In the Qur'an, every community has a leader

HADITH: Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "When you are three people,
appoint one from amongst you as your leader. (Munawi, Faidhul
Qadir, I, 431 (Muslim, Nessai, Ahmad)
EVERY HUMAN COMMUNITY HAS A LEADER
(Remember) the day when We will call every people with their
leaders ; then whoever is given his book in his right hand, these
shall read their book; and they shall not be dealt with a whit
unjustly. (Surat al-Isra, 71)
PROPHET ABRAHAM (A.S.) BEING MADE AN IMAM FOR PEOPLE
And when his Lord tried Abraham with certain words, he fulfilled
them. He said: Surely I will make you a leader of men. Abraham
said: And of my offspring? My covenant does not include the unjust,
said He. (Surat al-Baqara, 124)
THOSE IN COMMAND
You who believe! obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in
command among you. ..( Surat an-Nisa, 59)
When news of any matter reaches them they spread it about, whether
it is of a reassuring or disquieting nature. If they had only
referred it to the Messenger andthose in command among them , those
among them, able to discern the truth about it would have had
proper knowledge of it. (An-Nisa, 83)
MASTERS OF DIVINE KNOWLEDGE
Surely We revealed the Torah in which was guidance and light; with
it the prophets who submitted themselves (to Allah) judged (matters)
for those who were Jews, and the masters of Divine knowledge and
the doctors, because they were required to guard (part) of the Book
of Allah, and they were witnesses thereof; therefore fear not the
people and fear Me, and do not take a small price for My
communications; and whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed,
those are they that are the unbelievers. (Surat al-Mai'da /44)
IN THE QUR'AN, MUSLIMS PRAY TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE PIETY
..those who say, 'Our Lord, give us joy in our wives and children
and make us a g ood example for those who have fear of Allah ';
(Surat al-Furqan, 74)
EGYPT'S KING: PROPHET JOSEPH (A.S.) BEING GIVEN A HIGH RANK, A TRUSTED ADVISOR
And the King said: "Bring him to me so that I may employ him to my
person." So when he spoke to him, he said: " Today you are with us in
high rank and trusted. "
(Yusuf 54)
PROPHET JOSEPH (A.S.) BECOMING A MANAGER
There, Joseph said: "Now, O king, that you have faith in me, then
entrust ''me with the granaries and the storehouses of the
agricultural and natural products of the land and with the treasuries
of the realm , and you shall find me trustworthy and capable of
guarding the interests of the kingdom and knowing how to manage and
administer affairs cleverly ". (Surah Yusuf, 55)
ALLAH GAVE POWER TO PROPHET JOSEPH (A.S.)
And thus We established Joseph in the land so he could live in any
place he pleased . We grant Our grace to anyone We will and We do
not allow to go to waste the wage of any people who do good. (Surah
Yusuf, 56)
THE POWER OF DHU'L-QARNAYN
They will ask you about Dhu'l-Qarnayn. Say: 'I will tell you
something about him.'
Verily We established his power on Earth , and We gave him the ways
and the means to all ends. (Surat al-Kahf,/ 83-84)
PHARAOH LEADING HIS PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AND ON THE DAY OF RISING
..to Pharaoh and his ruling circle. They followed Pharaoh's command
but Pharaoh's command was not rightly guided.
He will go ahead of his people on the Day of Risin g and lead them
down into the Fire. What an evil watering-hole to be led to!
(Hud/97-98)
SONS OF ISRAEL ASKING FOR A LEADER FROM ALLAH
What do you think about the council of the tribe of Israel after
Moses' time when they said to one of their Prophets, ' Give us a
king and we will fight in the Way of Allah!'... (Surat al-Baqara,
246)
RULER TALUT
Their Prophet said to them, ' Allah has appointed Talut to be your
king .' They said, ' How can he have kingship over us when we have
much more right to kingship than he does? He has not even got much
wealth !' He said, ' Allah has chosen him over you and favored him
greatly in knowledge and physical strength. Allah gives kingship to
anyone He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.' (Surat
al-Baqara, 247)
THE SIGN OF KINGSHIP
Their Prophet said to them, ' The sign of his kingship is that the
Ark will come to you, containing serenity from your Lord and certain
relics left by the families of Moses and Aaron. It will be borne by
angels. There is a sign for you in that if you are believers.' (Surat
al-Baqara, 247)
GOLIATH: THE LEADER OF THE ARMY
When they came out against Goliath and his troops , they said, 'Our
Lord, pour down steadfastness upon us, and make our feet firm, and
help us against this unbelieving people.' (Surat al-Baqara, 250)
KINGS OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL
Remember when Moses said to his people, 'My people! remember
Allah's blessing to you when He appointed Prophets among you and
appointed kings for you, and gave you what He had not given to
anyone else in all the worlds. (Surat al-Mai'da, 20)
PROPHET SOLOMON (A.S.) LEADING
Return to them. We will come to them with troops they cannot face
and we will expel them from it abased and humiliated.' (Surat
an-Naml, 37)
PROPHET SOLOMON (A.S.) LEADING THE TROOPS
Solomon's troops, made up of jinn and men and birds, were assembled
for him, paraded in tight ranks. (Surat an-Naml, 17)
PROPHET SOLOMON (A.S.) HAVING A COUNCIL
Said an 'Ifrit, of the Jinns: "I will bring it to thee before you
rise from your council : indeed I have full strength for the
purpose, and may be trusted."
(Surat an-Naml, 39)
LEADER OF THE ANTS
Then, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, a [female] ant said,
'Ants! enter your dwellings so that Solomon and his troops do not
crush you unwittingly .' (An-Naml 18)
A FEMALE LEADER: QUEEN OF SHEBA
I found a woman ruling over them who has been given everything. She
possesses a mighty throne. (Surat an-Naml, 23)
She said, 'Council! give me your opinion about this matter. It is
not my habit to make a final decision until I have heard what you
have to say.'
They said, 'We possess strength and we possess great force. But the
matter is in your hands so consider what you command.'
She said, ' When kings enter a city, they lay waste to it and make
its mightiest inhabitants the most abased. That is what they too
will do. (Surat an-Naml, 32-34)
THE MESSENGERS BEING THE LEADER OF THE MUSLIMS
It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of
Truth to exalt it over every other religion, even though the
idolaters detest it. (Surat at-Tawba, 33)
RULING THE WORLD- LEADERS: THOSE WHO ARE GIVEN AUTHORITY
We desired to show kindness to those who were oppressed in the land
and to make them leaders and make them inheritors and establish
them firmly in the land and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their
troops the very thing that they were fearing from them. (Surat al-
Qasas, 5-6)
..those who safeguard their prayer:
such people are the inheritors. (Surat al-Muminun, 9-10)
He said, 'We will kill their sons and let their women live. We have
absolute power over them!'
Moses said to his people, ' Seek help in Allah and be steadfast. The
earth belongs to Allah. He bequeathes it to any of His servants He
wills. The successful outcome is for those who have fear of Allah.'
(Surah al-A'raf / 127-128)
We wrote down in the Zabur, after the Reminder came: 'It is My
servants who are righteous who will inherit the earth.'
Certainly there is a transmission in this for people who worship.
(Surat al-Anbiya', 105-106)
And We bequeathed to the people who had been oppressed the easternmost
part of the land We had blessed, and its westernmost part as well. The
most excellent Word of your Lord was fulfilled for the tribe of Israel
on account of their steadfastness. And We utterly destroyed what
Pharaoh and his people made and the buildings they constructed (Surat
al-A'raf, 137)
GUIDING LEADERS
We made them l eaders, guiding by Our command, and revealed to them
how to do good actions and establish prayer and pay alms, and they
worshipped Us. (Surat al-Anbiya', 73)
LEADERS OF FALSEHOOD
When it is the turn of the leaders of falsehood to be cast into Hell
those who preceded them of their people shall be told: "Here is
another crowd to join you in the crowd of your sins. They are not
welcomed in the beautitude of heaven but Hell claims them as her
own".
(Surah Sad, 59-60)
SUCCESSORS IN THE WORLD
It is He who appointed you successors on the Earth and raised some
of you above others in rank so He could test you regarding what He
has given you. (Surat al-An'am, 165)
They said: We have been persecuted before you came to us and since
you have come to us. He said: It may be that your Lord will destroy
your enemy andmake you rulers in the land , then He will see how you
act.
(Surat al-A'raf, 129)
Then Weappointed you after them to be successors on the Earth so We
might observe how you would act.. (Surah Yunus, 14)
He Who responds to the oppressed when they call on Him and removes
their distress, and has appointed you as successors on the Earth.
Is there another god besides Allah? How little you pay heed. (Surat
an-Neml, 62)
It is He Who made you successors on the Earth ... (Surah Fatir, 39)
DAVID (A.S.) THE SUCCESSOR
"'David! We have made you a successor on the Earth,so judge between
people with truth... (Surah Sad, 26)
HUD'S PEOPLE, THE OVERLORDS
Remember when He set you up as overlords following Noah´s folk, and
made you grow so very tall. Remember God´s benefits so that you may
prosper. (Surat al-A'raf/69)
PEOPLE OF THAMUD, THE SUCCESSORS
Remember when He set you up as overlords after Ad, and settled you
down on the Earth. (Surat al-A'raf/74)
PEOPLE OF NOAH, THE SUCCESSORS
But they denied him so We rescued him, and all those with him, in
the Ark and We made them the successors ... (Surah Yunus/73)
VERSES IN THE QUR'AN ABOUTASKING AND WAITINGFOR A LEADER (A SAVIOR)
What reason could you have for not fighting in the Way of Allah –
for those men, women and children who are oppressed and say, 'Our
Lord, take us out of this city whose inhabitants are wrongdoers! Give
us a protector from You! Give us a helper from You!'? (Surat an-Nisa',
75)
Or did you suppose that you would enter the Garden without facing
the same as those who came before you? Poverty and illness afflicted
them and they were shaken to the point that the Messenger and those
who had iman with him said, 'When is Allah's help coming?' Be
assured that Allah's help is very near. (Surat al-Baqara, 214)

Allah has commandedMuslims to be united, Unity is an obligation

MUSLIMS ARE ONE UMMAH
This nation of yours is one nation and I am your Lord, so worship
Me. Butthey disagreed and split into different sects. Each one will
return to Us. (Surat al-Anbiya', 92-93)
Hold fast to the rope of Allah all together, and do not separate.
Remember Allah's blessing to you when you were enemies and He
joined your hearts together so that you became brothers by His
blessing. You were on the very brink of a pit of the Fire and He
rescued you from it. In this way Allah makes His Signs clear to
you, so that hopefully you will be guided. (Surah Al 'Imran, 103)
The believers are brothers, so make peace between your brothers and
have fear of Allah so that hopefully you will gain mercy. (Surat
al-Hujurat, 10)
Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not quarrel among yourselves lest
you lose heart and your momentum disappear. And be steadfast. Allah
is with the steadfast. (Surat al-Anfal, 46)
ALLAH COMMANDS ALL MUSLIMS TO STRIVE TOGETHER AS ONE
What reason could you have for not fighting in the Way of Allah –
for those men, women and children who are oppressed and say, 'Our
Lord, take us out of this city whose inhabitants are wrongdoers!
Give us a protector from You! Give us a helper from You!' ? (Surat
an-Nisa', 75)
Struggle with them until there is no more corruption and the
religion is Allah's alone. If they stop, Allah sees what they do,
(Surat an-Anfal, 39)
…those who, when they are wronged, defend themselves. (Surat ash-Shura, 39)
Allah loves those who struggle in His Way in ranks like well-built
walls. (Surat as-Saff, 4)
MUSLIMS STRIVE TOGETHER AS ONE
There have been twelve months with Allah in the Book of Allah, from
the day He first created the heavens and earth. Four of them are
forbidden. That is the True Religion. So do not wrong one another
during them. However, STRUGGLE WITH THE IDOLATERS TOTALLY JUST AS
THEY STRUGGLE WITH YOU TOTALLY , and know that Allah is with those
who guard against evil. (Surat at-Tawba, 36)
MUSLIMS STRIVE TOGETHER UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE IMAM
"Remember when you left your family early in the day TO INSTALL THE
BELIEVERS IN THEIR BATTLE STATIONS. Allah is All-Hearing,
All-Knowing". (Surah Al 'Imran: 121)
MANY A PROPHET HAS BEEN FOUGHT, WHEN THERE WERE MANY THOUSANDS WITH
HIM! They did not give up in the face of what assailed them in the
Way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor did they yield. Allah loves
the steadfast. (Surah Al 'Imran, 146)
GO OUT TO FIGHT, LIGHT- ARMED AND HEAVY-ARMED, AND STRIVE WITH YOUR
WEALTH AND YOURSELVES IN THE WAY OF ALLAH. That is better for you if
you only knew. (Surat at-Tawba, 41)
O PROPHET. SPUR ON THE BELIEVERS TO FIGHT. If there are twenty of
you who are steadfast, they will overcome two hundred; and if there
are a hundred of you, they will overcome a thousand of the
unbelievers, because they do not understand. (Surat al-Anfal, 65-66)

Allah, the infinitely merciful, protects us from giant meteoroids hurtling toward the Earth

As you read this article, the upper layer of the atmosphere is being
bombarded by meteors.
Millions of meteoroids in the vastness of space represent a major
threat to the Earth.
A meteor could fall to Earth at any moment, maybe in the exact
region you are in now.
And that could mean the end of all mankind. Under the effect of such
an impact, earthquakes, fires and volcanic eruptions would follow
hard on one another's heels, and no life would remain on Earth.
But have you ever thought that a meteor could be hurtling toward
where you are at this very moment?
A GIANT METEOROID IS APPROACHING THE EARTH
A recent report announced that a meteoroid weighing 55 million tons
is speeding toward the Earth.
It was announced that this giant meteoroid, discovered by
astronomers 6 years ago, will pass close by the Earth on 8 November,
2011.
It has been calculated that this meteoroid, which will pass by the
Earth at a distance of 35,000 km, making it the closest ever.
If this meteoroid, known as YU55, were to hit the Earth, it would do
so with the impact of a 65,000 ton atom bomb and leave a crater 600
meters deep.
Many meteoroids have passed close by the Earth in previous years.
On 15 March, 2002, a meteoroid measuring 50 to 100 meters in
diameter came within 450,000 kilometers of the Earth. Had it hit, it
would have caused an explosion equivalent to a nuclear bomb going
off.
On 22 June, 2002, a meteoroid the size of a football pitch came even
closer, passing by the Earth at a distance of 120,000 kilometers and
at a speed of 37,000 kilometers an hour.
Do not forget that if just one of these meteoroids had hit the Earth
instead of passing by it, you would in all probability not be
watching this film today.
But our Almighty Lord protects us from this danger with His infinite
love. That protection is one of the manifestations of His infinite
compassion.
Allah reveals in the Holy Qur'an that all things survive solely
because Allah so desires: I seek Refuge in Allah from the accursed
satan
Allah keeps a firm hold on the heavens and earth, preventing them
from vanishing away. And if they vanished no one could then keep
hold of them. Certainly He is Most Forbearing, Ever-Forgiving.
(Surat al-Fatir, 41)
There is no doubt that Allah is mighty enough to destroy the entire
universe when He so wishes. Allah has appointed an hour for the Day
of Reckoning, which will spell the end of this world, and the
meteoroids surrounding the Earth are hurtling rapidly in the
direction of that hour.
I seek Refuge in Allah from the accursed satan
Mankind, have taqwa of your Lord! The quaking of the Hour is a
terrible thing... the Hour is coming without any doubt and Allah
will raise up all those in the graves. (Surat al-Hajj, 1,7)
With the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh), Allah has initiated the
process by which mankind will turn toward the moral values of the
Qur'an for the last time. Hundreds of thousands of meteoroids have
surrounded the Earth like a cloud, all ready to strike it at any
moment. As revealed in the hadiths, Hijri 1400 is the date of the
coming of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh). There has been the most enormous
increase in the numbers of meteoroids around the Earth in the 30
years between Hijri 1400, or 1980, and 2010. It is noteworthy that
the number has increased particularly rapidly since 1999.
A verse referring to the rise in meteoroids in 1999 reads:
I seek Refuge in Allah from the accursed satan
If they saw a lump of heaven falling down, they would just say,
'Banked-up clouds!' (Surat at-Tur, 44)
Abjad calculation of this verse gives a date of 1999. The way that
meteoroids began increasing in number as of 1980 and that this rise
continued to climb extraordinarily rapidly until the end of 1999 are
some of the portents of the Day of Reckoning. Allah knows the truth.

Hifz Emaan

DU-A'A HIFZI EEMAAN
It is our faith in one concise short dua'a Make your children learn it
by heart as soon as they are able to pronounce bismillaahir rah'maanir
rah'eem.
Recite this dua'a daily because it is a declaration of our faith, what
we believe and whom we follow.
It brings countless blessings for us in this world; and on the day of
judgement will serve us as PASSPORT TO PARADISE.
BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHIM
ALLAHUMMA S'ALE A'LAA MUHAMMAD WA AALE MUHAMMAD
I am satisfied and happy that Allah is my Lord,
Muhammad (blessings of Allah be on
him and on his children) is my prophet;
Islam is my religion,
Quran is the book (I follow),
Kabah is the direction (towards which I turn),
Ali is my wali (vicegerent) and Imam (guide),
Hasan, Husayn, Ali son of Husayn,
Muhammad son of Ali, Jafar son of Muhammad,
Musa son of Jafar , Ali son of Musa,
Muhammad son of Ali, Ali son of Muhammad,
Hasan son Ali, Hujjat (living argument) son of Hasan,
(blessings of Allah be on them all)
are my Imams (guides).
O Allah, I am satisfied and happy that
all of them are my Imams,
so let me be a source of happiness to them.
Verily You are able to do all things.
رَضِيتُ بِاللهِ رَبّاً وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيهِ وآلِهِ
نَبِيَّاً وبِالإسْلامِ دِيناً وبِالقُرآنِ كِتاباً وَبِالكَعْبَةِ
قِبْلَةً وبِعلِيٍّ وَلِيّاً وإماماً وبِالحَسَنِ والحُسَينِ وعَلِيّ بنِ
الحُسَينِ ومُحَمَّدِ بنِ عَليٍّ وجَعْفَرِ بنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمُوسى بْنِ
جَعْفَرٍ وعَليِّ بْنِ مُوسى ومُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عليِّ وعَليِّ بْنِ
مُحَمَّدٍ والحَسَنِ والحُجَّةِ بْنِ الحَسَنِ صَلَواتُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِمْ
أئِمَّةً اللّهُمَّ إنّي رَضيتُ بَهِمْ أئِمّةً فارْضِني لَهُمْ إنَّكَ
علي كُلِّ شَيءٍ قَدير.
Fourth: Imam Mu¦ammad al-Taq¢ (`a) is reported to have said: When you
accomplish an obligatory prayer, you may say the following prayer:
Mp3
رَضِيتُ بِٱللَّهِ رَبّاً
ra¤¢tu bill¡hi rabban
I have submitted to Allah being my Lord,
وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيّاً
wa bimu¦ammadin nabiyyan
Mu¦ammad being my prophet,
وَبِٱلإِسْلاَمِ دِيناً
wa bil-isl¡mi d¢nan
Islam being my religion,
وَبِٱلْقُرْآنِ كِتَاباً
wa bilqur'¡ni kit¡ban
the Qur'¡n being my Book,
وَبِعَليٍّ وَٱلْحَسَنِ وَٱلْحُسَيْنِ
wa bi`aliyyin wal¦asani wal¦usayni
`Al¢, al-°asan, al-°usayn,
وَعَليٍّ وَمُحَمَّدٍ وَجعفرٍ
wa `aliyyin wa mu¦ammadin wa ja`farin
`Al¢, Mu¦ammad, Ja`far,
وَمُوسَىٰ وَعَلِيٍّ وَمُحمَّدٍ
wa m£s¡wa `aliyyin wa mu¦mmdin
M£s¡, `Al¢, Mu¦ammad,
وَعَلِيٍّ وَٱلحَسَنِ وَٱلحُجَّةِ
wa `aliyyin wal¦asani wal¦ujjati
`Al¢, al-°asan, and the Argument-person,
عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلاَمُ )ئِمَّةً(
`alayhim alssal¡mu (a'immatan)
peace be upon them, (to be my Imams).
اَللَّهُمَّ وَلِيُّكَ ٱلحُجَّةَُ ٱلقَائِمُ
all¡humma waliyyuka al¦ujjatu alq¡'imu
Allah, as for Your representative, the argument, and the rising Imam,
فَٱحْفَظْهُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ
fa¦fa¨hu min bayni yadayhi wa min khalfih¢
(please) safeguard him from his front, back,
وَعَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ
wa `an yam¢nih¢ wa `an shim¡lih¢
right side, left side,
وَمِنْ فَوْقِهِ وَمِنْ تَحْتِهِ
wa min fawqih¢ wa min ta¦tih¢
above him, and beneath him;
وَٱمْدُدْ لَهُ فِي عُمْرِهِ
wamdud lah£ f¢ `umrih¢
increase his lifetime;
وَٱجْعَلْهُ ٱلْقَائِمَ بِمْرِكَ
waj`alhu alq¡'ima bi'amrika
make him undertake (the mission of carrying out) Your decree
وَٱلْمُنْتَصِرَ لِدِينِكَ
walmunta¥ira lid¢nika
and defend Your religion triumphantly;
وَرِهِ مَا يُحِبُّ وَمَا تَقَرُّ بِهِ عَيْنُهُ
wa arih¢ m¡yu¦ibbu wa m¡taqarru bih¢ `aynuh£
give him what he likes and what gives him pleasure
فِي نَفْسِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ
f¢ nafsih¢ wa dhurriyyatih¢
as regards himself, his progeny,
وَفِي هْلِهِ وَمَالِهِ
wa f¢ ahlih¢ wa m¡lih¢
his family members, his property,
وَفِي شِيعَتِهِ وَفِي عَدُوِّهِ
wa f¢ sh¢`atih¢ wa f¢ `aduwwih¢
his partisans, and his enemies;
وَرِهِمْ مِنْهُ مَا يَحْذَرُونَ
wa arihim minhu m¡ya¦dhar£na
make his enemies encounter what they fear to encounter from him;
وَرِهِ فِيهِمْ مَا يُحِبُّ وَتُقِرُّ بِهِ عَيْنَهُ
wa arih¢ f¢him m¡yu¦ibbu wa tuqirru bih¢ `aynah£
make him see what he loves to see and what gives him pleasure with
regard to his enemies;
وَٱشْفِ بِهِ صُدُورَنَا
washfi bih¢ ¥ud£ran¡
and heal through him our hearts
وَصُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُؤْمِنِينَ
wa ¥ud£ra qawmin mu'min¢na
and the hearts of the believing people.
Shaykh al-Kaf`am¢ has also said that one should utter the following
litany after the accomplishment of the obligatory prayers:
رَضِيتُ بِٱللَّهِ رَبّاً
ra¤¢tu bill¡hi rabban
I have submitted to Allah being my Lord,
وَبِٱلإِسْلاَمِ ديناً
wa bil-isl¡mi d¢nan
to Islam being my religion,
وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ نَبِيّاً
wa bimu¦ammadin ¥all¡all¡hu `alayhi wa ¡lihi nabiyyan
to Mu¦ammad—peace be upon him and his Household—being the Prophet,
وَبِعَلِيٍّ إِمَامَاً
wa bi`aliyyin im¡man
to `Al¢ being my leader,
وَبِٱلْحَسَنِ وَٱلْحُسَيْنِ
wa bil¦asani wal-¦usayni
to al-°asan, al-°usayn,
وَعَلِيٍّ وَمُحَمَّدٍ
wa `aliyyin wa mu¦ammadin
`Al¢, Mu¦ammad,
وَجَعْفَر وَمُوسَىٰ
wa ja`farin wa m£s¡
Ja`far, M£s¡,
وَعَلِيٍّ وَمُحَمَّدٍ
wa `aliyyin wa mu¦ammadin
`Al¢, Mu¦ammad,
وَعَلِيٍّ وَٱلْحَسَنِ
wa `aliyyin wal-¦asani
`Al¢, al-°asan,
وَٱلْخَلَفِ ٱلصَّالِحِ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلاَمُ
wal-khalafi al¥¥¡li¦i `alayhimu alssal¡mu
and the Righteous Successor—peace be upon them all—
ئِمَّةً وَسَادَةً وَقَادَةً
a'immatan wa s¡datan wa q¡datan
being my Imams, masters, and leaders.
بِهِمْ تَولَّىٰ وَمِنْ عْدَائِهِمْ تَبَرَّا
bihim atawall¡ wa min a`d¡'ihim atabarra'u
Only them should I follow and their enemies will I disavow.

Dua for Unity

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
There is no creature or entity worthy of worship except for Allah, the
(true) God, the One and we submit to Him (alone).
There is no creature or entity worthy of worship except for Allah, and
we do not worship anyone or anything other than Him, being sincere in
our faith (to Him) even though the polytheists detest this!
There is no creature or entity worthy of worship except for Allah, our
Lord and the Lord of our fore-fathers.
There is no creature or entity worthy of worship except for Allah, the
One, the One, the One, the One who kept His promise and helped His
servant and granted esteem to His army.
And who left the other parties alone and abandoned (them). So then to
Him belongs the Kingdom and (to Him belongs) the Praise.
He gives life and causes to die, and He causes to die and He gives life.
And He is the Ever Living and shall never die and in His power is the
goodness and He has power over all things.

Dua'a E Noor

It is reported in Muhaj al Dawat by sayyid bin Tawus that bibi Fatimah
Zahrah taught this dua'a to Salman.
The Holy Prophet had given this dua'a to his daughter with instruction
that whoso recites it daily,
in the morning and evening, remains safe from fever.
BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHIM
ALLAHUMMA S'ALE A'LAA MUHAMMAD WA AALE MUHAMMAD
(We seek fulfillment of our desires)
in the name of Allah, the light,
in the name of Allah, the light, the light,
in the name of Allah, the light over light,
in the name of Allah, who is He who manages all affairs,
In the. name of Allah who created light from light.
Praise be to Allah who created light from light, and sent down light
on the mountain (Tur), in between the inscribed book, in the parchment
unrolled, by a
measure, well-determined, on the (Holy) Prophet, the giver of glad tidings.
Praise be to Allah; it is He who is remembered with the highest of the
high attributes, who is known to be the most glorious.
In joy and happiness, in sorrow and distress, He (alone) is thankfully praised.
Blessings of Allah be on our master, Muhammad, and on his pure children.

Fathwa, - Menstruation: Proofs for the Impermissibility of Women Touching the Quran or Entering the Mas

Question:
I was once told by a Maulana that whilst women are menstruating, it is
not permissible for them to either 1) touch/recite Qur'an, not even
one verse or 2) enter a masjid.
However, in recent times many people I meet are telling me
differently, including people of knowledge. For example, a sheikh has
told me that it is ok for the women to enter the masjid. I am pretty
sure that the Hanafi school of thought holds that women are not
allowed to enter the masjid, but I was wondering if it is possible to
get the daleel for this so that I may be able to give a better
explanation than,"Well, a Maulana told me that this was not
permissible." Today, everyone wants proof.
Answer:
Assalamu alaykum
In the name of Allah, the Inspirer of truth.
It is an agreed upon issue that a menstruating women or a person
in�the seminally defiled state is prohibited from entering the masjid.
Many hadiths state this. To quote a few:
1. 'A'isha ra relates that the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam
said: "I do not make lawful the masjid for menstruating women or for
one who is in a seminally defiled state [junub]. (Sunan Abu Dawud)
2. Umm Salama ra related that the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam
entered the courtyard of the masjid and announced aloud, "The masjid
is not permitted for the seminally defiled and for the menstruating
women." (Tabarani)
3. 'A'isha ra relates that the Prophet Sallallahu alayi wasallam
called out from the masjid, "O 'A'isha, hand me the cloth." She told
him that�she was menstruating, so he said the menstruation is not in
her hands [i.e. that she could hand him the cloth.�Note: the door of
her chamber opened up into the masjid]. (Sahih Muslim)
Also in regards to the prohibition of reciting a portion of the Qur'an
for them, there are the following hadiths.
1. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar relates that Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam
said, "A menstruating women or a seminally defiled person�should not
recite any part of the Qur'an. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Bayhaqi)
There are also other hadiths transmitted by Imam Daraqutni, Tirmidhi,
Nasa'i, Ibn Maja, Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban, Hakim and others in this
regard (See Nasb al-Raya].
Another hadith found in the Muwatta of Imam�Malik states that "Only a
person in the state of purity should touch the Qur'an." This hadith
has been transmitted by many other hadith scholars as well.
'Allama Zayla'i has discussed the hadiths pertaining to these
questions thoroughly in his Nasb al-Raya. 1:194�199.
Hence, it is established that women in their periods are prohibited
from entering the�masjid area. The same pertains to those who are in a
seminally defiled state and are in need of a�ritual bath [ghusl].
However, it would be permissible�for such people to enter�a side hall
or room in an Islamic Center�that is not considered the actual masjid
or sanctified prayer area, for instance to attend a dars or lecture.
And Allah knows best.

Fathwa, - Reading Quran with Pauses While on Menses

Question:
I am aware that in the Hanafi Fiqh a woman cannot recite Quran during
menstruation. However, if a woman absolutely must recite Qur'an (for a
class grade, for example), is it permissible for her to recite two or
three words, stop, and then recite another two or three words, stop,
and continue, and so on?
Answer:
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahPlease see the following related
SunniPath Answers ( http://qa.sunnipath.com):
Menstruation: Proofs for the Impermissibility of Women Touching the
Quran or Entering the Mas
Menstruation: Qur'anic Supplications Are Permitted
Qur'an and Menstruation
Can You Recite Any Suras From The Qur'an When You Are Menstruating?
Jazakum Allah khayr.
And Allah alone gives success.

Fathwa, - Going to graveyards whilst mensturating?

Question:
Someone mentioned to me that it is not permissible for a woman to
enter a graveyard whilst menstruating? Is this correct?
Answer:
In the name of Allah Most Merciful Most Compassionate
I pray you are well and in the best of health and iman.
This is cultural belief and has no Islamic basis. It is permissible
for menstruating women to visit the graveyard. And Allah alone gives
success.

The Makkan and Madeenan Quran

As part of studying the revelation of the Quran, the Muslim
scholarshave categorised the Soorahs )chapters( of the Quran and their
verses according to the time or era of their revelation. This is the
subject that came to be known as the Makkan and Madeenan division, or
revelation, of the Quran. This division is logical since the Prophet,
Muhammadreceived revelation over twenty-three )23( years: thirteen
)13( of them hespent in Makkah and ten )10( in Madeenah.
The correct and well-established definition of Makkan and Madeenan
Quran is the one in which the Chapters and verses that were revealed
prior to the Hijrah or immigration of Prophet Muhammadfrom the city
ofMakkahto the city ofMadeenahare known as 'Makkan'. All other
Chapters and verses that were revealed after this time are termed
'Madeenan'.
The location of their revelation is not necessarily relevant to this
classification, such that there may be certain revelations that were
revealed in Makkah, but are classified as Madeenan because of the
period of their revelation. A good example of this is the Chapter of
An-Nasr )Divine Support(, number 110, which was revealed in Minaa
)outskirts of Makkah( yet it is classified as a Madeenan Chapter
because it was revealed while the Prophetwas living in Madeenah just
a few months before hepassed away.
The Makkan part of the Noble Quran deals mainly with beliefs like the
Creation as in the verse )which means(:"And a great number of towns
)their population( We destroyed )for their crimes(. Our torment came
upon them )suddenly( by night or while they were taking their midday
nap."]Quran 7:4[, the Oneness and Uniqueness of Allaah, the Most
Exalted, as in the verses )which mean(:"Say )O Muhammad(: 'He is
Allaah, )the( One.Allaah the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all
creatures need. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none
co-equal or comparable unto Him."]Quran 112[, prophethood, as in the
verse )which means(:"It is He )Allaah( who has sent among the
unlettered a Messenger )Muhammad( from themselves, reciting to them
His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book ]Quran[ and
wisdom ]i.e. the Sunnah or Prophet's sayings[ — although they were
before in clear error —."]Quran 62:2[, the revelation, as in the verse
)which means(:"Verily, We have sent it )this Quran( down in the night
of Al-Qadr )Decree(."]Quran 97:1[, angels, as stated in the verse
)which means(:"Whoever is an enemy to Allaah, His Angels, His
Messengers, Jibreel )Gabriel( and Meekaa'eel )Michael(, then verily,
Allaah is an enemy to the disbelievers."]Quran 2: 98[, and The Day of
Judgement as in verses )which mean(:"Then )on the Day of Judgement( as
for him whose balance )of good deeds( will be heavy. He will live a
pleasant life )inParadise(.But as for him whose balance )of good
deeds( will be light. He will have his home in a pit )Hell(. And what
will make you know what it is? )It is( a fiercely blazing Fire!"]Quran
101: 6-11[
General disobedience of man, and his punishment and reward are
frequent themes in the Makkan verses.
The creation and development of man in the mother's womb is taken to
be a wondrous thing.
Madeenan parts, on the other hand, are filled with laws, both
universal as well as worldly )marriage, divorce, heritage,
blood-money, other transactions, etc(. Special emphasis is laid on
justice and fairness. Social interaction and ethical rules have been
elaborated time and time again. Politics, worship and prayers are also
frequently discussed.
Next, is a list of the Makkan and Madeenan Chapters is provided for
easy reference. The list is based on the classification used by the
Mus-haf )Quran text book( we read today. For the sake of brevity, only
the Chapter numbers are provided:
Makkan Chapters:
6/7/10/11/12/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/23/25/26/27/28/29/30/31/32/
34/35/35/36/37/38/39/40/41/42/43/44/45/46/50/51/52/53/54/56/67/
68/69/70/71/72/73/74/75/77/78/79/80/81/82/83/84/85/86/87/88/89/
90/91/92/93/94/95/96/100/101/102/103/104/105/106/107/108/109/
111/112/113/114.
Madeenan Chapters:
2/3/4/5/8/9/13/22/24/33/47/48/49/55/57/58/59/60/61/62/63/64/65/
66/76/98/99/110.
Accordingly, the Makkan Chapters are 85 in number, and the Madeenan
are 28, the total of which is 113, where it should be 114. The reason
for missing a Chapter is the fact that we did not include the first
Chapter in the Mus-haf, which is Al-Faatihah, or the Opening Chapter.
This Chapter has been reported as having been revealed twice, one time
in Makkah and another in Madeenah. Therefore, it was not included in
either of them.
It should be pointed out that the only way for us to know whether a
Chapter is Makkan or Madeenan is through narration, and not by
Ijtihaad )the exertion of effort on the part of a qualified Islamic
scholar to deduce an Islamic law for an issue about which there is no
clear, specific text(. Thus, the only way to distinguish them is
through authentic narrations from the Companionsnarrated from the
Prophet.

Quran … The Word of Allaah

The Noble Quran is the eternal miracle of Prophet Muhammad. Every
Prophet was supported with a miracle)s( and upon his death it
disappeared, except Prophet Muhammadwhose miracle remained, preserved
and protected, namely the Book of Allaah, His divine revealed Word.
Allaah Says )what means(:"Falsehood cannot approach it from before it
or from behind it."]Quran 41:42[
Allaah clearly stated that the Quran is His Word, Saying )what means(:
"And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant
him protection so that he may hear the words of Allaah ]i.e. the
Quran[."]Quran 9:6[, and in His Saying )which means(:"Those who
remained behind will say when you set out toward the war booty to take
it, 'Let us follow you'. They wish to change the words of
Allaah."]Quran: 48:15[ These two verses prove that the Quran is the
Word of Allaah and that He sent it down to Prophet Muhammad.
The Sunnah of the Prophet )his sayings( further proves this fact;
Jaabirnarrated: "The Prophetused to offer his message to people during
the season of Hajj and say: "Is there a man who would take me to his
tribe )i.e. to convey the message to them(, because the )tribe of(
Quraysh have prevented me from conveying the Word of Allaah?" ]Ahmad &
At-Tirmithi[
There are many logical and substantial evidences proving this fact,
such as the inability of the polytheists to come up with one single
verse, let alone a whole chapter, that is similar to it. This is so,
despite their eagerness and ambition to prove the Prophetwrong in what
he was calling to, and their strong command of the Arabic language in
which the Quran was revealed. Undoubtedly, this is evidence that the
Quran is not made by or the words of humans.
The Quran contains news of past nations and other unseen matters which
serve as great proof that it is the Word of Allaah. When the Persians
defeated the Romans in battle, the Quran addressed the issue and
informed that the Romans would overcome the Persians in few years to
come as Allaah Says )what means(:"The Romans have been defeated )i.e.
By the Persians( in the nearest land. But they, after their defeat,
will overcome."]Quran 30: 2-3[
Furthermore, the Quran consists of scientific miracles by highlighting
certain scientific facts which were not discovered except fourteen
centuries later, such as the Quran proving that there is a barrier
between the salty water and fresh water where they meet preventing
them from mixing, as Allaah Says )what means(:"He released the two
seas )the two bodies of water: fresh and salt(, meeting ]side by
side[. Between them is a barrier ]so[ neither of them
transgresses."]Quran 55: 19-20[ Modern science discovered this to be a
fact.
The fact that tranquility and assurance can be found upon reading the
Quran which is not felt when reading any other book, is yet another
proof that it is the Word of Allaah, as Allaah Says )what
means(:"Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the
mention of Allaah. Unquestionably by the remembrance of Allaah hearts
are assured."]Quran 13: 28[
Furthermore, being cured by virtue of reading the Quran over a sick
person can be added to the list of evidences proving it to be the Word
of Allaah. Allaah Says )what means(:"And We send down of the Quran
that which is healing and mercy for the believers."]Quran 17: 82[
Lastly, the evidences proving the Quran to be the Word of Allaah are
too many to numerate in one article, and so we conclude with the
saying of Al-Waleed Ibn Al-Mugheerah, one of the leaders of the
polytheists who was requested to criticize and censure the Quran.
After hearing parts of it from Prophet Muhammad, salallaahu alayhi wa
sallam, he said: "What can I say? I swear by Allaah! There is no man
who knows poetry better than me, and it does not sound like anything I
ever heard. The only thing I can say is that it has sweetness to it,
and it is so appealing. It is so fruitful )to the heart( and abundant
)in its benefits(. Indeed, nothing rises above it in style, and it
surely destroys anything that challenges it." ]Al-Haakim & Al-Bayhaqi[
This is the Quran, the Word of Allaah, which confounds humans'
capabilities due to its inimitable style, justice and accuracy. The
Quran still challenges people and people remain incapable of
challenging it, and it remains the clear evidence from Allaah against
its enemies and opponents. All efforts to deny its authenticity have
failed.

The history of the Noble Quran

The Quran is the backbone of Islam. On this Sacred Book of Allaah
depends the Islamic call, state, society and the civilisation of the
Muslim world. It is the last Divine revelation, which was sent down to
Prophet Muhammad, the last and final of all Prophets, may Allaah exalt
their mention. His task was to convey the message of worshipping the
One God, Allaah, without ascribing any partners to Him. The Noble
Quran, which is the source of guidance and mercy to mankind, is
divided into one hundred and fourteen )114( Soorahs )chapters( of
varying lengths. Ninety-three chapters were revealed in Makkah, while
the remaining twenty-one were revealed in Madeenah.
The first revelation that the Prophetreceived was Soorat Al-'Alaq,
which was in Makkah where Soorat An-Najm was to later became the first
to be recited openly to the people. In Madeenah, Soorat Al-Mutaffifeen
was the first one revealed after the Hijrah )migration(. The
Prophethad to flee to Madeenah to save his own life and the lives of
his followers, upon the command of Allaah.
The last verse sent down to the Prophetwas the saying of Allaah which
means:"…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed
My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as
religion..."]Quran: 5:3[
Some chapters in the Quran focus on the call to Islam as guidance for
humanity. They focus upon monotheism and the fight against polytheism
and idolatry. Thus, stress is laid on all that is related to faith. In
other chapters, attention is given to legislation, acts of worship,
relationships among people and the laws that regulate matters within
the Muslim community, government, and family.
A number of chapters inform about Resurrection, the Hereafter and the
unseen; others relate the stories of various prophets and their calls
to their people to return to Allaah. We see how the previous nations
were severely punished when they disobeyed Allaah and denied the
messages of previous prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention.
In addition, several chapters focus on the story of creation and the
development of human life. In fact, Makkan revelations made the
Muslims' faith in Allaah firmly established. On the other hand,
Madeenan revelations were meant to translate the faith into action and
give details of the Divine Law.
Allaah will forever preserve the Quran against all attempts to destroy
or corrupt it. Being guarded by Allaah, it will always remain pure.
There does not exist a single copy with any variation from the
recognised text.
Any attempt of alteration has resulted in failure.
Upon the command of the Prophethis Companions would write down what
was revealed of the Noble Quran. They used, for this purpose, palm
branches stripped of leaves, parchments, shoulder bones, stone
tablets, etc. About forty people were involved in this task. Among
them was Zayd Ibn Thaabitwho showed his work to the Prophet. Thus, the
Quran was correctly arranged during the Prophet's life, but it was not
yet compiled into one book. In the meantime, most of the Prophet's
Companions memorised the Quran.
When Abu Bakrbecame Caliph after the Prophetdied, a large number of
the Companions were killed during the War of Apostasy. 'Umar Ibn
Al-Khattaabwent to the Caliph and discussed the idea of compiling the
Quran into one volume. He was disturbed, as most of those who
memorised it had died. Then, Abu Bakrcalled for Zayd and commissioned
him to collect the Quran into one book, which became known as the
'Mus-haf.'
After Zaydaccomplished this great task and organized the Quran into
one book, he submitted the precious collection to Abu Bakrwho kept it
in his possession until the end of his life. During the caliphate of
'Umarit was kept with his daughter Hafsahwho was also a wife of the
Prophet.
During the Caliphate of 'UthmaanIslam reached many countries, and
readers began to recite the Quran in different ways )dialects(.
'Uthmaanthen had various copies made and sent them out to the
different Muslim lands, lest these dialects would cause alterations to
the Quran, and kept the original copy with Hafsah. Thus, the Quran
remained preserved and the Caliph was very much pleased with his
achievement.
Today, every copy of the Quran conforms with the standard copy of
'Uthmaan. In fact, Muslims over the ages excelled in producing the
best manuscripts of the Noble Quran in the most wonderful handwriting.
With the introduction of printing, more and more editions of the Noble
Quran became available all over the world.

Dought & clear, - Ruling on using so-called “shisha pens” (also known as “hookahpens”)

I want to know whether shisha pens specifically are haram. They have
no tobacco just water vapour. My friends are starting to smoke it very
commonly.
Praise be to Allah.
Recently what is known as "electronic shisha" or "electronic
cigarettes" or "shisha pens", or other names, have become widespread.
Those who use them say that they are alternatives to the traditional
narghile (hookah or shisha) and to cigarettes. They claim that they
are healthy, based on the process by which the vapour is produced,
instead of tobacco smoke that is produced by the traditional narghile;
it turns the liquid inside the tube into vapour. The liquid that is
used is free of tobacco and tar, and similar harmful substances, and
the flavours given to this liquid are natural; mint, apple, orange and
other fruit flavours are added to it.
But medical evidence proves the opposite of that and shows that all of
these things have a harmful effect on the lungs and brain.
The idea of the electronic cigarette began several years ago in China,
after major international organisations, such as the World Health
Organisation, launched many campaigns against traditional smoking
practices, and restrictions on smoking were imposed in workplaces,
airports and other public places. The major tobacco companies in China
looked for a new way to market their products, via so-called
electronic cigarettes. Then this idea spread to other countries in the
world.
The electronic cigarette uses a lithium battery in the form of a
cigarette which can be recharged like a cellphone battery. A capsule
is placed inside it that contains a certain amount of nicotine, that
varies in amount from one capsule to another, in addition to other
substances and various flavourings such as coffee, mint, vanilla, and
strawberry.
In fact electronic cigarettes are not a healthy alternative to
cigarettes. They have been opposed by the World Health Organisation
and the US Food and Drug Administration.
Moreover, they are very expensive, with prices similar to those of
regular cigarettes, so this is not a remedy that everyone can use to
help give up smoking gradually, as the marketing companies claim.
The US Food and Drug Administration has stated that even in the case
of electronic cigarettes that are claimed to be free of nicotine,
laboratory tests have proven that nicotine is present in them, as well
asnitrosamines, substances which are medically known to be
carcinogenic. They also contain glycol, which is a toxic substance
that is used in antifreeze for cars.
A recent study carried out at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto stated
that cigarettes flavoured with mint may be more dangerous with regard
to causing strokes, in comparison to other kinds of cigarettes,
especially in women and fair-skinned people. Researchers found that
the risk of stroke in those who smoked mint flavoured cigarettes was
two times greater than in those who smoked ordinary cigarettes.
http://www.bab.com /node/149992
Hence some states have banned the sale, marketing and importing of
electronic cigarettes, such as Australia, Canada and Brazil.
To sum up:
Electronic cigarettes should be treated in the same manner as
traditional cigarettes at all levels. They are not a means of giving
up smoking, as some companies suggest. The risk of harm is much
greater than the alleged benefits.
http://www.alriyadh.co m/2010/09 /01/article556382.html
A representative of the World Health Organisation's Tobacco Free
Initiative said, addressing journalists: It is 100% wrong to issue
claims that electronic cigarettes offer a safe remedy that helps
smokers give up the habit. He further added: These cigarettes contain
a mixture of chemical substances that are very toxic.
http://fatwa.islamweb.n et /fatwa?page=showfatw a&Option=FatwaId& Id=129680
Once it is proven that these new kinds of cigarettes contain harmful
substances and that the harm they cause is like or similar to or
greater than that of ordinary cigarettes, then there is no difference
between the two with regard to the rulings that they are forbidden.
After establishing this, no one should be deceived by so called
"electronic shisha" or "electronic cigarettes" or "shisha pens" and
the like, because the reason for which smoking by traditional means is
haraam is also applicable in all these cases.
But if there are types that are proven, by means of examinations and
laboratory tests carried out by trustworthy scientists, to contain
natural flavourings only, and they do not contain any haraam
substances and are not harmful to the users or others, then in that
case it is not haraam to use these safe kinds. The ruling depends on
whether the reason for it is present or not.
What is required of the Muslim in such cases is to leave that which
makes him doubt for that which does not make him doubt, and to avoid
dubious matters, so as to protect his religious commitment and his
honour. In that which Allah has permitted to him of good and halaal
things there is sufficient so that he has no need of that which is
haraam or that concerning which people are uncertain about the ruling.
And Allah knows best.

Dought & clear, - Definition of riba and ruling on work that helps with riba

What is the definition of riba? If we take into account the fact that
in most countries the economy is based on the principle of the
circulation of capital, which includes lending, is accepting payment
in that particular currency for any work regarded as an action that
supports the riba-based system ? Is using the currency of a state that
is based on riba regarded as contributing to the usurious economy?
Undoubtedly the employee in a riba-based bank plays a part in
riba-based transactions one way or another, even if he is a security
guard for the bank. Could you offer him a better job if you have
anything to offer?
Praise be to Allah.
Riba means an increase in a particular item. The word is derived from
a root meaning increase or growth. Allah, may He be exalted, says
(interpretation of the meaning): "Whatever you pay as interest so that
it may increase (li yarbu) the wealth of people does not increase (fa
la yarbu) in the sight of Allah" [ar-Room 30:39]., i.e., it does not
increase or rise in status before Allah.
Riba originated among the people of the Jaahiliyyah; if a debt became
due, they would say to him (the borrower): Give us one hundred (that
is due, now), or increase it to one hundred and fifty (and pay later).
Then when the one hundred and fifty became due, they would say: Give
us one hundred and fifty (now), or increase it to two hundred (and pay
later) -- and so on.
Islam also forbade another kind of riba, namely riba al-fadl, which
means adding to the amount when exchanging one item for another of the
same type. So if gold is sold for gold, that is not permissible except
like for like, hand to hand. Islam stipulated that the exchange should
be done hand to hand and that the items or goods should be of the same
quality. Whoever gives more or asks for more has engaged in riba. If
he sells a saa' of wheat for two saa's (of the same commodity), even
if it is hand to hand, he has engaged in riba.
The principle of the circulation of capital exists in both the Muslim
world and the non-Muslim world. What it means is circulating capital
so that it will increase. The same applies to lending; they give money
as a loan provided that it will increase when they get it back. Such
transactions are undoubtedly riba.
There is nothing wrong with the principle of the circulation of
capital if the capital is invested in trade or business, and the
profit is shared between the owner of the capital and the worker. This
is called mudaarabah (profit sharing), and there is nothing wrong with
it if the capital is kept distinct from the profit. If this money is
deposited in a riba-based bank, then taking the interest is haraam and
it is not permissible to consume it. It is not permissible to deal
with these banks, and loans based on interest are not permissible. It
is also not permissible to accept payment in that currency for any job
if that job helps to support a system that is based on riba.
With regard to using this currency (such as the dollar), there is
nothing wrong with doing so in the case of necessity, even if that
leads to helping to advance the economy of that country. That is
because the dollar is accepted in most Muslim and other countries, so
it is permissible to deal with it because of necessity. But if there
is an Islamic currency that is used, then we can do away with the
dollar.
And Allah knows best.

Dought & clear, - The difference between zakaah and taxes, and the conditions of imposing taxes

What is the difference between zakaah and taxes, and is it permissible
to impose taxes? Is it obligatory to pay them?
Praise be to Allah.
Zakaah is one of the pillars of Islam which Allah, may He be exalted,
has enjoined upon the rich Muslims so as to achieve a kind of social
security, solidarity and financing some common interests, such as
jihad for the sake of Allah.
Allah, may He be exalted, has mentioned it alongside prayer in more
than one verse of the Qur'an, which confirms its importance. The fact
that it is obligatory is proven according to the Qur'an, Sunnah and
scholarly consensus.
With regard to the taxes that are decreed by the state and imposed on
the people, they have nothing to do with what Allah has enjoined upon
them of giving the zakaah of their wealth.
Taxes in general terms are a financial obligation imposed by the state
on people, from which the state spends on the public interest, such as
transportation, health, education and so on.
Taxes come under the heading of man-made systems, and are not
prescribed by Allah, may He be exalted. As for zakaah, it is divinely
ordained and it is one of the greatest acts of worship in Islam.
Some people do not pay zakaah on their wealth, because they think that
the taxes they pay to the state are sufficient, but this is not
permissible, because taxes are one thing and zakaah is something else
altogether.
The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas said:
It is not permissible to regard the taxes that the owners of wealth
pay on their wealth as coming under the heading of the zakaah on that
on which it is obligatory to give zakaah. Rather it is obligatory to
give the zakaah ordained by Allah to those who are entitled to it
according to sharee'ah, as Allah, may He be glorified and exalted,
says (interpretation of the meaning):"As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat)
are only for the Fuqara' (poor), and Al-Masakin (the poor)…"
[at-Tawbah 9:60].
End quote fromFataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa'imah, 9/285.
The basic principle with regard to the imposition of taxes on people
is that it is haraam, and in fact is a major sin, for which the one
who does it is subject to the warning that he will never enter
Paradise. In the Prophet's Sunnah there is an indication that imposing
taxes is a greater sin than zina. This has been discussed previously
in the answer to question no. 39461.
It may be permissible in exceptional circumstances for the state to
impose taxes on the people, according to specific conditions, which
include the following:
1.That it should be imposed fairly, in the sense that the obligation
is fairly distributed among the people. So no group or class should be
burdened with it to the exclusion of another; rather it should be
imposed on the wealthy, each according to his wealth. It is not
permissible to impose it on the poor or to treat the poor and the rich
equally in this regard.
2.The bayt al-maal (which nowadays is known as the state treasury)
should be empty. But if the state is rich in resources, it is not
permissible to impose taxes on the people; in that case taxes would
come under the heading ofmukoos(levies) which are haraam and are
regarded as major sins.
3.That should be in exceptional cases where it is required to ward off
some harm. It is not permissible to make this an ongoing system at all
times.
Inal-Mawsoo'ah al-Fiqhiyyah(8/247) it says that the resources of the
bayt al-maal include the following:
Taxes imposed on the people for their own interests, whether that is
for jihad or otherwise. They should not be imposed on them unless what
is in the bayt al-maal is not sufficient and it is a case of
necessity. Otherwise it is an illegitimate source of revenue. End
quote.
There are many permissible and legitimate sources of revenue for the
bayt al-maal of the Muslims. They have been discussed previously in
the answer to question no. 138115.
If the Muslims follow these guidelines, Allah, may He be exalted, will
make them independent of means and they will have no need to impose
taxes except in very rare circumstances.
4.(The revenue) should be spent in the real interests of the ummah;
nothing of it should be spent in acts of disobedience towards Allah or
anything that is not in their interests, such as money that is spent
on actors, artists and sports players.
Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
With regard to paying the taxes imposed by governments, such as sales
tax, income tax, taxes on industry and on workers, and so on, this is
a matter that is subject to ijtihaad. If the state collects taxes
instead of the obligatory zakaah that merchants and the like should
pay, then it must be paid. If it collects taxes in addition to zakaah,
but the bayt al-maal needs to finance essential interests such as
schools, bridges and mosques, and to pay civil servants, it is
permissible to pay it and it is not permissible to withhold it.
But if the state takes taxes from its citizens other than zakaah, and
wastes it on extravagance, corruption, idle leisure and other haraam
things, and it does not spend it on legitimate interests, such as
those who are entitled to zakaah, then it is permissible to conceal
wealth and profits so as not to give them haraam wealth and help them
in doing haraam things. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation
of the meaning):"but do not help one another in sin and transgression"
[al-Maa'idah 5:3]. End quote.
Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allah have mercy on him) said, discussing the
difference between the public interest and innovated interests:
The public interest (al-maslahah al-mursalah) is completely different
from so-called "good innovation" (bid'ah hasanah). The public interest
is for the purpose of achieving some interest dictated by place and
time, that is approved of by Islam. In this regard, Imam ash-Shaatibi
confirmed that it is Islamically permissible to impose taxes that are
different from the taxes that are imposed nowadays in many, if not
all, Muslim countries on the basis of unclear, ambiguous laws, in
imitation of the kuffaar who were deprived of the blessing of
following the path of Allah that is based on the Book of Allah and the
Sunnah of His Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). For
those who were deprived of the guidance of the Qur'an and Sunnah, it
became a necessity to draw up for themselves a specific system and to
promulgate laws to deal with their problems. But for the Muslims,
Allah caused them to have no need of such things, by virtue of the
Book which He sent down to them and by virtue of what the Messenger of
Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) explained to them.
Hence it is not permissible for the Muslims to replace sharee'ah with
man-made laws, lest the words of Allah,"Would you exchange that which
is better for that which is lower?" [al-Baqarah 2:61]become applicable
to them. So it is not permissible under any circumstances to impose
taxes as a fixed, immutable law, as if it is a law divinely revealed
from heaven for all time. Rather the kind of taxes that it is
permissible for the Muslim state to impose is in specific
circumstances that the state is going through. I think that this
example is the one that was given by Imam ash-Shaatibi: If a Muslim
country is attacked, and there are no funds in the state treasury to
prepare and equip armies to ward off that attack by the enemies of
Islam, then in such circumstances the state may impose a specific tax
on particular people who can afford to pay what is imposed on them.
But that should not become a binding tax and established law -- as we
stated above. Once the passing reason, which is the kaafir attack and
the need to defend the Muslim land, is no longer applicable, then the
taxes are waived from the Muslims, because the reason for which the
taxes were imposed is no longer present. The ruling -- as the fuqaha'
stated -- is connected to the reason for it: if the reason exists then
the ruling applies, but when it is no longer present, the ruling no
longer applies. The reason or cause that makes this obligatory duty
essential is no longer present, and when it has disappeared the taxes
should also disappear.
To sum up: there are no taxes that should become part of Islamic law
and regulations; rather the Muslim state may impose specific taxes in
specific circumstances, and when circumstances change, the taxes
should be abolished. End quote.
http://audio.islamweb.n et /audio?page=FullContent &audioid=109346-44k
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Everything that is taken unlawfully is like a tax, and is haraam. It
is not permissible for anyone to take his brother's wealth unlawfully,
as the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "If
you sell fruit to your brother then the crop (on the tree) fails, it
is not permissible for you to take anything of it (his brother's
money). On what basis would you consume your brother's wealth
unlawfully?" But the Muslim is required to hear and obey; he should
listen to those in authority and obey those in authority. If they ask
him for money for such matters, he should give it to them. Then if he
has a right to it, he will find it restored (i.e., on the Day of
Resurrection), and if it he does not have any right to it, in that it
was taken from him in a justifiable manner, then there will be nothing
to be settled. What matters is that what we are obliged to do is to
hear and obey with regard to those in authority. The Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "Hear and obey, even
if your back is beaten and your wealth is taken." It is not
permissible to take these matters as an excuse to criticize those in
authority and to slander them in gatherings and the like. We should be
patient and whatever we do not get in this world we will get in the
Hereafter.

Islamic Culture in Muslim Society: Morality and Ethics in Islam(Moral Stories)

A culture is a set of habits, rules and regulations, which a group of
people follows as part of their lives.
Islamic culture is how we should behave. It is the way Muslims are
taught to live and is based on the two sources of Noble Qur'an and
Hadith. A Muslim should understand and practice this knowledge, since
when these two sources are combined; we have the way and means to lead
a life, which will lead to perfection and contentment.
There are countless examples of what we should do and how we should
act, but the essence of all these actions is having good Akhlaq.
To have good Akhlaq (Morality, Moral Values), you have to follow a
very simple rule. Prophet Isa (as), Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Imam
Ali (as) have all emphasized one message and that is:Treat others the
way you would like them to treat you.
This just means to have consideration, whether it is family, other
relatives, or friends.
Whenever you meet others you are carrying the flag of Islam. This
means people will look at you and say, "This is how Muslims behave".
Whenever you do an action, ask yourself, "Would Prophet Muhammad (saw)
and Imam Ali (as)do that?" Then think about your answer before you
perform the action.
Prophet Muhammad (saw)was once asked why he came to the world, what
was his purpose? He replied, "I have been sent to complete the
nobility of your character."
This means that the main purpose of Prophet Muhammad (saw) was to
improve and perfect the Islamic Culture, the noble character of a
person and thus the community.
It is very important that we should have a good Islamic Culture at
home, since this is where the foundation is set for growing children.
We should make sure that we all recite Salaat on time. If possible we
should pray Salaat-e-Jamaat (Congregational Prayer) at home, with the
father leading and the children following. The mother should teach the
girls the importance of wearing Hijaband the parents should explain
about music and dance, and all the other habits, which Islam
discourages.
Some parents tell their children not to fast during examinations. This
makes the children feel that fasting can be missed for such reasons
and reduces its importance. How can you blame the children, when it is
the parents who encourage them? The point that people do not realize
is that if you obey Allah (SWT), He will help you. Allah (SWT) has
said that for every 1 step you take towards Him, He will take 10 steps
towards you. So make a Niyyat (intension) and fast. Do not look at
fasting as if it is going to harm you, but think that it will help
your concentration, it will help you to study, and you soon see how
well you can actually do.
We must make Islamic Culture part of our day-to-day lives, not just
something we put on for the mosque, or for Madressa. Only then will we
benefit both in this life, and the next.
Once Imam Ali (as) was asked, who is a believer? He answered as to
what the characteristics of a believer should include,
1.The believer is one with whom peoples' life, wealth and dignity are safe.
2.When powerful, he forgives easily. He is generous in appropriate ways.
3.His behavior is gentle. His actions and walk reflect modesty.
4.People enjoy his affection and calmness. He is ready to bear pain in
order to comfort others.
5.In friendship he is sincere. He honors his promises.
6.He helps the oppressed and is concerned about the deprived. He does
not abandon those in distress; he tries to relieve their burdens.
7.He respects the rights of those who are absent. He accepts the
apologies of those at fault.
8.He assists those who have assisted him.
9.He does not divulge (tell) peoples' secrets. He does not inquire
into secret affairs, which do not concern him.
10.He sets a good example for those who succeed him.
11.His good deeds are not performed for the sake of being boastful.
12.He does not fall into the same difficulty twice.

Morality and Ethics in Islam: Islamic Culture in Muslim Society(Moral Stories)

The word "morality" comes from the Latin word moralitas meaning
"manner, noble character and proper behavior". Morality generally
refers to a code of conduct, that an individual, group or society hold
as authoritative, in distinguishing right from wrong. Immorality is
the active opposition to morality, while amorality is not admitting of
moral distinctions or judgments; neither moral nor immoral or lacking
moral sensibility; not caring about right and wrong.
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that
addresses questions about morality that is, concepts such as good and
evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice, etc. Ethics in Islam
or True Islamic code of ethics provides basic concepts which gives
humanity a strong platform on which they can lay their lives according
to the teaching of Noble Qur'an and Prophet's Sunnah.
Islam as a comprehensive way of life encompasses a complete moral
system that is an important aspect of its world-view. We live in an
age where good and evil are often looked at as relative concepts.
Islam however, holds that moral positions are not relative and
instead, defines a universal standard by which actions may be deemed
moral or immoral.
A major goal of Islam is to provide mankind with a practical and
realistic system of life based on good by which he can conduct his
life. It calls upon mankind not only to practice virtue but to
establish it and to eradicate all that is harmful. It seeks the
supremacy of one's conscience in all matters, so that what is harmful
cannot gain the upper hand in either an individual or a society. Those
who respond to this call are known as Muslims, which literally means
those who have submitted to God (Allah). The sole object of the
resulting community of Muslims ( Muslim Ummah) is the undertaking of
an organized effort to establish what is good and to fight and
eradicate what is evil and harmful.
Morality is one of the fundamental sources of a nation's strength,
just as immorality is one of the main causes of a nation's decline.
Hence, Morality is one of the cornerstones of Islam. Morality in Islam
has established some universal fundamental rights for humanity as a
whole, which are to be observed in all circumstances. Islam's moral
system is striking in that it not only defines morality, but also
guides the human race in how to achieve it, at both an individual as
well as a collective level. Thus, everything that leads to the welfare
of the individual and the society is morally good in Islam, and
whatever is harmful is morally bad.
Given its importance in a healthy society, Islam supports morality and
matters that lead to it and stands in the way of corruption and
matters that lead to it. The Islamic moral principles therefore,
appeal naturally to the human intellect, while elevating the pursuit
of morality to the level of worship. This is because Islam holds every
action that is done with the goal of attaining of God's pleasure to be
worship. The Guardian and Judge of all deeds is God Himself.
The concept of morality in Islam centers around certain basic beliefs
and principles. Among these are the following: (1) God is the Creator
and Sustainer of the Universe and Source of all goodness, truth and
beauty. (2) Man is a responsible, dignified and honorable agent of his
Creator. (3) God has put everything in the heavens and the earth in
the service of mankind. (4) By His Mercy and Wisdom, God does not
expect the impossible from man or hold him accountable for anything
beyond his power. Nor does God forbid man to enjoy the good things of
life. (5) Moderation, practicality and balance are the guarantees of
high integrity and sound morality. (6) All things are permissible in
principle except what is singled out as obligatory, which must be
observed, and what is singled out as forbidden, which must be avoided.
(7) Man's ultimate responsibility is to God and his highest goal is
the pleasure of his Creator.
From an Islamic perspective, the purpose of human life is to worship
God, by leading this worldly life in harmony with the Divine Will, and
thereby achieve peace in this world, and everlasting success in the
life of the hereafter. Muslims look to Noble Qur'an and the Traditions
of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) as their moral guides. Muslims believe
that true happiness occurs when you are God-conscious and submissive
to God's will. Freedom is freedom from human desires and man-made
ideals. Through prayer and fasting, self-discipline and self-control
become a focus of many Muslims. This also is a foundation for human
dignity.
Almighty Allah (SWT) sums up righteousness in verse 177 of Surat Al
Baqarah as follows:
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East and
the West, but righteousness is this that one should believe in Allah
and the last day and the angels and the Book and the prophets, and
give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the
orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for (the
emancipation of) the captives, and keep up prayer and pay the
poor-rate; and the performers of their promise when they make a
promise, and the patient in distress and affliction and in time of
conflicts - these are they who are true (to themselves) and these are
they who guard (against evil)." (Noble Qur'an, 2:177)
This verse teaches us that righteousness and piety is based before all
else on a true and sincere faith. The key to virtue and good conduct
is a strong relation with God, who sees all, at all times and
everywhere. He knows the secrets of the hearts and the intentions
behind all actions. Therefore, Islam enjoins moral behavior in all
circumstances; God is aware of each one when no one else is. It may be
possible to deceive the world, but it's not possible to deceive the
Creator. The love and continuous awareness of God and the Day of
Judgment enables man to be moral in conduct and sincere in intentions,
with devotion and dedication:
"Indeed, the most honorable among you in the sight of God is the most
pious." (Noble Qur'an, 49:13)
The guiding principle for the behavior of a Muslim is what Noble
Qur'an refers to as virtuous deeds. This term covers all deeds, not
just the outward acts of worship.
Some of the most primary character traits expected of a Muslim are
piety, humility and a profound sense of accountability to God. A
Muslim is expected to be humble before God and with other people.
Islam also enjoins upon every Muslim to exercise control of their
passions and desires. Gratitude in prosperity, patience in adversity,
and the courage to uphold the truth, even when inconvenient to
oneself, are just some of the qualities that every Muslim is
encouraged to cultivate.
Islam warns against vanity and excessive attachment to the ephemeral
pleasures of this world. While it is easy to allow the material world
to fill our hearts, Islam calls upon human beings to keep God in their
hearts and to use the material world in moderation and in accordance
with God's guidance. The Glorious Qur'an says:
"The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, but only he (will
prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart." ( Noble Qur'an:
26:88-89)
Charityis one of the most commendable acts in Islam. In fact, Zakah,
the annual charity that is obligatory on every Muslim who has accrued
wealth above a certain level.
Morality in Islam addresses every aspect of a Muslim's life, starting
with as simple as a smile that counts as charity all the way up to
defending the oppressed, from simple greetings to international
relations. It is universal in its scope and in its applicability.
Backbitingis a terrible vice in Noble Qur'an. Killing innocent is
strictly prohibited in Noble Qur'an. Women are equal to men in
humanity but they have different responsibilities.
A Muslim is expected to not only be virtuous, but to also enjoin
virtue. He/She must not only refrain from evil and vice, but must also
actively engage in asking people to eschew them. In other words, they
must not only be morally healthy, but must also contribute to the
moral health of society as a whole.
Some people who say they are acting in the name of religion may
misunderstand their religion or practice it wrongly. For this reason,
it is a mistake to form any idea of that religion from the activities
of these people. The best way to understand Islam is through its
authentic source.
The authentic source of Islam is Noble Qur'an and Prophet's Sunnah;
and the model of morality in Noble Qur'an is completely different from
the image of it formed in the minds of some westerners. Noble Qur'an
is based on the concepts of morality, love, compassion, mercy,
modesty, self-sacrifice, tolerance and peace and a Muslim who truly
lives according to these moral precepts is highly refined, thoughtful,
tolerant, trustworthy and accommodating. To those around him he gives
love, respect, peace of mind and a sense of the joy of life.
All this shows that the moral teaching offered to humanity by Islam is
one that will bring peace, prosperity, happiness and justice to the
world. The barbarism that is happening in the world today under the
name of "Islamic Terrorism" is completely removed from the moral
teachings of Noble Qur'an; it is the work of ignorant, criminals who
have nothing to do with religion.
On this Moral Stories website, we have listed a large collection of
moral stories covering different aspects of Morality and Ethics in
Islam or Islamic Morals and Practices. These moral stories cover the
broad spectrum of a Muslim's personal moral conduct as well as their
social responsibilities.