Sura al'fathiha

Al-Imam Al-A'zam,Abu Hanifa (r.a.) (699-767)

Al-Imam Al-Azam Abu Hanifa (ra), one of the most prominent figures
of the Islamic world, was a foresighted and highly insightful
scholar. His sound personality and profound fear of Allah were
greatly instrumental in his being embraced by the Islamic world.
Abu Hanifa (ra) was a very intelligent sharia scholar who always
kept his mind on the remembrance of Allah , meticulously observed
Allah's bounds, avoided vain and unbeneficial talk, and concisely
responded to questions. He attached great importance to what was
entrusted to him. He was a person who kept his lower-self under
control in all circumstances. He was a person of great compassion.
The objections and unbecoming words he faced throughout his life
never daunted him from his services rendered for the cause of Allah.
He possessed a pure wisdom that Allah granted him. He never
experience any breakdown in his line of thought and never ran
behind in responding. If anyone acted stubbornly or raised
difficulties, he tried to teach him the morality of Islam in the
most calm and gracious manner.
Imam Hanifa devoted a great part of his life to knowledge. Among his
principles were trusting in what was reliable, avoiding the
unreliable, tending towards the one that did not stir up trouble
among people and ensuring that no complications arose .
The method employed by Al-Imam Abu Hanifa (ra) in assessing issues
was based on the following seven principles:
Book: The pillar of the Religion and the strong rope of Almighty Allah.
Sunnah: Explanation of Allah's Book that provided details regarding
the general provisions.
The Accounts: The accounts of the Companions who transmitted the
"risalat" and personally witnessed the revelations.
Comparison: A method resorted to by sharia scholars in the absence
of evidence about an issue in the Qur'an, the Sunnah of our Prophet
(saas) or a statement of a Companion.
Istihsan: The particular judgment of a Sharia scholar that makes it
necessary for him to abandon previous judgments he made for similar
issues relying on an evidence such as a nass (injunction), ijma, a
state of necessity, concealed qiyas or recommendations.
İjma: The consensus of sharia scholars on any issue in any age. All
scholars agreed that ijma is an "evidence".
Tradition: The practices of Muslims about any issue in which no
nass (injuction) exists in the Qur'an, Sunnah and the practices of
the Companions.
Al-Imam Al-A'zam, Abu Hanifa
AL-IMAM AL-AZAM ABU HANIFA, THE IMAM OF OUR SCHOOL, STATED THAT THE
DESCENT OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) AND THE APPEARANCE OF HAZRAT
MAHDI (AS) ARE THE "ISSUES THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO DENY"
Fiqh al-Akbar and the Wasiyyat , the two risalets of Abu Hanifa, are
the most precious and earliest texts on Islamic creed. The Fiqh
al-Akbar of Abu Hanifa is the fundamental book of Ahl al-Sunnah. In
this work, Imam Azam Abu Hanifa relates that the descent of the
Prophet Jesus (as) and the appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as) as the
"issues that are impossible to deny":
The appearance of the dajjal (anti-Christ) and the Gog, the sunrise
from the West, the descent of Prophet Jesus (as) from the sky and
other portents of the Day of Judgment informed by trustworthy
hadiths are right and they will happen. There are also other great
portents of the Day of Judgment, like the coming of Hazrat Mahdi
(as). All these happenings are correct , as brought and related by
trustworthy hadiths. and they will accordingly happen. (Translation
of Fiqh al-Akbar, Al-Imam Al-Azam Abu Hanifa, Prepared by Ali Riza
Kasheli, p.99)
The appearance of dajjal (anti-Christ) and the Gog, the sunrise from
the West, the descent of Prophet Jesus (as) from the sky and other
portents of the Day of Judgment are right, as the trustworthy
accounts relate us, and they will happen. (Abu Hanifa, Nu'man ibn
Sabid (150/767), Fiqh al-Akbar , Translated by: H. Basri Chantay,
Ankara, 1982)
When the Day of Judgment will come, Prophet Jesus (as) will descend
on Earth and thus all nations will come to become a single nation as
an Islamic nation. Before the advent of Prophet Jesus (as), Hazrat
Mahdi (as) will appear in the realms of Mecca and Medina and then
arrive to Jerusalem. Then dajjal will come and remain with him.
Prophet Jesus (as), on the other hand, will come down from the East
Minaret in Damascus to render the dajjal ineffective and there he
will make him ineffective by a blow. When Prophet Jesus (as)
descends, dajjal will dissolve and disappear as if salt dissolves in
water. Then Prophet Jesus (as) will meet Hazrat Mahdi (as).
Meanwhile they will pray together. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will point to
Prophet Jesus (as) to lead the prayer, but Prophet Jesus (as) will
offer his excuse telling that this prayer is fulfilled for him and
thus he deserves more to lead the prayer. Prophet Jesus (as) will
follow Hazrat Mahdi (as) to reveal that he complies with the sharia
of our Prophet (saas) and thus they will fulfill their prayers
together. (Imam al- Azam, Fiqh al-Akbar, Aliy al-Qari
Interpretation, Translated by: Yunus Vehbi Yavuz, Additional 3rd
edition, Cagri Publishing, p. 284)

The Sacred Relics

When the caliphate passed to the Ottoman Empire, the sacred relics,
consisting of items belonging to the Prophet Muhammad (saas) and
his followers were brought to Istanbul. Since 1517, the relics have
been kept with the great care in the "Hırka-i Saadet" section of
Topkapi Palace in Istanbul.
These sacred objects are preserved in a special chamber constructed
within Topkapı Palace by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. With its
finely worked inlaid door, four windows and three recessed cases,
this chamber is one of the finest examples of Ottoman art.
Some of the sacred relics, which have been preserved with the
utmost care, are as follows:
The Blessed Mantle
The mantle given by the Prophet Muhammad (saas) to Veysel Karani is
regarded as the most important of the sacred relics. Some of the
Ottoman caliphs were accompanied by the Blessed Mantle on their
travels.
The Blessed Mantle has recently been restored with the very greatest care.
The Holy Tooth of the Prophet Muhammad (saas)
Part of a tooth belonging to the Prophet Muhammad (saas) that was
broken during the Battle of Uhud. It is kept in a cylindrical box,
framed in gold and covered in rubies and emeralds.
The Holy Banner
The banner of the Prophet Muhammad (saas), made from almost entirely
black woolen cloth. Due to its fragile state, it was placed on top
of a green fabric. It has never been opened in any battle since the
time of our Prophet (saas).
The Holy Hair from the Beard of the Prophet Muhammad (saas)
Several hairs from the beard of our Prophet (saas) are kept in the
Hırka-i Saadet section. These are preserved in gold-framed glass
boxes and jewel cases.
The Holy Footprints
Four footprints belonging to the Prophet Muhammad (saas) are
preserved in a recessed case in the Hırka-i Saadet section.
The Holy Seal
The seal of the Prophet Muhammad (saas), which was also was used
by the early caliphs.
The Holy Letters
The letters belonging to the Prophet Muhammad (saas). A Frenchman
discovered them in 1850 inside the cover of a Gospel in the library
of a monastery in Egypt. Once it was established that it had
belonged to our Prophet (saas), it was given to Sultan Abdulmajid.
The Holy Swords
The swords of the Prophet Muhammad (saas). Only two of the swords
in the Hırka-i Saadet section belonged to the Prophet Muhammad
(saas). One of these belonged to the Prophet David (pbuh) and the
other to the people of the Prophet Muhammad (saas).
The Keys of the Kaaba
The replaced keys of the Kaaba are also among the sacred relics.
Made of iron and covered in silver and gold inlay, they were for a
long time preserved in Davutpaşa during the time of the Ottoman
Empire.
The Holy Qur'an of Hazrat Uthman (ra)
Pages of the Qur'an collected during the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr
(ra), were sent to provinces in book form during the time of Hazrat
Uthman (ra). The Qur'an that was being read when Hazrat Uthman (ra)
was martyred is now among the sacred relics in Topkapı Palace.
These sacred relics have been protected and preserved with the
utmost care since Ottoman times.
One example of the importance the Ottoman sultans attached to the
sacred relics is the ceremony performed by the sultan for them on
the 15th day of every month of Ramadan. As the day approached, the
chest containing the long wide sleeved mantle of the Prophet
Muhammad (saas) was carried to the Revan section, every part of
which was cleansed, the walls washed with rose water and perfumed
with musk.
The Qur'an has been recited in the Hırka-i Saadet chamber in
veneration of the relics of the Prophet Muhammad (saas) for
hundreds of years. This fine tradition was initiated by Sultan Selim
the Stern. Forty scholars who had memorized the Qur'an, including
Sultan Selim, recited the Qur'an beside the sacred relics, "for the
victory of good and the expulsion of affliction." This tradition
was restored in October 1996.
One of the reasons for the great care shown by the Ottoman sultans
is that they knew they were merely guardians of these sacred
relics, and that they really belong to Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh), who
will emerge from Istanbul.
Our Prophet (saas) describes in great detail in the hadiths how
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will appear together with the sacred relics. For
example, one hadith tells us that:
Nuaym bin Hammad related from Abu Jaferi that; "Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)
will appear in the evening together with the banner, mantle, sword,
signs, radiance and beauty of our Prophet (saas)."
Another hadith describes how Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will appear with
the sacred relics as follows:
As for the signs, he (Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)) will have the mantle,
sword and banner of the Messenger of Allah. That banner that has
never been unfurled since the death of the Prophet (saas), and will
never be opened until the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh).
Out of respect for our Prophet (saas), no state, including the
Ottoman Empire, has ever unfurled the banner although it was
carried in battles and ceremonies. The banner, and other blessed
relics that have thus been preserved for 1,400 years, will be
unfurled when the moral values of Islam rule the world with the
coming of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh), insha'Allah

Beings created with interesting characteristics

Among beings, which has the ability to imitate a friend?
How does a tree species that purifies water make this happen?
What are the systems in the foot structures of different species?
A Close Friend of a Master of Imitation Swimming in the Seas of
Indonesia: The Jawfish
Many living things can conceal themselves by taking the color of
its surroundings by means of its camouflage abilities. However, to
impersonate a different species by changing color and shape and to
perfectly imitate them is a new type of behavior, discovered by
scientists only recently. As it is known, the octopus has tens of
thousands of sacs called "chromatophores" on its body. The ctopus can
shrink and loosen these sacs to look like any background color or
image. However, the mimic octopus also changes its appearance to
imitate other animals. It can color itself with the colors of a
lionfish, then it bravely swims away after enlarging its eight arms
around its body to resemble the poisonous thorns of the lion fish.
Or it can place its head and seven arms like triangle shape of a
tortonese's stingray and moves along the sea surface by dragging its
eighth arm like its tail. Or it jumps into a sand hill to look like
a poisonous sea anemone and holds its arms in a zigzag mode. Not
having a hard interior and outer skeleton gives this being a body
structure ideal for imitation. This behavior displayed by the
octopus is of course very interesting and a result of our Lord's
control over living beings. However, what is more interesting is the
existence of a fish, which takes advantage of an octopus that runs
away from its hunters by imitating the fish. This fish, called the
jawfish, swims around the octopus and tries to take advantage of its
strategy of protection.
It is of course very interesting that an octopus with no wisdom and
consciousness imitates a fish to defend itself, but what is more
interesting is the existence of a fish, which knows and takes
advantage of this characteristic of the octopus. Our Lord reminds
us once more the perfect creation of His Self with these examples,
which require wisdom. In one verse it is revealed as such:
" Allah is the Creator of everything and He is Guardian over
everything. ." (Surat az-Zumar, 62)
A Carnivorous Plant Species: Philcoxia Minensis
A new carnivorous plant species was discovered in Brasil . This
plant, called "Philcoxia Minensis", uses its sticky leaves
underground by secreting a gum-like substance and traps worms.
Researchers note that these plants that generally live under
difficult conditions have a carnivorous type of nutrition and that
they are quite rare in nature. It is understood that some species
even hunt large-sized creatures like ruminant mammals due to a
general lack of food. The purpose behind the plant being carnivorous
is to supply itself for the need of protein. However, while the
plant supplies for this need, it also breaks down dead beings and
increases the soil's fertility. No doubt, there is a matchless plan
in the hunting process of this plant and after. Here Allah shows
these flawless evidences of creation to people. Allah reveals His
control over and matchless creation of living things in one verse
as such:
"That is Allah, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the Creator of
everything. So worship Him. He is responsible for everything. "
(Surat Al-An'am, 102)
Strong Mechanisms in Rhino Feet
The rhinocerous is the largest living mammal after elephants.
Rhinos can run 45 kilometers per hour and change their directions
suddenly with an agility most unexpected from its large body. One of
the most interesting characteristics of these beings, which are
typically three to five tons in weight and almost two meters long
is that their short and rather small feet can carry all this weight
of many tons. Now scientists are planning to solve the foot
structure of rhinos and build land vehicles that can lift and carry
very heavy objects while moving. Rhinos use this mechanism, which
scientists cannot understand yet, since the first day they were
created. This truth, where Allah's infinite might of creation is
displayed, is revealed in one verse as such:
"The keys of the Unseen are in His possession. No one knows them but
Him. He knows everything in the land and sea. No leaf falls
without His knowing it. There is no seed in the darkness of the
earth, and nothing moist or dry which is not in a Clear Book."
(Surat Al-An'am,59)
Mechanism That Prevents Husky Dogs From Freezing
Husky dogs that live in Alaska are a canine species that can run
very fast and thanks to this quality they are frequently used in
pulling a sled. One of the most interesting characteristics of these
beings, which can live at minus 60 degrees temperature due to their
thick fur, is that their feet are not affected and not frozen when
walking in this cold. When scientists examine the foot structure of
these dogs, they discovered that there is a unique temperature
change system in their veins. Also this system not only transfers
the heat to their feet, but also makes sure that the blood that
will return to the heart is at the appropriate temperature.
There is no doubt that this structure is only one of the works of
Allah's infinite wisdom and matchless creation. In one verse it is
revealed as such:
" Say: 'To whom does everything in the heavens and earth belong?'
Say: 'To Allah.' He has made mercy incumbent on Himself. He will
gather you to the Day of Rising about which there is no doubt. As
for those who have lost their own selves, they have no iman. "
(Surat Al-An'am, 12)
The Fish That Walks on Four Fins
The red-lipped batfish is the only fish that walks on its four fins.
This fish has a very strange appearance with its fins created to
walk, its nose with a peculiar shape and big red lips.
The batfish can walk on the sand like a man using their chest fins.
Using these fins, the batfish can easily stand on the ocean floor
and walk on the tips of their fins. As with the angler fish, the
batfish also has small skin parts, which they use as a fishhook,
underneath their nose to trick other fish.
As in every living being, Allah is the One Who creates these beings
with interesting features compatible with their needs.
"That is Allah, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the Creator of
everything. So worship Him. He is responsible for everything. "
(Surat Al-An'am, 102)
Sticky Hairs of the Gecko Fish
The gecko fish, which is a small fish species found on the North
Pacific coasts, are specialized in holding onto the rocks while
searching for food, by sticking. This is because our Lord created a
sticking technique on the fins of these fish like the gecko fish.
There are tiny hairs on these fins. Thanks to this, they can hold
onto hard surfaces at an atomic degree. Thanks to this sticky
surface, the fish can also carry 180 times its own weight. No doubt,
the fins, which Almighty Allah granted to this fish as a blessing,
are a perfect system for this creature to feed. These
characteristics, which are examples of Allah's infinite knowledge
and matchless art, are revealed in the Qur'an as such:
" In the heavens and earth there are certainly Signs for the
faithful. And in your creation and all the creatures He has spread
about there are Signs for people with certainty. " (Surat
al-Jathiyya, 3-4)

Fathwa, - I'm sorry, But I don't shake hands!!

Question:
I'm sorry, But I don't shake hands!!
Answer:
I'm sorry, But I don't shake hands!!
Not Just Friends: Protect Your Relationships from Infidelity And Heal
the Trauma of Betrayal
"I'm sorry, but I don't shake hands with members of the opposite sex."
This line can be heard coming from Muslims working in office settings
everywhere.
Islamic standards of modesty warn against even casual physical contact
between unmarried men and women. This, of course, can cause
uncomfortable situations in places of business where it is customary
to shake hands with colleagues. But Muslims have long known that even
casual, seemingly innocuous contact as well as casual behavior between
the sexes can lead a person astray into either marital infidelity or
inappropriate pre-marital relationships.
Until recently, it seemed that it was only Muslims that felt this way.
But in her book, Not Just Friends: Protect Your Relationships From
Infidelity and Heal the Trauma of Betrayal, Shirley Glass gives
credence to time-honored Muslim traditions on the issue of
inter-gender office relations.
Glass' main thesis is, for all intents and purposes, Islamic in
character. She asserts that unguarded, casual office relationships
between men and women often lead down a slippery slope towards
extra-marital affairs. And according to Glass, this phenomenon does
not apply solely to the spouse with a wandering eye; even strong,
nurturing marriages can be rocked by office romances.
Glass, who has studied martial infidelity over the last 25 years of
her career as a psychotherapist, found that 25 percent of women and 44
percent of men have strayed from their marriages. And although the
clich� of the office romance has been around for quite some time,
Glass says that the typical lustful physical relationships that often
develop are but one aspect of illicit office behavior. For Glass, it
is the more personal friendships that develop in the office
environment that pose a greater threat to marital stability.
Speaking recently to Connie Chung on CNN, Glass noted, "The crisis is
that men and women are working with people that they respect, people
that they have intellectual interests with, people that they share
excitement over projects, frustration over deadlines. And so the
relationship begins as a platonic friendship that's very deep and
rich. And what happens is that, over time, they begin to share more
and more of their personal lives together."
This type of intimate sharing of personal thoughts and feelings is,
Glass asserts, more detrimental to marriage because, unlike casual
sexual encounters, these interactions create strong bonds between the
people. And once this level of personal intimacy grows, the dreaded
sexual affair is just on the horizon.
For Glass, the answer to this problem is to establish what she calls
"walls and windows" by which married couples agree to keep emotional
distance from people outside the marriage while keeping open channels
within the marriage.
The resemblance to Islamic standards of modesty is uncanny, although
Glass does fail to call for the true Islamic solution, which erects
clear boundaries between the permissible and impermissible.
Glass is just one of several authors to recently take a more
conservative track regarding marriage and relationships. And in many
instances, themes that have elements of solid Islamic common sense are
finding favor over the more liberal trends that have predominated in
popular culture.

Fathwa, - Hijab readiness

Question:
I am 13 years old , my dad insists that I wear my hijab to school and
commit to it but I don't feel ready yet. I feel when you start wearing
it you never take it off to attend anywhere etc only around immediate
family members and I am not quite ready for that commitment. What
should I do?
Answer:
There may be a spiritual readiness you feel is missing from the
picture of yourself wearing hijab at this point but you are physically
ready enough by virtue of being a Muslima of age.
This is what your father's insistence reflects, not the hidden aspects
of your personality. What matters right now is to continue to meet the
basic requirements of the Shari`a that apply to your situation, age,
sex etc. just like having to pray Salat even when one does not feel
like it.
One has a lifetime, in sha' Allah, to work on strengthening readiness
and commitment.

Fathwa, - Being alone with a man in a room

Question:
Is it sinful to be a very large room with a man for the purpose of a
job interview where the door is closed but can be entered by other
staff?
Answer:
Assalamu alaykum
In the name of Allah the Inspirer of truth.
1. It is not permissible for a women to allow herself to be alone with
a man in a room. As the hadith states that the third will be Shaytan.
This would surely apply in your case too.

Al-Bukhaari: the master in the science of Prophetic narrations

His mother woke up with a start and said happily: "What a pleasant
dream! Allaah's messenger Ibraaheemappeared in my dream, and said: "O
woman! Allaah restored your son's eye sight because of your frequent
supplications". She said: "O Allaah, make it a glad tiding. "O Allaah
answer my supplications and restore the sight of my child."
The pious mother walked to her son's room, hardly able to move her
feet. When she reached his bed, she was about to wake him up but she
hesitated. Her broken heart was beating and she kept tenderly and
kindly caressing his head with her shaky hands. She was still
supplicating and hoping that Allaah would answer her frequent
supplications and cure her son. The young boy woke up and started
looking in amazement and moving his eyelids in confusion. He said in a
breaking voice:
"Mother!! I can see you, I can see your beautiful face! I can see my
room and my toys!!"
All perfect praise be to Allaah! All perfect praise be to Allaah!
Allaah gave me back my eyesight!!"
She was so happy that she thought she was dreaming. But she soon
realized that it was real when she saw her beloved son running and
playing as he used to do. Filled with faith and happiness, she said:
"All perfect praise be to Allaah! All perfect praise be to Allaah who
has the power to do everything."
One day, when the mother was tidying up the house in the morning, she
came across a few papers containing some narrations of the Prophet.
She remembered her beloved husband and said sadly and painfully while
wiping the tears off her cheeks: "May Allaah have mercy on you,
Muhammad's father. You were a man who used to fear Allaah. You dreamed
for a long time that your son Muhammad would be a religious scholar! I
promise you that I will do my best to achieve your dear wish, Allaah
willing." Then she called her son kindly, and Muhammad hurried to her
obediently. Then, she said to him: "It is time for you, my son to seek
religious knowledge and benefit yourself and the people around you.
Tomorrow I will send you to a small school where you can memorize the
Quran, learn Prophetic narrations and study the Arabic language to
become an honourable scholar like your father, Ismaa'eel.
The young boy, Muhammad, said cleverly: "Mother! Was my father an
eminent scholar?"
The mother replied: "Yes, my son." Mohammad, then said politely: "I
promise you, Mother, that I will follow his footsteps seriously and
exert all my efforts."
The city ofBukhaaraa)now in Islamic Uzbekistan( was located at that
time in one of the greatest countries beyond the Transoxus
)nowTurkistan(. Schools of knowledge where people could learn Arabic,
the Quran, history, and Fiqh )Islamic jurisprudence( were spread
throughout the city. The young boy, Muhammad Ibn Ismaa'eel
Al-Bukhaarithen set out to quench his thirst for knowledge from these
sweet springs. Early in his life, he showed signs of intelligence that
surprised everyone around him. He had a sharp mind, an attentive
heart, an amazing memory, and an incredible ability to memorize.
Before he was ten, he had memorized the whole Quran, mastered the
Arabic language, covered much of the Fiqh, and memorized many
Prophetic narrations. His pious good mother always encouraged her son
and prepared a suitable atmosphere for him to acquire knowledge. When
Al-Bukhaarifinished his studies in the small schools, his wise mother
thought to send him to the well-known study circles in Bukhaaraa,
Samarqand, Bekend, Marw, and Nesabor. He became famous among the
scholars to the point that he used to argue with his professors and
even corrected them sometimes!!
The success and physiognomy of Al-Bukhaarididn't end there. His shaykh
and teacher Mohammad Ibn Salaam Al-Bekandythe scholar of Buhaaraa and
the scholar of Prophetic narrations across the Transoxus
)nowTurkistan(, used to ask him to revise some of his books and
corrected any mistakes he found. Scholars used to wonder in
astonishment: "Who was that boy who edits the books of his
professor?!"
Imaam Bekandiused to say proudly about his clever student:"This boy is
unique of his kind."
On many occasions Imaam Bekanditalked to his colleagues about his
student, Al-Bukhaariwho memorized seventy thousand Prophetic
narrations by heart. In addition to this, he never reported a
narration of the companionsor the generation following them unless he
knew when and where they were born, as well as where they lived and
died!
The years passed and Mohammad Ibn Ismaa'eelreached the age of sixteen
years. He felt a great need to go and seek knowledge in every corner
of the world to satisfy his thirst for knowledge. He headed to Makkah,
accompanied by his mother and elder brother, Ahmad, in 210 AH to
perform Hajj )pilgrimage( and seek more knowledge. After the
pilgrimage, his mother and brother Ahmad returned to Bukhaaraa while
he stayed in Makkah to move between its domes of knowledge: East, and
west; North and South. Before the end of two years in this sacred
city, he started writing his bookThe Issues of the companionsand their
Followerswhich marked the beginning of his renowned books.
* Al-Bukhaarialways loved to visit Madeenah. Among the fruits of his
visits to that blessed place was writing his book:"The Big Book of
History"which is considered the first book that comprises the names of
the narrators of Prophetic narrations and the details of their lives.
From that wonderful sacred spot, Al-Bukhaariset out on a relentless
endeavor to visit all the Islamic territories out of his love for
compiling the Prophetic narrations. He traveled to Hijaaz )Saudi
Arabia(, Levant )Syria,Jordan,PalestineandLebanon(,Egypt, and
Khurasaan )a vast area between north eastIran, southernRussia, and
westernAfghanistan(. He visited Basrah and settled for some time
inBaghdadwhich was the capital of the Abbasid state at that time. He
greatly benefited from these journeys seeking knowledge. He had the
pleasure of meeting most the narrators of Prophetic narrations at that
time, sat with them, listened to the narrations, and memorized
whatever knowledge they had.
One night, Al-Bukhaarihad a strange dream that later had a great
impact on his life. He saw himself standing before the Prophetholding
a palm-leaf fan in his hand with which he pushed all evil away from
the Prophet. He was so confused and surprised that he went to his
scholarsasking them to interpret his dream. They said happily:"You
will clear the lies and false claims away from the Prophet."
Al-Bukhaarithen remembered his teacher, shaykh Is-Haaq Ibn Raahawayh,
the prominent scholar of Khurasaan, when he told his students once:"It
would be great if you can compile a concise and brief book containing
the authentic narrations of the Prophet."
These words echoed in Al-Bukhaari's heart and he remembered that dream
which was always in his mind since he started learning the Prophetic
narrations. Thereupon, he immediately made an intention to actively
and seriously pursue this mission and started to strive in his long
journey of writing this great book in 217 AH when he was twenty three.
Because of that dream, Al-Bukhaaritraveled thousands of miles moving
from one Islamic territory to another, undergoing all sorts of
difficulties, hardships, and weariness, sometimes to obtain only one
narration of the Prophet. He sometimes even had to eat grass to
satisfy his extreme hunger after he had spent all his money. Even the
few hours of night in which he snatched short naps to rest a while,
were not so resting for him, as he used to wake up fifteen to twenty
times a night to lit his lamp and sit to classify the narrations he
had collected. Al-Bukhaarimade a pact with himself that he wouldn't
include a narration from any narrator until he had personally met him,
and listened to the narration with his own ears. He never accepted
narrations except from the ones who were known for being honest,
diligent, accurate, fearing Allaah, and having a sharp memory. After
this process, he would have a ritual bath; pray two Rak'as and then
include only the narration that had met all these conditions in his
book.
After sixteen years of continuous effort and hard work,
Al-Bukhaarifinished his valuable book that comprised around 7000
authentic narrations which he selected from amongst 600,000 authentic
and non-authentic narrations. He overlooked many authentic narrations
so that his book wouldn't be too long. He chose to name the book"The
Authentic Book Encompassing a Brief Authentic Narrations of the
Prophet,his Tradition and Life"to become the title of the most
authentic book after the Quran. The book is known as'Saheeh
Al-Bukhaari')The authentic narrations reported by Al-Bukhaari(. This
book became well known and it gave him a high rank that someone like
him truly deserved to achieve. Hehad a vast knowledge, great manners,
a tolerant nature, dignity, and an untainted tongue. He cared so
little for this life, he had deep faith, and had Allaah's
consciousness at all times. After Imaam Al-Bukhaaribecame famous
throughout the world, thousands of scholars came to him as students of
the leader in memorization of authentic narrations until the number of
people who attended his study circles in Baghdad reached 20,000. Among
the most remarkable figures of his students were Imaams At-Tirmithi,
An-Nasaa'ee, Muslim, and others.
In 250 AH, Al-Bukhaarileft to Nisabor, a city in Khurasaan and stayed
there for a while teaching the people. Then he decided to return to
his dear city, Bukhaaraa, and when he did the people rushed to welcome
him in a great celebration in which huge tents were pitched and
decorations were hung. They threw flowers and golden and silver coins
on the Imaam upon his arrival into the city. There was an overwhelming
atmosphere of happiness that prevailed throughout all Bukhaaraa.
Allaah Willed, out of mercy to the Imaam, that Al-Bukhaariwould only
meet his Lord after peace and happiness had found their way into his
heart again. One day, the people of Samarqand sent a message for him
asking him to come. He agreed and packed with great joy. When he
started walking towards his animal he said: "Take me back, I have
become weak and very ill". When they took him back to his house, he
said some supplications then he laid on his bed sweating a lot, then
his pure soul ascended to its Creator. His deathwas on a Friday night,
the beginning of the month of Shawwaal, 256 AH )870 AD(. He was
sixty-two years old when he died. He was buried in the village of
Khartank which is now known as 'Khawaajah Saaheb'. May Allaah have
mercy upon the great Imaam and may Allaah admit him into Paradise.
Aameen.

Importance of knowing the narrators of Hadeeth

The narrators of Hadeeth are the most honourable and respectable
Muslims, as they are keepers and preservers of Sunnah. Most of them
are the companions of the Prophetwho witnessed the acts and learnt the
sayings of the Prophet. Others are the successors of the companions.
Who were blessed by Allaah and they are highly respected by all
Muslims. They are shinning stars of Islam.
Their hearts were free from worldly desires. Reading their biographies
will increase love and devotion towards them and develop more interest
to be faithful and obedient in the heart of the Muslim who reads their
biography.
Allaah Almighty Says )what means(:"Verily, We have sent down the
Reminder, and surely, We will guard it )from corruption(."]Quran;
15:9[ The above promise made by Allaah is obviously fulfilled in the
undisputed purity of the Quranic text throughout the fourteen
centuries since its revelation.
However, what is often forgotten by many Muslims is that the above
divine promise also includes, by necessity, the Sunnah of the Prophet
Muhammadfor it is the practical example of the implementation of the
Quranic guidance, the Wisdom taught to the Prophetalong with the
Scripture, and neither the Quran nor the Sunnah can be understood
correctly without recourse to the other.
Allaah preserved the Sunnah by enabling the Companionsand their
followersto memorize, write down and pass on the statements of the
Messenger of Allaahand the descriptions of his way, as well as to
continue the blessings of practicing the Sunnah. Later, as the purity
of the knowledge of the Sunnah became threatened, Allaah caused the
Muslim nation to produce outstanding individuals of incredible
memory-skills and analytical expertise, who journeyed tirelessly to
collect hundreds of thousands of narrations and distinguish the true
words of precious wisdom of their Messengerfrom those corrupted by
weak memories, from forgeries by unscrupulous liars, and from the
statements of the enormous number of scholars, the Companions and
those who followed their way, who had taught in various centers of
learning and helped to transmit the legacy of Muhammad- all of this
achieved through precise attention to the words narrated and detailed
familiarity with the biographies of the thousands of reporters of
Hadeeth. Action being the best way to preserve teachings, the scholars
of Islam also revived the practice of the blessed authentic Sunnah.
Unfortunately, however, statements will continue to be attributed to
the Prophetalthough the person quoting them may have no idea what the
people of knowledge in the field of Hadeeth science have ruled
regarding those hadeeths, thus ironically being in danger of
contravening the Prophet'swidely-narrated stern warnings about
attributing incorrect/unsound statements to him.
The methodology of the expert scholars of Hadeeth in assessing
narrations and sorting out the genuine from the mistaken, fabricated
etc., forms the subject-matter of a wealth of material left to us by
the scholars of Hadeeth )traditionists(.
A Hadeeth is composed of two parts: the Matn )text( and the Isnaad
)chain of reporters(. A text may seem to be logical and reasonable but
it needs an authentic Isnaad with reliable reporters to be acceptable.
'Abdullaah Ibn Al-Mubaarak)d. 181 AH(, one of the illustrious teachers
of Imaam Al-Bukhaarisaid: "The Isnaad is part of the religion, had it
not been for the Isnaad, then people would have claimed whatever they
wished."
Among the sciences of Hadeeth is the study of the chain of reporters
)the Isnaad(. Many Muslim scholars have specialized in this field. It
includes identifying the name of each and every narrator )reporter(,
his character )his truthfulness, piety, public behavior(, his ability
and reputation as a memorizer and the types of narrations he is known
to report, whether authentic, weak, fabricated, etc. In addition, each
narrator should be identified by a rating given by other narrators who
knew him. So all of these and many other details must be considered to
know the degree to which a Hadeeth may be used as a basis for Islamic
belief or practice )Sharee'ah(, or merely as a point of interest )not
to be attributed to the sayings, etc. of the Prophet(.
After the Book of Allaah )The Quran(, the books of Hadeeth collection
that were collected by Imaams Bukhaari and Muslimare considered by the
Muslim scholars to be the most authentic books of Hadeeth. However,
there are other famous scholars in the field who compiled books of
Hadeeth such as; Abu Daawood )d.275(, At-Tirmithi )d. 279(, An-Nasaa'i
)d. 303( and others.

A husband's responsibilities towards his family

The family is that brick which forms the foundation of a society. It
is composed of individuals that have permanent relations established
between them. Most importantly, it possesses almost a majority of the
different kinds of personal relations. Because of this, there must be
certain etiquettes placed in order to control and regulate these
relations. This is such that it can be maintained in the best possible
manner, and so that it can generate and produce its proper fruits.
Family relations consist of the relationship between the spouses from
one perspective, the relationship between the parents and the children
from a second perspective, and the relationship between the children
themselves from a third perspective.
Etiquettes pertaining to the Husband
1.It is not from the deficiencies, but rather from good manners, that
the husband shares in the responsibility of specified matters, such as
the mending of garments or what is similar to that.
2.It is appropriate for a man to not restrict himself from serving
himself. This is since the wife takes care of the household affairs.
So therefore, it is from good manners that the husband extends a
helping hand to his wife in the house, during times of necessity, such
as when she is sick, pregnant, has given birth or similar to that.
3.The exemplary husband is he who cooperates with his wife by bearing
good relations and showing kind manners )to her(, according to the
full extent of the meaning contained in these )last( two expressions.
Truly, the husbands who are best at working alongside their wives are
the best of mankind in the view of Islam.
4.Beware of characterizing the relationship between the spouses with
over-seriousness! For indeed characterizing the family life with a
militaristic nature amounts to one of the causes for failure and bad
results.
5.From the kind and noble manners of the husband is that he complies
and assents to the requests of his wife, so long as they are not
forbidden in Islam.
6.The husband should specify a time in which he can play around and
pass free time with his wife.
7.The relationship between the spouses must contain one singular and
specific nature. And it cannot be this way unless the couple begin
demolishing all the obstacles and impediments that stand between them.
For example, the husband should not feel timid and restrain himself
from drinking out of the same cup that his wife drinks out of.
8.There is no human being that is perfect. So there is no doubt that
the husband will see things in his wife that do not comply with his
natural disposition and preferences. If these aspects are not in
opposition to the fundaments of Islam or to the obedience of the
husband and his rights, then at that point, he should not try to
change her personality. He should also remember that if there are some
characteristics that he doesn't find pleasing in his wife, then indeed
she has other characteristics, which are definitely pleasing to him.
9.Do not let Ramadan be a barrier that impedes you from showing
affection to your wife. But this is so long as you are able to refrain
yourself, since what is forbidden during the days of Ramadan is only
sexual intercourse.Showing affection to one's wife during Ramadan can
be done during the night and if during the day )while they are
fasting(, it can be done by other than kissing and huging.
10.Do not chase after the small errors of your wife and recount them
to her, for too much blaming and reprimanding will worsen the
relationship between the two of you, and it will pose a threat to your
marital life.
11.If you are able, do not hold back from providing your wife with
good clothing and food, and from being generous in spending money on
her. This is of course according to the extent of your ability.
12.Do not give little importance to implementing the punishment
required for any acts in opposition to the Islam, which your wife has
committed, whether it is in the home or outside it. This should be the
only reason that causes you to become angry.
13.What has been stated previously does not mean that you should leave
matters alone until that result comes to happen. Thus, whenever you
realize that a matter is left alone, weigh it with seriousness and
determination, without being too harsh or rude about it.
14.Do not attempt to meddle intoyour wife's houseworkaffairs that do
not fall into your area of duties and responsibilities, such as the
food and the order of the house because woman like to put their
personal touch on the house )her kingdom(.
15.Beware of scolding your wife or blaming her for a mistake she
committed, in the presence of others, even if they are your own
children. For indeed that is an act that goes against correct behavior
and it will lead to raising anger in the hearts of people.
16.If you are forced to place punishment upon your wifeafter having
adviced her and she didn't respondthen let it be by staying away from
her at bedtime. Anddo not boycott her except that it is done within
the household. And avoid using foul language, insulting her, beating
her and describing her with repulsive names.
17.Having jealousy and caring about the bashfulness of your wife is a
praiseworthy thing, which shows your love for her. However it is on
the condition that you do not go to great extremes in this jealousy.
For then at that point, it would turn into something worthy of no
praise.
18.Entering the house: Do not alarm your family by entering upon them
suddenly. Rather, enter while they are aware of it, and greet them
with Salaam. And ask about them and how they are doing. And do not
forget to remember Allaah, the Mighty and Sublime, when you enter the
house.
19.Beware of spreading any secrets connected with the intimate
encounters you have with your wife, for that is something restricted
and forbidden.
20.Constantly maintain the cleaning of your mouth and the freshening
of your breath.
21.Guardianship of your wife doesn't mean that you can exploit what
Allaah has bestowed upon you from taking charge of her, such that you
harm and oppress her.
22.Showing respect and kindness to your wife's family is showing
respect and kindness to her. This applies on the condition that it is
not accompanied by an act forbidden in Islam, such as intermingling of
the sexes or being in privacy )with them(.
23.Too much joking will lead to )your family having( little fear )of
disobeying you( and a lack of respect for you.
24.Be prompt in fulfilling the conditions, which you promised to your
wife during the pre-marriage agreement.
25.When you lecture your wife or reprimand her or simply speak to her,
choose the kindest and nicest of words and expressions for your
speech.
26.It is not proper for you to ask your wife to look for work outside
of the house or to spend upon you from her wealth.
27.Do not overburden your wife with acts that she is not able to
handle. Consider, with extreme regard, the environment she was raised
up in. Rural service is not like urban service, and the service of a
strong woman and her preparation for it is not like the service of a
weak woman.

Who moved the Ka’bah to where it is now?.

Who moved the kab'ah to where it is now?
Praise be to Allaah.
The Ka'bah was not in one place and then moved, rather it was built in
the place where it is now, and it has not been moved from that time.
The scholars differed as to who built the Ka'bah. It was said that it
was the angels, or Adam (peace be upon him), or Ibraaheem (peace be
upon him) – the latter is the correct view.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (remember) when Ibraaheem (Abraham) and (his son) Ismaa'eel
(Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka'bah at
Makkah), (saying), 'Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily,
You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower'"
[al-Baqarah 2:127]
It was narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
I said, "O Messenger of Allaah, which mosque was built first on
earth?" He said, "Al-Masjid al-Haraam." I said, "Then which?" He said,
"Al-Masjid al-Aqsa." I asked, "How much time was between them?" He
said, "Forty years. So wherever you are when the time for prayer
comes, then pray."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3186; Muslim, 520.
The scholars of the Standing Committee said:
The Holy Ka'bah is the qiblah of the Muslims towards which they face
in every prayer, in obedience to the command of Allaah, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad's) face towards
the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction)
that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid
Al-Haraam (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces
(in prayer) in that direction"
[al-Baqarah 2:144]
It is also the place where they perform the rituals of Hajj and
'Umrah, by circumambulating it, in obedience to the command of Allaah
(interpretation of the meaning):
"and circumambulate the Ancient House (the Ka'bah at Makkah)"
[al-Hajj 22:29]
And in obedience to what Allaah has prescribed on the lips of His
Messenger Muhammad(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
It was built by Ibraaheem al-Khaleel and his son Ismaa'eel (peace be
upon them both) as Allaah tells us (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (remember) when Ibraaheem (Abraham) and (his son) Ismaa'eel
(Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka'bah at
Makkah), (saying), 'Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily,
You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower'"
[al-Baqarah 2:127]
And it has been renovated several times since then.
Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn 'Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh 'Abd al-Razzaaq
'Afeefi, Shaykh 'Abd-Allaah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh 'Abd-Allaah ibn
Qa'ood.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 6/310
And Allaah knows best.

Dought & clear, - Is there life on other planets?.

Is there life on other planets or in other galaxies?.
Praise be to Allaah.
As for the seven heavens, they are populated by the angels, as Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Nearly the heavens might be rent asunder from above them (by His
Majesty), and the angels glorify the praises of their Lord, and ask
for forgiveness for those on the earth. Verily, Allaah is the
Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful"
[al-Shoora 42:5]
"But if they are too proud (to do so), then there are those who are
with your Lord (angels) glorify Him night and day, and never are they
tired"
[Fussilat 41:38]
Al-Tirmidhi (2312) narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with
him) said: The Messenger of Allaah(peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "Verily I see what you do not see and I hear what you
do not hear. The heaven is creaking and it should creak, for there is
no space in it the width of four fingers but there is an angel there,
prostrating to Allaah. By Allaah, if you knew what I know, you would
laugh little and weep much, and you would never enjoy women in your
beds, and you would go out in the streets, beseeching Allaah." Classed
as hasan by al-Albaani inSaheeh al-Tirmidhi.
Inal-Saheehaynit is narrated from Maalik ibn Sa'sa'ah, in the story of
al-Isra' wa'l-Mi'raaj (the Prophet's Night Journey and Ascent into
heaven): " ... Then the Much-Frequented House (al-bayt al-ma'moor) was
raised up for me, and I said: 'O Jibreel, what is this?' He said:
'This is the Much-Frequented House. Every day seventy thousand angels
enter it and when they depart from it, they never return to it."
Al-Bukhaari (3207) and Muslim (164).
This has to do with the heavens. As for the planets and other
galaxies, our answer is to say: Allaah knows best.

Dought & clear, - Why is the week seven days?.

If Allah swt made everything in 6 days why do we have 7 days in a week?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
We cannot be certain about anything with regard of the division of the
week into seven days, or the time when this division began – was it
before the creation of the heavens and the earth, or was the creation
of the heavens and the earth what led to this division? The reason for
that is that we have no clear evidence which states anything certain
to that effect. But what is indicated by a study of calendars and the
customs and reports of different nations is that the division of the
week into seven days is connected to religion and taken from it, and
that it has to do with reports and rulings of religion.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said
inMajmoo' al-Fataawa(7/95):
Every nation that does not have a Book has no names for days of the
week in their languages, rather they have names for the day, the month
and the year, because that may be known on tangible and rational ways,
so the nations gave them names, because expression follows
visualization. But the week was only known by hearing (reports). It
was not known that Allaah created the heavens and the earth and
everything in between in six days then rose over the Throne except by
the words of the Prophets who were enjoined to gather together on one
day of the week to worship Allaah and remember the first week in which
Allaah began to create the universe. In Arabic and Hebrew and the
languages of those who learned from them, there are words for the days
of the week, unlike the language of the Turks and others like them;
there are no words for the days of the week in their language because
they did not know of that so they have no words for it.
Dr. Jawaad 'Ali says:
The month is divided into four sections, and each section is a week
composed of seven days.
The idea of this division is attributed to the Babylonians, but the
days of the week and their order in the manner that is known until now
is a system that appeared long after them. The week (shavu'ah in
Hebrew) is mentioned in the Torah, in the Book of Genesis. Based on
both the Jewish Sabbath and the story of creation, the week was
organized along the lines that are still prevalent today. End quote.
Al-Mufassal fi Tareekh al-'Arab qabl al-Islam(16/96).
And Allaah knows best.

For children, - Regretting on the Day of Judgment in Hereafter (Akhirah) for not following Deen-e-Islam

Once, a group of people were traveling on rocks at night. A voice came
from the sky that whosoever picks up the rocks will regret and
whosoever doesn't pick up the rocks will regret. Now, the people were
confused. How can this be? Whether you pick up the rocks or not, you
will regret!
Anyway, some people picked up the rocks and some didn't. In the
morning when they reached their homes, they saw that the rocks turned
into diamonds. Now, those people who didn't pick up the rocks started
regretting saying, "If only we had picked up some rocks." Those people
who did pick some rocks also started regretting saying, "Why didn't we
pick up more rocks?" Both sides ended up regretting.
Dear Muslims, this same incident will take place with us on the Day of
Judgment. Those people who spent their time in useless things will
start regretting by looking at those who achieved a great position in
Paradise by spending their time in the way of Allah (SWT). Now, those
who did achieve a position in Paradise will start regretting by
looking at those who did more than them and are higher in status.
"Alas! If we had only done more to please Allah (SWT)."
Allah (SWT), the Majestic said: "And could you but see when the guilty
shall hang down their heads before their Lord: Our Lord! We have seen
and we have heard, therefore send us back, we will do good; surely
(now) we are certain." Noble Qur'an (32:12)
Imam Sadiq (as)said: All evil is placed in a house and its key is love
for this world. All good is placed in a house and its key is
abstinence in this world.

For children, - Islam: Death is a Beautiful Gift for a Believer and this worldly life is a preparation for Hereafter

According to an old fable, a man made an unusual agreement with Hazrat
Izraeel (pbuh) - the angel of death. He told Hazrat Izraeel (pbuh)
that he would be willing to accompany him (as though he had a choice)
only if Hazrat Izraeel (pbuh) would send him a notice well in advance.
The agreement was made. Weeks became months and the months into years.
One bitterly cold night, as the man sat alone thinking of his success
in life, Hazrat Izraeel (pbuh) tapped on his shoulder. "You are here
too soon" the man cried out. "You sent no messenger. I thought we had
an agreement!" Hazrat Izraeel (pbuh) whispered "Notice your hair, once
it was full and black, now it has streaks of silver in it! Observe
your face in the mirror and see the wrinkles. Yes! I have sent many
messages through the years! I have kept my part. I am sorry that you
are not ready for me but the order of Almighty Allah (SWT) cannot be
averted!"
Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh) said: You are not created for
annihilation and mortality, but you have been created for survival and
eternal living, and it is only by death that you are transferred from
this lodging to other housing.
The King and the Poor Man are equal after Death in this World:
There was a king who decided to take a tour of his country. As he
passed by different places, everyone rushed to see him. However, while
passing by a certain place, he noticed a poor old man who did not pay
any attention to the king's arrival and remained engaged in his own
activities.
The king went up to this poor man and asked why he did not join the
people to see him. The poor man replied, "Before you, there was
another king who once passed by this place. Everyone gathered to see
him as well. But, few days later he died and was buried in a place
nearby. A poor man also died during that time and was buried near the
king's grave. After some time, a strong flood passed through that area
causing those graves to overturn. As a result, the bones of the poor
man became mixed up with those of the king's. We could not
differentiate between them any longer. After seeing this, it does not
matter to me anymore as to who is a king and who is a beggar. In the
end, our home is the same."
Imam Zein elabdin (as)said: The world and its affairs will seem
insignificant for the one with great and cleric personality.
Imam Muhammad Bagher (as)said: To recognize the world insignificant is
the highest stage of certainty in faith.
The Hereafter - Ma'ad by Ayatullah Dastghaib Shiraazi (q.s.)