For children, - Valentine's Day Story: The Red Heart

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It could have been the splash of red or the over abundance of hearts, the young man in a designer jeans that caught his eye, but Sheikh Hamaad stopped under the bold "Valentine's day Specials" banner, set his shopping basket on the floor and watched the young man battling to select an appropriate gift from the heaps of hearts, teddy bears and chocolates. Like a busy humming bird he flitted from shelf to shelf struggling to choose.
Sheikh Hamaad approached him as he stood scratching his head, "Asalaamu Alaikum, young man, seems like you're battling to make a choice."
"Eish, Moulana, this is more difficult than I thought. And lucky I only have to choose for two of them," he said, picking up another heart decorated teddy bear, examining the price and putting down with disappointment.
"For your sisters?" Sheikh asked, feigning innocence.
"Naah, just friends, you know how it is. You have to do these things" came the prompt reply.
Sheikh Hamaad remained silent and fixed his gentle gaze on the young man, something more than the loud Billabong T-shirt and hipster jeans told him that this young man had more than a spark of intelligence.
"Tell me, how many Valentine's gifts do your sisters receive?"
"Hey, hey .... Moulana my sisters are not like that. They don't do this boyfriend thing. My sisters .... they are pure," exclaimed the young man an angry frown crossing his face. "Just let the guy try and send my sister's one flower and I will make him eat it. You don't know me!"
"Oh," said Sheikh Hamaad without any apology, "And your mother, how many Valentine's gifts does she get?"
The young man took a step back and glared at Sheikh Hamaad, "La Hawla Wala Quwwata Illa Billah" his words swallowed by his anger, "how can you even say such things about my mother? My mother, she doesn't do this stuff. She is like an angel. She is pure. How can you say this?"
Sheikh paused, waiting for the silence to absorb the boy's anger, then said, tauntingly, "So they don't receive any Valentine's gifts or have boyfriend's at all."
"I told you, Moulana, my family is pure and they don't do this junk stuff."
Knowing the moment was right Sheikh but forward his reasoning, "So you really don't like your sisters receiving these gifts or having boyfriends."
"No ways," came the emphatic reply, "not on my life."
"Then don't you think," Sheikh ventured, "that other people would also not like their sisters, mothers or aunts to receive such gifts. Just as you would like your sisters to remain pure, they would also like their sisters to be pure?"
The young man dropped his head and shifted his feet nervously, "You have a point, Moulana. Didn't ever think of it like that. I don't want to say ... but you are right. I shouldn't be polluting other people's family if I don't like my family to be polluted. This is all quite wrong isn't it?"
"Yes, it's quite wrong," without a hint of reprimand in his voice, "this is not our way."
"But," he asked, trying to conceal his embarrassment, "It's not like we doing anything serious. I mean it's only a gift. Not like we doing something physical ... so it should be ok, no?"
Without disturbing his calmness, Sheikh Hamaad replied, "Do you like to go fishing?"
"Now you are talking my language. Not a Sunday, not one, that we not by the dam," he replied his hands waving with excitement, "We sit the whole day me and my buddies. First we prime the place with milie bombs. Just so the fish know we there. And they come, Moulana. They come for the bait. The whole lot, man ....carpe, bass, white fish, you name it. But what's that got to do with buying gifts."
"When Shaytaan wants to trap someone," Sheikh replied serenely, "he first puts some bait. Innocent stuff like gifts, the odd sms, just a hello and then when the time is right .... he will strike and how you say ... you fall hook, line and sinker. Then he's got you and it's not long before he reels you in. So it starts with just a little bait. Just like the little gift that seems so innocent - it's the bait."
The young man beamed with this new found revelation and couldn't wait to ask, "You are so right! And you have an amazing way of getting a point across Moulana, you didn't just lecture me but you showed me how it is wrong. Thanks a mil. You must have learnt from a great teacher?"
"No doubt, I learnt from the best of all teachers," Sheikh answered, "In fact, the best of all mankind ... The Noblest Messenger of Allah - Rasulallah Sallahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam."

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Ramadhan ul Mubarak, - The Blessed Month of Ramadan al Kareem

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1. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “WhenRamadanbegins, the doors of heaven are opened.” A version has, “the doorsofParadise are opened and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Satans are tied with chains.” Another version has, “the doorsofMercy are opened.”[Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1, Page 255 and Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 346]
Hadrat Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:
The meaning of the “Doorsofheaven” being opened is the continous descending of mercy, and the ascensionofgood deeds to the Court of the Almighty without any obstacle (preventing it from ascending). It also means the acceptanceof(permissible) supplications. The meaning of the “doorsofParadise” being opened is being encouraged and granted the ability to perform good deeds, and the acceptance of these good deeds. The meaningofthe “doors of Hell” being closed is the protectionofthe souls of those who fast, from things which have been forbidden by the Islamic Law, and rescue from the things which provoke a person on doing bad deeds. It also means to break the desire which the heart hasofthings of lust. The meaningofSatan being tied with chains is the sealing off of all the ways by which evil whispers enter the mind.[Ashi’ah al-Lam’at]
2. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever fasts duringRamadanwith faith and seeking his reward (from Allah) all his past sins will be forgiven. Whoever prays during the night in Ramadan with faith seeking his reward (from Allah) all his past sins will be forgiven. And whoever passes Lailat-ul-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward (from Allah the Most Exalted) all his past sins will be forgiven.”[Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1, Page 255 and Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 259]
3. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “When the first nightofRamadan comes, the satans and the rebellious Jinn are chained, the doorsofhell are closed and not one of them is opened (during the entire themonthofRamadan); the doors of Paradise are opened and not onofthem is closed (the entire monthofRamadan); and a crier calls, ‘Those who desire what is good, come forward, and those who desire evil refrain from it’, and many people are freed from Hell by Allah, and that happens every night.”[Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 153 and Ibn Maajah, Vol 1, Page 118]
4. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Ramadan, a blessedmonth, has come to you during which Allah the Most High has made it obligatory for you to fast. In it the doors of Heaven are opened, the doorsofHell are closed, and the rebellious satans are chained. In it there is a night (worshipping in it) which is better than (worshipping for) a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good (and blessing) has indeed been deprivedofall good.”[Nasa’i, Vol 1, Page 299 and Mishkat, Vol 1, Page 173]
5. Hadrat Salman al-Farisi reported that on the last day of Sha’ban the MessengerofAllah delivered a sermon. He said, “O people, a great month, ablessedmonth, amonthwherein there is a night which is better than a thousand months has come to you. Allah has made the observance of fasting during it as obligatory, and the standing (in prayer) in its nights as voluntary. Whoever draws near to Allah during it with some good (voluntary, optional) act he is like the one who fulfils an obligatory duty in anothermonth, and whoever fulfils an obligatory duty in it is like the one who fulfils seventy obligatory duties in another month.[Mishkat, Page 173]
It is the monthofendurance and the reward of endurance is Paradise. It is themonthof sharing with others, and amonthin which the believer’s provision is increased. Whoever gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his fast it shall result in the forgiveness of his sins and it shall save him from Hell, and he will have a reward equal to his without his reward being diminished in any respect.”
We said, “O Messenger of Allah, no one from among us has the means to give one who is fasting something with which to break his fast. He said, “Allah gives this reward to him who gives one who is fasting some milk, or a date, or a drinkofwater with which to break his fast; and whoever gives a full meal to one who is fasting Allah will give him the drink from my Pond (fountain – Kauthar) and he will not feel the thirst till he enters Paradise.It is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness, and whose end is Freedom from Hell. Whoever makes things easy for his slave during it, Allah will forgive him and free him from Hell.”
6. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Holy Prophet has said, “My Ummah is granted forgiveness in the last night ofRamadan. It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, is it Lailatul Qadr?” He said, “No, but a workman (slaveofAllah) is paid wages in full when he finishes work.”[Musnad Imam Ahmad, Vol 2, Page 567]
7. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “It is not necessary to fast again (do qaza) for a person who naturally vomited. Those who vomit on purpose, then it is necessary on them to fast again.”[Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 153 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1, Page 324]
8. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “If one (who is fasting) does not give up falsehood and action according to it, Allah has no need that he should give up his food and his drink.”[Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1, Page 255]
Shaykh ‘Abd Al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:
This means that his fast shall not be accepted, as the main purpose of fast being made obligatory on a Muslim is not that one stays hungry and thirsty; but in fact the main purpose is to break the desire for lust, and to cool the fireofselfishness, so that the soul instead of being inclined towards the desiresoflust, it becomes obedient towards the commands of The Almighty.[Ashi’ah al-Lam’at Vol 2 Page 85]
9. Hadrat Salmah ibn Muhabbaq reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever has a riding animal (conveyance) which carries him to where he can get sufficient food, he should observe the fastofRamadan wherever he is, when it comes.”[Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1, Page 327]
10. Hadrat Anas ibn Malik al-Ka’bi reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah has remitted half the prayer to the traveller ; and fasting to the traveller, the woman who is suckling an infant and the woman who is pregnant.”[Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 152 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1, Page 327]
Hadrat Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:The Islamic Law allowing the omission of fast for the breast-feeding and the pregnant woman is only in the situation when fasting shall harm or damage herself or the child (otherwise there is no permission not to fast).[Ashi’ah al-Lam’ah Vol 2 Page 94]
11. Hadrat Abu Ayyub al-Ansari reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever fasts duringRamadanthen follows it with six days in Shawwal, it will be like a perpetual fast .”[Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 369]
12. Hadrat Abu Qatada reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “I seek from Allah that fasting on the dayof‘Arafah may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming year.” (It is disliked for a Haji, who is in the plainof‘Arafah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, to fast on that day (so that he can perform worship and engage himself in the rememberanceofAllah to his maximum).[Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 367]
13. Hadrat Hafsah reported, “There were four things which the Holy Prophet never omitted: fasting on ‘Ashurah (10th of Muharram), the first nine daysofDhul-Hijjah and three days (13th, 14th and 15th) every (Islamic) month and praying two rak’ats before the Fard prayersofFajr.”[Nasa’i, Vol 1, Page 328]
14. Hadrat Abu Dhar reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “O Abu Dhar! When you intend to fast three days in amonth, fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and the fifteenth.”[Nasa’i, Vol 1, Page 328 and Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 159]
Important Notes:
1. It is Makruh-e-Tehrimi (strongly disliked) and not permissible to fast on the 1st of Shawwal and the 10th, 11th, 12th or the 13thofDhul Hijjah.[al-Tahtawi Page 387, Radd al-Muhtar Vol 2 Page 86]
2. A person who woke up in the state that Ghusl was wajib upon him due to ihtilam (nocturnal emission) or after having intercourse, and stay in that state for the whole duration of the day, then he/she is very sinful due to missing the prayers, but the fast kept shall have to be kept (as fast does not break due being in a defiled state).[al-Bahr al-Ra’iq Vol 2 Page 273, and Fatawa-e-‘Alamgiri – Vol 1, Page 187]
3. If an ill person has a strong chance that his/her illness shall increase or shall heal after a long period of time or a healthy person has the chancesofbecoming ill, then these persons are allowed to break their fast.
4. There are 3 conditions needed in order to establish a strong estimation of something happening:
a) There are visible signs present.
b) The person has their own experience.
c) A Sunni Muslim doctor who is an expert in the field and who is Mastur-ul-Hal (not a fasiq) has informed the patient of this.
5. If there are no visible signs, nor is there any experience nor has he/she been informed by a Sunni Muslim expert doctor; but rather on the informing of a Non-muslim, a fasiq, a misguided doctor or a physicist, the person broke his fast, then they are obliged to give a kaffara (atonement) for it.[Radd al-Muhtar Vol 2 Page 120 and Bahar-e-Shari’at]
6. A person who purposely eats in front of people, then the Islamic Sultan (ruler) should kill him.
7. It is not permissible for people other than the Mu’takif to break their fast (do iftari), eat or drink in the Masjid.Hence, all those besides the mu’takif, who want to eat, drink or break their fast in the Masjid should make the intention of I’itikaf, then enter the Masjid. Now, after performing some dhikr and having recited Durud, one is permitted to eat and drink. However, even in this situation, it is necessary to take into consideration the cleanlinessofthe mosque. We see many people who disrespect the mosque; making it unclean by eating and drinking in it. This is strictly forbidden and Haram. People who have responsibilities and have authority should pay attention to this and prevent such disrespect to the mosque.

Ramadhan ul Mubarak, - Sighting of the Moon

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Hadrat ibn-e-‘Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Do not commence fasting (Ramadan) till you see the new moon, and do not cease fasting (perform Eid) till you see it. But if the weather is cloudy, or there is a smog in the sky(which prevents sighting of the moon), then complete 30 days of the month.”[Sahih Bukhari, Vol 1, Page 256]
In another narration, the Messenger of Allah, “The month sometimes is of twenty-nine days, but do not fast till you see the moon. But if the weather is cloudy or there is a smog, then complete thirty days of the month.”
Hadrat Sheikh ‘Abd al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehwli states:
According to the Islamic Law (Shari’ah), what the astrologers say or inform is not accepted and is unreliable. Neither the Messenger of Allah, his companions, their followers, nor the pious predecessors followed their utterances, and nor did they act upon them.[Ashi’ah al-Lam’at]
Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Commence the fast when you see it (the moon) and cease fasting (perform Eid) when you see it. But if the weather is cloudy, complete thirty days of Sha’ban.”[Sahih Bukhari, Vol 1, Page 256]
Hadrat Ibn ‘Abbas reported that a desert Arab came to the Holy Prophet and said, “I have seen the new moon i.e. the new moon of Ramadhan.” He asked, “do you testify that there is no god but Allah?” he said: yes. He then asked: do you testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Yes.” So, the Messenger of Allah said, “O Bilal, announce to the people that they must fast tomorrow.”[Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1, Page 320 and Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 148]
Hadrat Sheikh ‘Abd al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi states:
It has been proven from the Hadith that a person who is mastur-ul-Hal i.e. whose being a fasiq is not apparent, then his report or testimony is accepted for the beginning of the month of Ramadan. Stating the words of “shahadah” (bearing witness) is not a condition.[Ashi’ah al-Lam’at]
..::Important Notes on Sighting of the Moon::..
1. There are a few ways of proving the sighting the moon:
A. News of sighting the moon – on the night of the 29th of Sha’ban when the sky is not clear (cloudy), then the news of sighting the moon given by a muslim male or female, equitable or Mastur-ul-Haal (a person who’s inward state is concealed – whose fisq is not apparent) shall prove the beginning of Ramadan. In the case when the sky is clear, it is sufficient for a person who fulfils the above-mentioned criterions to see the moon outside the place where inhabitants are, such as in an open field, or on a high place. Otherwise, there should be such a great number of people, who witness the sighting of the moon with their naked eye. For the rest of the 11 months, in the case of the sky not being clear, then there should be two (2) witnesses who are equitable (‘adil). In the case of the sky being clear, there should be such a great number of people giving witness (bearing testimony for their sighting of the moon) whose unanimity on speaking falsehood is merely impossible rationally.[Radd al-Muhtar – Vol. 2 Pg. 94-95, and in al-Bahr al-Ra’iq – Vol. 2 Pg. 269]
B. Shahadat ‘ala al-Shahadah (witness upon witness) - this is when the witnesses have not seen the moon themselves. However, those who did see the moon bore witness in front of them of their sighting, and made them witnesses upon this. So, in this way the sighting of the moon is proven, only on the condition that the people who saw the moon are unable and incapable to be present in order to give their witness directly [to the Qazi or the ‘Alim if there is no Qazi]. The way to give witness in this situation is that each person from the people who saw the moon with their naked eyes, makes 2 persons their witness and ask them to become their witness that, “I saw the moon on the night of such and such a day, and such and such a month of such and such a year.” Then each person from the secondary witnesses testify that, “Such and such a person, the son of such and such a person has made me a witness on their sighting of the moon on the night of such and such day, of such and such a month of such and such a year, and they have asked me to become their witness on this sighting.”[Radd al-Muhtar Vol. 4 Pg. 409 and also in Fatawa al-Hindiyyah (‘Alamgiri) Vol. 3 Pg. 410.]
C. Shahadah ‘ala al-Qada’ (giving witness in front of an Islamic Judge) - this means that in another city there came witnesses in front of an Islamic Judge or a Mufti who bore witness of their sighting of the moon, and the Judge or the Mufti has passed a verdict that the moon has been seen, and in the time of giving the witness there were 2 reliable, trustworthy, righteous men present in the Dar-ul-Qada (the Islamic Court) who saw and heard the witnesses giving their witness. These 2 witnesses came to a different city or town and bore witness that, “In such and such a city in front of us and in the presence of the Judge (or the Mufti) there came witnesses who testified that they saw the moon on the night of such and such a day and the Mufti has declared sighting of the moon on such and such a day”, then this shall also be proof of sighting of the moon.[Fatawa al-Imam al-Ghuzza Pg. 6 and Fath al-Qadir Vol. 2 Pg. 243]
D. Istifadah (well-circulated reports) – when there is such a Grand-Mufti in an Islamic city to whom the mass majority of people flock towards in order to gain Islamic reluings petaining their everyday issues; and by whose fatwa the verdicts are given as regards to the beginning and the end of Ramadan and ‘Eidain; and in such a city the general public do not start or terminate fasting according to themselves, then if numerous groups of people come from that city to another and bear witness all at once that upon the sighting of the moon on such and such a day, the fasting of Ramadhan has commenced or that Eid was made, then this testimony shall also prove the sighting of the moon. However, if it is only rumours and no one knows who said it or on being asked how they knew the sighting of the moon, they say, “we heard” or “other people have said it”, then there is absolutely no istifadah upon such reports. Also, in a city where there is no Islamic mufti or there is but he is incapabile of issuing a Fatwa or is reliable and trustworthy but the general public in that city decide for themselves when to start and end Ramadan and Eid, (as is quite common nowadays,) then the unanimity or even the tawatur (mass-transmitted reports) from this city in this news can in no way prove the sighting of the moon.[Radd al-Muhtar Vol. 2 Pg. 97 and Fatawa-e-Radawiyyah Vol. 4 Pg. 553]
E. Termination of the number of days in a month - when 30 days of a month have passed then the sighting of the moon for the next month is proven. However, if upon the witness of one person the starting of Ramadhan was accepted, and by this calculation 30 days of Ramadhan had passed, but because of the sky not being clear the moon could not be seen, then the termination of the number of days in the month does not suffice, but in fact another fast should be kept.[Radd al-Muhtar Vol. 2 Pg. 97]
2. If the moon has been sighted according to the Shari’ah rules and conditions, then the sighting of people in the west is a certain proof of sighting of the moon for people living in the east.[Fatawa al-Imam al-Ghuzza Pg. 5]
3. A calendar or a timetable does in no way prove the sighting of the moon.[Radd al-Mohtar Vol. 2 Pg. 94]
4. Media reports do not in any way prove the sighting of the moon. Most of the time newspaper reports or reports from TV or the radio are just guesses and no more than rumours here and there. And even if the news is correct, but because of the sighting of the moon not being proven by Shari’ah rules and regulations it cannot be accepted in anyway.[Radd al-Muhtar Vol. 2 Pg. 97]
5. Letters also do not prove sighting of the moon, as one person’s handwriting can be identical to another. Hence there is doubt and it does benefit any knowledge of full certainty.[al-Durr al-Mukhtar and also in al-Hidayah]
6. News given via a telephone (or mobile) telegram or any satellite link is more unreliable than a letter as in a letter the addressee recognises the signature, writing and the stamp of the writer. Also in a letter, there is even a slight indication that the handwriting is of the actual writer, which is not present in the news given by a telephone or another satellite link. Furthermore, when the witness is behind a veil then their witness is not reliable as one voice is identical to another, then how is it possible that the sighting of the moon be reliable or even accepted when this news has reached via telephone, telegram (or similar) technogical equipment?! Plus the fact that in wordly matters and affairs, news received via the telephone is not accepted, nor is it reliable, then how can it be reliable in matters related to the religion; where one has to be extremely careful.[Fatawa-e-‘Alamgiri Vol. 3 Pg. 357]
7. Radio or Television: there are much more complexities and difficulties in receiving the news and accepting its reliability from a radio or a television than to receive it from a telegram or a telephone, as one can ask questions and receive answers via a telephone or a telegram whereas this is not the case on the radio or the television (when the news is given, discussions and debates are a different matter).
Conclusively, these new technological equipments can be used to spread news worldwide, but they cannot be accepted in the matters as related to giving shahadah witness. This is why in the court the judge does not give a verdict until the witnesses do not present themselves in the court to give their witness account. Telephone calls or news received from the telegram or radio, television are totally unaccepted.
The Messenger of Allah has stated: “But if the weather is cloudy, wait till thirty days of the previous month have passed.”
But it is quite a saddening and disappointing fact to see people in these days (most of them being neglectful of their prayers and the obligatory fasts) rise in uproar on receiving the news on the radio or the telephone or the television about the sighting of the moon. May Almighty Allah give them the guidance to act upon the sayings of the Beloved Prophet.
8. In a country where there is no Islamic Ruler, and nor is there any Qadi appointed for the task (of accepting or refusing the witnesses), then the Grand-Mufti of a city who has beliefs in conformity with Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah (Sunni) is the subordinate. Wherever, there is no mufti, then the witness (shahadah) for the sighting of the moon shall be presented in front of the general public (of Muslims).[Fatawa-e-Radwiyyah – V. 4 Pg. 547]
It has been stated in “al-Hadiqah al-Nadiyyah Sharh Tariqah al-Muhammadiyyah” - by Imam al-’Allama ‘Abd al-Ghani al-Nablusi al-Dimishqi - that:
When an era is without any Islamic Ruler who suffices the Muslims for their affairs which pertain to the religion, then all the Islamic affairs and rulings shall be referred to the scholars of Islam (the ‘ulema), and in every aspect of their life, Muslims are obliged to consult these ulema. These ulema shall be considered the ‘Islamic rulers’ and the ‘Islamic judges’. Then, if it is impossible for the unanimity of the Muslims to appoint one specific scholar, then the people of each and every district or town shall foloow their ‘ulema. Then, if there are innumerable ‘ulema in one district, then amongst them the ‘alim who has the most knowledge as regards the Islamic rulings, he shall be followed, if they are all equal (in knowledge) then a raffle should be taken (as to draw out the name of the ‘alim who shall be appouinted as the vice of the Qadi in that district).
9. The testimony of a fasiq-e-mu’lin (an open transgressor) such as the one who neglects establishing prayer, or prays the salah but frequently neglects praying with the congregation (jama’ah), shaves or trims his beard less than a fist, is not be accepted. Likewise, the evidence of an infidel (non-muslim), bad madhhab (follower of a deviant), an insane or an immature shall not be accepted.
10. On sighting the moon, the supplications as mentioned in the Ahadith should be read.
11. It is makruh (disapproved) to point finger towards the moon even though it may be to indicate to others the location of the moon.[Bahar-e-Shari’at Chapter 5 Pg. 685, al-Durr al-Mukhtar and also in Fatawa-e-‘Alamgiri Vol. 1 Pg. 184]
12. It is wajib (necessary) for the Muslims to follow the Islamic dates and years (which are proven by the sighting of the moon). It is not permissible to follow the dates on the calendar, whose dates have been fixed following non-Islamic rules and regulations (such as the Gregorian English calendar).[al-Tafsir al-Kabir V. 4 Pg. 445]

Hajj & Umrah, - Hajj to the House: Virtues and Secrets - I

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It is a sign of the infinite mercy of Allaah The Almighty towards His slaves that He has legislated for them several acts of obedience, opened the gates of mercy before them, encouraged them to attain His reward and invited them to draw closer to Him. When they do so, in turn, He will love them, and if He loves a slave, He will become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his feet with which he walks.
PerformingHajjto the Sacred House of Allaah is the foremost of the acts of worship that are a means of having one's misdeeds forgiven, ranks elevated and a cause of people being made to enter Paradise. Thus, Allaah The Almighty encourages His slaves to observe this act of worship and urges them to performHajj, Saying )what means(:}And ]due[ to Allaah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way.{]Quran 3: 97[
On the other hand, Allaah The Exalted warns against abandoning this act of worship while one is able to perform it, indicating that this action reflects denial of the favor of Allaah. Although Allaah has enabled His slave to come to His House and has subjected various means for him, the slave turned away, rejected the call and showed laziness and weak will. Thus, Allaah The Almighty Says at the end of the aforementioned verse )what means(:}But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allaah is free from need of the worlds.{]Quran 3: 97[
Likewise, the Prophetwarned against neglecting this religious obligation and commanded people to make haste in this respect. The Prophetsaid:"Whoever intends to perform Hajj should hasten to it; for one could get sick, his mount could be lost or he could face poverty and need."]Hasan Hadeeth[ ]Ahmad and Ibn Maajah[
‘Ali ibn Abi Taalibsaid,"Circumambulate the House )of Allaah( often before you are prevented from doing that."Indeed,Abu Al-Hasan,‘Alisaid the truth. Performing the obligation ofHajjtoday has become financially and physically difficult and many Muslims who are willing to perform it are no longer able to do so due to financial incapability or the difficulty in going to the Sacred House of Allaah.
Purification before beautification:
It is well-known to scholars that purification precedes beautification. Thus, whoever intends to performHajjto the Sacred House of Allaah should prepare himself first for the light he wants to receive. The best way to achieve this is by sincere repentance to Allaah and giving back people's dues.
Some think thatHajjexpiates sins even if one did not repent of them before going toHajj. This is a mistake and reflects lack of understanding, forHajjactually is expiation and reward for the slave who repents and returns to Allaah The Almighty. It was narrated on the authority of‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘oodthat he said,"Some people said to the Messenger of Allaah'O Messenger of Allaah! Will we be questioned for our deeds during the pre-Islamic era?'The Prophetsaid:'Whoever is a good Muslim of you will not be questioned, but whoever is a bad Muslim of you will be questioned for his misdeeds before and after Islam.'"]Muslim[
Some etiquettes ofHajj:
When one intends to perform Hajj, he should observe certain etiquettes, including:
*.Dedicating the intention solely for the sake of Allaah The Almighty. Allaah accepts only the )good( deeds which are solely dedicated to Him.
*.Ensuring sufficient resources to cover the expenses of one's dependents and advising them to be pious.
*.Learning the rulings of Hajj and ‘Umrah.
*.Giving back people's dues or asking for their pardon.
*.Using lawfully gained expenses for Hajj. Allaah is Good and He accepts only what is good.
*.Choosing righteous companions and good friends for the journey. Choosing a good companion takes precedence over anything else.
*.Observing the etiquette of travel while going and coming.
*.Training the self in patience, enduring the hardships of travel, suppressing anger, acquiring good morals and abandoning dispute and argument.
*.Keenness to do many acts of obedience as well as righteous deeds which bring one closer to Allaah The Almighty. The opportunity of Hajj may not come again.