Cultural India : Indian Religions

India is a land of diversities. This diversity is also visible in the
spheres of religion. The major religions of India are Hinduism
(majority religion), Islam (largest minority religion), Sikhism,
Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and the
Bahá'í Faith. India is a land where people of different religions and
cultures live in harmony. This harmony is seen in the celebration of
festivals. The message of love and brotherhood is expressed by all the
religions and cultures of India.
Whether it's the gathering of the faithful,bowing in prayer in the
courtyard of a mosque, or the gathering of lamps that light up houses
at Diwali, the good cheer of Christmas or the brotherhood of Baisakhi,
the religions ofIndia are celebrations of shared emotion that bring
people together. People from the different religions and cultures of
India, unite in a common chord of brotherhood and amity in this
fascinating and diverse land.
Buddhism
At present Buddhism is one of the major world religions. The
philosophy of Buddhism is based on the teachings of Lord Buddha,
Siddhartha Gautama (563 and 483 BC), a royal prince of Kapilvastu,
India. After originating in India, Buddhism spread throughout the
Central Asia, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Southeast Asia, as well asthe East
Asian countries of China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
Christians
Christianity is one of the prominent religions in India. At present
there are about 25 million Christians in India. It is interesting to
note that the Christian population in India is more than theentire
population of Australia and New Zealand or total population of a
number of countries in Europe.
Hinduism
Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world. Hinduism is world's
thirdlargest religion after Christianity and Islam. Hinduism is the
dominant religion in India, where Hindus form about 84 per cent of the
total population. Hinduism is also known as "Sanatan Dharma" or the
everlasting religion.
Islam
One of the prominent religions of India, Islam forms about 12 per cent
of India's population. Though India's contact with Islam had begun
much earlier, the real push came in the 8th century when the province
of Sindh was conquered. Though the Muslims form only 12 percent of the
total population of India but the influence of Islam onIndian society
is much stronger.
Jainism
Jains form less than one percent of the Indian population. For
centuries, Jains are famous as community of traders and merchants. The
states of Gujarat andRajasthan have the highest concentration ofJain
population in India. The Jain religion is traced to Vardhamana
Mahavira (The Great Hero 599-527 B.C.).
Sikhism
Sikhs form about 2 per cent of Indian population. In comparison to
other religions, Sikhism is a younger religion. The word 'Sikh' means
a disciple and thus Sikhismis essentially the path of discipleship.
The true Sikh remains unattachedto worldly things.
Zoroastrian
Though the total number of Zoroastrians in Indian population is very
less yet they continue to be one of the important religious
communities of India. According to the 2001 census, there were around
70,000 members of the Zoroastrian faith in India. Most of the Parsis
(Zoroastrians) live in Maharashtra (mainly in Mumbai) and the rest in
Gujarat.
Guru Nanak Dev
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is credited with starting the Sikh religion. He
wasthe first Guru of the Sikhs and is worshipped next to God. His sole
aim in life was to unify the Hindus and Muslims and form a universal
religionof brotherhood and compassion. He believed that true salvation
could be achieved only by devotion of thought andexcellence of
conduct.
Lord Mahavira
Lord Mahavira is often credited with the adventof Jainism in India.
However, Jainism existedeven before Lord Mahavira was born. He
issupposed to be the twenty-fourth (last) Tirthankara according tothe
Jain philosophy. A Tirthankara is an enlightened soul who is born as a
human being and attains perfection through intense meditation.
Adi Shankaracharya
One of the greatest philosophers of India, Adi Shankaracharya founded
the Advaita Vedanta, which is one ofthe sub-schools of Vedanta. Adi
Shankaracharya whole-heartedly believed in theconcept of the Vedas
butat the same time advocated against the rituals and religious
practices that were over exaggerated.


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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
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Hakim ibn Hazm - Biographies of the Companions (Sahabah)

History has recorded that he is the only person who was born inside
the Kabah itself.
Together with a group of friends, his mother had gone inside this
ancient House of God to inspect it. On that particular day it was open
because of a festive occasion. She was pregnant and labor pains
suddenly gripped her. She was unable to leave the Kabah. A leather mat
was brought to her and she gave birth on it. The child was named
Hakim. His father was Hazm who was the son of Khuwaylid. Hakim was
therefore the nephew of the Lady Khadijah, the daughter of Khuwaylid,
may Allah be pleasedwith her.
Hakim grew up in a wealthy and noble family which enjoyed a high
status in Makkan society. Hewas also an intelligent and well-mannered
person who was well respected by his people. He was held in such
esteem that he was given the responsibility of the rifadah which
involved giving assistance to the needy and those who had lost their
property during the season of pilgrimage. He took this responsibility
seriously and would even help needy pilgrims from his own resources.
Hakim was a very close friend of the Prophet, peace be on him, before
the latter's call to prophethood. Even though he was five years older
than the Prophet, he used to spend muchtime talking to him and
enjoyinghours of pleasant companionship. Muhammad in his turn felt
great affection for Hakim.
Their relationship was further strengthened when the Prophet married
his aunt, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.
What is truly amazing is that in spite of the close friendship between
Hakim and the Prophet,Hakim did not become a Muslim until the conquest
of Makkah, more than twenty years after the start of the Prophet's
mission. One would have thought that someone like Hakim whom God had
blessed with a sound intellect and who was so well-disposed to the
Prophet, would have been among the first to believe in himand follow
the guidance he brought. But that was not to be.
Just as we are astonished at the late acceptance of Islam on the part
of Hakim, he himself later inlife was also amazed. In fact, as soon as
he accepted Islam and tasted the sweetness of iman (faith), he began
to feel deep regret for every moment of his life as a mushrik and a
denier of God's religion and of His Prophet.
His son once saw him weeping after his acceptance of Islam andasked:
"Why are you weeping, my father'?" "Many things cause me to weep, my
dear son. The most grievous is the length of time it took for me to
become a Muslim. Acceptance of Islam would have given me so many
opportunities to do good which I missed even if I were to have spent
the earth in gold. My life was spared at the battle of Badr and also
at the battle of Uhud. After Uhud. I said to myself. I would not help
any Quraysh against Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of God be
upon him, and I would not leaveMakkah. Then, whenever I felt like
accepting Islam I would lookat other men among the Quraysh, men of
power and maturity who remained firmly attached to the ideas and
practices of Jahiliyyah and I would fall in line with them and their
neighbors... Oh, how I wishI had not done so. Nothing has destroyed us
except the blind following of our forefathers and elders. Why should I
not weep, my son?"
The Prophet himself was puzzled. A man of sagacity and understanding
like Hakim ibn Hazm, how could Islam remain"hidden" from him?. For a
long time, the Prophet had dearly hoped that he and a group of persons
like him would take the initiative and become Muslims. On the night
before the liberation of Makkah, he, may God bless him and grant him
peace, said to his companions:
"There are four persons in Makkah whom I consider to be above having
any dealing with shirk and I would dearly like them to accept Islam."
"Who arethey, O Messenger of God?" asked the companions. "Attab ibn
Usayd, Jubayr ibn Mutim, Hakim ibn Hazm and Suhayl ibn Amr," replied
the Prophet. By the grace of God, they all became Muslims.
When the Prophet, peace be on him, entered Makkah to liberate the city
from polytheism and theways of ignorance and immorality, he ordered
his herald to proclaim: "Whoever declares that there is no god
butAllah alone, that He has no partner and that Muhammad is His
servant and His Messenger, he is safe...
Whoever sits at the Kabah and lays down his weapons, he is safe.
Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan, he is safe.
Whoever enters the house of Hakim ibn Hazm, he is safe..." The house
of Abu Sufyan was in the higher part of Makkah and that of Hakim was
in the lower part of the city. By proclaiming these houses as places
of sanctuary, the Prophet wisely accorded recognition to both Abu
Sufyan and Hakim, weakening any thought they might have of resisting
and making it easier for them to be more favorably disposed to him and
his mission.
Hakim embraced Islam wholeheartedly. He vowed to himself that he would
atone for whatever he had done during his Jahili days and that
whateveramounts he had spent in opposing the Prophet, he would spend
the same amounts in the cause of Islam.
He owned the Dar an-Nadwah, an important and historic building in
Makkah, where the Quraysh held their conferences during the days of
Jahiliyyah. In this building the Quraysh leadersand chieftains would
gather to plot against the Prophet.
Hakim decided to get rid of it and cut himself off from its past
associations which were now sopainful to him. He sold the building for
one hundred thousand dirhams. A Quraysh youth exclaimed to him: "You
have sold something of great historical value and pride to the
Quraysh, uncle."
"Come now, my son," replied Hakim. "All vain pride and glory has now
gone and all that remains of value is taqwa - consciousness of God. I
have only sold the building in order toacquire a house in Paradise. I
swear to you that I have given the proceeds from it to be spentin the
path of God Almighty."
Hakim ibn Hazm performed the Hajj after becoming a Muslim. Hetook with
him one hundred fine camels and sacrificed them all inorder to achieve
nearness to God. In the following Hajj, he stood on Arafat. With him
were one hundred slaves. To each he gave a pendant of silver on which
was engraved: "Free for the sake of God Almighty from Hakim ibn Hazm."
On a third Hajj,he took with him a thousand sheep - yes a thousand
sheep and sacrificed them all at Mina to feed the poor Muslims in
order to attain nearness to God.
While Hakim was generous in hisspending for the sake of God, he also
still liked to have much. After the battle of Hunayn, he asked the
Prophet for some of the booty which the Prophet gave. He then asked
for more and the Prophet gave him more. Hakim was still a newcomer to
Islam and the Prophet was moregenerous to newcomers so as toreconcile
their hearts to Islam. Hakim ended up with a large share of the booty.
But the Prophet peace be upon him, toldhim:
"O Hakim! This wealth is indeed sweet and attractive. Whoever takes it
and is satisfied will be blessed by it and whoever takes out of greed
will not be blessed. He would be like someone who eats and is not
satisfied. The upper hand is better than the lower hand (it is better
to give than to receive)."
The kind words of advice had a deep and immediate effect on Hakim. He
was mortified and said to the Prophet: "O Messenger of God! By Him who
has sent you with the truth, I shall not ask anyone after you for
anything."
During the caliphate of Abu Bakr,Hakim was called several times to
collect his stipend from the Bayt al-mal but he refused to take any
money. He did the sameduring the caliphate of Umar ibnal-Khattab
whereupon Umar addressed the Muslims: "I testifyto you, O Muslims,
that I have called Hakim to collect his stipend but he refuses."
Hakim remained faithful to his word. He did not take anything from
anyone until he passed away. From the Prophet, he had learnt the great
truth that contentment is riches beyond compare.

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True stories » I got involved by myself in this mess, but how can I get out now?

Hello!
I read your stories and I got the courage to ask for your advice,
because Idon't know any more what to do.
So that's my story. I am 27 year old, married for two years, I have
normal relationship with my husband, sometimes we understand each
other, sometimes we fight, we make compromises, but he is not my
biggest love and that's the problem, he is not very interested in me –
where I am and what I do.
I've met the other before I got married – we were just friends in a
same company, we were travelling, together I thought I was so much in
love with him, but he was just friendly kind without a sense of carnal
interest from his side.
One day I stopped to stand for a relation, who seemed impossible I got
married, but in spite of this we keep on being good friends and
meeting sometimes. I caneven say that our friendship became stronger
during the past two years.
Recently I felt inconsolably, in love withthis man. I will play that
game I said to myself this time. I arranged to spendtwo days just the
two of us, far from anybody who knows us and with some women finesse
we found ourselves in the bed.
In the very sublime moment it comes out thathe has problem with
erection – there's not at all such. Anyhow we've both done our best to
getpleasure, but I am confused. I suspect that his problem is not new.
In fact I haven't heard of any intimate friend of hisbut he is 45 year
old and his last relationship I know about had finishedyears ago, and
the lady got married to somebodyelse.
I do like this man, but thesex is also very importantto me. What am I
supposed to do? I need your advice!

True stories » I, the Liar

Hello to everyone here!!!
After some frequent visitson this website and after reading some
stories, I decided to finally share mine as well. It's about cheating,
but on my part.
I am 34 years old, married and have a beautiful girl.
My story began when I had decided to go abroad, because I wanted to
make some money and also because Iwas curious to why everyone wants to
travel around the world. So, I left for Italy with my sister and we
were relying on a friend of ours to help us find a job there.
We arranged to meet the above-mentioned friend named T. And at first,
I didn't pay too much attention when I saw him. Although, his height
made him impossible not to notice. So, after a few times meeting him I
realized how kind, smiling and easy going he was.
He had some problems with his wife, who he had left in Canada and kept
begging to come to Italy. Gradually, we reached a point in which I
began to like this man and started wanting him a 100 %.
I wasn't expecting anything besides sex. I was confused, in a foreign
country with a foreign language, with some people that I didn't
understand and with him; kind, caring and in love with me.
However, he quickly started dreaming about how we were going to create
our own life, how I was going to get a divorce, how much he loved me.
I wasn't feelingthe same way. I wanted to go back to Canada andback to
what I had left there; he was also acting weird after living without a
woman for so long.
And so, I couldn't handle this anymore, I kept thinking about my child
and I left for Canada. Then my pain started. I immediately felt the
lack of attention, affection, the spark in my sex life and we began
maintaining an endless phone relationship by writing secret text
messages in the middle of the night. "My love, amore, sweetheart."
The distance was making us want each other even more. This is when I
made all the mistakes than I did and I told him a bunch of lies. I was
telling him how I hated my husband and that I wanted a divorce. It
wasn't easy to live like this at all.
I was lying to the both of us. I changed, became frustrated and my
husband reacting to this didn't take long. There were constant
scandals that were making my child suffer when she heard them.
Everything was a complete mess.
T. was pushing me to leave and go to him and Icouldn't leave my child
and my husband. There was also something else that was more important
than everything.
I was not in love with T., even though I used to sayit back to him all
the timewhen he told me that he loved me. I didn't want a future with
a man that I didn't have strong feelings for. THIS KEPT GOING ON FOR 3
YEARS.
During this period we spent very little time physically together,
because this was only possible when he came back to Canada and I could
come up with an excuse. I did know that I had to put a stop to this
living hell that I had created myself.
Every night, I was full with regrets. I kept thinking how I did't
deserve neither one of them. I couldn't find the words to express my
desire to break it off withT. So, I left it to him to figure it out.
I didn't get a divorce. I continue living with this huge burden on my
shoulders which remained unshared. I made an attempt to meetwith T.
and to tell him how I felt, but it was another mistake, becausehe saw
it as a willingness to continue our relationship and to try to have a
life together one day.
I gave up and I stopped contacting him and so did he. I hope that he
hasfound his true love. Regardless, I still feel awful about it.
I messed up T.'s life with my lies and I ruined my family's balance
and trust. Nothing is the sameanymore.
So there it is, I shared my lie with you and I hope that someone might
understand how I feel, even though I am not a very good writer. I
don't know if I'll get a reply from any of you, but at least my story
can serve as an example.

True stories » Am I jealous or is he a flirt?

I'm trying to find the answer to this question and it's really hard
for me, believe me!
I truly love my husband with whom we've been married for 8 years, the
first 3 of which we spent living separately in different countries.
Now we are already together. In the beginning everything was perfect
and I even feared sharingthis with others because people say "it's too
good to last".
So, I've noticed recently that when we are in a company with
handsomemen my husband is constantly around me and he is very kind and
affectionate to me. I find this normal and I'm quite pleased with it.
I considerthis the right attitude to a wife. I like showing my
feelings towards him in front of people and I'm very happy when they
notice it. The problem is that when we are in a company with
attractive women he changes abruptly – he stops touching me at all,
even keeps a distance, or if I show in some way or another that he is
my beloved husband he is unpleasantly surprised and stands as if
frozen, while his attitude to the other women is more than friendly.
There have been cases when he has spoken to a woman for about 10-15
minutes and haven't even looked at me meanwhile. (to say nothing of
including me in the conversation!). Sometimes I hesitated on leaving
the place in orderto see if he will notice myabsence. I think this
will probably last at least an hour or until he sees some handsome guy
around.
Whenever he meets a woman he will greet her with a hug, in which I
find nothing bad, but after that he will study her from head to toe
while talking to her. Another issue is that when a woman calls him on
the phone he becomes so enthusiastic that you may think this is the
happiest day in his life. However when I call him he gets so awfully
indifferent. And this happens when I'm tellinghim his favorite team
haswon an important game.
After this description of the situation (not mentioning many other
similar cases and the bad thing is unpleasant memories get more and
more) I'm asking you to help me see if I'm too jealous.
I will appreciate this a lotbecause right now I'm onthe verge of a divorce.

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The story of Haaroot and Maaroot – I

One of the stories in the Quran, is the story of Haaroot and Maaroot.
Allaah Says what means: "And they [i.e., the Children of Israel]
followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of
Sulaymaan (Solomon ). It was not Sulaymaan who disbelieved, but the
devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed
to the two angels at Babylon, Haaroot and Maaroot. But they [i.e., the
two angels] do not teach anyone unless they say: 'We are a trial, so
do not disbelieve [by practicing magic].' And [yet] they learn from
them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife.
But they do not harm anyonethrough it except by permission of Allaah.
And they [i.e., people] learn what harms them and does not benefit
them. But they [i.e., the Children of Israel] certainly knew that
whoever purchased it [i.e., magic] would not have in the Hereafter
anyshare. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they
only knew." [Quran 2: 102]
The Children of Israel received a Great Book from Allaah, namely the
Quran, which confirmed what they had been told in the Tawraah (i.e.
Torah); they were claiming to adhere to their scripture, yet they
disbelieved in the Messenger (Muhammad) and a group of them also threw
the Scripture of Allaah (i.e., the Tawraah) behind their backs and
shunned it, despite them knowing that it was the truth, as Allaah
tells us, saying what means: "…A party of those who had been given the
Scripture threw the Scripture of Allaah [i.e., the Tawraah] behind
their backs as if they did not know [what it contained]." [Quran 2:
101]
It is the way of Allaah that He punishes those who shun that which
benefits them; He therefore busies them with things that are of
nobenefit to them, or makes them indulge in what harms them. Whoever
shuns the worship of the Most Merciful will be afflicted with the
worship of idols.
Whoever shuns Islamic monotheism will be afflicted with association
with Allaah. Whoever shuns the Sunnah will be afflicted with religious
innovation. Whoever shuns adhering to the Islamic texts will be
afflicted with blind imitation of others who have no evidence to
backup their actions.
Whoever shuns hoping in, loving and fearing only Allaah will be
afflicted with directing all these acts to other than Him. Whoever
refrains from spending his wealth for the sake ofAllaah will be
afflicted with spending it for the sake of Satan.
Whoever shuns humblinghimself to Allaah will be afflicted with being
humiliated by other people, and whoever shuns the truth will be
afflicted with adhering to falsehood.
This is exactly what happened to the Jews when they shunned the Book
of Allaah; they wereafflicted with following in the footsteps of
Satan. During the reign of Sulaymaan they refused to believe in the
Book of Allaah, and were thus afflicted by following what the devils
recited and invented.
The devils introduced magic to the people and claimed that Sulaymaan
used magic and that it was the means for him tohave such great power
and a vast empire.
Indeed they lied, becauseAllaah is the One who granted him enough
power and such a vast empire that he had no need to resort to magic,
or to seek the help of the devils. As a matter of fact,Allaah
facilitated the devils for the disposal of Sulaymaan ; Allaah Says
what means: "They made for him what he willed ofelevated chambers,
statues, bowls like reservoirs, and stationarykettles…" [Quran 34: 13]
Allaah utilised them for Sulaymaan to use, and so they were under his
command, but after the death of Sulaymaan the devils came out to the
people claiming that the reason behind his controlover them was the
magic he used and practiced, but Allaah exposes their lie saying what
means: "And they [i.e., the Children of Israel] followed [instead]
what the devils had recited during the reign of Sulaymaan. It was not
Sulaymaan who disbelieved …" [Quran 2: 102]
Whoever practices or uses magic is a disbeliever, but Sulaymaan never
disbelieved and never practiced magic; indeed Allaah confirms the very
opposite, saying what means: "…It was not Sulaymaan who disbelieved,
but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic…"[Quran 2: 102] They
disbelieved by teaching people magic and how touse it, thereby
misguiding them.
The Jews practiced the magic that Allaah sent the two angels with,
namely Haaroot and Maaroot, as a means of testing people and seeing
who amongst His slaves would remain steadfast and who woulddeviate, or
who would remain upon faith and who would disbelieve.
These two angels, Haaroot and Maaroot, were sent to teach people magic
in the land of Babylon in Iraq as a test for these people. Onemay ask:
"How can Allaahsend these two angels to teach people magic if
practicing magic is disbelief?" The answer is that it is done in order
to subject people to a trial, as Allaah Says what means: "…But they
[i.e., the two angels] do not teach anyone unless they say: 'We are a
trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic]…'" [Quran 2: 102]
These angels would initially warn people not to learn this magic, and
that to do so would entail disbelief, but if they insisted on learning
magic, then they would teach them it; this magic could thereafter be
used for prohibited reasons, such as to separate spouses. The Jews
practiced the magic that they accused Sulaymaan of using.
The Jews learnt magic and became specialists init, and to this day the
most skilled magicians are the Jews, especially the Moroccan Jews.
TheseJews shunned the news of the description and imminent arrival of
the Prophet Muhammad that was in their scripture; they also shunned
the new Book (i.e. the Quran); they eschewed allthis and instead
resorted to learning and practicing magic.
In this story, Allaah mentions some of the evilconsequences of magic,
such as what means: "…And [yet] they learn from them that by which
they cause separation between a man and his wife…" [Quran 2: 102]
This is while Allaah describes marriage as something that results in
harmony when He Says what means: "…He placedbetween you [i.e., man and
his wife] affection and mercy…." [Quran 30: 21]
Magic separates man from his wife, which is proof that it does have an
effect, but this effect only occurs by the will of Allaah. Some types
of magic make a person love another and act as ifhe is enslaved to him
or her; such a person would feel that he simply cannot live without
this person; another type of magic results in the opposite, whereby a
person may hate anotherto the extent that he cannot even look him in
the eye; a father can be bewitched in order to make him despise his
children or wife, as in thepreviously mentioned verse of Chapter
Al-Baqarah.
Allaah Says what means: "But they [i.e. the Children of Israel]
certainly knew that whoever purchased it [i.e. learnt and practiced
magic] would not have inthe Hereafter any share." [Quran 2: 102]
The scholars differed in their interpretation of this verse. Some of
them stated that Allaah did not send down these angels with magic to
teach people, but rather it was the devils who taught people magic. On
the other hand, many from the Salaf (predecessors) were of the view
that Allaah sent down to the earth these two angels from the heavens
as a punishment to them; others said that they were angels who
deviated and were an exceptional case from all the other angels, who
never disobey Allaah; yet others said that they were honourable angels
who were sent down to teach people magic as a way of testing them, but
who only taught those who insisted on learning it after having been
informed and reminded that magic is a form of disbelief, and after
having been sternly warned against learning and practicing it.
Undoubtedly, learning magic is prohibited, and practicing it is
disbelief, as indicated in the verse, in addition to many prophetic
narrations thataffirm this fact.

Summary 1) Callers to Jannah (Paradise), and callers to Hell. 2) Iblees(Satan) is the leader of those who call people to Hell. 3) Iblees beatifies unchaste behavior. 4) Mentioning some of Iblees’ ability to misguide people. 5) Iblees has no power against true believers. 6) How to protect ourselves from Iblees. 7) The gradual methodof Iblees to misguide and delude people.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessing
be upon His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon
him), his family and his companions.
Dear Muslims! Fear Allah in public and private, seek for the pleasure
of the Last Day and do not follow the path of the mischief-makers.
Know that every thing has its beginning and end. Be also aware that
you are now in the abode of trails and that your final destination is
either Paradise of Hell.
The Almighty Allah, has made Islam the only way that leads to Paradise
and He says, "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will
never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the
losers." (Aal-'Imraan: 85).
Allah ordains under the shade of Islam, good deeds than can save man
from destruction and protect him from evils. He, the Almighty, created
inhabitants for Paradise who will do righteous deeds, and those who
call unto it such as the Prophets (peace and blessing of Allah be upon
them) and their followers. They are those that Allah has favoured,
given the highest ranks and made them successful in the race towards
good deeds. Allah says, "And whosoever obey Allah and His Messenger,
then they will being in the company of those on whom Allah has
bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqoon (those followers of
the Prophets, who were first and foremost to believe in them, like
Aboo Bakr As-Siddeeq) the martyrs and the righteous. And how excellent
these companions are! Such is the Bounty from Allah and Allah is
Sufficient as All-Knower." (An-Nisaa: 69-70).
Their conduct is excellent, their private is clean and their deeds
arepure. Their reward then was happiness in this world and the next,
crowned with everlastingdwelling in Paradise.
Equally, Allah Created inhabitants for the Hell-Fire and destined that
they shall not do but deeds that will lead themthere. Allah explains
the way that leads to Hell andwarns against treading that path. He
says, "And whosoever disobeys Allahand His Messenger, then verily, for
him is the Hell-Fire, he shall dwell therein forever." (Al-Jinn: 23).
Further, this abode in which Allah created different kinds of
everlasting torment has those who call unto it. Allah says, "And we
made them leader inviting to the Fire; and to the Day of Resurrection,
they will not be helped. And We make a curse to follow them in this
world, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be among those who are
prevented from receivingAllah's Mercy or any good; despised or
destroyed." (Al-Qasas: 41-42).
Brothers in Eemaan ! Callers to Hell encourage man to disobey Allah
and call him to commit destructive sins. The mostwicked and vicious
one in this respect evil is Satan, the accursed. Allahhas put people
to test by him that He might know the obedient and disobedient ones
among His slaves and give the reward or punishment accordingly. He
says, "Andindeed Satan did prove his thought about them; and they
followed him allexcept a group of true believers. And he (Satan) had
no authority over them, except that We might test him who believes in
the hereafter from him who is in doubtabout it and your Lord is
Watchful over everything." (Saba': 20-21).
This extremely malicious creature who calls to every abominable act
hasbeen given only a limitedpower which he can never exceed. Also,
Allah has given the true believer a weapon by which he can drive away
his evil. He gave Satan an ability to cause devilish insinuations in
human mind, so that man may think of committing sin, then have the
intention to commit it and finally commit of that sin. Allah also gave
him an ability to present a sin to man ina favourable light. Allah
says, "And Satan made fair-seeming to them, that which they used to
do." (Al-An'aam: 43).
However, Allah did not give Satan an ability to create the love of
something in man's mind, for that exclusively belongs to Allah. He
says: "And know that there is the Messenger of Allah among you. If he
were toobey you (i.e. follow youropinions and desires) in much of the
matter, you would surely be in trouble. But Allah has endeared the
faith to youand has beautified it in your hearts, and has made
disbelief, wickedness and disobedience (to Allah and His Messenger)
hateful to you. Such are they who are the rightly guided."
(Al-Hujuraat: 7).
Also, Allah gave this vicious Satan an ability toinstigate the
disbelievers to commit sins as He gavehim ability to drive man into
rage and cause him to have devilish thoughts. Allah says, "See you not
that We have sent the devils against the disbelievers to push them to
do evil." (Mariam:83).
All these devilish tricks of Satan that Allah informedus about are but
weak tricks that get weakened and eliminated by Eemaan and seeking the
protection of Allah. He says, "Ever feeble indeed is the plan of
Satan." (An-Nisaa': 76).
Allah also says of him, "Verily! He has no power over those who
believe and put their trust in their Lord (Allah). His power is only
over those who obey and follow him(Satan) and those who join partner
with Him (Allah)" (An-Nahl: 99-100).
He indeed has no power over the believers who put their trust in
Allah. This enemy, whom we believe in his existence, whose impacts we
feel and the result of whose evil deeds we know has laid in wait for
men in ways that lead to good deeds in order to preventthem from doing
it. Allah says, "(Satan) said: Because you have sent me astray,
surely. I will sitin wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight
Path. Then I will come to them from their front and rear, their
rightand left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones."
(Al-A'raaf:16-17).
Brothers in faith! We cannot prevent the evils of Satan, or render his
plans ineffective or escape from his traps except by seeking Allah's
protection. Allah says, "And whoever holds firm to Allah (i.e. follows
Allah's religion and obeysall that Allah has ordered practically),
then He is indeed guided to the right path." (Aal-'Imraan: 101).
Brothers in Islam! Allah has explained to us that this avowed enemy
leads man to sin and destructive acts and then abandon him. He has
made Shirk (associating partners to Allah in acts of worship) fair
seeming to the peoples of Noah , ' Aad , Thamood ; made sodomy fair
seeming to the people of Prophet Loot and made different kinds of sins
fair-seemingto many others, but when the repercussions of their evil
deeds came upon them, he disowned and abandoned them.
Allah says, "(Their allies deceived them) like Satan, when he says to
man: 'Disbelieve in Allah!'But when (man) disbelieves in Allah,
Satansays: 'I am free of you, I fear Allah, the Lord of all the
worlds'. So the end ofboth will be that, they will be in the Fire
abidingtherein. Such is the recompense of the wrong-doers" (Al-Hashr:
16-17).
As for the Day of the Resurrection, Satan will stand on a mountain of
fire and deliver a speech to his followers as Allah informs: "Verily,
Allah promised you a truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. I
had no authority over you except that I called you and you responded
to me. So blame me not but blame yourselves. I cannot help you nor can
you help me. I deny your former act in associating me as a partner
with Allah( by obeying me in the life of the world).' Verily, there is
a painful torment to the wrong-doers." (Ibraheem: 22).
After this speech, nothingmore will be heard except sighing in a high
and low tone, regret, crying and wailing. Then Allah will say: "Remain
you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me." (Al-Mu'minoon:
108).
Dear brothers! Evil of Satan can also be avertedby seeking refuge with
Allah from him. Allah says, "And if an evil whisper from Satan tries
to turn you away (from doing good), then seek refuge in Allah. Verily,
He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." (Fussilat: 36).
In the Ha deeth , it is reported that two men abused each other in
the presence of the Messenger of Allah and the face of one of them
turned red (out of severe rage). The Messenger of Allah said: 'I know
a wordthat if this man says it, hisanger will go away. It is, 'A'oodhu
Billaahi Minash-Shaytaanir-Rajeem." (I seek refuge with Allah from
Satan, the accursed".
One can also prevent the evil plan of Satan by observing the prayers
in congregation. Allah says, "Verily, As-Salaah (prayer) prevents from
Al-Fahsha (i.e. great sins and every kind, unlawful sexual
intercourse) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and every kind
of evil wicked deed)" (Al-Ankaboot: 45).
The Prophet also said: "whoever observes Fajr prayer in congregation
shall remain under Allah'sprotection until evening, so, do not let
Allah found you wanting in fulfilling His rights upon you".
Evils of Satan can also be prevented by reading Aayatul-Kursiy (Qur'an
2:255), Sooratul-Ikhlaas (Chapter 112) Al-Mu'awwidhatayn (Chapters 113
and 114) and Sooratul-Ghaafir (Chapter 40) at the end ofeach prayer.
One should also be reciting the Qur'aan frequently, for, the more he
recites; the more he protects himself from Satan.
Likewise is paying Zakaat , making voluntary charity and spending in
the good cause. The Prophet said: "Charity erases sins as water blows
out fire." When a Muslim is cleansed of all his sins, he is then
saves from a great evil.
One can also drive away evil plans of Satan by constantly remembering
Allah by saying "SubhaanAllah" (glory be to Allah), "Alhamdulillaah"
(praise be to Allah) "Allahu Akbar" ( Allah is the Greatest) "Laa
Ilaaha Illa Allah" (None has the rightto be worshipped except Allah)
etc. The Prophet e said: "Whoever says, "La Ilaaha Illa Allah
WahdahuLaa Shareeka Lahoo, Lahul-Mulk, Walahul-Hamdu Wa Huwa Alaa
Kulli Shay'in Qadeer," ( meaning: There is no deity worthy of worship
except Allah. He is One without any partner. To Him belongs
sovereignty and praise and He has power over all things) hundred times
a day, thatwill be enough for him asa protection from Satan for the
whole day. it is also as if he has freed a slave and one hundred
good deeds will be recorded for him."
Making Jihaad in the way of Allah, attending gatherings of
knowledgeand where good deeds are done, keeping away from gatherings
of play which Satan attends and in which he causes enmity, hatred and
misery also protect from the evil plans of Satan.
Further, foremost of the things that protect one from the devilish
plans ofSatan is Tawheed (belief in Islamic monotheism), putting one's
trust in Allah and being sincere in worshipping Him. Allahsays,
"Certainly, you (Satan) shall have no authority over My slaves except
those who follow you and those who go astray (the criminals,
polytheisms and evil-doers)." (Al-Hijr: 42).
Therefore, dear Muslims, beware of Satan's footsteps and evil plans.
Allah says, "O you who believe! Enter perfectly inIslam and follow not
the footsteps of Satan. Verily,he is to you a plain enemy. Then if you
slide back after the clear signs have come to you, then know that
Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise." (Al-Baqarah: 208-209).
Brothers in faith! Fear Allah as He should be feared and know that
Satan calls man to all evil things and prevents him from doing any
good deed. The first thing that Satan calls to is disbelief in Allah.
If one responds to him, he has surrendered his affairs tohim; Satan
will then lead him to all evil and destructive things in this world
and the Hereafter. But if man does not respond to him when he invites
him to disbelief, he calls him to Bid'ah (innovations in matters of
religion), for a person who indulges in Bid'ah does not generally
repent from it, because he regards that as part ofhis religion, and
this gladdens Satan. If Satan is unable to make him indulge in Bid'ah,
he invites him to committingmajor sins, then to minor ones. If he does
not succeed in doing that, he distracts him from doing recommendable
deeds with indulgence in lawfulthings and engages him with matters
that are of no concern to him.
Satan by his nature, searches man's mind and looks for his preferences
in order to approach himthrough that and make him commit sins through
what he has inclinations to. Allah says, "O mankind! Verily! The
promise of Allah is true. So let not this present lifedeceive you and
let not the chief deceiver [Satan]deceive you about Allah. Surely,
Satan is an enemyto you, so treat him as an enemy. He only invites
hisfollowers that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire."
(Faatir: 6-7).
Furthermore, Satan is pleased by sins that man regards as
insignificant, therefore beware of him.The Prophet said: "Satan has
lost hope that peoplewould worship him in the Arabian Peninsula, but
he is pleased to sow discard among you."

Masturbation in Islam

Allah (Exalted is He) says: "And those who guard their private parts
from their wives and those (slave-girls) which their right-hands own -
so there is no blame upon them. Then whoever seeks beyond that (which
is lawful), they are the transgressors".
Masturbation is also considered as "seeking beyond" with reference to
the Quranic verse above.
Suhail son of Sai'd (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the
Holy Prophet (Allah's' Grace & Peace be upon him) said: Whoever
givesme the assurance (not tounlawfully use) what is between their
jaws and their legs (i.e. the tongue and the private parts), I give
them the assurance of the Heaven.(Bukhari)
Abu Hurrairah (may Allahbe pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet
of Allah (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon him) said: Whoever
Allahprotects, from the evil (sh'r) of what is betweentheir jaws and
between their legs, will enter Paradise. [Tirimzi]
Imam Shamsuddin Zahabbi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates a
Prophetic narration that, "Seven people are such that Allah has cursed
them and He will not even casta look of mercy upon them on the Day of
Judgment. Allah will tell them to enter Hell with the people who are
going to Hell, except those who repent.
1. One who performs theact of sodomy.
2. One upon whom the act of sodomy is performed.
3. One who does bad deeds with animals.
4. One who marries his mother or sister.
5. One who masturbates." (The words of the hadith says these seven
people but lists five - Kitab-ul-Kaba'ir p.48)
Allama Mahmood Alussi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates in
Ruh-ul-Ma'ni: "Atta (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I have
heard that on the Day of Judgment one group will be brought in such
away that their hands willbe pregnant. I think theyare the
masturbators." Allama Alussi further says: Saéed bin Jubayr (may Allah
be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace
be upon him) said: "Allah Exalted will inflict punishment on a group
of people because they misused their private parts." (Ruh-ul-Ma'ni p.
291)
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet of
Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The person who performs
marriage [nikah] with his hands (i.e. masturbates) is cursed." (Fatawa
Razaviyya, Vol. 10, p.80)
Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the
Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon him) said: "O group of
youth! Whoever from among you can marry should do so because it keeps
the gaze low and it protects the private parts. And he who cannot
marry should fastbecause fasting breaks lust." (Muslim – Book of
Marriage)
Mufti Waqar-ud-din Al-Qadri (Hanfi) writes in"Waqar-ul-Fatawa" (Vol.
1, P. 269): "If a person is overpowered by sexual desire such that
there is fear of him becoming involved in adultery or he is not
capable of marrying or his wife is so far that he can't go there. Then
it is hoped there is no punishment for the one doing this
[masturbation]. It is written in "Durr-e-Mukhtar" (Vol. 2, Pp 109) (by
Sheikh Alla'ud Din Muhammed son of Ali Haskiffi, died 1088H): 'If
there is fear of committing adultery then it is hoped that there is no
punishment on the one doing this (masturbation)'. Allama (Syed
Mohammed Amin Ash-Shaheerba Bin Abideen) Shammi, (may Allah's mercy be
upon him, died 1253H) has also argued on this quitea lot and decided
that if he does this with the intention of saving himself from
committingsin it will not be a sin and if he does it with the
intention of enjoyment he will be a sinner."
The Holy Prophet (Allah'sGrace & Peace be upon him) said, "No doubt
the virtues wipe away the sins". Therefore a masturbator must
repentsincerely with an intention that he will never commit it again
and do good deeds. According to a Propheticnarration, "The one
whorepents is like the who does not have any sin."

Jewels of Quran

Isa bin Muhammad (Alaihir Rahmah) says that I once saw Abu Bakrbin
Mujahid (Alaihir Rahmah) after his death in a dream reading the Holy
Quran. I asked, "Youhave died, how are you reciting," upon which
hesaid, "After every Salah and finishing of the Quran, I would pray "O
Allah, give me the Taufiqto recite the Quran in mygrave" and that is
why I am praying." (Faizan-e-Sunnat)
Ahadith
The Holy Prophet said:
1) The best of you is he who learnt the Holy Quran and taught it to
others. (Bukhari)
2) Undoubtedly, the heart gets rusted like metal gets rusted when
water goes over it. The People asked, "How can they [hearts] be
cleaned." The Prophet replied, "To remember death in abundance and to
recite the Holy Quran." (Mishkat)
3) That chest which doesnot have any Quran in it is like an abandoned
house. (Tirmizi, Darmi)
4) Whoever read the Quran and memorized it and belived its' Halal to
be Halal and its Haram tobe Haram [i.e., accepted it commandments of
Halal and Haraam], Allah will accept the intercession for such 10
people on from him whom Hell had already become Wajib. (Tirmizi,
Ibn-e-Majah)
5) Whoever is an expert in reciting the Holy Quran is with the Kiraman
Katebeen and whoever reads the Quran with pauses and itis difficult
for him, that is, his tounge does not move easily and he recites with
difficutly forhim there are two rewards. (Bahar-e-Shariat)
6) The one who has memorized Quran will be told to read and climb and
recite with Tarteel (clear and distinct recitation) like you used to
read with Tarteel in the Dunya; your place will be whereyou read your
last Ayat. (Bahar-e-Shariat)
7) Allah says, "Whoever was kept busy with the [recitation] of Quran
from my Zikr and asking me, I will give him betterthan those who I
give to those who ask" and the excellence of the Word of Allah over
all the other words is like the excellence of Allah over all his
creation.
8) Learn the Quran and read it because whoeverlearned the Quran and
read it and did Qayam with it is like a bag filledwith Musk whose
fragrance is spread everywhere and whoever learned the Quran and slept
that is he did not do Qiyamul Layl is like a bag which isfilled with
Musk and its mouth has been closed. (Tirmizi, Ibn-e-Majah, Nisaee)
9) Read the Quran when you heart feels affection and attachment and
when your heart becomes bored stand upthat is stop reciting the Quran.
(Saheeh Bukhari and Muslim)
10) Decorate the Quran with your (good) voices. (Mishkat)
11) O People of the Quran, do not make the Quran a pillow, that is
donot be lazy and be careless, and read the Quran in the day and night
like it is the Haq of Recitation, and spread it,that is, read with
good voices or do not take compensation for it, andwhatever is in it,
reflect upon itso that you may attain success, and do not hurry in its
reward because the reward for it is great (which will be given in the
Akhirah). (Bahiqi)
Rewards for certain Surahs and Ayahs
The Holy Prophet said:
1) Surah Fatiha is a cure from every illness. (Darmi, Bahiqi)
2) Do not make your home a graveyard, the Shaitan runs from the home
in which Surah Baqrah is recited. (Sahih Muslim)
3) Whoever memorized the first ten ayahs of Surah Kahf will be saved
the Dajjal. (Sahih Muslim)
4) Whoever recites SurahKahf on the day of Jummah, there will be a Nur
brightened for him between two Jummahs.
5) Everything has a heartand the heart of the Quran is Surah Yaseen,
whoever read Yaseen, Allah will write the reward of reading the Quran
ten times from him. (Tirmizi and Darmi)
6) Whoever reads Surah Yaseen for the pleasure of Allah, his past sins
willbe forgiven so read this near your deceased. (Bahiqi)
7) (Reading) Qul hu WAllahu Ahad (Surah Ikhlas) is equal to [reading]
one third of the Quran.
8) Whoever read Ayatul Kursi after every Fard Salah, he will be under
the protection and security of Allah. (Dailmi on the Authority of
Sayeduna Ali)
9) (On the Day of Judgement) a caller will say O Recitor of Surah
Inaam, come to Jannat for loving Surah Inaam and its recitation.
10) Surah Tabarak (Surah Mulk) saves one from Hell.
11) Whatever task is not begun with Bismillahir Rahamnir Raheem
remains incomplete and unfinished.
Ettiquteets and Rules of Tilawat:
1) To memorize one Ayah of the Quran is Fard-e-Aeen on every Mukallaf
Muslim; to memorize the entire Holy Quran is Fard-e-Kafyah; to
memorize Surah Fatiha and a small Surah or something similar like
three small Ayahs or one long Ayah is Wajib-e-Aeen. (Durre Mukhtar)
2) To read the Holy Quran while looking at itis better then reading
without looking at it because in this case one touches the Holy Quran,
sees the Holy Quran, and reads the Holy Quran and all this is Ibadat.
(Bahar-e-Shariat)
3) To read the Holy Quran in the restroom and such places of impurity
is not allowed (Na-Jaiz)
4) It is Haraam that everybody read the Holy Quran in a gathering
loudly at once, however,it is necessary to read loudly enough so that
one can hear what he/she is reading, that is, if there is no other
distraction like noise. (Bhare-e-Shariat) Also, many children read
together at once in a Madrsa loudly for learning purposes and this is
okay.
5) It is better to read the Quran loudly that is if somebody praying,
sleeping, or somebody illwill not be distracted. (Gunyah)
6) If somebody is reciting the Quran incorrectly then it is Wajib to
tell him/her unless if one fears jealousy and hate. (Gunyah)
7) To memorize the Holy Quran and then to forgetit is a sin.
8) It is from the ettiqutesof respecting the Holy Quran that one does
not put their back towards the Quran or spread their legs towards the
Quran or sit in a high place when the Quran is beneath. (Bahare
Shariat)
9) During recitation reflect on what you are reading. For example,
when reading about punishment, one should repent; when reading about
paradise, one should rejoice and pray for Jannah.
10) The way to do Sajdah of Tilwat is as follows: If one hears or
reads the Ayat of Sajdah then he should stand with the intention of
performing the Sajdah of Tilawat and saying Allahu Akbar should go
into Sajdah and should recite the Tasbeeh of Sajdah atleast three
times. Then, saying Allahu Akbar, one shouldstand up. To say Allahu
Akbar both times is Sunnah. Similarly, to stand before and after the
Sajdah is Mustahab. (Durre Mukhtar)
Lastly, learn how to readthe Quran in the company of a Qualified Sunni
Alim [and mature sisters must go to a Qualified Sister] who canteach
them how to read as this is necessary. At times, while reciting many
brothers and sisters unknowingly make mistakes in recitation which
change the meaning which breaks their Salah. Likewise, send your
children to Madrsas where they may learn how to recite the Quran with
correct pronunciation and Qirat.If there is not a Madrsa in your town,
then establish one. Knowledge of Islam leads one to Love Allah and
helps to build a good moral character within the Muslim community. By
learning the Quran, a Muslim saves his Salah, his Iman,and his
Akhirah. Learning the Quran is not limited to just learning how to
recite the Holy Book, rather, it is a life long process of learning
how to recite it and understand what the Quran says. The noble Ulama
have worked hard and written volumes of Tafseer which consists
ofAhadith, Stories, and important points. After learning the Quran, we
must practice it and spread the word into our family and community.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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What should a non-Arabdo for the adhkaar in salaah?

I have become Muslim, al-hamdu-Lillaah, but I do not know Arabic. What
should I do with regard to the adhkaar (phrases praising Allaah)in the
prayer and reading Qur'aan in Arabic?
Praise be to Allaah.
The majority of fuqaha' say that if the non-Arab can speak Arabic, he
should not recite Takbeer (saying "Allaahuakbar (Allaah is Most
Great)") in any other language. The evidence for this is that the
texts instruct this particular wording, which is Arabic, and that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do it any
other way.
But if a non-Arab cannot speak Arabic and is unable to pronounce it,
then according to the majority of fuqaha' it is OK for him to say the
Takbeer in his own language after it has been translated from Arabic,
according to the statements of the Shaafa'is and Hanbalis, no matter
what the language is. The Takbeeris remembrance or mentioning of
Allaah, and Allaah can be remembered or mentioned in every language,
so a language other than Arabic is an alternative, and the person has
to learn how to say it in the other language. There is some
controversy as to whether all of the adhkaar of the prayer, such as
tashahhud, qunoot, du'aa', and the tasbeehaat in rukoo' and sujood may
be said in languages other than Arabic.
With regard to reading Qur'aan, the majority saythat it is not
permissible to read it in any language other than Arabic. The evidence
for this is the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'aan…" [Yoosuf 12:2]
Moreover, the Qur'aan is a miracle in its wording and its meaning; if
it is changed, this is no longer the case, and it is no longer Qur'aan
but an interpretation (tafseer). (al-Mawsoo'ah al-Fiqhiyyah, part 5:
A'jami).
Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
"Section: It is not right toread it in any language other than Arabic,
or to substitute other words in Arabic, whether the person can read it
well in Arabic or not, becauseAllaah says (interpretation of the
meaning): "…an Arabic Qur'aan …' [Yoosuf 12:2] and 'In the plain
Arabic language' [al-Shu'ara' 26:195]. The Qur'aan is a miracle in
both its wording and its meaning, but if it is changed this is no
longer the case, it is not Qur'aan or anything like it. It is only an
interpretation (tafseer), and if the interpretation were like the
Qur'aan itself, they would not be unable to meet the challenge of
producing asoorah like it.
If a person cannot read well in Arabic, he has to learn. If he does
not learn when he is able to,his prayers are not valid.If he is not
able, or he fears that he does not have time to learn before the time
for the next prayer is over, and he knows one aayah of al-Faatihah, he
should repeat it seven times… If he can recite more than that, he
should repeat it as much as he needs to make his recitation equivalent
to the length of Soorat al-Fatihah, or he could make it up by reciting
other aayaat. If he knows some aayaat he does not have to repeat, he
could recite another aayah instead, because the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded the one who could not
recite Qur'aan well to say 'Al-Hamdu Lillaah (Praise be to Allaah)'
and other phrases, which is part of an aayah, but he did not command
him to repeat it. If he cannot do anything, but he knows some of the
Qur'aan by heart, he should recite whatever he can, and nothing else
will do, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawoodfrom Rifaa'ah ibn
Raafi', who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "When you get up to pray, if you know some
Qur'aan,recite it, otherwise say al-hamdu Lillaah (praise be to
Allaah), and La ilaaha ill-Allaah (there is no god but Allaah), and
Allaahu akbar (Allaah is Most Great)." This is more like Qur'aan, and
ismore appropriate (than any other words). He should also recite as
much as he needs to make it equivalent in length to Soorat
al-Faatihah. If he cannot recite anything of the Qur'aan, and cannot
learn before it is too lateto pray the current prayer, he should say
Subhaan Allaah wa'l-hamdu Lillaah wa Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa Allaahu
akbar wa Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah (Glory be to Allaah;
praise be to Allaah; there is no god but Allaah; Allaah is Most Great;
and there is no strength and no power except with Allaah). Abu Dawood
reported that a man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) and said: "I cannot learn anything ofthe Qur'aan. Teach
me something that will suffice me." He said, "SaySubhaan Allaah
wa'l-hamdu Lillaah wa Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa Allaahu akbar wa Laa
hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah."
And Allaah knows best.

If a person does not know how to read or write, how can he pray?

There is a woman who does not know how to read or write, and she wants
to pray. What should she do?.
Praise be to Allaah.
You should note, may Allaah guide you, that this religion is a
religion of ease, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself
in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you
should not be extremists, but if you cannot be perfect, then try to be
near to perfection and receive the glad tidings that youwill be
rewarded; and what helps you to persistin worship is to do it at times
when you have most energy, such as at the beginning of the day, after
the sun has passed its zenith and at the end of the night." (Narrated
by al-Bukhaariin his Saheeh, no. 39).
If a person cannot read and write, then he has to learn what he should
say in his prayer, and how to pray. The fact that he cannot read or
write does not mean that he is unable to do that, because that is
easy, praise be to Allaah. Most of the Sahaabah could not read or
write, but they were able to pray well.
But if a person says, someone may be new in Islam, and if he wants to
learn what he should sayin his prayer, he needs time; the same applies
if he is unable to memorize al-Faatihah. So how should he pray?
The answer is: He should pray, and when he comes to the place where
Qur'aan is to be recited, he should glorifyAllaah, praise Him, magnify
Him and proclaim His Oneness, i.e., he should say Subhaan Allaah,
wa'l-hamdulillah wa Allaahu akbar wa laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (Glory beto
Allaah, praise be to Allaah, Allaah is Most Great and there is no god
but Allaah).
The evidence for that is the saheeh hadeeth narrated from Rafaa'ah ibn
Raafi' – the hadeeth about the one who did not pray properly –
according to which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) saidto him: "If you have memorized some Qur'aan,
then recite it, otherwise praise Allaah, glorify Him and proclaimHis
Oneness)." (Narrated and classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi, al-Jaami',
no. 302. Also narrated byAbu Dawood in his Sunan, no. 858; classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani, see Saheeh Abi Dawood, no. 767).
And Allaah knows best.

What should the person who is praying behind the imam do if the imamis silent for a long time after reciting al-Faatihah?

If the person who is praying behind the imam finishes reciting
al-Faatihah during a prayer in which Qur'aan is recited out loud, but
the imam does not start to recite after al-Faatihah, what shouldhe do
in this situation?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The answer to that is that we would say to theimam first of all: You
should not remain silent for this long time between reciting
al-Faatihah and reciting what comes after it. What is prescribed is
for the Imam to remain quiet briefly between al-Faatihah and the
soorah that comes after it so as to distinguish between the obligatory
recitation and the mustahabb recitation. During this silent pause it
is prescribed for the one who is praying behind the Imam to recite
al-Faatihah and complete the recitation, even if the imam recited it.
But as for the imam falling silent for a long time, this is contrary
to the Sunnah. Moreover, even if we assume that the imam did that and
remained silent for a long time, if the person praying behind him
recited al-Faatihah and completed it, he may recite a soorah after
thatuntil the imam begins to recite the soorah that comes after
al-Faatihah, at which point he shouldstop reciting, because it is not
permissible for theperson praying behind the imam to recite whenthe
imam is reciting, except with regard to reciting al-Faatihah only.End
quote.
Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn 'Uthaymeen (15/109)

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Maula-e-Kainat, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) and taking care of poor in Islam

Ameer al-Momineen, Imam Ali (as), during his Caliphate (Khilafat),
would often undertake tours to survey the markets. He (as) used to
walk in the markets alone, with no escort, no servant and no companion
and advice and guide the traders there. He (as) had a very soft corner
in his heart for old, weak, infirm, disabled, orphans, poor and
children were alwayshis favourites.
It was the hottest day of the season, Commander of the Faithful, Moula
Ali (as) had finished his noon-prayers in the mosque and was passing
through the bazaar; he noticed that a little girl was weeping. Moula
Ali (as) asked her the reason for her tears at which sheexplained: "My
master had given me a dirham to purchase some dates. Ipurchased them
from thistrader here, but when I returned home, my master did not
approve of them. Now I wish to return them but the trader refuses to
take them back."
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) accompanied the little girl to the trader
and said to him, "This little girl is a slave girl and has no
authority of her own. Take back the dates and return the money to
her."
The trader was a new comer to Kufa and did not recognize Maula Ali
(as) and was rude to him,some passerby intervened and told him who
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) was.
The trader's face went pale as he stood flabbergasted. Trader
immediately took the dates from the little girl and handed back the
money to her. Then, turning to Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as), he
implored, "O' Ameer al-Momineen (Commander of the Faithful)! Be
pleased withme and forgive me."
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) replied, "I shall only be pleased with you
when you change your behaviour for the better and pay close attention
to morals and courtesy."
The owner of the slave girl had also heard the news of this incident
andran to meet Moula Ali (as)to apologize for the trouble caused by
the slave girl. Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) told him:
You have no mercy for a person who is under your power and cannot
forgive her mistake, haveyou a right to expect Mercy and Forgiveness
from the Lord? You people have acquired nothing from Islam but its
name.
Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (as) and taking care of Helpless in Islam
One day Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (as)saw an old woman
carrying a heavy load of firewood which she could ill afford to lift,
she was tottering under the weight. Maula-e-Kainat, Imam Ali (as)
relieved herof her weight carried it to her hamlet and on her request
lighted her oven for her and gave her some money also. Old woman did
not know who Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) was and was thanking him for
his kindness when a neighbour entered the hamlet, recognized ImamAli
ibn Abu Talib (as) and told her, who he was, only then she realized
that who had served her like an obedient servant was the Caliph and
the king of a fast growing kingdom.
Only after Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib's (as) death the world came to know
thathe had provided a shelterfor a leper in an advanced stage of the
disease. The shelter was outside the town, he used to go there daily,
dress his wounds, feed him with his own hands (because the leper had
lost his hands), wash him,put his bed in order and carry him out of
the shelter for little time, so that he may get fresh air.
Accidentally relatives andfriends of Moula Ali (as) came across this
shelter and found a leper in it, learned his history and told him Imam
Ali ibn AbuTalib (as) was martyred and they had just then buried him.
The news so affected the poor cripple that he died on the spot.
Ameer al-Momineen as Stranger: Taking care of orphans and widows in Islam
Tired and exhausted withthe water skin on her back, she was gasping
and going towards her house where innocent children, their eyes fixed
at the door, were eagerlywaiting for the arrival of their mother. On
her way,stranger man approached her. He took the water skin from her
and placed it on his back.The door opened and thechildren saw their
mother entering the house with a stranger. Heplaced the water skin on
the ground and said:
"Well, it seems you don't have anyone to fetch water for you; how
comeyou are so forlorn?"
She replied: "My husbandwas a soldier; Ali sent himto the frontier
where he was killed. Now I am alone with these small children."
Stranger said no more. Bowing down his head he went away. But the
thought of the helpless widow and orphans remained in his mind. He
could hardly sleep in the night. Early in the morning he picked up a
basket; put some meat, flour and dates in it; went straight to her
house and knocked at the door.
"Who are you?"
Stranger replied: "I am the man who brought your water yesterday. Now
I have brought some food for the children."
"May Allah bless you and judge between us and Ali."
She opened the door. Entering the house stranger said: "I wish to do
some good acts. Eitherlet me knead the flour and bake the bread or
allow me to look after the children."
"Very well, but I can do the job of kneading and cooking better than
you. You take care of the children till I finish cooking."
She went to knead the flour. Immediately he grilled some meat, which
he had brought and fed the children saying to each child while putting
morsel in his mouth: "My son, forgive Ali if he has failed in his duty
towardsyou."
The flour got ready; she called: "Gentleman! Put fire in the oven."
Stranger went and put fire in the oven. When flames rose up, he
brought his face near thefire and said, "Taste the heat of fire. It is
the punishment for those who fail in their duty towards orphans and
widows."
By chance, a woman from the neighboring house came in. Recognizing the
stranger,she cried: "Woe, don't you recognize the man who is helping
you? He isAmir al-Muminin (commander of the faithful), Imam Ali ibn
Abu Talib (as)."
The widow came forward and shamefacedly cried:"Curse and shame to me.
Ibeg your pardon."
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) replied, "No, I beg your pardon for I
failed in my duty towards you."
Maula-e-Kainat, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) and theAstrologer
There are some who are heedless with respect to reflection, reasoning
andTawakkul (Absolute Trust), and instead, turn to soothsayers and
astrologers, who have cleverly started their business in order to
swindle the people of their money.
Of course, the issue of Aulia Allah (Friends of Allah) and those, who
have strived towards spiritual purification, differ vastly from the
others, for their words are light (nur) and if, at times, they were to
say something to someone, itwould surely occur and hence such
personalities should not be compared to the others.
As an example, we shall present an incident that transpired during the
time of Maula Ali (as). Ameer al-Momineen, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as)
and his army had started out for the battle of Nahrawan against the
Kharjites (Kharjite means one who rebels against religion), and having
reached the city of Madain, they pitched their tents. The next
morning, as they were about to commence theirjourney, an astrologer
approached them and said: "My astrological calculations reveal that it
is not in your interest to advance in this hour. Commence your journey
after three hours and youshall be victorious."
Hearing this, Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as)
said:"Whoever upholds your words has rejected the Noble Qur'an of
Allah (SWT)."
Surely Allah is He with Whom is the knowledge of the hour, and He
sendsdown the rain and He knows what is in the wombs; and no one knows
what he shall earnon the morrow; and no one knows in what land he
shall die; surely Allah is Knowing, Aware. NobleQur'an (31:34)
Moula Ali (as) then asked:"Do you possess knowledge as to which family
has taken over thereins of leadership in China?"
The astrologer replied: "I have no knowledge."
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) questioned: "What is that star, which when
rises, stirs up lust within the camels?"
The astrologer confessed:"I have no idea."
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) asked: "The rise of which star stirs up
passion within the cats?"
The astrologer said: "I do not know!"
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) asked: "Inform me of the thing that is
concealed beneath the hoofs of my horse."
When the astrologer had once again pleaded ignorance, Imam Ali ibn Abu
Talib (as) said to him:"Within the earth, below the feet of my horse,
lies a jar filled with gold coins and beneath which a serpent lies
asleep."
When the place was dug up, the people witnessed that the scenario was
exactly as it had been described by Imam Ali ibnAbu Talib (as).
Observing this, the astrologer was totally bewildered; Imam Ali ibn
Abu Talib (as) took possession of his books, ordered them to be
destroyed and then said to him: "The next time you try to attract the
people towards yourself by means of astrology; I shall put you behind
bars."

Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) and his two servants: Qambar and Saeed

After the martyrdom of Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as), Qambar, servant
of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) related that he very seldom had the
occasion to serve his master. Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) used to
do his work for himself, used to wash his own clothing, used even to
patch them whenever needed. He would draw water from the well for his
daily use. Imam Ali ibnAbu Talib (as) would give them good food and
decent dresses, and would himself eat and dress like a very poor man.
Let alone whipping or beating he never evengot angry with us. He never
used a cane even on his horse, camel or mule. These animals apparently
understood his mood and desire and would trot and walk as he wished
them to do. His often used phrase with them was "go easy child".
Continuing Qambar said:
Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (as) and saving wealth (money)
Once and only once ImamAli ibn Abu Talib (as) got annoyed with me. It
was the occasion when I showed him the money that I had hoarded. It
was from my share of income given to me like others from the State
Treasury (Baytul Mal) andthe gifts I had received from the members of
his family. I had no immediate use of it and had collected the amount.
It was not much,being barely 100 Dirhams. When I showed him the amount
he looked annoyed and what pained me more helooked very sad. I
enquired as to why he was so sad, he said:"Qambar, if you had no use
of this money, were there not people around you who were in need ofit,
some of them might have been starving and some ill and infirm,
couldyou not have helped them. I never thought that you could be so
heartless and cruel, and could love wealth for the sake of wealth."
Qambar I am afraid you are not trying to acquire much from Islam, try
more seriously and sincerely. Take these coins out of my house. I took
them out and distributed them amongst the beggars in the Kufa mosque.
Is Money is everything?
Some people say 'Money is everything'. It will be advisable for such
peopleto consider the followingfacts:
"Money will buy a Bed but not sleep, Books but not brains, Food but
not appetite, Finery but not beauty, Medicine but not health; Luxuries
but not culture, Amusements but not happiness, Passport to every where
but not Heaven".
Ameer ul Momineen, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) and Generosity
At another time, Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) was returning from a
journey with a string of camels fully laden with goods. On the way a
beggar asked for a piece of bread. Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) ordered
hisbeloved servant Qambar to give some bread to thebeggar. Qambar
started searching for bread. Aftera few moments Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib
(as) asked about the delay. Qambar said, "I am looking for the bread."
Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) said, "Give the bagger the camel which
carries the food." After a while Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) again
inquired about the delay. Qambar replied, "I am searching for the
camel carrying the food." "Give the whole caravan," Imam Aliibn Abu
Talib (as) ordered.
Qambar hurriedly jumped off from the camel and handed the reins of the
whole caravan to the fortunate beggar.
Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) smiled at the agility of Qambar and
asked him, "Why did you jump so quickly and handover the reins in such
haste?" Qambar replied,"Master, you are in such amood that on account
of a little delay, you gave away the whole caravan. I was afraid if
there was some more delay, you might give me away also with the
caravan. You will get a thousand slaveslike me, but where will I get a
master like you?"
Ameer ul Momineen, Imam Ali (as) and Gift giving etiquette in Islam
One day our first Imam, Ameer ul Momineen, Imam Ali (as) went to the
market with his servant, Qambar. There he boughttwo shirts, one which
was really nice and expensive and the other which was not as nice.
When Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) returned home he gave the better
shirt to Qambar and kept the other one for himself.
Qambar told Ameer ul Momineen, Imam Ali (as) that it would look better
if he wore the nicer shirt as he was the leader of the Muslims
(Commander of the Faithful) while Qambar himself was only a servant.
Imam Ali (as) answered that Qambar should wearthe nicer shirt because
hewas younger and so it would suit him better; but more importantly
Ameer ul Momineen, Imam Ali (as) told him that he was a guide for the
Muslims and so had to set a good example forthem by leading a simple
life.
Saeed, another servant ofAmir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) says,
It was a very hot day, Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) was writing some
letters, he wanted to send me to call some of his officers, he called
me, once, twice and thrice and each time I purposely kept silent
anddid not reply. Imam Ali (as) got up to go himself and saw me
sitting not very far away from him. He (as) asked me as to why I did
not respond to his call, I replied: "Master,I want to find out when
and how you get angry." A smile played on his lips and he replied:
"You cannot rouse my anger with such childlike tricks, and then he set
me free and kept on supporting me till me death."
Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) amongst his subjects
When Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) was comingto Kufa, he entered the
city of Anbar populated by Iranians. The Iranian farmers were very
happy to see their beloved caliph, Ameer ul Momineen passing through
their town. Theycame to his visit. When it was time for Imam Ali (as)
to leave, they started running in front of his horse. Amir al-Muminin,
Imam Ali (as) inquired about this behavior.
"This is one way that we extend respect to our leaders and respectful
individuals. This is our custom that has been practiced for years."
Ameer ul Momineen, Imam Ali (as) said: "This behavior puts you in
discomfort in this world, and brings about humiliation in the next
world. Always stay away from practices that humiliate you. After all
what benefit is there in such a practice to the recipients?"
Haris-ibne-Shohail, one of the governors of the provinces, was in
Kufa, once he was riding through the city and saw Imam Ali ibn Abu
Talib (as) also riding. He got down from his horse to accompany Amir
al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) on foot. Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali
(as)stopped his horse and said. "It is ill for a man to lower himself
before anybody but his God, please get upon your horse, even had you
not been an officer of the state I would not have allowed you to lower
yourself like this, the sight of such humiliation of man before man
neverpleases me. It is the worstform of tyranny which can be
practiced."
Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (as) was passing through Ambar,
with his army. The rich men of the province, as was the custom of
those times, came out to greet him. They offered the best Persian
horses as presents, and requested his permission to act as hosts to
his army. Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) met them very courteously, but
very politely refused to accept the gifts and the invitation, saying:
You have paid your taxes,to receive anything morefrom you, even when
youoffer it voluntarily and willingly, is a crime against the state.
But when they persisted and pressed their request, Amir
al-Muminin,Imam Ali (as) ordered that the horses could be accepted
against their taxes, and so far as the feast was concerned it must be
paid out of the war expenses.
Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) and rights of Companionship
In those days, Kufa was the capital and center of the Islamic
Government. All eyes of the vast and wide Muslim nation (withthe
exception of Syria) were fixed at this city waiting for orders to be
issued and decisions to be taken.
One day outside the city two gentlemen, a Muslim and the other from
people of the Book (Jew or Christian) met on the road. The Muslim was
going to Kufa and the other gentlemen to another place nearby. Since a
part of their journey was common, they decided to travel together.
On the way, they talked and talked on, various topics of mutual
interest and ultimately arrived at the point where their paths
separated. The non-Muslim was surprised to see that his Muslim
companion did not take the path leadingto Kufa but accompanied him on
the other path, where he was going. He asked: "Well, did not you say
you were going to Kufa?"
"Yes" Muslim said.
"Then why are you coming this way? The other one is the path to Kufa."
"I know. I want to walk a few steps with you to seeyou off as our
Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said, 'whenever two persons travel together
on the same path, they establish reciprocal rightsupon each other'.
Now you have got a right upon me and for the sakeof that right I wish
to walk a few steps with you, and then, of course, I shall return unto
my own path."
"Oh! Such an authority and power which is wielded among people insuch
a perfect way by your Prophet Muhammad(saw), and the amazing speed
with which his religion has spread in theworld, must be, I am
sure,because of his such noblecharacter."
The surprise and admiration of this non-Muslim reached its peak when
he learnt afterwards that his Muslim friend was Amir al-Muminin, Imam
Ali (as),the Caliph of that time. Soon after he embraced Islam and was
counted among the most devout and self-sacrificing companion of Amir
al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as).
Maula Ali (as): Taking care of old age people in Islam
The old man, a Christian by religion, had worked all his life; but had
not been able to save anything for his old age. Lately he had also
become blind. Old age, poverty and blindness had joined hands and he
had no other way except begging. He used to stand at the corner of a
lane for begging. People had compassion for him and gave him some alms
from which he ate every day, and so he continued his sad life.
One day Ameer ul Momineen (Commander of the Faithful) Maula Ali (as),
passed through the lane and saw the beggar in that condition. Imam Ali
(as), out of his concernfor others, enquired about the old man. He
wanted to know the factors which led him to that condition. "Has he no
son to support him? Or, is there no other way for him to live a
respectable life in his old age?"
The people who knew the old man came forward and informed Imam Ali
(as) that he was a Christian and had worked hard so long as he had his
eyes, and when young and strong. Now that he had lost his youth as
well as his eyes, he was unable to do any work; also he had no
savings, so it was natural for him to beg. Mawla Ali (as) said,
"Strange! Till hehad strength, you extracted work from him and now you
have left him on his own?"
His story shows that he had worked when he had the strength.
Therefore, it is the duty of the Government and the society to support
him till he is alive. "Go, and give him a life pension from the State
Treasury (Baytul Mal)."

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How can he advise someone who is falling short with regard to prayer?

How can I call someone to pray who, even though he knows that it is
obligatory, does not do it sometimes? I wouldlike you to tell me some
simple phrases that haveto do with this question, and some phrases
that will warn of punishmentand encourage seeking reward.
Praise be to Allaah.
You can remind this person and advise him by explaining the ruling on
not praying, and on not praying in congregation in the mosque, and
explain how the early generations of Muslims were with regard to
prayer.
The ruling on not praying:
In a number of questionswe have explained that the one who does not
pray is a kaafir who is beyond the pale of Islam; no good deeds will
be accepted from him on the Day of Resurrection; and his marriage
contract with his wife must be annulled if she does pray. This one who
does not pray should also understand that any meat slaughtered by
himcannot be eaten; and (if he dies) he cannot be washed, have the
funeral prayer offered for him, or be buried in the Muslim graveyard.
It was narrated from Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with
him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) mentioned a dream that he had seen and said: "Last night two
people came to me and said, 'Let's go,' so I went with them. We came
to a manwho was lying down, with another man standing over him,
holding a big rock. He threw the rock at the man's head, smashing it.
The rock rolled away, and the one who had thrown it followed it, and
picked it up. By the time he came back to the man, his head had been
restored to its former state. Then he (the one who had thrown the
rock) did thesame as he had done before. I said to (my two
companions), 'Subhaan Allaah! What is this?' They said to me: Move
on…"
At the end of the hadeeth, he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) said: "They said to me: 'The first manwhom you saw with his head
being smashed with the rock, is the manwho learned the Qur'aanthen
abandoned it, and he went to sleep, neglecting the obligatory
prayers.'"
Narrated by al-Bukhaari,6640
Muhammad ibn Nasr al-Marwazi said:
I heard Ishaaq – i.e., ibn Raahawayh – say: It was narrated in a
saheeh report from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) that the one who does not pray is a kaafir. It was the opinion of
the scholars from the time ofthe Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him) that the one who deliberately does not pray, without any
excuse, until the time forthe prayer ends, is a kaafir. The time for
the prayer ending means delaying Zuhr until sunset and Maghrib
untilsunrise.
Ta'zeem Qadr as-Salaah, 2/929
For the ruling on the onewho does not pray, please see the answers to
questions no. 7864 , 5208 and 2182
With regard to praying in congregation in the mosque:
Just as the prayer is what differentiates between the Muslim andthe
kaafir, praying in congregation is the sign that differentiates
between the believer and the hypocrite. The Sahaabah (may Allah be
pleased with them) regarded the one who did not attend prayer in
congregation as a hypocrite whose hypocrisy was known.
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) was asked:
I am a young man, not married, and I pray but not continually, i.e., I
do not always offer the prayer on time, and sometimes I miss the
prayers for a whole day, or I do them all together.What is the Islamic
ruling on that?
He replied:
The Muslim is required to offer the prayers regularly on time, with
the congregation of Muslims. It is not permissible to delay the prayer
until its time is over. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation
of the meaning): "Verily, the prayer is enjoined on the believers at
fixed hours" [an-Nisa' 4:103], i.e., it is enjoined at specific times,
at which it should be offered. According to a report: "Allah has deeds
at nightthat He does not accept during the day, and deeds during the
day that He does not accept at night." Delaying the prayer until the
time for it is over is neglecting it. Allah, may He be exalted,says
(interpretation of the meaning): "Then, there has succeeded them a
posterity who have given up As-Salat (the prayers) (i.e. made their
Salat (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not
offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed
times, etc.) and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell,
except those who repent…" [Maryam 19:59,60].
Putting two prayers together is not permissible, unless thereis a
legitimate shar'i excuse at the time of one of them, such as putting
Zuhr together with 'Asr, or Maghrib together with 'Isha'. But putting
the prayers of anentire day together is not permissible and prayers
are not valid if done in this manner.
Al-Muntaqa min Fataawaal-Fawzaan, 5/56, 57
You will find the evidence for prayer in congregation being obligatory
in the answers to questions no. 120 and 8918 .
With regard to how the early generations of Muslims were with regard
to praying in congregation in the mosque:
They regarded it as something of the utmostimportance, to which they
paid a great deal ofattention and were keento offer the prayer in
congregation in the mosque even if they hadexcuses not to do so.
Wakee' ibn al-Jarraah said, narrating from al-A'mash Sulaymaan
ibnMahraan: al-A'mash was nearly seventy years old but he never missed
the first takbeer.
Muhammad ibn al-Mubaarak as-Soori said: If Sa'eed ibn 'Abd al-'Azeez
al-Tanookhi missed the prayer in congregation, he would weep.
It was narrated from Muhammad ibn Khafeef that he had a pain in his
side that, when it affected him, prevented him from moving. But when
the call to prayer was given, he would be carried on a man's back. It
was said to him: Why don't you take it easy onyourself? He said: If
you hear (the words of the adhaan), Hayya 'ala as-salaah (come to
prayer) and you do not see me in the row (of worshippers), then look
for me in the graveyard.
'Aamir ibn 'Abdillah ibn az-Zubayr heard the mu'adhdhin when he was
dying and he said: Hold my hand (and take me to the prayer). It was
said: You are sick. He said: I can hear the callerof Allah; should I
not respond to him? So they took him by the hand and he joined the
imam in praying Maghrib; he prayed one rak'ah then he died.