Wednesday, January 16

Imaam Ahmad, an-Nasaa’ee, at-Tirmidhee and Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh report the hadeeth of Ka’b ibn Maalik al-Ansaaree, radiyallaahu ‘anhu, from the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that he said: “Two hungry wolves let loose among sheep are not more harmful then a person craving after wealth and status is to his Deen (Religion).” at-Tirmidhee said, “It is hasan saheeh.”

What's So Special About Muharram?

1) It is the first month of the Hijri calendar.

2) It is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein..." [al-Tawbah 9:36]

Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (sa) said: 'The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of: Dhu'l-Qa'dah, Dhu'l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha'baan.' (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2958).

3) The 10th of Muharram is the 'day of Ashura'

Fasting the day of 'Ashoora' does expiate for the past year, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 'For fasting the day of 'Ashura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for (the sins committed in) the year that went before.' (Narrated by Muslim, 1162.) This is by the bounty that Allaah bestows upon us, whereby fasting one day expiates for the sins of a whole year. And Allaah is the Owner of great bounty.

4) Sins in this month are more serious, and good deeds bring greater reward

It was reported that Ibn 'Abbaas said: Allaah's words (interpretation of the meaning):'so wrong not yourselves therein...'referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.

5) Virtues of observing Nafl (voluntary fasts)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: 'The Messenger of Allaah (sa) said: 'The best of fasting after Ramadaan is fasting Allaah's month of Muharram.' (reported by Muslim, 1982).

InshaaAllah the day of 'Ashoora' is on Friday (18th Jan 2008), and those who intend to fast are required to fast Thursday (Jan 17th) or Saturday also (Jan 19th) - in order to avoid singling out the Friday for fasting.

May Allah accept from us and you..

Adapted from Islam Q&A - Shaykh Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid

Friday, January 11

Ibn al-Qayyim said (2/248):

"Good character with the Creator and with the cre­ation revolves around two statements which were mentioned by Shaykh 'Abd al-­Qadir al-Jilani who said:

'Be with the Truth, without creation; and be with cre­ation, without ego (nafs).'

So consider carefully! How amazing are these state­ments, despite their brevity, and how they gather together the principles of way­faring (suluk) and every beautiful character. Corruption of character arises from putting the creation between yourself and Allah, and by putting your ego between yourself and His creation. So when you isolate the creation, in that state when you are with Allah the Exalted; and when you isolate your ego, in that state when you are with the creation - then you have fully attained to the ideals of the People of Spirituality (al-qawm). And Allah's aid is sought."

Wednesday, January 2

And on the authority of Shaddad bin al Hadi (may Allah be pleased with him):

‘A man of the [nomad] Arabs came and believed in the Prophet (PBUH). Then he said: "I shall emigrate with you." And the Prophet (PBUH) put him into the charge of some of his Companions. In a campaign the Prophet (PBUH) took some booty and this was divided up, and he gave him his share. And he [i.e., the Arab] said: "What is this?" He said: "I have apportioned it to you." He said: "It was not for this that I followed you; rather I followed you that I might be pierced here (and he motioned with his hand to his neck) with an arrow, and that I might die and enter Paradise." He said: "If you are truthful in what you have just said, then Allah will fulfil your desire." So they remained there for a space; then they rose to do battle with the enemy. He was carried over to the Prophet, having been struck with an arrow exactly where he had pointed. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Is it he?" They said: "Yes." He said: "He was truthful in what he said, so Allah answered him." Then he was shrouded in the garment of the Prophet (PBUH), and he [i.e., the Prophet] walked before him and prayed over him. This is part of what he said in his prayer: "O Allah, this is your servant who went forth as an Emigrant in your way and was slain a martyr. And I am a witness unto it." (Transmitted by An-Nisaa'i)