•Do not befriend a fool, for he hurts you when he wants to help you
•Do not befriend a stingy man, for he will distance himself from you when he is most needed
•Do not befriend a profligate, as he will sell you for a trifle
•And do not befriend a liar, for he is like a mirage, making the distant seem near to you and the near seem distant.”
During the times of Hazrat Ali’s caliphate, two Arabs were travelling together through the Hijaz desert. At meals, they sat together on a convenient spot and opened their food packages. One of them had five loaves of bread and the other three. As they were about to begin their meal, a stranger queried whether he might share their meal. “You are welcome, brother,” they said in unison, and all three had a pleasant time together.
At the time of farewell, the stranger presented them eight dirhams and asked them to divide it amongst themselves. Although, to accept money in lieu for hospitality is considered inappropriate by the Muslims, but the gift was presented in a spirit and manner such that to refuse it would have deemed rude. Therefore they accepted it.
There arouse a disagreement on the matter of distribution of dirhams. The man who had possessed greater share of bread sought five of the eight dirhams. On the other hand, the one with lesser portion demanded an equal half of the amount. It was a question of principle and none would forego his right. Since there was no amicable solution, both agreed to approach the Caliph for a just and reasonable settlement.
Hazrat Ali attentively listened to their account, pondered over it for a while and then addressed the man who had three breads: “Brother! Accept the three dirhams which your companion offers you, for, in reality, you don’t have a right to even those three dirhams.”
“O Caliph!” said the Arab. “It is not the money I’m arguing for; it is my right that I seek. If it is proven reasonably that I deserve not a single dirham, by ALLAH, I shall have no complaint!”
“Then listen,” said Hazrat Ali. “You had three breads and your companion had five, which makes a total of eight loaves and there were three of you to share them. Do you agree?”
“I do,” replied the Arab.
“Now, eight breads could not be divided equally in three shares without dividing them.”
“Evidently impossible…”
“There you are,” said Hazrat Ali, appreciating the remark by the Arab. “But the breads had to be divided in three equal shares and you did it in practice though not apprehensively. The simplest practical solution to this riddle is, let us suppose, each bread was cut into three equal pieces; therefore your three breads made nine pieces and your companion’s five breads made fifteen. Thus making a total of 24 pieces and all of you ate 8 pieces each.
“Excellent!” exclaimed the Arab with joy.
“Patience, brother,” said the Caliph, while an amusing smile appeared on his lips. “Now, let us understand that you ate 8 pieces out of your nine and spared only one for the stranger. Your companion also ate 8 pieces out of his 15 and spared 7 pieces for the traveller. It is therefore just that he takes seven dirhams for his seven pieces that the stranger ate and that you take one dirham for your single piece.”
“By ALLAH! Wa-ALLAH! You are the wisest of the men on earth,” proclaimed the Arab and accepted his share of single dirham from the gift and left the court being content with the verdict.
There are many such wisdom crammed events of this virtuous Caliph who happened to be a first cousin of our beloved Prophet PBUH. InshALLAH in future we seek to enlight our audience on Hazrath Ali’s wit.
On the lines of the wonderful advice Luqman AS gave to his son, Hazrat Ali likewise extended wisdom to his son, Hazrat Hassan that we all can pass down our generation:
“My son, remember four things from me, and four more; you will come to no harm as long as you act in accordance with them:
The richest of riches is intelligence, and the greatest poverty is stupidity.
The loneliest isolation is conceit, and the noblest value is goodness of character.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Common Acts of Shirik
After dealing with the meaning of Tauheed (Tauheed: The Islamic Monotheism), its types and shirk (SHIRK: The Gravest SIN), the moderators of this blog intend to shed some light on some of the common acts that are prevalent in our societies which are nothing but Shirk.
There is a common misconception among masses that one can be free of shirk merely by avoiding the worship of statues and idols. Shirk encompasses a wide range of practices and we shall deal with them in brief.
Seeking help from other than Allah swt
Help should be sought only from Allah SWT. In every rakath of our salat we proclaim that “It is You we worship and You we ask for help,” [Al-Fatihah 1:5] and later on if we seek help from other than Allah SWT, we will be falsifying this testimony. “And do not invoke besides Allah that which neither benefits you nor harms you, for if you did, then indeed you would be of the wrongdoers.”[Yunus 10:106]
Prophet PBUH clearly mentioned in one of his traditions, “If you ask, ask of Allah, if you seek help, seek help from Allah SWT.” [Tirmidhi]
Knowledge of the Unseen:
One should register in mind that the Knowledge of the unseen rests only with Allah SWT. Having a belief that any individual be it prophet or a companion or a righteous man or any other person has the knowledge of unseen is an act of Shirk. A huge mass of people are victims of this heinous form of shirk. Allah SWT says: “And with HIM are the keys of Ghaib (all that’s hidden), none knows them but HE.”(Al-Anam 6:59)
The Prophet PBUH said: “No one has knowledge of the unseen except Allah SWT” [At-Tabrani]
Seeking help from the Dead:
The foremost thing regarding the dead is that they do not have the capacity to hear so where does the question of seeking help from them arise. Allah SWT clearly mentions in Quran: “But you cannot make hear those who are in the graves,” [Fatir 35:22]. In another verse the Quran says: “Verily, you cannot make the dead to hear,” [An-Naml 27:80]
Swearing oaths to any other besides Allah
Making a vow is an act of worship and directing a vow to other than Allah amounts to Shirk. Allah SWT says in glorious Quran, “And whatever you spend of expenditures or make of vows – indeed, Allah knows of it. And for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.” [Al-Baqarah 2:270]
Prophet PBUH said, “Whoever vows to obey Allah, should obey HIM and whoever vows to disobey HIM, should not disobey HIM,” [Bukhari].
Wearing a Talisman (Taweez)
Wearing talismans or any kind of threads on any part of the body is nothing but shirk. Prophet PBUH said: “Ar Ruqa (incantations) or At-Tamaim (Amulets/Taweez) and At-tiwalah (bewitchment) are all acts of Shirk,” [Ahmed and Abu Dawood]
Sacrificing an animal in any name beside ALLAH SWT
Sacrificing or slaughtering an animal by any other name beside Allah SWT is Shirk. Allah SWT says in Quran, “So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone],” [Al-Kawthar 108:2]. The meet of that animal is forbidden to eat. The Messenger of Allah PBUH said, “Allah curses whoever sacrifices (or slaughters) in any name other than Allah,” [Muslim]
Sorcery:
The practice of magic/sorcery is considered rejection of faith (Kufr), as Allah SWT said: “But the devils disbelieved, teaching men magic.” [Al-Baqarah 2:102] “They believe in Al Jibt and At Taghut,” [An-Nisa 4:51] Umar RA is reported to have said that Al Jibt is magic (sorcery) and At Taghut is Ash Shaitan.
Prophet PBUH said: “Avoid the seven grave sins; associating partners with Allah, magic…” [Muslim] Furthermore the punishment for the sorcerers or magicians is nothing but execution. Prophet PBUH said: “The punishment for the sorcerers/magicians is that he be struck with the sword (executed).” [Tirmidhi]
Soothsayers and Fortune-tellers:
Prophet PBUH said: “Whoever visits a fortuneteller or a soothsayer and believes in his words, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammed PBUH.” [Hakim Saheeh]
Friday, November 19, 2010
SHIRK- The Gravest Sin
SHIRK: The gravest SINJun
Shirk is antithesis of Tauheed (Tauheed: The Islamic Monotheism). Shirk, linguistically means to associate, and in terms of Islamic Shariah, shirk means ascribing a partner or rival to Allah in HIS Lordship (ruboobiyyah), HIS worship (Uloohiyyah) or in HIS names and attributes (Asma-was- sifaat). Allah SWT orders, “Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped)” [Al-Baqarah 2:222] Shirk is the gravest transgression and sin that a human being can commit. ‘’Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” [An-Nisa 4:48]. ‘’And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray’’ [An-Nisa 4:116].
The most horrendous sin mankind can commit is associating partners with the Magnificent Creator Allah SWT. In the chronology of most dreadful sins, Shirk tops the list. Mercy of Allah SWT can prevail over any sin except Shirk. Ibn Masud RA narrated that the Prophet PBUH said: “Whoever dies while ascribing partners to Allah SWT, enters the hell-fire.”[Bukhari]
Mankind, from the beginning was a single nation which was on the doctrines of Tauheed (Oneness of Allah). Allah SWT says in the Quran: “Mankind was one Ummah, then Allah sent prophets bringing good news and warnings.” [2:213] Ibn Abbaas RA said: “Between Nooh (Noah) and Aadam were ten generations, all of them were upon Sharee’ah (law) of the truth, then they differed. So Allah SWT sent prophets as bringers of good news and as warners.” [Related by Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree in his Tafseer (4/275) and al-Haakim (2/546)]. From this statement of Ibn Abbas RA we can infer that the deceit of Shirk started to nurture only after ten generations. In a Hadith al Khudsi Allah SWT says “I created all my servants upon the true Religion (upon Tauheed, free from Shirk). Then the devils came to them and led them astray from their true Religion. They made unlawful to people that which I had made lawful for them, and they commanded them to associate in worship with Me, that which I had sent down no authority.” [Muslim and Ahmad]
The Prophet PBUH said, “Every child is born upon the Fitrah [natural inclination towards Islam] but his parents make him a Jew or a Christian or a Maigan. It is like the way an animal gives birth to a natural offspring. Have you noticed any born mutilated, before you mutilate them?” Abu Hurayrah said: Recite if you wish:“Allaah’s Fitrah with which He created mankind. There is to be no change to the creation (Religion) of Allaah.” [Ar-Rum 30:30] [Agreed upon] After this clear and lucid elucidation, it is of supreme importance for the Muslim to know how Shirk made its unpleasant roots in the minds of believers, after they were Muwahideen (people upon Tauheed). Allah SWT says about the people of Nooh: “And they have said: You shall not forsake your gods, nor shall you forsake Wadd, nor Suwa’, nor Yaghooth, nor Ya’ooq, nor Nasr.” [Nuh 71:23]
Ibn Abbas relates: “Indeed these five (Wadd, nor Suwa’, nor Yaghooth, nor Ya’ooq, nor Nasr) were the names of righteous men from the people of Nooh. When they died, Shaytaan whispered to their people to make statues of them and to place these statues in their places of gathering as a reminder of them, so they did this. However, none from amongst them worshipped these statues, until when they died and the purpose of the statues was forgotten. Then (the next generation) began to worship them.” [Bukhari]
Thus Allah SWT sent Prophet Muhammed PBUH as the final prophet and made his Shareeah a compulsion to follow for the rest of the ummah. This Shareeah prohibits all means and avenues by which people may fall into Shirk at large. Once a person falls into the muck of Shirk all his deeds are of no use.
Brothers!! Building shrines over the graves and intending to travel towards them for having once wishes fulfilled, sacrificing an animal in their name, asking help from them or swearing an oath by the inmate of the grave are all heinous forms of Shirk which the Creator SWT for sure dislikes to core.
This being the case even more so in an age in which knowledge is diminishing, ignorance is increasing, there are few sincere advisers (to the truth) and Shaytaan is co-operating with men and jinn to misguide mankind and to take them away from the worship of Allah SWT alone – the Blessed, the Most High
Shirk is antithesis of Tauheed (Tauheed: The Islamic Monotheism). Shirk, linguistically means to associate, and in terms of Islamic Shariah, shirk means ascribing a partner or rival to Allah in HIS Lordship (ruboobiyyah), HIS worship (Uloohiyyah) or in HIS names and attributes (Asma-was- sifaat). Allah SWT orders, “Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped)” [Al-Baqarah 2:222] Shirk is the gravest transgression and sin that a human being can commit. ‘’Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” [An-Nisa 4:48]. ‘’And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray’’ [An-Nisa 4:116].
The most horrendous sin mankind can commit is associating partners with the Magnificent Creator Allah SWT. In the chronology of most dreadful sins, Shirk tops the list. Mercy of Allah SWT can prevail over any sin except Shirk. Ibn Masud RA narrated that the Prophet PBUH said: “Whoever dies while ascribing partners to Allah SWT, enters the hell-fire.”[Bukhari]
Mankind, from the beginning was a single nation which was on the doctrines of Tauheed (Oneness of Allah). Allah SWT says in the Quran: “Mankind was one Ummah, then Allah sent prophets bringing good news and warnings.” [2:213] Ibn Abbaas RA said: “Between Nooh (Noah) and Aadam were ten generations, all of them were upon Sharee’ah (law) of the truth, then they differed. So Allah SWT sent prophets as bringers of good news and as warners.” [Related by Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree in his Tafseer (4/275) and al-Haakim (2/546)]. From this statement of Ibn Abbas RA we can infer that the deceit of Shirk started to nurture only after ten generations. In a Hadith al Khudsi Allah SWT says “I created all my servants upon the true Religion (upon Tauheed, free from Shirk). Then the devils came to them and led them astray from their true Religion. They made unlawful to people that which I had made lawful for them, and they commanded them to associate in worship with Me, that which I had sent down no authority.” [Muslim and Ahmad]
The Prophet PBUH said, “Every child is born upon the Fitrah [natural inclination towards Islam] but his parents make him a Jew or a Christian or a Maigan. It is like the way an animal gives birth to a natural offspring. Have you noticed any born mutilated, before you mutilate them?” Abu Hurayrah said: Recite if you wish:“Allaah’s Fitrah with which He created mankind. There is to be no change to the creation (Religion) of Allaah.” [Ar-Rum 30:30] [Agreed upon] After this clear and lucid elucidation, it is of supreme importance for the Muslim to know how Shirk made its unpleasant roots in the minds of believers, after they were Muwahideen (people upon Tauheed). Allah SWT says about the people of Nooh: “And they have said: You shall not forsake your gods, nor shall you forsake Wadd, nor Suwa’, nor Yaghooth, nor Ya’ooq, nor Nasr.” [Nuh 71:23]
Ibn Abbas relates: “Indeed these five (Wadd, nor Suwa’, nor Yaghooth, nor Ya’ooq, nor Nasr) were the names of righteous men from the people of Nooh. When they died, Shaytaan whispered to their people to make statues of them and to place these statues in their places of gathering as a reminder of them, so they did this. However, none from amongst them worshipped these statues, until when they died and the purpose of the statues was forgotten. Then (the next generation) began to worship them.” [Bukhari]
Thus Allah SWT sent Prophet Muhammed PBUH as the final prophet and made his Shareeah a compulsion to follow for the rest of the ummah. This Shareeah prohibits all means and avenues by which people may fall into Shirk at large. Once a person falls into the muck of Shirk all his deeds are of no use.
Brothers!! Building shrines over the graves and intending to travel towards them for having once wishes fulfilled, sacrificing an animal in their name, asking help from them or swearing an oath by the inmate of the grave are all heinous forms of Shirk which the Creator SWT for sure dislikes to core.
This being the case even more so in an age in which knowledge is diminishing, ignorance is increasing, there are few sincere advisers (to the truth) and Shaytaan is co-operating with men and jinn to misguide mankind and to take them away from the worship of Allah SWT alone – the Blessed, the Most High
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