Pak Muhammadi Masjid Frankfurt

The Five Pillars of Islam

2024-05-16T14:33:00.006+02:00

1. Shahada (Faith)

The Shahada is the declaration of faith, proclaiming belief in the oneness of God (Allah) and the prophethood of Muhammad. The declaration is: "La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur rasulullah," meaning "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."

2. Salah (Prayer)

Salah is the ritual prayer performed five times a day by Muslims. These prayers are performed facing the Kaaba in Mecca and are meant to strengthen the bond between the worshiper and Allah. The five daily prayers are Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (evening), and Isha (night).

3. Zakat (Charity)

Zakat is the obligation for Muslims to give a portion of their wealth to those in need. It serves as a means of wealth distribution and social welfare, and it is typically calculated as 2.5% of one's savings and wealth above a certain threshold. Zakat is intended to purify one's wealth and to assist those who are less fortunate.

4. Sawm (Fasting)

Sawm refers to the fasting observed by Muslims during the Islamic month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and other physical needs during daylight hours as an act of worship and self-discipline. Fasting is meant to teach self-control, empathy for the less fortunate, and spiritual reflection.

4. Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia that Muslims are required to undertake at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able. It occurs annually during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. The rituals of Hajj commemorate the actions of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family and serve as a reminder of the unity of the Muslim ummah (community) worldwide.

Quran mit Untertiteln in deutscher Sprachen

2015-04-17T23:31:00.000+02:00

A Few Miscellaneous Stories about the Fear of Allah

2012-08-20T18:27:00.000+02:00

It is very difficult to cover all that is said in the Qur'an and the Hadith about the importance of fear of Allah. It
may, however, be understood that fear of Allah is an essential step towards all spiritual advancement. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said: "Fear of Allah is the root of all wisdom".Hadhrat Ibn 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) used to weep so much with the fear of Allah that he lost his eyesight. He
said to somebody watching him: "You wonder at my weeping. Even the sun weeps with
the fear of Allah." On another occasion, he is reported to have said:
"Even the moon weeps with His fear." The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) once passed by
one of the Sahabah who was reciting the Qur'an. When he came to the verse:
"And when the heaven splitteth asunder and becometh rosy like red hide", (LV: 37)
the hair of his body stood on end, and he was nearly choked, with excessive weeping. He would cry and say:
"Alas; what will happen to me on the day when even the Heaven splitteth asunder. Woe is me!"
The Prophet (Sallallaho alai-he-wasallam) said to him: "Your crying has made even the angels weep".
Once an Ansari sat and wept after Tahajjud, saying: "I cry to Allah for protection from the fire of Hell".
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said to him: "You have made the angels weep today".
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiyallaho anho) was once weeping. His wife also began to weep on seeing him in this condition. He enquired of her:
"Why are you weeping?" She replied: "Whatever makes you weep makes me weep too".
He said: "The idea that I have to cross the bridge of Siraat across Hell makes me weep. I don't know
whether I shall be able to cross over or fall into Hell".

Happiness in obedience to Allah

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الحمد لله رب العالمين نحمده ونستعينه ، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا ومن سيئات أعمالنا ، إنه من يهده الله فلا مضل له ، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له. وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله .

أنَّ أحسنَ الحديث كتاب الله، وخير الهدي هدي محمّد ، وشرّ الأمور محدثاتها، وكلّ بدعة ضلالة، وعليكم بجماعة المسلمين، فإنّ يدَ الله على الجماعة، ومن شذّ شذّ في النار.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَكُونُواْ مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يُكَفّرْ عَنْهُ سَيّئَـٰتِهِ وَيُعْظِمْ لَهُ أَجْرًا

أمّا بعد: فأوصيكُم ونفسي بتقوَى الله، قَال الله تعالى: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلاَّ وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ [آل عمران:102].

Alhamdulillah the Lord of the Universe. Praise and thanks always be to Him the Creator of all things. Alhamdulillah that He has gathered us in this blessed place of worship to be of His obedient servants and of those who are observant of His rules. He has ruled for His servants to be close to one another and to come together and congregate with one another. And He has allowed this act of congregation for His sake to be a means of cleansing for His servants and a means of elevating their status with Him. I bear witness that there is no other Deity but Allah, the One God and the One Creator, there is no other deity except Him the Sovereign, the Holy, the One with whom all salvation rests. And I bear witness that Mohamed is His servant, messenger and Prophet, the best of Creation, the best of those who performed Salat, Hajj and fasting; and unto whom He (swt) has revealed the Truth and the divine verses. O Allah bestow perpetual Salat and Salam on your Prophet. صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وأصحابه وسلم تسليما

- And may He also gather us in the Hereafter in His garden of Bliss and Paradise, in the companionship of the best of His Creation.
O Muslims, have Taqwa and fear Allah as He deserves to be feared. Allah says in [ الطلاق:5]
وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يُكَفّرْ عَنْهُ سَيّئَـٰتِهِ وَيُعْظِمْ لَهُ أَجْرًا

-O Servants of Allah, have fear of Allah swt, for having fear of Allah is a protection against aberrance and deviation from His straight path; it is the salvation from His wrath; and it is the path to true success and happiness on the day of Judgment. Maintain your obedience to Him and seek only His pleasure.
Allah swt says in Surat [Tawba:119] يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَكُونُواْ مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ
In the meaning of: “O you who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful.”

-O Muslims fear Allah as He ought to be feared; fear the One who created the Heavens and the Earth, and remember that you will come to stand in front of Him to account for all your deeds on a Day of fierce reckoning. Allah says in Surat Ghafir [غافر 40:52]
، يَوْمَ لا يَنفَعُ الظَّالِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَهُمْ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ
In the meaning of: ” The Day when no profit will it be to Wrong-doers to present their excuses, but they will (only) have the Curse and the Home of Misery. ” So prepare for such a Day of giving accounts. Send forth the best of provisions for that day, and do not let this Duniya lure you away with its deceptive beauty and fleeting promises. And most of all do not allow self-conceit and vanity stray you away from the righteous path of Allah.

-The happiness of mankind in this Dunya is conditional upon the observance of the rules of Allah, conditional upon the obedience to Him swt and to His Prophet pbuh, and conditional upon the adoption of righteous actions that would bring us closer to Him swt. The fruits of such blessed and righteous actions will be, on the Day of Judgment, Jannah (Paradise), joy and contentment, and in this Dunya happiness and safety from afflictions and tribulations that might otherwise befall a person.

-And the worst affliction that can befall any person during their life in this Dunya is neglecting to observe and follow the divine guidance of Allah swt, and instead, obeying their own desires and refusing the path of righteousness. Our Prophet pbuh relates to us in a story, thru his prophetic compassion towards humanity and his Umma, when plagued by tribulations and afflictions, when the hope for help and rescue from others has all but vanished, that the only way to safety for humankind is thru Him swt whose gates of hope and help are never closed; the ever Present, the ever Mighty, and the ever answerer of Du’a of the despondent and the needy.

-Thru this story our Prophet pbuh shows to us the impact of good deeds and the blessed harvest of goodness. It is indeed only from such righteous actions that the closeness to Allah can be realized, and it is only from such good deeds that one can tread the path of true happiness and the path of true safety.

-Bukhari and Muslim report to us in their Sahih a long hadith on the account of Abdullah Ibn Umar (عبد الله بن عمر) that our Prophet pbuh had said:
((بينما ثلاثة نفر يتمشون أخذهم المطر، فآووا إلى غار في جبل، فانحطت على فم غارهم صخرة من الجبل، فانطبقت عليهم، فقال بعضهم لبعض: انظروا أعمالاً عملتموها صالحة لله، فادعوا الله تعالى بها، لعل الله يفرجها عنكم، فقال أحدهم: اللهم إنه كان لي والدان شيخان كبيران وامرأتي ولي صبية صغار أرعى عليهم، فإذا رحت عليهم حلبت فبدأت بوالدي، فسقيتهما قبل بني، وإنه نأى بي ذات يوم الشجر، فلم آت حتى أمسيت، فوجدتهما قد ناما، فحلبت كما كنت أحلب، فجئت بالحلاب، فقمت عند رؤوسهما، أكره أن أوقظهما من نومهما، وأكره أن أسقي الصبية قبلهما، والصبية يتضاغون – أي يصيحون – عند قدمي، فلم يزل ذلك دأبي ودأبهم حتى طلع الفجر، فإن كنت فعلت ذلك ابتغاء وجهك، فافرج لنا فرجة نرى منها السماء، ففرج الله منها فرجة فرأوا منها السماء))
In the meaning of: “While three people were walking outside, the rain began to fall and they sought refuge in a cave on the side of a mountain. While inside the cave, a large and heavy rock fell off the side of the mountain and sealed off the entrance to their cave. They said to one another: let us look at our good deeds that we carried for the sake of Allah, and let us mention them to Allah and make Du’a to Him that He remove this rock and free us from this cave. One of them said: O Allah, I used to have two elderly parents, a wife and young children, and I was attentive to their needs. I would leave them to go and bring milk for them. And I would always give the milk to my parents first before my young children. And one day I had been delayed while away from my family until nightfall and my parents had fallen asleep. I brought back milk for all of them as I used to do and waited at their headrest for my parents to wake up. I disliked waking them up from their sleep and I disliked feeding my young children before them; and my young children were crying out of hunger next to me. And we remained like that until Fajr. O Allah, if I had done that seeking only your acceptance, then free us from this cave and let us see the clear sky outside. The rock at the entrance of the cave then moved slightly and allowed them to see the sky outside”.

-This first person had begged Allah and mentioned his kindness and compassion toward his own parents as an act of worshipping Allah swt. And that is because kindness and compassion towards our parents is one of the greatest acts and ways to come closer to our Creator; for Allah swt has equated between the acts of worshipping Him and the recognition of His oneness to be of the same level as the acts of kindness and compassion toward one’s parents; an indication of the greatness and preference of such acts in the eyes of Allah swt.

-This first person was a shepherd. And shepherds rely on their livestock for food and milk; and it was his habit at the end of the day to bring back milk from his livestock to give to his family. And he used to always give that milk to his parents first before even his young children and wife.

-It was compassion and kindness towards his parents that drove this shepherd’s actions. How many of us today, with all the amenities that surround us, truly give preferential treatment to our parents out of kindness and compassion for them? Our reality today is in most cases very different from what this simple shepherd had done to his parents: our children and spouse come first before our kindness and compassion to our parents. It is indeed a neglect of our duties toward our parents and a neglect of their divine rights over us. May Allah bring us back toward His righteous path.

-It was part of this shepherd’s destiny that one day his quest for grazing grounds for his livestock took him farther away than usual and delayed his return back to his family until late after nightfall. He milked his livestock as he usually does and brought back the milk to feed his family only to find his parents asleep. Out of respect and kindness to them, he disliked waking them up from their sleep and preferred to wait until they woke up by themselves. And he disliked feeding his own young children and wife before feeding his parents first. And so he and his crying young children and his wife stayed awake thru the night until Fajr waiting for his parents to wake up from their sleep. He then gave them the milk and then fed his children and wife.

-And no one except Allah knows the exhaustion, the fatigue and the emotional stress that this shepherd had gone thru that day first while taking care of his flock of livestock taking them to a far away grazing place, then abstaining from food until his parents had awaken, and then the emotional burden watching his own young children cry for food while waiting for his parents to wake up from their sleep. And how many parents today would stand still in quiet patience while holding out food from their young children who are crying at their feet! It is such a deed of kindness and compassion toward his parents that earned this person an answer from Allah and moved ever so little the rock from the entrance of the cave.

-This is a reminder to all of the Ummah and an encouragement to us all to be diligently kind toward our parents; a reminder of the rewards and fruits of such kindness toward our parents; a reminder of the true source of happiness in both this Dunya and in the Hereafter. O Allah make us successful in caring for our parents during their lives in this Dunya and after you take them away from this Dunya. Ameen.

-The Hadith of our Prophet pbuh continues with the story by saying:
((وقال الآخر: اللهم إنه كان لي ابنة عم أحببتها كأشد ما يُحب الرجال النساء، وطلبت إليها نفسها، فأبت حتى أتيتها بمائة دينار، فتعبت حتى جمعت مائة دينار، فجئتها بها، فلما وقعتُ بين رجليها قالت: يا عبد الله، اتق الله، ولا تفتح الخاتم إلا بحقه، فقمت عنها، فإن كنت تعلم أني فعلت ذلك ابتغاء وجهك، فافرج لنا منها فرجة ففرج لهم))
In the meaning of: “And the other person said in their Du’a to Allah: O Allah, I had a cousin with whom I had fallen in love (in the most extreme of ways that men would love women). And I had asked her to give herself to me but she refused unless I brought her 100 Dinars. I then labored to gather that 100 Dinars to give to her. And when I was atop of her she said: O Servant of Allah, have fear of Allah and do not open the seal except in accordance with its rightful moral due. So I abstained from carrying my act. O Allah, if I had abstained from carrying that act hoping only for your acceptance then ease our way out. And the rock at the entrance of the cave moved a little more”.

-The Du’a of this second person brings out a witness to his sincere fear and Taqwa of Allah during moments of power and capability. The kind of fear and Taqwa that bestowed upon him the ability to push away acts of indecency and mischief, and bestowed upon him the ability to control his most extreme desires. He had loved and desired his cousin the most extreme of desires. But her faith in her Deen had prevented her from giving into such a mischief and had prevented her from giving into his prior pleas of desire; until she was faced with a need she could not fill, forcing her to then give into his advances. But still, even after he had fulfilled her financial conditions and was about to commit the forbidden act, she awakens to her fear of Allah and to her duties toward her Deen, and she reminds him of his own and same duties and of his need to have Taqwa of Allah. She had never committed such mischievous acts before and did not want to commit them then. Only then did he realize the nature of his hideous act, and out of fear of Allah retracted his advances to her and left her the monies to fulfill her need.

-It was the true Iman that had moved this person away from committing such mischief even though he was able to go thru and commit it had he so desired. It was the fear of Allah, the real Taqwa, that had pulled away this person from such acts and directed him towards repentance and seeking the acceptance of Allah. It is indeed only the true and deep Iman that truly protects against falling into such mischievous acts.

-It is regrettable that today some people would actually voluntarily and willfully strive towards committing such acts. Not only that, they would also boast about having committed such acts to their acquaintances and friends. As if it were an act to boast about or to uncover to others. It is indeed the worst of actions and a path straying the farthest away from the righteous path of Allah swt. Such a person has instead fallen into the worst of deeds that leads to nothing except to the Hellfire. And the only thing that is left for such a sinner is to hasten and hurry in repentance to Allah; for Allah will accept all sincere and true repentance from anyone that is still living in this Dunya.

-Indeed, true repentance erases all previous sins; true repentance is the path towards the acceptance of Allah; true repentance is the path to the Jannah (Paradise) of Allah. Allah swt says in Surat Talaq:2:
: وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجاً [الطلاق:2].
In the meaning of: “And whoever fears Allah, He will make easement for him”.
بارك الله لي ولكم في القرآن العظيم، ونفعني وإياكم بما فيه من الآيات والذكر الحكيم اللهم اجعلنا ممن يستمع القول فيتبع أحسنه، واسلك بنا طريق عبادك الصالحين، أقول ما تسمعون، وأستغفر الله العظيم لي ولكم ولسائر المؤمنين من كل ذنب، فاستغفروه، إنه هو الغفور الرحيم

-And the Hadith continues by saying:
وقال الآخر: اللهم إني كنت استأجرت أجيراً بفرق أرز، فلما قضي عمله قال: أعطني حقي، فعرضت عليه فرقه فرغب عنه – أي تركه – فلم أزل أزرعه حتى جمعت منه بقراً ورعاءها، فجاءني فقال: اتق الله، ولا تظلمني حقي، قلت: اذهب إلى تلك البقر ورعائها فخذها، فقال: اتق الله ولا تستهزئ بي، فقلت: إني لا أستهزئ بك، خذ ذلك البقر ورعاءها، فأخذه فذهب به، فإن كنت تعلم أني فعلت ذلك ابتغاء وجهك، فافرج لنا ما بقي، ففرج الله ما بقي وخرجوا يمشون
In the meaning of: “And the other said: O Allah I had hired someone to help me and I promised them a portion of rice as payment. When they finished and asked me for payment they belittled what I offered them for payment and they left without taking it. I then used and sown that rice time and again and produced from its profit several cows. The helper had then come back again to ask for his former payment saying: give me my dues and do not oppress me. I said to him go and take those cows, they are yours. He answered do not make fun of me. All I want is my payment. I convinced him that it was his payment and he took them. O Allah if I had done that only out of seeking your pleasure then ease for us what is left to let us out. And Allah eased for them their way out of the cave by moving the rock from the entrance. ”.

-This third person had begged Allah with a Du’a mentioning his trustworthiness and his diligence to giving people their rightful dues. Not only that, he had made the dues of his helper grow many times over and beyond the expectations of that helper, and gave it back to him as his right due without reducing of it not the slightest. Contrasting such trustworthiness with today’s accepted social conduct makes us realize how we may be short changing ourselves, and how our deeds need revising to adhere to the righteous ways and to the accepted path toward Allah. Instead, today some people may consider short changing the wages of their helpers as a commendable act to even boast about and maintain as a good practice! Little do they know the dire punishment awaiting them for such conduct and for such deeds. And little do they know how much they have lost with Allah and how much they have gained in sins and disfavor with Allah.

فاتقوا الله عباد الله، واحرصوا على الأعمال الصالحة التي تقربكم من الله، واحذروا المعاصي، وإياكم والوقوع في الموبقات، فإن أجسامكم على النار لا تقوى

by Sheik Abdelmonem Almukasaree (english translation Smail Fenni) – Masjid Yusuf

Day of Judgment

2012-08-16T15:01:00.000+02:00

Consider the people and events that shape your life.
You are constantly striving to get somewhere and to obtain a place in life.
You concentrate very hard on many things in your life and think deeply on matters you regard as important.
However, there are also things you avoid thinking about. What is more, many people around you behave in the same way. They, too, are aware of these matters that they imagine should not be talked nor thought about.
Death, which some people imagine to be an “end” to which there is no solution, is one of these subjects.
The Day of Judgment, which will spell the death of the universe, is another of these crucial matters that people avoid thinking about.

And the Moon is eclipsed, and the Sun and the Moon are fused together, on that Day man will ask: “Where can I run?” No indeed! There will be no safe place. That Day, the only resting place will be your Lord. (Surat al-Qiyama, 8-12)

You are working hard to get somewhere, trying to find your place in the struggle for a good life. You are very attentive to some matters and reflect deeply upon them. At the same time, you carefully avoid thinking about other matters and, as it happens, many people close to you do the same. Everyone knows what subjects to avoid in conversation and thought. Death is one of these, perhaps the most important one. For them, death is an end to which there is no solution.

The Day of Judgment, which will bring “death” to the universe just like the death of people, is a matter that people do not like to think about; rather, they consider it as a remote and distant matter. They have a vague idea of what will happen on that Day, but since the thought of it scares them, people are inclined to forget about it. Rather than facing up to it, they just get on with their lives instead. People are most affected by the final day aspect of this Day for all beings, whether living or non-living. The Day of Judgment is the final day of life on Earth and for the universe. But at the same time, it is the beginning of the eternal life in the Hereafter.

Hereafter. On that Day, people will be resurrected, created anew. Believers in Allah and the Hereafter will be hosted in Paradise, whereas unbelievers will be driven to Hell. Therefore, for those who expect such a Day, fully aware of what this event means, it is meaningless to run away from death, the Day of Judgment, and the Hereafter. To the contrary, the reality of death and the events of that Day will lead people to do
good in the cause of Allah, direct them to believe in the Hereafter, and bring them closer to Allah. Only the believers will be spared the great fear on that Day, on which previously unseen events will take place, for Allah reveals that they will have no cause for fear or

Not so! All who submit themselves completely to Allah and are good-doers will find their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and know no sorrow. (Surat al-Baqara, 112)

Those who believed in this Day and in the Qur’an, as well as that the real life is in the Hereafter, while alive and lived accordingly will be safe. They did not disregard the existence of death and were not too vain to worship Allah. Such people will be received in the most pleasant way in the Hereafter, and Allah’s guiding light will be with them on the Day of Judgment. The faithful are given the good news … on the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed along with him. Their light will stream out ahead of them and on their right. They will say: “Our Lord, perfect our light for us and forgive us! You have power over all This book reveals the Day and its events, and warns of its difficulties. What matters most is that the Day of Judgment is a reality for all people and, as such, should not be ignored. This book will help you to think about its existence and reality in the light of

The purpose here is to warn you of a Day on which you will meet whatever happens, and to guide you to safety and the eternal life in Paradise. The reality of this Day’s mind-blowing events is an important factor in driving people to reflect upon it. For this reason, throughout this book we will describe the details of the time leading up to the Day of Judgment and investigate its reality.

Extract > Source: Book by Harun Yahya – TheDay of Judgment
The Day of Judgment e-book click here to read

Everything in the Universe in testifying to Allah.

2012-08-16T14:43:00.001+02:00

He sent to us messengers to teach us the best way to live.
Iman (faith) must always be on the increase, it increases when U devote yourself to Allah.
Nothing changes after Ramadan (that is you continue to be the best).
Read the Quran everyday.
Don not loose your momentum.
Do good in order that you might have success here and in the here after.
Muslim have been sitting on the religion to long.
The Internet may equalize the playing field.
Deal with your enemies with magnanimity.
Call to your enemies with wisdom.
Do not curse or argue with your enemies.
Speak to your enemies in the most beautiful way.
Speak to people in the best way.
So that you may be a testimony to people on how one should behave.
A Muslim never curses people.
Speak to people in the most beautiful way.
Allah knows who has gone astray.
And who is rightly guided.
Listen to what Allah tells us >> Allah joins to good and to justice, help the poor, weak and the orphans, Allah calls you to economic justice, Allah wants us to interact with people in the most beautiful way.
Interact with people with beautiful character.
If they do things to you have the right to defend yourself.
But it is best to be patience, your patient is only for Allah.
Do not be constricted by their plots.
When a wrong is done to you return the favor with a good deed.
Do not be depressed by the situation.
Allah is with the believers.
Who is better than the one who calls upon to Allah and does good deeds ..
Say “I am amongst the people who have submitted to the Lord of the world” ..
.. when you do that people will get upset.
You can have your retribution but be patience, forgive them .. fight but .. fight wrong with right.
Allah calls us to the higher way (higher even than the way that is right).
Fight wrong with right.

“Be Peacemakers”, Khutba by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Eid Al-Fitr 2010
source: www.zaytunacollege.org

The Blessed Night of Power

2012-08-14T20:20:00.001+02:00

The blessed month of Ramadan is coming to an end. The first one-third of the month was for seeking mercy, the middle one-third for forgiveness and the last one-third for salvation from the Fire of Hell. In the last part of this month lies hidden the Night of Power or Decree (Laylatul Qadr) about which Allah says in the Qur'an..
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. (97:3)
As to the reason behind revelation of this powerful verse of the Qur'an, Imam as-Suyuti (rahmatullahi alayh) mentions in his book "Lubaabun Nuqool" that once Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, meaning - may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) [herein after abbreviated as (S)], mentioned about the story of a person from among the Children of Israel who had strived (jihad fi-sabilillah) in the path of Allah for 1000 months. Upon hearing this, the Sahabah (companions) were astonished and at the same time they became very despondent on the basis that how will they ever be able to accomplish such a feat (after all, very few live that long to be able to engage oneself in jihad for 83 years and 4 months). So Allah revealed this noble verse as a solace to the believers. The followers of Muhammad (S) don't have to match what that pious Israelite had done; only a fully engaged worship of one night in the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr) - would be equivalent in merit.

A similar story is mentioned in another Hadith: there was a pious man from the Children of Israel who used to be engaged in the worship of Allah from the evening till the following morning, and then be engaged in the jihad fi-sabilillah from the morning till the evening. He did this continuously for a thousand months. So Allah revealed this verse stating that the worship in this night alone is better than the thousand months which the person had spent in worship and jihad.

So, the question arises when is this Night of Power? The answer is provided by Prophet Muhammad (S) who said: "Seek it in the last ten; and if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final seven." [Bukhari and Muslim]

Although to encourage worship amongst believers, this Night has not been pinpointed, a more common understanding amongst Muslims is that it falls on an odd night (23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th), and possibly the 27th of Ramadan.

Because of its merit, the Prophet (S) used to exert himself greatly during Laylatul-Qadr. He would spend the nights in worship. The Prophet (S) said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr out of Iman (faith) and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven." [Bukhari and Muslim]

Given the fact that the people of the Book (e.g., Children of Israel and Christians) don't have anything remotely close to this blessing, Muslims feel highly blessed by God because of unfathomable merits of this blessed night which comes every year during the month of Ramadan - the Muslim month of fasting. It is, thus, not surprising to witness that many pious Muslims spend the entire night of the last 7 to 10 days of Ramadan awake -- praying, reciting the Qur'an and giving away charity (specially in disbursing their zakat and sadqah) hoping to earn the merit of good deeds of 1000 months.

On a comparable matter, it is worth noting that the Jewish Jubilee (Hebrew Yov-el) year - preeminently a time of joy, the year of remission or universal pardon - is the year at the end of seven cycles of Sabbatical years (Hebrew Shmita). And according to the Bible it came once every fifty years: "You shall sanctify the 50th year and proclaim freedom throughout the land for all its inhabitants; it shall be the Jubilee year for you, you shall return each person to his ancestral heritage and you shall return each to his family. It shall be a Jubilee Year for you - the 50th year - you shall not sow, you shall not harvest its after-growth and you shall not pick what was set aside of it for yourself. For it is a Jubilee Year, it shall be holy to you; from the field you eat its crop." (Leviticus 25:10-13)

Basically, these verses indicate that the Jubilee required all debts between ALL people (Jews and gentiles alike) to be annulled (although the practice was limited amongst the Jews only). Also, any Jew that sold his or herself into slavery is to be released, whether they worked the amount of time they promised, or not.

Rashi, an eleventh century (CE) Jewish scholar, pointed out that the world Jubilee was related to the Hebrew word for "ram," alluding to the fact that the Jubilee year was proclaimed by the blast of a ram's horn. Nachmanides, another great Jewish scholar, added that the word Jubilee was also related to the Hebrew word which means "to move around." Thus, all Jews who had sold themselves into slavery, or were shackled (so to speak) by debt, were to be released from their bonds on the Jubilee year and were to be given the freedom to move around freely.

According to the rabbinical sources, the origination of the counting of the Jubilee Year did not quite start with the time when the Children of Israel had entered the Holy Land (under Joshua), but rather after they finished conquering the Holy Land and after apportioning it to each family, which was 1288 BCE (Ref: Maimonides - Laws of Shmita and Jubilee 10:2). The first Jubilee was forty-nine years later.

Although the Sanhedrin was in charge of counting the years and ensuring its accuracy, and ensuring that the Jewish nation was notified of the Jubilee year's arrival by the blast of the shofar at the end of Yom Kippur (Leviticus 25:8 and Numbers 35:4), there is absolutely no credible historical evidence suggesting that it was observed religiously every fifty years in the centuries shortly before the advent of Jesus. The latter evidences even suggest that it might have been observed every hundred years during the time of Jesus, son of Mary.

For example, the apocryphal book - Gospel of Barnabas - puts these words in the mouth of Jesus, saying: "I am indeed sent to the house of Israel as a prophet of salvation; but after me shall come the Messiah, sent of God to all the world; for whom God hath made the world. And then through all the world will God be worshipped, and mercy received, insomuch that the year of jubilee, which now cometh every hundred years, shall by the Messiah be reduced to every year in every place." (Chapter 82)

As to the identity of this Messiah, the Jesus of the Gospel of Barnabas, is quite explicit, when asked by a priest, answering: "The name of the Messiah is admirable [Ar. Muhammad], for God himself gave him the name when he had created his soul, and placed it in a celestial splendour. God said: "Wait Muhammad; for your sake I will to create paradise, the world, and a great multitude of creatures, whereof I make you a present, insomuch that whoever shall bless you shall be blessed, and whoever shall curse you shall be accursed. When I shall send you into the world I shall send you as my Messenger of salvation, and your word shall be true, insomuch that heaven and earth shall fail, but your faith shall never fail." Muhammad is his blessed name." Then the crowd lifted up their voices, saying: "O God send us your Messenger: O Muhammad, come quickly for the salvation of the world!" (Chapter 97)

In chapter 84, the Jesus of Gospel of Barnabas after completing one of the midnight prayers reportedly said, "Let us give thanks to God because he has given to us this night great mercy; for that he has made to come back the time that needs must pass in the night, in that we have made prayer in union with the Messenger of God. And I have heard his voice." The disciples rejoiced greatly at hearing this..."

Is it possible that the aforementioned night is the Laylatul Qadr - the Night of Power, mentioned in the Qur'an? And God knows the best!

Whatever may be the controversy surrounding the authenticity of each of the gospels - canonical and apocryphal - now attributed to the disciples - real or self-styled - of Jesus, son of Mary, the Qur'an - the Last Testament of God to mankind - is rather unambiguous about the merit of Laylatul Qadr. This night, thus, remains the most sought-after night amongst the faithful Muslims.

As the end of the blessed month of Ramadan approaches, let us remind ourselves with the wise advice of Abul Abbas al-Sabti (may Allah have mercy on him): "The secret of Fasting is that you are hungry. When you are hungry you remember the one who is always hungry and know the strength of the fire of hunger that afflicts him, so that you become charitable towards him. Thus, if you deny yourself food but have no compassion for the hungry and your Fasting does not cause this idea to occur to you, you have not [truly] Fasted and have not understood the intended meaning of the Fast." [Al-Tashawwuf ila rijal al-tasawwuf wa akhbar Abil Abbas al-Sabti: Yusuf ibn al-Zayyat al-Tadili]

According to 'Ubadah ibn al-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him), a Companion, the Prophet Muhammad (S) used to say upon entering this month of Ramadan: "O Allah, greet and save me for Ramadan; greet and save Ramadan; greet and save Ramadan on my behalf, and grant me its acceptance (Allahumma sallimnee li ramadana wa sallim ramadana wa sallimhu minnee mutaqabbilan)."

May Allah accept our fasting and save us for this and the next Ramadan. Amin.
source: http://www.islamicity.com

Powerful Night of Ramadan

2012-08-14T19:15:00.004+02:00

We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to you what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!...This until the rise of morn! (97:1-5)
The Night of Power in His infinite wisdom is encouraged to be searched during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. Since over fourteen centuries Muslims are striving diligently to benefit greatly from it. A rare trade indeed - pure profit and thousand times more!

Interestingly we have embraced the night for its mathematical magic but seemingly misplaced the very essence of the night. In fact, it was just another dark night. But it became the Night of Power because of what was revealed in the darkness. It is now known to us, a night better than a thousand months. The dark night is illuminating the world and the Quran is guiding the humanity ever since.

The Night of Power is celebrated powerfully. Masajid and communities celebrate the night by staying up all night, listening to lectures, reading Quran, etc. What seems to be missing though is to reflect on the Divine Words and to act upon it. Unless that is done, the real power will not be received from the Night of Power.

Ramadan visits us every year and offers us a reason to reflect on all aspect of our lives. The objects of our wants and fears far surpass the limits of human genius, energy, and mortal life. The sum of all that we need and desire .. spiritual or material, essential or superfluous .. simply exceeds our ability to attain it. What, then, is one to do? The believer turns to his or her Creator in prayer. The response is natural. Whether moved by need or hope, or faced with misfortune or danger, people instinctively call upon God. Prayer is at the center of our very being and the marrow of the Muslim way of life. For many in the English speaking world, however, this face of Islam is virtually unknown.

Dua - Supplication - Prayer is Muslim's hope for everything at all times. Let us submit ourselves and plead and plead and plead ... as He alone can relieve us of our anxieties and sufferings.

(the following is an excerpt from Dua Kumayl that was often recited by Imam Ali (may Allah be pleased with him))

by Thy majesty against which nothing can stand up

by Thy grandeur which prevails upon all things
by Thy authority which is exercised over all things
by Thy knowledge which pervades all things

O Allah! Forgive us of sins that would hinder our supplications
O Allah! Forgive us of sins that would suppress hope
O Allah! Forgive all sins that we have committed and every error that we have erred
O Allah! Accept our apologies and have pity on our intense sufferings and set us free from my heavy fetters (of evil deeds)
O Allah! You are aware of my weakness to bear even a minor affliction of this world and its consequence and adversity affecting the denizen of this earth, although such afflictions are momentary, short-lived and transient
How then can I bear the retributions and the punishments of the Hereafter which are enormous and of intensive sufferings, of prolonged period and perpetual duration, and which shall never be alleviated for those who deserve the same as those retributions will be the result of Your wrath; and Your punishment which neither the heavens nor the earth can withstand and bear!
My Lord! How can I, a weak, insignificant, humble, poor and destitute creature of Yours be able to bear them?
O' my God! My Lord! My King! And Master! Which of the matters shall I complain to You and for which of them shall I bewail and weep?
Shall I bewail for the pains and pangs of the punishment and their intensity or for the length of sufferings and their duration?
Therefore (my Lord!) If You will subject me to the penalties (of hell) in company of Your enemies and cast me with those who merited my punishments and tear me apart from Your friends and those who will be near to You, then my God, my Lord and my Master, though I may patiently bear Your punishments, how can I calmly accept being kept away from You?
I reckon that though I may patiently endure the scorching fire of the hell, yet how can I resign myself to the denial of Your pity and clemency? How can I remain in the fire while I have hopes of Your forgiveness?
source: http://www.islamicity.com/

Hajj Guide in German

2012-08-11T18:34:00.000+02:00

Hajj Guide in German

Rights Due to Children

2012-08-07T20:44:00.000+02:00

The word "children" stands for sons and daughters, who are entitled to indisputable rights of rearing represented in promoting their religious orientation and ethical approach in order to be armed with both merits. Allah, the Almighty, says: "O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones..." (The Holy Quran: 66:6)

The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Everyone of you is a protector and guardian and responsible for your wards and things under your care and a man is a guardian of his family members, and is accountable for those placed under his charge." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Children are a trust put in the hands of parents who will be answerable before Allah on the Day of Judgment about their children as they are enjoined to satisfy their offspring's spiritual and religious urges in order to produce righteous men and women, to be a consolation for the eyes of their parents in both the present world and Hereafter. Allah, the Almighty says: "And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in Faith, to them shall We join their offspring, and We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in anything. Every person is a pledge for that which he has earned." (The Holy Quran: 52:21)

The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) in this context, said: "When a believer dies, his work ceases to be except in three areas: a perpetual Sadaqa (charity), some useful knowledge he leaves and a righteous son praying for him." (Muslim)

However, some parents have paid no heed to their children's rights and shirked away their obligations to them. Consequently the latter have got lost and begun to grope in darkness. Their parents have been too busy in worldly affairs promoting their financial situation and hoarding wealth to enquire about the company in which their children are involved or to guide them to good and make them shun evil, although they are more eligible for parental care, love and attention. Duties of father are not confined to catering for his child's physical well-being, nutritious needs and clothing only; he is rather demanded to care about the spiritual side of his child's character, feeding his heart with knowledge and faith and enveloping his soul with a clad of piety and the fear of Allah.

Children are eligible to be spent on in kindness with neither extravagance nor stint. Spending on one's children manifests deep gratitude to Allah for the wealth, which the Creator has conferred on to the father. He cannot withhold his wealth, nor stint on it; otherwise it will go involuntarily to his children after his death. Should he be stint, although it is the right of the children to acquire adequate money to sustain themselves.

Another right fully due to children is equality in parental treatment. No one should be given preference over the others in gifts or presents. The canonical law of Islam dictates that no child should enjoy privileges to the prejudice of his brothers or sisters; this is injustice on the face of it. Allah forbids injustice because it leads to aversion on the part of the deprived children, and creation of hostility between the ill-treated and the pampered ones or even between the former and their parents. One child could show more honor to his parents than his other brothers or sisters, the thing that invites his parents to single him out for more privileges to the exclusion of the others. This behavior is unjustifiable because the dutiful son is rewarded by his Lord; moreover, a privilege of this sort could on the one hand lead the child to vain glory and on the other, the less fortunate ones could develop a kind of aversion and then overstep the mark and indulge in further disobedience. Life is rich in vicissitudes; the undutiful son could turn into a respectful one and vice versa; after all, hearts are in the grasp of Allah and they could show different emotions as He desires.

Bukhari and Muslim reported a narration from An-Numan bin Bashir that his father Bashir bin Sa'd took him to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) and said, "I have given this son of mine a slave." The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, 'Have you given all your sons the like?’ He replied in the negative. The Prophet (peace be upon Him) said, 'Take back your gift then.'"

In another narration, the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Be afraid of Allah, and be just to your children."

And in another narration, he (peace be upon him) said: "Make anyone else a witness upon this because I cannot be a witness on a Zulm (wrongdoing)."

In clear words, the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) described preference of one's child over the others as injustice which is synonymous with Zulm (wrongdoing) and Zulm is Haram (prohibited). However, we must not mix up between preference and making an exception of one child and satisfying his urgent needs; this exception serves special exigencies and runs in the same channel of supporting one's family.

When the parent has discharged his obligations towards his offspring in all aspects including sustenance and upbringing, then the child should certainly manage to observe full obedience and honor to his parent. But when a father fails to fulfill his duties, he is liable to be punished that his son should deny his parental right and let the father be rightly recompensed of what he did.

Source: www.iad.org

Rights Due to Parents

2012-08-07T20:33:00.000+02:00

None can deny the parents' favor upon their children. The parents are the underlying reason for the existence of the child. They have reared him in his babyhood and experienced painstaking efforts to provide full comfort and sound well-being. Your mother had you in her womb while you were a parasite there sharing her food and whole being for nine months. In this context, Allah says:
"And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship..." (31:14)

It is a preliminary stage followed by incubation and breast feeding for two years marked by peculiar fatigue and hardships. The father, on his part, is meanwhile also fully engaged catering for his child and bringing him up, not sparing any sort of instructions or guidance he could provide his child with; the child, meanwhile, a helpless creature is neither harmful nor useful to himself.

Allah has always enjoined that children should be good and thankful to their parents and He says:
"And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years - give thanks to Me and to your parents, - unto Me is the final destination." (31:14)

"... And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small." (17:23, 24)

The right of parents upon you is to do good with them. You should be good to them physically as well as monetarily, and also with your words and your actions. You should be obedient to them unless in it there is disobedience to your Lord or there is some harm to you. Be kindhearted to them and serve them as they need your help. In their old age, in case of any ailment or weakness, never consider them a burden on you, neither speak to them harshly, because one day you will also become as old as they are. You will be a father as they are your parents and, if life permits, soon you will be an old man before your children just like your parents became old before you. So you need the help of your children as your parents need you today. If you are doing good to your parents then you must have the good news of a great reward and a better showing from your children, because whoever remained good to his parents, his children will also be good to him; and whoever annoyed his parents, will also be annoyed by his children. It is the process of recompense that deeds provide the results accordingly "as you sow, so will you reap. Allah has ranked the rights due to the parents high next only to His and the Prophet's, Allah says:
"Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents..." (4:36)

And Allah also says:
"...give thanks to Me and to your parents... (31:14)

Being dutiful to one's parents assumes priority even over Jihad (fight in the cause of Allah) as is narrated in the tradition of Ibn Mas'ood when he asked the Prophet (p.b.u.h.):
"Which deed is most beloved by Allah?" He said, 'Observing prayer in time.' "And next to that?" He said: 'Being dutiful to one's parents.' "And next to that?" He answered: 'Jihad (fight in the cause of Allah).'"

This Hadith (Prophetic saying) reported by Bukhari and Muslim points directly to the significance of the rights due to one's parents.
Unfortunately, most people have forgotten these rights, instead disobedience and severance of ties have risen to harden the hearts, and even they contempt and detest their parents. Some people have even deemed themselves superior to those two old good creatures. A recompense is sure in store for those disobedient children, sooner or later.

Source: www.iad.org

Best Islamic Books

2012-08-07T17:47:00.006+02:00

Rights and Duties of Women in Islam

2012-08-07T13:01:00.000+02:00

Issues in which men and women are treated alike or women are treated favorably.
This article discusses issues that carry little or no controversy.
1. Education
The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) once said: "Acquiring knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim. (At-Tabarani)
This narration applies equally to men and women. "Knowledge" in this context refers primarily to knowledge of the Holy Quran and Sunnah as no Muslim should be ignorant of his or her Faith, but it also covers other areas of general education, which can contribute to the welfare of civilization. It is precisely the ignorance about their religion among Muslims that has led to men oppressing women because they believe it is permitted, women not demanding their God-given rights because they are ignorant of them, and children growing up to perpetuate their parents' follies. Throughout Islamic history, men and women both earned respect as scholars and teachers of the Faith. The books of Rijal (Reporters of Hadith) contain the names of many prominent women, beginning with Aishah and Hafsah.

2. Worship
Both men and women are the slaves of Allah and have a duty to worship and obey Him. Men and women have to pray, fast, give charity, go on pilgrimage, refrain from adultery, avoid the prohibited, enjoin the good and forbid the evil, and so on. Because of women's roles as mothers, a role which does not end at a specific time but is a round the-clock career, they have been exempted from attending the Mosque for the five daily prayers or for Jumuah (Friday) prayer. Nevertheless, if they wish to attend the Mosque, no one has the right to stop them.

3. Charitable Acts
Men and women are both encouraged to give charity, and there is nothing to stop a woman giving charity from her husband's income. Aishah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "A woman will receive reward (from Allah) even when she gives charity from her husband's earnings. The husband and the treasurer (who keeps the money on the husband's behalf) will also be rewarded, without the reward of any of them decreasing." Asmaa once said to the Prophet "O Messenger of Allah, I have nothing except what Zubair (her husband) brings home." The Prophet told her: ‘O Asmaa give in charity. Don't lock it lest your subsistence is locked.’"

4. The Right to Own Wealth and Property
A woman has the right to keep her property or wealth, whether earned or inherited, and spend it as she may please.
This right was granted to Western women only very recently, and the women of India had to wait until 1956 for a right which Muslim women have always taken for granted. Concerning the right to one's earnings, the Holy Quran says:
"And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you excel the others. For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned, and ask Allah of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is Ever All-Knower of everything." (V. 4:32)

5. Freedom to Express One's Opinion
Few societies exist in which the ordinary citizen can confront the ruler face to face and challenge his policies. Even fewer societies allow women to be so bold, yet the Islamic ideal has always been open and accessible. This freedom of expression is aptly demonstrated by a famous incident involving Omar the second Rightly- Guided Caliph. Omar was once standing on the pulpit, severely reprimanding the people and ordering them not to set excessive amounts of dower at the time of marriage. A woman got up and shouted, "Omar, you have no right to intervene in a matter which Allah the All-Mighty has already decreed in Quran:
"But if you intend to replace a wife by another and you have given one of them a Qintar (of gold, i.e., a great amount as Mahr bridal money), take not the least bit of it back; would you take it wrongfully without a right and (with) a manifest sin?" (V.4:20)

After being reminded of this Verse, Omar withdrew his order, saying, "I am in the wrong and she is correct."

6. Participation in Jihad
The battlefield is a place, which frightens many men let alone women. Due to the aggressive and violent nature of war, only men have a duty to participate in Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's cause) while women are exempted. A woman once asked the Prophet to allow women to go on Jihad with men because of its excellence and the unlimited reward promised to Mujahideen (Muslim fighters) in the Hereafter. The Prophet replied: "For them is a Jihad without fighting," which referred to the Hajj and Umrah. Nevertheless the Prophet did permit women to nurse the injured and supply provisions to the Mujahideen at some battles. A woman from the tribe of Ghifar came with a large group of women to the Prophet when he was preparing to leave for the conquest of Khaibar. She said: "O Allah's Messenger, we wish to accompany you on this journey so that we may nurse the injured and help the Muslims." The Prophet responded, ‘Come may Allah shower His blessings upon you.’” Umm Atiyyah an Ansari woman once said:
"I have participated in seven battles with the Prophet. I used to guard the camels of the Mujahideen in their absence, cook the food, treat the injured and care for the sick."
Muadh Bin Jabal reports that his cousin Asmaa Bint Yazid killed nine Roman soldiers with a tent-pole during the battle of Yarmuk.

7. Freedom to Choose Her Husband
The guardian of the girl whether her father, brother or uncle plays an important role in her marriage such as finding a suitable match for her. But under no circumstance does this allow him to force his choice on her against her wishes. She is free to accept or reject his choice, or make her own choice. A woman named Khansa Bint Khidam once came to the Prophet and complained:
"My father has forced me to marry my cousin in order to raise his own status (in the eyes of the people)." The Prophet told her that she was free to dissolve this marriage and choose whomever she wished to marry. She replied, "I accept my father's choice, but my aim was to let the women know that fathers have no right to interfere in the marriage." (Ahmad, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)

8. A Woman's Guarantee in War is Acceptable
If a woman gives surety to a war-captive or gives him shelter, her guarantee will be accepted. Umm Hani, a cousin of the Prophet, said to him after the conquest of Makkah: "I have given shelter to two of my in-laws." The Prophet said: ‘O Umm Hani, we have given shelter to whom you have given shelter.’" According to another narrative, Umm Hani gave shelter to a man but her cousin Ali tried to kill the man. She complained to the Prophet who endorsed her act of giving shelter to the man.

9. The Right to Custody of Children
Divorce is especially painful and difficult when the couple has had children, and awarding custody to either party involves difficulties. According to Western law, both father and mother have to prove to the Court that they are more capable of looking after the children, and this often involves maligning the other party in order to strengthen their own claims to custody. Islamic law has its own clear decision on this issue. Custody of young boys and girls goes to the mother. The son stays with his mother until he is about seven or nine years of age, after which he is looked after by the father. The daughter remains with her mother until she gets married. The exception is when the mother herself re-marries, in which case custody may be awarded to someone else such as the girl's grandmother or aunt. This is based on the Prophet's words to the divorcee:
"Your right to custody of the child is greater as long as you do not remarry."

10. Participation in Extending Co-operation for the Promotion of Good and Elimination of Evil.
The Holy Quran deals with this subject in clear terms:
"The believers, men and women, are Awliyaa (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they perform As-Salat (Iqįmat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise." (V. 9:71)

By: Shaikh Abdul Ghaffar Hasan
Source: www.islamdoor.com

Benefits of Becoming a Muslim

2012-08-07T11:12:00.000+02:00

As far as the Creator (whose proper name is Allah) is concerned, you will be able to identify Him and get to know Him, His role and your relationship to His names, you will be able to communicate with Him any time, 24 hours a day, throughout the whole year. As a result of this category, you will be able to know your origin, your roots and the wisdom as to why you are on this planet. You will be able to have good answers to the questions why, how, when, where, what and other philosophical questions.

2. As a result of the first benefit, your loyalty, allegiance, and obedience will be to the Creator himself. You will transcend yourself from all types of allegiance for this world. This means that if there is a conflict of interest between your boss, your job, your government, your system or any worldly relationship with the Creator, you will undoubtedly put your trust in Allah, the Creator of the universe. You will follow Him before you follow anyone else.

3. As a result of the second benefit, you will be able to acquire peace, harmony, tranquility and happiness within yourself, with your family, with people of the world, with the environment and with the universe. One has to remember that the source of peace is Allah, and one of his beautiful names is that He is The Peace.

4. As an endorsement to the third benefit, you will get rid of the extra electrostatic charges from your brain and the central nervous system by performing the daily Salah. Through Salah, you are to prostrate by putting your forehead to the floor; and as such are grounding yourself, and you are discharging these extra charges into the ground. As a result of this act, you will get rid of many of the neurological diseases from your body.

5. As a result of the fourth benefit, you will acquire a pleasant personality. You will be friendly and amicable. You would not need to drink alcohol, to use drugs or to get involved in vulgarity or immorality.

6. Through the experience of fasting in Islam, you will be able to have self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline, self-education, self-evaluation, and self-obedience to Allah the Creator. You undoubtedly will be able to improve health, personality, character, and behavior.

7. As a result of the sixth benefit, you will be able to control your lusts, selfishness, desires, greed, ego, and conceitedness.

8. Another side reaction of the sixth and seventh benefits is that you will be generous and hospitable; you will try to purify yourself and your mistakes by sharing your happiness and your wealth with those who are less fortunate than you. Your rewards will manifold, compounded daily until the Day of Judgment.

9. By performing pilgrimage to Makkah, you will transcend yourself from being nationalistic, sectarian, or denominational into being universal. You will be part and an essential constituent of the rainbow of Islam. You will be also part of the brotherhood of Islam with those who already submitted themselves to the Creator. At the same time, you will get rid of any inferiority or superiority complexes. You will also find yourself in synchrony and harmony with all the prophets and messengers of Allah since the creation of Adam and Eve until the last final messenger to mankind, prophet Muhammad (pbuh). While in Makkah, you will be able to visit the places of revelation of the Quran as well as the places visited by prophet Abraham and members of his family such as Hagar and Ishmael. You will visit the place where the first astronauts, Adam and Eve landed on earth.

10. In becoming a Muslim, you will do your best to stop all types of exploitations in all their forms: economic, biological, mental, spiritual, psychological, political, etc.. You will also work to liberate people and give them freedom of worship, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. You will be a leader and help lead people to peace, tranquility and happiness.

11. In accepting Islam, you will help to reduce all types of social ills in the society: juvenile delinquency, child abuse, domestic abuse, incest, homosexuality, sexual promiscuity, premarital relationships, extramarital relationships, and other vices.

12. As a result of the eleventh benefit, you will reduce and eliminate venereal diseases, AIDS, and other diseases of similar nature in the society.

13. Finally, when you die, you will die at peace. You will have a happy life in the grave and later, eternal happiness. Angels at the time of death will comfort you. They will also show you your place in paradise. On the Day of Judgment, you will be able to see and meet all the prophets and messengers of God to mankind including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. You will be able to see and meet any and all of your friends and relatives. You will live an eternal life of bliss in paradise.

Reflections:

The benefits mentioned above and many more cannot be purchased with money anywhere in the world. No one is to sell them to you or to advertise them on TV. You have to take the initiative yourself and try to acquire them by accepting Islam first and then by practicing its teachings. You should be honest with yourself, sincere, and truthful to the Creator. You should try wholeheartedly to practice what you believe, regardless of whether someone else is good or not While seeking happiness is a must, it should not be measured with other people's standards or with material gains. Happiness is from its potential to its kinetic forms. People around you should feel your happiness as well as benefit from you.

Are you ready to accept this challenge today? Remember, tomorrow may not come, and it will be too late?

By: Ahmad H. Sakr, Ph.D
Source: www.islamdoor.com

The Way of Our Life

2012-07-28T23:27:00.004+02:00

What should be the way of our life? What is our aim of life? Is it becoming an Engineer or Doctor? Or is it becoming a successful businessman or a millionaire? To select the right decision we have to think out our vision of life, our philosophy,our family, our society. But the ultimate goal of every one's life is to lead a happy, luxurious and honorable life of the world. To fulfill this goal one becomes an engineer or doctor or scientist or any other thing. From the beginning of the human civilization most of the people works throughout his or her life to fulfill this goal. Time goes in his own way, many society lost from our civilization, a lot of revolution takes place but the thinking of our mind does not change and it will remain unchanged till the moment of destroying of the universe.
If you are among those people who believe in Allah, who think that He is the only Creator of this whole universe and He is the Only one to whom we can pray then you should also believe in life after death. Then you have different philosophy about your goal of life. Then you should only think, how can you escape the punishment of Allah and how can you become a successful man or woman in your next life ( life of "Akhirat"). Then you have to follow the Al-Quran and Hadith (Quotes from Prophet, peace be upon him). You have to the recite Holy Quran and understand the meaning of this holy book. Your way of life should be the way to "Jannat".
I wish every single man of this earth will visit my blog. If they get something useful from my blog, then I will be very happy. I pray to Almighty Allah that He will give us the ability to lead our life according to Islam. I request to all non-Muslims to study about Islam and take it as their only religion. After all I hope that every Muslim who visit my blog should pray for me to become a complete Muslim before my death.

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