Virtues of the first Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

The first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah:

Days of virtue and righteous deeds

Praise be to Allaah Who has created Time and has made some times better than others, some months and days and nights better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves.

This encourages them to do more righteous deeds and makes them more eager to worship Him, so that the Muslim renews his efforts to gain a greater share of reward, prepare himself for death and supply himself in readiness for the Day of Judgement.

This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct one’s faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Every one of these special occasions involves some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw closer to Allaah, and some kind of blessing though which Allaah bestows His favour and mercy upon whomsoever He will.

The happy person is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours and draws nearer to his Lord during these times through acts of worship; he will most likely be touched by the blessing of Allaah and will feel the joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of Hell. (Ibn Rajab, al-Lataa’if, p.8)

The Muslim must understand the value of his life, increase his worship of Allaah and persist in doing good deeds until the moment of death. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty." [al-Hijr 15:99]

The mufassireen (commentators) said:

"‘The certainty’ means death."

Among the special seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, which Allaah has preferred over all the other days of the year. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457).

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

"There is no deed more precious in the sight of Allaah, nor greater in reward, than a good deed done during the ten days of Sacrifice." He was asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by al-Daarimi, 1/357; its isnaad is hasan as stated in al-Irwaa’, 3/398).

These texts and others indicate that these ten days are better than all the other days of the year, with no exceptions, not even the last ten days of Ramadaan. But the last ten nights of Ramadaan are better, because they include Laylat al-Qadr ("the Night of Power"), which is better than a thousand months. Thus the various reports may be reconciled. (See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 5/412).

You should know, my brother in Islaam, that the virtue of these ten days is based on many things: Allaah swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "By the dawn; by the ten nights" [al-Fajr 89:1-2].

Ibn ‘Abbaas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah.

Ibn Katheer said: "This is the correct opinion." (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) testified that these are the best days of this world, as we have already quoted above from saheeh ahaadeeth.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged people to do righteous deeds because of the virtue of this season for people throughout the world, and also because of the virtue of the place - for the Hujjaaj (pilgrims) to the Sacred House of Allaah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("Subhan-Allaah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allaahu akbar") during this time.

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

"There are no days greater in the sight of Allaah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel ("La ilaaha ill-Allaah"), Takbeer and Tahmeed." (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh).

These ten days include Yawm ‘Arafaah (the Day of ‘Arafaah), on which Allaah perfected His Religion.

Fasting on this day will expiate for the sins of two years. These days also include Yawm al-Nahar (the Day of Sacrifice), the greatest day of the entire year and the greatest day of Hajj, which combines acts of worship in a way unlike any other day. These ten days include the days of sacrifice and of Hajj.

Question: What must the Muslim avoid during these ten days if he wants to offer a sacrifice?

The Sunnah indicates that the one who wants to offer a sacrifice must stop cutting his hair and nails and removing anything from his skin, from the beginning of the ten days until after he has offered his sacrifice, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

"When you see the new moon of Dhu’l-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice." According to another report he said: "He should not remove (literally, touch) anything from his hair or skin." (reported by Muslim with four isnaads, 13/146)

The Prophet’s instruction here makes one thing obligatory and his prohibition makes another haraam, according to the soundest opinion, because these commands and prohibitions are unconditional and unavoidable.

However, if a person does any of these things deliberately, he must seek Allaah’s forgiveness but is not required to offer (an extra) sacrifice in expiation; his sacrifice will be acceptable.

Whoever needs to remove some hair, nails, etc. because it is harming him, such as having a broken nail or a wound in a site where there is hair, should do so, and there is nothing wrong with that.

The state of ihraam is so important that it is permitted to cut one’s hair if leaving it will cause harm. There is nothing wrong with men or women washing their heads during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) only forbade cutting the hair, not washing it.

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The wisdom behind this prohibition of the one who wants to offer a sacrifice from cutting his hair etc., is so that he may resemble those in ihraam in some aspects of the rituals performed, and so that he may draw closer to Allaah by offering the sacrifice. So he leaves his hair and nails alone until the time when he has offered his sacrifice, in the hope that Allaah will save him in his entirety from the Fire. And Allaah knows best.

If a person has cut his hair or nails during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah because he was not planning to offer a sacrifice, then he decides later, during the ten days, to offer a sacrifice, then he must refrain from cutting his hair and nails from the moment he makes this decision.

Some women may delegate their brothers or sons to make the sacrifice on their behalf, then cut their hair during these ten days. This is not correct, because the ruling applies to the one who is offering the sacrifice, whether or not he (or she) delegates someone else to carry out the actual deed. The prohibition does not apply to the person delegated, only to the person who is making the sacrifice, as is indicated in the hadeeth.

The person who is sacrificing on behalf of someone else, for whatever reason, does not have to adhere to this prohibition.This prohibition appears to apply only to the one who is offering the sacrifice, not to his wife and children, unless any of them is offering a sacrifice in his or her own right, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to sacrifice "on behalf of the family of Muhammad," but there are no reports that say he forbade them to cut their hair or nails at that time.

If a person was planning to offer a sacrifice, then he decides to go and perform Hajj, he should not cut his hair or nails if he wants to enter ihraam, because the Sunnah is only to cut hair and nails when necessary. But if he is performing Tamattu’ [whereby he performs ‘Umrah, comes out of ihraam and enters ihraam anew for Hajj], he should trim his hair at the end of his ‘Umrah because this is part of the ritual.

The things that are described above as being prohibited for the person who is planning to offer a sacrifice are reported in the hadeeth quoted above; the person is not forbidden to wear perfume, have marital relations, wear sewn garments, etc. Concerning the types of worship to be performed during these ten days: one must understand that these days are a great blessing from Allaah to His slave, which is appreciated properly by the actively righteous.

It is the Muslim’s duty to appreciate this blessing and make the most of the opportunity, by devoting these ten days to paying more attention to striving hard in worship. Among His blessings to His slaves, Allaah has given us many ways in which to do good and worship Him, so that the Muslim may be constantly active and consistent in his worship of his Lord.

Among the good deeds which the Muslim should strive to do during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are: Fasting. It is Sunnah to fast on the ninth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) urged us to do good deeds during this time, and fasting is one of the best of deeds. Allaah has chosen fasting for Himself, as is stated in the hadeeth qudsi:

"Allaah says: ‘All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting, which is for Me and I am the One Who will reward him for it.’" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1805).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Hunaydah ibn Khaalid reported from his wife that some of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

"The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, on the day of ‘Aashooraa’, on three days of each month, and on the first two Mondays and Thursdays of each month." (Reported by al-Nisaa’i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawud; classified by al-Albaani as saheeh in Saheeh Abi Dawud, 2/462).

Takbeer.

It is Sunnah to say Takbeer ("Allaahu akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah"), Tahleel ("La ilaha ill-Allaah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhaan Allaah") during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allaah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allaah, may He be exalted.

Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)..." [al-Hajj 22:28]

The majority of scholars agree that the "appointed days" are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because of the words of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father):

"The ‘appointed days’ are the first ten days (of Dhu’l-Hijjah)."

The Takbeer may include the words "Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, la ilaaha ill-Allaah; wa Allaahu akbar wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god but Allaah; Allaah is Most Great and to Allaah be praise)," as well as other phrases.

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Takbeer at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that has been forgotten, especially during the early part of this period, so much so that one hardly ever hears Takbeer, except from a few people.

This Takbeer should be pronounced loudly, in order to revive the Sunnah and as a reminder to the negligent. There is sound evidence that Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with them) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. The idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Sharee’ah for doing this.

Reviving aspects of the Sunnah that have been virtually forgotten is a deed that will bring an immense reward, as is indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):

"Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443; this is a hasan hadeeth because of corroborating asaaneed).

Performing Hajj and ‘Umrah. One of the best deeds that one can do during these ten days is to perform Hajj to the Sacred House of Allaah. The one whom Allaah helps to go on Hajj to His House and to perform all the rituals properly is included in the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him

"An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise ."

Doing more good deeds in general, because good deeds are beloved by Allaah and will bring a great reward from Him. Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should occupy himself at this blessed time by worshipping Allaah, praying (salaat), reading Qur’an, remembering Allaah, making supplication (du’aa’), giving charity, honouring his parents, upholding the ties of kinship, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and other good deeds and acts of worship.

Sacrifice.

One of the good deeds that will bring a person closer to Allaah during these ten days is offering a sacrifice, by choosing a high-quality animal and fattening it, spending money for the sake of Allaah. (more information to follow, in sha Allaah). Sincere repentance.

One of the most important things to do during these ten days is to repent sincerely to Allaah and to give up all kinds of disobedience and sin. Repentance means coming back to Allaah and foregoing all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes, out of regret for what has passed, giving it up immediately and being determined never to return to it, but to adhere firmly to the Truth by doing what Allaah loves. If a Muslim commits a sin, he must hasten to repent at once, without delay, firstly because he does not know when he will die, and secondly because one evil deed leads to another.

Repentance at special times is very important because in most cases people’s thoughts turn towards worship at these times, and they are keen to do good, which leads to them recognizing their sins and feeling regret for the past.

Repentance is obligatory at all times, but when the Muslim combines sincere repentance with good deeds during the days of most virtue, this is a sign of success, in sha Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful." [al-Qasas 28:67]

The Muslim should make sure that he does not miss any of these important occasion, because time is passing quickly. Let him prepare himself by doing good deeds which will bring him reward when he is most in need of it, for no matter how much reward he earns, he will find it is less than he needs; the time of departure is at hand, the journey is frightening, delusions are widespread, and the road is long, but Allaah is ever watchful, and to Him will we return and render account. As the Qur’aan says (interpretation of the meaning):

"So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it, And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it." [al-Zalzalah 99:7-8]

There is much to be gained, so make the most of the opportunity afforded by these invaluable and irreplaceable ten days. Hasten to do good works, before death strikes, before one can regret one’s negligence and failure to act, before one is asked to return to a place where no prayers will be answered, before death intervenes between the hopeful one and the things he hopes for, before you are trapped with your deeds in the grave.

O you whose hard heart is as dark as the night, is it not time that your heart was filled with light and became soft? Expose yourself to the gentle breeze of your Lord’s mercy during these ten days, for Allaah will cause this breeze to touch whomever He wills, and whoever is touched by it will be happy on the Day of Judgement. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and all his Family and Companions.

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/1699/ten%20days%20dhul%20hajj

Fascinating knowledge!

Fascinating knowledge!

A Traveler Once Came To The Mashjid To See The Prophet.
After Meeting The Prophet He Was Asked Where He Was From.
The Traveler Replied That He Came From Very Far Just To Get A Few Questions Answered. Following Is The Dialogue Between The Traveler And The Prophet.

Traveler: I Do Not Want Azaab (Torments) To Be Written In My Account.
Prophet: Behave Well With Your Parents

Traveler: I Want To Be Known Amongst People As An Intelligent Person.
Prophet: Fear Allah Always.

Traveler: I Want To Be Counted Amongst Allah's Favorites.
Prophet: Recite Quran Every Morning And Evening.

Traveler: I Want My Heart To Always Be Enlightened (Munawwar).
Prophet: Never Forget Death

Traveler: I Never Want To Be Away From Allah's Blessing.
Prophet: Always Treat Fellow Creatures Well.

Traveler: I Never Want To Be Harmed By My Enemies.
Prophet: Always Have Faith In Only Allah.

Traveler: I Never Want To Be Humiliated.
Prophet: Be Careful Of Your Actions.

Traveler: I Wish To Live Long.
Prophet: Always Do Sila Rehm (Goodness Towards Blood Relations).

Traveler: I Want My Sustenance To Increase.
Prophet: Always Be In the state of Wudhoo (Ablution).

Traveler: I Wish To Stay Free Of Azaab-e-Qabr (Torment of Grave).
Prophet: Always Wear Pure (Paak) Clothes.

Traveler: I Never Want To Burn In Hell.
Prophet: Control Your Eyes And Tongue.

Traveler: How Do I Get My Sins Forgiven?
Prophet: Always Ask Forgiveness From Allah With A Lot Of Humility.

Traveler: I Want People To Respect Me Always.
Prophet: Never Extend Your Hands Of Need At People.

Traveler: I Want To Always Be Honored.
Prophet: Never Humiliate Or Put Down Anyone.

Traveler: I Don't Want To Be Squeezed By Fishare Qabr. (Squeezing In The Grave)Prophet: Recite Surah Mulk Often.

Traveler: I Want My Wealth To Increase.
Prophet: Recite Surah Waqi’ah Every Night.

Traveler: I Want To Be Safe And At Peace On Day Of Judgment.
Prophet: Do Zikr (rememberance)Of Allah From Dusk To Night.

Traveler: I Want To Be In Full Attention And Concentration During Namaaz.
Prophet: Always Do Wudhoo (Ablution) With Concentration And Attention.

May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and all his Family and Companions.

Easy & Rewarding Good deeds for us to do everyday!

Easy & Rewarding Good deeds for us to do everyday!

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Is anyone of you incapable of earning one thousand Hasanah (rewards) a day?" Someone from the gathering asked, "How can anyone of us earn a thousand Hasanah?" Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Glorify Allah a hundred times by just saying “Subhanallah” and a Good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.”[Muslim 4:2073]

Hadhrat Abu Dharr [Ra] narrated that Rasulallah [Saw] said: “Should I not tell you of one treasure of the unlimited treasures of Paradise?” I replied spontaneously “Oh Rasulallah (Saw) that would be an honour indeed!” Rasulallah (Saw) said: “That rare treasure is LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH.” (“The strength to do good and to refrain from evil comes from the grace and mercy of Allah!”) - (Ibn Majah)

Hadhrat Jaa'bir [Ra] narrated that Rasulallah [Saw] said:

“For the person who recites SUB-HAN'ALLAH HIL AZEEM WA BI-HAM'DIHI, [Pure and perfect is Allah in his glory and praise], - A date palm will be planted for him in Paradise” (Tirmidhi)

Hadhrat Abu Sa'eed [RA] narrated that RASUL'ULLAH [SAW] said:

“ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT, A RAM WILL BE BROUGHT AND POSITIONED BETWEEN PARADISE AND HELL. IT WILL THEN BE SLAUGHTERED. THE DWELLERS OF PARADISE AND HELL WILL OBSERVE THIS SCENE [OF THE END OF DEATH]. IF IT WAS STILL POSSIBLE TO DIE, THE DWELLERS OF PARADISE WOULD HAVE DIED OF HAPPINESS AND JOY. IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DIE, THE DWELLERS OF HELL WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO DIE OF GRIEF AND SORROW.” - (Tirmidhi)

Hadhrat Mu'az [RA] narrated RASUL'ULLAH [SAW] said: “THE INHABITANTS OF PARADISE WILL NOT BE GRIEF-STRICKEN OR SORROWFUL ABOUT ANYTHING THEY DID IN THE LIFE OF THE WORLD EXCEPT FOR THE TIME THEY SPENT WITHOUT BEING IN THE DHIKR-REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH [SWT].” - (Tab'raani)

Over a Billion Rewards in Just a Few Seconds:

Narrated ‘Ubaadah that the Messenger of Allah said, “Whoever seeks forgiveness for the believing men and believing women, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man and believing woman.” (Tabarrani, classed as hasan by Albani)

That Which Shall Have no Equal on the Day of Resurrection:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said,” Whoever says one hundred times in a day: “La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir,” {”None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the Praises, and He has power over all things (i.e. Omnipotent)”,}he will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” (Bukhari,Book #75, Hadith #412)

Forgiveness for Sins Even Though They Be like the Foam of the Sea:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever says, ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi, {Allah is free from imperfection and His is the praise}. one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. (Bukhari,Book #75, Hadith #414)

Four Phrases that are Heavier in the Scales than an Entire Morning of Dhikr:

The Mother of the Believers, Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith reported that the Prophet came out from my apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in the forenoon and found me sitting there. The Prophet said,”Are you still in the same position as I left you.” I replied in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet said, “I recited four phrases three times after I had left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be heavier.

These are:Subhan-Allah wa bihamdihi, ‘adada khalqihi, wa rida-a nafsihi, wa zinatah ‘arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi {Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His Praise).” (Muslim)

A Phrase that Comes with Rewards in the Millions

On the authority of Abdullah ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet said,”Whoever enters a market and says: ‘Laa ilaaha ill Allah waHdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul mulku wa lahul Hamdu yuHyi wa yumeetu wa huwa Hayyun laa yamoot, bi yadihil khayr, wahuwa ‘alaa kulli shay’in qadeer’

{There is nothing worthy of worship but Allah, He is alone without partner, to Him belongs the dominion and the praise, he causes life and death and He is the Living One and will never die. In His Hand is all good, and He is over all things capable.}

Allah will write for him a million good deeds, erase a million of his bad deeds and build for him a house in Jannah .” Allah will build a house in Jannah, it states,”and he will be raised one million levels.” And in another narration, which is also classed as hasan, instead of mentioning that Allah will build a house in Jannah, it states,”and he will be raised one million levels.” {Tirmidhi,classed as Hasan by Albani}.

Beautiful Supplication for Forgiveness:

Shaddad bin Aus (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The best supplication for seeking forgiveness (Syed-ul-Istighfar) is to say:

`Allahumma Anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa ana `abduka, wa ana `ala `ahdika wa wa`dika mastata`tu, a`udhu bika min sharri ma sana`tu, abu‘u laka bini`matika `alayya, wa abu‘u bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.

(O Allah! You are my Rubb. There is no true god except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You has the power to pardon).’

He who supplicates in these terms during the day with firm belief in it and dies on the same day (before the evening), he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah; and if anyone supplicates in these terms during the night with firm belief in it and dies before the morning, he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah.” [Al-Bukhari].

He who sends blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)

Bismillahir Rahmani Rahiim Alhamdulilahi Rabbil Alamiin wasalatu wasalamu Ala asharafil mursaliin nebiyuna wa habibuna Muhamad wa ala ahlihi wa ashabihi ajmaiin Asalamu'aleykum warahmatulahi Ta'ala wabarakatu

“Whoever prays upon me once, Allah prays over him ten times” [Muslim]

“Whoever sends upon me one prayer, Allah prays over him ten prayers, and deducts from his account ten sins” [Sahih – Ahmad]

“May his nose be covered with dust, one to whom I am mentioned and he does not send prayers over me” [Hasan – al-Tirmidhi and Ahmad]

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “He who sends blessings on me once, Allah sends him blessings ten times.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud, & Tirmidhi]

Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “He who sends blessings on me once Allah sends blessings on him ten times and removes from him ten sins and raises him by ten degrees.” [al-Nasa'i].

Sufficiency for one's worldly and other-worldly affairs for the one who makes all of his prayers blessings on the prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)

Ubayy ibn Ka`b relates: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I send much blessings on you. What proportion of my prayer should I devote to you?” He said, “As much as you like.” I said, “A quarter?” He said, “As much as you like, and if you increased it would only be better for you.” I said, “Then a half?” He said, “As much as you like and if you increased then it would only be better for you.” I said, “Then two thirds?” He said, “As much as you like and if you increased it would only be better for you.” I said, “I'll devote all of my prayers to sending blessings on you.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “In that case it will suffice you from your worries and your sins will be forgiven. “ [Reported by Tirmidhi who declared it well authenticated]

According to Ibn al-Qayyim one of the occasions where a person should remember to send prayers upon the Prophet is during making du’a.

There are three ways in which a person can send prayers upon the Prophet whilst making du’a.

The first way is to send prayers upon the Prophet before making du’a, and straight after praising Allah. This is based on an authentic Hadeeth narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and others.

The second way is to send prayers upon the Prophet at the beginning of the du’a, during it and towards the end.

The third way is to send prayers upon the Prophet at the beginning and the end, making his du’a in between.

The second and the third way, however, are not based upon authentic narrations. Nevertheless, sending prayers upon the Prophet, before, during and after the du’a is still noble, and no doubt, one should endeavour to send prayers upon the Prophet at all times.

Sufyan al-Thawri would say to the effect that a traditionist (muhaddith), even if he himself had no virtue and benefit, it is enough a virtue for him to send prayers upon the Prophet – SallAllahu ‘alaihi wa-sallam, each time he narrates a Hadeeth saying: ‘The Prophet – SallAllahu ‘alaihi wa-sallam said…’ Such is the virtue of a traditionist.

This i the best way to send salam to the prophet its called duruud Ibraahim

Allahumma Salle Alaa Muhammadiw Wa-alaa Aale Muhammadin kama Sal-layta Alaa Ebrahima Innaka Hamiydum Majeyd Alla-humma Barik Alaa Muhammadiw Wa-Alaa Aale Muhammadin kama Baaracta Alaa Ebrahima Innaka Hamiydum Majeyd

Translation : O Allah, confer blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon Ibrahim. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad in the manner You blessed Ibrahim. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.

Alla-humma Salle Alaa Muhammadin Nabiyyi Wa Azwa-Jehi Um-mahaatil Mu'meniyna Wa dur-Riyyatehi Wa Ahli Baytehi kama Sal-layta Alaa Ebrahima Innaka Hamidum Majeeyd Translation:

O Allah, confer blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, his wives who are the Mothers of the Believers, his offspring and the people of his household in the manner you conferred blessings upon Ibrahim. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.

Please lets benefit of this knowlege and act upon it indeed it is beneficial for us only if we knew. the prophet s.a.w has sucrificed alot for this deen and this Ummah so lets send some salam salat for him to show our love and apreciations for him jazakumulahu qeyran ...Allah give us the best understanding of Deen ameen yaa Rubb

Istikhara (Seeking Guidance from Allah), and Consultation

Salamu aleykum warahmatullahi wabarakatu Bismillahi rahmani Rahiiim Alahamdulilahi Rabbil Alamiiin Wasalatu wa salamu ala Rasuulilil kariim wa ala alihi wa ashabi ajmaiin

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"And consult them in the affairs.'' (3:159)

"And who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation.'' (42:38)

718. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to teach us the Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) in all matters as he would teach us a Surah of the Qur'an.

He used to say:

"When one of you contemplates entering upon an enterprise, let him perform two Rak`ah of optional prayer other than Fard prayers and then supplicate:

"Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi `ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as-'aluka min fadlikal-`azim. Fainnaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta`lamu wa la a`lamu, wa Anta `allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta`lamu anna hadhal-`amra (and name what you want to do) khairun li fi dini wa ma`ashi wa `aqibati amri,

(or he said) `ajili amri ajilihi, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta`lamu anna hadhal `amra (and name what you want to do) sharrun li fi dini wa ma`ashi wa `aqibati amri, (or he said) wa `ajili amri wa ajilihi, fasrifhu `anni, wasrifni `anhu, waqdur liyal-khaira haithu kana, thumma ardini bihi.''

(O Allah, I consult You through Your Knowledge, and I seek strength through Your Power, and ask of Your Great Bounty; for You are Capable whereas I am not and, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and name it) is good for me in respect of my Deen, my livelihood and the consequences of my affairs,

(or he said), the sooner or the later of my affairs then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know this matter (and name it) to be bad for my Deen, my livelihood or the consequences of my affairs, (or he said) the sooner or the later of my affairs then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and grant me power to do good whatever it may be, and cause me to be contented with it). And let the supplicant specify the object.''[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary: Literally Istikharah means seeking goodness from Allah through a particular prayer. This Hadith lays emphasis on it and displays its significance. We should, therefore, practise Istikharah regarding every important matter. However, it is imperative only in cases where one is ignorant of good and evil. Yet, with regard to obligatory and indisputable rules, practices of the Prophet (PBUH) and commendable deeds, no Istikharah is allowed.

Similarly, commands and prohibitions of the Shari`ah are categorical and nobody is allowed to seek further guidance by performing Istikharah prayer. Moreover, to set aside the example of the Prophet (PBUH) of Istikharah, and to trust astrologers, palmists and soothsayers seeking the knowledge of future events is sheer ignorance and unpardonable error. The knowledge of the Unseen (or Ghaib) is the domain of Allah Alone and man is supposed to seek His Blessings. Only Allah is Omnipotent and humans must turn to Him to seek inspiration and strength, trusting everything to His Care.

Istikharah prayer can be offered at any time except in the forbidden hours for prayer because the performance of two Rak`ah is a prerequisite to it. Some people think that the right time for it is before going to bed. This is not true. This supplication (Du`a) can be offered even after performing the two Rak`ah of Istikharah prayer, or before Taslim (i.e., saying Assalamu `Alaikum to conclude the prayer) after Tashahhud or in the state of prostration. If somebody does not know this Du`a by heart, he can, after performing the prayer, read it from some prayerbook.

Lets consult and seek guidance from Allah..May Allah swt give us the best understanding of deen ....Allahuma amiiin

A person is upon the way of his friend

1 - Allah Said:

{"Ah! Woe to me! If only I had never taken so-and-so as a friend! He indeed led me astray from the Reminder after it had come to me!"}[al-Furqan; 28-29]

2 - The Messenger of Allah said:

"A person is upon the way of his friend. So, let one of you look to whom he keeps as a friend." ['Sahih al-Jami'' (3545) and 'as-Silsilah as-Sahihah' (927)]

3 - 'Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hambal said:

"My father went out to Tarsus on foot, and he perfored two or three Hajjs on foot, and he was the most patient of people upon being alone." ['Tarjamat al-Imam Ahmad'; p. 18]

4 - Ibn al-Qayyim said:

"Know that the greatest of losses is for you to be preoccupied with one who will bring you nothing but a loss in your time with Allah - the Mighty and Majestic - and being cut off from Him, a wasting your time with the person, a weakening of your energy, and the dispersing of your resolve. So, if you are tested with this - and you must be tested with this - deal with him according to how Allah would wish, and be patient with him as much as possible. Get closer to Allah and His Pleasure by way of this person, and make your getting together with him something to benefit from, not something to incur a loss from. Be with him as if you are a man who is on a road who was stopped by another man, who then asks you to take him on your journey. Make sure that you are the one who gives him a ride, and that he is not the one giving you the ride. If he refuses, and there is nothing to gain from travelling with him, do not stop for him, bid him farewell, and do not even turn back to look at him, as he is a highway robber, regardless of who he really is.

So, save your heart, be wary of how you spend your days and nights, and do not let the Sun set before you arrive at your destination." ['al-Wabil as-Sayyib'; p. 45]

5 - Ibn Jama'ah said:

"So, it is upon the student of knowledge to abandon socialization, as abandoning it is from the most important things that the student of knowledge must do - let alone with members of the opposite gender - especially with those who spend most of their time in play, and spend little of their time in thought, as the nature of individuals can rob you.

The harms of socialization include the passing of life without any benefit, as well as the decline of wealth and religious practice, if this socialization were to occur with the wrong people.

The student of knowledge should not mix except with either those who he can benefit, or can benefit from. And if he is offered the friendship of one who will waste his time with him, will not benefit him, will not benefit from him, and will not assist him in reaching his objective, he should politely end the relationship from the start before it progresses to something deeper, as when something becomes established, it becomes more difficult to change it. There is a phrase that is constantly on the tongues of the Fuqaha': 'Repelling something is easier than removing it.'

So, if he requires someone to befriend, let that person be righteous, religious, pious, wary, intelligent, full of benefit, having little evil, good at complying, rarely conflicting, reminding him if he forgets, cooperating with him when he is reminded, helpful if he is in need, and comforting if he is in distress."

['Tadhkirat as-Sami' wal-Mutakallim'; p. 83]

6 - Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi said:

"Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the neccessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:

He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him;

He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him;

He must not be a fasiq, as such a person would not fear Allah, and whoever does not fear Allah cannot be trusted;He must not be an innovator, as his abundance of innovation is feared from befriending him;He should not be eager for the dunya.

"['Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin'; p. 126-132]

Virtues of Friday (Jummah Mubarak)

Praise be to Allaah. Friday has many distinguishing features and virtues that Allaah has bestowed upon this day and not others.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah and Hudhayfah (may Allaah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah led those who came before us away from Friday. The Jews had Saturday, and the Christians had Sunday. Then Allaah brought us and Allaah guided us to Friday. So there is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and thus they will follow us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last of the people of this world but we will be the first on the Day of Resurrection, and we will be dealt with before all others.”

Narrated by Muslim, 856.

Al-Nawawi said:

Al-Qaadi said: The apparent meaning is that it was obligatory for them to venerate Friday but this was not stated clearly; the matter was left to their own reasoning… But they did not manage to work it out and Allaah did not guide them to it. It was enjoined clearly upon this ummah, and was not left to their own reasoning, thus they were blessed with it … It was narrated that Moosa enjoined Friday upon them and told them of its virtues, but they disputed with him and argued that Saturday was better, and it was said to him, ‘Let them be.’ Al-Qaadi said: if there had been a clear command, their arguing with him would not have been valid, rather it would have been said to him that they were going against the command. I say: it may be that that was clearly enjoined upon them but they disputed as to whether it was something they had to adhere to or they could change it to another day; they decided to change it to another day and they erred greatly thereby.

It comes as no surprise that Friday was specifically enjoined upon them and they went against that.

Al-Haafiz said: How can it be otherwise when they are the ones who said “We hear and we disobey”?

It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of your days is Friday. On that day Adam (peace be upon him) was created; on that day he died; on that day the Trumpet will be blown and on that day all of creation will swoon. So send a great deal of blessings upon me, for your blessings will be shown to me.” They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, how will our blessings upon you be shown to you when you have turned to dust?” He said, “Allaah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets, peace be upon them.”

Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1047; classed as saheeh by Ibn al-Qayyim in his comments on Sunan Abi Dawood, 4/273; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 925.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On it Adam was created, on it he was admitted to Paradise and on it he was expelled therefrom.”

Narrated by Muslim, 1410.

This hadeeth includes some of the reasons why Friday is regarded as special.

Al-Nawawi said:

Al-Qaadi ‘Iyaad said: The apparent meaning is that these virtues do not mean that Friday is regarded as special because Adam was expelled on a Friday and the Hour will begin on a Friday. Rather it is meant to explain what momentous events took place and will take place on this day, so that people will make the most of this day to do righteous deeds, so as to attain the mercy of Allaah and ward off His punishment. This is the view of al-Qaadi. Abu Bakr ibn al-‘Arabi said in his book al-Ahwadhi fi Sharh al-Tirmidhi: All of these events are good and add to the virtue of Friday. The expulsion of Adam from Paradise is the reason why his offspring and the Messengers, the Prophets, the righteous and the awliya’ exist. He was not expelled from it as such, but rather it was for a purpose, then he will return to it. With regard to the Hour beginning on a Friday, the reason is so that the reward may be hastened for the Prophets, believers in truth, awliya’ and others, and their honour and high status may be made manifest. This hadeeth points to the virtues of Friday and its high status in relation to the other days.

It was narrated that Abu Lubaabah ibn ‘Abd al-Mundhir said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Friday is the master of days, and the greatest of them before Allaah. It is greater before Allaah than the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr. It has five characteristics: on this day Allaah created Adam, on it He sent Adam down to the earth, on it Allaah caused Adam to die, on it there is a time when a person does not ask Allaah for anything but He gives it to him, so long as he does not ask for anything haraam, and on it the Hour will begin. There is no angel who is close to Allaah, no heaven, no earth, no wind, no mountain and no sea that does not fear Friday.”

Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 1084; classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 2279

Al-Sanadi said:

“They fear Friday” means they fear the onset of the Hour. This indicates that all created beings are aware of the days and they know that the Day of Resurrection will come on a Friday.

The virtues of this day include the following:

1 – On it is Salaat al-Jumu’ah (Friday prayer), which is the best of prayer.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salaah (prayer) on Friday (Jumu‘ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allaah [Jumu‘ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaah (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!”

[al-Jumu’ah 62:9]

Muslim (233) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers and from one Jumu’ah to the next is an expiation for whatever sins come in between them, so long as one does not commit a major sin.”

2 – Praying Fajr in congregation on Fridays is the best prayer that the Muslim can pray during the week.

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best prayer before Allaah is Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation.”

Narrated by al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eemaan; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1119

One of the special features of Fajr prayer on Friday is that it is Sunnah to recite Soorat al-Sajdah in the first rak’ah and Soorat al-Insaan in the second.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite in Fajr prayer in Fridays Alif-Laam-Meem Tanzeel (Soorat al-Sajdah) in the first rak’ah and Hal ata ‘ala’l-insaan heenun min al-dahr lam yakun shay’an madhkooran (Soorat al-Insaan) in the second.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 851; Muslim, 880.

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said:

It was said that the reason why these two soorahs are recited is because they mention the creation of Adam and what will happen on the Day of Resurrection, because that will come to pass on a Friday.

3 – Whoever dies during the day or night of Friday, Allaah will protect him from the trial of the grave.

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no Muslim who dies during the day of Friday or the night of Friday but Allaah will protect him from the trial of the grave.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1074; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Ahkaam al-Janaa’iz, p. 49, 50

These are some of the virtues of Friday. We ask Allaah to help us to please Him. And Allaah knows best.

How our Prophet (pbuh) loved Khadija. Amazing video. Watch now.

As though you see Him

Hadith Jibreel (AS) chatting with RASUL (SAW) on Excellence in faith (Ihsân):;

Jibreel (AS) said: “Tell me about excellence in faith.”

Rasul (saw) replied:“It is to worship Allah as though you see Him, and though you do not see Him, you know that He sees you.”

He said:“You have spoken the truth. Tell me about the Hour.”

Allaah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) replied:“The one being asked knows no more than the one who is asking.”

He said: “Then tell me about its signs.”

He replied: “Its signs are that a slave will give birth to her master and that the barefoot, destitute herdsmen shall compete with one another in erecting lofty buildings.”

Then that man departed and the Prophet (peace be upon him) waited for a while. Then he asked me: “O `Umar, do you know who that questioner was?

I replied: “Allaah and His Messenger know best.”

He said: “That was Gabriel who came to you to teach you your religion.” [Sahîh Muslim]

Excellence in faith (ihsân): The Prophet (peace be upon him) describes excellence in faith by saying:

“It is to worship Allah as though you see Him”, meaning that the worshipper engages in his worship with such acute awareness of the fact that he is presenting himself before his Lord that it is as though he sees Him. He will be absolutely sincere in his worship and his heart will be full of humility, awe, and fear. This implies that the worshipper will expend every effort in perfecting his worship. He further describes ihsân by saying:

“…and though you do not see Him, you know that He sees you.”

Some scholars, like Ibn Rajab in his work entitled Jâmi` al-`Ulûm wa al-Hikam, are of the opinion that there are two degrees of ihsân being indicated here, one stronger than the other. The strongest is to worship Allah as if you see him.

If you cannot attain that level of sincerity and devotion, then at least when you worship Allah, be cognizant of the fact that He sees you. Other scholars see only one idea being conveyed. They regard the second statement (know that He sees you) to be the cause of the first (worship Allah as though you see Him). Ibn Rajab mentions this view as well.

The idea here is that the way to attain the level of worshipping Allah as though you see him is to cultivate the awareness that Allah sees you. It is important to note that under no circumstances should this hadîth be understood to mean that Allah can be seen in this world. The Prophet (peace be upon him) merely said: “…as though you see Him”.

Beautiful and very moving story by sister Chrystal

Chrystal found Islam (Lexington, KY)

Growing up I could not understand some things that I was being taught in Sunday school.

My Mother is a Christian and my Dad is an Atheist. My mother would just tell me the same thing that the Sunday school teacher was saying. My Dad would tell me that I needed to find my own answers and told my Mom that if she was not going to help me by giving me an answer that I could understand instead of telling me the same thing without her to questioning the answer her own answers then I was not to go back to Sunday school. He also told me that I needed to do my own research and find the truth on my own. This was when I was 10.

At this time I would spend my summers with my grandparents. My Grand father was a Deacon and my Grand Mother was a Sunday school teacher. They would try to guide me but when I would question they too could not give me the answers.

Then when I was 16 I was in a world religion class in high school. There I began to learn about Islam and I could finally have my answers. I was so excited when I went home. But my mother was totally against it. And I was told that none of the garbage was to come into her home. At this time Dad was out of town and did not hear what she was telling me. So I would study in secret.

Less than a year after I graduated from high school I was told that I was to get married or get out of my parents home (by my Mother). I married and my husband was anti anything that was not Christian. So again I studied in secret.

After 5 years of an abusive relationship I asked for a divorce. I started college and began to openly study Islam. My Mother tried to set me down and tell me how wrong I was but my Dad has been there beside me still telling me that I needed to find my own way.

My Mother tells my Dad she does not know where her daughter went, telling him that we use to be so close, but in reality we were.

When I married my husband, a Iraqi Muslim, she told me that he would not be welcome in her home and did not come to the wedding, although my Dad did. Finally when I stood up to her and told her that if my entire family was not welcome in her home then none of us would come over (including my children from my first marriage). After a month my Dad called and said that she would allow for all of us to come over. I was not asking for them to love my husband (although my Dad already did) but to respect him as a person. It has been 4 years now and things are much better.

My Mother still does not respect my choosing Islam. Going so far as to telling my youngest son if he became a Muslim he did not love her any more. He came home to me in tears and I again had to put my foot down and tell her that if she spoke of religion with him again he would not be back. She has kept her word so far and my Dad keeps her in check.

I reverted 4 years ago and have never been happier. I learn something new everyday. I am now married to a wonderful Muslim man that treats me with love and respect. Why did it take me 11 years to do so? Looking back I can see that it was due to lack of support. Although my Dad supported me in any decision that I made I did not have support from anyone else. I did not know any Muslims nor did I know where our local Masjid was located. When I married my husband I finally had the support that I needed. I have some of the same friends that I had before I reverted and found new friends Muslim. There are not many reverts in my area so we try to get together at least 2 times a month. My husband jokes and tells me that we have the Ya Ya Muslim Sisterhood.

'Awrah of women in front of other women

Clarification on the ‘Awrah and the Covering of Women
in the Presence of Other Women and Mahrams.

By Sh. Muhammad bin Salih Al-'Uthaimeen(rahimahullaah)
Prepared by Saleh As-Saleh

Clarification on the ‘Awrah and the Covering All Praise is due to Allaah, and may the salaah and salaam be on Prophet Muhammad, his household, the noble companions and those who follow them until the Day of Resurrection.

Shaykh, Muhammad ibn Saalih al-'Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah), was asked:“There is a phenomenon with some women, wearing short and tightdresses which expose their features and dresses without sleeves exposing the chest and back, appearing almost naked. When we advise them, they say that they do not wear such clothes except in the presence of other women and that the ‘awrah *1 of the woman in front of other women is from the navel to the knee. What is the ruling regarding this, and what is the ruling regarding wearing these types of clothes in front of mahrams *2 ? May Allaah (subhannahu wa ta’ala)reward you abundantly on behalf of the Muslims and Muslimat and magnify your reward.”

1.'Awrah: The private parts that must be covered.

2.Mahaarim pl. of mahram a husband and a woman's male siblings who are not lawful for her to marry.

He (rahimahullaah) answered: The answer for this is to say that it is authentically narrated [by Abu Huraira, radiallaahu 'anhu] that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Two are the types amongst the denizens of Hell whom I have never seen, the one possessing whips like the tail of an ox, and they flog people with them.

(The second one) women kasiyatun 'aariyaat: who would be naked in spite of their being dressed, who are seduced (to wrong paths) and seduce others with their hair high like humps. These women would not get into Paradise, and they would not perceive its odor, although its fragrance can be perceived from such and such distance (from a great distance).” [Reported by Muslim, hadith no.6840; see also hadith no. 5310]

The people of knowledge interpreted the phrase kasiyatun 'aariyaat (dressed but naked)” as those women who put on tight, short, or light clothes that do not shield what is underneath.In addition, Shaykh al-Islam ibn Taymiyyah mentioned that the clothes of women in their homes at the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) covered what is between the ankle and the palm; when they would leave for the market, it is known that the women of the companions used to wear overflowing dresses that were so long that the lower end of the dress would drag on the earth. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made it permissible for them to lower the end of their garment to extend to an arm’s span, without exceeding that.

However, what became unclear to some women of the saying of the Prophet(sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam),“No man should look at the ‘awrah of another man, and no womanshould look at the ‘awrah of another woman.” [Reported by Muslim,hadith no. 338]

and of ‘awrah of the woman with respect to other women being from her navel to her knee led them to the [false] conclusion that this indicates that it is permissible to wear short clothes. However, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not say,

“The dress of a woman is between the navel and the knee, ” such that it would be taken as an an evidence. On the contrary, he said, “no woman should look at the ‘awrah of another woman.” Therefore, he forbade the one who looks because the one who wears over flowing clothes may accidentally uncover her private parts because of a need or for some other reason.

Similarly, when the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “No man should look at the ‘awrah of another man,” did the companions then wear izar (waist garments) from the navel to the knee or pants from the navel to the knee? Is it now sound for a woman to go out and meet other women having on nothing except that which shields the area from the navel to the knee? No one says this; this is not the case, except with the women of the kufar. So those women who understood otherwise from this hadith are incorrect. The hadith’s meaning is obvious and apparent. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)) did not say, "“The dress of a woman is between the navel and the knee."

So women should fear Allaah (subhannahu wa ta’ala) and assume shyness and bashfulness, which is from the characteristics of the woman; this is from iman (faith) as the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said,

“Modesty is a branch of faith” [Reported by Muslim, hadith no. 56]

Likewise, we know the parable:

“More bashful than a woman kept in her private quarter.”

Not even the women of the pre-Islamic era [Jahilliyah] used to shield only that which was between the navel and the knee; this was not even the case with men in that time.

Do these women want the Muslim woman to be in a worse situation than the women of Jahilliyah?

In summary, the dress is something and looking at the ‘awrah is something else. The legal dress of the woman in front of other women should cover that which is between the ankle and the palm. However, if the woman needs to tuck up her dress for work or something else, then she may tuck it all the way to the knee. Similarly, if she needs to roll up her sleeves all the way to the shoulder, then she may do so as needed only.

However, to make this her normal dress then it is not allowed, and the hadith does not indicate this under any circumstances. That is why the address was to the one looking, not the one being looked at, and the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned absolutely nothing about the dress. He did not say, "“The dress of a woman is between the navel and the knee," such that this would constitute a pretext for the misunderstanding by those women.

With respect to looking by mahrams, then the ruling is the same as looking of a woman at a woman, meaning it is permissible for the woman to uncover in front of her mahrams that which she uncovers in front of other women, namely the head, neck, feet, hands, arms, shins, and so forth. But she must not make her dress short.

=============================================================
This is the answer of our Shaykh (rahimahullaah) concerning this question, which is often raised by many sisters.
I ask Allaah (subhannahu wa ta’ala) to make it a benefit for all of us.
All Praise is due to Allaah, and may the salaah and salaam be on Prophet Muhammad, his household, the noble companions and those who follow them until the Day of Resurrection.Saleh As-Saleh27-7-1427 AH.21st August 2006.

Ruling of Niqab in islam very Well explained by sheikh Haitham Al-Haddad Hafidhaullah

Even Yahoo talks about NIQAB and HIJAB !!!!
Subhan Allah, a great Impact was evolved after what Tantawi have done.

WHAT IS THE HIJAB?

THE HIJAB IS GHEERAH ..

The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Gheerah for ALL MUSLIM women In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheera in men. Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.

THE HIJAB IS HAYA (bashfulness) ..

There are two authentic hadith which state: "Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is haya '" AND "Bashfulness is from belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.



THE HIJAB IS IMAAN (belief or faith) ..

Allah (subhana wa'atala) did not address His words about the hijab except to the believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to the "the believing women". Aisha (Radhi Allahu Anhu), the wife of the prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed:
"If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it."

THE HIJAB IS TAQWAH (righteousness) ..

Allah (subhana wa'atala) says in the Qur'an:
O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better. '(S7: 26).

The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah (righteousness)

THE HIJAB IS A SHIELD ..

The prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya '(Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)."
The Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) also said:
"Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her."

The hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).

THE HIJAB IS TAHARA (purity) ..

Allah (Azzawajal) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of the hijab:

`And when you ask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts. ' (S33: 53).

The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts:

`Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner. ' (S33: 32)

THE HIJAB IS IFFAH (modesty) ..

Allah (subhana wa'atala) made the adherence to the hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty. Allah says:

'O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested. ' (S33: 59).

In the above Ayaah there is an evidence that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that is still better for them to keep their modesty.

Be excellent to your parents.

And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be excellent 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 ... them Your mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.” (Isra 17:23-24)

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him who said, The Prophet may Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him and his family said: “Indeed A man’s status will be raised in Paradise and he will ask, ‘How is this for me?’ He will be told, ‘By your child’s seeking forgiveness for you.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, no 3660; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1617)

Virtues of Knowledge

Virtues of Knowledge which is Learnt and Taught for the sake of Allah

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The world, with all that it contains, is accursed except for the remembrance of Allah that which pleases Allah; and the religious scholars and seekers of knowledge.''[At-Tirmidhi].

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who goes forth in search of knowledge is considered as struggling in the Cause of Allah until he returns.''[At-Tirmidhi].

Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A believer never satisfies doing good until he reaches Jannah.''[At-Tirmidhi].

Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The superiority of the learned over the devout worshipper is like my superiority over the most inferior amongst you (in good deeds).'' He went on to say, "Allah, His angels, the dwellers of the heaven and the earth, and even the ant in its hole and the fish (in water) supplicate in favour of those who teach people knowledge.''[At-Tirmidhi].

Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah easy to him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the oceans seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars (i.e., in brightness). The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only that of knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion.''[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "May Allah freshen the affairs of a person who hears something from us and communicates it to others exactly as he has heard it (i.e., both the meaning and the words). Many a recepient of knowledge understands it better than the one who has heard it.''[At-Tirmidhi].

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who is asked about knowledge (of religion) and conceals it, will be bridled with a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection.''[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah(PBUH) said, "He who does not acquire knowledge with the sole intention of seeking the Pleasure of Allah but for worldly gain, will not smell the fragrance of Jannah on the Day of Resurrection.''[Abu Dawud].

Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: "Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people, but He takes it away by taking away (the lives of) the religious scholars till none of the scholars stays alive. Then the people will take ignorant ones as their leaders, who, when asked to deliver religious verdicts, will issue them without knowledge, the result being that they will go astray and will lead others astray.''[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

May Allah eccept us and give us towfiq to learn and teach for his sake Allahuma ameen

Allaah is forever watching you

Always remember that Allaah is watching whatever you do. He sees what you do in the middle of the day and He sees what you do in the deepest part of the night. . He sees all. He hears all. There is nothing that escapes Him. If you are alone, He is the second and if you are two, He is the third.

And He is with you (by His Knowledge) where soever you may be. And Allaah is the All-Seer of what you do." (al-Hadeed:4)

"Not a word does he utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)." (Qaf:18)

Remind yourself of this as often as you can and throughout the day and before you sleep….every time you do something….and every time you speak. In fact, aim to make it your thought with every breath you breathe.

Never forget that it is Allah Who has given you everything.Take a look around you; everything you see, all that you have and all that there is……in you….on you….and around comes from Allaah, alone. Remember it is Allah Who has given you all the possessions and everything you own, and that He is the true Owner of them all. He allots what He wills to whomever He wills, however He wills.

"The kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in them belongs to Allah. He has power over all things." (al-Ma'ida:120)

So reflect on the uncountable blessings He has given you and thank Him for His favors upon you. If nothing else, thank him for the blessing of Islaam that He gave you. Praise Him and thank Him…in the morning and at the end of the day, in good times and bad times…in all times. Praise Him and thank Him until He is truly pleased with you. For, by Allaah, no matter how much you thank Him and how much you praise Him, it will never be enough.

Never forget that nothing happens except by His Command and PermissionEverything lies in the Hands of Allaah. No harm can befall you and no benefit can reach you except by the Will of Allaah and know that it is surely ordained for a purpose. Even though you may carefully plan your day, your week, your life…. you can never know what awaits you later on. Surrounded by such uncertainty, you will only find relief through the acknowledgement that every incident you come upon is ordained by Allah especially for you, and for your betterment. You have no recourse other than taking refuge in Him, trusting in Him, and submitting to Him.In fact, it is not just you; rather, there is no place or moment in the universe that is independent of Allah. Nothing can remain out of His Sovereignty.

Say: "Nothing can happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is Our Master. It is in Allah that the believers should put their trust." (Surah at-Tawba: 51)

Keep the prayer of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) fresh in your heart;"O Allaah no one can prevent anyone from whatever You have granted and no one can grant what You have prevented." (Tabaraani)

Never forget that any good that you do is only 'Taufeeq' from Allaah, alone.Know that any act of kindness, any good that you do is from Him alone. It is Allah that sent guidance from above the seven heavens into your heart. And didn't allow anyone to remove that guidance from your heart. It is He that enabled you to do that goodness, and you have to be humble and remember that.

Don't let the Shaytaan bloat your head and think that it is from you, make you arrogant and ruin the reward for you. A person has to be aware of this, otherwise for days, weeks or even years, a person could be doing actions, thinking that he is righteous, whereas in fact he is not getting an ounce of reward.

"…and they (people of Jannah) shall say: All praise is due to Allah Who guided us to this, and we would not have found the way had it not been that Allah had guided us…" (Surah al-'Aaraaf:43)

Remember that the heart of the believer is in between the fingers of Allaah and He can flip it whenever He pleases. So make dua to Allaah to keep you steadfast on His Religion and bear in mind that no matter how much you try, it is Allah who gives the ultimate will. Therefore with every good action, your love for Allah should increase because you have now witnessed Allah's Grace upon you.

Never forget that you are going to return to Allaah one day and that day could be….no, not tomorrow, but TODAY.Remember that you are destined to meet Him. The invitation for that may come any time….today, tomorrow, any day…..any moment. Your whole life is nothing but a preparation for that Meeting that day….when no one will avail anyone.

"Fear the Day when you shall be returned to Allah. And every soul shall be paid in full what it has earned; and they shall not be harmed." (Surah al-Baqarah: 281)

Never forget that each act of yours will be presented before Allaah for His Judgment one day. Also bear in mind that you will have to stand in front of the Lord Almighty that day ALL ALONE and give account for each and every single thing you said or did.

"O you who believe! Fear Allaah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what you do." (Surah Hashr:18)

So keep this meeting in mind, and spend every remaining moment of your life in the devotion and submission to Allaah. Remember it is a gift from Him. So use it to your advantage, spend it in His obedience…before it is too late and the invitation is issued for you.

"Has not the time yet come for those who believe that their hearts should be humble for the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? And ~that) they should not be like those who were given the Book before, but the time became prolonged to them, so their hearts hardened, and most of them are transgressors." (Surah al-Hadeed: 16)

The 8 benefits

Hātim Al-Asam was among the friends of Shaqīq Al – Balkhi (may Allah have mercy on them both). One day Shaqīq asked Hātim: “You have accompanied me for thirty years; what have you gained?” Hātim replied: “I have gained eight benefits from the knowledge which suffices for me as I hope my success and safety are embodied in them.”

Shaqīq asked; “What are they?”

Hātim replied:

The first benefit ~ I observed the creation and saw that everyone had a loved one and one passionately desired whom he loved and longed for. Some of the beloved accompany the lover up to the brink of sickness and death and others to the gate of the graveyard. All of them return and leave him there alone. No one goes into the tomb with him. I reflected on that and said to myself:

“The best beloved is that which would enter the tomb with the lover to console him”; I found nothing other than good works, so I took this as my beloved where with to illuminate my grave and to comfort me in it and not leave me alone.

The second benefit ~ I saw that creation(people) were following their lusts and hastening towards (fulfilling the demands of lowly) desires of the selves; and I meditated on the saying of the Exalted:

“Whoever has feared the lofty position of his Lord and has refrained his soul from lust, truly the Garden shall be his dwelling place.” Convinced that the Qur’an was true and tight, I began to oppose the notion of yielding to the demands of the self and hastened to combat it and refuse it its lowly desires, until it enjoyed satisfaction in being obedient to Allah the Exalted.

The third benefit ~ I noted that every human being rushes to accumulate as much as he can from the wreckage of this material world and then holding on strongly to it. I meditated on the saying of the Most High:

“What is with you must vanish’ what is with Allah endures.”

So I gave freely my worldly possessions for the sake of the Most High by distributing them among the poor so that it would be my provision in the future with Him the Exalted.

The fourth benefit ~ I observed some people thought that their dignity and honor lie in the multitude of their family and large clans and they were fascinated by those things. Others considered honor and dignity to be in abundance of wealth and children and they were proud of it. Some believed honor and power abide in appropriating the wealth of others, oppressing them and killing them. Others considered dignity to consist of extravagance and spending wealth like water. I meditated upon the saying of the Exalted:

“The most honored of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you.”

I chose righteousness for myself, convinced that the Qur’an is right and true and those claims and opinions of people are false and temporal.”

The fifth benefit ~ I noticed the people undermining each other and speaking ill of one another and I found that was due to envy of fortune, power or knowledge. I meditated upon the saying of Allah:

“It is We who divide their livelihood among them in the life of this world.”

I realized that the process of dividing livelihood is in the hands of Allah since the beginning of time. I therefore never envied any one anyone and was satisfied with the distribution of Allah the Exalted.

The sixth benefit ~ I saw people becoming enemies of each other for various reasons. I mediated upon the saying of the Exalted: “Verily Satan is an enemy to you, so treat him as an enemy.”

I became aware that enmity with anyone but Satan was not permissible.

The seventh benefit ~ I saw everyone working very hard, exhausting themselves in obtaining food and sustenance, tempted by doubts and forbidden things. They degrade themselves and diminish their potential..
I pondered over the saying of the Exalted:

“There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance dependent on Allah.”

I knew that my livelihood is guaranteed by Allah the Exalted so I engaged myself in worship and cut off my covetousness of other than He.

The eighth benefit ~is that I saw that everyone relied on some created thing, some on the dinār and dirham, some on wealth and property, some on trade and industry and some on creatures like themselves.
I meditated upon the saying of the Exalted:

“And whosoever places his reliance on Allah, sufficient is [Allah] for him. For Allah will surely accomplishes His purpose. Verily for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion for everything.”

I therefore placed full reliance in Allah the Exalted. He is sufficient for me and He is the best Disposer of affairs.’

Shaqīq then said: “May Allah bless you and grant you success. I looked into the Old Testament, and Gospel, the Psalms and the Qur’an and have found that the four books revolve around these eight benefits. Whoever acts according to them is acting according to these four books.”

The Abandonment of Wrongdoing

Asallamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakathu

Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. There is not in the abandonment of misdeeds and wrongdoing save.

* the establishment of manhood;

* the protection of honor;

* the preservation of prestige;

* the conservation of wealth - [all matters] which Allah has placed as a foundation for the correction of the Dunya and the Hereafter - the love of creation [for him] and a statement of approval amongst them;

* a righteous substinence;

* a healthy body;

* strength of the heart;

* tranquillity of the soul;

* happiness of the heart;

* a state of pleasure and cheerfulness;

* safety from the perils of the sinners and wrongdoers, [and] an absence of purpose, grief, and sorrow;

* a sense of honor from the possibility of ignominy and disgrace;

* protection for the light of the heart from being extinguished by the darkness of transgression;

* the acquirement of an escape from [that matter] which has caused the sinners and transgressors to become depressed and dejected;

* the availability of sustenance [for him] from [an avenue] where it was not considered [possible];

* the facilitation of [that matter] which has become difficult for the masters of sin and transgression [to obtain];

* the facilitation of righteous deeds [for him];

* the acquisition of knowledge and beautified praise amongst the people;

* an abundant amount of supplication [for him];

* a beautified countenance;

* the veneration which is cast into the hearts of the people [for him];

* their help and protection [for him] whenever he is hurt and oppressed;

* their act of defending his honor whenever he is defamed and slandered;

* a swift response to his supplication;

* the removal of estrangement between [the individual] and Allah;

* the proximity of the Angels [towards him];

* the distancing of the Shayaateen from amongst the men and Jinn [from him];

* a rivalry amongst the people to serve him and fulfil his needs;

* their engagement for his love and companionship;

* his absence of fear from death;

* rather he rejoices in that [matter], for his arrival before His Lord and his encounter with Him [leads to] his fate amongst Him;

* the insignificance of the Dunya in his heart;

* the importance of the Hereafter amongst him;

* his yearning for the Sublime Kingdom, and the lofty success therein;

* the sweet taste of obedience;* the love for the sweetness of Imaan;

* the supplication of those who carry the Throne, and whosoever surrounds Him from amongst His Angels;

* the delight of the Scribes, and their continuous supplication for him;

* an increase in intellect, understanding, faith, and comprehension;

* his acquisition of the Love of Allah, and His [act] of Turning towards him;

* [the attainment] of His Delight for his act of penitence;

This [matter] rewards him with delight and happiness. For there is no connection for [the individual] to His Delight and Happiness by means of wrongdoing, [and] its various types.

Accordingly, these are some of these signs [actualized] by the abandonment of wrongdoing in this world.

When the individual dies, the Angels receive him, and convey upon him the glad tidings of Paradise from his Lord. In addition to [the good news] that no fear or sorrow shall be upon him. He will alter his residence from the prison of this Dunya and its confinement, to a garden from amongst the Gardens of Paradise. He shall experience its delights therein until the Day of Judgment.

When the Day of Judgment [arrives] the people shall be [in a state] of [extreme] heat and perspiration, [however] he shall be in the shade of a Throne. When they depart from before Allah, the Companions of the right-hand shall take him with His God-Fearing allies, and His Victorious Party. Indeed:

“That is the bounty of Allah. He confers it to upon whosoever He desires, and Allah is in possession of the Sublime Bounty.” [Surah al-Jumu`ah, Ayah 4]

Al-Fawaa’id, p. 302-303Quoted in footnotes to “An Explanation of Riyadh as-Saliheen” by Sh. Ibn `Uthaymeen Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah

Story Worth Reading

May the peace of Allah descend upon you,

Since last night my young son has been unwell. When I got back from Work this evening I decided to take him to hospital despite my exhaustion.

There were many waiting; perhaps we will be delayed by more than an hour. I took my number and sat down in the waiting room. There were many faces, young and old, but all silent. Some brothers made use of the many booklets available in the waiting room.

Some of those waiting had their eyes closed, while others were looking around. Most were bored. Once in a while the long silence was broken by a nurse calling out a number. Happiness appears on the one whose turn it is, and he gets up quickly; then silence returns.

A young man grabbed my attention. He was reading a pocket-sized Qur`an continuously; not raising his head even once. At first I did not think much about him. However, after one hour of waiting my casual glances turned into a deep reflection about his lifestyle and how he utilizes his time. One hour of life wasted! Instead of making benefit of that hour, it was just a boring wait. Then the call for prayer was made. We went to prayer in the hospital's Masjid. I tried to pray close to the man who was reading the Qur'an earlier in the waiting room.

After the prayer I walked with him. I informed him of how impressed I was of him and how he tries to benefit from his time. He told me that most of our time is wasted without any benefit. These are days that go from our lives without being conscious of them or regretting their waste. He said that he started carrying the pocket-sized Qur`an around when a friend encouraged him to make full use of his time. He told me that in the time other people waste he gets to read much more of the Qur`an than he gets to read either at home or in the masjid. Moreover, besides the reward of reading the Qur`an, this habit saves him from boredom and stress.

He added that he has now been waiting for one and a half hours. Then he asked, when will you find one and a half hours to read the Qur`an? I reflected; How much time do we waste? How many moments of our lives pass by, and yet we do not account for how they passed by? Indeed, how many months pass by and we do not read the Qur`an? I came to respect my companion, and I discovered that I am to stand for account and that time is not in my hand; so what am I waiting for?

My thoughts were interrupted by the nurse calling out my number; I went to the doctor. But I want to achieve something now. After I left the hospital I quickly went to the bookshop and bought a pocket-sized Qur`an. I decided to be mindful of how I spend the time. If this information is beneficial to you, then please do forward it to your friends and relatives.

Our Prophet (SAW) said; 'Whoever guides or directs to good, then he gets the same amount of blessing (reward) as the one who does it'

The Prophet (SAW) also said 'Pass on knowledge from me even if it is only one verse'

In the grave...

The Messenger of Allaah (p.b.u.h.) said, "The souls of the believers are inside green birds in the trees of Paradise until Allah returns them to their bodies on the Day of Resurrection." (Sahih: At Tabarani in al Kabeer from Ka'b Ibn Malik & Umm Mubashshir)

The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said, "Seek Allah's protection from the punishment of the grave since punishment of the grave is a fact/true." (Sahih: At Tabarani in al Kabeer from Umm Khalid Bint Khalid Ibn Sa'eed Ibn al 'Aas.)



The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said, "Verily the grave is the first stopping place for the Hereafter; so if he is saved therein, then what comes after is easier than it. And if he is not saved there from, then that which comes after is harder." (Hasan: At Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, al Hakim: from Uthmaan)

The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said, "When the dead person is buried, two black-blue angels come to him, one called al Munkar and the other called an Nakeer, and they say to him: 'What had you used to say about this man?' So he says what he used to say: 'Allah's slave and His Messenger, I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.' So they say: 'Verily we knew that you (would) say that.' Then his grave is widened for him to the extent of seventy cubits by seventy, then it is made light for him, then it is said: ' Sleep.' So he says: 'I should go to my family and inform them.' So they say: 'Sleep as the newly married sleeps whom no-one awakes except his favorite wife.' Until Allah raises him up from that place of sleep. And if he is a hypocrite (munaafiq), he says: 'I heard the people saying something so I said it too, I don't know.' So they say: 'We knew that you (would) say that.' So it is said to the earth: 'Crush him', so he is crushed until his cross over and he remains in the state of torture until Allah raises him up from that resting place." (Hasan: At Tirmidhi from Abu Hurairah.)

The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said, "...the righteous man sits in his grave and is not alarmed or afraid, then it is said to him (by angels): 'In (what state) were you?' So he says: 'In the (state of) Islam.' So it is said to him: 'What is this man?' So he says: 'Muhammad the Messenger of Allah who came to us with clear signs from Allah, so we believed that.' Then it is said to him: 'Have you seen Allah?' So he says: 'It does not behove any man that he sees Allah.' So an opening is made for him in the direction of the Fire, so he sees it, some parts of it smashing into others, and it is said to him: 'Look at what Allah, the Exalted, has saved you from.' Then an opening is made for him in the direction of Paradise, and he looks to its brilliance and what is therein and it is said to him: 'This is your place.' And it is said to him: 'You were upon certain Faith and died upon it and upon it you will be raised up, if Allah wills.' And the wicked man sits in his grave alarmed and terrified and so it is said to him: 'In what state were you?' So he says: 'I do not know.' So it is said to him: 'Who is this man?' So he says: 'I heard the people saying something so I said it!' So an opening is made for him in the direction of Paradise and he sees its brilliance and what is therein, and it is said to him: 'Look at what Allah has refused you.' Then an opening is made for him in the direction of the Fire, so he sees it crashing against itself and it is said: 'This is your place, you lived upon doubt and died upon it and you will be raised up upon it, if it is Allah's will." (Sahih: Ibn Majah from Abu Hurairah.)

The Month of Zul-Hijjah

The Month of Zul-Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar. It means ‘the month of Hajj’. This name of the month indicates that the great annual worship of ‘Hajj’ is performed in this month. For this reason, it has a peculiar significance as compared to the other months of the year.

The first ten days

The first ten days of the month of Zul Hijjah are among the most significant days in the Islamic year. The Holy Prophet has said:

“One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship of ‘Laylatul Qadr’.

Every Muslim should take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity by offering as much Ibaadah to Allah as he or she can in this month.

The 9th day of the month

The 9th day of the month of Zul Hijjah is called ‘Yaumal Arafah’ (The day of Arafah). This is the date when the Hujjaj (Hajj pilgrims) assemble with the plain of Arafat, six miles away from Makkah Mukkaramah, where they perform the most essential part of the prescribed duties of Hajj, namely, the ‘Wuqoof of Arafat’ (the stay in Arafat).

The fast of ‘Yaumal Arafah’

For those not performing Hajj, it is Mustahabb (desirable) to fast on this day according to their own calendar. It sometimes occurs that the date of 9th Zul Hijjah falls on different days in different countries according to the sighting of the moon.

The fast of ‘Yaumal Arafah’ has been emphasized by the Holy Prophet as a Mustahabb (desirable act). According to a Hadith, the fast of this day becomes a cause, Inshallah, of forgiveness for sins committed in one year.

Takbir of Tashreeq

From the Fajr of the 9th of Zul Hijjah upto the Asr prayer of the 13th, it is obligatory on each Muslim to recite the Takbir of Tashreeq in the following words:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,

La Illaha Illallahu, Wallahu Akbar,

Allahu Akbar wa Lillahilhamd.

(Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest,

There is no God except Allah and Allah is the greatest,

Allah is the Greatest and to Him belongs all praise.)

According to authentic Islamic sources, it is obligatory on each Muslim, to recite this Takbir after every obligatory (fardh) Salaah. For women also, it is commendable though not obligatory. Whether you are performing Salaah with Jamaa’ah (collectively) or on your own (individually) makes no difference; you must recite the Takbir. However, males should recite it in a loud voice and females should recite it quietly.

Treat the month of Zul-Hijjah, as a month of eid.(Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)

http://www.inter-islam.org/Miscellaneous/zillhijjah.htm

http://www.aljamaat.org/islam/islamicmonths&days/months/zulhajja.htm

Ancient Discoveries Islamic Science

The Qur'an calls upon Muslims to look around them and study the physical world, so that they might appreciate the majesty of Allah's creation.

"Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the benefit of mankind; in the rain which Allah Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth -- (Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:164)

And Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said
"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim"

Throughout Islamic history, that is exactly what Muslims have done. Particularly in the 7th-13th centuries C.E., the Islamic world was in the midst of its "Golden Age," paving the way for the growth of modern sciences. Rather than stifling science, the religion of Islam encouraged its study. Scientific inquiry was widespread, and some of the greatest scholars and scientists of the world made wondrous discoveries and inventions. Muslims led the world in the study of medicine, astronomy, mathematics, geography, chemistry, botany, and physics. They transmitted their studies to the West, where their work was built upon and further disseminated.

Watch the History Channel Program Ancient Discoveries

http://quran-modern-science.blogspot.com/2009/09/ancient-discoveries-islamic-science.html