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Friday, July 26, 2013

Prophet Muhammad (saw) said to Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu): Make more effort in guarding the momentsof your life in comparison to protectingdirhams and dinars ( money).

Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu) stayed in Rabza until the
time of his death. During the last moments of his life, his daughter
said to him, "I am alone in this part of the country and I am afraid
that I will not be able to protect you from the wild beasts." Abu Zar
replied: "Do not be afraid, in a few moments some believing men would
arrive here, do you see someone approaching?" The daughter replied:
"No, I do not see anyone coming." Abu Zar said:"That means I have a
few more moments to live." He repeated his question to the daughter
after a while. She said: "Yes, I see some riders approaching."
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu) said:"Allahu Akbar, Allah
and his Prophet Muhammad (saw) are really truthful. Turn my face
towards theQibla. When these riders arrive here, say my Salamto them.
When they are done with my funeral rites, have this goat slaughtered
for them andtell them that I have asked them under oath not to leave
without eating a meal."
With that statement, Abu Zar breathed his last. When the riders
arrived there, who were seven men and among them were Malik Ashtarand
Huzayfa al-Yaman, Abu Zar's daughter told them that her father, Abu
Zar, the companion of Prophet Muhammad ( Sahabi E Rasool), had
justdied, and he is without anyone to take care of his funeral. They
all wept for Abu Zar, the companion of Prophet Muhammad (Sahabi E
Rasool). Then they gave him a funeral bath, enshrouded him, prayed his
funeral prayer and buried him. When they were all done with that, Abu
Zar's daughter told them that before dying he had left a message for
them under oath that they should not leave without having a meal. They
slaughtered the goat, had a meal and then set of towards Madina taking
Abu Zar's daughter with them.
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu), the great companion of
Prophet Muhammad (Sahabi E Rasool) died alone in exile with no one by
his side as the Prophet Muhammad (saw) had predicted, in 652 CE, at
Rabza, in the desert near Medina.
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as)says, "Abu Zar, the companion of Prophet Muhammad
(Sahabi E Rasool) wept from fear ofAllah until he was almost blind.
The people told him to pray for his eyes to get cured but he replied,
'I am busy with more important things'. When asked what these were, he
replied, 'fear of Hell and joy of Heaven.'" (Taken from
Syed-MohsinNaquvi's writing with some modifications)
Urdu language Poem (Nazam) for Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu):

Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu), said: I have heard the Prophet Muhammad (saw) saying:Do you listen, indeed amongst you the example of my Ahlul Bayt is like that of Noah's boat; whoever boards it, he obtains Najat (safety) and one who missed it, he stood doomed to destruction.

The people of that area were not very rich but they were nice people
and very hospitable. Thattime Abu Zar lived in that area, he
introduced those people to the glory of Ahlul Bayt. This too was
totally against Muawiyah's policies. Muawiyah's propaganda in that
area was that actually Banu Umayya were the Ahlul Bayt and their love
had been madewajib (compulsory) on Muslims. When he saw that Abu Zar
countered his trick by glorifying the family of the Prophet, he called
him back and then wrote a letter to Caliph Uthman ibn Affan
complaining about Abu Zar's activities.
Caliph Uthman ibn Affan replied as follows: "We have received your
letter about Abu Zar. As soon asyou receive this letter, arrange a
fast camel, put Abu Zar on it, arrange a very harsh camel-driver and
send him to Madina post haste."
On Muawiyah's orders, Abu Zar was dispatched quickly without even
letting him take his family with him. By the time Abu Zar arrived in
Madina (riding that camel) the flesh of both his thighs had been torn.
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu) was presented to Caliph
Uthman ibn Affan in an open assembly. Caliph Uthman ibn Affan said to
him: "I have been told that you narrate a hadithof the Prophet
Muhammad (saw) that when the number of the men of Banu Umayya (in
power) would come uptothirty, they would use Allah's Kingdom as their
personal property, they would treat the worshippers of Allah as their
personal servants and would corrupt and misuse Allah's Law (for their
own advantage)."
Abu Zar replied that, yes, he had heard the Prophet Muhammad (saw)
saying all that. Caliph Uthman ibn Affan asked the assembly whether or
not they all had heard that hadith. Hethen called Imam Ali bin Abi
Talib and asked him the same question. Imam Ali bin Abi Talib
confirmed what Abu Zar had said. Caliph Uthman ibn Affan then asked
for the evidence to that. Imam Ali bin Abi Talib said that the
clearest evidence to that was another statement of the Prophet
Muhammad (saw) in which he had said, "The skies have not given shade
to, and the earth has not carried any speaker more truthful and honest
than Abu Zar."
Only a few days had goneby after that event that Caliph Uthman ibn
Affan sent him a message that by Allah he would be banished from
Madina. Abu Zar (confronted Uthman) and said to him:"Are you going to
banish me away from the City of the Prophet?" He replied,"Yes." Abu
Zar asked, "Are you going to send me off to Makkah?" He said,"No." Abu
Zar then asked,"To Basra?" He said, "No." Abu Zar then asked, "To
Kufa, then?" He said, "No,I am going to throw you out to Rabza, where
you came from and, I wish you would die there." Caliph Uthman ibn
Affan then turned to Marwan and ordered him to escort Abu Zar out of
Madina and not to let anyone else see him off or speak to him. So,
Marwan put Abu Zar and his daughter on a camel and escorted them out
ofMadina.
As Abu Zar was being escorted out of Madina, Imam Ali bin Abi Talib
came to see him off with his sons, his brother Aqeel, Abd Allah bin
Jafar,and Ammar Yasir. Marwan tried to stop them saying, "Let me tell
you, if you do not alreadyknow, that Amir al-Momineen Uthman ibnAffan
has prohibited everyone to come and see Abu Zar off." Imam Alibin Abi
Talib hit the camel Marwan was ridingand said, "Get out of my place,
may Allah throw you in Hell fire."
Imam Ali bin Abi Talib walked with Abu Zar. He cried and wept saying,
"OAhlul Bayt, may Allah have Mercy upon you. O Abul Hasan, when I see
you and your children, I am reminded of the Prophet Muhammad (saw)."

Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari

Mitaaya Qaysar-o-Kisra KeIstibdaad Ko Jis Ne,
Wo Kiya Tha? Zor-e-Hyder, Faqr-e-Bu Zar, Sidq-e-Salmani
The above two lines of poetry (Urdu language Couplets) have been taken
from Allama Iqbal'sfamous revolutionary long-poem Tuloo-e-Islam.In
these two short lines, Allama Iqbal has identified three major
elements in the Islamic spirit that once ruled the world, and in his
opinion, it was ready to repeat that once again, should those elements
berevived. Those are: (i) Thespirit of martyrdom personified in Imam
Ali bin Abi Talib, (ii) the socialistic fervor of Abu Zar Ghaffari,
and (iii) the devotional persistence of Salman al-Farsi.
What is very significant in these lines is the fact that Allama Iqbal
has used the names of two great empires (the Roman and the Persian) of
the past to identify oppression and tyranny. Then he quotes the names
of three individuals who, out of the strength of their
ownpersonalities, were able to subdue that tyranny. The message is
that it takes the collective effortof groups and countries to subdue
the human spirit but it takes only one individual's personal force to
break the tyranny. It is also accurate historically in that, when
Islam rose on the horizon of the world history, it were those
twoempires at the two ends of the Arabian peninsula, which were
competing which each other. In that process, they were crushing the
human spirit of freedom, liberty and human rights. Islam came and
destroyed bothempires by giving peoplefreedom by liberating them
spiritually by the message of Tawheed (Oneness of God), economically
by making them self-sufficient, and socially by giving them human
compassion and avalue-system.
Hazrat Abu Zar's real name was Jandab ibn Junadah ibn Sakan, better
known as Abu Dhar al-Ghaffari, or Abu Thar al-Ghaffari. Hazrat Abu
Zar's Kunniya was Abu Zar, which is becausehis eldest son was namedZar
(this word in Arabic means 'fragrance'). By one estimate, Abu Zar was
born in 568 AD, which means Abu Zar was two years older thanthe
Prophet Muhammad (saw).
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu / May God be pleased with
him)had belonged to an Arab tribe by the name of Ghaffar, hence his
last name.
Abu Zar was most unhappy about the custom of Idol-worship that was
rampant in Arabia of the 7th century.He had already believed in a
Supreme God and he would spend most of his time reflecting on that.
As news of the Prophet's mission spread in Arabia, it also arrived in
the tribeof Ghafaar. Abu Zar heardof it. It was something that he
himself had been thinking about. He sent his brother to go to
Hijaz,find out about the new message and report back.His brother did
that. Abu Zar found the news and the report from his brother
encouraging.
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu) then decided to meet with
theProphet Muhammad (saw) personally. This was the time when Islam had
only collected a handful of converts. He was first met with Imam Ali
bin Abi Talib who introduced him to his own father Abu Talib. Abu
Talib took him to Hazrat Hamza. After a thorough security check, Abu
Zar was finally introduced to the Prophet Muhammad (saw).
It is said that Abu Zar saidSalam to the Prophet Muhammad (saw). That
was long before the Islamic Salam was introduced into the early Muslim
culture of Arabia. Abu Zar was taken by the charm, the majesty and the
kindness of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). He said his Shahada (I bear
witness that there is no god but Allah and Mohammad is His Servant and
Messenger) and accepted Islam, so did his brother.
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu) hung around in Makkah for
few days. During those few days he made a couple of speeches in
thetemple grounds. He was immediately subdued by the infidels and
actually was beaten up badly. Al-Abbas ibn Abdul Mutalib, the uncle of
the Prophet Muhammad (saw) came to his rescue both times and the
incidents were reported to the Prophet Muhammad (saw). Prophet
Muhammad (saw) called him and advised him to go back to his tribe of
Ghaffar and stay there until he (Prophet Muhammad (saw)) goes to
Yathrib (Madina) and Muslims had established themselves. Hence Abu Zar
went back home and under the influence of both sons, their mother also
accepted Islam.
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu) has had the reputation of
being an outspoken orator and he always spoke his mind whatever the
consequences. He and his brother began speaking about their new faith
among his tribesmen. Immediately there was resentment against Abu Zar
and his brother among the young men of the tribe. Finally the issue
was reported to the chief of the tribe. Abu Zar had a lot of respect
in the tribe.However, when the chief called him and his brother, they
both had toappear before him. He questioned Abu Zar and his brother
about the trouble that both of themhad started. Abu Zar pleaded his
case with strength of reason but with due respect and compassion. The
chief reflected on what Abu Zar had said and after some reflection he
announced his own Islam. A great number of the young men also accepted
Islam after that turn of events. Abu Zar continued to teach Islam to
his people.
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu) is reported to be the
fourthMuslim in chronological order. He had the exclusive honour to
call the Prophet Muhammad (saw) as Ya Habibi (my dear friend), while
everybody else could only address him as Ya Rasool Allah. Abu Zar
finally arrived in Madina after the Battle of Ahzab / Battle of the
Trench(5th year of Hijra) and spent the rest of the days in thecompany
of the Prophet Muhammad (saw).
During those few years inMadina, Abu Zar became very friendly with
Imam Ali bin Abi Talib. The four people named Salman al-Farsi, Abu Zar
Ghaffari, Miqdad bin Aswad and Ammar Yasir were alwaysseen in the
company of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib. They came to be known as the Shia.
In the 9th year of Hijra, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) prepared a large
contingent to confront the Romans and moved out towards Tabuk. ImamAli
bin Abi Talib was appointed the administrator of Madina. Abu Zar also
accompanied the Prophet Muhammad (saw). However, at that time, he had
a very weak and old camel. It could not keep up with the restof the
group. Finally, when he was left behind by a great distance, he left
the camel, took a back-pack and decided to walk. Finally, people saw
Abu Zar coming and they reported to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) that
Abu Zar was coming on foot. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) looked at him
and said: "This is Abu Zar, my companion (Sahabi). He is walking
alone, he will live alone, and one day, die alone. A group of
strangers from Iraq will take care of his funeral and bury him."
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu) lived a pious life and
spent his days in prayer and worship. His daily meal used to be a
handful of dates. He lived a contented life, always spoke the truth
and he was firm in his faith.
Once someone asked himthat he was always seen in one pair of clothes.
Abu Zar replied: Yes, I hadanother pair of clothes but I saw some one
who needed it more than I did. How could I keep a second pair of
clothes while there was another person who did not have even one? That
one episode speaks volumes of the thinking of Abu Zar.
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (Radhiallahu Anhu) seemsto have kept a very
low profile after the passing of our Prophet Muhammad (saw) and during
the first two Caliphates of both Abu Bakr and Umar ibn Khattab.
During the third Caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, things moved fromgood
to bad and from bad to worse. Uthman refused to take advice from his
well-wishers such as Imam Ali bin Abi Talib and Abdur-Rahman bin Awf.
When Uthman ibn Affan began misappropriating the public treasury for
hisown use and began distributing it lavishly on his cousins and
in-laws, Abu Zar become active again and began reacting to it.
Uthman ibn Affan was very displeased about that. When Abu Zar's
activities became unbearable for him, Uthman ibn Affan ordered a
complete boycott of Abu Zar. No one was allowed to speak to him in the
Masjid, nobody was allowed to visit him or invite him to his place.
Abu Zar's voice, in spite of all that, was hard to silence. When
Uthman ibn Affan was not able to silence Abu Zar then, he ordered Abu
Zar to be transported to Muawiyahin Damascus, Syria.
What Abu Zar saw in Damascus was even worse. People were building
palaces for themselves and living in luxury. He realized that all that
was a far cry fromthe Islamic heritage that the Prophet Muhammad (saw)
had given to the community. He built a hutout of blankets on the
outskirts of the city and began living in that with his family.
One day Abu Zar passed by the location where Muawiyah was having
hisGreen Palace built. He went upto Muawiyah andsaid: "O Muawiyah, if
you are spending Allah's wealth in this project, you are being
dishonest because you are embezzling Allah's wealth; if this is being
built of your personal wealth then it is disgusting extravagance."
Muawiyah could not say a word in reply.
Abu Zar then proceeded to the central mosque. Hestood among the people
and delivered a speech. People began to gather round Abu Zar and
listen to his discourses. The poor and the dispossessed were attracted
to him and the rich were scared of him.
A man named Habib bin Muslim Fehri saw all this and said to himself:
This is a big Fitna. He then went up to Muawiyah and said: "If you
wish to continue to rule over Syria, do something about Abu Zar,
otherwisehe will bring a revolutionhere."
Muawiyah was greatly perturbed. He consideredit one of his great
failures if he could not control one old 'fool' such as Abu Zar. First
Muawiyah tried to silenceAbu Zar by bribing him. He sent three hundred
Dinar to Abu Zar. He immediately returned it to him saying: "I do not
need your money."
As Abu Zar was openly criticizing Muawiyah by name in the mosque,
oneperson bent over and whispered in his ear:"What are you saying
against the ruler? Be afraid of his wrath." Abu Zar turned to him and
said:" My friend (meaning the Prophet Muhammad (saw)) had advised me
to speak the truth at all times even if itis bitter, and not to be
afraid of any critic in truth's path. I pray to Allah: O Allah, I ask
your protection against cowardice, save me from being miserly, I do
not wish for long life, I ask Allah's forgiveness from this world and
the Hellfire in the other world."
Then he said: "People arepreparing various kinds of food, then they
take medicine to digest that food (so that they can eateven more). The
Prophet Muhammad (saw) passed on and he never took his fill with two
meals in any one day. When he ate dates he would not take bread that
day. The people of the House of the Prophet never ate barley bread for
three contiguous days, until the Prophet Muhammad (saw) met up with
his Lord. Many times months would change and no fire would burn in his
kitchen."
Someone asked: "How did he then survive?" AbuZar replied, 'he would
eatdates and then take a drink of water. Man needs only enough food so
that he keeps his strength. Never eat to your fill, because that
creates laziness and lethargy. It destroys your body and brings
illness and disease. Live a moderate life.'
Abu Zar continued with his preaching to the wealthy. Finally, one day,
Muawiyah called him. He came. Muawiyah sat him down next to himself.
Food was served. The place was filled with all kinds of delicious
dishes. Muawiyah invited him to eat. Abu Zar refused. He said: "I only
eat a handfulof wheat (flour) in a week. This is what I used to do
during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and I will continue with
that practice until I will pass on and meet up with my friend."
Addressing Muawiyah he said: 'You have changed your life style. It
wasn't like this. You eat bread made of strained flour. You have many
different dishes at a time; you eat all kinds of colourful foods. You
change into a new dress twice-a-day. You were not like that during the
time of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). During that periodyou lived like a
beggar.'
Muawiyah tried all kinds of tricks against Abu Zar but Abu Zar
defeated every one of them. Finally, he banished Abu Zar to the area
of JABAL AAMIL (this is located in present day Lebanon, in that time
the larger country of Shaam (Syria) contained all of today's Syria,
Lebanon, parts of Jordan and all of the country of Israel.)

The twilight Ramadan - A poem

Lord! we are never more near to You
Than the moment before we succumb to our elements
Ramadan! You are never more needed
Than when we think we've had enough
I long for the passion of my thirst
To linger past the hour
That I recall the pleasure of the first sip
That runs sweetly to where the fast nestled in my throat
Month of purity
Month of me
Month of spiritual rhapsody
Love! You are never moretreasured
Than the moment I see you leave my lovers' eyes
Ramadan! You are never more beautiful
Than when daylight draws your veil
I long for the certainty ofyour nights
To spread to my days
That I may continue my moon filled vigil so
That my lips never cease His remembrance
Month of purity
Month of me
Month of spiritual rhapsody
Rose! You are never morebeautiful
Than the moment before you surrender to die
Ramadan! You are never more precious
Than in your closing hours
I long that these last minutes turn to days
That I may save the spaceof time
That runs with the 'rosary' twisting through my fingers
Month of purity
Month of me
Month of spiritual rhapsody

Ramadan Articles - What is after Ramadan?

With the end or Ramadan drawing near, we- Muslims- thank Allaah for
the blessing of giving us the opportunity to fast and observe the
night prayers during this blessed month, for making that easy for us
and saving us from the Hell-Fire.
Such is how days and nights pass so quickly. Yesterday, we were
receiving Ramadan and today we are bidding it farewell and we donot
know whether we are going to live to witness the next Ramadan or not.
We beseech Allaah to let us have many more of it.
All righteous deeds should be concluded withIstighfaar)seeking
Allaah's forgiveness(. Prayers, Hajj, night prayers and meetings are
all concluded with it too. Fasting should also be concluded
withIstighfaarto amend for any act of forgetfulness, negligence or
perversion we might have committed.Istighfaarerases the feeling of
arrogance and ostentation from the heart and lets one feel his
shortcomings. It is this very feeling that leads to doing more
righteous deeds after Ramadan and getting more rewards.
Explaining the need forIstighfaar, Ibn Al-Qayyimsaid: "Having pleasure
and contentedness for merely doing an act of obedienceis of the
frivolities of the mind and its stupidity, for, the resoluteand
knowledgeable people do more Istighfaar immediately after each act of
worship becausethey recognize their shortcomings and their failure
togive Allaah what befits His Majesty and Greatness in that act."
Though we are now bidding farewell to Ramadan, this should not mean a
farewell to acts of worship. A Muslim should rather strengthen the tie
between himself and his Lord so that he may have a perpetual blessing.
Asfor those who break their covenant with their Lord and abandon
mosques as soon as Ramadan ends, such are miserable people who know
their Lord only in Ramadan and afterwards turn back on their heels.
Allaah Says )what means(:"Say )O Muhammad(: 'Indeed, my prayer, my
rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the
worlds.'"]Quran 6: 162[
There is no value in an act of worship by which one does not increase
in piety and fear of Allaah. Where is the impact of fasting when one
abandons the recitation of the Quran, no longerobserves the
congregational prayers and desecrates other people's honors? Where is
the impact of his acts of worship in Ramadan when one afterwards
consumes usury and takes other people's properties wrongfully? Where
is the impact of Ramadan when one abandons the path of the Messenger
of Allaahfor local customs and traditions and governs his life with
man-made laws? Where is the effect of fasting and night prayers if one
engages in acts of deception in his business transactions and liesday
and night? Where is the impact of Ramadan on him if he does not call
the misled to the Path of Allaah, feed the hungry, cloth the naked and
make a sincere supplication for Islam and the Muslims?
Ibn Al Qayyimsaid: "There is indeed a distance between a righteous
deed and the heart, and there are in that distance a lot of
impediments that prevent the deed from reaching the heart. Hence, you
see a man who has many deeds to his credit and yet nothing of that
finds its way to his hearts, for he never carriedout the deed out of
love for Allaah, fear of Him, hope in His mercy, in abstention from
worldly life or out of craving for the Hereafter. Neither does he
possess the light by which he candifferentiate between those who love
Allaah and His enemies. Had the impact of his deed reached his heart,
he would have had the light and recognize the truth andfalsehood."
Needless to say, Allaah does not need the movements and efforts that
we make in our acts of worship. He only requests our piety thereof.
He, The Alimghy, Says )what means(:"O you who have believed, decreed
upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you
may become righteous."]Quran 2: 183[
He also says )what means(:"Theirmeat will not reach Allaah, nor will
their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you."]Quran 22: 37[
Of the good deeds that are recommended after Ramadan is fasting for
six days in the month ofShawwaal. The Messenger of Allaahsaid:"Whoever
fasts the month of Ramadan and follows it up with a fasting of six
days in the month of Shawwaal islike the one who fasts for a complete
year."]Muslim[
Ramadan has filled our minds with blessings, awakened our conscience
and purified our souls. It has taught us how to resist the
insinuations of Satan and the whims of the evil inclining soul and how
to eliminate differences and its causes. The ranks of the Muslims have
become solidly united during Ramadan,so we should not let it become
disunited againafter it. The eyes have shed tears during Ramadan, so
we should not let them become dry after it; mosques have become full
of worshippers during Ramadan and the tongues were engaged mentioning
Allaah, praising Him and invoking Him, so let this continue after
Ramadan; we havebeen overwhelmed with desirable manners and
characteristics such as humbleness and tranquility during Ramadan, we
should not spoil that away with arrogance, ostentation and stupidity;
we have become generous during Ramadan, so we should not withhold our
generosity after Ramadan.
The fasting Muslim has two occasions of happiness: when he brakes his
fast and when he meets his Lord; one is a worldly happiness and the
other is the everlasting one in the Hereafter when he will have the
greatest enjoyment and bliss which is Paradise in which there are
enjoyments which no eyes have ever seen, no ears have ever heard of,
and no human mind has ever imagined- a place wherewe, Allaah willing,
will be addressed )what means(:"Eat and drink in satisfaction for
whatyou put forth in the days past."]Quran 69:24[
Such is Paradise which when a slave is made to enter it, he forgets
his misery, distress and sorrow as it is reported that the
Messengersaid:"The most unfortunate person in this world among the
people of Paradise will be given a short dip into the Paradise and he
will be asked: 'Have you ever known misery? Have you ever experienced
difficulty'? He )or she( would say: 'No, by Allaah, I have never
experienced any misery nor known any difficulty!'"]Muslim[
The Muslim nation is now bidding farewell to the blessed month of
Ramadan while its agonies are still ongoing. It is experiencing great
calamities that can be seen in what is happening in Palestine and
other places in the Muslim world; a merciless war aimed at Islam in
order to exterminate it.
The Islamic nation has been tested during its long history with
different kinds of conspiracies and afflictions some of which are
enough to wipe other nations out of existence, but the power of
Islamic belief that was and is still keeping this nation alive. This
gives us a hope that the future is certainly for Islam.
It is therefore a duty of all Muslims to help the causes of Islam, to
exercise patience and self-control, to make sincere supplications and
to seek the help from Allaah in the face of all these tribulations so
that He mayrescue us from all these sufferings.

Ramadan Articles - Performing ‘Umrah in Ramadan

Allaah, The Almighty, urged His slaves to race to do good deeds, which
may bring them closer to Him in an attempt to gain His reward and
forgiveness. This is indicated by the verses )which mean(:
*.}So race to ]all that is[ good. ToAllaah is your return all
together.{]Quran 5:48[
*.}And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord.{]Quran 3:133[
Among the greatest arenas for this race is visiting Al-Bayt Al-Haraam
)Sacred House in Makkah( to perform 'Umrah)Minor Pilgrimage(, owing to
the great reward and the expiation of sinsinvolved in doing that. The
Prophetsaid:
*."Performing two 'Umrahs expiates the sins committed in the interval
between them."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
*."Alternate between Hajj and 'Umrah, for they exterminate poverty and
sins as the)blacksmith's( bellows removes impurities fromiron, gold
and silver."]Ahmad and others[
The 'Umrah that is performed in Ramadan has a special merit overthat
which is performed in any other month. There are narrations
encouraging Muslims to perform it in this month, showing its merit and
reward and clarifying that it incurs a reward equal to that of
performing Hajj. According to Ibn'Abbaasthe Prophetsaid to Umm Sinaan
Al-Ansaariyyah– as she did not perform Hajjwith him:"…For'Umrah in the
month of Ramadan is equivalent)in reward( to performing Hajj once with
me."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
Another version reads:"An 'Umrah performed in Ramadan is equal )in
reward( to performing Hajj once."]Ahmad and At-Tirmithi[
This was the practice of the righteous predecessors who used to
perform 'Umrah in the month of Ramadan. It was authentically reported
that Sa'eed ibn Jubayr and Mujaahidused to perform 'Umrah in the month
of Ramadan )and observe Ihraam for it( from Al-Ji'irraanah )a place 10
miles from Makkah(. It was also narrated that 'Abdul-Malik ibn Abu
Sulaymaan said that he and 'Ataa'set out in Ramadan)to perform 'Umrah(
and observedIhraam from Al-Ji'irraanah.
This discloses the secret behind the Muslims' race towards the Sacred
House to do this act of worship in the month of Ramadan. With that
great scene, one feels as if in a major season of Hajj.
Hence, we should provide a reminder of some rules of 'Umrah, and how
to do it. Generally, 'Umrah includes four main requirements:
Ihraam)state of consecration(, Tawaaf)circumambulation(; Sa'y
)movingbetween As-Safa and Al-Marawah(, and shaving or shortening the
hair of the head.
Once having the intention to perform 'Umrah, the Muslim is recommended
to have a wash and apply perfume, and then put on the clothing of
Ihraam after removing form-fitting clothes, like trousers and the like
)for men only(.
It is recommended )Sunnah( for men to wear lower and upper garments.
As for women, they may wear whatever clothes they want, provided that
the clothes cover their bodies and are free of adornment. It is
prohibited for women to put the veil on their faces except when men
pass by them. They are also prohibited towear gloves.
After that, one should pray two voluntary Rak'ahs intended as a Sunnah
of ablution.
There is no prayer that should be made especially for Ihraam. After
the prayer, one should make Talbiyah for Ihraam, saying: "Labbayka
'Umrah." Then, one should start Talbiyah, saying:"Labbayka Allaahumma
labbayk, Labbayka lashareeka laka labbayk. Innalhamda wanni'matalaka
walmulk, laa Shareeka lak.")O Allaah, here I am at Your service. There
is no partner to be associated with You. Praise, blessing and dominion
are Yours.There is no partner to be associated with You(.
A person in the state of Ihraam should say Talbiyah as frequently as
possible as it denotes the verbal slogan of the 'Umrah rite. This is
especially emphasized in various conditions and times, as while
ascending a high place or descending to a lower place, or at
nightfall, and the like. Talbiyahshould be said till the onset of
Tawaaf.
When arriving at Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, one should enter withone's right
foot and say:"Bismillaah wa as-salaatu wa as-salaamu 'ala
rasoolillaah. Allaahumma ighfir li thunoobi, waftah li abwaaba
rahmatik")In the Name of Allaah, peace and blessings be upon the
Messenger of Allaah. O Allaah! Forgive my sins, and open to me the
doors of Your Mercy.( One should enter the mosque with humbleness,
glorification of Allaah, The Almighty, and recalling the Grace of
Allaah Who Has facilitated for him/her the arrival at Al-Bayt
Al-Haraam.
Then, one should move toward the Black Stone, starting Tawaaf from
there. One should touch and kiss it if possible. If not, one may
merely point to it from afar, saying:"Bismillaah. Allaahu Akbar!")In
the Name of Allaah. Allaah Is The Greatest(. One should not throng
with others in an attempt to reach it. One is supposed to make seven
rounds starting from the Black Stone andfinishing at it. At the
beginning of each round, one should say:"Allaahu Akbar")Allaah Is The
Greatest(. It is favorable that one touches the Yemeni Corner that
precedes the Black Stone in every round if possible. It is not
permissible, however, to kiss it or point to it if one cannot manage
to do so. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, one should
recite the verse )which means(:
}Our Lord, Give us in this world]that which is[ good and in the
Hereafter ]that which is[ good and protect us from the punishment of
the Fire.{]Quran 2:201[
During Tawaaf, one should remember Allaah, The Almighty, supplicate
Him and recite something from the Quran. Thereare no specific
supplications that should be said in every round.
It is recommended to uncover one's right shoulder, placing the middle
part of the upper garment under the armpit and putting the ends of the
garment on the left shoulder, in all the rounds. It is also
recommended to quicken one's pace with short steps in the first three
rounds. Upon completing the seven rounds, one is supposed to proceed
to the Maqaam]standing place of Ibraheem)Abraham([ and recite the
verse )which means(:}And take,]O believers[, from the standing place
ofIbraheem aplace of prayer.{]Quran 2:125[ Then, one should perform
two Rak'ahs behind the Maqaam if possible. Otherwise, one should make
them elsewhere in the Mosque.
After that, one should proceed tothe do Sa'y, and while approaching
As-Safa hillock, one may recite the verse )which means(:}Indeed,
As-Safa and al-Marwah are among the Symbols of Allaah.{]Quran 2:158[
Then, one is to ascend As-Safa till one can see the Ka'bah, to look at
it and raise one's hands and supplicate Allaah, The Almighty. In this
regard, the Prophetused to supplicate Allaah, The Almighty by
saying:"Laa Ilaaha Ila Allaah, wahdahu laa shareeka lah. Lahulmulku wa
lahulhamdu, wa Huwa 'ala kulli shay'in Qadeer.Laa Ilaaha Illa Allaah
wahdah. Anjaza wa'dah, wa nasara 'Abdah, wa hazama Al-Ahzaaba
wahdah.")There is none worthy of worship except Allaah, to Him no
partners should be associated. To Him are the Sovereignty and Perfect
Praise, and He is Competent to do everything. There is none worthy of
worship except Allaah, Who fulfilled His promise, supported His Slave
and defeated the parties(." This is to be mentionedthrice, with
supplications in between.
Then, one is to descend As-Safa proceeding to Al-Marwah and hurrying
between the two green pillars without crowding others. When reaching
Al-Marwah, one should ascend it, face the Qiblah, raise his hands and
make the supplication that he made on As-Safa, without reciting the
verse )which means(:} Indeed, As-Safa and al-Marwah are among the
Symbols of Allaah .{]Quran 2:158[
With that, one has completed one out of the seven rounds. Then, one is
to descend from As-Safa, walking, where walking is required and
hurrying where hurrying is required, till the end of the seven rounds,
starting with As-Safa and finishing with Al-Marwah.
Upon the completion of Sa'y, menare supposed to shave or shortentheir
hair - shaving is better. As for women, they should shorten their hair
by just trimming an amount equal to a fingertip.
With shaving or shortening one'shair, the acts of 'Umrah are finished,
and the person has come out of the state of Ihraam. Thus, everything
that was forbidden in the state of Ihraam becomes lawful.
Finally, the Muslim should not miss this chance. He should take
advantage of this noble time and place and do many voluntary actsof
worship and obedience, especially in the blessed month of Ramadan and
in the blessed place of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam. The Prophetsaid: "One
prayerperformed in my Masjid)mosque( is better than one thousand
prayers performed in other mosques save Al-Masjid Al-Haraam. Also, one
prayer performed in Al-Masjid Al-Haraamis better than one hundred
thousand prayers performed in other mosques."]Ahmad[
One should be most cautious not to commit any violations or sins that
may eliminate the reward, and cause one to come back withloads of
sins. As reward is multiplied in such a place, sins which are
committed there are not the same as sins that are committed elsewhere.
Allaah, The Almighty Says )what means(:}And ]also[ whoever intends ]a
deed[ therein of deviation ]in religion[ or wrongdoing - We willmake
him taste of a painful punishment.{]Quran 22:25[
The Prophetsaid:"The most hateful among people to Allaah are three … A
person whodeviates in religionat Al-Haram."]Al-Bukhaari[
May Allaah guide us all to good words and deeds, and accept from us.

Ramadan Articles - Rich and Poor Pilgrims Fill Makkah During Ramadan

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - To many pilgrims, sleeping and eating
on the cool white-marbled floor of the Grand Mosque in Mecca isa
heavenly luxury. For others, the luxury hotels overlooking the mosque
are the place to be.
Muslims flock to Mecca in the last 10 days of the holy fasting month
of Ramadan, a favorite time for the lesser pilgrimage, called 'Umra,
two monthsbefore the Hajj pilgrimage which is a duty for every
able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.
'Umra attracts up to 2 million Muslims in this period from 80
countries,including some of the world's poorest, as well as many
Saudis.
Sleeping in the Mosque
"Why would I spend 1,000 riyals ($267) for a room when I can sleep in
the mosque in front of the Kaaba? This is God's house," said Abdullah
Faraghani from Yemen, referring to the black structure at the center
of the Grand Mosque which Muslims throughout the world turn to in
prayer.
"Besides, I came in Ramadan to meditate, pray and repent -- not to use
the remote control," he said, while sharing a meal of rice and chicken
with other pilgrims.
The majority of those who cannot afford the five-star accommodation
around the mosque comewith packages for a month-long stay costing them
up to $1,500.
Real Estate Boom
Mecca is currently witnessing a real estate boom as exclusive hotels,
apartments and malls risearound the mosque.
"Those who can afford it come for just the last ten days of Ramadan,
pay$10,000 for the stay in thehotel and the flights. But they can pray
from their room and just look at theKaaba," a Saudi travel agent said.
Nayla Bennani, a woman from Morocco, is one of them.
"First I'm alone, so I can't stay anywhere," she said,sipping a cup of
Turkish coffee. "Pilgrimage can be very tiring, the long prayers,
circling the Kaaba, staying up all night to read the Quran --so you
need somewhere comfortable to stay."
The central idea of pilgrimage in Islam is that all Muslims are
equals, regardless of social status or race. Men wear only two pieces
of white cloth, while women avoid perfumes.
Sometimes Saudi guards make an effort to clear away the squatters
insidethe mosque. Occasionally they will allow a foreign dignitary to
move unhindered through the crowds in order to touch the Kaaba and its
famed black stone.
Social Disparities
Outside the mosque, Mecca offers a clearer snapshot of the social
disparities. Pilgrims who cannot find a place to sleep near the mosque
look for the nearest shopping mall, where they are less harassed by
security.
In their robes, they stroll past shops offering famed brands such as
Givenchy and Dior. But few buy.

Ramadan Articles - How the Salaf Observed Ramadhan

Brother and sister Muslims, may the peace, mercy and blessings of
Allah be upon you.
I send you this message filled with love and greetings. I send it to
youfrom a heart that loves you for the sake of Allah and I ask Him to
bring us together in the abode of His Benedictions and Mercy.
On the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan, I extend to youthis
advise as a humble gift which I hope you willaccept with an open mind
and that in turn, you advise me. May Allah protect you and take careof
you.
How do we receive the blessed month of Ramadan? Allah the Almighty says,
"You who believe, fastinghas been prescribed for you as it was
prescribed for those before you that you may attain piety"[Qur'an
2:183].
My esteemed brothers and sisters:
Allah has distinguished Ramadan from other months with many meritsand
virtues which include:
*.The bad breath from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to
Allah than the fragrance of musk.
*.The angels ask forgiveness for those fasting until they break their fast.
*.Allah beautifies His Paradise each day and says, "My righteous
servants are about to be spared suffering andharm, then they will be
sent to you."
*.The devils are chained during the month.
*.The doors of Paradise are opened while thoseof Hell are locked.
*.The night, Laylat al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months
occurs in this month. Whoever is deprived of the good ofthis night has
indeed been deprived of goodness altogether.
*.Those fasting receive forgiveness on the last night of Ramadan.
*.Allah saves people from Hellfire during each night of Ramadan.
My esteemed brother andsister:
How then do we receive the month containing these merits and virtues?
Is it by occupying ourselves with playfulness and spendingour nights
with non-beneficial things? Or do we feel burdened andpanic at its
arrival? We seek refuge with Allah from such attitudes. The righteous
servants of Allah welcome it with repentance and true determination to
reap its benefits and fully utilize its precious time. They ask Allah
to help them perform their acts of worship in the best manner. I
therefore present to you my dear brothers and sisters, the righteous
deeds that are stressed during Ramadan.
1.Fasting (Sawm):
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
said,"Every good deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied. He will
receive ten-fold to seven-hundred-fold reward for a good deed. Allah
the Glorious and Majestic has said 'but fasting is exceptional, for it
is donefor Me and I will give reward for it, since one abandons his
passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of joy for one
who fasts, joy when he breaks it and joy when he meets his Lord; and
the breath (of an observer of fast) is sweeter to Allah than the
fragrance of musk."[Related by AI-Bukhari and Muslim].
Undoubtedly, this great reward will not be for those who only abstain
from food and drink, but as the Prophet (pbuh) said,"Whoever does not
abandon obscene speechand evil action, Allah does not need his
refraining from eating and drinking."[Related by Al-Bukharij. The
Prophet (pbuh) also said,"Fasting is a shield. Whenanyone of you is
fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor
raise his voice; rather if anyone reviles him or quarrels with him, he
should say, 'I am fasting."'[Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Therefore when you fast, servant of Allah, let your hearing, sight,
tongue and all your limbs fast, so that your fasting and non-fasting
days are not the same.
2.Praying Qiyam Al-Layl:
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh.) said,"He who observes the fast of the
month of Ramadan with sincere faith and hope for the reward of Allah
will have his past sins forgiven."[Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Also, Allah says,
"And the servants of Allahmost gracious are those who walk on the
earth with humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say
(Peace); Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord
prostrating and standing"[Qur'an 63-64].
Thus, waking up in the night to pray qiyam al-layl i.e. performing
prayer in the middle of the night, was a regular act of the Prophet
(pbuh)and his Companions. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her)
said,"Do not abandon qiyam al-layl, for the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)
never left it. If he was not well or he felt heavy, he prayed
sitting."
Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, used to pray at night what he wished, until it
was in the middle of the night, when he would wake up his family to
pray; then he would say to them "prayer.. prayer,"and would recite
this verse of the Qur'an,"Enjoin prayer on your people, and be
constant therein. We ask you not to provide sustenance: We provide it
for you. But the fruit of the Hereafter is for righteousness"[Qur'an
20:132].
Ibn Umar used to recite,
"Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night,
prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the
Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord like
onewho does not?"[Qur'an 39:9].
He said that was referring to Uthman Ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased
with him). Ibn Abi Hatim said Ibn Umar said that it was due to the
length of the prayer of the commander of the faithful, Uthman, at
nightand his recitation to the extent that he may have recited the
entire Qur an in one rak'ah.
Alqamah Ibn Qays narrated, "I slept with Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (mayAllah
be pleased with him) one night. He woke up in the early part of
thenight and began to pray. He recited with a recitation similar to
that of the neighborhood imam with a medium regular pace. Those around
him could hear him and he continued until what remained of the night's
darkness was equal to the time between the adhan (call) for maghrib
prayer and the end of the maghrib prayer time, i.e. a short time
before daybreak. Hethen performed witr prayer."
Furthermore, Al-Sa'ib Ibn Zayd narrated in a hadiththat the reciter
would recite (the Qur'an) with hundreds of verses such that we
supported ourselves with staves dueto the lengthiness of the prayer
and did not leave until the time of fajr (dawn prayer).
Caution: Brother Muslim, you have to complete thetarawih prayer with
the imam in order to be reckoned as one of those who stood (the night)
in prayer. The Prophet (pbuh) said,"Whoever stays with his imam until
he completes the prayer, will have the night written for him as one
who performed qiyam al-layl, i.e. one who stoodthe night in
prayer."[Related by compilers of sunan books].
3.Charity (Sadaqah):
The Prophet (pbuh) was the most generous of people, and he was most
generous during Ramadan. He was more generous with good deeds than the
blowing wind. The Messenger of Allah also said,"The best charity is
one given during Ramadan."[Related by Al-Tirmidhi from Anas].
Zayd Ibn Aslam narrated from his father as saying,"I heard Umar Ibn
Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) say, 'The Messenger of
Allah (pbuh) commanded us to donate to charity, so I gave some of my
wealth. Then I said, 'Today I will compete with Abu Bakr ifI can ever
do so.' Then I donated half of my wealth. The Messenger ofAllah (pbuh)
asked me,'What did you leave for your family?'He said, 'I said the
same as what I gave out.' But Abu Bakr brought all of his wealth and
the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) asked him,'What did you leave for your
family?'He replied, 'Ileft them with Allah and His Messenger,' I said,
'I will never compete with you for anything again.
Talha Ibn Yahya Ibn Talhanarrated, "My grandmother Sa'da bint Awf
AI-Mariyah who was the wife of Talha Ibn Ubaydullah related to
me,'Talha came to me one day disconcerted. So I asked him, 'Why is it
that I see you with a gloomy face? What is the matter with you? Is
there anything that I can help you with?" He said, "No, you are a
faithful Muslim wife." I said, "Then what is the matter?" He said,"The
wealth that I have has increased and that disturbs me." I said,"Don't
worry, distribute it." She said, 'He divided it until not even a
single diniam was left." Talha Ibn Yahya said: "I asked the custodian
of Talha's property how much the amount was." He said, 'Four hundred
thousand."'
Therefore dear brothers and sisters, charity during Ramadan has
special significance, so hasten to give it out according to your
means.Charity takes many forms.
a) Feeding the Needy:
Allah the Almighty says,
"And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and
the captive, (saying), 'We feed you for the sakeof Allah Alone. No
rewards do we desire from you, nor thanks. Weonly fear a Day of
frowning and stress fromthe side of our Lord.' But Allah will deliver
them from the evil of that day, and will spread over them brightness
and a (blissful) joy. And becausethey were patient and constant, He
will reward them with a garden (and garments of) silk."[Qur'an
76:8-12].
The Salaf used to ensure feeding others and they placed it before many
acts of worship, and it is equally rewarded whether you feed a hungry
person or a good Muslim brother of yours. Hence, poverty is not a
condition for feeding a person.
The Messenger of Allah (')buh) said,"When a believer feeds a hungry
believer, Allah will feed him from the fruits of Paradise. And when he
quenches the thirst of a believer, Allah will make him drink from the
pure sealed wine of Paradise."[Related by Al-Tirmidhi with a good
chain of narration].
Some of our pious predecessors said, "For me to invite ten of my
friends and feed them with a meal that they likeis better for me then
freeing ten of the descendants of (Prophet) Isma'il." Many among the
Salaf used to leave their food for breaking the fast for others. They
included Abdullah Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), Dawud
Al-Ta'i, Malik Ibn Dinar and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. Ibn Umar did not break
his fast except withthe orphans and the needy. Sometimes, if he
learned that his family had turned back the orphans and the needy, he
would not break the fast that night. Also among the Salaf were those
who fed their brother Muslims while they still continued to fast. They
also served them and attended to their well-being. Among them were
AI-Hassan Al-Basri and Abdullah Ibn Al-Mubarak.
Abu Al-Sawar Al-'Adwi said, "Some men from Banu Adiy tribe used to
pray in the mosque. Noneof them ever broke the fast alone with his
food. If he found someone to share with, he ate with him, if not, he
would take it to the mosque, so that others ate with him and he ate
with others. Feeding other people is an act of worship which triggers
many other acts of worship. Ties of love and brotherliness are
strengthened between you and the person you feed and that may lead you
to Paradise." The Prophet (pbuh) said,"Youwill not enter Paradise
until you believe and youwill not believe until you love one
another."This deed will keep you close to righteous people and Allah
will reward you as the food you provide helps them with their acts of
obedience (to Allah).
b) Providing Food to Break the Fast:
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,"Whoever feeds a fasting person
will have a reward equal to that of the fasting person, without any
reduction in his reward."[Related by Ahmad and Al-Nasai. Also verified
by Al-Albani as sahih]. In a hadith narrated by Salman Al-Farisi, the
Prophet (pbuh) said,"Whoever feeds a fasting person, will be
recompensed with forgiveness of sins and salvation from Hell. He will
receive the same reward as the fasting person without causing him any
reduction (in his reward)."(The Companions) said, 'Messenger of Allah,
not all of us can find something to feed a fasting person.' The
Prophet (pbuh) said,'Allah will give this reward to he who feeds a
fasting person with a sip of milk or a piece of dates, or a sip of
water. And Allah will make him who quenches the thirst of a fasting
person to drink from my cistern a drink that he will never feel
thirsty until he entersParadise (where there is no thirst)."
4.Intensifying the Recitation of the Qur'an:
I will remind you dear brother of two actions of the pious Salaf of this Ummah:
a) Undertaking Much Recitation of the Qur 'an:
The month of Ramadan isthe month of the Qur'an. The Muslim must
therefore recite the Qur'an a great deal. The Salaf used to pay
particular attention to the Book of Allah, and angel Jibril (Gabriel)
usedto study the Qur'an with the Prophet (pbuh) during Ramadan.
UthmanIbn Affan used to complete reciting the Qur'an once each day.
Some of the Salaf also completed the Qur an in their qiyam prayer
every three nights. Others completed it every seven days, while some
others completed it every ten nights. They used to recite the Qur'an
during prayers and at other times. During Ramadan, Al-Shafi'i used to
complete reciting the Qur'an sixty times, excluding prayer times.
AI-Aswad used to complete reciting the Qur'an every two nights. Qatada
regularly completed the Qur'an within seven nights, while during
Ramadan, he completed it every three nights, but in the last ten days
of Ramadan,he completed it every night. When Ramadan came, Al-Zuhri
left studying the hadith and study circles with scholars and he
concentrated on reciting the Qur'an from the book(i.e. not from
memory).
Also, when Ramadan came, Sufyan Al-Thawri left all other acts of
worship and concentrated on the Qur'an.
Ibn Rajab said that it was reported from the Prophet (pbuh) that the
Qur'an may not be completed in less than three days by those who
recite it constantly. As for the blessed times such as Ramadan,
especially during the nights of expecting Laylat al-Qadr or when in
holy places such as Makkah for those not inhabiting it, it is
recommended that the recitation of the Qur'an be increased in order to
benefit from the blessings of the time and the place. This is the
opinion of Ahmad, Ishaq and others among the distinguished scholars.
Aswe indicated earlier, the actions of other scholars also support
this view.
b) Weeping During the Recitation of the Qur'an:
It was not reported from the Salaf that they chanted the Qur'an like
poetry without pondering and understanding (its meanings); rather,
they were moved by the Words of Allah, and they in turn changed the
hearts of others with it. In a hadith in AI-Bukhari, Abdullah Ibn
Mas'ud (mayAllah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah
(pbuh) said,'Recite (the Qur'an) to me.'Then I said, 'How can I recite
to you when it was revealedto you?' The Prophet (pbuh) said,'I like to
hearit from someone else."' Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud said,"I recited the
Qur'an fromSurah Al-Nisa' until I reached the verse that says,'How
will it be then, when We bring from every nation a witness and bring
you to witness over all of them"'[Qur'an 4:41]. The Prophet
(pbuh)said,'That is enough.'I turned to the Prophet (pbuh) and found
his eyes flooding with tears."'
Al-Bayhaqi related from Abu Hurayrah that he said, "When the verse of
the Qur'an that says'Do you then wonder at this recital (the Qur'an)
and you laugh at it and weep not.'[Qur'an 53:59-60] was revealed, the
Companions residing in the Suffah, (the courtyard of the Prophet's
mosque) wept until tears began to trickle down their cheeks." When the
Prophet (pbuh) heard their weeping, he wept with them and his weeping
made us weep. The Messenger of Allah said,"The person who weeps in
humility to Allah will not enter Hell."
Ibn Umar read surah Al-Mutaffifin until he reached'...the Day when
(all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds...'[Qur'an
83:6]. He wept to such an extent that he fell to the ground and could
not move on to the next verses. Furthermore, Muzahim Ibn Zafar
related, "Sufyan Al-Thawn lead us in maghrib prayer, and when he
reached'You (Alone) do we worship and You (Alone) do we ask for
help'[Qur'an 1:5], he began to weep so thathis recitation was
disrupted. So he started from Alhamdulillah again."
It has been reported that Ibrahim Al-Ash'ath said,"One night, I heard
Fudhayl Ibn Ayadh reciting this verse of the Qur'an, repeatedly as he
wept,'And We shall try you until We test those among you who strive
their utmost and persevere in patience, and We shall test your facts
(whether true or false)'[Qur'an 47:31] But he kept on saying the words
of Allah,'And We shall test your facts', thenhe would say, 'And You
will test our facts? If You test our facts, You will disgrace us and
expose our secrets. Indeed if Youdo that, You will destroy us and
punish us,' and hewould continue crying.
5.Sitting in the MosqueUntil Sunrise
"When the Prophet (pbuh) prayed fajr prayer, he sat in his prayer
place until sunrise." [Related by Muslim].
At-Tirmidhi narrated from Anas that the Prophet (pbuh) said,"Whoever
prays fajr in the congregation and remains seated, remembering Allah
until sunrise, then performs two rak"at; it will be for him as the
reward of complete Hajj and Umrah."[Verified by Al-Albani as sahih].
This is the reward promised for everyday, so how will it be for Ramadan?
Dear brother, may Allah protect you, have a good sleep at night to
assist you in getting this great reward. Also, emulate righteous
people and train your soul to strive for the pleasure of Allah. Have
high aspirations to reach the highest of the grades of Paradise.
6.Observing I'tikaf:
The Prophet (pbuh) used to observe I'tikaf during ten days of Ramadan.
Butin the year of his death, he stayed in I'tikaf for twenty days.
[Related by Al- Bukhari). Thus, I'tikaf which means staying in the
mosque continuously for a certain period of time, is an act of worship
that embraces many acts of obedience to Allah, such as reciting the
Qur'an, praying, remembering Allah, supplicating, etc.
The person who has not experienced it might think that is difficult to
bear, but it is easy for whomever Allah makes it easy. Thus, whoever
armshimself with good intentions and true determination, Allah helps
him undertake the task with ease. I'tikaf is stressed more during the
last ten days of Ramadan in anticipation of laylat al-Qadr. It is a
permissibleform of seclusion as the person observing it holdshimself
in seclusion out of obedience to Allah andHis remembrance. He alsocuts
himself off from anything that would distract him from the observance
of I'tikaf His heart is set on all deeds that draw him closer to Allah
and the only desire he has is to do what pleases Allah.
7.Performing Umrah During Ramadan:
It has been established that the Prophet (pbuh) said,"An Umrah
performed in Ramadan isequal in reward to Hajj."[Related by AlBukhari
and Muslim). In another version the Prophet (pbuh) said,"The same
(reward) as performing Hajj with me."So, congratulations to you my
brother (who succeeds) in performing a pilgrimage with the Prophet
(pbuh).
8.Anticipating Laylat Al-Qadr:
Allah the Almighty says,
"We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power. And
what will explain to you what the Night of Power is? The Night of
Power is better than a thousand months."[Qur'an 97:1-3).
The Prophet (pbuh) said,"He who observes laylat al-Qadr with sincere
faithand hope for the reward of Allah will have his past sins
forgiven."[Related by AI-Bukhari and Muslim). The Prophet (pbuh) used
to look out for laylat al-Qadr and commanded his Companions also to
look out for it. He used to wake up his family members during the last
ten nights in the hope that they would succeed in meeting the blessed
night (in worship).
It is related in Musnad Ahmad from Ubada that the Prophet (pbuh
said,"Whoever stays awake in anticipation of laylat al-Qadr, and
succeeds in getting it, will have all of his sins both past and future
forgiven."[AlNasai reported a similar hadith,while Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar
said that its chain meets the conditions for authenticity].
It has been reported that some of our predecessorsamong the Companions
and their successors took a complete bath and used perfume during the
last ten nights (of Ramadan) in anticipationof laylat al-Qadr, which
has been highly honored by Allah.
So those of you who have wasted their time with nothing beneficial,
make up for what you have missed by observingthe night of laylat
al-Qadr, as it is reckoned from your age. Good deeds undertaken in
this night are better than (thedeeds of) a thousand months, and
whoever is deprived of its benefits has indeed been much deprived.
9.Remembering Allah, Supplicating and Seeking Forgiveness
Dear brother, the days and nights of Ramadan are distinguished times,
so seize the opportunity by increasing your remembrance of Allah, and
making supplications, especially during the chosen periods when they
are more acceptable to Allah. These include:
*.When breaking the fast,since the fasting person's supplications are
not rejected.
*.The last third of the night, when our Lord descends and says, "Is
there anyone asking that I may give;is there anyone seeking
forgiveness that I may forgive?"
*.Asking for forgiveness at dawn, as Allah says,"And in the hours of
early dawn, they (were found) praying for forgiveness."[Qur'an 51:18].
*.Looking out for the chosen hour on Friday when supplications are
answered. This hour is most likely to be the last hour of Friday
(before sunset).
Finally, dear brothers andsisters:
After this round in the garden of Paradise, under the shade of
righteous deeds, I would like to draw your attention to an
importantissue. Do you know what that is? It is sincerity. Yes,
sincerity. How so many are the people who fast but benefit nothing
other than hunger and thirst from their fast. And how so many are the
people who stay awake in worship but get nothing other than
sleeplessness and fatigue.May Allah save you and me from that kind of
outcome. Consequently, we find the Prophet (pbuh) stressing this
matter when he said,"(Fasting) with full faith and hoping for a reward
from Allah."The Salaf therefore used to do their righteous deeds
secretly in fear of falling into showing off.
Hence, we find this great Tabi'i, i.e. from the generation succeeding
the Companions of the Prophet, Ayyoub Al-Sakhtiyani, about whom Hamad
Ibn Zayd said, "Sometimes, when studying hadith, Ayyoub would be so
moved and he would turn (away) to blow his nose. Then he would say,
'How severe this cold is! Pretending tobe having a cold to hide his
weeping."
It has been reported that Muhammad Ibn Wasi' said, "I have known men
among whom there is one whose head would be placed beside that of his
wife on the same pillow, so that the part ofthe pillow under his cheek
would become wetfrom tears without his wife noticing it. I have also
known men, who while in the row for prayer, tears would pour down
their cheeks and the one next to them would not notice it. Ayyoub
Al-Sakhtiyani used to remain awake for the entire night (in worship)
yet he would hide it. So when morningcame, he raised his voice as if
he had woken up that instant. Ibn Adiy related that Dawud Ibn Abi Hind
fasted for forty years without his family knowing about it. His
occupation was embroidery, so he would take his lunch along withhim
(to work) but donateit to charity on the way. When he returned at
night, he would break hisfast with the family and they did not know
that he was fasting."
Sufyan Al-Thawri said,"The servant of Allah would do his deeds
secretly, and the devil would persist in tempting him until he
convinces him to do it openly. The devil would then continue to insist
until the person wants to be thanked for the deed. So, it will be
converted from a deed done openlyto one done for showing off."
Amusement During Ramadan:
Dear brothers and sisters,I think I have prolonged my admonition to
you to seize this opportunity. I have taken some of your time, but let
us look together at a very critical phenomenon that we all fall into,
especially during Ramadan. It is the phenomenon of wasting time and
spending it in ways other than obedience to Allah. This indeed means a
lack of awareness and amounts to turning away from theMercy and Bounty
of Allah Who says,
"But whosoever turns away from My Message, Verily for him is a life
narrowed down, and We shall raise Him up blind on the Day of Judgment.
He will say, 'My Lord, whyhave You raised me up blind while I had
sight (before)?' Allah will say, 'Thus did you, when our signs came
upon you, forget them; So will you be this day forgotten. And thus do
we recompense him who transgresses and believesnot in the signs of his
Lord. And the chastisement of the Hereafter is far more grievous and
enduring."[Qur'an 20:124-127].
One feels so much pain inhis heart and is so much dismayed to find
Muslim youth filling the sidewalks and playgrounds during the most
virtuous nights of Ramadan.
How so many are the sinsand forbidden acts committed during the nights
of Ramadan! Yes, the Muslim must be truly concerned about the manner
in which Muslimsspend their time. He mustalso be disturbed to find
Muslim youth spending their time in ways that are not pleasing to
Allah. But do not worry. The path to your happiness and that of your
Muslim brothers is to call them toapply Islamic teachings (i.e. doing
da 'wah) and to make supplications forthem. Yes, da 'wah to those
Muslims who have become unaware of theirIslamic duties, and guiding
them to the Straight Path. Also, make supplications for them in their
absence that Allah may accept it from you and that they do not become
among those deprived of guidance.

Fathwa - How to trim nails? Must be done within 40 days

Q:What is the Masnoon (Sunnat) way to trim nails and on which days
nails should not be trimmed?
A:The Masnoon (Sunnat) way of trimming nails is to start trimming
nails from the index finger (Shahadat) of the right hand and work your
way down to pinkie finger. Then proceed to the left hand starting from
pinkie finger and finishing up at thumb. Finally the thumb of right
hand should be trimmed. There is no sequence has been mentioned for
feet nail trimming though it is better to use the same sequence used
to do Khalal of feet (Start fromthe pinkie of right foot and finish it
up at the thumb, then start from the thumb of left foot towards
pinkie). Same is mentioned in Bahare Shariat (part 16, page 196) and
Fatawae Alamgeri (part 5, page 358), *1. There is no prohibition
regarding the days to avoid trimming nails. Whichever day the nails
are trimmed on is Masnoon because there is no proven Hadis
aboutprescribed days. But in some Zaeef (weak) Ahadees Wednesday is
prohibited for trimming nails. Therefore if Wednesday is the day of
Wajoob (Wajib to perform nail trimming). For example if a person has
not trimmed nails for 39 days and 40th dayis on Wednesday and if
he/she does not trim nails on Wednesday than40 days would be
completed. Then it will be Wajib on him/her to trim nails on
Wednesdaybecause it is prohibited and Makrooh-e-Tehreemi to exceed
40days without trimming nails.
Allah Tala Knows The Best.

Fathwa - What can be (or is) the minimum Mehar these days?

Q:What can be the minimum Mehar these days?
A:Minimum Mehar is ten Darm and ten Darm is seven Misqaal and one
Misqaal is 4.5 Masha. Therefore ten Darm will be Two Toala and 7.5
Masha Silver in weight. Itis equal to 30grams, 618milligrams.
Thereforewhatever it costs to buy that much Silver will be Mahar; it
cannot be less then that. In Summary the fluctuation in the amount to
buy that much silver will reflect Mehar.
Allah Tala knows the best.

Fathwa - Her maternal uncle didher marriage contract inthe presence of her ...

Question:
A young man proposed to a girl, but when the marriage contract was
done, the girl's father had a disagreement with his daughter's fiancé,
and refused to do the marriage contract. But the girl, her mother and
her brother wanted the marriage to go ahead, so they left their house
and rented an apartment, and they left the father who refused to do
the marriage contract, and the marriage contract was done; the
maternal uncleof the girl was the one who acted as her guardian (wali)
in this marriage contract, in thepresence of her brother. They argued
that the father does not pray andthey did not want him tobe the wali
of his daughter. How valid is this marriage contract?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:
In order for the marriage contract to be valid, it is stipulated
thatit should be done by the woman's wali (guardian) or wakeel
(proxy), because of the hadeeth in which the Prophet (blessings and
peace of Allah be upon him) said: "There is no marriage except with a
wali."
Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2085; at-Tirmidhi, 1101; Ibn Maajah 1881 –
from the hadeeth of Abu Moosa al-Ash'ari; classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi. He also said: "Any woman who gets
married without the permission of her wali, her marriage is invalid,
her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid."
Narrated by Ahmad, 24417; Abu Dawood, 2083; at-Tirmidhi, 1102; classed
as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 2709
The wali of the woman is her father, then his father (paternal
grandfather), then her son, then his son (this is if she has
children), thenher brother through her father and mother (full
brother); then her brother through her father only (half brother),
then their (brothers') sons, then the paternal uncles, thentheir sons,
then the paternal uncles of the father, then the ruler.
See al-Mughni, 9/355
Secondly:
With regard to the one who does not pray, if he does not pray at all,
thenhe is a kaafir according to the more correct of the two scholarly
opinions. See the answer to questions no. 2182and 5208
Based on that, it is not valid for him to be a walifor marriage,
because the kaafir cannot be a wali in the marriage of aMuslim woman,
according to scholarly consensus.
Ibn Qudaamah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: With regard tothe
kaafir, he has no wilaayah (guardianship)over a Muslim woman under any
circumstances, accordingto the consensus of the scholars, including
Maalik, ash-Shaafa'i, Abu'Ubayd and ashaab ar-ra'y. Ibn al-Mundhir
said: All of the scholars from whom we acquiredknowledge are
unanimously agreed on that.
End quote from al-Mughni, 9/377
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: If he does
not pray, it is not permissible for him to do the marriage contractfor
any of his daughters. If he does so, then the marriage contract is
invalid, because one of the conditions of being the wali (guardian) of
a Muslim woman is that heshould be a Muslim.
End quote from Fataawa Noor 'ala ad-Darb
Thirdly:
If her brother was an adult of sound mind, then he is her wali. If he
appointed her maternal uncle to do the marriagecontract, then the
marriage is valid. However the maternal uncle is not one of the 'asbah
(male relatives onthe father's side), so he cannot be the wali in
thecase of marriage and his giving the woman in marriage is not valid
except in two cases:
(i) If the wali appointed him as his representative. If
he did not appoint him, but he was present when the marriage contract
was done and he approved of it, then perhaps this takes the place of
(explicit) appointment and permission, becausesilence in such a
situation constitutes approval.
(ii) if the marriage contract has been done and was
officially documented in a Muslim country that adopts the [scholarly]
view that it is permissible for the maternal uncle to give his
sister's daughter in marriage, or the view that it is permissible to
do the marriage contractwithout a wali, then the marriage contract is
valid, because the ruling of the judge in matters that are subject to
differences of scholarly opinion is to be implemented and not
annulled.

And Allah knows best.

Dought & clear - Respect for the national anthem or flag.

What is the ruling on standing when the national anthem is played, or
when the flagis saluted?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Playing or listening to national anthems is haraam. This has been
discussed in the answer to question no. 5000and 20406. It makes no
difference whether what is played is songs or the national anthem or
anything else.
Secondly:
Standing by way of humility and veneration is not befitting unless it
is done for Allaah.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And stand before Allaahwith obedience"
[al-Baqarah 2:238].
Allaah has said that because of His greatness and majesty, the
greatest of creation (the angels) will stand for Him on the Day of
Resurrection and no onewill speak until after Allaah has given him
permission. He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"The Day that Ar-Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel) or another angel] and the
angels will stand forth inrows, they will not speakexcept him whom the
Most Gracious (Allaah) allows, and he will speakwhat is right"
[al-Naba' 78:38].
The one who claims that there is any created being for whom one should
stand out of respect have given that created being one of therights of
Allaah.
Hence the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Whoever likes men to stand up for him,let him take his place in
Hell." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2755); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani
inSaheehal-Tirmidhi. That is because this is part of the might and
pride thatbelongs only to Allaah.
See:Tafseer al-Tahreer wa'l-Tanweerby al-Taahir ibn 'Ashoor (15/51).
The caliph al-Mahdi entered the Mosque of the Messenger of
Allaah(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the people all
stood up for him except Imam Ibn Abi Dhi'b. It was said to him: Stand
up; this is the Ameer al-Mu'mineen. He said: The people should only
stand up for the Lord of the Worlds.
Al-Mahdi said: Let him be, for all the hairs of myhead have stood on end.
Siyar A'laam al-Nubala'(7/144).
The scholars of the Standing Committee were asked: Is it permissible
to stand to show respect to any national anthem or flag?
They replied:
It is not permissible for the Muslim to stand out of respect for any
national anthem or flag, rather this is a reprehensible innovation
which was not known at the time ofthe Messenger of Allaah(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) or at the time of the Rightly-Guided
Caliphs (may Allaah be pleased with them), and it is contrary to
perfect Tawheed and sincere veneration of Allaah alone. It is also a
means that leads to shirk and is an imitation of the kuffaar in their
reprehensible customs, and following them in their exaggeration about
their presidents and in their ceremonies. The Prophet(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade imitating them.
And Allaah is the Source of strength; may Allaah send blessings and
peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End
quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah(1/235).
And Allaah knows best.

Dought & clear - The Braylwiyyah sect.

What is the Braylwiyyah sect and what is their belief ?
Praise be to Allaah.
The Braylwiyyah are a Soofeesect which was born in India at the timeof
the British rule there.
It's followers concernthemselves in exceeding in their love and honour
for the Prophets and the"saints" in general, and the
Prophet)sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam(specifically.
It's founder was a man bythe name of Ahmad Ridhaa Khaan ibn Taqee
'Alee Khaan who was born in 1272 A.H. )1851C.E.) and called himself
Abdul-Mustafaa (slave/servant of Mustafaa, i.e.Muhammad)sal-Allaahu
`alayhe wasallam((.
He was born in the city ofBraylee in the province of Uttar Pradesh and
was a student of al-Mirza GhulaamQaadir Begg who was the older (blood)
brother of Mirza Ghulaam Ahmadal-Qaadiyaanee (founderof the
Qaadiyaaniyyah sect(.
He was of a slim build andknown to be shrewdand clever, whilst also
being ill-tempered and foul-mouthed.He used to suffer from chronic
illnesses, and used to consistently complain ofheadaches and back
pains.
He visitedMakkahand studied under some of thescholars there in 1295
A.H. (1874 C.E.(.
Amongst his "notable" booksare: ((Anbaa. al-Mustafaa)) and ((Khaalis
al-I'tiqaad((.
From the beliefs of thissect is that the Messenger of
Allaah)sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam(hasthe ability/power to control
the creation and all that occurs, and that the"saints" have the
ability/power to influence the creation and all thatoccurs.
And they have exceeded intheir belief with respect to the
Prophet)sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam(suchthat they have ascended him
to a rank close to that of worshipping him. And theyhave exceeded in
their belief with respect to the Messenger of Allaah)sal-Allaahu
`alayhe wa sallam(suchthat they believe he has knowledge of the
unseen, and they deny that he was ahuman being, rather that he was the
light (noor) of Allaah. And they also permitcalling for assistance
from the"saints" and the Prophets and other than themfrom the false
beliefs.

Dought & clear - Ruling on a believer who commits some sins.

What is the situation of a believer who commits many sins during his
life? Will Allaah forgive him or will he be punished? What is the
extent of his punishment?
Praise be to Allaah.
If believers die believingin Allaah but having committed sins less
than major shirk that puts a person beyond the pale of Islam, one of
two scenarios may apply:
1 – they repented from those sins during their lives. If they repented
sincerely, Allaah will accept that from them, and they will once
againbecome like those who did not commit any sin, and they will not
be punished for their sins inthe Hereafter. Indeed, their Lord may
honour them and turn their bad deeds (sayi'aat) into good deeds
(hasanaat).
2 – those who die without having repented from their sins,or whose
repentance was imperfect and did not meet the required conditions, or
their repentance was not accepted. What is proven in the verses of the
Qur'aan and the Sunnah of the Prophet, and on which the righteous
salaf was agreed is that these – the sinners among thosewho believe in
Tawheed(the oneness of Allaah) – fall into three categories:
The first category:People who have many hasanaat (good deeds) to their
credit, which outweigh these sayi'aat (bad deeds). Allaah will forgive
them for their bad deeds and admit them to Paradise. The Fire will
never touch them, as a kindness and blessing from Allaah. According to
a hadeeth narrated by Ibn 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him), the
Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah will
bring the believer close and will shelter him with His screen, then He
will say, 'Do you remember such and such a sin? Do you remember such
and sucha sin?' and he will say, 'Yes, O Lord,' until He makes him
confess his sins and he thinks that he is doomed. Then [Allaah] will
say, 'I concealed it for you in the world and I forgive you for it
today.' Then he will be given the book of his good deeds (hasanaat).
But as for the kaafir and the hypocrite, the witnesses will say,
'These are the ones who lied against their Lord!' No doubt! the curse
of Allaah is upon the zaalimoon (wrongdoers) [cf. Hood 11:18].'"
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2441; Muslim, 2768).
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"So as for those whose Scale (of good deeds) will be heavy, they will
be the successful (by entering Paradise)"[al-A'raaf 7:8]
"Then as for him whose Balance (of good deeds) will be heavy,
He will live a pleasant life (in Paradise)"[al-Qaari'ah 101:6-7]
The second category:people whose hasanaat and sayi'aat are equal, so
their sayi'aat are enough to keep them away from Paradise, but their
hasanaat are enough to save them from Hell. These are the people of
al-A'raaf (a wall with elevated places) whom Allaah sayswill stand
between Paradise and Hell as longas Allaah wills, then they will be
granted permission to enter Paradise, as Allaah says after telling us
of the entrance of the people of Paradise to Paradise and the people
of Hell toHell. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And between them will be a (barrier) screen andon Al-A'raaf (a wall
with elevated places) will be men (whose good and evil deeds would be
equal in Scale), who would recognise all (of the Paradise and Hell
people), by their marks (the dwellers of Paradiseby their white faces
and the dwellers of Hell by their black faces). And they will call out
to the dwellers of Paradise, 'Salaamun 'Alaykum' (peace be on you),
and at that time they (men on Al-A'raaf) will not yet have entered it
(Paradise), but they will hope to enter (it) with certainty.
And when their eyes willbe turned towards the dwellers of the Fire,
theywill say: 'Our Lord! Place us not with the people who are
Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers).'
And the men on Al-A'raaf (the wall) will call unto the men whom they
would recognise bytheir marks, saying: 'Of what benefit to you were
your great numbers (and hoards of wealth), and your arrogance (against
Faith)?'
Are they those, of whom you swore that Allaah would never show them
mercy. (Behold! It has been said to them): 'Enter Paradise, no fear
shall be on you, nor shallyou grieve'"[al-A'raaf 7:46-39]
The third category:People who will meet Allaah persisting in
committing major sins and acts of immorality, so their sayi'aat will
outweigh their hasanaat. These are the ones who will deserve toenter
Hell in a manner commensurate with their sins. Some of them will be
seized by the Fireas far as their ankles, some up to mid-calf, some up
to their knees, and for some only the mark of sujood will be spared.
These are the ones whom Allaah will permit to be brought forth from
the Fire because of the intercession of the Prophet(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him). He, all the Prophets, the angels,
thebelievers and whoever else Allaah wishes to honour will intercede
for them. Whoever among these sinners hasmore faith and committed less
sins will have a lighter punishment and remain in Hell for a shorter
period and will be brought forth sooner. Those whose sins were greater
and whose faith was weaker, will have a greater punishment and will
remain for longer. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound from all
evils.
This is the situation of the sinful believers in the Hereafter.
With regard to this world, so long as they donot do anything that
would put them beyond the pale of Islam, then they are believers
whosefaith is lacking, as the righteous salaf agreed, basing that on
the versesof the Qur'aan and the ahaadeeth of the Prophet. These
aayahs include:
"But if the killer is forgiven by the brother (or the relatives) of
the killed against blood money, then adhering toit with fairness and
payment of the blood money to the heir should be made in fairness"
[al-Baqarah 2:178 – interpretation of the meaning]
So Allaah describes the killer as the brother of the heirs of the
victim. This brotherhood is the brotherhood of faith, which indicates
that the killer is not regarded as a kaafir, even though killing a
believer is one of the most serious of major sins.
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And if two parties (or groups) among the believers fall to fighting,
then make peace between them both. But if one of them outrages against
the other, then fight you (all) against the one that which outrages
till it complies with the Command of Allaah. Then if it complies, then
make reconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Verily,
Allaah loves those who are the equitable.
The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So
make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allaah, that you
may receive mercy"[al-Hujuraat 49:9-10]
So Allaah described eachof the fighting parties asbelievers, even
though fighting is a major sin. Indeed, He described theones who
reconcile between them as being their brothers, which indicates that
the one who commits a major sinwhich does not reach the degree of
shirk and kufr is still regarded as a believer and comes under the
rulings on believers, but he is lacking in faith. In this way the
shar'i texts may be reconciled and support one another. And Allaah
knows best.

Power of Positive Talk: Results of Positive Talk Story

A man was lost while driving through the countryside. As he tried to
reach for the map, he accidentally drove off theroad into a ditch.
Thoughhe wasn't injured, his car was stuck deep in the mud. So the man
walked to a nearby farm to ask for help.
"Warwick can get you out of that ditch," said the farmer, pointing to
an old mule standing in afield. The man looked at the decrepit old
mule and looked at the farmer who just stood there repeating, "Yep,
old Warwick can do the job."The man figured he had nothing to lose.
The two men and the mule made their way back to the ditch. The farmer
hitchedthe mule to the car. With a snap of the reins, he shouted,
"Pull, Fred! Pull, Jack! Pull, Ted! Pull, Warwick!"
And the mule pulled that car right out of the ditch.
The man was amazed. He thanked the farmer, patted the mule, and asked,
"Why did you call out all of those names before you called Warwick?"
The farmer grinned and said, "Old Warwick is just about blind. As long
as hebelieves he's part of a team, he doesn't mind pulling."
*.Keep your words positive, because your words become your actions.
*.Keep your actions positive, because your actions become your habits.
*.Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your lifestyle.
*.Keep your lifestyle positive, because your lifestyle becomes your destiny.

Power of Positive Talk or Avoiding Toxic Self-Talk (Negative Talking)

Allah (SWT) the Exalted says in Noble Qur'an: "O you who believe! Be
careful of (your duty to) Allah and speak the right word." (33:70)
I remember my dad teaching me the power of language at a very young
age. Not only did my dad understand that specific words affect our
mental pictures, but he understood words are a powerful programming
factor in lifelong success.
One particularly interesting event occurred when I was eight. As a
kid, I was always climbing trees, poles, and literally hanging around
upside down from the rafters of our lake house. So, it came to no
surprise for my dad to find me at the top of a 30-foot tree swinging
back and forth. My little eight-year-old brain didn't realize the tree
could break or I could get hurt. I just thought it was fun to be up so
high.
My older cousin, Tammy, was also in the same tree.She was hanging on
the first big limb, about ten feet below me. Tammy's mother also
noticed us atthe exact time my dad did. About that time a huge gust of
wind came over the tree. I could hear the leaves start to rattle and
the tree begin to sway. I remember my dad's voice over the windyell,
"Bart, Hold on tightly." So I did.
The next thing I know, I heard Tammy screaming at the top of her
lungs, laying flat on the ground.She had fallen out of the tree.
I scampered down the tree to safety. My dad later told me why she fell
and I did not. Apparently,when Tammy's mother felt the gust of wind,
she yelled out, "Tammy, don'tfall!" And Tammy did fall.
My dad then explained tome that the mind has a very difficult time
processing a negative image. In fact, people who rely on internal
pictures cannot see a negative at all. In order for Tammy to process
the command of not falling, her nine-year-old brain had to first
imagine falling, then try to tell thebrain not to do what it just
imagined. Whereas, my eight-year-old brain instantly had an internal
image of me hanging on tightly.
This concept is especially useful when you are attempting to break a
habit or set a goal. You can't visualize not doing something. The only
way to properly visualize not doing something is to actually find a
word for what you want to do andvisualize that. For example, when I
was thirteen years old, I played for my junior highschool football
team. I tried so hard to be good, but I just couldn't get it together
at that age. I remember hearing the words run through my head as I was
running out for a pass, "Don't drop it!" Naturally, I dropped the
ball.
My coaches were not skilled enough to teach us proper "Self-Talk."
They just thought some kids could catch and others couldn't. I'll
never make it pro, but I'm now a pretty good Sunday afternoon football
player, because all my internal dialogue is positive and encourages me
to win. I wish my dad had coached me playing football instead of just
climbing trees. I might have had a longer football career.
Here is a very easy demonstration to teach your kids and your friends
the power of a toxic vocabulary. Ask them to hold a pen or pencil.
Hand it to them. Now, follow my instructions carefully. Sayto them,
"Okay, try to drop the pencil." Observewhat they do.
Most people release their hands and watch the pencil hit the floor.
You respond, "You weren't paying attention. I said TRY to drop the
pencil. Now please do it again." Most people then pick up the pencil
and pretend tobe in excruciating pain while their hand tries butfails
to drop the pencil.
The point is made. If you tell your brain you will"give it a try," you
are actually telling your brainto fail. I have a "no try" rule in my
house and with everyone I interact with. Either people will do it or
they won't. Eitherthey will be at the party or they won't. I'm brutal
when people attempt to lie to me by using the word try. Do they think
I don't know they are really telegraphing to theworld they have no
intention of doing it but they want me to give them brownie points for
pretended effort? You will never hear the words"I'll try" come out of
my mouth unless I'm teaching this concept in aseminar.
If you "try" and do something, your unconscious mind has permission
not to succeed. If I truly can't make a decision I will tell the
truth. "Sorry John. I'mnot sure if I will be at your party or not.
I've gotan outstanding commitment. If that falls through, I will be
here, Insha Allah. Otherwise, I will not. Thanks for the invite."
People respect honesty. So remove the word "try" from your vocabulary.
My dad also told me that psychologists claim it takes seventeen
positive statements to offset one negative statement. I have no idea
if it is true, but the logic holds true. It might take up to seventeen
compliments to offset the emotional damage of one harsh criticism.
These are concepts that are especially useful when raising children.
Ask yourself how many compliments you give yourself daily versus
howmany criticisms. Heck, I know you are talking to yourself all day
long. We all have internal voices that give us direction.
So, are you giving yourself the 17:1 ratio or are you short changing
yourself with toxic self-talk like, "I'm fat. Nobody will like me.
I'll try this diet. I'm not goodenough. I'm so stupid. I'mbroke, etc.
etc."
If our parents can set a lifetime of programming with one wrong
statement, imagine the kind of programming you are doing on a daily
basis with your own internal dialogue. Here is a list of Toxic
Vocabulary words. Notice when you or other people use them.
*.BUT: Negates any wordsthat are stated before it.
*.TRY: Presupposes failure.
*.IF: Presupposes that youmay not.
*.MIGHT: It does nothing definite. It leaves options for your listener.
*.WOULD HAVE: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't
actually happen.
*.SHOULD HAVE: Past tensethat draws attention to things that didn't
actually happen (and implies guilt.)
*.COULD HAVE: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't
actually happen but theperson tries to take credit as if it did
happen.
*.CAN'T/DON'T: These words force the listenerto focus on exactly the
opposite of what you want. This is a classic mistake that parents and
coaches make without knowing the damage of this linguistic error.
Examples:
*.Toxic phrase: "Don't drop the ball!"
*.Likely result: Drops the ball
*.Better language: "Catch the ball!"
*.Toxic phrase: "You shouldn't watch so much television."
*.Likely result: Watches more television.
*.Better language: "I readtoo much television makes people stupid. You
might find yourself turning that TV off and picking up one of
thosebooks more often!"
Exercise:
*.Take a moment to writedown all the phrases you use on a daily basis
or any Toxic Self-Talk that you have noticed yourself using. Write
these phrases down so you will begin to catch yourself as they occur
and change them.
Forge a positive relationship with the world around you and the world
will become a better place for you to live. And remember: Make
positive Self-Talk a daily practice.