say, 'Enter the FireTOGETHER WITHthe nations of jinn andMEN
WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY BEFORE YOU.' Each time anation enters, it will
curse its sister nation, until,WHEN THEY ARE ALL GATHERED TOGETHER IN
IT, the last of them will say to the first, 'Our Lord, those are the
ones who misguided us, so give them a double punishment in the Fire.'
He will say, 'Each will receive double. But you do not know it'."
(Surat al-A'raf, 38)
They Will Be Punished Using the Same Torture Techniques They
Established in Their Bloody Dictatorships
"WE HAVE PUT IRON COLLARS ROUND THEIR NECKS REACHING UP TO THE CHIN,
SO THAT THEIR HEADS ARE FORCED BACK. We have placed a barrier in front
of them and a barrier behind them, blindfolding themso that they
cannot see."(Surah Ya Sin, 8-9)
"WE HAVE MADE READY FOR THE UNBELIEVERS SHACKLES AND CHAINSanda
Searing Blaze." (Surat al-Insan, 4)
"That Day no one will punish as He punishesAND NO ONE WILL SHACKLEAS
HE SHACKLES." (Surat al-Fajr, 25-26)
"As for those who are wretched, they will be inthe Fire,WHERE THEY
WILL SIGH AND GASP, remaining in it timelessly, for ever, as long as
the heavens and earth endure, except as your Lord wills. Your Lord is
the Doer of what He wills." (Surah Hud, 106-107)
9- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
Social Darwinists Provoked Racism with the Lie of "Favored Races"
One can find racist societies, rulers and practices in many periods of
history. But it was the theory of evolution that first provided racism
with a supposed scientific validity. With the validitybestowed on
racism by the theory of evolution, 19th and 20th century scientists
had no qualms or reservations about speaking of such fictitious
concepts as "inferior" races or races being more ape then human.
Oppressive dictators such as Hitler took the opportunity to kill
millions of people forbeing what they regarded as "inferior,"
"inadequate," "flawed" or "sick."
What Will Happen in Hell?
Unbelieving Social Darwinists Who Claimed They Belonged to a Superior
Race and Despised Other Races Will Be Disgraced in Hell
"into the middle of the Blazing Fire. Then pour the punishment of
boiling water on his head.' 'Taste that!YOU ARE THE MIGHTY ONE, THE
NOBLE ONE! This is the very thing you used to doubt'." (Surat
ad-Dukhan, 47-50)
"SEIZE HIM AND TRUSS HIM UP. THEN ROAST HIM IN A BLAZING FIRE. THEN
BIND HIM IN A CHAIN WHICH IS SEVENTY CUBITS LONG. He used not to have
faith in Allah the Magnificent, nor did he urge the feeding of the
poor." (Surat al-Haqqa, 30-34)
"Then ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION HE WILL DISGRACE THEM, and say,
'Where are My partner deities for whose sake you became so hostile?'
Those given knowledge will say, 'TODAY THERE IS DISGRACE AND EVIL FOR
THEunbelievers." (Surat an-Nahl, 27)
10- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
The Darwinist Mindset Maintains That the Mentally Handicapped May Be
Killed for Food orScientific Experiments
With the theory of evolution, Charles Darwin ignored the solidarity
and mutual assistance created in nature by Allah and proposed that all
living things were engaged in a ruthless struggle for survival.
Darwin's theoryof evolution emerged as social Darwinism when applied
to societies. Social Darwinism spread with the perverted idea that
life was a "battleground," and thathuman beings had to live to win
that struggle or at the very least to adapt to that savage
environment. Under the influence of this movement, devoid of any
scientific validity, many people began regarding ruthlessness,
savagery and cruelty as quite normal. Darwinist thinking caused human
life to be regarded as worthless. The most obvious indications of this
are the way that evolutionists maintainedthat the mentally ill could
be killed for scientific experimentation or, even more
outrageously,used for food.
What Will Happen in Hell?
Since They Regarded Eating Human Flesh As Permissible, Unbelievers
Will Be Fed Blood, Pus, Thorns and from the Tree of Zaqqum
"…not tasting any coolness there or any drink, except forBOILINGWATER
AND SCALDING PUS– a fitting recompense." (Surat an-Naba', 24-26)
"Therefore here today he has no friendNOR ANY FOOD EXCEPT EXUDING
PUSwhich no one will eat except those who were in error." (Surat
al-Haqqa, 35-37)
"Is that better by way of hospitality or theTREE OFZAQQUMwhich We have
made to be an ordeal forthe wrongdoers? It is a tree that emerges in
the depths of the Blazing Fire.ITS FRUITS ARE JUST LIKE THE HEADS OF
SHAYTANS. They will eat from it and fill their bellies with it."
(Surat as-Saffat, 62-66)
"They have no food butA BITTER THORNY BUSH WHICH NEITHER NOURISHES NOR
SATISFIES." (Surat al-Ghashiyya, 6-7)
11- What Do Unbelieving EvolutionistsMaintain?
Social Darwinists Are Notin Favor of Helping the Needy
According to the lies of the Darwinist mindset, which regards human
beings as a kind of animal, the weak and needy are of no value. Under
the logic of Social Darwinism, nothing needs to be done to rescue
people from suffering, difficulty and fear. These people should be
left unaided and unprotected.
What Will Happen In Hell?
In the Same Way They Never Helped the Needy in This World, Unbelieving
Social Darwinists Will Not Be Helped in Hell
"Those are the people who trade the Hereafter for the world. The
punishment will not be lightened for them.THEY WILL NOT BE HELPED."
(Surat al-Baqara, 86)
"Do you not see those who were given a portion of the Book having
faith in idols andfalse deities and saying of those who are
unbelievers, 'These people are better guided on their path than the
believers'? Those are the ones Allah has cursed. AND IF SOMEONE IS
CURSED BY ALLAH YOU WILL NOT FIND ANYONE TO HELP HIM." (Surat an-Nisa,
51-52)
"Say: 'It is the truth from your Lord; so let whoever wishes have
faith and whoever wishes be unbelievers.' We have prepared for the
wrongdoers a Fire whose billowing walls ofsmoke will hem them in. IF
THEY CALL FOR HELP, THEY WILL BE HELPED WITH WATER LIKE SEETHING
MOLTEN BRASS, FRYING THEIR FACES. WHATA NOXIOUS DRINK! WHAT AN EVIL
REPOSE!" (Surat al-Kahf, 29)
CONCLUSION:
AN URGENT CALL TO DARWINISTS!
Those taken in by the error of Darwinism needto be aware of a very
important truth:the theory of evolution that they seek to defend
despite all its deficiencies and errors isnow bereft of any scientific
validity.Every new advance in the world of science confirms that fact
once again and consigns the theory of evolution to the dusty shelves
of history. In addition, history shows that the model of life proposed
by the theory of evolution means oppression, injustice, ruthlessness
and injustice and brings withit nothing but suffering, tears and loss.
Darwinistsmust therefore realize the evils they proselytizeand at once
cease defending this irrationaland unscientific theory by freeing
themselves from their preconceptions.

Fathwa - Fasting a day to complete)the fasting of( Ramadhaan if people differ concerning fasting it

Question
What is the ruling on fasting a day to completeRamadhaan if people
differ concerning fasting it? When should fasting be observed if this
is valid?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad,
is His slave and messenger.
Whoever misses a day of Ramadhaan should make up for it. Making it up
should not be on a specific day but he should make up for it before
the following Ramadhaan. The questioner said: "If people differ
concerning fasting it". This means that people are differing with
regards to the beginning or end of the month. If the country does not
depend, in determining the beginning or end of the month, upon
astronomical calculationsbut rather on an actual sighting and they saw
the moon and fasted twenty nine days, then they have done what they
were ordered to do. Their fasting is correct and the doubt does not
matter.
However, if they depend upon astronomical calculations and their
fasting was less than what it should be according to the moon sighting
or completing Sha'baan, then they should fast the missed days whether
one or twodays.
Allaah Knows best.

Fathwa - Combining an intention to fasting on Monday andThursday with another fast

Question
Is it permissible to fast the six days of Shawwaal every Monday and
Thursday with both intentions of fasting the six days of Shawwaal
andfasting on Mondays and Thursdays to attain both rewards? What is
the ruleon combining more than one intention in one deed? For example,
is it permissible to fast in Ramadhaan and on Mondays intend the fast
of Ramadhaan along with the Sunnah of fasting on Mondays?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad,
is His slave and messenger.
Combining more than one intention in a single deed is what is known
among the people of knowledge as "At-Tashreek". Its ruling is that if
it is done in terms of means or in intersecting matters, it is valid
and the required purpose of both acts of worship is achieved. For
example, if someone performs Ghusl due to Janaabah on Friday for the
sake of Friday and forthe sake of eliminating his Janaabah, then his
Janaabah is eliminated and he attains the reward of having a bath on
Friday. If one of the two acts of worship is not intended but the
other is intended for itself, it is valid to combine them and this
does not detract from theact of worship like performing the prayer of
greeting the Masjid with an obligatory or some other Sunnah prayer.
Greeting the Masjid is notintended for itself but what is intended is
occupying the place with prayer and this happened.
If this is established, thenknow that there is no harm in combining
between fasting on Mondays and Thursdays and any other fasting.
Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is recommended because they are the
days when deeds are presented to Allaah The Almighty. The Prophet,
liked fasting them for his deeds to be raised while he is fasting.The
Prophet, said: "Deeds are presented )to Allaah( on Monday and Thursday
and I like my deeds to be presented when I am fasting."]As-Suyooti on
the authority of Abu Hurayrah; Al-Albaani: Saheeh[
The questioner should not combine the intention of obligatory fasting
with any voluntary fasting. The intended meaning of fasting on Mondays
and Thursdays is achieved without the need of an intention.
Allaah Knows best.

Fathwa - Ruling on combining the fasting of the six days of Shawwaal and fasting to expiate an oath

Question
Is it permissible to observe the fast of expiating an oath with the
six days of Shawwaal?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad,
is His slave and messenger.
Some jurists mentioned that whoever fasts the sixdays of Shawwaal with
the intention of making up )a missed obligatory fast(, vow or the like
– such as expiating an oath– he attains the reward of the six days of
Shawwaal but not completely.Al-Khateeb Ash-Shirbeenisaid: "Ifone fasts
in Shawwaal to make up )a missed obligatory fast(, vow or the like,
does he attain the reward of the Sunnah or not? I do not know that
this matter was mentioned but, apparently, he attains it. However, he
does not attain the said reward, especially he who missed Ramadan and
made it upin Shawwaal because theaforementioned meaning does not apply
to him, )The Prophet's Hadeeth: "Whoever fasts in Ramadan and follows
it with six days of Shawwaal, then it is as if he fasted
perpetually."( This is why some scholarssaid that it is recommended
for him in this case ) if he could not fast the six days during
Shawwaal ( to fast six days in Thul-Qa'idah because it is recommended
to make up for Sunnah fasting. This applies if one adoptsthe view that
the reward is not attained but, if we said that it is attained – as it
appears as previously mentioned – then it is not recommended to make
anything up for them.
Whoever fasts for the sake of expiating an oathin Shawwaal, this
avails him of the obligatory fasting. According to what was stated
byAl-KhateebAsh-Shirbeenihe also attains the original reward of the
Sunnah of fasting six days of Shawwaal without attaining the entire
reward. Therefore,what is better and more preferable is to single
outeach of them with separate fasts to attain the promised reward for
sure.
Allaah Knows best.

Abusing the environment: an Islamic perspective

Islam expresses great concern for the environment. A number of verses
in the Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammadhave addressed this
issue. Islam's solution to environmental problems lies in man's
adaptation of its guidance. Allaah has stated that He made all the
material objects on earth for man's use, not for his abuse.
Allaah Almighty has not prevented humankind from enjoying a luxurious
standard of living, but this should notbe maintained by damaging and
abusing natural resources. This is clearly stated in a number of
verses in the Quran. Allaah says )what means(:"But seek, through that
which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and)yet(, do not
forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to
you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not
like corruptors."]Quran 28:77[
The Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammadcontains instructions for
Muslims to preserve the environment, which includes not cutting down
trees unnecessarily. In this respect, Prophet Muhammadpointed out that
there are benefits in planting trees,which will last until the Day of
Judgment. This is illustrated in the saying of the Noble Prophet:"If
the Hour is imminent and anyone of you has a palm shoot )to plant( in
his hand and is able to plant it before the Hour strikes, then he
should doso and he will be rewarded for that action."
Allaah has ordained severe punishments for those who damage and abuse
natural resources. He says )what means(:"Eat and drink from the
provision of Allaah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading
corruption."]Quran 2:60[
"Corruption has appeared throughout theland and sea by )reason of(
what the hands of people have earned, so He )i.e. Allaah( may let them
taste part of )the consequences of( what they have done that perhaps
they will return)to righteousness(."]Quran 30:41[
Ibn Mas'oodreports,"While we were on a journey with Allaah's
Messengerhe went a short distance from where we had encamped. There we
sawa small bird with two of its chicks and caught them. The bird was
fluttering when the Prophetcame back, so heasked, 'Who has distressed
it by taking its chicks ?' Then heasked us to return the chicks. There
we also sawan anthill and burnt it out. When the Prophetsaw that, he
asked, 'Who has burnt it?' When we informed him that we had done it,
he said, 'Onlythe Lord of fire has the right to punish with fire.'
Allaah says in the Quran)what means(:"And there is no creature on )or
within( the earth or a bird that flies with its wings except that they
are nations)communities( like you."]Quran 6:38[
We infer from the Prophet's statement and this Qur'anic verse that
allliving things are partnersto man in existence and they deserve our
respect. We must be merciful toward animals and strive to ensure the
preservation of different species.
Islam forbids wasting water and using it without benefit. The
preservation of water forthe nourishment of humankind, animal life,
bird life and vegetation is a practice that gains Allaah's pleasure.
In his article "Islam and the Environment," Arafat El Ashi, director
of the Muslim World League in Canada, ] www.al- muslim.org[
writes,"Human life is sacred in the sight of Islam. No oneis permitted
to take the life of another person except as life-for-life."
Under Islam, El Ashi states, "It ]is[ incumbent on every Muslim to
contribute his/her share in improving greenery. Muslims should be
active in growing more trees for the benefit of all people." Even
during battle, Muslims are required to avoid cuttingdown trees that
are useful to people.
Humankind's stewardship of the earth entails a profound
responsibility. Other living species, as mentioned above, are also
considered by Allaah to be "communities". Creation itself, in its
boundless diversity and complexity, may be thought of as a vast
universe of "signs" of Allaah's Power, Wisdom, Beneficence and
Majesty. The responsibility of humankind is to keep Allaah's creation
undistorted. The environment is a trust presented by Allaah to
humankind and its abuseis a misuse of Allaah's trust.

Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me

Anasreported that: "Three men came to the houses of the wives of the
Prophetand askedhow his worship was. When they were informed, they
considered their own worship to be insignificant and said: 'Where are
we in comparison to the Prophetwhen Allaah has forgiven his past and
future sins?' One of them said: 'As for me, I shall offer prayer all
night long.' Another said: 'I shall observe fasting perpetually, never
to break it.' Another said: 'I shall abstain from women and will never
marry.' The Prophetthen came to them and said:"Are you the people who
said such things? I swear By Allaah that I fear Allaah more than you
do, and I am most obedient and dutiful among you to Him, but still, I
observe fasting)sometimes( and break it )at others(; I perform
)optional( prayer )at night sometimes( and sleep at night )at others(;
I also marry. So whoever turns away from my Sunnah )i.e., my way( is
not from me."]Al-Bukhaari &Muslim[
Anasalso reported: "A few of the companions ofthe Prophetinquired from
his wives about his worship when he would be alone. When they found
out, one of them said: 'I shall abstain from women and will never
marry.' Another said: 'I shall never eat meat.' Another said: 'I will
always offer the night prayer and shall never sleep.' Later, the
Prophetascended the pulpit, praised and thanked Allaah, and then
said:"Whyare some people saying such things? I perform )optional
night( prayers )sometimes( and sleep at night )at others(; I observe
fasting )sometimes( and break it )at others(; and I marry. So whoever
turns away from my Sunnah )i.e., way( is not from me."
'A few of the companions' in the narration means that there were
between three to nine of them, and their asking: 'Where are we in
comparison to the Prophetwhen Allaah has forgiven his past and future
sins?' means that since they didnot have this assurance that Hehad,
then it followed that they wouldhave to exert more effortin order to
try to attain it;however, heexplainedto them that one may do the
things that these menwished to refrain from and still be fearful of
Allaah and obtain a greatreward.
The second narration of this story includes different things that the
companions stated that they will abstain from, which proves that they
were more than three in number.
Also, the speech of the Prophetin the first narration reflects that
hespoke to them directly, whereas the second one indicates thathespoke
generally, without directing his speech to them in particular. It may
be that hefirst spoke to everybody in the congregation and explained
that such abstention is impermissible, and then spoke to the men
concerned in private, addressing them personally so as not to expose
their identity to others, which may have caused them embarrassment.
The fact that the Prophettook an oath was in order to show these men
that despite him being forgiven by Allaah, hedid not do what they
planned to do, which was to exaggerate in their worship, and that
reward from Allaah couldbe attained without such exaggeration; this is
because he who is moderate in his worship is more likely to
continuewhereas those who exaggerate will eventually become too weak
to continue and give up.
His saying:"…my Sunnah…"did not refer to the Islaamic categorization
which refers to recommended acts ratherthan obligatory ones. Rather,
it refers to his complete manner in life and his approach to every
matter. Heinstructed them that the one who worships in anyway other
than his is not from him, meaning, that he does not follow him; here,
hewas alluding to the methods that monks have, who innovated extreme
ways of worship for which they have been dispraised by Allaah.
The one who worships ina way other than that of the Prophethas not
left the fold of Islam if he did it in ignorance or was mistaken in
his interpretation of the Sunnah, but if he does it due to wishing to
deliberately shun the way of the Prophetand thinks that his way and
method is better, then he has committed an act of disbelief.
The following are some of many benefits that we can extract from this narration:
· The recommendation of imitating the ways of one's seniors and
following in their footsteps, and that if one is unable to find out
about their way of doing things by means of inquiring from men, thenit
is permitted to inquire from women, provided that nobody will be
subjected to temptation.
· The virtue of marriage and an encouragement of it.
· One may do righteous deeds openly and inform others about them,
provided he feels secure from thereby becoming arrogant.
· Deeds that are Islamically permitted maybecome recommended, disliked
or prohibited, according to one's intention.
· Imaam At-Tabarisaid:"This narration refutes the claim of those who
forbid eating lawful foods and wearing permissible clothing, claiming
that it is better to use harsh clothing and refrain from eating good
food."But, Imaam Ibn Hajaradded to this saying:"The fact of the matter
is that the one who gets himself accustomed to always consuming fine
things )i.e., food and clothing( may become too habituated to them and
therefore cannot live without them, and consequently, when he is
deprived from them, he maycommit prohibitions in order to attain what
he is accustomed to. On the other hand, refraining from them from the
perspective of prohibiting them for oneself contradicts the saying of
Allaah inthe thirty-second verse of Soorah Al-A'raaf)which
means(:"Say: 'Who has forbidden the adornment of ]i.e., from[ Allaah
which He has produced for His servants and the good ]lawful[ things of
provision?..."]Quran 7: 32[
· The good deeds that arecontinuous are the dearest to Allaah, even if
they are few.
· The method of the Prophetis the very best one, whereby he would
sometimes eat in order to preserve his strength, and fast at other
times; he would also sleep at night sometimes in order to have the
strength to prayat night on other occasions; also, he would marry in
order to fulfil his desires, save himself from following his lusts,
maintain his chastity, andincreasing the number ofMuslims.
· A warning against exaggeration in the matters of the religion
because this leads to one stopping the deeds that he is performing.
Also, one who exaggerates in acts of worship will eventually become
apathetic, which may cause him to stop his obligatory acts of worship
and not only theoptional ones that he performs. Also, one who only
performs the obligatory deeds is also in great danger; if he loses
interest, he may abandon worship altogether; so the best way is to be
moderate.
· Finally, There is an indication in this narration that knowing
Allaah and His rights and commandments is of a higher rank than simply
worshipping Him without it, and that the deeds of the heart are
essential for practicing servitude to Allaah.

The value of glorifying the Sacred City

The importance of values lies in the fact that they are the criterion
by which people, ideologies,actions, positions and subjects can be
judged and measured; moreover,values decide the identityof the
community; the values in a given community have a direct effect and
influence on the manners and conductwhich the members of that
community adopt.
Whenever the values of acommunity originate from the teachings of its
faith, the behaviour and conduct of its people will reflect such a
faith and they will certainly enjoy fine and fulfilling lives within
their respective communities.
Strengthening the social values that Islaam instructs and emphasises
upon is the safety valve that protects and guards the community, and
one of the greatest and most important of such values is to glorify
the symbols of Allaah. Indeed, such glorification results in lofty
social customs and etiquettes that guaranteethe stability of the
Muslimcommunity and assures happiness in this life and the Life to
come.
Allaah Almighty has madethis city a Sacred and Secure one and has
honoured His House )the Ka'bah(; He made glorifying this city one of
the most honourable actsof worship by which a person draws close to
Allaah; He Says )what means(:"That ]is so[. And whoever honours the
symbols]i.e. rites[ of Allaah — indeed, it is from the piety of
hearts."]Quran 22: 32[
Glorifying what Allaah and His Messengerhave glorified results in
establishing great social values that will yield countless benefits to
the Muslims, and will reflect the unity of the Muslims - a nation that
direct themselves to one Qiblah,believe in one religion and harbour
the same objectives and hopes, as if their hearts are that of a single
person.
Due to the great value that glorifying Honourable Makkah has in the
hearts of the Muslims, it is a very easy task to attract diverse human
resources to invest in a project that aims to glorify this great city,
and for Muslims fromdifferent sectors within the Muslim community to
cooperate in order to instil such glorification inthe hearts and
spread it amongst the people.
This was the initiating point for the project of 'Glorifying
theSacredCity'. The project was derived from the texts of the Book of
Allaah that were revealed in Honourable Makkah and the Sunnah of His
Prophet, whose prophethood began in it.
The Prophettaught us how to build this value ofglorifying Makkah -
since his prophethood started in Makkah itself - in a practical manner
that is away from fantasy and ina realistic manner that is easy to
comprehend, andmade it deeply rooted in the hearts in a way that
guaranteed the continuity of such glorification by those who reside in
the Sacred City and those who come to visit it. He did so with great
wisdom and with tender care which causedpeople to long to see
andglorify thisSacredCity.
Under the sponsorship of his Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul-Majeed bin
'Abdul-'Azeez, the Governor of the province of Makkah, on the
fifteenth day of the month of Sha'baan, 1426 AH this project was
initiated in a celebrationattended by many princes, government
officials from different departments in the city of Makkah, mayors,
neighbourhood chiefs and school principals.
The gathering included video footage and Islaamic songs and was
concluded with a speech delivered by his Royal Highness in which he
announced the launchingof the project and encouraged government
officials and the residentsof Makkah to support and partake in the
project.
The project aims - through various committees, programs and
advertisements - to revive the role of organizations and individuals
in shaping the social behaviour of the Makkan community, raising
people's awareness about the status of Honourable Makkah and
encouragingpeople to glorify it, so that this value and principle of
glorifying Makkah becomes an influential tool that affects and directs
people's vision and strengthens community bonds, families,
neighbourhoods and the Makkan community in its entirety.

Dought & clear - Every cloud has a silver lining.

I have seen on TV many of the calamities that have befallen the Muslim
ummah, in Palestine our wounds are bleeding; in Chechnya our bodies
arecut; in Afghanistan our houses are destroyed; inthe Philippines and
in Kashmir... and now in Iraq.
Tomorrow only Allaah knows who will be meet this fate...
Are these calamities and these disasters that we see good or bad?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Disasters and calamities have been created for a reason, which none
can fully comprehend but Allaah. Some of the things that Allaah has
shown to us indicate this.
1 - Disasters and calamities are a test of the believer's patience.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as
came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with
severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger
and those who believed along withhim said, 'When (will come) the Help
of Allaah?' Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allaah is near!"
[al-Baqarah 2:214]
2 - This is a sign of man'sweakness and his need for his Lord, and
shows that he cannot succeed unless he realizes his need for his Lord
and starts beseeching Him.
3 - Calamities are a means of expiation of sin and raising one's
status. The Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"There is nothing that befalls a believer, not even a thorn that
pricks him, but Allaah will record one good deed for him and will
remove one bad deed from him."
Narrated by Muslim.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah(peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Trials will continueto
befall the believing man and woman, with regard to themselves, their
children and their wealth, until they meet Allaah with no sin on
them." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2399; classedas saheeh by al-Albaani
inal-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2280.
And it was narrated that Jaabir said: The Messenger of Allaah(peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "On the Day of
Resurrection, when people who had suffered affliction are given their
reward, those who were healthy will wish their skins had been cut to
pieces with scissors when they were in the world." Narrated by
al-Tirmidhi, 2402. Seeal-Silsilah al-Saheehah, no. 2206.
4 - One of the reasons for calamities is so that people will not feel
content only with this world. If the world were free of calamities,
man would love it more and feel content with it, and would forget
about the Hereafter. But calamities wake him up from his negligence
and make him strive for the place in which there are no calamities or
trials.
5 - One of the greatest reasons behind calamities and trials is towarn
against falling short in some matters, sothat man can make up for the
areas in which hehas fallen short. This is like the warning that is
issued to an employee orstudent who is falling short. The purpose
behind it is to make him make up for his shortcomings. If he does
that, then all well and good, otherwise he deserves to be punished.The
evidence for that includes the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad).
And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss
in health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves
(believe with humility).
When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not humble themselves
(believe withhumility)? But their hearts became hardened, and Shaytaan
(Satan) made fair-seeming to them that which they used to do"
[al-An'aam 6:42]
Another reason... is as a punishment for those who were previously
warned, but did not benefit from the warning and mend theirways, and
persisted in their sin. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"...so We destroyed themfor their sins ..."
[al-Anfaal 8:54]
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And indeed, We destroyed generations before you when they did wrong,
while their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they were
not such as to believe! Thus do We requite the people who are
Mujrimoon"
[Yoonus 10:13]
"And when We decide todestroy a town (population), We (first) send a
definite order (to obey Allaah and be righteous) to those among them
[or We (first) increase in number those of its population] who lead a
life of luxury. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the word (of
torment) is justified against it (them). Then We destroy it with
complete destruction"
[al-Isra' 17:16]
Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "Grief may be
accompanied by that for which a person will be rewarded and praised,
so it may be good in thatsense, not that grief is good in and of
itself, such as one who feels sad for falling short in religious
matters or for calamities that befall theMuslims. In this case a
person will be rewardedfor what is in his heart of loving good and
hating evil, and so on, but grief in itself, if it leads to failure to
do that which is enjoined, namely patience, jihad, seeking benefits
and warding off harm, is forbidden, but if the person does not give it
up, and it is not recorded as a sin for himthen he is fine."
So the one who wishes that Allaah would change his situation without
any effort on hispart and that of others like him needs to understand
this.
6 - Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad).
And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss
in health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves
(believe with humility)"
[al-'An'aam 6:42]
al-Sa'di (may Allaah havemercy on him) said: (Thismeans) We sent
(Messengers) to the nations who came before you, and they disbelieved
in Our Messengers and rejectedOur signs. So We seized them with
poverty, sickness, calamities and disasters as a mercy fromUs to them,
so that they might humble themselves before us and turn to Us at times
of hardship.
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Evil (sins and disobedience to Allaah) has appeared on land and sea
because of whatthe hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil
deeds), that He (Allaah) may make them taste a part of that which they
have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allaah, and
begging His Pardon)"
[al-Room 30:41]
al-Sa'di interprets the word fasaad (translated here as "evil") as
referring to the disastersthat develop on land and sea, which are
making people's lives difficult and causing a lot of problems with
regard to their livelihood and well-being.
And the disasters that befall them themselves, such as diseases,
plaguesand the like, which happen because of the things their own
hands have wrought of evil deeds that can only lead to bad
consequences.
This phrase "that He (Allaah) may make them taste a part of that which
they have done" means, so that they might know that Allaah is
requiting them for their deeds, so He gives them a foretaste of the
recompense of their deeds in this world, "in order that they may
return (by repenting to Allaah, and begging His Pardon)" i.e., repent
from their deeds that have had this bad effect on them, and set their
affairs straight.
Glory be to the One Who blesses by means of His punishment, for if He
were to make them tasteall that they have done, no living creature
wouldbe left alive on earth.
7 - Worship at times of hardship and tribulationhas a special flavour
anda special reward.
It was narrated from Ma'qil ibn Yasaar that the Prophet(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Worshipping at times
oftribulation and confusion is like migrating to join me." Narrated by
Muslim, 2948.
Al-Nawawi said: "The Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said, 'Worshipping at times oftribulation and confusion is like
migrating to join me.' The reason why worshipat such times is of such
great virtue is that people become negligent about worshipand are
distracted from it, and no one focuses onworship except a few."
Al-Qurtubi said: "Tribulation and great hardship will happen until the
matter of religion is taken lightly and people will care about nothing
but their worldly affairs and how to earn a living. So worship becomes
very important at times of tribulation, as Muslim narrated from Ma'qil
ibn Yasaar in the marfoo' report: 'Worshipping at times of tribulation
and confusion is like migrating to join me.'"
8 - Blessings that come after pain, hardship and calamity are more
precious to people.
So then they appreciate the blessings of good health and safety as
theyshould be appreciated.
Another of the benefits of calamity is a reminderof how Allaah has
blessed man, because the man who is created with sight - for example -
forgets the blessing of sight and does not reallyappreciate it, but if
Allaah tests him with temporary blindness, then restores to him his
sight, he will fully understand the value of this blessing. If things
are always easy a personmay forget this blessing and not be grateful
for it, so Allaah takes it awayand then restores it, as a reminder to
him to be grateful for it.
Calamity may remind theperson to whom it happens and others of the
blessings of Allaah. So when a person sees one who is insane, he
appreciates the blessing of sanity; when he sees one who is sick, he
appreciates the blessing of sound health. When he sees a kaafir who is
living like cattle, he appreciates the blessing of faith. When he sees
an ignorant man he appreciates the blessing of knowledge. Only the one
whose heart is openwill feel this. Those who have no heart do not give
thanks for the blessings of Allaah, rather they are arrogant towards
the creation of Allaah.
9 - The benefit of calamity is that it rescuesman from negligence and
alerts him to his shortcomings in keepinghis duty to Allaah, so thathe
does not think that he is perfect, which would lead to hardeningof his
heart and negligence.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not humble
themselves (believe withhumility)? But their hearts became hardened,
and Shaytaan (Satan) made fair-seeming to them that which they used to
do"
[al-An'aam 6:43]
10 - One of the benefits of tribulations and hardships is purification.
Hardships reveal how people really are, and distinguish the good from
the bad, the true from the false, the believer from the hypocrite.
Allaah says of the Battle of Uhud and what happened to the Muslims on
that day, explaining part of the wisdom behind this trial
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Allaah will not leave thebelievers in the state in which you are now,
untilHe distinguishes the wicked from the good"
[Aal 'Imraan 3:179]
So the true nature of all things is shown clearly.
11 - When Muslims help those Muslims who have been afflicted by
calamity, they will be rewarded for that. The Prophet(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The likeness of the believers
in their mutual love, mercy and compassion isthat of the body; when
one part of it suffers, therest of the body joins it in staying awake
and suffering fever." Narrated by al-Bukhaari,6011; Muslim, 2586.
And he(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "None ofyou
truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for
himself." Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 13; Muslim, 45.
12 - At times of hardshipand war we see the true meaning of the words
ofAllaah (interpretation of the meaning):
"Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)"
[al-Maa'idah 5:2]
Ways of cooperating in da'wah and supporting Islam include: waging
jihad against the kuffaarand hypocrites for the sake of Allaah,
joining with the people of Islamic da'wah in fighting the followers of
kufr and misguidance, and preparing all means and tools for jihad for
the sake of Allaah.
One of the ways of cooperating in supporting Islam that was invented
at the timeof the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
is cooperating in killing those who claimed to beProphets, killing the
leaders of the mushrikeen and the apostates, including those who
insulted the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).