Paradise - Jannah - Some Superstitions About Paradise

The verses depicting Paradise awake in the reader today the same sense
of grandeur, quality, beauty, richness,bounteousness, well-being, and
prosperity as they did 14centuries ago. All of the values associated
with Paradise have been desired by people of every period of history
and of every social class. For example, the gold, silver, and precious
jewels in Paradise, as described in the Qur'an, are even more in
demand today than theywere in the past.
The Qur'an also mentions that silk will befound in Paradise. Today,
either as clothingor for decorative purposes, silk is preferred as a
high quality material. At the same time, it is a symbol of wealth and
grandeur. All of the precious thingsused to describe Paradise are far
more valuable today than theywere 1,400 years ago.
Again, the beautiful residences, palaces, and mansions mentioned in
the Qur'an are luxurious places desired by everyone regardless of when
they live. Today's villas and mansions are all of this category, and
are marks of distinction, quality, and wealth.
Similarly, the thrones, couches, and cushions ofParadise form a part
of the most comfortable and grand interior decoration. This kind of
aesthetically beautiful furnishing is today displayed in the grandest
of places.
Allah is the owner of all material things, and it belongs to His glory
to find His beloved servantsworthy of all of these beautiful things,
both in this life and the next.
Does Paradise Contain Things Not Mentioned in the Qur'an?
The Qur'an describes Paradise through examples and comparisons taken
from this world, for people can imagine something unknown only in
terms of that which is known to them. However basic the description
might be, it gives a certain idea. The Qur'an's detailed and subtle
descriptions of Paradise's blessings show us that these blessings and
beauties are superior to the best, most beautiful, and highest quality
things to be found in this world.
The Qur'an describes Paradise by giving examples of the most
desirable, high quality, and rarest things. For example, women with
large dark eyes have a rare quality that gives them an extremely
aesthetic and attractive appearance. Therefore, women in Paradise
havelarge, dark gazelle-like eyes. This does not meanthat no women
there have green, blue, or brown eyes, but only serves to emphasize
the excellent quality of Paradise and Allah's statement that the
finestthings here are much finer there. To give another example: The
Qur'an says that every kind of fruit is present inParadise. But, in
various verses, bananas and figs are generally singled outmore often
as the preferred fruits. Of course, these fruits are two blessings
chosen from the infinite abundance of all fruits inParadise.
The announcement that everything desired by everyone exists in
Paradise for their pleasure and to fulfill their hearts' desire is
enough to express the idea that Paradise's blessings are infinite and
far beyond human imagination. Everyone understands the Qur'an to the
degree of his or her faith, intelligence, and sincerity. Thus
disbelievers who read it with ill-intentions will understand the
verses about Paradise according to their own sterile ideas. However,
Paradise's superior beauty is evident to anyone who thinks about such
verses with an open and intelligent awareness. Allah displaysa perfect
design even in the smallest details of this world; surely, it would be
easy for Him tocreate far more excellentthings than these.
Indifference
Some people are indifferent to Paradise, saying: "If it comes; fine.
If it doesn't, that's fine too." However, in the afterlife there are
only two possibilities: Paradise or Hell. There is no option to go to
a place in between.
It is clear that someone who does not appreciateParadise as is due,
who does not long for or desire to attain it, is unworthy of it and
will never be admitted to it. There is only one place for such a
person to go: Hell. For this reason, being indifferent to Allah's
greatest grace and gift to believers and not desiring to enter it, as
well as persisting in this attitude is one of the clearest signs that
heor she belongs among the people of Hell.

--

- - - - -

And Allah Knows the Best!

- - - - -

Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

Hadith of HAJJ, Forty Hadithson HAJJ, Importance of HAJJ, Benefits of HAJJ

01 - Importance of Hajj
Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) has said, "By Allah, by
Allah, keep the House of your Lord in mind. Do not disregard it as
long as you remain (alive) because surely if it is ignored, then He
shall not look towards you (with His Mercy)."
02 - Hajj and Focusing on Allah
It has been narrated from Abi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir]
(peace be upon him) that in regards to the words of Allah, the
Glorious and High:
"So then hasten towards Allah, surely I (Muhammad) am a plain warner
to you from Him."(Holy Quran 51:50)
Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said, "Struggletowards Allah (perform Hajj)."
03 - Talbiyah and the Sacrifice
It has been narrated fromImam Ali [Ibn Abi Talib] (peace be upon him)
thathe said, "Jibril (Gabriel) descended to the Noble Prophet Muhammad
(blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) and said to him, 'O'
Muhammad! Command your companion's al-Ajj and al-Thalj. The al-Ajj is
to raise your voice in pronouncing the Talbiyah (Labbaik Allahumma
Labbaik) out loud, while the al-Thalj is to slaughter an animal (on
the day of Eid)."
04 - The Major Hajj (Hajj al-Akbar) and the Minor Hajj (Hajj al-Asghar)
It has been narrated by Mu'awiyah Ibn Ammar that he said, "I asked Aba
Abdillah [Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq] (peace be upon him) in
regards to the day of the major Hajj (Hajj al-Akbar) and he said,
'This is the day of the sacrifice ('EidulQurban), while the minorHajj
(Hajj al-Asghar) is theUmrah."
05 - The Benefits of Hajj
It has been narrated from al-Ridha [Imam Ali Ibn Musa] (peace be upon
him) that he said, "I have not seen a single thing which makes a
person free from want (financially secure) quicker, nor which is more
effective in removing poverty, than continuously performing Hajj (year
after year)."
06 - Dying While on the Way to Hajj
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) thathe said, "A person who dies while
proceeding towards Makkah or whilereturning back (from Makkah) will be
protected from the great distress of the Day of Resurrection."
07 - The Sanctity of the Guests of Allah
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) thathe said, "Those who perform Hajj and
the Umrah are the guests of Allah. If they ask Him for something, He
will grant it to them; if they call upon Him then He will answer them;
if they intercede (for others), their intercession will be accepted;
if they remain quiet, then He will begin to speak to them; for every
dirham which they spend (in their trip to Hajj), they will receive one
million dirhams in return."
08 - Preparing for the Ihram
It has been narrated fromHimad Ibn Isa that he said, "I asked Aba
Abdillah [Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq] (peace be upon him) on
how to prepare for the (wearing of the) Ihram? Imam Ja'far Ibn
Muhammad as-Sadiq (peace be upon him) replied, (One should prepare for
wearing the Ihram) by cutting the nails, trimming the moustache and
shaving the pubic hair."
09 - Looking at the Kaaba
It has been narrated fromal-Baqir [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali] (peace be
upon him) that: "As long as a person is looking at the Kaaba, good
deeds will be written (in his record) and one's evil deeds will be
erased until one turns away one's glance (from the Kaaba)."
10 - Intention for Hajj
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) that, "Hajj is of two types:Hajj for the
sake of Allah and Hajj for the sake of people. A person who performs
Hajj for Allah, surely his reward will be with Allah - Paradise; anda
person who performs Hajj for people, surely hisreward will be with
people (to give him) on the Day of Resurrection."
11 - Fasting on the Day ofTashriq in Mina (Makkah)
As-Sadiq [Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad] (peace be upon him) was asked,"Why
is it discouraged to fast on the days of Tashriq (11th, 12th, and 13th
of Dhul Hijjah)?" Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (peace be upon
him) replied, "Since people are visiting Allah and are His guests
(during these days), it is not advisable that a guest should fast in
the presence of the One whom he is visiting."
12 - Hajj or Jihad?
It has been narrated fromas-Sadiq [Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad] (peace be
upon him) who said,"There is no path from the paths of Allah which is
greater than Hajj, except when a person comes out with his swordand
strives in the way of Allah until he is martyred."
13 - Reward for the Tawaf (Circumambulationof Kaaba)
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his
family) has said, "A person who circumambulates this House (the Kaaba)
seven times and performs the two Rak'at Salat (of Tawaf) in the best
form possible will have his sinsforgiven."
14 - Hajj and the Renewalof the Pledge
Abi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir] (peace be upon him) has
said, "The Hajr (Hajr Aswad - the Black Stone) is like the pledge (of
Allah) and rubbing the hand over it is like making a pledge of
allegiance (to Allah)." Whenever Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir (peace
be upon him) would rub his hand over the Hajr Aswad he used to say:
"O' Allah! I have fulfilled my trust and have renewed my pledge so
that it (the HajrAswad) can bear witness that surely I have
fulfilledmy responsibility."
15 - The Success and Perpetuity of Islam
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) who said, "As long as the Kaaba is
standing, the religion (of al-Islam) will remain standing."
16 - Philosophy behind the Name "Al-Kaaba"
It has been narrated that Abi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir]
(peace be upon him) was asked, "Why is it (the Kaaba) named Baitul
Atiq (the Emancipated House)?" Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir (peace
be upon him) replied: "Because this house is free and emancipated from
people and was never under the ownership of anyone."
17 - Three Sacred Things
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) who said, "Surely Allah, the Noble and
Grand, has made three things sacredand there is nothing else
equivalent to them: His Book (Holy Quran) which is His Command and
Divine Light; His House (The Kaaba) which He hasmade as the focal
point (Qiblah) and He will not accept from anyone facing any other
direction; and the family of your Prophet."
18 - Donations to Maintain the Kaaba
It has been narrated fromImam Ali [Ibn Abi Talib] (peace be upon him)
who said, "If I were to possess two valleys flowing with gold and
silver, I would not donatea single thing to the Kaaba because it would
reach the (unworthy) people who maintain theKaaba - and not to the
poor and deserving people."
19 - The Safety of the Sanctuary (Haram)
It has been narrated from'Abdullah Ibn Sanan fromAba Abdillah [Imam
Ja'farIbn Muhammad as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) thathe asked, "What is
the meaning of His words: {And whosoever enters into it (the Haram),
does so in safety.}
Does this refer to the Kaaba or the entire Sanctuary (Haram)?"
Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (peace be upon him) replied, "A
person who enters into the Sanctuary (Haram) seeking protection, shall
remain protected; whoever from amongst the true believers enters into
the Sanctuary (Haram) seeking protection from the wrath of Allah shall
be protected from it; and whichever wild and domestic animal or bird
enters into the Sanctuary (Haram) will be protectedfrom being
disturbed and bothered until it leaves the Sanctuary (Haram)."
20 - The Four Chosen Cities
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his
family) has said,"Surely Allah has chosen four cities from amongst all
others, just as He, the Noble and Grand has said(in the Holy Quran):
"I swear by 'the fig' and 'the olive' and the 'Mountain of Sinai' and
by this protected city." (Holy Quran 95:1-3)
'The fig' is the city of Madinah; 'The olive' is the city of Baitul
Maqdis (in Jerusalem); 'The Mountain of Sinai' is Kufah; and the
protected city is Makkah."
21 - Performing Hajj withHaram (Forbidden) Wealth
Abi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir] (peace be upon him) has
said, "Allah, the Noble and Grand shall not accept Hajj or Umrah of a
person who performs them using Haram (Forbidden) wealth."
22 - Etiquette of Hajj
It has been narrated fromAbi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir]
(peace be upon him) that he said, "It doesnot matter if one visits
this House (Kaaba) if he does not possess three traits: Cautiousness
(Wara) which prevents him from sinning; forbearance which helps him
rule over his anger; and good interaction with those who are with
him."
23 - Exemptions for Women in Hajj Rites
It has been narrated fromAbi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir]
(peace be upon him) that he said, "The following things are not
necessary for women to perform in Hajj: women do not have to pronounce
Talbiyah (Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik) out loud; nor dothey have to
perform the Harwalah (act of briefly running) between the mountains of
al-Safa and al-Marwah; the rubbing of the hand on the Hajr Aswad - the
Black Stone; entering into the Kaaba; and the shaving of the head;
instead, they only cut some of their hair."
24 - Distribution of Mercy in the Vicinity of the Kaaba
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) thathe said, "For Allah, the Noble and
Grand, there are 120 parts of Mercy around the Kaaba. From these,
sixty are for those performing the Tawaf around the Kaaba; forty are
for those performing the prayers; and twenty are for those just
looking(at the Kaaba)."
25 - Hijr (Wall) of Isma'il
Aba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad as-Sadiq](peace be upon him)
said, "Isma'il buried his mother (Hajrah) in the (area) of the Hijr
and then built a semi-circle shaped wall over it so that people would
not step upon her grave."
26 - Three Hundred and Sixty Tawaf of the Kaaba
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) who said, "It is recommended that a
person does the Tawaf of the Kaaba three hundred and sixty times - the
number of days in a year and if one is unable to doso, then one should
perform the Tawaf as much as possible."
27 - Rubbing the Corner of the Hajr Aswad - the Black Stone
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his
family) has said,"Perform the Tawaf of the House (Kaaba) and rub your
hand over the Corner which has Hajr Aswad - the Black Stone, because
this is the right hand of Allah on His Earthwhich He shakes with His
creations."

HAJJ AND UMRAH REFERENCES IN HOLY QURAN, AL-BAQARA, AL-E-IMRAN, AL-MAEDA, AL-HAJJ

01. Surely the Safa and the Marwa (two mountains in Makkah) are among
the signs appointed by Allah; so whoever makes a pilgrimage to the
House or pays a visit (to it), there is no blame on him if he goes
round them both; and whoever does good spontaneously, then surely
Allah is Grateful, Knowing. 2:158
02. They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning the new moon. Say: They are
times appointed for (the benefit of) men, and (for) the pilgrimage;
and it is not righteousness that you should enter thehouses at their
backs, butrighteousness is this that one should guard (against evil);
and go intothe houses by their doorsand be careful (of your duty) to
Allah, that you may be successful. 2:189
03. And accomplish the pilgrimage (the Hajj and Umrah) and the visit
for Allah, but if, you are prevented, (send) whatever offering is
easyto obtain, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches
its destination; but whoeveramong you is sick or has an ailment of the
head, he (should effect) a compensation by fasting or alms or
sacrificing, then when you are secure, whoever profits by combining
the visit with the pilgrimage (should take) what offering is easy to
obtain;but he who cannot find (any offering) should fastfor three days
during the pilgrimage and for seven days when you return; these (make)
ten (days) complete; this is for him whose family is not present in
the Sacred Mosque, and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, and know
that Allah is severe in requiting (evil). 2:196
04. The pilgrimage is (performed in) the well-known months; so whoever
determines the performance of the pilgrimage therein, thereshall be no
intercourse nor fornication nor quarrelling amongst one another; and
whatever good you do, Allah knows it; and make provision, for surely
the provision is the guardingof oneself, and be careful(of your duty)
to Me, O men of understanding. 2:197
05. There is no blame on you in seeking bounty from your Lord, so when
you hasten on from"Arafat", then remember Allah near the Holy
Monument, and remember Him as He has guided you, though before that
you were certainly of the erring ones. 2:198
06. Then hasten on from the Place from which the people hasten on and
askthe forgiveness of Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
2:199
07. So when you have performed your devotions (manasik), then laud
Allah as you lauded your fathers, rather a greater lauding. But there
are some people who say, Our Lord! Give us in the world, and they
shall have no resting place. 2:200
AL-E-IMRAN (THE FAMILY OFIMRAN)
08. In it are clear signs, the standing place of Ibrahim, and whoever
enters it shall be secure, and pilgrimage to the House is incumbent
uponmen for the sake of Allah,(upon) every one who is able to
undertake the journey to it; and whoever disbelieves, then surely
Allah is Self-sufficient, above any need of the worlds. 3:97
AL-MAEDA (THE TABLE SPREAD)
09. O you who believe! Fulfill the obligations. The cattle quadrupeds
are allowed to you except that which is recited to you, not violating
the prohibition against game when you are entering upon the
performance of the pilgrimage; surely Allah orders what He desires.
5:01
10. O you who believe! Donot violate the signs appointed by Allah nor
the sacred month, nor (interfere with) the offerings, nor the
sacrificial animals with garlands, nor those going to the sacred house
seeking the grace and pleasure of their Lord; and when you are free
from the obligations of the pilgrimage, then hunt, and let not hatred
of a people - because they hindered you from the Sacred Masjid -
incite you to exceed the limits, and help one another in goodness and
piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression; and be
careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allahis severe in requiting
(evil). 5:02
11. O you who believe! Allah will certainly try you in respect of some
game, which your hands and your lances can reach, that Allah might
know who fears Him in secret; but whoever exceeds the limit after
this, he shall have a painful punishment. 5:94
12. O you who believe! Donot kill game while you are on pilgrimage,
and whoever among you shall kill it intentionally, the compensation
(of it) is the like of what he killed, from the cattle, as two just
persons among you shall judge, as an offering to be brought tothe
Kaaba or the expiation (of it) is the feeding of the poor or the
equivalent of it in fasting, that he may tastethe unwholesome result
of his deed; Allah has pardoned what is gone by; and whoever returns
(to it), Allah will inflict retribution on him; and Allah is Mighty,
Lord of Retribution. 5:95
13. Lawful to you is the game of the sea and its food, a provision for
you and for the travelers, andthe game of the land is forbidden to you
so long as you are on pilgrimage,and be careful of (your duty to)
Allah, to Whom you shall be gathered. 5:96
14. Allah has made the Kaaba, the sacred house, a maintenance for the
people, and the sacred month and the offerings and the sacrificial
animals with garlands; this is that you may knowthat Allah knows
whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and that
Allah is the Knower of all things. 5:97
AL-HAJJ (THE PILGRIMAGE)
15. Surely (as for) those who disbelieve, and hinder (men) from
Allah'sway and from the Sacred Mosque which We have made equally for
all men,(for) the dweller therein and (for) the visitor, and whoever
shall incline therein to wrong unjustly, We will make him taste of a
painful chastisement. 22:25
16. And when We assigned to Ibrahim the place of the House, saying: Do
not associate with Me aught, and purify My House for thosewho make the
circuit andstand to pray and bow and prostrate themselves.22:26
17. And proclaim among men the Pilgrimage: they will come to you on
foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path, 22:27
18. That they may witnessadvantages for them and mention the name of
Allah during stated days over what He has given them of the cattle
quadrupeds, then eat of them and feed the distressed one, the needy.
22:28
19. Then let them accomplish their needful acts of shaving and
cleansing, and let them fulfil their vows and let them go round the
Ancient House. 22:29
20. That (shall be so); and whoever respects the sacred ordinances of
Allah, it is better for him with his Lord; and the cattle are made
lawful for you, except that which is recited to you, therefore avoid
the uncleanness of the idols and avoid false words, 22:30
21. Being upright for Allah, not associating aught with Him and
whoever associates (others) with Allah, it is asthough he had fallen
from on high, then the birds snatch him away or the wind carries him
off to a far-distant place. 22:31
22. That (shall be so); and whoever respects the signs of Allah, this
surely is (the outcome) of the piety of hearts. 22:32
23. You have advantages in them till a fixed time, then their place of
sacrifice is the Ancient House. 22:33
24. And to every nation We appointed acts of devotion that they may
mention the name of Allah on what He has given them of the cattle
quadrupeds; so your god is One God, therefore to Him should you
submit, and give good news to the humble, 22:34
25. (To) those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and those
who are patient under that which afflicts them, and those who keep up
prayer, and spend (benevolently) out of what We have given them. 22:35
26. And (as for) the camels, We have made them of the signs of the
religion of Allah for you; for you therein is much good; therefore
mention the name of Allah on them as they stand in a row, then when
they fall down eat of them and feed the poor man who is contented and
the beggar; thus have We made them subservient to you, that you may be
grateful. 22:36
27. There does not reach Allah their flesh nor their blood, but to Him
is acceptable the guarding (against evil) on your part; thus has He
made them subservient to you, that you may magnify Allah because He
has guided you aright; and give good news to those who do good (to
others). 22:37

Islamic Ways

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings (of Allah)
On this wesbite, you'll find some interesting and informative Islamic
articles relating to one's character and the Muslim Ummah. If you have
any articles you'd like to submit, please provide the URL by signing
the guestbook.
[image]
View My Guestbook
Sign My Guestbook
On the authority of Abu al-Abbas Abdullahibn Abbas (radiyallahuanhum)
who said: Oneday, I was riding behind the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi
wa sallam) and he said to me, "O young man, I shall teach you some
words (of advice). Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be
mindful of Allah and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask,
ask of Allah. If youseek help, seek help inAllah. Know that if the
nation were to gather together to benefit you with something, they
would not be able to benefit you with anything except what Allah has
alreadyrecorded for you. And if they gather to harm you by something,
they would not be able to harm you by anything except what Allah has
already recorded against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages
have dried." (at-Tirmidi)

--

- - - - -

And Allah Knows the Best!

- - - - -

Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤