Fathwa, - The reason for the existence of the honourable scribes even ...

Question: What is the reason for the existence of the honourable
scribes even though Allaah knows all things?.
Answer: Praise be to Allaah.
We say concerning such matters: we may or may not understand the
wisdom behind it, because we do not know the wisdom behind many
things, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And they ask you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) concerning the Rooh
(the spirit). Say: 'The Rooh (the spirit) is one of the things, the
knowledge of which is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you
(mankind) have been given only a little'"
[al-Isra' 17:85].
With regard to these creatures, if someone were to ask us: what is the
reason behind Allaah making the camel in this manner, and making the
horse in this manner, and making the donkey in this manner, and making
the human in this manner? and so on, if he were to ask us about the
reason or wisdom behind these things, we would not know. If we were to
be asked: what is the reason why Allaah has made Zuhr prayer four
rak'ahs, and 'Asr prayer four, and Maghrib three, and 'Isha' four, and
so on? We would not be able to know the wisdom behind that.
Thus we know that with regard many matters, both in the universe and
in terms of sharee'ah, the wisdom behind them is hidden from us. As
that is the case, we say: if we manage to understand the wisdom behind
some things in creation or in sharee'ah, if Allaah blesses us by
enabling us to understand it, that is additional virtue, goodness and
knowledge. If we do not understand that, that is not going to harm us
in any way.
Now let us go back to the question, which is what is the reason why
Allaah has appointed honourable scribes to record what we do?
The wisdom behind that is to show that Allaah has organised and
measured all things in the most perfect manner, to such an extent that
He has appointed honourable scribes to record the actions and words of
the sons of Adam; they are enjoined to watch over them and write down
all that they do, even though He knows what they are going to do
before they do it. But this is a manifestation of the perfection of
Allaah's care for man and His complete protection, and it shows that
this universe is organised in the best possible manner, and Allaah is
All Knowing, Most Wise. And Allaah knows best.

Lailat ul-Qadr (The Night of Power)

'Lailat ul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power'… a very important occasion in
the history of Islam and in our personnel lives.
Allah says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr:
"We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power. And
what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of
Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels
and the spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until
the rise of Morn." ( Surah 97: Verses 1-5)
Allah also says about thispowerful nightin Surah Dukhan:
"Ha. Mim. By the book that makes things clear. We sent it down during
a blessed night. For We (ever) wish to warn (against evil). In that
(night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom, by command, from Our
Presence. For We (ever) send (revelations), as a mercy from Thy Lord:
for He hears and knows (all things)." ( Surah 44: Verses 1-6)
Allahsaid in the Qur'an in Surah Baqarah:
"Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide
to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between
right and wrong)."( Surah 2: Verse 185)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)said about Lailatul-Qadr:
It as narrated byAbu Hurayrathat Prophet said, "Anyone who stays awake
for the Night Of Power with belief and for the pleasure of Allah, all
his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim)
It has also been reported byAisha, the wife of the Prophet (pbuh) who said:
"I asked the Messenger of Allah if I knewwhich night was the Night of
Powerand whatPrayerI should say during that night?
He said to me: Say: "O Allah! You are forgiving and you love
forgiveness, so you too forgive me.
Better then 1000 months of prayers
The Night Of Power is better for you to live, to experience and to
enjoy thanone thousand monthsof your personal life. Even if you were
to live one thousand months (83.3 years) withsincerity, dedication,
and sacrificesand with good intentions and deeds, the Night Of Power
is stillfar betterfor you to live and to enjoy.
TheRevelation of the Qur'anstarted in the month of Ramadan and
specifically on the Night Of Power. The Revelation of the Qur'an; a
sign ofMercy, aguideand ablessingof Allah to mankind. Anyone who is
interested in finding the best guide, he/she should look into the
teachings of the Qur'an.
Night of blessings
The Night of Power is a night of blessings Allah has blessed this
Night. Therefore whosoever is interested inreceiving the blessingsof
Allah may look forward to the Night of Power.Anyone who seeks the
Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. This is,
as if, he/she is,born againnowfree of all sin and mistakes.
Everyone of us would like to live a life free of sins an free of
mistakes. Everyone would like to meet Allah on theDay of
Judgmentwithout sins. Every one of us would like to feel that he/she
isreborntoday. All of us wish torejuvenateourselves, and to start a
new year with a fresh outlook and a fresh life. Every one of us wants
to live a pure life and everyone wants to purify himself/herself
without anguish or torment. The Night of Power is one of the best ways
in which a person is to achieve all these ideals.
Determining Night of Power
As far as determining the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) is concerned,
it has been reported to be during one of theodd numbered nightsof
thelast ten days of Ramadan, i.e.21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. It
has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the27th night.
Signs of Lailatul-Qadr
As far as theSigns of Lailatul-Qadrare concerned:
1.The sunrises earlyin the morning withoutrays.
2.Rainmay fall either during the night or during the day of that night.
3.During night the sky will be lightlyfoggy.
4.Theskywill be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays.
5.The angels andGabrielall descend down onto earth for many purposes.
If you are interested in living the Night of Power, lsome of thethings
that you might have to do.
1.Try to observe it during the lastten days of Ramadan, at the time of
sunrise, during the days and the nights.
2.On the nights one may spend the time collectively and/or
individually observing the following activities:
a.Recitationof the Our'an.
b.Prayers-Naflafter Taraweeh.
c.Remembranceof Allah orzikr
d.Supplicationor Du'a for you and for others.
e.Pondering and contemplating into the universe, the creation of the
Heavens and the Earth: "...and they contemplate the (wonders of)
creation in the heaven and the earth…."(3:191)
f.Reading books ofHadeethso as to enjoy the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
g.ReadingTafseerof Qur'an.
h.Givingcharityto others if you can afford it.
i.Trying to explainIslam, if you know something about it, to those
next to you so they will benefit from you.
Tosummarize,
The Night of Power is a very important occasion in Islam. Everyone is
asked to live it and to enjoy it. This Night is anight of Mercy,
anight of Blessing, anight of Peaceand anight of Guidance. It is a
night ofUnificationbetween the finite world of ours and the Infinite
Universe of the Unseen.
Anyone who is interested inattainingthe Mercy of Allah will strive
very hard to look for the Night of Power. Anyone who is interested
inreceivingthe blessings of Allah on the Blessed Night will work very
hard to enjoy the Night of Power. Anyone who is interested in
attaining peace of mind, peace of body and peace in society, he has to
look for this Night and to live it.
May Allah give us the strength, the power, the courage and the effort
to do our best to obey Allah and to follow His teachings. May Allah
guide us and may Allah strengthen our Iman. May Allah help us to live
another year with sincerity and devotion. May Allah make us realize
that one year of our life is over and that we are one year closer to
our graves.
Let us wake up and do ourbest to please Allahin our daily life. Let us
askAlmighty Allah forgiveness. Ameen

Stories of Prophets, - Prophet Zakariya (PBUH)

Zakariya(Zachariah) was an illustrious Prophet of the Israelites. He
was one of the descendants ofProphet Sulaiman(peace be upon him). The
name of his wife was al-Yashbi' who belonged to the family ofProphet
Harun(peace be upon him). The Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) was
the patron of Mary, the mother of Prophet Isa(peace be upon him). He
was the trustee of Hekal. He worked as a carpenter and earned his
livelihood.
His Life
The Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) kept the torch of Mosaic law
burning. He used topray devotionally and preach zealously. His wife
and he were the symbols ofpiety and righteousness. Most of his kinsmen
lacked in spirit of true faith. As they were seduced, they were
inclined to doing evil deeds. They were going out of the right path.
The Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) was much anxious about this
state of affairs. He had no offspring and there was no suitable person
to hold the office of priesthood of Hekal after his death. He was
desirous of having a son to become his good successor. He did not long
for a son to satisfy a mere human desire for one's progeny. He wanted
to have a son to maintain the warmth ofreligious activities.
One night he stood in prayer in his sanctuary and prayed to Allah to
bless him with a good son. He was conscious that he was in an advanced
age and his wife was barren and unable to raise any issue. He had full
faith in Allah Who possesses power to do whatever He wills. He came to
know through his prophetic insight that Allah would grant his request.
He would be blessed with a good son to act as his heir who could guide
the people aright.
God in His infinite mercy removed the defect of his wife's barrenness
so that she might become mother. She gave birth to Prophet Yahya.
(peace be upon him) who was destined to behonorable, chaste, and a
prophetfrom among the righteous. The Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon
him) felt satisfied as his son grew up and became a symbol of piety.
He was graced with wisdom, obedience and asceticism.
The Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) continued preaching the
religion of Allah even in old age. The Israelites were indulged in
mischief making and wickedness. They had not only ignored the
teachings of his Prophet but tortured him also. The Holy Quran makes
mention of the cruel acts of the Israelites in the following Verses:
"Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah and slay the
Prophets wrongfully and slay those of mankind who enjoin equity,
promise him a painful doom." ( Surah 3: Verse 21)
The Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) did not die a natural death.
One day the Israelites decided to put him to death. He hid himself in
the covern of the tree. The Jews began to saw that part of the tree.
The Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) did not even utter a faint
cry. His body was cut into two pieces.

Stories of Prophets, - Prophet Yaqub (PBUH)

Allah conveyed to the Prophet Ibrahim(peace be upon him) glad tidings
regarding the birth of elite Prophets, Ishaq and Ya'qub (peace be upon
them). The Holy Quran says:
"We gave him Ishaq and Ya'qub. Each of them We made a Prophet. And We
gave them of Our mercy and assigned to them a high and true renown." (
Surah 19: Verses 49-50)
Qualities of the Prophet Ya'qub
The Prophet Ya'qub (peace be upon him) was the son of Prophet
Ishaq(peace be upon him) and his wife Rebecca. He was born
atPalestine. He passed his life exactly in the footsteps of his father
and grandfather. He had full faith in theOneness of God. He directed
his followers to do good and shun evil. He advised them to keep up
prayer and give alms. He was a man of parts and wisdom. God showered
His blessings on him and his kith and kin. The Holy Quran affirms:
"And We gave him tidings of the birth of Ishaq, a Prophet of the
righteous and We showered Our blessings on him and on Ishaq and of
their off-spring are some who do good and some who plainly wrong their
own selves." ( Surah 37: Verse 113)
At the age of sixty the Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) was blessed
with a pair of twins namely Esau and Ya'qub. Esau was a hunter and
provided his aged parents with meat. Ishaq was chosen to be the
Prophet of the Bani Israel.
His marriage and off-spring
It is narrated that his uncle Laban madeProphet Ya'qub(peace be upon
him) serve him for seven years on promise to marry Rachel with him. At
the end of this period the marriage was solemnized. Later on he
entered into matrimonial contract with three more women. The Prophet
Ya'qub (peace be upon him) had four wives and twelve sons who became
the progenitors of twelve tribes. TheProphet Yusuf(peace be upon him)
and Benjamin were from Rachel. The Prophet Ya'qub (peace be upon him)
had great affection for them.
Plot against Prophet Yusuf
As the off-springs of his other wives were jealous of Prophet Yusuf
(peace be upon him) they hatched out a plan to separate Yusuf from his
father. They took him out on a lame excuse of tending sheep and threw
him into a waterless well. They came back home shedding crocodile
tears and said: A wolf has devoured Yusuf.
The Prophet Ya'qub (peace be upon him) suspected foul play on the part
of his sons. He bore with patience the mental torture to which he was
subjected in his old age. He wept bitterly day and night and lost his
eye-sight. After a long time he came to know that Prophet Yusuf (peace
Be upon him) was alive. He was the custodian of storehouse in Egypt.
The Prophet Ya'qub (peace be upon him) along with the whole family
proceeded towards Egypt on the invitation of his son. They were
awarded a warm reception. He settled inEgypt. He died at the age of
140 years. He was buried inHebron (al-Khalil)according to his will.
When the Prophet Ya'qub (peace be upon him) was on the point of death,
be called his sons and held conversation, with them. It is mentioned
in the following Verses of the Holy Quran:
"The same did Ibrahim enjoin upon his sons, and also Ya'qub (saying):
O' my sons! Lo! Allah has chosen for you the true religion, therefore
die not save as men who have surrendered (unto Him) or were you
present when death came to Ya'qub when he said to his --sons: What
will you worship after me? They said: We shall worship your God, God
of your fathers Ibrahim, Ismail and Ishaq, One God and unto Him We
have surrendered." ( Surah 2: Verses 132-133)