Monthly Archives: December 2011
Performing Wudhû (Ablution)
“O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salaah (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles”
[The Holy Quran Surrah Al-Maa’idah 5:6]
Narrated Abû Hurayrah radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allâh’s Apostle sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said:
When a bondsman – a Muslim or a believer – washes his face (in course of ablution), every sin he contemplated with his eyes will be washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water ; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will be washed away with the water, or with the last drop of water, with the result that he comes out pure from all sins.
[Sahîh Muslim]
The Qur’an. Says Allah in the Qur’an, “O you who believe, when you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows and lightly rub your heads and (wash) your feet up to the ankles.
(The Holy Quran, Surrah al-Mai’dah 6).
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said,
“The congregational prayer of anyone amongst you is more than twenty (five or twenty seven) times in reward than his prayer in the market or in his house, for if he performs ablution completely and then goes to the mosque with the sole intention of performing the prayer, and nothing urges him to proceed to the mosque except the prayer, then, on every step which he takes towards the mosque, he will be raised one degree or one of his sins will be forgiven.
The angels will keep on asking Allah’s forgiveness and blessings for everyone of you so long as he keeps sitting at his praying place.
The angels will say,’O Allah, bless him! O Allah, be merciful to him!’ as long as he has ablution or does not do a thing which gives trouble to the other.”The Prophet further said, ”One is regarded in prayer so long as one is waiting for the prayer.”
Bukhari (Book #34, Hadith #330)
Narrated Uthmân ibn AffânradhiAllâhu `anhu:
The Messenger of Allâh sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said: He who performed ablution well, his sins would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails. [Sahîh Muslim].
What to say before and after ablution(Wudu’) ?
ماذا نقول قبل وبعد الوضوء
قبل الوضوء
Before you start Say: Bismillaher Rahmaaner Rahim بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Which means: In the Name of Almighty Allah.
And…
بعد الوضوء
It is also recommended (sunnah) to say after one finishes wudu’:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ،
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ.
Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah. Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ^abduhu warasuluh. Allahumma j^alni minat-tawwabina waj^alni minal-mutatahhirin.
This means: “I bear witness that no one is God but Allah only, with no partners and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
O Allah, make me among those who repeatedly repent and purify themselves.”
Performing Umrah and Hajj
Narrated by Abû Huraira : The Prophet sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,
“Whoever performs Hajj for Allâh’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.”
[Sahîh Al-Bukhari]
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radhiAllâhu `anhu narrated that the Prophet sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said:
“Alternate between Hajj and ‘Umrah (regularly), for these two remove poverty and sins just as the blacksmith’s bellows removes all impurities from metals like iron, gold and silver. The reward for Hajj Mabrur is nothing short of Paradise.”
[Nasa’i and Tirmidhi, who regards it a sound hadîth ]
Narrated Abû Huraira radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allâh’s Apostle sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,
“(The performance of) ‘Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allâh) is nothing except Paradise.”
[Sahîh Al-Bukhari]
Control your Tongue!!!
“PICK YOUR TEETH”
ONE OF THE GREATEST SINS BUT TIME AFTER TIME WE R DOING IT
Sometimes we don’t even realise it. You’re just chatting away with your friends and you begin to talk about somebody else. Our whole lives are based around ‘Home and Away’ and ‘Neighbours’, soaps based on lying, backbiting etc.
But look at what the Prophet (SAWS) said about it:
The Prophet Salalahu Alayhi Wasallam was sitting with his companions one day and one of them was speaking badly about someone who wasn’t there. As the man got up to leave the Prophet (SAWS) said to him: “Pick Your Teeth!” “But I haven’t eaten anything,” the man protested. “No,” the Prophet (SAWS) said “YOU HAVE EATEN THE FLESH OF YOUR DEAD BROTHER“.
As Allah tells us in the Quran:“Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would hate it.”
(Al-Qur’an 49:12)
But What If It’s True?!
The Prophet (SAWS) told us:”Backbiting is to say something about someone they wouldn’t like said about them….If what bad you said about them is true, then you have backbited and if it is false then you have slandered them.”(MUSLIM)
If you’re still not convinced of how big a sin backbiting really is,
then look at the punishment Allah has in store for the backbiters.
The Prophet (SAWS) described:
“On the night of me’raaj I passed by some people who had metal hooks in their hands and were clawing at their faces and their necks with them. I asked Gabriel ‘Who were these people?’ He said ‘These are the people who eat the flesh of human beings and disgrace them’ (Abu Dawud).
This is how big a sin backbiting is looked upon and yet we continue to
backbite without a second thought. Next time you lie, talk about
somebody,remember Allah (swt) and the Prophet (SAWS) and put them in front of you before you speak.
Grace of Almighty Allah
Which Favours Of Allah Will We Deny?
فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
“Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?” (The Noble Quran,Surah Rahman 55:13)
Allah’s Favours upon us:
* Our heart beats around 100,00 times every day.
* Our blood is on a 60,000-mile journey.
* Our eyes can distinguish up to one million colors surfaces and take in more information than the largest telescope known to man.
* Our lungs inhale over two million liters of air every day, without even thinking. They are large enough to cover a tennis court.
* Our hearing is so sensitive it can distinguish between hundreds of thousands of different sounds.
* Our sense of touch is more refined than any device ever created.
* Our brain is more complex than the most powerful computer and has over 100 billion nerve cells.
* We give birth to 100 billion red cells every day.
* When we touch something, we send a message to our brain at 124 mph.
* We have over 600 muscles.
* We exercise at least 30 muscles when we smile.
* We are about 70 percent water.
* We make one liters of saliva a day.
* Our nose is our personal air-conditioning system:
* It warms cold air, cools hot air and filters impurities.
* In one square inch of our hand we have nine feet of blood vessels, 600 pain sensors, 9000 nerve endings, 36 heat sensors and 75 pressure sensors.
* We have copper, zinc, cobalt, calcium, manganese, phosphates, nickel and silicon in our bodies.
DID WE THANK OUR CREATOR TODAY?
REMEMBER: WORSHIP THE CREATOR, NOT HIS CREATIONS.
He got dressed, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.
On his way to the masjid, the man fell and his clothes got dirty.
He got up, brushed himself off, and headed home. At home,
H e changed his Clothes, made his ablution, and was, again,on his way to the masjid.
On his way to the masjid, H e fell again and at the same spot!
He, again, got up, brushed himself off and headed home.
At home he, once again, changed his clothes,
made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.
On his way to the masjid, he met a man holding a lamp.
he asked the man of his identity and the man replied I saw you fall twice
on your way to the masjid, So i brought a lamp so I can light your way.’
The first man thanked him profusively and the
two where on their way to the masjid.
Once at the masjid, the first man asked the man with
the lamp to come in and pray Fajr with him.
The second man refused.
The first man asked him a couple more times and,
again, the answer was the same.
The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray.
The man replied I am Shetan(devil/ evil)
The man was shocked at this reply.Shetan went on to explain,
‘I saw you on your way to the masjid and it was I who made you fall.
When you went home,cleaned yourself and went back on your way to the masjid,
Allah forgave all of your sins.
I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home,
but rather, you went back on your way to the masjid.
Because of that, Allah forgave all the sins of the people of your household .
I was AFRAID if i made you fall one more time,
then Allah will forgive the sins of the people of your village,
so I made sure that you reached the masjid safely..’
<———- END ———–>
So do not let Shetan benefit from his actions.
Do not put off a good that you intended to do as you never know how much reward
you might receive from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that good.
Muslim Ladies Who Made A Difference For Others
MAADHAH BINT ABBDULLAH ADVYAH:
She was a student of Aisha (RA), Rasulullah (SAW) wife. After her husband’s death she vowed not to lie in bed When she would fall asleep she would wake herself up by going for a walk and say to herself, “I won’t let you sleep, you will have the chance to sleep well when you are in the grave.” It is said that once when she fell ill, the physician advised her to take nabiz (a non alcoholic fermented beverage prepared from malt and dates). She held the cup containing nabiz and said, “O Allah! You know that Aisha (RA), conveyed the Rasulullah (SAW)’s word, as he had prohibited consuming nabiz.”
UMRAH BINT ABDUR RAHMAN (d. 103 AH):
Regarded as an authority of hadith and fiqh, she was the granddaughter of one of the famous companions, Asad ibn Zararah Ansari (RA). Imam Bukhari (RA) said that she was like the secretary for Aisha (RA), and that people who sent Aisha gifts/presents and letters, would send it through her. The scholar Ibn Hajr Askalani said that she was one of the scholars of the early Muslims as she was an authority on the hadith transmitted by Aisha (RA). The scholar Ibn Hibban said she was the best person who had knowledge of the hadith of Aisha (RA). The scholar, Imam Zahri said that when he wanted to learn hadith he would go to Umrah, saying that when he would meet her he found her in a ‘deep sea of knowledge’. The chief Judge of Medina, Umrah’s nephew, was asked to collect hadiths with the following order from the Caliph (ruler) of their time, “Umrah’s hadith are to be despatched to the Caliph in black and white”. The scholar, Imam Malik (RA) said that Umrah would CORRECT the mistakes her nephew, the Chief Judge of Medina, would make. The scholar Imam Dhahabi classified her as a Jurist. She died aged 77.
AISHA BINT TALHA:
The granddaughter of Abu Bakr (RA), and was taught by Aisha (RA).Abu Zahra the early Muslim said, “Aisha was cited because of her authentic knowledge”. Aisha was also graced with physical beauty. Once Caliph Hisham invited her to his court where she engaged dialogue with eminent scholars of different fields. The Caliph was so impressed with her knowledge that he gave her a gift of 100,000 dirham’s.
HAFZAH BINT SIRIN (d. 101 AH):
The sister of the scholar Muhammad ibn Sirin, she had memorised the Quran by the age of 12, and by the age 14 she was well versed in the exegesis (explanation) of the Quranic verses. She became famous for her beautiful recitation of the Quran. Her recitation was of such a high standard that when her brother had difficulty with recitation he would ask her to correct him.
NUFAYSAH BINT HASAN (d. 208 AH):
Known for her commitment to Islam, she would frequently fast, and it is reported that she performed hajj over 30 times. The scholar Imam Shafi, is said to have learned and been taught from her. Imam Shafi thought so much of her that he stated in his will that he wanted his funeral procession to pass by her home – and when it passed by her home she prayed the funeral prayer. She died during the month of Ramadan whilst reciting the Quran.
RIBAH QAYSI’s WIFE:
She was known for spending much of the night in prayer. In the early parts of the night she would begin to pray. She would wake her husband, but if he didn’t wake up she would pray. Sometime later she would try again, but if he failed to wake, she would pray. And again, sometime later she would try again. Sometimes she picked up straw from the ground and would say “By Allah, I regard the worldly vanities less than this.” Occasionally she would dress in a shiny dress at night and ask her husband if he wanted her company (intimacy) in bed – the times he would say no, she would resort to prayer instead.
JAWHAR BRATHYAH:
A resident of Bighead, she was the slave of one of the Abbasid rulers, one day she was returning home and she heard a teacher at a nearby school teaching in an eloquent manner. In captivated, she stayed listening to him, then went to the grand mosque to listen to a scholar teach hadith. The encounter changed her such that when she returned home, she was a changed woman. She would spend her time constructively whilst others would mock her. One day when asked why she was so quiet she said, “I am a slave of Allah and it is incumbent upon me to obey His command” (she said this as they were speaking improperly, so to avoid putting herself in difficulty she remained silent not contributing to the bad talk). She was then asked, how she would explain her silence to the Caliph, to which she replied the same. When the Caliph heard this news, he set her free. She became a scholar of hadith, and later began teaching hadith. Once the Caliph sent her a gift of 10,000 dinars, she returned it saying, “Wealth brings pride and arrogance and so I do not need it.”
RABIYAH KHATUN:
The sister of the Muslim General Salahuddin al Ayubbi, she was well educated and established a great institution for religious learning near Damascus. She established a trust in the form of an endowment of a very large property which met the expenses that were generated by the institution.
UKHTUL MAZNI:
The sister of al-Mazni (the noted student of Imam Shafi), she was a highly placed scholar of Islamic Jurisprudence. It is said that because of her knowledge her opinions were highly respected including the difference of opinion she had with Imam Shafi regarding the zakat which was to be paid on minerals.
MULAYKAH BINT MUNKADAR:
When Imam Malik ibn Dinar was making tawaf (circulation of the Kaaba) he heard a woman saying “My Lord! Have mercy on me, I have come from a very distant place to Thy House. My Lord! I have come hopeful of Your favours and beneficence. Do not make me dependant on anyone but you.” Having heard these words, the Imam and his companions asked her later in the day to speak to them some words of wisdom. Her speech was persuasive and it left a strong and good opinion on them. After some time she asked them to leave her alone as her talking began interfering with her worship.
FATIMAH KHANUM:
Seven centuries had passed since the Zubaydah canal which brought water to Makkah from outlying springs. The passage by now had reached a bad state of repair, with the wells and springs having dried up and the canal now being full of sand/stones. It was 965 AH (1557 AD) when a Turkish princess Fatimah, daughter of the Uthami ruler Sultan Salim came along. She took the task to rebuilt and redevelop the ‘Zubaydah canal’. The rebuilding of the canal was extremely difficult ad involved Egyptian, Syrian and Yemeni engineers and masons. On their route, there was a large rock 50 feet wide and 2000 feet long which looked as if it was going to stop the efforts. The chief of the project lost his heart in fear of not being able to overcome it. Fatimah refused to accept that. In this time period dynamite did not exist, rather the only way to cut through such large rocks would be to heat them up with coal to high degrees and them to cut the stones with sharp tools. It took hundreds of workers, who burnt millions of tons of fuel. In 979 AH (1571 AD) the rock was conquered. Soon afterwards water again began to flow to Makkah on the repaired Zubaydah canal. The event was celebrated with a great feast/party which involved not only the everyday people but also the government officials. Due to her commitment to rebuilding the canal, Fatimah was nicknamed ‘Zubaydah Thani’ (Zubaydah the second).
SHAD KHANUM:
A descendant of the famous conqueror Amir Taymur, she was a master of calligraphy with no one else in her time being able to match her skills of calligraphy of the Quran. It was said that in 1045 AH, she sent a gift of the Quran written by her calligraphy to the then ruler, which he was most appreciate of.
THE SLAVE WOMEN WHO CONVERTED THE MAGUS FAMILY:
One of the leading scholars said that a slave woman would come to him to ask him questions about shariah (Islamic law). Some years later he saw a man selling her in the market saying she was worthless. He enquired and the man said that his family were Zoroastrians, they bought her because of her beauty. They would worship the fire and light. Some days ago a Muslim went to their house and recited the some words. Hearing these words she started to cry. From then she refused to eat their (Zoroastrian’s) food and she began to pray (like a Muslim).
They tried to prevent her but they couldn’t so she was worthless. The scholar asked the girl if she was the same girl he remembered from years ago, she replied in the affirmative. The scholar then asked her what verses that man recited, she said, “Therefore flee unto Allah, Lo I am a Warner to you from Him.” Hearing these words she became restless and said that is the condition she was now in. The scholar then offered to complete the rest of the verse, and said, “Lo Allah! He is the one who gives livelihood, the Lord of the unbreakable might.” Hearing this she said, “The matter, which is guaranteed by Allah livelihood) must be left unworried for.” (Basically she put her trust in Allah knowing that Allah would provide for her if she did the right things). Hearing this trust in Allah, the scholar was amazed. The scholar asked what her price was and wanted to buy her. The man trying to inflate the price said his cousin wanted to buy her. The scholar couldn’t match the price, so the man sold her to his cousin. Now the cousin, also a Zoroastrian was determined to convert her back to his faith. He set about trying to find a way to reprimand her. He decided to give her a purse of money to keep and protect or him for some time, a bag full of dinars. She took the money and kept it with her in a safe place.
Later the man, when she was praying went to her safe place and took the bag. His intention was that after prayer he would ask her where the bag was and she would not be able to find it, so he would criticise her faith and tell her that she has to come back to Zoroastrianism. After the prayer he asked her to fetch the bag. She went and she retrieved the bag. The man was in shock, how could she have given him the bag which he took while she was praying? He concluded that she had help from a divine authority. Upon this, he decided to accept Islam. Upon this, his family, relatives and friends also chose to accept Islam. The slave girl then lived with them, not as a slave girl, as she was set free, and she was invited to live with them as a member of their family.
MOTHER OF IMAM BUKHARI:
Imam Bukhari left with his mother and his sister to gain knowledge at the age of 14. All of his provisions were provided for by his mother and his sister.
Reminder:
“And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and perform Salah, and give Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah wishes only to remove uncleanness from you, Oh people of the House, and to purify you with a thorough purification.” (Surah Ahzaab 33:33)
♦♦♦The Cattle are part of the Creation of Allah and a Blessing from Him♦♦♦
♦♦♦The Cattle are part of the Creation of Allah and a Blessing from Him♦♦♦
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” (And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them there is warmth (warm clothing), and numerous benefits, and you eat from them.).. ( And there is beauty in them for you, when you bring them home in the evening, and as you lead them forth to pasture (in the morning).) . (And they carry your loads to a land that you could not reach yourselves except with great trouble. Truly, your Lord is full of kindness, Most Merciful.) [Surah An-Nahl 16:5-7]
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وَالاٌّنْعَـمَ خَلَقَهَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌ وَمَنَـفِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ – وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ وَحِينَ تَسْرَحُونَ – وَتَحْمِلُ أَثْقَالَكُمْ إِلَى بَلَدٍ لَّمْ تَكُونُواْ بَـلِغِيهِ إِلاَّ بِشِقِّ الأَنفُسِ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Allah reminds His servants of the blessing in His creation of An`am, this term includes camels, cows and sheep, etc. The blessings include the benefits derived from their wool and hair, from which clothes and furnishings are made, from their milk which is drunk, and their young which are eaten. Their beauty is a kind of adornment.
Ibn `Abbas said,
لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْء
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(In them there is warmth)
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refers to clothing;
وَمَنَـفِعُ
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(and numerous benefits)
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refers to the ways in which they derive the benefits of food and drink from them.”
وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ
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(And there is beauty in them for you, when you bring them home in the evening.)
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Meaning that when they are brought back from the pasture in the evening. This is a reference to how their flanks become fat, their udders fill with milk and their humps become bigger.
وَحِينَ تَسْرَحُونَ
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(and as you lead them forth to pasture (in the morning).)
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meaning when you send them out to the pasture in the morning.
وَتَحْمِلُ أَثْقَالَكُمْ
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(And they carry your loads)
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meaning the heavy burdens that you cannot move or carry by yourselves.
إِلَى بَلَدٍ لَّمْ تَكُونُواْ بَـلِغِيهِ إِلاَّ بِشِقِّ الأَنفُسِ
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(to a land that you could not reach except with great trouble to yourselves)
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meaning journeys for Hajj, `Umrah, military campaigns, and journeys for the purpose of trading, and so on. They use these animals for all kinds of purposes, for riding and for carrying loads, as Allah says:
***(And verily, there is indeed a lesson for you in the An’am (cattle). We give you to drink (milk) of that which is in their bellies. And there are numerous (other) benefits in them for you. Of them you eat, and on them and on ships you are carried.) (23:21-22)***
***Allah, it is He Who has made cattle for you, so that some you may ride, and some you may eat. And you find (many other) benefits in them; you may reach by their means a desire that is in your breasts (i.e. carry your goods, loads), and on them and on ships you are carried. And He shows you His Ayat. Which, then of the Ayat of Allah do you deny) (40:79-81). ***
Thus here Allah says, after enumerating these blessings
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
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(Truly, your Lord is full of kindness, Most Merciful.)
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Meaning, your Lord is the One Who has subjugated the An`am (cattle) to you. This is like the Ayat:
***(Do they not see, that of what Our Hands have created, We created the An’am (cattle) for them, so that they may own them, and We subdued them so that they may ride some and they may eat some.)(36:71-72)***
***(And He made mounts for you out of ships and cattle. In order that you may ride on their backs, and may then remember the favor of your Lord when you mount upon them, and say: “Glory be to the One Who subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts). And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!”) (43:12-14)***
Eating food that is made for ‘Ashoora’
QUESTION: Is it permissible to eat the foods cooked by Shiites in Aashooraa?
They say that these foods are made for Allah’s sake but its reward is for Al-Hussein, may Allah be pleased with him!
It will be embarrassing if I do not accept this food. It may even expose me to danger, as I am in Iraq, and you know how Sunnis here are treated.
ANSWER:
Praise be to Allaah.
•••► What the Shi’ah do on ‘Ashoora’ of slapping their cheeks, striking and cutting their heads, shedding their blood and making special foods, is all bid’ah and reprehensible innovation. It is not permissible to take part in that, or to help those who do it, because that is cooperating in sin and transgression.
•••► And it is not permissible to eat this food that they have prepared for their innovation and misguidance.
•••► Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This is an abhorrent evil and reprehensible innovation which must be abandoned; it is not permissible to take part in it and it is not permissible to eat the food that is offered.
•••► And he said: It is not permissible take part in it or to eat of these meats or drink these drinks [prepared for this occasion]. If the meat has been slaughtered for anyone other than Allaah, among Ahl al-Bayt [the Prophet’s family] or anyone else, then it is major shirk, because Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“. Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): ‘Verily, my Salaah (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists).
163. ‘He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims’”
[al-An’aam 6:162-163]
“Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) Al‑Kawthar (a river in Paradise).
2. Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)”
[al-Kawthar 1-2]
End quote from Fataawa al-Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (8/320).
But if your refusing to accept their food will pose a danger to you, then there is nothing wrong with accepting it so as to ward off harm.
And Allaah knows best.
The Explanation of The Perfect 99 Names of Allah Ta’ala
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. May Allah raise the rank of our master Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) and his Ahl and Companions and protect his nation from that which he fears for it.
Thereafter:
1. Allah
The One Who has the Godhood, which is the power to create the entities
2. Ar-Rahman
The One Who has an abundance of mercy for the believers and the blasphemers in this world and exclusively for the believers in the Hereafter.
3. Ar-Rahim
The One Who has an abundance of mercy for the believers.
4. Al-Malik
The One with absolute Dominion, and the One Whose Dominion is clear of imperfection.
5. Al-Quddus
The One Who is pure from any imperfection and clear of children and adversaries.
6. As-Salam
The One Who is clear of every imperfection.
7. Al-Mu’min
The One Who witnessed for Himself that no one is God but Him; and Who witnessed for His believers that they are truthful in their belief that no one is God but Him.
8. Al-Muhaymin
The One Who witnesses the saying and deeds of His creatures.
9. Al-^Aziz
The Defeater Who is not defeated.
10. Al-Jabbar
The One for Whom nothing happens in His dominion except what He willed.
11. Al-Mutakabbir
The One Who is clear of the attributes of the creatures and of resembling them.
12. Al- Khaliq
The One Who brings everything from non-existence to existence.
13. Al-Bari’
The Creator Who has the Power to turn the entities from one state to another.
14. Al-Musawwir
The One Who forms His creatures in different pictures.
15. Al-Ghaffar
The One Who forgives the sins of His slaves time and time again.
16. Al-Qahhar
The Subduer Who has the perfect Power and is not powerless over anything.
17. Al-Wahhab
The One Who is Generous in giving plenty without any return.
18. Ar-Razzaq
The One Who makes the Sustenance reach His slaves. Sustenance is everything that benefits, whether halal or haram.
19. Al-Fattah
The One Who opens for His slaves the closed worldly and religious matters.
20. Al-^Alim
The Knowledgeable; the One for Whom nothing is hidden from His Knowledge.
21-22. Al-Qabid, Al-Basit
The One Who constricts the sustenance by His Wisdom and expands and widens it with His Generosity and Mercy.
23-24. Al-Khafid, Ar-Rafi^
The One Who lowers whomever He willed by His Destruction and raises whomever He willed by His Endowment.
25-26. Al-Mu^izz, Al-Mudhill
The One Who gives esteem to whomever He willed; hence there is no one to degrade him. The One Who degrades whomever He willed; hence there is no one to give him esteem.
27. As-Sami^
The One Who Hears all things that are heard by His Eternal Hearing without an ear, instrument, or organ.
28. Al-Basir
The One Who Sees all things that are seen by His eternal Sight without a pupil or any other instrument.
29. Al-Hakam
He is the Ruler, and His judgment is His Word.
30. Al-^Adl
The One Who is entitled to do what He does.
31. Al-Latif
The One Who is kind to His slaves and endows upon them.
32. Al-Khabir
The One Who knows the truth of things.
33. Al-Halim
The One Who delays the punishment for those who deserve it and then He might forgive them.
34. Al-^Adhim
The One deserving the attributes of Exaltment, Glory, Extolement, and Purity from all imperfection.
35. Al-Ghafur
The One Who forgives a lot.
36. Ash-Shakur
The One Who gives ample reward for a little obedience.
37. Al-^Aliyy
The One Who is clear of the attributes of the creatures.
38. Al-Kabir
The One Who is greater in status than everything.
39. Al-Hafidh
The One Who protects whatever and whomever He willed to protect.
40. Al-Muqit
The One Who has the Power.
41. Al-Hasib
The One Who gives the satisfaction.
42. Al-Jalil
The One Who is attributed with greatness of Power and Glory of status.
43. Al-Karim
The One Who is clear of abjectness.
44. Ar-Raqib
The One from Whom nothing is absent. Hence its meaning is related to the attribute of Knowledge.
45. Al-Mujib
The One Who answers the one in need if he asks Him and rescues the yearner if he calls upon Him.
46. Al-Wasi^
The Knowledgeable.
47. Al-Hakim
The One Who is correct in His doings.
48. Al-Wadud
The One Who loves His believing slaves and His believing slaves love Him. His love to His slaves is His Will to be merciful to them and praise them: Hence its meaning is related to the attributes of the Will and Kalam (His attribute with which He orders and forbids and with which He spoke to Muhammad and Musa. It is not a sound, nor a language, nor a letter)
49. Al-Majid
The One Who is with perfect Power, High Status, Compassion, Generosity, and Kindness.
50. Al-Ba^ith
The One Who resurrects His slaves after death for reward and/or punishment.
51. Ash-Shahid
The One from Whom nothing is absent.
52. Al-Haqq
The One Who truly exists, i.e., the One Whose Existence is confirmed.
53. Al-Wakil
The One Who gives the satisfaction and is relied upon.
54. Al-Qawiyy
The One with the complete Power.
55. Al-Matin
The One with extreme Power which is un-interrupted, and Who does not get tired.
56. Al-Waliyy
The Supporter.
57. Al-Hamid
The praised One Who deserves to be praised.
58. Al-Muhsi
The One Who knows the count of things.
59. Al-Mubdi’
The One Who started the human being, that is, He created him.
60. Al-Mu^id
The One Who brings back the creatures after death.
61. Al-Muhyi
The One Who took out a living human from seminal fluid that does not have a soul. He quickens the dead by giving the souls back to the decayed bodies on the Resurrection Day and He makes the hearts alive by the light of knowledge.
62. Al-Mumit
The One Who renders the living dead.
63. Al-Hayy
The One Who is attributed with a life that is unlike our life and is not that of a combination of soul, flesh, and blood.
64. Al-Qayyum
The One Who remains and does not end.
65. Al-Wajid
The Rich Who is never poor. AlWajd is Richness.
66. Al-Majid
The One Who is Majid.
67. Al-Wahid
The One without a partner.
68. As-Samad
The Master Who is relied upon in matters and is resorted to in one’s needs.
69. Al-Qadir
The One Who is attributed with Power.
70. Al-Muqtadir
The One with the perfect Power from Whom nothing is withheld.
71-72. Al-Muqaddim, Al-Mu’akhkhir
The One Who puts things in their right places. He makes ahead whatever He wills and delays whatever He wills.
73. Al-‘Awwal
The One whose Existence is without a beginning.
74. Al-‘Akhir
The One whose Existence is without an end.
75-76. Adh-Dhahir, Al-Batin
The One above Whom nothing exists and underneath Whom nothing exists; hence He exists without a place. His Existence is obvious by proofs. He is clear of the delusions of bodily attributes.
77. Al-Wali
The One Who owns things and manages them.
78. Al-Muta^ali
The One Who is clear of the attributes of the creation.
79. Al-Barr
The One Who is kind to His creatures, Who covered them with His sustenance and specified whomever He willed among them by His support, protection, and special mercy.
80. At-Tawwab
The One Who grants repentance to whomever He willed among His creatures and accepts his repentance.
81. Al-Muntaqim
The One Who victoriously prevails over His enemies and punishes them for their sins. It may mean the One Who destroys them.
82. Al-^Afuww
The One with wide forgiveness.
83. Ar-Ra’uf
The One with extreme Mercy. The Mercy of Allah is His Will to endow upon whomever He willed among His creatures.
84. Malikul-Mulk
The One Who controls the dominion and gives dominion to whomever He willed.
85. Dhul-Jalal Wal-‘Ikram
The One Who deserves to be Exalted and not denied.
86. Al-Muqsit
The One Who is Just in His judgment.
87. Al-Jami^
The One Who gathers the creatures on a day there is no doubt about, that is, the Day of Judgment.
88. Al-Ghaniyy
The One Who does not need the creation.
89. Al-Mughni
The One Who satisfies the necessities of the creatures.
90. Al-Mani^
The Supporter Who protects and gives victory to His pious believers.
91-92. Ad -Darr, An-Nafi^
The One Who makes harm reach to whomever He willed and benefit to whomever He willed.
93. An-Nur
The One Who guides.
94. Al-Hadi
The One with Whose Guidance His believers were guided, and with Whose Guidance the living beings have been guided to what is beneficial for them and protected from what is harmful to them.
95. Al-Badi^
The One Who created the creation and formed it without any preceding example.
96. Al-Baqi
The One for Whom the state of non-existence is impossible.
97. Al-Warith
The One Whose Existence remains.
98. Ar-Rashid
The One Who guides.
99. As-Sabur
The One Who does not quickly punish the sinners.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
THE SACRED MONTH OF MUHARRAM AND SOME MISCONCEPTIONS
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar (Hejira) Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran Says (what means): {Indeed, the number of months with ALLAH is twelve [lunar] months in the register of ALLAH [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred…} [Holy Quran 9: 36]
These four months, according to the authentic traditions (Prophetic narrations), are Thul-Qi’dah, Thul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Noble Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Noble Prophet declared in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah): “One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Thul-Qi’dah, Thul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab.”
The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadhaan is admittedly the most sanctified month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sanctified months for the simple reason that even the pagans of Makkah accepted their sanctity.
The sanctity of these four months was established right from the day ALLAH created the universe. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Ibraaheem (Abraham) who observed the sanctity of these months, they also observed the sanctity of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.
In Islam, the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Quran referred to them as the “sanctified months”. Muharram has certain other characteristics special to it, which are stated below:
FASTING DURING THE MONTH:
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: ‘The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadhaan are those of the month of Muharram.”
Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of his own will is entitled to a great reward by ALLAH Almighty. The Hadeeth cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most rewardable ones among the voluntary fasts. It does not mean that the award promised for fasts of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he can.
THE DAY OF ‘AASHOORAA’:
Although Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Aashooraa’. According to Ibn ‘Abbaas the Prophet when he migrated to Madeenah, found that the Jews of Madeenah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which Prophet Moosa (Moses) and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Prophet said, “We are worthier of Moosa than you,” and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of ‘Aashooraa’. [Abu Daawood]
It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of ‘Aashooraa’ was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadhaan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of ‘Aashooraa’ was made optional. ‘Aa’ishah said: “When the Prophet came to Madeenah, he fasted on the day of ‘Aashooraa’ and directed the people to do likewise. But when the fasts of Ramadhaan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadhaan and the obligatory nature of the fast of ‘Aashooraa’ was abandoned. Whoever so desires should fast on it and any other who so likes can avoid fasting on it.” [Abu Daawood]
However, the Prophet used to fast on the day of ‘Aashooraa’ even after the fasting in Ramadhaan was made obligatory. Abdullaah Ibn Moosa reports that the Prophet preferred the fast of ‘Aashooraa’ on the fasts of other days and preferred the fasts of Ramadhaan on the fast of ‘Aashooraa’. [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
MISCONCEPTIONS AND INNOVATIONS:
However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to ‘Aashooraa’ that have managed to find their way into the minds of the unlearned, but have no support of authentic Islamic sources, some very common of them are these:
• This is the day on which Aadam was created.
• This is the day when Ibraaheem was born.
• This is the day when ALLAH accepted the repentance of Aadam .
• This is the day when Doomsday will take place. Whoever takes a bath on the day of ‘Aashooraa’ will never get ill.
All these and other similar whims and fancies are totally baseless and the traditions referred to in this respect are not worthy of any credit. Some people take it as Sunnah (established recommended practice) to prepare a particular type of meal on the day of ‘Aashooraa’. This practice, too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.
Some other people attribute the sanctity of ‘Aashooraa’ to the martyrdom of Al-Hussayn . No doubt, the martyrdom of Al-Hussayn is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of ‘Aashooraa’ cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of ‘Aashooraa’ was established during the days of the Prophet much earlier than the birth of Al-Hussayn . On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Al-Hussayn that his martyrdom took place on this blessed day.
Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Al-Hussayn was killed in it. It is for this misconception that some people avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept, which is contrary to the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah (Prophetic Tradition). If the death of an eminent person on a particular day renders that day unlucky for all times to come, one can hardly find a day of the year free from this bad luck because every day is associated with the demise of some eminent person. The Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet have liberated us from such superstitious beliefs.
LAMENTATIONS AND MOURNING:
Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold the lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Al-Hussayn . As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbalaa’ is one of the most tragic events of our history, but the Prophet has forbidden us from holding the mourning ceremonies on the death of any person.
The people of Pre-Islamic ignorance era used to mourn over their deceased through loud lamentations, by tearing their clothes and by beating their cheeks and chests.
The Prophet (PBUH) prevented the Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience by saying “Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon” (To ALLAH We belong, and to Him is our return). A number of authentic narrations are available on the subject. To quote only one of them: “He is not from us who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of jahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic ignorance)”. [Sahih Al-Bukhaari]
All the prominent jurists are unanimous on the point that the mourning of this type is impermissible. Even Al-Hussayn shortly before his demise, had advised his beloved sister Zaynab not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said, “My dear sister! I swear upon you that in case I die you shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death.” (Al-Kaamil, Ibn Katheer vol. 4 pg. 24)
It is evident from this advice, that this type of mourning is condemned even by the blessed person for the memory of whom these mourning ceremonies are held.
Every Muslim should avoid this practice and abide by the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh).
Source: Islam Q&A
Fasting on the 9th and 10th of Muharam
★ Why should we fast on 10th of Muharram?
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ : قَدِمَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْمَدِينَةَ فَرَأَى الْيَهُودَ تَصُومُ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا قَالُوا هَذَا يَوْمٌ صَالِحٌ هَذَا يَوْمٌ نَجَّى اللَّهُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَصَامَهُ مُوسَى قَالَ فَأَنَا أَحَقُّ بِمُوسَى مِنْكُمْ فَصَامَهُ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ
(صحيح البخاري : 1865)
English Translation:
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas ( رضي الله عنه ): The Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) came to Madina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashoora(10th day of Muharram). He asked them about that. They replied, “This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day.” The Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم)said, “We have more claim over Moses than you.” So, the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم)fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day). (Sahih Bukhari 1865).
Urdu Translation:
سیدنا ابن عباس رضی اللہ عنہ کہتے ہیں کہ جب نبی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم مدینہ میں تشریف لائے تو آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے یہودیوں کو دیکھا کہ وہ عاشورے کے دن روزہ رکھتے ہیں تو آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے ان سے پوچھا کہ: “ یہ کیا (وجہ ہے کہ تم عاشورے کا روزہ رکھتے ہو؟)۔” انھوں نے کہا کہ یہ ایک عمدہ دن ہے، یہ وہ دن ہے کہ جس میں اللہ تعالیٰ نے بنی اسرائیل کو ان کے دشمن سے نجات دی تھی لہٰذا موسیٰ علیہ السلام اس دن روزہ رکھتے تھے۔ تو نبی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا: “ میں تم سے زیادہ موسیٰ علیہ السلام کا حقدار ہوں۔” پس آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے اس دن کا روزہ رکھا اور اس کے رکھنے کا حکم دیا۔
(صحيح البخاري : 1865)
★ Fasting on 9th of Muharram:
روى عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قال : حِينَ صَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ يَوْمٌ تُعَظِّمُهُ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَإِذَا كَانَ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ صُمْنَا الْيَوْمَ التَّاسِعَ قَالَ فَلَمْ يَأْتِ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ حَتَّى تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . رواه مسلم 1916
Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas ( رضی اللہ تعالی عنہما ) said: When the Messenger of Allaah ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora (10th day of Muharram)and told the people to fast, they said, “O Messenger of Allaah, this is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.” The Messenger of Allaah ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Next year, if Allaah wills, we will fast on the ninth day.” But by the time the following year came, the Messenger of Allaah ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) had passed away. ( Muslim, 1916. )
عبداللہ بن عباس رضی اللہ تعالی عنہما بیان کرتے ہيں کہ : جب نبی مکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے یوم عاشوراء کا روزہ خود بھی رکھا اوردوسروں کو بھی اس کا حکم دیا تو صحابہ کرام انہیں کہنے لگے یھودی اورعیسائي تو اس دن کی تعظیم کرتے ہیں ۔
تورسول اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم فرمانے لگے : آئندہ برس ہم ان شاء اللہ نو محرم کا روزہ رکھیں گے ، ابن عباس رضي اللہ تعالی کہتے ہیں کہ آئندہ برس آنے سے قبل ہی رسول اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم فوت ہوگۓ ۔
صحیح مسلم حدیث نمبر ( 1916 )
What is the wisdom behind fasting the ninth as well as the tenth?
The answer is:
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The scholars among our companions and others said that there are several reasons for recommending fasting on the ninth day (Tasoo’a’):
1 – The intention behind it is to be different from the Jews who limit their fasting to the tenth day. This was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas.
2 – The intention was to join the fast of ‘Ashoora’ to another day, just as it is not allowed to fast on a Friday on its own [but it is allowed if one fasts the day before or the day after as well].
3 – The idea is to be on the safe side and make sure one is fasting on the tenth, in case the moon sighting was not accurate and what people think is the ninth is actually the tenth.
Islam; The Religion of Peace 
