Humanity is the ultimate paradox, it is created in the image of Allah and it also has the Divine breath inside. Humans are the beings that Satan rebelled against; he looked at human and refused to see divine presence inside human. To assert the superiority over other humans is among the manners of Satan. Satan looked at human being and said: “I am better than this”!

When angels complain to Allah about the humans, Allah replied: “I know something that you don’t “. Allah knows the potential of human being and Angels did not.”

If you Learn Quran Online you will then know about the right Islamic path for serving the humanity in a better way. Allah worked with human, taught all the human and redeemed human to set up human as the representative of Allah. The working with humanity to get to Allah also applies to our being. Mystics of Islam were all fond of saying, that to know Allah, first you have to know ourselves better. Yet, the path of Allah goes through human. In order to reach out service and love to other, human being is the start of shattering idol of self; it believes in recognizing the shared humanity and makes room for real Allah to enter the temple of heart.

It is very important to serve if you want to be great. Anybody can serve. Service is present in any form. A mother nursing and nourishing a child can also serve. Similarly, a father changing the diaper is also serving. Taking care of the elderly parent is also a service. Teaching can also be termed as service. Providing the health services is also a service. Speaking for the weak is also a service. To become a voice for voiceless and marginalized can be a service. Feeding the
neighbor can also be a service. Any profession that is done with love and desire for the purpose of serving humanity is termed as service.

Service is different from pity. You don’t serve because you feel sorry for someone. You serve because you recognize the divine presence in others. You serve because you recognize that humanity should be connected together. According to Holy Prophet: “Not just the Muslims but the whole community is one.”

Allah says in the Holy Quran: “I created humanity and the jinn so that they may come to worship me.” May Allah provide guidance to all Muslims to worship him by going through the most difficult and the challenging path of humanity. May be you do quite better than Satan, and even do better than the Angels, and by living like a true human being who recognizes the path shared community.

About 2.5 million Muslims performed Pilgrimage in 2009, but only few thousand people would have obtained the honor of pleasing Allah, the Almighty. The pilgrimage of the rest would have not been accepted due to their evil deeds. Though they would have thought that Allah, the Arbitrator, would have not considered what they have done with their Muslim brothers.

• Lending money

Someone is not returning the borrowed money and making the one sick, who lend him, but the one will go to Hajj. Imagining that Allah, the Arbitrator, will forgive his sins and he will enter heaven. But Allah, the Majestic, will smack all the sufferings of Pilgrimage on his face due to not returning the borrowed money.

As One day Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) gazed at the sky and his holy face turned sadder. His companions (R.A) didn’t ask at that time, but posed the question next day that what concerned him. He said that he came to know about those, who lend money but do not return. Even if they are martyred, they will not enter heaven until their borrowed money is not paid back.

• Occupying the land

Someone would have illegally occupied a plot etc, but will go to Hajj expecting forgiveness, Allah, the utterly Just, will never count his tears but the tears of the one, who lost his land.

The Noble Prophet Muhammad says, “Those who illegally occupies the land even few inch. On the judgment day, that part of land will be converted in a very big land and that will be put on his neck.” Whether one goes to Hajj with the money of that plot or by other means, in both cases the one will be in the hell.

• Intoxicating people

Someone sells vine, opium, hashish, brown sugar, but when the one seems his end near, goes to Pilgrimage, expecting forgiveness even behalf on this that he aggravate Allah’s beloved humans. Whom Allah loves more than 70 times a mother loves her child. Allah, the Fashioner of forms says, “Don’t take alcohol and that every type of stuff, which intoxicate you.”

The Noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) says that do not offer prayer after drinking. Therefore, if someone drinks and don’t offers prayer, the sin will not only be written in his account, but in the account of the one, who intoxicate him.

• Killing innocent people

Someone would have killed innocent people but in the end, the one will offer Hajj, anticipating that Allah will enter him in heaven. Allah, the Fashioner of forms, says, “Killing a single human is alike killing the whole humankind” So how in the hell will Allah forgive him? Killing human is the second worst sin after shirk (thinking of someone to be the son of Allah, or equal to Allah, the one).

• Dealing in interest

Someone deals in interest for the whole life. After retirement, the one performs Pilgrimage expecting that Allah, The all-Compelling Subduer, will forgive his outstanding sin about which Prophet Muhammad S.A.W says, “Those who deals in interest will be in the hell.” Interest is one of the major sins according to Islam. There are many Ahadeeth and Quranic verses concerning the punishments.

• Storing and adulterating food

Someone will earn money by illegal business like storing or adulterating food for increasing the profit. Due to which, every body will effect but especially poor. As nowadays, every thing has gone up and due to the storage of items, many people are not able to take balance diet. Due to adulterating food items, health of the people has badly affected. The responsible one will perform Hajj for washing his sins, but as no body can deceive Allah, the all Determiner, therefore Allah, the Powerful, the Irresistible, will wash the one’s sins in the hell. As the Noble Prophet Muhammad says, “Those, who store food (for increasing its price), will be entered in the hell by Allah, the Almighty. About adulterating, our dearest Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) says, “Those who adulterate, are not among us (are not my followers).

So therefore, we should plan about our income first. If we eat by means of illegal earnings, if we drink and bath by illegal means, if we wear ill gotten, how will Allah, accept our worships?  Prophet Muhammad, The merciful (peace be upon him and his family) says, “That flesh and blood, which is made of ill-gotten, will not enter the heaven.”

However, I am not saying that you should not perform Hajj because you may change after offering this reforming worship. Allah, the all Forgiving; may forgive your sins if you return what you have taken and if you give away, which you have earned illegally. You should also promise Allah, the most Merciful, that you would never commit the particular sin again.

Now Hajj is coming again this year 2010 and Hajj flights starts as well from around the world. This is such an act that most of the Muslims have their wish to go to Makkah to perform Pilgrim. May Allah give reward to all the people who are going to Hajj this year. I just want to give them best wishes. May Allah also give us power to perform hajj as well.

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Advice to Pilgrims:

IslamConcepts started with an aim to educate people about Islam despite the fact that they are Muslims or Non-Muslims. So Now we are just starting a series of resources on Hajj to tell pilgrims what they should do and what are the requirements while doing hajj to make them best in what they are doing. To let them know the benefits of Pilgrim so they will perform with more motivation. To teach them basic and advance level things. As performing Hajj is not a thing that we will do it again and again. It is most commonly a one time act so try to make it as good as possible and do your best to happy your lord who gave you such an opportunity and honor that everyone should not able to.

So at the end I just want to say Mubarak to all the hajjaj who are going for Hajj 2010. Take good care of your health and also go with intention that this might be your last Hajj and you might not able to come to holy city Makkah again, might not able to see Khana Kabba, Prophet Muhammad Roza-tul Mubarak, not able to drink Zamzam water and most importantly you will not get such kind of sawab (deeds) from Almighty Allah.

Try to surf your most time in prayers of all kind in Khana Kabba. To summarize it, just do best as possible as you can.

I’ll not go in deep in this article. I’ll publish further articles in details from tomorrow and recommend all of you to read them whether you are going to perform pilgrim this year or in afterward.

Also don’t forget to leave your opinion in comment box. If you have any query let us know, our specialist will try to help you regarding any issue to make your Hajj really fruitful.

WHAT TO DO ON THE DAY OF EID

There’re many things, which are performed and teach us to do, by our Prophet on the day of Eid like;

• Everyone men or women, old or child takes shower in the morning and dressed up new/neat clothes.
• Sadqat-ul-fitr should be paid before Eid saalah (prayer).
• Eid prayer is very important to all Muslims as it is wajib.
• It’s necessary to eat something before Eid prayer; here the reason is that, the day of Eid should be different from Fast days, so to differentiate it and show it clearly that Ramadan is over and no Muslims fasts on Eid day.

Sadqaat–Ul-Fitr;

As the name indicates; Eid-ul-fitr means Eid of fitr. Fitr is referred as a sort of charity which every Muslim, who can afford has to pay, Before Eid sallah. Its an obligation that head of the family pays it according to his family members. Usually it is 1.75kgs of wheat or equivalent amount of money. This year it is 90 rupees per person in Pakistan, if you are out of Pakistan, you better consult with your Imam.

Eid Prayer;

One of the important and necessary worship at the day of Eid, is Eid Prayer. It is performed in open field or in ground. It is one of those prayers, which don’t have Adhan.

HOW TO PERFORM IT?

• This prayer is based on two rakats, with six Takbeers (Allahu Akbar), three in the start of first rakat and remaining three in the second rakat before Ruku. It is also Sunnah that one has to recite Tasbih all the way going to prayer.
• Also try to use 2 different ways for going and coming back home as Prophet Muhammad (S,A,W) said.

This Article is written by Mrs. Farukh. Happy Eid Mubarak to all of you from me. My one request from you is try to continue your Ramadan schedule (If you did that well) as this life will end and your hard work in this world will not give you any benefit in the world here after.

Laylatul-Qadr (the most valuable night) falls during the last ten odd nights of Ramadan. According to our knowledge from Ahaadith, it can be 21^st, 23^rd, 25^th, 27th, or 29^th night of Ramadan. But mostly believe that its 27th, night of Ramadan. Virtues of Laylatul-Qadar are so much that it requires thousands of words.  But Allah summarizes its power in just 5 verses. Allah revealed Surat-ul Qadar, about this, “Night of fortune”, in these words:

“In the name of Allah the beneficent, the Merciful”, we have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of power”. (Surat-ul Qadar; 1)

Reference here is made to the fact that on this special night, the Holy Quran sent down from the heaven, to the earth. In the very next verse by way of drawing and increasing our interest in the matter under discussion, a question asked:

“And what will explain to you, what the Night of power is” (surat-ul Qadar,2)

In other words, the question asked here is; Have you any knowledge as to the greatness and the great importance of this night? Than in next verse, Allah gives its answer in these words.

“The Night of power is better than a thousand months” (Surat-ul Qadar,3)

Here the greatness of this night shows, that its better than thousand nights, and if some one spends this night in prayer, then Allah rewards him as he spend thousand nights in pray ring.

“There in come down the Angels and the spirit by Allah’s permission on every errand”.(surat-ul Qadar,4)

The word “spirit” here, really needs some explanation. The vast majority of commentators are agreed that here spirit means Gabriele ( a commentator of Quran) , others believe that it refers to’ Iysaa ,who on this night comes down with angels to view the righteous deeds of this ummah. But if we come back to verses, they tell us that at this night Gabriele comes down with a group of angels and pray for mercy for every one, whom they find busy in praying.

“Peace is until the break of dawn “. (surat-ul Qadar,5)

Yes, this is very embodiment of peace, throughout its hours,  the angels recites and send blessings (salaam), upon faith full believers adoring their  Lord. And this is a night of complete safety from evil and mischief. These blessings remain throughout the night until the break of dawn and are not any specific hour.

What to do in Laylatul Qadr?

Now here question arises what to do in this night? The answer is very simple; according to my opinion; recite Holy Quran and worship and what ever one think is the best thing which he/she can present as a gift in front of his Allah. There are many other things regarding, to this night, like

• Recite suratul Qadar 7 times after isha prayer.
• Say this from inside your heart at least 100 times (- Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kulli Zam”biyon Wa Atoobu ilaiyh)
• Go for Salatul- tasbeeh, The Tasbeeh is “Subhaan Allahi Wal Hamdulillahi Wa Laa ilaha illal Laahu Wallahu Akbar”

You have to recites about 300 times in four rakat.(75 times in every rakat )

• There is also a special DUA for Laylatul Qadar is;

“Allah Huma Innaka A’fuvun Kareem‘un ,  tohibu Afu  Fa’Afu Anni Ya Gafoor‘u Ya Ghafoor’u Ya- Ghafoor’u.”  ( O-Allah! You are the forgiver and you like forgiving so forgive me , A Biggest forgiver,) reported in Tirmidhi. Note: Please pray for me and my family tonight. May Allah help all of us.

As Muslims used to build other architectural masterpieces, they also created mosques for Muslims as well. This tread is somehow remain in modern-day Muslims as well.

So without wasting time, I want you to see some of the best and beautiful Mosques around the world that shows the greatness and glory of the Muslims. Many of them are new along with centuries old Mosques.

Ohh, just another thing that I like to show you is, check 10 Best Mosques of Pakistan if you didn’t check that post few months ago.

• MASJID AL HARAM

-          AKA: Ka’aba or Khana Ka’bah

-          Location: Makka, Saudi Arabia

-          Built in: Around 2000 BC

-          Built by: Originally built by Prophet Ibrahim

-          Capacity: 8000,000 worshipers

-          Special Features & Measurements:

• surrounds Ka’aba
• Holiest place for the Muslims of the world
• Covers an area of 400800 Square meters
• It has the largest annual religious gathering in the world
• It has Hijr-e-Aswad
• It has Aab-e-Zamzam in its premises
• Height of Ka’bah is 39 feet & 6 inches.
• Italian marble used for flooring, which absorbed the heat in summer and convert it hotness into coolness and in winter it convert its coolness into hotness.

• MASJID-E-NABWI

-          Location: Medina, Saudi Arabia

-          Built in: Originally built-in 622 AD

-          Built by: Prophet Muhammad

-          Capacity: 1000,000 worshipers

-          Special Features & Measurements

• Grave of Prophet Muhammad
• 2^nd Holiest place for Muslims
• Originally it was 30 x 35 m. Today it covers 165 000 square meters
• Two prayers halls. Ottoman prayer hall projects south and the main prayer hall covers the ground floor
• Flat paved roof with 24 domes
• All the domes can slide open
• The courtyards equipped with Umbrella tents
• The walls composed of a series of windows topped by pointed arches with black and white voussoirs.
• 10 Minars, each 105 m high.
• Decorated with polychrome marble stone.

• FAISAL MASJID

-          Location: Islamabad, Pakistan

-          Built in: 1986

-          Designed by: Turkish architect, Vedat Dalokay

-          Built by: Pakistani Govt, with the help of King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz

-          Capacity: 50,000 Worshipers

-          Special Features & Measurements:

• Was the largest mosque in the world till 1993
• Turkish architectural style
• Covered area of 5,000 m²
• Third largest capacity of accommodating worshipers in its adjoining grounds after the Masjid al-Haram
• Each Minar 80m high (tallest in South asia), 10 x 100 m in diameter
• Architects from 17 countries submitted proposal for this Mosque’s construction
• Cost of building: 130 million Saudi riyal (approx. $120 million)
• Size: Building height: 131ft (40m); minaret height: 300ft.

Note: Read about my personal experience about Shah Faisal mosque when I visited in last Ramadan.

• SHEIKH ZAYED MOSQUE

-          Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

-          Year of completion: 2007

-          Capacity: 40.000 worshipers

-          Special Features & Measurements:

• Mix of Mughal, Arab & Moorish Architecture
• 4 Minars at 4 corners, each 115 m tall
• 57 Domes
• Courtyard measures 17000 square meters
• World’s Largest hand-made carpet, 5627 square meter weighs 47 tons
• Seven chandeliers, World’s largest Chandelier – 10 m in diameter, 15 m in height.

• HASSAN II MOSQUE

-          Location: Casablanca, Morocco

-          Year of completion: 1993

-          Designed by: Designed by French architect, Michel Pinseau.

-          Built by: Bouygues.

-          Capacity: 105.000 Worshipers

-          Special Features:

• Largest mosque in Morocco, Third Largest in the world
• Tallest minar – 210 m
• Almost half mosque is built on Atlantic water
• Part of the floor is glass and sea water can be seen.
• Specially designed for earthquakes.

• MASJID UBUDIAH

-          Location: Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia

-          Designed by: Arthur Benison Hubback

-          Built in Year: 1917

-          Built by: Sultan of Perak

-          Special Features:

• Most beautiful mosque of Malaysia
• Total Cost of RM 200.000, high for its times.

• MUHAMMAD ALI MOSQUE

-          Aka: Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha or Albaster Mosque

-          Location: Citadel, Cairo, Egypt

-          Built by: Commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha in memory of his eldest son

-          Built in year: Took 27 years. 1830 – 1857

-          Special Features & Measurements:

• Largest mosque built in the first half of 19^th century
• Animated silhouette and twin minarets
• Most Visible Mosque in Cairo
• Stripped walls were clad with wood painted to look like marble
• Square shaped. 41 x 41 m
• Mosque 52 m and Minarets 82 m high
• Central Dome 21 m high

• SULTAN OMAR ALI MOSQUE

-          AKA: Sultan Omar Ali Saiffudin Mosque

-          Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Sultanate of Brunei

-          Year of completion: 1958

-          Special Features:

• Most Spectacular mosque of Asia- Pacific
• Influence of Islamic and Italian Architecture
• Constructed on artificial lagoon
• Marble minarets and Golden Domes
• Floral Gardens
• A long bridge over the lagoon leading to the entrance
• Another bridge connects to a structure in water resembling a ship
• Main Dome covered with pure Gold
• 52 m high, the mosque can be seen from almost everywhere in the city
• Minerates have working elevators

• SULTAN QABOOS MOSQUE

-          Location: Oman

-          Year of completion: 2001

-          Built by: Sultan Qaboos

-          Capacity: 20 000 Worshipers

-          Special Features & Measurements:

• Built with 300 000 tons of Indian sandstone
• Main Prayer Hall is square – 74.4 x 74.4 m
• Central Dome 50 m
• Main minar 90 m high
• Four other minars 45.5 m high
• World’s Second largest hand made carpet – 4343 square meters
• World’s second largest Chandelier – 14 m high

• SULTAN AHMAD MOSQUE

-          AKA: The Blue Mosque

-          Location: Istanbul, Turkey

-          Built in: 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I

-          Special Features:

• Lined with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles
• The upper levels of the interior are dominated by blue paint
• More than 200 stained glass windows with intricate designs admit natural light
• On the chandeliers, ostrich eggs are found that were meant to avoid cobwebs inside the mosque by repelling spiders
• The decorations include verses from the Qur’an, many of them made by Seyyid Kasim Gubari

• SULTAN HASSAN MOSQUE

-          Location: Cairo Egypt

-          Completed in: 1363

-          Built by: Sultan Hassan bin Al Nasir

-          Special Features & Measurements:

• Most compact and unified monument of Cairo
• A masterpiece of  Mamluk Architecture
• Facade is 76 meters long and 36 meters high
• Verses from the Quran in elegant Kufic and Thuluth scripts

• QOLSHARIF MOSQUE

-          Location: Kazan Kremlin

-          Built in: 16^th Century originally, Rebuilt and completed in 2005

-          Special Features:

• Second largest mosque in Europe
• Traditional Volga Bulgaria Architecture
• 8 minarets and central cupola
• Was rebuilt with the donations of several Muslim countries (Saudia Arabia & UAE)
• Most important symbols of Tatar aspiration to independence

• EL MURSI ABUL ABBAS MOSQUE

-          Location: Alexandria, Egypt

-          Built in: 1775

-          Design: Ayoubids design

-          Special Features & Special Features:

• Walls of the mosque stand 23 meters high and dressed in artificial stone
• Minarets are 73 m high
• Ayoubids design, with four floors.
• Ground floor is 15 m high and square shaped.
• First floor is 8 m high and is octagonal.
• Second floor is 15 m high and it is hexadecagonin shape (16 sides).
• The top floor is 3.2 meters high and is circular.

• BADSHAHI MOSQUE

-          Location: Lahore, Pakistan

-          Built in: 1673

-          Built by: Emperor Aurangzeb

-          Capacity: 110.000 Worshipers

-          Special Features & Measurements

• Was the largest mosque in the world for 313 years
• The four minarets of the Badshahi Mosque are 13.9 ft (4.2 m) taller than those of the Taj Mahal and the main platform of the Taj Mahal can fit inside the 278,784 sq ft (25,899.9 m²) courtyard of the Badshahi Mosque, which is the largest mosque courtyard in the world.
• On the occasion of the second Islamic Summit held at Lahore February 22, 1974, thirty-nine heads of Muslim states offered their Friday prayers in the Badshahi Masjid
• A small museum is also attached to the mosque complex. It contains relics of the Prophet Muhammad, his cousin Ali, and his daughter, Fatimah.

• ZAHIR MOSQUE

-          Location: Alor Satar, Malaysia

-          Built in: 1912

-          Built by: TM Tunku Mahmud Ibni Almarhum Sultan Tajuddin Mukarram Shah

-          Special Features & Measurements:

• The site of this mosque was the cemetery of Kedah warriors who had died while defending Kedah from the Siamese in 1821
• Architecture was inspired by Azizi mosque
• 5 large prime domes symbolizing the five pillars of islam
• Covers 11558.3 square meters
• Central Prayer hall is 62 x 62 feet
• One of the oldest mosques in Malaysia
• Was in the list of 10 most beautiful mosques in the world.

• SABANCI MOSQUE

-          Location: Adana, Turkey

-          Built in: 1998

-          Built by: Turkish Religious Foundation and Sabanci Foundation

-          Capacity: 28500 Worshipers

-          Special Features & Measurements:

• Largest Mosque in Turkey
• Exterior of the mosque is similar to Sultan Ahmed Mosque and interior is similar to Selimiye Mosque
• Built over 52600 Square meters
• It has 6 minars, 4 are 99m high while 2 are 75 m high and 8 pillars which carry the central dome
• The central dome is 32 m in diameter and 54 m high
• 4 classrooms, 10 itikaf rooms, rooms of imam and muezzin, discussion rooms and the fountain.

• AL FATEH GRAND MOSQUE

-          AKA: Al- Fateh Islamic Center or Al-Fateh Grand Mosque

-          Year of completion: 1988

-          Built by: Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa

-          Location: Bahrain next to King Faisal Highway Jaffair

-          Capacity: 7000 Worshipers

-          Special Features: Fiber Glass Dome, weighing over 60,000 Kg. World’s largest fiber glass dome.

• ISFAHAN MOSQUE

-          AKA: The Imam Khomeini Mosque

-          Foundation Stone: laid in 1611

-          Location: Isfahan, Iran

-          Built by: was built during Safavids period.

-          Measurements and Features:

• Port – 27 m high
• Two minars – 42 m tall
• Surrounded by 4 iwans and arcades
• Largest Dome in the city. 52 m high. The dome is double layered.

• MASJID TOOBA

-          AKA: Goal Masjid (due to its round shape)

-          Location: Karachi, Pakistan

-          Built in: 1969

-          Capacity: Central Prayer hall capacity – 5000 worshipers

-          Special Features & Measurements:

• Largest single dome mosque in the world
• Built with pure white marble
• The dome is 72 m in diameter
• Dome is balanced on a low wall and no pillars are found
• Single minaret 72 m high
• Use of Acoustic design so that there is no need for speakers

• GOLDEN MOSQUE, Manila

-          AKA: Masjid Al-Dahab

-          Year of completion: 1976

-         Location: Quiapo district in Manila, Largest mosque in Manila

-          Special Features: Golden Domes and minars.

• SULTAN MOSQUE

-          AKA: Masjid-e-Sultan

-          Location: Singapore

-          Built in: Original Mosque completed in 1826

-          Rebuilt: It was rebuilt and renovated and the work completed in 1928

• KRISTAL MOSQUE

-          AKA: Crystal Mosque

-          Location: Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

-          Built in: 2008

That’s it Friends!

Now waiting for your comments, what you think about these beautiful Mosques of the world, which you already visited, what about your experience there, Which one you most like and have desire to go there.

Share your interesting thoughts with me and all the order readers.

Why not write anything from last 2 months:

First of all, I want to say sorry to all of my readers that I couldn’t write anything on my blog from almost 2 months. Actually I was really busy in other works and when I got the time to write another big blow happened, my Grandpa died on 9th December 2009. If you are my twitter follower @Islamconcepts, you may read about it. So I was in village for many days.  Everyone please pray for him.

Who was my Grandpa:

Mr. Walayat Khan Exact date of birth was un-known but he was born in Akhnoor. A small town in district Jammu & Kashmir. He spent his childhood there, even married there as well.

When he was in 8th standard, he joined Army. He fought 2nd World War against Germans, as British was the ruler of Sub-continent that time. He fought in Africa. When Pakistan appears on map of the world, he was already posted in Quetta, Pakistan. Like all others, he also agree with that when they move to Pakistan (when Pakistan built in 1947), it’s totally a different life for them. Every thing changed.

Anyhow, he also fought 1958, 1965 wars that Pakistan won from India. He was not in 1971 they we lose.

He was truly the power and symbol of our family. His opinion in any matter was final. You know how hard for anybody to be a head of the family, where everyone feel your presence and respect your decisions when you getting older. but he manage that respect and identity so well not only in family but also in whole town. People called him with name “Paa-G” means elder brother in Urdu.

When we were in Nimaz-e-Jinazza. The Imam told us that he was the oldest worshiper in whole town. He also said that he was the one who hold my arm and tell others that from now, he will be our mosque Imam around 25 years back and from now with Allah’s grace, I’m here to serve.

Mr. Walayat Khan was such a social personality, he used to solve others problems, was so fit in his last years, memory was so sharp even remember a tiny thing at the age 95.

Such a nice person ends with such a nice death. Was in hospital for 8 days after had an injury in head. His absence is really feeling. Please pray for him as he did lot for me and my family. Such a moral character is not between us. May Allah rest him in peace and guide all of us to become a man like him.

What is Mecca?

Actually Mecca also written as Makkah situated in Saudi Arabia and one of the holiest city in religion Islam. Name Kabah comes from the Arabic word meaning ‘cube’, it refers to the cube-shaped stone inside the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. The word “Mecca” is so popular that it is also added in English dictionary meaning something that is most important. Holy city laid near the coast of the Red Sea. and it has total population of 1,290,000.

Mecca History:

According to Islamic tradition, Mecca history was goes back to Prophet Abraham who built the Kaaba with His son, Prophet Ishmael in around 2000 BCE. Mecca is the place that links to many of the Prophets that Almighty Allah sent to us. So it is in news and history books from long time.

At first Masjid al-Haram constructed by Prophet Abraham which stands upright bearing evidence of various events which took place. The Holy Quran says that Mecca was attacked by the Ethiopians in the year when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) born.

Mecca in the ancient era was a major trade hub. There were Idols everywhere before Islam arrived. If we say that Prophet Muhammad open His eyes in Idol world, then it is not wrong. before emergence of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the city was under the rule of Banu-Quraish.

Why Mecca Important For Muslims:

As we talked earlier that it is a busy place and in history from thousands of years. But why Mecca is important for Muslims. Actually the thing is Islam started it’s ground level there. Mecca was the birthplace of Muslim’s last messenger Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He spent his earlier 40 years there. Then He went to Madina and after building authority, He came back as a victories and live rest of His life in Mecca as well.

Secondly, Holy Kaaba also present in Masjid al-Haram which present in Mecca. Millions of Muslim visited Masjid al-Haram to perform Hajj. It is also the world largest unity place for people, where millions of people gather from all races, community, countries without any difference and pray to their God. Every Muslim must need to perform Hajj at least once in life. So Mecca is every important.

There are many other things that are also rememberable for Muslims such as many Prophet Muhammad’s companions also buried in Mecca. Many Mosques that built with Prophet Muhammad hands. The Zamzam Well, the holy well which sprung into existence with Prophet Ishmael heels when He was rubbing them with thrust. It was also in Mecca, just next to Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram. There are also many other things that is why Mecca is important and so holiest for Muslims.

As mentioned earlier, kaaba built by Prophet Abraham. There is a large black stone inside it. Confirmed by Muslims/Christian historian that Angel Gabriel gave this to Prophet Abraham at Allah’s will. It is the focal point for worship during daily prayers, it unifies all Muslims, direction of every Muslims during prayers is towards Kaaba known as Qibla.

Hopefully you understand what is Mecca and it’s importance for Muslims. Write below if you still have any question or comment for me.

In these days, I saw a very informative historic Islamic documentary known as “When the Muslims Ruled Europe.” It was the legendary documentary presented by the very famous English historian Bettany Hughes. Hughes did a very fine job in researching the Islamic history that somehow missing from the history papers. She really gathered very solid proves for Non-Muslims to understand the real Islam and for Muslims too to let them know about their ancestors and their achievements.

Headlines About Moors:

Moors (people who ruled Europe) was the most richest, most educated, civilized and powerful in the world. They enter in Europe when Europe was in dark ages. Moors are the one who gave progress and knowledge to Europe. They ruled Europe almost 700 years from 700 AD to 1400th century.

Although Christians burnt almost everything when they conquer Spain, but still their Keepsakes present such as the Cordoba Mosque and so much others.

It’s Documentary Time:

Here is a complete documentary for you. Please let me know your opinions on this movie. When the Muslims Ruled Europe.

Back to topic, Today we will discuss Islamic prospective on beard, how long beard will be, any recommended style, trimming is allowed or not and some other important points.

According to Islamic scholars, Beard is considered as Wajib (Mandatory) to Muslims. It is known as beauty of a Muslim. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Verily, Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty”. Allah Almighty only choose best and beautiful things for us. So we should need to obey His orders, as He knows better than anybody.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Beard is the one that distinguish you as a Muslim with Non-believers. So it is a sign of righteous people.

How Long Beard Will Be:

Some people have misunderstanding in this part but Islam said really clear things on length of beard. Muslim beard should need atleast one hand, greater the better. Here are some very clear proofs on beard length.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says: “Trim closely the moustache, and let the beard flow (Grow).” – Narrated Ibn Umar (R.A.) in Muslim Shareef, Hadith # 498. Same thing said in Hadith # 499, 500, 501, 449.

Tirmidhi narrated that Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A) used to cut the beard which was exceeded then his hand grip.

Also all the four Imam of Islam agreed on this point that beard length should not less than one hand. So if your beard is less than one hand, it is considered as Makrooh-e-Tehrimi (close to haram).

Shave Is Haram In Islam:

Let be clear, shaving is totally haram in Islam without any doubt. Check this Hadith as a clear evidence, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Anyone who shaves has no claim to the mercy of Allah” – Reported by Ibn Abbas (R.A.) in Tibrabi. According to Scholars, “To shave off the beard is unlawful (Haram) and one who shaves his beard is legally speaking an unrighteous fellow (FASIQ); hence, it is not permissible to appoint such a man as an Imam. To say Taraweeh behind such an Imam is Makrooh-e-Tehrimi (near prohibition)” (Shami Vol.1, p.523).

I think it is very clear that shaving is haram in Islam without any doubt.

Trimming Is Allowed or Not:

If your beard is more than one hand then you can trim it. But it should not less than one hand. “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ordered us to trim the moustache closely and spare the beard” says Ibn Umar. – Muslim Shareef, Hadith no. 449.
“Hazrat Jaabir (R.A.) said: “We used to grow long beards and only during Hajj and Umrah did we trim them to the required length (i.e. fist length).”

As I previously said, beard known as male beauty in Islam. So you can trim to get a better shape. Beard should not let grow in a way that makes a person look disgusting to people. In other words, the Muslim should make sure that his beard adds to his smartness and looks cool. But (again saying) what ever you do, it should not cut it down to less than one hand.

Misconceptions Among Muslims on Beard:

These days people are getting more and more westernized especially the youth. They follow their latest styles. But it is not good for us and Islam teachings is totally different from that.

Another thing is while argument, people agreed that beard is Wajib, but length of beard is not mentioned in any hadith, Hence, if you have bit of hair on your face, it would be fine, because it is also called as a beard – This is totally wrong.

Hopefully above proves are more than enough for any person who have any misconceptions on beard. You can read more in details about Misconceptions on beard.

Why I’m in French Cut Below:

This is interesting, you can think that I’m saying these things but in below picture, I’m in French cut so what I’m doing. Actually you are right. But the fact is I’m only 19 years of age and my beard is still not completed. It is only on chin area. So it is my natural look not custom-made. When it will complete, I’ll surely grow it according to teachings of Islam.