See the Beauty Around You

We tend to think of beautiful places as being far away. We imagine
exotic lands like the Caribbean islands, the Mediterranean coast, the
Alps orthe Himalayas, or anywhere in New Zealand, ha ha.
There is glory everywhere. Rightnow, in this moment, there is
something beautiful within the boundaries of your vision, or very
near.
From where I am sitting, through the kitchen window I can see a rose
bush. The pink roses are blooming and reaching for the sky, and it's
quite lovely ma-sha-Allah. I hear birds singing outside, and through
the front window I seea birds of paradise bush, with it's angular
orange flowers.
Closer at hand, on my desk is a lovely ornate metal vase from Egypt.
It is covered in intricate Islamic patterns with verses of the Quran
twining around the sides. There are other beautiful works of art in
the house if I take the time to glance around – including a simple
artwork that my daughter Salma made by sticking different kinds of
leaves to a sheet of paper.
Beauty can be found in ordinarythings as well. On the kitchen counter
I see two lemons cut in half, and beside them a boiled egg. It reminds
me of an artist's tableau and makes me wish I were a painter. My
daughter is playing on the floor with her train set, and she is the
jewel of my eye, ma-sha-Allah.
One of the reasons we fall into depression is that we focus on what we
don't have, or what we have lost; and we fail to see the blessings and
beauty that surround us.
Right now, look around you. Quiet your mind, and focus on beauty.
Remember that life is a gift, and a miracle, and a sign.
And the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth
and [numerous] benefits, and from them you eat.
And for you in them is beauty when you bring them in [for the
evening], and when you send them out.
And they carry your loads to a land you could not have reached except
with difficulty to yourselves. Indeed, your Lord is Kind and Merciful.
And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride, and
[as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.
And upon Allah is the direction of the way, and among the various
paths are those deviating. And if He willed, He could have guided you
all.
It is He who sends down rain from the sky; from it is drink and from
it is foliage in which you pasture.
He causes to grow for you thereby the crops, olives, palmtrees,
grapevines, and from allthe fruits. Indeed in that is a sign for a
people who give thought.
And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon,
and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs
for a people who reason.
And [He has subjected] whatever He multiplied for you on the earth of
varying colors. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who remember.
And it is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender meat,
and to extract from it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships
plowing through it, that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you
will be grateful.
And He has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it shift
with you, and [made] rivers and roads, that you maybe guided, And
landmarks. Andby the stars they are [also] guided.
Then is He who creates like one who does not create? So will you not
be reminded?
And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate
them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Quran, Surat an-Nahl (The Bee), 16:5-18/

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Sajda Tilawat Verses (Ayats)

Sajda Tilawat Verses (Ayats)
Ayats (verses) Requiring Sajda-e-Tilawat:
Surah Al A'Raf (7) Ayat 206
Surah Al Ra'd (13) Ayat 15
Surah Al Nahl (16) Ayat 50
Surah Bani Israil (17) Ayat 109
Surah Maryum (19) Ayat 58
Surah Al Haj (22) Ayat 18
Surah Al Haj (22) Ayat 77 (Shafi)
Surah Al Farqan (25) Ayat 60
Surah Al Naml (27) Ayat 26
Surah As Sajdah (32) Ayat 15
Surah Sa'd (38) Ayat 24 (Hanafi)
Surah Hamim Sajdah (41) Ayat 38
Surah Al Najam (53) Ayat 62
Surah Inshiqaq (84) Ayat 21
Surah Al Alaq (96) Ayat 1
There are 14 Aayaat of the Qur'an after the recital of which Sajdatut
Tilawat has to be made. These are indicated by the word 'As Sajdah'
shown in the margin and also on the specific Aayaat. (Note: The second
Sajdah in Surah Haj is to be performed by the Shafi'ees, and the
Sajdah inSurah Saad is not a Sajdatut Tilawat for the Shafi'ees. This
is a Sajdatush Shukr for the Shafi'ees and should be performed only
out of Salat.The niyyah(intention) for this is: 'Nawaytu Sajdatush
Shukri lillahi Ta'aala').
According to the Shafi'es and Hanafis there are 14 sajda tilawat in
the Noble Quran. The Hanbalis state that there are 15 sajdas whilst
the Malikis say that there are eleven sajda tilawat in the Noble
Quran.
When reciting or listening to the Qur'an and on reaching any of these
Aayaat it is Waajib to perform a single Sajdah, according to the
Hanafi's. According to Imaam Shafi'ee Rahmatullahi Alayh it is Sunnah.
The Hanafi scholars say that it is compulsory upon the reciter and
listener to perform the 14 sajdas. The vast majority of jurists,
namely, Malikis, Shafi'es, Hanbalis state that it is sunnah and not
compulsory. However if one is unable to perform the Sajdah at once
then it could be performed soon after. This Sajdah is not Waajib for
women when they are in a state of Haidhor Nifaas.
If an Aayat of Sajdah is read in Salaat then the Sajdah must be made
immediately in the Salaat. The method of performing Sajdatut Tilawat
in Salaat isto complete the Aayat and then immediately go downinto
Sajdah whilst saying Allahu Akbar. After the Sajdah return to the
standing position whilst saying Allahu Akbar and continue recital
without first reading 'Bismillah'.
If an Aayat of Sajdah is repeated several times while seated in one
place then only one Sajdah is Waajib. When one Sajdah Aayat is read at
several different places or if separate Aayaat are recitedat various
places then the corresponding number of Sajdahs will have to be
performed A small house, or the chamber of the Masjid is regarded as
one place. It is desirable to readthe Aayat of Sajda inaudibly to
avoid making the Sajdah Waaj'ib on others who are within hearing
distance. It is makrooh to recite the Qur'an and deliberately omit
reading the Aayat of Sajdah to avoid performingthe Sajdah.
How to Perform The Sajda Tilawat
The same conditions regarding Tahaarat, Wudhu etc. that apply to Salat
are applicable to Sajdatut Tilaawat. Sajdatut Tilawat is prohibited
whilstthe sun is rising, precisely at noon, and from the timethe
colour of the sun changes before sunset untilthe sun has fully set.
The Hanafi method: It is Mustahab (desirable) to stand up and say:
'Allahu Akbar' without raising the hands; then go straight down into
Sajdah; read 'Subhaana Rabbiyal A'ala' three times; arise out of
Sajdah and 'whilst standingup say; 'Allahu Akbar'. There is no Tasleem
(Salaam) after standing up. Although it is better to begin and end
this Sajdah from a standing position, itis also correct to commence
and terminate it from the Jalsa (sitting) position.
The Shafi'ee method:
First say the niyat for Sajdatut Tilawat thus: 'Nawaytu Sajdatut
Tilaawati lillahi Ta'ala' . Then recite the TakbeeratulIhraam(whilst
lifting handsas in salaat) by saying 'Allahu Akbar' and perform one
sajdah. Thereafter whilst standing up say the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar)
andthen recite the Tasleem(salaam) to complete the sajdah.

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The Prophet (sallAllahu 'alyhi wasallam) said:

The Prophet (sallAllahu 'alyhi wasallam) said:
"It has been revealed to me that you should be humble to the extent
that none of you boasts to others or mistreats others. But if a person
simply likes to look good, then there is nothing wrong with that."

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The Sunnah: The second source of legislation:

The Sunnah (the actions, sayingsand confirmations of Prophet Muhammad,
salallaahu alayhi wa sallam is the second source of Islamic
legislation and must be in complete agreement with the first source
(i. e. the Quran).
The term Sunnah comes from the root word 'sanna', which means to pave the way.
Sunnah can be used to describe a path that people follow. In Islamic
terminology, Sunnah applies to a prophetic way which includes
references to theProphet's sayings, actions, approvals, physical
features and character traits.
His actions pertain to anything he did, as authentically reportedby
the Companions . His silent approvals on different issues meant he
didn't oppose or mind what he saw, heard or knew of the actions or
sayings ofhis Companions. Sunnah also includes everything
authentically narrated concerning the Prophet's physical features and
his traits.
The Quran and the Sunnah complement each other. Without the Sunnah,
Islam is notcomplete, likewise without the Quran, Islam is not
complete.
Actually, Sunnah is so important that without it one cannot fully
understand the Quran and Islam, or be able to apply it to his life.
Both of these sources guide us to the right path.
The Quran is the word of Allah, whereas the Sunnah is its practical
interpretation. Sunnah also gives a full account of the life of the
Prophet salallaahu alayhi wa sallam.
The Quran principally deals with basics. It is the Sunnah which gives
the details and necessary explanations of Quranic injunctions. For
instance, Allaah Says in the Quran what means: "…Establish the
prayer…" [2: 43] But it does not specify how the prayer has to be
performed.
Even after knowing the details, it may not be possible to follow the
divine injunctions contained in the Quran. For not everything can be
properly understood by words alone. Therefore, the Messenger of Allaah
salallaahu alayhi wa sallam demonstrated before the believers how the
prayer was to be performed.
Thus, not only did the Prophet salallaahu alayhi wa sallam inform the
believers of the divine injunctions, but he also put these teachings
into practicein all matters pertaining to religion and daily life. He
salallaahu alayhi wa sallam himself practiced these injunctions
scrupulously. His practice was not a private matter; it had the status
of a detailed interpretation and application of the Quran.
Importance of the Sunnah
The Quran repeatedly reminds us of the importance of the Sunnah,
enjoining us to strictly follow the Prophet salallaahu alayhi wa
sallam.
Allaah, Almighty, Says what means: " …And whatever the Messenger has
given you – take;and what he has forbidden you –refrain from…" [Quran
59:7]
Allaah also Says what means: "But no, by your Lord, they will not
[truly] believe until they make you [O Muhammad] judge concerning that
over which they dispute among themselves and then find within
themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in
[full, willing] submission.." [Quran 4:65)
Again, Allaah Says what means: "It is not for a believing man or a
believing woman, when Allaahand His Messenger have decideda matter,
that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And
whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into
clear error." [Quran 33:36]
According to many verses in the Quran, the Muslim is bound to follow
the Sunnah of the Prophet salallaahu alayhi wa sallam. No one remains
Muslim if he does not accept the Prophet's Sunnah, salallaahu alayhi
wa sallam.
The Sunnah is nothing but a reflection of the personality of the
Prophet salallaahu alayhi wa sallam, who is to be obeyed at every
cost.
The Sunnah was not, as is generally supposed, a thing of which the
need may have been felt only after the Prophet's death salallaahu
alayhi wa sallam, for it was very much needed in his lifetime. The two
most important religious institutions of Islam are Prayer and Zakaat
(obligatory alms giving); yet when the injunction relating to Prayer
and Zakaat were delivered, and they were repeatedly revealed in both
Makkah and Madeenah.....

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