Discover Islam, - *Islam is not a new message

Share

Since the creation of man, there have been many Divine messages and Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, sent by God to humankind. Numerous messages were revealed to many Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, who were sent to different nations at different times. However, all these messages, from the first to the last, contained the same in essence. They all called people to worship only The One True God and to do righteous deeds. Allaah, Most Exalted, Says )what means(:"Truly, the religion in the sight of Allaah is Islam…"]Quran 3:19[
According to the verse above and other verses in the Quran, the message that all Prophets called people to was Islam. Since there is only One True God, the message of God must also be One.
However, this message varies in general laws, codes of life and worship )but not in the essential beliefs( according to the diversity of nations, times, conditions, customs and cultures. Every form of this message was sent to a particular nation for a particular time, except the last message revealed to Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, )may Allaah exalt his mention( which was sent to all people and all nations till the Day of Judgment.
Allaah Almighty, informs us in the Holy Quran that many Prophets uttered the word 'Islam' or 'Muslim' such as Nooh )Noah(, Ibraaheem )Abraham(, Ismaa’eel )Ishmael(, Yoosuf )Joseph(, Moosaa )Moses(, may Allaah exalt their mention.
Allaah, The Most High, tells us about Nooh, may Allaah exalt his mention, when he warned his people of disbelief saying )what means(:"But if you turn away )from accepting my doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allaah(, then no reward have I asked of you, my reward is only from Allaah, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims."]Quran 10:72[
Ibraaheem and Yaaqoob )Jacob(, may Allaah exalt their mention, enjoined Islam upon their sons. Allaah Almighty Says )what means(:"And this )submission to Allaah, Islam( was enjoined by Abraham upon his sons and by Jacob )saying( 'O my sons! Allaah has chosen for you the )true( religion, then die not except while you are Muslims."]Quran 2:132[
Ibraaheem and Ismaa’eel, may Allaah exalt their mention, invoked their Lord when they were raising the foundations of the house, the Ka'bah at Makkah, )what means( :"Our Lord! And make us Muslims )in submission( to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation )in submission( to You…" ]Quran 2:128[. Allaah Says in the Quran )what means(:")Solomon said(: 'Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission )as Muslims(.'"]Quran 27:31[
When ‘Eesaa )Jesus(, may Allaah exalt his mention, came to know of his people's disbelief, he said to them )what means(:"…Who will be my helpers in Allaah's Cause?' The disciples said: 'We are the helpers of Allaah; we believe in Allaah, and bear witness that we are Muslims )i.e. we submit to Allaah(.'"]Quran 3:52[
The last of Allaah's prophets, Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was sent to present Allaah's revelation in its final form and for the last time. This was necessary because the message delivered by the previous Prophets and Messengers, may Allaah exalt their mention, had been corrupted or distorted by their followers.
Allaah took it upon Himself to guard the last message )i.e. the Quran and hence Islam( from corruption. He says in the Quran )what means(:"Verily, it is We Who have sent down the message )i. e., the Quran( and surely, We will be its guardian.”]Quran 15:9[
This message is called Islam, which means submission to the will of the only True God, Allaah. In this way, all nations are invited to Islam and Allaah will not accept any religion from them except Islam.
Allaah Says )what means(:"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers."]Quran 3:85[
The verse mentioned above makes it clear that when we say there is only one religion, it is meant that there is only one true religion. Allaah Almighty, mentions the belief and religions of the polytheists in the Holy Quran )which means(:"Say: ‘O disbelievers, I worship not that which you worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. And I shall not worship that you which are worshipping. Nor will you worship that which I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion )Islamic Monotheism(.'"]Quran 109:1-4[
To conclude, Islam is the religion, which was given to Aadam, may Allaah exalt his mention, the first man and the first prophet of Allaah, and it was the religion of all the prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, sent by Allaah to humankind. The name of God's religion -- Islam -- was not decided upon by later generations of man. It was chosen by Allaah Himself and clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man. In Islam it is obligatory to have belief in all Messengers, may Allaah exalt their mention and their messages in the original forms revealed by Allaah. Surely, it is the only way, which can lead people to success in this life and toParadisein the Hereafter.
Allaah's Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"By Him )Allaah( in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, there is none from among the Jews and Christians who hears about me and then dies without believing in the Message )i.e. Islam( with which I have been sent, but he will be from the dwellers of the )Hell( fire."]Muslim[

Share

Discover Islam, - *Islam: the perfect religionand way of life for all

Share

It is imperative that we strive to know Islam. Allaah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, )may Allaah exalt his mention( who was sent to the whole mankind, encouraged us to acquire knowledge of Islam in order to comprehend it. Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“Those who were the best in the pre-lslamic period of ignorance will be the best in Islam provided they comprehend the religious knowledge.”]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
‘Abdur Rahmaan bin Abi Bakrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated on the authority of his father that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“If Allaah wants to do good to a person, he makes him comprehend the religion; and of course knowledge is attained by learning.”]Al-Bukhaari[ Mu‘aawiyah bin Abi Sufyaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that Allaah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Goodness is a )natural( habit while the evil is a stubbornness. To whomsoever Allaah wills to show goodness, He favors him with the understanding in the Religion.”]Ibn Maajah[
When we study Islam or read the Quran and the authentic Ahadeeth )narrations of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam( we learn that Islam is easy to follow and the perfect religion and complete way of life for the entire humankind. We read in the Quran and the Ahadeeth the following unique features of Islam:
Islam is easy
The Quran says )what means(:“But whoever believes and works righteousness he shall have a goodly reward and easy will be his task as We order it by Our command.”]Quran 18:88[
Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:“Religion )Islam( is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by offering the prayers in the mornings, afternoons and during the last hours of the nights.”]Al-Bukhaari[
Anas bin Maalik, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:"Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them, and make them calm )with glad tidings( and do not repulse )them(.”]Al-Bukhaari[
Islam is complete
The Quran says )what means(:
“…He it is Who has sent unto you the Book, explained in detail. They know full well, to whom We have given the Book, that it has been sent down from your Rabb in truth. Never be then of those who doubt.” ]Quran 6: 114[
And )what means(:
For We had certainly sent unto them a Book based on knowledge, which We explained in detail -- a guide and a mercy to all who believe.”]Quran 7: 52[
And )what means(:
“…)This is ( a Book with verses basic or fundamental )of established meaning( -- further explained in detail -- from One Who is Wise and Well-Acquainted )with all things(.”]Quran 11: 1[
Islam is perfect
The Quran says )what means(:
“...This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”]Quran 5: 3[
As the perfect religion, Islam teaches humankind how to attain success in the most perfect way. The following are some of the Ahadeeth that serve as a source of enlightenment and guidance to those who desire perfection.
Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Goodness and comfort are for him who worships his Rabb in a perfect manner and serves his master sincerely.”]Al-Bukhaari[
Ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that Allaah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"If a slave is honest and faithful to his master and worships his Lord in a perfect manner, he will get a double reward.”]Al-Bukhaari[
Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:"Whoever believes in Allaah and His Messenger, offers prayers perfectly and fasts )the month of( Ramadan then it is incumbent upon Allaah to admit him into Paradise, whether he emigrates for Allaah’s cause or stays in the land where he was born.” They )the companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam( said: "O Allaah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam! Should we not inform the people of that?" He said: "There are one-hundred degrees inParadisewhich Allaah has prepared for those who carry on Jihaad in His Cause. The distance between every two degrees is like the distance between the sky and the Earth. So if you ask Allaah for anything, ask Him for the Firdaws, for it is the last part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is the Throne of The Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise.”]Al-Bukhaari[
‘Abdullaah bin Hishaam, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated:“We were with the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and he was holding the hand of 'Umar bin Al-Khattaab, may Allaah be pleased with him. 'Umar said to him: "O Allaah’s Messenger! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, )you will not have complete or perfect faith( till I am dearer to you than your own self.” Then 'Umar said to him: "However, now, by Allaah, you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Now, O 'Umar, you are a believer.”]Al-Bukhaari[
Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“The most perfect believer in respect of faith is he who is best of them in manners.”]Abu Daawood[
Abu Humamah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“If anyone loves for Allaah’s sake, hates for Allaah’s sake, gives for Allaah’s sake and withholds for Allaah’s sake, he will have perfect faith.”]Abu Daawood[
Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“Among the Muslims the most perfect, as regards his faith, is the one whose character is excellent, and the best among you are those who treat their wives well.”]At-Tirmithi and Abu Daawood[
‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, narrated that Allaah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"Among the believers who show most perfect faith are those who have the best disposition, and are kindest to their families.”]At-Tirmithi[
All the above Prophetic teachings in addition to the Quranic Ayaat )verses( quoted earlier, clearly tell us that indeed, Islam is the perfect religion and hence the best way of life for all. Islam as a universal religion is Allaah’s Blessing and Mercy for all of us. It is for us to obey it and be successful in the eternal world to come. The best way to attain success through Islam is to learn about the religion according to its authentic sources. That is, to acquire knowledge of Islam through the Quran and the Sunnah and the right deductions from these revealed sources of knowledge and guidance.
Since Allaah Almighty is the One Who gives guidance, earnestly ask Him for authentic Islamic knowledge. We must seek His help and guidance to be able to apply such knowledge and share them with others – all for His Pleasure.
May our Cherisher and Sustainer increase our knowledge of Islam and grant us the best life -- of being true Muslims forever. Aameen.

Share

Night Prayer, - Dought & clear, - * Is it permissible to pray naafil after Witr?

Share

I am not regular Thahjud prayer. Once i pray Witar after Isha Later i want to pray Nafeel. Can I do so?.
Praise be to Allaah.
There is nothing wrong with the person who prays Witr in the first part of the night or the middle of the night offering any naafil prayers he wants after Witr, even though it is mustahabb for the last of his prayer at night to be Witr. In this case he should not repeat Witr, rather the Witr that he prayed at the beginning of the night is sufficient.
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Make the last of your prayer at night Witr.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 998; Muslim, 749.
And it was narrated that that Talq ibn ‘Ali said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say, “There should not be two Witrs in one night.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 470; al-Nasaa’i, 1679; Abu Dawood, 1439. Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani inSaheeh al-Jaami’, 7567.
Ibn Hazm said inal-Muhalla, 2/92, 93:
Witr at the end of the night is better, but whoever prays Witr at the beginning of the night, that is fine. It is permissible to pray after Witr but one should not repeat Witr.
Al-Nawawi said inal-Majmoo, 3/512:
If a person prays Witr then he wants to offer a naafil prayer etc at night, that is permissible and is not makrooh, but he should not repeat Witr. The evidence for that is the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) who was asked about the Witr of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). She said: “We used to prepare his siwaak (tooth stick) and water for wudoo’ for him, then Allaah would cause him to wake up at any time He willed at night. He would use the tooth stick, do wudoo’ and pray nine rak’ahs, in which he would not sit except in the eighth, when he would remember Allaah, glorify Him and make du’aa’. Then he would get up without saying salaam, and pray the ninth rak’ah. Then he would sit down and again remember Allaah, glorify Him and make du’aa’. Then he would say a salaam that we could hear, then he would pray two rak’ahs after that, whilst sitting down.” Narrated by Muslim; this is part of a lengthy hadeeth, which is to be understood as meaning that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed two rak’ahs after Witr to show that it is permissible to pray after Witr.
And Allaah knows best.

Share

Night Prayer, - Dought & clear, - * Is it permissible to pray Taraaweeh at home?

Share

Is it permissible to pray Taraaweeh at home? Is it permissible to pray it with one's wife, with the husband as the imam?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Taraaweeh prayer is Sunnah mu’akkadah (a confirmed Sunnah) which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged when he said: “Whoever prays at night in Ramadaan out of faith and the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 37; Muslim, 759.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) led his companions in praying Taraaweeh for several nights, then he feared that it may be made obligatory for them, so he did not go out to them. Then ‘Umar united the people under one imam, and it has been prayed in congregation ever since. It was narrated that Ismaa’eel ibn Ziyaad said: ‘Ali passed by the mosques in which there were lamps during the month of Ramadaan and said, ‘May Allaah illuminate ‘Umar’s grave for him as he illuminated our mosques for us.” Narrated by al-Athram, quoted inal-Mughni, 1/457.
Al-Bahooti said inDaqaa’iq Uli al-Nuha, 1/2245:
It is better to pray Taraaweeh in the mosque than at home, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gathered the people to pray Taraaweeh for three consecutive nights, as was narrated by ‘Aa’ishah… and he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam with the imam until he leaves, it will be as if he spent the whole night in prayer.”
Al-Shawkaani said inNayl al-Awtaar(3/62): Al-Nawawi said: The scholars are agreed that it is mustahabb, but they differed as to whether it is better to pray it alone at home or in congregation in the mosque. Al-Shaafa’i and a number of his companions, and Abu Haneefah, Ahmad, some of the Maalikis and others said that it is better to pray it in congregation as ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab and the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with him) did and as the Muslims continued to do, because this is one of the manifest rituals.
So praying it in congregation in the mosque is better, but if a man prays it on his own at home, or in congregation with his family, that is permissible.
Al-Nawawi said inal-Majmoo’, 3/526:
Taraaweeh prayer is Sunnah according to scholarly consensus… it is permissible to pray it alone or in congregation, but which is better? There are two well-known points of view concerning this; the correct view according to the consensus of the Sahaabah is that it is better to pray it in congregation.
And Allaah knows best.

Share