The rise of Atheists among Muslims is on a Rise! Let's solve this before it gets too late...

Having come from a very conservative background, i am not the right person to talk about culture or favor culture in anyways, but i can always stand and fight for religion over culture. Like many of us know about the modernization of everything to polluting religion with liberalism and mixing up of trash (called culture) and subjecting the real teachings of Islam as "Strict Ruling" is something that the parents of today should focus on. This dangerous favoring of culture has become a hazard for the younger generation.

I would't get offended to mention this incident that got me thinking to do some research on these happenings in the Muslim families today. It happened one day when a colleague who happens to belong to a Muslim Family from France. As i mentioned here, happens to belong to a Muslim Family and not a Muslim. Pause! There is a lot of difference here, Yes! on that graceful day i went up to her assuming her to be a non-Muslim girl by faith and i asked her about a celebration that was to happen in the week for which we all had a holiday. And again I paused! When she answered me "I am not a so & so (the faith of the celebration i asked her) , My family is a Muslim, and i am nothing".

Whilst! I looked at her with a side No! and said "Okay" because this was the first time i heard something that was very different and i never witnessed this before. Because i knew "Atheists" i knew "Pagans" I knew they do not practice religion and they donot believe in the afterlife. But this was the first time i encountered something practically and then continued my journey of talking to other sisters in Islam and getting more information about the culture flag.

I started discussing about this issue with my Muslim friends who are Citizens here, an Arab friend told me about her American schoolmates, though she graduated her schooling from an Islamic School she would always find culture above religion because that is what the parents teach their children. Instead of Tarbiyah at home they believe in outsourcing Tarbiyah to missionary and public schools they advise their children to get along with friends and practice harmony, it all starts from birthday parties till it goes on to prom nights organized by schools. This is the very beginning of placing culture over religion. Parents often feel their kids are very young and start dressing them with more revealing clothes,  they are often made to wear something that makes the children forget the word "Haya", the children are advised not to feel alienated by covering themselves full and they are often reminded to get along well with their friends and perhaps making those tender minds completely forget the point that "Haya" /Modesty is a part of our eemaan.  This is the beginning of the end.

Having studied in a co-education environment throughout my education i am someone who strongly supports this sort of education. Clause! Yes i would support this because the studying of boys and girls together makes girls tough,  the concept of being oppressed or bullied in later stages of life can be handled well when an individual gets strong,  but what i try to explain here is, though my parents made us study in a co-ed school, they always reminded us to stay away from something that's not for us, when i was a grade two child my mother used to advise me to prefer playing with girls and make me talk about everything to her (She made me such that even today she calls me a radio, the moment i am home i blurt out my story of the entire day in ten minutes to her) Till date she happens to be my best friend in life though i have irritated her, troubled her, threw tantrums but I do miss her with all my heart.

Later in high school i was often reminded about "Haya" and in grade 10 i started practicing Hijab and never felt offended as i was applauded by my teachers because of my grades and the way i handled my school responsibilities by being the school captain and vice captain for two years, nothing stopped me from giving my best and achieving my dreams, achieving what i deserved.  But the basic ethics that were sown in my mind helped me in every possible way,  be it my engineering days or my corporate job wherein i was the lone woman Business Analyst handling a team of 21 developers and designers I was a dignified young woman in Hijab who always had my own boundaries,  I continued handling three core teams of Product Engineering with utmost modesty and respect inline with being strict and professional.  I was strong with my work ethics that when i sent out a resignation mail my IT head took two days to decide about accepting my papers for notice period or transfer me to the New Jersey office.  Because of these valuable ethics and religious tarbiyah did I manage to protect myself from any sort of exploitation or abuse or anything else. Even today i professionally handle many things, I fly across oceans, I visit countries, I work and I enjoy life but with Hijab, with Salath, with Qur'an. Every step we take, every decision we make we always remember the beautiful teachings that Islam has taught us. When Allah swt commands in the Holy Quran:

And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. -Surat Noor: 31

And the same applies to men and well when Allah swt commands in the Holy Qur'an:

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do. -Surat Noor: 30

Your children are given to you as a trust from Allah swt and you will be held accountable for them. So, do not be stingy in their proper upbringing and in giving them proper guidance, Do not leave them to destruction by making them chose culture over religion. 

Always remember all that they do will be written down, and when their book is presented on the Day of Accountability – the contents will be based on your work! Ask yourself: what are you doing to ensure that your children’s book will reflect righteous deeds, good character and true success? 

 

Here are a few points that i would like to pen down about raising the future generation adhere to the teachings of Islam: 

 

• Pious and Productive mothers are the best examples of good upbringing of any child or any generation. 

   

• Take the Luqman(AS) way and teach them right from an early age that Allah is one and the only and He has no partners nor associates. Allah swt knows everything in the heavens and the earth and He is aware of everything we do.

   

• Since the very beginning start telling them about food and life, educate them about the difference between Halal and Haraam. Talk to them everyday looking into their eyes, practice warmth and remain calm, friendly and approachable and try your best to keep your phone/internet/social networking far away when your child is with you.

   

• Tell them about their Creator and always remind them about the Good and Bad, teach them about the arrogance of Iblis and guide them to stay away from Iblis and his evil intentions.

   

• Refrain from practicing Shirk and too much of influence of Saints and Personalities, Children and generation of today know the truth and the logic that the dead will never come back to life and answer their prayers, so teach them the correct teachings of Islam, tell them to call upon the Almighty always and teach them about His attributes and creation, who has created us and who will resurrect us again on the Day of Resurrection. 

   

• Practice taking them to the Masjids, halaqah's, talks and encourage them to pray with you. Do not ask them to pray by themselves, stand and pray with them, teach them and practice prayers whilst there will come a day where the same children will start practicing prayers even without your reminders.

   

• If it's a girl child make sure you cover her and teach her appropriately about clothing in Islam, practice Hijab and reciprocate the same to your child and they will start doing it without hesitation when the time is right for them (My mother had influenced me completely and continues to do this even today) and if it is a boy child make sure you teach him to respect and be kind to women, start respecting his mother and helping her more often such that he continues to respect and help his woman in the future.

   

• Make sure you teach your children about Haya and educate them to cover properly and teach them the etiquette of changing clothes, going to washrooms, eating habits, being kind and generous, obeying elders, respect to parents and teachers, cleanliness, manners and discipline.

It was narrated that Aa'ishah, the wife of the Prophet (pbuh) said:The Messenger of Allah swt said: "Verily Allah loves kindness in all things". - Sahih Al-Bukhari: 6024.

Tell them the importance of Jummah prayer and practice the reading of Qur'an everyday. Hence one of the early generations said to his children's teacher: Let the first thing you do in setting my children straight be mending your own ways, for their faults will be connected to your faults; in their eyes, what is good will be what you do and what is bad will be what you do and what is bad will be what you refrain from. -Tareekh Dimashq, 38/271-272.

•  When you make a promise make sure you adhere to the promise no matter how small it is or how big it is. With this the children learn to keep their promises right from a tender age always teach them that Truth alone prevails falsehood leads to the Hell-Fire.

Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned. -Surat Al-Isra: 34

Those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and do not break the contract. -Surat Ar-Rad: 20

Allah has decreed for fulfilling promises great benefits in this world and in the Hereafter, in addition to the obvious benefits of creating a righteous and stable society. Among these benefits are the following:

Fulfilling promises is one of the attributes of the pious according to the Book of Allah, and it one of the greatest means of attaining taqwa (piety, consciousness of Allah). Allah says:

But yes, whoever fulfills his commitment and fears Allah - then indeed, Allah loves those who fear Him. -Surat Al-Imran: 76

• Respect your parents and kinship by maintaining good ties with them and helping the needy. Be kind to the orphans and set examples of helping the ones in need. Be kind to animals and birds and teach your children what the Qur'an says about hurting fellow human beings.

Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors. -Surat Al-Maidah: 32

They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it." -Surat Al-Baqarah: 215

Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense [the religion]? For that is the one who drives away the orphan. -Surat Al Ma’un: 1-2

And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive. -Surat Al-Insan: 8

And come not near to the orphans property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength. And fulfil (every) covenant. Verily! the covenant, will be questioned about. -Surat Al-Isra: 34

• Read them stories of Prophets and teach them Islamic Etiquettes and make it a routine habit, also called as the bed-time stories. Stories are so fascinating and beautiful that children want to hear them more often, when you end a story tell them the moral of the same.

   

• There is a time in the month of December to January where we get to see beautiful decorations everywhere and the children love decorations, light, coloring, art, so whilst when it is Eid start decorating your houses and teach them Eid is a celebration, tell them the importance of Eid, Eid-ul-Fitr and the 30 days fasting that we practice and do, we end up celebrating Eid with new clothes, food, decoration, gifts and many more, same with Eid-ul-Adha (even more a perfect time to tell them the importance of sacrifice and Hajj as they love hearing the story of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail).

   

• Recite Takbeer again and again and play it in your house on the Day of Eid.

   

• Last but not the least please shun the unlimited exposure of telivision and internet and the accessibility of mobile phones, tablets, laptops to the tender minds.

Like many concerned parents, westernization of culture is getting the children of today far far away from the real teachings of Islam, it is good to be concerned about a child's upbringing right from a tender age, those who are reading this article on my blog,  I would congratulate you for the beautiful thought of upbringing your child in a more Islamic way, this thought is actually a blessing of Allah swt upon you for the guidance of your children to Islam, and I ask Allah swt  to make me and you steadfast in adhering to this religion until we meet Him when He is pleased with us. I also congratulate you for your keenness to give your children a good upbringing. With Islam we can turn Can'ts into Cans, we can turn dreams into plans and execute them without having to embrace culture and proudly say "We are Muslims, We are the Ummah of Prophet (pbuh)". May Allah swt protect us and bless our families. Aameen. FiAmanillah.

BarakaAllahu Feekum! Ma'as-salaama.

Self Admiration -Hijab of a proud Muslim woman!

It's a busy morning as i rush up to work and take a break to head towards the gigantic corridors of the University we all sit for the Board of Directors Meeting with some important resolutions, agendas and proposals being discussed with complete recordings.

As the discussion is in progress what got my mind to a pause was self admiration. (Now this sounds really funny) /Laugh/Pause/Teeth

Getting back to what was the self admiration that stuck my little brain amidst the serious meeting discussions was "My Hijab". I felt it's the greatest blessing Allah swt has ordained Muslim women with. It is the greatest cover of respect we are blessed with which at times is not going well by the term called "Modernization of Islam" or "Liberal Islam" or to any context may be they have started a new religion called "Humanity" wherein taking out Hijabs and burning them calling Hijab as oppression is hilarious or probably the sign of a loser who tries impressing people over Allah swt for monetary gain and useless power.

When we have an intention of practicing Islam and surrendering completely to please the All-Majesty, The Guardian of all things, He infact makes things easy on His slave, so easy that His slave with utmost respect is recognized by the society, He makes things so perfect that Hijab instead of being looked at as an oppressed symbol is looked at with great respect. And this is what stuck my little brain. The Director's were all top-notch professionals some experienced and some doctorates, am the youngest in the Board and yet the immense respect been given the way they all talk together take my proposals and accept my approval to certain resolutions cannot be penned either, the feeling in itself is "Precious".

A few months back i was standing at a park gate and watching the small kids of the area play, a small boy was pointing his hand towards me and saying something to his mother. This happened again and again, say 4-5 times, as the mother-son came to exit, the small boy again said something to his mother. This made me curious to ask his mother "What is the kid saying?" She replied, we are from Mexico and we have a gigantic wall-portrait of Mother Mary hung up in our house and the boy was pointing towards me and saying "Mumma, look at Mother Mary" I didn't have any words to say all i said is "Thank you" and kissed the kid. Such beautiful thing Hijab is and i sit wondering why some fools name it as oppression.

I always feel, when we keep our intentions pure and when we strive hard to accept the fact that this worldly life is nothing but an amusement play what matters is impressing and staying true to the Almighty and staying firm on obeying His commands, The Supreme power will make everything easy on us and blesses us with what we need and what we rightly deserve, we all plan and He plans, for He is the best of planners.

What do we humans say? 

All we have to say is with the will of Allah swt. SubhanaAllahi Wabihamdihi, SubhanaAllahil Adheem, SubhanaAllahi wa bihamdihi `adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinatah `arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi.

With Hijab let's maintain our modesty too with character, with manners, with speech, with thinking and with clothing. Let's become good examples to convey goodness to the society and work hard to make an identity of ourselves to which the generation of tomorrow can look upto and remember us for the women in Hijab.

JazakaAllahu Khayr...

Halal and Haraam for a Muslim...

It's just a random post through an experience i had a few weeks ago. I am not judgemental i am not conveying something that happened because of lack of resources but i want to pen down that the entire episode happened because of sheer negligence accompanied by the failed ability of distinguishing between Halal and Haraam.

I was on a recent journey to the Niagara Falls and the journey was the best road trip that i ever had, initially i had a bad time with the tourist guide who put me on the last seat of the bus and when i raised voice of suing the travel company she exchanged my seat for her seat which was right in the front and the journey was a beautiful memory i carried back home.

I was seated on a seat next to a Muslimah with her family in the backseats, parents, brother and sister in law were present they were a very warm and a nice family i do not have any complaints about the whole journey we had a real good time together.

Now why am i writing this post, yes i feel it's necessary for Muslims to be aware and wary of the food that we eat, are we serious enough about the commands of Allah swt and abide by our prophet's (pbuh) sunnah?

While returning back from Niagara on the second day our bus halted at an Asian Buffet Restaurant which was a Chinese food outlet, since i had no food with me packed because of the two day trip, i had to enter the restaurant to look out for the food items because am very very conscious about the ingredients first, for example halal meat, gluten free, no alcohol, no gelatin etc, the basic things that Muslims usually cross check before eating. The restaurant i entered had bottles of alcohol which didn't go well with me, upon entering i saw the menu and ordered a vegetable fried rice because i had no option and i had to continue traveling for another 6 hours.

The manager of the restaurant was a beautiful old Chinese lady who suggested me to have a look at the buffet and decide and may be i would like it, i was hesitant she pressurized me saying they offer a lot of deserts and sea-food. To keep the old ladies request i entered the buffet area wherein i saw numerous deserts, salads and i must admit i felt more hungry than ever looking at all the beautiful garnished delicacies what hit me hard was the sight of these items chicken, beef, pork all lined up side by side, looking at this my throat dried up i no longer wanted to even look at the food. I came outside the buffet area and asked the lady to please send me my order at the restaurant area.

I had broccoli and peas fried rice hesitantly because i had to survive and went on to board the bus and sat next to my Muslimah friend, i asked her if she is done with her lunch and she excitedly answered Yes! I ate a lot today! What a beautiful restaurant (I looked at her with a pause) she went ahead and said i had beef, i had chicken, i had the best shrimps ever and i had salmon fish (It's hard for me to forget this talk that i had) I took a deep breathe and asked her "Did you check if it is Halal? There was pork next to beef" pat came the reply "Pata nahi yaar, khaana accha tha bass" (Meaning: I dunno friend but the food was good) I closed my eyes and i felt sad on this part such warm lady such a good soul "Doesn't it make any difference for her?" When Allah swt says:

"O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah . But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." -Surat Baqarah: 172-173

Then i wanted to explain her but she was not keen to listen because when i started saying she cut me off saying "Even my mother practices Islam she asks me to read Namaz, am like the Shaytaan who keeps ignoring" and i must admit the Hijabi Mother also had her lunch there, couldn't she stop her child from doing something wrong? Against the teachings of Islam?

And why should you not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled. And indeed do many lead [others] astray through their [own] inclinations without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord - He is most knowing of the transgressors. -Surat Al-An'am: 119

I had no words to say about this whole incident because somewhere my Muslimah friend knew that she was wrong but i continued to be busy with reading my book and looking at the beautiful nature outside, that is when i decided i am going to take this issue seriously and address it on my twitter handle, today i have a weekend and i sat down to pen this entire story about how the youth of today are being so careless and so carefree about some serious commands of Allah swt.

And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah ; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful. -Surat Al-Hajj: 36

I would end up this post writing "Eat Halal no matter how tough, be Halal no matter how hard"

May Allah swt guide the youth of today including me and you to follow the teachings of Islam in a righteous way, May Allah swt fill our hearts with fear about the day of resurrection where everything we did in this world would be taken to account, May Allah swt keep us firm on our religion following His commands and the acts of our prophet (pbuh). May Allah swt feed us Halal food and make us concious about the difference between Halal and Haraam. Aameen birehmatika ya'arhamarahimeen.

JazakaAllahu Khayr...

Insult in Islam

As-salaamun alaykum varh beautiful people...

 
Its been a long long time i have written or even scribbled something, off late a happy nomad am i? Eeehh yeah sort of... so globe trotting, work, hectic schedules! Today it was something that whispered to me!!! Hey Happy Soul, haven't you left something behind? and Yep, "It was the rustling of leaves on a windy autumn day" this beautiful feel wanted to get the rush of all the neurons in my brain suddenly UP!!! It was telling me something, and yes i definitely knew it was my passion 'writing'... i decided that i am going to start writing again...

Life has its own shares of highs and lows, some situations make us and some situations break us, sometimes we cheer and jump with joy on a simple conversation and sometimes a small conversation can be depressing and the whole day no matter how hard we try to keep ourselves occupied but the neurons rush back with a huge gush reminding us the conversation that was a depressing one. Perhaps the matters of heart shouldn't be taken to brain, but all it happens is they just go straight to the brain.

What are these conversations that let us down? I personally feel "Insult" of an individual is the most depressing one...

Let us question ourselves?

"Wouldn't we like others to treat us kindly? Yeah you read it right, everyone on this earth would like the way you’d like to be treated.


About being rude and harsh, Allah swt says "So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]." -Surat Al-Imran: 159

Kindness is the language which the blind can see and the deaf can hear.

Be wary of arrogance. Only the humble can get close to the Almighty and realize that they’re nothing without Him. The minute arrogance takes root in your heart, a barrier forms. A barrier between you & your Creator. Humble yourself for Him and He will raise you.

Allah swt says "Descend from Paradise, for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out; indeed, you are of the debased." -Surat Al-Ar'af: 13
Be humble always. Don’t let arrogance creep into your heart. Respect people around you. Each day, try to make an impact on people who cross your path. Try to be a source of inspiration to others. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.

Some judge others because it gives them a sense of prestige; demeaning others can also create a false sense of security. Remember, people are all different. No two persons are completely alike. Accept these differences & stop judging others. It’s a hurtful & sinful act.

Allah swt clearly mentions "O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers." -Surat Al-Hujurat: 11


Let's fear Allah swt before insulting or throwing insult at our fellow human beings. Islam has always taught us peace, Islam has always taught us patience, persistence, kindness, generosity and much more. Today let's humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness, let's take out time for gratitude that our beautiful religion has taught us.

To Allah, we belong to Him we return, let's be remembered for the beautiful words, beautiful doings and all the good things we did. let's not be remembered otherwise.

My whatsup display picture has this beautiful quote by Imam Al-Ghazali (R) wherein he says: 

"Each of your breathe is a priceless jewel, since each of them is irreplaceable and once gone can never be retrieved. Do not be like the deceived fools who are joyous because each day their wealth increases while their life shortens. What good is an increase in wealth when life grows even shorter? Therefore be joyous only for an increase in knowledge or in good work, for they are your two companions who will accompany you in your grave when your family, wealth, children and friends stay behind"

Jazakumullahu Khayral Jaza...

Lets know this... How Camel's Meat Invalidates (breaks) Wudu...

Camel meat is Halaal in Islam; Even its urine is considered taahir (pure) in Islam, It was stated in a hadith A few people came to Madinah and fell sick. The Prophet (pbuh) told them to drink the milk and urine of camels, and they recovered and grew fat. In the story it also says that they apostatized and killed the camel-herder, and then the Muslims caught them and executed them.  Sahih Al-Bukhaari: 2855 Sahih Muslim: 1671


Camel’s urine is used in the treatment of various skin diseases such as ringworm, tinea and abscesses, sores that may appear on the body and hair, dry and wet ulcers. Camel’s milk is also beneficial in treating hepatitis, even if it has reached an advanced stage where medicine is unable to treat it. -Al-Dawah Magazine: Issue No: 1938, 25 Safar 1425 AH

There was this incidence that happened once, while our beloved Prophet (pbuh) was addressing people one day, one of them emitted an odour, the person was too shy to get up from the place and make wudu, hence the Prophet (pbuh) understood and tried to cover him up and said “Whoever eats camel meat should make wudu” A group of people hence left to make wudu and come back, This incidence has a point where the Prophet (pbuh), making wudu after eating camels meat is because,  Camels meat is considered to be too warm for the human body, and eating it nullifies wudu as a person seems to emit odour often once camel meat is having had.

Some scholar’s do not agree on this incidence as they donot find the hadith to strongly support, but then there is an authentic hadith by Jabir wherein he states:

The Prophet (pbuh) was asked, “Should I do wudu after eating camel meat?” He said, “Yes.” The person said: “Should I do wudu after eating mutton?” He said, “If you wish.” -Sahih Muslim: 360

There is also another hadith according to which some scholars consider the former hadith as daleel, wherein Jabir states: The last of the two commands from the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was that there was no need to do wudoo’ after eating food that had been touched by fire.   -Abu Dawood:192; An-Nisaai:185

But there is no hadith specifically stating that says that one’s wudu doesn’t invalidate after eating Camel’s meat. And there is no hadith which states that the former hadith became abrogated. The hadith about doing wudu after eating camel meat is specific and a specific ruling takes precedence over a general one. -Sharh Muslim: 4/49

So, once anyone has had eaten camel’s meat he should re-perform his wudu if he/she was in a state of wudu, if he isn’t in a state of wudu he/she should perform wudu before starting prayer.

In Surat Al-Ghaashiyah verse 17 Allah calls upon us to ponder the creation of the camel, when He says: “Do they not look at the camels, how they are created?” When eating its meat invalidates wudu, there is a specific reason why prophet (pbuh) asked to perform wudu after eating Camel’s meat and Allah knows the best.

The matters which are specific, Qiyas* cannot be applied to them. And Allah knows best.

JaakaAllahu Khayrahn...

 Qiyas: When it comes to legal rulings, judges are permitted to use analogy and reasoning to decide new case laws found upon the evidence of the Qur’an, the Sunnah and Ijma.
An example of today’s harmful effects of tobacco, the scholars have unanimously agreed that tobacco is haraam, as in the verse Allah swt states:
“for he(prophet) commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure) -Surat Ar’af: 157

The Year of Sorrow of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and The Lessons of Life we get to learn...

The Year of Sorrow was the most painful year in Prophet’s life, A siege that he and his fellow muslims recovered from, the after effects of the boycott took away two precious lives, he lost his faithful friend of 40 years and a beloved wife of 25 years, his biggest support, after the loss how he remained subtle, but did not give up the mission to accomplish, his faith in Allah swt, the unshakable belief, trust, and how Allah swt helped him accomplish his mission no matter how hard situations he faced, the revelation to him and the lessons we learn from every incident that happened to him, his Patience and forbearance is for his Ummah to learn and to Allah is our final return.

The Year of Saddness:

It was in 619 CE, the 10th year of Prophethood, Abu Talib, Prophet’s care-taker and uncle who stood by him like a protecting shield –the prop of his childhood, the guardian of his youth and in the later life a very tower of Muhammad’s defence, For 40 years Abu Talib had been Prophet’s most faithful friend.

Abu Talib had suffered greatly because of the boycott by the Makkans over Prophet (pbuh) and his companions. When the boycott ended, Abu Talib was feeble and very old by now and the boycott had badly affected his health, Muslims showed great respect towards this generous man who infact had great respect towards Prophet(pbuh)  and the Muslims.

Although he did not convert to Islam even on his death bed, even till the end the Prophet requested him to accept Shahadah, but on the interruption of Abu Jahal warning Abu Talib not to leave the religion of Abdul Mutallib, Despite Muhammad’s efforts and his love for his uncle but Abu Talib died as a non-muslim. The prophet was saddened and grieved the death of this faithful friend of 40 years, he made dua for him and asked Allah to forgive him, He continued asking for forgiveness until Allah commanded him not to do so, when the verse was revealed,

” It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.” -Surat At-Tawbah: 113

Just two months later, the most beloved companion, a loving wife who stood by our prophet (pbuh), supported him, believed in him and the mother of his children Khadijah (RA) passed away, She was 65 and Prophet (pbuh) was 50 years old.

The loss of the Mother of the believers was one of the biggest losses of his life, for 25 years of his life had shared the toils and trials of life, especially the first few years of prophethood. He remained in seclusion and deeply mourned her death, When he spoke about her, he always had great love and respect towards her and once he had replied:

Once the Prophet (pbuh) mentioned Khadija near Aisha, Aisha responded: "She was not but a such and such of an old lady and Allah replaced her with a better one for you." He replied: "Indeed Allah did not grant me better than her; she accepted me when people rejected me, she believed in me when people doubted me, she shared her wealth with me when people deprived me, and Allah granted me children only through her.

As a result, he lost the two dearest people to him one after the other, they died at a critical stage immediately after the siege and when the Quraysh wanted to kill him.

The Attitude of the Prophet (pbuh) we learnt after these greatest losses:

1. Though the time was hard and grieving for him, he put his trust in Allah swt, it was a time when Prophet had no one else but Allah when He revealed the following verses:

“And rely upon the Ever-Living who does not die, and exalt [Allah ] with His praise. And sufficient is He to be, with the sins of His servants, Acquainted” -Surat Al-Furqan: 58

“So rely upon Allah; indeed, you are upon the clear truth.” –Surat An-Naml: 79

2. The losses in his life happened for a reason such that no one would claim that Islam succeeded due to the help of any particular person, rather it succeeded due to the protection of Allah swt.

3. No matter how grief-stricken our Prophet (pbuh) was he continued his mission and he invited Makkans towards Islam, though their response was hostile, Prophet (pbuh) continued to preserve his mission and faced these challenges with Patience.

Prophet’s journey to Taif:

There were these two verses revealed that kept Muhammad’s confidence going, When Allah said,

“And be patient, [O Muhammad], for the decision of your Lord, for indeed, you are in Our eyes. And exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord when you arise. –Surat At-Tur:48

[He is] the Lord of the East and the West; there is no deity except Him, so take Him as Disposer of [your] affairs.” –Surat Al-Muzammil: 9

Inspite of his sorrow our Prophet (pbuh) never gave up, he thought of spreading the message of Islam to a place called Taif which was more fertile and about 60kms from Makkah, He set out on a journey to Taif with his freed slave Zayd. He spent around 10 days in Taif, he spoke to the people of Taif but they bluntly disagreed, he even spoke to the nobles there, but he was mocked and insulted but he continued his mission. Some tried to chase him away, they threw stones and in one accident Zayd trying to defend got a stone hit to him and had his head injured badly, blood was flowing wounds that ran down his legs.

When they had travelled at a short distance they rested against one of the walls of a vineyard, A few Makkans recognized Muhammad (pbuh) took pity on him and sent some grapes through a servant Addas, The Prophet (pbuh) thanked Addas and ate the grapes saying Bismillah (In the name of Allah) Addas was impressed with these words, as the people of that land did not generally use them, The prophet (pbuh) inquired of Addas and got to know that Addas was from Ninevah, prophet (pbuh) replied, You belong to the city of Yunus? Addas surprisingle asks how do you know Yunus, Prophet (pbuh) replied he is my brother for the Prophets are but brothers. Addas kissed his hands before they departed.

Heart broken and depressed Muhammad (pbuh) set the way back to Makkah, Though Allah sent angel Gabriel with the angel of mountains and asked Muhammad’s permission to bury Makkah, Muhammad replied with a No, Instead asked Allah to give deviants the hidayath to worship Allah Alone ascribing no partners to Him. During Prophet’s stay there, Allah sent him a company of jinns who listened to him, reciting the Qur’an.

The Attitude of the Prophet (pbuh) and the lessons learnt from Prophet’s journey to Taif:

1. This incident is a magnanimous example of what a generous and loving nature Prophet (pbuh) possessed with him, despite being hurt deeply by the people he wasn’t angry with their ill-treatment instead he asked Allah to guide them.

2. Every Prophet is put on test, a word to the generation today who fear failure and give up easily on things, Its always Prophet’s example, Fail that you can succeed, Put your trust in Allah, he is the best disposer of all affairs, do not stand still, keep trying until you accomplish your mission.

3. Allah swt always has better plans:

a) The prophet (pbuh) targeted humans, but Allah wanted the jinn

b) The prophet (pbuh) targeted the nobles of taif, but Allah wanted the young servant Addas.

c) The prophet (pbuh) targeted the people of At-Taif, and Allah swt wanted the people of Madinah.

4. Prophet always looked for Allah’s happiness in what he did, he had no regrets on his journey to Taif as long as Allah wasn’t angry with him, for the youth of today, do not do anything that would displease Allah swt.

5. Prophet (pbuh) said: “Pray as you have seen me praying” –Sahih Bukhari, Vol 1: Hadith: 604, Turn to Allah always, its not we turn to Allah at the time of tests and trials, Always thank Allah swt for what He has blessed you with. Be content and happy for everything Allah has blessed you with.

Lessons of Life we (the Ummah) get to learn:

1. In our day to day life, we come across ups and downs, some make us and some break us, but never let any situation or circumstance completely break us, in any situation always remember the patience, the forbearance of the Prophet (pbuh) and the verses of the Qur’an where Allah is our only trust, our faith should be Unshakable.

2. Everything in life happens for a reason and only Allah swt the best of the planners knows the reason behind them, Lets all bear with patience whatever befalls us for Allah is the best of all the planners, and He is with those who put their trust in Him.

3. Be patient no matter what, and encourage others to be patient, Fear Allah so that you may succeed.

4. Show mercy towards the fellow human-beings such that Allah will have mercy upon you.

5. How Muhammad’s companions stood with him as pillars of strength, faced the hardships, boycott, siege and battles for Islam, Leadership should be respected in Islam.

6. When we read all the efforts the Prophet put in for Islam, lets question ourselves, what did we do till today? Are we doing something for Islam? Have we ever sacrificed anything in our lives for Islam? What is our message in this life? Instead of crying and cribbing at the number of stones the disbelievers pelted at him, he raised his hands in Du’a, this is an example to turn to Allah swt no matter how unbearable things are, no matter who comes in and goes away from our lives, to Allah is our final return.

JazakaAllahu Khayrahn...

 

Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab - What a scholar he was but portrayed so wrongly! Wake up people before you end up being judgemental...

After Prophet’s death, Islam was a majority religion by 18th century, this Era had Islam surrounded with corrupt practices like new innovations, Practices of Biddah, polytheism (shirk) was in large, invoking dead saints and prophets had become an ancestral tradition, During this period, i.e., 1115 A.H. In a small village called Uyaiyna, in Najd the central Arabia, in the family of Tameem, there was this birth of a smart, outspoken, religious scholar who changed the revolution of this corruption that happened in Islam.

Born into a family of religious prestige of scholars and jurists, this perhaps laid down an amicable foundation for Ibn Abdul Wahab, for his future advances in learning and dedication in faith. According to a few sources of literature we also learn that unlike other children Ibn Abdul Wahab wasn’t interested spending time in playing, He memorized Qur’an at the early age of 10 years. At the age of 12 his father found him qualified for the position of Imam and appointed him as an Imam. His father also got him married and gave him the permission to perform Hajj.

During his trip to Hajj he went to Madinah and stayed for 2 months, he had great interest in the study of Qur’anic Tafseer and Tauheed (Monotheism) , Because of his keen interest he was drawn towards the teachings of the two great scholars of Islam, Ibn Taimiyah and Ibn Al-Qayyim. He started writing books having being inspired by these two great scholars.

The study of Tauheed and Quranic Tafseer made him realize that the practices that were going on in the Muslim world were not according to the Qur’an and Sunnah. However he was too young to openly react to these practices and term them unislamic. He chose to increase his knowledge first and set out on travel, to attain knowledge.

Whilst travelling he got to study the different areas, the different practices and how people were blindly cocooned in following customs over Islam and had strayed away from the path of Muhammad’s teachings.

He set out to Hijaz for his studies, where he witnessed an academic environment unlike the one in Uyaiyna where only the study of Hanbali fiqh was available, there were scholars from different fiqh schools from across the world in Hijaz. Ibn Abdul Wahab studied under many scholars in Madinah, but he was close to two scholars, Abdullah Ibn Ibraheem Ibn Saif and Muhammad Hayaat Al-Sindhi, Infact Al-Sindhi had the greatest impact on Ibn Abdul Wahab, Both the scholars not only taught him but also set him on his path as a reformer.

His first scholar Abdullah was from Hanbali school of Fiqh, he had a fair idea of the practices of the people of najd, and often had it discussed with ibn Abdul Wahab, It was one day when Abdullah asked Ibn Abdul Wahab if he wanted to see the weapons he possessed for the people of Najd? Ibn Wahab replied in the affirmative and Abdullah took ibn Wahab to a house which had lots of books stored, and he said “These are the weapons” The people had strayed from Tauheed and they needed these weapons to get them back on the path of Tauheed.

A message comes out clear here: The strongest tool against the evil practices is true knowledge.
Ibn Abdul Wahab spent sometime with his second scholar Al-Sindhi who was a great scholar of Hadith in Hijaz, Al-Sindhi opposed innovations, polytheistic practices and called on Ijtehaad.  Once Ibn Wahab saw people supplicating and seeking refuge at the tomb of Prophet (pbuh) he asked Al-Sindhi as to what they were doing, Al-Sindhi replied: “[Moses added:] "Verily, these people will be destroyed for that which they are engaged in (idols-worship). And all that they are doing is in vain." –Surat Ar’af: 139

After having studies in Hijaz, he returned to Uyainah, he was in his mid-twenties when he was still not in a position to influence people and eradicate evil practices. He stayed in Uyainah for a year and set out to Damascus, the center for Hanbali fiqh and on the way reached Basra, the Shiite home. He saw different practices happening in Basra, he was exposed to more polytheistic practices, Infact during his stay in Basra he wrote his book “Kitab Al-Tauheed” He had a teacher by name Al-Majmoo’ee who supported him, and the arguments with the deviant sects got heated at times.

Many of the people in Basra did not like Ibn Wahab, but then he always said, All forms of worship should be directed to Allah Alone. He stayed in Basra for a long time and did not fear anyone except that he believed in the fear of Allah. This gave him the confidence to speak out and repel the doubts of the questioners. He returned to Najd after a long 25 years having travelled vastly across the Arabian Peninsula in search of knowledge.

He reached a place Huraimila in Najd where he started Public Dawah, He began to give out lectures in Mosque on Quran, Hadith and Fiqh, From the beginning he started objecting the innovative and polytheistic practices and people attended his lectures in large numbers. He revised his book “Kitab Al-Tauheed” here, With the death of his father, Ibn Abdul Wahab became a well known scholar at the age of 38.

There was a time when people of Uyayinah sought blessings from trees and bushes in the area. And there was a grave in their area, the grave of Zaid ibn-Al-Khattab who died fighting Musailamah, People went there to seek blessings and slaughterd animals there, within a short period of time Ibn Wahab removed these polytheistic practices. Initially the Ameer Muammar supported him but when warned by the neighboring Ameer Ibn Wahab was expelled out of Uyayinah.

Upon his expulsion from Uyiyanah he was invited by Muhammad bin Saud to settle in Diriyah, Both Saud and Ibn Wahab came into an agreement to get the Arabs back to the principles of Islam. When Saud declared: "This oasis is yours, do not fear your enemies. By the name of God, if all Nejd was summoned to throw you out, we will never agree to expel you." -Madawi al-Rasheed, A History of Saudi Arabia: 16 then Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab replied to him:"You are the settlement's chief and wise man. I want you to grant me an oath that you will perform jihad (Struggle to spread Islam) against the unbelievers. In return you will be imam, leader of the Muslim community and I will be leader in religious matters.” -Madawi al-Rasheed, A History of Saudi Arabia: 16

This agreement was confirmed by a mutual oath, Ibn Wahab agreed to handle the religious matters and Saud agreed to handle the political and military matters, this agreement has remained intact for the last 300 years and on.

Ibn Saud conquered Najd, and began the Salafi influence, eradicating the Shiite practices and propagating the practices of Ibn Abul Wahab this led them establish their first Saudi state. Thus, bringing a revolution in getting back the true principles of Islam, The principles and doctorines that our Prophet (pbuh) taught us, his companions practised and preached the Ummah of the Last Messenger of Allah, Lets together salute this legendary scholar Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab for his timeless efforts in reviving back the sahih teachings of Islam in the Holy Lands of Makkah and Madinah, Allahu Alhamdulilah.

May Allah swt grant him the highest ranks in Paradise, Aameen. May Allah swt prevent Ummatul-Muslimeen from deviating from the true practices of Islam, May Allah swt unite the Ummah on Tawheed, help us all in shedding our differences and get back together as we all together share the Shahadah, May Allah swt prevent people from being judgemental about others, passing judgements about scholars without having knowledge about anything! May Allah swt grant the polytheists the realisation of their sins and make them firm on Tawheed, Aameen summa Aameen Birehmatika Ya'arhamar-rahimeen...

JazakaAllahu Khayrahn!