Fathwa - Beware of whispers about your fasting

Question
Assalam Aleikom .pleasehelp me it is very important.i am fasting and
also Ramadan is very close and i shall have this problem in Ramadan
even more since i'll be fasting everyday.Please explain if i sneeze ,i
have to spit out what i sneeze?i am constantly having colds plus i
have alergies for some types offlowers.when fasting i can not take my
medicine.but if im on thestreet how to spit it out?or in school while
having courses?.Is there any report from the Prophet sallahu aleihi
wasallam or sahaba for that?if i rinse my mouth in woodoo i have to
spit all the water i know but iread on this site that the saliva
remaining on the lips invalidates the fast if i lick my lips.why is
that?subhanallah what shall i do?whenever i spitthere is a fraction of
remaining saliva on the lips cause its liquid.i always have to wipe it
off to not accidentally lick my lips?what if i wipe it off with
parfumed hankerchieves? Or perfumed toilet paper?the perfume from this
could remain on the lips.if it enters the mouth it invalidates the
fast?did the Prophet sallallahu aleihi wasallan or sahabado things
like this in wiping off the remainingsaliva?if saliva from outside the
mouth can not enter the mouth,theni can not kiss my husbandduring
Ramadan?why does it seem all this so difficult for me?if i ask someone
they laugh in my face that i exagerate.but pelase help cause i read
the fatwa about the saliva here on this fatwa website and it was not
clear..Please subhanallah help me!!Please!Barak Allahu feek
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that
MuhammadisHis slave and Messenger.
First of all, dear questioner, you should know that your problem lies
in whispers, as it appears from your question that you suffer from
them. The best treatment for such whispers is to repel them and not
take heed to them.
As long as the saliva is inside the mouth, it does not invalidate
fasting if one swallows it because there is much hardship inavoiding
it. Moreover, you are not required to spit it out whether you are at
home or outside. Also, to avoid swallowingthe saliva if it comes out
of the lips is something very easy; rather, to not deliberately
swallow it is difficult and hard.
In addition, it was neither reported from the Prophet, nor his
Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, that they used to wipe
off their lips while fasting out of fear of swallowing the saliva that
was on them. Therefore, this is an aberrant and dispraised
exaggeration and it is due to whispers that you should avoid.
Besides, wiping the lips with scented tissues doesnot invalidate
fasting as this is not eating nor drinking and it is not likeeating or
drinking. In addition, it does not invalidate the fast even ifthe
perfume enters your mouth as long as you do not swallow it. Since
fasting is not invalidated by putting water in the mouth when rinsing,
how can fasting be invalidated by putting something on the lips?
On the other hand, fasting does not become void by kissing but this is
disliked for a fasting person. The Fiqh Encyclopedia reads: "It is
disliked for a fasting person to kiss his wife if he is not safe from
committing something that invalidates the fast, like ejaculation and
intercourse. It is reportedthat'Abdullaah Ibn 'Umarsaid: "We were with
the Prophet,and a young man came and said:"O Prophet of Allaah, may I
kiss my wifewhile fasting?" The Prophetsaid: ''No." Then an old man
came and asked: "O Prophet of Allaah, may I kiss my wifewhile
fasting?" The Prophetsaid: "Yes." So,we began to look at one another.
Then, the Prophetsaid: ''I know why you are looking at each other. An
old man can control himself."Also,if someone is not safe from
committing what invalidates his fast, he probably would have sexual
intercourse, and his fasting would be rendered null. This is the view
of the Hanafi, Shaafi'i and Hanbali Schools of jurisprudence. It is
disliked to kiss one's wife if it is for the purpose of enjoying
oneself, but if there is no purpose of enjoyment, then it is not
disliked. Forexample, if the kissing is for bidding her good bye, or
as an act of mercy, then it is not disliked. Likewise, if one is safe
from committing something that would invalidate his fast, then itis
permissible for him to kiss (his wife) according to the view of the
majority of the scholars,as it was reported that'Aa'ishahnarrated
thatthe Prophetused to kiss and hug while fasting. Nonetheless, the
Maaliki School of jurisprudence, said:"Kissing is disliked for a
fasting person if it isfor the purpose of enjoyment provided that he
knows that he is safe from ejaculating or emitting Mathi, but if he
does not know that he is safe from this, then it is forbidden.
However, the juristsagreed that even if kissing is with desire, it
does not break the fast as long as this does not lead to ejaculation.
But if one kisses and ejaculates, then his fast is invalidated
according to the agreement of the four Schools of jurisprudence."
In case one discharges Mathi and not sperm by kissing, then his
fasting isnot invalidated according to the view weadopt here in
Islamweb. ImaamAn-Nawawisaid:"If one kisses a woman [i.e. his wife]
with desire and he discharges Mathi but not sperm, then this does
notinvalidate his fast according to our School of jurisprudence
without any difference of opinion. This is what Ibn Al-Munthir quoted
from Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Ash-Sha'bi, Al-Awzaa'i, Abu Haneefah and Abu
Thawr, and he said: "And this is my view." However, Maalik and Ahmad
are of the view that it breaks the fast, but our evidence is that itis
a discharge that does not necessitate Ghusl (ritual bath), so it is
like urine."
Allaah Knows best.

Fathwa - Does eating and drinking after making anintention affect the validity of fasting?

Question
In the month of Ramadhaan, after havingSuhoor meal, I pronounced the
intention to fast. Then, afterwards and before the Athaan of Al-Fajr,
I ate or rather, more accurately, drank. Does this affect my fasting?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad,
is His slave and messenger.
First, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is
sufficient to make the intention to fast with your heart. You should
not utter it because the heart is the place of intentions. Some
scholarshold the view that one intention suffices on the first night
of every fast inwhich consecutiveness is obligatory. It is better to
make the intention everynight to avoid the difference of those who
held this as obligatory.
Concerning your question, the answer is: Allaah The Almighty Allowed a
fasting person to eat and drink till the light of the morning appears.
Allaah The Exalted says (what means): {And eat and drink until the
white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of
night].} [Quran 2:187]
The Prophet, said: "The difference between our fasting and that of the
People of the Book is the Suhoor meal." [Muslim]
Scholars recommended delaying Suhoor because this is the Sunnah.
Therefore, there is no harm in eating and drinking after concludingthe
intention to fast.
Hence, your fasting is valid. Eating and drinking after concludingthe
intention does not affect fasting.
Allaah Knows best.

Fataawa Regarding Mother's Day

1- The scholars of the Permanent Committeesaid,
All perfect praise be to Allaah, theLord of the Worlds and may His
peace and blessing be upon His Messenger, his family and Companions.
First: The word "'Eed" [festival] is a term given to the occasion of
assembly which customarily recurs annually, monthly, weekly or so on.
It implies a recurring day such as the day of 'Eed Al-Fitr,Friday, and
so on, the assembly on that day and the deeds wherewith it is held, in
terms of acts of worship and customs.
Second: Any of the days that are intended for worship, drawing closer
to or honoring Allaah, seeking reward, or imitating the people of the
pre-Islamic days or their likes from among the disbelievers, is an
invented religious innovation, that is forbidden [under Sharee'ah], as
being included in the general statement of the Prophet:"Whoever
introduces anything new in our matter [i.e. religion], which does not
originally belong to it, it will be rejected."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
A typical example is celebrating the Prophetic Mawlid (birthday),
Mother's Day and National Day. The first implies a religious
innovation of an act of worship, which was not ordained by AllaahThe
Almighty on the one hand, and an imitation of the Christiansand others
like them from the disbelievers. The second and the third imply
imitation of the disbelievers. However, if the occasion is intended to
organize work in a way that serves the benefit of the Ummah (nation)
and adjusts the affairs of its people, like holding a traffic week,
putting a timetable at the beginning of the academic year, meeting
with employees to organize work, and so on, whose aim is not to come
closer to, honor or worship [Allaah], it thenbelongs to the ordinary
innovations which are not included in the statement of the Prophet.
There is nothing wrong with it, and it is even validunder the
Sharee'ah.
With Allaah The Almighty lies success; and may Allaah confer blessing
and peace upon our Prophet - Muhammad- and his household and
Companions.
2- They also said,
It is impermissible to celebrate what is called "Mother's Day" or
other such innovated days [festivals], due to the statement of the
Prophet:"Whoever does something that is not supported by our matter
[religion], it will be rejected."[Muslim] The celebration of Mother's
Day neither belongs to the Sunnah of the Prophetnor was it done by his
Companionsnor the righteous predecessors of this Ummah. On the
contrary, it is a religious innovation that also involves imitation of
the disbelievers.
3- Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaansaid,
Muslims imitate the disbelievers in many things, including mattersof
worship, such as polytheistic deeds like building over graves,
installing tombs over them and exceeding the due limits in the matter
of the graves in general. The Messenger of Allaahsaid:"May Allaah send
His curse on theJews and Christians, who took the graves of their
prophets as places of worship."He said that whenever a righteous man
died among them, they used to build a place of worship over his grave
and paint pictures in it and say that they would be considered (by
Allaah) as the worst of peopleon the Day of Judgment. Because of
exceeding the due limits in thematter of graves, the people fell into
major Shirk (polytheism), which is well-known among all people.
Going back to the matter at hand, such practices give rise to such
deviation due to imitating the Jews and Christians in matters like the
celebration of polytheistic and innovated festivals, for example the
celebration of Mawlids (birthdays) on the birth-date of the Messenger
of Allaahand the celebration of the birthdays of presidents and kings.
These kinds of polytheistic innovated events might be called certain
"Days" or "Weeks", like National Day, Mother's Day, Cleanliness Week,
and so on; all these have come to the Muslims via the disbelievers, as
in Islam, there areno more than two 'Eeds (festivals): 'Eed Al-Fitr
and 'Eed Al-Adh'ha, and anything else is a religious innovation and an
imitation of the disbelievers. So, it is obligatory for the Muslims to
take heed of this and not be deceived by the large number of people
who do it, from among those who belong to Islam but are ignorant of
the real nature of Islam, which causes them to fall into these
mistakes because of their ignorance, as well as those who are not
ignorant of the real nature of Islam, which means that they make these
mistakes intentionally. In the latter case of people who adopt such
practices intentionally, the calamity is evenmore severe. Allaah The
Almighty Says (what means):{There has certainly been for you in the
Messenger of Allaah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope isin
Allaah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allaah often.}[Quran
33:21]
4- When Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaymeenwas asked about the
ruling on celebrating what is called Mother's Day, he gave the
following answer:
Indeed, all festivals [and days] that conflict with the
Sharee'ah-approved festivals are but innovated festivals which were
unknown among the righteous predecessors. Keeping in mind that their
source might be non-Muslim, they would then imply, besides their being
a religious innovation, an imitationof the enemies of Allaah The
Almighty.
The Sharee'ah-approved festivals are known among the Muslims, i.e.
'Eed Al-Fitr and 'Eed Al-Adh'ha,in addition to the weekly 'Eed,
i.e.Friday; and there are no festivals in Islam other than these
three. Any festivals that have been innovated other than these should
be rejected because they are invalid under the Sharee'ah ofAllaah The
Almighty, due to the statement of the Prophet:"Whoever introduces
anything new in our matter [i.e. religion], which does not originally
belong to it, it will be rejected."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] i.e. it
will be rejected by its originator and not accepted (by Allaah).
According to another version:"Whoever does something that isnot
supported by our matter [religion], it will be rejected."[Muslim]
Being so, it is impermissible, concerning the day mentioned in the
question, which is called Mother's Day, to do any rite that is
characteristic of 'Eed, like expressing delight and pleasure,
presenting gifts and such things. Moreover, it is obligatory for the
Muslim to cherish and be proud of his religion, and be satisfied with
what has been ordained by Allaah The Almighty for His slaves,without
addition or reduction. The Muslim should also not be a yes-man, who is
too submissive and follows whatever is called for. On the contrary, he
should form his independent personalityaccording to the principles of
the Sharee'ah of Allaah The Almighty and follow that rather than
follow others. He should be a good pattern [to be followed] and not an
imitator [of others]. This is because the Sharee'ah of Allaah - all
perfect praise be to Allaah - is perfect in all respects, as confirmed
by Allaah The Almighty in His saying (what means):{This day I have
perfectedfor you your religion and completed My favor upon you andhave
approved for you Islam as religion.}[Quran 5:3]
The mother deserves to be honored every day of the year. Her children
should care for her, look after her and obey her in anything that
leads to no disobedience of Allaah The Almighty, in every time and
place.

Are you a good neighbor?

If you are not giving yourneighbors their due rights, then you are
missing an important part of your duties as a Muslim.
A neighbor is someone who lives in the same neighborhood as you; he
could be a friend, but does not necessarily haveto be one. The
definition of a neighbor can have various meanings; for example, it
can refer to someone who lives directly beside you, as the
Prophetsaid:"One must not prevent his neighbor from placing his wood
against his wall."[Al-Bukhaari].
However, it can also referto someone living furtheraway, since the
Prophetsaid:"No obligatory Salaah (prayer) is accepted from a neighbor
of the Masjid (mosque) except if it is offered in the Masjid."
Present day examples would include machines and equipment that emit
disturbing noises. If people do anything on their property that is
disturbing or harmful to their neighbors, then they must remove the
cause of the disturbance.
2. It is permissible for people to build a house on their own
property, even up against their neighbor's wall -- but only if they
have no other choice and only if their neighbor is not harmed by it in
any way. Even in such cases, they should still ask their neighbor's
permission beforehand.
If they are denied permission, their neighbor may be legally compelled
to grant them permission by the properauthorities. The proof forthis
is in a Hadeeth related by Abu Hurayrahwho said that the Prophetsaid:
"You must not prevent your neighbor from putting his wood on your
wall."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim].
3. If the flow of water becomes blocked on a farm, perhaps due to
wastefulness and subsequently bursts out, causing damage to
neighboring farms, the neighbors may come up with proposals to channel
or dam the water and irrigate the farm. If the wasteful farmer refuses
to comply with them, the ruling is the same as in the following case
of a damaged wall.
4. If a wall between two properties is damaged, the owners of one
property can ask the owners of the other to participate in rebuilding
it. If they refuse, they canbe compelled to do so. Likewise, they can
be compelled to help demolish the wall if it is expected to collapse.
5. The owners of the highest buildings in an area must construct
screens to prevent themselves from overlooking their neighbor's
properties. Likewise, whoever wishes to utilize their roof should make
sure that they cannot see into their neighbor's properties and erect a
screen for this purpose if necessary.
6. Whoever owns some property, but cannot reach it without causing
damage to a neighbor's property is forbidden to cause the damage.
Instead, the authorities should endeavor to arrange matters in a way
that prevents harm to either party.
Thus, even though our neighbors may be Muslimor non-Muslims -- each
are equally entitled to their rights according to our religion.
Sometimes we may find it hard to reach out to our non-Muslim
neighbors, but it is an obligation upon us, and it can also be one of
the best forms of Da'wah (call to Islam) we can give.

Holdings subject to Zakaat

Currencies
Currencies refer to gold and silver, as well as any type of money that
takes their place and similar things such as shares, bonds and checks.
In the past, paper currency was not known,and people used to barter
using commodities. This is a completely impractical and ineffective
method in large communities. People graduated in their types of
transaction until they had settled on using gold and silver. When
Allaah Almighty sent His Messengerpeople were dealing with Deenaar
(gold) and Dirham (silver) as their main currencies, and thus, when
addressing the issue of Zakaat the texts of the Quran and Sunnah
referred to these two forms of currencies.
Thee are many verses on the obligation of Zakaat on cash moneys.
Allaah Says (what means):"And those who hoard up gold and silver and
spend it not in the Wayof Allaah, announce unto them a painful
torment. On the Day whenthat will be heated in the Fire of Hell and
with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks and their backs.
And it will be said unto them: 'This is the treasure, which you
hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard'."[Quran
9:34-35]
The Prophetsaid:"Any owner of gold or silver who does not pay the
Zakaat due on it will, on the Day of resurrection, have his treasure
heated in the Fire of Hell and then made into plates. His flanks,
forehead and back will be branded with them. Every time they (the
plates) get cold, they will be heated again, on a day that will last
fifty thousand years. This will be done to him until Allaah pronounces
judgment on His slaves. Then onewill be shown his path, leading him
either toParadiseor to Hell."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The Zakaah due on cash money is two and one-half precent (2.5 per cent).
'Alireported that the Prophetsaid: "There isnothing (due) upon you in
gold until it reaches twenty Deenaars (equal to 85grams). Thus, if you
have twenty Deenaars at the end of year, then there is half a Deenaar
levied on it [as Zakaah]. Any additional amount will be calculated in
this manner. There is no Zakaah on wealth until it has been owned for
one (lunar) year." [Al-Bukhaari, Ahmad, AbuDaawood, and Al-Bayhaqi]
In another narration, the Prophetsaid:"There is noZakaah on less than
five awaq of silver."[Muslim] Five awaq of silver are equivalent to595
grams.
Trade and Merchandise:
Allaah permitted trade and earning from it if it iswithin lawful
conditions and deals with lawful commodities. Islam also has
prescribed Zakaat on the wealth that a merchant uses for trade as
gratitude to Allaah. It is also a fulfillment of the right of the
needy and as a contribution in the welfare of the Muslim community.
Muslim jurists paid great attention to this type of wealth and wrote
about it under the category of "trade goods." These included
everything planned for sale and purchases with the purpose of
attaining a profit, for Allaah Says (what means)"O youwho believe!
Spend of the good thingswhich you have (legally) earned, and of that
which We have produced from the earth for you... "[Quran, 2:267]
Jurists, in general, say that this verse is discussing Zakaah on trade
goods. Regarding the interpretation of this verse, Imaam
At-Tabarisaid: "Allaah means that you should pay Zakaat on good legal
earnings and pay the Zakaat from the good gold and silver and not the
ill-gotten ones."
In order for trade goods to be subject to Zakaah, juristshave
established specific conditions that should befulfilled. To fulfill
these requirements, the owner should be in.
1. Complete possessionof the goods.
2. The goods should constitute a Nisaab as determined by gold and
silver. Nisaab is the minimum limit of wealth or property on which
Zakaat becomes obligatory. One does not have to pay Zakaat on what he
or she needs to make a living, such as tools or machines relatedto
carpentry, farming, tailoring, or working as adoctor. All debts are
subtracted from one's wealth. And if the resultant wealth reaches the
Nissab, one must pay Zkaat.
3. A full lunar year of Islamic calendar should have passed on
these goods, starting from the day of Nisaab's possession.
4. The Zakaah due on all types of trade goods is2.5%.
Livestock Animals:
Livestock animals are camels, cattle and sheep. Paying Zakaat on this
is obligatory based on the saying of Allaah the Almighty (which
means):"O you who believe! Spend from the good thins that you have
earned."[Quran 2:267]
Also, the Messenger of Allaahsaid to a man who asked him about
migration: "Verily its matter is sever. Do you have any camels that
you pay charity (Zakaat) for?"The man said, "Yes."
The Prophetsaid: "Then do so from behindthe seas, for verily Allaah
will never disregard (decrease) anything of your deeds." [Al-Bukhaari]
And healso said:"By the One Whom there is no (true) god besides Him,
there is no man who has camels or cows or sheep, and he does not pay
their Zakaat, except that they will be brought to him on the Day of
Resurrection larger and fatter than they ever were. And they will
trample him with their hooves and gore him with their horns. Every
time the last of thempasses, the first will be returned to him (to
start over). This will continue until judgment is passed between all
the people."[Al-Bukhaari]
Fruits and Grains:
Grain on which Zakaat is applicable, is everything that is stored to
be eaten,such as wheat, barley, beans, chickpeas, chickling vetch,
peas lentils, corn rye, rice and the like. Fruit includes dried dates,
olives and raisins.
This ruling is based upon the Almighty's statement (which means):"O
you who believe! Spend from the good things that you have earned and
form what we have brought out for you from he earth."[Quran 2:267]
And also (what means):"And give its due on the day of itsharvest."[Quran 6:141]
The Prophetsaid: "There is no charity in what is less that five
Awsuq." [Al-Bukhaari andMuslim] Five Awsuq is equivalent to 618
kilograms.
The Prophetalso said:"On that which is watered by the sky (i.e. rain),
natural springs, or it receives water that comes down from the
mountains, a tenth (of Zakaat) is due (i.e. 10%).On that which is
watered by being sprinkled (by human efforts), a twentieth is due
(i.e. 5 per cent)."[Al-Bukhaari]
(Precious) minerals and buried treasure:
Zakaat on such items is one-fifth. Scholars have ruled that there is
no Nisaab for such items. However, some maintain that Zakaat must be
paid only when these items reach the Nisaab of gold.
The Prophetsaid:"'There is no compensation for a wound caused by a
domestic animal, a well (falling in it), a mine (working in it), and
one-fifth is due on buried treasure."[Al-Bukhaari]

Dought & clear - Many of the Names of Allaah may be found at the end of numerous aayaat of the Qur'aan.

So far I have learned 33 of the 99 Arabic names for Allah (SWT), I
don't have a list of the rest. Where can I find it on the internet, or
perhaps you know them?
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah has many names, all of which are indicative of His Greatness,
Perfection and Majesty, may He be glorified and exalted. Hehas told us
some of theseNames in His Book and through the Sunnah of His Messenger
)peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him(; He also has other Names
which are known only to Him, as is indicated in the hadeeth of
'Abdullah ibnMas'ood )may Allaah be pleased with him(, who said:
"The Messenger of Allaah)peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him(
said: 'There is nobody who is afflicted with distress or grief and
whosays: "Allaahumma inni 'abduka wa ibn 'abdika wa ibn amatika,
naasiyati bi yadika maadin fiyya hukmuka 'adlun fiyya qadaa'uka,
as'aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka aw 'allamtahu
ahadan min khalqika aw anzaltahu fikitaabika aw asta'tharta bihi fi
'ilmi al-ghaybi 'indaka an taj'al al-Qur'aana rabee'a qalbi wa noor
sadri wa jilaa'a huzni wa dhihaaba hammi )O Allaah, I am Your slave,
son of Your slave, son of Your maidservant, my forelock is in Your
hand, Your command over me is ever executed and Your decree over me is
just. I ask You by every name belonging to You which You have named
Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or You taught to any of Your
creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with
You, that You make the Qur'aan the life of my heart and the light of
my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my
anxiety," - but Allaah will take away his distress and grief, and
replace it with ease.' He was asked, 'O Messenger of Allaah, should we
not learn it?' He said, 'Of course, whoever hears itshould learn it.'"
)Reported by Imaam Ahmad; this is a saheeh hadeeth(.
The Names of Allaah mentioned in the Qur'aan and Sunnah number over
one hundred, as several scholars have agreed )see Al-Qawaa'id
al-Muthlaa fi Sifaat Allaahi wa Asmaa'ihi by Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Saalih ibn 'Uthaymeen(.
Among these are ninety-nine names which, if one learns them and actsin
accordance with them, will bring a great reward, as is indicated in
the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah )may Allaah be pleased with him(,
in which the Messenger of Allaah )peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him( said: "Allaah has ninety-nine names, one hundred less one;
whoever learns them will enter Paradise." )Reported by al-Bukhaari,
al-Fath, no. 2736(
The learning referred to in the hadeeth includes the following:
Memorizing them.
Understanding their meanings.
Acting upon them: so if aperson learns that Allaahis al-Ahad (the One
and Only), he will not associate anything else with Him; if he learns
that He is al-Razzaaq (theProvider), he will not seek provision from
anyone else; if he learns that He is al-Raheem (theMost Merciful), he
will not despair of His Mercy, and so on.
Calling upon Allaah by these Names, as He says (interpretation of the
meaning): "And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so
call on Him by them…" [al-A'raaf 7:180] - so one might say "Yaa
Rahmaanarhamni (O Most Merciful, have mercy on me)," "Yaa Ghafoor
ighfir li (O All-Forgiving, forgive me)," "Yaa Tawwaab, tubb 'alayya
(O Accepter of Repentance, turn towards me in forgiveness)," and so
on.
If you pay attention to the endings of many aayaat, you will find many
of the names of Allah mentioned there. And Allaah knows best.

Dought & clear - Can Allaah be described as forgetting? .

Can Allaah be described as forgetting?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Forgetting can mean two things:
1 – Overlooking something that is known, as in the verses
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Punish us not if we forget or fall into error"
[al-Baqarah 2:286]
"And indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We
found on his part no firm will power"
[Ta-Ha 20:115]
- according to one of thetwo scholarly opinions.
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I
am only human, I forget as you forget, so if I forget then remind me."
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever
sleeps and misses a prayer or forgets it, let him pray it when he
remembers it."
This kind of forgetfulness cannot be attributed to Allaah, on the
basis of two kinds of evidence, textual and rational.
The textual evidence is the verse in which He says of Moosa
(interpretation of the meaning):
"[Moosa (Moses)] said: 'The knowledge thereof is with my Lord, in a
Record. My Lord neither errs nor He forgets'"
[Ta-Ha 20:52]
The rational evidence is the fact that forgetting is a fault or
shortcoming,and Allaah is far above having any shortcomings. He is
described as perfect, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"and for Allaah is the highest description. And He is the All-Mighty,
the All-Wise"
[al-Nahl 16:60]
Based on this it is not permissible to describe Allaah as forgetting
in this sense, under any circumstances.
The second meaning of forgetting is deliberatelyand knowingly
neglecting something, asin the verses (interpretation of the meaning):
"So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded,
We opened for them the gates of every (pleasant) thing"
[al-An'am 6:44]
"And indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We
found on his part no firm will power"
[Ta-Ha 20:115]
- this is according to the other scholarly opinion concerning the
meaningof this verse.
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said
concerning the categories of those who own horses:
"… and a man who keeps them [horses] for earning his living so as not
to ask of others, but he does not forget Allaah's rights (i.e., zakaah
on the wealth heearns through using them in trading etc) and does not
overburden them"
This kind of "forgetting" is ascribed to Allaah as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Then taste you (the torment of the Fire) because of your forgetting
the Meeting of this Day of yours. Surely, We too will forget you"
[al-Sajdah 32:14]
And Allaah says concerning the hypocrites:
"They have forgotten Allaah, so He has forgotten them. Verily, the
hypocrites are the Faasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah)"
[al-Tawbah 9:67]
And in Saheeh Muslim, inKitaab al-Zuhd wa'l-Raqaa'iq it is narrated
that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: They said: "O
Messenger of Allaah, will we see ourLord on the Day of Resurrection?"
… and in this hadeeth its says: "Allaah will meet His [disbelieving]
slave and will say: 'Did you think that you would meet Me?' He will
say, 'No.' He will say: 'I will forget youas you forgot Me.'"
Allaah's leaving or forgetting something is one of His actions that
happen by His will and in accordance with His wisdom. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"and left them in darkness. (So) they couldnot see"
[al-Baqarah 2:17]
"We shall leave them to surge like waves on one another"
[al-Kahf 18:99]
"And indeed We have left thereof an evident Ayah (a lesson and a
warning and a sign)"
[al-'Ankaboot 29:35]
There are many well-known texts which confirm that Allaah leaves or
forsakes thingsand also confirm His other actions that have to do with
His will. This is indicative of the perfection of His power and might,
and the way in which He does these actions is not like the way in
which His creation does things, even though they share the same basic
meaning,as is well known among Ahl al-Sunnah.
Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen 1/172-174

Dought & clear - How can we understand the divine descent during the night in different countries?.

It is narrated in the hadeeth that "Allaah descends every night to the
lowest heaven during the last third of the night..." When does the last
third of the night begin, and when does it end? And how does Allaah
descend in different countries?.
Praise be to Allaah.
There are mutawaatir ahaadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) which prove that Allaah descends. The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Our Lord
descends to the lowest heaven every night when the last third of the
night remains, and He says, 'Who will call upon Me, that I may answer
him? Who will ask of Me, that Imay give him? Who will ask Me for
forgiveness, that I may forgive him?'"
Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah are unanimously agreed that Allaah
descends in amanner that befits Him, and that He is not like His
creation at all in any of His attributes, as He says (interpretation
of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): He is Allaah, (the) One.
Allaah-us-Samad [Allaah -- the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all
creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)].
He begets not, nor was He begotten.
And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him"
[al-Ikhlaas 112:1-4]
"There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer"
[al-Shoora 42:11]
According to Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah, we must accept the verses
and ahaadeeth that speak of the attributes of Allaah as they are,
without distorting them, denyingany of His attributes, trying to
imagine how they are or trying to liken Him to any of His creation; at
the same time we must believe in them and believe that what is said in
these texts is true, without likening Allaah to His creation or
discussing the nature of His attributes. Rather their view concerning
His attributes is like their view concerning His essence: Ahl
al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah affirm theEssence of Allaah without discussing
how it is, or likening Him to any of His creation, and thus we must
also affirm His attributes without discussing how they are,or likening
these attributes to the attributes of any of His creation. The descent
of Allaah happens in every country in a manner thatbefits Allaah,
because the descent of Allaah cannot be likened to the descent of any
of His creation. He is described as descending in the last part of the
night in all parts of the world in a manner that befits His Majesty,
may He be exalted. No one can know how He descends just as no one can
know how His Essence is, except Him.
"There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer"
[al-Shoora 42:11 - interpretation of the meaning]
"So put not forward similitudes for Allaah (as there is nothing
similar to Him, nor He resemblesanything). Truly, Allaah knows and you
know not"
[al-Nahl 16:74 - interpretation of the meaning]
The first and last third ofthe night differ according to the season.
If the night is nine hourslong then the time of descent begins at the
onset of the seventh hour, until dawn comes. If the night is twelve
hours long then the last third begins at the beginning of the ninth
hour until dawn comes, and so on, depending onhow long or short the
night is in each place. And Allaah is the Source of strength.
Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah by Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn
'Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 4, p. 420

Muslim Marriage Stories: Carry me in your ArmsImportance of Marriage in Islam

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand
and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate
quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.
Suddenly I didn't know how to say it. But I had tolet her know what I
was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topiccalmly. She didn't
seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? I
avoidedher question. This made her angry. She shouted atme, "you are
not a man!"
That night, we didn't talkto each other. She was weeping. I knew she
wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could
hardly give her a satisfactory answer; I hadlost my heart to a lovely
girl called Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated
that she could own our house, 30% shares of my company and the car.
Sheglanced at it and then tore it to pieces. The woman who had spent
ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for
her wasted time, resources and energy butI could not take back what I
had said, for I loved Dew so dearly.
Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected
to see. To me, her cry was actually a kind of release.The idea of
divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemedto be firmer and
clearer now.
The next day, I came backhome very late and found her writing
something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to
sleep and fell fast asleep because I was tired after an eventful day
with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I
just didn'tcare so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want
anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She
requested that in that one month, we both struggle to live as normal a
life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son hadhis exams in a
month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken
marriage.
This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to
recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.
She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out
of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going
crazy.
Just to make our last daystogether bearable I accepted her odd
request. I told Dew aboutmy wife's divorce conditions. She laughed
loudly and thought it wasabsurd. No matter what tricks she has, she
has to face the divorce, she said scornfully. My wife and I hadn't had
any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed.
So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy.
Our sonclapped behind us, daddyis holding mummy in his arms. His words
brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then
to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed
her eyesand said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I
nodded, feelingsomewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She
went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my
chest... I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. Irealized that I
hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. Irealized she
was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair
was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I
wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when Ilifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy
returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to
me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy
was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to
carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made
me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few
dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my
dresseshave grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so
thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly
it hit me;she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart.
Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head. Our son came in at
the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mum out. To him, seeing
his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his
life. My wife gestured to our son to come close and hugged him
tightly. Iturned my face away because I was afraid I might change my
mind atthis last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the
bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded
my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just
like our wedding day.
But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held
her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school.
I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked
intimacy. I drove to office... jumped out of the car swiftly without
locking the door.I was afraid any delay would make me change my
mind... I walked upstairs. Dew opened thedoor and I said to her,
Sorry, Dew, I do not wantthe divorce anymore.
She looked at me, astonished, then touchedmy forehead. Do you have a
fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I
won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I
didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each
other any more. Now I realized that since I carried her into my home
on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until one of us departs
this world.
Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then
slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove
away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers
for my wife. The sales girl asked me what to write on the card. I
smiled and wrote: I will carry you out every morning until we are old.
The small details of our lives are what really matter in a
relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, the property, the bank
balance that matters. These create an environment conducive for
happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be
your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other
thatbuild a relationship.

Muslim Marriage Stories: Importance of Marriage in IslamSecrets of Happy Married Couples

A man and his fiance were married. It was a large celebration. All of
their friends and family came to see the lovely ceremony and to
partakeof the festivities and celebrations. A wonderfultime was had by
all.
The bride was gorgeous in her white wedding gown and the groom was
very dashing in his black tuxedo. Everyone could tell that the love
they had for each other was true.
A few months later, the wife comes to the husband with a proposal:"I
read in a magazine, a while ago, about how wecan strengthen our
marriage." She offered.
"Each of us will write a list of the things that we find a bit
annoying with the other person. Then, we can talk about how we can fix
them togetherand make our lives happier together."
The husband agreed. So each of them went to a separate room in the
house and thought of thethings that annoyed them about the other. They
thought about this question for the rest of the day and wrote down
what they came up with.
The next morning, at the breakfast table, they decided that they would
go over their lists.
"I'll start," offered the wife. She took out her list. It had many
items on it. Enough to fill 3 pages, in fact. As she started reading
the list of the little annoyances, she noticed that tears were
starting to appear in her husbands eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "Nothing" the husband replied, "keep
reading your list."
The wife continued to read until she had read all three pages to her
husband. She neatly placed her list on the table and folded her hands
over top of it.
"Now, you read your list and then we'll talk about the things on both
of ourlists." She said happily.
Quietly the husband stated, "I don't have anything on my list. I think
that you are perfectthe way that you are. I don't want you to change
anything for me. You are lovely and wonderful and I wouldn'twant to
try and change anything about you."
The wife, touched by his honesty and the depth ofhis love for her and
his acceptance of her, turnedher head and wept.
IN LIFE, there are enough times when we are disappointed, depressed
and annoyed. We don't really have to go looking for them.
We have a wonderful world that is full of beauty, light and promise.
Why waste time in this world looking for the bad, disappointing or
annoying things when we can look around us, and see the wondrous
things before us?
I believe that WE ARE HAPPIEST when we see and praise the good and try
our best to forego themistakes of our spouse. Nobody's perfect but we
can find perfection in them to change the way we see them. It is
necessary to understand the difficulties and be a helping hand to each
other....THAT BRIGHTENS THE RELATIONSHIP.

The Mahdi Will Eliminate the Despair into Which People Have Fallen

It is the fact that people have turned their backs on the moral values
of the Qur'an and on the holy Sunnah of our Prophet (saas) that lies
at the root of the great troubles they will be subjected to during the
End Times. People will experience enormous suffering in the End Times
since the love, affection, honesty, justice, tolerance, moderation,
patience and love of peace required by religious moral values will
have been replaced by selfishness, ruthlessness, aggression, injustice
andself-interest propagated by atheistic ideologies. One hadith
reports how people will have departed from religious virtues in the
End Times:
With one of my descendants, the Mahdi, Allah REANIMATES THE SUNNAH
when they weaken due to the disappearance of the Sunnah, appearance of
bi'dat ( false judgment and practices not sanctioned by the Qur'an),
and disappearance of the opportunities of enjoining the good and
forbidding the evil. 7
As we are informed in the hadiths and in the works of Islamic
scholars, the Mahdi will engage in a major intellectual struggle in
order to overcome atheistic ideologies, to teach people about
religious moral values and the essence of the faith, and to lead them
in the direction of belief in Allah and moral virtue. Our Lord will
make the Mahdi and his great intellectual struggle a means whereby the
troubles of the End Times are eradicated. This attribute of the Mahdi
is revealed in these terms:
THE PERSONAGE, the mostauspicious of Muhammad's ummah and YOUR
GUARDIAN ELIMINATING YOUR DIFFICULTIES… He is the Mahdi.. 8
In another hadith, we are told that corruption will be brought to an
end through the Mahdi, and that with this peace and security will take
their place in the world:
Allah WILL RESOLVE BLINDFITNAH THROUGH HIM (the Mahdi) Everywhere
will becomesecure... 9
According to the information contained in the hadiths, people
suffering pain, difficulties and want willseek shelter behind the
justice, compassion, loveand generosity of the Mahdi. In one hadith it
isreported that:
In the same way that bees gather round the queen, so people will
gather round the Mahdi.He will fill the world, once filled with
oppression, with justice instead.... 10
When the Mahdi causes Islamic moral values to prevail on Earth, want,
hunger, suffering and troubles will come to an end, the flow of blood
will cease, and people will find the true happiness, peace and
security for which they have been searching for so many years. This
climate of abundance and plenty, filled with love and peace, is
described as follows in hadiths:
Once the Earth is full of cruelty and enmity, one of my line will
emerge. He will fill the Earth withequity and justice, just as it was
previously filled with oppression and tyranny. 11
He fills the Earth with justice and excellence. The Earth gives out
its plants, the heavens pours its rain. My ummah attains
unprecedented blessings. 12
At that time the heavens will hold not a single drop of rain and the
Earth will attain abundance. 13
In his time, such justice prevails that the dead envies the alive. 14

Disorder and Strife in the End Times Will Place People in a Difficult Position

According to what our Prophet (saas) tells us in the hadiths, the
period prior to the appearance of the Mahdi will be a difficult one of
widespread strife and disorder, when people suffer pain and trouble,
of much want and of pitiless wars. Some hadiths on this subject read
as follows:
BEFORE THE APPEARANCE OF MAHDI, COMMERCE WILL BE TERMINATED, ROADS
WILL BE CUT among nations, FITNAH WILL MULTIPLY.... 4
WHEN DISORDER REIGNS ON EARTH, FITNAH APPEAR, the elderly do not feel
compassion for the young ones, the young ones do not respect the
elderly, Allah will SEND SOMEONE (the Mahdi) who will eradicate enmity
from them, conquer the fortresses of perversion, who will uphold the
religion in the End Times, just as how I did in the past and who will
fill the Earth with justice which was formerly full of cruelty. 5
The information contained in the hadiths shows that in the End Times
there will be greatbloodshed, widespread attacks, increased violence,
massacres, wars and conflicts, justice replaced by injustice and
oppression,greater hunger and poverty, mutual distrust and fraud,
lying will begin being regarded asa legitimate form of behavior among
a large section of society, and there will be terrible moral
degeneration. Accordingly, people will be subjected to a succession of
disasters and woes, and trouble and suffering will be unending. In one
hadith we are told that:
QUITE DIPLORABLE AND MISERABLE SITUATIONS, AND PAINFUL VIEWS ARE SEEN.
Fitnah appear in succession…Among themappear FITNAH,
VIOLENCE,DESTRUCTIONS AND VIOLATIONS. When people think they are over,
they persist to continue. These events reach to such severity that no
house entered, no Muslim being hurt remains left. 6
Our Prophet (saas) has imparted the glad tidings that it is the Mahdi
who will be a means whereby people emerge into the light out of this
dark environment, who will show them solutions, and will bring about
the peace and security they long for.

Love will cause Islamic moral values to prevail on earth

According to what is revealed in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas),
the Mahdi will appear in the End Times and cause Islamic moral values
to prevail on Earth. With the coming of the Mahdi,all oppression and
injustice in the world will come to an end and be replaced by justice,
peace, love and security.
In the Qur'an, Almighty Allah (God) has revealed that He will cause
Islamicmoral values to prevail on Earth. In the hadiths our Prophet
(saas), too, has stated that the Mahdi will be a means whereby this
great and holy event duly takes place in the End Times. As a
requirement of Qur'anic moral values, and as reported by our Prophet
(saas), the rule of Islamic moral values will be brought about with
love. When Islamic moral values come to prevail, the world will attain
peace and security, and all forms of disorder, conflict, anarchy and
terror will come to an end. Distressed by the disorder and oppression
of the End Times, people will be delighted with the justice,
compassion, generosity, love and interest of the Mahdi, who will cause
Islamic virtues to prevail on Earth.
The glad tidings of the inevitable appearance ofthe Mahdi in the End
Times is revealed as follows in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas):
If there were only one day left for the world, that day would be
lengthened until a man from among my descendants or from among the
people of myhousehold, was sent; . . . He will fill the earth
withjustice and fairness, just as it will have been filledwith
injustice and oppression. 1
According to the information in the hadiths, the Mahdi will appear in
the End Times and cause Islamic moral values to prevail on Earth. With
the coming of the Mahdi all the oppression and injustice in the world
will come toan end, and the Earth will be filled with justice,peace,
love and security. These holy events are reported in these terms in
various hadiths:
A man from my family appears to fill Earth withjustice, just as it has
been filled with corruption. So whoever reaches that [time] ought to
come to them, even if crawling on the ice/snow. 2
He [the Mahdi] will practice the religion justas in the time of Our Prophet… 3
However, as our Prophet(saas) also tells us, want and difficulties
will increase in severity priorto the appearance of theMahdi, there
will be no peace or security on Earth and all humanity will experience
enormous suffering because of a succession of disasters. Indeed, it is
reported in the Qur'an that our Lord has tested people by way of
various troubles before the period of envoys andprophets:
We have never sent a Prophet to any city without seizing its people
with hardship and distress so that hopefully they would behumble.
(Surat al-A'raf, 94)
As revealed in the verse, troubles and difficulties before the coming
of theMahdi, a holy personage who will cause people all over the world
to live by Islamic moral values, who will bring peace and justice to
humanity and who will be a meanswhereby they experience the period
known as the Golden Age, are a requirement of the law of Allah. Our
Prophet (saas) has revealed in great detail what form these troubles
will take.

stories» I think i dont have a heart to love

my story starts from long time ago when i was 19. i fall in love with
a boy who was my first love. i loved him so much but unfortunately he
didnt and he doesnt like me what so ever, which was so understanable
this time.
after the years i was still thinkin eventhough i hada boyfriend and
argued about it once. when i was 21 i left my home town to london to
study, but i couldnt left without saying to him goodbye, so i called
his home and tried to talk to him, but his mom said he went to london
to study too. i was shocked asked his email address and when iwent to
london i left him an email saying that im in london i just wanted him
to know that im there, never expected him to reply me back.
maybe i was praying initially wished that to reply me back. he
replyedme and would like to chat with me and so on. after few weeks we
did meet and had lot of fun,i was living in my dream wishing that time
foreverif it could last i was happy all times, but he told me that he
would never see me as his girlfriend or anything because he has one
which is going to engagewith her.
i was shocked and cried many nights and see her pics from his computer
when im with him at his place. which was so hurting mentallly and
psychally. and after 4 months of our romance come to the ending
because he had to go back home for good. so i went to airport to say
bye to him but he just saw me for a secon and left me without saying
any single word.
all this confussion of our affair left with no heart to love to anyone
else. now im 24 still dont have no bf and just keep thinking he stole
my heart forever with him. i try to love someone but i loose my
interest for 2 weeks later. am i psycho or is it just cos i dont
findmy mr right?

Fatimah tuz Zahrã (R.A.)

FATIMAHTUZ ZAHRAH (r.a) – DUAGHTER OF MUHAMMAD(صلى الله عليه وسلم)
Fatimah(R.A.) was youngest in age of all hersisters but highest in
grades. She was dearest to her father of all his daughters. He once
said, "Fatimahis like soul and heart to me." once, he said, "Fatimah
will be theleader of the women in Paradise." he further said, "What
troubles Fatimah troubles me as well."
It was the sixth year of Prophethood and Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) 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 while he was performing Salãh in the 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 and
torments Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was being subject to.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) awarded her the title of 'lady
of Paradise'.
It has been reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) 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 Alaihi Wasallam) confided only to Fatimah
(R.A.) during his last days that he would die of 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 face and
she smiled.
Rasulullah's (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) beloved wives pressed her
much to disclose that secret, but she didn't. She revealed it, however
after his demise.

Hazrat Aisha (R.A)

The life of HazratAisha(Radhiyallahu-Anha) is proof that a woman can
be far more learned than men and that she can be the teacher of
scholars and experts. Her life is also proof that the same woman can
be totally feminine and be a sourceof pleasure, joy and comfort to her
husband.
In her youth, already known for her striking beauty and her formidable
memory,Aishacame under the loving care and attentionof the Holy
Prophet Muhammad(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) himself.As his wife and
close companion she acquired from him knowledge andinsight such as no
woman has acquired.
HazratAisha(Radhiyallahu-Anha) was born as a Muslim. She says: "When I
got to the age of understanding myparents were already Muslims." From
this is it clear that not even a brink of Kufr was shadowed upon her.
Married Life of Hazrat Aisha
Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha) became the Holy Prophet's
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) wife in Makkahwhen she was in the sixth
year of her life but her wedding did not take place until the second
year after the Hijrah when she was about nine or ten. About her
wedding, she related that: "Shortly before she was to leave her
parent's house, she slipped out into the courtyard to playwith a
passing friend. I was playing on a see-sawand my long streaming hair
was dishevelled." She further says: "They came and took me from my
play and made me ready."
Marriage to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) did not
change her playful ways. Her young friends came to visit her regularly
in her own apartment. Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha) had her life to
the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam).
Once the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) went somewhere at night.
When Hazrat Aisha's (Radhiyallahu-Anha) eyesopened she did not find
the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) present,so she was very
disturbed. She started searching for him in the darkness. Finally her
hand touched the foot of the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam), who
was in prostration, and she was very relieved.
The bulk of her vast treasure of knowledge was obtained while she was
quite young. There are 2210 traditions narrated from her.
Hazrat Aisha's Students
Hazrat Aisha's (Radhiyallahu-Anha) students were approximately 200,
out of which were: Hazrat Abu Hurairah, Hazrat Abu Musa Ashari, Hazrat
Abdullah ibn Abbas and Hazrat Abdullah ibn Zubair
(Radhiyallahu-Anhum).
When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) was on his death
bed, he had his head on Hazrat Aisha's (Radhiyallahu-Anha) lap. At the
time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad's (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) death
she was only eighteen years old.
May Almighty Allah make the women of today act upon the life of Hazrat
Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha), Ameen.

Hazrat Sawdah (R.A)

After the demise of Hazrat Khadijah , the Holy Prophet Muhammadwas
much worried and grief stricken. He had to look after his child and
attend to the household chores, adding considerably to the agony of
the death ofhis loving wife. This also caused hindrance in his
Prophetic mission. Seeinghim worried and distressed, Hazrat Khawlah
bint Hakeem , wife of Hazrat Uthman bin Maz'oon , suggested to the
Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) that he badly needed a
companion to help him in running his house and looking after his
children, and proposed the name of HazratSawdahwho was an elderly
widow.
HazratSawdahand her late husband Hazrat Sakran, were early converts to
Islam, and also had the honour of having migrated to Abyssinia.
Therefore, they were very much close and dear to the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). On return from Abyssinia, Hazrat Sakran
(Radhiyallahu-Anhu) passed away. HazratSawdah(Radhiyallahu-Anha) was
now left a forlorn widow with a baby.
On receipt of the suggestion, the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) considered it carefully. The mission of
Prophethood now demanded much time, but due to him being preoccupied
in household affairs, he could not devote enoughtime to his heavenly
mission. He therefore accepted the proposal also taking into
consideration that an early convert toIslammay be helped and honoured,
and approvedHazrat Khawlah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) to negotiate for his
marriagewith Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha).
Proposal to Hazrat Sawdah
Khawlah (Radhiyallahu-Anha ) went straight to Hazrat Zum'aa bin Qais ,
the father of Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anhuma), and after
exchanging compliments conveyed the message ofthe Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). Hazrat Zum'aa
(Radhiyallahu-Anhu) was much pleased and remarked that: "Hazrat
Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) comes from a very respectable
family and is a perfect gentleman and that any father would feel proud
of marrying his daughterto him." He further suggested to Hazrat
Khawlah that Hazrat Sawdah should also be consulted in this
connection. Hazrat Khawlah then went to Hazrat Sawdah and conveyed the
message ofthe Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and added that
Hazrat Sawdah had already obtained the approval of her father for the
marriage. Hazrat Sawdah[Radhiyallahu-Anha ] expressed her consent and
happiness in the marriage. The marriage was settled and Hazrat Sawdah
was married with Prophet Muhammad(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam ). The
Nikah Khutbah(sermon) was read by Hazrat Sawdah's (Radhiyallahu-Anha)
father himself. Hazrat Sawdah was 55 at the time of this marriage.
By this marriage the house of the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
was once more aglow with warmth and happiness. Hazrat Fatimah and
Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (Radhiyallahu-Anhuma ) were the two orphaned
daughters of Prophet[s.a.w.] Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) used to
love these two daughters very affectionately, so much so that nobody
could even doubt that she was not their real mother. Hazrat Sawdah
(Radhiyallahu-Anha) had no children from the Prophet
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam ) However, from her first husband (Hazrat
Sakran )she had a son named Hazrat Abdur-Rahmaan (Radhiyallahu-Anhu).
He fell a martyr fighting in the battle of Jalula.

Quran … The Word of Allaah

The Noble Quran is the eternal miracle of Prophet Muhammad. Every
Prophet was supported with a miracle(s) and upon his death it
disappeared, except Prophet Muhammadwhose miracle remained, preserved
and protected,namely the Book of Allaah, His divine revealed Word.
Allaah Says (what means):"Falsehood cannot approach it from before it
or from behind it."[Quran 41:42]
Allaah clearly stated that the Quran is His Word, Saying (what means):
"And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then
granthim protection so that he may hear the words of Allaah [i.e. the
Quran]."[Quran 9:6], and in His Saying (which means):"Those who
remained behind will say when you set out toward the war booty to take
it, 'Let us follow you'. They wish to change the words of
Allaah."[Quran: 48:15] These two verses prove that the Quran is the
Word of Allaah and that He sent it down to Prophet Muhammad.
The Sunnah of the Prophet (his sayings) further proves this fact;
Jaabirnarrated: "The Prophetused to offer his message to people during
the season of Hajj and say: "Is there a man who would take me to his
tribe (i.e. to convey the message to them), because the (tribe of)
Quraysh have prevented me from conveying the Word of Allaah?" [Ahmad &
At-Tirmithi]
There are many logical and substantial evidencesproving this fact,
such as the inability of the polytheists to come up with one single
verse, let alone a whole chapter, that is similar to it. This is so,
despite their eagerness and ambition to prove the Prophetwrong in what
he was calling to, and their strong command of the Arabic language in
whichthe Quran was revealed. Undoubtedly, this is evidence that the
Quran is not made by or the words of humans.
The Quran contains news of past nations and otherunseen matters which
serve as great proof that it is the Word of Allaah. When the Persians
defeated the Romans in battle, the Quran addressed the issue and
informed that the Romans would overcome the Persians in few years to
come as Allaah Says (what means):"The Romans have been defeated (i.e.
By the Persians) in the nearest land. But they, after their defeat,
will overcome."[Quran 30: 2-3]
Furthermore, the Quran consists of scientific miracles by highlighting
certain scientific facts which were not discovered except fourteen
centuries later, such as the Quran proving that there is a barrier
between the saltywater and fresh water where they meet preventing them
from mixing, as Allaah Says (what means):"He released the two seas
(the two bodies of water: fresh and salt), meeting [side by side].
Between them is a barrier [so] neither of them transgresses."[Quran
55: 19-20] Modern science discovered this to be a fact.
The fact that tranquility and assurance can be found upon reading the
Quran which is not felt when reading any other book, is yet another
proof that it is the Word of Allaah, as Allaah Says (what
means):"Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the
mention of Allaah. Unquestionably by the remembrance of Allaah hearts
are assured."[Quran 13: 28]
Furthermore, being cured by virtue of reading the Quran over a sick
person can be addedto the list of evidences proving it to be the
Wordof Allaah. Allaah Says (what means):"And We send down of the Quran
that which is healing and mercy for the believers."[Quran 17: 82]
Lastly, the evidences proving the Quran to be the Word of Allaah are
too many to numerate in one article, and so we conclude with the
saying of Al-Waleed Ibn Al-Mugheerah, one of theleaders of the
polytheists who was requested to criticize and censure the Quran.
After hearing parts of it from Prophet Muhammad, salallaahu alayhi wa
sallam, he said:"What can I say? I swear by Allaah! There is no man
who knows poetry better than me, and it does not sound like anything I
ever heard. The only thing I can say isthat it has sweetness to it,
and it is so appealing. It is so fruitful (to the heart) and abundant
(in its benefits). Indeed, nothing rises above it in style, and it
surely destroys anything that challenges it." [Al-Haakim& Al-Bayhaqi]
This is the Quran, the Word of Allaah, which confounds humans'
capabilities due to its inimitable style, justice and accuracy. The
Quran still challenges people and people remain incapable of
challenging it, and it remains the clear evidence from Allaah against
its enemiesand opponents. All effortsto deny its authenticity have
failed.

The price of impunity

When the UN Human Rights Council convened a special session on Sri
Lanka last May, many were hoping for meaningful discussion about
possible war crimes committed during the final phase of the country's
civil war.
Thousands of civilians, who had been trapped between the Sri Lankan
military and increasingly desperate Tamil rebels, were dead. Reports
allege they were shelled by the military whilst sheltering in
so-called "No Fire Zones" where they had been promised safety.
Hospitals and food distribution points had also been hit, and as the
council convened in Geneva, tens of thousands of survivors huddled in
sprawling internment camps in the north of the island, unable to leave
and rebuild their shattered lives.
You would not know this, however, from the resolution thecouncil
passed. Drafted by the Sri Lankan delegation, it "commended" the
government of Sri Lanka for its treatment of civilian victims of the
war.
"It was a low point in the short history of the Human Rights Council,"
says Widney Brown, the director of the international law program at
Amnesty International, describing how Asian countries allowed the
resolution to pass unopposed.
Mind the gap
Amnesty's annual global human rights assessment, released on Thursday,
says the Sri Lankan case offers a perfect example of agrowing threat
to the applicationof international law - the so-called "justice gap"
between the powerful and the weak.
"We see governments holding themselves above the law," says Brown. "A
lot of countries are working in regional blocs to shield themselves
from criticism."
The problem is not restricted to asingle country or region. Brown says
that powerful countries are undermining justice efforts all over the
world by refusing to submit themselves to the laws that protect
civilians in conflict.
She cites US support for Israel as another manifestation of the same
problem, predicting that if the situation arises, Washington will use
its UN Security Council veto to prevent any meaningful action against
Israel for crimes committed in Gaza.
"China, Russia and US, as permanent members of the Security Council,
are holding themselves above the law," she says. "It's so
fundamentally unfair for victims that will be denied justice."
Double standards
Meanwhile less powerful countries, particularly in Africa, feel
aggrieved when they find that they are being held accountable for
human rights abuses while more powerful countries act with impunity.
It is, Brown says, an understandable resentment at a double standard
that underminesefforts to make international justice the norm rather
than the exception.
"The hypocrisy and double standards undermine calls for justice that
are legitimate."
She wants to see the levels of scrutiny applied to Africa extended to
all countries.
"It's not a bad thing that victims in Africa have a chance of justice.
We want to extend that accountability."
For many, such accountability willcome too late. The Amnesty report
paints a disturbing pictureof human rights violations that have gone
unpunished because powerful nations are unwilling tosubmit to
international human rights standards. Rather than setting an example,
campaigners say they are creating a culture of impunity.
From the failure to implement the recommendations of the Goldstone
report into war crimescommitted during the Gaza conflict, to the
refusal of some of the world's most powerful countries to sign up to
the International Criminal Court (ICC), the report catalogues example
after example of rights abuses for which there has been no justice.
"Repression and injustice are flourishing in the global justice gap,
condemning millions of people to abuse, oppression and poverty," says
Claudio Cordone, Amnesty's interim secretary general.
Disturbing trends
The report identifies trends in human rights violations, including
"mass forced evictions of people from their homes in Africa, for
example in Angola, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria, often driving people
deeper into poverty".
It also records "increased reportsof domestic violence against women,
rape, sexual abuse, and murder and mutilations after rape," and a
"sharp rise in racism,xenophobia and intolerance in Europe and Central
Asia".
The overall message from Amnesty is clear; there is a long way to go
before powerful nations stop trading away the application of justice
for short-term political gains.
PHOTO CAPTION
A still image from the documentary Fallujah: The HiddenMassacre which
charges U.S. warplanes illegally dropped white phosphorus incendiary
bombs on civilians in Iraq

Importance of knowing the narrators of Hadeeth

The narrators of Hadeeth are the most honourable and respectable
Muslims, as they are keepers and preservers of Sunnah. Most of them
are the companions of the Prophetwho witnessed the acts and learnt the
sayings of the Prophet. Others are the successors of the companions.
Who were blessed by Allaah and they are highly respectedby all
Muslims. They are shinning stars of Islam.
Their hearts were free from worldly desires. Reading their biographies
will increase love and devotion towards them and develop more interest
to be faithful and obedient in the heart of the Muslimwho reads their
biography.
Allaah Almighty Says (what means):"Verily, We have sent down the
Reminder, and surely, We will guard it (fromcorruption)."[Quran; 15:9]
The above promise made by Allaah is obviously fulfilled in the
undisputed purity of the Quranic text throughout the fourteen
centuries since its revelation.
However, what is often forgotten by many Muslims is that the above
divine promise also includes, by necessity, theSunnah of the Prophet
Muhammadfor it is the practical example of the implementation of the
Quranic guidance, the Wisdom taught to theProphetalong with the
Scripture, and neither the Quran nor theSunnah can be understood
correctly without recourse to the other.
Allaah preserved the Sunnah by enabling the Companionsand their
followersto memorize, write down and pass on the statements of the
Messenger of Allaahand the descriptions of his way, as well as to
continue the blessings of practicing the Sunnah. Later, as the purity
of the knowledge of the Sunnah became threatened, Allaah caused the
Muslim nationto produce outstanding individuals of incredible
memory-skills and analytical expertise, who journeyed tirelessly to
collect hundreds of thousands of narrations and distinguish the true
words of precious wisdom of their Messengerfrom those corrupted by
weak memories, from forgeriesby unscrupulous liars, and from the
statements of the enormous number of scholars, the Companions and
those who followed their way, who had taught in various centers of
learning and helped to transmit the legacy of Muhammad- all of
thisachieved through preciseattention to the words narrated and
detailed familiarity with the biographies of the thousands of
reporters ofHadeeth. Action being the best way to preserve teachings,
the scholars ofIslam also revived the practice of the blessed
authentic Sunnah.
Unfortunately, however, statements will continue to be attributed to
the Prophetalthough the person quoting them may have no idea what the
people of knowledgein the field of Hadeeth science have ruled
regarding those hadeeths, thus ironically being in danger of
contravening the Prophet'swidely-narrated stern warnings about
attributing incorrect/unsound statements to him.
The methodology of the expert scholars of Hadeeth in assessing
narrations and sorting out the genuine from themistaken, fabricated
etc., forms the subject-matter of a wealth of material left to us by
the scholars of Hadeeth (traditionists).
A Hadeeth is composed oftwo parts: the Matn (text)and the Isnaad
(chain of reporters). A text may seem to be logical and reasonable but
it needs an authentic Isnaad with reliable reporters to be acceptable.
'Abdullaah Ibn Al-Mubaarak(d. 181 AH), one of the illustrious teachers
of Imaam Al-Bukhaarisaid: "The Isnaad is part of the religion, had it
notbeen for the Isnaad, thenpeople would have claimed whatever they
wished."
Among the sciences of Hadeeth is the study of the chain of reporters
(the Isnaad). Many Muslim scholars have specialized in this field.
Itincludes identifying the name of each and every narrator (reporter),
his character (his truthfulness, piety, publicbehavior), his ability
and reputation as a memorizer and the types of narrations he is known
to report, whether authentic, weak, fabricated, etc. In addition, each
narrator should be identified by a rating given by other narrators who
knew him.So all of these and many other details must be considered to
know the degree to which a Hadeeth may be used as a basis for Islamic
belief or practice (Sharee'ah), or merely as a point of interest (not
to be attributed to the sayings, etc. of the Prophet).
After the Book of Allaah (The Quran), the books ofHadeeth collection
that were collected by Imaams Bukhaari and Muslimare considered by the
Muslimscholars to be the most authentic books of Hadeeth. However,
there are other famous scholars in the field who compiled books of
Hadeeth such as; Abu Daawood (d.275), At-Tirmithi (d. 279), An-Nasaa'i
(d. 303) and others.

Dought & clear - The Names of Allaah are not limited to ninety-nine.

Are there only ninety-nine names of Allaah, or are there more than that?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Al-Bukhaari (2736) and Muslim (2677) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may
Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah has ninety-nine names,
one hundred less one. Whoever learns them will enter Paradise."
Some of the scholars (such as Ibn Hazm – may Allaah have mercy on him)
understood this hadeeth as meaning thatthe names of Allaah are limited
to this number. See al-Muhalla, 1/51
But what Ibn Hazm said is not supported by the majority of scholars.
Rather some of them (such as al-Nawawi) narrated that the scholars are
agreed that the names of Allaah are not limited to this number. It
seems that they regarded the view of Ibn Hazm as odd and as something
that should not be paid any attention.
In support of the view that the beautiful namesof Allaah are not
limited to this number, they quoted the report narrated by Ahmad
(3704) from 'Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood who said: The Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There is no-one who
is afflicted by distress and grief, and says: 'Allaahumma inni 'abduka
ibn 'abdika ibn amatija naasyati bi yadika, maada fiyya hukmuka,
'adlun fiyya qadaa'uka. As'aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta
bihi nafsaka aw anzaltahu fi kitaabika aw 'allamtahu ahadan min
khalqika awista'tharta bihi fi 'ilm il-ghayb 'indaka an
taj'alal-Qur'aana rabee' qalbi wa noor sadri wa jalaa' huzni wa
dhihaab hammi (O Allaah, I am Your slave, son of Your slave, son of
Your maidservant; my forelock is in Your hand, Your command over me is
forever executed and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every
name belonging to You which You have named Yourself with, or revealed
in Your Book, or You taught to any of Your creation, or You have
preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You, that You make the
Qur'aan the life of my heart and the light of my breast, and a
departure for my sorrow and a release for my anxiety),' but Allaah
will take away his distress and grief, and replace it with joy." He
was asked: "O Messengerof Allaah, should we learn this?" He said: "Of
course; everyone who hears it should learn it."
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 199.
The phrase "or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with
You" indicates that there are beautiful names of Allaah that He has
kept with Him in the knowledge of the Unseen, and which noneof His
creation has come to know. This indicates that there are more
thanninety-nine Names.
Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] said concerning this hadeeth in Majmoo'
al-Fataawa (6/374):
This indicates that Allaahhas more than ninety-nine names.
And he said (22/482):
Al-Khattaabi said: This indicates that He has names that He has
preserved with Him, and that indicates that the words "Allaah has
ninety-nine names, whoever learns them will enter Paradise" mean that
there are ninety-nine of His nameswhich whoever learns them will enter
Paradise.This is like saying, "I have one thousand dirhams which I
have prepared to give in charity," even if his wealth is greater than
that. In the Qur'aan Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him by them"
[al-A'raaf 7:180]
Allaah has commanded us to call upon Him by His names in general
terms, He did not say that He has only ninety-nine names.
Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated in Sharh Saheeh Muslim
that the scholars were unanimously agreed on that, and he said:
The scholars are unanimously agreed that this hadeeth does not mean
that Allaah hasonly ninety-nine names, or that He does not have any
other names apart from these ninety-nine. Rather what the hadeethmeans
is that whoever learns these ninety-nine will enter Paradise. The
point is that one may enter Paradise by learning them, not that the
number is limited to these names.
And Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen was asked about that and replied:
The names of Allaah are not limited to a certain number. The evidence
for that is the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) in the saheeh hadeeth: "O Allaah, I am Your slave, son of
Your slave… I ask You by everyname belonging to You which You have
named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or You taught to any of
Your creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen
with You."
What Allaah has preserved in the knowledge of the unseen with Him
cannot be known and what is not known is unlimited.
With regard to the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him), "Allaah has ninety-nine names, one hundred lessone.
Whoever learns them will enter Paradise," this does not mean that He
does not have any names apart from these, rather it means that whoever
learns these ninety-nine of His names will enter Paradise. This is
like when the Arabs say: "I have one hundred horses which I have
prepared for jihad for the sake of Allaah," which does not mean that
the speaker has only these hundred horses, rather these hundred are
prepared for this purpose.
Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn 'Uthaymeen, 1/122.