Hajj, - Virtues of Performing Hajj

Hazrat Abu Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that
Rasullullah(Sallallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) said: "Whoever performs Hajj
for the sake of pleasing Allah and therein utters no word of evil, nor
commits any evil deed, shall remain from it as free from sin as the
day on which his mother gave birth to him.'
Hazrat Abu Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that
Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) said: "Verily there shall be
no reward for a righteous pilgrimage except Jannah"
Hazrat Ayesha(radhiyallahu anha) reports that Rasullullah(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) said: "There is no day in which Allah sets free
more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafaat. And on
that day Allah draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His
pride remarks to the Angels: "What is the desire of these servants of
mine."
"Hazrat Talhaa(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah(Salallahu
Alaihi Wassallam) said: "Apart from the day of the battle of
Badrthere is no day on which the Shaytaan is seen more humiliated,
more rejected. More depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of
Arafaat, and indeed all that is only because of beholding the
abundance of descending mercy (on that day) and Allah's forgiveness of
the great sins of the servants". (Mishkaat)
Hazrat Ibn Shimaastah(radhiyallahu anhu) reports we were present
around Hazrat Amr Ibn al-Aas(radhiyallahu anhu) before he passed away.
He cried for a long time and then related the story of his embracing
Islam. He said: "When Allah caused Islam to enter my heart, I came to
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and said: 'O messengerof
Allah, put forth your hand that I may swear allegiance. 'When
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) stretched forth his hand, I
withheld mine. Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) inquired:
"What troubles you 'O Amr?" I said: I went to make a condition that
Allah shall forgive my previous sins". Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam) replied: 'O Amr, do you then not know that Islam washes
away all sins committed in disbelief, and that the Hijrat (migration)
washes away all sins committed before Hajj?"
Hazrat Sahl bins Sa'ad(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that
Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: "When a Muslimshouts
Labbaik, then verily every stone, tree and all the ground to his right
and to his left recites the same, and this continues till that cry
reaches the end of the earth".
Hazrat Abu Moosa(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "The Hajji shall
intercede on behalf of four hundred families or he said four hundred
people from his family, and verily does he return from Hajj (sinless)
as on the day his mother gave birth to him."
Hazrat Ibn Umar(radhiyallahu anhu) report that Rasullullah(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) said: "When you meet a Hajji (on his way home) then
greet him, shake hands with him and ask him to beg forgiveness of
Allah on your behalf before he enters his home, for his prayer for
forgiveness is accepted since he is forgiven by Allah for his sins."
Hazrat Buraidah (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "The expenses incurred
during Hajj is like that incurred in Jihaad; rewarded seven hundred
times."
Hazrat Jaabir(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) said: "A Hajji never becomes poor and destitute."
Hazrat Aayesha (radhiyallahu anha) reports that she once sought
permission from Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) to go for
Jihaad. Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) replied: "You Jihaad
is Hajj."
Hazrat Ibn Abbaas(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "Whoever desires to
perform Hajj, should hasten towards performing it."
Hazrat Abu Hurairah(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that
Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: "Whoever sets forth in a
journey to perform Hajj and passes away on route, for him shall be
written the reward of a Haaji until the day of Qiyaamah; and whoever
sets forth to perform Umrah and passes away on route, for him shall be
written the reward of a Mu'tamir until Qiyaamah; and whoever sets
forth on a journey to fight in the way of Allah and passes away on
route, for him shall be written the reward of a Mujaahid until the day
of Qiyaamah."
Hazrat Ibn Abbaas(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that a Sahabiyah (a
Muslim lady who saw Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) once said
to Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam): "O Rasullullah(Salallahu
Alaihi Wassallam), the obligation of Hajj has come at a time now when
my father is a very old and weakly man. He is unable to remain seated
on a camel (or horse). Can I then proceed to perform Hajj on his
behalf?"
Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) replied: "Yes, you can."
Another Sahabi(radhiyallahu anhu) also came with a similar request: "O
Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam), my sister made vow that she
would perform Hajj. Now she has passed away. What should we do?"
Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) replied: "Should she have
passed away while she owed someone something, would you have settled
that debt?"
The man replied: "Yes indeed."
Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) said: "This is a debt due
to Allah. Settle it." (Mishkaat)
Hazrat Jaabir(radhiyallahu anhu) reports: "Verily Allah causes three
people to enter into Paradise through one Hajj; The deceased, (on
whose behalf this Hajj is being performed) the Haaji performing it and
he (the heir or others) who makes possible its performance (by
financial aid)."

Fathwa, - Watching Health Videos

Question:
Is it permissible to watch exercise videos where people are not fully
covered (as almost ALL exercise videos seem to be) for the purpose of
improving physical health?
Answer:
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
Watching videos is not integral to improving one�s physical health.
Rather, physical exercise is the means, and knowledge of it can be
reasonably sought through printed materials. Thus, it would not be
permitted to watch videos showing people who are improperly dressed.
And Allah alone gives success.

Fathwa, - I find it difficult to forget about a brother who is already engaged, what should I do?

Question:
I find it difficult to forget about a brother who is already engaged,
what should I do?
Answer:
Wa alaikum assalam,
There is a concept, which in Arabic is known as �istidraj� which
simply means something that is seen as good for a person is in reality
a source of misguidance. In the case you have described [f: details
omitted for privacy], it is possible that now that you want to
wholeheartedly improve yourself, that the Shaytan is attempting to
misguide you back into wrongful action by continuing your fascination
with this brother.
The right thing to do would be to continue to improve yourself through
any means possible, and to forget this other brother who is already
engaged. It is not an easy task, but there is a great deal of reward
in leaving something a person deems great purely for the sake of Allah
Most High. Insha Allah He Most High will help you through this time.
Until you are able to truly forget about this brother, you should
avoid seeing him if possible (i.e. don�t go anywhere he is known to
hang out at) and when he is present you should lower your gaze and not
look at him.
Make a great deal of supplication to Allah Most High, to only let you
do what is pleasing to Him, and to help you find a more suitable
brother. There are many good, pious brothers out there, it is only the
Shaytan who would like to make it seem like this brother may be the
best of them. Insha Allah may you find someone much better than this
person who will help you (as you help him) on the path to Allah.
If you have any further questions, you can contact me again. I know
this is a trying time and the advice I have given is easier said than
done, however it is what is best for you at this point in time given
that the brother is already engaged.

Fathwa, - I am in love with a Hindu girl who has a boyfriend

Question:
I am in love with a Hindu girl. She has a boyfriend with whom I am
pretty sure she has sexual relations. I have tried to forget her but
can't stop thinking about her. What can I do?
Answer:
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May the peace and blessing of
Allah be showered upon the Prophet Muhammad, his family, companions,
and those who follow them with sincerity.
First and foremost, turn to Allah. Only Allah can make you forget this
girl and heal the pain that you are feeling. I know it is difficult in
matters of the heart, but you need to be a little bit rational here.
Ask yourself why you love her. Is it for her character, her deen, or
her looks? She is Hindu. Have you thought about the ramifications for
your religion and your future if you were to pursue a relationship
with her? Would she make a suitable wife and raise Muslim children?
Also, there's the issue of virginity. Are you as a Muslim man willing
to deal with a woman that has a sexual history, especially when,
insha'Allah, you can find a woman that has remained chaste?
These are all issues that you need to consider. Insha'Allah, with much
prayer and striving toward Allah, it will be possible for you to find
someone much better. I know it is hard, but believe me, you can
recover and grow to love a Muslim woman who will make a much better
companion for you. Think about your future. And think about what type
of mother you would want for your own children.
If you have any contact with this girl, you need to cut that
immediately. Do not go to places or be with people that will remind
you of her. Try to focus on other things, your worship, your family,
your studies or work. If you focus on her, you will end up frustrated
and depressed.
Make salatul-hajah, a special prayer for needs and desires, and ask
Allah to send you someone better. Is it possible for you to talk to
your mother? She might be able to ease your heart. When you feel that
you are ready, ask your family and trusted friends to find a good
Muslim girl for you. There are many good sisters out there who need
good Muslim husbands.
Finally, pray to Allah to make your heart strong for the deen:
"Allahumma, ya muqallib al-qulub wa'l absar, thabbit qalbi ala
deenik." "O Allah, O Controller of the hearts and eyes, let my heart
hold fast onto your religion."
And Allah alone gives success.
And Allah knows best.