Al-Bukhaari: the master in the science of Prophetic narrations

His mother woke up witha start and said happily:"What a pleasant
dream! Allaah's messenger Ibraaheem appeared in my dream, and said:
"Owoman! Allaah restored your son's eye sight because of your
frequentsupplications". She said:"O Allaah, make it a glad tiding. "O
Allaah answer my supplications and restore the sight of my child."
The pious mother walkedto her son's room, hardly able to move her
feet. When she reached his bed, she was about to wake him up but she
hesitated. Her broken heart was beating and she kept tenderly and
kindly caressing his head with her shaky hands. She was still
supplicating and hoping that Allaah would answer her frequent
supplications and cure her son. The young boy woke up and started
looking in amazement and moving his eyelids in confusion. He said in a
breaking voice:
"Mother!! I can see you, I can see your beautiful face! I can see my
room and my toys!!"
All perfect praise be to Allaah! All perfect praise be to Allaah!
Allaah gave me back my eyesight!!"
She was so happy that she thought she was dreaming. But she soon
realized that it was real when she saw her beloved son running and
playing as he used to do. Filled with faith and happiness, she said:
"All perfect praise be to Allaah! All perfect praise be to Allaah who
has the power to do everything."
One day, when the mother was tidying up the house in the morning, she
came acrossa few papers containing some narrations of the Prophet .
She remembered her belovedhusband and said sadly and painfully while
wiping the tears off her cheeks: "May Allaah have mercy on you,
Muhammad's father. You were a man who used to fear Allaah. You dreamed
for a long time that your son Muhammad would be a religious scholar! I
promise you that I will domy best to achieve your dear wish, Allaah
willing." Then she called her son kindly, and Muhammad hurried to her
obediently. Then, shesaid to him: "It is time foryou, my son to seek
religious knowledge and benefit yourself and the people around you.
Tomorrow I will send youto a small school where you can memorize the
Quran, learn Prophetic narrations and study the Arabic language to
become an honourable scholar like your father, Ismaa'eel .
The young boy, Muhammad, said cleverly:"Mother! Was my father an
eminent scholar?"
The mother replied: "Yes, my son." Mohammad, then said politely: "I
promise you, Mother, that I will follow his footsteps seriously and
exert all my efforts."
The city of Bukhaaraa (now in Islamic Uzbekistan) was located at that
time in one of the greatest countries beyond the Transoxus (now
Turkistan ). Schools of knowledge where people could learn Arabic, the
Quran, history, and Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) were spread
throughout the city. The young boy, Muhammad Ibn Ismaa'eelAl-Bukhaari
then set out to quench his thirst for knowledge from these sweet
springs. Earlyin his life, he showed signs of intelligence that
surprised everyone around him. He had a sharp mind, an attentive
heart, an amazing memory, and an incredible ability to memorize.
Before he wasten, he had memorized the whole Quran, mastered the
Arabic language, covered much of the Fiqh, and memorized many
Prophetic narrations. His pious good mother always encouraged her son
and prepared a suitable atmosphere for him to acquire knowledge. When
Al-Bukhaari finished his studies in the small schools, his wise mother
thought to send him to the well-known study circles in Bukhaaraa,
Samarqand, Bekend, Marw, and Nesabor. He became famous among the
scholars to the point that he used to argue with his professors and
even corrected them sometimes!!
The success and physiognomy of Al-Bukhaari didn't end there. His
shaykh andteacher Mohammad Ibn Salaam Al-Bekandy the scholar of
Buhaaraa and the scholar of Prophetic narrations across the Transoxus
(now Turkistan ), used to ask him to revise some ofhis books and
corrected any mistakes he found. Scholars used to wonder in
astonishment: "Who was that boy who edits the books of his
professor?!"
Imaam Bekandi used to say proudly about his clever student: "This boy
is unique of his kind."
On many occasions Imaam Bekandi talked to his colleagues about his
student, Al-Bukhaari who memorized seventy thousand Prophetic
narrations by heart. In addition to this, he neverreported a narration
of the companions or thegeneration following them unless he knew when
and where they were born, as well as where they lived and died!
The years passed and Mohammad Ibn Ismaa'eel reached the age of sixteen
years. He felt a great need to go and seek knowledge in every corner
of the world to satisfy his thirst for knowledge. He headed toMakkah,
accompanied byhis mother and elder brother, Ahmad, in 210 AH to
perform Hajj (pilgrimage) and seek more knowledge. After the
pilgrimage, his mother and brother Ahmad returned to Bukhaaraa while
he stayed in Makkah to move between its domes of knowledge: East, and
west; North and South. Before the end of two years in this sacred
city, he started writing his book The Issues of the companions and
their Followers which marked the beginning of his renowned books.
* Al-Bukhaari always loved to visit Madeenah. Among the fruits of his
visits to that blessed place was writing his book: "The Big Book of
History" which is considered the first book that comprises the namesof
the narrators of Prophetic narrations and the details of their lives.
From that wonderful sacred spot, Al-Bukhaari set out on a
relentlessendeavor to visit all the Islamic territories out of his
love for compiling theProphetic narrations. He traveled to Hijaaz (
Saudi Arabia ), Levant ( Syria , Jordan , Palestine and Lebanon ),
Egypt , and Khurasaan (a vast area between north east Iran , southern
Russia , and western Afghanistan ). He visited Basrah and settledfor
some time in Baghdad which was the capital of the Abbasid state at
that time. He greatly benefited from these journeys seeking knowledge.
He had the pleasure of meeting mostthe narrators of Prophetic
narrations at that time, sat with them, listened to the narrations,
and memorized whatever knowledge they had.
One night, Al-Bukhaari had a strange dream that later had a great
impact on his life. He sawhimself standing before the Prophet holding
a palm-leaf fan in his hand with which he pushed all evil away from
the Prophet . He was so confused and surprised that he went to his
scholars asking them to interpret his dream. They said happily: "You
will clear the lies and false claims away from the Prophet . "
Al-Bukhaari then remembered his teacher, shaykh Is-Haaq Ibn Raahawayh,
the prominent scholar of Khurasaan, when he told his students once:
"It would be great if you cancompile a concise and brief book
containing the authentic narrations of the Prophet ."
These words echoed in Al-Bukhaari's heart and he remembered that dream
which was always in his mind since he started learning the Prophetic
narrations. Thereupon, he immediately made an intention to actively
and seriously pursue this mission and started to strive in his long
journey of writing this great book in 217 AH when he was twenty three.
Because of that dream, Al-Bukhaari traveled thousands of miles moving
from one Islamic territory to another, undergoing all sorts of
difficulties, hardships, and weariness, sometimes to obtain onlyone
narration of the Prophet . He sometimes even had to eat grass to
satisfy his extreme hunger after he had spent all his money. Even the
few hours of night in which he snatched short naps to rest a while,
were not so resting for him, as he used to wake up fifteen to twenty
times a night to lit his lamp and sit to classify the narrations he
had collected. Al-Bukhaari made a pact with himself that he wouldn't
include a narration from any narrator until he had personally met him,
and listened to the narration with his own ears. He never accepted
narrations except from the ones who were known for being honest,
diligent, accurate, fearing Allaah, and having a sharp memory. After
this process, he would have a ritual bath; pray two Rak'as and
theninclude only the narration that had met all these conditions in
hisbook.
After sixteen years of continuous effort and hard work, Al-Bukhaari
finished his valuable book that comprised around 7000 authentic
narrations which he selected from amongst 600,000 authentic and
non-authentic narrations. He overlooked many authentic narrations so
that his book wouldn't be too long. He chose to name the book "The
Authentic Book Encompassing a Brief Authentic Narrations of the
Prophet, his Tradition and Life" to become the title of the most
authentic book after the Quran. The bookis known as 'Saheeh
Al-Bukhaari' (The authentic narrations reported by Al-Bukhaari ). This
book became well known and it gave him a high rank that someone like
him truly deserved to achieve. He had a vast knowledge,great manners,
a tolerantnature, dignity, and an untainted tongue. He cared so little
for this life,he had deep faith, and had Allaah's consciousness at all
times. After Imaam Al-Bukhaari became famous throughout the world,
thousands of scholars came to him as students of the leader in
memorization of authentic narrations untilthe number of people who
attended his study circles in Baghdad reached 20,000. Among the most
remarkable figures of his students were Imaams At-Tirmithi,
An-Nasaa'ee, Muslim, and others .
In 250 AH, Al-Bukhaari left to Nisabor, a city in Khurasaan and stayed
there for a while teaching the people. Then he decided to return to
his dear city, Bukhaaraa, and when he did the people rushed to welcome
him in a great celebration in which huge tents were pitched and
decorations were hung. They threw flowersand golden and silver coins
on the Imaam uponhis arrival into the city. There was an overwhelming
atmosphere of happinessthat prevailed throughout all Bukhaaraa.
Allaah Willed, out of mercy to the Imaam, that Al-Bukhaari would only
meet his Lord after peace and happiness hadfound their way into his
heart again. One day, the people of Samarqand sent a message for him
asking him to come. He agreed and packed with great joy. When he
started walking towards his animal he said: "Take me back, I have
become weak and very ill". When they took him back to hishouse, he
said some supplications then he laidon his bed sweating a lot,then his
pure soul ascended to its Creator. His death was on a Friday night,
the beginning of the month of Shawwaal, 256 AH (870AD). He was
sixty-two years old when he died. He was buried in the village of
Khartank whichis now known as 'Khawaajah Saaheb'. MayAllaah have mercy
upon the great Imaam and mayAllaah admit him into

The World of Jinn -II

Jinn: Muslims and non-Muslims
Almighty Allaah tells us in the Noble Quran that some of the jinn said
(what means): "And among us are Muslims [in submission to Allaah], and
among us are the unjust. And whoever has become Muslim — those have
sought out the right course. But as for the unjust, they will be, for
Hell, firewood.'" [Quran 72:14-15]
The Muslims among the jinn are of different levels as regards
righteousness and piety. Allaah Says (what means): "And among us are
the righteous, and among us are [others] not so; we were [of] divided
ways." [Quran 72:11]
The story of the first jinn who became Muslim was narrated by
'Abdullaah Ibn 'Abbaas who said:"The Prophet went outwith a group of
his Companions ( ) heading for the marketplace of 'Ukaath. This was
when the devils were prevented from getting any news from heaven, and
shooting stars had been sent against them. The devils went back to
their people, who said, 'What is the matter with you?' They said, 'We
cannot getnews from heaven, and shooting stars were sent against us.'
Their people said, 'Nothing is stoppingyou from hearing news from
heaven except somenew event that must have happened. Go and look in
the east and the west of the earth, and see if you can find out what
it is that is stoppingyou from hearing news from heaven."
Those who went out in the direction of Tihaamah came upon theProphet
in (a place called) Nakhlah, when hewas on his way to 'Ukaath, and
found him leading his Companions in Fajr (dawn) prayer. When they
heard the Quran, they listened to it and said, 'By Allaah, this is
what is stopping us from hearing news from heaven.' When they wentback
to their people, theysaid as Allaah tells us in the Quran (what
means): "Indeed, we have heard an amazing Quran [i.e. recitation]. It
guides to the right course, and we have believed in it. And we will
never associate with our Lordanyone." [Quran 72:1-2]
Then Allaah revealed to His Prophet the verse (which means): "Say, [O
Muhammad], "It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn
listened and said, "Indeed, we have heard an amazing Quran..."
[Al-Bukhaari]
Their reckoning on the Day of Resurrection
The jinn will be called to account on the day of Resurrection.
Mujaahid said, concerning the verse (which means): "…but the jinn have
already known that they [who made suchclaims] will be brought [to
punishment]." [Quran 37:158]
"They will be brought to judgement." [Al-Bukhaari]
Protection from the harm of the jinn
Because the jinn can see us while we cannot see them, the Prophet
taught us many ways to protect ourselves from their harm, such as
seeking refuge with Allaah from the accursed Shaytaan (Satan),
reciting chapters Al-Falaqand An-Naas (the last twochapters of the
Quran), and reciting the words taught by Allaah in the Quran (which
mean): "And say, "My Lord, I seek refuge in Youfrom the incitements of
the devils. And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present
with me." [Quran 23:97-98]
Saying Bismillaah (in the Name of Allaah) before entering one's home,
before eating or drinking, and before having intercourse with one's
spouse will also keep the devil from entering the house or partaking
with a person in his food, drink and sexual activity.
Similarly, mentioning thename of Allaah before entering the toilet or
taking off one's clothes will prevent the jinn fromseeing a person's
private parts or harming him, as the Prophet said: "To put a barrier
that will prevent thejinn from seeing the 'Awrah (parts of the body
that must be covered in Islam) of the Children of Aadam, let any one
of you say 'Bismillaah' when entering the toilet." [At-Tirmithi]
Strength of faith and religion in general will also prevent the jinn
from harming a person, so much so that if they were to fight, the one
who has faith would win.'Abdullaah Ibn Mas'ood said: "A man from among
the Companions of Muhammad met a male jinn. They wrestled, and the man
knocked down the jinn. The man said to him, 'You look small and skinny
to me, and your forearms look like the front paws of a dog. Do all the
jinn look like this, or only you?' He said, 'No, by Allaah, among them
I am strong, but let us wrestle again, and if you defeat me I will
teach you something that will do you good.' The man said, 'Fine.' He
(the jinn) said, 'Recite (the verse, which means): "Allaah- there is
no deity except Him, the Ever- Living, the Sustainer of [all]
existence …" [Quran 2: 255]
The man said, 'Fine.' He said, 'You will never recite this in your
house but the Satan will come out of it like a donkey breaking wind,
and he will never come back in until the next morning.'"

The World of Jinn -I

(Prophet's sayings and actions) indicate that the jinn exist, and that
there is a purpose for their existence in this life, which is to
worship Allaah Alone, with no partner or associate. Almighty Allaah
Says (what means): "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except
to worship Me." [Quran 51:56] and also (what means): "O company of
jinn and mankind, did there not cometo you messengers from among you,
relating to you My verses …?" [Quran 6:130]
The world of the jinn is an independent and separate world, with its
own distinct nature and features that are hidden from the world of
humans. Jinn and humans have some things in common, such as the
possession of understanding and the choice between the way of good and
the way of evil. The word jinn comesfrom an Arabic root meaning
"hidden from sight". Allaah Says (what means): "… Indeed, he (Satan)
sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. …" [Quran
7:27]
Allaah has told us in the Noble Quran the essence from which the jinn
werecreated. He Says (what means): "And the jinn We created before
from scorching fire." [Quran 15:27]
And also (what means): "And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame
of fire." [Quran 55:15]
According to one prophetic narration that was narrated by 'Aa'ishah
the Prophet said: "The angels were created from light, the jinn were
created from fire, and Aadam was created from that which has been
described to you (soil)." [Muslim]
Types of jinn
Allaah, the Most Exalted, has created different types of jinn. Among
them are some that can take on different forms, such as dogs and
snakes; some who are like flying winds with wings; and some that can
travel and rest. The Messenger of Allaah said: "The jinn are of three
types: a type that has wings, they fly through the air; a type that
looks like snakes and dogs; and a type that stops for a rest then
resumes its journey." [At-Tabaraani and others]
The jinn and the Children of Aadam
Every individual among the Children of Aadam has a jinn who has been
appointed to be his constant companion (Qareen). Ibn Mas'ood said:
"The Messenger of Allaah said: "There is not one of you who does not
have a jinn appointed to be his constant companion." They (present
companions ) said: "And you too, O Messenger of Allaah?" He said: "And
me too, but Allaah has helped me and he has submitted (became a
believing Muslim), so that he only helps meto do good." [Muslim]
Their powers
Almighty Allaah has giventhe jinn powers that He has not given to
humans. He has told us about some of their powers, such as the ability
to move and travel quickly. A genie from among the jinn guaranteed to
the Prophet Sulaymaan (Solomon) that he would bring the throne of the
Queen of Yemen to Jerusalem in a moment faster than that needed for a
man to get up from where he was sitting. Allaah says (what means): "A
powerful one from among thejinn said, "I will bring it to you before
you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and
trustworthy." Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, "I will
bring it to you before your glance returns toyou." And when [Solomon]
saw itplaced before him, he said, "This is from the favor of my Lord
..." [Quran 27:39-40]
The food and drink of the jinn
The jinn eat and drink. Ibn Mas'ood said: "TheMessenger of Allaah
said: " One the jinn called me, and I went with him and recited Quran
for them.' He took me and showed me the traces of where they had been
and the traces of their fires. They (his fellow jinn) asked him for
food and he said:"You can have every bone on which the name of Allaah
has been mentioned that comes into your possession, as meat, and all
the droppings as food for your animals." The Prophet said,"So do not
use [these things] for cleaning yourselves [after relieving oneself],
for they are thefood and provision of your brothers.'" [Muslim]
The believing jinn may eat any bone on which the name of Allaah has
been mentioned, because the Messenger did not permit them to have
anything on which Allaah's name has not been mentioned - those are for
the disbelievers among the jinn.
The beasts of the jinn
According to the narration that was narrated by Ibn Mas'ood that we
have quoted above, the jinn asked theMessenger for provision, and he
said to them: "…and [you can have] all the droppings as food for your
animals."
The dwelling-places of the jinn
The jinn live on this earthwhere we do. They are mostly to be found in
ruins and unclean places like bathrooms, dunghills, garbage dumps and
graveyards. Hence, the Prophet taught us to take precautions when
entering such places, by reciting the Athkaar (supplications)
prescribed by Islam. One of these was reported by Anas Ibn Maalik who
said: "When the Messenger of Allaah used to relieve himself, he would
say: "Allaahumma inni a'oothu bika min al-khubuthiwa'l-khabaa'ith (O
Allaah, I seek refuge with You from the evil ones, male and female).'"

Friday Prayers - , Why is Friday singled out for great importance?.,Dought & clear - ,

I want to know why Friday Prayer is important and Different then other ?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, chose Friday to be the best of
days before Him, and He singled it out for major events and great
qualities, which are the reason why Muslims are obliged to venerate
this day and take it as one oftheir Eids or festivals in which Allah
has prescribed rituals that He has not prescribed for other days.
On our website we have previously quoted a great deal of evidence
tosupport this view, whichyou can see in the answers to the
followingquestions: 9211 , 12309 and 13692
Secondly:
Moreover, Jumu'ah prayer has a particular virtue and great qualities
through the barakah (blessing) of this great day.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Jumu'ah prayer is singled out from among all the other obligatory
prayers for having particular characteristicsthat are not found in
other prayers, including the fact that it is offered in congregation,
has a minimum number of worshippers required in order for it to be
valid, the iqaamah is a condition of its being valid, one must not be
travelling in order for it to be obligatory, and therecitation is done
out loud.
There is an emphasis on its imortance the like of which is not
mentioned for other prayers except 'Asr prayer. In the four Sunans it
is narrated in the hadeeth of Abu'l-Ja'dad-Dumari – who was a
Companion – that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him) said: "Whoever misses three Jumu'ahs out of heedlessness,
Allah will place a seal on his heart."
End quote from Zaad al-Ma'aad, 1/384-385.
The Prophet's Sunnah also singles out Jumu'ah prayer by encouraging
believers to do ghusl for it and to wear perfume (for men only). It is
also strongly encouraged to come early for the prayer and there is a
great deal of reward for walking to the prayer. Concerning these
specialcharacteristics, Sa'eed ibn Mansoor narrated from Na'eem ibn
'Abdullah al-Mujammir that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased
with him) issuedinstructions that the mosque of Madinah be perfumed
with incense every Friday at midday, as was narrated by Ibn al-Qayyim
in Zaad al-Ma'aad, 1/370.
Thirdly:
The main reason for venerating Friday prayeris because of the divine
decree that singled out this prayer and this day for special virtues.
This isone of the manifestations of Allah's Lordship (ruboobiyyah), as
He alone singles out for veneration whateverHe Wills of His creation
and whatever times and places He chooses. He is the One Who does
whatever He wills for reasons that He, may He be glorified, knows.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, is the only One Who has the
power to create and to choose from among His creation. Allah, may He
be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "And your Lord
creates whatsoever He wills and chooses" [al-Qasas 28:68]. If you
ponder this creation, you will realize that this choosing and singling
out are proof of His Lordship and Oneness, and of the perfection of
His wisdom, knowledge and might; that He is Allah, besides Whom there
is no other god, and He has no partner who can create as He creates,
or choose as He chooses, or control as Hecontrols. This choice,
control and singling out,the effects of which are evident in this
world, are among the greatest signs of His Lordship andthe greatest
testimony to His Oneness, the perfection of His attributes and the
truthfulness of His Messengers.
End quote from Zaad al-Ma'aad, 1/40-43
Al-'Allaamah Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) also stated
that this singling out and choice are indicative of the inherent
virtue of the thing chosen, for which Allah blessed this time. By His
knowledge and wisdom, Allah may grantto a certain place, time or
person that which qualifies it to be chosen by Allah and favoured
above others.
He (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
This concept may not be understood by the one who regards all
individuals, deeds, times and places as equal, and claims that there
is nothing inherent that makes one thing better than another, and that
precedence is given to some things over others for no reason. This
view is invalid for more than forty reasons that I have listed
elsewhere. It is sufficient, in order to understand the falsenessof
this view and how corrupt it is, to note that Allah, may He be
glorified and exalted, refuted this false view when He said
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And when there comes to them a sign (from Allah) they say: 'We shall
not believe until we receive the like of that which the Messengers
ofAllah had received.' Allahknows best with whom to place His Message"
[al-An'aam 6:124].
"Allah knows best with whom to place His Message" means: not everyone
is qualified or fit to convey His Message; rather the Message has
those who are suited to conveying it and it cannot befit anybut these
people; Allah knows better than you who these people are. If all
individuals were equal -- as these people claim -- there could
havebeen no argument against them in this verse.
Similarly, Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: 'Is
it these (poor believers) that Allah has favoured from amongst us?'
Does not Allah knowbest those who are grateful?"
[al-An'aam 6:53].
What is meant is: Allah knows best who will give thanks for His
blessings, so He singles them out for His bounty from among those who
will not be grateful to Him. Not everyone is fit to thank Him or to
receive His blessings andbe singled out for this honour. Those
individuals and places and so on that Allah chooses have some inherent
qualities that are not found in other people and places, and itis for
that reason that Allah chose them, gave them precedence because of
those virtues and selected them. This is His creation and His choice.
"And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses" [al-Qasas
28:68]. Allah does not choose anything and give it precedence except
for a reason that led to it being singled out and given precedence.
Yes, He is the One Who created this reason, as He is the One Who
created it then chose it after creating it.
End quote from Zaad al-Ma'aad, 1/53-54
To sum up, all the characteristics of this great prayer are by the
grace of Allah, may He beglorified and exalted, to His slaves. He
chose it by His decree and singled it out for His bounty and
blessings, thus it attained this great importance in this worldand in
the Hereafter.