Is al-‘Adl (Justice) one of the names of Allaah?.Names and Attributes of Allaah - ,

Is al-'Adl (Justice) one of the names of Allaah, mayHe be glorified
and exalted?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Al-'Adl (justice) is not narrated as one of the names of Allaah in the
Qur'aan or in any saheehhadeeth. It was narratedin a famous hadeeth
listing the names of Allaah, which was narrated by al-Tirmidhi and
others. The scholars discussed this hadeeth and regarded it as
weak,and said that this list cannot be attributed to the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar
al-'Asqallaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Fath
al-Baari(11/217): Ibn al-'Arabi said: It may be that thesenames are
added to complete the list mentioned in the hadeeth attributed to the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and it may be
that it is a composition of some reporters, which seems more likely to
me.
Al-San'aani said in Subul al-Salaam (4/108): The scholars are agreed
that the list of names of Allaah mentioned in the hadeeth was drawn up
by some of the reporters.
But the word al-'adl (justice) is mentioned in the Qur'aan as a
description of the wordsof Allaah, such as in the verse
(interpretation of the meaning): "And the Word of your Lord has been
fulfilled in truth and in justice" [al-An'aam 6:115].
Therefore the scholars differed as to whether al-'Adl is one of the
names of Allaah, may He be exalted, and a number of them did count it
as one of His names, as Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa'di did at the end
of his Tafseer where he said, when listing the names of Allaah and
discussing their meanings: al-Hakam al-'Adl Who judges between His
slaves in this world and in the Hereafter by His justice and fairness.
End quote.
Al-Bayhaqi said in al-Asma' wa'l-Sifaat (1/198): … al-'Adl, which
appears in the report of al-Asaami mentioned above. End quote.
This was the view of a number of scholars, including al-Khattaabi, Ibn
Mandah and others.
Another group were of the view that it is not one of the names of
Allaah, for the reason wehave mentioned, which is that it is not
listed as a name of Allaah in any saheeh text. Among these scholars is
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), when he listed
ninety-nine names of Allaah from the Qur'aan and Sunnah in his book
al-Qawaa'id al-Muthla, but he did not mention the name al-'Adl among
them. The same was done by al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar al-'Asqallaani and
others.
But it is proven that Allaah has the attribute of being just, and He
is just in all that He does, as it is narrated in al-Bukhaari (3150)
and Muslim (1062) from 'Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood about the man who
objected to the Prophet's division of the booty, and he (the Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) said: "Who will
be just if Allaah and His Messengerare not just?"
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Justice is one of His attributes, so He is just inwhat He says and
what He does and what He rules.
A similar report was narrated from Mu'aadh (may Allaah be pleased with
him), that he did not sit in any gathering of dhikr but he would say:
"Allaah is Just and Fair, and those who have doubt are doomed."
Narrated by Abu Dawood (4611). It is mawqoof and was classed as saheeh
by al-Albaani.
It says in 'Awn al-Ma'bood: i.e., just judge.
And Allaah knows best.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Common mistakes made during Jumu'ah

Many of us go to the mosque on Friday as a matter of tradition and
habit, without making the intention of worship, whereas an intention
is aprecondition for the Jumu'ah prayer and all other acts of
worship.Increasingly, we see people staying up late, which causes them
to miss Fajr prayer, leaving them to start their day having committed
a great major sin, while the Prophet, , said: "The best prayer in the
sight of Allaah is the congregational Fajr prayer on Friday."
People might commit mistakes out of ignorance or negligence, among
which are the following:
Slighting the attendance of the Jumu'ah sermon; some people arrive
during the sermon and others arrive while people are praying.
Abandoning or slighting praying the Jumu'ah prayer. The Prophet said:
"Let those who abandon attending the Jumu'ah prayer refrain from doing
so, or Allaah will seal their hearts and they will become heedless."
[Muslim].
Neglecting bathing, perfuming, wearing onesbest clothing and using the Siwaak .
Shopping or engaging in trade after the Athaan (call for prayer) has
been called for the Jumu'ah sermon, while Allaah The Almighty Says
(what means): } "O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is
proclaimed for the Salaat (prayer) on Friday (Jumu`ah prayer), come to
the remembrance of Allaah [Jumu`ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaat
(prayer)] and leave off business (and every otherthing). That is
better for you if you did but know." { [Quran, 62:9].Ibn 'Abbaas ,
said, "It is forbidden to buy or sell at that time."
Some people commit certain sins while thinking they doing something
praiseworthy, such as those who shave their beards on Friday because
it looks "cleaner".
Sitting in the courtyard of the mosque while there is space for inside.
Making people move andsitting in their place. Jaabir, narrated that
the Prophet, , said: "Letno one move his brother on the day of Jumu'ah
and sit in his place, instead he should say: 'make space.'" [Muslim].
Passing over people's shoulders, forcefully separating people in order
to sit between them, and harming people by forcing them into cramped
spaces. The Prophet, said to a manwho was passing over people's
shoulders during the Jumu'ah sermon: "Sit down, because you have
harmed people."
Talking or reciting the Quran in a loud voice andthereby disturbing
otherswho are praying or reciting the Quran.
Leaving the mosque afterthe Athaan has been called without a valid excuse.
Not paying attention to what the Khateeb is saying during the sermon.
Praying two Rak'ah (unitsof prayer) between the two sermons, whereas
the Sunnah is to supplicate and seek forgiveness until the Imaam
stands up to deliver the second sermon.
Unnecessary movements during prayer, hastening to leave the mosque
immediately after praying and pushing people at the door to leave
without finishing the prescribed supplications after praying.
Mistakes of Imaams :
Making the sermon long and shortening the prayer.
'Ammaar, narrated that he heard the Prophet, saying: "The lengthening
of the prayer (by the Imaam) and the shortness of the Khutbah (sermon)
is the sign of his understanding(of faith), so prolong your prayers
and shortenyour speech; indeed some khutbahs have the effect of magic
(i.e., they are very powerful)." [Muslim].
Not being well prepared for the sermon and not choosing the correct
topic that addresses people's concerns.
Having numerous linguistic errors in the Khutbah .
Using narrations that are weak or fabricated, and quoting disliked
opinionswithout denouncing them.
Limiting the second sermon to contain supplications only.
Not using any verses from the Quran during the sermon, which opposes
the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition).
Failing to deliver a stirring sermon, while it is reported by Jaabir ,
when he described the Prophet, , he said, "Whenever the Prophet used
to deliver the Jumu'ah sermon, he would raise his voice; his eyes
would become red and he would become excited as though he waswarning
people against aconquering army which was just about to attack them."
[Muslim].

Suffering in the path of Da'wah

Suffering is well nigh an inescapable phenomenon for the Islamic
movement of old and new, the reason being that Islam is a call to
rebel against the institutions, thoughts and customs of ignorance
(pre-Islamic era) in all its forms and shapes. This characteristic
which distinguishes Islam has made the Islamic movement more
susceptible to suffering.
Suffering is one of the most important factors of character-building
and selection in Islam. Theoretic training may have no value as long
as hardship and trial do not accompany it. Even faith is in need of
suffering to probe its depths and measure its extents. Allaah, the
Most Exalted, Says in the Quran (what means):
"And of the people are some whosay, "We believe in Allaah," but when
one [of them] is harmed for [the cause of] Allaah, they consider the
trial [i.e. harm] of the people as [if it were] the punishment of
Allaah. But if victory comes from your Lord, they say, "Indeed, We
were with you." Is not Allaah most knowingof what is within the
breasts of the worlds [i.e. all creatures]? And Allaah will surely
make evident those who believe, and He will surely make evident the
hypocrites." [Quran 29:10-11]
Thus, every claim must have its proof, and faith is a claim which
needs proof. Steadfastness in times of hardship is a manifestation of
faith and it is also the proof of its existence and its firmness.
Almighty Allaah Says (what means): "Do the people think that they will
be leftto say, We believe and they will not be tried? But We have
certainly tried those before them,and Allaah will surely make evident
those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.…."
[Quran 29:2-3]
Thus was the decree of Allaah: that the truth should be in eternal
conflict with falsehood, and every time a ray of light emerges, the
forces of darkness gather to extinguish it. Allaah, The Exalted Says
(what means): "They want to extinguish the light of Allaah with their
mouths,but Allaah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers
dislike it." [Quran 61:8]
Since the beginning of the creation and the first of Prophets (may
Allaah exalt their mention), since the birth of good and evil, the
struggle between the two has been violent and frightful. But the
reality which keeps on recurring and which appears clear is that truth
is always victorious and falsehood ever fading. Allaah Almighty Says
(what means):
"And Our word [i.e. decree] has already preceded for Our servants, the
messengers. [That] indeed, they would be those given victory. And
[that] indeed, Our soldiers [i.e. the believers] will be those who
overcome." [Quran 37:171-173]
Some of the people may come to the Daa'iyah (caller to Islam) and say,
"You're doing tremendous work, persisting day and night. But the end
result is little and thepeople are abandoning you. Yet you see the
reasons that devastation and destruction overwhelm the majority of
them." This begins to ruin in an hour what the Daa'iyah builds in a
year!
Such talk may influence many who are not used to steep roads. Here
lies the role of patience. Being hasty in picking the fruit of Da'wah
is not conformable to patience which must be a characteristic of the
Daai`yah. TheDaa'iyah may be in a certain place, a school or
institute, he is forbidding the forbidden, spreading the Da'wah (call
to Islam) and speaking to many people, but he won't notice the change
himself, because it is coming gradually. Just as the father does not
notice the growth of his child whom he sees every morning and evening!
He is growing gradually! How many Du'aat (pl. of Daa'iyah) deserted a
certain place thinking that he'd had no influence, but after he left,
his absence became noticeable, and his influence thenappeared.
So, the Daa'iyah should not rush the results and the fruits of the
Da'wah, but he should strive and depend upon Allaah, The Exalted, and
realize that according to the logical settled experience from the
historical aspect, and the realistic aspect, that any truthful effort
expended will yield fruit. Because it hasn't happened that when a
person gave Da'wah, nobody at all responded to him, or when he
advised, nobody at alltook his advice, or when a scholar sat down
teaching, nobody at all came to learn. EveryDaa'iyah will find a
respondent. For things have not yet reached what Prophet Muhammad
warned us of concerning submissiveness to greed (stinginess), pursuit
of desires, influence of the worldly life, and admiration of one's
opinion. This has not yet happened to the entire Muslim nation. It may
be soon an individual level or in a specific region, but there remain
many who respond and accept the Da'wah, or listen to the advice of the
advisor, provided that he speaks with knowledge and wisdom.

A Muslim perspective on Christmas

Of course, there is also the problem of the children. They are
bombarded with numerous advertisements for toys and are essentially
brainwashed so that they should expect something"under the tree" on
Christmas Day. One must admit that the brightly lit, multicolored
Christmas tree is an attractive sight, made even more tempting when
there are numerous wrapped presents underneath it.
To Muslims, each and every thing we do is a part of our worship of the
One, Supreme God - nothing is excluded. We do not make any distinction
between the secular and the religious. Actually, the English term
religion does not convey the all-encompassing nature of the Arabic
term Deen. We might be branded as"Fundamentalists," but is there
anything else more basic (or"fundamental") than applying our absolute
moral code too consistently to everything we do?Isn't that the highest
standard?
The basis of our moral code is theQuran, the only intact Revelation,
and the strict authenticated observation of those who observed the
Prophet Muhammad known as the Hadeeth. In other words, we Muslims
follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad uponwhich we base our daily
life practices.
Strictly speaking, for Muslims there are two holidays, the two 'Eeds:
Namely, 'Eed al-Fitr - the festival of fast-breaking immediately after
the end of Ramadhaan, and 'Eed al-Ad'haa - the festival of sacrifice
during themajor pilgrimage time. I emphasize that we do not celebrate
birthdays (despite all the Western conventions to the contrary) - not
even the births of the prophets - including Muhammad, may Allaah exalt
their mention.
Muslims hold Jesus, in great respect as one of the greatest prophets.
However, they do not celebrate his birth or the birth of any other of
the prophets. Although it may seem intolerant to Christians that
Muslims do not celebrate or wish them well on their Christmas holiday,
it is out of respect to Jesus that we refuse to participate in its
practices. We cannot condone practices that in our view misrepresent
Jesus and help make him the focus of worship as a god figure. In
addition, the above evidence has shown that many of these practices
have no relationship whatsoever to Jesus and instead have pagan
origins.
We ask! Do we need to celebrate the winter solstice? Are we afraidthat
the sun will not come back to us in this cold, dark wintry period? Are
the pagan customs ofgift giving or the symbols of renewal (such as the
evergreens) a necessary reminder for us that spring will come again?
Is the materialism in this season, so evident in the West, something
worthy of emulation?
The Quran explains the most important things to celebrate. Allaah Says
(what means): "So be patient over what they say and exalt [Allaah]
with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its
setting; and duringperiods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of
the day, that you may be stisfied. And do not extend your eyes toward
that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them,
[itsbeing but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And
the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring." [Quran 20:
130-131]
To Muslims, Jesus is one of a series of prophets [25 of whom are
mentioned specifically in the Quran with the final one, or the seal of
them, being Muhammad ]. These prophets and messengers were sent to
specific groups of people, with the exemption of Muhammad whose
message was the final onesent (in the form of a revelation) for the
benefit of all mankind. Jesus was one such messenger sent to a
particular people, the Jews. Unfortunately, with the exception of the
Quran, none of these previous messages were preserved intact. More
specifically, we do not have the Gospel or Injeel according to Jesus :
Rather, we have a series of writings, most of which were fabricated
after the passing of Jesus and principally influenced by Paul.
Many Christian scholars, themselves, would concede that these writings
are historically of questionable accuracy and do notrepresent the
views of the early adherents of Jesus . In contrast, the Final
Revelation, theQuran, is precisely preserved and consists only of the
original Arabic text. Unlike the Christian Bibles (and I emphasize the
plurality of versions and differences between them), thereare no
revisions nor are there versions in other languages of the Quran.
Simply put, all Muslimshave the same original Arabic text as the
Quran.
When I was the Director of Da'wah (religious propagation) activities
at one of the Islamic centers in Chicago , I had the opportunity of
meeting with many visitors to our center, including missionary
students from the nearby Billy Graham headquarters in Wheaton ,
Illinois . Once, one of their students asked one of the Muslims who
had come to Friday prayer, "Do you accept the true teachings of
Jesus?" His reply (as all knowledgeable Muslims must answer) was
"definitely." The student then asked, "Then you accepted that he died
for your sins?" The Muslim replied, "Of course not!" He was not trying
to ridicule or goad the student on. On the contrary, he was showing
respect to the prophet Jesus as we know him from the Quran itself.
This can be very frustrating to a Christian, since he may not be aware
of the Islamic perspective of the life and role of Jesus . I want to
emphasize that Muslims deeply respect Jesus and his mother, the Virgin
Mary (may Allah be pleased with her), and hold them in high esteem.
There is nothing disparaging in this Revelation about them.
It is indeed unfortunate that a similar degree of respect is often not
shown towards Muslims and the final Prophet Muhammad . Since Muslims
respect them so highly, they naturally do not want to perform any
acts, which misrepresent them or their purpose or past life. The
Christianbeliefs have distorted their roles, thus, we as Muslims
cannot condone nor should we participate in those practices. I
emphasize, it is not out of disrespect to our Christian colleagues
that this is done, rather, it is out of respect and love to Jesus and
Mary and God Himself that we must refuse!
In conclusion, I pray that we remember what we are really supposed to
celebrate (i.e. the praises of The Supreme God) as stated in the Quran
(what means): " Do you not see that Allaah is exalted by whomever is
within the heavens and the earth and [by] the birds with wings spread
[in flight]? Each [of them] has known his [means of] prayer and
exalting [Him], and Allaah is Knowing of what they do. And to Allaah
belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and toAllaah is the
destination." [Quran 24: 41-42]