Meditasi

Uji energi Psychotronica

2020-09-19T09:02:00.004-07:00

Uji energi Psychotronica

Meditasi power Psychotronica

2020-09-19T09:00:00.004-07:00

Meditasi power Psychotronica

Kisah Sedekah Abdurahman bin auf

2014-12-31T04:54:00.001-08:00

Salah satu sifat mulia dan disukai Allah adalah sedekah. Memberikan sebagian harta ataupun apa yang kita punya untuk orang lain. Rasulullah SAW banyak memiliki sahabat yang pemurah. Salah satunya adalah Abdurrahman bin Auf. Dia terkenal dengan kedermawannya sehingga Rasulullah menyebutnya kelak sebagai ahli surga. Salah satu kisah sedkahnya yang legendaris.

Pada suatu hari, saat kota Madinah sunyi senyap,debu tebal berwarna kekuningan mengepul dan mendekat dari berbagai penjuru kota mendekati pintu-pintu kota Madinah. Orang menyangka badai pasir tengah datang tengah datang. Tapi ternyata debu berasal dari kafilah dagang yang sangat yang sangat besar berupa 700 ekor unta penuh muatan memadati jalanan Madinah.

Orang-orang segera keluar melihat pemandangan yang menakjubkan itu. Ini adalah kafilah milik Abdurrahman bin Auf ra yang baru saja datang dari syam membawa barang dagangan miliknya.

Mendengar kedatangan kafilah Abdurrahman bin Auf itu, Aisyah ra menggeleng-gelengkan kepala, dan berkata,” Aku pernah mendengar Rasulullah bersabda,’ Aku bermimpi melihat Abdurrahman bin Auf masuk surga dengan merangkak’.” (Al-Kanz, no. 33500)

Sebagian sahabat menyampaikan berita ini kepada Abdurrahman bin Auf. Mendengar itu, Ia teringat perkataan Rasulullah yang pernah berkata,” Wahai Abdurrahman bin Auf, sesungguhnya kamu termasuk kaum yang kaya raya dan kamu akan masuk ke surga dengan merangkak. Oleh karena itu pinjamkanlah sesuatu pinjaman kepada Allah sehingga membebaskan kedua telapak kakimu.” (HR. Al-Hakim,3/311 dan Al-Hiyan, 1/99)

Abdurrahman bin Auf pun pergi kerumah Aisyah ra dan berkata,” Sungguh engkau telah menyebutkan suatu hadits yang tak akan pernah aku lupakan. Aku bersaksi bahwa kafilah ini berikut muatan dan pelananya aku Infakkan di jalan Allah.” Muatan itu dibagi-bagikan kepada penduduk Madinah dan sekitarnya.

Dilain waktu, Abdurrahman bin Auf ra menjual tanah seharga 40.000 dinar, kemudian membagikan semuanya kepada Bani Zahrah, untuk istri Rasulullah, dan kaum fakir dikalangan kaum muslimin. Suatu hari dia memberikan untuk pasukan kaum muslimin sebanyak 500 kuda.

Pada hari yang lain memberikan sebanyak 1500 unta. Ketika meninggal, ia mewasiatkan sebanyak 50.000 dinar dijalan Allah. Ia mewasiatkan untuk masing-masing orang yang masih hidup dari perang Badar adalah 400 dinar. Bahkan sahabat Usman bin Affan pun mengambil bagiannya dari wasiat tersebut seraya berkata,” Harta Abdurrahman adalah bersih dan halal, menikamti harta tersebut mejadi kesembuhan dan keberkahan.”

Saat menjelang ajalnya, Allah menurunkan ketenteraman-Nya pada Abdurrahman sehingga wajahnya berbinar-binar dengan cahaya. Seloah ia mendengar sesuatu yang menyejukkan dan dekat dengannya. Seperti ia mendengar suara sabda Rasullullah masa lalu,” Abdurrahman bi Auf masuk surga.”

Ia seakan mendengar janji Allah dalam Al-Qur’an surat Al-Baqarah ayat ayat 262 yaitu bagi yang memberikan harta dijalan Allah tidak akan bersedih, karena memperoleh pahala di sisi-Nya.

*berbagai sumber

No Smoking, Please !!!

2014-12-30T00:58:00.001-08:00

Tidak diragukan lagi bahwa bahaya rokok semakin besar hingga sampai pada taraf mengancam kehancuran sebuah bangsa.

Mengingat besarnya kampanye anti rokok di barat, maka banyak perusahaan-perusahaan produsen rokok mengarahkan pemasarannya ke negara-negara berkembang yang mengkonsumsi rokok lebih dari 52 % dari seluruh produk rokok di dunia ini.•

Badan Kesehatan Dunia (WHO) melaporkan bahwa tingkat kematian yang diakibatkan karena mengkonsumsi rokok mencapai 2,5 juta orang pertahun.

Sementara itu jumlah korban untuk kasus yang sama di Amerika Serikat tahun 1987 mencapai 350.000 orang, sedangkan di Inggris pada tahun 1997 mencapai 100.000 orang.••

Jumlah korban dan penderita penyakit yang diakibatkan dari mengkonsumsi rokok kian hari kian bertambah. Lebih parah lagi adanya data yang menyebutkan bahwa 30% sampai 40% dari mereka sudah mulai kecanduan pada usia dibawah lima belas tahun.

Dalam buku yang kecil ini kami berusaha untuk menyampaikan pandangan tentang bahaya tersebut dan sikap syariat kita serta metode untuk menghindarinya.

TEMBAKAU

Dia adalah sejenis tumbuhan dari bangsa Terong, memiliki batang berwarna gelap dan berbentuk silinder, daunnya berbentuk lonjong besar dan agak lengket, berbau tak sedap dan menyengat, didalamnya terkandung berbagai unsure kimia, diantaranya: Nikotin, Baridin, Potas , Nikotianin , Kolilidin, Edrogen, Karbon Oksida, Asam Prosik, Semuanya merupakan racun yang membahayakan.( )

Kilas Sejarah

Tembakau berasal dari benua Amerika, hingga sekarang belum diketahui pasti kapan penduduk benua itu mulai mengkonsumsi tembakau. Disebagian penggalian arkeologi di Amerika ditemukan pipa rokok keramik yang menunjukkan tahun sekitar 600 sebelum Masehi.

Ketika Christopper Colombus bersama orang dari Spanyol tiba pertama kali di Amerika Tengah sebagai penemu benua baru tahun 1492 M, mereka sudah mengenal rokok, maka setelah itu menyebarlah rokok di benua Eropa.( )

Ada yang mengatakan bahwa kalimat tembakau berasal dari kata “Tobago” yang berarti pipa rokok dalam bahasa Indian, ada juga yang mengatakan bahwa “Tobago” adalah nama sebuah pulau di teluk Mexiko yang padanya terdapat tembakau dan kemudian dibawa ke Spanyol.

Berbagai Macam Cara Merokok.

1. Cara keretek/cerutu

2. Menggunakan pipa (cangklong)

3. Syisyah (menggunakan pipa panjang)

4. Dikunyah (kunyahan yang mengandung nikotin)

5. Dihirup.

6. Dicium (menggunakan campuran sejenis abu dan tembakau)

Rokok mengandung sekian banyak zat kimia yang mengakibatkan banyak penyakit, akan kami sebutkan disini beberapa yang penting saja:

* Nikotin: Merupakan zat kimia beracun, memiliki susunan seperti alkali. Unsur inilah yang paling banyak pengaruhnya bagi para perokok (60 gram dari unsur ini, seandainya diberikan sekaligus kepada manusia lewat suntikan diurat nadinya, sudah cukup untuk mematikannya dalam beberapa saat)

* Tar: Benda yang lengket sejenis cat, biasa digunakan untuk pengaspalan jalan, Tar ini berguna untuk menyalakan tembakau akan tetapi dapat mengakibatkan penyumbatan pada saluran pernapasan.

* Karbon Monoksida dan Karbon Dioksida: yang dihasilkan dari proses pembakaran tembakau dan kertas pembungkus rokok, zat ini sangat berbahaya bagi kesehatan .( )

* Zat Methanol

* Baridin

* Nitrogen Oksida

* Gas Amoniak Kaustik

Motivasi Merokok

Universitas Southampton di Inggris telah mengadakan sebuah kajian tentang sebab-sebab orang merokok, hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa seseorang menjadi perokok secara umum memiliki motivas-motivasi seperti berikut diantaranya:

1. Mengurangi ketegangan syaraf dan menghilangkan rasa lelah.

2. Mengendorkan persendian dan mendapatkan kelegaan setelah merokok.

3. Merokok untuk menyendiri, sebagian orang akan merasakan kenikmatan merokok seorang diri yang jauh dari pandangan orang lain.

4. Merokok setelah atau sambil beraktifitas, seperti merokok setelah makan, atau setelah minum kopi atau teh.

5. Merokok sebagai pengganti makanan, karena merokok dapat mengurangi nafsu makan sehingga konsumsi makanannya berkurang.

6. Merokok sebagai sikap sosial, yaitu jika berkumpul bersama temam-teman, terlebih lagi jika dalam sebuah acara tertentu.

7. Merokok untuk menumbuhkan rasa percaya diri. Ada orang-orang yang apabila ditimpa kegundahan, kesempitan atau rasa cemas dalam satu masalah segera menyalakan rokok untuk menghindarinya.

Dan berdasarkan penelitian di Universitas King Sa’ud (Saudi Arabia), menyebutkan beberapa sebab yang mendorong seseorang untuk merokok, diantaranya:

1. Anak yang mencontoh perbuatan bapaknya yang merokok dan tidak adanya larangan dari orang tuanya.

2. Bergaul bersama para perokok, khususnya pada usia menjelang dewasa.

3. Ingin menampilkan kejantanannya pada usia muda.

4. Rasa gelisah dan gundah yang diiringi dengan kekosongan rohani ditambah waktu luang yang menjadikan seseorang ingin lari darinya dengan berbagai macam cara.

5. Tidak adanya pemahaman yang cukup tentang bahaya rokok.

6. Lemahnya dorongan keimanan dalam hati sehingga membuat seseorang tidak memperdulikan apa yang akan menimpa dirinya.

BERBAGAI MACAM PENYAKIT

AKIBAT MEROKOK

Merokok dapat menyebabkan berbagai macam penyakit yang mengakibatkan kematian. Dapat kita klasifikasikan berdasarkan organ tubuh yang terkena penyakit:

 Penyakit yang menyerang hati dan organ sirkulasi:

Penyakit-penyakit ini secara mendasar berkaitan langsung akibat mengkonsumsi rokok:

1. Penyempitan pembuluh darah koroner (nyeri pada dada yang sangat parah), penggumpalan hati dan bisa menyebabkan kematian mendadak.

2. Pembekuan pembuluh darah pada otak

3. Gangguan sirkulasi darah pada anggota tubuh yang mengakibatkan pembekuan serta amputasi pada betis atau Gargarina.

 Penyakit-penyakit pada organ pernapasan:

Penyakit ini juga berkaitan secara langsung akibat mengkonsumsi rokok:

1. Kanker Paru-Paru.

2. Kanker Tenggorokan.

3. Radang Rongga Tenggorokan yang akut.

4. Radang Rongga Hidung dan alergi pada hidung.

5. Asma dan berbagai macam bentuk alergi.

 Penyakit-Penyakit Kejiwaan.

1. Kesedihan kejiwaan.

2. Kegamangan kejiwaan.

3. Tempramen yang labil.

4. Gangguan tidur.

5. Lemahnya selera.

6. Rasa cemas dan emosional.

Berikut data statistik yang dilakukan di Inggris tentang tingkat kematian pertahun perseratus ribu orang penduduk serta penyebabnya dan cara penggunaan rokok* :

Berikut data statistik dari penelitian yang dilakukan di Amerika tentang tingkat kematian pertahun yang diakibatkan oleh penyakit yang disebabkan merokok pada mereka yang berusia diatas dua puluh tahun*:

Penyakit Laki-laki Wanita

Meninggal

keseluruhan Meninggal

karena

merokok Meninggal

keseluruhan Meninggal

karena

merokok

Kanker bibir,mulut & tekak 5754 3958 2689 1110

Kanker saluran makanan 6310 1717 1345 1257

Kanker perut 7368 1455 5772 1469

Kanker Pankreas 11513 3459 11634 1653

Kanker tenggorokan 2959 2385 664 247

Kanker paru-paru, saluran pernapasan & tenggorokan 82459 65659 36227 17170

Kanker kandung kemih 6597 2447 3114 853

Kanker ginjal 5424 1319 3403 304

Tekanan darah tinggi 13464 2099 17855 2645

Sakit jantung 78340 22362 27000 4892

Pengerasan pembuluh darah 9235 2200 15216 4797

Radang paru-paru dan Influenza 28774 5986 28935 2679

Radang saluran pernapasan yang akut dan Infezima 10708 9097 5517 3831

Tersumbatnya saluran pernafasan yang akut 31240 26541 26525 11545

• Sumber : Jabir bin Salim Musa, Al-Mukhoddirot …, hal 13

 Penyakit-penyakit yang menimpa organ pencernaan:

Perokok dengan segala macam caranya akan mengalami hal berikut:

1. Radang Mulut, bibir, lidah dan rahang serta Radang gigi, gusi dan pecahnya email (lapisan gigi).

2. Kanker mulut, bibir, lidah, rahang dan gusi.

3. Kanker Tekak.

4. Kanker Saluran Makanan.

5. Kanker Pankreas.

6. Radang saluran pernapasan dan Tekak.

7. Radang dan luka pada lambung dan usus dua belas jari.

 Penyakit yang menimpa mata:

1. Radang selaput ikat mata.

2. Radang selaput pelangi mata.

3. Bertambahnya alergi pada mata.

4. Melebarnya pupil mata akibat pengaruh nikotin dan cahaya yang rusak.

5. Radang saraf dan terhentinya pertumbuhan pada mata yang dapat mengakibatkan rabun mata .

 Penyakit yang menimpa sistim saluran air kencing:

1. Tumor jinak pada kandung kemih.

2. Kanker pada kandung kemih (penyakit ini kian bertambah jika seseorang mengidap Billharsia).

3. Kanker Ginjal.

 Bahaya merokok pada kehidupan seksual:

Merokok berdampak buruk terhadap sperma, terutama bagi mereka yang mengalami lemah sperma, dapat mengakibatkan kemandulan dan dapat mengakibatkan kelemahan seksual bagi perokok berat.

 Wanita dan Rokok

Wanita perokok juga berpotensi sama mengidap penyakit yang telah disebutkan terdahulu, disamping itu mereka juga akan mengidap penyakit yang khusus terhadap wanita:

1. Berpeluang besar terkena kanker leher rahim.

2. Sering mengalami keguguran

3. berkurangnya timbangan bayi yang dilahirkan.

4. Berpeluangnya kematian bayi dan keguguran.

 Anak-anak dan Bahaya rokok.

Anak-anak yang menjadi perokok pasif (tidak merokok, tapi dekat/menghirup asap orang yang merokok) karena kedua orang tuanya atau salah satunya merokok akan mendatangkan beberapa penyakit terhadap mereka, diantaranya:

1. Berpeluang besar terkena radang paru-paru, khususnya bagi bayi yang menyusui.

2. Berpeluang terkena alergi pada organ pernapasan (hidung, rongga hidung, saluran udara)

3. Lambatnya petumbuhan fisik dan otak jika dibandingkan dengan anak-anak yang kedua orang tuanya tidak merokok.

Adapun anak-anak yang sudah merokok, maka kemungkinan mereka terkena penyakit diatas menjadi dua kali lipat.

SIKAP ISLAM

TERHADAP ROKOK

Sesungguhnya Allah ta’ala mengutus nabi Muhammad dengan petunjuk-Nya dan agama yang hak, untuk mengeluarkan manusia dari kegelapan kepada cahaya dan membersihkan serta mensucikan hati mereka dari kotoran kekufuran dan kefasikan dan membebaskan mereka dari belenggu penghambaan kepada selain Allah ta’ala.

Dia (Rasulullah  membersihkan manusia dari kesyirikan dan kehinaan kepada selain Allah dan memerintahkannya untuk beribadah hanya kepada Allah semata dengan merendahkan diri dan mencintai-Nya dan meminta serta memohon kepada-Nya dengan penuh harap dan takut. Dia juga mensucikan manusia dari setiap kebusukan maksiat dan perbuatan dosa, maka dia melarang manusia atas setiap perbuatan keji dan buruk yang dapat merusak hati seorang hamba dan mematikan cahayanya dan agar menghiasinya dengan akhlak mulia dan budi perkerti luhur serta pergaulan yang baik untuk membentuk pribadi muslim yang sempurna. Maka dari itu dia menghalalkan setiap sesuatu yang baik dan mengharamkan setiap yang keji, baik makanan, minuman, pakaian, pernikahan dan lainnya.

Termasuk yang diharamkan karena dapat menghilangkan kesucian adalah merokok, karena berbahaya bagi fisik dan mengdatangkan bau yang tidak sedap, sedangkan Islam adalah (agama) yang baik, tidak memerintahkan kecuali yang baik. Seyogyanya bagi seorang muslim untuk menjadi orang yang baik, karena sesuatu yang baik hanya layak untuk orang yang baik, dan Allah ta’ala adalah Maha Baik tidak menerima kecuali yang baik.

Berikut akan kami kemukakan beberapa fatwa dari para ulama terkemuka tentang hukum rokok :

 “Merokok hukumnya haram, begitu juga memperdagangkannya. Karena didalamnya terdapat sesuatu yang membahayakan, telah diriwayatkan dalam sebuah hadits :

 لاَ ضَرَرَ وَلاَ ضِرَارَ  أخرجه الإمام أحمد في المسند ومالك في الموطأ وابن ماجة

“ Tidak (boleh melakukan/menggunakan sesuatu yang) berbahaya atau membahayakan” (Riwayat Ahmad dalam Musnadnya, Malik dan Atturmuzi)

Demikian juga (rokok diharamkan) karena termasuk sesuatu yang buruk (khabaits), sedangkan Allah ta’ala ketika menerangkan sifat nabi-Nya  berfirman: “dia menghalalkan bagi mereka yang baik dan mengharamkan yang buruk“ (al A’raf : 175)

Panitia Tetap Lembaga Riset Ilmiah dan Fatwa Kerajaan Saudi Arabia.

Ketua: Abdul Aziz bin Baz

Wakil Ketua: Abdurrazzak Afifi.

Anggota: Abdullah bin Ghudayyan –

Abdullah bin Quud.

 “Merokok diharamkan, begitu juga halnya dengan Syisyah, dalilnya adalah firman Allah ta’ala: “Jangan kalian bunuh diri kalian sendiri, sesungguhnya Allah maha penyayang terhadap diri kalian “ (An-Nisa : 29)

“ Jangan kalian lemparkan diri kalian dalam kehancuran” (Al-Baqarah : 195)

Dunia kedokteran telah membuktikan bahwa mengkonsumsi barang ini dapat membahayakan, jika membahayakan maka hukumnya haram. Dalil lainnya adalah firman Allah ta’ala:

 وَلاَ تُؤْتُوا السُّفَهَاءَ أَمْوَالَكُمْ الَّتِى جَعَلَ اللهُ لَكُمْ قِيَامًا  النساء : 5

“ Dan janganlah kamu serahkan kepada orang-orang yang belum sempurna akalnya, harta (mereka yang ada dalam kekuasaanmu) yang dijadikan Allah sebagai pokok kehidupan..” (An Nisa:5)

Kita dilarang menyerahkan harta kita kepada mereka yang tidak sempurna akalnya karena pemborosan yang mereka lakukan. Tidak diragukan lagi bahwa mengeluarkan harta untuk membeli rokok atau syisyah merupakan pemborosan dan merusak bagi dirinya, maka berdasarkan ayat ini hal tersebut dilarang.

Sunnah Rasulullah juga menunjukkan pelarangan terhadap pengeluaran harta yang sia-sia, dan mengeluarkan harta untuk hal ini (rokok dan syisyah) termasuk menyia-nyiakan harta. Rasulullah  bersabda:

 لاَ ضَرَرَ وَلاَ ضِرَارَ 

Syekh Muhammad bin Sholeh bin ‘Utsaimin

Anggota Lembaga Majlis Ulama Kerajaan Saudi Arabia

 “Telah dikeluarkan sebuah fatwa dengan nomor: 1407, tanggal 9/11/1396H, dari Panitia Tetap Lembaga Riset Ilmiah dan Fatwa di Riyadh, sebagai berikut:

“Tidak dihalalkan memperdagangkan rokok dan segala sesuatu yang diharamkam karena dia termasuk sesuatu yang buruk dan mendatangkan bahaya pada tubuh, rohani dan harta. Jika seseorang hendak mengeluarkan hartanya untuk pergi haji atau menginfakkannya pada jalan kebaikan, maka dia harus berusaha membersihkan hartanya untuk dia keluarkan untuk beribadah haji atau diinfakkan kepada jalan kebaikan, berdasarkan umumnya firman Allah ta’ala:

 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوا أَنْفِقُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا كَسَبْتُمِ وَمِمَّا أَخْرَجْنَا لَكُمْ مِنَ اْلأَرْضِ وَلاَ تَيَمَّمُوا الْخَبِيْثَ مِنْهُ تُنْفِقُوْنَ وَلَسْتُمْ بِآخِذِيْهِ إِلاَّ أَنْ تُغْمِضُوا فِيْهِ  (ألبقرة:267)

“ Hai orang-orang yang beriman, nafkahkanlah (dijalan Allah) sebagian dari hasil usahamu yang baik-baik dan sebagian dari apa yang kami keluarkan untuk kamu. Dan janganlah kamu memilih yang buruk-buruk lalu kamu nafkahkan daripadanya, padahal kamu sendiri tidak mau mengambilnya melainkan dengan memicingkan mata darinya “ (Al Baqarah: 267)

Rasulullah  berasabda:

“ Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Baik, tidak akan menerima kecuali yang baik “ (al Hadits)

وبالله التوفيق وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وآله وصحبه وسلم.

KEUNTUNGAN MENINGGALKAN ROKOK

1. Kecil kemungkinan menderita pembekuan pembuluh darah.

2. Kecil kemungkinan menderita pembekuan hati.

3. Kecil kemungkinan menderita kanker paru-paru dan kandung kemih.

4. Memperbaiki pernafasan dan saluran darah, serta meningkatkan kemampuan bergerak dan kelenturan tubuh.

5. Meningkatkan kekebalan tubuh yang dapat menangkal berbagai macam alergi dan penyakit pencernaan.

6. Memperbaiki aroma dan kecukupan materi.

7. Terwujudnya udara rumah yang bersih yang dapat melindungi anak-anak dari berbagai penyakit.

BAGAIMANA CARA MENGHINDARI ROKOK ?

Ada beberapa cara yang dapat dilakukan untuk menghindari kebiasaan buruk yang telah menggerogoti tubuh masyarakat dan menggiring mereka kepada kehancuran.

Kami sebutkan beberapa yang paling penting diantaranya:

1. Berdoa.

* Allah ta’ala berfirman:

” Berdoalah kepadaKu niscaya akan Aku kabulkan “ (Ghafir : 60)

* Dari Abi Hurairah radiallahuanhu berkata: Rasulullah  bersabda :

 لَيْسَ شَيْءٌ أَكْرَمُ عَلَى اللهِ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ  أخرجه أحمد والترمذى والحاكم

“ Tidak ada yang lebih mulia disisi Allah selain doa” (Riwayat Ahmad, Turmuzi dan Hakim)

* Rasulullah  bersabda:

 دَاوُوا مَرْضَاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ وَحَصِّنُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بِالزَّكَاةِ وَأَعِدُّوا لِلْبَلاَءِ بِالدُّعَاءِ  أخرجه البيهقي والطبراني فى الكبير.

“ Obatilah orang-orang sakit diantara kalian dengan shodaqoh dan lindungilah harta kalian dengan zakat dan bersiaplah menghadapi cobaan dengan doa” (Riwayat Baihaqi dan Tabrani)

* Dari Aisyah dia berkata: Rasulullah  bersabda :

لَنْ يَنْفَعَ حَذَرٌ مِنْ قَدَرٍ وَالدُّعَاءُ يَنْفَعُ مِمَّا نَزَلَ وَمِمَّا لَمْ يَنْزِلْ وَإِنَّ الْبَلاَءَ فَيَتَلَقَّاهُ الدُّعَاءُ فَيَعْتَلِجَانِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ أخرجه الحاكم

“ Kewaspadaan tidak berpengaruh bagi takdir, sedangkan doa bermanfaat terhadap apa yang telah diturunkan dan yang belum diturunkan, sesungguhnya cobaan jika disambut dengan doa akan bertarung sampai hari kiamat” (Riwayat Hakim)

2. Tawakkal Kepada Allah ta’ala.

Tawakkal memiliki kedudukan yang tinggi dan pengaruh yang besar, Allah ta’ala memerintahkan dan menganjurkan hambanya untuk bertawakkal pada ayat-ayat-Nya yang banyak. Dalam surat Ibrahim Dia berfirman:

“Dan hanya kepada Allah sajalah hendaknya orang-orang mu’min bertawakkal “ (Ali Imran : 122).

Dan Allah ta’ala telah menjamin bagi orang yang bertawakkal untuk mengurusi segala urusannya dan mencukupi segala keinginannya, sebagaimana firman-Nya: “Siapa yang bertawakkal kepada Allah maka Dia akan mencukupi segala keinginannya” (at Thalaq: 3)

Ibnu Rajab berkata dalam kita Jami’ al-Ulum, hal 409: “Hakikat tawakkal adalah bersandarnya hati secara benar kepada Allah ta’ala dalam rangka mendatangkan manfaat dan menjauhkan mudharat (bahaya) dalam urusan dunia ataupun akhirat, dia mewakilkan segala permasalahannya kepada Allah, Imannya dia wujudkan dengan (keyakinan) bahwa tidak ada yang memberi dan mencegah, mendatangkan mudharat atau manfaat selain Dia (Allah)”

Banyak orang yang berkeyakinan bahwa tawakkal kepada Allah berarti tidak perlu melakukan sesuatu yang menjadi sebab. Ini merupakan keyakinan yang keliru, Rasulullah  ketika ditanya seseorang: “Yaa Rasulullah apakah saya lepaskan (binatang) tunggangan saya dan kemudian saya bertawakkal ?“ beliau menjawab:” Ikatlah dahulu baru kemudian bertawakkal” (diriwayatkan oleh Thabrani , al Hakim dan Ibnu Hibban).

Seorang hamba wajib mengusahakan sebab segala sesuatu dan jangan berpangku tangan dalam rangka mewujudkan segala keinginannya tapi bertawakkallah kepada Allah pemilik segala urusan”

Semoga Allah ta’ala merahmati seorang penyair yang berkata:

تَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الرَّحْمَـنِ فِي كُلِّ حَاجَـةٍ

وَلاَ تُؤَثِّرَنَّ الْعَجْزَ يَوْمـًا عَلَى الطَّلَبِ

أَلَـمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّــهَ قَــالَ لِمَرْيَـمَ

إِلَـيْكِ فَهُزِّيْ الْجَذْعَ يُسَاقِطُ الرُّطَبَ

وَلَوْ شَـاءَ أَنْ تَجْنِيْهِ مِـنْ غَيْرِ هَـزِّهَا

جَنَتْهُ وَلَكِـنْ كُلَّ شَـْيءٍ لَهُ سَبَـبَ

Bertawakkallah kepada Ar-Rahman (Allah) dalam setiap keperluan.

Janganlah biarkan kelemahan walaupun sehari untuk merusaknya.

Bukankah kamu mengetahui apa yang Allah katakan kepada Maryam

Guncangkanlah pangkal pohon korma itu ke arahmu, niscaya pohon itu akan menggugurkan buah korma yang masak kepadamu

Seandainya Allah menghendaki dia mendapatkan buah korma tanpa harus menggoyang pohonnya

Niscaya dia mendapatkannya, tetapi segala sesuatu harus ada sebabnya.

3. Menghentikannya Secara Spontan.

Upaya ini membutuhkan tekad yang kuat setelah tawakkal kepada Allah ta’ala, sebetulnya perkaranya mudah sekali tidak seperti yang dibayangkan banyak orang, hal tersebut dapat kita perhatikan pada bulan suci Ramadhan di siang hari (dimana banyak para perokok yang dengan mudah menghentikan kegiatan merokoknya). Disamping itu ada beberapa hal yang dapat membantu dalam cara ini, diantaranya:

1. tidak bergaul dengan orang-orang yang merokok.

2. tidak meminum sesuatu yang biasa diminum perokok saat merokok.

3. melakukan olah raga secukupnya.

4. banyak memakan sayur-sayuran dan buah-buahan.

4. Pengobatan Kejiwaan (Psychotheraphy)

Psychotheraphy merupakan salah satu cara pengobatan yang dapat membantu para perokok menghentikan kebiasaan merokoknya, yaitu dengan cara mengetahui faktor apa saja yang merangsang seseorang untuk merokok dan kemudian mengambil tindakannya atasnya, atau dengan cara mengurangi tindakan merokok dan meningkatkan kemampuan melakukan sesuatu tanpa harus menyalakan sebatang rokok, sebagaimana mungkin juga menimbulkan keengganan merokok dengan memberikan setruman listrik bertegangan rendah ketika dia hendak menyalakan sebatang rokok, demikian juga para dokter ahli jiwa melakukan beberapa terapi kejiwaan kepada para perokok yang dapat mengontrol prilakunya dan kemudian dapat menyembuhkannya.

5. Mencari Altertanif Lain.

Karena nikotin merupakan unsur yang menyebabkan seseorang perokok menjadi ketagihan, maka sesuatu yang memungkinkan bagi perokok untuk menghindari rokok dengan mengunyah sejenis permen yang mengandung nikotin atau sejenis benda yang mirip nikotin reaksinya akan tetapi tidak terus menerus, atau menggunakan larutan pencuci mulut atau sejenis tablet yang mengandung unsur yang dapat membantu para perokok menghentikan kebiasaannya. Atau dapat juga menggunakan siwak dengan selalu meletakkannya di mulut sebagai pengganti bagi perokok -secara kejiwaan- rokok yang biasa dia hisapnya..

Akan tetapi semua cara tersebut harus dilakukan dibawah pengawasan dokter dan pada umumnya hal ini akan memberikan hasil positif jika diiringi dengan terapi kejiwaan.

6. Menghentikannya Secara Bertahap

Seorang perokok dapat menghentikan kegiatan merokoknya dengan bertahap. Hal tersebut dapat dilakukan dengan mengurangi jumlah konsumsi rokok sebatang atau dua batang setiap harinya. Juga dengan cara menggunakan filter yang dapat mengurangi kadar nikotin. Akan tetapi menghentikannya secara total lebih besar kemungkinan berhasilnya daripada cara bertahap.

7. Klinik Pemberantasan Rokok.

Didirikannya sejumlah klinik pemberantasan rokok adalah untuk membantu para perokok menghentikan kebiasaan merokok dengan menggunakan cara akupunktur China misalnya dilengkapi dengan berbagai metode yang membantu upaya tersebut seperti sentuhan setrum listrik yang dapat melahirkan perasaan kejiwaan berupa reaksi negatif bagi perokok terhadap bau dan rasa rokok.

8. Keluar dari Lingkungan Perokok.

Sekali waktu seorang perokok dapat meninggalkan dunianya yang sunyi dari rokok, hal tersebut dapat dilakukan dengan mengadakan perjalanan bersama teman-teman yang baik dengan maksud menghindari rokok bersama-sama sambil berusaha mengisi waktu yang luang sebaik-baiknya sehingga tidak timbul kesempatan untuk berkeinginan merokok, dan dengan berusaha berulang kali untuk dapat meninggalkannya dalam beberapa hari terus menerus sambil menguatkan tekad untuk menghentikannya sama sekali dan menumbuhkan kesadaran akan kemampuannya untuk itu sehingga menumbuhkan usaha yang berlipat ganda.

9. Memperbanyak Bergaul dengan Orang-orang yang tidak merokok, menghadiri pertemuan-pertemuan dan acara-acara mereka sehingga timbul rasa malu dalam dirinya (untuk merokok) dihadapan mereka.

10. Tidak Putus Asa jika Mengalami Kegagalan.

Diketahui bahwa lebih dari 60% orang yang berusaha untuk menghentikan kegiatan merokoknya kembali melakukannya, akan tetapi upaya yang terus menerus serta mempelajari berbagai kelemahan pada akhirnya akan membuahkan keberhasilan. Orang yang memiliki tekad yang kuat adalah orang yang bersedia belajar dari kesalahan-kesalahannya dan tidak mengenal kata menyerah selamanya.

SELAMAT…

Jika anda telah mengambil sikap untuk berhenti dari merokok, itu berarti anda adalah orang yang memiliki kesadaran dan memahami apa yang akan mengancam anda dari berbagai penyakit akibat merokok. Anda juga orang yang memiliki

tekad kuat dengan memilih tidak menjadi budak

dari kebiasaan buruk tersebut.

Kini tinggal anda bersiap-siap menghadapi tantangan berat yang ada di hadapan anda, yaitu: menahan keinginan (untuk melakukannya kembali) dan mengalahkannya.

Sesungguhnya hal ini adalah sebuah prestasi yang layak anda banggakan, maka segeralah mengumumkannya kepada rekan-rekan anda dan anggota keluarga anda, tetapkanlah waktu untuk melaksanakannya, jadikanlah sebagai sejarah yang anda rayakan karena kemenangan anda terhadap rokok. Jika telah tiba waktunya, robeklah bungkus rokok didepan teman-teman anda dan keluarga anda, dan injaklah dengan kedua kaki anda lalu ucapkanlah Takbir.

Boleh jadi pada awalnya anda akan mendapati kesulitan dan rintangan karena orang-orang yang dahulu adalah teman anda kini menjadi musuh anda, tidur anda menjadi tidak nyenyak, gelisah atau mungkin mengalami kegundahan. Tapi ingatlah bahwa manisnya sebuah kemenangan tidak akan dapat

dirasakan jika dapat dilakukan dengan mudah, dan musuhnya lemah, maka siapa yang terakhir tertawa

dialah yang dapat tertawa lebih banyak.

SEKALI LAGI, SELAMAT…

(Sumber : www.islamhouse.com)

Abdullah

2014-12-26T09:14:00.002-08:00

Abdullah was a young man with basic high school education. He was on active duty in the U.S. Army for a few years where he learned some technical skills. At present he earns his living by repairing photocopy and fax machines.

How he accepted Islam is interesting. Yet, it is more fascinating to know how he went through the Islamization process. During the Gulf War between the United Forces and Iraq he was posted in Saudi Arabia. Abdullah was shopping in a Saudi market. He picked up an item from the shop and agreed to pay its price to the shopkeeper. However, when he was about to pay for the article, the call for prayer was heard from a nearby mosque. The shopkeeper said, “That’s it,” and refused to do any business until after the prayer was over. He then closed his shop and hurriedly went to the mosque. Abdullah was stunned and wondered about this incident. Why did this man not take the money when there was a mutual agreement on the price? Abdullah never knew of anyone in his life who refused to take money. Usually in business, everybody runs after money one way or another. What kind of person was this shopkeeper? What kind of religion was it that had so much priority in the eyes of this shopkeeper? Abdullah was very inquisitive and wanted to know more about this religion. He read more and more about it and finally decided to embrace Islam after his return to America. In New York he had some good teachers who gave him basic Islamic education and taught him how to read the Quran. Abdullah became a very strict practicing Muslim.

I came to know Abdullah only when he moved to Detroit. He decided to reside near the Tawheed Center of Detroit and offered most of his prayers in this mosque. I happened to be voluntarily running the affairs of this mosque. Conducting the affairs of an Islamic organization can be a challenging task. Many things happened between brother Abdullah and me, which created some temporary problems between us. We were both sincere in our own ways. Our differences totally disappeared in the course of time. It is, however, a great test of patience to have differences with someone whom you meet several times a day in the house of Allah. Let me mention a few of them here.

Since brother Abdullah was very regular in all the prayers, I wished to have his participation in some activities of the mosque. One day I asked him to call the Adhan. He said he would do it outside the mosque on the main road. I informed him that we were presently going through the licensing process of the building with the local fire department and City of Detroit. The City of Detroit was holding a public hearing about it. But, my words did not concern him. I had to tell him firmly that I had to face the public, the attorney, the Zoning Commission and the City Planning Department. I said, “You guys come, pray and leave the mosque. You do not have any idea of the difficulties faced by us at City Hall. Some wisdom and caution should be observed in our Islamic practice. Why should we annoy and excite our non-Muslim neighbors? Furthermore, we should concentrate on reviving faith in Muslims rather than creating problems with our non-Muslim neighbors.” My words did not budge him at all. He refused to make the Adhan in the mosque. I, Allah forgive me, had to ask someone else to make the Adhan.

Incidentally, I know only one mosque in North America which has the permission to place its speakers outside the mosque. This is due to a court ruling in favor of the Muslims in Dearborn, Michigan, because of its mostly Muslim neighborhood.

Brother Abdullah asked me for the key to the mosque. I told him that the mosque is open for prayers and we are limiting access to the keys for insurance purposes.

After a few weeks brother Abdullah asked my permission to let his guest sleep in the mosque at night. I refused. I asked him, “Why don’t you take him to your house?” He said, “Because I have a wife.” I told him, “I shall take your guest to my house.” He said, “Don’t you have a wife?” I said, “Yes, but I shall find a room for your guest. Alternatively, I shall keep him in a hotel and pay for it.” Brother Abdullah walked away angrily. He wanted to do it only in his own way. He complained to many Muslims about me. In spite of these hard feelings, he was committed to attending the congregational prayers in the mosque.

Brother Abdullah had memorized a considerable part of the Quran. His recitation was very charming and effective. I asked him to lead the Isha prayer daily. He was memorizing more and more Quran every day. He loved every new surah(chapter) he memorized and preferred to recite it whilst leading the prayer. There were always some mistakes in his newly learned surahs. This made many Muslims uneasy.

I talked to Abdullah about it. I suggested to him that he should recite only those surahs which he had mastered and that he should recite them in front of me a few times one day in advance. He liked my suggestion. Thus he improved and understood my point of view. The mistakes in recitation totally disappeared and our teamwork and co-operative attitude helped us to reconcile.

We faced another problem with brother Abdullah. He used to recite a long surah followed by Surah Ikhlas in each rakat(a unit of prayer). Thus, prayers took a long time. Sometimes the night prayer took twenty minutes. People did not have this kind of commitment and patience. I communicated these feelings of the people to brother Abdullah. He said he liked to recite the way one companion of the Holy Prophet(pbuh) did. He recited Surah Ikhlas in all his offerings of prayer. I told him, “As far as I recall, Surah Ikhlas was recited only in the second rakat.” Brother Abdullah said, “He read in a Hadith that it was in both rakats.” Hence, nobody could stop brother Abdullah reciting a long surah followed by Surah Ikhlas.

One day I saw him lying on the floor of the mosque on his right side with his arm under his head waiting for the time of Fajr Prayer. I got worried and approached him and asked him if there was something wrong. He said he was fine and that Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) used to take brief rest like this, as he was doing. Abdullah would try to practice anything he read from the Quran or Hadith without being shy.

His family life was remarkable. His wife and his sister-in-law accepted Islam through his efforts. His in-laws also accepted Islam. He had many children. All were very good in the recitation of the Quran. His oldest son was about seven years old and had memorized a considerable part of the Quran under his father’s supervision. His son regularly came to the mosque to offer prayer with the congregation, even in Fajr Prayer. I do not know anybody who would bring his seven-year-old son regularly to Fajr Prayer, even during severe cold, snow or storm. Brother Abdullah used to teach his son Quran after Fajr Prayer in the mosque. His son’s Islamic knowledge, practice and behavior were superb. His recitation of Quran was excellent like his father. He behaved like a thirty-year-old mature person. He would be a good Imam of mosque.

Later brother Abdullah not only had the key to the mosque, but he was also made responsible for conducting the prayers in the mosque. I thought Abdullah was also ready to deliver the Juma’ Khutbas(Friday Sermons). He reluctantly accepted one. He did extremely well. He was, therefore, assigned one Juma’ Khutba at the Tawheed Center of Detroit and one at the Tawheed Center of Farmington Hills, Michigan each month. He was voluntarily carrying out his assignments extremely well.

Without exaggeration many people came to me from both the mosques requesting that he be the Khateeb(the person who gives the Friday Sermon) permanently. They loved to hear his recitation of the Quran as well. Truly speaking, we collected more donations for each mosque whenever brother Abdullah delivered the Friday Sermon in Salatul Juma.

One day brother Abdullah came to the Tawheed Center of Detroit with another local Muslim brother. Fajr Prayer was over and everyone had left the mosque. I was reciting the Quran when both these brothers entered the mosque. They offered their prayers. I welcomed both of them since they had just returned from Hajj. I insisted on taking them to my house for breakfast. Brother Abdullah declined, telling me he had not yet gone to his house. He was coming directly to the mosque from Hajj. He told me that Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) used to go to mosque upon his return from a journey before going home and meeting with his family. I wonder how many born Muslims follow this practice.

Brother Abdullah now laughs on his past rigid behavior. He now accepts variation in Islamic practice. He even started calling the Adha inside the mosque.

After his first Juma’ Khutba I introduced him to the audience. While introducing him I mentioned how he accepted Islam and how his son is proud to be in Fajr Prayer daily. After this introduction he was anxious to know how his khutba was. I told him that it was excellent, so much so that he finished on time which happened to be a problem with other Khateebs. He left quietly. After Isha Prayer brother Hani wanted to talk to me. He said, “Brother Abdullah is upset. He feels that by praising him in his presence, it was like cutting his neck, as mentioned in a Hadith.” I told him that you should see another Hadith also, which instructs us to give due respect and credit to whosoever deserves it. Prophet Shuaib(pbuh) also insisted that his people not belittle credit if it is due. It is also mentioned in the Quran in many places. Some people focus only on one Hadith and draw their own conclusions. Thank God I did not exaggerate anything in the introduction. Furthermore, people should know all about the new Khateeb. I expressed my opinion to brother Abdullah the next day. He was satisfied with my explanation.

After one month once again I introduced him for the benefit of the new audience after his second khutba. I said, “I am not praising brother Abdullah, but I feel I should do justice in pointing out the facts and the real qualities of our new Khateeb.” After the introduction, I added that authority and responsibility go together.

Brother Abdullah and brother Hani are now responsible for the mosque in my absence. Both are handling their responsibility and authority superbly well.

Brother Abdullah attended some Arabic classes in the local community college offered by Dr. Sheikh Ali Suleiman. Now he speaks Arabic, understands some grammar and recites and memorizes surahs of Quran. He also learns new Ahadith, delivers the Friday Sermons and guides many disbelievers to the light of Islam. A high school graduate with sincerity and commitment can do all these wonderful things and introduce and propagate Islam amongst people of other faiths.

Brother Abdullah is the by-product of the Gulf War. Many other soldiers accepted Islam after visiting Saudi Arabia.

From the book of "How Islam touched their hearts" By Imtiaz Ahmad

(www.islamhouse.com)

How Does a Learned Person Call to Allah?

2014-12-26T09:13:00.002-08:00

An advice on how to call to Allah the people immersed in the Dunya by Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah

The learned individual does not command the people to abandon the Dunya, for they are incapable of abandoning it. Rather he instructs them to abandon wrongdoing with their [continue] residence in the Dunya. For the abandonment of the Dunya is supererogatory, but the abandonment of wrongdoing is obligatory. Accordingly, how can an [individual] be commanded to a supererogatory action, when he has [neglected] to establish an obligatory one?!

If the abandonment of wrongdoing becomes difficult for them to [endure], endeavour to make them love Allah by [means] of mentioning His Signs, His Blessings, His Munificence, His Perfect Attributes, and Exalted Descriptions. For indeed the heart is naturally inclined towards His love.

If it is attached towards His love, the abandonment of wrongdoing and independence from it, in addition to the persistence upon it shall become easy [to obtain]. Verily, Yahya ibn Mu`adh mentioned,

Questing for an intelligent [person] for [the affairs of] the Dunya,

Is superior to the abandonment of an ignorant [person] for it.

A judicious man invites people towards Allah, thus the [act] of responding becomes easy for them. An ascetic invites them towards Allah by the abandonment of the Dunya, thus the [act] of responding becomes difficult for them.

Excerpted from the translator's footnotes to "An Explanation of Riyadh al-Saliheen"

by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen

A sister from the Gulf embraces Islam

2014-12-26T09:12:00.002-08:00

Alsalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuh(Peace and blessings by upon you all )

Praise be to Allah for lighting my heart with the light of Islam, made it possible for me to find the right path, Peace and blessing be upon the prophet of Allah. .

At first I would like to indicate that the situation I ended up in was a natural result of negligence and carelessness. My story started before I was even born, my father is a Muslim from the (Arabian) Gulf, he married my Christian Arabic mother on a condition that she embraces Islam after getting married. My father and mother both got married In a European country –where they had studied-.

After six months of the marriage my mother refused the idea of accepting Islam, therefore my father decided to divorce her for breaking a major condition of their marriage. At that time my mother was pregnant of me, however that didn’t stop the divorce to take place. My mother then went back to here home country where I was born. Soon after, Dad asked her to take me back, but Mom refused for maternal emotions and insisted that I stay with her, Dad accepted her opinion and left me with my Christian mother. As for my dad, my relationship with him was based on his monthly money transfer that he was committed to me, as well as some occasional calls, I was to meet him once every two years or maybe more… even though I was carrying documents stating that I am a Muslim from the Gulf, however, I didn’t know anything about Islam and the Gulf except what I used to take in geography and history classes, or through what I had observed from the Muslims that I used to see in my mother’s country.

I used to study in a catholic school and go with my Mom to church; I lived like that for 18 years…I was Muslim by name that used to practice Christian rituals. It is true that I was sluggish in my worship, and hated going to church, but I was blaming myself and always promised myself to become a better Christian in the nearest future..

I used to live the careless teen life, I was out all the time spending the nights. I had friends from both genders. My mother used to advice me on some things, but after I had finished high school I didn’t earn a great GPA that will permit me to enter a university that I liked in my mother’s country, so I decided to study in my father’s country.

When I told my father about my plan to study in his place, he didn’t care much, all he asked me was “ where will you live?! I understood that he didn’t want me to live with him, I suggested to have my Mom and maternal step brother to travel and live with me, since my step father had passed away ‘who I used to call Father’.

Dad had accepted this idea, and decided to carry out all the costs associated with this trip including the apartment rent, food, and to increase my monthly salary.

This tripe was a major turnover in my life, I started learning about Islam from the Muslims themselves. The most thing that had attracted me was, the young girls who covered their heads with ‘Hijab’ scarf, I felt so jealous from them, because I have imagined them as saved diamonds by a piece of black velvet, but I was almost half naked just like an advertisement in a newspaper that attracts a few people, even those few don’t last, soon they would use this newspaper for their kitchen or throw it in the trash.

During my first year in the university I asked my mother about Islam,- I was so attached to her- but she gave me an answer that I’ll never forget… She said: “I was impressed about Islam before you and married your father, I was a believer of that religion, but after getting to know it closer I became sure that it is not a religion from God… it was just rubbish things from an ignorant Arabic man who didn’t know how to read or write… so how can an educated person like you allow an ignorant man play with her mind and try to adjust here life?...”

I was silent and accepted here talk, to be honest I didn’t bother myself anymore, because I was enjoying my free open life…

Three years passed during which I had flashes of thought about my religion…

I was addicted to the Internet and a frequent visitor to the PalTalk rooms for a full year. One day I entered the room of “Izhar Alhaq”(i.e showing the truth) by mistake, in which I found people showing the dark side of the Christianity, and I had known that a different room was talking bad about Islam. I lost my feelings between both religions between Islam that I’ve been labeled with in my documents plus it is my father’s religion, and Christianity that I was raised with plus it is my mother’s religion… Since my feelings go towards both religions, I decided to find myself in this religion issue… so I stayed for two months shifting and listening to both the Islamic and the Christian room, I gave each room two hours ‘listening only’. After knowing the two religions I started having questions… so I began asking the administrators of both rooms for a whole month. I found warm welcomes and a listening ear from the Muslims more than the Christians, which had amazed me. The only answers I used to get from the Christians when I asked them about the ideas I got from the “Izhar Alhaq” room, is that they are lyres or that it is in the old testament… Old Testament??????? How can a holy book be for a certain period and then get replaced with new book, written by a created person which they call the new testament???? However, the Qur’an is one book! I have compared between both religions and found that Islam is the one that my mind and natural feelings move towards, where the cleanness, justice, and dignity lay . So after three months I chose Islam as my religion, I then visited ‘Hamel Almesk’ room “in PalTalk” to learn more about my new religion. I noticed that the people there were competing to help me especially brother ‘Muslim’ and brother ‘Albalsam Alshafee’ Jazahum Allah Khair…

Through them, I was introduced to some books, and websites on Islam. I have not faced any difficulties with this religion since its the religion of fitrah (i.e. nature). I announced the ‘Shahadatain’ in ‘Hamel Almesk’ room, then I took a shower, followed by two ‘Rak’ah’ prayers. After three days I wore ‘Alhijab’ (i.e. the head cover), through which my mother knew about my Islam… I can’t say nor describe what she said and did to bring me back to Christianity -because I am making my story brief - she even offered to allow me live a secular life without any limits… can you imagine this call from a mother to her daughter. She even tried to tear up the Qur’an once, but I showed up at the right time.. She tried in various ways, but couldn’t defeat my determination on Islam , I promised her that my religion would not affect her life, so she would leave me live freely…

Now after three months of being a Muslim, I know about Islam more than those who were born Muslim. Do you know why? Because I chose to enter Islam, and left out my friends and my free life according to the western definition of the free life, all that for the sake of Allah, Allah has become my lover whom I work sincerely for, I knew by being a Muslim I am pleasing my Lord...

I looked after my religion and ‘all praise are due to Allah’ I became very good in “Tajweed” and have memorized chapters of the Qur’an. I didn’t leave nor delay a single prayer…

Brothers and sisters I hope you get to know Islam the way I did, so think and ponder into Allah’s rulings that way you’ll get attached and closer to it. Thanks and sorry for the lengthy story, even though I haven’t mentioned many parts of my story. I am 21 years old now, in my last year at the university.

Regards, Your sister: Muslimah.

Whoever Resembles a People is One of Them

2014-12-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said,

"Whoever resembles a people is one of them." (Recorded by Abu Dawud)

This is a very important principle in the Shariah. The famous scholar Ibn Taymiyyah once wrote that it is part of the goal of the shariah to distinguish those people who follow the straight path from all other people.

A look at the Qur'aan and the hadith of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) will show us that we Muslims are not supposed to imitate or be blind followers of any other peoples. We have our own unique guidance and this is what we must turn to.

There are different hadith that clearly state that we are supposed to be different from the Jews, Christians, Romans, Persians, Magians, polytheists, people of jaahiliyyah, bedouins who had not embraced Islaam completely and so forth.

After hearing this long list of groups one will realise the following: We Muslims are a unique people. We take our way of life, our values and our customs only from Allaah's guidance - the Qur'aan and the Sunnah - and the way of the believers. We don't care what other people may follow. In fact, in our hearts, we have no desire whatsoever to follow them or to be like them. We want to be like the true believers and only the true believers.

In fact, we pray for this in every rakah of every prayer we perform. In every prayer, we state,

"Guide us to the straight path - the path of those whom You have blessed."

Unfortunately, many people make that du'aa and they do not realise who are those people whose path we are asking Allaah to guide us to. By our actions, sometimes, we make it very clear that we are not sincere to that du'aa that we make at least seventeen times a day! When we make that du'aa we must realise that we are asking Allaah to guide us to the path of certain people - those who have earned Allaah's pleasure and grace. They are the ones whom Allaah has described elsewhere in the Qur'aan,

"And whoso obeys Allaah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allaah has bestowed Grace of the Prophets, the sincere, the martyrs and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are." (an-Nisaa, 69)

These are the people whose path we face Allaah seventeen times a day and beseech Him to guide us to. It is very sad that today many Muslims are striving and working hard to follow the footsteps of the opposite people - the people that they ask Allaah against following. We also say in al- Faatiha,

"Not the path of those who have earned Your wrath nor of those who have gone astray." (al-Faatiha, 7)

These people whose path we are seeking to avoid are none other than the Jews and Christians, in particular, as the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) explained.

In this country [USA], many people are calling for us to follow in the footsteps of the Jews. They think that we are a minority like them and they have done very well for themselves. It is amazing that we are calling upon each other to follow in the footsteps of those who have earned Allaah's wrath. Don't you realise that they gained their place in this society by means that are completely unacceptable in Islaam? Do you want us to behave like them and you think that Allaah will be pleased with us if we behave like them? Don't you see that by their means they have actually given up a great deal of their faith and done many things that go against their own teachings?

There is an expression in the United States that states, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery". The fact is that an individual would not imitate and follow another unless he has some respect or love for what that other person is and what he is doing. Or, perhaps, he has the desire to be one of them and he does not want to be an outsider as he may not have enough iman and courage to show himself for what he should be: a Muslim, believing in and submitting to God.

When this desire to imitate and follow the ways of the disbelievers happens to a Muslim, it is a very sad thing. It is a sign that there is some weakness or defect in his iman and in his heart - otherwise he would never desire or aspire to be like those who displease Allaah and are destined to the Hellfire.

Following the ways of the disbelievers - as opposed to the ways of the believers - and trying to come close to them is actually one of the characteristics of the hypocrites. Allaah says,

"Give to the hypocrites the tidings that there is for them a painful torment. Those who take disbelievers for protectors and helpers instead of believers. Do they seek honour with them? Verily, all honour is with Allaah (alone)" (an-Nisaa, 138-139)

This is exactly what many of those who imitate them are doing. One of the main reasons why one imitates and appears like the disbelievers is that he wants to be accepted, liked or respected by them. He does not want to be looked down upon by them as an outside or as one from a different religion and way of life. But Allaah says,

"Verily all honour is with Allaah (alone)" (an-Nisaa, 139)

The only one that a believer should try to please is Allaah - and this is achieved not by trying to be like the disbelievers but it comes about by following the Qur'aan and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam). In reality, the acceptance and approval of the disbelievers should really, in essence, mean nothing in the eyes of a true believer. In the sight of Allaah, they have no value or honour. Allaah states in the Qur'aan:

"Honour belongs only to Allaah, His Messenger and the believers" (al-Munaafiqoon, 8)

A hadith of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) demonstrates that they are worth nothing in the sight of Allaah. That is why Allaah gives them of this world and in the Hereafter they will be nothing but fuel for the Hellfire.

This fuel of the Hellfire are the ones that many Muslims are imitating today, chasing after their customs and fads, trying to please them and win their approval. A Muslim must realise clearly in his mind that all of these disbelievers are either worshipping false gods, other humans or their egos and desires. These are the people who some Muslims are following, imitating and bending over backwards to please. Allaah has said in the Qur'aan:

"Thus We have made you a just and balanced nation, that you may be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger be witness against you." (al-Baqarah, 143)

We are supposed to be witnesses against mankind. We are supposed to be witnesses to the truth of Islaam and its superiority over every other way of life. We should be showing people that we are the true followers of Allaah's guidance and that what we have is the best guidance for mankind. If this is truly in our hearts, we would not turn to the ways of the disbelievers and imitate them.

How can we be witnesses of Islaam against humanity when, instead of showing that we believe in Islaam and love it and demonstrate its greatness, we give up our ways and customs of Islaam to follow the ways of the disbelievers? I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked by non-Muslims, "If your religion is the truth and so wonderful, why are so many Muslims abandoning your teachings and following the ways of the West in their own countries?" What answer can be given to that question?

We see this phenomena of Muslims imitating the ways of non-Muslims in many ways. The following are all examples of this phenomena: Muslim men shaving their beards to be like their clean-shave Western colleagues that they respect so dearly. Muslim men giving up the modest attire that was found in every Muslim country for the tightest pants and latest fashions of the West. Muslim women giving up the Islaamic hijaab and come out in public dressing in the latest Western fashions.

In some parts of the Muslim world, even the definition of beauty and cleanliness is defined according to the disbelievers and not according to the Qur'aan and Sunnah. Some Muslims today believe that having a beard is unclean. They think that to be clean shave implies being clean, civilised, and proper. Is this what the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has taught us about the beard? Is this how the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and his Companions viewed the beard?

All of these can be seen throughout the Muslim world. What does all of this show? It shows that we have lost the true dignity and honour of being believers. We no longer feel honour, dignity and joy in following the ways of the Prophets, martyrs, sincere and righteous. Instead, we feel better when we succumb to or follow the ways of those who have earned Allaah's wrath or have gone astray. Allaah say in the Qur'aan:

"Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the disbelievers, and forgive us. Our Lord, verily, You, only You, are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (al-Mumtahanah, 5)

One of the explanations given to this verse is that when the believers do not set an example for the non-believers, when the believers themselves are not following or adhering to the teachings of Islaam, then this is a great trial for the disbelievers. How could they possibly be attracted to Islaam if they not only do not see Islaam as being practised in front of them but they actually see the Muslims abandoning their revelation from Allaah to follow the ways and customs of the disbelievers. This will definitely lead the disbeliever to conclude that Islaam has nothing to offer and it could not possibly contain the truth that will lead to his salvation.

Let us all return to the ways and guidance of the Qur'aan and Sunnah. Let us all feel the honour and dignity that true iman should give us - we should feel that this is a special bounty that Allaah has given to us. We should turn to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) to take our values, our customs, our beliefs, our aspirations, and our guidance from those two sources. That is the only way of life that is worth living and that is the only way of life that is pleasing to Allaah. If we abandon it and instead follow the ways of the disbelievers we would be abandoning a great thing for something that will actually bring us nothing.

(www.islamhouse.com)

How Tafsir is Performed ?

2014-12-26T09:09:00.000-08:00

If you ask what is the best method of tafsîr, the answer is that the best way is to explain the Qur'ân through the Qur'ân. For, what the Qur'ân alludes to at one place is explained at the other, and what it says in brief on one occasion is elaborated upon at the other. But if this does not help you, you should turn to the Sunnah, because the Sunnah explains and elucidates the Qur'ân. Imâm Abû 'Abdullâh Muhammad Ibn Idrîs ash-Shâfi'î has said: "All that the Prophet, peace be upon him, has said is what he has derived from the Qur'ân." Allâh has said:

We have sent down to you the book in truth that you may judge between me, as Allâh guides you; so do not be an advocate for those who betray their trust. [al-Qur'ân 4:105]

We have sent down to you the message that you may explain clearly to people what has been sent to them, and that they think over it. [al-Qur'ân 16:44]

We sent down the Book to you for the express purpose that you should make clear to them those things in which they differ, and that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who believe. [al-Qur'ân 16:64]

This is why the Prophet sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam said:

Know that I have been given the Qur'ân and something like it. [Ahmad, Musnad, Vol. IV 131; Abû Dâwûd, Sunan, Sunnah, 5]

Namely the Sunnah. In fact, the Sunnah, too has been given to him through wahy as the Qur'ân, except that it has not been recited to him as the Qur'ân. Imâm ash-Shâfi'î and other scholars have advanced a number of arguments in support of this point; but this is not the place to quote them. [For discussion see ash-Shâfi`î, ar-Risâlah]

In order to understand the Qur'ân, you should first look to the Qur'ân itself. If that does not help, then turn to the Sunnah.

The Prophet sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam sent Mu'âdh radiallâhu 'anhu to Yemen and asked him: "How will you judge the cases (that come to you)?" He replied: "I will judge according to the Book of Allâh." "But if you do not get anything there, what will you do?", the Prophet sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam asked. He said: "I will refer to the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam." "But if you do not get it even there, what will you do?", the Prophet sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam asked again. He replied: "I will exercise my judgment." Hearing this the Prophet sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam patted Mu'âdh radiallâhu 'anhu on the shoulder and said: "Praise be to Allâh who has guided the Messenger of His Messenger to what pleases His Messenger."

This hadîth has been reported in the Musnad and Sunan collections of hadîth with a good isnâd. [Ahmad, Musnad V:230, 236, 242; ad-Dârimî, Sunan, Muqaddimah, 30; at-Tirmidhî, Sunan, Ahkâm, 3; Abû Dâwûd, Sunan, Adhiyah, 11.]

When you do not get any help from the Qur'ân or the Sunnah, turn to the words of the companions. For they know the Qur'ân better: they have witnessed its revelation, and passed through the situations in which it was revealed: and know it and understand it fully. This is particularly true of the scholars and leaders such as the four righteous caliphs and 'Abdullâh ibn Mas'ûd. Imâm Abû Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarîr at-Tabarî reports: Abû Kurayb narrated to us, saying: Jâbir ibn Nûh informed us that: al-A'mash informed us from Abû Duhâ: from Masrûq that 'Abdullâh ibn Mas'ûd said: "By the one besides whom there none having the right to be worshipped, there is no verse in the Qur'ân about which I do not know in whose case and at what place was it revealed. If I were aware that anyone knew the Qur'ân more than me, and I could reach him, I would certainly have gone to see him." [Ibn al-Athîr, Jâmi' al-Usûl fî Ahâdîth ar-Rasûl, 1392/1972, Vol. IX p. 48.] Al-A'mash has also reported through Abû Wâ`il that Ibn Mas'ûd said: "When anyone of us learned ten verses of the Qur'ân, he did not proceed further unless he had known what they meant and what action they demanded."

Another great scholar is 'Abdullâh ibn 'Abbâs radiallâhu 'anhumâ, the nephew of the Prophet sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam and the commentator of the Qur'ân. He attained that stature in virtue of the Prophet's prayer: "O Allâh! Give him knowledge of Islâm and teach him the meaning of the Qur'ân." [Ahmad, Musnad, Vol. 1: 266, 314, 328, 335]. Muhammad ibn Bashshâr narrated to us, that Wakî` informed us, that Sufyân informed us from al-A'mash: from Musim (ibn Sabîh Abî Duhâ) from Masrûq: that 'Abdullâh ibn Mas'ûd radiallâhu 'anhumâ said: "What a good interpreter of the Qur'ân Ibn 'Abbâs is!" Ibn Jarîr has also reported this hadîth through Yahyâ ibn Dâwûd, from Ishâq al-Azraq, from Sufyân, from al-A'mash, from Muslim ibn Sabîh Abî Duhâ, from al-Masrûq with slightly different words: "What a good interpreter Ibn 'Abbâs is of the Qur'ân!" He has also reported the same words through Bundar, from Ja'far ibn 'Awn from al-A'mash. These words are, therefore, the actual words of Ibn Mas'ûd radiallâhu 'anhumâ which he said about Ibn 'Abbâs radiallâhu 'anhumâ. Ibn Mas'ûd radiallâhu 'anhumâ died, most probably, in 33 A.H. Ibn 'Abbâs radiallâhu 'anhumâ lived for thirty six years after him, and added a lot to the treasury of Islâmic knowledge.

Al-A'mash quotes from Abû Wâ'il that Ibn 'Abbâs radiallâhu 'anhumâ was appointed leader of the Hajj by 'Alî radiallâhu 'anhu; he delivered a sermon and read from Sûrah al-Baqarah, or Sûrah an-Nûr according to another report, and explained it in such a way that had the Romans, Turks and the Dalamites heard it, they would have embraced Islâm. This is the reason why most of what Ismâ'îl ibn 'Abd ar-Rahmân Suddî has written in tafsîr consists of the explanations of these two scholars: Ibn Mas'ûd and Ibn 'Abbâs radiallâhu 'anhum.

Source: http://www.sunnahonline.com

Celebrating Valentine’s Day

2014-12-26T09:08:00.000-08:00

Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.

Allaah has chosen for us Islam as our religion and He will not accept any other religion from anyone, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.”[Aal 'Imraan 3:85]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that groups of his ummah would follow the enemies of Allaah in some of their rituals and customs, as it says in the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him), who narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you, span by span, cubit by cubit, until even if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would follow them.” We said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?!”(Narrated by al-Bukhaari in al-I’tisaam bi’l-Kitaab wa’l-Sunnah, Baab Qawl an-Nabi (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) La tattabi’unna Sanan man kaana qablakum, 8/151; and by Muslim in Kitaab al-‘Ilm, Baab Ittibaa’ Sanan al-Yahood wa’l-Nasaara, 4/2054)

What the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) spoke of has indeed come to pass and has become widespread in recent times, in many of the Muslim countries. Many of the Muslims follow the enemies of Allaah in many of their customs and ways of behaving, and imitate them in some of their rituals and in celebrating their holidays.

The matter has been made even worse by the opening up of mass communications between peoples, whereby the rituals and customs of the kuffaar are now transmitted with the glamorous adornment of sound and image from their countries into the Muslim countries, via satellite TV and the World Wide Web (Internet). Many Muslims have been deceived by their glamour.

In recent years, a new phenomenon has spread among the Muslim youth – males and females alike – which does not bode well. This is manifested in their imitation of the Christians in their celebration of Valentine’s Day, which has led the scholars and daa’iyahs to explain the rulings of sharee’ah concerning that, out of sincerity towards Allaah, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk, so that Muslims may have a clear understanding of this issue and so that they will not fall into that which will undermine the belief (‘aqeedah) with which Allaah has blessed them.

This is a brief discussion of the origins, development and purpose of this holiday, and what the Muslim should do with regard to it.

The Story of the Festival of Love (Valentine’s Day)

The Festival of Love was one of the festivals of the pagan Romans, when paganism was the prevalent religion of the Romans more than seventeen centuries ago. In the pagan Roman concept, it was an expression of “spiritual love”.

There were myths associated with this pagan festival of the Romans, which persisted with their Christian heirs. Among the most famous of these myths was the Roman belief that Romulus, the founder of Rome, was suckled one day by a she-wolf, which gave him strength and wisdom.

The Romans used to celebrate this event in mid-February each year with a big festival. One of the rituals of this festival was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat. Two strong and muscular youths would daub the blood of the dog and goat onto their bodies, then they would wash the blood away with milk. After that there would be a great parade, with these two youths at its head, which would go about the streets. The two youths would have pieces of leather with which they would hit everyone who crossed their path. The Roman women would welcome these blows, because they believed that they could prevent or cure infertility.

The Connection between Saint Valentine and this Festival

Saint Valentine is a name which is given to two of the ancient “martyrs” of the Christian Church. It was said that there were two of them, or that there was only one, who died in Rome as the result of the persecution of the Gothic leader Claudius, c. 296 CE. In 350 CE, a church was built in Rome on the site of the place where he died, to perpetuate his memory.

When the Romans embraced Christianity, they continued to celebrate the Feast of Love mentioned above, but they changed it from the pagan concept of “spiritual love” to another concept known as the “martyrs of love”, represented by Saint Valentine who had advocated love and peace, for which cause he was martyred, according to their claims. It was also called the Feast of Lovers, and Saint Valentine was considered to be the patron saint of lovers.

One of their false beliefs connected with this festival was that the names of girls who had reached marriageable age would be written on small rolls of paper and placed in a dish on a table. Then the young men who wanted to get married would be called, and each of them would pick a piece of paper. He would put himself at the service of the girl whose name he had drawn for one year, so that they could find out about one another. Then they would get married, or they would repeat the same process again on the day of the festival in the following year.

The Christian clergy reacted against this tradition, which they considered to have a corrupting influence on the morals of young men and women. It was abolished in Italy, where it had been well-known, then it was revived in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when in some western countries there appeared shops which sold small books called “Valentine’s books”, which contained love poems, from which the one who wanted to send a greeting to his sweetheart could choose. They also contained suggestions for writing love letters.

It was also said concerning the origins of this holiday that when the Romans became Christian, after Christianity had become widespread, the Roman emperor Claudius II decreed in the third century CE that soldiers should not get married, because marriage would distract them from the wars they used to fight. This decree was opposed by Saint Valentine, who started to perform marriages for the soldiers in secret. When the emperor found out about that, he threw him in jail and sentenced him to execution. In prison, he (Saint Valentine) fell in love with the jailer’s daughter, but this was a secret because according to Christian laws, priests and monks were forbidden to marry or fall in love. But he is still regarded highly by the Christians because of his steadfastness in adhering to Christianity when the emperor offered to pardon him if he forsook Christianity and worshipped the Roman gods; then he would be one of his closest confidantes and he would make him his son-in-law. But Valentine refused this offer and preferred Christianity, so he was executed on 14 February 270 CE, on the eve of February 15, the festival of Lupercalis. So this day was named for this saint.

In The Story of Civilization, it says that the Church devised a calendar in which every day was designated as the feast day of one of the saints. In England, Saint Valentine’s Day was to come at the end of winter. When that day came, according to them, the birds mated enthusiastically in the forests, and the young men would put flowers on the windowsills of the homes of the girls whom they loved. (The Story of Civilization by Will Durant, 15/23)

The Pope designated the day of the death of Saint Valentine, February 14, 270 CE, as a festival of love. Who is the Pope? He is the “the archbishop, the supreme pontiff of the universal church, the successor of Saint Peter.” Look at this “archbishop” and how he prescribed for them the observance of this festival which was an innovation in their religion. This reminds us of what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allaah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allaah)…”[al-Tawbah 9:31]

It was narrated that ‘Adiy ibn Haatim said:

“I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wearing a gold cross around my neck. He said, ‘O ‘Adiy, cast aside this idol.’ And I heard him reciting from Soorat Baraa’ah [al-Tawbah] (interpretation of the meaning):

‘They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allaah.’

He said: ‘They do not worship them, but when they permit them something they accept it as permitted, and when they forbid them something they accept it as forbidden.’” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and it is a hasan hadeeth).

Among the most important symbols of this holiday:

1 – Expressing joy and happiness on this occasion, as on their other major festivals.

2 – Exchanging red roses, which are an expression of love, the “spiritual love” of the pagans or the “love” of the Christians. Hence it is known to them as the Feast of Lovers.

3 – The sending of greetings cards. On some of these cards are pictures of “Cupid”, who appears as a child with two wings, carrying a bow and arrows. This was the god of love of the pagan Romans – exalted be Allaah far above their fabrications and their association of others with Him.

4 – Exchange of words of love and desire in the greetings cards which they send to one another, in verse, prose and short phrases. Some of the cards contain comical pictures and funny words, and they often contain the phrase “be my Valentine”. This represents the Christian concept of this festival after it was taken from the pagan concept.

5 – In many western countries, parties are held during the day and in the evening, where there is mixing of men and women, and dancing. Many of them send gifts such as roses and boxes of chocolates to their wives, friends and those whom they love.

Anyone who looks at what is said above about the myths surrounding this pagan festival will clearly understand the following:

Firstly:

That its origins lie in the pagan beliefs of the Romans, where it was an expression of the spiritual love of the idols which they used to worship instead of Allaah. Whoever celebrates it is celebrating an occasion of shirk on which the idols are venerated. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers”[al-Maa’idah 5:72]

Secondly:

That the development of this festival among the Romans was connected to myths and legends which no sound mind can accept, let alone the mind of the Muslim who believes in Allaah and His Messengers (peace be upon them). Can anyone of sound mind believe that a she-wolf suckled the founder of the city of Rome and gave him strength and wisdom. Moreover, these myths go against the belief (‘aqeedah) of the Muslim because the One Who bestows strength and wisdom is the Creator, may He be glorified and exalted, not the milk of a she-wolf! The same applies to the myth that their idols could protect them from evil or keep wolves away from their flocks.

Thirdly: Among the ugly rituals of the Romans on this day was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat, the daubing of their blood onto two youths then washing the blood off with milk, etc… This is something that would cause revulsion in anyone of a sound nature, and it is unacceptable to the sound mind.

Fourthly:

The connection between Saint Valentine and this festival has been questioned by many sources, and it considered to be far from definite. It would have been better for the Christians to reject this pagan festival in which they imitated the pagans. So how about us Muslims, who are commanded to be different from the Christians and the pagans before them?

Fifthly: This festival was denounced by the Christian clergy in Italy, the bastion of Catholicism, because it was spreading bad attitudes and having an adverse effect on the minds of young men and women. So it is better for the Muslims to reject it, warn others against it and to fulfil their duty towards it of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.

Someone may ask: why do we Muslims not celebrate this festival?

This question may be answered in several ways:

1. In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined and well established, and no additions or subtractions may be accepted. They are an essential part of our worship and there is no room for ijtihaad or personal opinion. They have been prescribed for us by Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and religious ceremonies of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

‘To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way.’[al-Maa’idah 5:48]

‘For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow.’[al-Hajj 22:67]

… like the qiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting. So there is no difference between joining them in their festival and joining them in their other rituals. Agreeing with the whole festival is agreeing with kufr. Agreeing with some of their minor issues is the same as agreeing with them in some of the branches of kufr. Festivals are the most distinctive things by which religions are told apart, so whoever celebrates their festivals is agreeing with the most distinctive rituals of kufr. Undoubtedly going along with them in their festivals may in some cases lead to kufr. Dabbling in these things, at the very least, is a sin. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) referred to the fact that every nation has its own festivals when he said:

‘Every nation has its own Eid and this is our Eid.’ (al-Bukhaari , 952, Muslim, 1892).” (al-Iqtidaa’, 1/471-472)

Because Valentine’s Day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this means that it is something which belongs exclusively to the Christians, not to Islam, and the Muslims have no share and no part in it. If every nation has its own festivals, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said – “Every nation has its Eid,” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim) – then this means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs exclusively to them, then no Muslim should join in with them, just as he does not share their religion or their direction of prayer.

(www.islamhouse.com)

Aqeedah, Its Meaning and Importance

2014-12-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

"Aqeedah (Matters of Faith)...First...If They But Knew"

That is the manner in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) brought up his companions: Iman first and then the Quran. This is similar to what Imam Abu Hanifa pointed out: Understanding in the religion first (i.e. tauheed) and then understanding in the science (i.e. the shariah).

The beliefs must be corrected first, then follows all of the other aspects of the religion.

...And Imam Ash-Shafi`i said, "That a servant meets Allaah with every sin except Shirk is better say than meeting Him upon any of the innovated beliefs."

... Al-Aqeeda linguistically is derived from the term aqada. In Arabic, one states, "Aqada the rope" when the rope is tied firmly. And, "Aqada the sale" or "He settled the sale" when the person ratifies and contracts a sale or agreement. And Allah says in the Quran, "And as for those whom your right hands have made a covenant (Ar., aqadat)" [Al-Nisa 33].

And Allah also says, "But He will take you to task for the oaths which you swear in earnest (Ar., aqadtum) [Al-Maida, 89]

which means asserted and adhered to, as proven in the verse, "And break not oaths after the assertion of them" [An-Nahl, 91].

If one says, "Aqadtu such and such," it means his heart is firm upon such and such.

Therefore, al-aqeeda or al-itiqad according to the scholars of Islam is: The firm creed that one's heart is fixed upon without any wavering or doubt. It excludes any supposition, doubt or suspicion.

Imam Abu Hanifa called this great subject al-Fiqh al-Akbar ("The Greater Understanding") and the understanding of the religion. He called the science of law (Ar., shariah) the understanding of the science. Many scholars of Islam use the word tauheed for all matters that a person must believe in. This is because the most important of these matters is the basic tauheed that is contained in the phrase, "There is none worthy of worship except Allah."

Tauheed, according to them, may be divided into two categories: tauheed of cognition and affirmation and tauheed of purpose and deeds.

Tauheed of cognition and affirmation is the tauheed of the Oneness of the Creator and the tauheed of His Names and Attributes [i.e. He is Unique in His being the only Creator and the only One with His names and attributes]. Tauheed of purpose and deeds is tauheed of lordship or that none should be worshipped except Allah [i.e., He is the only One worthy of worship].

What is the name the Quran gives to this matter?

The Quran gives the grave matter the name iman. Allah says in the Quran, "And thus We inspired in You (Muhammad) a Spirit of Our command. You did not know what the Scripture was, nor what the Faith was. But we have made it a light whereby We guide whom We will of our bondmen..." [Al-Shura, 52].

The general concepts that the heart of the believer must be firm about are the "pillars" of this faith. But one will not be called a believer just by knowing and understanding these pillars but he must come to the level where he submits and implements what is described, in the hadith of Gabriel, as Islam.

Iman, in this manner, incorporates Islam.

If iman was simply knowing the facts in one's heart, then its companion would be equal to Satan and Pharaoh [Note: The Satan was the most knowledgeable of his Lord but he was destroyed because of his pride and envy. And Pharaoh, even though he claimed to be the lord, knew that the lord is Allah and that none has the right to be worshipped but Him. Allah says, "He said: In truth you know that none sent down these portents save the Lord of the heavens and the earth as proofs..." [al-Isra, 102]. - Although they knew the truth, they did not put it in practice by turning their `ibadah to Allah Alone].

In the hadith of Gabriel, the Prophet (peace be upon him) explained the pillars of this faith in which every human must believe, when he was asked, "What is iman?", he said, "To believe in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers and the Last Day and predestination of good and evil."

It is a must for every person to know these pillars and to learn them with a correct understanding and to believe in them in the manner that he pious forefathers understood and believed in them, in the same manner that the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) believed and understood them, as well as their Followers and those who followed on their path. This includes the four imams, Sufyan Al-Thauri, Sufyan ibn Uyaina, Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak and others similar to them, as well as Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari, Muslim ibn Al-Hajjaj, Shaikh al-Islam ibn Taymiya and al-Hafedh ibn al-Qayyim. And scholars similar to them who followed the same manner of understanding and believing in these pillars.

This is the first obligation upon the responsible human being. There is no difference of opinion on this question among the scholars whose opinions are worth following.

Imam Abu-Hanifa said, "The understanding of faith is better than understanding of the science." What he meant by faith is tauheed and what he meant by science is the shariah. He put the understanding of tauheed before the understanding of the shariah.

And Shaikh al-Islam al-Haruwi al-Ansari (d. 481 AH) stated at the beginning of his book, Itiqad ahl al-Sunnah, "The first obligation upon the slave is the knowledge of Allah. This is proven by the hadith of Muadh, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him, 'You will come to a people from the People of the Book. The first thing that you should call them to is the worship of Allah. If they gain the knowledge of Allah, then tell them that Allah obligates upon them five prayers during the day and night..."

From this premise did the great scholars of Islam precede. Ponder, for example, what Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari did in his book al-Jami al-Sahih, which is the most authentic book after the Book of Allah; one will see that from his detailed knowledge and understanding of this religion, this great Imam began his book with "The Beginning of Revelation" and then he followed it with chapters on faith, followed by the chapters on knowledge. As if he means, may Allah have mercy on him, to point out that the first obligation upon a human being is faith or Iman and the way to attaining faith is knowledge. And the source of faith and knowledge is revelation. So he began by showing how the revelation occurred and what it was like. Then he followed by mentioning faith and knowledge. This arrangement is no accident; by it he makes some important points.

This is the sum of what we wish to mention and what we wish to raise our voices about. The matter of aqeeda is the first priority. Faith and knowledge are the means of attaining it. And the source of knowledge and faith is the Book and Sunnah.

(www.islamhouse.com)

The History of 'Ashurah

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Muslims must fear Allah and take lessons from what Allah has told us in the Noble Qur’an regarding the Prophets and Messengers of Allah and the previous nations.

Allah said (which means): “Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur’an) is not a forged statement, but a confirmation of Allah’s existing books (the Torah, the Gospel, and other Scriptures of Allah), a detailed explanation of everything, and a guide and a mercy for the people who believe.” (Yusuf 12:111)

And among the stories that Allah has narrated to us in His Book is what happened in Allah’s month, the sacred month of Muharram, and that is the story of Prophet Moosa (Moses) and Pharaoh, the tyrant of Egypt. In the Qur’an, Allah tells us this story which means: “We recite to you some of the news of Moosa and Pharaoh in truth, for a people who believe (i.e. those who believe in this Qur’an and in the Oneness of Allah). Verily, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (Children of Israel) among them, killing their sons and letting their females live. Verily, he was of those who work corruption. And We wished to do a favour for those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and to make them rulers and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in the land, and We let Pharaoh and Haamaan (a minister of Pharaoh) and their hosts receive from them that which they feared.” (Al-Qasas 28:3-6)

Pharaoh dominated the nation of Israel and enslaved them, killing their newborn sons but letting their females live. The reason he committed this criminal act was the fear of the truth coming out from one of those newborn males. The nation of Israel used to know, according to what came to them from Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham), that someone from his lineage would destroy the king of Egypt. These glad tidings were famous among them; and the news of it was made known to Pharaoh. Pharaoh ordered his soldiers to kill all newborn boys of the nation of Israel; in order to secure himself from destruction.

However, all of the precautions that he made were not enough to protect him from what Allah wanted, which was for this newborn boy to be raised in the house of Pharaoh. The will of Allah cannot be stopped by any precautions and His ability conquers anything. So Allah chose for the Prophet Moosa to be born safely, to be saved from being killed, and also to be raised in Pharaoh’s own home under the protection of Allah until he was an adult.

Later, Moosa accidentally killed a person from Pharaoh’s people by mistake. Moosa was afraid that he would be captured and be killed for this, so he fled to the land of Madyan and abided there for some time. He married there and then returned to Egypt. On the way back, Allah talked to him (by revelation) and told him he was a Prophet and the Messenger to Pharaoh. Allah told him many signs by which he will be known as the prophet of Allah and they would show that he was a true prophet.

Moosa went to Pharaoh and showed him the signs of Allah but Pharaoh was arrogant and stubborn. Allah says (which means):

“Has there come to you the story of Moosa? When his Lord called him in the Valley of Tuwaa. ‘Go to Pharaoh, verily he has transgressed all bounds (in crimes, sins, polytheism and disbelief). And say to him, ‘Would you purify yourself (from the sin of disbelief and by becoming a believer)? And that I guide you to your Lord, so you should fear Him?’ Then (Moosa) showed him the great signs (miracles). But (Pharaoh) belied and disobeyed; then he turned his back, striving hard against (Allah). Then he gathered his people and cried aloud, saying, ‘I am your lord, most high.’” (An-Naazi’aat 79:15-24)

Pharaoh claimed that the signs Moosa brought were only magic and that he had magic that would overtake the magic of Moosa. So Pharaoh gathered magicians from his kingdom and they presented their magic, and Moosa presented what he had from the signs, which Allah had given him.

Allah said (which means):“Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. So they were defeated there and then, and were returned disgraced. And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. They said, ‘We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, the Lord of Moosa and Haaroon (Aaron).’” (Al-A’araf 7:118-122)

At that time Pharaoh decided to try a different plan - fear, force and retaliation. Allah told Moosa to get every believer out of Egypt and direct them to where Allah would tell him. Pharaoh gathered his army and forces, which were around one million soldiers, according to some references, and he chased Moosa and his people, hoping to destroy them completely. Moosa ended up at the sea with Pharaoh and his army behind him. The believers were afraid because the sea was in front of them and the enemy was behind them.

Allah says (which means): “And when the two hosts saw each other, the people of Moosa, said, ‘We are sure to be overtaken. (Moosa) said, ‘Nay, verily! With me is my Lord and He will guide me!’” (Ash-Shu’araa 26:61-62)

Whoever is close to Allah, Allah will never let him down or leave him on his own. Allah ordered Moosa to strike the sea with his staff. Moosa did so and the sea opened up for them to cross. Allah says (which means): “And indeed We inspired Moosa (saying): ‘Travel by night with My slaves and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken (by Pharaoh) nor being afraid (of drowning).” (Taa-Haa 20:77)

Moosa walked across the path that opened in the sea and the last of his people left the sea and every soldier of Pharaoh’s army was inside the path. At this time Allah ordered the sea to collapse upon them, drowning Pharaoh and his army.

That was the victory of the truth over falsehood. The promise of Allah was true – He made the people of Moosa victorious over Pharaoh and his army. From this story we see how the truth is victorious, regardless of the size or seeming power of falsehood. Falsehood has its own limited time, but the truth is always victorious.

This story should enrich the hearts of the believers and make them steadfast in the face of their enemies, regardless of size or seeming power of their enemies. The believer should also benefit from this story by understanding that the people of falsehood claim that they are on the right path and are calling people to the truth. In fact, the opposite is true - they rely on lies and deception.

This great event – the victory Allah gave Moosa and the believers over Pharaoh and his army - occurred on the 10th of the sacred month of Muharram and the day is called Yaumul 'Ashurah' (the day of 'Ashurah'). It is a day that has a great merit. Prophet Moosa fasted on that day, and ordered the people to fast that day.

Ibn ‘Abbass reported that when the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) arrived in Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. The Messenger of Allah asked them, “What is the significance of this day that you fast on?” They said: “It is the day of great significance when Allah delivered Moosa and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Moosa observed fast out of gratitude, and we also observe it.” Upon this, the Messenger of Allah said, “We have more right and we have a closer connection to Moosa than you have.”

So Allah’s Messenger fasted (on the day of Ashura) and gave orders that it should be observed.

We also benefit from the story of Moosa by learning that the Sunnah of the Prophets is to thank and praise Allah in times of peace and when they gain victory over their enemies. Moosa fasted on the 10th, the day on which Allah made his followers victorious over Pharaoh; and this is another sign that the truth will always defeat falsehood.

Muharram & Ashurah

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Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Quran says,

"The number of the months according to Allah is twelve (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified."

These four months, according to the authentic traditions, are Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, declared:

"One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab."

The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadan is admittedly the most sanctified month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sanctified months for the simple reason that their sanctity was accepted even by the pagans of Makkah.

In fact, every month, out of the twelve, is originally equal to the other, and there is no inherent sanctity that may be attributed to one of them in comparison to the other months. When Allah Almighty chooses a particular time for His special blessings, the same acquires sanctity out of His grace.

Thus, the sanctity of these four months was recognized right from the days of Sayyidina Ibrahim, alayhi salam. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim, alayhi salam, they observed the sanctity of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.

In the Shariah of our Noble Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Quran referred to them as the "sanctified months".

Muharram has certain other characteristics special to it, which are specified below.

Fasting During the Month

The Noble Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said: 'The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram."

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of his own will is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most rewardable ones among the Nafl or voluntary fasts.

The Hadith does not mean that the award promised for fasts of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he can.

The Day of 'Ashurah'

Although Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named 'Ashurah'. According to the Companion Ibn 'Abbas, Radi-Allahu anhu: The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, when migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Prophet Musa (Moses), alayhis salam, and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, "We are more closely rotated to Musa, alayhi salam, than you," ...and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of 'Ashura'. (Abu Dawood)

It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of 'Ashura' was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of 'Ashura' was made optional. Sayyidina 'Aisha, Radi-Allahu anha, has said:

"When the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of 'Ashura' and directed the people to fast. But when the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadan and the obligatory nature of the fast of 'Ashura' was abandoned. Whoever so desires should fast on it and any other who so likes can avoid fasting on it." (Sunan Abu Dawud)

However, the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast on the day of 'Ashura' even after the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory. Abdullah ibn Musa, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that

"The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, preferred the fast of 'Ashura' over the fasts of other days and preferred the fasts of Ramadhaan over the fast of 'Ashura'. (Bukhari and Muslim)

In short, it is established through a number of authentic ahadith that fasting on the day of 'Ashura' is Sunnah of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and makes one entitled to a great reward.

According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of 'Ashura' should either be preceded or followed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is that the Jews used to fast on the day of'Ashura alone, and the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, wanted to distinguish the Muslim way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of 'Ashura'.

What is mentioned above is all that is supported through authentic sources about Ashura.

Misconceptions and Baseless Traditions

However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to 'Ashura' that have managed to find their way into the minds of the ignorant, but have no support of authentic Islamic sources, some very common of them are these: This is the day on which Adam, alayhi salam, was created. This is the day when Ibrahim, alayhi salam, was born. This is the day when Allah accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam, alayhi salam. This is the day when Qiyaamah (doomsday) will take place. Whoever takes bath on the day of 'Ashura' will never get ill.

All these and other similar whims and fancies are totally baseless and the traditions referred to in this respect are not worthy of any credit.

Some people take it as Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal on the day of 'Ashura'. This practice, too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.

Some other people attribute the sanctity of 'Ashura' to the martyrdom of Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, during his battle with the Syrian army. No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of 'Ashura' cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashura' was established during the days of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, much earlier than the birth of Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu.

On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, that his martyrdom took place on the day of 'Ashura'.

Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, was killed in it. It is for this misconception that people avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept, which is contrary to the express teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah. If the death of an eminent person on a particular day renders that day unlucky for all times to come, one can hardly find a day of the year free from this bad luck because every day is associated with the demise of some eminent person. The Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, have liberated us from such superstitious beliefs.

Lamentations and Mourning

Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold the lamentation and mouming ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu. As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala is one of the most tragic events of our history, but the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has forbidden us from holding the mourning ceremonies on the death of any person. The people of jahiliyyah (ignorance) used to mourn over their deceased through loud lamentations, by tearing their clothes and by beating their cheeks and chests. The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, stopped the Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience by saying "Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji'oon". A number of authentic Ahaadith are available on the subject. To quote only one of them:

"He is not from our group who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of jahiliyyah." (Sahih Bukhari)

All the authentic jurists are unanimous on the point that the mourning of this type is impermissible. Even Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, shortly before his demise, had advised his beloved sister Sayyidah Zainab, Radi-Allahu anha, at not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said, "My dear sister! I swear upon you that in case I die you shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death." (Al-Kamil, ibn Kathir vol. 4 pg. 24)

It is evident from this advice of Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, that this type of mourning is condemned even by the blessed person for the memory of whom these mourning ceremonies are held. Every Muslim should avoid this practice and abide by the teachings of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and his beloved grand child Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu.

The Shahaadah and Its Importance

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IMPORTANCE

- Definitely there could be no greater and more important a statement than 'Laa ilaaha illa Allah' (there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah).

- It is the statement of declaration of belief in the Tawheed of Allah which is the dividing line between Imaan and kufr - It was the call of all of the previous Messengers and Prophets.

- Allah (T) Himself attested to the importance of this statement in the Quraan:

He (T) said: "...and know that Laa ilaaha ill Allah (that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah)..." [47:19, 20:8, 3:18, 59:22-3]

As long as this statement is an obligation for an unbeliever to declare in order for him to become a Muslim, and also, since a person who pronounces it faithfully his property and life are safeguarded in this world, it becomes an obligation upon any Muslim who wants to understand the Deen of Islaam to realize its meaning, merits, principles, conditions and its place in life.

- Remembering Allah (Dhikr Allah) is one of the most important commandments of Allah. This He Himself commanded in many verses of the Quraan, especially after the performance of important religious obligations:

"...Then when you leave Arafat, remember Allah (by glorfying and praising Him) at the Mash`ar il-Haraam. And remember Allah (by invokingAllah for all good) as He has guided you..." [2:198]

"Then when you have accomplished your 'Manasik' (all the rights of Hajj); remember Allah as you remember your father with a strong remembrance..." [2:200]

He (T) also said: "...and establish prayers for My remembrance." [20:14]

The best way to remember Allah is described to us in the Hadeeth of the Messenger (S), he said: "...and the best (supplication) I and the other prophets who were sent who were sent before me proclaimed was: There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, He is Alone and has no partner. To Him belongs the Ownership (of everything), and to Him belongs all Praise, and He has total power over all things." [Laa ilaaha ill Allah, wah.dahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul h.amdu wa huwa `alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer.] At-Tirmidhi

The Messenger of Allah (S) also said: "The best remembrance of Allah is to say 'laa ilaaha ill Allah' (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah)."

All of the above points highlight the importance of this 'kalima' which we will try to explain in some more detail so that a clearer understanding of it can be achieved.

THE PLACE OF LAA ILAAHA ILL ALLAH IN THE LIFE OF A MUSLIM

- It is pronounced daily by him in:

(a) The call to prayer.

(b) At the beginning of their prayers

(d) During times of 'Dhikr', which is before and after prayers, in the late evening and also in the early mornings.

(e) With this 'Kalima' did Allah send all His Messengers.

(f) About it and its obligations will people be questioned

(g) To establish it when the swords of Muslims are drawn for Jihaad.

(h) The first question in the grave will be about this 'Kalima'.

(i) It is the key to Al-Jannah.

(j) It is what the Muslims are commanded to invite to as is estbalished in the Hadeeth of Muadh when he was sent to Yemen to call the people to Islaam. The Messenger of Allah (S) said: "You are going to encounter with a people of the Book, so let the first thing you call them to is the proclamation of 'laa ilaaha ill Allah' (there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah)..." [Bukhari]

THE MERITS OF THE 'KALIMAH' (LAA ILAAHA ILL ALLAH)

Abu Sa`eed al-Khudri said, that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: "Moses (AS) said: O Lord! Teach me something that I can remember You with and I can supplicate You with. He (T) said: Say 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah', O Musaa. He (Musaa) said: All of your servants say this. He (T) said: If the seven Heavens and those who dwell in them other than Me and the seven Earths are put into one pan (of the scale) and 'Laa ilaaha ill Allaah' is put into the other; 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah' would be heavier." [Ibn Hibbaan and Haakim]

The Messenger of Allah (S) said: "The best Dhikr (remembrance) is 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah' (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah)..."

The Messenger of Allah (S) said: "A person from my Ummah will be summoned in the presence of all creatures on the Day of Judgement. Ninety-nine records (of his deeds) would be unfolded, each extending as far as the range of the vision can stretch, then he would be asked: 'Do you deny any of these deeds?' He will reply: 'No, My Lord.' He will be asked: 'Do you have any excuse or any good deed?' The man who will be scared will say: 'No' It will be said to him: 'Yes you have some good deeds. No iniquity will befall you.'

A card wll then be shown to him, on it will be written: 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah, Muhammad Rasool Allah.' He will say: 'O Allah! What cards and records are these.' It will be said to him: 'No injustice shall befall you.' The (ninety-nine) records will then be placed in one pan of the scale and the card on the other. The card will then outweigh the records." [At-Tirmidhi and Al-Haakim]

All of These Merits of the 'Kalimah' Are Summarized by Ibn Rajab As Follows:

- Al-Jannah is its reward.

- Uttering it before death will cause one to be admitted to the Jannah.

- It is a refuge from the Fire of Hell.

- It is a cause for a Muslim to be forgiven.

- It is the best of good deeds.

- It wipes out sins.

- It traverses all bariers in order to be accepted by Allah, the Almighty

- It is a statement whose pronouncer will be accepted by Allah.

- It is the best proclamation ever uttered by the Prophets.

- It is the best celebration of His praises.

- It is the best of deeds and it multiplies into many good deeds.

- It is a protection against Satan.

- It is a safety from the darkness and the punishment of the graves and from the Day of Resurrection.

- The eight doors of Paradise will be accessible to its pronuncer.

- People who pronounce it will certain come out of the Fire of Hell, even after they have been cast into it for falling short of observing its obligations.

Summarized from a treatise done by Dr. Saleh Al-Fouzan Adopted from HUDAA Magazine, published by Masjid Al-Istiqaamah

Jafar ibn Abi Talib

2014-12-26T09:02:00.003-08:00

In spite of his noble standing among the Quraysh, Abu Talib, an uncle of the Prophet, was quite poor. He had a large family and did not have enough means to support them adequately. His poverty-stricken situation became much worse when a severe drought hit the Arabian peninsula. The drought destroyed vegetation and livestock and, it is said, people were driven to eat bones in the struggle for survival.

It was during this time of drought, before his call to prophethood, that Muhammad said to his uncle, al Abbas: "Your brother, Abu Talib, has a large family. People as you see have been afflicted by this severe drought and are facing starvation. Let us go to Abu Talib and take over responsibility for some of his family. It will take one of his sons and you can taken another and we will look after them."

"What you suggest is certainly righteous and commendable," replied al-Abbas, and together they went to Abu Talib and said to him: "We want to ease some of the burden of your family until such time as this distressing period has gone." Abu Talib agreed.

"If you allow me to keep Aqeel (one of his sons older than Ali), then you may do whatever you like ," he said.

It was in this way that Muhammad took Ali into his household and al-Abbas took Jafar into his. Jafar had a very close resemblance to the Prophet. It is said there were five men from the Hashim clan who resembled the Prophet so much, they were often mistaken for him. They were: Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith and Qutham ibn al-Abbas both of whom were cousins of his. As-Saib ibn Ubayd, the grandfather of Imam ash Shafi: al-Hasan ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet, who resembled him most of all; and Jafar ibn Abi Talib.

Jafar stayed with his uncle, al-Abbas, until he was a young man. Then he married Asma bint Umays, a sister of Maymunah who was later to become a wife of the Prophet. After his marriage, Jafar went to live on his own. He and his wife were among the first persons to accept Islam. He became a Muslim at the hands of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, may God be pleased with him.

The young Jafar and his wife were devoted followers of Islam. They bore the harsh treatment and the persecution of the Quraysh with patience and steadfastness because they both realized that the road to Paradise was strewn with. thorns and paved with pain and hardship.

The Quraysh made life intolerable for them both and for their brethren in faith. They tried to obstruct them from observing or performing the duties and rites of Islam. They prevented them from tasting the full sweetness of worship undisturbed. The Quraysh waylaid them at every turn and severely restricted their freedom of movement.

Jafar eventually went to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and sought permission for himself and a small group of the Sahabah, including his wife, to make hijrah to the land of Abyssinia. With great sadness, the Prophet gave his permission. It pained him that these pure and righteous souls should be forced to leave their homes and the familiar and cherished scenes and memories of their childhood and youth, not for any crime but only because they said, "Our Lord is One. Allah is our Lord."

The group of Muhajirin left Makkah bound for the land of Abyssinia. Leading them was Jafar ibn Abi Talib. Soon they settled down in this new land under the care and protection of the Negus, the just and righteous ruler of Abyssinia. For the first time since they became Muslims, they savoured the taste of freedom and security and enjoyed the sweetness of worship undisturbed.

When the Quraysh learnt of the departure of the small group of Muslims and the peaceful life they enjoyed under the protection of the Negus, they made plans to secure their extradition and their return to the great prison that was Makkah. They sent two of their most formidable men, Amr ibn al-Aas and Abdullah ibn Abi Rabiah, to accomplish this task and loaded them with valuable and much sought after presents for the Negus and his bishops.

In Abyssinia, the two Quraysh emissaries first presented their girls to the bishops and to each of them they said: "There are some wicked young people moving about freely in the King's land. They have attacked the religion of their forefathers and caused disunity among their people. When we speak to the King about them, advise him to surrender them to us without his asking them about their religion. The respected leaders of their own people are more aware of them and know better what they believe."

The bishops agreed.

Amr and Abdullah then went to the Negus himself and presented him with gifts which he greatly admired. They said to him: "O King, there is a group of evil persons from among our youth who have escaped to your kingdom. They practice a religion which neither we nor you know. They have forsaken our religion and have not entered into your religion. The respected leaders of their people - from among their own parents and uncles. and from their own clans - have sent us to you to request you to return them. They know best what trouble they have caused."

The Negus looked towards his bishops who said: "They speak the truth, O King. Their own people know them better and are better acquainted with what they have done. Send them back so that they themselves might judge them."

The Negus was quite angry with this suggestion and said: "No. By God, I won't surrender them to anyone until I myself call them and question them about what they have been accused. If what these two men have said is true, then I will hand them over to you. If however it is not so, then I shall protect them so long as they desire to remain under my protection."

The Negus then summoned the Muslims to meet him. Before going, they consulted with one another as a group and agreed that Jafar ibn Abi Talib and no one else should speak on their behalf.

In the court of the Negus, the bishops, dressed in green surplises and impressive headgear, were seated on his right and on his left. The Qurayshite emissaries were also seated when the Muslims entered and took their seats. The Negus turned to them and asked:

"What is this religion which you have introduced for yourself and which has served to cut you off from the religion of your people? You also did not enter my religion nor the religion of any other community."

Jafar ibn Abi Talib then advanced and made a speech that was moving and eloquent and which is still one of the most compelling descriptions of Islam. the appeal of the noble Prophet and the condition of Makkan society at the time. He said: "O King, we were a people in a state of ignorance and immorality, worshipping idols and eating the flesh of dead animals, committing all sorts of abomination and shameful deeds. breaking the ties of kinship, treating guests badly and the strong among us exploited the weak. "We remained in this state until Allah sent us a Prophet, one of our own people whose lineage, truthfulness, trustworthiness and integrity were well-known to us. "He called us to worship Allah alone and to renounce the stones and the idols which we and our ancestors used to worship besides Allah.

"He commanded us to speak the truth, to honor our promises, to be kind to our relations, to be helpful to our neighbors, to cease all forbidden acts, to abstain from bloodshed. to avoid obscenities and false witness, not to appropriate an orphan's property nor slander chaste women.

"He ordered us to worship Allah alone and not to associate anything with him, to uphold Salat, to give Zakat and fast in the month of Ramadan.

"We believed in him and what he brought to us from Allah and we follow him in what he has asked us to do and we keep away from what he forbade us from doing.

"Thereupon, O King, our people attacked us, visited the severest punishment on us to make us renounce our religion and take us back to the old immorality and the worship of idols.

"They oppressed us, made life intolerable for us and obstructed us from observing our religion. So we left for your country, choosing you before anyone else, desiring your protection and hoping to live in Justice and in peace m your midst."

The Negus was impressed and was eager to hear more. He asked Jafar: "Do you have with you something of what your

Prophet brought concerning God?" "Yes," replied Jafar.

"Then read it to me," requested the Negus. Jafar, in his rich, melodious voice recited for him the first portion of Surah Maryam which deals with the story of Jesus and his mother Mary.

On hearing the words of the Quran, the Negus was moved to tears. To the Muslims, he said: "The message of your Prophet and that of Jesus came from the same source..." To Amr and his companion, he said:" Go. For, by God, I will never surrender them to you." That, however, was not the end of the matter. The wily Amr made up his mind to go to the King the following day "to mention something about the Muslims belief which will certainly fill his heart with anger and make him detest them" On the morrow, Amr went to the Negus and said:

"O King. these people to whom you have given refuge and whom you protect say something terrible about Jesus the son of Mary (that he is a slave). Send for them and ask them what they say about him."

The Negus summoned the Muslims once more and Jafar acted as their spokesman. The Negus put the question: "What do you say about Jesus, the son of Mary?"

"Regarding him, we only say what has been revealed to our Prophet ," replied Jaffar. "And what is that?" enquired the Negus.

"Our Prophet says that Jesus is the servant of God and His Prophet. His spirit and His word which He cast into Mary the Virgin."

The Negus was obviously excited by this reply and exclaimed: "By God, Jesus the son of Mary was exactly as your Prophet has described him"

The bishops around the Negus grunted in disgust at what they had heard and were reprimanded by the Negus. He turned to the Muslims and said:

"Go, for you are safe and secure. Whoever obstructs you will pay for it and whoever opposes you will be punished. For, by God, I would rather not have a mountain of gold than that anyone of you should come to any harm."

Turning to Amr and his companion, he instructed his attendants: "Return their gifts to these two men. I have no need of them." Amr and his companion left broken and frustrated. The Muslims stayed on in the land of the Negus who proved to be most generous and kind to his guests.

Jafar and his wife Asma spent about ten years in Abyssinia which became a second home for them. There, Asma gave birth to three children whom they named Abdullah, Muhammad and Awn. Their second child was possibly the first child in the history of the Muslim Ummah to be given the name Muhammad after the noble Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace.

In the seventh year of the hijrah, Jafar and his family left Abyssinia with a group of Muslims and headed for Madinah. When they arrived the Prophet was just returning from the successful conquest of Khaybar. He was so overjoyed at meeting Jafar that he said: "I do not know what fills me with more happiness, the conquest of Khaybar or the coming of Jafar."

Muslims in general and the poor among them especially were just as happy with the return of Jafar as the Prophet was. Jafar quickly became known as a person who was much concerned for the welfare of the poor and indigent. For this he was nicknamed, the "Father of the Poor". Abu Hurayrah said of him: "The best of men towards us indigent folk was Jafar ibn Abi Talib. He would pass by us on his way home and give us whatever food he had. Even if his own food had run out, he would send us a pot in which he had placed some butterfat and nothing more. We would open it and lick it clean..."

Jafar's stay in Madinah was not long. At the beginning of the eighth year of the hijrah, the Prophet mobilized an army to confront Byzantine forces in Syria because one of his emissaries who had gone in peace had been treacherously killed by a Byzantine governor. He appointed Zayd ibn Harithah as commander of the army and gave the following instructions: "If Zayd is wounded or killed, Jafar ibn Abi Talib would take over the command. If Jafar is killed or wounded, then your commander would be Abdullah ibn Rawahah. If Abdullah ibn Rawahah is killed, then let the Muslims choose for themselves a commander."

The Prophet had never given such instructions to an army before and the Muslims took this as an indication that he expected the battle to be tough and that they would even suffer major losses.

When the Muslim army reached Mutah, a small village situated among hills in Jordan, they discovered that the Byzantines had amassed a hundred thousand men backed up by a massive number of Christian Arabs from the tribes of Lakhm, Judham, Qudaah and others. The Muslim army only numbered three thousand.

Despite the great odds against them, the Muslim forces engaged the Byzantines in battle. Zayd ibn al-Harithah, the beloved companion of the Prophet, was among the first to fall. Jafar ibn Abi Talib then assumed command. Mounted on his ruddy-complexioned horse, he penetrated deep into the Byzantine ranks. As he spurred his horse on, he called out: "How wonderful is Paradise as it draws near! How pleasant and cool is its drink! Punishment for the Byzantines is not far away!" Jafar continued to fight vigorously but was eventually slain. The third in command, Abdullah ibn Rawahah, also fell. Khalid ibn al-Walid, the inveterate fighter who had recently accepted Islam, was then chosen as the commander. He made a tactical withdrawal, redeployed the Muslims and renewed the attack from several directions. Eventually, the bulk of the Byzantine forces fled in disarray.

The news of the death of his three commanders reached the Prophet in Madinah. The pain and grief he felt was intense. He went to Jafar's house and met his wife Asma. She was getting ready to receive her absent husband. She had prepared dough and bathed and clothed the children. Asma said: "When the Messenger of God approached us, I saw a veil of sadness shrouding his noble face and I became very apprehensive. But I did not dare ask him about Jafar for fear that I would hear some unpleasant news. He greeted and asked, 'Where are Jaffar's children?' I called them for him and they came and crowded around him happily, each one wanting to claim him for himself. He leaned over and hugged them while tears flowed from his eyes.

'O Messenger of God,' I asked, 'why do you cry? Have you heard anything about Jafar and his two companions?'

'Yes,' he replied. 'They have attained martyrdom.' The smiles and the laughter vanished from the faces of the little children when they heard their mother crying and wailing. Women came and gathered around Asma.

"O Asma," said the Prophet, "don't say anything objectionable and don't beat your breast." He then prayed to God to protect and sustain the family of Jafar and assured them that he had attained Paradise.

The Prophet left Asma's house and went to his daughter Fatimah who was also weeping. To her, he said: "For such as Jafar, you can (easily) cry yourself to death. Prepare food for Jafar's family for today they are beside themselves with grief."

Source: http://www.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/companions_of_the_prophet/jafar.html

The Manners of Joking

2014-12-26T09:01:00.002-08:00

Slaves of Allaah! One the signs of the greatness and comprehensiveness of this religion is that it does not leave any aspect of life unaddressed. It set criteria and rules which people must adhere to and live by. All of this was through the command of Allaah and the practice of the messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.

It is a widely held belief among the non-Muslims and unfortunately, some Muslims that Islaam is a religion of suppression and harshness, where laughing, joking, entertainment and fun are not permitted.

While it may understandable for non-Muslims to think this way, due to their ignorance of Islaam or the distorted image of Islaam portrayed constantly by the media, what is shocking and a disaster, is when we come across Muslims who hold the same opinions.

O Muslims! The Sunnah of our Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) has clarified this issue and he (Peace be Up On Him) has set a wonderful example for the Muslim’s life style, for those who wish to live according to this guidance. If we refer to the Sunnah, we will find that the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) used to joke with his companions, Abu Daawood and Tirmidhi reported that a man came to the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) and said:

“Give me an animal to ride on” the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) replied: “I will give you the son of a female camel” the man said with astonishment: “What could I do with the son of a female camel?” (i.e., thinking that he would be given a camel too small to ride). Thereupon, the Messenger of Allaah (Peace be Up On Him) replied: “What do female camels deliver except camels?”(i.e., that every camel, even if it is fully grown, is the product of a female camel). (Abu Daawood & Tirmidhi).

Tabaraani reported that an old woman came to the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) and said:

“O Messenger of Allaah! Supplicate that Allaah permits me into Paradise” he (Peace be Up On Him) replied: “Paradise will not be entered by old women” then he went off to pray. When he came back, his wife ‘Aa’ishah., may Allaah be pleased with her, said to him: “The old woman found what you said to be difficult” he replied: “Allaah will bring all the women of Paradise to a young age before allowing them enter.”

Imaam Bukhaari mentioned in his book, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, “The companions used to play by throwing watermelon skins at each other, but when it was time for seriousness, they were real men.”

The Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) had the finest manners, so much so that he was always joking with and teasing children. Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated:

“The Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) used to joke with us; He would call out to my young brother:“O Abu ‘Umayr! (a playful nickname), what happened to your bird (a pet that he used to keep)?”” (Bukhaari).

Once, some of the companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, asked the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him): “Do you joke with us?” he (Peace be Up On Him) replied: “I do, but I only say that which is true” (Tirmidhi & Bukhaari in his book Al-Adab Al-Mufrad).

Slaves of Allaah! All that which I mentioned is only a tiny fraction of his joking with his companions. I did not want to elaborate more on this because it was only meant to be an introduction to the main topic, which is: ‘Etiquettes of Joking’.

Brothers in faith! As you have heard, Islaam does not prohibit joking and teasing, but it sets criteria for it as our Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) instructed us, which are:

1) Saying only that which is true: If we look to the narrations mentioned above, he (Peace be Up On Him) never said a word which was not true, like in the story of the camel or the old woman. This is how joking should be, without lying, fabricating and concocting stories simply to people laugh. The Prophet (Peace be Up On Him)warned about this saying:

“Woe to the one who lies to people just to make them laugh. Woe to him, woe to him.” (Abu Daawood & Tirmidhi).

2) It should not involve verses from the Qur’aan, Prophetic sayings, or any of fundamentals of Islaam. Unfortunately, some people have fallen into this terrible practice, we ask Allaah to guide them. These people tell jokes about the angels, Prophets, Qur’aanic verses and Prophetic sayings. This is extremely dangerous as it is tantamount to disbelief. Shaikh Al-‘Uthaymeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “One who mocks Allaah, His verses, His signs or His Messengers is a disbeliever because this action nullifies belief.” How can someone mock that which he believes in? In fact, one who believes in something glorifies it and esteems it by making it occupy a great position in their heart. Disbelief is two types, Shunning, or turning away, from the truth and opposing the truth. The one who mocks the religion is practicing the second type of disbelief and their action is worse than the one who prostrates to an idol. This is a very dangerous issue; a person might utter a word which would cause them intense hardship and results in their destruction. They might utter a word which causes the wrath of Allaah to descend upon them and which results in them going to the Hellfire. One who mocks praying, even if they were only joking, Zakaah, fasting or Hajj becomes a disbeliever by the consensus of the Muslim scholars.

Likewise, one who mocks the signs of Allaah by saying, for example, ‘Having warm days in winter is senseless’ or by saying, ‘Having cool days in summer is silly’ is a disbeliever because all the actions and creations of Allaah are done with His complete knowledge and comprehensive wisdom.

During the battle of Tabook, while the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) was riding to the battlefield, some of the hypocrites uttered words which had very grave consequences for them, although they claimed later to have only been joking. Allaah revealed verses in His Book, which is universally recited by all Muslims.

Imaam Ibn Katheer mentioned in his commentary of the Qur’aan, regarding the verse in which Allaah says that which translates as:

“And if you ask them, they will surely say: ‘We were only conversing and playing.’ Say, ‘Is it Allaah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?’ ” (At-Tawbah: 65).

Imaam Ibn Katheer said: “Muhammad Ibn Ka’b, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that a man from the hypocrites said: ‘Those who memorize the Qur’aan have the biggest stomachs, are the worst liars and the greatest cowards at the time of fighting’ This was conveyed to the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him), so the hypocrite rushed to the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) and found him on his camel. He said: ‘O messenger of Allaah I was only joking.’ Thereupon, the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) recited the verses which translate as:

“And if you ask them, they will surely say: ‘We were only conversing and playing.’ Say, ‘Is it Allaah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have disbelieved [i.e., rejected faith] after your belief. If We pardon one faction of you – We will punish another faction because they were criminals.” (At-Tawbah: 65-66).

The hypocrite was holding on to the camel of the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) and his feet were kicking the rocks on the ground, making them fly off in different directions, due to the speed of the camel. The Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) was on his camel and would not even look at the hypocrite, although the hypocrite was holding on to the saddle and constantly repeating that he was only joking.”

This is hard evidence that joking around with any aspect of the Sharee’ah, or Islamic Law, is tantamount to disbelief.

Slaves of Allaah! When we talk about joking, we must stress on this important and dangerous issue which some people slight, either knowingly or unknowingly, which is joking with anything that is related to the religion of Allaah. Some people invent jokes about this. Moreover, some newspapers and magazines practice this in their ‘caricature’ section. We have already mentioned the Islamic ruling regarding this, so people must be fearful of the dire consequences of such actions. Let us always remember the saying of the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him):

“A servant (of Allaah) would utter a word, without paying attention to it, which pleases Allaah and which results in Allaah elevating his rank in Paradise; And a servant (of Allaah) would utter a word, without paying attention to it, which displeases Allaah and which results in him going down into the Hellfire.” (Bukhaari).

In another narration, he (Peace be Up On Him) said: “A slave (of Allaah) would utter a word, without paying attention to it, which would result in him going down into the Hellfire further than the distance between the east and the west.” (Muslim).

1) Another criterion for permissible joking is that it should not harm others, whether physically or emotionally. Allaah says what translates as,

“O You who have believed. Let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name [i.e. mention] of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” (Al-Hujuraat: 12).

It is because these things hurt people’s feelings and may even lead to physical harm, that Allaah has prohibited it. Nowadays, people have transgressed all limits under the pretext of joking. It is sad to see that some people are eager to find out about a subject that would upset their brother and tease him about that; and this leads to their brother becoming offended, which is also prohibited.

2) The final criterion for permissible joking is that people should not do it excessively, as this leads them to commit errors and lose their dignity. One who reads through the history of the Prophet (Peace be Up On Him) will realise that he would joke but would never do so excessively. Therefore, based on this finest of examples, one should not joke excessively so that they do not become known for this trait.

(www.islamhouse.com)

Twenty Facts about Allah (God) in Islam

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1. He is the one God, Who has no partner.

2. Nothing is like Him. He is the Creator, not created, nor a part of His creation.

3. He is All-Powerful, absolutely Just.

4. There is no other entity in the entire universe worthy of worship besides Him.

5. He is First, Last, and Everlasting; He was when nothing was, and will be when nothing else remains.

6. He is the All-Knowing, and All-Merciful, the Supreme, the Sovereign.

7. Allah knows what is in our hearts.

8. He knows what we conceal and what we reveal.

9. Allah is very Gracious and kind to His slaves.

10. Allah promises who obey Him to enter Paradise in the hereafter and warned who disobey Him against the Hell.

11. Allah is near and he responds to the invocations of the supplicants.

12. Allah says in the Quran, "Why should Allah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have believed in Him."

13. Allah does not forgive setting up partners (in worship) with Him.

14. Allah is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful and he is also severe in punishment.

15. He sent His Messengers (peace be upon them) to guide all of mankind.

16. He sent Muhammad (pbuh) as the last Prophet and Messenger for all mankind.

17. Allah has sent all of His messengers to invite people to worship Him Alone.

18. His book is the Holy Qur'an, the only authentic revealed book in the world that has been kept without change.

19. Allah not only warned us against the Satan but also his footsteps.

20. Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him) and the good-doers.

The Evil Consequences of Lying

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O people! Fear Allaah and be among those who are truthful in their worship to Allaah and in their treatment of His servants. Be sincere to Allaah in your worship, with no showing off or seeking of reputation. Abide by the commands of Allaah in order to attain nearness to Him and obtain His good rewards; shun His prohibitions in order to avoid being far from His mercy and being liable to His punishment. Do not seek anyone's praise for your worship of Allaah, for He is the One Who does not stand in need of a partner. If anyone does anything in which he associates anyone else with Him, He shall abandon him to the one whom he associates with Allaah.

Be truthful to the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) without failing to follow his Sunnah and without introducing innovation to it. Be truthful to people when you deal with them, telling them the truth and explaining to them the reality. Allaah the Almighty orders you to be truthful when he says that which means:

“O you who have believed! Fear Allaah and be with those who are true [in word and deed].” (At-Tawbah: 119).

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Stick to truthfulness, as it leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise; and a person will keep on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person.”

In this Hadeeth the Prophet (peace be upon him) explained that there is an end for truthfulness, which is righteousness that leads to Paradise and a rank within it for the truthful, which is Siddeeqiyyah, or trustworthiness, that is next only to the rank of the prophets.

Allaah the Almighty says that which means:

“And whoever obeys Allaah and the Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom Allaah has bestowed favour of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.” (An-Nisaa’: 69)

A truthful person is held in reverence among people in his life and after his death. He is the object of their confidence and praise and they supplicate to Allaah to bestow His mercy upon him after his death.

O Muslims! Beware of treachery in your worship of Allaah! Do not blemish your worship by showing off, pretence and hypocrisy. Beware of deceit in your adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him); do not introduce innovations in his Sunnah and do not contradict his line of conduct. Beware of falsehood in your treatment with other people; do not tell lies, rather, tell the truth and only the truth. A believer can never be a liar, since dishonesty is a quality of the hypocrites.

Allaah the Almighty says that which means:

“… And Allaah testifies that the hypocrites are liars.” (Al-Munaafiqoon: 1)

…and also:

“In their [i.e., the hypocrites] hearts is disease, so Allaah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie.” (Al-Baqarah: 10)

…and also:

"They only invent falsehood who do not believe in the verses of Allaah, and it is those who are the liars.” (An-Nahl: 105).

A believer can never tell lies because he believes in the signs of Allaah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), and he believes in the Prophet’s saying:

“Falsehood leads to Al-Fujoor (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Al-Fujoor leads to the Hellfire, and a man will keep on telling lies until he is written off by Allaah as a liar.”

How awful is falsehood and how base is the rank of the liars! Falsehood leads to wickedness, which is the deviation from the straightforward path, which in turn leads to the Fire of Hell, and woe to the denizens of Hell! A liar is mean-spirited, since he is notorious for falsehood in the sight of Allaah. How ugly is the description of falsehood, which is always avoided and feared to be known about among people. How can a person feel any peace of mind while he is branded as a liar in the sight of Allaah? A liar is always doubted by people, who often suspect his statements and transactions and even dispraise him after his death.

In the Qur’aan, Allaah mentions falsehood alongside idolatry when He says that which means:

“… So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statement.” (Al-Hajj: 30).

Knowing all this, is it appropriate that a Muslim can adopt falsehood as a guide to his behaviour or a methodology for his life? Even the disbelievers in the pre-Islamic era did not foster falsehood as a method of life, or as a means of attaining their goals; when Abu Sufyaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, who was still a disbeliever at the time, was asked by Heraclius the Roman Emperor about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he told him the truth, he later recalled this incident saying: “I swear by Allaah that if I did not fear becoming notorious for falsehood, I would have lied about him (i.e., the Prophet peace be upon him).” This was the case of the disbelievers in the pre-Islamic era; they kept aloof from falsehood and felt embarrassed lest falsehood should be ascribed to them. What then is the matter with you believers, who are endowed by Allaah with the perfect religion that enjoins and entices you to be truthful and tells you about its good fruits, and forbids you from falsehood and clarifies its evil consequences? Abu Sufyaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, who was still a disbeliever at that time, kept aloof from being described as a liar, even once, though he knew that there was great benefit for him to tell lies about the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him).

Some weak-minded people from the Muslim Nation may satisfy themselves with falsehood convincing themselves that it is lawful for them because of their carelessness, or a false belief that falsehood is lawful as long as it does not lead to usurping the rights of others, or to seek material gain for their enjoyment in this worldly life, or as result of blind imitation of others. All these false excuses are self-deception and delusion of thought. Carelessness as regards falsehood is the epitome of indecency, since telling a lie even only once penetrates the barrier between man and falsehood, bringing him face to face with it.

Like all other sins, falsehood is abhorred by the souls of the believers. However, if it is committed once, it becomes easy for man to commit it again, and if it is committed again, it will be easier for man to commit it over and over, until it becomes a part of one’s instinct and he commits it on purpose, and thus he will be held a liar in the sight of Allaah.

Falsehood is unlawful, even if it does not lead to devouring the rights of others unlawfully. It is not stated in the Book of Allaah or the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him) that the prohibition of falsehood is contingent on such a condition. Rather, when it is combined with seizing the properties of others unlawfully, the sin will be even graver and its punishment more severe. ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘Aas, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) recounted certain types of major sins, among which was the intentional false testimony, so when he (peace be upon him) was asked about the meaning of such a testimony, he replied:

“It is (one) with which the property of a Muslim is seized wrongfully, while he (i.e., the one testifying falsely) is a liar.”(Muslim)

He (peace be upon him) also said:“He who appropriated the right of a Muslim by (taking a false) oath, Allaah will make the Hellfire incumbent upon him and will declare Paradise forbidden for him.”So a person asked him: “Even if it is for something insignificant, O Messenger of Allaah?” and he (peace be upon him) replied: “(Yes) even if it is (as insignificant) as a twig of the 'araak tree.” (Ahmad & Muslim)

A person may tell lies for fun to entertain his companions, and thus become accustomed to telling lies and feel no grievousness in this. It was related in a Hadeeth:

“Woe to one who tells lies to entertain people! Woe to him! Woe to him!”

Some people may tell lies to small children because they know that such children will not criticise them. However, by doing this they embed lying in their character from a very early age. ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Aamir reported that his mother once called him, promising to give him something, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) heard this, so he said to her: “What will you give him?” peace be upon him) said to her: “If you were not to give him (what you promised), it would be recorded as a lie against you.” (Abu Dawood & Al-Bayhaqi)She answered: “I will give him some dates.”So he (

So fear Allaah, O Muslims, with regard to yourselves, your community and your religion! Do you not know that a religion is reflected and represented by its followers? If the Islamic nation is distinguished by falsehood, blind imitation, and seizing of the properties of others unlawfully, then where will the true Islamic characteristics be? If Muslims are to appear with such disgraceful characteristics then is this not a means of keeping people away from the religion of Islaam? This will mean that Muslims will be held in contempt by their enemies, who will feel superior when they realise that the Muslims are adopting their indecencies and bad morals which are condemned by Islaam. What a disgrace for those who followed the way of those destined to ruin and kept themselves away from the path of those on whom Allaah conferred His favours to - the prophets, the trustworthy, the martyrs and the righteous!

(www.islamhouse.com)

What if you Find a Watch in The Sand?

2014-12-26T08:49:00.003-08:00

Suppose you found a watch in the middle of the desert. What would you conclude? Would you think someone had dropped the watch? Or would you suppose that the watch came by itself?

Of course, no sane person would say the watch just happened to emerge from the sand. All the intricate working parts could not simply develop from the metals that lay buried in the earth. The watch must have a manufacturer.

If a watch tells an accurate time, we expect the manufacturer must be intelligent. Blind chance cannot produce a working watch.

But what else tells accurate time? Consider the sunrise and the sunset. Their timings are so strictly regulated that scientists can publish in advance the sunrise and sunset times in your daily newspapers. But who regulated the timings of sunrise and sunset? If a watch cannot work without an intelligent maker, how can the sun appear to rise and set with such clockwork regularity? Could this occur by itself?

Consider also that we benefit from the sun only because it remains at a safe distance from the earth. A distance that averages 93 million miles. If it got much closer, the earth would burn up. And if it got too far away, the earth would turn into an icy planet making human life here impossible. Who decided in advance that this was the right distance? Could it just happen by chance?

Without the sun, plants would not grow. Then animals and humans would starve. Did the sun just decide to be there for us?

We need to experience sunrise. We need the sun’s energy and its light to see our way during the day. But we also need sunset. We need a break for the heat, we need the cool of the night and we need the lights to go out so we may sleep. Who regulated this process to provide what we need?

Moreover, if we had only the warmth of the sun and the protection of the atmosphere we would want something more beauty. Our clothes provide warmth and protection, yet we design them also to look beautiful. Knowing our need for beauty, the designer of the sunrise and the sunset also made the view of them to be simply breathtaking.

The Creator who gave us light, energy, protection and beauty deserves our thanks. Yet some people insist that He does not exist. What would they think if they found a watch in the desert? An accurate, working watch? A beautifully designed watch? Would they not conclude that there does exist a watchmaker, One who appreciates beauty? Such is God who made us.

How to End Racism!

2014-12-26T08:49:00.000-08:00

How to End Racism Recent events remind us that racism remains rampant. Yet we can easily end racism through understanding and education.

People must realize that God created all humans from one couple, thus making the entire human race one large extended family. God says:

“O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve); and from the two of them He spread abroad a multitude of men and women…” (Qur’an 4:1).

Furthermore, we must understand that no race is superior to another. We appreciate a garden having many different flowers because we realize that each adds something to the beauty of the entire arrangement. This is why we do not object to the color of any flower. In a similar way we can see the world as a garden decorated with people of different colors. Let us appreciate that each variety of people contributes something to the spice of life in this world. God says:

“O mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may know each other. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah[1], is the most pious (righteous) of you.” (Qur’an 49:13) The noblest are the most obedient to God. Such persons may belong to any race or country. What really matters is their conduct and behavior. The prophet Muhammad[2] publicly declared that Arabs are not superior to non-Arabs, and one color is not superior to another. In a day when light-skinned people could not imagine a black person as their leader, the prophet appointed a black person, Usaamah, the son of Zaid, as a leader.

As a result of following these teachings, many people have banished racism from their thoughts and actions. You can still see racial harmony today in the mosques of cosmopolitan cities. You will find people of various colors worshipping together, all with equal status before God. Rich or poor, black or white, king or pauper all line up side by side to worship. No special preference is given to anyone based on color or social status. The leader in a mosque is appointed for his learning in the religious sciences, regardless of skin color. There is no such concept as a ‘black mosque’ or ‘white mosque’. Islam removes such destructive concepts.

The Boy who Broke His Father's Idols!

2014-12-26T08:48:00.002-08:00

This is a true story about a boy whose father used to manufacture idols. These idols were very popular amongst the people. Most people were worshipping them because this is what they thought the religion of their ancestor’s required. However, this lad thought differently. He began to reason with his people about their age-old practice. Why did they worship idols? Could the idols benefit them in any way? Could the idols even defend themselves if they were attacked? More important, is it not true that the God who made the Heavens and the Earth also made humans? And is it not true that humans make idols? Then it follows that God is greater than all the idols put together. Furthermore, which idol do people call upon if they happen to be at sea, far away from their favorite idol? Do they not call upon the unseen God, who hears every call? The people, could not answer to this clever boy so they shrugged him off.

He reasoned with his father also. But his father also shrugged him off. Now, a picture is worth a thousand words. Since no one paid heed to the boy’s words, he decided to put his words into a dramatic scene. One day, he had his opportunity when the people were all away on a festival. When the people returned they found what for them was not a pretty sight. All the idols were broken except the biggest one, which was still standing tall. An axe was leaning against it. What could this mean? They did not get the message. The lad was their prime suspect. But he answered their questions with this suggestion: why not ask the big idol? Obviously, the weapon of destruction is in his possession. “But that makes no sense,” they protested. They were starting to get the message. “How can we ask the idol? And how could a lifeless idol break the others?” “But then” retorted the boy, “Why do you worship these lifeless idols?” The point was driven home in a dramatic fashion. The boy’s name was Abraham. He grew up to be a Prophet delivering to the people God’s message that they should worship none but the one true unseen God who created the Heavens and the Earth. You can read more about Abraham in the glorious Qur’an, a book that God revealed to a descendant of Abraham: the Prophet Muhammad. May God shower His peace and blessings on both Muhammad and his ancestor Abraham

She wants to run away from her father who hits her

2014-12-26T08:46:00.003-08:00

She wants to run away from her father who hits her

I would be grateful if you answer my problem. My 16 year old female cousin lives currently in the US with her parents & older brother. As due to the country's law no one can hurt her, but her family is planning to go to their homeland for a visit and she is sure that her father will hit her & her mother, as he did before, or marry her of without her consent. Her father's side of the family will do nothing & her brother joins in hitting her. I or my family can do nothing to stop this. She is so sure that they will abuse her that she plans to runaway prior to their departure, live with a female friend & never return. I told her that this is against our religion but she wiling to take the risk of living on the street than being alone with her father. If I tell my family she will never trust me. Only you can tell me what a Muslim girl is to do. Please reply before its to late.

Praise be to Allah.

It is not permissible for your cousin to run away from her family and live with another family, because that involves disobeying her parents and upsetting them and damaging their reputation. Moreover her living with a strange family will pose a great danger to her and her religious commitment.

No matter how badly she is treated by her family that cannot compare with what she is planning to do. No woman follows this course but she goes astray and loses her religious commitment. That is the punishment for disobeying her parents that comes in this world, before the Hereafter. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Two things for which the punishment is hastened in this world: injustice and disobedience to parents.” Narrated by al-Haakim and classed as sahih by al-Albaani in Sahih al-Jaami’, no. 2810.

She may come to regret it at the time when regret will be to no avail, when her father or mother dies angry with her.

So she must go back to her family and honour her father and treat him kindly. If he causes some annoyance let her bear it with patience and seek reward. She should understand that the fire of this world is not like the Fire of the Hereafter, and that no matter what hardships she endures in this world, if she earns the pleasure of Allah and enters Paradise, she will indeed have succeeded, and no matter what comforts of this life she enjoys, if she then incurs the wrath of Allah and enters His Fire, she will indeed be doomed.

She should regard the harm that her family does her as being like a sickness that cannot be warded off. She does not know, perhaps she may suffer diseases and pains that are many times worse than that harm, as a punishment for her disobedience and her living with someone other than her family.

She should strive to make du’aa’ and turn to Allah, asking Him to guide her parents and her brother, and to help her to find a righteous husband.

If her parents insist on marrying her to someone who is not suitable for her, she may refer the matter to the sharee’ah court; the same applies if her father refuses to marry her to a compatible man who comes to propose marriage to her.

She does not have the right to arrange her own marriage without the permission of her wali (guardian). If she does that her marriage is invalid because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no marriage except with a wali.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2085; al-Tirmidhi, 1101; Ibn Maajah, 1881, from the hadith of Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari; classed as sahih by al-Albaani in Sahih al-Tirmidhi.

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Any woman who gets married without the permission of her wali, her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid. If the marriage has been consummated, the mahr is hers because she has allowed the man to be intimate with her. If there is a dispute, then the ruler is the wali of the one who has no wali.” Narrated by Ahmad, 24417; Abu Dawood, 2083; classed as sahih by al-Albaani in Sahih al-Jaami’, no. 2709.

The point is that you should strive to advise your cousin of what we have said here. If she insists on running away from her family, you have to tell them about that, so as to prevent this great evil from happening, even if that leads to her not trusting you in the future. Denouncing evil is obligatory upon the one who is able to do it, and what you do will be good for her.

Her father should also be advised and reminded of Allah, and warned against mistreating his children unlawfully. This is the kind of wrongdoing which will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection.

And Allah knows best.

Answers to 7 common Questions about Islam

2014-12-26T08:45:00.001-08:00

1. What is Islaam?

Islam (or Islaam) is the name of the religion, or more properly the ‘way of life’, which God (Allaah) has revealed and which was practiced by all of the Prophets and Messengers of Allaah that He sent to mankind. Even the name stands out unique among other religions in that it means a state of being; it does not refer to any particular person, such as Christianity, Buddhism or Zoroastrianism; a tribe like Judaism; or a nation like Hinduism. The root Arabic word from which Islam is derived implies peace, safety, salutation, protection, blamelessness, wholesomeness, submission, acceptance, surrender, and salvation. Islam specifically means being in the state of submission to Allaah, worshipping Him Alone, and reverently accepting and obeying His Law. Through this submission, the peace, security, and wholesome well-being implied in its literal meaning is achieved. Hence, a Muslim or Muslimah is a person (male or female) in that state of submission. A person’s Islam weakens through sins, ignorance, and wrong-doing, and becomes nullified in totality by associating partners with Allaah or disbelieving in Him.

2. What are Muslims?

The Arabic word “Muslim” literally means “someone who is in a state of Islaam (submission to the will and law of Allaah)”. The message of Islaam is meant for the entire world, and anyone who accepts this message becomes a Muslim. Some people mistakenly believe that Islaam is just a religion for Arabs, but nothing could be further from the truth. In actuality, over 80% of the world's Muslims are not Arabs! Even though most Arabs are Muslims, there are Arabs who are Christians, Jews and atheists. If one just takes a look at the various peoples who live in the Muslim World - from Nigeria to Bosnia and from Morocco to Indonesia - it is easy enough to see that Muslims come from all different races, ethnic groups, cultures and nationalities. Islaam has always been a universal message for all people. This can be seen in the fact that some of the early companions of the Prophet Muhammad were not only Arabs, but also Persians, Africans and Byzantine Romans. Being a Muslim entails complete acceptance and active obedience to the revealed teachings and laws of Allaah the Exalted. A Muslim is a person who freely accepts basing his beliefs, values and faith on the will of Almighty God. In the past, even though you do not see it as much today, the word “Mohammedans” was often used as a label for Muslims. This label is a misnomer, and is the result of either willful distortion or sheer ignorance. One of the reasons for the misconception is that Europeans were taught for centuries that Muslims worshipped the Prophet Muhammad in the same way that Christians worship Jesus. This is absolutely not true, since one is not considered a Muslim if he worships anyone or anything besides Allaah the Exalted.

3. Who is Allaah?

Often one hears the Arabic word “Allaah” being used in discussions regarding Islaam. The word “Allaah” is simply the Arabic word for Almighty God, and is the same word used by Arabic speaking Christians and Jews. As a matter of fact, the word Allaah was in use far before the word God ever came into existence, since English is a relatively new language. If one were to pick up an Arabic translation of the Bible, one would see the word “Allaah” being use where the word “God” is used in English. For instance, Arabic speaking Christians say that Jesus is, according to their canon belief, the Son of Allaah. In addition, the Arabic word for Almighty God, “Allaah”, is quite similar to the word for God in other Semitic languages. For example, the Hebrew word for God is “Elah”. For various reasons, some non-Muslims mistakenly believe that Muslims worship a different God than the God of Moses and Abraham and Jesus. This is certainly not the case, since the Pure Monotheism of Islaam calls all people to the worship of the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and all the other prophets, peace be upon them.

4. Who is Muhammad?

The last and final prophet whom God sent to humanity was the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him. At the age of forty, he received the revelation from Allaah. He then spent the remaining portion of his life explaining, and living the teachings of Islaam, the religion that Allaah revealed to him. The Prophet Muhammad, may the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him, is the greatest of all prophets for many reasons, but primarily because he was chosen by Allaah to be the last prophet - whose mission to guide humanity would continue until the Last Day - and because he has been sent as a mercy to all of mankind. The result of his mission has brought more people into the pure belief in One God than any other prophet. Since the beginning of time, Allaah sent prophets to the earth, each one to his own specific nation. The Prophet Muhammad, however, was sent as the final Messenger to all of humanity.

Even though other religious communities have claimed to believe in One God, over time, some corrupted ideas entered into their beliefs and practices leading them away from the pure sincere monotheism of the prophets. Some took their prophets and saints as intercessors with Almighty God. Some even believed that their prophets were the manifestations of God, or “God Incarnate” or the “Son of God”. All of these misconceptions lead to the worship of created beings instead of the Creator, and contributed to the idolatrous practice of believing that Almighty God may be approached through intermediaries. In order to guard against these falsehoods, the Prophet Muhammad, may the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him, always emphasized that he was only a human-being with the mission of preaching and obeying Allaah's message. He taught Muslims to refer to him as “the Messenger of God and His Slave”. Through his life and teachings, Allaah made Muhammad, may the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him, the perfect example for all people - he was the exemplary prophet, statesman, military leader, ruler, teacher, neighbor, husband, father and friend. Unlike other prophets and messengers, the Prophet Muhammad, may the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him, lived in the full light of history, and all his sayings and acts were meticulously recorded and collected. Muslims don't need to have mere ‘faith’ that he existed, or that his teachings are preserved - they know it to be a fact. Allaah took it upon Himself to protect the message revealed to Muhammad from distortion or from being forgotten or lost. This was necessary because Allaah promised that Muhammad, may the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him, was to be the final Messenger to mankind. All of Allaah's Messengers preached the message of Islaam - i.e. submission to the law of God and the worship of God alone – but Muhammad, may the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him, is the last prophet of Islaam who brought the final and complete message which was never to be changed until the Last Day.

5. What are the Teachings of Islaam?

The foundation of the Islaamic faith is belief in absolute Monotheism (the Oneness of God). This means to believe that there is only one Creator and Sustainer of everything in the Universe, and that nothing is divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Him. Truly, believing in the Oneness of God means much more than simply believing that there is “One God” - as opposed to two, three or four. There are a number of religions that claim belief in “One God” and believe that ultimately there is only one Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, but true monotheism is to believe that only the One True Deity is to be worshipped in accordance to the revelation He sent to His Messenger. Islaam also rejects the use of all intermediaries between God and Man, and insists that people approach God directly and reserve all worship for Him alone. Muslims believe that Almighty God is Compassionate, Loving and Merciful.

A common misconception is the claim that God cannot forgive His creatures directly. By over-emphasizing the burden and penalty of sin, as well as claiming that God cannot forgive humans directly, people often despair of the Mercy of God. Once they become convinced that they cannot approach God directly, they turn to false gods for help, such as heroes, political leaders, saviors, saints, and angels. We often find that the people who worship, pray to, or seek intercession from these false deities, do not consider them to be a ‘god’. They claim belief in One Supreme God, but claim that they pray to and worship others beside God only to get closer to Him. In Islaam, there is a clear distinction between the Creator and the created. There is no ambiguity or mystery in issues of divinity: anything that is created does not deserve to be worshipped; only Allaah, the Creator, is worthy of being worshipped. Some religions falsely believe that God has become part of His creation, and this has led people to believe that they can worship something created in order to reach their Creator.

Muslims believe that even though God is Unique and Exalted beyond speculative comprehension, He definitely has no partners, associates, peers, antagonists or offspring. According to Muslim belief, Allaah “neither begets, nor was He begotten” - neither literally, allegorically, metaphorically, physically or metaphysically. He is Absolutely Unique and Eternal. He is in control of everything and is perfectly capable of bestowing His infinite Mercy and Forgiveness to whomever He chooses. That is why Allaah is also called the All-Powerful and Most-Merciful. Allaah has created the Universe for man, and as such wants the best for all human beings. Muslims see everything in the Universe as a sign of the Creatorship and Benevolence of Almighty God. Also, the belief in the Oneness of Allaah is not merely a metaphysical concept. It is a dynamic belief that affects ones view of humanity, society and all aspects of practical life. As a logical corollary to the Islaamic belief in the Oneness of Allaah, is its belief in the oneness of mankind and humanity.

6. What is the Qur'aan?

The Qur'aan is the final revelation of Allaah to all of mankind, which was spoken by Allaah the Exalted Himself and conveyed through the Arch-Angel Gabriel in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad, in sound, word and meaning. The Qur'aan, (sometimes incorrectly spelled Koran), was then relayed to the Prophet's companions, and they diligently memorized it verbatim and meticulously complied it into written form. The Holy Qur'aan has been continually recited by the companions of the Prophet and their successors until the present day. In short, the Qur'aan is the revealed book of Divine scripture from Allaah to all humanity for their guidance and salvation.

Today the Qur'aan is still memorized and taught by millions of people. The language of the Qur'aan, Arabic, is still a living language to millions of people. Unlike the scriptures of some other religions, the Qur'aan is still read in its original language by countless millions of people. The Qur'aan is a living miracle in the Arabic language, and it is known to be inimitable in its style, form and spiritual impact, as well as the unique knowledge that it contains. The Qur'aan was revealed in a series of revelations to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. In contrast to many other religious books, the Qur'aan was always believed to be the exact Word of Allaah. The Qur'aan was recited publicly in front of both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities during the life of the Prophet Muhammad, and thereafter. The entire Qur'aan was also completely written down in the lifetime of the Prophet, and numerous companions of the Prophet memorized the entire Qur'aan word-for-word as it was revealed. The Qur'aan was always in the hands of the common believers: it was always thought to be God's word; and, due to wide-spread memorization, it was perfectly preserved. Never was any part of it altered or decreed by any religious council. The teachings of the Qur'aan comprise a universal scripture addressed to all of mankind and not to any particular tribe or ‘chosen people’. The message that it brings is nothing new but the same message of all of the prophets: 'submit to Allaah the One God and worship Him alone and follow Allaah's Messengers for success in this life and salvation in the hereafter'. As such, Allaah's revelation in the Qur'aan focuses on teaching human beings the importance of believing in the Oneness of Allaah, and framing their lives around the guidance which He has sent, which is articulated in the Islamic Law. The Qur'aan contains the stories of the previous prophets, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon all of them, as well as commands and prohibitions from God. In our modern times, in which so many people are caught up in doubt, spiritual despair and social and political alienation, the Qur'aanic teachings offer solutions to the emptiness of our lives and the turmoil that is gripping the world today.

7. How Do Muslims View the Nature of Man, the Purpose of Life and the Life Hereafter?

In the Holy Qur'aan, Allaah teaches human beings that they were created in order to glorify and worship Him, and that the basis of all true worship is God-consciousness. All of Allaah's creatures worship him naturally and only the humans have the free will to worship Allaah their Creator or to reject Him. This is a great test, but also a great honor. Since the teachings of Islaam encompass all aspects of life and ethics, God-consciousness is encouraged in all human affairs. Islaam makes it clear that all human acts are acts of worship if they are done for God alone and in accordance to His Divine Scripture and Law. As such, worship in Islaam is not limited to religious rituals, and for this reason it is more properly known as ‘way of life’ than a religion. The teachings of Islaam act as a mercy and a healing for the human soul, and qualities such as humility, sincerity, patience and charity are strongly encouraged. Additionally, Islaam condemns pride and self-righteousness, since Almighty God is the only judge of human righteousness.

The Islaamic view of the nature of man is also realistic and well-balanced in that human beings are not believed to be inherently sinful, but are seen as equally capable of both good and evil; it is their choice. Islaam teaches that faith and action go hand-in-hand. God has given people free-will, and the measure of one's faith is their deeds and actions. However, since human beings have also been created innately weak and regularly fall into sin, they are in need of continually seeking guidance and repentance, which is, in itself , also a form of worship loved by Allaah. The nature of the human being as created by God in His Majesty and Wisdom, is not inherently ‘corrupt’ or in need of repair. The avenue of repentance is always open to all. Almighty God knew that humans were going to make mistakes, so the real test is whether they seek repentance for their sins and try to avoid them, or if they prefer a life of heedlessness and sin, knowing well that it is not pleasing to God. The true balance of an Islaamic life is established by having a healthy fear of Allaah's rightful punishment for crimes and sins, as well as a sincere belief that Allaah, in His infinite Mercy, takes pleasure in bestowing His reward for our good deeds and sincere worship to Him. A life without fear of Allaah leads to sin and disobedience, while believing that we have sinned so much that God will not possibly forgive us only leads to despair. In the light of this fact, Islaam teaches that only the misguided despair of the Mercy of their Lord, and only wicked criminals are devoid of the fear of Allaah their Creator and Judge. The Holy Qur'aan as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, also contains a great deal of teachings about life in the hereafter and the Day of Judgment. Muslims believe that all human beings will ultimately be judged by Allaah, the Absolute Sovereign King and Judge, for their beliefs and actions in their earthly lives. In judging human beings, Allaah the Exalted will be both Absolutely Just, by only punishing the truly guilty and rebellious unrepentant criminals, and Absolutely Merciful for those people who He, in His wisdom, judges worthy of mercy. None will be judged for that which was beyond their capacity, or for that which they did not actually do. It is sufficient to say that Islaam teaches that life is a test designed by Allaah, the Creator, Almighty and Most Wise; and that all human beings will be accountable before Allaah for what they did with their lives. A sincere belief in the life of the hereafter is the key to leading a well-balanced and moral life. Otherwise, life is viewed as an end in itself, which causes people to become more selfish, materialistic and immoral by their blind pursuit of pleasure even at the expense of reason and ethics.

(www.islamhouse.com)

What Did Jesus Say About Christmas?

2014-12-26T08:13:00.002-08:00

The Christmas Experience

The perfect Christmas tree is bought. Adorned with ornaments and glittering with tinsel, it stands by the window. The stores are crammed with shoppers hunting for presents and the little ones anxiously waiting for Santa.

Busy with Christmas fever, wonder did you ever, did the Bible or Jesus made any injunction on Christmas ever?

Ponder upon the following analysis on Christmas, and the Truth will become clearer and clearer.

Does Christmas have Biblical Evidence?

The word 'Christmas' does not exist in the Bible. The Bible has closed lips on the entire feast of Christmas, with one exception, the decoration of a tree. The Bible itself criticizes the decoration of the (Christmas) trees:

"The customs of the people are worthless, they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel, they adore it with silver and gold, they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter" (Jeremiah 10-3,4).

European Pre-Christian pagans superstitiously believed that the green trees had special protective powers. In fact the use of the Christmas tree began only in the 17th century in Strasbourg, France and from there it spread to Germany, Britain and then to the U.S. "Tree worship was a common feature of religion among the Teutonic and Scandinavian peoples of northern Europe before their conversion to Christianity…German settlers brought the Christmas tree custom to the American colonies in the 17th century. By the 19th century its use was quite widespread". (Compton's Encyclopedia, 1998 Edition)

Was Jesus born on Dec. 25?

Neither the date 25th Dec. nor any other date on Jesus' birth is mentioned in the Bible. It was not until the year 530 C.E. that a monk, Dionysus Exigus, fixed the date of Jesus' birth on Dec. 25th. . "He wrongly dated the birth of Christ according to the Roman system (i.e., 754 years after the founding of Rome) as Dec. 25, 753". (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998 ed.) This date was chosen in keeping with the holidays already indoctrinated into pagans beliefs.

Roman pagans celebrated Dec. 25th as the birth of their 'god' of light, Mithra.

"In the 2nd century A..D., it (Mithraism) was more general in the Roman Empire than Christianity, to which it bore many similarities" (The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia, 1995 ed.

Other pagan 'gods' born on Dec. 25th are: Hercules the son of Zeus (Greeks); Bacchus, 'god' of wine (Romans); Adonis, 'god' of Greeks, and 'god' Freyr of Greek-Roman pagans.

What about Santa Claus?

If aliens descended on earth during the Christmas season, they would undoubtedly believe Christmas as being Santa's birthday. The words 'Santa Claus', appear nowhere in the Bible.

However, Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) was a real person, a bishop, who was born 300 years after Jesus. According to legend, he was extremely kind and set out at night to bring presents to the needy. After his death on 6th of Dec., school boys in Europe began celebrating a feast day each year.

Queen Victoria later changed the celebration date from Dec. 6th to Dec. 24th eve.

Did Jesus or his Companions Celebrate Christmas?

If Jesus meant his followers to celebrate Christmas, he would have practiced it himself and enjoined it on his followers. There is no mention in the entire Bible that any of his followers ever celebrated Jesus' birthday like Christians do today.

"The church did not observe a festival for the celebration of the event of Christmas until the 4th century" (Grolier's Encyclopedia)

Thus we see that neither the Bible nor Jesus and his companions say anything about the celebration of Christmas which currently involves fanfare, commercialization, and extravagent spending, devoid of any spiritual relevance.

We'll now analyze the real person of Jesus (peace be upon him), in the light of the Bible and Islam.

What did Jesus Say about Himself?

In many places in the Bible, Jesus, referring to himself as a Prophet said:

"A Prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house" (Matthew 13:57),

"Nevertheless I must walk today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a Prophet persists out of Jerusalem". (Luke 13:33).

Jesus Received God's Revelation

Similarly, Jesus Christ too, as a Prophet, received revelations from God: "But now you seek to kill me, a man that had told you the truth, which I heard of God" (John 8:40)

Jesus Prayed to his God

"And when he (Jesus) had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray" (Matthew 14:23)

Obvious question: If Jesus was God, who was he praying to?

Jesus put himself Equal to other Humans

Jesus put himself equal to other humans in the eyes of God.

"My father and your father, my God and your God" (John 20:17)

God does not have a God, But Jesus had a God! Moreover, the gospel writers referred to Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) as the 'son of man' about 85 times in the Gospels, and never once did he explicitly called himself 'God', or 'God the Son', or 'The Begotton Son of God'.

Jesus Preached God's Oneness

Jesus Christ, as a true Prophet of God, taught monotheism. When asked, 'What is the first of all commandments', Jesus replied:

"...The first of all the Commandments is, Hear O Israel; the Lord our God is One Lord" (Mark 12:29)

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent" (John 17:3)

Prophets of God

God, by his mercy, sent numerous Prophets throughout history to all nations as guides and role models. Some of the prophets were Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesus and the Last Prophet Muhammad (peace be on all of them). They all came with the same basic message, which is the Oneness of God, without any partners, sons or daughters.

This Oneness of God in its complete essence, preached by all prophets, was later distorted by some segments of humanity and naming these 'distortions' as 'religions', they left the worship of one true God and replaced it with worshiping humans, cows and fire. To purify humanity, God sent His last Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a guide for all mankind and through him revealed in His last Messge, The Quran:

"They have adopted their scholars and monks as lords besides God and (also) Christ, the son of Mary, although they have been ordered to serve only God alone. There is no god but Him. Glory be to Him ! He is beyond what they associate (with Him)...." (Quran 9:31)

This utmost obedience and worship to one God, in its truest sense forms the basis of Islam. The entire Quran has been committed to memory by millions of Muslims around the world and preserved by God Himself from any interpolations, unlike previous scriptures, to provide guidance for all ages.

What Does Islam Teach?

Islam calls humanity to the service of the One, Omnipotent Creator ('Allah' in Arabic). Islam teaches the oneness of mankind in the eyes of God regardless of superficial differences such as race & nationality. In Islam there is no superiority of whites over blacks or vice versa. Anything that disrupts society's harmony and deviates humans from worshiping one true God is disliked in Islam. Thus Islam recognizes the evils of alcohol, drugs, premarital sex, gambling etc. and advises humans to stay sway from these Satan's handiwork. Islam further provides detailed instruction about a person's relationship with God, with his family and the society. Thus no aspect of a person's life is outside of the guidance provided by God.

Born Sinless!

Islam teaches that every child is born sinless with a pure heart and an inner instinct to realize the oneness of God. It is the parents or the environment that deviates this child to associate partners with God (in the form of multiple gods) or to reject God altogether.

No Mediator

There is no mediator between God and man. There is no need of one, for God, the All knowing, can listen and answer our sincere prayers regardless of our state and place.

Salvation comes through submitting to the pure belief in One God and following His guidance as revealed in the Quran, and not through the vicarious sacrifice (murder) of an innocent human being. Thus Islam is a rational religion based on justice and self accountability, and not on unjust and mysterious doctrines formulated by humans. Islam provides solutions to all the ills plaguing humanity. An example of Islam's stand on racial justice is provided below.

Islam Dispels Racis

One person's superiority over another is not based on his race, economic status or nationality but on his God-Consciousness and purity of character. God proclaims in the Quran:`"O mankind ! We have created you from a single (pair) of a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other and not that you may despise each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous..." (49:13).

Likewise Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) proclaimed: "No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay."

After studying Islam, Malcolm X, became a true Muslim. He remarks:

"...America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem..."

The Quran was revealed in the Arabic language, but translations of its meaning are available in English and other languages for non-Arabs. Likewise Islam is not restricted to people of the east or Arabs, it is a universal religion revealed for all of mankind.

We invite all sincere humans to study Islam with an unbiased mind. Don't blindly follow the whims and paganistic influences of the environment around us. God bestowed upon us this superb mind to seek and live the truth; for we all will be accountable on the Day of Judgment for our beliefs and deeds. Don't delay your salvation.

(www.islamhouse.com)

The Return of Jesus

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Both Islam and Christianity expect the return of Je-sus at the end of times, and both expect trials and tribu-lations to occur at the time. Many of the themes of these trials are similar, but they are also very different in detail and definition. Both religions expect the nation of believers to be the final victors, but the Christian be-lieves that these are defined as the believers in the Gos-pel of the New Testament and in Christ as ‘the Savior’ and ‘the Incarnation’ of God, whilst the Muslim knows that it refers to those who believe in the pure monothe-ism entailed in submission to the One and Only True God.

The return of Jesus is preceded in both religions by signs, again similar in general description, but subtly different in detail. Both religions teach that the return of Jesus will be preceded by a great and powerful fig-ure of falsehood and temptation, called the Maseeh ad-Dajjal (The False Messiah) by the Muslims and the An-ti-Christ by the Christians. Before this event other signs that agree with each other include a general in-crease in immorality and fornication, murder and crime, and general lawlessness, debauchery and falling away from religion and true knowledge. Accompanying these signs of civil malaise will be internecine wars, and natural disasters following closely one upon the other. The details and timings of these, however, are substantially different, even within particular faiths. How the Christian faith regards the second coming de-pends on the doctrinal view held. Four broad views are prominent: Historical and Dispensational Ante-millennialism, and Preterist Post and A-millennialism.

Ante-millennialism has two branches of interpreta-tion. Both postulate that Jesus will come and then, af-ter defeating the Anti-Christ, will rule the earth with the ‘elect’ for 1000 years before the evil souls are resur-rected, and Satan is unbound in the resurrected Anti-Christ . They differ significantly concerning the events around this second coming.

Dispensational Ante-millennialism

While both agree that it will occur during a seven year period of Tribulation when the Anti-Christ reigns, one places the return of the Jews to Israel and the re-building of the temple during this seven year period, while the other holds that Jesus will re-establish Jerusa-lem as his Capital, rebuilding of the temple during his reign. The former determines that the past elect of Church will be raised to life before the tribulation starts, and then chosen to rule with the descended Jesus, while the righteous Jews will be resurrected along with heroes who stood against the Anti-Christ and died at the end of the tribulation, heralding his reign of peace and plen-ty. The latter holds that the ‘rapture’ of all the elect, these being all the dead saints of Christianity and the righteous of Judaism before the advent of Christ, will be at the second coming of Jesus, and will thereafter constitute, with their offspring, the deserving citizens of the millennium rule. When Satan is finally loosed in the resurrected Anti-Christ, a great battle will be fought with the minions of Satan and Satan, the false prophet, will be defeated and hurled into Hell, ushering in the end of the world. Here, again, the two branches differ. The Historicist sees Gog and Magog as the nations Sa-tan leads in rebellion when he is loosed, while the Dis-pensationalist, although he agrees Satan will lead an army of deceived nations, does not place The Gog and Magog as being among them.

Historical Ante-millennialism

After the defeat of the forces of evil, mountains will crumble, the earth will become a flat plain and Judg-ment will be instituted on the people of earth. The true believers in Christ will be rewarded with heaven and eternal communion with God, and the disbelievers and unrepentant sinners will be consigned to hell and eternal separation from God.

Preterism is the general name for the viewpoint found in both the views that oppose Ante-millennialism. It sees the return of Jesus as having al-ready happened at the time of the destruction of the temple Jerusalem, at least in terms of judgment. That is, they see people as judged when they die. Hence it sees the earth itself as everlasting, and that perfecting our faith and the truth about God is a never ending task set us by God. Among the partial Preterists, the moment of perfection is the second physical coming of Jesus, who will then reign forever over those who have achieved salvation.

Post-millennialism sees the 1000 year reign of Jesus as more figurative than literal, and that it has already begun. Jesus is literally the king of earth right now, judging the dead as they die, and the Christian church is in the process of perfecting belief in him and defeat-ing Satan. Then Jesus will return to vanquish the Anti-Christ, heralding the end of the world, and establish the Church to rule with him.

Post-millennialism

A-millennialism also sees the 1000 year reign as figurative and already established, but, like ante-millennialism, it envisages Judgment Day as the day of sorting out the good from the bad and eternally con-signing them to their respective destinations.

A-millennialism

These viewpoints often overlap, so one is not sure where one doctrine leaves off and the other starts. None of them, however, conform to the Islamic view of the reign of Jesus and his role in the second coming.

Islam sees Jesus’ return as a completion of his life and work, which he left incomplete. As the true Mes-siah, he alone has the power granted to him by God to defeat the false Messiah at the end of time. His rule will witness the invasion of the Gog and Magog, whom not even he will be able to defeat. Rather, he will pray to God who will then destroy them Himself. The end of the Gog and Magog will herald the beginning of a world hegemony in which every one will believe, or at least submit to, his reign as God’s representative. He will rule by God’s Law as taught by Muhammad (i.e. Islam), may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, until he dies at the age of about 70 or 75. In this period of time there will be plenty for all, and peace throughout the world. Then, some time after he dies and is buried, all the Muslims will be caught up by a breeze and wafted into the hereafter. The remaining people on earth will be unbelievers, and they alone will witness the final chapter of earth.

Many of these events described in Islam echo the concept of the Messiah at the end of times conceived of in Judaism, although they believe the Law with which he will reign will be the Law of Moses, rather than Mu-hammad, may God praise them both. Both Islam and Judaism regard the coming of the Messiah as essentially uniting, gathering believers together from the ends of the earth. Both see his rule as returning to the funda-mentals of faith and Law. Both see his role as that of a leader who will fight God’s war against the forces of evil, and that this war will be followed by a peaceful hegemony in which God’s Law will prevail throughout the world.

Where they differ is in who this end of time figure represents. To the Jews, the Messiah necessarily will be a Jewish leader who re-establishes Israel and the temple and all its rites in Jerusalem. To the Muslim, he repre-sents the championing of pure Islam, sorting hypocrites from true believers.

All three visions of the Messiah at the end of time hold something in common. In the next four articles, however, we will expound the Muslim picture of the fu-ture, which is envisioned to be just around the corner. This vision is very clear and subject to little doctrinal variation, unlike both Jewish and Christian viewpoints. It is up to you to draw the parallels that are apparent and reject that which does not reflect the truth repre-sented herein.

Christians believe that Jesus is alive today, and many denominations believe him to be active. They also be-lieve that he has been resurrected already, and that he will never die again. The Muslim position, however, is that he never died, and therefore is still alive. It says in the Quran, that the Jews claim:

“We killed Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, Messenger of God.”

However, God denies this, as the verse continues:

“But they killed him not, nor crucified him; It was only a likeness shown to them: Most certainly they killed him not. Rather, God lifted him up to Himself.” (Quran 4:157-8)

This action of lifting is literally an upward move-ment, physically being taken from the earth into heav-ens, just as he will be physically brought back on the wings of angels from the heavens to the earth when he returns. Christians estimate his age to be 31-33 years of age at ascension, because the synoptic Gospels are con-sidered to describe approximately 1 year of his life. The Gospel of John purportedly describes 3 years of his life from the moment he began preaching, of which Luke says:

“And Jesus himself began to be about 30 years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph … and (he) was led by the spirit into the wilderness.” (Luke 3:23 and 4:1)

Muslim scholars agree. Hasan Basri said, “Jesus was 34, while Sa’eed bin Mussayyib said, “He was 33,” when he was lifted up to heaven.

“And there is none of the People of the Book but will believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Judgment, he will be a witness against them.” (Quran 4:159)

God, here, is talking about the ‘People of the Book’ believing in Jesus before the latter dies well after he was lifted up into the heavens. The implication is that he is not yet dead. In fact, he is securely kept by God until he completes his appointed term. As God says in the Quran:

“It is God Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and (the souls) of those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed.” (Quran 39:42)

And:

“It is God Who takes away the souls at night, and has knowledge of all that you have done by day, and raises you up again that a term appointed be fulfilled; then will you be returned unto Him. Then He will in-form you of all that you used to do.” (Quran 60:60)

‘The term appointed’ denotes the numbered days of our lives, already known and confirmed by God. The word “to take away” is a promise made by God to Jesus which God will do when His messenger is threatened by disbelief. The Quran informs us that He told Jesus:

“Indeed I will take you (away) and lift you up to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve…” (Quran 3:55)

Thus we have a promise of God fulfilled when he saved Jesus from crucifixion, and another that will be fulfilled when He returns Jesus to earth and he com-pletes his life here - a promise confirmed in the revela-tion given to Mary at the annunciation:

“God gives you tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be Jesus Christ, son of Mary, held in honor in the world and in the hereafter, and one of those who are nearest (to God). He shall speak to the people in in-fancy and when middle-aged , and shall be of the righteous.” (Quran 3:45-46)

Since middle-aged is older than the early thirties, this prophecy concerns his speaking to the people after his return. So this second promise (that everyone will believe in him before he dies) concerns his second mis-sion when he descends to earth again. When he arrives, he will be the same age as he left, and then he will live for another forty years. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:

“There is no prophet between me and him (Jesus), and he shall descend. He… will stay in the world for forty years; then he will die and the Muslims will offer the funeral Prayer for him.” (Abu Dawood, Ahmed)

The return of Jesus will be close to the end of time. In fact, his descent will be one of the major signs the final hour is due. The Quran discloses that:

“He (the son of Mary) shall be a known sign of the Hour; so have no doubt concerning it and follow Me.” (Quran 43:61)

His appearance will be followed by only two or three other unmistakable portents. Among these are the ap-pearance of the beast , the wafting of the believers from the earth , leaving only disbelievers behind, and the rising of the sun from the west.

The ten major signs, among which is the second coming of Jesus, are summarized in one hadeeth:

“The Hour will not come until you see ten signs: the smoke; the False Messiah; the Beast; the sun rising from the West; the descent of Jesus son of Mary; the Gog and Magog; and three tremors - one in the East, one in the West, and one in Arabia, at the end of which fire will burst forth from the direction of Aden and drive people to the place of their final assembly.” (Ahmed)

May God save us from disbelief and preserve us from being among those who witness the final mo-ments.

The Rise of the Mahdi, and Advent of the False Messiah

The circumstances of the second coming will involve two other people from the end times, the Mahdi and the Maseeh ad-Dajjal, Arabic for the False Messiah, and the trials and tribulations associated with them. The primary task of Jesus on his return will be to save the world from the False Messiah and unite it once more under the Rule of God.

The advent of the False Messiah, however, will be preceded by a man who unites all Muslims under his leadership. Of this man, the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said that before the world ends, a person from his family with his name (Muhammad bin Abdullah) will rule the Arabs, filling the earth with equity and justice where before there had been oppression and injustice, for 7 years. He further said that he will be supported by the Muslim nation, of whom it was said:

“A group of my people will not cease fighting for the Truth and will prevail till the Day of Resurrection. And Jesus son of Mary will descend and their (the Muslims’) leader will say, ‘Come and lead us in Pray-er.’” (Saheeh Muslim)

Thus, before the coming of Jesus, the Muslim nation will defend the religion under a man directly descended from the prophet, who will invite Jesus to lead the prayer interrupted by his coming. How long he will have been leading the Muslim Nation will be less than 7 years, but how much less is not known exactly. What is known is that he will be a reluctant commander whom people will flock to, only after an army attacking Mecca is swallowed up by the earth.

The Prophet said:

“Disagreement will occur at the death of a caliph and a man of the people of Medina will flee to Mecca. Some of the people of Mecca will come to him, bring him out against his will and swear allegiance to him be-tween the Corner and the Maqam. An expeditionary force will then be sent against him from Syria, but it will be swallowed up in the desert between Mecca and Medina. When the people witness this, the most pious men of Syria and the best people of Iraq will come to him and swear allegiance to him between the Corner and the Maqam.” (Abu Dawood)

“There will also be several campaigns, the first against internal elements , and then against external el-ements. An army consisting of the best Muslim soldiers in the world will come from Medina to counteract the western invasion of Ash-Sham .”

“When they arrange themselves in ranks, the Romans will say: ‘Do not stand between us and those who took prisoners from amongst us. Let us fight with them.’ The Muslims will say: ‘No, by God, we will never stand aside for you or our brethren so that you can fight them.’” (Saheeh Muslim)

The fight would last three days with great slaughter on all sides until, on the fourth day, the remnants of the Muslim Army will defeat the Western forces and go on to conquer Istanbul. While the soldiers are looting the city a false rumor that the False Messiah had arrived will reach them, so they will make for Syria again. By the time they reach Damascus, where the Mahdi will prepare them for war against the False Messiah’s com-ing, the False Messiah will truly appear.

His stay on earth will be 40 days. However, these 40 days will have something special about them. The first day and night will last a full year, the second a full month, and the third a full week, and the remaining 37 days would be normal. It is in these final 37 days that Jesus will probably come, since he will kill the False Messiah shortly after his arrival.

The False Messiah will appear out of the east, on the way between Syria and Iraq , and his coming will spread great troubles and injustice right and left. He will range far and wide, like a wind driven cloud, com-ing to first one people and then another. He will invite people to follow him, rewarding the ones who respond and affirm their faith in him by commanding the sky to rain, which will cause the land and domestic animals to flourish and produce. Those who refuse him will suffer drought, famine, and loss of wealth. Wherever he goes, he will call forth the land’s treasures, which will gather before him like swarming bees, and he will even kill a man, cutting him in half and then bring him back to life.

The Coming of Jesus and Death of the False Messiah

As can be seen, the False Messiah will have been given miracles to convince people to stray from the path, and many will follow him. Some hadeeths men-tion that many people, especially the Jews , will take him for the real Messiah, as he will announce himself to be God’s representative. However, he will soon claim divine power himself, and eventually claim to be the Lord. He will conquer most of the world and go against the Mahdi in Damascus, and this will be the time the true Messiah, Jesus, will descend.

“God will send the Messiah, son of Mary, who will descend at the white minaret on the eastern side of Damascus wearing two garments, lightly dyed with saf-fron, his hands resting on the wings of two Angels. When he lowers his head, beads of perspiration will fall from it, and when he raises it up, beads like pearls will scatter from it. Every non-believer who smells him will die, and his breath will reach as far as he is able to see.” (Saheeh Muslim)

In another hadeeth it says,

“Certainly, the time of prayer shall come, and then Jesus, the son of Mary, will descend and will lead them in prayer. When sees he him, the enemy of God will [begin to] dissolve just as salt does in water.” (Saheeh Muslim)

The first hadeeth continues to say that he will meet him at Lydda:

“He (Jesus) will pursue the False Messiah until he captures him at the gates of Lydda and kills him.” (Sa-heeh Muslim)

Jesus will use a spear guided by God in this killing, by which the forces of temptation will be vanquished.

“Then, a people whom God had protected will come to Jesus, son of Mary, and he will wipe their faces and inform them of their ranks in Paradise.” (Saheeh Mus-lim)

This information is not the Judgment of Judgment Day, but knowledge given to Jesus by God. These people are not the elect of the Christian rapture, but the survivors of the turmoil surrounding his coming. And this is but the first episode of the Messiah’s life on his return, which the next article will elaborate on, if God wills.

The Establishment of God’s Nation under Jesus

The killing of the False Messiah will traumatize the Christians and Jews who had followed him, for it will finally reveal to them that he was not what he had claimed to be. In fact, the role of Jesus in his defeat will convince most of the surviving Christians, at least, that the False Messiah had indeed been the Anti-Christ prophesied in their own scriptures. The Prophet of Is-lam, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:

“The son of Mary will soon descend among you and will judge justly (according to the Law of God ): he will break the cross and kill the pig…” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

The breaking of the cross may be figurative or literal: the destruction of erected idols in churches and tearing down of crosses from their steeples, as well as forbid-ding the use of personal crosses as symbols of religion; or the destruction of the myth that he was executed by the Romans on a cross at the instigation of the Jews. Likewise, the killing of the pigs may be both literal and figurative: literally conducting a campaign to kill all pigs so the consumption of their meat becomes impossi-ble, allowing them to be killed, or simply re-imposing the ban God made since time immemorial on eating their flesh, effectively forcing pig farmers to get rid of their stock by culling. In effect, two of the mainstays of widespread Christian practice will be removed, indi-cating that the religion as taught by modern Christians would henceforth be defunct, and marking a return to the religion as originally intended (Islam).

“… and there will be no Jizya.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Furthermore, after the massive losses of life among the Jews, the death of their leader will prove to the Jews that he had been yet another false hope. Possibly, the False Messiah’s claim of divinity may well have al-ready sowed seeds of doubt in their hearts, anyway, so when Jesus announces that the Jizya will no longer be a means by which non-Muslims can avoid submitting to the will of God, they will be ready to give up following the guidance of their Rabbis in favor to returning to the guidance of God. The fact that no Jizya will be ac-cepted underlines the abolishment of all religion except one. The People of the Book will be required to follow the Law of Islam which Jesus will impose. The die-hards that refuse will be hunted and killed rather than allowed to continue in their outmoded faith.

“The hour will not come until the Muslims fight against the Jews and kill them. The Jews will seek shel-ter behind stones and trees, but the stone or the tree will speak: “O servant of God, there is a [die-hard] Jew be-hind me, so come and kill him!” But the Gharqad tree will not speak out because it is partial to the Jews.” (Sa-heeh Muslim)

No mention of the fate of those who are neither Muslims nor People of the Book is mentioned at this stage, but we believe some of them will also fall under the sway of the rule of Jesus, or die. Perhaps others will be destroyed by those who are referred to as the Gog and Magog.

The Invasion of the Gog and Magog

Who the Gog and Magog are, exactly, is not known, though it is known from a hadeeth, found in the two principal books of authentic narrations (Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim), that they are of the na-tions of mankind . Of them, the Quran says:

“When he reached a valley between two mountains, he found a people who could barely understand a word. They said; O Dhul Qarnayn! Verily, Gog and Magog are doing great mischief in the land. Will you accept a tribute from us so that you build a barrier be-tween us and them?” (Quran 18:93-94)

After Dhul Qarnayn carried out their request (with-out exacting tribute), he told them:

“This is a Mercy from my Lord, but when the Prom-ise of my Lord comes, He shall level it to the ground. And the Promise of my Lord is ever true. And on that day, we shall leave some of them to surge like waves on one another...” (Quran 18:98-99)

This means that they will be a people who are not under the jurisdiction of Jesus when he accepts the pledge from former Jews and Christians. And it is the Gog and Magog who will be the final threat to the be-lievers before his reign of peace. Again, the Quran says:

“When the Gog and Magog swoop down from every ridge, and the true Promise draws near, you will see the disbelievers, their eyes staring fixedly, in horror; They will say, ‘woe to us; indeed were heedless of this – and we were wrongdoers.’” (Quran 21:96-97)

Not even Jesus will be able to withstand the coming of the Gog and Magog, for they will swarm the land destructively, like locusts.

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported that the prophet said that only the Muslims who retreat into their cities and strongholds with their cattle and sheep will survive the onslaught. It is also said:

God will reveal to Jesus, son of Mary, “I have brought forth people from among My creatures against who none will be able to fight. Take my worshippers safely to Mount Tur.” (Saheeh Muslim)

The Gog and Magog will be so many that when the last of the horde passes through a lake bed from whose water the first rank had drunk, they will bewail, ‘There used to be water here, once.’ Anybody not from themselves, except for the Muslims in their strongholds and refuges, will be killed, and the horde will declaim, ‘We have defeated the people of earth. Now only the people of heaven are left [for us to defeat].’ On that, one will fire an arrow into the sky, and it will fall back to earth blood-stained.

Though the Gog and Magog will think they have ob-tained victory, their very boast would be their downfall, for the blood on their weapons will be nothing but a test from God. The next article will deal with how the Gog and Magog will be defeated, and what happens after that.

The End of Gog and Magog

When the Gog and Magog will have driven the Mus-lims to hole up in their strongholds and refuges, and when they see the blood on their weapons, which will have returned from the sky, they will take these as evi-dence for their imminent victory over the Muslims. However, that evening:

“Jesus and his companions will beseech God, and God will send against them (the Gog and Magog) worms which will attack their necks; and in the morn-ing, they will all perish as one.” (Saheeh Muslim)

Not knowing that the horde was already destroyed, the Muslims in their strongholds will call for a volunteer to scout out what the enemy was doing. The volunteer, knowing he would probably die, will descend to find them all dead, lying on top of one another. Returning, he will call out: ‘O Muslims, rejoice! God has suf-ficed us against our enemies!’

When Jesus and the people who took refuge on Mount Tur descend, they will find the same scene, with not a single spot of the earth around them free of the putrefying stench of rotting bodies. So sickening and dangerous to health will be the situation that Jesus will pray again to God, Who will send huge birds to carry them off and throw them into the sea where the sun rises.

The Aftermath

After that, God will send a drenching, intense rain that penetrates into everything, lasting forty days. Un-like the Deluge, this torrential rainfall will be benefi-cial, for:

“The earth will be washed till it looks like a mirror. God will then order the earth: ‘Bring forth your fruit and restore your blessing.’” (Saheeh Muslim)

The Muslims will let their cattle and flocks out to graze again, and they will fatten up better than from any vegetation they had fed on before. Orchards will produce fruit of size and quality never known before, and cattle produce fine quality milk in copious amounts, enough so that nobody will experience any shortage of it.

The benefits, then, from the advent of the Gog and Magog, will the decimation of non-believers, leaving the world for a nation of the believers, and food in abundance after the earth had absorbed all the dead de-caying bodies caused by their invasion and later exter-mination. For a period of time, wealth would be so abundant that people would not be able to find those to whom they could pay out the poor due. Abu Huray-rah reported the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, as saying:

“…And there will be no Jizya. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it (in charity).” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Not so beneficial will be the reduction in the num-bers of men, causing a major imbalance in the sex ratio. Women will far exceed the men in numbers, possibly due to casualties in war, as was the case in Germany af-ter World War Two.

The Reign and Death of Jesus

The reign of Jesus, may God grant him peace, will be by the Law that Muhammad brought. This is in ac-cordance with the Covenant that God took from all his prophets. In the Quran, it says:

Behold! God took the Covenant of the prophets, saying: “I have given you the Book and Wisdom; then will come a messenger to you confirming what is with you, so believe in him and render him help.” God said: “Do you agree, and take this Covenant as binding upon you?” They said: “We agree.” He said: “Then bear wit-ness! And I am with you among the witnesses.” (Quran 3:81)

The reign of Jesus, therefore, will be according to the Covenant with God, and this is backed up by an expla-nation of the saying of the Prophet by Abu Hurayrah, when he reported a question he had asked to his com-panions. He said:

The Messenger of God said, “What would you do when the son of Mary descends among you, and lead as one among you?”

One of the companions, Ibn Abu Theeb, asked:

What does, ‘He will lead as one among you’ mean?

Abu Hurayrah replied:

“He will lead you according to the Book of your Lord, exalted and praised is He, and the Way of your Messenger.”

His reign will be marked by mutual respect, peace and prosperity among the people. In another hadeeth, Abu Hurayrah said:

“Spite, mutual hatred and jealousy against one an-other will disappear, and when he (Jesus) summons people to accept wealth, none will do so.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

The lack of rancor between people will be absolute, not relative, for at least seven years, wherein no two people would be stirred to ire towards each other, and the word between them would be ‘peace’. In fact, re-ligiosity and piety will be the order of the day, for to each person:

“A single prostration to God (in prayer) will be bet-ter than the whole world and whatever is in it.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Jesus himself will not only rule and judge by the Muslim Shariah, he will complete all the Islamic pillars. The Prophet of Islam said:

“By him in Whose hand my life is, the son of Mary will certainly invoke the name of God for Hajj or Um-rah or both in the valley of Rauha (a valley near Me-dina).” (Saheeh Muslim)

Then, forty years after his second coming, he will die, and the Muslims will perform the funeral prayer for him. And this moment is the moment God is referring to in the Quranic verse:

“And there is none of the People of the Book who must believe in him before his death…” (Quran 4:159)

God willing, all the people will be of one Book at that time.

Conclusion

As we can see, the return of Jesus to the Earth will be a truly magnificent event, surrounded by truly mag-nificent incidents, so magnificent that one may find it even fantasy-like. Jesus will come at a time when the world is in true need of Divine Help. Indeed this Di-vine Help will come with Jesus, but some of the trials of those days will be so great that not even he will be able to face it, fleeing to the tops of mounts with his follow-ers. Only God will be able to save humanity in that time. Albeit, not only will this Divine Help come to put an end to the greatest trials faced by humankind since the dawn of time – the False Messiah and Gog and Magog - but it will also come to show the truth about God, putting an end to all falsehood, with everyone be-ing united under the one true religion of God.

(www.islamhouse.com)