29 December 2010

Some of the dreams Prophet (Peace be upon him) had

Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet(Peace be upon him) said:
'I was shown (in a dream) what my Ummah will be given after me (of treasures). This elated me; but then Allah (Subuhanahu wata'ala) revealed:
The hereafter is surely better for you then the first life. and your Lord will surely give you until you are satisfied (Quran 93:45).
So (I saw that) He granted me in Jannah one thousand palaces made of pearl, their grounds spread with musk, and each palace having all what is needed of wives and sevents'.(1)

'Abdullah bin 'Amr reported that the Prophet(Peace be upon him) said:
This night, I had a dream that I was performing tawaf around the Ka'bah. I saw a man who had the best tan complexion that you could ever see, and the best of long hair that you could ever see. His hair was combed straight, and was dripping with water. He was leaning on two other men while performing tawaf. I asked, "Who is this?" I was told, "This is al-Masih (the Messiah), son of Maryam (Mary)."
I then saw a heavy man of red complexion and coarse, curled-up hair, performing tawaf. His right eye was missing, and his (other) eye looked like a protruding grape. I asked , "Who is this?" I was told," this is al-masih ad- Dajjal(the false Messiah).(2)

Abu Hurairah and Jabir reported that the Prophet(Peace be upon him) said:
I had a dream that I was in Jannah and I saw a white palace and a woman performing wudu in its courtyard. I asked, "Whose palace is this?" I was told, "It is for Umar Bin al-Khattab." I wished to enter the palace and look at it, but then remembered Umar's ghayrah(sense of honor and protectiveness) and quickly moved away.
Hearing this Umar wept and said, "How could I have ghayrah from you, may my father and mother be your ransom, O Allah,s Messenger.(3)

Abu Hurayrah, Ibn Umar, and other companions reported that the (Peace be upon him) said:
I saw(in a dream) Jafar Bin Abi Talib flying with two wings alongside the angels of jannah.(4)

I saw (in a dream) that I entered Jannah and heard in it a recitation(of Quran). I asked "Who is this?" and was told, "It is Harithah Bin an-Numan," I said, " Thus is (the reward) of kindness (toward the parents);thus is kindness." Aishah added "And he (Harithah) was the most kind person toward his mother."(5)

Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Allah's Apostle (Peace be upon him)used to visit Um Haram bint Milhan she was the wife of 'Ubada bin As-Samit.(She was related to Prophet(Peace be upon him) by a foster relationship). One day the Prophet(Peace be upon him) visited her and she provided him with food and started looking for lice in his head. Then Allah's Apostle(Peace be upon him) slept and afterwards woke up smiling. Um Haram asked, "What makes you smile, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "Some of my followers were presented before me in my dream as fighters in Allah's Cause, sailing in the middle of the seas like kings on the thrones or like kings sitting on their thrones." (The narrator Ishaq is not sure as to which expression was correct). Um Haram added, 'I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Invoke Allah, to make me one of them;" So Allah's Apostle invoked Allah for her and then laid his head down (and slept). Then he woke up smiling (again). (Um Haram added): I said, "What makes you smile, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "Some people of my followers were presented before me (in a dream) as fighters in Allah's Cause." He said the same as he had said before. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Invoke Allah to make me from them." He said, "You are among the first ones." Then Um Haram sailed over the sea during the Caliphate of Muawiya bin Abu Sufyan, and she fell down from her riding animal after coming ashore, and died.(6)

Allah's Apostle very often used to ask his companions, "Did anyone of you see a dream?" So dreams would be narrated to him by those whom Allah wished to tell. One morning the Prophet said, "Last night two persons came to me (in a dream) and woke me up and said to me, 'Proceed!' I set out with them and we came across a man Lying down, and behold, another man was standing over his head, holding a big rock. Behold, he was throwing the rock at the man's head, injuring it. The rock rolled away and the thrower followed it and took it back. By the time he reached the man, his head returned to the normal state. The thrower then did the same as he had done before. I said to my two companions, 'Subhan Allah! Who are these two persons?' They said, 'Proceed!' So we proceeded and came to a man Lying flat on his back and another man standing over his head with an iron hook, and behold, he would put the hook in one side of the man's mouth and tear off that side of his face to the back (of the neck) and similarly tear his nose from front to back and his eye from front to back. Then he turned to the other side of the man's face and did just as he had done with the other side. He hardly completed this side when the other side returned to its normal state. Then he returned to it to repeat what he had done before. I said to my two companions, 'Subhan Allah! Who are these two persons?' They said to me, 'Proceed!' So we proceeded and came across something like a Tannur (a kind of baking oven, a pit usually clay-lined for baking bread)." I think the Prophet said, "In that oven t here was much noise and voices." The Prophet added, "We looked into it and found naked men and women, and behold, a flame of fire was reaching to them from underneath, and when it reached them, they cried loudly. I asked them, 'Who are these?' They said to me, 'Proceed!' And so we proceeded and came across a river." I think he said, ".... red like blood." The Prophet added, "And behold, in the river there was a man swimming, and on the bank there was a man who had collected many stones. Behold. while the other man was swimming, he went near him. The former opened his mouth and the latter (on the bank) threw a stone into his mouth whereupon he went swimming again. He returned and every time the performance was repeated, I asked my two companions, 'Who are these (two) persons?' They replied, 'Proceed! Proceed!' And we proceeded till we came to a man with a repulsive appearance, the most repulsive appearance, you ever saw a man having! Beside him there was a fire and he was kindling it and running around it. I asked my companions, 'Who is this (man)?' They said to me, 'Proceed! Proceed!' So we proceeded till we reached a garden of deep green dense vegetation, having all sorts of spring colors. In the midst of the garden there was a very tall man and I could hardly see his head because of his great height, and around him there were children in such a large number as I have never seen. I said to my companions, 'Who is this?' They replied, 'Proceed! Proceed!' So we proceeded till we came to a majestic huge garden, greater and better than I have ever seen! My two companions said to me, 'Go up and I went up' The Prophet added, "So we ascended till we reached a city built of gold and silver bricks and we went to its gate and asked (the gatekeeper) to open the gate, and it was opened and we entered the city and found in it, men with one side of their bodies as handsome as the handsomest person you have ever seen, and the other side as ugly as the ugliest person you have ever seen. My two companions ordered those men to throw themselves into the river. Behold, there was a river flowing across (the city), and its water was like milk in whiteness. Those men went and threw themselves in it and then returned to us after the ugliness (of their bodies) had disappeared and they became in the best shape." The Prophet further added, "My two companions (angels) said to me, 'This place is the Eden Paradise, and that is your place.' I raised up my sight, and behold, there I saw a palace like a white cloud! My two companions said to me, 'That (palace) is your place.' I said to them, 'May Allah bless you both! Let me enter it.' They replied, 'As for now, you will not enter it, but you shall enter it (one day) I said to them, 'I have seen many wonders tonight. What does all that mean which I have seen?' They replied, 'We will inform you: As for the first man you came upon whose head was being injured with the rock, he is the symbol of the one who studies the Quran and then neither recites it nor acts on its orders, and sleeps, neglecting the enjoined prayers. As for the man you came upon whose sides of mouth, nostrils and eyes were torn off from front to back, he is the symbol of the man who goes out of his house in the morning and tells so many lies that it spreads all over the world. And those naked men and women whom you saw in a construction resembling an oven, they are the adulterers and the adulteresses;, and the man whom you saw swimming in the river and given a stone to swallow, is the eater of usury (Riba) and the bad looking man whom you saw near the fire kindling it and going round it, is Malik, the gatekeeper of Hell and the tall man whom you saw in the garden, is Abraham and the children around him are those children who die with Al-Fitra (the Islamic Faith)." The narrator added: Some Muslims asked the Prophet, "O Allah's Apostle! What about the children of pagans?" The Prophet replied, "And also the children of pagans." The Prophet added, "My two companions added, 'The men you saw half handsome and half ugly were those persons who had mixed an act that was good with another that was bad, but Allah forgave them.'"(7)




Source:
(1)Recorded by at-Tabrani (in al-Awsat), al- Bayhaqi, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-albani (as-Sahihah no.2790).
(2)Recorded by al-Bukhari(3440-3441,5902,6999,7026,7128), Muslim(169,171), and others.
(3) Recorded by al-Bukhari (3242,3679-3680,5226-5227,7023-7025), Muslim (2394-2395) and others.
(4)Recorded by at-Tirmithi, al-Hakim, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani(as-sahihah no. 1226)
(5)Recorded by Ahmed, al-Hakim, and others. verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as- Sahihah no.913)
(6)Recorded by al-bukhari (2788-2789,2799-2800,2877-2878,2894-2895,6282-6283,7001-7002), Muslim(1912), and others
(7) This is combined from reports by al-Bukhari(1386 & 7047), and is also recorded by Muslim(2275)and others

26 December 2010

Story of the Heifer

Allah the Almighty says:

{And (remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his people: "Verily, Allah commands you that you slaughter a cow." They said, "Do you make fun of us?" He said, "I take Allah's Refuge from being among Al- Jahilun (the ignorant or the foolish). " They said, "Call upon your Lord for us that He may make plain to us what it is!" He said, "He says: 'Verily, it is a cow neither too old nor too young, but (it is) between the two conditions', so do what you are commanded " They said, "Call upon your Lord for us to make plain to us its color." He said, "He says: 'It is a yellow cow, bright in its color, pleasing the beholders.” They said, "Call upon your Lord for us to make plain to us what it is. Verily, to us all cows are alike. And surely, if Allah wills, we will be guided." He [Musa (Moses)] said, "He says: 'It is a cow neither trained to tilt the soil nor water the fields, sound, having no other color except bright yellow. ' "They said, "Now you have brought the truth." So they slaughtered it though they were near to not doing it. And (remember) when you killed a man and fell into dispute among yourselves as to the crime. But Allah brought forth that which you were hiding. So We said: "Strike him (the dead man) with a piece of it (the cow)." Thus Allah brings the dead to life and shows you His Aya: (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) so that you may understand}. (Al-Baqarah, 67- 73)

'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas, `Ubaidah As-Salmani, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, As- Sadiy and other earlier scholars said: An old man from among the Children of Israel was very rich, and he had some nephews who wished he would die soon to inherit him. One day, one of them on purpose murdered him at night and threw him on the road or at the door of one of his own brothers. In the morning, the people found the dead body and they disputed over him. His nephew the murderer came and began to weep and cry. Some people said: Why do you dispute over him? Why do not you go to Allah's Prophet (Peace be upon him)? His nephew came and complained to Musa (Peace be upon him). Musa (Peace be upon him) said: by Allah! Anyone who knows anything about this murdered man, he should let us know. But, no one knew anything about it. Thereupon, they asked Musa (Peace be upon him) to ask his Lord concerning this issue. Musa (Peace be upon him) asked his Lord and he was commanded to order them to slaughter a cow, {Verily, Allah commands you that you slaughter a cow. They said, Do you make fun of us?} i.e. we ask you about the murdered and you say so! {He said, I take Allah's Refuge from being among Al-Jahilun (the ignorant or the foolish)} i.e. I take Allah's Refuge from saying other than that He revealed to me; and that was His Answer to what you had wanted me to ask Him.

23 December 2010

Some narrations regarding excessive eating

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A human being does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. Enough for the son of Adam are a few morsels to keep his back straight. If it cannot be avoided, then a third is for food, a third for drink, and a third for breath."

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A Muslim eats in one intestine and an unbeliever in seven intestines." An-Nawawi explained this hadith by saying, "The seven attributes of the unbeliever are avarice, gluttony, excessive expectation, bad nature, envy and love of obesity."

It is related that' A'isha said, "The first disaster which occurred to this community after its Prophet died was satiety. When people fill their stomachs, their bodies become fat, their hearts weak and their appetites ingrained."

It is related that'Atiyya ibn'Amir al-Juhani said that he heard Salman say when he was forced to eat some food, "It is enough for me that I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "The people who fill themselves the most in this world will be the hungriest on the Day of Rising."

Ibn Bujayr, one of the Companions, said, "The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, felt hungry one day. He took a stone and tied it against his stomach and then said, 'Those who eat well and are comfortable in this world will be hungry and naked on the Day of Rising. Anyone who is generous to his lower self will be humbled before it. Anyone who humbles his lower self is being generous to it."

It is related from Abu Umama that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There will be men of my community who consume diverse kinds of food and diverse kinds of drink, wear diverse kinds of clothing and speak in an affected way. They are the worst of my community."

One righteous man said, "Do not be led astray by the words of the Almighty, 'Eat and drink.' The outward meaning of the ayat is honouring and giving enjoyment. But inwardly it is a test and trial so that He can see who is with Him and who is simply self-indulgent."

Ibn at-Tin said, "People are in three categories in respect of food. One group eats every kind of food, necessary and superfluous. This is the behaviour of the people of the Jahiliyya. Another group eats what will allay hunger when they are hungry. Another group make ,themselves hungry, intending by that to curb the appetite of the self. When they eat, they eat enough to keep themselves alive."

Al-Qurtubi said, "There are seven appetites for food: the appetite of nature, the appetite of the lower self, the appetite of the eye, the appetite of the mouth, the appetite of the ear, the appetite of the nose and the appetite of hunger. The last is the necessary one by which the believer eats."

Source: "Dealing with lust and greed according to Islam" by Sheikh 'Abd aI-Hamid Kishk

19 December 2010

Healing the Weak Iman

Thinking About and Trying to Understand Meanings of the Glorious Quran

by Shaykh Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid

Thinking about and trying to understand meanings of the Glorious Quran, which Allah has sent down for His slaves to clarify all things and as a Light that He gives to whom He wills among His slaves. Indeed, the Quran contains tremendous medicine for all ills of the heart, as Allah said, what translated means, "And We sent down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism)." [17:82]

...The Quran contains Islamic Monotheism; Allah’s promises, warnings and Commandments; stores of previous nations; and codes of the best conduct and behavior. These various subjects in the Quran have different effects on the heart. Some Surahs (chapters) of the Quran are more frightening than others. The Messenger of Allah said, what translated means, "Hud (chapter 11) and its sisters (chapters 56, 77, 78 and 81) have brought me white hairs before their due time." [As-Silsilah As-Sahihah]. Hud and its sisters brought white hairs to the Messenger of Allah because of what they contain of matters of Iman. These Surahs, and the rest of the Quran, showed their effect on the Messenger of Allah and his companions, exactly as they were ordered in the Quran, "So stand (ask Allah to make) you (Mohammad) firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism) as you are commanded and those (your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allah) with you." [11:112]

The companions would also be deeply moved with emotions when they recited the Quran. Abu Bakr, for example, who was a soft-hearted man, used to cry while reciting the Quran when leading Muslims in prayer. Once, Umar became ill as a result of his reciting the Ayah, "Verily, the Torment of your Lord will surely come to pass. There is none that can avert it." [2:7-8]

On another occasion, Umar wept when he was reciting the Ayah, "I (Prophet Jacob) only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah." [12:86], and he was clearly heard by those who were standing behind him. Furthermore, Uthman ibn `Affan said, "If our hearts were pure, they will never have enough from reciting Allah’s Speech (the Quran)."

As for later generations, Ayyub said, "I heard Sa`d ibn Jubayr recite the Ayah, "And be afraid of a Day when you shall be brought back to Allah." [2:281], repeating it more than twenty times." This is the last Ayah that was revealed to the Messenger of Allah, and it ends with, "Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly." [2:281].

Also, Ibrahim ibn Bashshar said, "If you could but see where they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say, 'Would that we were but sent back (to the world).'" [6:27], was the Ayah that Ali ibn al-Fudhayl died while reciting. I was among those who prayed the Janazah (funeral) prayer on him, may Allah grant him His Mercy." Furthermore, when our Salaf would reach a portion of the Quran were Sujud (bowing down) is warranted, they treated this incident different than ordinary people. A man once recited, "And they fall down on their faces weeping and it adds to their humility." [17:109], and then fell in Sujud. Then, he said to himself, "Here you are, you do the Sujud, so where is the crying?"

…..Ibn Al-Qayyim said with regards to what one should do to cure his weak Iman using the Quran, "First you should remove your heart from the life of this world and settle it in the Last Life. Then, pay your full attention to pursuing the meanings of the Quran, and try to comprehend and understand them and what they were sent down to accomplish. Then, offer these meanings to the sickness that your heart feels, and when they touch the disease, they will cure the heart, Allah willing."

Source: http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=31

18 December 2010

Some sayings of Al-Fudayl Ibn `Iyad

- Al-Fudayl b. ‘Iyad used to be a highwayman, between Abyûrd and Sarkhas. He was in love with a girl, and the cause of his repentance was that he was once climbing a wall to meet her when he heard someone reciting the following verses:

Has not the time come for those who believe, that their hearts should be humbled and submitted (to Allah)…? [Al-Hadîd: 16]

When he heard this, Al-Fudayl said, “Indeed my Lord, it is time.” So he left, and seeking a night’s shelter he found himself at some ruins, and there he saw some travelers. Some of them said, “We should move on.” Others said, “Wait until morning, Al-Fudayl operates in this area, he will rob us.” Al-Fudayl said, “So I thought and said to myself: I spend the night in sin and there are some Muslims here who fear me; I think that Allah only led me to them so that I might take lesson and stop what I am doing. O Allah! I have repented, and as part of my tawbah I will live next to Al-Bayt Al-Harâm (in Makkah).” [1]

- A man said to Al-Fudayl Ibn `Iyad: "How are you?" And he replied: "If you are asking about the life of this world, it has diverted us from the right path and sent us in many directions." [2]

- Al-Fudayl Ibn `Iyad said, "If Iblees conquers the son of Adam with one of the three (things) he says I will not seek anything else from himself (1) Being fond of himself(2) Deeming his deeds to be plentiful(3) Forgetfulness of his sins. [3]

- It is reported that Bashr b. Al-Hârith said, “I was once with Al-Fudayl b. ‘Iyad in Makkah. He sat with us until midnight, then went and did tawâf until the morning. I said, ‘Abû ‘Alî! Won’t you sleep?’ He replied, ‘Woe to you! And is there anyone who hears a mention of the Fire and then feels like sleeping!?’”[4]

- It is reported on the authority of Ibrâhîm b. Al-Ash’ath that he said, “I asked Al-Fudayl b. ‘Iyad – Allâh have mercy on him – about patience (al-sabr) in the face of adversity and he said, ‘It is to not broadcast it.’ I asked him about asceticism (al-zuhd) and he said, ‘Al-zuhd is to be content with what you have, and that is what it means to be rich.’ I asked him about prudence (al-wara’) and he said, ‘It is to stay away from what is forbidden.’ And I asked him about humbleness (al-tawâdu’) and he said, ‘It is when you submit to the truth and comply no matter who you hear it from; even if it was from the most ignorant of people, you would be required to accept it from him.’”[5]


16 December 2010

Some etiquettes of dua (Supplication)

by Imam al-Nawawi

- Seek out the blessed times of Prayer: The Day of the Standing on the plain of Arafat [during Hajj]; the month of fasting [Ramadan]; Fridays [days of congregational prayers]; and during the night [especially the last third of it].

- Seek out the blessed moments for Prayer when the heart is receptive and tender: immediately after the five daily prescribed Prayers; between the call to Prayer (adhan) and the final call to Prayer (iqama); when breaking fast; while on the field of battle; when rainfall occurs; and when bowing down [sujud] in Prayer, for the Prophet( Peace be upon him) said, `The worshipper is closest to his Lord while bowing down. So pray much then.' (Muslim.)

- Face the direction of Makka and raise the hands [with palms spread upward] to the level of the shoulders.

- Voice supplications in a moderate tone that is neither too loud nor too soft.

- Prayers need not be said in a forced rhymed prose [an often natural form in Arabic].

- Implore God with humility and reverence.

- Be fervent in Prayer and optimistic of the answer. Sufyan ibn Uyayna stated: What a person knows of himself should never stop him from supplicating to Allah for He answered the most evil creatures, Iblis [Shaytan], when he said, `Give me respite until the Day they are resurrected. Allah said, You are of the respired ones.' [al-Araf 7: 14.]

- Repeat requests, preferably three times, and don't be impatient or despondent in waiting for an answer.

- Begin supplication with the mention of God [His Names, praises and attributes] before asking of Him, and entreat God to send His blessings and peace upon the Prophet.

- Strive for inner purity with repentance and sincere devotion.

Source: In the Early Hours: Reflections on Spiritual and Self Development by Khurram Murad

09 December 2010

Some inspirational narrations regarding Jihad (Part 2)

After the great general Oqba bin Nafe conquered the entire territory of Morocco he arrived at the coast of the Atlantic ocean. Having reached the coast he ran his horse into the sea and said,
"O Allah! Had the sea not intervened in my way I would have gone on fighting in your way until the end of the earth".[1]


The great Sahaba Abu Dujana (RadiyAllahu anhu) was a man of courage who used to swagger at war. He had a red band which he wore round his head. Whenever he was head-banded everybody knew that he was determined to fight to death.[2]


In the battle of Qadisiyah the great general of the tribe of Asad , Talihah called out to his men
“Advance o youth of banu Asad, S’ad bin Abi Waggas (RadiyAllahu anhu)has called you acknowledging your greatness. Today is a test of your military experience and courage; get ready to sacrifice your lives for the glory of Islam and to confound the enemy. Move forward and clash with the mountainous looking elephants. With a kick from your feet even mountains have known to crumble”.[3]


On the battle of Uhud Amr Ibn Al-Jamuh(RadiyAllahu anhu) bade farewell to his wife, turned to the qiblah and prayed: "O Lord, grant me martyrdom and don't send me back to my family with my hopes dashed." As the battle raged, Amr could be seen moving in the front ranks, jumping on his good leg (his other leg was partially lame), and shouting, "I desire Paradise, I desire Paradise." Within moments he was martyred with his son.[4]


When S’ad bin Waggas(RadiyAllahu anhu) knew his death was near, he asked his son to open a box in which he had kept a course woolen jubbah and said:"Shroud me in this, for in this (jubbah) I met the Mushrikin on the day of Badr and in it I desire to meet Allah Almighty."[5]


After burning all the ships that carried his soldiers to the Iberian peninsula, Tariq ibn Ziyad said ”O people where is the fight? The sea is behind you, and the enemy is in front of you. By Allah you have no alternative except patience and steadfastness” He is the famous general who led the Muslim army and conquered Spain.[6]


After Ain at-Tamr, when Ayadh wrote to Khalid bin Waleed(RadiyAllahu anhu) requesting reinforcements, Khalid wrote back,"Wait a while: there will come to you mounts Carrying lions in shining armour, Battalions followed by battalions."[7]



When meeting the Persian army Sa’d bin Waggas(RadiyAllahu anhu) sent an epistle to the Persian commander which read "Rustam! There are people with me to whom death (in the path of Allah) is more attractive than is wine to the people in your army."[8]


In the battle of Yamamah, Zayd ibn alKhattab (RadiyAllahu anhu) called out to the muslims
"Men, bite with your jaw teeth, strike the enemy and press on. By God, I shall not speak to you after this until either Musaylamah is defeated or I meet God."
He then charged against the enemy and continued fighting until he was killed.[9]




Source:
[1] The history of Islam by Akbar shah najjebadi
[2] Ar Raheeq Al Makhtum
[3] Commanders of the Muslim army by Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar
[4] Companions of the Prophet by AbdulWahid Hamid
[5] Companions of the prophet by AbdulWahid Hamid
[6] The Breath of Perfumes by Al Maggari
[7] Khalid bin Waleed the sword of Allah by Lieutenant-General A.I. Akram
[8] Stories of Sahaba by Muhammad Zakariyya Kaandhlawi
[9] Companions of the Prophet by AbdulWahid Hamid

08 December 2010

Who was Abu Mihjan

Abu Mihjan was one of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) (may Allaah be pleased with them).

This Sahaabi was suffering from an addiction to drinking wine. He was brought and flogged, then brought and flogged again, but he knew that this problem did not relieve him of his duty to strive for the cause of Islam. So he went out with the Muslims to al-Qaadisiyyah as a soldier, seeking martyrdom on the battlefield. In al-Qaadisiyyah he was brought to the commander of the army, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas, for having drunk wine. Sa’d detained him so that the Muslims ranks would be cleansed of such a person.

This detention was a harsh punishment which caused Abu Mihjan a great deal of anguish. When he heard the sounds of swords and spears, and the neighing of the horses, and he knew that the jihad had begun, and the gates of Paradise were open, he was filled with longing for jihad. He called to the wife of Sa’d ibn Abi Waaqqas saying, “Let me go and I promise Allaah that if I come back safe and sound, I will put my own feet in the chains, and if I am killed, then you will be rid of me.” She felt sorry for him, so she let him go, and he leapt onto a horse belonging to Sa’d which was called al-Balqa’. Then he picked up a spear and set off. He did not attack any group of enemy soldier but he scattered them. Sa’d was supervising the battle and he was surprised and said, “This is the running of al-Balqa’, and the style of attack is that of Abu Mihjan, but Abu Mihjan is in chains.”

When the battle was over, Abu Mihjan went back and put his feet in the chains. The wife of Sa’d told him this wonderful story, so Sa’d admired this man and his care for Islam and his longing for jihad, so he himself went to this wine-drinker, released the chains with his own hands and said, “Get up, for by Allaah I will never flog you for drinking wine again.” Abu Mihjan said, “By Allaah, I will never drink it again.”

Source: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/26273/Abu%20Mihjan

06 December 2010

The feel of Islam

These lines are extracted from some stories of Muslim converts, about how they felt the moment they found the new faith.

When I said the words, it was like a big burden I had been carrying on my shoulders had been thrown off. I felt like a new-born baby."
(Aisha Bhutta)

One day while I was doing my routine housework, I started watching a documentary about the fastest growing religions in the world. Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism were the featured religions. When the history of Islam was featured, I thought, “This is it!” My heart literally changed its rhythm. I can’t explain it… it can only be experienced. My eyes cried over the sound of the Athan (the call for prayer) until I could barely see the screen. I remember going to the PC and searching frantically for this “music” I had heard. It was not music, but a call to worship Allah.
(Nazeeha bint Renard)

As soon as the videotape had finished, I experienced the truth being unveiled to my spirit. I felt a huge burden of sins flying off my back. Moreover, it felt like my soul was rising above the earth, refusing the makeshift delights of this world in favor of the eternal joys of the Hereafter. This experience, coupled with the long process of reasoning, solved the 'purpose of life puzzle'. It revealed Islam as the truth, thereby replenishing my 'spiritual landscape' with belief, purpose, direction and action. I therefore entered the gate of Islam by saying the declaration of faith required to become a Muslim
(Brother Yahya)

Instinctively I felt Islam settle in my heart without any resistance, and talked to my mind with ease, I found my self fitting in it as if I was born to be a Muslim, the prayer satisfied me and my need to get closer to God, and I fasted last Ramadan and read the whole Quran, I found myself spiritually involved in that religion accepting it from all angles
(khadijah)

He made me recite the Kalima and then told about Muslims and Islam. Now I was neither anxious nor feeling any burden on my mind. I was feeling myself very light. I felt like I had swum from polluted to clean waters.
(Bint Arshad Sahi)

Pronouncing my Shahada was such a CLEANSING experience, and since this time, I have often just cried and cried and cried. How wonderful!
(Dawood Kinney)

I swear by Allah that when I took the shahadah, I felt the strangest sensation. I felt as if a huge, physical weight had just been lifted off my chest; I gasped for breath as if I were breathing for the first time in my life.
(Shariffa Carlo)

I had spent my life longing for a truth in which heart would be compatible with mind, action with thought, intellect with emotion. I found that reality in Islam. With that reality came true self-confidence and intellectual freedom. A few days after I took the shahadah , I wrote in my journal that finally I have found in Islam the validation of my inner thoughts and intuition. By acknowledging and accepting Allah, I have found the door to spiritual and intellectual freedom.
(Karima Slack Razi)

I cannot express the joy I felt. I cannot express the weight that was lifted from my shoulders. I had finally received my peace of mind.
(Natassia M. Kelly)

One day I woke up with the words, "OK, I believe, I will go and revert to Islam", and from that moment on, all of my turmoil and anxiety was gone Alhamdulillah.All of the pain I had felt from my past experiences, including my daughter's death, were gone. The nightmares stopped, and I felt the most incredible peace.
(Madonna Johnson)

04 December 2010

He reverted to Islam then died !

A man used to live in Saudi Arabia originally from India who was a Sikh, and a Muslim Sheikh ( Muhammad Farrag ) used to invite him a lot to Islam. He neither refused nor accepted the idea because of his family.

Then one day Allah opened his heart to Islam, he came to the shaik in his mosque to embrace Islam. The shaik was busy with his students and some Du’ah (Muslim missioners who invite people to the worship of Allah).

Sheik Muhammad did not know that the man wanted to enter in Islam so he did not give him any attention and he left the mosque with his students.

The man, who wanted to enter in Allah’s religion, remained standing at the door of the mosque watching the shaik and his students riding their cars and moving away. On that sight he could not prevent himself from crying and burst into tears. While he was standing weeping at the door of the mosque, a young man who lived in the same quarter passed by him.

He asked him about the reason of his crying and the Indian replied that he wanted to be a Muslim.

The young man (May Allah rewards him the best) took him to his house. He made him perform abulution (wudoo) and say the two testimonies (No god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger). The Indian left after he said the testimony and it was about the dusk prayer (Al-Maghrib). Then he went to his room and suffered from a severe stomachache.

The young man came to shaik Muhammad and told him the whole story. The shaik repented what he had done though he was ignorant of the matter. He went to the Indian’s room, but his colleagues told him that he had died last night and he was then in the fridge of the Central Hospital. The shaik went with some Du’ah to the hospital to receive his corpse, but the hospital refused stating that the embassy had sent to his family in India and they would receive his corpse to be burnt there. The sheik objected saying that the man became a Muslim and there were witnesses on that, but still the hospital refused.

Sheik Muhammad went to Shaik Abd Al-Aziz Bin Baz (May Allah rest his soul and have mercy upon him) and told him the whole story. Shaik Abd Al-Aziz said that the Indian should not be given to his family as he became their brother in Islam; they should pray on his corpse and bury him there. He should not be given to the unbelievers. Sheik Abd Al-Aziz sent a copy of the subject to the emirate and requested an order to give the corpse to sheik Muhammad Farrag.

The emirate ordered the hospital to give the corpse to Shaik Muhammad and he received it. Some Du’ah washed the man and put him in his coffin. The funeral prayer coincided with the congregational prayer. Shaik Muhammad gave a wonderful oration on the one who embraced Islam then died without making one prostration to Allah. He stated in the first oration some similar examples from history, then he stated in the second one the story of the Indian man upon whom they would pray after prayer. The Muslims pray upon him, then they carried him upon their shoulders and they all went to the graveyard led by a lot of Du’ah and scholars.
It was a moving scene, May Allah accept (his deeds) and have mercy upon him.
Written by meteor at clouds site.

On the Authority of ‘Abdullah bin Mus’ud (May Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the true and truly inspired said, “(The matter of Creation of) a human being is put together in the womb of the mother for forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write his (i.e. the new creature’s) deeds, his livelihood, his (date of) death, and whether he will be blessed or wretched (in religion). Then the soul is breathed into him. By Allah who is no God but Him, a man amongst you may do (good) deeds till there is only a cubit between him and paradise and then what has been written for him decides his behavior and he starts doing (evil) deeds characteristic of the people of the (Hell) Fire so he enters it. And similarly a man amongst you may do (evil) deeds till there is only a cubit between him and the (Hell) Fire, and then what has been written for him decides his behavior, and he starts doing deeds characteristic of the people of Paradise so he enters it.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Source: http://english.islamway.com/bindex.php?section=article&id=11

02 December 2010

The patience of ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr

‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr came to visit the Khalîfah al-Walîd ibn ‘Abdu’l-Malik. With him was his son Muhammad, who was one of the most handsome of men. The young man had dressed up for the occasion in fine clothes, and had his hair in two plaits or braids. When al-Walîd saw him, he said, “This is how the young people of Quraysh look!” and by so saying, put the evil eye on him. Before he left, the young man fell ill. When he was in the stable (preparing for the journey) he fell down, and the horses trampled him to death.

Then ‘Urwah got gangrene in his leg, and al-Walîd sent doctors to him, who suggested that the leg should be amputated, otherwise the gangrene would spread to the rest of the body and kill him. ‘Urwah agreed, and the doctors began to remove his leg, using a saw. When the saw reached the bone, ‘Urwah fainted, and when he came around, sweat was pouring down his face, and he was repeating, “Lâ ilâh ill-Allâh, Allâhu akbar.” When the operation was over, he picked up his leg and kissed it, then said, “I swear by the One Who mounted me on you, I never used to walk to any place of wrong action or to any place where Allâh would not like me to be.” Then he gave instructions that the leg should be washed, perfumed, wrapped in a cloth and buried in the Muslim graveyard.

When ‘Urwah left al-Walîd and returned to Madînah, his family and friends went to meet him at the outskirts of the city and to offer condolences. The only reply he made was to quote from the Qur’ân: “…truly we have suffered much fatigue at our journey” (al- Kahf 18:62). He did not say any more than that. Then he said, “I will not enter Madînah, for people there either rejoice over the afflictions of others, or else feel envy for their blessings.” So he went to stay in a place at al-‘Aqîq.

‘Îsâ ibn Talhah came to visit him there and said, “May your enemies’ fathers perish!” and asked him, “Show me the affliction for which I have come to console you.” ‘Urwah uncovered his stump, and ‘Îsâ said, “By Allâh, we were not preparing you to wrestle! Allâh has saved most of you: your sanity, your tongue, your eyesight, your two hands, and one of your two legs.” ‘Urwah told him, “Nobody has consoled me as you have.”

When the doctors came to perform the amputation, they had asked ‘Urwah whether he would drink intoxicants to ease the pain. He said, “Allâh is testing me to see the extent of my patience. How could I go against His commands?”

Extracted from the book "Patience and Gratitude" by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

01 December 2010

Huzaifah (RadhiAllah anhu) goes for spying.

Huzaifah (RadhiyAllah anhu) narattes:
"In the war of the Trench, we were facing a very big army of the enemy, comprising of non-believers from Mecca and other such groups. At the same time, the Jews of Banu Quraizah in Madinah were preparing to stab us in the back, and we apprehended their plundering our houses and families, for all of us were outside defending Madinah against the invaders. The Munafiqin started asking permission from the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to go back to Madinah, on the pretext of their homes being unattended and open to the enemy. He permitted every one of them. During those days of trial, one night it was unusually very dark and windy, It was so dark that one could not see one's own hand, and the wind was blowing wildly. The Munafiqin were returning to their homes. We, three hundred strong, were sticking to our posts. The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) approached every one and made enquiries about him. I had no arms to defend myself, nor clothes to resist the cold. I had only one small sheet, which belonged to my wife and was lent to me. I wrapped it round my loins and sat with my knees clinging to the ground. When the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) passed by me, he said, 'Who are you? I said, 'Huzaifah!' I could not stand up due to severe cold and I clung to the ground more tightly with shame. He said, 'Huzaifah, stand up and go to the enemy camp and bring us their news.' Of all the Sahabah, I was the most ill-equipped, both against the enemy and against the cold that night, but as soon as I got the order I stood up and left for the enemy camp. As I was going, the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) prayedf for me saying, '0 Allah! Protect him from all directions.' Immediately after his prayer, I was completely relieved of my fear and cold. I felt as if I were walking in a warm and peaceful atmosphere. The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) warned me thus, 'Return immediately after observing what they are doing. Do not take any other step.' When I reached the enemy camp, I found a fire burning and people sitting round it. Each person warmed his hands before the fire and then rubbed them over his abdomen. The shouts of retreat were heard from all directions. Every one was shouting to the people of his clan to pack up and go back. The wind was causing the stones to fly and strike against their tents. The guy ropes of the tents were breaking and the animals were dying. I found Abu Sufyan, the Commander-in-Chief of the enemy forces, sitting near the fire warming himself. I thought of finishing him off. I had actually taken out an arrow from my quiver and placed it in my bow, when I remembered the directive of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). I put the arrow back into the quiver. While I was among them, they seemed to become aware of my presence. They shouted, 'There is a spy among us. Every one of us should catch the hand of the person next to him I immediately caught the hand of a person and shouted, 'Who are you? 'He said, you do not know me. I am so and so. 'I then returned to my camp. While I was on my way back, I met twenty horsemen with turbans on their heads. They said to me, 'Tell your master that Allah has dealt with his enemy and that he has nothing to worry about now.' When I reached my camp, I found the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saying his Salaat with a small shawl around him. Whenever he faced a difficulty he immediately turned towards Salaat. When he had finished, I reported to him what I had seen when coming from the enemy camp. When I narrated how I escaped their 'search for the spy', I could see his beautiful teeth shining. He then asked me to lie down near his feet and put a corner of his shawl over my body. I lay down and pressed my breast against the soles of his feet."

*Extracted from the book "Stories of the sahaabah" Revised translation of the Urdu book Hikayaat-e-Sahaabah

28 November 2010

What happened to 'Utaibah the disbeliever

'Utaibah bin Abi Lahab once approached the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and most defiantly and brazenly shouted at him, "I disbelieve in: "By the star when it goes down." [53:1] and in "Then he (Gabriel) approached and came closer." [53:8] In other words: "I do not believe in any of the Qur'ân." He then started to deal highhandedly with Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and laid violent hand on him , tore his shirt and spat into his face but his saliva missed the Holy face of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). Thereupon, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) invoked Allâh's wrath on 'Utaibah and supplicated:
"O Allâh! Set one of Your dogs on him."

Allâh responded positively to Muhammad's (Peace be upon him) supplication, and it happened in the following manner:
Once 'Utaibah with some of his companionss from Quraish set out for Syria and took accommodation in Az-Zarqa'. There a lion approached the group to the great fear of 'Utbah, who at once recalled Muhammad's (Peace be upon him) words in supplication, and said: "Woe to my brother! This lion will surely devour me just as Muhammad (Peace be upon him) supplicated. He has really killed me in Syria while he is in Makkah."The lion did really rush like lightning, snatched 'Utbah from amongst his people and crushed his head.

Source: Ar Raheeq Al Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar)

27 November 2010

The Life of This World

Abu 'Abdirrahmaan Muhammad al-Kanadi

Al hamdulillahi rabbil ‘aalameen wa salaatu wa salaamu ‘ala ashrifil anbiyaai wa al mursaleen nabeeyana Mohammad wa ‘ala aalihi wa sahbihee ajma’een.

Wa b’aad:

Truly, we were granted this life to be tested which of us would remain steadfast in the dhikr (remembrance) and shukr (gratitude) of Allah (Subhaanahu wa ta’aala). Living in a landmine where every step you take can lead to your possible destruction, and not destruction of the body but rather of the soul, we see people being annihilated every single day.

This world is one big attraction, making those who are in reality are meager and full of weakness look strong and mighty, making those who are ignorant seem intelligent, and portraying those who have been misguided and enslaved to their own desires as being the most guided of people.

Know, that no one lives in this dunya except that he will be eaten by it in its entirety or will leave bruised and scarred except for those whom Allah (Subhaanahu wa ta’aala) has mercy upon. Hassan al Basari (Rahimahullah) had some wise words concerning the dunya when he said: "So beware of this land (the dunya) that is falling down and is misleading and deceiving, being decorated by its deceit and having eluded (others) by its delusion, and having killed its people with its hopes. It looks forward with anticipation towards the one who proposes to it for marriage. Hence it becomes like the unveiled bride -all the eyes are looking towards it, and the souls are in love with it, and the hearts are captivated by it".[1] Indeed he was true in his words, as we are all guilty of the crime of being deceived by the dunya with its beauty and glamour. Some of us were fortunate to get out, al hamdulillah, while others have wandered off into the everlasting dark tunnel that had no light at its beginning and has no light at its end, and the only thing that will allow him to leave is death itself. Refuge is sought with Allah (Subhaanahu wa ta’aala) from such an evil ending.

22 November 2010

Some inspirational narrations regarding Jihad

Anas narrates:
My uncle Anas bin An-Nadr was absent from the Battle of Badr. He said, "O Allah's Apostle! I was absent from the first battle you fought against the pagans.(By Allah) if Allah gives me a chance to fight the pagans, no doubt. Allah will see how (bravely) I will fight." On the day of Uhud when the Muslims turned their backs and fled, he said, "O Allah! I apologize to You for what these (i.e. his companions) have done, and I denounce what these (i.e. the pagans) have done." Then he advanced and Sad bin Muadh met him. He said "O Sad bin Muadh ! By the Lord of An-Nadr, Paradise! I am smelling its aroma coming from before (the mountain of) Uhud," Later on Sad said, "O Allah's Apostle! I cannot achieve or do what he (i.e. Anas bin An-Nadr) did. We found more than eighty wounds by swords and arrows on his body. We found him dead and his body was mutilated so badly that none except his sister could recognize him by his fingers."
(Bukhari/Book 4/ Volume 52 / Hadith 61)

'Aisha narrates:
When Allah's Apostle returned on the day (of the battle) of Al-Khandaq (i.e. Trench), he put down his arms and took a bath. Then Gabriel whose head was covered with dust, came to him saying, "You have put down your arms! By Allah, I have not put down my arms yet." Allah's Apostle said, "Where (to go now)?" Gabriel said, "This way," pointing towards the tribe of Bani Quraiza. So Allah's Apostle went out towards them.
(Bukhari / Book 4 / Volume 52 / Hadith 68)

This tradition has been narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah b. Qais. He heard it from his father who, while facing the enemy, reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Surely, the gates of Paradise are under the shadows of the swords. A man in a shabby condition got up and said; Abu Musa, did you hear the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say this? He said: Yes. (The narrator said): He returned to his friends and said: I greet you (a farewell greeting). Then he broke the sheath of his sword, threw it away, advanced with his (naked) sword towards the enemy and fought (them) with it until he was slain.
(Muslim / Book 20 / Hadith 4681)

It has been reported on the authority of Jabir that a man said: Messenger of Allah, where shall I be if I am killed? He replied: In Paradise. The man threw away the dates he had in his hand and fought until he was killed (i. e. he did not wait until he could finish the dates).
(Muslim / Book 20 / Hadith 4678)

The polytheists (now) advanced (towards us), and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said. Get up to enter Paradise which is equal in width to the heavens and the earth. 'Umair b. al- Humam al-Ansari said: Messenger of Allah, is Paradise equal in extent to the heavens and the earth? He said: Yes. 'Umair said: My goodness! The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) asked him: What prompted you to utter these words (i. e. my goodness! ')? He said: Messenger of Allah, nothing but the desire that I be among its residents. He said: Thou art (surely) amona its residents. He took out dates from his bag and began to eat them. Then he said: If I were to live until I have eaten all these dates of mine, it would be a long life. (The narrator said): He threw away all the dates he had with him. Then he fought the enemies until he was killed.
(Muslim / Book 20 / Hadith 4680)

Khalid bin al Waleed (ra) said: “That I were to marry a beautiful woman whom I love, or that I were given the good news of having a newborn son, it is less beloved and dear to my heart then to be, in a cold icy night, in an army waiting to meet the enemy the next morning. I advise you to go on Jihad”
(Ibn al Mubarak)

Zaid bin Thabit said: “On the day of Uhud the Messenger of Allah sent me to look for Saad bin al Rabee and if I find him to deliver the salaams of the Messenger of Allah to him. I found him among the bodies of the dead pronouncing his last moments with around seventy injuries in his body. I told him: “The Messenger of Allah delivers his salaams to you.” He said: “salaams to the Messenger of Allah and salaams to you. Tell the Messenger of Allah that I am now smelling the scent of Paradise, and tell my people the Ansar that you have no excuse if the Messenger of Allah is harmed while there is still an eye blinking among you.” After that he died.”
(Al Bayhaqi in al Dala’el and al Hakim)

Malik bin Dinar said: “During the battle of the Zawiyah Abdullah bin Ghalib said: “I am seeing something I cannot holdback from! Let’s go to Paradise!” He then broke the sheath of his sword and fought until he was killed. When he was buried, his grave would give off the smell of Musk. I went myself to his grave and picked up some of its dirt and smelled musk emanating from it!”
(al Bayhaqi)

Shaddad bin al Haad said that a Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah . He believed in him and followed him. When it was the Battle of the Trench the Messenger of Allah was dividing the booties of war between the companions. So he gave him his portion. The Bedouin said: “What is this?” They said: “The Messenger of Allah sent this to you” So he went to the Messenger of Allah and said: “What is this?” The Messenger of Allah said: “This is your share of the booties,” He said: “That’s not why I followed you. But I followed you in order that I be shot at right here - and he pointed to his throat – with an arrow so I can die and enter into Paradise! The Messenger of Allah said: “If you are truthful with Allah, Allah will be truthful with you.” A little later they went to fight. The Bedouin was carried back to the Messenger of Allah with an arrow injury in his throat. The Messenger of Allah asked if it was him, they said: “Yes.” He said: “He was truthful with Allah and Allah was truthful to him.” Then the Messenger of Allah said: “O Allah this servant of yours made Hijrah for your sake and then died as a Martyr. I am a witness over that.”
(Abdul Razaq and Nasa’i)

21 November 2010

Who was Julaybib

(Radiyallahhu anhu)

His name was unusual and incomplete. Julaybib means "small grown" being the diminutive form of the word "Jalbab ". The name is an indication that Julaybib was small and short, even of dwarf-like stature. More than that, he is described as being "damim" which means ugly, deformed, or of repulsive appearance.

Even more disturbing, for the society in which he lived, Julaybib's lineage was not known. There is no record of who his mother or his father was or to what tribe he belonged. This was a grave disability in the society in which he lived. Julaybib could not expect any compassion or help, any protection or support from a society that placed a great deal of importance on family and tribal connections. In this regard, all that was known of him was that he was an Arab and that, as far as the new community of Islam was concerned, he was one of the Ansar. Perhaps he belonged to one of the outlying tribes beyond Madinah and had drifted into the city or he could even have been from among the Ansar of the city itself.

The disabilities under which Julaybib lived would have been enough to have him ridiculed and shunned in any society and in fact he was prohibited by one person, a certain Abu Barzah of the Aslam tribe, from entering his home. He once told his wife:

"Do not let Julaybib enter among you. If he does, I shall certainly do (something terrible to him)." Probably because he was teased and scoffed at in the company of men, Julaybib used to take refuge in the company of women.

Was there any hope of Julaybib being treated with respect and consideration? Was there any hope of his finding emotional satisfaction as an individual and as a man? Was there any hope of his enjoying the relationships which others take for granted? And in the new society emerging under the guidance of the Prophet, was he so insignificant as to be overlooked in the preoccupation with the great affairs of state and in the supreme issues of life and survival which constantly engaged the attention of the Prophet?

Just as he was aware of the great issues of life and destiny, the Prophet of Mercy was also aware of the needs and sensibilities of his most humble companions. With Julaybib in mind, the Prophet went to one of the Ansar and said: "I want to have your daughter married." "How wonderful and blessed, O Messenger of God and what a delight to the eye (this would be)," replied the Ansari man with obvious joy and happiness. "I do not want her for myself," added the Prophet. "Then for whom, O Messenger of God?" asked the man, obviously somewhat let down. "For Julaybib," said the Prophet.

The Ansari must have been too shocked to give his own reaction and he merely said: "I will consult with her mother." And off he went to his wife. "The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, wants to have your daughter married," he said to her. She too was thrilled. "What a wonderful idea and what a delight to the eye (this would be)." she said. "He doesn't want to marry her himself but he wants to marry her to Julaybib," he added. She was flabbergasted.

"To Julaybib! No, never to Julaybib! No, by the living God, we shall not marry (her) to him." she protested.

As the Ansari was about to return to the Prophet to inform him of what his wife had said, the daughter who had heard her mother's protestations, asked: "Who has asked you to marry me?"

Her mother told her of the Prophet's request for her hand in marriage to Julaybib. When she heard that the request had come from the Prophet and that her mother was absolutely opposed to the idea, she was greatly perturbed and said:

"Do you refuse the request of the Messenger of God? Send me to him for he shall certainly not bring ruin to me." This was the reply of a truly great person who had a clear understanding of what was required of her as a Muslim. What greater satisfaction and fulfillment can a Muslim find than in responding willingly to the requests and commands of the Messenger of God! No doubt, this companion of the Prophet, whose name we do not even know had heard the verse of the Quran: "Now whenever God and His Apostle have decided a matter, it is not for a believing man or believing woman to claim freedom of choice in so far as they themselves are concerned. And he who disobeys God and His Prophet has already, most obviously, gone astray." (The Quran, Surah al-Ahzab, 33:36).

This verse was revealed in connection with the marriage of Zaynab bint Jahsh and Zayd ibn al-Harithah which was arranged by the Prophet to show the egalitarian spirit of Islam. Zaynab at first was highly offended at the thought of marrying Zayd a former slave and refused to do so. The Prophet prevailed upon them both and they were married. The marriage however ended in divorce and Zaynab was eventually married to the Prophet himself. It is said that the Ansari girl read the verse to her parents and said:

"I am satisfied and submit myself to whatever the Messenger of God deems good for me." The Prophet heard of her reaction and prayed for her: "O Lord, bestow good on her in abundance and make not her life one of toil and trouble."

18 November 2010

Fearing Allah is the best provision

When Ali returned from battle of Siffin, he passed by a graveyard outside Kufa and said:
'O you who live on the houses that create loneliness and in deserted places! O People of dust and alienation! O people of isolation and loneliness! You are, for us, scouts and we , for you, followers'.
'The houses? well they have become inhabited again. The wives? well they have remarried. The wealth? well it has been distributed'.
'This is news we have for you. What news do you have for us'.
Then Ali turned toward his army and said
'If they were permitted to speak, they would inform you the best provision is Fearing Allah(Taqwa)'.

Extracted from the book "Taqwa: The provision for believers".

11 November 2010

Descriptions of Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal

Al-Hasan ibn Ahmad -the governor of Al-Jisr- said: "I entered the presence of Ishaq bin Ibrahim and so-and-so and so-and-so (and he mentioned some of the rulers), but I have not seen anyone more awe-inspiring than Ahmed bin Hanbal; but I was overcome with shivering when I saw him, due to the awe which he inspired."

Abu Ja'far bin Zareeh Al-'Ukbari said: "I sought out Ahmed bin Hanbal to ask him about a certain matter and I sat at the door of the house until he came. Then I stood up and greeted him with salutation of peace and I (saw that) he was a tall, old man with dyed hair and a very brown complexion."

'Abdoos said: "Abu 'Abdullah (Ahmed bin Hanbal)saw me one day and I was laughing; and now to this day I feel embarrassed in front of him."

Abu 'Ubaid Al-Qasim bin Salam said: I have sat with Abu Yoosuf, Muhammad bin Al-Hasan, Yahya bin Sa'eed and Abdu-Rahman bin Mahdi but I was not awed by any of them as I was by Ahmed bin Hanbal. I visited him when he was in prison, in order to give salutations of peace to him and a man asked me about a matter, but I was so awed by him (i.e imam ahmed) that i did not answer."

Ahmed bin Sinan Al-Wasiti said: "I did not see Yazeed bin Haroon honoring anyone the way he honored Ahmed bin Hanbal, and he used to treat him with respect and dignity and he would not joke with him."

Yahya bin Ma'een -in spite of his own elevated status and great knowledge- used to say : "The people wished that I should be like Ahmed bin Hanbal. No, by Allah! I will never be like Ahmed."

Ibraheem bin Ash-Shammas said: "I knew Ahmed bin Hanbal when he was a young boy and he used to spend the nights in prayer."

Nasr bin 'Ali said : The position of Ahmed bin Hanbal in the hear after would be better, because the life of this world came to him and he rejected it."

Hajjah bin ash-Sha'ir said: "My eyes have not seen a soul in a body better than Ahmed bin Hanbal."

'Abdu-Rahman bin al-Mahdi said of him: "I have never look at this man without thinking of Sufyan ath-Thawri."

Ibraheem bin hani' said of the time when Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal hid from the sultan and hid in his house, "I have not seen anyone more abstemious, more devout in worship , nor anyone who exerted himself more(in Allah's cause) than Ahmed bin Hanbal. He would fast during the day and he would hasten to break his fast, then he would perform a number of rak'ahs after 'Isha', then he would have a light sleep, after which he would get up and purify himself and he would continue praying until fajr time. Then he would offer a Witr prayer of one Ra'kah. This was his custom throughout the time he remained with me.I did not keep up with him in worship; and I did not see him fail to fast except on one day, when he did not fast in order to have Hijamah(cupping) performed on him."


Source: The biography of Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal by Salahuddin Ali Abdul Mawjood

08 November 2010

I see the angels washing Hanzalah's body

When the battle of Uhud started, Hanzalah (Radhiyallahu anhu) had just been wedded and therefore did not join the battle from the beginning. It is said that he had just left the bed of his wife and had hardly started taking his bath, when he heard somebody breaking the news about the defeat. He postponed the bath and, with sword in hand, rushed towards the battle-field. He jumped into the enemy concentration, fighting and penetrating till he was killed. Now the body of the person killed in the path of Allah is not washed, unless a bath has been incumbent on him before his death. Not knowing his failure to take the bath incumbent on him, the Sahabah buried him without a wash. Just before his burial, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "I see the angels washing Hanzalah's body."

Abu Saeed Sa'di (Radhiyallahu anhu) says: "On hearing this from the Prophet (Peace be upon him), I went to have a look at Hanzalah's face and I noticed drops of water trickling down his hair."

When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) returned to Madinah, he made queries and the facts of Hanzalah's (Radhiyallahu anhu) postponing his bath came to light.

Source: From the book "Stories of the Sahaabah" Revised translation of the Urdu book Hikayaat-e-Sahaabah

07 November 2010

Beautiful quotes regarding night prayer (Tahajjud)

Al-Tirmidhi (1984) narrated that ‘Ali said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there are apartments the outside of which can be seen from the inside and the inside of which can be seen from the outside.” A Bedouin stood up and said: “Who are they for, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said: “They are for those who speak good words, feed others, fast regularly and pray to Allaah at night when people are sleeping.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

Al-Haakim narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Jibreel came to me and said: ‘O Muhammad, live as long as you want, for you will die. Love whomever you want, for you will leave him. Do whatever you want for you will be requited for it. Remember that the believer’s honour is his praying at night, and his pride is his being independent of people.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 73.

A man asked Tameem ibn Aws al-Daari (may Allaah be pleased with him), ‘How do you pray at night?’ He got very angry and said, ‘By Allaah, one rak’ah that I pray in secret in the small hours of the night is more beloved to me than praying the whole night long and then telling people about it.

Ayyoob al-Sakhtiyaani used to spend the entire night in prayer, then when dawn approached, he would go back to bed and lie down, and when dawn came, he would raise his voice as if he had just woken up.

Yahyaa ibn Mu’aadh said: “The medicine of the heart is five things: reading Qur’aan and pondering the meaning, having an empty stomach, praying at night (qiyaam al-layl), beseeching Allaah at the time of suhoor, and keeping company with righteous people.”

Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir said: “There is nothing left of the joys of this life except three: qiyaam al-layl, meeting one’s brothers in faith, and praying in congregation.”

Thaabit al-Banaani said: “There is nothing I enjoy more than qiyaam al-layl.”

Yazeed al-Riqaashi said: “A lot of tahajjud brings delight to the worshippers, and a lot of thirst (i.e., fasting), brings joy when they meet Allaah.”

Mukhallad ibn Husayn said: “I never woke up at night except I saw Ibraaheem ibn Adham remembering Allaah and praying, and this made me depressed, so I consoled myself with this aayah (interpretation of the meaning): ‘…That is the Grace of Allaahm which He bestows on whom He pleases. And Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty’ [al-Hadeed 54:21].”

Abu ‘Aasim al-Nabeel said: “Abu Haneefah used to be called al-Watad (pole or pillar) because he prayed so much.”

Al-Qaasim ibn Ma’een said: “Abu Haneefah spent an entire night in qiyaam reciting this aayah (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Nay, but the Hour is their appointed time (for their full recompense), and the Hour will be more grievous and more bitter’ [al-Qamar 54:46], repeating it and weeping, beseeching Allaah until morning came.”

Ibraaheem ibn Shammaas said: “I used to see Ahmad ibn Hanbal staying up at night to pray when he was a young man.”

Abu Bakr al-Marwadhi said: “I was with Imaam Ahmad for nearly four months in the army, and he never stopped praying qiyaam at night or reading Qur’aan during the day, and I never knew when he completed the Qur’aan, because he kept that secret.”

Imaam al-Bukhaari used to pray qiyaam and tahajjud at night until the time of suhoor, and he would read between a half and a third of the Qur’aan, and complete it at suhoor every third night.

Al-‘Allaamah Ibn ‘Abd al-Haadi said, describing the qiyaam of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah: “At night he would keep away from people, and spend that time only with his Lord, beseeching Him continually and reciting Qur’aan, repeating different kinds of acts of worship by night and by day. When he began to pray, his body would start to tremble, leaning to the left and right.”

Ibn Rajab said concerning his shaykh Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim: “He was a man of worship, tahajjud and lengthy prayers. I have never seen his equal in worship and knowledge of the Qur’aan, hadeeth and principles of faith.”

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said, describing his shaykh al-Haafiz al-‘Iraaqi: “I stayed with him, and I never saw him forsake qiyaam al-layl: it was like a habit for him.”

06 November 2010

Good news for reciters of Holy Quran

Shaikh Salim Bin 'Isa once visited Hamza Bin Al-Habib Al-Zayyat, God bless his soul, who had memorized the Holy Qur'an and read it with great devotion, seeking God's pleasure, and saw him crying and rubbing his cheeks with dust. He exclaimed: "I call upon God's protection for you. 0 Hamza, what is this crying?" Hamza replied: "Last night, I saw in a dream that the Day of Resurrection took place. The readers of the Qur'an were called in to stand before God Almighty, and I was among them. I then heard an amiable voice saying: 'Only those who lived by the Qur'an should enter.' I was in shock, so I began to withdraw. A voice called my name: 'Where are you going to, 0 Hamza Bin Al-Zayyat?' I cried out: 'At thy command, 0 caller to my Lord.' An angel then said to me: 'Say:At Thy command 0 my Lord,At Thy command.' So I repeated what the angel told me to say.I was then led into an abode where I heard the voices of Qur'an readers. I stood there shaking. I then heard a voice saying to me: 'Be at peace. Rise there and read.' I turned my face to the direction of the voice and saw a pulpit made from white pearls. One step is made from red sapphire, and another is made from green chrysolite. Then I was told: 'Rise and read.' So I did, and I read Al-An'am chapter, not knowing before whom I am reading. When I reached verse sixty-one, reading: 'And He is the irresistible Lord,Who watches from above over His creation... ' (Qur'an 6:61), the voice then said: '0 Hamza, Am I not the irresistible Lord, Who watches from above over His creation?' I said: 'Indeed. Thou speaks the truth.' Then I read Al-A'raf chapter to its last verse, which says: 'Those who are near to their Lord, do not disdain to worship Him. They celebrate His praises, and bow down in prostration before Him.' (Qur'an 7:206). As I intended to prostrate before my Lord, my Lord said: 'Sufficient is the reading. Do not prostrate here.' He continued: '0 Hamza, who taught you how to read this?' I replied: 'Sulaiman.' He said: 'True. Who taught Sulaiman?' I replied: 'Yahya.' He said: 'True. Who taught Yahya?' I replied: 'Abi Abdu-Rahman.' He said: 'True. Who taught Abi Abdu-Rahman?' I replied: 'Ali Bin Abi Talib, the cousin of Thy Prophet( Peace be upon him).' He said: 'Ali spoke the truth. Who taught Ali?' I replied: 'Thy Prophet, upon whom be peace.' He said: 'My Prophet spoke the truth. Who taught My Prophet( Peace be upon him)?' I replied: 'Gibreel, upon whom be peace.' He continued: 'And Who taught Gibreel?' I remained silent. He said: '0 Hamza, say You.' I replied: 'Lord, I cannot say that!' He again said: 'Say You.' I said: 'You.'He said: 'You spoke the truth 0 Hamza. I swear by the Qur'an, I shall honor its readers and particularly those who lived by it and acted with it. 0 Hamza, the Qur'an is My Word, and I love no one better than the people of the Qur'an. 0 Hamza, come nearer.' So I did, and my Lord anointed me with a musky ambergris. Then He added: 0 Hamza. This is not only for you. I did the same to your companions who are higher than you and to those who are lower than you, as well as to those who read the Qur'an like you and who seek no reward except Me. What I have reserved for you is still greater than this. So tell your friends about Me and about My love for the people of the Qur'an, for they are the chosen and elite. 0 Hamza, I swear by My Glory and Majesty, I shall never punish a tongue that recited the Qur'an, nor a heart that understood it, nor an ear that heard it, nor an eye that looked at it.' I said: 'Glory be to Thee, 0 my Lord.' God Almighty added: 'Who are the people ofthe Qur'an?' I said: 'Those who memorize it, my Lord?' He said: 'Indeed. Such people. I am on their side until they meet with Me on the Day of Judgement. When they come before Me, I shall raise them a station for each verse they learned.''' Hamza, God be pleased with him continued: "Thus, would you blame me if I cry and rub my cheeks with dust?"

* Extracted from the book 'IBN SEERIN'S DICTIONARY OF DREAMS' By Mohamed M. Al- Akili

05 November 2010

The pious predecessors and their Salah

For forty years, the Adhan was never called but Sa`id bin al-Musayyab radhiallahu `anhu was in the mosque before it was called. [Tabaqat al Hanabilah 1/141, Hilyat al Awliya 2/163, Sifat as Safwah 2/80]

`Umar became unconscious after he was stabbed, and according to Al Miswar bin Makhramah, it was said: "Nothing would wake him up except the call to prayer, if he is still alive." They said to him, "The prayer has finished, O Chief of the Faithful!" He woke up and said, "The prayer, by Allah! Verily, there is no share in Islam for whoever abandons the prayer." He performed the prayer while his would was bleeding. [Sifat as Safwah 2/131, As Siyar 5/220]

After ar-Rabi` bin Khaytham became partially paralyzed, he used to go to the mosque helped by two men. He was told:
"O AbuYazid! You have been given permission to pray at home." He said, "You have said the truth, but I heard the caller hearld, 'Hayya `ala al-Falah (Come to success)', and I thought that whoever hears this call should answer it even by crawling." [Hilyat al Awliya 2/113]

Adi bin Hatim, radhiallahu `anhu, said: "Every time the prayer time falls, it falls while I am eager for it and ready to perform it (i.e. having wudu)." [Az Zuhd by Ahmad, p. 249]

Abu Bakr bin Abdullah al Muzani said: "Who is like you, O son of Adam? Whenever you wish, you use water to make Ablution, go to the place fo worship and thus enter the presence of your Lord (i.e. start praying) without a translator or a barrier between you and Him!" [Al Bidayah wa an Nihayah 9/256]

Abu Rajaa al `Ataridi, "Nothing that I leave behind grieves me, except that I used to bow down on my face five times a day before my Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored." [Hilyat al Awliya 2/306]

Abu Al Aliyah said, "I would travel for days to meet a man and the first thing I would notice about him is his prayer. If he would establish the prayer perfectly and on time, I would stay with him and hear the knowledge he had. If I found him to be careless concerning the prayer, I would leave him and say to myself that for things other than the prayer, he would be even more careless."

When Ali bin Al Husain used to perform Wudu, his color would change. His family asked him why this happened to him every time he performed Ablution, he sid, "Do you know before Whom I am about to stand (in prayer)?"

Yazid bin Abdullah was asked, "Should we make a roof for our mosque?" He said, "Purify your hearts and your mosque will be sufficient for you." [Hilyat al Awliya 2/312]

Adi bin Hatim, radhiallahu `anhu said, "Ever since I became Muslim, I always made sure to have Wudu when the Adhan is called." [As Siyar 3/160]

Ubayd bin Ja`far said, "I never saw my uncle Bishr bin Masnur miss the first takbir, and whenever any person stood up in our mosque to ask people for help, my uncle gave him something." [Sifat as Safwah 3/376]

Ibn Sama`ah said, "For forty years, I only missed Takbir Tahrimah when my mother died." [As Siyar 10/646]

04 November 2010

The blessed invitation

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) said to (to his wife) Umm Sulaim(May Allah be pleased with her), "I noticed some weakness in the voice of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and I feel it was due to hunger. Have you got any food?'' She said, "Yes.'' So she brought out barley loaves, took off her head covering, in a part of which she wrapped these loaves and then put them beneath my mantle and covered me with a part of it. She then sent me to Messenger of Allah (PBUH). I set forth and found Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sitting in the mosque in the company of some people. I stood near them whereupon Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked, "Has Abu Talhah sent you?'' I said, "Yes.'' Thereupon he said to those who were with him to get up (and follow him). He went forth and so did I, ahead of them until I came to Abu Talhah and informed him. Abu Talhah said, "O Umm Sulaim, here comes Messenger of Allah (PBUH) along with the people and we do not have enough (food) to feed them.'' She said, "Allah and His Messenger know better.'' Abu Talhah went out (to receive him) until he met Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and he came forward along with him until they both (Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) came in. Then Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "O Umm Sulaim, bring forth what you have with you.'' So she brought the bread. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) commanded that the bread be broken into small pieces and after Umm Sulaim (May Allah be pleased with her) had squeezed clarified butter out of a butter container and made it just like soup. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) recited over it what Allah wished him to recite. He then said, "Allow ten guests to come in.'' They ate until they had their fill. They then went out. He (Messenger of Allah (PBUH)) again said, "Allow ten (more to come in)'', and he (the host) ushered them in. They ate to their fill. Then they went out. He (PBUH) again said, "Allow ten (more),'' until all the people ate to their fill. They were seventy or eighty persons.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Anas said: When all had eaten, the remaining food was collected. It was as much as there was in the beginning.

Yet another narration is: Anas said: The groups of ten people ate by turn. After eighty persons had eaten, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and the family of that house ate, and there was still a quantity left over.

Another narration is: Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I visited Messenger of Allah (PBUH) one day, and found him sitting in the company of his Companions, with a belt tied over his waist. I asked, "Why has Messenger of Allah (PBUH) tied the belt on his waist?'' I was told, "Due to hunger.'' I went to Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) the husband of Umm Sulaim (May Allah be pleased with her) and said, "O father, I have seen Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with a belt tied over his waist. I asked one of his Companions about the reason of it and he said that it was on account of severe hunger.'' Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) went to my mother and asked, "Have you got anything?'' She said, "Yes. I have a piece of bread and some dry dates. Were Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to come alone, we could feed him his fill, but if he comes along with others, there would not be enough food.'' Anas then narrated the Hadith in full.

Source : Riyad-us-Saliheen/ The book of miscellany/ Chapter 56/no.521

02 November 2010

Monks at Night and Knights by Day

In the decisive battles against the Romans during the time of Caliph Umar (RA), the Muslim soldiers, although always outnumbered by the enemy, proved mysteriously indomitable and strong-willed opponents. The Roman commanders were baffled as to how could the once barbaric and irregular desert army display such vigour and chivalry against a battle hardened regular Roman army. They sent some informers to see how the Muslim soldiers spend their time, especially at night. As wining and womanising were the common practices of the conquering army, the generals were perplexed and frightened to hear that Muslims were like ‘monks at night and knights by day’.

Such was the characteristics of the first generation of Muslims who, within a few decades conquered the land beyond Arabia and brought out an extraordinary social revolution in the history of mankind. They made the mountains move, rivers give way in their search for human liberation and, above all, human hearts surrender to one Allah. They were the first “Qur’anic generation”, as Syed Qutub of Egypt put it. They were the people despised by the then two super powers, the Persians in the east and the Romans in the west, to the extent that neither of them even felt like to take them over.

Source: http://www.witness-pioneer.org/VSchool/parenting.html
(the lecture notes of Muslim personality)

`UTHMAAN IBN MADH'UUN

`Uthmaan ibn Madh'uun decided to emigrate to Al-Madiinah where he would not be haunted or harassed by Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab, Umaiyah, `Utbah, or any of the other ruthless disbelievers who abused and tormented the Muslims. He traveled to Al -Madiinah with those great Companions who survived the hardships, terror, and horror of the trials with admirable steadfastness and stoutness. They did not emigrate to Al-Madiinah to rest. On the contrary, Al-Madiinah was the springboard that enabled Muslims to strive in the way of Allah all over the world, clinging to allah's flag and spreading His words, signs, and guidance.

When `Uthmaan had settled in the illuminated Madiinah, his remarkable, great qualities were unveiled! He ultimately emerged as an ascetic, devout, and repentant worshiper. To sum up, he was the glorious and intelligent "monk" who was not sequestered in his hermitage but rather in life. He spent his life striving in the way of Allah. Indeed, he was the worshiper by night and the fighter by day. In fact, he was the worshipper and the fighter of both night and day.

Although all the Prophet's (PBUH) Companions at that time were inclined to asceticism and devoutness, yet Ibn Madh'uun had a certain strategy in that respect, for he was so remarkably absorbed in his asceticism and devoutness that he turned his life, day and night, into a perpetual blessed prayer and a sweet long glorification. No sooner had he sipped the sweetness of the engrossement in worship than he hastened to abandon all the enticing luxury and splendor of life. Therefore, he wore nothing but coarse clothes and ate nothing but coarse food.

One day, he walked into the mosque in which the Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions were sitting, and he had on a faded, worn-out garment that was patched with a piece of fur. As soon as the Prophet (PBUH) saw him, he sympathized with him, and the Companions' eyes were filled with tears, yet the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Would you like it if you were rich enough to have as many garments as you like and as much food as you like? Would you like your upholstery to be as expensive as the clothes used in covering the Ka'bah." The Companions answered, "We would indeed! We would like to live in luxury surrounded by the splendors of life." The Prophet (PBUH) commented, "You will be wealthy, but you are today far better in your piety and devoutness than you will when you are wealthy." Naturally, when Ibn Madh'uun heard the Prophet's words, he clung more and more to his austere and coarse life. He went so far as to renounce sexual intercourse with his wife, yet when the Prophet (PBUH) heard about this exaggerated attitude, he summoned him and said, "Your wife has the right to have sexual intercourse with you."

The Prophet (PBUH) loved him dearly. When his pure spirit was embarking on its journey towards Heaven, the Prophet (PBUH) was next to him, paying his last farewell to the first Muhaajir to die in Al-Madiinah and the first to be raised to Paradise. He leaned to kiss his forehead and his amiable eyes flowed with tears that wet `Uthmaan's face, which looked remarkably graceful. The Prophet (PBUH) paid his last farewell to his beloved Companion by saying, "Allah bestow His mercy on you, Abu As-Saa'ib. You are now leaving life that was not able to seduce or mislead you."

The revered Prophet (PBUH) did not forget his Companion after his death; on the contrary, he often mentioned and praised him. For instance, his very last words to his daughter Ruqaiyah on her deathbed were, "Go on, follow in the pious and devout `Uthmaan Ibn Madh'uun's footsteps up to Paradise."

* Extracted from the book "Men around the messenger"

27 October 2010

The story of Baraa

This story is of a little girl named Bar`ah who is 10 years old, her parents were doctors who moved to Saudi Arabia in search of better life. In this age Bar`ah memorized the whole quran with the tajweed, she was very intelligent, her teacher use to tell her she should be in middle school not primary one....Her family is small and committed to Islam and its teaching.... suddenly one day the mother started feeling sever abdominal pain, after tests and checkups she found out that she have cancer, but in its late stages.The mother thought who she can tell her daughter, specially if she wake up one day and didn't find her mother beside her... so she told her (( Bar`ah I will go to pradise a head of you, but I want you to read the Quran you memorized every day since it will protect you in this life))... The little girl didn't reallyunderstand what her mother is trying to tell her...but she started feeling the change in her mother status specially when she was transferred to stay in hospital on permanent bases. The little girl use to come to the hospital after her school and recited Quran for her mother till evening when her father use to take her home.One day the hospital called the husband and informed him that the his wife condition is very bad and he need to come as fast as he can, so the father picked Bar`ah from her school and headed to the hospital, when they arrived he asked her to stay in the car ... just she wont get shocked if her mother has passed a way.The father get out of his car, with tears fills his eyes and while he crossing the road to enter the hospital, he was hit by a speeding and died in front of hi daughter who came crying to her father....!The tragedy of Bar`ah is not over yet... the news of father death was hidden from the mother,but after 5 days the mother passe a way ! leaving Bar`ah alone in this life. She become alone without her parents, and parents friends decided to find her relatives in Egypt so they can take her to them.. Suddenlly, Bar`ah start having sever pain like her mother, after few tests and check up it was confirmed with the cancer... at the surprise of every one she said (( Alhamdu Lillah now I will meet my parents ))All family friends were shocked and suprised, this little girl facing calamity after clamity and she is patient and satisfied with what Allah ordained for her.People start hearing about Bar`ah and her story, and a Saudi guy decided to take care of her .. he send her to UK for treatment of this disease.One of the Islamic channel (Al hafiz - The protector ) got in contact with this little girl and asked her to recited Quran .. and this is her beautiful voice with recitation.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu3RwdwYlZQ&feature=related

25 October 2010

Amazing victory

This incident took place during the Uthmani caliphate when the Muslim army fought against some trouble making Persians. The Persians at the time were under Muslims rule.

Since administrative changes took place rather quickly the Persians took it as a sign of providence and so they indulged in hatching conspiracies against the administration. They began to prepare for a fresh encounter with the Muslims. The centers of these uprisings and preparations were Istakhar and Jur. Ubaidullah bin Ma'mar, the governor of Persia invaded Istakhar in 27 AH, and was martyred in the encounter with the result the detachment under his command scattered and escaped. Hearing this , Abdullah bin Amir, the governor of Basrah marched forward with his army with Uthman bin Abdul-As at the vanguard. Abdullah bin Amir turned toward Istakhar while Harim bin Haiyan laid siege around Jur. The Persians put up strong resistance but they ran away after a bloody battle and Istakhar fell to Muslims.

Harim bin haiyan's siege of Jur was protracted. During this period Harim fasted in the day and fought with the enemy too. He would broke his fast in the evening followed by prayers. Once he did not get bread after breaking the fast. He observed fast the next day in the same state. However, he did not get a meal that day either. The whole week passed in successive fasts without food. When he grew too weak he said to his servant, "What happened to you my son. You fail to give me bread and I am keeping fast with water alone for a week." He replied , "My master; I bake bread for you daily without fail, it is quite amazing that you didn't get it." The next day the servant baked bread and lay in wait to see who was taking it away. He was shocked to notice that a dog came and took the bread and made off with it. He followed the dog and saw that it went towards the fortification of the city and it entered the city through sewer. The servant came back and related the whole event to Harim bin Haiyan. He too was amazed. Harim and a few adventurous persons went into the sewer, which led them inside the fortifications and they opened the gates after killing the watchmen. In this way the Muslim army made an easy entry into the city and conquered it. The uprisings both in Istakhatr and Jur were heavily put down and the insurgent met their doom.

The story was extracted from the book "History of Islam" (volume 1 / page 393) by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi.

Excellence of weeping out of fear from Allah

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"And they fall down on their faces weeping and it increases their humility.'' (17:109)

"Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur'an)? And you laugh at it and weep not". (53:59-60)

- Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said to me: "Recite the Qur'an to me". I said, "O Messenger of Allah! Shall I recite the Qur'an to you, when it has been revealed to you?'' He (PBUH) replied, "I love to hear it recited by others". So I recited to him a portion from Surat An-Nisa'. When I reached the Ayah:
"How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you (O Muhammad (PBUH)) as a witness against these people?". (4:41)
He (PBUH) said, "Enough for now". When I looked at him I saw his eyes were shedding tears.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) delivered a Khutbah to us the like of which I had never heard from him before. In the course of the Khutbah, he said: "If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much". Thereupon those present covered their faces and began to sob.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "One who weeps out of fear of Allah, will not enter the Hell till milk returns back in the udder; and the dust raised on account of fighting in the path of Allah and the smoke of Hell will never exist together".
[At-Tirmidhi].

- Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Seven people Allah will give them His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but the Shade of His Throne (i.e., on the Day of Resurrection): And they are: a just ruler; a youth who grew up with the worship of Allah; a person whose heart is attached to the mosques, two men who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah; a man whom an extremely beautiful woman seduces (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer and) says: `I fear Allah'; a man who gives in charity and conceals it (to such an extent) that the left hand does not know what the right has given; and a man who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes become tearful".
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- `Abdullah bin Ash-Shikhkhir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) when he was performing prayers. He was sobbing and his chest sounded like a boiling kettle.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

- Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to Ubayy bin Ka`b (May Allah be pleased with him), "Allah (SWT) has ordered me to recite to you Surat-Al-Baiyyinah (98): `Those who disbelieve ..."

- Ubayy (May Allah be pleased with him) asked, "Did He name me?'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied in the affirmative. Whereupon Ubayy (May Allah be pleased with him) began to weep.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the death of Messenger of Allah (PBUH), Abu Bakr said to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them): "Let us visit Umm Aiman (May Allah be pleased with him) as Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to visit her.'' As we came to her, she wept. They (Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said to her, "What makes you weep? Do you not know that what Allah has in store for His Messenger (PBUH) is better than (this worldly life)?'' She said, "I weep not because I am ignorant of the fact that what is in store for Messenger of Allah (PBUH) (in the Hereafter) is better than this world, but I weep because the Revelation has ceased to come.'' This reply moved both of them to tears and they began to weep along with her.
[Muslim].

- Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: When the illness of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) became serious, he was asked about the leading of Salat and he said, "Ask Abu Bakr to lead Salat.'' Whereupon, `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said; "Abu Bakr is very tender hearted. He is bound to be overcome by weeping when he recites the Qur'an.'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) repeated, "Ask him (Abu Bakr) to lead Salat".
In another narration: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: "When Abu Bakr stands in your place, he will not be able to recite the Noble Qur'an to the people on account of weeping.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- Ibrahim bin `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf reported: Food was brought to `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was observing Saum (fast) and he said: "Mus`ab bin `Umair (May Allah be pleased with him) was martyred and he was better than me, but only one sheet was available to shroud him. It was so small that when his head was covered; his feet remained uncovered and if his feet were covered, his head remained uncovered. Then the bounties of this world have been bestowed upon us generously. I am afraid that the reward of our good deeds have been awarded to us in this world.'' On this he began to sob and left the food untouched.
[Al-Bukhari].

- Abu Umamah Sudaiy bin `Ajlan Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Nothing is dearer to Allah than two drops and two marks: A drop of tears shed out of fear of Allah and a drop of blood shed in Allah's way. Regarding the two marks, they are: Marks left in the Cause of Allah and a mark left in observing one of the obligatory act of worship of Allah, the Exalted".
[At-Tirmidhi].

- Al-`Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day Messenger of Allah (PBUH) delivered us a very eloquent Khutbah on account of which eyes shed tears and hearts became softened.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Source: Riyad us Saliheen / The book of micellany/ chapter 54

21 October 2010

A poor, an orphan and a captive

Some scholars of Tafseer tell us, about the cause of revelation of the following verses:

And they give food, in spite of their love for it [or for the love of Him], to the Miskeen [the poor], the orphan, and the captive [saying], 'We feed you seeking Allah's Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. (Quran 76:8-9)

They said: " 'Ali and Faitimah were observing fast one day and that they had prepared, for breaking their fast, a kind of food that contained some butter. When the sun set and they sat down for breaking the fast, they heard a knock on their door. 'Ali stood up and asked, 'Who is that?' A voice answered, 'A hungry poor man.'Ali went back inside brought the food together into a bag and gave to that poor man who thanked him and supplicated for him. So he and Fatimah broke their fast on only bread and water. On the following day, and at the same time, when 'Ali and his
wife Fatimah were about to take the morsel of their food, there was a knock on the door. 'Ali stood up and asked, 'Who is that?' A voice came from outside, 'An orphan who is displaced and starving.' 'Ali did as he did the day before. He carried the food in a bag to that orphan. And he and his wife broke their fast on bread and water, without feeling any inconvenience or displeasure. The incidence repeated itself on the third day and the knocking man answered that he was a captive. So 'Ali gave him the food he and his wife wanted to break their fast with. And as they did in the two previous days, they broke their fast on only bread and water.

Do you think that the person who knocked the door on those three days was the same person, or different persons: a poor man, an orphan and a captive? Narrations of the scholars of Tafseer indicate that the knocker was Angel Gabriel who came to test the faith and patience of' Ali and Fatimah. For, after that, Jibreel came to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and informed him of the incident. He gave him good tiding that 'Ali and Fatimah would have a carriage of silver in Paradise as a suitable reward."

Source: Women around the messenger / page:328/329