Explanation of Soorah al-Maa'oon

The verses:
In the name of Allaah, theMost Beneficent, the MostMerciful.
Almighty Allaah Says (what means): "Have you seen the one who denies
the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan.
Anddoes not encourage the feeding of the poor. So woe to those
whopray. [But] are heedless of their prayer – Those who make show [of
their deeds]. And withhold [simple] assistance." [Quran 107: 1-7]
Explanation:
"Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?" [Quran107:1] Here,
Allaahthe Most High asks His Messenger if he has seen the one who
rejects the Deen - that is, the Appointed Time, the Requital and the
Reward .
"For that is the one who drives away the orphan." [Quran 107:2] That
is, he coerces and oppresses the orphan, denying him his rights, and
refusing to feed him, or give him anyaid .
" And does not encourage the feeding of the poor." [Quran 107:3] As
Allaah Says (what means) : "No! But you do not honour the orphan, And
you do not encourage one another to feed the poor." [Quran 89: 17-18]
That is, the one in need, who hasnothing, he does not support or
maintain him, or attend to his needs .
"So woe to those who pray. [But] are heedless of their prayer." [Quran
107:4-5] According to Ibn `Abbaas and others, this verse refers to the
hypocrites who pray in public but not in private, and for this reason
Allaah Says (what means): "…to those who pray" who are among those who
pray, but doesnot mean everyone who prays. These people, at first, are
steadfast in their prayers, then they become neglectful of them either
entirely, as stated by Ibn `Abbaas or they become careless about
praying on time until they pray after the prescribed time. `Ataa'
said: "All praise is due to Allaah who Says (what means): "…heedless
of their prayer" rather than neglectful in their prayers." However,
this verse is comprehensive and covers both meanings. Whoever is
neglectful by delaying hisprayers, is careless in implementing the
prescribed Sunnahs (recommended supererogatory acts) in prayer,
fulfilling its conditions, or does not pray with a fitting sense of
humility and does not reflect on the meaning may be considered a
hypocrite in his actions as confirmed by the Hadeeth (Prophetic
saying) that the Messenger of Allaah said: "This is the prayer of the
hypocrite, this is the prayer of the hypocrite: He sits and observes
the sun until it is between the horns of Satan (about to set), thenhe
quickly prays four Rak'ahs (units of prayer) in which he barely
mentions Allaah." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
The prayer referred to is the 'Asr (afternoon) prayer and the delay is
until the end of the permitted time which is atime at which it is
despised to offer prayers,when the hypocrite rapidly performs his
prayer (so that his movements resemble the rapid pecking of a
chicken), hastily, without a fitting sense of humility. Likewise, the
one who prays in order to be seen by others, and not to gain the
pleasure of Allaah, is like the one who doesn't pray at all. Allaah
Says (what means) : " Indeed , the hypocrites [think to] deceive
Allaah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they
stand lazily,showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering
Allaah except a little." [Quran 4:142] While Allaah says here what
means: "…Who are heedless of their prayer." [Quran 107:5]
"Those who make show [of their deeds]." [Quran 107:6]
Imaam At-Tabaraani stated: "The Messenger ofAllaah said: "Indeed, in
Hell there is a valley (which is so terrible) that the Hellfire
wishes, four hundred times a day, that it were not a part of it. It
has been prepared for those among the community of Muhammad who
perform deeds in order to be seen doing them..."
Imam Ahmad narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said: "Whoever
performs a (good) deed in order to gain a good reputation, Allaah will
make him despised and degraded." However, if a person sincerely
performs a good deed, solely for the sake of Allaah, that happens to
be seen by others and it pleases them, there is no sin for him in
this, and the proof for this is the narration of Abu Hurayrah who
said: "I was praying once when aman entered (the mosque), and this
pleased me, so I told the Messenger of Allaah about it, and he
said:"Two rewards have been written for you - the reward of praying in
secret and the reward of being seen."
Imaam Ibn Jareer saidthat the Messenger of Allaah said that:"Those
"Who are heedless of their prayer" are those who delay theirprayers
and do not pray them at the right time." Delaying the prayer may
simply mean praying it late, or it may mean not praying it at all, or
it may mean delaying the prayer until the prescribed time has expired
.
"And withhold [simple] assistance." [Quran 107:7]
These people do not behave well in worship, nor do they behave well
towards their fellow men; they will not even lend to those in need,
though it would be returned to them, nor do they like to pay Zakaah
(obligatory alms) or other forms of charity. Ibn Abu Nujayh said that
`Ali said that the word Al-Maa'oon means Zakaah, and this was
alsorelated by Imaam As-Suddi may Allaah havemercy on him. This was
also attributed by more than one person to Ibn `Umar .
Many narrations suggest that the word is more general than this and
even includes things commonly shared, such as buckets, spades and
axes, etc. It is narrated that the Messenger of Allaah was asked
whatAl-Maa`oon is, to which he replied: "The stone (i.e. pots and
pans, etc.), the iron (i.e. axes, spades etc.) and all such things."

--
- e-pln- - ▓███▓ Translator:->
http://translate.google.com.my/m?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en ▓███▓ - -

Virtues of reading the Quran

To reflect upon the verses of Allaah is a form of worship; it is
something that will draw one close to Allaah, Most High. This
reflection is not a reckless and wandering one, rather, it includes a
study of the classical Tafseer (exegesis) of the verses being pondered
over. Allaah, Most High, Says in the Quran (what means): " Then do
they notreflect upon the Quran? If it had been from [any] other than
Allaah, they would have found within it much contradiction. " [Quran:
4:82]
The Book of Allaah is unlike any other; it is the timeless Speech of
Allaah, and not a created thing. Itis the study guide for life, death,
and what follows. Therefore, it deserves a far more careful study than
anyone else's speech. It necessitates that its reader return to the
early narrations of those who witnessed its revelation and heard its
explanation by the one deputed by Allaah to rehearse and explain His
Words to humanity, Muhammad . For if one wouldtry to ponder over the
meanings of the verses without having done this study, then surely the
filth of the time that he lives in and his ignorance of the correct
application and understanding that the early Muslims had wouldcause
him to understand some things not intended by Allaah, Most High, and
therefore he would go astray, thinking to be worshipping Allaah. So,
let every sincere Muslim who hopes to earn Allaah's Love by reciting
and reflecting over Allaah's Book holdtight to the meanings explained
by the Prophet and those taught by the Companions and their immediate
followers, and the early scholars of Islam.
Dear Muslim brother and sister! Know that reciting and pondering over
the Book of Allaah and devoting regular time to its study and
implementation has tremendous benefits in this life and the next. Let
us now lookat just a few of them to attach ourselves more firmly to
the majestic Words of Allaah. Each benefit stands as enough of an
encouragement to shun any laziness we have and dedicate ourselves
wholly to the Quran.
Reading and Reflecting Over the Quran Fulfils an Islamic Duty
The Prophet summarised this religion with his statement: " Thereligion
(of Islaam) is naseehah (offering sincere advice)! " Tameem bin Aws
said: " We asked, 'To whom?' " He replied: " To Allaah, His Book, His
Messenger, the leaders of the people, and to their subjects. "
[Muslim] The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allaah includes its
regular recitation, learning the rules of Tajweed (the recitation of
the Quran, according to specified rules) and reciting it beautifully,
learning about its Tafseer and the reasons for its revelation,
affirming that it is the truth, the perfect Speech of Allaah and not
part of the creation, honouring it and defending it, abiding by the
orders and prohibitions found in it, and teaching it and calling to
it.
The Quran will be a Proof for or against Us on the Day of Judgement
This is due to the statement of the Messenger : " And the Quran is a
proof for you or against you. " [Muslim] So, one of two things will
occur with this proof, the Book of Allaah. It will either be in one's
favour, a proof for us on the Day when we will desperately need every
single good deed, or it will be something standing against us. The
very Speech of our Creator as a proof against us! Who could be saved
from the terrors of that Day if Allaah's own Speech is against Him?
Think carefully, dear Muslim brothers and sisters, about your position
with the Quran. Are you neglecting it, contradicting it, and being
heedless of its orders and prohibitions? Are you thinking deeply over
it? Will it be on your side on the Day of Judgement?
The Quran will Intercede for Us on the Day of Judgement
Abu Umaamah related that the Prophet said: " Read the Quran, for
indeed it will come on the Day of Standing (Judgement) as an
intercessor for its companions. " [Muslim]
The Quran Raises One's Status in this Life
In Saheeh Muslim, which is one ofthe two most authentic books of
prophetic narrations, we find a wonderful story about how a man from
the people of Paradise,'Umar bin Al-Khattaab understood this
principle. The story is that once, some men came to question him
during his reign as caliph regarding the leadership of Makkah. The men
asked: " Who do you use to govern Makkah? " He said: " Ibn Abzaa. "
They asked: " And who is Ibn Abzaa? " 'Umar replied: " A freed slave
from thosewe freed. " They remarked: " You left a freed slave in
command of the People of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)?
" He replied: " Indeed he is a reciter of the Book of Allaah and is
knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven't you heard
the statement of your Messenger : "Verily Allaah raises some people by
this Book and lowers others by it" "?
The People of the Quran are from Best of People
'Uthmaan said that the Prophet said: " The best of you are those who
learn the Quran and teach it to others. " [Al-Bukhaari]
There are Ten Rewards for Every Letter Recited from the Quran
As a Hadeeth (prophetic statement) in At-Tirmithi proves: " Whoever
reads a letter from theBook of Allaah, he will have a reward, and this
reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not sayingthat 'Alif, Laam,
Meem' (a combination of letters frequently mentioned in the Holy
Quran) is a letter, rather I am saying that 'Alif' is a letter, 'Laam'
is a letter and 'Meem' is a letter. " [At-Tirmithi] So increase your
recitation of the Quran to gain these merits, as well as the following
ones.
The Reciters of the Quran Will Be in the Company of the Noble and
Obedient Angels
'Aa'ishah related that the Prophet said: " Indeed the one who recites
the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, will be in the company
of the noble and obedient angels.As for the one who recites with
difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will
have twice that reward. " [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
So dear brother or sister Muslim, do not let the Shaytaan (Satan) give
you false excuses, such as 'I am not an Arab.' or 'It is not in my
language.' This Hadeeth is a firm proof against these whisperings.
Dedicate yourself to the Book of Allaah, whether you are an Arab or
not! The excuses have been eliminated and the pathway has been cleared
for you to embrace the Book of Allaah without holding back or offering
excuses! Surely you will not hesitate to seek a teacher or a study
circle for the Quran once you hear the last and perhaps greatest
benefits of reading and contemplating over the Quran.
One's Position and Rank in Paradise is Determined by the Amount of
Quran He Memorised in this Life
'Abdullaah bin 'Amr bin Al-'Aas heard the Prophet saying:"It will be
said to the companion of the Quran: 'Read and elevate (through the
levels of Paradise) and beautify your voice as you didwhen you were in
the worldly life! For verily, your position in Paradise will be at the
last verse you recite!'" [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]
The Quran Leads to Paradise
The Quran states (what means): " Indeed the Quran guides to that which
is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers whodo
righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. " [Quran: 17:9]
The Prophet said: " The Quran is an intercessor - something given
permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever
puts it in front of him, itwill lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it
behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire. " [At-Tabaraani]
Know, dear brothers and sisters, that these nine benefits from the
numerous benefits available can only be attained by a sincere
commitment to the Book of Allaah, and not simply by an empty claim of
love for it. Rather,the heart must be sincerely attached to the Book
of Allaah and the limbs and tongue will follow suit in this
attachment. One must know that we only mentioned a few of the numerous
benefits of reading and reflecting over the Quran. There are many
other benefits that await your reading of the Quran and books of
Hadeeth, such as the chapter of the Quran that will plead on your
behalf in the grave, and that it is a physicalhealing, a source of
rest and relaxation for your heart, among many other things.

--
- e-pln- - ▓███▓ Translator:->
http://translate.google.com.my/m?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en ▓███▓ - -

Modesty is a part of faith

It was related on the authority of Abu Mas'ood Al-Badri that: "The
Messenger of Allaah said: "One of the admonitions of the previous
prophets which has been conveyed to people is that if you haveno
shame, you can do whatever you wish." [Al-Bukhaari]
Explanation of the Hadeeth:
The saying of the Messenger : "…If you feel no shame, you can do
whatever you wish" is in the command form, and can be looked at from
two angles, each conveying a distinct meaning:
(1) The first is that it is a form of threat and a challenge thrown
down against those who engage in inappropriate behaviour. Such people
have no shame in front of Allaah and therefore, no matter what course
they take, it would not make any real difference.In this case, it
would be as if the Hadeeth is stating: "If you do not feel any shame
from doing these prohibited acts, then do whatever you wish…" Modesty
is the quality that prevents one from immodest behaviour, and the lack
of it will only cause one to increase in distancing himself from
Allaah and make him indifferent to creed or deed.
(2) The second meaning pertains to doing that which is lawful. That
is, if the action that one is about to do is not within the category
of the unlawful, and we are notashamed of doing the actin front of
Allaah or the people, then we are free to do it. However, if we are
ashamed to do it, then we should not. The Hadeeth gives a measuring
stick by whichwe can evaluate actions, both privately and publicly.
Thus, the first explanation relates to a lack of consciousness
regarding Allaah and the second is regarding the opposite, which is to
be conscious of Allaah and of His watching over a person and his
actions.
The former explanation relates to an unbridled Nafs (base desires and
lower self), whereas the latter implies observance of due constraint
over it, so that it does not embark on the road to destruction.
Modesty is of two types:
Modesty is either natural or acquired. Natural modesty means that the
individual has this qualityby nature and does not need to exert any
effort to acquire it. Acquired modesty, on the other hand, is attained
by those who possess knowledge concerning Allaah, being cognisant
concerning His Greatness,Proximity and His Inspection of all that
theydo.
Points Related to Modesty:
1. Modesty is one of the most honourable attributes and is a
consistent virtue found inall the various laws sent down to each
prophet and messenger.
2. It is one of the most perfect and desirable characteristics to
possess and an excellent state to be in.
3. Modesty only brings good to individuals and is an indication of faith.
4. Bashfulness and shameis in direct opposition to indecency and shamelessness.
5. Modesty is an element of faith, and indecency has no relation to it.
6. Modesty adorns one's nature and personality and is indicative of
his being Islamically culturedand refined.
7. Indecency, on the other hand, shows that one lacks virtues and is
uncouth, dishonourable and uncultured.
8. We are obligated to guard ourselves against indecency and from
acting indecently or uncultured, as qualified by Islam.
9. We must never misconstrue bashfulness or shyness with cowardice -
Islamically they are far from synonymous.
10. Modesty, as mentioned, is a root virtue. One of the fruits of
modesty is chastity.
11. There is no modesty when it comes to teaching the laws of Islam or
searching for thetruth.

--


--
e- - ▓███▓ Translator:->
http://translate.google.com.my/m?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en ▓███▓ - -

Names and Attributes of Allaah - What is the meaning of Allaah’s name al-Rafeeq?.

What is the meaning of Allaah's name al-Rafeeq (the Most Kind)?
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah is Kind to His slaves. He is Kind in His actions – He creates
all created beings in stages according to His wisdom and kindness,
although He is Able to create themall at once, in a single moment.
Whoever studies His laws and seeshow they came step by step, will see
that this bears testimony to His kindness, may He be glorified.
Allaah is Kind and He does not hasten, because the one who hastens is
the one who isafraid that he will miss something. But all thingsare
under His control and dominion, so he does not hasten.
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
He is Kind and loves people who are kind; by His kindness He gives
them more than they can wish for.
Sharh Asmaa ; Allaah taaala al-Husna by Dr. Hissah al-Sagheer, p. 134


--
- e-pln- - ▓███▓ Translator:->
http://translate.google.com.my/m?sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en ▓███▓ - -