Islamic Story :- Ch 3: A Letter

A few days later, Isabella again went in the evening to the same
garden where she had heard the conversation of two Muslim divines.
Soon after she had taken her seat, Umar Lahmi andMuaz also arrived and
began to talk on different subjects.
Umar Lahmi: I have hearda curious and interesting report today.
Muaz (surprised): What is it?
Umar Lahmi: The objection, that you raisedon a passage of Saint Paul's
Epistle the other day, has reached the ear of the Head Priest and
there is a great commotion among the priests on account of it. Itis
also said that some sensible persons have even become sceptics.
Muaz: Well, this seems to be mere gossip. Who could have heard our talkthat day?
Umar Lahmi: Who could have heard our talk? Is it for nothing that the
priests have become so agitated?
Muaz: After all what is thecause of the commotion? Have the priests
heard our objection for the firsttime?
Umar Lahmi: The reason I cannot tell myself, but what I have heard and
why the priests have become agitated is just for our objection.
Severalmeetings have been held among the priests to finda solution.
The report hasreached me through Christian sources.
Muaz: Just one objection has created commotion among the priests. All
beliefs of Christians are ridiculous. While sin was committed by Adam
punishment was given toall and the entire humanity became sinful. And
has this belief any justification that in retaliation of the sins of
all the sinners, an innocent person is punished and, to bear the
burden of all the sins,"the son of God" comes to earth and is
crucified. Is it not the very limit to make Divinity a weak and
powerless person? If Christians have any answer to all these
questions, let them come forward and explain.
Umar Lahmi (laughing): Ifit is not Christians who can go to that limit
of absurdity, who else can do this? Everyone can talk reasonably, but
thereshould be someone to talk nonsense.
Muaz: I think it is time that we exploit this Commotion.
Umar Lahmi: It is a very good suggestion and at this time let us
publish a poster in which we should recount all the absurdities of the
Christian belief.
Muaz: This is quite good and it will create a commotion among
Christians all over Spain.
Isabella and her two classmates sitting in a corner of the garden were
listening attentivelyto this talk and were cracking their fingers in
anger. At last Isabella lost her patience and said to her companion;
We must refute their allegations and do everything to convince them.
May our Lord Christ attract them to his side! If these Muslims can be
convertedit will be such a great victory for Christianity that
henceforth Muslims will never be able to raise their heads in this
country. And Isabella raised her head to the heaven and earnestly
prayed to God to bring these "unbelievers" and enemies of Christianity
tothe Christian fold that "Thy Greatness is manifested."
A companion: Sister Isabella.' These "unbelievers" are very
hot-headed. How can they give up Satan and take the hand of Lord
Christ? But the trouble is that our priests are also afraid of these
Muslims. Itwas just yesterday that, on seeing your worry about the
objection about our religious law and curse, I put it to the priest of
our parish who ignored it saying that weshould pay no attention to
what these Muslims say. Their answer is not discussion but the drawn
sword. When such is the condition of our priests, why should the
Muslims not become arrogant?
Isabella: The thing is that our priests do not like to talk to these
"unbelievers" and keep quiet. But their silence does not mean that
they cannot solve their problems. Yet if they are assured that after
being convinced most of the Muslims will be ready to embrace
Christianity, they will face them most willingly.
The companion: Written promises may be taken from these Muslims and
they should be made to talk face to face with our priests, so that on
the one side our Christian divines are forced to talk to them and
these Muslims are forced to embrace our faith.
Isabella: This is quite good. But will these Muslims be ready for it?
The companion: Why not,what have you just heardfrom their own lips?
Isabella: Then why to wait? Inform them just here that they should be
prepared to discuss with our priests. I am giving you a chit which you
maytake to them and see what they reply.
The companion: But first ascertain from our divines. These
"unbelievers" may be ready, and our divines may not agree.
Isabella: If these people give a written undertaking that on being
convinced they willembrace Christianity; our divines will certainly
have a dialogue with them.
Isabella then wrote out the note: "Please pardon me. I overheard your
talkvery attentively and sincewe are also interested in theological
questions I hope you will not mind my intrusion. You have just told
your companion that if Christians satisfactorily explained relation
between religious law and curse you will embrace Christianity and you
also want to challenge Christians on religious law and curse, so, as
servants of our Lord JesusChrist, we gladly accept your challenge,
provided you give a written undertaking of it.—A Humble Servant of
Christian Faith."
Her companion handed over this chit to Umar Lahmi who immediately
showed it to Muaz and promptly wrote the answer: "We thank you for the
trouble and we agree that if your elders explain to us the dilemma of
religious law and curse, we assure you that I myself and my associates
will embrace Christianity. Now say where and when we should come to
discuss —A Humble Servant of Islam , Umar Lahmi."
Isabella on reading this replied: "About time and place I will I come
tomorrow and let you know.—A Servant."
Coming' out of the garden of Cordova Isabella's first concern was to
find out a learned man for dialogue with the Muslims and so, before
going home, she went to her kind teacher and told him all that had
happened. The teacher who was himself a priest and well versed in
religious problems, on seeing Isabella's worry, snubbed her and asked
her if it was such a serious matter as to cause her worry. Isabella
then showed him the note which Umar Lahmi had given her in the garden
that evening and in which there was an undertaking that if this
problem was solved, he along with his associates will accept
Christianity. On this the teacher agreed to take up the matter and
felt the need of some eminent scholars. He pacified the anxiety of
Isabella and had her leave to depart saying that he would fix up the
time by noon nextday.
Isabella spent a restless night and the question continued to haunt
her -what was going to happen the next day, for if her learned men
were unable to satisfy Muslims then Christians will be browbeaten for
ever. At last morning came and, after finishing her toilet, she began
to study the Bible. Just at noon she took with her two of her friends
and repaired to the house of the priest where she found a large number
of priests gathered, waiting for someone on whose arrival the chair
was offered to him; Isabella's teacher, after the praise of Jesus
Christ, explained the object of the gathering and earnestly requested
the scholars to take courage and prepare for a dialogue with the
Muslims trying to convert them to Christianity.
One priest: We wonderedwhat was the grave problem for which we had
been asked to meet together. On reaching here I found that it was
asimple affair. Just call these Muslims even now and any one of us
will convince them.
Another priest: It is true that the matter is not very grave as we
often hold discussions with the Muslims. But since the news has gone
out that Christians have no answer to the objection of Muslims, the
issue has assumed importance and now we should fix time for the
discussion.
A person: Tomorrow is Sunday and all Christians will gather in the
great church, so Muslims shouldbe called there tomorrow, and may Lord
Jesus give them guidance.
A priest: This is a good suggestion. (Then addressing Isabella: Your
respected father who leads prayer in that church should be presentas
possibly we may need his help at some stage since you are the
intermediary for this talk between us and the Muslims.
Another person: Her father is the Head Priest of all Spain and there
is no one else more learnedin the problems of Christianity than he,
and therefore his presence is essential.
Michael (Isabella's teacher): Surely, surely.
So the proposal was unanimously adopted and Sunday was fixed forthe
dialogue. At Isabella'srequest Michael wrote out a permit for Umar
Lahmi to enter the church.
Now it was just one and a half or two hours for the sun to set.
Isabella prepared herself to go to the garden when her other two
companions also arrived and they slowly walked towards the garden
where they found Umar Lahmi and Muaz already sitting and, unlike other
days, some other people were also with them. Isabella herself handed
over Michael's letter to Muaz which was opened and read by everyone.
Muaz (to Isabella): We arevery thankful for all your painstaking and
if either of the parties gets guidance the credit of it will first go
to you.
Umar Lahmi (to his companions): She is a scholar of Christian
philosophy and well learned in theology. Howpraiseworthy is her zeal
to try to take us out from "disbelief"!
Isabella: I am a humble servant of Jesus Christ and thank you for
accepting the invitation.
One Muslim. Allah forbid! Just see how Christians assign partners to
Allah and deify Christ. Surely, they are out of their senses,
otherwise how can a living man…
Umar Lahmi: You have already entered into controversy. It has to be
decided tomorrow at the great church. (To Isabella): You may assure
the priests on our behalf that we shall certainly come to the church
just after breakfast.
Isabella immediately left with her companions anddid no longer stay at
the garden as she used to do for she had to make arrangements and hold
consultations for the nextday's gathering.
Isabella – A girl of Islamic Spain/

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To recite Durood before and after Adhan

1. Some people say that it is Bid'ah (innovation) to read the Durood
Shareef before and afterthe Azaan.
2. The Ahle Sunnah Wal Jama'at believes that it ispermissible to
recite the Durood Shareef before and after the Azaan. Thisis a current
practice in many of the Arab countries.
3. The following Quranic verse commands us to send Durood and
Salaamupon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and no
specified time has been set aside for this. Allah Ta'ala says: "O ye
who Believe! Send Durood and Salaams upon him in abundance." (Part 22,
Ruku 4)
4. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that
when we hear the voice of the Mu'azzin, we should repeat whatever he
has said and then send Durood Shareef upon him. He said that the
person whosends one Durood upon him, Allah Ta'ala will send ten
mercies upon that person. (Sahih Muslim, Al-Qaulul Badi) In this
Hadith Shareef, proof is found here that the Holy Prophet (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam) asked us to recite the Durood Shareef after
theAzaan.
5. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said:
"If,when performing any good deed you do not commence with the praise
of Allah and send Durood upon me, then that deed is empty of
blessings." (Al Jaame Sagheer) Which Muslim is there who does not
consider the Azaan to bea good deed?
6. In fact it was Salahud'deen Ayubi (radi Allahu anhu) who gave the
command of Durood Shareef to be recited before and after the Azaan.
Hazrat Salahud'deen Ayubi (radi Allahu anhu) was a very great and
pious King who liberated the Baitul Muqaddas. Great Muhaqiqeen and
Muhaditheen made Du'as for him.
7. Hazrat Qaazi Iyaz (radi Allahu anhu) said that it is permissible to
read Durood Shareef at the time of Azaan. He says,"And from among the
occassions on which Durood should be sent, one of them is at the time
of remembering him (Prophet Muhammad sallal laahu alaihi wasallam),
when taking or writing his blessed name or at the time of Azaan."
(Shifa Shareef)
8. Hazrat Mulla Ali Qaari (radi Allahu anhu) in his book "Fathul
Mueen" says that Durood should not only be recited before Azaan, but
also before the Iqaamah.
9. Sheikh Kabeer Bakari (radi Allahu anhu) has stated that it is
desirableto recite Salaatus Salaambefore the Azaan and the Iqaamah.
10. Thus, to recite Durood Shareef before and after the Azaan is
totally permissible and those who follow this are the Ahle Sunnah Wal
Jama'at.

Conveying Rewards to the Deceased (Isaale Sawaab) - B. PROOFS FROM THE HADEETH

GENERAL PERMISSIONS (HADEETH # 1 - 4)
Hadeeth 1
Abu Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: When a man
dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurringcharity, or
knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him
(for the deceased) . (Muslim)
Hadeeth 2
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "What is
credited to a believer of his action and good deed after his death is
any useful knowledge he might have taught or spread, a Allah-fearing
child he might have left behind, a copy of the Qur'an he might have
left to an heir, a mosque he might have built, a house he might have
dedicated for use by travelers, a stream or river he might have caused
to run, a donation to charity (i.e. sadaqah) he might have set aside
when he was enjoying good health. Allthat catches up with himafter his
death. " (Ibn Majah)
Hadeeth 3
Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'Aas (Allah be well pleased with
him): Al-'As ibn Wa'il left his will that a hundred slaves should be
emancipated on his behalf. His son Hisham emancipated fifty slaves and
his son Amr intended to emancipate the remaining fifty on his behalf,
but he said: I should ask first the Apostle of Allah. He, therefore,
came to the Holy Prophet and said: Apostle of Allah, my father left in
his will thata hundred slaves should be emancipated on his behalf and
Hisham has emancipated fifty on his behalf and fifty remain. Shall I
emancipate them on his behalf The Apostleof Allah said: Had he been a
Muslim and you had emancipated slaves on his behalf, or given sadaqah
on his behalf, or performed the pilgrimage, that would have reached
him. (Abu Daud)
Hadeeth 4
Abu Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: He who
alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the
world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the
Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is hard
pressed, Allah would make thingseasy for him in the Hereafter, and he
who conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah would conceal his faults
in the world and in the Hereafter. Allah is at the back of a servant
so longas the servant is at the back of his brother, and he who treads
the path in search of know- ledge, Allah would make that path easy,
leading to Paradise for him and those persons who assemble in the
house among the houses of Allah (mosques) and recite the Book of Allah
and they learn and teachthe Qur'an (among themselves) there
woulddescend upon them the tranquility and mercy would cover them and
the angels would surround them and Allahmakes a mention of them in the
presence of those near Him , and he who is slow-paced in doing good
deeds, his (high) lineage does not make him go ahead. (Muslim)
FUNERALS (HADEETH # 5 - 9)
When a Muslim dies, it is a duty on the communityof Muslims to offer a
special prayer for him during which they pray Allah to forgive him and
admit him into heaven. The funeral prayer is Fard Kifayah for the
living Muslim brothers i.e. if just one person offers it, the entire
community is absolved of this duty. But see the importance attached to
the more and more people joining the prayer. And the benefit reaching
the deceased person is obvious.
Hadeeth 5
Syeda 'A'isha (Allah be well pleased with her) reported Allah's
Apostle (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: If a company of
Muslims numbering one hundredpray over a dead person,all of them
interceding for him, their intercession for him will be accepted.
(Muslim)
Hadeeth 6
'Abdullah b. 'Abbas (Allahbe well pleased with him) reported that his
son died in Qudaid or 'Usfan. He said to Kuraib to see as to how many
people had gathered there for his (funeral). He (Kuraib) said: So I
went out and I informedhim about the people who had gathered there. He
(Ibn 'Abbas) said: Do you think they are forty He (Kuraib) said: Yes.
Ibn 'Abbas thensaid to them: Bring him (the dead body) out for Ihave
heard Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:
If any Muslim dies and forty men who associate nothing with Allah
stand over his prayer (they offer prayerover him), Allah will accept
them as intercessors for him. (Muslim)

Conveying Rewards to the Deceased (Isaale Sawaab)

Allah - in the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
At the outset please know, that in Islam, death is not perceived asan
end of life. It is just the end of the worldly existence as we witness
it, and the beginning of a new existence, in which the soul
experiences a new world called "Barzakh." The soul may experiencethis
new life with or without its original body, according to its own rank
allotted to it by Allah the Almighty, the Supreme. There are too many
proofs from the Holy Qur'an and Hadeeth (Holy Prophet's Traditions)
regarding the above, and warrant an extensive article on the same. But
that is not the question here.
The question that some people ask is that if a person is dead, can we
increase its status or decrease its torment by conveying rewards of
OUR deeds
It is the consensus of the Sahaba, the earlier Ulema, and the latter
ones that the above is (a) Effective and that (b) it is certainly
permissible, in fact meritorious, to do so.
If one wants to convey the reward of one's recital of Holy Qur'an,
charity, Nafil Salaat (NonObligatory), fasts and good deeds, Hajj,
Umrah etc., then one should convey it to the virtuous soul of our
beloved Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), one's
relatives, and all the Muslim men and women. All of them will receive
the same rewardwithout any deduction; the one who has carried this out
will also receive the same reward without any loss. It is also valid
to convey the reward to the living persons. (Fatawa Shami).
Before we back up the above statements with several proofs from the
Holy Qur'an and Hadeeth, we should, as amatter of justice, look into
the objections brought against the above belief.
Those who object to this act, cite the following verse from the Holy Qur'an:
"And that man will not obtain anything except what he strove for" (Najm 53:39)
They allege that the above verse clarifies thatnone of our deeds can
benefit one who has passed away. Such a view is incorrect. Firstly,
this Ayah exhorts people to remember that good deeds will bring good
results and evil deeds, anevil result. So they must always persist is
seeking good. And that that they must not simply depend on other
people's prayers. Secondly, most scholars are of the opinion that the
message in this verse is abrogated by the verse: "And those who
believe and whose families follow them in Faith, -- to them We shall
join their families: nor shall We deprive them of the fruit of
anything of theirworks: yet each individual is in pledge for his
deeds" (Toor 52:21)." This verse entersthe children into Paradise
because of the righteousness of the parents.
They also cite a famous Hadeeth from Muslim Shareef:
Abu Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: When a man
dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurringcharity, or
knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him
(for the deceased).
Please closely examine the above Hadeeth. The words say " his acts"
(except three) come to an end. What comes to an end, then, is the
deceased person's own actions. This does not mean that a dead
persondoes not benefit from anything else. He cannot increase his own
rewardby any new act (even if he prays or does Zikr in the grave, as
proven from various Hadeeth). But his reward can go on increasing
because ofthe prayers of his son.
The above Hadeeth therefore cannot be quoted in support of theargument
that our actions cannot benefit those who are dead. In fact, it
supports the case for conveying rewards to the dead!.
Also note that the actions and beliefs of none else than the beloved
Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) are proof of their
wrong opinion. And also against their narrow minded opinion are the
actions and beliefs of none else than the great Sahaba (Allah be well
pleased with them).
Having negated the objections, we bring forth for your perusal several
proofs from the Holy Qur'an and Hadeethsupporting the act of conveying
rewards to those who passed away before us.
A. PROOFS FROM HOLY QUR'AN
Verse 1
And those who came after them say, "O our Lord! Forgive us, and
ourbrothers who accepted faith before us , and do not keep any malice
in our hearts towards the believers - O our Lord! Indeed You only are
the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful." (Hashr 59:10)
Note that the above verse is a very strong evidence of the practice of
the Sahaba, which was so loved by Allah that it is part of the Holy
Qur'an. Why would the Sahaba pray for the deceased people if their
prayer was of no benefitAnd to top it all, Allah theAlmighty has
approved and praised their action!
Verse 2
"O our Lord! And forgive me, and my parents, andall the Muslims on the
day when the account will be established." (Ibrahim 14:41)
The benefit of the aboveverse is obvious. The prayer of Prophet Syedna
Ibrahim (peace be upon him), includes all believers - right from the
beginning i.e. those before him, and till the end of this world i.e.
even those who are not yet born. Al Hamdo Lillah! And this prayer is
often made in the last part (Qaadah) of our Salaat.
Verse 3
And those who believe and whose families follow them in Faith, -- to
them We shall join their families : nor shall We deprive them of the
fruit of anything of theirworks: yet each individual is in pledge for
his deeds." (Toor 52:21)
This verse says that children will be admitted into Paradise because
of the righteousness of the parents.
Verse 4
And lower your wing humbly for them, with mercy, and pray, " My Lord!
Have mercy on them both , the way theynursed me when I was young."
(Bani Israel 17:24)
This verse is in fact a command from Allah for all believers to seek
mercy for their parents. So what is your opinion Will not the command
ofAllah hold any benefit for the deceased parent It certainly does.
Also note that there are several other verses from the Holy Qur'an
that teach us to pray, and the prayer includes all Muslim brothers &
sisters (living, passed away or yet to be borne).
Readers are requested toreflect on the fact that the above verses are
part of the Holy Qur'an - they are read perhaps millions of times
every day all over the world, aspart of regular recitation, and also
as Qirat within Salaat, and also as prayer in the last part (Qaadah)
of Salaat.

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