Benefits of Duaa

Numan bin Basheer narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Duaa isibadat." Then
He readthis ayat . (Tirmizi, Abu Dawod, and Ibn-e-Majah)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "In the court of Allah,
there is nogreater thing than duaa" (Ibn-e-Majah)
Abdullah bin Umar narrates from Rasool-Allah ," Amongwhatever has been
descended and whatever has not been descended Duaa is beneficial of
all. Oh people of Allah! Assume Duaa a must for yourselves. (Tirmizi)
Abdullah bin Umar from Rasool-Allah ,"For whoever the door of duaa
opened, for him the doors of mercy are opened. Whatever duaa is asked
from Allah the best duaa is for well-being and safety among them."
(Tirmizi)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Allah isextremely
displeased with the person who doesn't do duaa to Allah". (Tirmizi)
Salman narrates fromRasool-Allah , "Your Rab is modest and kind. A
person raise his hands in HIS court and HE leave them empty, Allah
shies from it." (Tirmizi and Abu Dawood)
Jabir narrates from Rasool-Allah ,"Whoever does duaa to Allah, Allah
fulfills his seeking or in exchange averts misfortune until the duaa
is not related to sin or breaking some relation." (Tirmizi)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Do duaa to Allah with this
confidence that HE will accept it and know this well that Allah
doesn't accept the duaa done with a negligent and careless heart.
(Tirmizi)
Salman Farsi narrates from Rasool-Allah ,"Duaa turns away destiny and
good deeds lengthen age. (Tirmizi)
Umar narrates that,"Whenever Rasool-Allah raised his hands for duaa He
did not put down them down until HE took both hands over his face."
(Tirmizi)
Aisha (Radi Allahu Anha) narrates that,"Rasool-Allah liked duaas that
were inclusive and he left the rest." (Abu Dawood)
Abdullah bin Umar narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Duaa for a person not
present is accepted quickly by Allah." (Tirmizi and Abu Dawood)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Three duaas are such in
which there is no doubt of their acceptance: 1) Father's duaa 2)
Traveler's duaa 3) Duaa of the oppressed". (Timizi, Ibne Majah)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Three types of people's
duaas are not rejected: 1) At the time of iftar the person who has
fasted 2) Adil ruler's duaa 3) The duaa of the oppressed. Allah raises
the duaa of the oppressed on the clouds and the doors of heaven are
opened for it and Allah says, "Oath of MY Majesty and Honour! I will
help and aid you. Even though if the help is after few days."
(Tirmizi)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "When anyone of you does
duaa then don't say "Oh Allah! Forgive me if you want", "Have mercy on
me if you want", "Give me subsistence if you wish" rather believe
completely that HE will do whatever HE wishes. Nobody can force HIM."
(Bukhari)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Allah excepts the duaa of a
person till the duaa is not related to sin or breaking of some
relation and until he does not haste in that duaa. The people (May
Allah be happy with them) asked, "Oh Rasool-Allah! What is meant by
haste?" He replied,"That the person say "I did duaa again and again
but my duaa wasn't accepted and afterwards he becomes hopeless and
leaves the duaa. This is called haste." (Muslim)
Jabir narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Don't do Bad-duaa [against]
yourself, your wealth, or for your children. May it be the moment of
acceptance in the court of Allah and your Bad-duaa be accepted.
(Muslim)
Boraidah narrates that Rasool-Allah heard a man performingduaa like so
*1, so He said, "He [the man] has performed duaa with the Ism-e-Azam
and when Allah is asked through the Ism-e-Azam,Allah grants and when
duaa is performed with it HE accepts it." (Tirmizi and Abu Dawood)
Asma binte Yazeed (Radi Allahu Anha) narrates from Rasool-Allah
,"Ism-e-Azam is in these two ayahs and in the beginning of Ale-Imran .
" (Tirmizi and Abu Dawood)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Saying is dearer to me than
this world and all that is in it." (Mislim)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah ,"Whoever said hundred times
in one day his sins are erased even if they are equal to the foam of
the sea." (Muslim and Bukhari)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Every Prophet had a special
duaa which is accepted in the court of Allah. All Prophets were in
quick in their duaas. On the day of Judgment, for theintercession of
my Ummah, I have saved my duaa. My duaa will reachto every person in
my ummah, who did not make any partners with Allah. (Muslim)

Etiqette of Eating food

Aisha Siddiqa (Radi Allahu anha) narrates that the Prophet of Allah
said, "Whenever one eats then he should say the name of Allah (say )
and if he forgets to say Bismillah in the beginning then he should
say, " " (Tirmizi, Abu Dawood, and Hakim)
Wahshi Bin Harb (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates that the Prophet of Allah
said, "Eat together and read , in this, there is blessing for you."
(Masnad Imam-e-Ahmad, Sunan-e-Abi Dawood, Ibne Majah)
Jabir Bin Abdullah (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates that the Prophet of
Allah said, "Whenever someone enters the house and at the time of
entering and eating recites , the Shaitan says to his offspring that
"you will not be able to live or eat in this home", and if at the time
of entrance onedoesn't read then he [the devil] says "that you have
found a place to live" and if someone doesn't read at thetime of
eating then he says "you found a place to live and you have found
food." (Sahih Muslim)
Amr Bin Abi Salma (Radi Allahu anhuma) narrates that I was child in
the care of the Prophet of Allah . While eating I would put my mouth
on every side of the dish. Rasul-Allah said,"After reading , eatfrom
the right side and eat from that side of the dish which is nearer to
you. (Bukhari and Muslim)
Jabir Bin Abdullah and Asma (Radi Allahu anhuma) narrate that
Rasul-Allah said, "Coolyour meal because thereis no blessing in hot
food. (Rawahul-Hakim and Abu Dawood)
Abu Saeed Khizri (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates that the Prophet of Allah
used to recite after eating food. (Tirmizi)
Aqba Bin Amir (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates Rasul-Allah said, "Thatmeal
which has not been read on is illness and there is no blessing in it.
The compensation for it is that if the table cloth has not been picked
up then read and eat somethingand if the table cloth hasbeen picked up
then read and a lick the fingers. (Ibn Asakar)
Ans Bin Malik (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Rasul-Allah
said,"Whenever you eat or drink, read this, then you will not get any
illness even if it has poison: (Rawahul Daylmee)
Abdullah Bin Umar (Radi Allahu anhuma) narrates that Rasul-Allah
said,"When one eats then he should eat with the righthand and when one
drinks then he should drink with the right hand. (Bukhari & Muslim)
Ka'ab Bin Malik (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates Rasul-Allah would eat with
three fingers and before wiping would lick them with the tongue.
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Jabir bin Abdullah (Radi Allahu anhuma) narrates that Rasul-Allah
said,"Lick the fingers and the dish. You don't know which part of meal
has blessings." (Sahih Muslim)
Nobelsha (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates from Rasul-Allah said,"Whoever,
after eating will lick the dish, that dish will do Istighfar for him.
(Tirmizi and Musnad-e-Imam Ahmad)
Abdullah Bin Abbas (RadiAllahu anhuma) narrates the Prophet of Allah
said, "Do not blow from your mouth into food and water." (Rawahe
Tibrani)
Aisha Siddiqa (Radi Allahu anha) narrates that Rasul-Allah entered the
house and saw some fallen bread. He picked it up, wiped it,and ate it.
Afterwards Hesaid, "Aisha, respect good things. When this thing
(bread) runs away from a nation it doesn't return." (Ibn-e-Majah)
Abdullah Bin Umme Haraam (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Rasul-Allah
said,"Respect bread. It is fromthe blessings of the skiesand earth.
Whoever eats fallen bread from the table cloth for him there is
Maghfirah [salvation]. (Rawahe Tibrani)
Aisha Siddiqa (Radi Allahu anha) narrates that Rasul-Allah said,"Do
not get up fromFrom food (DastarKhawan-Mat) until Food has been picked
up" (Ibn-e-Majah)
Abudllah Bin Umar (Radi Allahu anhuma) narrates that Rasul-Allah
said,"When the table cloth is chosen, no one should stand until the
table cloth is picked up and heshould not take away hishand from the
food untilall have finished eating. If he his going to stop his hands
from the food, he should excuse himselfbecause without excusing
(oneself) to stopping the hands will embarrass the other person
sitting on the table cloth and he too will pull his hands from the
food and it's possiblethat he might still necessitate food.
Ans Bin Malik (Radi Allahu anhuma) narrates that Rasul-Allah
said,"Whoever wants that Allah Ta'ala increase blessings and goodness
in his home then he should do wudu when the food is presented in front
of him and do wudu when it is picked i.e., wash the hands and the
mouth. (Ibn-e-Maajah)
Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates that the Rasul-Allah said,
"If there is the smellof grease on one's hand and he sleeps without
washing the hands and some problem reaches him then he should blame
himself. (Tirmizi, Abu Dawood, and Ibn-e-Maajah)
Abu Abs Bin Jabr (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Rasul-Allah
said,"Take off the shoes while eating because this is the better way."
(Rawahul Hakim)
Abu Jahefa (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates from Rasul-Allah said, "I don't
eat while (resting) on a pillow. (Bukhari)

Zikr of Allah

Abu Darda narrated that Rasool Allah said,"Should I not tell you of
such a thinga which are the best and purest deeds in the court of your
Lord, high in ranks (darajat), better for you then spending gold and
silver (in Allah's path), and better than slaying the neck of the
enemy during war? The Sahaba said, "Yes, Oh Rasool Allah! ." He said,
"Itis Zikr of Allah." (Tirmizi)
Abu Huraira narratedthat Rasool Allah said,"Any gathering in which
people sit and do not do Zikr of Allah and do not send Durood upon
their Prophet is of loss for them. If Allah wills, give them azab
(punishment) and if wills, forgive them." (Tirmizi)
Abu Huraira narratedthat Rasool Allah said,"Allah Tabaraka wa Ta'ala
says when a person moves his lips forZikr of Allah, I am with him. "
(Bukhari)
Abu Huraira narratedthat Rasool Allah said,"Allah Tabaraka wa Ta'ala
says I am closer to my slave than his supposition of which he keeps of
me. And when he/her does Zikr of Allah,I am with him/her. If he does
Zikr in his heart, I do his Zikr near MY proximity (closeness) and if
he does Zikr in a gathering, I mention him in a gathering Afdhal
(better) than it. (Bukhari)
Abu Musa Ash'ari narrated that Rasool Allah said, "He/She who does
Zikr of Allah and he/she who doesn't,their example is of like an alive
and a dead. (Bukhari)
Abu Huraira said thatRasool Allah said, "The angels look for those who
do Zikr of Allah on the paths. Whenthey find those who are doing Zikr
of Allah then they call each other, "Come, your desired has been
found." Then thoseangels cover those are doing Zikr of Allah up to the
skies of this world with their wings. And Allah Rabbul Izzat says
about them to those angels "What are my slave doing?" Though Allah
knows more than those angels. The angels say, "Those people are doing
your Tasbeeh, Tahmeed, and Tamjeed."Rab Ta'ala says, "Have they seen
me?" The angels say, "We swear byyour pure Entity, they have not seen
you." Rab Ta'ala says to them, "If they had seen me then what would be
their state?" The angels say, "If they could've seen you then they
would do your Tamjeed and your Tasbeeh even more."
Rab Ta'ala says, "What slaves are asking from me?" The angels say,
"They are asking for Jannat from you." Rab Ta'ala says, "Have they
seen Jannat?" The angelssay, "We swear by Your Pure Entity, they have
not seen Jannat." Rab Ta'ala says, "If they had seen Jannat then what
would be their state?" The angels say, "If these people had seen
jannat then their greed, desire, and inclination for it would
increase. Rab Ta'ala says, "What else are they doing?" The angels say,
"They are seeking refuge." Rab Ta'ala says, "From what are they
seeking refuge?" The angels say, "They are seeking refuge from Hell."
Rab Ta'ala says, "Have they seen Hell?" The angels say, "Oh Rab, we
swear by Your Pure Entity, they have not seen it." Rab Ta'ala, "If
they had seen it then what would be their state?" The angels say, "If
they had seen it then they would run even further away from it and
fear it even more.
Rab Ta'ala says, "angels, Be witnesses that I have forgiven them." An
angelsays, "There is one person amongst them who is not part of those
who do Zikr, he is there for some necessity of his/her." Rab Ta'ala
says, "These are such people that even those sitting among them are
not deprived." (Bukhari)
Anas narrated that Rasool Allah said, "When you pass by gardens of
paradise, eat fruits of them. The Sahaba said, "What are the gardens
of Paradise?" He said, "The gatherings of Zikr." (Tirmizi)
Abu Huraira narratedAbu Saeed Khudri said that Rasool Allah said,
"Whenever a Jama'at (a group of people) sits for Zikr of Allah, the
angels surround it. Blessing covers that Jama'at. And peace and calm
descends on them. And Allah mentions them to the angels present in
HIScourt. (Muslim)
Ameer Muaviah narratedthat the Rasool Allah passed by a Jama'at and
asked them, "Why have you gathered here?" Some people of the Jammat
replied, "We have gathered here for the Zikr and Hamd of Allah because
by guidingus towards Islam He did favor on us. Rasool Allah said, "By
Allah, have you gathered only for this (purpose)?" They said, "By
Allah, we have gathered here only for such purpose. Rasool Allah said,
"I did not give you oath because ofany imputation (doubt) rather it is
because Jibraeel came to me and told me that Allah Azzawajal boasts of
you in the gathering of the angels. (Muslim)
Abdullah Bin Abbas narrated that Rasool Allah said, "The Shaitan
sticks to the heart of the child of Adam. When he does Zikr of Allah,
he (the Shaitan) runs away fromhim. And when the child of Adam becomes
careless from the Zikr of Allah, the Shaitan beginsto put was-wasah
(evil suggestions) into his heart. (Bukhari)
Abdullah Bin Umar narrated that Rasool Allah said, "Don't have a
conversation [without] Zikr of Allah. Because talking too much without
Zikr of Allah is the reason for the heart's hardness andwretchedness.
And that person becomes distant from Allah in whose heart there is
wretchedness. (Tirmizi)
Abudullah Bin Bisr narrated that one person asked, "Ya RasoolAllah!
There are manycommands on me of Islam. Tell me of such a thing which I
may hold on to steadfast. Rasool Allah replied, "Always keep your
tongue wet from Zikr of Allah." (Tirmizi)
Abdullah Bin Bisr narrated that a villager came to the Holy Court
ofRasool Allah and asked, "Which man is thebest?" Rasool Allah said,
"It is the luck and good-fortune of that person whose life is longand
his deeds are good."He asked, "Ya Rasool Allah! Which deed is the
best?" Rasool Allah said, "Your tongue bewet from Zikr of Allah when
you part from this world. (Tirmizi)
Muaaz bin Jabal narrated that Rasool Allah said, "The people of Jannat
will only regret that momentwhich had been empty of Zikr of Allah."
(Beheqi)

The caliphate of 'Umar -III

Conquest of Jerusalem , 15 AH/ 636 AD
In course of time, when Muslim troops were winning victories in
Antakiyah and its suburbs, Yazeed bin Abu Sufyaan the governor of
Damascus sent his brother, Mu'aawiyah bin Abu Sufyaan towards
Qaisariyah (Caesarea or Kayseri) as per the Caliph's order. After a
heavy toll of 80,000 Christians, the city fell to the Muslims.
Heraclius now ordered Artabun, anoted general, to gather troops in
Ajnadain. Artabun kept a huge army under his direct command and two
other detachments in Ramlah and Jerusalem . The opponents of Islam
were well-equipped and huge in number, awaiting the arrival of the
Muslim force. 'Amr bin Al-'Aas marched to Ajnadain to face Artabun
while he dispatched Alqamah bin Hakeem Firaasi and Masroor bin Al-Akki
to Jerusalem and Abu 'Ayyoob Al-Maaliki to Ramlah with the permission
of Abu 'Ubaydah . A fierce battle was fought in Ajnadain. It was a
conflict similar to Yarmook. Artabun could not muster courage to face
'Amr bin Al-'Aas and fled to Jerusalem and the cityfell to the Muslim
forces.
After the getaway of Artabun to Jerusalem, 'Amr bin Al-'Aas conquered
Ghazzah (Gaza), Sabastiyah, Nabulus (Nablus), Ludd, Amawas, Bayt
Jibreen, and Yafa (Yafo). He then proceeded to Jerusalem and tightened
the siege. About the same time, Abu 'Ubaydah had proceeded to
Palestine . The news of his arrival disheartened the besieged
Christians who until then, had been defending themselves. They were
left with no alternative but to accept peace negotiations. All of them
knew about the readiness of the Muslims to accept a peace proposal and
theireasy terms. However, the Christians of Jerusalem put an unusual
condition on finalizing the peace agreement. They wanted the Caliph of
Islam to reach Jerusalem to write down the peace document. Even though
the fall of the city was only a matter of time, Abu 'Ubaydah was in
favor of avoiding further death and destruction, so he preferred peace
to war. He wrote a letter tothe Caliph describing the whole account of
events with the request that his arrival in Jerusalem could win for
them thecity without shedding a drop of blood.
'Umar convened a meeting ofall the distinguished Companions and
consulted them. 'Uthmaan declared that the Christians had been struck
with terror and had lost heart and that if the Caliph were to reject
their request, they would be still more humiliated, and consider that
theMuslims regarded them with utter contempt, they would lay down
their arms unconditionally.'Ali however, dissented from this view and
gave the contrary opinion; and 'Umar shared the same opinion.
'Umar's journey to Palestine
On this historic mission to Jerusalem , a bag full of parched barley
meal, a camel, a slave, and a wooden cup were all the belongings of
'Umar the Chiefof the Muslims, when he left Al-Madeenah, the
headquarters ofIslam. Leaving 'Uthmaan in charge of Al-Madeenah, he
set out on the journey noted for its strain and stress.
It was a unique scenario of Islamic equality and human dignity, that
at times, the Caliph sat on the camel and the slave walked along
holding the rein of the camel and at other times, vice versa. It was
the journey of a magnificent and powerful Islamicruler whose cavalry
had already trampled down palaces and crowns and thrones under the
hooves of its horses. It was Rajab16 AH (After Hijrah), when Madaa'in
and Antakiyah ( Antioch ) had been conquered.
The commanders of the Muslim forces at Damascus and Jerusalem had
already been informed aboutthe movement of the Caliph of Islam. Thus
Yazeed bin Abu Sufyaan, Abu 'Ubaydah bin Al-Jarraah and Khaalid bin
Al-Waleed received the Caliph of Islam with exemplary honor. However,
when 'Umar saw them arrayed in brilliant dresses and imposing
appearance, he flew into a fit of rage at the sight of them and
remarked: "Within the short span of two years have you fallen into
Persian habits?" However, when the officers explained that they had
their weapons beneath their luxurious dresses and they had not lost
their Islamic character, the Caliphgained peace of heart.
The Caliph stayed for a long whileat Jabiah, where some of the nobles
of the city proceeded to see him and the treaty was drawn up there.
The elite of the Companions like Khaalid bin Al-Waleed, 'Amr bin
Al-'Aas, 'Abdur-Rahmaan bin 'Awf and Mu'aawiyah subscribed to it.
The Conquest of Egypt
During 'Umar's stay in Jerusalem , 'Amr bin Al-'Aas had obtained his
consent for launching an attack on Egypt . 'Amr marched to Egypt at
the head of 4000 troops. In his dispatch from Al-Madeenah, the Caliph
of Islam put before Muqawqis, the king of Egypt , three conditions:
accept Islam or pay Jizyah (poll protection tax as a sign of their
surrender to Muslims) or prepare for battle. The Roman general Artabun
along with his entire army was in Egypt at that time. First Artabun
moved forward andthen fled the battlefield after experiencing a
decisive defeat.
Afterwards the Muslim army advanced further and laid siege around 'Ayn
ash-Shams and from there dispatched two squadrons to besiege Farama
and Alexandria . Both the cities fell to the Muslim troops. 'Amr bin
Al-'Aas then sent Az-Zubayr bin Al-Awwaam to Fustaat as a commander;
he conquered the fortified citadel after a heavy encounter. 'Amr bin
Al-'Aas attacked Alexandria , which fell after a siege of three
months.
The Summary of Conquests
The area of conquests during the Caliphate of 'Umar is said to have
spread over 2,2,500,000 square miles. This was the result of victories
won by people who were once considered "small and wretched" against
the mighty empires of Persia and Rome . The conquests of the Caliph
'Umar include Persia , Iraq , Jazeerah, Khurasaan, Baluchistan , Syria
, Palestine , Egypt , and Armenia . The provinces carved out by 'Umar
himself in 22 AH, were Makkah, Al-Madeenah, Syria, Jazirah, Basrah,
Kufah, Egypt, Palestine, Khurasaan, Azerbaijan and Persia. Some of
them were equal to two provinces in area, with two centers of power
and separate governors and their administrations.
Firsts accomplished by 'Umar
'Umar invented and enforced many things in the sphere of financial,
political, administrative and social spheres, which are
accomplishments first instituted by him. Some of them are mentioned
below:
· He set up a formal Bayt-ul-Maal or public treasury and
introduced the Hijri calendar
· He adopted the appellation of Ameer Al-Mu'mineen (Commander of
the Faithful)
· He established a regular department for the military; a
separate department for financialaffairs, and fixed the salaries for
men in voluntary services.
· He also introduced the practice of measuring the land and
keeping its record, adopted acensus system, he had canals dugand
populated cities like Koofah, Basrah, Jeezah, Fustaat ( Cairo ) and
delineated provinces out of the occupied territories.
· He was first to allow traders of rival countries to enter
Muslim territories for the purpose of business.
· He was also the first to makeuse of the whip for corporal
punishment and set up a prison and police department.
· He introduced a system of collecting direct information
concerning states and conditions of the masses, he established a
secret intelligence service.
· He had wells bored, built houses and fixed a daily payment for
the destitute among the Christians and the Jews.
Martyrdom of 'Umar Al-Faarooq
'Umar was one day walking in Al-Madeenah when a Persian youth, named
Fayrouz who was known by the patronymic `Abu-Lu'lu'ah, met him. That
youth was a slave under Al-Mugheerah bin Shu'bah and had been taken
captive after the conquest of Nahawand. He complained to the Commander
ofthe Faithful about his master, saying that he had imposed uponhim a
very heavy tax. 'Umar askedhim about his job, and he answered that he
worked as a carpenter, a blacksmith and a house painter. Then 'Umar
remarked that the tax his master had imposed upon him was quitefair,
but the youth was not happywith that remark, and went awayfull of
indignation.
The next day when the people assembled in the mosque to perform the
morning prayer, Fayrouz came into the mosque armed with a poisonous
dagger. As the ranks of the congregation were put straight and in
order, and 'Umar came up and took his position at the head of the
ranks to lead the prayer, Fayrouz suddenly rushed from the first rank
and struck 'Umar six consecutive blows, one of which fell below his
navel.
He was wounded on Wednesday, Thul-Hijjah 27, 23 AH, died, and was
buried on Muharram 1, 24 AH. His term as Caliph was ten and a half
years. Suhayb led his funeral prayer. ' Ali , Az -Zubayr, 'Uthmaan,
'Abdur-Rahmaan bin 'Awf and 'Abdullaahbin 'Umar lowered his body into
the grave and performed theburial service.