Addu diary

How to serve Islam?

2010-10-14T09:17:00.000-07:00

I want to serve my religion, what should I do?

Praise be to Allaah.

1 – You can serve Islam by having a correct resolve and sincere intention, for Allaah blesses an action that is done sincerely for His sake alone, even if it is little. Sincere devotion, if it becomes a constant feature of acts of worship and obedience, even if they are small or simple in the sight of the one who does them, makes them great in the sight of Allaah, so Allaah will forgive him for major sins because of that, as it says in the hadeeth about the piece of paper on which is written La ilaaha ill-Allaah.

2 – You can serve Islam by knowing the right way and following it. The Straight Path means following the way of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) with regard to the principles, ways and means of da’wah and being patient in adhering to that, whilst treating people with kindness and compassion, because they are suffering from the disease of sin.

3 – You can serve Islam by making the most of all available means and circumstances. This is a great blessing, for all means are permissible except those which have been forbidden by Allaah. So we call people to Allaah by all means prescribed in sharee’ah, whilst paying attention to the evidence of sharee’ah and correct etiquette.

4 – You can serve Islam by giving precedence to that which is in the interests of Islam over your own whims and desires. Serving this religion means giving what is most precious of your money, effort, time, thought, etc. Have you not seen those who love sport (football or soccer) for example, how they devote their efforts, time and money to their beloved sport? But more is expected of you than that.

5 – You can serve Islam by following in the footsteps of the scholars, daa’iyahs and reformers, having patience as your companion and putting up with tiredness and exhaustion. For you are doing a great act of worship which is the mission of the Prophets and Messengers and those who follow in their footsteps.

6 – You can serve Islam by shunning laziness, weakness and apathy, for this religion is the religion of resolve, ambition and courage, and its call is only harmed by laziness or reckless ignorance.

7 – You can serve Islam by connecting your heart to Allaah and reciting a lot of du’aa’ and prayers for forgiveness, and persisting in reading Qur’aan. There is nothing that is more effective in cleansing the heart and refreshing the soul, and making it active and energetic so that it will not get tired or bored, than remembering Allaah much and drawing nearer to Him by means of obeying Him and doing naafil (supererogatory) acts of worship.

8 – You can serve Islam by forming bonds with scholars who practise what they preach, those who are known to be sincere and who are well established in jihad and supporting this religion. Marching under their banner and following their lead is very good and beneficial.

9 – You can serve Islam by organizing your time on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. There are actions which should be done every day, others which should be done every week, and others which should be done every month or every year.

For example, you should make da’wah to those whom you see every day and to those whom you see once a week. You may have a family gathering once a month, and there may be annual conferences, or journeys for Hajj or ‘Umrah once a year, and so on.

10 – You can serve Islam by paying it some attention and giving it some of your time, thoughts and money, and making it your main concern. So when you stand up, it is for Islam; when you walk, it is for Islam; when you think, it is for Islam; when you give, it is for Islam; when you sit, it is for Islam.

11 – you can serve Islam by hastening to contribute every time you find an opportunity to do good. Do not hesitate or delay or put it off.

From Kayfa akhdim al-Islam by ‘Abd al-Malik al-Qaasim, p. 18.

Prophet Muhammad: Qualities for good friendship

2010-10-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Naseer Ahmad Sajaad

We mentioned that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was loved by all his companions. Every one of them felt that he could do no better than being close to the Prophet, because he was a most caring friend. When he met someone, he would inquire about his affairs and his family. He would attend to their business and give whatever help was available to him. If someone sat with him for a while, then stood up to leave, the Prophet would stand up with him. The Prophet would not turn away from his visitor in order to attend to anything that needed his attention until his visitor has turned away to leave. In this way, he made his visitor feel that he was welcome until the last minute of his visit.

When he met anyone and shook hands with him, the Prophet would not be the first to withdraw his hand. He would wait until the other person has withdrawn his hand. Likewise, when he bade goodbye to anyone, he would hold his hand. He would keep it until the other person has moved away. It is authentically reported that any young girl would come to him, take him by the hand, taking him wherever she wanted. He would go with her and do for her whatever she needed to be done.

These may be small gestures, but they are indicative of highly refined manners, with the Prophet keen to make everyone feel that he was close to him. He was always ready to do for his friends and companions whatever they needed to be done. At the same time, the Prophet was very shy. His shyness is described as greater than that of a maiden girl who is unused to social occasions.

One aspect of good friendship is respecting other peoples privacy. He would not divulge any private matter even to those who were very close to him. Everyone was certain that if he told the Prophet anything of private nature, no one else would know about it from him. He instilled in his companions the virtue of respecting other peoples privacy. This means that we must not try to know anyones private affairs. He says: Whoever pries into someone elses private matters without his knowledge actually pries into the fire of hell.

Coupled with all this was his keen sense of cleanliness. He was always keen that his body and his clothes were clean and having a good smell. He said that one of the two things he loved of worldly comfort was perfume. If he woke up at night, he would give his teeth a quick brush. Every time he performed ablution for his five daily prayers he would brush his teeth. Although he was aware that he had a very pleasant body smell, he always made certain that his mouth and clothes gave no bad smell.

The task assigned to him by God was to give guidance. He fulfilled his duty in the way that no one would feel that following Islamic teachings would be burdensome. He waited for the right moment to give advice. If he saw something unbecoming, he would not embarrass the person concerned by pointing it out on the spot. He would wait until a proper chance offered itself. Then he would give the advice in general terms so that it would not be taken as directed at any particular person. If something wrong was reported to him, and he needed to make a public announcement regarding it, he would not mention anyone concerned by name. He would say: Some people may think, say, or do this or that. He would then point out the right thing to do.

All this made him an exemplary friend with whom people were very comfortable. Hence, they loved him and cherished the fact that they were his friends and companions.

Hadith

2010-10-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

Abdul Basir مثنی Atiqzai

Bukhari :: Book 1 :: Volume 1 :: Hadith 6
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas:
Abu Sufyan bin Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants doing business in Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan), at the time when Allah's Apostle had truce with Abu Sufyan and Quraish infidels. So Abu Sufyan and his companions went to Heraclius at Ilya (Jerusalem). Heraclius called them in the court and he had all the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He called for his translator who, translating Heraclius's question said to them, "Who amongst you is closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?" Abu Sufyan replied, "I am the nearest relative to him (amongst the group)."

Heraclius said, "Bring him (Abu Sufyan) close to me and make his companions stand behind him." Abu Sufyan added, Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding that man (The Prophet) and that if I told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me." Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the Prophet. The first question he asked me about him was:

'What is his family status amongst you?'

I replied, 'He belongs to a good (noble) family amongst us.'

Heraclius further asked, 'Has anybody amongst you ever claimed the same (i.e. to be a Prophet) before him?'

I replied, 'No.'

He said, 'Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?'

I replied, 'No.'

Heraclius asked, 'Do the nobles or the poor follow him?'

I replied, 'It is the poor who follow him.'

He said, 'Are his followers increasing decreasing (day by day)?'

I replied, 'They are increasing.'

He then asked, 'Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and renounce the religion afterwards?'

I replied, 'No.'

Heraclius said, 'Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a Prophet)?'

I replied, 'No. '

Heraclius said, 'Does he break his promises?'

I replied, 'No. We are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it.' I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that.

Heraclius asked, 'Have you ever had a war with him?'

I replied, 'Yes.'

Then he said, 'What was the outcome of the battles?'

I replied, 'Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we.'

Heraclius said, 'What does he order you to do?'

I said, 'He tells us to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship anything along with Him, and to renounce all that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our Kith and kin.'

Heraclius asked the translator to convey to me the following, I asked you about his family and your reply was that he belonged to a very noble family. In fact all the Apostles come from noble families amongst their respective peoples. I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you claimed such a thing, your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man was following the previous man's statement. Then I asked you whether anyone of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negative, and if it had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his ancestral kingdom.

I further asked whether he was ever accused of telling lies before he said what he said, and your reply was in the negative. So I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about Allah. I, then asked you whether the rich people followed him or the poor. You replied that it was the poor who followed him. And in fact all the Apostle have been followed by this very class of people. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and in fact this is the way of true faith, till it is complete in all respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. Your reply was in the negative, and in fact this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely. I asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative and likewise the Apostles never betray. Then I asked you what he ordered you to do. You replied that he ordered you to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship any thing along with Him and forbade you to worship idols and ordered you to pray, to speak the truth and to be chaste. If what you have said is true, he will very soon occupy this place underneath my feet and I knew it (from the scriptures) that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.' Heraclius then asked for the letter addressed by Allah's Apostle

which was delivered by Dihya to the Governor of Busra, who forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents of the letter were as follows: "In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Arisiyin (peasants). (And I recite to you Allah's Statement:)

'O people of the scripture! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship none but Allah and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords beside Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah).' (3:64).

Abu Sufyan then added, "When Heraclius had finished his speech and had read the letter, there was a great hue and cry in the Royal Court. So we were turned out of the court. I told my companions that the question of Ibn-Abi-Kabsha) (the Prophet Muhammad) has become so prominent that even the King of Bani Al-Asfar (Byzantine) is afraid of him. Then I started to become sure that he (the Prophet) would be the conqueror in the near future till I embraced Islam (i.e. Allah guided me to it)."

The sub narrator adds, "Ibn An-Natur was the Governor of llya' (Jerusalem) and Heraclius was the head of the Christians of Sham. Ibn An-Natur narrates that once while Heraclius was visiting ilya' (Jerusalem), he got up in the morning with a sad mood. Some of his priests asked him why he was in that mood? Heraclius was a foreteller and an astrologer. He replied, 'At night when I looked at the stars, I saw that the leader of those who practice circumcision had appeared (become the conqueror). Who are they who practice circumcision?' The people replied, 'Except the Jews nobody practices circumcision, so you should not be afraid of them (Jews).

'Just Issue orders to kill every Jew present in the country.'

While they were discussing it, a messenger sent by the king of Ghassan to convey the news of Allah's Apostle to Heraclius was brought in. Having heard the news, he (Heraclius) ordered the people to go and see whether the messenger of Ghassan was circumcised. The people, after seeing him, told Heraclius that he was circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about the Arabs. The messenger replied, 'Arabs also practice circumcision.'

(After hearing that) Heraclius remarked that sovereignty of the 'Arabs had appeared. Heraclius then wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then left for Homs. (a town in Syrian and stayed there till he received the reply of his letter from his friend who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet and the fact that he was a Prophet. On that Heraclius invited all the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that all the doors of his palace be closed. Then he came out and said, 'O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and want your empire to remain then give a pledge of allegiance to this Prophet (i.e. embrace Islam).'

(On hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers but found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost the hope of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience.

(When they returned) he said, 'What already said was just to test the strength of your conviction and I have seen it.' The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him, and this was the end of Heraclius's story (in connection with his faith).

Beautiful advice from Sufyaan ath-thawree Rahimahullah

2010-10-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Shaista Salafi

Sufyaan once wrote to one of his Muslim brothers

May Allaah, with His Mercy, protect both me and you from the Hellfire.

I advise both you and myself to fear Allaah.

And I warn you not to turn to ignorance after you have learned, not to turn to destruction after you have seen and recognized the truth, and not to leave the (Straight) Path after it has been made clear to you.

Do not become deceived by worldly people, and do not become unduly impressed by the way they strive for and greedily gather worldly things, for the terror (that will envelop them on the Day of Resurrection) is indeed SEVERE.

The danger (of the Day of Resurrection) is grave indeed, but what is more, is that it is near at hand.

So occupy yourself exclusively with the Hereafter, and empty your heart of all other thoughts; once you have done that, work hard! Do not waste time! And flee from the world and its temptations! Travel to the Hereafter (with your worship) before you are taken there… I have indeed given you the same advice that I gave myself.

And understand that success comes from Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). The key to gaining His help is supplication, prayer, feeling remorse for past negligence, and complete submission to Him.

Your days and nights are numbered, so use the time you have left wisely, and do not be negligent in fulfilling the rights of your Lord.

I ask Allaah, Who has blessed us to know Him, not to entrust us and you to our ownselves; and I ask Allaah to be our Guardian and Helper, just as He is the Guardian and Helper of His beloved, righteous slaves.

Beware of doing that which will spoil your deeds, and know that it is showing off that spoils a person’s deeds; and if it is not showing off, then it is conceitedness – for you to imagine that you are better than one of your Muslim brothers, when in reality he performs more good deeds than you do; or perhaps he performs his deeds with a purer intention than you do.

And even if you are not conceited, beware of developing a love for praise.

Be ever so careful not to come to love other people’s praise of your good deeds, or the respect they feel for you and bestow upon you because of your good deeds.

And beware of desiring that others should help you in your personal affairs just because they have become impressed with your good deeds.

You surely claim (as does everyone else), after all, that you are doing good deeds only for the sake of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala); well, then turn that claim into a reality.

If you want to be less desirous of this world – its things, wealth, and pleasures – and more desirous of the Hereafter — Paradise and its bliss – then remember death frequently.

And know that you have long term hopes for this world – which one should not have — if you fear Allaah only a little or if you recklessly perpetrate sins.

And one will be sufficiently regretful and wretched on the Day of Resurrection if he has knowledge but does not apply it.

* Transcribed from: The Biography of Sufyaan Ath-Thauree, rahimahullaah, page 181-182

Having Pleasant Speech

2010-10-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

Shaista Salafi

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem

Wal – Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen was-Salaatu was-Salaamu `Alaa Rasoolillaah, Wa ‘ala Alihe wa As-habihe, ajma’een.

Wa Ba’ad:

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu,

Allah has described the people of Jannah as those who treat the creation well by means of their good deeds and wealth, and they are patient when harmed. He said,

“And hasten forth to forgiveness from your Lord, for Jannah is as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious. Those who spend in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon people; verily Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).” (Aali Imraan 3:133-134)

Spending in prosperity and in adversity with one’s wealth implies the highest level of doing good. Repressing anger and pardoning people means that one does not reciprocate evil with evil, which entails that one must have pleasant speech and avoid ill-mannerism when it is permissible, thus He says, “Verily Allah loves Al-Muhsinun.”

Some of them have been asked: what is good character? They replied: Generosity and the withholding of harm. This description mentioned is even more comprehensive in the Qur’an for they are described as being generous and they are patient when harmed. The servant who has good character reaches the level of those who do many acts of worship as the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Indeed a person with good character would reach the level of the one who constantly fasts in the day and stands at night.” (1)

It is also recommended to have pleasant speech when commanding good and forbidding evil i.e. a person should be gentle as He said regarding the NonMuslims, “And argue with them with that which is best.” (An-Nahl 16:125) Some of the Salaf have said, “He who you make angry will never accept anything from you.” (2) Whenever the companions of Ibn Masud saw a people committing an evil act, they used to say, “Slow down, slow down, may Allah bless you.” (3) One time a Tabi’i saw a man standing with a woman, so he said to them both,“Indeed Allah sees both of you. May Allah conceal our sins and yours.” Al-Hasan Al-Basri was once invited to a dinner, and he was served some sweets in a utensil that was made of silver. So he took the sweets and placed it on the bread and then ate from on top of it. Thus some of his companions said: This is prohibiting evil in a silent manner.

Sufyan said: “One should not command good and forbid evil except if he possesses these three qualities:

1. He is gentle in that which he commands, gentle in that which he prohibits;

2. Just in that which he commands, just in that which he prohibits;

3. Knowledgeable in that which he commands, knowledgeable in that which he prohibits.” (4)

Many of the Salaf would not command good and forbid evil except in private between the one who they are commanding or prohibiting. Umm Darda said,“Whoever admonishes his brother in private has treated him well. Whoever admonishes his brother in public has disgraced him. “ (5)

Likewise, repelling harsh words by pleasant speech as He the Most High said,“Repel (the evil) with one which is better…” (Fussilat 41: 34) And His, the Most High, statement, “And defend evil with good, for such there is a good end.” (Ar-Ra’d 13: 22 )

Footnotes:

1. Narrated by Abu Dawud (3798), ibn Hibban (1967), and Al-Hakim (1/60). Al-Albani said that the hadith is sahih (Silsilah as-sahihah: 2/421)

2. He is Sulaymaan At-Taymee as is mentioned in Al-Khalaal’s book Al-Amr bil-Ma’roof wa Nahee anil Munkar ( Commanding the Good and Forbidding the Evil), pg. 9

3. Narrated by Al-Khalaal, pg.8

4. Narrated by Al-Khalaal, pg. 8

5. Narrated by Al-Khalaal, pg. 10

•Transcribed from: The Dispute of the Highest Angels | Ikhtiyar al-Awlaa fee Sharh Hadith Ikhtisaam al-Mala al-A’alaa | Al-Hafidh Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali
•Transcription done by Eeasa Ibn Roy

sincerity and the hypocritessincerity and the hypocrites

2010-10-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

Deniz Burkay

(Quran: 48/11) Those who remained behind will say to you,‘Our wealth and families kept us occupied,so ask forgiveness for us.’They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say: ‘Who can control Allah for you in any way whether He wants harm for you or wants benefit for you?’Allah is aware of what you do.

Muslims never use their families or work for excuse about not serving Islam

Issues regarding Supplications, their Virtues and Supplications of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayh

2010-10-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

Shaista Salafi

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"And your Rubb said: `Invoke Me, [i.e., believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation).''' (40:60)

"Invoke your Rubb with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors.'' (7:55)

"And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor).'' (2:186)

"Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil?'' (27:62)

1465. An-Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Du`a (supplication) is worship.''
[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: What is prayer but an expression of one's humbleness and helplessness before Allah. The expression of one's weakness, inferiority and lowliness before the Infinite Power and Might of Allah is in fact the essence of worshipping Him. For this reason, prayer has been regarded as the essence of worship. Thus, prayer is reserved for Him Alone and it should not be addressed to anyone else in any case. Al-Qadi `Iyad said that Du`a is that act of worship which alone deserves to be referred to as `Ibadah, or worship, because when one observes it, one in fact shows drawing near to Allah, utter dedication to Him and rejection of all that He does not like and approve.

1466. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) liked comprehensive supplications or (Al-Jawami` - i.e., supplications with very few words but comprehensive in meanings), and discarded others.
[Abu Dawud].

1467. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The supplication most often recited by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was: "Allahumma atina fid-dunya hasanatan, wa fil-akhirati hasanatan, wa qina `adhab-annar (O our Rubb! give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the punishment of the Fire).'''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In the narration of Muslim it is added that whenever Anas supplicated, he used to beseech Allah with this Du`a.

Commentary: It is desirable to recite this Du`a which is mentioned in the Qur'an (2:201) and which comprehends all that is good both in this life and the Hereafter. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made it a habit to recite this Du`a, and the Companions were eager to follow him in all his words and actions.

1468. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: "Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda, wat-tuqa, wal-`afafa, wal-ghina (O Allah! I beseech You for guidance, piety, chastity and contentment).''
[Muslim].

Commentary: "Guidance'' means guidance towards virtue which one needs at every step. The ability to do good and steadfastness on the Right Path is also covered by the term guidance. To comply with the Orders of Allah and to prevent oneself from what He has forbidden is Taqwa (fear of Allah), the importance of which needs no elaboration. `Affaf is prevention from sins. It also means evasion from seeking help from others. Ghina means riches which makes one independent of others so much so that all one's hopes are centered on Allah Alone. The prayer quoted in this Hadith is very comprehensive indeed.

1469. Tariq bin Ashyam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever a man entered the fold of Islam, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would show him how to perform Salat and then direct him to supplicate: "Allahumm-aghfir li, warhamni, wa-hdini, wa `afini, warzuqni (O Allah! Forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, guard me against harm and provide me with sustenance and salvation).'''
[Muslim].

In another narration Tariq said: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said to him: "O Messenger of Allah! What shall I say if I want to pray to my Rubb?'' He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Say: `Allahumma-ghfir li, warhamni, wa `afini, warzuqni (O Allah! Forgive me, have mercy on me, protect me and provide me with sustenance).' Surely, this supplication is better for you in this life and in the Hereafter.''

1470. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) supplicated: "Allahumma musarrifal-qulubi, sarrif qulubana `ala ta`atika (O Allah! Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience).''
[Muslim].

Commentary: This is a very important prayer because through it one seeks steadfastness in virtue. Everybody's heart is always open to troubles, turmoil and ordeals and he is drifting from one situation to the other. If he is not supported by Allah, he can deviate from the Right Path at any moment. For this reason, he has been required to pray to Allah to save his heart from turning towards evils and keep it towards Allah, because it is He Alone Who is Capable of controlling hearts.

IMPORTANT SUPPLICATIONS OF THE PROPHET MOHAMMED SALLALAHU ALAIHI WASSALLAM

2010-10-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

Shaista Salafi

1471. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Seek refuge in Allah against the turmoils, attacks of misfortunes, and evil of judgement and joys of the enemies.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: The trouble of a trial which is unbearable for a person and from which he does not have the power to rid himself is called (juhd al-bala'), translated here as `turmoils'. Some people are of the opinion that it is synonymous with poverty combined with abundant children. But Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar is of the view that it is only one of the several kinds of "Troubles of a Trial.'' "Ash-Shaqa' is the opposite of good fortune, that is, to pray for protection from misfortune. No Decision of Allah is wrong but some of His Decisions may be harmful for certain people while others are beneficial for them. This means that their goodness or badness is related to persons. What it signifies is that one should pray to Allah to keep one safe from such decisions which are harmful for him. "Shamatat'' the pleasure that one's enemy feels on one's trouble. In other words, it is prayed that Allah may protect one from any such trouble which is pleasing to one's enemy, because when a person is in trouble, his enemies feel pleasure over it. In this Hadith, one sentence was added by Abu Sufyan and during his old age he did not remember which one it was. But we learn from other Ahadith that it was "the pleasure of enemies''. (Ibn `Allan). This Hadith also shows the honesty and integrity of the narrators of Ahadith. They were honest to the extent that if a few words of supplication were added to a Hadith by its narrators, they would point it out. Some scholars have regarded these words an addition in the Hadith by its narrator, who is otherwise reliable, but it is not a problem of "addition of authority'' because in that case, the addition is the saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) which is mentioned by one narrator and omitted by another. But here it is quite different as the narrator of the Hadith himself is pointing out the addition made by him. Such additional words are technically called "Mudraj''

1472. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to say: "Allahumm-aslih li diniyalladhi huwa `ismatu amri, wa aslih li dunyaya-llati fiha ma`ashi, wa aslih li akhirati-llati fiha ma`adi, waj`alil-hayata ziyadatan li fi kulli khair, waj`alil-mauta rahatan li min kulli sharrin (O Allah, make my religion easy for me by virtue of which my affairs are protected, set right for me my world where my life exists, make good for me my Hereafter which is my resort to which I have to return, and make my life prone to perform all types of good, and make death a comfort for me from every evil).''
[Muslim].

Commentary: This is a very comprehensive prayer which simply means: "O Allah! Help me spend all my life in complete devotion to You, doing what You like and avoiding what You dislike.''

1473. `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, "Recite: `Allahumma-hdini wa saddidni (O Allah! Direct me to the Right Path and make me adhere to the Straight Path).'' Another narration is: `Allahumma inni as'aluk-alhuda was-sadad (I beg You for guidance and uprightness).''
[Muslim].

Commentary: "As-Sadad'' means correctness and uprightness. Here, it signifies "please grant me the ability to do everything in a correct manner'', that is in accordance with the practice of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Some scholars of Hadith have interpreted it as steadfastness and moderation. Both interpretations accord well with its original meanings.

1474. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: "Allahumma inni a`udhu bika minal-ajzi wal-kasali, wal-jubni wal-harami, wal-bukhli, wa a`udhu bika min `adhabil-qabri, wa a`udhu bika min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat [O Allah! I seek refuge in You from helplessness (to do good), indolence, cowardice, senility, and miserliness; and I seek Your Protection against the torment of the grave and the trials of life and death].'' Another narration adds: "wa dala`id-daini wa ghalabatir-rijal (And from the burden of indebtedness and the tyranny of men).''
[Muslim].

1475. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I requested the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to teach me a supplication which I could recite in my Salat (prayer). Thereupon he said, "Recite: `Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wa la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta, faghfir li maghfiratan min `indika, warhamni, innaka Antal-Ghafur-ur-Rahim (O Allah! I have considerably wronged myself. There is none to forgive the sins but You. So grant me pardon and have mercy on me. You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Compassionate).'''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: It is desirable to recite this prayer in Salat after Tashahhud and before Taslim. One can also recite it at all other times also.

1476. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: "Allahumm-aghfir li khati'ati, wajahli, wa israfi fi amri, wa ma Anta a`lamu bihi minni. Allahumm-aghfir li jiddi wa hazli, wa khata'i wa `amdi, wa kullu dhalika `indi. Allahumm-aghfir li ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhartu, wa ma asrartu, wa ma a`lantu, wa ma Anta a`lamu bihi minni. Antal-Muqaddimu, wa Antal-Mu'akhkhiru; wa Anta `ala kulli shai'in Qadir (O Allah! Forgive my errors, ignorance and immoderation in my affairs. You are better aware of my faults than myself. O Allah! Forgive my faults which I committed in seriousness or in fun deliberately or inadvertently. O Allah! Grant me pardon for those sins which I committed in the past and I may commit in future, which I committed in privacy or in public and all those sins of which You are better aware than me. You Alone can send whomever You will to Jannah, and You Alone can send whomever You will to Hell-fire and You are Omnipotent).''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was sinless but still he prayed earnestly to Allah for the forgiveness of his shortcomings. In fact, he did so to educate his followers. This prayer is an expression of one's utter humbleness and sincere repentance of sins.

1477. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate (in these words): "Allahumma inni audhu bika min sharri ma `amiltu, wa min sharri ma lam a`mal (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil of that which I have done and the evil of that which I have not done).''
[Muslim].

Commentary: This prayer is also very comprehensive. Sometimes a person does a virtuous deed but it is tainted with slight hypocrisy or pride. It is an element which destroys even the most virtuous deeds. It is this mischief against which Allah's Protection has been sought through this prayer.

1478. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate thus: "Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min zawali ni`matika, wa tahawwuli `afiyatika, wa fuja'ati niqmatika, wa jami`i sakhatika (O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours, passing of safety, the suddenness of Your punishment and all that which displeases You).''
[Muslim].

Commentary: This is also a very comprehensive prayer. Allah has blessed man with innumerable gifts. One becomes conscious of them when one is deprived of any of them, hence it is said that the value of a blessing is realized at its loss. For eyes, ears, tongue, health, property, children and such countless blessings, we owe gratitude to Allah. In the prayer cited in this Hadith, one entreats Allah not to deprive of any blessing given to him. `Afiyah means safe from disease, grief and troubles. "Passing of the safety (`Afiyah)'' signifies the change from a state of good health to a state of illness and weakness or that one is overtaken by troubles and afflictions.

1479. Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would supplicate: "Allahumma inni a`udhu bika minal-`ajzi wal-kasali, wal-bukhli wal-harami, wa `adhabil-qabri. Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha Anta khairu man zakkaha, Anta waliyyuha wa maulaha. Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min `ilmin la yanfau`, wa min qalbin la yakhsha`u, wa min nafsin la tashba`u, wa min da`watin la yustajabu laha` [O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the inability (to do good), indolence, cowardice, miserliness, decrepitude and torment of the grave. O Allah! Grant me the sense of piety and purify my soul as You are the Best to purify it. You are its Guardian and its Protecting Friend. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the knowledge which is not beneficial, and from a heart which does not fear (You), and from desire which is not satisfied, and from prayer which is not answered].''
[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith contains the prayer for fear of Allah, beneficial knowledge (that is, the knowledge of the Qur'an and Hadith), patience and contentment.

SUPPLICATION OF PROPHET MOHAMMED SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM

2010-10-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

Shaista Salafi

1480. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: "Allahumma laka aslamtu, wa bika amantu, wa `alaika tawakkaltu, wa ilaika anabtu, wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu. Faghfir li ma qaddamtu, wa ma akh-khartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma a`lantu, Antal-Muqaddimu, wa Antal-Mu`akhkhiru, la ilaha illa Anta (O Allah! to You I submit, in You I affirm my faith, in You I repose my trust, to You I turn in repentance and with Your Help I contend my adversaries and from You I seek judgement. O Allah! Grant me forgiveness for the faults which I made in past and those ones I may commit in the future, those which I committed secretly or openly. You Alone send whomever You will to Jannah, and You Alone send whomever You will to Hell-fire. There is none worthy of worship except You).'' Another narration adds: "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no strength to resist evil and no power to do good except through Allah).''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: The prayer mentioned in this Hadith is, in fact, a Muslim's declaration to turn in every matter to Allah, and to care about His Pleasure and His Orders regarding every act. It is also a declaration to befriend people for His sake and to show enmity towards people for Him alone. May Allah give every Muslim the ability to make this prayer and to act according to the declaration that he makes through it.

1481. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: "Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min fitnatin-nari, wa `adhabin-nari, wa min sharril-ghina wal-faqri (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the trials and the torment of the Fire and from the evils of wealth and poverty).''
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: "The evils of wealth'' signify that one becomes so captivated by wealth that in his struggle to acquire it, he fails to discriminate between the lawful and the unlawful, or one may become proud and arrogant on account of his riches. The evils of poverty that one loses hope of Allah's Mercy and Compassion, or shows resentment against his fate and the Will of Allah, or deviates from the principles and requirements of integrity and honesty.

1482. Ziyad bin `Ilaqah reported: My uncle Qutbah bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: "Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min munkaratil-akhlaqi, wal-a`mali, wal-ahwa`i (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from undesirable manners, deeds, and aspirations).''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: The prayer is recited to seek Allah's Help in shunning bad manners and observing good manners and righteous deeds.

1483. Shakal bin Humaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked: "O Messenger of Allah, teach me a prayer.'' He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Say: Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min sharri sam`i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri lisani, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evils of my hearing, the evils of my seeing, the evils of my tongue; the evils of my heart and the evils of passions).''
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: The evil mischief of ears lies in lending them to lies, calumnies, backbiting and other forbidden things (music etc.), or closing the ears to the truth. The mischief of eyes lies in finding faults with people, looking at what is forbidden to look at, and ignoring the Signs of Allah scattered everywhere in the universe. The mischief of the heart lies in occupying one's heart with the love of anyone else other than Allah. "Mani'' (semen) is that sticky fluid which comes out of the male organ after sexual gratification. Here it means the sexual organs. The mischief of these lie in using them in a sinful act. One is advised to safeguard one's ears, eyes, heart, sexual organs, and all the organs of one's body against their improper use in order to gain the Pleasure of Allah. One will be accountable for all these things on the Day of Judgement.

1484. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: "Allahumma inni a`udhu bika minal-barasi, wal-jununi, wal-judhami, wa sayyi'il-asqami' (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from leucoderma, insanity, leprosy and evil diseases).''
[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: Leucoderma is a disease which gives rise to the appearance of white spots on the skin of body. Leprosy is a disease which renders one's organs invalid. Madness is mental disorder. All these are very dangerous diseases. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has sought Allah's Protection against these and other diseases like paralysis, diabetes, facial paralysis, cancer, blindness, etc. May Allah save us from all such diseases.

1485. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: "Allahumma inni a`udhu bika minal-ju`i, fa-innahu bi'sad-daji`u; wa a`udhu bika minal-khiyanati, fa-innaha bi'satil-bitanah' [O Allah! I seek refuge in You from hunger; surely, it is the worst companion. And I seek refuge in You from treachery; surely, it is a bad inner trait].''
[Abu Dawud].

1486. `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A slave who had made a contract with his master to pay for his freedom, came to me and said: "I am unable to fulfill my obligation, so help me.'' He said to him: "Shall I not teach you a supplication which the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) taught me? It will surely prove so effective that if you have a debt as large as a huge mountain, Allah will surely pay it for you. Say: `Allahumm-akfini bihalalika `an haramika, wa aghnini bifadlika `amman siwaka (O Allah! Grant me enough of what You make lawful so that I may dispense with what You make unlawful, and enable me by Your Grace to dispense with all but You).''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: It is important to recite this Du`a in order to seek Allah's Help in paying one's debts and in avoiding to beg of people.

(no subject)

2010-10-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

Shaista Salafi

1487. `Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) taught my father two statements to recite in his Du`a. These are: "Allahumma al-himni rushdi, wa a`idhni min sharri nafsi (O Allah! Inspire in me guidance and deliver me from the evils within myself).''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: "Al-Hidayah'' (guidance) means the ability to do good deeds. It is an indication of the right course for every action. "Deliver me from the evils within myself'' refers to the desires of the baser self which ruin both the worldly and religious life.

1488. Abul-Fadl Al-`Abbas bin `Abdul-Muttalib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to teach me a supplication. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Beg Allah for safety (from all evils in this world and in the Hereafter).'' I waited for some days and then I went to him again and asked him: "O Messenger of Allah Teach me to supplicate something from Allah.'' He said to me, "O Al-`Abbas, the uncle of Messenger of Allah! Beseech Allah to give you safety (Al-a'fiyah ) in this life and in the Hereafter.''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: The prayer for "Al-a' fiyah'' includes peace and safety of one's religion and one's welfare in this world as well as in the Hereafter. This is also a very comprehensive prayer.

1489. Shahr bin Haushab reported: I asked Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her), "O Mother of the Believers! Which supplication did the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) make frequently when he was in your house?'' She said: "He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) supplicated frequently: `Ya muqallibal-qulubi, thabbit qalbi `ala dinika (O Controller of the hearts make my heart steadfast in Your religion).''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: Steadfastness in religion is the conduct of great men, which cannot be acquired without the special Grace of Allah. There occur many turns in a person's life when he becomes slack or negligent in religious matters or when he deviates from the course prescribed by religion. This prayer has outstanding importance for such people who are faced with such a situation. They should recite this prayer very frequently. In fact they should make its recitation a permanent feature.

1490. Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "One of Prophet Dawud's supplications was: `Allahumma inni as'aluka hubbaka, wa hubba man yuhibbuka, wal-`amalalladhi yuballighuni hubbaka. Allahumm-aj`al hubbaka ahabba ilayya min nafsi, wa ahli, wa minal-ma'il-baridi (O Allah! I ask You for Your Love, the love of those who love You, and deeds which will cause me to attain Your Love. O Allah! Make Your Love dearer to me than myself, my family and the cold water).'''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: This Hadith contains an inducement for the Love of Allah and highlights the importance of those who are devoted to Allah and their good deeds because it is the virtuous deeds which are a means of attaining the Love of Allah and His Nearness.

1491. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Recite frequently: `Ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram! (O You, Possessor of glory and honour).'''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that one should make abundant use of the words `Ya-Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram' in his prayer because these words contain the Praise of Allah and mention His Perfect Attributes. Some have said that Al-Jalal and Al-Ikram are Allah's Greatest Name.

1492. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made many supplications which we did not memorize. We said to him: "O Messenger of Allah! You have made many supplications of which we do not remember anything.'' He said, "Shall I tell you a comprehensive prayer? Say: `Allahumma inni as'aluka min khairi ma sa'alaka minhu nabiyyuka Muhammadun sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam. Wa `a`udhu bika min sharri mas-ta`adha minhu nabiyyuka Muhammadun sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam. Wa Antal-Musta`anu, wa `alaikal-balaghu, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (O Allah, I beg to You the good which Your Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) begged of You; and I seek refuge in You from the evil where from Your Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sought refuge. You are the One from Whom help is sought and Your is the responsibility to communicate (the truth). There is no power or strength except with Allah the Exalted, the Great.'''
[At-Tirmidhi]

Commentary: For those who do not remember many prayers, or cannot remember them, this is the best supplication to make. This shows part of Allah's Mercy upon his slaves and part of the easiness of practising Islam.

1493. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One of the supplications of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was: "Allahumma inni as'aluka mujibati rahmatika, wa `aza'ima maghfiratika, was-salamata min kulli ithmin, wal-ghanimata min kulli birrin, wal-fawza bil-jannati, wannajata mina-nar (O Allah! I beg You for that which incites Your Mercy and the means of Your forgiveness, safety from every sin, the benefit from every good deed, success in attaining Jannah and deliverance from Fire).''
[Al-Hakim].

Commentary: Sheikh Al-Albani has regarded the Hadith as "Da`if'' (weak). One can, however, pray with the words quoted in this Hadith because these words contain prayer for Allah's Mercy and forgiveness, attainment of Jannah and protection from Hell. May Allah accept this prayer.

2010-10-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

http://sharingknowledgeofislam.blogspot.com/2009/04/errors-in-prayers-that-must-be-avoided.html

Source Ad-Deen an-Naseehah

Salat (namaaz) or prayer is one of the most important pillars of Islam. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) warned that the first thing man will be questioned about on the Day of Resurrection is prayer. Abu Hurairah said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) saying:

The first act of worship man shall be questioned about on the Day of Resurrection is prayer. If it was performed correctly1, man shall certainly succeed and prosper, if it is not, he shall certainly lose and fail. If, however, man's prayer was incomplete, the Lord, the Exalted, would say (to His Angels), "See if my slave performed supererogatory (nafl) prayers to make up what he had missed of the obligatory prayers. The rest of man's deeds will be reckoned in the same manner2.

4 Things said by Last Prophet

2010-10-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

By: Mustaqeem Qureshi

1) Four things that make your body sick:

a) Excessive talking
b) Excessive sleeping
c) Excessive eating and
d) Excessive meeting other people

2) Four things that destroys the body:

a) Worrying
b) Sorrow (Sadness/Grief)
c) Hunger
d) Sleeping late in the night

3) Four things that dry the face & take away its happiness:

a) Lying
b) Being disrespectful / impudent (insisting on something wrong knowingly)
c) Arguing without adequate knowledge & Information.
d) Excessive immorality (doing something wrong without fear).

4) Four things that increases the wetness of face & its happiness:

a) Piety
b) Loyalty
c) Generosity (being kind)
d) To be helpful to others without he/she asking for that.

5) Four things that stop the Rizq (Sustenance) :

a) Sleeping in the morning (from Fajr to sunrise)
b) Not Performing Namaz or Ir-regular in Prayers
c) Laziness / Idleness
d) Treachery / Dishonesty

6) Four things that bring / increase the Rizq:

a) Staying up in the night for prayers.
b) Excessive Repentance
c) Regular Charity
d) Zikr (Remembrance of Allah / God).

The Dua of Muslim is Answered

2010-10-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

By: Shaikh Saleem bin Eid Al-Hilaalee

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (p.b.u.h.) said: “Whoever does not ask from Allah, He (Allah) becomes angry at him.” (An authentic Hadeeth reported by Ibn Majah, At-Tirmidhi, Al-Haakim and others)

In the previously quoted saying of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), there is proof that the supplication means requesting something from Allah, through which His Contentment is attained. This is since not asking from Allah out of pride and self-dependence is not permissible with respect to the Self-sufficient, the Most Praiseworthy.

A poet took the meaning of this Hadith and put it into poetic form saying:

“Allah becomes angry when you abandon asking Him, while the Son of Adam becomes angry, when you ask him for something.”

Therefore, Allah loves from His servants that they ask Him and that they turn towards Him and that they manifest their destitution and lowliness in front of Him. And He has made it a duty upon Himself to not send them back disappointed and empty-handed, as His Messenger (p.b.u.h.) has informed us:

“There is not a Muslim upon the earth that calls to Allah with a supplication except that Allah gives it to him or He removes some evil of equal proportion from him as long as he doesn’t supplicate for something sinful or to sever family ties.” So a man amongst the people said: 'What if we ask numerous requests?' He (p.b.u.h.) said: “Allah is Akthar (Able to respond to numerous requests).” (Sahih Kitaab Al-Adhkaar wa Da’eefihi (1223/920 & 1224/961)

In this is a sufficient clarification of the fact that Allah guarantees the answering of the supplications. This is however, according to its conditions. Thus, we shall go into details with the discussion concerning it, its description, its conditions, its proper time and place and its etiquettes, as well as what invalidates it.

The fourth major sin-not praying

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Ash Shams
http://www.jannah/. org/articles/ fourth.html

Allah most High says:
Then there succeeded them a generation which neglected prayers and followed lusts. They will meet with destruction (Ghayy),
excepting the one who repents and believes and acts righteously.
(Quran 19:59-60)

Ibn abbas (RAA) explained that here does not mean that they completely abandoned prayers, but that they delayed them to the end of their prescribed times.

Said bin Musayyab, a great Imam following the generation of the Companions, elaborated on this, saying: "A person neglects if he delays the noon prayer up to the afternoon prayer time, afternoon prayer up to almost sunset prayer time, sunset prayer up to evening prayer time, and evening prayer up to morning prayer time, while
delaying morning prayer until just before sunrise.

If anyone dies without repentance while continuing in this manner, Allah has promised Ghayy for him, and that is a valley in Hell which is very deep and has foul food."

Allah Most High says:
Woe to the worshippers who are unmindful of their prayer.
(Quran 107:4-5)

Saad bin Abi Waqqas said: "I asked Allahs Messenger (SAW) about the meaning of unmindful, and he replied: It is delaying it
(the prayer) up to the end of its prescribed time.'" (Bazar)

While Allah calls such people , they are lazy and perform the prayer very late. He has promised them Wayl, which signifies a great punishment.

Some say, "Wayl is a valley in Hell, exceedingly hot, and that is the place for those who delay or miss the prayer, excepting the ones who repent and correct their habits."

Allah Most High says:

O you who bleieve, let neither your wealth nor your children distract you from the remembrance of Allah. And those who do so,
they will be the losers (Quran 63:9)

The commentators say: "The remembrance of Allah in this verse means the five daily prayers. If anyone is so busy in buying and
selling, or with his daily work of earning a livelihood, or with his children, that he cannot perform prayers on time, he will be
among the losers."

The Prophet (SAW) said in this regard: "The first thing which will be judged among a persons deeds on the Day of Resurrection
is the prayer. If that is in good order, he will pass the test and prosper, and if that is defective, he will fail the test and be a loser." (Tirmidhi)

Informing us about the inhabitants of Hell, Allah Most High says:
(The people in Hell will be asked): "What caused you to enter Hell-fire?"
They will say: "We were not among those who prayed, nor did we feed the needy. We used to engage in vain discourse with the vain-talkers, and we used to deny the Day of Judgement, until there came to us that which is certain (ie. Allah's judgement)." Then no intercession by any intercessors will benefit them.
(Quran 74:42-48)

The Prophet (SAW) said: "The convenant between us and them (that is, believers) is prayer, so if anyone abandons it he has become
an infidel." (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Abu Dawood, Nisai, Tirmidhi).

He also said: "What lies between a man and infidelity is the
abanonment of prayer." (Muslim)

Allahs Messenger (SAW) is reported to have said: "If anyone abandons the afternoon prayer, his deeds are of no avail."
(Bukhari).

And he said: "If anyone abandons prayer deliberately he has no claim upon Allah" (Sunan).

Abdullah bin amr bin al-As (RAA) said that the Prophet (SAW) mentioned prayer one day saying, "If anyone keeps to it, it will
be light, evidence, and salvation for him on the day of Resurrection; but if anyone does not keep to it, it will not be for him light, evidence, or salvation; and on the Day of Resurrection, he will be associated with Qaran, Pharoah, Haman, and Ubayy bin Khalaf (a great enemy of Islam from among the Quraish)."
(Ahmad, Darimi and Baihaqi)

Some scholars have explained that the person who abandons prayer will be raised with such a foursome because his neglect of prayer may be due to his involvement with his property, his country, his administrative work, or his trade,

Therefore, if he was involved with his property, he will be resurrected with Qarun;
if with his country, then with Pharoah;
if with his administrative work, then with Haman;
and if with his trade, then with Ubayy bin Khalaf, the trader among the unbelievers of Mecca.

Muadh bin Jabal (RAA) reported Allah's Messenger (SAW) as saying: "If anyone abandons prayer intentionally he has no claim
to Allah Most High." (Ahmad)

Umar ibn al-Khattab (RAA) reported that a man asked the Prophet (SAW): "Messenger of Allah, what action is dearest to Allah
Most High?"
The Prophet (SAW) replied: "Prayer at its proper time. The one who does not pray has no religion. Prayer is the main pillar of the religon (of Islam)." (Baihaqi)

Abdullah bin Shaqiq (RAA) said that the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) did not consider the abandonment of any good deeds to be unbelief excepting the abandonment of prayer.

When Ali (RAA) was asked about a woman who did not pray, he replied: "The one who does not pray is an unbeliever."

Ibn Masood said that the one who does not pray has no religion, and Ibn Abbas said: "The one who leaves off a single prayer
deliberately will find, when he meets Allah Most High, that He is angry with him."

Allahs Messenger (SAW) said: "When a person meets Allah after neglecting his prayer, he will meet him as if he had not
worshipped him at all, nor done any good deeds."

And Ibn Hazm said: "There is no greater sin after polytheism than missing a prayer [That is to say, if one deliberately delays a prayer until its time has passed, although he was able to pray it on
time, without any valid reason which permits delaying it before its time.] and killing a believer without just cause."

Ibrahim Nakahi said: "The one who has left off the prayer has become a disbeliever. "

Awn bin Abdullah said: "When a person is buried, the first question which will be asked him will be concerning the prayer. If that is accepted from him, his other deeds will be looked at, but if that is not accepted form him, no other deeds will be looked at."

Abdullah bin al-As reported Allahs Messenger (SAW) as saying: "A person who conbines two prayers without valid excuse, enters a gate
among the major sins."

Watch " Fourth Major Sin - Not Praying"
http://www.youtube/. com/watch? v=ZBYmwQf63xY

Where are the Ansaars??? Will you sacrifice a little to help us (New Muslims)

2010-10-10T08:39:00.000-07:00

By: Adiba Islam

Problems faced by New Muslims, breaking the ice – The Reality!!!

Dont think this to be a copy pasted article... Unlike others, this is a real life experience of us (New Muslims)!!!!

Initial stage:

• People are very eager to do dawah. Some Muslims disappear once their objective is achieved. They forget to carry forward the help & assistance to the new Muslims that are most essential.

• A person comes to the truth and suddenly finds him standing in a battle field full of difficulties. At the initial stage itself, when the Faith is still not so strong he is left alone. some may fall even in the wrong hands and AlhamduliLLAH they come back to truth.

Learning & Following the deen:

• Then we keep struggling to find sources to teach us. Sometimes we are lucky but most of the times we are struggling. Some access to internet, some approach their friends here & there, some get help from some aapa’s or aunties/brothers, sheikhs who can teach (if they are lucky to come in their hands)

• Many times they wish to buy Islamic books and attend Islamic courses. They have great interest and passion to read & learn Islamic stuffs earnestly but they lack in finance. As they are hiding from their family and practicing ISLAM, a lot of them are just young lads studying in colleges, so they run out of pocket money.

Family Life (as Undercover & Open Muslim):

Most of the New Muslims in the initial stages hide & practice ISLAM. Because some are students, some are not settled, some are not married. And revealing can cause more troubles for them. They are living a life of dual personalities. This frustrates and breaks them the most.

We have to hide & pray:

• If you have a separate bedroom then you are lucky but most of us share rooms either with siblings or grandparents etc.
• In midst of our salah we hear nocks at the door and we have to break our prayer. Some times we even get caught while making wudu(ablution for prayer). It depends upon the facilities in one's house.
• We have to keep waiting till we find safe place at home.
• We loose the peace of our mind just waiting waiting and waiting
• Sometimes we are caught and we make the weirdest reasons.
• Its rare you get to offer prayer peacefully
• Sometimes standing soemtimes sitting sometimes sleeping, sometimes just with getsures
• Sometimes in store room, sometimes looking outside window, sometimes behind cupboards & pillars etc etc etc

We have to hide & fast:

• If you are working or can go out of home you are lucky.
• Those back home are testing the flavor of hardships
• Some of us we act/pretend bluff that we have eaten
• Sometimes we act as if holding the cup of tea in our hand as to we are drinking it.
• We sip it (not gulp it) and keep it held there until we can go n spit it out.
• We have to make constant reason of being unwell and not willing to eat.
• Dieting is good excuse but it doesn’t work always
• We cannot have suhoor always.
• The max we can have is a biscuit or chocolate and sometimes a glass of water is sufficient to work day long
• At work place/colleges ask us Questions : sometimes we are able to answer them but most of the times we bluff cz we cannot reveal we are muslims now
• We cannot make it evident that we are fasting and when it’s Ramadan everyone knows its Ramadan going on.
• While breaking fast we have to be content with a date until its dinner time.
• The month of mercy & ibadah is month of difficulties & questions for us
• Eid is Never like Eid.we never get the feel of celebration although we also fasted for whole month like you !!!

We Hide & wear hijab :

• Sisters use public toilets, train compartments, rickshaws etc to wear hijab and remove it before reaching home. Some times we feel very embarrassing to remove our hijab in front of other strangers.
• Sometimes people stare at us in trains as to what weird kind of people are we removing our abayas when we are out.
• We are unaware of how and where to find the hijab.
• We save money one by one from our pocket money and buy scarves and abaya as and when we can, so that we can cover our head and be chaste.
• Sometimes we find good friends who gift some to us but we are not always lucky.
• We have cousins, uncles, family friends who keep visiting us and during party time we are lost.
• They hug us, touch us its common for them. They don’t know we have changed.
• It hurts, by now we know who are mehrams and who are not but ofcourse our family doesnt understand the same.

Can’t read Qur'an- The book of ALLAH:

• Can’t keep Islamic books at home not even the blessed Quran.
• We don’t know to read Arabic. And we can’t go out to learn nor do we have so many funds to join Arabic classes.
• Sometimes people at home find us with the books/Quran and we had it that day.
• Initially We are unaware of what is authentic what is NOT.
• All Books are not so affordable.
• Sometimes we find good friends or organizations but we are not always lucky, sometimes we are scared & hesitant to ask. Other times we don’t know whom to ask help
• Its very difficult to hide Quran & other books.. everybody doesnt have acess to computer & internet, and they keep checking our mobiles too

Festival time:

• Eid is never like Eid: We never get the feel of celebration although we also fasted for whole month like you !!!

• Diwali / Christmas/ holi/ rakhi etc etc are a must to participate in
• We cant have the prashad we are caught very badly
• But we are helpless and ALLAH knows best what is in the heart.

All those things which are actually considered to be Rights of every Muslim in our country, we get to do them in bits & pieces. When we hide & practice we have to be careful they don’t catch us or trace us but when we reveal it to them !!!!!!!!!

Consequences when our reversion(conversion) gets disclosed:

When we reveal it to them openly: first they feel we are joking; when they realize we are NOT, we had it then.

• We are locked home arrest we can’t go out, we can’t meet. Talk, chat to anyone
• We are beaten
• Our mobile is snatched
• We get no food/water/basics
• We cry alone, it sounds easy – its NOT
• We cant offer salah
• We are forced to leave studies
• We are forced to marry non muslim (the sisters face this more severely)
• We are emotionally broken because of our family members and close friends too
• They attack us physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically
• We Don’t know what are we being punished for!
• If a child commits zina(fornication) parents forgive in this modern world, but if a child wants to become truthful and righteous, parents want to outcast and disown us. What a world is this????

If we manage to escape all this torture:

• We don’t have money
• We don’t have a shelter
• We don’t have sources
• We don’t have contacts
• We are left alone
• When we go to Muslims they doubt our faith and genuineness
• Non Muslims hate us and are ready to attack us (the political parties)
• We must be born in rich families but suddenly we find ourselves like beggars
• Ideally we are on ALLAH’s mercy but here we are on people’s mercy
• We are searching for jobs, house, and support.
• If we get jobs then We stay on rented houses but we are not always lucky
• Friends help us for a day or two, the sisters suffer the worst here
• We are scared our family will find us
• Lot of Emotional BLACK MAILS like suicide etc from our families, when they come to know about us following ISLAM...

Marriage:

• We don’t have parental support and guidance in such major decision
• We don’t know much Muslims
• We also need companionship but all Muslims don’t want to welcome us
• People doubt our faith & genuineness
• We don’t have references
• There is family pressure at back of our minds
• We don’t know how to get a suitable spouse
• If we are lucky and we find the right one then,
• We lack funds, our marriages are not like marriages
• We don’t have much people attending it, we miss our parents on such important day they are NOT with us.

Marriage of two reverts:

• We loose support from both sides of the families
• We don’t get love and acceptance, our dream marriage is a REALITY now
• Our husband was disowned by his rich businessman father and presently he is jobless
• So When we conceive a baby sometimes we skip our medicines for a month
• We don’t have money for sonography and doctor checkups

Marrying a Muslim by birth:

• Sometimes we find our dream home but we are not lucky always
• We are always on their terms as we don’t have any other back up or support of our parents
• We are not accepted as it would be otherwise
• We are differentiated
• We didn’t carry along a bag full of good clothes / jewelry or gifts for our in-laws

We loose our parents forever : Life here & hereafter

• We miss our parents/ siblings & families alots. The pain of seeing them running towards hell fire is worse than pain of loosing them

• This life will end one day but how will we see our very own father & mother in the fire of jahhannam on Qiyamah?? The same mother who was holding our hands for every little step we took & the same father who was protecting us always.

After accepting Islam we came to the Truth Alhamdulillah and the truth is that we have-

" An innocent dream…A long journey…destination focused…ways locked... But our hope continues"

Will you sacrifice a little to help us (New Muslims)?

We "DONT" need your sympathy!!!!

Rather we need your REAL HELP...

We know ALLAH is our HELPER, but it is the duty of the Muslims by Birth to completely provide all the necessary help for the New Muslims...

Have you not seen the support given for New Muslims during the times of our Prophet Muhammad (Peace, Mercy and Blessings of ALLAH be upon him)'s time?????

How many of you are really ready to fund and provide financial help to the New Muslims who are in need,viz yearly funding a New Muslim who is thrown from house or wat ever????

How many of you are ready to marry the New Muslim sisters & brothers(in case of brothers- u may have to leave ur Muslim families and go to their Non Muslim houses)... How many of you can provide legal help & support to us???

What help can u solely provide for us??????? AND HOW CAN U ?????

Will you yourself individually step forward to provide us real help?

A beautiful lesson for us to learn....

2010-10-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

By: Ash Shams

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah,

Every Friday afternoon, after the Jumma prayers, the Imam and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out "PATH TO PARADISE" and other Islamic literature.

This particular and fortunate Friday afternoon, as the time came for the Imam and his son to go to the streets with their booklets, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring rain.

The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, 'OK, dad, I'm ready!'

His dad asked, 'Ready for what' 'Dad, it's time we go out and distribute these Islamic books.'

Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring rain.'

The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, 'But Dad, aren't people still going to hell, even though it's raining?'

Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather.'

Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go Please'

His father hesitated for a moment then said, 'Son, you can go. Here are the booklets. Be careful son.'

'Thanks, Dad!'

And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a pamphlet or a booklet.

After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST BOOKLET. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a booklet to, but the streets were totally deserted.

Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered..

He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer.

Finally, he turned to leave, but something stopped him.

Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!

He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.

Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, 'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that ALLAH REALLY LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU and I came to give you my very last booklet which will tell you all about God, the real purpose of creation, and how to achieve His pleasure.'

With that, he handed her his last booklet and turned to leave.

She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'

Next week on Friday afternoon after Jumma prayers, the Imam was giving some lectures. As he concludes the lectures, he asked, 'Does anybody have questions or want to say anything?'

Slowly, in the back row among the ladies, an elderly lady's voice was heard over the speaker.

'No one in this gathering knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Friday I was not a Muslim, and thought I could be. My husband died few years ago, leaving me totally alone in this world.. Last Friday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, i was contemplating suicide as i had no hope left.

So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home.. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and broken-hearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.

I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly....

I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.

When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that ALLAH REALLY LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU!'

Then he gave me this booklet, Path To Paradise that I now hold in my hand.

As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this book. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.

You see? I am now a Happy Vicegerent of the One True God. Since the address of your congregation was stamped on the back of this booklet, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'

There was not a dry eye in the mosque. The shouts of TAKBIR..ALLAH AKBAR.. rented the air.

Imam-Dad descended from the pulpit to the front row where the little angel was seated....

He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

Probably no jama'at has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a father that was more filled with love and honor for his son... Except for One. This very one...

Spread His Word, help Him and you'll see His hand in everything you do...

Quran Sora-5:Ayat-3:

This day I've perfected your religion for you, and completed my favor on you, and chose Islam for you as religion....

How may oppurtunities we let go, in our lives. I strongly feel when we have dedication and sincerity in our intention, surely Allah swt helps us be a source of guidance to others. May Allah swt extract the best from us and we spend our lives, in His way. Ameen

Rasing the hands during prayer

2010-10-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

By: Ash Shams

* This is regarding the sahih mutawaatir hadith of raising of the hands before and after the bowing in the Salaat. This has been authentically reported in Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and Sunan Abu Dawud.Why do the Hanafis not accept this hadith? What's their reasoning for not acting upon this sahih hadith?A related question is, was this Hadith not available to Abu Haneefah (rahimahullah) at his time? What could be the reasons for this?

Praise be to Allaah.

The hadeeth to which the questioner refers was narrated by al-Bukhaari (735) and Muslim (390) from 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both), who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to raise his hands to shoulder level when he started to pray, when he said "Allaahu akbar" before bowing in rukoo', and when he raised his head from rukoo'.

The majority of scholars followed this hadeeth and said that it is mustahabb for the worshipper to raise his hands at the points mentioned in the hadeeth.

Imaam al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) wrote a separate book on this issue which he called Juz' fi Raf' al-Yadayn (Section on Raising the Hands), in which he proved that the hands should be raised at these two points on the prayer, and he strongly denounced those who go against that. He narrated that al-Hasan said: "The Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to raise their hands during prayer when they bowed and when they stood up (from bowing)." Al-Bukhaari said, "Al-Hasan did not exclude any of the Sahaabah from that, and it was not proven that any one among the Sahaabah did not raise his hands."

See al-Majmoo' by al-Nawawi, 3/399-406.

We do not know whether the ahaadeeth about raising the hands reached Abu Haneefah (may Allaah have mercy on him) or not, but they did reach his followers. But they did not follow them because they had other ahaadeeth and reports which said that the hands should not be raised except when saying "Allaahu akbar" at the beginning of the prayer.

These ahaadeeth include the following:

The hadeeth narrated by Abu Dawood (749) from al-Baraa' ibn 'Aazib, which says that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to raise his hands almost to his ears when he started to pray, then he did not repeat (this action).

The hadeeth narrated by Abu Dawood (748) from 'Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: "Shall I not lead you in prayer as the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did?" Then he prayed and he only raised his hands once.

See Nasb al-Raayah by al-Zayla'i, 1/393-407.

But these ahaadeeth were classed as da'eef (weak) by the imams of hadeeth.

The hadeeth of al-Baraa' was classed as da'eef by Sufyaan ibn 'Uyaynah, al-Shaafa'i, al-Humaydi the shaykh of al-Bukhaari, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Yahya ibn Ma'een, al-Daarimi, al-Bukhaari, and others.

The hadeeth of Ibn Mas'ood was classed as da'eef by 'Abd-Allaah ibn al-Mubaarak, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, al-Bukhaari, al-Bayhaqi, al-Daaraqutni and others. Similarly, the reports which were narrated from some of the Sahaabah about not raising the hands are all da'eef. We have quoted above the words of al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him): "...it was not proven that any one among the Sahaabah did not raise his hands."

See Talkhees al-Habeer by al-Haafiz ibn Hajar, 1/221-223.

Once it is proven that these ahaadeeth and reports which say that the hands should not be raised are weak, then the ahaadeeth which say that the hands should be raised remain strong with no opposing reports. Hence the believer should not fail to raise his hands at the points in prayer described in the Sunnah.

He should strive to make his prayer like the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) who said, "Pray as you have seen me praying." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 631). Hence 'Ali ibn al-Madeeni, the shaykh of al-Bukhaari, said: "It is the duty of the Muslims to raise their hands when they bow in rukoo' and when they stand up from rukoo'." Al-Bukhaari said: " 'Ali was the most knowledgeable of the people of his time."

Once the Sunnah has been explained clearly, no one has the right to ignore it, following whoever among the scholars said that. Imaam al-Shaafa'i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "The scholars are agreed that if the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) becomes clear to a person, it is not permissible for him to ignore it in favour of the opinion of anyone."

Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 2/335.

"If a man is following Abu Haneefah or Maalik or al-Shaafa'i or Ahmad, and he sees that the view of another madhhab concerning a given matter is stronger, and he follows that, then he has done well, and that does not detract from his religious commitment or good character. There is no scholarly dispute on this point. Rather this is more in accordance with the truth and is more beloved by Allaah and His Messenger."

(Said by Shaykh al-Islam – may Allaah have mercy on him – in al-Fataawa, 22/247).

The scholars who said that the hands should not be raised based on their own ijtihaad are to be excused, for they will be rewarded for their ijtihaad and their seeking the truth, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "If a judge passes judgement based on his own ijtihaad and he is correct, he will have two rewards; if he passes judgement based on his own ijtihaad and he makes a mistake, he will have one reward." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 7352; Muslim, 1716). See Raf' al-Malaam 'an al-A'immah al-A'laam by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah.

May Allaah help us all to know the truth and follow it.

And Allaah knows best. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad.

"THANK GOD I HAVEN’T SINNED!"

2010-09-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

By Adiba islam

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Assalamualaikum everyone.

I would like to begin by sharing a small poem (it’s the translated version of the original Arabic poem):

“I saw a man on the seashore, laying wounded by a tiger
Saying “Alhamdulillah! Alas, I have not fallen into sin.”

These two lines basically illustrate two very important lessons:

1. We should thank Allah for EVERYTHING. No matter how bad a position we are in or how awful we might feel, we must show our gratitude towards Him. And that’s what this man was doing, he was dying after being attacked by this tiger but yet he said, “Thank Allah that I did not die sinning.” Because that would have been a worse death for him. And Allah knows what’s best for us and He plans these events accordingly.
“It may be that u like a thing which is harmful for you and you dislike a thing which is good for you. Allah knows (what is best) while you don’t.” [Surah Bakarah, verse:216]

2. Death is better than sinning because when you sin, your heart dies. Who wants to walk around the earth with a DEAD HEART!!! Sooner or later we all will physically die; it’s only the soul that remains. But when you do things that eventually poison your soul, what does it matter if you have a soul or not??

Now, here I want to focus on the second point. Many times we feel that we are doing all the obligatory deeds but we are not progressing in our relationship with Allah. That’s because we’ve got an anchor called “SIN” that’s pulling down our ship. And if we don’t eliminate these sins from our lives, we will remain anchored at a fixed point and we wont move forward. Then what if we stop all sins except one or two? Well…….. If your ship has 100 anchors and pull up 98 of them, u are still not going anywhere because there are two of them still left that’s pulling you down. Then again, there are different levels of sin but we need to understand that whether it is big or small, it is something that is detrimental to our Imaan and our relationship with our Creator.

HOW TO GET RID OF THESE FILTHY ACTIONS?

-First you need to acknowledge the fact that what you are doing is wrong and if you die doing that “YOUR SO BUSTED!!” If this realization doesn’t come you will not feel the urge to stop doing evil deeds because your conscience is not telling you to do so

-Secondly, AVOID PUTTING YOURSELF IN SINFUL ENVIORNMENTS. Putting yourself in such an environment and thinking, “Nothing is gonna happen to me” is like standing in the middle of a busy road thinking , “No truck is gonna run over me”!!
U might get lucky the first time and the second time…… but the third time, its u who is going to be flattened dude!! And plus, our job is not to put ourselves in difficult situations and test whether we can stay firm on deen, but to stay away from all sinful activities as far as we can.

-And lastly don’t forget to make lots and lots of dua to Allah subhanawatala to give you the ability to stay steadfast on the right path and not be one of the wrongdoers. There was once a very famous sheikh who tried really hard not to look at things he shouldn’t and months passed away but he couldn’t avert his gaze. Then finally he made a dua, “O Allah! I don’t have the ability to resist what I am doing. But if only You give me the taufiq and help, I will be able to do it.” And later the sheikh said that from that day onwards there was no difference between a wall and a woman in front of his eyes. Subhanallah!

“Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error. Our Lord! Do not lay on us a burden like that which You did lay on people before us. Our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have the strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Protector and You give us victory over the disbelieving people.” [Surah Bakarah, verse:286]

Jazakallah khair for your time.
*Just to let u know, I wrote this note on the basis of a lecture by Sheikh Hussain Abdul Sattar. Those of u who haven’t heard any of his lectures might try listening to one bcoz he’s a pretty good speaker mashallah.

**Special thanks to sister Fatimah Siddiqah for giving me those lectures. :)

Addu diary

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(no subject)

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Ash Shamshttp://www.jannah/. org/articles/ fourth.html

Where are the Ansaars??? Will you sacrifice a little to help us (New Muslims)

By: Adiba Islam

A beautiful lesson for us to learn....

By: Ash Shams

Rasing the hands during prayer

"THANK GOD I HAVEN’T SINNED!"

Ash Shams
http://www.jannah/. org/articles/ fourth.html