by Umar S.al-Ashqar
Allah told His Messenger about death, and said:
Verily, you [O’ Mohamed صلى الله عليه و سلم ] will die, and verily they [too] will die. (Quran 39:30)
According to a hadith narrated by At- Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Abu Na’eem in Al-Hilyah, Al- Haakim in Al- Mustadrak and others, Ali (RA) reported : “The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said:
‘Jibreel (Gabriel) came to me and said
“O’ Muhammead صلى الله عليه و سلم, live as long as you like, for you are going to die. Love whomever you want, for you are going to leave them. Do whatever you want, for you are going to be requited for it. Know that the honor of the believer is his standing in prayer at night, and his pride is in independence from people."
Ali ibn Abi Talib said:
“This world is moving away from us. Each of them has its own people, so be among the people of the hereafter, do not be among the people of the world. Today is striving, not reckoning, but tomorrow will be reckoning and not striving. (This is narrated by Bukhari in the chapter “Hoping to live long.”
In Tadhkirat al- Qurtabi it is stated:
“Think, O’ you are deceived by this world, of death and its agonies, how difficult and bitter a cup it is. What a true promise death is! How fair a judge it is! Death is enough to fill the heart with fear and eyes with tears, to separate people, destroy pleasure and put an end to all worldly hopes.
Have you given any thought, O’ son of Adam, to the day when you will die and will be taken out of your place? When you will move from spaciousness (of this world) to the confines (of the grave), when friends and loved ones will let you down, and brothers and friends will desert you? When you will be taken from your bed and placed in a hole in the ground, and instead of a blanket you will be covered with dust and earth? O’ gatherer of wealth, O’ industrious builder, by Allah you will have nothing left of possessions expect shrouds, and even those will be destroyed and will vanish as your body disintegrates and turns to dust.
Where is the wealth that you amassed? Will it save you from these terrors? No indeed, you have left it behind for those who will not praise you, and you have come with your burdens (of sin) to One Who will not excuse you.”
Qurtabi narrated that Yazeed al-Riqaashi used to say to himself:
“Woe to you, O’ Yazeed. Who will pray on your behalf after you die? Who will make Allah be pleased with you after you die?”
Then he said:
“O’ people, why do you not weep and wail for yourselves for the rest of your lives? When you are sought by the grave, when the grave is home, the earth is bed, the worms your companions, and you will be awaiting the greater terrors?”
Qurtabi said elsewhere:
“Imagine yourself, O’ you have been deceived by this world, when the agony and stupor of death overwhelms you, and you start moaning in the throes of death. There will be some, who will say, so and so has made a will, and his wealth has been calculated; others will say, so and so can no longer speak, he does not recognize his neighbors and he does not speak to his brother. It is as if I can see you listening to these words and unable to respond. Imagine yourself, O’ Son of Adam, being taken from your bed to a place where your body will be washed and shrouded, and being forsaken by your family and neighbors, wept over by your friends and brothers. Imagine the one who has washed your body saying, ‘Where is the wife of so and so to forgive him? Where are the orphans? Your father has left you and you will never see him again after this day.”?
26 January 2011
20 January 2011
The body and soul
By:Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim
The body of the son of Adam was created from the earth and his soul from the government of Heaven and then they were joined. If he is hungry, stays awake, and keeps his body busy in serving Allah, his soul will find itself lighter and more peaceful so that it would long for the place from which it was created and miss its heavenly world. But if he secures food, blessings, sleep, and rest, the body will incline to remain at the place from which it was created and the soul would be pulled along with it and be in a prison. If it was not for the fact that it would get used to that prison, it would ask for help, as a tortured person does, to find relief from the pain resulting from the separation and departure from its own world from which it was created.
In general, the more the body is light, the more the soul will be light and seek its heavenly world, and the more the body is heavy and seeks desires and relief, the heavier the soul will be and it will come down from its heavenly world and become lower and more earthly. You may see the soul of a man in Heaven while his body is on the earth. Another person serves Allah with his body and his soul is low and wandering about in lowly matters. When the soul separates from the body, it would either catch up with its high or low place. With the high, it would find every blessing, happiness, beauty, pleasure, and good living while with the low it would find every distress, grief, suffering, sadness, and bad and difficult thing.
Allah says,
(20:124) ....وَمَنۡ أَعۡرَضَ عَن ذِڪۡرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُ ۥ مَعِيشَةً۬ ضَنكً۬ا
which means,“But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur1an nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship.”(Taha, 20:124)
“My Reminder” is His words, which He revealed to His Messenger(Peace be upon him), and “turns away” is by neglecting and abandoning working according to these words, and the majority of explanations saw that “life of hardship” is torture in the grave. Ibn Mas'ud, Abu Hurairah, Abu Sa'id Al-Khudry, and Ibn 'Abbas agreed on that and it has a traceable hadith.
This life of hardship is in return for relieving the body and soul with pleasures, desires and relief. The more you enrich the soul, it will restrain the heart until you live a life of hardship, and the more you restrain the soul, it will enrich the heart until that heart will be delighted and relieved. Hardship in this worldly life, following piety will find its relief in partition and the Hereafter, and relief in this worldly life following desires will find its hardship in the partition and the Hereafter.You should choose one of the two: the better, more pleasant, and more lasting.You may distress the body in order to relieve the soul but do not distress the soul to relieve the body; relief and distress of the soul is greater and more lasting while relief and distress of the body is shorter and easier.
Source: Al-fawaaid / P:281
The body of the son of Adam was created from the earth and his soul from the government of Heaven and then they were joined. If he is hungry, stays awake, and keeps his body busy in serving Allah, his soul will find itself lighter and more peaceful so that it would long for the place from which it was created and miss its heavenly world. But if he secures food, blessings, sleep, and rest, the body will incline to remain at the place from which it was created and the soul would be pulled along with it and be in a prison. If it was not for the fact that it would get used to that prison, it would ask for help, as a tortured person does, to find relief from the pain resulting from the separation and departure from its own world from which it was created.
In general, the more the body is light, the more the soul will be light and seek its heavenly world, and the more the body is heavy and seeks desires and relief, the heavier the soul will be and it will come down from its heavenly world and become lower and more earthly. You may see the soul of a man in Heaven while his body is on the earth. Another person serves Allah with his body and his soul is low and wandering about in lowly matters. When the soul separates from the body, it would either catch up with its high or low place. With the high, it would find every blessing, happiness, beauty, pleasure, and good living while with the low it would find every distress, grief, suffering, sadness, and bad and difficult thing.
Allah says,
(20:124) ....وَمَنۡ أَعۡرَضَ عَن ذِڪۡرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُ ۥ مَعِيشَةً۬ ضَنكً۬ا
which means,“But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur1an nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship.”(Taha, 20:124)
“My Reminder” is His words, which He revealed to His Messenger(Peace be upon him), and “turns away” is by neglecting and abandoning working according to these words, and the majority of explanations saw that “life of hardship” is torture in the grave. Ibn Mas'ud, Abu Hurairah, Abu Sa'id Al-Khudry, and Ibn 'Abbas agreed on that and it has a traceable hadith.
This life of hardship is in return for relieving the body and soul with pleasures, desires and relief. The more you enrich the soul, it will restrain the heart until you live a life of hardship, and the more you restrain the soul, it will enrich the heart until that heart will be delighted and relieved. Hardship in this worldly life, following piety will find its relief in partition and the Hereafter, and relief in this worldly life following desires will find its hardship in the partition and the Hereafter.You should choose one of the two: the better, more pleasant, and more lasting.You may distress the body in order to relieve the soul but do not distress the soul to relieve the body; relief and distress of the soul is greater and more lasting while relief and distress of the body is shorter and easier.
Source: Al-fawaaid / P:281
17 January 2011
Selections from Ibn al-Mubarak’s ‘Kitab al-Jihad’
These are selected narrations from the first book to ever be written/compiled about the topic of Jihad. It was authored by the noble imam, ‘Abdullah bin al-Mubarak around 170 years after the Hijrah.
He was of the most well-known and knowledgeable of the Tabi’in. Above that, he was of the scholars who acted upon their words, as he spent most of his life on the frontlines guarding the Muslim lands against the Romans. He would alternate between making Hajj one year and battling the enemy the next. Just to get an idea of his character, check out the following narration from ‘Abduh bin Sulayman:
“We were on an expedition with Ibn al-Mubarak in the lands of the Romans, so the enemy approached us. When the two armies met, a man from the enemy came out and called for a duel, so a man from the Muslims came out and killed him. Then, a man from the enemy came out and killed him and called for another duel. So, a man from the Muslims came out with his face covered with his shirt and duelled with him for an hour or so, finally striking him and killing him. The people came to see who he was, so I went up and pulled the cloth from his face and saw that he was ‘Abdullah bin al-Mubarak.”
['Tarikh Baghdad'; 1/167]
So – by the Permission of Allah – here are some selected authentic narrations from this book that he compiled, ‘Kitab al-Jihad’ - the first of its kind ever authored about the topic.
2 – Abu Salih al-Madani narrated:
“A group of the Companions said: “If only we knew which actions were the best and most beloved to Allah.” So, the verse was revealed: {“O You who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you strive hard and fight in the Path of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That will be better for you, if only you knew!”} [as-Saff; 10-11]
So, they became averse to this. Then, the following verse was revealed: {“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do. Verily, Allah loves those who fight in His Path in rows as if they were a solid structure.”} [as-Saff; 2-4]
6 - Abu ad-Darda’ said: “Being killed in the Path of Allah washes your filth from you. Being killed in such a way does two things: expiates your sins and raises your rank.”
7 - ‘Utbah bin ‘Abd as-Sulami narrated that the Prophet said:
“Those who are killed in the Path of Allah are of three types: a believer who who strives with his life and his wealth in the Path of Allah until he meets the enemy and fought them until he was killed, and this is the martyr who is pure, and he is in an encampment of Allah underneath His Throne, and the Prophets are not better than him except on account of their Prophethood. The second is a man who had fallen into sins and mistakes who fought with his life and his wealth in the Path of Allah until he met the enemy and fought them till he was killed. This is a martyr who has become purified, as his sins and mistakes were wiped away, and the sword wipes away one’s sins. He will be entered into any of the gates of Paradise that he pleases, and Paradise has eight gates, while Hell has seven gates, all of them placed one on top of the other. The last is a hypocrite who fought with his life and his wealth in the Path of Allah until he met the enemy and fought them till he was killed. He will be in Hell, as the sword does not wipe away hypocrisy.”
14 - al-Hasan al-Basri narrated:
“The Prophet sent out an army including ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah, so they went forth and attacked in the morning. ‘Abdullah, however, stayed to perform his prayers with the Messenger of Allah. When the prayer was over, the Messenger of Allah said to him: “O Ibn Rawahah! Are you not part of this army?” He replied: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah, but I loved that I stay and pray with you, but I know the position of this army, and I will go catch up to them now.” So, the Prophet said: “By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, if you spent all the wealth on the Earth, you would not be able to attain the virtue of their expedition.”“
21 - ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ubayd bin ‘Umayr al-Laythi (a trustworthy Tabi’i) said:
“When the two armies meet, Allah sends down the Hur al-’Ayn to our sky, so if they see a man advancing towards the enemy, they say: “O Allah! Keep him firm!” and if they see him retreat, they cover their faces from him out of shyness, and if he is killed, they descend to him and wipe the dust from his face, saying: “O Allah, pour dirt upon the one who put dirt on him, and pour dust upon the one who put dust on him.”"
48 – Yahya bin Abi Kathir narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
“The best martyrs with Allah are those who are at the foremost part of the ranks, but do not turn their faces from the enemy until they are killed. These will rejoice in the highest rooms in Paradise, and their Lord will Laugh to them. Verily, your Lord – if He Laughs to a people – then there is no accounting of deeds for them.”
51 - ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ubayd bin ‘Umayr narrated:
“It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, which Jihad is the best?” So, the Prophet said: “The one in which one’s horse becomes injured and his blood is spilt.”“
54 – Thabit al-Binani narrated:
“(On the day of Yarmuk), ‘Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl dismounted his horse so that he could fight the Romans, so Khalid bin al-Walid said to him: “Do not continue, for your feats on the battlefield are too difficult for the Muslims to keep up with!” So, ‘Ikrimah said to him: “Leave me, Khalid! You had a past with the Messenger of Allah, and my father and I were of the severest people against the Messenger of Allah!” So, he went forth and fought until he was killed.”
56 – Ibn Abi Mulaykah narrated:
“‘Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl used to press the Mushaf to his face and cry, saying: “The Book of my Lord! The Words of my Lord!”"
59 - Ibn Jurayj narrated:
“Mujahid (the noble Tabi’i) recited the verse: {“Do not think of those who are killed in the Path of Allah as being dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, and they are provided for.”} [Al 'Imran; 169] and said: “They are served from the fruits of Paradise and they smell its scent, even though they are not yet in it.”"
He was of the most well-known and knowledgeable of the Tabi’in. Above that, he was of the scholars who acted upon their words, as he spent most of his life on the frontlines guarding the Muslim lands against the Romans. He would alternate between making Hajj one year and battling the enemy the next. Just to get an idea of his character, check out the following narration from ‘Abduh bin Sulayman:
“We were on an expedition with Ibn al-Mubarak in the lands of the Romans, so the enemy approached us. When the two armies met, a man from the enemy came out and called for a duel, so a man from the Muslims came out and killed him. Then, a man from the enemy came out and killed him and called for another duel. So, a man from the Muslims came out with his face covered with his shirt and duelled with him for an hour or so, finally striking him and killing him. The people came to see who he was, so I went up and pulled the cloth from his face and saw that he was ‘Abdullah bin al-Mubarak.”
['Tarikh Baghdad'; 1/167]
So – by the Permission of Allah – here are some selected authentic narrations from this book that he compiled, ‘Kitab al-Jihad’ - the first of its kind ever authored about the topic.
2 – Abu Salih al-Madani narrated:
“A group of the Companions said: “If only we knew which actions were the best and most beloved to Allah.” So, the verse was revealed: {“O You who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you strive hard and fight in the Path of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That will be better for you, if only you knew!”} [as-Saff; 10-11]
So, they became averse to this. Then, the following verse was revealed: {“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do. Verily, Allah loves those who fight in His Path in rows as if they were a solid structure.”} [as-Saff; 2-4]
6 - Abu ad-Darda’ said: “Being killed in the Path of Allah washes your filth from you. Being killed in such a way does two things: expiates your sins and raises your rank.”
7 - ‘Utbah bin ‘Abd as-Sulami narrated that the Prophet said:
“Those who are killed in the Path of Allah are of three types: a believer who who strives with his life and his wealth in the Path of Allah until he meets the enemy and fought them until he was killed, and this is the martyr who is pure, and he is in an encampment of Allah underneath His Throne, and the Prophets are not better than him except on account of their Prophethood. The second is a man who had fallen into sins and mistakes who fought with his life and his wealth in the Path of Allah until he met the enemy and fought them till he was killed. This is a martyr who has become purified, as his sins and mistakes were wiped away, and the sword wipes away one’s sins. He will be entered into any of the gates of Paradise that he pleases, and Paradise has eight gates, while Hell has seven gates, all of them placed one on top of the other. The last is a hypocrite who fought with his life and his wealth in the Path of Allah until he met the enemy and fought them till he was killed. He will be in Hell, as the sword does not wipe away hypocrisy.”
14 - al-Hasan al-Basri narrated:
“The Prophet sent out an army including ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah, so they went forth and attacked in the morning. ‘Abdullah, however, stayed to perform his prayers with the Messenger of Allah. When the prayer was over, the Messenger of Allah said to him: “O Ibn Rawahah! Are you not part of this army?” He replied: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah, but I loved that I stay and pray with you, but I know the position of this army, and I will go catch up to them now.” So, the Prophet said: “By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, if you spent all the wealth on the Earth, you would not be able to attain the virtue of their expedition.”“
21 - ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ubayd bin ‘Umayr al-Laythi (a trustworthy Tabi’i) said:
“When the two armies meet, Allah sends down the Hur al-’Ayn to our sky, so if they see a man advancing towards the enemy, they say: “O Allah! Keep him firm!” and if they see him retreat, they cover their faces from him out of shyness, and if he is killed, they descend to him and wipe the dust from his face, saying: “O Allah, pour dirt upon the one who put dirt on him, and pour dust upon the one who put dust on him.”"
48 – Yahya bin Abi Kathir narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
“The best martyrs with Allah are those who are at the foremost part of the ranks, but do not turn their faces from the enemy until they are killed. These will rejoice in the highest rooms in Paradise, and their Lord will Laugh to them. Verily, your Lord – if He Laughs to a people – then there is no accounting of deeds for them.”
51 - ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ubayd bin ‘Umayr narrated:
“It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, which Jihad is the best?” So, the Prophet said: “The one in which one’s horse becomes injured and his blood is spilt.”“
54 – Thabit al-Binani narrated:
“(On the day of Yarmuk), ‘Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl dismounted his horse so that he could fight the Romans, so Khalid bin al-Walid said to him: “Do not continue, for your feats on the battlefield are too difficult for the Muslims to keep up with!” So, ‘Ikrimah said to him: “Leave me, Khalid! You had a past with the Messenger of Allah, and my father and I were of the severest people against the Messenger of Allah!” So, he went forth and fought until he was killed.”
56 – Ibn Abi Mulaykah narrated:
“‘Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl used to press the Mushaf to his face and cry, saying: “The Book of my Lord! The Words of my Lord!”"
59 - Ibn Jurayj narrated:
“Mujahid (the noble Tabi’i) recited the verse: {“Do not think of those who are killed in the Path of Allah as being dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, and they are provided for.”} [Al 'Imran; 169] and said: “They are served from the fruits of Paradise and they smell its scent, even though they are not yet in it.”"
16 January 2011
Road map to Paradise
Take Adam and Eve avenue until you come to the intersection of Habil (Abel) road, and Qabil (Cain) street; merge right on Habil (Abel) and continue for the next twenty miles till you come to Noah's Ferry.
Take the ferry to Safety Land, ignore the majority of other travel agencies’ directions, and arrive at Abraham's Super Highway also known as High way One God Only (1).
Follow Abraham but avoid the exit of Sodom and Gomorrah townships until you get to Moses lane but pass Gold and Greed bridges and take it to Jesus' Mercy road. Here you will encounter a lot of confusion, streets are not well marked, and many peddlers along the road are giving away maps with conflicting directions to travelers. The Romans have renamed Pagans’ path as Jesus' mercy road.
If you are not sure about the authenticity of Jesus' mercy road, review your map. See if Jesus' mercy path is a continuation of Abraham’s Super Highway. If it is a continuation you are fine, but still proceed with caution. If you have diverged, make a U-turn and go back to Abraham’s high way (1) and re-try again.
Continue on True Jesus' road, if you do not see the following signs along the path, you should stop and review your map again. Maps for this path have been tampered with, we recommend the Barnabas edition street map to get to the Unity of God congregation, Immaculate conception corner, and Love thy neighbor community center.
Avoid to show the Roman Traffic police your Barnabas street map, it is banned, they will confiscate it and you will be forced to use the only authorized official map - the Paul street map which was drawn to direct the motorists to Rome. For that reason there is a lot of lost traffic on this road. On the other hand True Jesus road is found on the Barnabas street map, but only few people have access to this map.
Keep on Jesus' Mercy road until you find Muhammad’s sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam Sunnah
Expressway. Stay on this expressway and do not be lured to rest areas along the expressway. Beware of the highway robbers, by insuring your vehicle with Dhikr security systems. All vehicles secured with Dhikr Security Systems will be protected from assaults by robbers (Satan).
Make sure that you have enough fuel. The highest grade fuel for this long and tiring trip is the Taqwa grade fuel. Make sure you demand this brand when you stop for refueling. Lighten the load on your vehicle, carry only the most important items for this trip: two meters of white cloth, good deeds and prayers of your kids is all you need. Excess weight is allowed only if it is more of the above. Other items will only slow you down or cause you to loose sight of where you are heading, and you risk losing the coverage of Dhikr Security systems, thereby becoming an easy target for the Robbers.
You need to check your vehicles safety features periodically by reading your vehicles manual - the Holy Quran. Your steering wheel must be calibrated by the Sunnah Calibration method, batteries must be charged with Iman, the engine needs to be tuned up with Ikhlas and your tires must be properly inflated with Ihsan. Most important of all, you must test the entire vehicle with the tawheed check list.
It does not matter if most parts of your vehicle are performing right, if a single part in your vehicle does not perform according to specifications of Tawheed (its conditions) your vehicle will break down and again the robbers will rob you of what is left. The overall performance of your vehicle depends on the performance of the weakest part in your vehicle, so routinely check these weak points, they may be detrimental to your trip.
There are many milestones on Muhammad’s(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) road, and these milestones will assure you that you are on the right track. Do not worry that there are not any people on this road; just because you are alone on this road do not think that you are driving the wrong way on a one way street. Loving Allah more than anything else, loving the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam and his companions, who supported him when he was oppressed, following all his teachings, responding with patience and acceptance to lack of worldly goods, hunger, loss of family members are but some of the milestones and glad tidings that you are on the right track.
Also this road will be paved with pain, hard work, struggle with yourself and others and Iblis, the Robber, and all things that are not appealing to the soul. Never lay your guard, this trip is not over until it is over. Keep dhikr your guard, good deeds your luggage and do not lose to focus on where you are going, so you may endure the pain of this trip. When you finally arrive to your destination, Al-Jannah, you will forget all the pain.
Source: Islaam.com
Take the ferry to Safety Land, ignore the majority of other travel agencies’ directions, and arrive at Abraham's Super Highway also known as High way One God Only (1).
Follow Abraham but avoid the exit of Sodom and Gomorrah townships until you get to Moses lane but pass Gold and Greed bridges and take it to Jesus' Mercy road. Here you will encounter a lot of confusion, streets are not well marked, and many peddlers along the road are giving away maps with conflicting directions to travelers. The Romans have renamed Pagans’ path as Jesus' mercy road.
If you are not sure about the authenticity of Jesus' mercy road, review your map. See if Jesus' mercy path is a continuation of Abraham’s Super Highway. If it is a continuation you are fine, but still proceed with caution. If you have diverged, make a U-turn and go back to Abraham’s high way (1) and re-try again.
Continue on True Jesus' road, if you do not see the following signs along the path, you should stop and review your map again. Maps for this path have been tampered with, we recommend the Barnabas edition street map to get to the Unity of God congregation, Immaculate conception corner, and Love thy neighbor community center.
Avoid to show the Roman Traffic police your Barnabas street map, it is banned, they will confiscate it and you will be forced to use the only authorized official map - the Paul street map which was drawn to direct the motorists to Rome. For that reason there is a lot of lost traffic on this road. On the other hand True Jesus road is found on the Barnabas street map, but only few people have access to this map.
Keep on Jesus' Mercy road until you find Muhammad’s sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam Sunnah
Expressway. Stay on this expressway and do not be lured to rest areas along the expressway. Beware of the highway robbers, by insuring your vehicle with Dhikr security systems. All vehicles secured with Dhikr Security Systems will be protected from assaults by robbers (Satan).
Make sure that you have enough fuel. The highest grade fuel for this long and tiring trip is the Taqwa grade fuel. Make sure you demand this brand when you stop for refueling. Lighten the load on your vehicle, carry only the most important items for this trip: two meters of white cloth, good deeds and prayers of your kids is all you need. Excess weight is allowed only if it is more of the above. Other items will only slow you down or cause you to loose sight of where you are heading, and you risk losing the coverage of Dhikr Security systems, thereby becoming an easy target for the Robbers.
You need to check your vehicles safety features periodically by reading your vehicles manual - the Holy Quran. Your steering wheel must be calibrated by the Sunnah Calibration method, batteries must be charged with Iman, the engine needs to be tuned up with Ikhlas and your tires must be properly inflated with Ihsan. Most important of all, you must test the entire vehicle with the tawheed check list.
It does not matter if most parts of your vehicle are performing right, if a single part in your vehicle does not perform according to specifications of Tawheed (its conditions) your vehicle will break down and again the robbers will rob you of what is left. The overall performance of your vehicle depends on the performance of the weakest part in your vehicle, so routinely check these weak points, they may be detrimental to your trip.
There are many milestones on Muhammad’s(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) road, and these milestones will assure you that you are on the right track. Do not worry that there are not any people on this road; just because you are alone on this road do not think that you are driving the wrong way on a one way street. Loving Allah more than anything else, loving the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam and his companions, who supported him when he was oppressed, following all his teachings, responding with patience and acceptance to lack of worldly goods, hunger, loss of family members are but some of the milestones and glad tidings that you are on the right track.
Also this road will be paved with pain, hard work, struggle with yourself and others and Iblis, the Robber, and all things that are not appealing to the soul. Never lay your guard, this trip is not over until it is over. Keep dhikr your guard, good deeds your luggage and do not lose to focus on where you are going, so you may endure the pain of this trip. When you finally arrive to your destination, Al-Jannah, you will forget all the pain.
Source: Islaam.com
13 January 2011
Temptation
It is related that a group of people were once seated in the company of Al-Hasan Al-Basri, when some men passed by, dragging along with them a body of a dead man. When Al-Hasan saw the dead man, a glint of instant recognition could be discerned in his eyes, and he fell unconscious from the shock of some memory that had just been rekindled.When he regained consciousness, his companions asked him what was wrong with him. He said; This man – referring to the dead man being dragged along on the ground – used to be one of the best worshippers and one of the most renowned ascetics (in the world) (here, ascetic specifically refers to a person who forgoes many of the pleasures of the world, because he is too busy and devoted to worship).
One day he left his home, intending to go to the masjid to pray; but on the way, he saw a beautiful young Christian woman, who became an immediate temptation to him.When he proposed to her, she refused, saying, 'I will not marry you until you become an adherent of my religion.' He went on his way, but as time went on, he yearning for her continued to increase. He then succumbed to her wish and exited from the fold of (Islam) – the religion of pure, unadulterated Monotheism. After he became a Christian and some time passed, the woman came out to him from behind the curtain and said, “You are a man who is bereft of goodness. You have forsaken your religion, which was important to you for your entire life, simply for the sake of a lust that is of no value. Indeed, I too am forsaking my religion, but not for the same reason. I am doing so in order to achieve a blissful existence that never comes to an end, an eternal existence under the care of the One, the As-Samad (i.e., Allaah; The Self Sufficient Master, Whom all creature need, He neither eats nor drinks).'
She then recited (the entire Chapter of Al-Ikhlas):
(4)قُلْ هُوَ اللَّـهُ أَحَدٌ ﴿1﴾ اللَّـهُ الصَّمَدُ ﴿2﴾ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ﴿3﴾ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
“Say (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)): “He is Allah, (the) One. Allah-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none coequal or comparable unto Him.” (Qur'an 112:1-4)
When the people heard about what she had said, they approached her and asked, 'All along, you had this Chapter memorized?' 'No,' she answered. 'By Allaah, I had never known it before. But after this man continued to insist upon having me, I saw a dream; I saw the Hellfire, and my place in it was shown to me. I became terrified and panic-stricken. Malik – the Custodian of the Hellfire – said to me : Do not be afraid or sad, for Allaah has ransomed (i.e., saved) you with this man (i.e., he will take the place in Hellfire that you would have taken had not Allaah saved you). He then took me by the hand and admitted me into Paradise. Seeing a line written inside of it, I read it; among what was written were these Words:
(39) يَمْحُو اللَّـهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ ۖ وَعِندَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ
“Allaah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz)“. [Qur'an 13:39]
He then recited the Al-Ikhlaas Chapter to me, and I began to repeat it. Then I woke up and had it (the Al-Ikhlas Chapter) memorized.'
Al-Hasan then said, “The woman then embraced Islam, and the man – whose corpse you just saw being dragged away – was killed for having apostatized. And I ask Allah to make us firm and steadfast (upon correct guidance) and to grant us safety and success.“
Source : Glimpses of righteous people by Majdi Muhammed Ash-Shahawi
One day he left his home, intending to go to the masjid to pray; but on the way, he saw a beautiful young Christian woman, who became an immediate temptation to him.When he proposed to her, she refused, saying, 'I will not marry you until you become an adherent of my religion.' He went on his way, but as time went on, he yearning for her continued to increase. He then succumbed to her wish and exited from the fold of (Islam) – the religion of pure, unadulterated Monotheism. After he became a Christian and some time passed, the woman came out to him from behind the curtain and said, “You are a man who is bereft of goodness. You have forsaken your religion, which was important to you for your entire life, simply for the sake of a lust that is of no value. Indeed, I too am forsaking my religion, but not for the same reason. I am doing so in order to achieve a blissful existence that never comes to an end, an eternal existence under the care of the One, the As-Samad (i.e., Allaah; The Self Sufficient Master, Whom all creature need, He neither eats nor drinks).'
She then recited (the entire Chapter of Al-Ikhlas):
(4)قُلْ هُوَ اللَّـهُ أَحَدٌ ﴿1﴾ اللَّـهُ الصَّمَدُ ﴿2﴾ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ﴿3﴾ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
“Say (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)): “He is Allah, (the) One. Allah-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none coequal or comparable unto Him.” (Qur'an 112:1-4)
When the people heard about what she had said, they approached her and asked, 'All along, you had this Chapter memorized?' 'No,' she answered. 'By Allaah, I had never known it before. But after this man continued to insist upon having me, I saw a dream; I saw the Hellfire, and my place in it was shown to me. I became terrified and panic-stricken. Malik – the Custodian of the Hellfire – said to me : Do not be afraid or sad, for Allaah has ransomed (i.e., saved) you with this man (i.e., he will take the place in Hellfire that you would have taken had not Allaah saved you). He then took me by the hand and admitted me into Paradise. Seeing a line written inside of it, I read it; among what was written were these Words:
(39) يَمْحُو اللَّـهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ ۖ وَعِندَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ
“Allaah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz)“. [Qur'an 13:39]
He then recited the Al-Ikhlaas Chapter to me, and I began to repeat it. Then I woke up and had it (the Al-Ikhlas Chapter) memorized.'
Al-Hasan then said, “The woman then embraced Islam, and the man – whose corpse you just saw being dragged away – was killed for having apostatized. And I ask Allah to make us firm and steadfast (upon correct guidance) and to grant us safety and success.“
Source : Glimpses of righteous people by Majdi Muhammed Ash-Shahawi
10 January 2011
The worship of Ibn Taymiyyah
by Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin ‘Ali al-Bazzar( May Allah have Mercy on him)
During the nights, he would separate himself from everybody, secluding himself with his Lord, strictly maintaining his recitation of the Mighty Qur'an, and repeating the various types of daily and nightly worship.
When the night was over, he would rejoin the people for the Fajr prayer, praying the optional prayer before meeting them. When he would begin the prayer, your heart would want to fly from its place just from the way in which he would make the opening takbir. When he would begin the prayer, his limbs would shake, moving him left and right. When he would recite, he would elongate his recitation just as was authentically reported regarding the recitation of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). His bowing, prostration, and his coming up from them were from the most complete of what has ever been reported in regards to the obligatory prayer. He would severely lighten his sitting for the first tashahhud, and would say the first taslim out loud to the point that everyone who was present would hear it.
When he finished his prayer, he and whoever was present would praise Allah with what was narrated: ‘Oh Allah, You are Peace, and You are the Source of Peace. You are Blessed, O Possessor of Glory and Honor,’ and he would then turn to the congregation, repeat the narrated tahlil, as well as the 33 tasbih, tahmid, and takbir, and complete the hundred with a tahlil as was narrated, and the congregation would do exactly as he did. He would then supplicate to Allah for himself and the Muslims with the various narrated supplications, and he would most often supplicate with: ‘O Allah! Aide us and do not aide anyone over us. Plan for us and not against us. Guide us and make guidance easy for us. O Allah! Make us thankful to You, depending on and
remembering You, submissive to You, loving You, fearing You, and obedient to You. Our Lord! Accept our repentance, wash away our sins, and keep our words firm. Guide our hearts, and remove all malice from our chests,’ and he would open and close this supplication by praying for the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he would then proceed to engage in dhikr.
And I came to know that it was his habit that nobody would speak to him unless absolutely necessary after the Fajr prayer. He would remain in a state of dhikr of Allah, listening to himself. Sometimes, he would let those sitting next to him listen to his dhikr, all the while constantly turning his eyesight to the sky. He would remain in such a state until the Sun rose and the time in which prayer is forbidden had passed.
During the nights, he would separate himself from everybody, secluding himself with his Lord, strictly maintaining his recitation of the Mighty Qur'an, and repeating the various types of daily and nightly worship.
When the night was over, he would rejoin the people for the Fajr prayer, praying the optional prayer before meeting them. When he would begin the prayer, your heart would want to fly from its place just from the way in which he would make the opening takbir. When he would begin the prayer, his limbs would shake, moving him left and right. When he would recite, he would elongate his recitation just as was authentically reported regarding the recitation of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). His bowing, prostration, and his coming up from them were from the most complete of what has ever been reported in regards to the obligatory prayer. He would severely lighten his sitting for the first tashahhud, and would say the first taslim out loud to the point that everyone who was present would hear it.
When he finished his prayer, he and whoever was present would praise Allah with what was narrated: ‘Oh Allah, You are Peace, and You are the Source of Peace. You are Blessed, O Possessor of Glory and Honor,’ and he would then turn to the congregation, repeat the narrated tahlil, as well as the 33 tasbih, tahmid, and takbir, and complete the hundred with a tahlil as was narrated, and the congregation would do exactly as he did. He would then supplicate to Allah for himself and the Muslims with the various narrated supplications, and he would most often supplicate with: ‘O Allah! Aide us and do not aide anyone over us. Plan for us and not against us. Guide us and make guidance easy for us. O Allah! Make us thankful to You, depending on and
remembering You, submissive to You, loving You, fearing You, and obedient to You. Our Lord! Accept our repentance, wash away our sins, and keep our words firm. Guide our hearts, and remove all malice from our chests,’ and he would open and close this supplication by praying for the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he would then proceed to engage in dhikr.
And I came to know that it was his habit that nobody would speak to him unless absolutely necessary after the Fajr prayer. He would remain in a state of dhikr of Allah, listening to himself. Sometimes, he would let those sitting next to him listen to his dhikr, all the while constantly turning his eyesight to the sky. He would remain in such a state until the Sun rose and the time in which prayer is forbidden had passed.
04 January 2011
The bliss of the Prophet's Companions
Our Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم came to all people with a heavenly message. He صلى الله عليه و سلم was not driven by worldly ambition, he صلى الله عليه و سلم had no treasure from which to spend, no splendid gardens from which to eat, and no castle in which to live. Despite all this, his loving followers pledged allegiance to him and remained steadfast, enduring a hard life full of difficulties. They were few and weak, always in fear of being uprooted by those surrounding them, and yet they loved the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم wholly and completely.
They were besieged in a mountain pass, and during that time, they had little or no food. Their reputations were attacked, their own relatives waged war against them, and yet their love for him was perfect.
Some of them were dragged over the hot sands of the desert, some were imprisoned, and others were subjected to inventive and innovative ways of punishment - all of which the disbelievers inflicted upon them. Having to endure all of that, they still loved him unreservedly with heart and soul.
They were deprived of home, country, family, and wealth. They were driven out from the playing fields of their childhood and from the homes in which they were raised. Despite all this suffering, they loved him unequivocally.
The believers faced trials because of his message. The very ground under them was shaken violently, and yet their love for him continued to grow.
The best among their youth constantly had swords hanging menacingly over their heads.
Their men moved forward lightly across the battlefield, advancing to death as if they were upon an excursion or a holiday, for the simple reason that they loved him unconditionally.
One of them was charged with the duty of carrying the Prophet's صلى الله عليه و سلم message to a king in a foreign land, and that person knew that it was a mission from which he would not return. Yet he went and fulfilled his duty. One of them was sent on a mission, knowing that it would be the cause of his death, and he went happily, for he loved the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم with unmitigated love.
But why did they love him, and why were they so happy with his message and content with his example? Why did they forget the pain, the suffering, and the hardship that resulted from following him?
To put it simply. He صلى الله عليه و سلم epitomized benevolence and righteousness. They perceived in him all the signs of truth and purity. He صلى الله عليه و سلم was a symbol for those who sought out higher things. With his tenderness he صلى الله عليه و سلم cooled the rancor from the hearts of people, with words of truth he صلى الله عليه و سلم soothed their chests, and with his message he صلى الله عليه و سلم filled their souls with peace.
He صلى الله عليه و سلم poured happiness into their hearts, until the pain that they endured from being at his side was made to seem insignificant. He صلى الله عليه و سلم instilled into their souls a belief that made them forget every injury and every adversity that they had to endure.
He صلى الله عليه و سلم polished their insides with his guidance and he illuminated their eyes with his brilliance. He صلى الله عليه و سلم removed from them the burdens of ignorance, the depravities of idolatry, and the evil consequences of polytheism. He صلى الله عليه و سلم extinguished the fires of malice and animosity from their souls and he صلى الله عليه و سلم poured the water of faith into their hearts. Thus, their minds and bodies became tranquil and their hearts found peace.
They tasted the beauty of life with him and they knew delight in his company. They found happiness at his side, safety and salvation in following him, and inner-richness in emulating him:
And we have sent you [O' Muhammad] not but as a mercy for all that exists.
(Qur'an 21: 107)
And verily, you [O ' Muhammad] are indeed guiding [mankind] to the straight path.? (Qur'an 42: 52)
And He brings them out of darkness [bv Allah's will] unto light... (Qur'an 5: 16)
He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger [Muhammad] from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifting then [from the .filth of disbelief and polytheism], and teaching them the Book and Al-Hikmah [As-Sunnah: legal ways, orders, acts of worship, etc. of Prophet Muhammad]. And verily, they had been before in manifest error :} (Qur'an 62: 2)
He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the fetters [bindings] that were upon them. (Qur'an 7: 157)
(Answer Allah [by obeying him] and [His] Messenger when he calls
You to that which will give you life.} (Qur'an 8: 24)
And you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. } (Qur'an 3: 103)
They were truly happy with their leader and so they rightly deserved to be.
O' Allah, send prayers and peace upon Muhammad, the liberator of minds from the shackles of deviation and the rescuer of souls from the curses of falsehood, and be pleased with his noble Companions as a recompense for their striving and for their efforts.
Source: Don't be sad by Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
They were besieged in a mountain pass, and during that time, they had little or no food. Their reputations were attacked, their own relatives waged war against them, and yet their love for him was perfect.
Some of them were dragged over the hot sands of the desert, some were imprisoned, and others were subjected to inventive and innovative ways of punishment - all of which the disbelievers inflicted upon them. Having to endure all of that, they still loved him unreservedly with heart and soul.
They were deprived of home, country, family, and wealth. They were driven out from the playing fields of their childhood and from the homes in which they were raised. Despite all this suffering, they loved him unequivocally.
The believers faced trials because of his message. The very ground under them was shaken violently, and yet their love for him continued to grow.
The best among their youth constantly had swords hanging menacingly over their heads.
Their men moved forward lightly across the battlefield, advancing to death as if they were upon an excursion or a holiday, for the simple reason that they loved him unconditionally.
One of them was charged with the duty of carrying the Prophet's صلى الله عليه و سلم message to a king in a foreign land, and that person knew that it was a mission from which he would not return. Yet he went and fulfilled his duty. One of them was sent on a mission, knowing that it would be the cause of his death, and he went happily, for he loved the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم with unmitigated love.
But why did they love him, and why were they so happy with his message and content with his example? Why did they forget the pain, the suffering, and the hardship that resulted from following him?
To put it simply. He صلى الله عليه و سلم epitomized benevolence and righteousness. They perceived in him all the signs of truth and purity. He صلى الله عليه و سلم was a symbol for those who sought out higher things. With his tenderness he صلى الله عليه و سلم cooled the rancor from the hearts of people, with words of truth he صلى الله عليه و سلم soothed their chests, and with his message he صلى الله عليه و سلم filled their souls with peace.
He صلى الله عليه و سلم poured happiness into their hearts, until the pain that they endured from being at his side was made to seem insignificant. He صلى الله عليه و سلم instilled into their souls a belief that made them forget every injury and every adversity that they had to endure.
He صلى الله عليه و سلم polished their insides with his guidance and he illuminated their eyes with his brilliance. He صلى الله عليه و سلم removed from them the burdens of ignorance, the depravities of idolatry, and the evil consequences of polytheism. He صلى الله عليه و سلم extinguished the fires of malice and animosity from their souls and he صلى الله عليه و سلم poured the water of faith into their hearts. Thus, their minds and bodies became tranquil and their hearts found peace.
They tasted the beauty of life with him and they knew delight in his company. They found happiness at his side, safety and salvation in following him, and inner-richness in emulating him:
And we have sent you [O' Muhammad] not but as a mercy for all that exists.
(Qur'an 21: 107)
And verily, you [O ' Muhammad] are indeed guiding [mankind] to the straight path.? (Qur'an 42: 52)
And He brings them out of darkness [bv Allah's will] unto light... (Qur'an 5: 16)
He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger [Muhammad] from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifting then [from the .filth of disbelief and polytheism], and teaching them the Book and Al-Hikmah [As-Sunnah: legal ways, orders, acts of worship, etc. of Prophet Muhammad]. And verily, they had been before in manifest error :} (Qur'an 62: 2)
He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the fetters [bindings] that were upon them. (Qur'an 7: 157)
(Answer Allah [by obeying him] and [His] Messenger when he calls
You to that which will give you life.} (Qur'an 8: 24)
And you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. } (Qur'an 3: 103)
They were truly happy with their leader and so they rightly deserved to be.
O' Allah, send prayers and peace upon Muhammad, the liberator of minds from the shackles of deviation and the rescuer of souls from the curses of falsehood, and be pleased with his noble Companions as a recompense for their striving and for their efforts.
Source: Don't be sad by Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
03 January 2011
The qualities of the people of taqwa
Hamman ibn Shuraih - a companion of Ali (radi Allah anhu) asked him to narrate the qualities of the people of taqwa so that he would be able to see them in front of him. Ali (radi Allah anhu) said:
'When Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) created His creation, He did so while He was completely independent of their obedience towards Him and of their disobedience towards Him. No disobedience can hurt Him and no obedience can benefit Him. Then He distributed amongst them (the creation) their means of sustenance and placed them on earth.
The people of taqwa on earth are those of virtue: their speech is correct (true); their garments are of moderate nature and their walk is one of humility. They lower their gazes when they see something that Allah has forbidden them to see and they give an ear to beneficial knowledge. They maintain their integrity in both adversity and prosperity. Had it not been for the appointed time that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has written for them (death), their souls would not remain an extra second in their bodies out of yearning for reward and fear of punishment. The Creator ranks Supreme in their eyes, so everything else becomes immaterial to them. They are with Paradise as if they had already witnessed it and enjoyed its presence. They are with Hell as if they have already seen it and tasted its torment. Their hearts grieve and their evil (if any) is non-contagious. Their bodies are lean, their needs are few and their souls are chaste.
They observe patience for a few days and experience everlasting comfort. This is a profitable exchange that their Lord has made pleasant for them. The world tempts them, but they do not succumb. It imprisons them, but they ransomed themselves in exchange. During the nights they stand in rows and read portions of the Qur'an. They recite with proper recitation which grieves their hearts and drink it (the Qur'an) like medicine. If a verse of yearning comes along, they reach for it and believe it is their destination. If an intimidating verse comes along, they pour their hearts towards it and believe that Hell and its screams are in their ears. They sleep on their foreheads and elbows (i.e. they engage in prayers so much that it is as if they sleep in those postures) and implore Allah to deliver them.
In the day, they are tolerant and learned, kind and Godfearing. Fear has chipped away at their bodies as if they were arrows. Anyone looking at them would think that they were sick. But they are not sick. Some will say that they are confused. A great fear has made them look like that. They are never content to do only a few actions (during the day), nor do they ask for a great deal. They condemn themselves and are apprehensive about their deeds. If one of them is called "pious", he fears what will be said of him and says: 'I know myself better than you do. My Lord knows me better than I do. O Allah! Do not take me to task for what they are saying about me and (O Lord) make me better than they think. Forgive my sins which they do not know about.'
Their signs are that they are strong in Islam, resolute in their softness; firm in their belief. They crave for knowledge and are knowledgeable with tolerance; moderate in richness; pleasant in hunger; forbearing in distress; seeking halal; active in (pursuing) guidance and they abhor greed.
They perform good deeds in fear (of rejection). They spend the evening in gratitude and the morning in remembrance. They sleep in alarm and they awake in joy. If their carnal selves make it difficult for them to fulfil that which they dislike they deprive them of that which they like. The apple of their eyes is in what does not perish and their abstemiousness is in what disappears. They combine knowledge with tolerance and speech with action.
You will find their hopes are realistic their mistakes few; their hearts humble their selves content; their diet meagre their matters simple; their Deen safe-guarded, their desires killed and their anger subdued. Goodness is expected from them and evil is shielded against them. If they are among those who are oblivious, they are counted amongst those who remember (Allah). If they are
among those who remember, they are not written among the oblivious. They pardon those who wrong them; they provide for those who deprive them and meet those who severe ties with them. They are never profane and always lenient. Their wrong doings are almost non-existent and their good deeds are always present. They are resolute when the earth quakes, steadfast in calamities and grateful in
prosperity.
They are not prejudiced against those they dislike nor do they favour those they love. They acknowledge the truth before it appears and do not lose anything they are entrusted with. They do not call anyone names nor do they hurt their neighbours. They do not curse at the time of difficulties nor do they venture into falsehood. Silence does not bother them and if they laugh they do not raise their voices. If they are treated with injustice they remain patient until Allah vindicates them. Their own selves live in toil while others are comfortable around them.
Their abstinence from those who stay away from them is their exoneration (from malice). Their proximity to those who are close to them is a means of mercy (for those who are close to them). Their remaining aloof is not out of pride and arrogance and their being close is neither a ploy nor a scheme."
Source: Taqwa-The provision of believers
'When Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) created His creation, He did so while He was completely independent of their obedience towards Him and of their disobedience towards Him. No disobedience can hurt Him and no obedience can benefit Him. Then He distributed amongst them (the creation) their means of sustenance and placed them on earth.
The people of taqwa on earth are those of virtue: their speech is correct (true); their garments are of moderate nature and their walk is one of humility. They lower their gazes when they see something that Allah has forbidden them to see and they give an ear to beneficial knowledge. They maintain their integrity in both adversity and prosperity. Had it not been for the appointed time that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has written for them (death), their souls would not remain an extra second in their bodies out of yearning for reward and fear of punishment. The Creator ranks Supreme in their eyes, so everything else becomes immaterial to them. They are with Paradise as if they had already witnessed it and enjoyed its presence. They are with Hell as if they have already seen it and tasted its torment. Their hearts grieve and their evil (if any) is non-contagious. Their bodies are lean, their needs are few and their souls are chaste.
They observe patience for a few days and experience everlasting comfort. This is a profitable exchange that their Lord has made pleasant for them. The world tempts them, but they do not succumb. It imprisons them, but they ransomed themselves in exchange. During the nights they stand in rows and read portions of the Qur'an. They recite with proper recitation which grieves their hearts and drink it (the Qur'an) like medicine. If a verse of yearning comes along, they reach for it and believe it is their destination. If an intimidating verse comes along, they pour their hearts towards it and believe that Hell and its screams are in their ears. They sleep on their foreheads and elbows (i.e. they engage in prayers so much that it is as if they sleep in those postures) and implore Allah to deliver them.
In the day, they are tolerant and learned, kind and Godfearing. Fear has chipped away at their bodies as if they were arrows. Anyone looking at them would think that they were sick. But they are not sick. Some will say that they are confused. A great fear has made them look like that. They are never content to do only a few actions (during the day), nor do they ask for a great deal. They condemn themselves and are apprehensive about their deeds. If one of them is called "pious", he fears what will be said of him and says: 'I know myself better than you do. My Lord knows me better than I do. O Allah! Do not take me to task for what they are saying about me and (O Lord) make me better than they think. Forgive my sins which they do not know about.'
Their signs are that they are strong in Islam, resolute in their softness; firm in their belief. They crave for knowledge and are knowledgeable with tolerance; moderate in richness; pleasant in hunger; forbearing in distress; seeking halal; active in (pursuing) guidance and they abhor greed.
They perform good deeds in fear (of rejection). They spend the evening in gratitude and the morning in remembrance. They sleep in alarm and they awake in joy. If their carnal selves make it difficult for them to fulfil that which they dislike they deprive them of that which they like. The apple of their eyes is in what does not perish and their abstemiousness is in what disappears. They combine knowledge with tolerance and speech with action.
You will find their hopes are realistic their mistakes few; their hearts humble their selves content; their diet meagre their matters simple; their Deen safe-guarded, their desires killed and their anger subdued. Goodness is expected from them and evil is shielded against them. If they are among those who are oblivious, they are counted amongst those who remember (Allah). If they are
among those who remember, they are not written among the oblivious. They pardon those who wrong them; they provide for those who deprive them and meet those who severe ties with them. They are never profane and always lenient. Their wrong doings are almost non-existent and their good deeds are always present. They are resolute when the earth quakes, steadfast in calamities and grateful in
prosperity.
They are not prejudiced against those they dislike nor do they favour those they love. They acknowledge the truth before it appears and do not lose anything they are entrusted with. They do not call anyone names nor do they hurt their neighbours. They do not curse at the time of difficulties nor do they venture into falsehood. Silence does not bother them and if they laugh they do not raise their voices. If they are treated with injustice they remain patient until Allah vindicates them. Their own selves live in toil while others are comfortable around them.
Their abstinence from those who stay away from them is their exoneration (from malice). Their proximity to those who are close to them is a means of mercy (for those who are close to them). Their remaining aloof is not out of pride and arrogance and their being close is neither a ploy nor a scheme."
Source: Taqwa-The provision of believers
Some beautiful hadith regarding the excellence of remembering Allah
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said, "Allah, the Exalted, has teams of angels who go about on the roads seeking those who remember Allah. When they find some people remembering Allah they call to one another and say, `Come to what you are looking for;' and they surround them with their wings till the space between them and the lowest sky is fully covered. Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, asks them (although He is best informed about every thing): `What are my slave saying?' They say: `They are glorifying Your Tasbih, Tahmid, Takbir, Tamjid, (i.e., they were declaring Your Perfectness, praising, remembering the Greatness and Majesty of Allah).' He asks: `Have they seen Me?' They reply, `No, indeed, they have not seen You.' He asks: `How would they act if they were to see Me?' Thereupon they reply: `If they were to see You, they would engage more earnestly in worshipping and glorifying You and would extol You more.' He would say: `What do they beg of Me?' They say, `They beg You for Your Jannah.' Allah says, `Have they seen My Jannah?' They say, `No, our Rubb.' He says: `How would they act if they were to see My Jannah?' They reply, `Were they to see it, they would more intensely eager for it.' They (the angels) say, `They seek Your Protection.' He asks, `Against what do they seek My Protection?' They (the angels) say, `Our Rubb, from the fire of Hell.' (He, the Rubb) says, `Have they seen the fire of Hell?' They say, `No. By Your Honour, they have not seen it.' He says: `How would they act if they were to see My Fire?' They say: `If they were to see it, they would more earnest in being away from it and fearing it. They beg of Your forgiveness.' He says: `I call you to witness that I hereby grant pardon to them and confer upon them what they ask for; and grant them protection against what they seek protection from.' One of the angels says: `Our Rubb, there is amongst them such and such slave who does not belong to the assembly of those who are participating in Your remembrance. He passed by them and sat down with them.' He says: `I also grant him pardon because they are the people by virtue of whom their associates will not be unfortunate'."
(Riyad us Saaliheen : Book 15/ Chapter 247/1447)
Abu Hurairah and Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said, "When a group of people assemble for the remembrance of Allah, the angels surround them (with their wings), (Allah's) mercy envelops them, Sakinah, or tranquillity descends upon them and Allah makes a mention of them before those who are near Him."
(Riyad us Saaliheen : Book 15/ Chapter 247/1448)
Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said, "Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions which are the purest to your Rubb, which exalt you to the high ranks, which are more efficacious than spending gold and silver (in charity), and better for you than you should encounter your enemies whom you will smite their necks and they will smite your necks?" They said, "Certainly." He (Peace be upon him) said, "Remembrance of Allah the Exalted."
(Riyad us Saaliheen : Book 15/ Chapter 244/1441)
(Riyad us Saaliheen : Book 15/ Chapter 247/1447)
Abu Hurairah and Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said, "When a group of people assemble for the remembrance of Allah, the angels surround them (with their wings), (Allah's) mercy envelops them, Sakinah, or tranquillity descends upon them and Allah makes a mention of them before those who are near Him."
(Riyad us Saaliheen : Book 15/ Chapter 247/1448)
Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said, "Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions which are the purest to your Rubb, which exalt you to the high ranks, which are more efficacious than spending gold and silver (in charity), and better for you than you should encounter your enemies whom you will smite their necks and they will smite your necks?" They said, "Certainly." He (Peace be upon him) said, "Remembrance of Allah the Exalted."
(Riyad us Saaliheen : Book 15/ Chapter 244/1441)
02 January 2011
The noble manners of sheikh 'Abdul-'Azeez ibn Baaz
Concerning the Imaam, the Shaykh - 'Abdul-'Azeez ibn Baaz (rahima-hullaah), ‘Abdullaah ibn Muhammad al-Mu’taaz narrates:
"Shaykh Muhammad Haamid who was the president of the group “As.haab al-Yameen” in Eritrea said:
“I arrived in Riyadh on a cold night, and did not have any (money) with which to pay for a hotel. So I thought about going to Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz’s house; the time was 3 o’clock in the morning (and) I was hesitant, but (finally) decided to go (to the Shaykh’s house).
I arrived outside his old mud-style house and found someone asleep by the gate. Having awoken, he opened the gate for me and I conveyed my greetings to him ever so quietly so that no-one (else) hears me since it was so late at night.
After a short while, I saw the Shaykh himself descending from the stairs with a pot of food. He extended greetings to me and gave me the food, saying:
“I heard your voice and brought this food for you, assuming you had not eaten this night”.
By Allaah, I was unable to sleep (the rest of the night) due to weeping at such noble manners”.”
Source: Mawaaqif madhee.ah fee hayaat al-Imaam 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn Baaz - Page 233
"Shaykh Muhammad Haamid who was the president of the group “As.haab al-Yameen” in Eritrea said:
“I arrived in Riyadh on a cold night, and did not have any (money) with which to pay for a hotel. So I thought about going to Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz’s house; the time was 3 o’clock in the morning (and) I was hesitant, but (finally) decided to go (to the Shaykh’s house).
I arrived outside his old mud-style house and found someone asleep by the gate. Having awoken, he opened the gate for me and I conveyed my greetings to him ever so quietly so that no-one (else) hears me since it was so late at night.
After a short while, I saw the Shaykh himself descending from the stairs with a pot of food. He extended greetings to me and gave me the food, saying:
“I heard your voice and brought this food for you, assuming you had not eaten this night”.
By Allaah, I was unable to sleep (the rest of the night) due to weeping at such noble manners”.”
Source: Mawaaqif madhee.ah fee hayaat al-Imaam 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn Baaz - Page 233
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
'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
27 December 2010
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.
{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
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
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]
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
- 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
"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
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)
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
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
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
"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
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