Many gatherings produce nothing but gossip about other Muslims and slander of their honour. This is something which Allaah has forbidden His slaves, and has drawn the most repulsive analogy to put them off. He says (interpretation of the meaning): “. . . neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it . . .” [al-Hujuraat 49:12]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained the meaning of this aayah. He said: “Do you know what gheebah (gossip or backbiting) is?” They said, “Allaah and His Messenger know best.” He said: "To say something about your brother that he does not want to be said." He was asked, "What do you think if what is said about him is true?" He said, "If what you say about him is true, this is backbiting, and if what you say about him is not true, this is a lie." (Reported by Muslim, 4/2001).
Gossip or backbiting means saying something about a Muslim which may be true but which he does not like to hear spoken, whether it be about his physical appearance, his adherence to religion, his worldly affairs, his self, his behaviour or his character. There are many forms of gossip, including talking about a person's faults and imitating him to make fun of him.
People take the matter of gheebah very lightly, although it is very serious in the sight of Allaah, as is indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "There are seventy-two forms of riba, the least of which is as bad as a man having intercourse with his own mother, and the worst of which is when a man slanders the honour of his brother." (Silsilah al-Saheeh, 1871).
Whoever is present in a gathering where gossip takes place should "forbid what is evil" and defend his absent brother. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged us to do this when he said: "Whoever defends the honour of his Muslim brother, Allaah will protect his face from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection." (Reported by Ahmad, 6/450; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 6238).
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Gossip and backbiting:
A woman wearing perfume
A woman wearing perfume when going out or passing by non-mahram men
This practice is widespread nowadays, despite the stern warning of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who said: “Any woman who applies perfume and then goes out among the people so that they could smell her fragrance is a zaaniyah (adulteress).” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad, 4/418; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 105). Some women are very careless and take the matter too lightly, especially in front of drivers, shopkeepers, school porters, etc., even though the Sharee’ah states very strictly that the woman who wears perfume must wash herself like a person must wash when in a state of janaanah (i.e., perform ghusl), if she wants to go out to the mosque. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Any woman who wears perfume then goes out to the mosque, so that the fragrance can be discerned, her prayers will not be accepted until she performs ghusl like the ghusl to be performed when in a state of janaabah.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad, 2/444; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2703).
We complain to Allaah about the bukhoor and ‘ood (types of incense) used at weddings and women’s parties before people leave, and the use of strong-smelling perfumes in market-places, means of transportation and mixed gatherings in the mosques even during the nights of Ramadaan. Islaam tells us that women’s perfume should be that which has colour but little smell. We ask Allaah not to despise us and not to punish righteous men and women for the deeds of foolish men and women. May He guide us all to the Straight Path.
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Eating Habits & Diet Of The Prophet
The Prophet’s guidance with regard to food is perfect guidance.
It was described by Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah as follows:
1. When he put his hand in the food, he would say, “Bismillaah (in the Name of Allaah), and he told people to say this when eating. He said, “When any one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allaah. If he forgets to mention the name of Allaah at the beginning, let him say Bismillaahi fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi (in the name of Allaah at its beginning and at its end).” Saheeh hadeeth, narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1859) and Aboo Dawood (3767).
The correct view is that it is obligatory to mention the name of Allaah (say Bismillaah) when eating. The ahaadeeth which state this are saheeh and are clear, with no contradictions in them.
2. When he raised the food to his mouth, he would say, “Al-hamdu Lillaahi hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubaarakan fihi ghayri makfiyyin wa laa muwadda’ wa laa mustaghni ‘anhu Rabbanaa ‘azza wa jall (Allaah be praised with an abundant, beautiful, blessed praise. He is the One Who is Sufficient, Who feeds and is never fed, The One Who is longed for, along with that which is with Him, and the One Who is needed. He is Our Lord, may He be glorified). Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5142).
3. He never criticized food at all. If he liked it, he would eat it, and if he did not like it, he would leave it and not say anything. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3370) and Muslim (2064).
Or he would say, “I do not feel like eating this.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5076) and Muslim (1946).
4. Sometimes he would praise the food, as when he asked his family for food, and they said, “We have nothing but vinegar.” He asked for it and started to eat it, saying, “What a good food is vinegar.” Narrated by Muslim (2052)
5. He used to talk whilst he was eating, as is seen from the report quoted above about vinegar.
And he said to his step-son ‘Umar ibn Abi Salamah when he was eating with him: “Say Bismillaah and eat from that which is in front of you in the dish*.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5061) and Muslim (2022). [*At the time of the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam people used to eat together from one dish, and children would sometimes forget the correct etiquette. - Translator]
6. He would repeatedly urge his guests to eat, as generous hosts do, and as is seen in the hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah, narrated by al-Bukhaari, about the story of drinking milk, where he repeatedly said to him, “Drink!” and he kept telling him to drink until he (the guest) said, “By the One Who sent you with the truth, I have no more room for it!” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (6087).
7. When he ate with others, he would not leave until he had made du’aa’ for them. He made du’aa in the house of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Bisr, and said: “O Allaah, bless for them that which You have provided for them, forgive them and have mercy on them.” Narrated by Muslim (2042).
8. He commanded people to eat with their right hands and forbade them to eat with their left hands. He said, “The Shaytaan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.” Narrated by Muslim (2020). This implies that eating with the left hand is haraam, and this is the correct view, because the one who eats with his left hand is either a shaytaan (a devil), or he is imitating the Shaytaan.
It was also reported in a saheeh hadeeth that he told a man who was eating with his left hand in his presence, “Eat with your right hand!” The man said, “I cannot.” He said, “May you never be able to!” – and the man never lifted his right hand to his mouth after that. Narrated by Muslim (2021). If it was permissible (to eat with the left hand), he would not have prayed against him for doing so. It was the man’s stubborn arrogance that made him refuse to obey the command, and this is the utmost disobedience which deserved this prayer against him.
9. He commanded those who complained that they never felt full to eat together and not separately, and to mention the name of Allaah (say Bismillaah) over the food so that He might bless it for them.” Narrated by Aboo Dawood (3764) and Ibn Maajah (3286).
See Zaad al-Ma’aad, 2/397-406
10. It was also reported that he said, “I do not eat reclining.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5083.
11. He used to eat using the first three fingers (of his right hand), which is the best way of eating.
See Zaad al-Ma’aad, 220-222.
The Prophet’s guidance regarding diet:
1. The Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam used to know what he was eating.
2. He used to eat what was good for him.
3. He used to eat enough to keep him going, but no so much as to make him fat. Ibn ‘Umar narrated that the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said: “The believer eats in one stomach whilst the kaafir eats in seven.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5081) and Muslim (2060).
4. He taught his Ummah something to protect them from diseases caused by eating and drinking. He said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink and one third with air.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1381), Ibn Maajah (3349); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (2265).
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Our role is the same as the messagers of 5 & 6
Fifth: Correcting Misguidance and Corruption in the Life of the People
When people live in ignorant societies that are not ruled by the Deen of Allaah and are not guided by the legislation of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, their societies get corrupted, and this corruption reaches the depth of their dealings. So, it is a must that someone reforms these societies and makes them live according to the Deen of Allaah the Almighty.
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala made this difficult task from the tasks of the great messengers, that they uprooted corruption that spread in the societies and fought it because it is a transgression and oppression. So, every messenger that Allaah sent used to call his people to follow the straight path, the path of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. And to clarify it to them and guide them to it. This is common among all the messengers; their first slogan was, "O’ People submit yourself to Allaah only, surely you don’t have a Lord other than him."
After this call and based on it, we find every messenger uprooting all kinds of corruption in his society.
We see the Prophet Hood (Hud)`alayhissalaam denying his people the arrogance on the earth and oppression. So, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala said in Soorat Ash-Shu’araa, (Verses 128-131) that Hood`alayhissalaam said, what can be translated as, "Do you build high palaces on ever high place, while you do not live in them? And do you get for yourselves palaces as if you will live therein forever. And when you seize, you seize as tyrants. Now fear Allaah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me."
We see the Prophet Saalih`alayhissalaa m denying his people the corruption on the earth and following those who do mischief. So, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala said in Soorat Al-Araf, (Verse 74), what Saleeh said to his people, what can be translated as, "…So remember the graces from Allaah, and do not go about making mischief on the earth." And Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala also says in Soorat Ash-Shu’araa, (Verses 150-153), what can be translated as, "So fear Allaah, keep you duty to Him, and obey me. And do not obey the command of Al-Musrifen (i.e. their chiefs, leaders who were polytheists, criminals and sinners against the law of Allaah). Who make mischief in the land, and do not reform.
We see the Prophet Loot (Lot)`alayhissalaam denying his people the despicable act of homosexuality that spread among them. So, He Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala said about this story in Soorat Al-Ara’f, (Verses 80-81), what can be translated as, "And (remember) Loot when he said to his people: "Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding your has committed in the Alameen (mankind and jinn)? Verily, you practice you lusts on men instead of women. Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great sins.)." Also Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says in Soorat Al-Ankaboot, (Verse 29), what can be translated as, "Verily, you perform sodomy with men, and rob the wayfarer (travelers etc.)! And practice Al-Munkar in your club…"
We see the Prophet Shu'ayb`alayhissala am denying his people the crime of cheating when using the weight scale. So, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala said in Soorat Ash-Shu’araa, (Verses 181-183), what Shu’ayb`alayhissalaa m said to his people, what can be translates as, "Give full measure, and cause no loss (to others). And weigh with the true and straight balance. And do not defraud the people by reducing their things, nor do evil, making corruption and mischief in the earth."
We see the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam denying his people the crime of killing innocent children, and legislating for themselves what Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has not permitted. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says in Soorat Al-An’am, (Verse 140), what can be translated as, "Indeed lost are they who have killed their children, from folly, without knowledge, and have forbidden that which Allaah has provided for them, inventing a lie against Allaah. They have indeed gone astray and were not guided." He, Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala also says to them in Soorat Al-Maa`idah, (Verse 103), what can be translated as, "Allaah has not instituted things like Bahira (a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and nobody was allowed to milk it) or a Sa’iba (a she-camel let loose for free pasture for their false gods), or a Wasila (a she-camel set free for idols because it has given birth to a she-camel at its first delivery and then again gives birth to a she-camel with its second delivery) or a Haam (a stallion-camel freed from work for their idols, after it had finished a number of copulations assigned for it, all these animals were liberated in honor of idols as practiced by pagan Arabs in Pre-Islamic times). But those who disbelieve invent lies against Allaah, and most of them have no understanding. "
The sixth task is to run our affairs as Muslims according to the laws of Allaah
If the people accept and embrace the message of the messengers, they become one Jama’aah (group of people) and this Jama’aah progress and develop to become an Ummah, and this Ummah needs someone who can run its affairs and lead it. The great messengers were the ones who took on this great responsibility and ruled the people with the rules of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala and His legislations. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says in Soorat Al-Baqarah (Verse 213), what can be translated as, "Mankind was one Ummah (nation) and Allaah sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed…"
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala proclaims the mission of the Prophet Dawood (David)`alayhissala am on earth, so he said in Soorat Saad, (Verse 26), what can be translated as, "O’ David! Verily! We have placed you as Khaleefah (a successor) on earth, so judge between people in truth and do not follow the desire - for it will mislead you from the Path of Allaah…"
The Prophets of the children of Israel used to rule their people with the Torah. The Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam says in a Hadeeth reported by Imaam Bukhaari, Muslim and others, "The children of Israel used to be ruled by the prophets; when a prophet perished, another prophet arose (to rule them)." Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala speaks about this in Soorat Al-Maa`idah, (Verse 44), what can be translated as, "Verily, We did send down the Torah (to Moses), therein was guidance and light, by which the prophets, who submitted themselves to Allaah’s Will, ruled the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests (too ruled the Jews by the Torah after those prophets) for to them was entrusted the protection of Allaah’s Book." Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala also says about the Christians; the people of Injeel in the same Soorah in (Verse 47), what can be translated as, “Let the People of the Gospel rule by what Allaah has revealed therein. And whosoever does not rule by what Allaah has revealed (then) such (people) are the Fasiqoon (disobedient) .”
Then, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says to the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam in the same Soorah, (Verse 48), what can be translated as "And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur`aan) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge between them by what Allaah has revealed, and do not follow their vain desires, diverging away from that which has come to you…" He also says to the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam, in Soorat An-Nisaa’, (Verse 105), what can be translated as "Surely, We have sent down to you (O’ Muhammad) the Book (this Qur`aan) in truth that you might judge between people by that which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has shown you…"
Finally, we summarize that our role today is the same as the role of the blessed messengers of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, because we are their successors till the day of judgment:
First - conveying the message of Islam in the clearest way.
Second - calling all people to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala.
Third - giving glad tidings and warnings, which were given to us by Allaah.
Fourth - reforming and purifying the souls of the people.
Fifth - correcting misguidance and corruption in the life of the people.
Sixth - is to run our affairs as Muslims according to the laws of Allaah.
How to Overcome Low Self-Esteem
It is hard to be good, kind, and tolerant when you feel bad about yourself. It is so much better to face life with a positive attitude, but how can you do that if you feel negative? Can you imagine a happy, self-confident, positive person being violent? No! So the importance of having good self-esteem is very clear. But how can you improve your self-esteem?
First of all, tell yourself “I like you.” Look in the mirror and say this. Keep doing this until you believe yourself, but make sure you do it when you are thinking good things and have been behaving nicely in the recent past.
Believe in yourself; that whatever challenge you face you can deal with, with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala's help. Do not talk negatively to yourself. Don’t use words like “you are stupid,” “Why did you do that,” and so on.
A friend of mine used to tell me that if I do not talk well about myself, who else will? People will evaluate me like I evaluate myself.
Keep the following points in mind:
Do Not Isolate Yourself
Perhaps you tend to be a loner and prefer to keep away from the crowd. If you do it too much, this can leave you open to negative thoughts and feelings and you will find no one to bounce these thoughts and feelings off. When you talk about things to friends and family, it helps to put things into context and perspective. If you keep something to yourself, you often perceive it as bigger and more complicated than it really is. So keep with the crowd, but make sure it is a good crowd. It takes a brave person to mix with people, especially if you tend to be shy, but try, because it is important for your health and development.
“Verily Shaytaan is the wolf of a man just as the wolf is (the enemy) of the flock. He seizes the solitary sheep going astray from the flock or going aside from the flock. So avoid the branching paths, it is essential for you to remain along with the community.” (Imaam Ahmad)
Keep Good Company
Hang around with friends who encourage you and do not put you down. At the same time, do not be afraid to accept criticism (positive criticism) and do not feel ashamed to acknowledge that you have shortcomings— we all have them. It is a part of life, and what makes life so interesting and challenging is the fact that we can rise above the challenges and the weaknesses within ourselves.
Failing Is a Part of Life
If you happen to fail at something, it does not mean you are weak or bad or stupid. Everyone fails at things from time to time and that is how we learn. My friend told me that her father used to say to her, “If people learn by their mistakes, you should be a genius by now!” Allah tests us on how we handle failure. Do we get back up if life knocks us down? How easily do we give up when the going gets tough? I heard in a film once, Katherine Hepburn said, “The world stands back and makes way for the person who knows where they are going.” Now that person will fail from time to time but will keep going and never give up. That is how we should try to be.
We need to accept that sometimes we will fail. It reminds us of our limitations of being a human being. We might get carried away with this worldly life and we might become arrogant or snobbish, so sometimes Allah lets us fail, to keep us humble and to develop good character in us. Everything is for the good of the believer.
Make Realistic Goals
Set realistic goals for yourself. Do not be ambitious about achieving everything at the same time and then kicking yourself when you are not able to.
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says that He will give us back what we give out to others and this is proven so often in life. You will find that if you are positive and encouraging to other people, most times people will be the same to you. This is very important to developing and maintaining our self-esteem.
The Importance of Good Self-Esteem?
If you do not have good self-esteem—that means feeling good and hopeful about yourself—Satan will take advantage of the situation and feed us with negative thoughts and feelings until we reach for anything that will make us feel better: that can be alcohol, drugs, suicide, or being violent to people. So you see, low self-esteem is a road that leads to nowhere. It leads to destruction and misery for the person and the others around him/her and Shaytaan laughs because he has won another foolish human being and he will not be lonely in the Afterlife; he’ll keep the company of those who followed him and listened to his destructive, evil whisperings.
Do Not Be a Statistic
Make up your mind not to be a statistic. You know the world today keeps records of just about everything we do, when we are born; when we die; who takes drugs; who marries when, where, and who; who dies of a drug overdose; who commits suicide; and who commits crimes and how long they stay in jail. Do not be a statistic in someone’s computer file, of a young person who did not make it through adolescence because they thought negatively about themselves.
Everyone Has Potential
Every human being is born with great potential, with deep, unfathomable insight, but few unfortunately achieve their true potential. Why? Because they give up too soon and too easily because they do not realize they have this potential; or they listen to people tell them they are useless, lazy, or whatever, and so hide their heads in the sands of life like ostriches. Life passes these people by and they live their lives as failures and die as failures. This may seem a sad and depressing note in this article, however, I write it because I know for sure that it is easy to be a failure and it is also easy to be a success. It does not take a lot of time and energy to talk to yourself so negatively that you actually believe yourself, but if you simply choose to look at life from a positive angle and believe in yourself, trust in Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, and follow His Commands, you will find that the tables will turn and you will succeed.
It is up to you to take the first step!
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Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Our role today is same as messangers of 4
Today, we will continue discussing the other tasks of the messengers so that we will know our role and tasks.
Fourth: Reforming and purifying the People's Souls
When people live in ignorant societies, that are not ruled by the Deen of Allaah and are not guided by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala's legislation, they get corrupted, and corruption reaches the depth of their thoughts, their visions, their manners, and morals. So, it is a must that someone reform and purify these souls, and bring them back to their pure natural state that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala created them with.
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala made this difficult task from the tasks of the great messengers; that is reforming and purifying the souls of those people who accepted and embraced Islam as a way of life.
We see the Prophet Moosa (Moses)`alayhissala am when Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala sent him to the Pharaoh with a clear task. So, Allaah said in Soorat An-Nazi’aat, (Verses 17-19), what can be translated as, "Go to Pharaoh, verily, he has transgressed all bounds. And say to him: "Would you purify yourself (from the sin of disbelief). And that I guide you to your Lord, so you should fear Him."
We also see the Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham)`alayhissa laam, after he finished building Allaah's House, supplicating to Allaah to send in his progeny after him someone who will purify them. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala said in Soorat Al-Baqarah, (Verse 129), what can be translated as, "Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them Your Verses and teach them the Book (this Qur`aan) and Al-Hikmah (Wisdom), and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala responded to his supplication by sending the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala also said in Soorat Al-Jumu’ah, (Verse 2), what can be translated as, "He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Mohammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam) from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book (this Qur`aan) and Al-Hikmah (Wisdom). And verily, they had been before in manifest error."
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala made success or failure a result of purified souls or unpurified ones. So, he said in Soorat Ash-Shams, (Verses 9-10), what can be translated as, "Indeed he succeeds who purifies his ownself. And indeed he fails who corrupts his ownself. He also said in Soorat Al-A`la, (Verse 14), what can be translated as, "Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success." Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala also made entering Paradise and living in it forever a reward for the one who purified himself/herself. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says in Soorat Ta-Ha (Verse 76), what can be translated as, " Everlasting Gardens under which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever: such is the reward of those who purify themselves."
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Our Role Today is the Same as Messangers of 2
We addressed the question in Part 1: What is our role today in this society? We concluded that our role is the same as the role of the great past messengers whom Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala sent to humanity. This is because we are the messengers’ heirs till the Day of Judgment, and we know that their first task was conveying the message in the clearest way. We know that conveying the message requires courage and not fearing the people. We also learned that conveying the message can be done by reciting the Holy Qur`aan that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala revealed and by clarifying the divine revelations to the people.
Today, we will continue with the other tasks of the blessed messengers so that we can know our role and tasks today
The second task is giving Da’wah (calling) the people to Allaah
The messengers’ task does not end with clarifying the truth to the people and conveying it to them. They also have to call the people to adopt what they are calling them for and submit to it, and apply it in their lives with conviction, both verbally and with action.
All the messengers`alayhimu ssalaam had the same perspective when calling the people to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala; They said to the people: You are the creation of Allaah and are his servants, and Allaah alone is your creator, your Lord and your God, and Allaah has sent us to you to show you how you should submit your life to him alone, so you should obey us in this matter... and the verses are abundant in this context, for example, in Soorat An-Nahl, (Verse 36), what can be translated as, "And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming) : "Submit to Allaah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) taghoot (all false deities etc…)…"" And Allaah speaks to his Prophet Mohammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam in Soorat Al-Anbiyaa, (Verse 25), what can be translated as, "And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Mohammad) but We inspired him (saying): Laa ilaaha illaa Ana (none has the right to be submitted to but I Allaah), so submit to Me (Alone and none else)" Every messenger that Allaah sent to the people, said to them, "Fear Allaah and Obey Me" This appears in the Qur`aan in more than ten different places.
The blessed messengers made so much effort for the sake of calling the people to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala that it took them their whole life. We find many details about that in the Holy Qur`aan. For example, the first messenger, Nooh, `alayhissalaam who spent with his people 950 years calling them to the way of Allaah. He spent all of his life, day and night, in different ways of approaching the people, secretly and openly, by alluring them, and making them fear Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, by encouraging and warning them. The prophet Nooh`alayhissalaam had tried his best to open their minds and their hearts and direct them to the great signs in the universe that indicate the greatness of the Creator Allaah, the Exatled but they turned away from h is call, and no one believed in him except very few people. Read his story in the Holy Qur`aan in Soorat Nooh and in other places to know the greatness of the Da’wah to the people for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala.
Also, the life of the Prophet Mohammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam was all Da’wah for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala and he used through it all means available to him and at all levels, inside Makkah and outside. The books of the Seerah are the best source for details about this.
The angels Jibreel (Gabriel) and Mike’eel (Michael) showed the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam an example that clarified to him and us his role and his task. In the Hadeeth reported by Imaam Al-Bukhaari and At-Tirmithi, that the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, "I saw in my dream that Jibreel was at my head, and Mike’eel was at my feet; one of them saying to the other: give him an example of himself, so he said: ‘listen, may Allaah help you hear, and may Allaah make your heart to understand, Your example and the example of your Ummah is as the king who got some land, and built on it a house, then brought in it a table with food on it, then he sent a messenger to invite the people to his food, some of them accepted the invitation and came, and others rejected the invitation and turned away.’ ‘Allaah is the King, the land is Islam, the house is the Paradise, and you O`Mohammad are the messenger, and the one who accepted the invitation and came, they entered Islam, and whoever enters Islam, they enter Paradise, and whoever enters Paradise, they will eat what is in it."
So, we should invite people to Islam, the Deen of Allaah that He sent down to the Prophet Mohammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam, and whoever accepts our invitation will enter Paradise, and whoever enters Paradise, they will eat what is in it. This is our second task.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Words of Wisdom
If you plant honesty, You will reap trust
If you plant humility, You will reap greatness
May Allaah Subhaanahau wa Ta`aala keep us on the Straight Path.
Aameen.
When Actions Scream Louder than Words
I wonder how much we realize the impact that our actions may have on other people. Our actions are living proof of who we really are, what we really think and what we really believe... and by our actions we are either respected or disrespected. We often fail to realize how fragile that respect really is, and how long it took to build it. But in our arrogance and haughtiness we are sometimes blinded to the fact that it takes only a short time to crumble walls that stood for so long. The reason is because by our actions, our arrogance and disrespect for others, we end up tearing ourselves down, exposing ourselves for what is truly in our hearts and in the end we are the ones that end up the loser. Some of us may feel that we have earned respect, but if one has earned respect, one must continue to act in ways that beckon people to continue that respect, otherwise brick by brick the wall will become weak, and will eventually become nothing more than dust. If we become so arrogant that we feel we have the right to talk rudely to our elders, whether they be male or female and be disrespectful to mothers and wives - the educators of our Ummah, then we must also be ready to suffer the loss of our own respect, the respect of others and the loss of our honor, as we are no longer worthy of such position and dignity. If by helping others accomplish goals for the sake of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, we find ourselves throwing this help back in face of those that asked for it...we must be ready to lose that opportunity to ever again of being asked to help for the sake of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, and to lose the rewards that accompany it as well. Not only in regards to Islam have we lost a true blessing, but also we have acted in extremely bad taste. In ways that many non-Muslims would abhor.
We must realize that we are not indefensible, we are not invincible. We must also come to the realization that in this world there are many that would jump at the chance to earn more blessings and work for the sake of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. Many that would never feel as arrogant as we did to throw it back in the face of those that asked for your help. If we become so arrogant, so haughty that we feel we have the authority to question others' eemaan (faith), we must be ready ourselves to be questioned, as it strongly says something about ourselves that we would have so much arrogance to judge other people levels of faith. For anyone to assume that they know whether one has high eemaan or low eemaan, is to commit shirk, as this knowledge is only with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. The only way in which to repair the damage that has been done is to first repent to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala and then to ask forgiveness of the brothers and sisters that our actions have so negatively affected. And then the building must begin, but we must remember that because the damage that we have afflicted ourselves with, it will take much time to re-build our wall, our respect, our honour and our dignity. We must be sincere and change our ways of arrogance, humble ourselves and make du'aa to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala for His help, for Only He Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala can truly help us. We must never forget that respect is something that cannot be demanded and cannot be forced onto others. Respect is a luxury that none can afford. Respect can only be earned, and by our actions we either deserve it or don't.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
With reference to your query on Jinn and Shaytaan
With reference to your query <<< “is there any tangible proof for the existence of Jinns and Syaitan.” >>> it should be noted that the world of the jinn is the world of the unseen, and we do not know anything about it except that which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has told us in His Book, the Qur`aan or on the lips of His Messenger sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam. Based on this, we cannot say anything about them except that which has been narrated in the texts of Islam; anything other than that is hidden from us. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not, or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allaah)” [al-Israa' 17:36]
It should also be noted that what information Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has given us about the jinn and other creatures are for our benefit, and what He Ta`aala has concealed from us we do not need to know. If knowing that was essential for us, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala would have told us. Hence we should not concern ourselves with such matters or look for tangible proof/mysteries of the jinn which can only be known through Revelation.
Below are some information pertaining to the matter of your query:
1. A brief summary about the Jinn and the Shaytaan, and their respective nature and characteristics, excerpted from the book`Aalim al-Jinn wa`l-Shayateen written by Dr.`Umar Sulaymaan al-Ashqar. If you wish to have more information, on this topic, you can purchase this book (in English) entitled “The World of the Jinn and Devils in the Light of the Qur`aan and Sunnah” published as Vol. 3 of the Islamic Creed Series by the International Islamic Publishing House, Riyadh , Saudi Arabia .
2. Some further information on the Shaytaan's existence from (Imaam al-Shawkaani' s tafseer) by Shaykh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (Islam Q&A)
Allaah is the Best of protectors and we ask Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala to protect us and forgive us our sins and to bless us with beneficial knowledge and guide us to do righteous deeds. Aameen
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Our Role Today is the Same as Messangers of
Many of us wonder today: What is our role as Muslims in this non-Islamic society? Asking this question is a good thing in itself because it indicates the beginning of the awareness in the mind of the Muslims, after a long absence.
This is an important and a dangerous question because it searches for an answer for a fundamental and a vital issue in our lives; if the correct answer is not found, then we will end up with the wrong one which may threaten our future and the future of Islam in America .
There is a good chance that the wrong answer will be found because of many factors:
The ignorance of many Muslims in the reality of Islam and its role in saving humanity.
The lack of awareness of the reality of this age, the status of the Muslim Ummah, the events that occur on the world level, the conspiracies of the enemies to put down and destroy Islam and end its role in the world or give it a marginal role by redefining Islam with a new fake definition.
The defeated mentality is dominant among many Muslims today. This came as a result of defeat and the absolute astonishment at what the non-Muslims have as civilization, technologies, and even culture.
The vain desires, the love of this worldly life and the hatred of death, by undervaluing the hereafter, influenced the minds and personality of many Muslims.
The many misguiding and forced solutions presented to Muslims by their enemies who work very hard in a deceiving manner to tell us what is our role today in this society. These enemies forced the wrong and false answers onto us deceivingly in many ways. They also removed the correct original answers and attacked it by describing it and the people who believe and carry this answer with the worst descriptions. This is so that the Muslim will get away from them and hate the correct answer instead of adopting it and working to establish it. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says in Soorat Al-Anfaal, (Verse 30), what can be translated as, "They were plotting and Allaah too was planning, and Allaah is the Best of the planners."
What makes things more complicated and the vision more erroneous is that some loyal sincere Muslims fell into the trap that the enemies of Islam have set up and skillfully designed. These sincere Muslims with their followers and those whom they influence took the wrong way that was defined for them. These Muslims became the fuel and the workers in a conspiracy that they did not plan and will not benefit from either in the short term or the long term. Furthermore, if someone pointed out their mistakes, that they are adopting, they would find justification for the errors in the religious texts that justifies their position. This is done without deep investigation and verification until we become like the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said in a trial that makes the intellectuals confused.
What is our role in this age and in this society as Muslims?
To answer this question, first of all, we do not need to devise a new role. This is because our role had already been defined to us by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala a long time ago. Many great messengers played that role, and achieved many reforms and saved the humanity throughout the course of history.
All we need today is to rediscover and explore this role and know its characteristics by removing the ruins and debris away from it until we can clear its beautiful picture, and then to adopt it and behave according to it. If we do that, then we will save ourselves and the entire humanity with the help of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala like the messengers do.
All of us know and believe that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala the One who created the creations did not leave people without guidance; on the contrary, he devised to all humanity a complete and comprehensive system of life. Which was carried by the messengers from one generation to the next. This role of the messengers had never changed or altered with the differences of age or place that they were sent in from Noah`alayhissalaam until the Prophet Mohammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam; the seal of all Prophets and messengers.
Today, Muslims are in fact the followers and true inheritors of those messengers and are the extension of truthfulness. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has sealed the messages and the messengers with the Prophet Mohammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam and made their role to be played by the messengers' heirs who are the Muslims till the Day of Judgment.
This role has not changed with time nor has it changed with place; its phases, goals and ends have remained unchanged. What have changed are its means and tools that may differ according to time and place.
Now, I will present the role of the messengers and their tasks so that we know our role in this life.
First, is conveying the message in the clearest way
The messengers are the ambassadors of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala to his servants and the carriers of his revelations. Their first task is to deliver and convey this trust, which they carried to the servants of Allaah. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says in Soorat Al-Maa`idah, (Verse 67), what can be translated as, "O’ Messenger (Mohammad)! Proclaim (the message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message."
Conveying the message needs courage and not to fear the people. This is needed because the person will deliver to them what is completely different and conflicts with their Aqeedah, their status, and desires that they have lived with for a long time. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says in Soorat Al-Ahzab, (Verse 39), what can be translated as, "Those who convey the Message of Allaah and fear Him, and fear none except Allaah…"
Conveying the message should be done by reciting the verses that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has revealed no more or less. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says, commanding the Prophet Mohammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam, in Soorat Al-Ankaboot, (Verse 45), what can be translated as, "Recite (O Mohammad) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Qur`aan)…" Allaah also says in another verse, (151), Soorat Al-Baqarah, what can be translated as, "Similarly We have sent among you a Messenger (Mohammad) of your own, reciting to you Our Verses the (Qur`aan)…" So, if the revelation is not a divine text that is to be recited meaning the Prophet’s tradition (Sunnah), then conveying the message is by clarifying the commands and the prohibitions and the meanings and the knowledge that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala had revealed no more no less.
From conveying the message the messenger should clarify and explain clearly the meaning and goals of the revelation that Allaah had sent down to His servants. This is because he, the messenger sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam, knows better than anyone else about what Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala means from His Revelation.
In this context, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says in Soorat An-Nahl, (Verse 44), what can be translated as, "… And We have also sent down unto you (O’ Mohammad) the reminder and the advice (the Qur`aan) that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them…" The Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam may clarify the meaning of the revelation by his saying, doing, or consent. From here came the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam to clarify many Qur`aanic verses.
If it happens that the people turned away from the messengers' call, the messengers can not do anything except to convey the message. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says in Soorat Al-`Imraan, (Verse 20), what can be translated as, "…But if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message…" Allaah also says to the people in Soorat Al-Maa`idah, (Verse 92), what can be translated as "...Then if you (people) turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger’s duty to convey (the message) in the clearest way.", and in another verse, He Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala also says to His Prophet Mohammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam in Soorat As-Shoora, (Verse 48), what can be translated as, "But if they turn away (O Mohammad)…We have not sent you as a hafeez (protector) over them. Your duty is to convey the message…"
So the first task and role of the great messengers is conveying the message in the clearest way to the people. And this is our first task in our role today and it should not be changed or altered.
Next week with the help of Allaah we will learn more about our tasks so that we will better know our true role as Muslims today.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Tongue and Teeth
The Tongue The tongue: a mere piece of meat with no bones in it.but like a work-horse, it carries you forward–it speeds you to Paradise , or dumps you into Hell. Take control of it, or it takes control of you.
So how do you steer this beast? Read on!
Pick your teeth! Backbiting: one of the greatest sins, yet something we fall into, time after time, often without realizing. You chat away with your friends, you mention somebody else, and suddenly, the horse is out of control.
Our societies revolve around shows like “Friends” and “Sienfeld”, shows based on lying, backbiting and cheating. But look to the best generation instead: when one of the companions spoke badly about someone who wasn't there, the Prophet, the Prophet said to him: "Pick your teeth!" The companion said "but I haven't eaten anything!" The Prophet said "You have eaten the flesh of your dead brother!"
As Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala tells us in the Qur'aan: "Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?” [Hujuraat, verse 12]. The number three combo, a double McRotty, extra putrified, with a side order of squirmy white maggots? “No, you would hate it." But they deserve it!Ok, back up a second. Is it still backbiting if it's true? What if it's only half true?Or what if they deserved it? They're just mean, vicious little creatures who ruined your entire day with their attitude, their demands, or something else--and you just had to tell somebody!
Well, the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam made it clear for 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 backbitten them, and if it is false, then you have slandered them!" [Saheeh Muslim]
”So what,” you might say, “it's not a big deal. Everybody does it!”
On the night of Miraaj (the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam's ascension to heaven), he passed by some people with metal hooks in their hands who clawed at their faces and their necks with them. When he inquired about them, Jibreel said, 'These are the people who eat the flesh of human beings and disgrace them.'" [Aboo Dawood].
So don't worry about “everybody” yet. Worry about yourself first!
Just teasing! Maybe we think it's funny to trash-talk someone to their face. Maybe their clothes smell like curry, or maybe their beard needs a weed-whacker, or maybe niqaab actually makes them look better!
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala warns us about this type of rudeness directly in the Qur'aan, when He says in soorah Hujuraat verse 11 (the interpretation of the meaning):
"O you who believe, let not some a party of you laugh at others, it may be the (latter) are better than you (former). Nor abuse each other, nor be sarcastic to each other by using offensive nicknames ... And whosoever does not repent (from these things), then such are the wrong-doers."
Besides, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala made us the way we are. Humans have no control over their height, their flappy ears, or their pug-noses. What's more, one of the characteristics of munafiquwn (hypocrites) is that they mocked the believers. So when your tongue insists on remembering other people's shortcomings, remember your own shortcomings to keep it in line.
You know, it's cool to swear ...If you listen to some of your friends (or maybe yourself!) speak one day—you may notice, nearly every other sentence contains swear words. Maybe you think it's cool to swear, to copy the idols of TV and the cinema. Is it really “cool” to swear? The Hellfire is far from being cool--people will wish they were cool then, rather than being cool in this world! Remember: an angel writes down every single word you say, and one day, you will have to answer for all of it.
Sometimes you're so angry with someone, the only way to express yourself is to swear at them or hit them. The solution?
Be strong. Our Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said: the strong man is not the one with the best Kung-Fu, but the one who controls himself in a fit of rage. [Muslim]
It's ok to feel angry. But learn to channel it properly. If someone angers you or swears at you, step back. Take deep breaths. Walk away, if you have to. Make woodhu with icy-cold water and go pray.
When you feel better, then respond in a better way, as Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says: "Repel evil with what is better. Then he who was your worst enemy will become your best friend!" [Fussilat verse 34]
Moi? I never said that! How often do we say "I was only kidding" or “just joking”? We treat the biggest lies like the smallest flies, gnats to be waved away until we get caught out. By then, it won't matter, right?
Wrong! The angel on your left shoulder is scribbling, scribbling, writing everything you say and do against yourself. Even if you're the only person on the Earth who knows, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala the All-Seeing and All-Knowing is watching you.
One of the companions of the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam asked, straight-up: “Can a Muslim be a liar?” He said “No! A Muslim can never be a liar!” [Malik's Muwatta]
He also said: "Truth leads to virtue and virtue leads to Paradise [...] lying leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the Hellfire. And a person may keep telling lies until he is recorded as a liar." [Saheeh Bukhaari]
One lie leads to ten. Ten lead to 100. More and more and more lies, until you're caught in a web that not even you can remember the truth about. Save yourself now! Don't be recorded a liar in your eternal biography!
But it's only words!You're just flapping your gums, right? What -- you don't mean any of it! What does it matter?
Remember: people enter into Islam through words (the shahadah), and leave Islam through words (of disbelief). The power of words seals marriage between two unrelated people, or shatters their relationship forever in. All through words.
So if you think you won't be held accountable for your words, think again: the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam told us that people will be flung face-down into the Hellfire, only on account to what they said! [Tirmidhi]
I must be doomed!"I lie, backbite, and swear all the time. I must be going to Hell!" A one-way ticket to a place where they serve you boiling water and devils-heads for sustainance. You're doomed, right?
No! Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala tells us in the Qur'aan: "O my servants who have wronged themselves, never despair of the mercy of Allaah, for truly He forgives all sins. He is the Forgiving, the Merciful." [Az-Zumar, verse 53]
If you repent and turn back to Allaah, and promise not to commit the sin again, never ever, for as long as you live, and mean it, then He will forgive you. And whose mercy is greater than Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala's?
Make amends! If you've backbitten someone, go and tell the person, apologize sincerely, and ask them to forgive you. (If they say “no”, don't worry about it—you've done what you can.)
But, if you think that might worsen the situation, then turn sincerely to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala and beg for His forgiveness. Then to make up for what you said--go and speak good of the person behind their back.
Key to ParadiseIf you control your tongue and speak good, Paradise can be yours, there to abide forever.
The Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said: "Whoever can guarantee me two things I can guarantee them Paradise : what lies between his two jaw-bones (his tongue) and what lies between his two legs." [Bukhaari]
Even more amazing, he sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said: whoever prevents sending gossip against his brother, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala puts down a right upon Himself to relieve that person from the Hellfire.
So remember next time you feel like spouting at or about someone: if you remain patient, Paradise can be yours. All it takes is willpower and practice!
A Shovelful of Good DeedsYour tongue can be a shovel. You now know all the ways to shovel the bad stuff, and get yourself in deep, deep doo. But how can you use it shovel up piles and mountains of good deeds for yourself?
Dhikr: Keep your tongue soaked in the rememberence of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. Whether a five-minute walk down the street or an hour-long drive, remember Allaah, and glorify Him (tasbeeh—SubhaanAlla ah, Alhamdulillaah, and Allaahu Akbar). Remember His Names and Attributes—the Most Merciful, the Just, the All-Knowing.
Defend and Explain Islam: When Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala tests us, as He promised He will, be ready to step up to the challenge. Often, you can unlock people’s misconceptions with just a five-minute explaination on what Islam is really about.
Naseehah: Give people you know sincere, heart-felt advice. (Make sure you do so in a gentle way--“yes, I really think your clothes smell like curry” won't work too well.) Think it through before you say it, and make sure it sounds soft, not harsh. That makes it easier for them to accept.
One Tongue to Rule them AllFinally, if you remember anything, remember this one statement. It will ensure the protection of your tongue, bi idhnillah!
Are you ready for it?
Here it is: the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said: "Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last day, let him either speak good or keep silent!" [agreed upon]
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Dhikr For Students
What deed is better than giving gold and silver? According to our beloved Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam, it is dhikr, which means remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala.
Dhikr is a form of worship that in importance comes only after the ritual Prayer (salaah) and reading Qur`aan. While salaah has to be performed at certain times and under certain conditions of purity, dhikr can be made any time, in any place. It can be done by repeating certain formulas to extol and praise Allaah, or it can be just thoughts of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala in one's heart and mind.
Students are greatly blessed in that they have many excellent opportunities every day to perform dhikr. In school all day long students are being given knowledge by their teachers. I am specifically referring to academic courses such as math, physics, social studies, history, languages, and all others rather than religious courses; although this can apply in religious courses also.
Consider what happens now in those academic courses. The teacher tells the students many true facts every day, or the students read new facts from books, and the students remember some number of those facts; but, seldom is Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala mentioned, and I would guess that seldom is Allaah remembered. This is not the way it should be. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala should be remembered always.
I would like to suggest a programme of dhikr that would take very little time, be of great spiritual benefit to students, help ensure a close personal relationship with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, and probably even help students learn the academic subjects better. If this dhikr would do all that how could any Muslim student not want to at least try this method.
To understand the purpose of this dhikr you must first know that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has given us two important sources of revelation, the Qur`aan and His Physical Creation. We are told we must 'read' each of these two sources in a balance if we are to correctly understand the right way of life (Deen) in Islam, which Allaah has given us.
There are many ways to learn the knowledge of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala's Physical Creation. For students one of the best sources of knowledge of Allaah's Physical Creation is the knowledge being taught in the various academic courses at school. All true knowledge is Islamic knowledge. For example, even the simple fact that 2+2=4 is Islamic knowledge. Allaah has made His Physical Creation such that for us to succeed and progress in the world He has created for us it is necessary to know such simple truths.
So, how does this relate to dhikr? Every time you hear some new fact about Allaah's Physical Creation this provides an ideal opportunity to remember Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. You could use being given each new bit of information as a cue to remember Allaah. Of course it will be very hard in the beginning to always remember Allaah, so at first you should try to use hearing new bits of information as cues to remember Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala as often as possible.
Be sure not to get too upset with yourself if you sometimes forget to remember Allaah each time you are given some new bit of information, but always try to tell yourself in your mind what a wonderful thing you have done when you do remember Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. If you do this you will find yourself remembering Allaah more and more often, and you will feel happier and happier that you are remembering Allaah.
What kind of things should we say in our thoughts when we remember Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala in this kind of dhikr? In the example above about 2+2=4, you could say such things as, "Thank you Allaah for letting me know that 2+2=4" or "Oh Allaah, it is wonderful how you have made numbers and math so we can count and measure". You could say these things or even better you can think of other things on your own to say, to tell Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala how much you appreciate Him and His Creation.
If you were in a physics class and it was explained to you how levers work you might remember Allaah by saying such things as, "Oh Allaah, I am so thankful that you make hard work easier for us by giving us levers", or "Wow, levers are so cool, thank you Allaah for this knowledge."
If you were studying a foreign language and you are learning new words in that language you might say, "It is wonderful, Allaah, how You have allowed people so many different ways to say the same thing", or "I love all the different people and languages that You have placed on the Earth, Allaah".
As you can easily see there are a huge number of things you will be taught in your classes that can serve as cues for you to remember Allaah, each of these is dhikr; and, the kinds of things you could say in remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala in these situations are virtually unlimited. In the things you say in remembrance of Allaah it is usually best to give thanks, to show caring, to feel excited, and to be specific about how the knowledge you have learned is connected to Allaah's Plan for all His Creation.
The reasons for doing this kind of dhikr are many and they are very important. In today's world we so often take the knowledge we are taught in school for granted. We usually don't consider the knowledge we learn in academic subjects to be part of our spiritual obligation to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. We often consider this objective knowledge of Allaah's Physical Creation that we learn in academic courses to be separate from the knowledge of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala we learn in religious courses. In truth, there is no separation between these two kinds of knowledge.
For us to truly understand the Islam which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala gave us as the right way of life, we must come to see that everything is from Allaah, there is nothing in life but that which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has Created. Alhamdulillaah. We must come to love the knowledge we are given in academic courses as much as we love the knowledge we get from our religious courses; both sources of knowledge bring us closer to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala.
When we live our lives in today's busy world it is very easy to forget that everything we do is part of our relationship with Allaah. Constant remembrance of Allaah is the ideal, but few of us ever achieve that high spiritual level. This dhikr for students provides a simple, easy way to increase your remembrance of Allaah, and therefore to improve your relationship with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala.
When knowledge is offered in academic courses it is easy to ignore the knowledge or forget it, since many times we are given this knowledge without being told how this knowledge will be valuable to us throughout our lives. If knowledge is not linked with something very important we often don't care very much about it; what could be more important than acknowledging the link of all true knowledge to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala?
By discussing in our minds the knowledge we have just learned when we do this form of dhikr we are also giving special attention to that knowledge so that it is more likely we will remember it in the future. Any new knowledge you think about after you first learn it will be more firmly fixed in memory. Also as we come to see the connections between knowledge from the different academic areas we will better understand how knowing the truths of Allaah's Physical Creation can aid us to become better Muslims in every way.
Another important benefit from this student dhikr, which has so many valuable benefits, is that students remembering Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala in this way will come to view their teachers in a different, more positive manner. Unfortunately, in schools today students sometimes see teachers as adults who are trying to force useless knowledge down their throats. When teachers are instead seen as well meaning, caring adults who are trying to help students better understand the Islam which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala gave us as the right way of life, and who are attempting to give us knowledge that will result in a closer personal relationship with Allaah, students will almost certainly develop a greater love and respect for their teachers.
When students and teachers love and respect each other everything improves in the classroom environment. Everyone is happier, everyone works harder, everyone works more efficiently, and everyone learns more. Allaah Almighty has made it very clear through revelation how much he values education and the gaining of knowledge. To gain knowledge is one of our primary responsibilities as Muslims. How then could we rightly do anything but learn as much as possible of the knowledge so generously offered during our student years?
Isn't it wonderful that as we fulfill our responsibility to gain knowledge of Allaah's Physical Creation during our years in school that we can at the same time perform dhikr so that we increase our ability to benefit from that knowledge and become ever closer in our personal relationship with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala?
Remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala through our student years can be the means for us to grow into Muslims of excellent character, who can make right the many wrongs in today's world, who can eventually live in a fully and truly Islamic world, and who on Judgment Day will have a very good chance of being granted entry into Paradise.
Alhamdulillaah!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Sunnas of sleep
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah
Imam Ahmad reported that Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) passed by a man who was lying on his stomach, so he poked him with his leg and said, ‘This is a posture that Allah the Mighty and Majestic does not like.’” It was also reported by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih, and there are many other hadiths in the major collections that support this.
Because of this, it is mentioned in Imam al-Barkawi’s manual on the path of taqwa, al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya:
“And it is disliked to lie on one’s stomach without an excuse..”
Imam al-Khadimi added in his commentary:
“Sleeping on one’s back is the sleep of the prophets, who contemplate the creation of the heavens and earth [f: when without a roof on their heads]; sleep on the right side is the sleep of scholars and worshippers; sleep on the left is the sleep of kings to digest food; and sleeping on one’s face is the sleep of devils and the unbelievers.” ( al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya fi Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya, 4: 177)
In the Fatawa al-Hindiyya, a brilliant collection of relied upon positions within the Hanafi school, gathered by a committee of scholars commissioned by the righteous Moghul emperor, Aurangzeb, it is stated that,
“It is recommended to take advantage of the afternoon nap (qaylula), for the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “Take afternoon naps, for the devils do not take afternoon naps,” as mentioned in al-Ghayathiyya… It is recommended for one to sleep in a state of ritual purity, and to lie on one’s right side, facing the qibla for a while [f: at least, and then, if it is difficult to fall asleep on one’s right] then one may sleep on one’s left side [f: without it being considered sub-optimal], as mentioned in al-Sirajiyya.
It is disliked to sleep early in the morning, and between maghrib and isha [f: because it would normally lead to one missing isha in congregation, otherwise, it is not disliked though still better not to do]. It has been mentioned in some works that no sleep was more beloved to Sayyiduna Ali (Allah be pleased with him) than sleep [right] after isha before the last of the night. One’s sleep should be on a bed that is mid-way between being soft and hard [f: as this prevents excessively deep sleep that could make one miss prayer or tahajjud, while being reasonably comfortable]. One should take one’s right hand as a pillow under one’s cheek. One should bring to mind that one will be [similarly] placed in the grave, lying on one’s side, alone with nothing but one’s works… If one is full and fears stomach pain, it is not wrong to place a pillow under one’s stomach and to sleep on it.
One should make remembrance of Allah (dhikr) when going to sleep, saying the tahlil (‘la ilaha illa Allah’), tahmid (‘alhamdu lillah’) and tasbih (‘subhan Allah’) [f: after having recited the specific Prophetic invocations recommended before sleep] until sleep overcomes one, for the sleeper is resurrected according to how he fell asleep and the one who dies according to the state he died in.
One should get up before fajr, for the earth complains to Allah from the ghusl of the adulterer, and from blood unlawfully spilled on it, and from sleep after fajr time [comes in].
One should wake up making remembrance of Allah [f: the best of which are the specific Prophetic invocations], and with a firm resolve to have taqwa from that which Allah has prohibited, and determined not to wrong any of Allah’s servants, as mentioned in al-Ghara’ib. "[ al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 5: 376]
Among the sunnas of waking are:
1. To say ‘La Ilaha illa Allah’, then ‘Alhamdulillah’ three times, then Alhamdulillahi alladhi ahyana ba`da ma amatana wa ilayhi an-nushur (All praise is to Allah who gave us life after death, and to Him is the final return). [Bukhari, Abu Dawud, and others]
2. It is good to rub the face and eyes with both hands, to get rid of the effects of sleep, as mentioned in Shama’il al-Tirmidhi
3. It is recommended to brush one’s teeth, ideally using a tooth-stick (miswak), because of hadiths to this effect in Ahmad’s Musnad in in Abu Dawud’s Sunan.
And all good, in this world and the next, may be found in following the way of the Beloved of Allah (upon him be the best of blessings and most perfect of peace). And all success is from Allah.
Wassalam.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
Unable to stay awake after completing the Fajr prayer? Struggling to barely make it through the day?
Do you find yourself nodding off at your desk during idle moments at work? Are midday meetings becoming your favorite naptimes?
The hustle and bustle of our fast-paced lives leaves little time for rest. While college students are perhaps among the most sleep-deprived, more and more people are failing to get enough sleep. And for Muslims, living in a society that does not revolve around prayer timings poses an additional challenge.
Despite it being such a crucial part of our 24-hour day, we pay little attention to this often taken-for-granted activity. How many of us have seriously contemplated questions such as, "How much sleep do I need?" "What can I do who about insomnia?" "Can I really catch up on sleep?"
Believe it or not, there is actually an organization called the National Sleep Foundation (http://www.sleepfoundation.org/) that is dedicated to "improving the quality of life for the millions of Americans who suffer from sleep disorders, and to the prevention of catastrophic accidents related to sleep deprivation or sleep disorders."
Sleep has been mentioned by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala in Sura An-Naba (78), verse 9, "And We have appointed your sleep for repose." And indeed, Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam) himself emphasized that our bodies have a right over us. The carefully recorded biographies of the Prophet inform us that he spent most of the day in service to his community and most of his night in prayer to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. It is said that the Prophet slept very little during the night, but encouraged a short nap between the Dhuhr and 'Asr prayers. One wonders how it was possible for the Prophet to function with such little sleep; however, having had prophethood bestowed upon him, he was commanded by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala to prepare and train himself for that tremendous mission.
Stage 1 Muscles relax, irregular, rapid brain wavesStage 2 Larger waves, bursts of electrical activityStage 3 Large, slow waves (delta)Stage 4 Continuation of large, slow waves (delta)Stage 5 1 hour or later, REM - rapid eye movement (brain waves as active as if one were awake. Dreams occur.Stage 6 Recurring REM cycles until one awakens 75% Non-REM sleep, 25% REM (dreaming)
In today's society, people devote little effort to monitoring their sleep patterns. Indeed, most of us do not know what actually happens during sleep (refer to diagram). We do know, however, that if we do not get enough sleep, we can feel irritable and drowsy. Consider a typical summer day when daylight hours are long, and nights are short. In North America , the beginning time for Fajr prayer can be as early as 4:30 am while the time for 'Isha prayer can be as late as 10 pm. By the time we wrap up the day and go to bed, it may be after midnight - technically, the next day. Waking up for Fajr prayer under these circumstances can be a struggle, to say the least.
And then, what does one do after completing the prayer? This can actually be the real dilemma. Consider this scenario: if you complete Fajr prayer at 5 am, yet you do not have to prepare for work (which starts at 9 am) until 7:30, what do you do during those 2-1/2 hours? Chances are you haven't had enough sleep so you'd like to return to bed; however, you feel uneasy, recalling that the Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam frowned on the habit of sleeping after the Fajr prayer.
Try, though, as we may to follow the Prophet Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam's Sunnah, for many of us, those extra hours of sleep in the morning have become a source of revitalization. If you are fortunate enough to be able to fall asleep again, you may feel more rested and ready to take on a full day of work. If, however, it takes you a half hour or more to fall back to sleep, you may actually find yourself awakening later feeling groggy.
This scenario is just one of many, and addresses the individual who doesn't make it to bed until late but still wakes for prayer. What about the individual who does not wake for prayer? The fact is that many of us, for a combination of reasons, rarely get a good night's sleep.
We will now discuss the dangers of sleep deprivation, recommendations for sleep management, and the wisdom behind the habits of the Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam. Scientists have conducted various studies on sleep patterns in which the most common finding is that not getting enough sleep is a threat to both our physical and mental health. A typical work day lasts approximately 9 hours. Adding another hour or so for commuting time means the average person requires at least 10 hours a day of alertness, notwithstanding family responsibilities and extra-curricular activities after work. A working mom may find it necessary to stay awake continuously for 18 hours or more, making it impossible for her to get more than 5-6 hours of sleep every night. And we're assuming that her sleep is not disrupted by stress or any other physical ailments. As this cycle repeats itself over the duration of the workweek, it is not uncommon for many people to suffer from sleep deprivation. Many Muslims experience increased bouts of sleep deprivation during the month of Ramadhaan. Waking up an hour before the Fajr prayer, eating suhoor, staying awake through the day until iftaar, praying the Taraweeh prayers, and repeating this cycle for an entire month can cause shock to a body that is unprepared. Are You Sleep Deprived? Do you want to know if you are sleep-deprived? One simple test is to see how fast you are able to fall asleep. Spouses of people who are sleep-deprived report that they fall asleep almost immediately after their heads touch the pillow. They often cannot sit still during prolonged meetings else they risk falling asleep. And often, the irony is that they are sleep deprived because of intense periods of activity without breaks or pauses. As mentioned above, sleep deprivation poses risks for both physical and mental health. For example, research has shown that two out of three road accidents in the U.S. may be linked to drivers who are sleep-deprived. Slower reactions combined with an inability to think clearly often puts sleep-deprived drivers at a higher risk for road rage and, even worse, of missing important cues such as slowed traffic or unsafe road conditions.
Recent studies in the West have also reported that starting schools later in the morning may help reduce discipline problems while increasing academic performance. This finding sits at odds with the traditional notion in the Islamic culture which emphasizes rising early for Fajr prayer, and memorizing Qur`aan, for example, in the early hours of the morning.
Sleep and Teenagers
Sleep deprivation is not uncommon among teenagers as well. Ever wonder why teenagers enjoy slumber parties so much… during which they comfortably stay awake all hours of the night and sleep in until the Dhuhr prayer? Over the past few years, various studies have indicated that adolescents, in their prime years of development, need more sleep than they are getting. Some scientists have based this finding on the possibility that teenagers have internal clocks that prompt them to stay awake late at night and sleep later in the morning (Washington Post, 10/19/00). Recent studies in the West have also reported that starting schools later in the morning may help reduce discipline problems while increasing academic performance. This finding sits at odds with the traditional notion in the Islamic culture which emphasizes rising early for Fajr prayer, and memorizing Qur`aan, for example, in the early hours of the morning. Perhaps one explanation could be that in Islamic cultures, typically very little activity takes place between the 'Isha and Fajr prayers. A household that abides by this tradition is likely to produce youth who are more alert and effective in the early mornings. On the other hand, non-Islamic lifestyles socialize the youth to stay awake for hours on end after the 'Isha prayer. In this lifestyle, the night comes to life - ceasing to be a time for rest. Sleep and University Students University students are perhaps among the most vulnerable to sleep disruption and deprivation. Muslim students try especially hard to juggle strenuous schoolwork, Islamic study circles, and extracurricular and social activities. We asked two seniors and a first year student at Georgetown University about their own sleeping habits. The three students averaged approximately five-and-a-half hours of sleep per night. Admittedly, senior Shaheen Kazi added that her six to seven hours of sleep a night are reduced drastically during peak exam times. As vice-president of the campus Muslim Student Association, and coordinator of the Muslim Housing Co-op, Kazi has to maintain a delicate balance between excelling academically while fulfilling her obligations to the Georgetown Muslim community. But exactly how do such students make it through the day with such little sleep? Rehenuma Asmi, a first-year student majoring in Arabic and pre-medicine says she does not usually have to take a nap during the day. Kazi and her roommate, senior Nadia Chaudhri indicate that they take power naps (20-30 minutes) during the day. Prophet Muhammad's Sleep Patterns The Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam was known to sleep very little. There are several authentic reports regarding his sleeping habits. During the early period of revelation, he was commanded to spend most of the night or some part of the night in prayer. After the initial years of revelation, the Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam continued the night prayers in the last third of the night. He would stop, and rest lying on his right side until his companion and the caller to prayer, Bilal, came to wake him for the Fajr prayer. He did not sleep after Fajr prayer, but we learn from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam that he recommended a nap between Dhuhr and 'Asr prayer. Indeed, the reader is invited to further explore the blessed habits of the Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam in the various books of seerah and throughout the books of Hadeeth. Overall, we would all agree that our bodies deserve their share of rest. As Muslims, we are reminded by Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam that our bodies have a right over us. We must monitor our daily activities to ensure that we are getting enough sleep. Most of all, our sleep patterns should not make us miss either Fajr or 'Isha, as they mark the beginning and the end of our days. So make sure that from time to time, you ask yourself, "Am I getting enough sleep?" Editor's Note: There are several sleep disorders (like insomnia, parasomnia, or hypersomnia for example) and the reader is invited to visit the American Sleep Disorders Association at http://www.asda.com/ to learn more about them.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
At The Heart Of Every Relationship Is Allaah
Relationships are central to the existence of every human being. Allaah Most High has enjoined some relationships as purely natural, such as those between parents, children, and other immediate and extended family members. Other relationships are based on solemn contracts, such as a marriage. Through a marriage contract, a man and a woman who are ordinarily impermissible to each other become permissible to each other. Some relationships are based on familiarity and social ties at the community level. Other relationships are based on business contracts. All of these relationships are based on the fulfillment of rights and responsibilities. Summary
In His ultimate wisdom, Allaah Most High has placed Himself at the heart of every relationship. To love Allaah, to know Allaah, and to want to please Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala in our daily lives, we must have functional and healthy relationships with our parents, siblings, friends, and community members. We do not have the option to remove either Allaah or human beings from our lives. The love, mercy, and compassion that characterize our interactions with others are a blessing from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. He created us and endowed us with these sublime qualities. It is only sheer arrogance that would make us attempt to remove Allaah from any of our relationships.
The main reason that Muslims place Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala at the heart of every relationship is because these rights and responsibilities emanate from Allaah and the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam. We learn of our rights and responsibilities through Islamic teachings as explicated in the Qur`aan and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam. Fulfilling one's responsibilities requires knowledge of what those responsibilities are. Similarly, one cannot expect to demand one's rights without knowing first what those rights are.
Anytime a relationship goes sour, one must stop first to ask what the basis of the relationship is and if in fact the relationship existed for the sake of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. A businessman who cheats others is wantonly defying the teachings of Islam. At the moment when he cheats another person, he is also allowing his personal greed to override his fear of Allaah Most High. A husband who raises his hands to hurt his wife or their children is defying the teachings of Islam. At the moment of his violent outburst, he is allowing his personal anger to override his fear of Allaah Most High. There can be no moment in which Allaah Most High is not at the heart of a relationship. It is an unfortunate existence, and indeed a miserable existence, for the one whose personal whims and desires end up placing him or her at the center of the relationship.
Let us consider a day in the life of a young man named Khalid.
Khalid sat up in bed, unable to fall asleep. What had started as just a small disagreement with his parents had deteriorated quickly into a shouting match. Khalid hurled the final volley, saying, "I don't care what you or anyone else says; I don't need you, I don't need anyone; I have Allaah to help me." Slamming the door to his room shut, Khalid felt sure that he could survive on his own. After all, at the prime of his life as a 15-year-old, why did he need his parents? They just kept getting in his way. Why did he need his brothers and sisters? They never understood him. Why did he need his friends? They never went along with him. As long as he had Allaah, he was set. He was complete. He needed no one else.
As he sank into bed for the night and slipped under the warm covers, he felt sure that tomorrow would be different. From tomorrow onwards, he would need no one else, no other relationship except the one he had with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. He tossed and turned but he was restless and unable to bring himself to sleep. Why? These covers are so warm, so comfortable, why can't I get to sleep? The peaceful night was interrupted. He sat up in bed. In the bedroom next door, he could hear his father consoling his mother who was sobbing uncontrollably. The strong-headed Khalid was no more.
Only a few hours ago he knew exactly what he wanted to do, where he wanted to go. He knew he needed no one else except Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. But now, hearing his mother crying had confused him. He was unsure of himself. Unsure of what he felt. If he had Allaah, why did anyone else matter? So what if mom or the siblings were sad? So what if his friends and the community looked down on him for his behavior? He struggled to put himself to sleep that night. Unable to sleep, he turned to talk to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. Picking up the Qur`aan, he thumbed through the pages and came across a few that seemed to be wrinkled, used more often than the others. He could not believe his eyes and as he read the verses out loud, the meaning of the verses seemed to shoot directly to his heart.
[Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My Lord! bestow on them thy mercy even as they cherished me in childhood." Your Lord knoweth best what is in your hearts: If ye do deeds of righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence).] (Al-Israa’ 17:23-25)
Here it was, loud and clear. Any people who thought they could have a relationship only with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala and cut off their ties with parents, siblings, and friends were mistaken. Khalid knew that he had hurt his mother and his father with his "I don't care" and "whatever" one-liners. He also knew that he did care and he loved them both dearly. And he was very much aware of the fact that as annoying as his brothers and sisters were, they were his true friends — people he could count on to love him no matter what!
Khalid read and reread these verses in which Allaah Most High, after decreeing that Muslims worship no one but Allaah, decreed kindness to parents. The mention of mercy, honor, humility, righteousness, forgiveness, and repentance had a calming effect on Khalid. He wanted nothing more at that moment than to go and tell his parents he was sorry. He wanted to give them their right to advise him, to counsel him, and to assist him through these teenage years. He wanted most of to repent to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala for raising his voice at his parents!
Final Thoughts
As we go through life, Allaah Most High tests us with various challenges, and perhaps the most difficult of these tests are those that involve human relationships. Increasing our awareness of our rights and responsibilities is a very critical component of our lives. Remembering to be conscious of Allaah Most High helps us to fight any desires that arise out of a purely selfish orientation. We do not live alone or in a vacuum. We are just one of the many actors in this human drama of life and the earth is our stage. The script has already been written by Allaah, and our goal is to toil on this earth, conscious of our rights and responsibilities towards Allaah and towards those around us. Our goal should be to please Allaah through establishing functional and healthy relationships with our family, friends, and community members. Ultimately, we can only achieve true success when Allaah Most High is at the heart of all of our relationships. An apt reminder in closing is when Allaah Most High addresses all of mankind, saying:
[O mankind, be conscious of your duty to Allaah, Who created you from a single soul and from him He created his mate, and from them both, He created many men and women; and fear Allaah through Whom you demand your (mutual rights) and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs; surely Allaah is ever an All-watcher over you.] (An-Nisaa' 4:1)
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
WHY PRAYERS ARE NOT ANSWERED?
One day Ibrahim Adham was passing through the bazaar in the city of Basra when he was surrounded by people who said to him: "O Ibrahim! Allah has stated in the miraculous Qur'an that: "Call Me and thou shall be answered"; we call upon Him bout our prayer is not answered.
Ibrahim said: "The reason is because your hearts have died due to ten things so that your supplications have no sincerity as your hearts are not pure and free of contamination."
They asked: "What are those ten issues?" He replied:
01:- First and foremost you have accepted Allah but have not repaid His claim.
02:- You have recited the miraculous Qur'an but have not practised it.
03:- You profess your love of the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.), but are opposed to his Household (A.S.).
04:- You claim to have enmity with Satan but in practice you are in agreement with him.
05:- You say that you are fond of heaven but in order to enter heaven you have not done anything.
06:- You said that you were afraid of the Fire of Hell, but have thrown your bodies in to it.
07:- You were busy slandering and criticizing people but were ignorant of your own shortcomings and faults.
08:- You said that you didn't like the world but are greedily following it.
09:- You confess to the reality of death but don't prepare yourself for it.
10:- You have buried the dead but haven't taken a lesson or guidance from it.
These are the 10 practices (Ten Reasons) which cause prayers to remain unanswered.
Monday, May 7, 2007
How Islamic inventors changed the world
Muslim world has given us many innovations that we take for granted in daily life. As a new exhibition opens, Paul Vallely nominates 20 of the most influential- and identifies the men of genius behind them
1 The story goes that an Arab named Khalid was tending his goats in the Kaffa region of southern Ethiopia, when he noticed his animals became livelier after eating a certain berry. He boiled the berries to make the first coffee. Certainly the first record of the drink is of beans exported from Ethiopia to Yemen where Sufis drank it to stay awake all night to pray on special occasions. By the late 15th century it had arrived in Mecca and Turkey from where it made its way to Venice in 1645. It was brought to England in 1650 by a Turk named Pasqua Rosee who opened the first coffee house in Lombard Street in the City of London. The Arabic qahwa became the Turkish kahve then the Italian caffé and then English coffee.
2 The ancient Greeks thought our eyes emitted rays, like a laser, which enabled us to see. The first person to realise that light enters the eye, rather than leaving it, was the 10th-century Muslim mathematician, astronomer and physicist Ibn al-Haitham. He invented the first pin-hole camera after noticing the way light came through a hole in window shutters. The smaller the hole, the better the picture, he worked out, and set up the first Camera Obscura (from the Arab word qamara for a dark or private room). He is also credited with being the first man to shift physics from a philosophical activity to an experimental one.
3 A form of chess was played in ancient India but the game was developed into the form we know it today in Persia. From there it spread westward to Europe - where it was introduced by the Moors in Spain in the 10th century - and eastward as far as Japan. The word rook comes from the Persian rukh, which means chariot.
4 A thousand years before the Wright brothers a Muslim poet, astronomer, musician and engineer named Abbas ibn Firnas made several attempts to construct a flying machine. In 852 he jumped from the minaret of the Grand Mosque in Cordoba using a loose cloak stiffened with wooden struts. He hoped to glide like a bird. He didn't. But the cloak slowed his fall, creating what is thought to be the first parachute, and leaving him with only minor injuries. In 875, aged 70, having perfected a machine of silk and eagles' feathers he tried again, jumping from a mountain. He flew to a significant height and stayed aloft for ten minutes but crashed on landing - concluding, correctly, that it was because he had not given his device a tail so it would stall on landing. Baghdad international airport and a crater on the Moon are named after him.
5 Washing and bathing are religious requirements for Muslims, which is perhaps why they perfected the recipe for soap which we still use today. The ancient Egyptians had soap of a kind, as did the Romans who used it more as a pomade. But it was the Arabs who combined vegetable oils with sodium hydroxide and aromatics such as thyme oil. One of the Crusaders' most striking characteristics, to Arab nostrils, was that they did not wash. Shampoo was introduced to England by a Muslim who opened Mahomed's Indian Vapour Baths on Brighton seafront in 1759 and was appointed Shampooing Surgeon to Kings George IV and William IV.
6 Distillation, the means of separating liquids through differences in their boiling points, was invented around the year 800 by Islam's foremost scientist, Jabir ibn Hayyan, who transformed alchemy into chemistry, inventing many of the basic processes and apparatus still in use today - liquefaction, crystallisation, distillation, purification, oxidisation, evaporation and filtration. As well as discovering sulphuric and nitric acid, he invented the alembic still, giving the world intense rosewater and other perfumes and alcoholic spirits (although drinking them is haram, or forbidden, in Islam). Ibn Hayyan emphasised systematic experimentation and was the founder of modern chemistry.
7 The crank-shaft is a device which translates rotary into linear motion and is central to much of the machinery in the modern world, not least the internal combustion engine. One of the most important mechanical inventions in the history of humankind, it was created by an ingenious Muslim engineer called al-Jazari to raise water for irrigation. His 1206 Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices shows he also invented or refined the use of valves and pistons, devised some of the first mechanical clocks driven by water and weights, and was the father of robotics. Among his 50 other inventions was the combination lock.
8 Quilting is a method of sewing or tying two layers of cloth with a layer of insulating material in between. It is not clear whether it was invented in the Muslim world or whether it was imported there from India or China. But it certainly came to the West via the Crusaders. They saw it used by Saracen warriors, who wore straw-filled quilted canvas shirts instead of armour. As well as a form of protection, it proved an effective guard against the chafing of the Crusaders' metal armour and was an effective form of insulation - so much so that it became a cottage industry back home in colder climates such as Britain and Holland.
9 The pointed arch so characteristic of Europe's Gothic cathedrals was an invention borrowed from Islamic architecture. It was much stronger than the rounded arch used by the Romans and Normans, thus allowing the building of bigger, higher, more complex and grander buildings. Other borrowings from Muslim genius included ribbed vaulting, rose windows and dome-building techniques. Europe's castles were also adapted to copy the Islamic world's - with arrow slits, battlements, a barbican and parapets. Square towers and keeps gave way to more easily defended round ones. Henry V's castle architect was a Muslim.
10 Many modern surgical instruments are of exactly the same design as those devised in the 10th century by a Muslim surgeon called al-Zahrawi. His scalpels, bone saws, forceps, fine scissors for eye surgery and many of the 200 instruments he devised are recognisable to a modern surgeon. It was he who discovered that catgut used for internal stitches dissolves away naturally (a discovery he made when his monkey ate his lute strings) and that it can be also used to make medicine capsules. In the 13th century, another Muslim medic named Ibn Nafis described the circulation of the blood, 300 years before William Harvey discovered it. Muslims doctors also invented anaesthetics of opium and alcohol mixes and developed hollow needles to suck cataracts from eyes in a technique still used today.
11 The windmill was invented in 634 for a Persian caliph and was used to grind corn and draw up water for irrigation. In the vast deserts of Arabia, when the seasonal streams ran dry, the only source of power was the wind which blew steadily from one direction for months. Mills had six or 12 sails covered in fabric or palm leaves. It was 500 years before the first windmill was seen in Europe.
12 The technique of inoculation was not invented by Jenner and Pasteur but was devised in the Muslim world and brought to Europe from Turkey by the wife of the English ambassador to Istanbul in 1724. Children in Turkey were vaccinated with cowpox to fight the deadly smallpox at least 50 years before the West discovered it.
13 The fountain pen was invented for the Sultan of Egypt in 953 after he demanded a pen which would not stain his hands or clothes. It held ink in a reservoir and, as with modern pens, fed ink to the nib by a combination of gravity and capillary action.
14 The system of numbering in use all round the world is probably Indian in origin but the style of the numerals is Arabic and first appears in print in the work of the Muslim mathematicians al-Khwarizmi and al-Kindi around 825. Algebra was named after al-Khwarizmi's book, Al-Jabr wa-al-Muqabilah, much of whose contents are still in use. The work of Muslim maths scholars was imported into Europe 300 years later by the Italian mathematician Fibonacci. Algorithms and much of the theory of trigonometry came from the Muslim world. And Al-Kindi's discovery of frequency analysis rendered all the codes of the ancient world soluble and created the basis of modern cryptology.
15 Ali ibn Nafi, known by his nickname of Ziryab (Blackbird) came from Iraq to Cordoba in the 9th century and brought with him the concept of the three-course meal - soup, followed by fish or meat, then fruit and nuts. He also introduced crystal glasses (which had been invented after experiments with rock crystal by Abbas ibn Firnas - see No 4).
16 Carpets were regarded as part of Paradise by medieval Muslims, thanks to their advanced weaving techniques, new tinctures from Islamic chemistry and highly developed sense of pattern and arabesque which were the basis of Islam's non-representational art. In contrast, Europe's floors were distinctly earthly, not to say earthy, until Arabian and Persian carpets were introduced. In England, as Erasmus recorded, floors were "covered in rushes, occasionally renewed, but so imperfectly that the bottom layer is left undisturbed, sometimes for 20 years, harbouring expectoration, vomiting, the leakage of dogs and men, ale droppings, scraps of fish, and other abominations not fit to be mentioned". Carpets, unsurprisingly, caught on quickly.
17 The modern cheque comes from the Arabic saqq, a written vow to pay for goods when they were delivered, to avoid money having to be transported across dangerous terrain. In the 9th century, a Muslim businessman could cash a cheque in China drawn on his bank in Baghdad.
18 By the 9th century, many Muslim scholars took it for granted that the Earth was a sphere. The proof, said astronomer Ibn Hazm, "is that the Sun is always vertical to a particular spot on Earth". It was 500 years before that realisation dawned on Galileo. The calculations of Muslim astronomers were so accurate that in the 9th century they reckoned the Earth's circumference to be 40,253.4km - less than 200km out. The scholar al-Idrisi took a globe depicting the world to the court of King Roger of Sicily in 1139.
19 Though the Chinese invented saltpetre gunpowder, and used it in their fireworks, it was the Arabs who worked out that it could be purified using potassium nitrate for military use. Muslim incendiary devices terrified the Crusaders. By the 15th century they had invented both a rocket, which they called a "self-moving and combusting egg", and a torpedo - a self-propelled pear-shaped bomb with a spear at the front which impaled itself in enemy ships and then blew up.
20 Medieval Europe had kitchen and herb gardens, but it was the Arabs who developed the idea of the garden as a place of beauty and meditation. The first royal pleasure gardens in Europe were opened in 11th-century Muslim Spain. Flowers which originated in Muslim gardens include the carnation and the tulip.
"1001 Inventions: Discover the Muslim Heritage in Our World" is a new exhibition which began a nationwide tour this week. It is currently at the Science Museum in Manchester. For more information, go to http://www.1001inventions.com/.
1 The story goes that an Arab named Khalid was tending his goats in the Kaffa region of southern Ethiopia, when he noticed his animals became livelier after eating a certain berry. He boiled the berries to make the first coffee. Certainly the first record of the drink is of beans exported from Ethiopia to Yemen where Sufis drank it to stay awake all night to pray on special occasions. By the late 15th century it had arrived in Mecca and Turkey from where it made its way to Venice in 1645. It was brought to England in 1650 by a Turk named Pasqua Rosee who opened the first coffee house in Lombard Street in the City of London. The Arabic qahwa became the Turkish kahve then the Italian caffé and then English coffee.
2
The ancient Greeks thought our eyes emitted rays, like a laser, which enabled us to see. The first person to realise that light enters the eye, rather than leaving it, was the 10th-century Muslim mathematician, astronomer and physicist Ibn al-Haitham. He invented the first pin-hole camera after noticing the way light came through a hole in window shutters. The smaller the hole, the better the picture, he worked out, and set up the first Camera Obscura (from the Arab word qamara for a dark or private room). He is also credited with being the first man to shift physics from a philosophical activity to an experimental one.
3 A form of chess was played in ancient India but the game was developed into the form we know it today in Persia. From there it spread westward to Europe - where it was introduced by the Moors in Spain in the 10th century - and eastward as far as Japan. The word rook comes from the Persian rukh, which means chariot.
4 A thousand years before the Wright brothers a Muslim poet, astronomer, musician and engineer named Abbas ibn Firnas made several attempts to construct a flying machine. In 852 he jumped from the minaret of the Grand Mosque in Cordoba using a loose cloak stiffened with wooden struts. He hoped to glide like a bird. He didn't. But the cloak slowed his fall, creating what is thought to be the first parachute, and leaving him with only minor injuries. In 875, aged 70, having perfected a machine of silk and eagles' feathers he tried again, jumping from a mountain. He flew to a significant height and stayed aloft for ten minutes but crashed on landing - concluding, correctly, that it was because he had not given his device a tail so it would stall on landing. Baghdad international airport and a crater on the Moon are named after him.
5 Washing and bathing are religious requirements for Muslims, which is perhaps why they perfected the recipe for soap which we still use today. The ancient Egyptians had soap of a kind, as did the Romans who used it more as a pomade. But it was the Arabs who combined vegetable oils with sodium hydroxide and aromatics such as thyme oil. One of the Crusaders' most striking characteristics, to Arab nostrils, was that they did not wash. Shampoo was introduced to England by a Muslim who opened Mahomed's Indian Vapour Baths on Brighton seafront in 1759 and was appointed Shampooing Surgeon to Kings George IV and William IV.
6 Distillation, the means of separating liquids through differences in their boiling points, was invented around the year 800 by Islam's foremost scientist, Jabir ibn Hayyan, who transformed alchemy into chemistry, inventing many of the basic processes and apparatus still in use today - liquefaction, crystallisation, distillation, purification, oxidisation, evaporation and filtration. As well as discovering sulphuric and nitric acid, he invented the alembic still, giving the world intense rosewater and other perfumes and alcoholic spirits (although drinking them is haram, or forbidden, in Islam). Ibn Hayyan emphasised systematic experimentation and was the founder of modern chemistry.
7 The crank-shaft is a device which translates rotary into linear motion and is central to much of the machinery in the modern world, not least the internal combustion engine. One of the most important mechanical inventions in the history of humankind, it was created by an ingenious Muslim engineer called al-Jazari to raise water for irrigation. His 1206 Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices shows he also invented or refined the use of valves and pistons, devised some of the first mechanical clocks driven by water and weights, and was the father of robotics. Among his 50 other inventions was the combination lock.
8 Quilting is a method of sewing or tying two layers of cloth with a layer of insulating material in between. It is not clear whether it was invented in the Muslim world or whether it was imported there from India or China. But it certainly came to the West via the Crusaders. They saw it used by Saracen warriors, who wore straw-filled quilted canvas shirts instead of armour. As well as a form of protection, it proved an effective guard against the chafing of the Crusaders' metal armour and was an effective form of insulation - so much so that it became a cottage industry back home in colder climates such as Britain and Holland.
9 The pointed arch so characteristic of Europe's Gothic cathedrals was an invention borrowed from Islamic architecture. It was much stronger than the rounded arch used by the Romans and Normans, thus allowing the building of bigger, higher, more complex and grander buildings. Other borrowings from Muslim genius included ribbed vaulting, rose windows and dome-building techniques. Europe's castles were also adapted to copy the Islamic world's - with arrow slits, battlements, a barbican and parapets. Square towers and keeps gave way to more easily defended round ones. Henry V's castle architect was a Muslim.
10 Many modern surgical instruments are of exactly the same design as those devised in the 10th century by a Muslim surgeon called al-Zahrawi. His scalpels, bone saws, forceps, fine scissors for eye surgery and many of the 200 instruments he devised are recognisable to a modern surgeon. It was he who discovered that catgut used for internal stitches dissolves away naturally (a discovery he made when his monkey ate his lute strings) and that it can be also used to make medicine capsules. In the 13th century, another Muslim medic named Ibn Nafis described the circulation of the blood, 300 years before William Harvey discovered it. Muslims doctors also invented anaesthetics of opium and alcohol mixes and developed hollow needles to suck cataracts from eyes in a technique still used today.
