BISMILLAH AR-RAHMAN AR-RAHEEM!

AS SALAAMU ALAIKUM WA RAHMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUH!

MAY ALLAH ALLOW THIS BLOG TO BENEFIT ALL OF OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS & SISTERS! AMEEN!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Sisterhood - A Beneficial Reminder

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

Sisterhood - A Beneficial Reminder
Author Anonymous

My dear and humble sisters in Islam, today I experienced some fitnah amongst my companions that has lead me to do some contemplation on the fact that if we all, and I speak firstly to my self and then to my dear sisters upon guidance and righteousness, think several times before we speak and even several more before we act to make sure that our actions are accordingly being done upon the adab of the Qur'aan and Sunnah, then so much of the fitnah nameemah, and gheebah that goes on amongst the sisters would be prevented. We must Tacki Allah before we perform any action towards our sisters in Islam, and be mindful tat we will be held accountable for our actions, here is a brief reminder upon sisterhood . . .
This is what the bond of Sisterhood in Islam means to me, based upon the wisdom of Allah and his Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa salaam),
"...And lower your wing for the believers (be courteous to the fellow-believers) ." (Al-Hijr 15:88)
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa salaam) said,
"None of you has Iman (faith) until he desires for his brother (or sister) Muslim that which he desires for himself (or herself)." (Bukhari and Muslim)
He (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) also said,
"The Muslims in their mutual love, kindness and compassion are like the human body where when one of its parts is in agony the entire body feels the pain, both in sleeplessness and fever." (Bukhari and Muslim)
I love you for the sake of Allah (Subhanna wa Ta'alaa) ...
The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) said,
"On the Day of Judgement, Allah, the Most High, will announce, 'Where are those who love each other for the sake of My pleasure? This day I am going to shelter them in the shade provided by Me. Today there is no shade except My shade." (Muslim)
I will be sure to tell you of my love, Insha-Allah ...
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) said,
"If a person loves his brother, he should inform him of this fact." (Abu Dawud and Tirmidi)

I will be merciful and compassionate toward you, Insha-Allah ...
Allah (Subhanna wa Ta'alaa) says,
"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against the disbelievers, and merciful among themselves.. ." (Al-Fath 48:29)
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) said,
"Do not be envious of other Muslims; do not overbid at auctions against another Muslim; do not have malice against a Muslim; do not go against a Muslim and forsake him; do not make an offering during a pending transaction. O' servants of Allah, be like brothers (or sisters) with each other. A Muslim is the brother (or sister) of another Muslim; do not hurt him (or her), or look down upon him (or her) or bring shame on him (or her). Piety is a matter of heart (The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) repeated this thrice). It is enough evil for a person to look down upon his Muslim brother (or sister). The blood, property and honor of a Muslim is inviolable to a Musilm." (Muslim)
I will keep company with you, Insha-Allah ...
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) said,
"Keep company with a believer only, and let your food be eaten only by the righteous." (Abu Dawud and Tirmidi)
He (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) also said,
"A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend." (Abu Dawud and Tirmidi)
I will help you when necessary and I will cover your shortcomings, Insha-Allah ...
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) said,
"One who helps a fellow Muslim in removing his (or her) difficulty in this world, Allah will remove the former's distress on the Day of Judgement. He who helps to remove the hardship of another, will have his difficulties removed by Allah in this world and in the Hereafter. One who covers the shortcomings of another Muslim, will have his faults covered up in this world and the next by Allah. Allah continues to help a servant so long as he goes on helping his own brother (or sister)." (Muslim)

I will encourage you to the right, Insha-Allah ...
Allah (Subhanna wa Ta'alaa) says,
"The believers, men and women. are Auliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on people) Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamio Monotheism and all that Islma orders one to do), and forbids (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they offer their prayers perfectly (Iqamat-as-Salat) ; and give the Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His mercy upon them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise." (At-Tauba 9:71)
When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) instructed,
"Help your (Muslim) brother (or sister) when he commits a wrong and when a wrong is committed against him, someone asked, "O Messenger of Allah, I understand how I can help him if a wrong is committed against him, but how can I help him if he is himself committing a wrong?" At that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) answered, "Stopping him from committing the wrong is helping him." (Bukhari)
I will fulfill my minimum duties and beyond, Insha-Allah ...
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) said,
"A Muslim owes six obligations towards another Muslim: when you meet him (or her), salute him (or her) saying 'Assalamu Alaikum; when he (or she) invites you, accept his (or her) invitation; when he (or she) solicits your advice, advise him (or her) sincerely; when he (or she) sneezes and praises Allah, respond with the supplication Yarhamuk Allah (Allah have mercy on you); when he (or she) falls sick, visit him (or her); on his (or her) death, join his (or her funeral)." (Muslim)
He (Sallallahu Alaihe wa Salaam) also said,
"When a Muslim visits his (or her) Muslim brother (or sister) who is sick, he (or she) certainly gathers the fruits of Paradise until he (or she) returns (from visiting)." (Muslim)
Insha-Allah. I will strive to fufill each of these rightsto you to the best of my ability, Insha-Allah. And likewise In sha Allah you will do the same for all of your sisters in Islam. This will not only enhance our bounds of Sisterhood, but will also strengthen the fibers of the Muslim Ummah. Our ultimate goal is to gain the pleasure of Allah (Subhanna wa Ta'alaa), as well as His Mercy and Blessings, Insha-Allah. May we both find the true peace that comes with being a Muslim and attaining the highest of rewards: Paradise. Ameen!!!

Adhan Makkah - Masha Allah very Beautiful!

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.



Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Why Should I Study Islam? - Khutbah by Muhammad Alshareef

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

Masha Allah!  I just finished reading this very nice Khutbah and wanted to share.

http://www.khutbah.com/en/ed_know/why_study.php


Bathe Yourself in Money! - Khutbah by Muhammad Alshareef

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

http://www.khutbah.com/en/salah_zakah/money.php

A Muslim Woman & Free Time

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

A MUSLIM WOMAN AND FREE TIME

By Sr. A. Mosher

Free time. Everyone seems to wish they had more of it. Being a wife and
the mother of seven children I have often thought to myself that if only
I had some free time I would … What would I do? Here we come to a
universal truth about free time. It is used in one of two ways. Either
it is put to good use or it is wasted, sometimes in sinful use. Of
course, we will all agree that performing some sort of 'ibaadah would be
the ideal use of free time. However, we often forget that the
performance of 'ibaadah is the very reason for our life on earth. Allah,
ta'aalaa says:

I have not created jinn and humans except so that they may worship.
[Adh-Dhaariyaat 56]

Allah did not create humans without reason. Nor did He create them for
the sake of spending their time in pointless activity. He created them
for 'ibaadah in the complete meaning of 'ibaadah - worship of Him as the
one Almighty Lord of the Worlds. 'Ibaadah refers not just to ritual,
physical, and mental acts of 'ibaadah such as salaah, siyaam, zakaah,
and Hajj. These are the arkaan of 'ibaadah. The true and complete
meaning of the word 'ibaadah includes much more. As Ibn Taymiyah puts
it, 'ibaadah is "a comprehensive word that refers to all that Allah
loves and all that pleases Him."

So…how does all this tie in with a woman and free time? If we
examine the question and take a deeper look at exactly how 'ibaadah is
performed in a woman's life, the desire for "free time" takes on a new
meaning. Adh-Dhahabee related in Sayr A'laam An-Nubalaa from Asmaa bint
Yazeed ibn As-Sakan (radiallahu 'anhaa) that she went to the Prophet
(sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and said, "O Messenger of Allaah, may my
father and mother be sacrificed for you. I have come to you on behalf of
the women. Verily Allaah has sent you to men and women. We have believed
in you. We do not go out and we remain in your homes. We are your source
of physical pleasure. We carry your children. A man goes out to pray
jum'ah and jamaa'ah, and follows the janaazah. And if you go out for
hajj, or 'umrah, or jihaad, we look after your wealth. We wash your
clothing. We raise your children. Shall we not share in the reward?" The
Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) turned to his Companions and
said, "Have you ever heard anything a woman has said better than what
she has said?" Then he said to her, "Understand O woman, and inform the
other women. Indeed a woman's perfection of her relationship with her
husband, her seeking his pleasure, and doing that which he approves of
is equivalent to all of that." Asmaa left exclaiming "Laa ilaaha
illallaah. "

Here, the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) explains an important
aspect of 'ibaadah which applies uniquely to women. He informs us of the
way to her success and how she has been granted this distinguished form
of worship, one that many of us complain about. It is equivalent to
jihaad, praying jum'ah and jamaa'ah. It is commensurate to participating
in the janaazah, performance of hajj and 'umrah. This 'ibaadah is the
perfection of her relationship with her husband her seeking his
pleasure, obeying him, and doing that which he approves of. It is the
caring for her children and her home and remaining within her home.
Allah, ta'aalaa, in His incomparable mercy, has provided her with other
deeds which replace those deeds that men usually perform, so that she
may achieve equal reward.

One might argue that most all women participate in these actions on a
daily basis, even the disbelieving women. However, the concerns of a
Muslim woman are nobler. She sets her sights high in her actions. She is
aware that her every act, when performed Islamically, is an expression
of her worship of Allaah, ta'aalaa. What is it that makes a woman wish
for free time? Usually it is a need for a more personal time period
wherein she may direct her energies into something that she would
individually benefit from and enjoy. There is nothing wrong with this
and indeed, when done with the correct intention, this too falls into
'ibaadah. However, the waste of free time is an evil that many of us
succumb to. The world is filled with opportunities for us to waste our
time. Shaytaan whispers here and there and before you know it we've
intended well but failed to follow through. All of us are prone to
wasting our time or failing to take opportunities to use our time well.
This is how it happens:

Tasweef - Putting things off until "later". It is very easy to fall into
a rut of aspiring to do good while not putting forth a sincere effort.
Success in doing good things with our time is much like repentance. Is
repentance sincere if you just think about it, express your desire to
repent, and then say, "Oh, maybe I'll repent next month"? Similarly, if
you wish to memorize Qur-aan, or further your knowledge, but continually
put your efforts on a back burner, you've fallen into tasweef. In order
to succeed at something we must first rectify our intention, then make
sure that the thing we are aspiring to is in accordance with the Qur-aan
and Sunnah, and finally we must step forward with a firm foot. We must
be serious in our commitment.

Going Out. Affairs outside our home can be harmful as well as haraam.
Would you even think that going shopping could fall into this? Don't be
surprised. Islam directs that a woman is primarily meant to remain in
her home. She may come out for her needs. If she goes out, according to
the conditions of the sharee'ah, for a need which her husband cannot
fulfill for her, then there is nothing against that. But, sometimes we
fall into a western mentality of role sharing. Now there is nothing
wrong with a husband helping his wife out and vice-versa. However, a
woman taking over responsibilities of the husband with the intention of
"making things easier on him" is skirting on the questionable. This is
particularly so when we talk of shopping and other such needed but not
always necessary tasks. A better way would be to organize herself and
her household affairs and that of her children by simplifying her
lifestyle and cutting back on the unnecessary. A Muslim woman's constant
going to the markets to make the household purchases and her desire to
do so is wrong. Some women have no intention to purchase anything. They
just want to walk around the market and see what's new. Maybe there's a
new style, new material, something nice. So she has no true need to go
out. And we know the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa
sallam) who said, "If a woman goes out of her home Shaytaan will attract
attention to her presence." [At-Tirmidhi Saheeh] meaning he will draw
attention to her presence and make use of the opportunity either in
tempting her or tempting others through her. If a woman remains in her
home then shaytaan cannot do this. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa
sallam) also said that if a woman goes out of her home she "appears in
the form of a shaytaan and she leaves in the form of shaytaan." [Muslim]
How? The scholars have said that shaytaan comes to those who are before
her and make her coming out appear attractive to those who are looking.
And when she leaves he makes her appear attractive to those who are
present and see her leaving. So she causes people to look at her and she
causes their temptation. Allaah, ta'aalaa and His Messenger,
sallaallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, have ordered us to remain in our homes
and to come out only for true need to do so.

"And remain in your homes" are the words of Allaah addressed to the
believing women and the wives of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa
sallam). The word in the aayah, "qarna" means to remain and adhere.
Allaah has ordered the woman to adhere, to stay, and not merely to sit,
in her home. She should accustom herself to staying home and not going
out. And if she does go out she should feel uncomfortable in doing so. A
sign of eemaan of a true believing woman is her feeling that her home is
where she belongs. And a sign of a diseased heart is that of a woman who
feels uncomfortable staying at home. Examine your heart for the
stirrings of disease. Treat yourself by applying Allaah's command. By
rectifying our hearts contentment can be bred and truly appreciated.

The Telephone. Ah, the telephone. A wonderful invention it was, without
doubt. It did away with a lot of travel, sending messages by hand, and
unexpected visitors. But it also brought us the opportunity for wasting
large blocks of our time and, sometimes, committing serious sin such as
talking about things that are none of our business. A telephone does
indeed fulfill a need for us as women. It provides us with an
opportunity to "visit" with our friends and family without leaving our
homes. We can share a cup of tea with a friend as a relaxation from the
occupation of daily chores. But, it can also steal valuable time that
can be put to more beneficial use. Use it with attention and care or you
will find that it will use you.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Can we Write "SAW/SAWS/PBUH" in place of "Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam?"

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

http://www.bakkah.net/articles/SAWS.htm


Trials of the Heart

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

From "Al-Fawâ'id: Points of Benefit"
By Imâm Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

Trials of the Heart
Ibn al-Qayyirn said, whilst commenting upon the following hadîth: "Trials and tribulations will be presented to hearts, as a reed mat is interwoven stick by stick. Any heart which absorbs these trials will have a black mark put in it. However, any heart that rejects them will have a white mark put in it. The result is that hearts will be of two kinds: one white like a white stone, which will not be harmed by trials as long as the heavens and earth endure; and the other dark and rusty, like an over-turned vessel; not able to recognise the good, nor reject evil, but rather being absorbed with its desires." [7]
"The fitan (trials) which are presented to the hearts - and which are the cause of its weakness - are: [i] the trials relating to shahwah (false desire) and [ii] the trials relating to shubhah (doubt) ... So the first causes intentions and desires to be corrupted, whilst the second causes knowledge and beliefs to be corrupted." [8] Speaking about such trials, he - rahimahullâh - said: "Hearts - when exposed to such fitan (trials) - are of two types: [The first type]: a heart, which, when exposed to such trials, absorbs it like a sponge that soaks-up water, leaving in it a black stain. Such a heart continues to soak-up the various trials that are presented to it, until it becomes dark and corrupted - which is what is meant by "an over-turned vessel", so when this occurs, two dangerous and deadly diseases take hold of it and plunge it into destruction:
Firstly: confusing good with evil, so it neither recognises the good, nor rejects the evil. This disease may take hold of it to such an extent that it believes good to be evil; and evil to be good, Sunnah to be bid'ah (innovation) ; and innovations to be the Sunnah, and the truth to be falsehood; and falsehood the truth.
Secondly: judging by its whims and desires, over and against what Allâh's Messenger sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam came with - being enslaved by its whims and desires and being led by them also.
[The second type]: a white heart in which the light of îmân is bright and its radiance is illuminating. So when trials are presented to such a heart, it rejects and turns away from them. This further increases its light and illumination and its strength." [9]


7. Related by Muslim (no.144), from Hudhayfah radiallâhu 'anhu.
8. Ighâthatul-Luhfâ n (p.40).
9. Ighâthatul-Luhfâ n (pp. 39-40).

Sunday, June 26, 2011

The Etiquettes of Wedding & Marriage

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

The Etiquettes Of Marriage And Wedding
http://www.calgaryi slam.com/ articles/
<http://www.calgaryi slam.com/ articles/> Shaykh Muhammad Naasirudden
al-Albaani

All praise is due to Allah, the One who said in the clear verses of His
Book:

"And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among
yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put
love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that are Signs for those
who reflect".[al- Room 30:21]

May the prayers and peace of Allah be upon His Prophet Muhammad, the one
who said in an authenticated hadeeth : "Marry the loving and fertile,
for I will compete with the other Prophets with the number of my
followers on the Day of Qiyama". [Ahmad and at-Tabaarani with hasan
isnaad. And declared saheeh from Anas by Ibn Hibbaan. And it has
witnesses which will be mentioned in Question 19]

After this opening: There are in Islam, certain etiquettes upon anyone
who marries and wishes to consummate his marriage with his wife. Most
Muslims today, even those who exert themselves in Islamic worship, have
either neglected or become totally ignorant of these Islamic etiquettes.
Therefore, I decided to write this beneficial treatise clearly
explaining these issues on the occasion of marriage of someone dear to
me. I hope that it will be an aid to him and to other believing brothers
in carrying out what the Chief of the Messengers has ordained on the
authority of the Lord of the Worlds. I have followed that by pointing
out certain issues important to every one who marries, and with which
many wives in particular have been tested. I ask Allah Most High to
bring about some benefit from this treatise, and to accept this work
solely for His glorious countenance. Surely, He is the Righteous, the
Merciful.

It should be known that there are many etiquettes in the area of
marriage. All that I am concerned with here in this quickly compiled

compiled work is that which is authenticated of the Sunnah of the
Prophet Muhammadесь Чссх ксэх ц гсу , that which is
irreproachable from the standpoint of its chain of narration and upon
which no doubt can be cast in terms of its constructions and meanings.
In this way, whoever reads and follows this information will be on a
clearly established basis in religion, and will have full confidence in
the source and validity of his actions. I hope for him that Allaah will
put the final seal of felicity on his life, in reward for beginning his
married life with the following of the Sunnah, and to make for him among
His slaves whose statement He has described in the Qur'aan saying:

And those who pray, "Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring
who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace)
to lead the righteous."
[al-Furqaan 25:74]

The final disposition of things is for those of pious practice, as the
Lord of the Worlds said:

As to the Righteous, they shall be amidst (cool) shades
and springs (of water). And (they shall have) fruits, - all
they desire. "Eat ye and drink ye to your heart's content:
for that ye worked (righteousness) ." Thus do We
certainly reward the Doers of Good.
[al-Mursalaat 77:41-44]

The following then, are those etiquettes:

1. Kindness toward your wife when you wish to enter into her

It is desirable, when one goes into his wife on his wedding night, to
show her kindness, such as presenting her with something to drink, etc.
This is found in the hadeeth narrated by Asmaa' bint Yazid ibn As-Sakan
who said: "I beautified 'As'ishah for Allaah's Messenger есь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу , then called him to come to see her unveiled. He
came, sat next to her, and brought a large cup of milk from which he
drank. Then, he offered it to 'Aa'ishah, but she lowered her head and
felt shy. I scolded her and said to her: "Take from the hand of the
Prophet." She then took it and drank some. Then, the Prophet есь
Чссх ксэх ц гсу said to her, "Give some to your companion."
At that point, I said: "O Messenger of Allaah, rather take it yourself
and drink, and then give it to me from your hand." He took it, drank
some, and then offered it to me. I sat down and put it on my knees.
Then, I began rotating it and following it with my lips in order that I
might hit the spot from which the Prophet had drunk. Then, the
Prophetесь Чссх ксэх ц гсу said about some women who were
there with me: "Give them some." But, they said: "We don't want it."
(ie. we are not hungry). The Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу
said: "Do not combine hunger and fibbing!" [Ahmad and al-Humaidi. Ahmad
reports it with 2 isnaads - one of which supports the other, and it is
supported... ]"

2. Placing your hands on your wife's head and praying for her

The husband should, at the time of consummating the marriage with his
wife or before that, place his hand on the front part of her head,
mention the name of Allah Most High, and pray for Allah's blessings. As
in the statement of the Prophet: "When any of you marries a woman ... he
should hold her forelock, mention Allah Most High, and pray for His
blessings saying: "O Allaah, I ask You for the good in her and the good
with which You have created her, and I seek refuge in You from the evil
in her and the evil with which You have created her." {Allaahumma innee
as'aluka min khairiha wa khairi maa jabaltaha 'alaihi wa a'oodhubika min
sharriha wa sharri maa jabaltaha 'alaihi} [Aboo Dawood and others.
Al-Bukhari in "Af'aalul-'Ibaad" , Aboo Dawood, Ibn Majah, al-Haakim,
al-Baihaqee and Aboo Ya'laa with hasan isnaad ...]

3. The praying of husband and wife together

It is desirable for the husband and wife to pray 2 rakaat together on
their wedding night. This has been narrated from the earliest generation
of Muslims, as in the following 2 narrations:

First: On the authority of Abu Sa'eed Mawla Abu Asyad who said: "I got
married while I was a slave. I invited a number of the companions of the
Prophet, among them was Ibn Mas'ood, Abu Dharr and Hudhaifa. When the
prayer was called, Abu Dharr began to step forward when the others said
to him: 'No!' He said: 'Is it so?' And they said: 'Yes.' Then, I stepped
forward and led the prayer though I was a slave possessed. They taught
me, saying: 'When your wife comes to you, pray 2 rakaat. Then, ask
Allaah for the good of that which has come to you, and seek refuge in
Him from its evil. Then it is up to you and it is up to your wife.'"
[Ibn Abi Shaibah and 'Abdur-Razzaaq]

Second: On the authority of Shaqeeq who said: "A man named Abu Hareez
came and said: 'I have married a young girl, and I am afraid that she
will despise me.' 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ood said to him: "Verily, closeness
is from Allaah, and hatred is from Shaitaan, who wishes to make
despicable that which Allaah has allowed. So, when your wife comes to
you, tell her to pray behind you 2 rakaat.'" In another version of the
same story, "'Abdullah went on to say: 'And say: 'O Allah give Your
blessings on me in my wife, and to her in me. O Allaah join us together
as long as You join us in good, and split us apart if You send to us
that which is better.'" [Ibn Abi Shaibah and at-Tabaraani and
'Abdur-Razzaaq: Saheeh].

4. What to say at the time of making Love

When a Muslim man is about to enter his wife, he should always say
first:

Bismillahi, Allahumma jannibnaa ash-shaitaan, wa jannib
ash-shaitaan maa razaqtanna

[In the name of Allah, O Allah, keep us away from the devil, and keep
the
devil away from that which You may grant us (ie. offspring).]

About this, the Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу said: "After
that, if Allah decrees that they will have a child, the devil will

never be able to harm that child". [al-Bukharee] [1]

5. How he should come to her

It is allowed for a Muslim man to enter his wife in her vagina from any
direction he wishes - from behind or from the front. About this Allaah
revealed the following verse:

"Your wives are a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth
when or how ye will" [al-Baqarah 2:223]

There are also various hadeeth on this subject, of which I will give
only 2:
On the authority of Jaabir who said: "The Jews used to say that if a man
entered his wife in the vagina but from behind, their child would be
cross-eyed! Then Allaah revealed the verse: "Your wives are as a tilth
unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will;" [al-Baqarah
2:223]. The Prophet said : "From the front or the back, as long as it is
in the vagina". [Al-Bukharee and Muslim]

On the authority of Ibn 'Abbaas who said: "The Ansaar, who had been
polytheists, lived with the Jews, who were people of the book. The
former viewed the latter as being superior to them in knowledge, and
used to follow their example in many things. The people of the book
would only make love to their wives from the side, this being the most
modest way for the woman, and the Ansaar had followed their example in
that. These people from the Quraish, on the other hand, used to expose
their women in an uncomely manner. They took pleasure in them from the
front, from the back, or laid out flat. When the Makkans came to
al-Madeenah at the time of the Hijrah, one of them married a woman from
among the Ansaar, and began doing that with her. She disapproved of it
and told him: "We used only to be approached from the side, so do that
or stay away from me!" This dispute became very serious until it reached
the ears of the Prophet. So Allaah, revealed the verse: "Your wives are
as a tilth unto you, so approach your tilth when or how ye will;"
[al-Baqarah 2:223] (ie. from the front, the back, or laid out flat).
What is meant here is the entry which produces children." [Aboo Dawood,
al-Haakim and others: Hasan isnaad and is supported].

6. The Prohibition of Sodomy

It is forbidden for a Muslim man to enter his wife in her anus. This is
understood from the verse quoted above (i.e. since a "planting ground"
can only refer to a place where something might grow), and from the
narrations cited above. There are also other hadeeth on the subject,
among them:

First: On the authority of Umm Salama who said: "When the Muhajireen
came to Ansaar at al-Madeenah, some of them married women from the
Ansaar. The women of the Muhajireen used to lie on their faces (during
intercourse) , while the women of the Ansaar never did it that way. Then,
one of the men of the Muhajireen wanted his wife to do that. She refused
until such time as she could ask the Prophet about it. She went to the
Prophet but was embarrassed to ask the question, and so Umm Salama asked
him. Then the verse was revealed which says: "Your wives are as a tilth
unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will;" [al-Baqarah
2:223]. The Prophet> said: "No! (not any way you wish) Except in one
opening! (ie. the vagina)". [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee and others : Saheeh]

Second: On the authority of Ibn 'Abbaas who said: "'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab
came to the Prophet and said: 'O Messenger of Allaah, I am destroyed!'
The Prophet asked: 'And what has destroyed you, O 'Umar?' 'Umar said: `I
turned my mount around last night.' (An expression which means he has
sexual intercourse with his wife penetrating the vagina while mounting
her from the rear.) The Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу gave
him no answer and when the revelation came and the verse was revealed
which says: "Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth
when or how ye will;" [al-Baqarah 2:223] and the Prophet есь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу said: "From the front and from the back, just
beware of her anus and her menses". [an-Nasaa'ee in "`Ishratun-Nisaa"
with hasan isnaad, at-Tirmidhee and others].

Third: On the authority of Khuzaima ibn Thaabit who said: "A man asked
the Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу about entering women in
the rear, or the entering by a man of his wife in her rear, and the
Prophet answered: `Halaal (ie. permissible) .' When the man turned to
leave, the Prophetесь Чссх ксэх ц гсу called him or
ordered for him to be called back and said : "What did you say? In which
of the 2 openings did you mean? If what you meant was from her rear and
in her vagina, then yes. But if what you meant was from her rear and in
her anus, then no. Verily Allaah is not ashamed of the truth - do not
enter your wives in their anuses!" [as-Shaafi, al-Baihaqi and others:
Saheeh]

Fourth: "Allaah does not look at one who comes to his wife in her anus".
[an-Nasaa'ee: Hasan isnaad and supported in "al-'Ishrah" ; at-Tirmidhee
and Ibn Hibbaan].

Fifth: "Cursed are those who come to their wives in their anuses." [Aboo
Dawood, Ahmad and others with hasan isnaad and is supported].

Sixth: "Whoever has sexual intercourse with a menstruating woman, or a
woman in her anus, or approaches a soothsayer and believes what he is
told has disbelieved in that which was revealed to Muhammadесь
Чссх ксэх ц гсу . [Aboo Dawood, at-Tirmidhee and others:
Saheeh].

7. Making Wudhuu' between 2 acts with one's wife

When a Muslim man has had sexual intercourse with his wife in the legal
manner and then wishes to return another time, he should first perform
wudhuu', based on the statement of the Prophet есь Чссх ксэх
ц гсу : "When one of you comes to his wife and then wishes to
return another time, let him perform wudhuu' between the 2 times (In
another version, the same wudhuu' which he performs for prayer) for
verily, it will invigorate his return."[Muslim, Ibn Abi Shaibah and
others].

8. Bathing is preferable

Bathing, however, is preferable to merely making wudhuu' in such
situations. Abu Raafi' narrates: "That the Prophet есь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу made the rounds of all his wives one night, bathing
in the house of each one. He (i.e. the narrator) asked the Prophet:
"Couldn't you have just bathed once (i.e. at the end)? The Prophet
есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу answered : "This way is purer,
cleaner and better". [Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee: Hasan in "al-'Ishrah" ,
and others].

9. The Bathing of Husband and Wife together

It is permissible for the husband and wife to bath together in the same
place even though he sees her private parts, and she sees his. This is
established by a number of authentic hadeeth, among them:

On the authority of 'Aa'ishah (radiallahu anha) who said: "I used to
bathe with the Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу from a single
container of water which was placed between us such that our hands
collided inside it. He used to race me such that I would say: `Leave
some for me, leave some for me!' She added: `We were in a state of
Janaba (i.e. the state of having slept together).'" [Al-Bukharee and
Muslim].

On the authority of Mu'aawiya ibn Haida, who said: "I said: `O Messenger
of Allaah есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу , which of our nakedness is
allowed, and of which must we beware?' The Prophet answered, "Guard your
nakedness except from your wife or those whom your right hand
possesses." (So it is permissible for both spouses to look at and touch
the body of his or her companion even the private parts). He said: `O
Messenger of Allah, what about if the relatives live together with each
other?' The Prophet answered : "If you can make sure that no one ever
sees your nakedness, then do so." He said: `O Messenger of Allah, what
about when one is alone?' The Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу
said: "Allah is more deserving of your modesty than are the
people"."[Ahmad, Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhee and others: Saheeh]. 10.
Making Wudhuu' after Sex and before Sleeping

It is best for husband and wife not to sleep after having sex until they
first perform wudhuu'. There are various hadeeth about this, among them:

First: On the authority of 'Aa'shah who said: "Whenever the Prophet
wished to sleep or eat while in a state of Janaba (i.e. after having sex
and before bathing), he would wash his private parts and perform wudhuu'
as for prayer." [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].

Second: On the authority of Ibn 'Umar who said: "O Messenger of Allah,
should we go to sleep in a state of janaba?" The Prophet есь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу answered: "Yes, after making wudhuu." [Al-Bukhaaree
and Muslim]. In another version: "Perform wudhuu' and wash your private
parts, and then sleep." [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]. And, in another
version: "Yes, you can perform wudhuu', sleep, and bathe whenever you
want." [Muslim and al-Baihaqi]. And, in still another version: "Yes, and
perform wudhuu' if you wish." (This last version proves that this
wudhuu' is not obligatory.) [Ibn Khuzima and Ibn Hibban: Saheeh].

Third: On the authority of 'Ammaar ibn Yaasir, the Prophet есь
Чссх ксэх ц гсу said: "There are three which the angels
will never approach: The corpse of a disbeliever; a man who wears
perfume of women; and, one who has had sex until he performs wudhuu'."
[Abu Dawood, Ahmad and others: Hasan].

11. The Ruling of this Wudhuu'

This wudhuu' is not obligatory, but is very highly and definitely
commendable. This (i.e. its not being obligatory) is based on the
hadeeth narrated by 'Umar in which he asked the Prophetесь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу : "Should we go to sleep in a state of janaba?" To
which the Prophet answered: "Yes, and perform wudhuu' if you wish." [Ibn
Hibbaan: Saheeh]. This is also supported by other hadeeth, among them a
hadeeth narrated by 'Aa'ishah who said: "The Prophetесь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу used to sleep in a state of janaba without having
touched water, until he would get up later and bathe." [Ibn Abi Shaiba,
at-Tirmidhee, Abu Daawood and others: Saheeh].

In another version narrated by 'Aa'ishah , she said: ""He used to spend
the night in a state of janaba until Bilal came in the morning to make
the adhaan. Then, he would get up, bathe while I looked at the water
dripping from his head, and go out. Then, I would hear his voice in the
Fajr prayer. Then, he would remain fasting." Mutarrif said: "I said to
Aamir: In the month of Ramadhaan?" He said: "Yes, in Ramadhaan and in
other than Ramadhaan." [Ibn Abi Shaiba, Ahmad and others: Saheeh].

12. Making Tayammum in a state of Janaba instead of Wudhuu'

It is also permissible to make Tayammum sometimes instead of wudhuu'
before sleeping. This is based on a hadeeth of 'Aa'ishah in which she
said: "When the Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу was in a
state of janaba and wished to sleep, he used to make wudhuu' or
Tayammum." [Al-Baihaqi: Hasan]

13. Bathing before Sleeping is Preferable

Bathing however, is preferable to any of the above-mentioned
possibilities as is clear in the hadeeth of `Abullaah ibn Qais who said:
"I asked 'Ai'ishah : "What did the Prophet do when in a state of janaba?
Did he bathe before sleeping or sleep before bathing?" She answered: "He
did all of those things. Sometimes he bathe and then slept. And
sometimes he performed wudhuu' and then slept." I said: "Praise be to
Allah who made things flexible."[Muslim, Ahmad and Abu `Auwaana].

14. The Prohibition of sex when she is menstruating

It is forbidden for a Muslim man to have sexual intercourse with his
wife when she is menstruating. This is clear in the following verse of
the Qur'an:

"They ask thee concerning women's courses. Say: They
are a hurt and a pollution: So keep away from women in
their courses, and do not approach them until they are
clean. But when they have purified themselves, ye may
approach them in any manner, time, or place ordained for
you by Allah. For Allah loves those who turn to Him
constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure
and clean." [Al-Baqarah, 2:222]

There are also hadeeth about this, among them:

First: "Whoever has sexual intercourse with a menstruating woman, or a
woman in her anus, or approaches a soothsayer and believes what he is
told has disbelieved in that which was revealed to Muhammad."

Second: On the authority of Anas ibn Malik, who said: "When one of their
women has their period, the Jews used to put her out of the house, and
they would not eat, drink, or sleep with her in the house. The Prophet
was asked about this, and Allaah revealed the verse:

"They ask thee concerning women's courses. Say: They are a
hurt and a pollution: so keep away from women in their courses, ...

Then the Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу said: "Be with them
in the house, and do everything except for intercourse itself." The Jews
said: "This man wants to leave nothing which we do without doing
something different." Then, Asyad ibn Hudair said: "O Messenger of
Allah, verily the Jews says such-and-such, should we not then have
sexual intercourse during menstruation? " The Prophet's есь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу face changed such that they thought that he was
enraged with them, so they left. As they were coming out, they saw a
gift of milk being brought to the Prophet. The Prophet есь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу then sent someone after them to give them a drink
of milk, so they felt that he was not actually angry with them."
[Muslim, Abu 'Auwaana and Abu Daawood].

15. The Penitence of One who Has Sex during Menses

Whoever is overcome by desire and has sexual intercourse with his wife
when she is menstruating and before she becomes clean must give the
value of one dinar's weight of gold or about 4.25 grams (4.2315 to be
more precise), or half that amount. This is based on a hadeeth narrated
by 'Abdullaah ibn 'Abbaas from the Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц
гсу in relation to one who enters his wife while she is on her
period as follows: "Let him give one dinar in charity, or one half
dinar." [At-Tirmidhee, Abu Dawood, At-Tabaraani and others: Saheeh].

16. What is Permissible when She is on her Periods

It is allowed for him to enjoy pleasure with his wife in any way except
for her private parts when she is on her period. There are several
ahadeeth about this:

First: "and do everything except intercourse itself." [Muslim, Abu
'Auwaana and Aboo Daawood]

Second: On the authority of 'Aa'ishah who said: "When we were on our
periods, the Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу used to order
us to put on a waist cloth that her husband can
then lie with her." One time she said: "... her husband can then fondle
and caress her." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslims and others].

Third: On the authority of one of the wives of the Prophet есь
Чссх ксэх ц гсу who said: "When the Prophetесь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу wanted something from one of his wives who was on
her period, he put a cloth over her private parts, and then did whatever
he wanted." [Abo Daawood: Saheeh]

17. When is it Allowed to resume Sexual Activity after Menses?

When she becomes clean of any menstrual blood, and the flow stops
completely, it is allowed for them to resume sexual activity after she
washes the place where the blood had been, or performs wudhuu', or takes
a complete bath. Whichever of these three alternatives she does makes it
allowed for them to resume sexual activity, based on Allaah's statement
in the Qur'an:

"But when they have purified themselves, ye may
approach them in any manner, time, or place ordained for you
by Allah. For Allah loves those who turn to Him
constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean."
[Al-Baqarah 2:222]

This is the position of Ibn Hazm, 'Ataa, Qatadah, al-Awzaa'ee and Daawud
az-Zaahiree and of Mujaahid: as Ibn Hazm says: "All three of these are a
purification - so whichever of them she uses after the cessation of her
periods, then she is lawful for her husband."

The same term is used to mean washing the private parts in the Aayah
revealed concerning the people of Qubaa:

"In it are men who love to be purified; and Allah loves
those who make themselves pure." [at-Tawbah 9:108]

There is nothing here in the Aayah however, or in the Sunnah, to
restrict the Aayah in question to any of the three meanings - and to do
so requires a further proof.

18. The Lawfulness of Coitus Interruptus

(Withdrawl of the penis from the vagina at the time of ejaculation with
the purpose of avoiding impregnation. This can be done only with the
permission of one's wife).

It is allowed for a Muslim man to practice coitus interruptus with his
wife. There are several hadeeth about this:

First: On the authority of Jaabir who said: "We were practicing coitus
interruptus, and the Qur'an was being revealed." [al-Bukhaaree and
Muslim]. In another version, he said: "We used to practice coitus
interruptus in the lifetime of the Prophet. This reached the Prophet,
and he did not prohibit us from doing it." [Muslim, an-Nasaa'ee and
at-Tirmidhee] .

Second: On the authority of Abu Sa'eed al-Khudhriy, who said: "A man
came to the Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу and said: "I
have a young girl (right-hand possession), and I practice coitus
interruptus with her. I want that which men want, but the Jews claim
that coitus interruptus is minor infanticide. " The Prophet said: "The
Jews have lied, the Jews have lied. If Allaah wished to create a child,
you would not be able to prevent it." [An-Naasaa'ee in al-'Ishrah: Abu
Dawood and others: Saheeh].

Third: On the authority of Jaabir, a man came to the Prophetесь
Чссх ксэх ц гсу and said: "I have a slave girl who serves
us and waters our date trees. Sometimes I go to her, but I dislike that
she should become pregnant by me". The Prophet said: "use coitus
interruptus if you like, but whatever has been ordained for her will
come." After some time, the man again came to the Prophet and said: "She
has become pregnant!" The Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу
told him: "I told you that whatever has been ordained for her will
come." [Muslim, Abu Dawood and others].

19. It is Preferable not to Practice Coitus Interruptus.

Not practicing coitus interruptus is preferable for a number of reasons:

First: It is harmful for the woman, since it reduces her pleasure by
cutting it short. If she agrees to it, it still contains the following
negative points.

Second: It negates part of the purpose of marriage which is enlarging
the Muslim nation through offspring, as in the statement of the Prophet
есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу : "Marry the loving and fertile, for
I will compete with the other Prophets with the number of my followers."
[Abu Dawood, an-Nasaa'ee and others: Saheeh]. This is why the Prophet
есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу once referred to it as "minor
infanticide" (and not because it is forbidden as infanticide is
forbidden) when asked about it saying: "That is minor infanticide" .
[Muslim, Ahmad and al-Baihaqi]. For this was preferable in the hadeeth
narrated by Abu Sa'eed al-Khudhriy saying: "Coitus Interruptus was
mentioned in the presence of the Prophetесь Чссх ксэх ц
гсу and he said: "Why would one of you do that? (note he did not
say "let none of you do that") Allah is the Creator of every single
soul." [Muslim]. In another version, he said: "You act and you act.
There are no people destined to be from now until the day of Qiyama but
that all of them will be." [Muslim]

20. What the two Spouses should Intend with their Marriage

Both spouses should enter into marriage with the following intentions:
freeing themselves of unfulfilled sexual desires, and protecting
themselves from falling into that which Allaah has forbidden (i.e.
adultery and fornication) . What's more, a reward as the reward for
sadaqa (voluntary giving of charity) is recorded for them every time
they have sex. This is based on the following hadeeth of the Prophet
narrated by Abu Dharr: "Some of the companions of the Prophetесь
Чссх ксэх ц гсу said to him: 'O Messenger of Allaah, the
affluent among us have taken the rewards (of the hereafter)! They pray
as we pray, fast as we fast, and then they give charity from the surplus
of their wealth!" The Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу said:
"Did Allaah not make for you that from which you can give sadaqa? Verily
for every time you say Subhannallah (Exalted is Allah) there is a
sadaqa, and for every time you say Allahuakbar (Allah is Most Great)
there is a sadaqa, and for every time you say Al-Hamdulillah (Praise is
to Allah) there is sadaqa, and in every act of enjoining what is right
there is sadaqa, and in every act of forbidding what is wrong there is a
sadaqa, and in your sexual relations there is a sadaqa." The Companions
said: "O Messenger of Allaah , is there a reward for one of us when he
satisfies his sexual desire?" The Prophetесь Чссх ксэх ц
гсу said: "Don't you see, if he had satisfied it with the
forbidden, would there not have been a sin upon him?" They said: "Why,
yes! He said: "In the same way, when he satisfies it with that which is
lawful, there is for him in that a reward." [Muslim, an-Nasaa'ee in
al-'Ishrah, and Ahamd].

21. What he should do the Morning After His Wedding Night

It is desirable for the husband to go to his relatives who came to visit
him in his house, on the following morning, to give them greetings and
pray for them. It is also desirable for them to do likewise for him, as
in the following hadeeth narrated by Anas : "The Messenger of Allaah
есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу gave a feast on the morning of his
wedding night with Zainab, at which he fed the Muslims to satisfaction
on bread and meat. Then, he went out to the Mothers of the Believers
(i.e. to his other wives), gave them greetings and prayed for them,
which they returned in kind. This is the way he used to do on the
morning after a wedding night." [Ibn Sa'd and an-Nasaa'ee: Saheeh].

22. The House must have a Place for Bathing

The married couple must have a place to bathe in their house, and the
husband must not allow his wife to go to the public bath houses. This is
forbidden, and there are various hadeeth about it, among them:

First: On the authority of Jaabir who said: "The Prophet есь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу said: "Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day,
let him not allow his wife to go to the Public baths. Whoever believes
in Allaah and the Last Day, let him not go to the baths except with a
waist-cloth. And whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him
never sit at a table at which intoxicants are being circulated."
[Al-Haakim, at-Tirmidhee and others: Saheeh]

Second: On the authority of Umm ad-Dardaa' who said: "I came out of the
public bath and I met Allaah's Messenger есь Чссх ксэх ц
гсу who said to me: 'From where have you come O Umm Dardaa'?' I
said: 'From the baths'. Then he said: "By the One in whose hand is my
soul, every woman who removes her clothes anywhere except the house of
one of her mothers has torn down all that veils her before ar-Rahman."
[Ahmad : Saheeh]

Third: On the authority of Abu al-Maleeh who said: "Some women from
Ash-Shaam entered upon 'Aa'ishah and said: "Where are you from?" The
women answered: "We are of the people of Ash-Shaam (the area of
present-day Syria)." 'Aa'ishah said: "Are you perhaps from that district
which allows its women to enter the public baths?" The said: "Yes". She
said: "As for me, I heard the Messenger of Allaahесь Чссх ксэх
ц гсу say: "Every woman who removes her clothes other than in
her house has torn down all veils of modesty between herself and
Allaah." [at-Tirmidhee, Abu Dawood and others: Saheeh]

23. The Prohibition of Spreading Bedroom Secrets

It is forbidden for either the husband or the wife to spread any of the
secrets of their bedroom to anyone outside. The following two hadeeth
are about this:

First: "Verily among the worst people before Allaah on the Day of
Judgment is a man who approaches his wife sexually and she responds and
then he spreads her secrets." [Muslim, Ibn Abi Shaiba, Ahmad and
others].

Second: "On the authority of Asmaa bint Yazid who narrated "that she was
once in the presence of the Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу
and there were both men and women sitting. The Prophetесь Чссх
ксэх ц гсу then said: "Perhaps a man might discuss what he
does with his wife, or perhaps a woman might inform someone what she did
with her husband?" The people were silent. Then I said: "O, Yes! O
Messenger of Allaah verily both the women and men do that." Then the
Prophet есь Чссх ксэх ц гсу said: "Do not do that. It is
like a male shaitaan who meets a female shaitaan along the way, and has
sex with her while the people look on!" [Ahmad: Hasan or Saheeh due to
supports]

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Tawheed Poem for Children

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

Laa Ilaaha Ill- Allaah
Knowing what it means to me.
Allaah Alone is Who I worship,
no one - nothing else but He.

Laa Ilaaha Ill- Allaah
Certain in my heart it's true.
No doubt thereof, I testify
that to Allaah all praise is due.

Laa Ilaaha Ill- Allaah
I say it with sincerity.
My deeds are for Allaah Alone
with love and hope and piety.

Laa Ilaaha Ill- Allaah
Truthful to my Lord.
Laa illaaha ill-Allaah
in action, faith and word.

Laa Ilaaha Ill- Allaah
These words I truly love.
And loving none as much
as I do love my Lord above.

Laa Ilaaha Ill- Allaah
Submitting in totality.
Following Allaahs Command
both inwardly and outwardly.

Laa Ilaaha Ill- Allaah
Accepting all that it entails.
Staying firm upon this Word,
with my Lord's Help, I will prevail.

Knowledge - Certainty - Sincerity - Truthfulness - Love - Submission -
Acceptance


Friday, June 24, 2011

The Names & Characteristics of the Quran

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

The Names and Characteristics of the Qur'aan  
____________ _________ _________ __

To assist you in knowing the true worth of the Qur'aan, you should know that
Allaah has named the Quran with many names and amongst them are:

Al-Quran (theRecital) ,  Al-Furqaan (the Criterion between Truth and falsehood),
at-Tanzeel (the Revelation), Al-Kitaab (the Book).

Allaah has also given the Quran many descriptions in His verses and amongst
them are:

Noor (Light), Huda (Guidance), Mauidhah (Admonition) , Shifaa (Healing), Rahmah
(Mercy), Mubaarak (Blessing), Mubeen (Clear, Manifest), Bushraa (Good Tidings),
Azeez (Mighty), Majeed (Glorious), Basheer (Bringer of Glad Tidings), Nadheer
(Warner), Kareem (Noble), Ahsanul-Hadeeth (the Best of Speech)

Allaah the Exalted said, in describing His Book:
Allaah has sent down the most beautiful of speech, a Book, (parts of it)
resembling (others) oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver
from it. Then their skins and their hearts soften to the remembrance of Allaah
(Zumar 39:23)

Originally from: Kaifa Nafhamul-Qur' aan of Jameel Zainoo, with slight
modification.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Meaning of Tilaawah (Recitation) of the Quran

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.


The Meaning of Tilaawah (Reciting) of the Qur'aan   
____________ _________ _________ __

Reciting the Qur'aan, as it is understood by our Noble and Pious Predecessors,
means to act upon it and to follow it and to adhere to the lawful and abandon
the unlawful - and not merely recite it with one's tongue.

Ibn Katheer (rh) said in his Tafseer Qur'an il-Adheem, regarding the saying of
Allaah:
"Those to whom We have given the Book recite it as it truly should be recited,
they are the ones who (truly) believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it, then
they are the losers."[1]
"Qataadah said: "They are the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu
alaihi wasallam)."

Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiallaahu anhu) said: "When he comes across the
mentioning of Paradise, he asks Allaah for Paradise and when he comes across the
mentioning of the Fire, he seeks refuge in Allaah from the Fire."
Ibn Mas'ood said: "By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, verily its truthful
recitation is that a person treats as lawful what is lawful therein, treats as
unlawful what is unlawful therein, that he recites it just as Allaah had
revealed it, that he does not give its words other than their proper meanings
and does not give an interpretation to any part of it which is not its proper
interpretation. "
Al-Hasan al-Basree (rh) said: "They act according to and upon its clear and
manifest verses (whose meanings are clear and apparent) and they believe in its
allegorical verses (whose meanings are unclear) and they entrust whatever is
difficult for them (to know) to its Knower."
Ibn Abbaas (radiallaahu anhu) said regarding "as it truly should be recited...":
"They follow it as it truly should be followed.[2] " And then he recited the
verse: And by the Moon when it follows it (the Sun)[3]. He said: "Follows it."
Ibn Mas'ood (radiallaahu anhu) said about the same verse: "They follow it as it
truly should be followed."
Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiallaahu anhu) said: "They are the ones who when they
pass by a verse mentioning mercy, they ask for it from Allaah and when they pass
by a verse mentioning punishment, they seek refuge from it."
And His saying: "They are the ones who (truly) believe in it": is a description
of the ones 'to whom We have given the Book' and who "..recite it as it (truly)
should be recited.."[4] "
So dear reader, the meaning of reciting the Book of Allaah (Tilaawah) is to
memorise it, to recite it as it was revealed to the Messenger (sallallaahu
alaihi wasallam), to study it and to follow it, acting upon its clear and
explicit verses (following its orders and refraining from its prohibition) , to
believe in its allegorical verses avoiding false interpretations of such verses
and to submit the knowledge of their meanings to their Knower in truth, Allaah
the Exalted. If you do that then you are guaranteed Paradise as Ibn Abbaas
(radiallaahu anhu) has said: "Allaah guarantees the one who reads the Qur'aan
and acts upon whatever is contained within it that he will not go astray in this
life and will not be wretched in the Hereafter."


NOTES
1 Soorah Baqarah 2:121
2 "Yattabi'oonahu haqqa ittibaa'ihi" So the meaning of Tilaawah in this verse as
Ibn Abbaas and Ibn Mas'ood explain is Ittibaa'
3 Soorah Shams 91:2
4 Tafseer Ibn Katheer (1/168-169)


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

How do you Benefit from the Quran?

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

How Do You Benefit From the Qur'aan
Author: Ibn al-Qayyim
Source: Al-Fawaa'id
Article ID : SCL050004  [13272]  
____________ _________ _________ __

Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said in al-Fawaaid:
Allaah the Exalted said:
Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while
he is heedful. (Qaaf 50:37)
When you desire benefit from the Quran, then bring your heart together during
its recitation, listen heedfully and have the presence of the one who is being
addressed and spoken to, since it is a speech from Him, the Sublime, to you,
upon the tongue of His Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam).

This is because the best and most complete effectis suspended between the
following:

1. that which produces the required effect,
2. a place which receives this effect,
3. the condition which is necessary to receive such an effect and
4. the absence of that which prevents this effect from being obtained.
This verse has included all of the above with the most concise and clear of
wording, which is most direct in expounding the intended meaning.

His speech: (Verily, therein is indeed a reminder...) is an indication of what
has preceded from the beginning of Surah Qaaf to the present and this
constitutes that which produces the desired effect.

And His speech: (...for him who has a heart...) this is the place which receives
the effect and what is desired by it is: a living heart which understands from
Allaah, just as the Exalted has said:Yaa Seen 36:69-70)

It is but a Reminder and a Manifest, Clear Quran, that he (Muhammad) may give
warning to him who is alive (i.e. the healthy and live heart of the believer.) (
And His speech: (...or who gives ear...) the one who directs his listening and
the perceptive faculty of his hearing to what is being said to him, and this is
the condition of benefitting and receiving the desired effect from the words
(that one hears).

And His speech: (...while he is heedful) meaning his heart is present and
witnessing, not absent and unmindful.

Ibn Qutaibah said: "Listen to the Book of Allaah, while your heart and
understanding are present, not while you are unmindful and forgetful."

And this is an indication of that which prevents the desired effect [from the
Book of Allaah] from being obtained and that is the forgetfulness and absence of
the heart from understanding what is being said to it, looking at it with care
and pondering slowly and carefully over it.

So when that which produces the effect and that is the Book of Allaah; a place
which receives the effect and that is the heart; the necessary condition, which
is paying attention; the absence of that which prevents the effect and that is
the hearts occupation and distraction away from the meaning of the speech and
its turning way to something else are all present, then the effect will be
obtained and realised and that is benefiting from the Quran and its
remembrance. 

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Sitting Closely in the Gatherings of Ilm

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

Shaikh al-Albaani said, It is obligatory upon the students of knowledge to
come close in the circles [of knowledge] and not to be distant. For this
outward coming together affects [a person] inwardly. To continue
reading <http://shaikhalbaan i.wordpress. com/2011/ 06/10/sitting- closely-in- the-gatherings- of-knowledge- and-not-being- distant/>

Saturday, June 18, 2011

And Hold Fast by the Covenant of Allah

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.


Allah says in Noble Qur'an,

 "And certainly We have made the Qur'an
easy to understand".
[54:17]

[5. Surah Al-Maidah : Ayah 2]
"And
help one another in goodness and piety, and do not help one another in
sin and aggression; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely
Allah is severe in requiting (evil)."


Downloadable Audio Quran and Video Quran



Friday Nasiha

And hold fast by the Covenant of Allah

And hold fast by the Covenant of Allah   [3. Surah  Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 101] And whoever holds fast to Allah, he indeed is guided to the right path.

[3. Surah  Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 102] O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) Allah with the care which is due to Him, and do not die unless you are Muslims.

[3. Surah  Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 103] And
hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited,
and remember the favor of Allah on you when you were enemies, then He
united your hearts so by His favor
you became brethren; and you were on the brink of a pit of fire, then
He saved you from it, thus does Allah make clear to you His
communications that you may follow the right way.

[3. Surah  Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 104] And
from among you there should be a party who invite to good and enjoin
what is right and forbid the wrong, and these it is that shall be
successful.

[3. Surah  Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 105]

And
be not like those who became divided and disagreed after clear
arguments had come to them, and these it is that shall have a grievous
chastisement.

[3. Surah  Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 106] On
the day when (some) faces shall turn white and (some) faces shall turn
black; then as to those whose faces turn black: Did you disbelieve
after your believing? Taste therefore the chastisement because you
disbelieved.

[3. Surah  Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 107] And as to those whose faces turn white, they shall be in Allah's mercy; in it
they shall-abide.

[3. Surah  Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 108] These
are the communications of Allah which We recite to you with truth, and
Allah does not desire any injustice to the creatures.

[3. Surah  Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 109] And whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's; and to Allah all things return.

[3. Surah  Aal-e-Imran : Ayah 110]

You
are the best of the nations raised up for (the benefit of) men; you
enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and believe in Allah; and if
the followers of the Book had believed it would have been better for
them; of them (some) are believers and most of them are transgressors

Friday, June 17, 2011

Beautiful Description of Paradise

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

Ibn al-Qayyim's beautiful description of Paradise from 'Haadi al-Arwaah'
from the amazing and beautiful book Haadi al-Arwaah ilaa Bilaad
il-Afraah by Ibn al-Qayyim, pg. 193
Ibn al-Qayyim said, in regards to the description of the Paradise and
the delights that it contains:

"And if you ask about its ground and its soil, then it is of musk and
saffron.

And if you ask about its roof, then it is the Throne of the Most
Merciful.

And if you ask about its rocks, then they are pearls and jewels.

And if you ask about its buildings, then they are made of bricks of gold
and silver.

And if you ask about its trees, then it does not contain a single tree
except that its trunk is made of gold and silver.

And if you ask about its fruits, then they are softer than butter and
sweeter than honey.

And if you ask about its leaves, then they are softer than the softest
cloth.

And if you ask about its rivers, then there are rivers of milk who's
taste does not change, and rivers of wine that is delicious to those
who drink it, and rivers of honey that is pure, and rivers of water
that is fresh.

And if you ask about their food, then it is fruits from whatever they
will choose, and the meat of whatever birds they desire.

And if you ask about their drink, then it is Tasneem, ginger, and
Kaafoor.

And if you ask about their drinking cups, then they are crystal-clear
and made of gold and silver.

And if you ask about its shade, then a fast rider would ride in the
shade of one of its trees for a hundred years and not escape it.

And if you ask about its vastness, then the lowest of its people would
have within his kingdom and walls and palaces and gardens the distance
that would be travelled in a thousand years.

And if you ask about its tents and encampments, then one tent is like a
concealed pearl that is sixty miles long.

And if you ask about its towers, then they are rooms above rooms in
buildings that have rivers running underneath them.

And if you ask about how far it reaches into the sky, then look at the
shining star that is visible, as well as those that are far in the
heavens that the eyesight cannot possibly reach.

And if you ask about the clothing of its inhabitants, then they are of
silk and gold.

And if you ask about its beds, then its blankets are of the finest silk
laid out in the highest of its levels.

And if you ask about the faces of its inhabitants and their beauty, then
they are like the image of the Moon.

And if you ask about their age, then they are young ones of 33 years in
the image of Adam, the father of humanity.

And if you ask about what they will be hearing, then it is the singing
of their wives from among the Hoor al-'Ayn, and better than that are
the voices of the Angels and the Prophets, and better than that is the
Speech of the Lord of the Worlds.

And if you ask about their servants, then they are young boys of
everlasting youth who resemble scattered pearls.

And if you ask about their brides and wives, then they are young and
full-breasted and have had the liquid of youth flow through their
limbs; the Sun runs along the beauty of her face if she shows it, light
shines from between her teeth if she smiles; if you meet her love, then
say whatever you want regarding the joining of two lights; he sees his
face in the roundness of her cheek as if he is looking into a polished
mirror, and he sees the brightness from behind her muscles and bones;
if she were to be unleashed upon the World, she would fill what is
between the Heavens and the Earth with a beautiful wind, and the mouths
of the creation would glorifiy, praise, and exclaim greatness, and
everything between the East and the West would be adorned for her, and
every eye would be shut from everthing but her, and the light of the
Sun would be outshone just as the light of the Sun outshines the light
of the stars, and everyone on the face of the Earth would believe in the
Ever-Living, the One who Sustains and Protects all the exists.

And the covering on her head is better than the World and all that is
in it, and she does not increase with age except in beauty; free from an
umbilical cord, childbirth and menses, and pure of mucous, saliva,
urine and other filthy things; her youth never fades, her clothing is
never worn out, no garment can be created that matches her beauty, and
no one who is with her can ever become bored; her attention is
restricted to her husband, so she desires none but him, just as his
attention is restricted to her so she is the sole object of his desire,
and he is with her in utmost safety and security, as none has touched
her before of either humans or Jinn.

And if you ask about the Day of Increase (in reward) and the visit of
the all-Mighty, all-Wise, and the sight of His Face - free from any
resemblance or likeness to anything - as you see the Sun in the middle
of the day and the full Moon on a cloudless night, then listen on the
day that the caller will call: 'O People of Paradise! Your Lord -
Blessed and Exalted - requests you to visit Him, so come to visit Him!'
So they will say: 'We hear and obey!'

Until, when they finally reach the wide valley where they will all meet
- and none of them will turn down the request of the caller - the Lord
- Blessed and Exalted - will order His Chair to be brought there. Then,
pulpits of light will emerge, as well as pulpits of pearls, gemstone,
gold, and silver. The lowest of them in rank will sit on sheets of
musk, and will not see what those who are on the chairs above them are
given. When they are comfortable where they are sitting and are secure
in their places, and the caller calls: 'O People of Paradise! You have
an appointment with Allaah in which He wishes to reward you!' So they
will say: 'And what is that reward? Has He not already made our faces
bright, made our scales heavy, entered us into Paradise, and pushed us
away from the Fire?'

And when they are like that, all of a sudden a light shines that
encompasses all of Paradise. So, they raise their heads, and, behold:
the Compeller - Exalted is He, and Holy are His Names - has come to them
from above them and majestified them and said: 'O People of Paradise!
Peace be upon you!' So, this greeting will not be responded to with
anything better than: 'O Allaah! You are Peace, and from You is Peace!
Blessed are You, O possessor of Majesty and Honor!' So the Lord -
Blessed and Exalted - will laugh to them and say: 'O People of
Paradise! Where are those who used to obey Me without having ever seen
Me? This is the Day of Increase!'

So, they will all give the same response: 'We are pleased, so be pleased
with us!' So, He will say: 'O People of Paradise! If I were not pleased
with you, I would not have made you inhabitants of My Paradise! So, ask
of Me!' So, they will all give the same response: 'Show us your Face so
that we may look at it!' So, the Lord - Mighty and Majestic - will
remove his covering and will majestify them and will cover them with
His Light, which, if Allaah - the Exalted - had not Willed not to burn
them, would have burned them.

And there will not remain a single person in this gathering except that
his Lord - the Exalted - will speak to him and say: 'Do you remember the
day that you did this and that?' and He will remind him of some of his
bad deeds in the Worldy life, so he will say: 'O Lord! Will you not
forgive me?' So, He will say: 'Of course! You have not reached this
position of yours (in Paradise) except by my forgiveness. '

So, how sweet is this speech to the ears, and how cooled are the
righteous eyes by the glance at His Noble Face in the Afterlife...

{Some faces that Day will be shining and radiant, looking at their
Lord...} (al-Qiyaamah: 22-3)

[from the amazing and beautiful book Haadi al-Arwaah ilaa Bilaad
il-Afraah by Ibn al-Qayyim, pg. 193]

Sunday, June 12, 2011

I Heard the Echo of your Foosteps in Paradise in Front of me

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates:-
 the Prophet (may Allah's Blessings and Peace be upon him) said to Bilal:-
 "Tell me~ Bilal! of your most hopeful action since your acceptance of Islam because
I have heard the echo of your footsteps in Paradise in front of me?"

Bilal replied:-
"I do not consider any of my actions more hopeful (of acceptance from Allah) than that whenever I have made my ablutions (Wudu) during the day or night I have each time offered by way of prayer that which Allah has made easy for me."
Source:-{ Bukhari Book #21, Hadith #250) & Muslim}

Notes:-
No One knew about this action except Bilal . . . . and Allah.
And look how great Allah's Reward was . . .

Do any of us have an action that ONLY Allah knows we are doing? 

This is what truly makes an action special . . .
when you are so sincere that you seek
only the Pleasure of Allah.

Give away something you absolutely love, wake up at night to pray, visit an orphanage, give out some charity, really forgive someone who hurt you, submit to Allah's Decree in something you don't like. . .
or like Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) pray 2 rak'aats each time you make wudu . . . and keep it "a secret" between only you and Allah.

Then, on the Day that you finally meet Him, you will have something special to present to Him . . . something you can be sure was sincerely for His Pleasure. 


Saturday, June 11, 2011

The Levels of Envy

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

The Levels of Envy

1. From them is the one who exerts effort to remove the blessings of the person who is envied by way of transgression upon him with statements and actions. Then from these people are those who exert themselves in an effort to acquire what has been removed from the person against who was transgressed.

2. From them is the one who restricts his efforts to removing the blessings of the person who he envies without acquiring anything from him. This is the more evil and despicable of the two. This blameworthy evil is prohibited.

3. Another group from amongst the people, if they happen to envy another person, they do not act in accordance with their envy. These people do not transgress against the person who is envied by the way of their statements or actions.

4. Another group of people, if they find within themselves envy, they strive hard to remove it with kindness to the one whom they have envied by initiating goodness towards him and supplicating for him, and spreading news of his good qualities. They do all of this in an effort to remove what they found in themselves of envy until this envy eventually changes because of their desire to be a better Muslim. This is from the highest degrees of belief and the possessor of this is a complete believer who loves for his brother what he loves for himself.


Umm 'Abdillah al-Waadi'iyyah
Naseehatee Lin Nisaa- My Advice to the Women
Pgs 250-251


Friday, June 10, 2011

Some Great Audio Lectures

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

http://www.authenticstatements.com/store/pages.php?pageid=4

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Effects of the 5 Heart Corrupters

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh! I hope this finds you close to Allah & in the best of health and Iman.

"I Myself, am Entirely made of Flaws, Stitched Together with Good Intentions" Umm Kadar
Effects of the Five Heart Corrupters
Written by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah,
Madaarij as-Saalikeen, vol. 1, pp. 443-9

The Five Heart Corrupters are : Excessive socializing, wishful thinking,
attachment to others besides Allaah, eating to one's fill, and sleep.
These five factors are the greatest corrupters of the heart. In this
article I will mention the effects that are common to all of them as
well as those effects that are unique to each of them.
Know that the heart is on a journey to Allaah, Most Great and Glorious,
and to the world of the Hereafter, and [that it is able to] discover the
path of truth as well as the faults of the soul and of deeds. Its path
is traversed with its light, life, strength, health, determination,
the soundness of its hearingand sight, as well as the absence of
distractions and impediments from it. These five (corrupters)
extinguish its light, distort its vision, muffle its hearing, if they do
not deafen it, dumfound it, and weaken its powers/strengths altogether.
They weaken its health, slacken its drive, halt its decisions, and
reverse it (sending it backwards). And if one does not sense it, his
heart is dead – as wounding a corpse does not inflict pain. They are
impediments that prevent it from achieving its perfection, and prevent
it from arriving to what it was created for, and making its pleasure and
happiness ibtihaah and its enjoyment in arriving to it.
For there is no pleasure, sweetness, ibtihaaj, or perfection except by
knowing Allaah and loving Him, peace in remembrance of Him, happiness
and ibtihaaj in being close to Him and desiring to meet Him.[1] This is
(the heart’s) early paradise. As there will be no pleasure or success
for it in the Hereafter, except by being its neighbour in the abode of
pleasure in the early paradise. It has two paradises. It will not enter
the second of the two if it did not enter the first.
I heard Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah – may Allaah have mercy on him –
say: “Indeed there is a paradise in this world, whoever doesn’t enter it
will not enter the paradise of the Hereafter.�
… Some of those known for their love of Allaah (al-muhibboon) [were
reported to have] said: “The truly unfortunate people of this world are
those who leave the world without tasting the sweetest thing it
contains.� When they were asked what it was, they replied: “The love of
Allaah, to feel comfortable in His company, to desire to meet Him,
turning towards Him and turning away from everything besides Him.� Or
some words similar to that.[2] Everyone who has a heart bears witness to
this and knows it as a result of having tasted it. And these five
matters cut [the person] off from this, block the heart from it, impede
its journey, cause sicknesses and defects for which, if the sick person
does not realize it, [destruction] is feared.

The First Corrupter: Frequent Socializing
The effect of frequent socializing is that it fills the heart with the
smoke of anfaas of humans until it becomes black, [3] causing it to be
scattered, torn apart, worried, upset, and weak. It causes it to carry
what it is unable to from mu’nat evil companions and waste what is
beneficial for it, by becoming too preoccupied with evil companions and
their matters to attend to what is beneficial. (The heart instead is
busy with) scattered thoughts in the valleys of their requests and
wishes. So what remains of it for Allaah and the life to come?
How many adversities has mixing with people brought and how many
blessings has it repelled? [How many] trials has it caused and
opportunities disabled, raziyyah caused to fall in baliyyah. Is aafah
the downfall of people caused by other than people? Did Aboo Taalib at
the time of his death have anything more harmful to himself than evil
companions? They remained with him until they blocked him from the one
statement that would have guaranteed him eternal pleasure.
This socializing based on love in this world, the fulfillment of desires
from others, will change into enmity when the realities become
manifest, and some of those who socialized will bite their hands in
regret as the Almighty said:
“On the Day when the sinner will bite his hands saying: If only I had
taken a way to the Messenger. Woe to me, if only I hadn’t taken
so-and-so as a close friend. He misguided me from the Remembrance after
it came to me.’ And Satan is forever a deserter of humans in their time
of need.� (Soorah al-Furqaan, 25: 27-9)
He also said:
“Close friends on that Day will be foes of each other except the God-fearing.� (Soorah az-Zukhruf, 43: 67)
And He said:
“Indeed what you have taken besides Allaah is only idols. Love between
you is only in this world, but on the Day of Resurrection you will
disown each other and curse each other and your abode will be the fire
and you will have no helpers.� (Soorah al-‘Ankaboot, 29: 25)
That is the state of those who share goals, they love each other as long
they help each other to achieve it. But if the goal is cut off, it is
followed by regret, sadness and pain, and that love will change into
hatred, cursing, blame of one another, and the goals change into
unhappiness and punishment, as is witnessed in this life in the states
of those who share in khizyah failure, if they are caught and punished.
Each supporter of falsehood, friendly regarding it, their mutual love
must eventually change into hatred and enmity.
The useful defining principle in the matter of socializing is that one
should mix with people in [acts of] goodness like Jumu‘ah, the ‘Eeds,
Hajj, learning knowledge, Jihaad, giving advice; and avoid them in [acts
of] evil, as well as unnecessary permissible things. If necessity
requires mixing with them in evil and avoiding them is not possible,
then beware, beware of agreeing with them. And be patient with their
harm, for they must harm him if he does not have power or a helper.
However, it is harm followed by honor and love for him, respect and
praise for him from them, the believers, and from the Lord of the
worlds.
Thus, patience with their harm is a better ending and a more
praiseworthy conclusion. If necessity requires mixing with them in
unnecessary permissible things, he should strive to transform the
gathering into one of obedience to Allaah if it is possible, he should
encourage himself and strengthen his heart, and not pay attention to the
satanic whisper of discouragement which will prevent him from that,
that this is riyaa showing off, a love of displaying one’s knowledge and
state, etc., he should fight it and seek help from Almighty Allaah and
try to affect them as positively as he can. If destiny prevents him from
that, he should remove his heart from among them the way a hair is
removed from dough. Among them he should be present yet absent, close
yet far and asleep yet awake. He should look at them and not see them,
hear their words but not be conscious of them, because he has removed
his heart from among them and ascended with it to the uppermost hosts
(al-mala’il-a‘laa) glorifying [Allaah] around the throne along with the
pure celestial spirits. How difficult this is and trying for the souls,
[yet] it is easy for whoever Allaah makes it easy. Between a slave and
[that state] is that he be truthful to Allaah – Blessed and High –
continually seeking refuge in Him, and that he throw his soul on
[Allaah’s] doorstep in humility and tareeh. Nothing will help him to do
that besides sincere love, continual remembrance of Allaah with the
heart and tongue, and avoidance of the remaining four corrupters to be
mentioned. He will achieve this except with righteous preparation and
strong material from Allaah – Most Great and Glorious – and a truthful
conviction, and freedom from attachment to other than Allaah, Most High.
And Allaah Almighty knows best.

The Second Corrupter: Riding the Sea of Wishes
It is a sea without shores. It is the sea ridden by the bankrupt of the
world. It is said: Wishes are the capital of the bankrupt, and its
travel provisions are the promises of Satan, and impossible imaginations
and falsehood. The wealth of false wishes and false imaginations
continue to play with one who rides them the way that dogs play with a
jeefah corpse. They are the supplies of every maheenah disgraced,
khaseesah humiliated, low soul, having no conviction to achieve external
realities. So it i‘taadat turned away from them with mental wishes. And
everyone has it according to his state: From a wisher for power and
authority, or travel and international travel, or wealth and valuables,
or women and mardaan, The wisher imagines an image of what he desires in
his mind, and he succeeds in creating it and takes pleasure in
capturing it. While he is in this state he suddenly awakes to find his
hand and al-haseer. (p. 446)
The one who has lofty/high conviction himmah his hopes pivot around
knowledge and faith and deeds which will bring him closer to his Lord,
and yudeenuhu min jiwaarih. These wishes are faith, light and wisdom,
while the wishes of those are deception and delusion.
The Prophet (r) praised the one who wishes for good, and made his reward
in some things similar to that of the one who actually does it, like
the one who says: If I had money I would do as so-and-so does who fears
his Lord regarding his wealth, strengthening family ties with it, and
extracts from it what is required. He said: “Regarding reward, they are
equal.� [4] The Prophet (r) wished in the Farewell Pilgrimage that he
was doing Hajj Tamattu‘ and khalla and that he did not take a
sacrificial animal with him, [5] as he was doing Hajj Qiraan. So Allaah
gave him the reward of Qiraan which he did and the reward of Tamattu‘
which he wished for and combined for him both rewards.

The Third Corrupter: Attachment to Other Than Allaah
This is the absolute worst of the corrupters. There is none more harmful
than attachment to other than Allaah, nor more able to cut the heart off from Allaah, and block it from what is beneficial to it and what will
bring it true happiness. If a heart becomes attached to other than
Allaah, Allaah makes him dependent on what he is attached to and he will be betrayed by it and he will not achieve what he was seeking from
Allaah as long as he is attached to other than Allaah and turning to
others besides Him. Thus, he will not obtain what he sought from Allaah
nor will what he was attached to besides Allaah bring it for him
And they have taken gods besides Allaah that they might give them
honor, power and glory. No. But they will deny their worship of them and
become opponents to them. (Soorah Maryam, 19: 81-2)
And they have taken besides Allaah gods hoping that they might be
helped. They cannot help them but they will be brought forward as a
troop against them.  (Soorah Yaaseen, 36: 74-5)
The person most betrayed is the one who is attached to other than
Allaah. For what he missed of benefits, happiness and success is far
greater that what he obtained from those to whom he was attached, and it
is exposed to disappearance and loss. The example of one attached to
other than Allaah is like one seeking shade from the heat and cold in a
spider's web (home), the weakest wahn of homes.
In general, the basis of idolatry and the foundation on which it is
built is: Attachment to other than Allaah, and for the one who does so
there is condemnation and betrayal, as stated by the Almighty:
Do not set up with Allaah any other god or you will sit down reproved and forsaken. (Soorah al-Israa, 17: 22)
Reproved without anyone to praise you, forsaken without anyone to
help you. As some people may be forced while being praised, like one is
forced by falsehood, and he could be forsaken while being helped [by
Allaah], like one forced and falsehood has gained the upper hand over
him, and he could be praised and supported like one becomes established
and gains dominion by way of the truth. The idolater attached to other
than Allaah, his is the vilest category, neither praised nor supported.

The Fourth Corrupter: Food
The corrupter of the heart is of two types:
One of them is that which corrupts it by itself like the forbidden which are two types:
Forbidden relative to Allaah like carcasses, blood, pork, wild animals
that kill with the canine tooth [6]and birds that kill with claws.
Forbidden relative to Allaah's slaves, like stolen, maghsoob,
kidnapped, and what is taken without the permission of the owner either
by force or by shame and blame.
The second is what corrupts as a result of its quantity and its
exceeding limits, like wasting permissible things, excessive filling of
the stomach, for it makes acts of obedience burdensome and it
preoccupies the heart with muzaawalat munat al-batnah chasing after
belly desires and trying for it until it captures it. If it captures
zafara it he becomes preoccupied with muzaawalat following its tasarruf
activities and protecting the self from its harm, and being hurt by its
weight, and it strengthens the elements of desire. It paves paths for
Satan and expands them, for he moves among humans in the veins. Fasting
narrows its passages and closes his paths and filling the stomach paves
paths and widens them. Whoever eats a lot, drinks a lot, sleeps a lot
and loses a lot. In the famous hadeeth:
No human fills a container worse than his stomach. Two small portions
of food to straighten his backbone are sufficient. If he must [eat
more], then let it be a third for food, a third for drink and a third
for breathing. [7]
It is said that [on one occasion] Iblees “ may Allaah curse him“ met
Yahyaa, son of Zakariyyaa “ peace be upon them“ and Yahyaa asked him:
Did you take anything from me. He replied: No, except one night when
food was presented to you, I made it so desirable to you that you ate
your fill and you went to sleep without making your regular supplications.
Yahyaa said: I swear by Allaah that I will never eat my fill again.
Iblees then said: As for me, I swear by Allaah that I will never advise
another human again.

The Fifth Corrupter: Excessive Sleep
It deadens the heart, makes the body heavy, wastes time, and gives birth
to a lot of negligence and laziness. Some [types] of sleep are
extremely disliked, and some are harmful to the body. The best form of
sleep is what takes place when there exists a strong need for it. Sleep
at the beginning of the night is more praiseworthy and beneficial than
at the end of the night, and sleep in the middle of the day is better
than at its beginning and end tarafayhi. The closer sleep is to the
beginning and ending of the day the less the benefit and the more the
harm. [This is] especially the case for sleeping in the after noon
(asr) and sleeping at the beginning of the day, except for one who
stayed awake all night.
And among the disliked aspects, according to the scholars, is sleep
between Salaatul-Fajr and sunrise, for it is a time of special
reward.[8] For that time escape, among the saalikeen (travellers) , is a
great loss maziyyah. Even if they traveled all night they would not
allow sitting down from the journey sayr at that time until sunrise,
because it is the beginning of the day and its key. [It is] the time for
provisions to be sent down [and distributed] , the time for obtaining
portions and the descent of blessings, and from it the day is
established. The ruling regarding the whole day is [based on] the ruling
regarding that portion. One should only sleep at that time if one is
forced.
In general, the most balanced/moderate (adal) and beneficial form of
sleep, is sleep during the first portion of the night and the last sixth
of the night. According to medical practitioners, the length of the
most balanced form of sleep should be eight hours. In their view, more
[sleep] than that or less than that will cause deviation in one's
natural disposition according to it bihasabihi.
Among the forms of sleep that are not beneficial also, is sleep in the
first part of the night shortly after sunset until fahmatul-Ishaa the
darkness of Ishaa goes. The Messenger of Allaah (r) used to dislike
it.[9] So it is disliked according to the Shareeah and naturally.
As excessive sleep causes these defects aafaat, putting aside sleep and
abandoning it causes other major defects like bad temperament, yabsihi
dry personality and a warped disposition, as well as drying up of the
humors [10] which aid in understanding and work, and it leads to
illnesses mutlifah which will prevent one afflicted from benefiting
either with his heart or body.
Existence [of the world] was established on the basis of justice (adl),
so whoever adheres to moderation has grabbed his portion of the
confluence of good.


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