Dought & clear, - {Islamic history and biography}, - - Is it proven that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote a letter to the Nile in Egypt sothat its water would flow by Allah’s leave?

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I want to know the authenticity of the story about Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) writing a letter to the River Nile. It seems to me as illogical, for the Qur'aan and the Saheeh saheeh Sunnah (authentic prophetic traditions) do not teach such a thing. Also, that for droughts, Salah Salat Ul al Istisqa is authentically established.
Praise be to Allah
Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
It was narrated to us via Ibn Luhay‘ah from Qays ibn al-Hajjaj from someone who told him: When Egypt was conquered, its people came to ‘Amr ibn al-‘As (may Allah be pleased with him) and said to him: O Ameer, this Nile of ours is used to something and cannot flow unless it is done. He said: What is that? They said: On the twelfth night of this month, we take a young girl from her parents, and we placate her parents, then we dress her in jewellery and the finest garments there can be, then we throw her into this Nile.
‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said to them: This is something that cannot happen in Islam; Islam erases that which came before it (of bad customs).
So they stayed for a while, during which the Nile did not flow at all, neither a little nor a lot, until they thought of leaving. Then ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), telling him about this. He wrote to him, saying: You did the right thing. I am sending you a piece of paper with my letter; throw it into the Nile.
When his letter came, ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) took the piece of paper on which was written:
“From the slave of Allah ‘Umar, Ameer al-Mumineen, to the Nile of the people of Egypt.
To proceed: If you only flow on your own initiative, then do not flow, for we have no need of you. But if you only flow on the command of Allah, the One, the Subduer, and He is the One Who causes you to flow, then we ask Allah, may He be exalted, to make you flow.”
He threw the paper in the Nile and by Saturday morning, Allah had caused the Nile to flow (to a depth or width of) sixteen cubits in one night, and Allah put an end to this particular custom of the people of Egypt until today.
End quote from al-Bidayah wa’n-Nihayah, 7/114-115
Similar reports were also narrated by Ibn ‘Abd al-Hakam in Futooh Misr, p. 165; al-Lalkai in Sharh I‘tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah, 6/463; Ibn ‘Asakir in Tareekh Dimashq, 44/336; Abu’sh-Shaykh in al-‘Azamah, 4/1424, via Ibn Luhay‘ah.
This is a da‘eef isnad (weak chain of narration) that is not saheeh, and this report cannot be proven with such an isnad. Ibn Luhay‘ah – whose full name was ‘Abdullah ibn Luhay‘ah ibn ‘Uqbah – is da ‘eef as he used to get mixed up, and in addition to that he is mudallis (one who narrates from someone he met something he did not hear). See at-Tahdheeb, 5/327-33; Mizan al-I‘tidaal, 2/475-484
Qays ibn al-Hajjaj is sadooq (trustworthy), from the sixth level of hadeeth narrators (tabaqah) according to al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar; they are the ones who it is not proven that they met any of the Sahabah/Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). See: Taqreeb at-Tahdheeb, 1/25
Sometimes he narrated it as a mursal (the link between the Successor and the Prophet is missing) report and sometimes he narrated it from the one who told him, but the one who told him is majhool and not known.
So the report is da‘eef (weak) and is not saheeh (sound)
If this story were true, everyone would know about it and it would be well known, and it would have been widely narrated through confirmed isnads, because it is an important and significant event, the like of which should not be ignored; rather an incident less significant than this would not be overlooked by historians and narrators.
And Allah knows best.

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Dought & clear, - {Islamic history and biography}, - - She is asking about the best book on the stories of the Prophets

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I need the name of a book that has not been distorted and is trustworthy, about the stories of all the Prophets.
Praise be to Allah.
In the Book of Allah, may He be exalted, you will find the truest, most beautiful and most trustworthy of stories, because it is the word of Allah, may He be exalted, which illuminated the world with its lessons and rulings. Reading the stories of the Messengers and Prophets in the verses of the Qur’aan is one of the greatest ways of bringing benefits and good to the Muslim, let alone the immense reward that is attained by the one who ponders the Book of Allah, may He be exalted. Hence we advise you to be keen to pursue this way of goodness, for the Muslim can never do without the Book of Allah, may He be exalted, no matter what other books he reads.
With regard to the books of the scholars about the stories of the Prophets, the best of them – as it appears to us – are the following:
1.
Qasasal-Anbiya’(Stories of the Prophets) by al-Haafiz Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) (d. 774 AH). This is perhaps the best of the books of the early scholars on this topic, as it is distinguished by compiling all of the verses having to do with the story of each Prophet in one place, and making connections between them by commenting on them and quoting hadeeths and reports that have to do with them. It is an encyclopaedic and well organised book that discusses the lives of the Prophets, although it quotes rather too many reports that are not proven and some reports from Jewish sources (Israa’eeliyyaat). However for the most part he points out the origin of these reports, and he states that he only quotes for the purpose of studying them and highlighting their status. So we recommend you to read this book and study it. The one who wants to study these stories with the best annotation should read the bookal-Bidaayah wa’n-Nihaayah(Dar Hajar edn., published under the supervision of Dr. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abd al-Muhsin at-Turki), becauseQasasal-Anbiya’is taken from the first chapters ofal-Bidaayah wa’n-Nihaayah.
2.
al-Ahaadeethas-Saheehah min Akhbaar wa Qasas al-Anbiya’(The saheeh hadeeths that speak of the lives and stories of the Prophets) was compiled and their isnaads evaluated by Ibraaheem Muhammad al-‘Ali (publ. by Dar al-Qalam in Damascus and Dar ash-Shaamiyyah in Beirut, 276 pages). It is a very useful book that is distinguished by the fact that it includes many hadeeths that speak of the stories of the Messengers and Prophets, and the material is organised with comments in a manner that complements these stories. The author (may Allah have mercy on him) put a great deal of effort into selecting saheeh and hasan hadeeths and reports, and avoiding weak and fabricated material. This may be the best contemporary book on this topic.
3.
Qasasal-Anbiya’by al-‘Allaamah ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan as-Sa‘di (d. 1376 AH). This is a short book that is taken from his bookTayseeral-Lateef al-Mannaan fi Khilaasat Tafseer al-Qur’an, in which he recounts the stories of the Prophets as they were narrated in the Holy Qur’aan, in sequence, and he follows each story with a brief discussion of what we learn from it.
And Allah knows best.

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Hajj & Umrah, - *Discovering the Bounties of Hajj - I

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Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
*.}Indeed, the first House ]of worship[ established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs ]such as[ the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And ]due[ to Allaah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way.{]Quran 3: 96-97[
*.}And ]mention[ when We made the House a place of return for the people and ]a place of[ security. And take, ]O believers[, from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, ]saying[, "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaaf and those who are staying ]there[ for worship and those who bow and prostrate ]in prayer[."{]Quran 2: 125[
Al-Masjid Al-Haraam)the Sacred Mosque in Makkah( is the cradle of Islam and theKa’bahis the place that Muslims circumambulate as an act of worship. The feeling of closeness to Allaah The Almighty and Divine love that are manifested in it are disseminated around the world. This has the most beautiful effect on every Muslim individual who has a protective zeal for his religion andUmmah)Muslim nation(. Thus, there is no wonder that Muslims respond to the call of Allaah The Almighty and to the Messengerwhen they call the Muslims to that which enlivens their faith, instills the spirit of sincere affection and brotherhood in them, and protects them from the ignominy of division and dispute.
In spite of the distance of their countries and the plurality of their races, they gather under the banner of the Noble Quran, unified by the word of Islam. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}And remember the favor of Allaah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.{]Quran 2: 103[
Allaahu Akbar )Allaah is the Greatest(! How great it is to see pilgrims assumingIhraam)the sacral state( and chanting Talbiyah )the cry of“Labbaykallaahumma Labbayk, Labbayka la Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Innalhamda wan Ni’mata laka wal Mulk, la Shareeka Lak”(! How beautiful are the white clothes of Ihraam, that indicate the whiteness and purity of the heart!
How wonderful it is to see them when they are performing Tawaaf )circumambulation(, Rukoo’ )bowing(, Sujood )prostration(,Sa’y)walking( between mountsAs-SafaandAl-Marwahthat are from the rites of Allaah The Almighty! How wonderful to see them trying to get to know one another and showing kindness to each other in the House of Allaah The Almighty, gathering together in lessons of knowledge and guidance, and showing goodness to the needy. And whatever you do of good – indeed, Allaah The Almighty is Knowing of it.
Allaah The Almighty, perfect thanks and praise be to Him, has indeed perfected the religion, completed the favor, and chosen for us Islam as our religion. ImaamAhmad,Al-Bukhaari,Muslim,Abu Daawood,An-Nasaa’i,At-TirmithiandIbn Maajahreported fromTaariq ibn Shihaabwho said,
“A Jew came to ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaaband said, ‘There is a verse which you read in your Book; if it had been revealed to us Jews and we knew the day on which it was revealed, we would have taken it as a festival.’He said, ‘Which verse is that?’ He said )reciting what means(:“}This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.{]Quran 5: 3[.’
‘Umarsaid, ‘By Allaah! I know when and where this verse was revealed to the Messenger of Allaah. It was the evening on the Day of ‘Arafah on a Friday.’”
Ibn Jareerreported from ‘Eesa ibn Haarithah Al-Ansaariwho said, “While we were sitting in the Deewaan, a Christian man said, ‘O Muslims, there is a verse that was revealed to you )Muslims(, and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day and place )on which it was revealed( as a day of celebration, even if only two of us remain )what means(:}This day I have perfected for you your religion.{]Quran 5: 3[ Upon that Muhammad ibn Ka’bsaid, ‘It was revealed to the Prophetwhile he was standing at the mount on the Day of ‘Arafah, and it will be a celebration for Muslims, even if only one remains.’”
As for his saying,“While we are sitting in the Deewaan”, it refers to the Deewaan that‘Umarfounded.‘Umarwas the first to establish the department of the exchequer in Islam and the Christian man was a clerk in it )i.e., the Deewaan(.

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Hajj & Umrah, - *Realizing the Essence and Purpose ofHajj – II

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5- Reminding of the Hereafter:
Hajjclearly reminds the slave of Allaah of the Last Day and the situations and terror it includes, through the following:
* Leaving his country and departing from his family. This reminds him of departing his country and family after death.
* Taking off form-fitting clothes and other adornments. This reminds him of the shroud as well as resurrection of the slaves of Allaah from their graves barefooted and uncircumcised on the Day of Judgment.
* Moving among the different places and facing hardship and exhaustion therein: this reminds him of the stress and hardships of the Day of Judgment when some of the slaves of Allaah will be bridled by sweat.
6- Teaching surrender and submission to Allaah The Almighty:
DuringHajj, slaves of Allaah learn surrender, submission and absolute obedience to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. This is achieved through two ways:
- The rites ofHajjsuch as taking off form-fitting clothes, abandoning adornment,Tawaaf,Sa‘y, staying at ‘Arafah, throwing the pebbles, spending the night in certain places, shaving or shortening one’s hair as well as other deeds that may have unclear rationales behind them. However, they are done in pure surrender to the command of Allaah The Almighty with no room for the slave's inclination or desires.
- The old memories that the rituals revive; memories that date back to the time of Ibraaheem )Abraham(and the consequences of surrender and submission to Allaah The Almighty, when aHajjpilgrim prefers to please Allaah The Almighty than to satisfy his desires.
7- Deepening the Islamic brotherhood and unity:
Despite the difference in languages, colors, countries and ethnics, allHajjpilgrims gather in one place, at one time, with one appearance, repeat one slogan and do all these actions motivated by one thing which is belief in Allaah The Almighty and keenness on obeying His commands and avoiding His forbiddances. This deepens love amongHajjpilgrims and boosts good relations, cooperation, meditation, as well as enables them to exchange advice and share experiences. This further encourages them to fulfill the requirements of that religion which gathered them and to spare no effort in striving to exalt it.
8- Connecting the pilgrims to their predecessors:
The rituals ofHajjbring to the mind old memories: the migration of Ibraaheemas well as his wife and newborn to Hijaz, the story when he was commanded to slaughter his son, building theKa‘bah, Ibraaheem’s call to people to performHajj. They also revive the memory ofHajjatul-Wadaa‘)the farewell pilgrimage(, when the Prophet,, performedHajjalong with one hundred thousand Companions. The Prophetsaid to them: "Take your rituals from me."
DuringHajj, one thinks of the different Islamic ages down to the present era, when over two million Muslims performHajjevery year. This calls upon a pilgrim to remember these generations which attended the sacred places before him. He reflects on the creed-related struggle which took place between the monotheists and the polytheists and how the former sacrificed lives, families, wealth and prestige for the sake of this religion.Hajjpilgrims also reflect on how stubborn and aggressive the polytheists were as they defended their interests and personal inclinations and desires.
With such things, a pilgrim will realize the reasons behind destruction and salvation, and thereby he will be watchful to utilize the available means for salvation and consider himself a successor of those who were saved, such as the prophets and the righteous Muslims. Meanwhile, he will avoid causes of destruction, consider himself an enemy to wrongdoers and be certain that victory and Paradise will be for the righteous. AHajjpilgrim will also realize that the fate of all people is the same, which is death, and that he will leave the world just as they left. Therefore, he adheres to piety in order to rescue himself and taste peace and security between the hands of Allaah.
9- Intensifying remembrance of Allaah The Almighty:
Reflecting on the rituals ofHajj,Talbiyah)saying: “Labayka Allaahuma Labayk”(,Takbeer)saying:Allaah-u-Akbar( and supplications, etc, as well as the relevant Quranic and Prophetic texts, one observes that intensifying remembrance of Allaah The Almighty is one of the most prominent rationales and purposes behindHajj. In the Quran, Allaah Says )what means(:}But when you depart from ‘Arafat, remember Allaah at Al-Mash‘ar Al-Haraam.{]Quran 2: 198[
In aHadeeth, the Prophet,, said:"Tawaaf, Sa‘y between As-Safa and Al-Marwah, and throwing the pebbles are prescribed to establish remembrance of Allaah on earth."
10- Training on orderliness and teaching discipline:
There are restrictions, limits, commitments and various disciplinary aspects forHajjand a pilgrim is not permitted to violate them. Such things get the pilgrim used to loving order and maintaining it. Moreover, they teach a pilgrim to be committed through doing what is commanded and abandoning what is forbidden. There are many, clear texts to indicate this.
11- Other benefits:
There are countless other benefits related to this life and to the Hereafter; and to individuals and community. The abundance of benefits is expressed in the verse in which Allaah The Exalted Says )what means(:}That they may witness benefits for themselves.{]Quran 22: 28[
We ask Allaah The Almighty to guide us and to provide us with the greatest share of these benefits!

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