Sunday, September 30

The Time Between Suhur and Fajr - Seven Points from 'Fath al-'Bari'

Anas reported that Zayd bin Thabit said: "We had suhur with the Prophet, and he then got up to pray." Anas then asked: "How much time was there between the adhan and the suhur?" He answered: "Fifty verses."

In 'Fath al-Bari' (4/164), Ibn Hajar made the following points on this hadith:
  • al-Muhallab and others said: "Shown in this narration is the fact that they would measure time with physical actions, and the Arabs would measure time with actions, such as their saying that such-and-such took the same amount of time that it would take to milk a sheep, or the amount of time it would take to slaughter a camel. So, Zayd bin Thabit similarly estimated the time using the recitation of the Qur'an, indicating that this time was used for the worship of reciting the Qur'an."
  • Ibn Abi Jamrah said: "This is in indication that they would spend their time engrossed in worship."
  • In it is also an indication that the suhur is to be delayed, as this serves the purpose of the suhur. Ibn Abi Jamrah said: "The Prophet would look to that which was easiest for his people, and would do that. This is because if he did not have suhur, they would have imitated him in this, and that would be too hard upon them. And if he were to have taken suhur in the middle of the night, this would also have been hard upon those who are heavy sleepers..."
  • He also said: "And in it is the virtuous one honoring others by having them eat with him, as well as the permissibility of walking at night if there is a need to do so, as Zayd bin Thabit did not live with the Prophet.
  • In it is they would gather to eat suhur together.
  • In it is the best manner of addressing another when making a point, due to Zayd's saying: "We had suhur with the Prophet...," and he did not say: "We and the Prophet had suhur...," and this is due to his realization that his use of the word 'with' would show that they were his followers."
  • al-Qurtubi said: "In it is a proof that they would finish up their suhur before the time of Fajr."

Thursday, September 27

Ibn Taymiyyah on prayer beads

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah states: “Counting tasbih on one’s fingers is a Sunnah. The Prophet, upon whom be peace, said to the women: “Count on your fingers, for they will be questioned and be made to speak.” As for counting on date-stones, pebbles and the like, then this too is good. Some of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, used to do this. The Prophet, upon whom be peace, once saw the Mother of the Believers [Safiyyah] counting tasbih on pebbles, and he approved it tacitly. It is related of Abu Hurayrah that he too would count tasbih on its like.

“As for counting on a string of beads, or something similar to it, there were some who held it was disliked, and others who held that it was not disliked. If the intention in doing so is sound, then it is something good and not disliked (fa huwa hasan ghayr makruh). To use them without a need, though, or doing so only to show-off to others - like hanging it around one’s neck or wearing it on one’s wrist - then this is either ostentation (riya’ li’lnas), or it is resembling those who habitually show-off. The first case is forbidden; the second, lesser in sin and revolves around being detested.”

Elsewhere, while discussing the issue of turning things into religious symbols to show-off with, Ibn Taymiyyah had this to say: “Sometimes one of them may show-off by putting their prayer mat over their shoulder or dangling dhikr beads from their hand, making them symbols (shi‘ar) of faith and prayer. But it is known from definitely-transmitted (mutawatir) reports that neither the Prophet, peace be upon him, nor his Companions, ever made such things into symbols. Instead they would count tasbih on their fingers, as per the hadith: “Count on your fingers, for they will be questioned and be made to speak.” Some of them did, though, count on pebbles and datestones.

As for tasbih on beads, some disliked it whereas others allowed it. But no one ever said that tasbih using dhikr beads is preferable to using one’s fingers.”

Majmu Fatawa

Pillars of Ibaadah

These are the motivational factors of worship. To perfect our worship needs 3 factors. To have only one is a weakness and will lead to deviation. Full spirituality is based on these 3 emotions: Love, Fear, and Hope.

These 3 pillars are all combined in one ayah,

Those whom they call upon [like ‘Iesa] desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord (Allah), as to which of them should be the nearest and they [’Iesa (Jesus), ‘Uzair (Ezra), angels, etc.] hope for His Mercy and fear His Torment. Verily, the Torment of your Lord is something to be afraid of! (17:57)

Surah al-Fatihah also alludes to this. The first ayah shows love, the second shows hope, and then the next ayah shows fear. And then based on this we do worship Allah as occurs in the 4th ayah. Amazingly, the ayaat showing us the categories of tawheed also show the pillars of ibaadah.

The parable of a bird can explain this. The heart of a bird is love, and the 2 wings are hope and fear.

Love is the primary emotion, but the other two are needed as well. Love is the heart of the bird, but the wings of fear and hope propel it forward.

People at different levels should focus on what they need most. For example, a person involved in a major sin should try to focus on fear. None of them can be done at complete exclusion of the other. One example of this is the Christians who worship based on love only.

Wednesday, September 26

Al-Hasan Al-Basri rahimahullah said: When a man sought knowledge, it would not be long before it could be seen in his humbleness, his sight, upon his tongue and his hands, in his prayer, in his speech and in his disinterest (zuhd) in worldly allurements. And a man would acquire a portion of knowledge and put it into practice, and it would be better for him than the world and all it contains – if he owned it he would give it in exchange for the hereafter.

Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq Vol.1 p.156

When the great Sahabi Khalid bin Al-Waleed was about to invade the Roman Empire in "Bilaad Ashaam", The Roman General asked a Head of an Arab tribe about the Muslims, and the reply was: "They are Monks during the night, Knights during the day. If the son of their leader was to steal, he loses his hand, and if he was to commit adultery he will be punished. They crave for death as much as you crave for life ". The Roman General said: "We are better off bury ourselves underneath the soil than to fight those people".

Know That Knowledge Necessitates Action

By Ibnul-Jawzee

I have met many mashaaykh and the affair of one was different from that of the other, and their knowledge capacity were of varying levels. And the one whom I benefited from his company the most was the one who used to apply what he knew, even though there were those who were more knowledgeable than him.

I met a group from the people of hadeeth who memorized and knew a lot, however they would permit backbiting under the guise of jarh wa ta’deel (ed.: “accreditation and disreputation”, science of criticism of narrators), they would take monetary payment in return for narrating hadeeth, and they would be hasty in giving answers, even if they are wrong, lest their status diminishes.

I met Abdulwahaab Al-Anmaatee, he used to be upon the methodology of the salaf. One would never hear backbiting in his gatherings nor would he take payment for teaching hadeeth. Whenever I read a hadeeth that contained in it a heart-softener, he used to cry continuously. I was very young at that time, (but) his crying affected my heart. He had the calm of those whose description we hear about from the narrations.

I met Abu Mansur Al-Jawaaliqee, he was very quiet, very careful about what he said, precise, and scholarly. Sometimes he would be asked a question, which may seem easy; one that our young ones would rush to answer, however he would withhold from answering until he was certain. He used to fast a lot and remain quiet often.

Thus, I benefited from these two more than I benefited from the others, and I understood from this that: guiding people by one’s action is more inspiring than doing so by words. So Allah, Allah, one should implement what he knows for it is indeed the greatest foundation. And the miskeen, the true miskeen is the one who wasted his life learning what he does not practice, thus he looses the pleasures of the dunyah and the goodies of the akhirah. (In addition to) Coming forth bankrupt (on the Day of Judgment) with strong evidences against himself.”

O Allah, the Lord of Jibrail, Mikaeel, and Israfeel, Originator of the Heavens and the Earth, Knower of the seen and the unseen. You are the One who arbitrates between your servants in that which they dispute. Guide me to the truth by Your leave in that which they have differed. Verily, You guide whomsoever You will to the straight path.

Tuesday, September 25

Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawzîyah rahimahullah said:

These are the words of someone who fully understood singing and its effects, for no one regularly sings or listens to song except that his heart falls into nifâq without him realizing. If such a person understood the reality of nifâq and its end he would see it in his own heart. Never do the love of song and the love of Qur`ân come together in a person’s heart except that one expels the other. I and others have witnessed how heavy the Qur`ân feels to singers and song-listeners; how they coil when it is recited and how they get angry with a reciter when he recites too long for them (in prayer etc); and how their hearts do not benefit from what he recites: they are not moved to do anything by it. But when the Qur`ân of Shaytân comes, lâ ilâha illallâh! How they lower their voices and settle down! How their hearts feel at peace and how the crying and emotions start, how moved they are inwardly and outwardly and spend on clothing and perfume and staying up hoping for a long night ahead. If this is not nifâq then it is certainly the way to it and its foundation.

Madârij Al-Sâlikîn, Vol.1 p487:


Monday, September 24

Ikhlaas and Tawheed are a tree in the heart. Its branches are good actions. Its fruits are a good life in this world, and eternal comfort in the Hereafter, and just like in Paradise the fruits, whose supply is not cut off, nor are they out of reach, likewise are the fruits of Tawheed and Ikhlaas in this world. - Ibn al-Qayyim – ‘al-Fawaid’ 292

Sunday, September 23

Ubaidullah bin Umar Qawariri said,” I never missed the evening congregational prayer (prayer with Jamaat). But once a guest came to my house and I remained in his company until late. I went out, looking for any mosque in Basra at which I could catch the evening prayer, but to no avail. The people had all prayed and gone home. I returned to my house,saying to myself,’It is reported in tradition that congregational prayer is twenty-seven times more excellent than individual prayer.’ So I prayed the evening prayer twenty-seven times over and slept. I saw in a dream that I was with a group of people who were racing on horses, and I was also racing with them on my horse but my horse was falling behind. I kicked my horse to catch up with them but I could not. One of the riders turned to me and said,”Do not urge your horse, for you will not be able to catch up with us.” I said,”Why not?” He replied,”We prayed evening in congregation and you prayed it alone!” Therefore, I learned a lesson and was deeply grieved.”

Source: The Major Sins Al-Kaba’r By Muhammad bin ‘Uthman Adh-Dhahabi, rendered into English by Mohammad Moinuddin Siddiqui.

Fasting

Some authentic ahâdîth and statements regarding fasting and Ramadân which are found in collections other than those of al-Bukhârî and Muslim:

“Fasting will intercede for a person on the Day of Judgement, and will say: “O Lord, I prevented him from his food and physical desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.””
[‘Sahîh at-Targhîb’; 1/411]

“Whoever fasts one day seeking the pleasure of Allâh - if that is the last day of his life - he will enter Paradise.”
[‘Sahîh at-Targhîb’; 1/412]

“Fasting has no equal.” [‘Sahîh at-Targhîb’; 1/413]

“At the breaking of every fast, Allâh will choose people to free from Hellfire.”
[‘Sahîh at-Targhîb, 1/419]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) saw some people in Hell hanging from their hamstrings with blood pouring from the corners of their mouths, and when he asked about them, he was told that they were people who broke their fast before it was time to do so.
[‘Sahîh at-Targhîb’ 1/420]

“Fasting Ramadân is equivalent to fasting ten months.”
[‘Sahîh at-Targhîb’; 1/421]

"Ramadân has come to you - a blessed month. Allâh has made obligatory upon you its fasting. In it, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allâh belongs a night in it which is better than a thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good, then he has truly been deprived of much."
[‘Sahîh at-Targhîb’; 1/490]

"The scriptures of Ibrâhîm were revealed on the first night of Ramadân, and the Torah was revealed on the 6th of Ramadân, and the Gospel was revealed on the 13th of Ramadân, and the Zâbûr was revealed on the 18th of Ramadân, and the Qur'ân was revealed on the 24th of Ramadân." [Sahîh al-Jâmi’' #1497]

“The du’â’ of the fasting person will not be refused.”
[‘as-Silsilah as-Sahîhah' #1797]

“Fasting is a protection and a strong fortress that keeps a person safe from the Fire.”
[‘Sahîh al-Jâmi’ #3880]

“In Paradise, there are rooms whose outside can be seen from the inside and the inside can be seen from the outside. Allâh has prepared them for those who feed the poor, who are gentle in speech, who fast regularly and who pray at night when people are asleep.”
[‘Sahîh Ibn Khuzaymah’ #2137]

“One should not say: “I fasted all of Ramadân,” or “I prayed at night for all of Ramadân.”” ['Sunan Abî Dâwûd']

Some of the Salaf used to say: "Indeed Allâh - the Most High - has made the month of Ramadân as a competition for His creatures, in which they may race with one another to His pleasure, by obeying Him. Thus, one group comes first and so they prosper and another group comes last and so they fail.”[‘Latâ'if ul-Ma'ârif’ of Ibn Rajab al-Hambalî]

Ibn Rajab also said: "Our fasts need istighfâr to make up for their deficiencies, and good deeds to intercede for them."

Maymûn
used to say: "The weakest of fasts is that in which only food and drink is left out."

Abû al-'آliyah used to say: "The fasting one is in a continual state of worship until he says about another person that which they would not like to hear."

Ibn al-Qayyim said:The purpose of fasting is that the spirit of man was released from the clutches of desires and moderation prevailed in his carnal self, and, through it, he realized the goal of purification and everlasting felicity. It is aimed at curtailing the intensity of desire and lust by means of hunger and thirst, at inducing man to realize how many were there in the world like him who had to go even without a small quantity of food, at making it difficult for the Devil to deceive him, and at restraining his organs from turning towards things in which there was the loss of both worlds. Fasting, thus, is the bridle of the God-fearing, the shield of the warriors, and the discipline of the virtuous.”

Saturday, September 22

The Fruits of Emaan

Jannah

"As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they have the Gardens of Paradise (Firdaws) as their abode." (Al-Kahf, 18:107)

Protection from Fire

Anas ibn Maalik (ra) narrates that the Prophet (saw) said,"Whoever says Laa ilaaha illAllah while having a grain's worth of goodness (or faith) in his heart shall be taken out of the Hellfire" (Al-Bukhari 13/394 and Muslim 3/59)

Abu Sa'eed AlKhudree said that the Prophet (saw) said that the people of Jannah will enter Jannah and the people of Hellfire will enter the Hellfire. Then Allah (SWT) will say: Come out, whoever among you has a mustard seed's weight of faith" (Bukhari- See Al-Fath 1/72 and Muslim- See An-Nawawi 3/36)

A Bedouin came to the Prophet (saw) and said, “Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise, if I do it.” The Prophet (saw) said, “Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan.” The Bedouin said, “By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this.” When he (the Bedouin) left, the Prophet said, “Whoever likes to see a man of Paradise, then he may look at this man.” (Bukhari)

Key to Having other Deeds Accepted

"And whoever desires the hereafter and strives for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; (as for) these, their striving shall surely be accepted." (Al-Israa', 17:19)

Means of Forgiveness for Sins

"Except those who repent, and believe and do righteous deeds, for as to these, Allah will convert their evil deeds into good ones, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful." (Al-Furqaan, 25:70)

Achieving the Protection of Allah.

"Verily, Allah's awliyaa' have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve." (Younus, 10: 62)

Allah will Fight on His Behalf

"Surely Allah will defend those who believe." (Al-Hajj, 22:38)

Allah will Guide Him

"Surely (as for) those who believe and do good, their Lord will guide them by their faith" (Younus, 10:9)

Protection and Comfort for the Believers

"Those to whom the people said: Surely men have gathered against you, therefore fear them, but this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us and most excellent is the Protector." (Aali 'Imraan, 3:173)

Good Always Occurs to Him

"Amazing is the situation of the Mu'min; his affairs are always good, and this is for no one but the Mu'min. If something good happens to him he is thankful, and that is good for him. And if hardship befalls him he is patient, and that, too, is good for him." (Muslim)

A real mu'min can never suffer from depression. A mu'min will realize what befalls him is from his Lord, and that his Lord will not try him with anything he cannot bear.

Exit/Escape from Sorrows and Problems

"And he who has taqwaa of Allah; He will create an exit for him." (At-Talaaq, 65:2)

Raised in Status in this Life and in Hereafter

"Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks." (Al-Mujaadilah, 58:11)

Protection from Falling into Evil

"The fornicator does not fornicate while he is a believer at the time he fornicates, and a thief does not steal while he is a believer at the time he steals, and one does not drink wine while he is a believer at the time that he is drinking it." (AlBukhari- See Al-Fath 12/58-59 and Muslim-See An-Nawawi 2/42)

Good Life

"Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, We will surely grant them a happy life in this world." (An-Nahl, 16:97)

Angels Give Believers Good Tidings

"As for those who say, `Our Lord is Allah;’ and then remain steadfast, the angels descend on them, reassuring them: Fear not, nor grieve; and rejoice in the glad tidings of the Garden which you were promised." (Fussilat, 41:30)

Ruler ship on Earth

"Allah has promised to those of you who believe and do good that He will most certainly make them rulers in the earth as He made rulers those before them, and that He will most certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will most certainly, after their fear, give them security in exchange. They serve Me. They ascribe no thing as partner unto Me. Those who disbelieve after this, it is they who are the wicked." (An-Noor, 24: 55)

Brotherhood

"Surely, all believers are brothers." (Al-Hujuraat, 49:10)

Love Written for Him on Earth

"When Allah loves a slave, He says to Jibreel, ‘I love so-and-so, so love him,’ so Jibreel loves him and then calls out to the inhabitants of the heavens, ‘Allah loves so-and-so, so love him,’ and the inhabitants of the heavens love him, and then acceptance is placed in the Earth for him.” (Al-Bukhari/3209)

Benefits from Advice

"And continue to remind, for surely the reminder profits the believers." (Adh-Dhaariyaat, 51:55)

The emaan brings about appreciation of advice. A person without emaan will react in a hostile manner to advice, but a person with emaan will accept it and benefit from it.

Given Light on Day of Judgment

"The day will come when you see the believing men and women with their lights radiating ahead of them and to their right." (Al-Hadeed, 57:12)

Believers will Look at Allah

"For those who do good is the best (reward), and more (than this)." (Younus, 10: 26)

Those without emaan will be deprived from this blessing,
"Nay! Surely, they (evil-doers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day." (Mutaffiffeen:15).

The Prophet (saw) said, "when a person does good deeds and feels good, and does a sin and feels bad, then he is a mu'min."

Friday, September 21

Abdullaah Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhu) said: “You who commit a sin, do not feel secure about the results, for what goes along with the sin is more serious than the sin itself.Your lack of shame before the angels, who witness you when you commit the sin, is more serious than the sin itself.Your laughter when you sin, as you forget the punishment of Allah is more serious than the sin itself. Your delight if you get a chance to sin, is more serious than the sin itself. Even your disappointment, if you miss a chance to sin is more serious than the sin itself.”

Prophet’s Protection of Tawheed

Just as alcohol and adultery were made haram, so too were all the roads leading to them. When this is the case for major sins, then it must be even more so for the sin of shirk.

Prohibited Mosques over Graves

“May Allah (swt) curse the Jews and Christians who took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship - do not imitate them.”

Forbade Burying the Dead Inside Mosques

"The Messenger of Allah (SAS) said: “Oh, Allah! Do not let my grave become an idol that is worshiped: Allah’s Wrath is immense against those peoples who turned the graves of their Prophets into mosques.”

“Do not make your homes into graves, nor make my grave into a place of celebration. Send your prayers and blessings upon me, for they will be conveyed to me wherever you may be.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood)

Forbade Worshipping Allah at Places Where Shirk Occurs or Has Occurred

"At the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), a man vowed to sacrifice some camels in Buwaanah. He came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, "I have vowed to sacrifice some camels in Buwaanah." The Prophet Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Were there any idols there that were worshiped during the Jaahiliyyah?" He said, "No." He said, "Did they hold any of their festivals there?" He said, "No." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Then fulfill your vow, for there is no fulfillment of any vow which involves disobeying Allah, or with regard to something that the son of Adam does not own." (Narrated by Abu Dawood)

Forbade Worshipping Allah at Times Shirk Occurs

"Uqbah bin Aamir said, There were three times at which Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) used to forbid us to pray or bury our dead: (i) When the sun began to rise until it was fully up, (ii) When the sun was at its height at midday till it passed the meridian, (iii) When the sun drew near to setting till it had set. (Muslim)

Forbade Exaggeration in General

“Beware of exaggerated praise, for it was only this which led those before you to destruction." (Reported by Ahmad, An-Nasaa"ee and Ibn Maajah)

“Destroyed are those who are extreme” And he repeated it three times. (Muslim)

Forbade Muslims from Excessively Praising Him

“Do not extol me as the Christians extolled the son of Maryam (AS); I am no more than a slave (of Allah) and so (instead), say: Allah’s Slave and His Messenger.” (Bukhari)

Forbade the Companions to Stand up in His Presence

"You were about to do what the Persians and Romans do. They stand in front of their kings when they are seated. Do not do that." (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

“No person was dearer to them than the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), but when they saw him they did not stand up for him because they knew that he disliked that.” (Related by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi)

Forbade Image-Making

“The people who will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be those who try to make the like of Allah"s creation.” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

“The painters of these pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them, Make alive what you have created.“ (Bukhari)

"While I was with Ibn ‘Abbaas a man came and said, “O father of ‘Abbaas! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these pictures.” Ibn ‘Abbaas said, “I will tell you only what I heard from Allah’s Apostle . I heard him saying, ‘Whoever makes a picture will be punished by Allah till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.’
Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Ibn ‘Abbaas said to him, “What a pity! If you insist on making pictures I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other unanimated objects.” (Related by Al-Bukhari, 3/428)

This is why we do not have any images of the Prophet (saw) or any of the Sahabah. Contrast this to the images made of Isa (as) and how they are worshipped.

Forbade Muslims from Imitating the Disbelievers

“Whoever imitates a nation is one of them!” (Abu Daawood)

"The one who imitates people other than us (i.e., in faith) is not from us. Do not imitate the Jews or the Christians" (Reported by At-Tirmidhi)

Commanded to Level all Raised Graves

“Should I not depute you on a mission on which I was sent by Allah's Messenger (saw)? Deface all the pictures which you come across and demolish all the high graves to the level of earth.” (Muslim)

Reminded Muslims Regarding True Purpose of Visiting Graves

“I had forbidden you to visit the graves, but (now I allow you) so visit them for they remind you of the Hereafter." (Reported by Muslim and Abu Dawood)

"The Prophet (saw) used to teach them (what to say) if they went out to the graveyards. They used to say: Peace be upon you all, O inhabitants of the graves, amongst the believers and the Muslims. Surely we will, Allah willing, be united with you, we ask Allah for well-being for us and you." (Muslim)

Forbade Certain Phrases Which Lead to Shirk

A Jewish man came to the Prophet (saw) and said to him: “Verily, you (Muslims) commit Shirk, for you say: “As Allah (swt) Wills and as you will;” and you say: “By the Ka’bah!” And so the Prophet (saw) ordered whoever wanted to swear, to say: “By the Rabb of the Ka’abah!” and to say: “As Allah (swt ) Wills, then as you will.” (Narrated by An-Nasaa`ee)

A man came to the Prophet (saw) and he said: “As Allah (swt) and you, will,” at which, the Prophet (saw) said: “Would you set me up as a partner beside Allah (swt )? (Say:) “As Allah (swt), Alone Wills.” (Narrated by An-Nasaa`ee)

“Verily, the lowest name to Allah is that of a man who calls himself “King of kings,” for there is no king except Allah (swt).” (Bukhari)

Prohibited Making an Oath or Swearing by Any Created Object

"Whoever swears by anything other than Allah has committed shirk." (Ahmad)

Forbade Undertaking A Religious Journey Except to Three Masaajid

“Do not saddle up your riding beasts, except to three mosques: “The Sacred Mosque, this mosque of mine, and Al-Aqsaa Mosque (in Jerusalem).” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Completion of the Message

(On the authority of Abu Dharr) “Indeed the Messenger of Allah (SWT) passed away and there is not a bird flapping its wings in the sky, except that he mentioned to us some knowledge about it" (Ahmad)

Tawheed and shirk then also must have been clarified in such a manner.

"… upon clear evidence whose night is like its day. No one deviates from it except that he is destroyed." (Reported by Ahmad, Ibn Maajah and others)

Wednesday, September 19

Syed ul Istigfar

Shaddad bin Aus (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said,

“The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is:

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`Allahumma Anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa ana `abduka, wa ana `ala `ahdika wa wa`dika mastata`tu, a`udhu bika min sharri ma sana`tu, abu’u laka bini`matika `alayya, wa abu’u bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.

‘O Allaah, You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshipped except You, You created me and I am You servant and I abide to Your covenant and promise as best I can, I take refuge in You from the evil of which I committed. I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sin except You.’


The Prophet (saw) added. “If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.” [Bukhari]

Nifaq comes from the root nafiqaa, which is an escape hole that the jerboa (desert animal) builds. It is as if the person secretly escaped from Islam.

Major nifaq is for a person to pretend to be a Muslim while he is not.

"Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them."(4:145)

Minor nifaq is the acts which typically hypocrites do. "To perform a permissible act while concealing its opposite"
  • Break one's trust
  • Lie
  • Break a promise
  • Use foul language in an argument
  • Show off good deeds
  • Not caring about striving in Allah's path
  • Being two-faced

Tuesday, September 18

A fire once broke out in a house where ‘Alî bin Husayn – Allah have mercy on him – was prostrate in prayer. He didn’t raise his head until the fire went out. When asked about this he said: The other Fire kept my mind busy.

The Secret Charity of ‘Alî b. Husayn

It is reported that there used to be poor people in Al-Madînah who didn’t know where they were getting their food from. When ‘Alî b. Husayn passed away, they started missing what they used to be given at night.

Abû Hamzah Al-Thumâlî narrates that ‘Alî b. Husayn used to carry bread on his back in the darkness of the night and follow the poor people (to give it to them). He used to say, “Charity in the darkness of the night extinguishes the Lords anger.”

‘Amr b. Thâbit reports that when ‘Alî b. Husayn died, they found marks on his back from the sacks of provisions he used to carry at night to the houses of the widows.

Shaybah b. Nu’âmah narrates that when ‘Alî b. Husayn died they found out that he used to provide for a hundred (poor) families.

Al-Dhahabî in Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ’ under the biography of ‘Alî b. Husayn Zayn Al-‘Âbidîn.

‘Alî b. Husayn, known as Zayn Al-‘Âbidîn for his devout worship, was the great-grandson of the Prophet – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. He was the only surviving son of Husayn, son of ‘Ali b. Abî Tâlib – Allah be please with them.

Monday, September 17

Sulaymân b. Mûsâ [d119H] – Allah have mercy on him – said:

When you fast, your hearing and sight should also fast, and your tongue should fast by keeping away from lies; and do not harm your servant. Don’t let the day you fast be the same as the day you don’t fast.

Târîkh Dimishq Vol. 22 p389.

Al-Sawm (fasting) literally means to keep away from something. Fasting of the faculties of hearing and seeing means to keep away from listening to and looking at things that are displeasing to Allah, in the same way that we stay away from food and drink when we are fasting.

Sincere and Correct

Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd [187H] – Allah have mercy on him – said:

“Allah ‘azza wa jalla accepts only those deeds which are both correct and sincere (pure). If the deed is done correctly but not sincerely, it will not be accepted. And if it is sincere but not correct, it will not be accepted.” He was asked, “Abû ‘Alî! What is the sincere and correct deed?” He replied, “The sincere deed is one that is done only for Allah ‘azza wa jall. And the correct deed is one done according to the Sunnah.”

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyâ` Vol.8 p95.

Friday, September 14

The worshiper prefers the pleasure of Allaah to his own desires. He devotes his energy and efforts to Him. The servant does whatever good he is able to do for Allaah's creation. Therefore, he shows love towards the creation in a way that he would like them to show affection towards him. He treats them the way that he would like to be treated. He calls them by the names that he likes to be called. He advises them with advice that he would give himself. He chooses for them that which he would choose for himself.

He bears their harm and injury although they may not tolerate his. He refrains from defaming their honor and he does not seek retaliation when he is slandered. If he sees good in them, he spreads it and if he sees evil he conceals it. He establishes excuses for them within his ability without nullifying the Sharee'ah. The obedient worshipper does not contradict the commands and prohibitions of Allaah. Along with that, he has good and righteous character. He possesses virtue such as forbearance, dignity, tranquility, mercy, patience, and fulfilling promises.

[Sins And Their Punishments by Ibnul Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, p. 9-10]

The Blessings for a Believer

Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (RA) reports Rasulullah (SAW) said, "How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything. If he is prosperous, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him". (Muslim)

Abu Saeed and Abu Hurayrah (RAA) report that the Rasulullah (SAW) "Never is a believer is stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah expiates his sins on account of his patience". (Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reports that Rasulullah (SAW) said: "He for whom Allah intends good, He afflicts him with some difficulty". (Bukhari)

Thursday, September 13

"The believer who is best in submission is he who protects the Muslims from his tongue and hand, and the believer who is best in faith is the one who has the best character and manners, and the best emigrant is he who abandons what Allaah the Exalted has forbidden, and the best striving is he who strives against himself for Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic." (#1129 Saheeh al-Jaami)