2. Importance of Appearance

2.
1.1 Distinct Muslim Personality
Islam advocates this etiquette and stresses it so as to perfect the
Muslim personality and to bring about harmony among people. There is
no doubt that embodying such manners and virtues enhances personal
style and qualities, refines personality and brings us closer to the
hearts and minds of others. The forthcoming manners and etiquette are
central to Islam, its purposes and its aims. Calling it 'etiquette' by
no means implies that itis marginal to life and social behaviour. It
does not mean Muslims have the option of ignoring this code of
behaviour, or that it is merely preferable to adhere to it.
In pointing out that manners rank higher than deeds, Imam Al-Qar�fi in
his book Al-Furw'q said, 'Learn that a little etiquetteis better than
a lot of good actions.' Rw'aim, the righteous scholar, told his son,
'Oh my son, make yourdeeds salt, and your manners flour.' Many good
manners with few good deeds are better than many good
deeds with few good manners. Even if some of these rules appear to be
simple common courtesy, it is important to highlight their
significance. Many Muslims commit errors which blemish the Islamic
personality, whose purpose is meant to be unique in its beauty,
perfection and traits. Our master, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله
عليه وسلم) directed the blessed companions by saying: 'You are on your
way to meet your brothers, put ona nice dress and fix your riding so
you appear distinct among people as a fleck [on a beautiful face].
Allah does not like roughness nor rough manners.'
When the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 'No one will enter Paradise
if they have at heart a grain of arrogance.' A man asked: 'Aman may
like his dress to be nice and his shoes nice.' The Prophet answered
'Allah is beautiful and likes beauty. Arrogance is to deny rights and
look downat people.'
Shaikh Ibn Taimia said thatthe beauty that Allah likes include nice
clothes. Hence it could be said that Allah likes all nice things.
Therefore, a Muslim ought to be recognized by neat dress, cleanliness
and graceful appearance.
1.2 CLEANLINESS AND WASHING
The Sunna is to keep perfume and to use it regularly on oneself.
Al-Bukhari narrated that Salman Al-Farsi said: the Prophet, peace be
upon him, said 'Allah will forgive the sins of the past week for he
who on Friday will take a bath, cleanse himself, put on his [regular]
perfume or any perfume available in house. Then, he goes out [to
Jumu'ah prayer] and does not try to separate two friends. Then he
prays wherever he could and listens to the Imam.' If the body became
odorous a day or two before Friday, one should not wait till Friday to
cleanse the body. We should wash our bodies as soon as it
requirewashing to keep ourselves clean and fresh.
To take a bath on Friday is specifically required since alarge number
of people will be gathering at mosques. However, if our body became
dirty or we sweat on a particular day, then, we should take a bath at
the end of day or the next morning. This is indicated by a Hadith
narrated by Al-Bukhari andMuslim that Abu Huraira said, the Prophet,
peace be upon him, said: 'It is the duty of every Muslim to have a
bath once every week to wash his head andbody.' Another Hadith
1.3 ARRIVING FROM A JOURNEY
If you are traveling to visit someone or if you are about to receive
guests, whether those in question are your parents, relatives, peers,
or friends of a different age, make sure that your hands, feet, and
socks are clean, and your appearance and clothing is neat. Never
neglect or underestimate the importance of your look, for that would
certainly mar the pleasure of the meeting, while dulling the enjoyment
of those you meet. In this regard, the Prophet directed his companions
upon returning from a journey: 'You are returning to your brethren,
dress nicely, and sort out your rides so that you may become a beauty
mark among people, for Allah does not like sloppiness or acting in a
sloppy way.'
Try to bring some gifts to those receiving you, and likewise present
your guests with a present. Always be prepared to reciprocate with a
suitable gift. The subtle joy of seeing your beloved ones will be
vividly rememberedfor many years. A gift, however symbolic, will
greatly enhance the pleasure of such a meeting.The Prophet (صلى الله
عليه وسلم), as reported by Bukhary, said: 'Exchange gifts; exchange
love.' Our Muslim predecessors used to leave their host with a present
which could be as symbolic as an Arak stick.
1.4 DRESS PROPERLY WITHFAMILY AND FRIENDS
Dress properly, even among friends and relatives. Dress properly when
visiting your parents,a pious person, an elder, oreven a relative or a
friend. Your attire should be clean and elegant, not ugly or
unsightly.
:->

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Fatimah tuz Zahrã (R.A.)

FATIMAH TUZ ZAHRAH (r.a) – DUAGHTER OF MUHAMMAD (صلى الله عليه وسلم)
Fatimah (R.A.) was youngest in age of all her sisters but highest in
grades. She was dearest to her father of all his daughters. He once
said, " Fatimah is like soul and heart to me." once, he said,"Fatimah
will be the leaderof the women in Paradise."he further said, "What
troubles Fatimah troubles me as well."
It was the sixth year of Prophethood and Rasulullah (Sallallahu
AlaihiWasallam) had launched his preaching mission but his own clan
were impeding in his way. The people of the Quraysh were trying every
trick to trouble him. One day whilehe was performing Salãh inthe
Haram, on the instigation of the pagans of Makkak, Aqabah ibn Moeet
brought the entrails of a camel and placed it on his neck whilst he
was prostrating. Someone told Fatimah (R.A.) who was then just six
years old. She came running and removed the stuff and cursed the
non-believers. She, at such an early age beheld the tribulations
andtorments Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)was being subject
to.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu AlaihiWasallam) awarded her the title of 'lady
of Paradise'.
It has been reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu AlaihiWasallam) once
said, "On the Day of Resurrection a voice will be heard saying 'lower
you heads, Fatimah bint Muhammad is being escorted along,' then
Fatimah will cross the pathway to Paradise in a flash leading seventy
thousand Hoors (heavenly women)."
Rasulullah (Sallallahu AlaihiWasallam) confided only toFatimah (R.A.)
during his last days that he would dieof his illness. She wept to hear
that but Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)whispered to her that
she would follow him which brought delight on her faceand she smiled.
Rasulullah's (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) beloved wives pressed her
much to disclose that secret, but shedidn't. She revealed it, however
after his demise.

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1a. Salat-ul-Istikhara

1a.
(The explanation of the Imam that is given is very lengthy and takes a
great effort to explain. Alhumdulillah I am in theprocess of
completing the translation of this article which I will post in the
near future, Insha Allah.)
In brief, the scholar mentions that if one is tobelieve that this
prayer isthat of guidance that it deems necessary to believe that
Allah's guidance is always correct as He has complete knowledge.
However, we see many atimes that the confusion still remains after the
prayer and therefore it means that the promise from Allah was not
fulfilled and through Istikhara one did not achieve what one was
promised; and it is impossible for Allah to command of something and
then not have that order achieve its results.
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi recalls one pious saint from the Shafi'ee
group (which the author cannot recall) who mentioned an amazing
insight about Salaat-ul-Istikhara. Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, after
mentioning this scholar'samazing explanation, says himself that he is
more inclined towards the Shafi'ee explanation of Istikhara and that
this is the more correct opinion.
Explanation
With this view if we takeinto account the above issues and confusion
thatoften occurs, the confusions still remaining and facing
difficulties in the path the one took, we can say that Istikhara is a
Du'aa and all Dua'aas are accepted by Allah but it is not necessary
that it be in this world or immediately. Therefore, not receiving
clarificationwould mean that Allah has accepted our Dua'aas(as He has
promised to do so) but He has not answered it immediately,or that He
will give us a greater reward for this supplication in the Hereafter.
Similarly, if we face difficulties in a chosen path it could have the
same explanation as above or that Allah will shortly give us goodness
in the matter we have chosen.
Benefits of this Second View
If one takes this second view into account then one will be able to
make use of worldly means in able to make his decisionand remove his
confusion regarding the matter. Istikhara will be a supplication from
Allah Ta'ala to help him in his decision and to give him goodness it
whatever he chooses to do, whilst taking aid from the mediums will
help resolve his confusion andassist him in making a decision.
Conclusion
We have been instructed by the Prophet SallallahuAlayhi Wa Sallam to
perform the Istikhara prayer whenever we make decisions in our life,
especially when we make some major decisions in life. Therefore, we
should always make an effort toperform this prayer of Istikhara,
whether we see it as a way in receiving guidance or whether we perform
it as a supplication.
Furthermore, we should always use the mediums that Allah has placed in
this world to aid us with removing our confusions.The world has been
referred to as "Darul Asbaab" (the place of mediums) and it is the
wisdom of Allah that in order to acquire anything or even receive
anything from Him we need to use the means and mediums that Allah has
placed within this world.
Finally, we should alwaystrust in the decisions thatwe take through
the guidance of Allah and those that we take after supplicating to
Him; His mercy is infinite and though Allah may shower His mercy with
delay upon us, through His own wisdom, but He will surely guide us and
aid us through those matters that we have taken with hope of His help
and guidance. As the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam advisedus in
the final words of the Du'aa, "and make mecontent with it", we should
remain content with the decision we took with trust in Allah.
May Allah bless us with divine guidance from Himself and may He give
us the understanding to make the correct decisions and may He put
goodness in whatever He chooses for us to do. Aameen./

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1. Salat-ul-Istikhara

1.
The Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has said:
"If one of you is concerned about some practical undertaking, or about
making plans for ajourney, he should perform two Raka'aats (cycles) of
voluntary prayer." Then he should say the following Du'aa:
اللَّهمَّ إنِّي أستَخيرك بعلمكَ، و أستقدرك بقُدرتك، و أسْألك مِن فضلك العظيم،
فإنّك تَقْدر و لا أقْدِر، و تعلم و لا أعلم، و أنت علاَّمُالغُيوب.
اللَّهمَّ إنْ كنتَ تعلم أنَّهذا الأمْرِ خيرٌ لي في ديْني و معَاشي و عاقِبة أمري
– او قال عاجِل أمري و آجِله –
فاقْدِرْهُ لي و يسِّرْه لي ثمَّ بارِك لي فِيه،
و إن كنتَ تعلم أنَّ هذا الأمرِ شرٌّ لي في دِيني و معآشِي و عاقبةِ أمْرِي
– او قال في عاجِل أمرِي و آجِله –
فاصْرِفْه عَنِّي، و اصْرفْنِي عَنه، و اقْدِر لِيَ الخيْرَ حَيْثُ كان
ثُمَّ ارْضِنِي بِه.
Oh Allah! I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek
ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty.
You have power;I have none. And You know; I know not. You are the
Knower of hiddenthings.
Oh Allah! If in Your knowledge this matter isgood for my religion, my
livelihood and my affairs,immediate and in the future, then ordain it
for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And ifin Your
knowledge this matter is bad for my religion, my livelihood and my
affairs, immediate and in the future, then turn it away from me, and
turn me away from it. And ordain for me the good wherever it may be,
and make me content with it.
Salatul Istikhara
We all turn to Allah during times when we are in need, and one of the
most common methods and reasons for turning to Him is to seek His
guidance through theSalaah of Istikhara.
Istikhara, in reality, means "to seek goodnessfrom Allah" according to
some Ulamaa and according to some it is "to seek guidance from Allah".
Whichever meaning we take, it is a prayer and supplication which is
made by a believer to His Lord to help him in the time of need and
confusion.
However, it is also a known fact that many people experience confusion
about this particular prayer. The main reason for the occurrence of
confusion is because the person who is offering this prayer is
expecting divine guidance from Allah Ta'ala and therefore has this
belief in this heart that whatever result and pathhe is shown to take
will be the correct path and the most beneficial path for him chosen
by Allah Himself.
However, when people offer this prayer, it is witnessed that the
confusion of a person is not removed. Furthermore, the path that one
appears to havebeen told to take is sometimes not a smoothand clear
path; instead, the person apparently faces more difficulty in taking
that path.
It is for this reason that itis vital to clear a few misconceptions
and furthermore present a wonderful insight of a great scholar from
the followers of Imaam Shafi'ee Rahimahullah.
First View
The first and most common view of Istikhara is that it is a prayer
through which one seeks the guidance from Allah Ta'ala. It is a prayer
that removes the confusion a person is experiencing in a matter he
wishes to undertake; be that matter should you marry this certain
person? Should you attend this graduate school? Should you take this
job offer or that one?
Therefore, the person who performs this prayerdoes so in order to seek
guidance from Allah Ta'ala and hopes that his heart will be inclined
towards one of the two matters thus enlightening him as to what
decision to make.
However, as mentioned before, we sometimes see that we do not receive
any sort of inclination after the Istikhara, or that once the decision
is made we go through difficulties in the option we followed due to
the Istikhara.
Explanation
Primarily, it should be understood that, according to this view, we
are seeking Allah's complete knowledge to guide us and therefore we
should understand that whatever path we take is the right path for us
and no matter what apparent difficulties we go through there is
somebenefit for us within this path that Allah has inclined our hearts
towards.
Furthermore, if we feel that there is no inclination towards a certain
matter then the scholars have mentionedthat we should perform the
prayer several times until we do receive an answer from Allah Ta'ala.
Second View
Istikhara rather than being a prayer for guidance it is a supplication
(Du'aa) to Allah Ta'ala and a prayer to seek goodness from Him. It is
through this prayer that a person asksAllah Ta'ala to put goodness in
whatever hedecides to do and a supplication to Allah asking Him to
guide him towards that in which there is goodness for himand keep him
away fromthat which has no goodness for him.
:->

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