The Glory of Faith

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- Haaroon Ar-Rasheed once stood looking at the sky when hesaw a
cloud passing by. He addressed it saying, "Rain wherever you wish, for
your fruit will certainly come to me anyway." This means that the
cloud would have rained either on an Islamic land or on a non-Islamic
one. In the first case, Muslims would have benefitted from this
rainwater in agricultureand in drinking; in the second case, Muslims
would have also benefitted from this rainwater in the form of Jizyah
(a tax) that would be paid to them by non-Muslims. This example shows
the state of glory, which the Muslims reached in the past when they
applied their religion and worked for it. Nowadays, Muslims are
certainly required to pursue the means of glory.
Glory here refers to power, victory, high standing and invincibility.
It is a word which denotes that a person cannot be overcome or
humiliated. Ibn Al-Jawzi said,
Some of the scholars of Tafseer (Quranic exegesis) said, "In the
Quran, glory is used in three different senses.
It is used to signify might, as in the verse (which means):
• {"By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant."}
[Quran 26:44]
• {By Your might, I will surely mislead them all} [Quran 38:82]
It is also used to signify honor, asin the verse (which means): {Do
they seek with them honor [through power]? But indeed, honor belongs
to Allaah entirely.} [Quran 4:139]
Finally, it is used to signify dispraised pride as in the verse (which means):
• {And when it is said to him, "Fear Allah ," pride in the sin takes
hold of him.} [Quran 2:206]
• {But those who disbelieve are inpride and dissension.} [Quran 38:2]
From the above, it is noticed that there is praised glory and
dispraised glory. Praised glory is that which pertains to Allaah The
Almighty, to His Messenger and to the believers. This is real and
permanent glory since it is from and with the support of Allaah The
Almighty who cannot be defeated or resisted. Allaah The Almighty Says
(what means): {And to Allaah belongs [all] Honor and to His Messenger,
and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.} [Quran 63:8].
On the other hand, the glory of the disbelievers is, in fact,
humiliation and disgrace. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And
they have taken besides Allaah [false] deities that they would be for
them [a source of] honor. No! Those "gods" will deny their worship of
them and will be against them opponents [on the Day of Judgment].}
[Quran19:81-82].
Many people pursued the wrong way to glory, victory and enablement.
Some of them pursued it through money and forgot that money is only a
Fitnah (trial) and a loss if one does not give the right that Allaah
The Almighty has to it. Moreover, this money might be a means of
humiliation. Al-Hasan said, "By Allaah, Allaah The Almighty humiliates
whoever glorifies money." Indeed, we have seen a many examples of that
in life.
Other people seek glory through their positions and prestige. This may
enable them to achieve temporary glory. However, if this is not
established on justice and good reputation, then it certainlywill not
last. Indeed, many a leader and president were enjoying glory and then
became captives in prisons, and their glory turned into humiliation.
What is even more dangerous is when a person seeks glory through the
disbelievers, i.e. by allying himself with them, even if this is
against the Muslims' interests. This is no more than anillusion. In
fact, it is an instant humiliation, and the first people to turn
against such people would be his 'allies' from the disbelievers.
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Give tidings to the hypocrites
that there is forthem a painful punishment - Those who take
disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek with
them honor [through power]? But indeed, honor belongs to Allaah
entirely.} [Quran 4:138-139] Consequently, throwing one's self in the
arms of the disbelievers is the shortest way to dishonor and
humiliation because these disbelievers wouldnot accept from us
anything less than disbelief. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
{Andnever will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you
follow their religion.} [Quran 2:120].
Other people still seek glory through their ancestors and tribes, even
if they were misguided. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Rayhaanah
the Prophet said: "If a person attributes himself to nine of his
disbelieving forefathers, seeking through them glory and pride, hewill
be their tenth in Hell."
Hence, the unquestionable truth is that a person who seeks glory must
demand it from Allaah The Almighty through obeying Him and avoiding
disobedience. 'Umaribn Al-Khattaab summarized this wonderful meaning
in a few words; He said, "We were the most humiliated people, but
Allaah The Almighty has honored us with Islam. If we demand honor
through any means other than Islam, Allaah The Almighty will humiliate
us."
Ibraaheem ibn Shaybaan said, "Honor lies in modesty, glory lies in
piety, and freedom lies in contentment." When a Muslim lives in
obedience to Allaah The Almighty, he lives in honor and dignity. He
may be afflicted, but nevertheless he has a strong sense of honor.
This appeared clearly in the life of the righteous predecessors even
in the darkest moments and in the severest and hardest situations.
Situations Which Indicate the Glory of the Righteous Predecessors
When Bilaal was tortured in Makkah in its hot desert and a great heavy
boulder was put on his chest, not to make him abandon his faith but
only to stop blaspheming his peoples false gods or to keep silent, the
honor of faith showed in his words when he repeated, "AllaahThe One,
Allaah The One." This remained as an eternal anthem which the
generations have chanted throughout history. In addition, the words of
Bilaal poured despair into the souls of those who tortured him. So,
whowas honorable in this scene? Wasit this weak, tortured slave or
thearrogant disbelievers?
The story of 'Abdullaah ibn Huthaafah As-Sahmi when he was taken
captive by the Romansis another example. The king of the Romans tried
to entice 'Abdullaah to abandon his religion, but he refused. The king
offered him half of his money buthe refused. Then, he imprisoned him,
tortured him and did not give him any food or water except some pig
meat and wine. After three days, they brought him out and found that
he had eaten nothing of it. When he wasasked why had he not eaten any
of it, he replied, "By Allaah, AllaahThe Exalted made it lawful for
mebecause I was under duress, but Iwould never let you gloat over
Islam." Then, the king asked him to kiss his head in return for
releasing him but Ibn Huthaafah said that he would only do soif all
the Muslim captives were released. The king accepted and Ibn Huthaafah
kissed his head.
He then returned to the Commander of the Believers 'Umar ibn
Al-Khattaab with all the Muslim captives. 'Umar stood up and kissed
the head of 'Abdullaah ibn Huthaafah, and said, "It is a duty upon
every Muslim to kiss the head of Ibn Huthaafah."
Also, Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah was prosecuted and imprisoned. When
he was thrown in prison, he recited the words of Allaah The Almighty
(which mean): {And a wall will be placed between them with a door, its
interior containing mercy, but on the outside of it is torment.}
[Quran 57:13]. This is the glory of faith and the pride ofIslam which
make a person the most honorable one through the obedience of Allaah
The Almighty.Even if all people on earth stood against such a person,
he would still derive his honor and glory from Allaah The Almighty who
can never be defeated. Allaah TheAlmighty Says (what means): {Whoever
desires honor [throughpower] - then to Allaah belongs all honor.}
[Quran 35:10].
The state of humiliation which prevails in many aspects of our lives
nowadays is the result of religious innovations, sins and remoteness
from the Sharee'ah of Allaah The Almighty. This is supported by the
Hadeeth of the Prophet where he said: "Humiliation and disgrace are
thefate of whoever disobeys my order." A major reason behind this
humiliation is the state of disagreement and disunity that the Muslims
experience. Our enemies take advantage of us one by one; they strike
one of us today and another tomorrow while Muslims take no action, as
if what happens to our brothers does not concern us. History testifies
that we were never like this in the past. When a Muslim woman, who was
taken as a captive by the Romans in 'Amooriyyah, screamed for help
uttering her famous scream, "WaIslaamaah" (Oh My Islam!), Al- Mu'tasim
answered her call with full concern, "Labbayki [at your disposal]" and
prepared an army which heavily defeated 'Amooriyyah and rescued the
Muslim woman from the hands of the disbelievers. We should
askourselves here: what tie was there between Al-Mu'tasim and that
woman except the tie of faith?

Diligence is the Way to Success

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There are norms and laws in the universe that man is not permitted to
contradict. Instead, he should abide by them so as to enjoy a good
life and eternal happiness in the Hereafter. One such norm is that if
one works hard, he will find results; if one exhausts oneself a little
bit, he can enjoy a long rest. Indeed reaping noble benefits depends
on experiencing difficulties. Pleasure and perfect qualities cannot be
gained except with some difficulty. If it were not for difficulties,
all people would be leaders.
A Person who Prefers Comfort has Scarce Potential for Success
Work in the worldly life relies upon diligence. Therefore, man
isrequired to work hard and actively, leaving behind laziness. The
Quran and Sunnah direct us towards this understanding. Allaah The
Almighty Says (what means):
{And say, "Work, for Allaah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His
Messenger and the believers."} [Quran 9:105]
{It is He who made the earth tame for you - so walk among its slopes
and eat of His provision - and to Him is the resurrection.} [Quran
67:15]
The Prophet educated the Ummah (Muslim Nation) in different ways on
how to be diligent. For instance, he urged Muslims to earn a living
and provide from their own work, saying: "Nobody has ever eaten a meal
better than that which he has earned from working with his own hands.
The prophet of Allaah, Daawood [David], would eat from the work of his
own hands." [Al-Bukhaari]
The Prophet also advised us to work hard without giving in tofeelings
of frustration, saying: "Cherish that which gives you benefit [in the
Hereafter], seek help from Allaah and do not lose heart." [Muslim]
He also said: "If the Hour comes while one of you has a shoot that he
is able to plant, he should plant it." [Ahmad, Al-Bukhaari in Al-Adab
Al-Mufrad]
Moreover, the Prophet assured people of the assistance of Allaah The
Almighty, that He further increases the high motivation and ambition
of people according to the sublimityof their ambition, saying: "Help
from Allaah comes to the servant according to his diligence."
[Al-Bazzaar]
Of course hard work is exhausting, but it has great pleasure,
especially when the diligent person reaps the outcome of his work.
Ibn Ul-Qayyim said:
The sages of every nation agree that welfare cannot be obtained
through welfare, that anyone who prefers comfort will miss it, and
that joy and pleasure dependon the level of risks and difficulties
that are experienced when getting them. There is no joy for a person
who has no resolve; no pleasure for a person who lacks patience; no
bliss for a person who endures no hardships; and no comfort for a
person who has no hard work. If a person is exhausted for a short
time, he will relax for longer. If he endures difficulties for a short
while, this will lead him to eternal welfare. People who will receive
eternal delight [the people of Paradise] earned this status due to
their patience in this very short worldly life. Truly, Allaah alone
gives help, and thereis no power except in Him.
The loftier one's self is and the higher his aspirations are, the more
a person's body is exhausted and the less his comfort is. Yahya ibn
Katheer said. "Knowledge cannot be acquired when the body is in
comfort." [Muslim]
"All those who are sensible undoubtedly believe that perfect comfort
depends on the level of exhaustion, and perfect bliss relies on the
level of difficulties that are endured when achieving it. Comfort,
pleasure and bliss arefree of exhaustion only in Paradise, not in this
worldly life. [Quoted from 'Uluww Al-Himmah by Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Ismaa'eel]
A person who takes diligence to be a slogan in life does not depend on
his ancestors or familybackground, nor does he rely on boasting of his
fathers and forefathers. Instead he builds his own glory, adding it to
that of hisforefathers'.
Quotations from Sages and Scholars
Some sages have said, "Utilize your diligence as long as you are in
good health, and take the opportunity to work while you are at
leisure, for time will not bealways on your side, nor will you be able
to restore what you have lost."
A scholar once said, "Work is like an armor that protects a person
against afflictions, and diligence is like a sword that wards off
misfortune."
Another said, "Nothing is better than having a reason that is adorned
with forbearance, a deed that is adorned with knowledge, and
forbearance thatis adorned with truthfulness!"
Some scholars have said, "Could itbe true and logical that crops are
harvested without prior sowing of seeds, fruits are reaped without the
planting of trees, firecomes from two stones without striking them
together, or that money yields without effort?"
It was also said, "There is a causefor every provision and whoever
diligently seeks something, finds it."
Indeed, what a great saying was that of the Commander of Believers,
'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab "Do not stop pursuing livelihood and
supplicating, 'O Allaah, provide for me!' You knowthat the sky does
not rain gold orsilver. Allaah The Almighty provides for people by
virtue of their interaction."
Therefore, work hard and do not be indolent. Your Muslim nation is
waiting for a push from you like that of 'Umar a push thatilluminates
the torch of enthusiasm in its heart, amidst the darkness of this
gloomy stateof obliviousness. It is also waitingfor a cry from you
like that of Salaah Ad-Deen Al-Ayyoobi (Saladin) a cry that plants
hope in the desert of despair. Help from Allaah comes in accordance
with diligence, therefore seek help from Allaah and do not lose heart!

Friday Prayers - He works as a receptionist in a block offurnished apartments; does he have an excuse for not praying Jumu‘ah or offering the prayers in congregation in the mosque?.

I live in one of the Gulf countries, and I work as a receptionist in a
block of furnished apartments.There is a mosque fifty meters away from
me, and I can hear the adhaan and iqaamah very well, but I cannot go
because my boss doesnot agree, and he says that someone may come to
rent an apartment during the prayer time, and he says: Pray here; itis
permissible. (So I pray in the reception area with a cleaner who works
with me in the apartment block. Please note that this cleaner was
Hindu and he became Muslim – praise be to Allah – and he and I pray in
the reception room in the apartment block). And we share Jumu'ah: one
time I go to Jumu'ah prayer, and the next time this worker goes,
because we cannot leave the place with no one in the reception area.
Please note that I could go without my boss knowing, but I am
afraidthat if I go to offer the obligatory prayers in themosque and I
leave the reception area and I leave that worker there, a renter who
is single may come with a woman and take her into the apartment, and
the Indian worker does not understand what is going on. That happened
to me once but – praise be to Allah – I prevented any evil happening,
and Allah is witness to what I say.
I could leave this job, because I am not sponsored by the boss with
whom I work, but I think that perhaps I am here and I could
preventproblems of zina that could happen, Allah forbid.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
The basic principle is that prayers should be offered in congregation
in the mosque, where the call is given. It is permissible to pray in
congregation in the workplace if the workers going to the mosque will
lead to the work being affected. This has been discussed in the answer
to question no. 74978
With regard to praying Jumu'ah, it is more important and the
obligation is more emphatic; it is not permissible to miss it except
within very strict guidelines, such as the risk of damage or harm, or
if there is an interest to be served for the Muslims, such as dealing
with emergencies in hospitals, and the like. This has been discussed
in the answer to question no. 36530
Based on that, you have to go to Jumu'ah, and advise the owner of the
apartments and explain that it is not permissible to stay away from
Jumu'ah, and he will not be harmed by the loss of a few customers;
many customers, if they find the building locked, will come back after
the prayer. You should go out to Jumu'ah just before the adhaan, and
go to a nearby mosque where the khutbah is not too long.
And Allah knows best.M NajimudeeN Bsc -:- INDIA |-:©®:-|

Friday Prayers - He lives in a city where there are no other Muslims; how should he pray Jumu‘ah?.

I live in a city where there are no other Muslims and no Mosques.I
need to peform my friday Jumuah, unfortunately I am not knowledgeable
enough to peform the prayer myself, may I use a audiorecording to lead
me? Also may I use earphonessince I don't want to disturb those in the
next room and it blocks out distracting noises. I'm studying so that I
may peform my own prayers confidently, in the meantime may I use these
measures?.
Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:
In order to establish Jumu'ah prayer it is sufficient for there to be
three men who are residents. Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on
him) said:
The most correct scholarly opinion is that the number that is
sufficient for Jumu'ah is three: an imam to deliver the khutbah, a
mu'adhdhin to give the call to prayer, and a worshipper to answer the
call.
End quote from Majmoo'Fataawa wa Rasaa'il Ibn 'Uthaymeen, 13/831
Please see also the answer to question no. 7718
Secondly:
The Muslims who are resident in non-Muslim countries are obliged to
offer Jumu'ah if the conditions are met, in accordance with the
general meaning of the texts of the Qur'an and Sunnah which indicate
that it is an individual obligation upon the Muslims if the
conditionsstipulated in sharee'ah are met.
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa'imah, 8/186
Thirdly:
It is not stipulated that Jumu'ah prayers should be held in a masjid
(mosque) or jaami' (main mosque), according to the majority of Hanafi,
Shaafa'i and Hanbali fuqaha'; the Maalikis hold a different view.
Please see the answer to question no. 153872
Based on that, if there are three Muslim permanent residents in the
city where you live, then you have to establish Jumu'ah prayer, even
if that is not in a mosque.
Fourthly:
If there is no mosque in the city where you live or in a neighbouring
town from which the callto prayer can be heard and you are able to go
there, and there are no Muslims who could pray Jumu'ah with you, then
you are not obliged to pray Jumu'ah; rather youshould pray Zuhr when
the time for it begins; you should not pray following the radio
broadcast.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked:
I am on my own in Cyprus and I cannot find any Muslims with whom to
pray; there is no mosque but I can hear the adhaan from one of the
Arab countries on the radio, and I pray Jumu'ah following the
broadcast from one of the Arab countries. Is this prayer of mine
regarded as prayer in congregation?
He replied:
Undoubtedly Jumu'ah prayer is obligatory upon the Muslims, but you
should not pray following the radio broadcast; rather what isrequired
of you is to look for Muslims who could establish Jumu'ah prayer, and
you have to put some effort into doing that. If you are able to find a
congregation of Muslimsin any mosque, you should pray Jumu'ah with
them, even if they are only two and you are the third one, because the
correct opinion is that Jumu'ah prayer may be held with three people,
if they are settled and resident in a city and are not travellers. If
they are residents and are settled, then you should all pray Jumu'ah.
But if you are not able tofind anyone, then you should pray Zuhr, with
four rak'ahs, after the sun has passed the zenith and the time for the
prayer has begun; you should not pray Jumu'ah unless there aretwo or
more other people with you who are residents in the city. This is what
has been stated by the scholars.
End quote from Fataawa Noor 'ala ad-Darb, 13/182-184
He was also asked (may Allah have mercy on him):
We live in a town where there is no mosque; are we obliged to go to a
mosque in the town thatis 2 km away in order to pray Jumu'ah? Is that
required of someone who finds it difficult to reach the mosque in
thattown because the route is mountainous and rugged? What is the
ruling on one who praysZuhr instead in his house?
He replied:
This matter is subject to further discussion. If the mosque is far
away and they cannot hear the callto prayer and it is difficult for
them to go to the mosque, then theyare not obliged to do that, but
they have to pray Zuhr in their places if they are not able to
establish Jumu'ah. If they are able to establishJumu'ah then they
should establish it in their town, and they have no need to go to the
other town. If they are three or more, then it is obligatory for them,
according to the most correct scholarly opinion, to establish Jumu'ah;
one of them should deliver a khutbah(sermon) to the others and lead
them in prayer;he may say in his khutbah whatever he can of words of
exhortation and reminder to those who are present, and he should
praise Allah and send blessings upon the Prophet (blessings and peace
of Allah be upon him), and he should recite the Shahaadatayn (twin
declaration of faith), and exhort and remind his brothers in whatever
ways he can. Then he should sit down,then stand up again and give the
second khutbah, reminding his brothers as he did in the first. Then he
should lead them in praying two rak'ahs in which he recites out loud,
as is well known, and they donot have to go to the distant mosque.
But if it is possible to go there with other brothers and increase
their numbers, and that does not entail any hardship for them, then
going to join their brothers and pray with them is preferable. But
they do not have to do that in the situation mentioned; they can
establish Jumu'ah in their own place and pray in their own place.
End quote from Fataawa Noor 'ala ad-Darb, 13/138-140
See also the answer the question no. 45611
To sum up: no one should pray following the radio broadcast; rather if
you can find someone with whom to pray Jumu'ah in the place where you
are staying, you should do so; if that is not possible,then pray Zuhr,
as you do every day, and you do not have to pray Jumu'ah in that case.
We ask Allah to help you to do that which He loves and which pleases Him.
And Allah knows best. - < - < - "Published by, M NajimudeeN
Bsc - INDIA|®|- - - - * - Translator::
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