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Kissing Qu'ran

ummhussain — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:25:56 +0000

Asalam alaikum warahmatullah

Shaykh Muhammed Naasiruddeen al-Albani
Source: "Kayfa yajibu 'alaynaa an Nufassir al-Qur'aan" (pg. 28-34)
Produced by: Al-Ibaanah.com
From the upcoming E-Book "How are we Obligated to Interpret the Qur'aan" of Imaam Al-Albaanee, rahimahullaah, being a translation of the booklet "Kayfa yajibu 'alaynaa an Nufassir al-Qur'aan."
Question: What is the ruling on kissing the Qur’aan?
Answer: According to our beliefs, this act falls into the general meaning of certain ahaadeeth (forbidding innovations), such as the Prophet’s (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) statement: “Beware of newly invented matters for indeed every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is a misguidance.” [1] And in one narration of the hadeeth, it states: “And every misguidance is in the Hellfire.” [2]
Many people hold a certain position with regard to this issue, saying: “What’s wrong with that? It’s only a way of showing our love and respect for this noble Qur’aan.” So we say to them: Yes, that’s true. This only shows one’s love and respect for the noble Qur’aan. However, was this form of respect hidden from the first generation, which consisted of the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger? And likewise was it unknown to those who succeeded the Companions (Taabi’een), as well as their successors (Atbaa’ at-Taabi’een) who came after them? No doubt the answer will be as the scholars amongst the Salaf used to say: “If it were good, they would have preceded us in (doing) it.”
This is one perspective. As for another perspective then we must ask the question: What is the foundation with regard to kissing something – that it is permissible or forbidden?
This requires us to mention the hadeeth reported by the two Shaikhs (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim) in their Saheeh collection, to remind those who wish to remember, and to make it known how far the Muslims are today from their righteous predecessors, their understanding and their methods used to resolve matters that occurred to them.
The hadeeth I’m referring to is the one reported by ‘Abbaas bin Rabee’ah who narrated: “I saw ‘Umar bin Al-Khattaab (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) kissing the (Black) Stone and saying: ‘I know that you are just a stone and that you can’t cause harm or bring benefit. So if it weren’t that I saw the Messenger of Allaah kissing you, I would not have kissed you.’”
What is the meaning of these words from Al-Faarooq: “If it weren’t that I saw the Messenger of Allaah kissing you, I would not have kissed you?!” [3]
So why then did ‘Umar kiss the Black Stone, which as is stated in the authentic hadeeth: “The Black Stone is from Paradise?” [4]
Did he kiss it based on some logical reasoning that came from him, like that made by those who this question is about, who use their logic on this issue, saying: “This is the Speech of Allaah, and we will kiss it?”
Did ‘Umar say: “This stone is a relic from Paradise, which was promised to those who obey Allaah, so I will kiss it – I don’t need any text from Allaah’s Messenger to show me that it is legislated (in the Religion) to kiss it?!” Or did he treat this “trivial” matter, as some people nowadays want to say, with the slogan that we invite to, which we call the Salafee slogan - which is sincerely following only the Messenger and those who abide by his Sunnah until the Day of Judgement? This was the stance of ‘Umar (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), such that he said: “If it weren’t that I saw the Messenger of Allaah kissing you, I would not have kissed you?!”
So the foundation with regard to this type of kissing is that we treat it based on the past Sunnah, not that we pass judgement on matters based on our whims, as we indicated earlier, such that we say (for example): “This is something good, so what’s wrong with it?!”
Recall with me what the (first) reaction of Zayd bin Thaabit (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) was when Abu Bakr and ‘Umar presented him with the task of compiling the Qur’aan in order to protect it from being lost. He (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) told them: “How can you do something that the Messenger of Allaah didn’t do?” [5]
But the Muslims of today do not have this kind of understanding at all.
If it is said to the one who kisses the mus-haf: “How can you do something that Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) didn’t do?” He will counter you with many strange answers, such as: “My brother, what’s wrong with that?! I’m only showing respect for the Qur’aan!” So tell him: “My brother, these words fall back on you! Are you saying the Messenger of Allaah didn’t used to show respect to the Qur’aan?!” There is no doubt that the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to respect the Qur’aan, but in spite of this, he wouldn’t kiss it.
Or they may argue: “You forbid us from kissing the Qur’aan, yet look at you, you ride in cars and travel by plane. And these things are innovations!” The refutation of this is based on what you heard previously – that the innovation that is misguidance is only that which occurs with regard to the Religion.
As for those innovations that occur with regard to worldly matters, then as we stated previously, they may at times be permissible and at times be prohibited, and so on. This is something that is well known, and needs no examples.
So a person that rides aboard a plane in order to travel to the Sacred House so that he can make pilgrimage (Hajj), there is no doubt that this is permissible. And a person that rides on board a plane in order to travel to the west to make pilgrimage there, there is no doubt this is a sin, and so on and so forth.
As for maters related to worship, for which if someone is asked about it: “Why do you do it(?)”, his reply is: “To get close to Allaah!”
I say: There is no way to get closer to Allaah except by that which Allaah legislated and prescribed. However, I would like to remind you about something which, in my opinion, is very important for strengthening and supporting this principle “Every innovation is a misguidance” – there being no room for my intellect to consent with it at all.
Some of the Salaf used to say: “No innovation is introduced except that a Sunnah is caused to die.”
I take this fact to heart as if I can feel it with my hand, due to my constant scrutinization of matters to see if the are innovations, and if they contradict what the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) brought,
When the true people of knowledge and virtue take hold of the Qur’aan in order to recite from it, you do not see them kissing it. Rather, they only act in accordance to what is in it. But as for the common people, who have not set of rules or guidelines to curb their emotions, then they say: “What’s wrong with that?” But yet they don’t act in accordance to what is found in it (from laws and rulings)!
So we say: “No innovation is introduced except that a Sunnah is caused to die.”
There is another innovation similar to this one. We see some people – even the vile sinners amongst them who only have a small portion of Faith left in their hearts – who when they hear the Mu’adhin calling to prayer, they stand up! And when you ask them: “Why are you standing up?” They reply: “Out of respect for Allaah!!” But yet, they don’t even go to the masaajid! They spend their time playing chess and backgammon and so on. And yet, they believe they are showing respect to their Lord by standing up like this. Where did this form of standing come from?? Naturally, it came from a fabricated hadeeth that has no source to it, which is: “When you hear the Adhaan (call to prayer), then stand up.” [6]
There is no source for this hadeeth. Rather, it came by way of a distortion (of an authentic hadeeth) by some weak narrators and liars, who reported “Stand” (qoomoo) instead of “Say” (qooloo), whilst at the same time abridging the authentic hadeeth: “When you hear the Adhaan, then say (qooloo) just as he says. Then send Salaat upon me…” [7]
So look at how the Devil beautifies innovations to people, such that they feel content with themselves that they are believers who respect the rites of Allaah – the proof for this being: when they take the mus-haf, they kiss it, and when they hear the Adhaan, they stand up!!
But does he act upon the Qur’aan? He doesn’t act upon the Qur’aan! So, for example, he may pray, but does he avoid delving into prohibitions? Does he avoid taking interest or giving it? Does he avoid spreading amongst the people the means that will increase them in their disobedience to Allaah? Does he…Does he…, and so on and so forth?? These questions may never end. This is why we stop and suffice with that which Allaah has legislated for us from acts of obedience and worship without adding one single letter to that. This is since the matter is as the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “I have not left behind anything that Allaah commanded you with except that I ordered you to do it.”
So this thing that you do, will it bring you closer to Allaah? If the answer is yes, then bring a text from Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) concerning that. Their answer will be: “There is no text for that.” So therefore, it is an innovation, and every innovation is a misguidance and every misguidance is in the Hellfire.
No one should find difficulty with this issue saying: “This is a minor issue, but yet in spite of that, it’s a misguidance that will take the one who does it to the Hellfire??”
Imaam Ash-Shaatibee responded to the likes of this question, saying: “Every innovation, no matter how small it may be, is misguidance.”
One should not look at this ruling – in the fact that it’s misguidance – to the innovation itself. Rather, one should look at this ruling to the place in which this innovation has been newly introduced into. What is this place? The place I am referring to is the Legislation of Islaam, which is perfect and complete. So it is not proper for anyone to try to “amend it” by introducing an innovation into it, whether big or small. This is where the “misguidance” of innovations comes from. The misguidance doesn’t come from just him introducing the innovation into Islaam, but rather because of the fact that he is giving (himself) the ability to amend the Legislation (of Islaam), above that of our Lord and above our Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).

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Footnotes:
[1] Saheeh At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (1/92/34)
[2] Salaat at-Taraaweeh (pg. 75)
[3] Saheeh At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (1/94/41)
[4] Saheeh al-Jaami’-us-Sagheer (3174)
[5] Translator’s Note: Refer to Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree (Eng.) (vol. 6, hadeeth no. 201). Zayd bin Thaabit (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) was one of those who used to write down the revelation for the Prophet.
[6] Silsilat-ul-Ahaadeeth ad-Da’eefah (711)
[7] Saheeh Muslim (384)

Hereafter is so near and yet knowingly many of ignore it.....Allaahul Musta'an

rahindr — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:46:17 +0000

Assalamualaikum.

This article is from one of my friend and I share all of you sister. its just a reminder.

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem.

This piece of saying was a great reminder for myself and so I thought of sharing with all here iinshaaAllaah.
Many of us who have been guided by Allaah subhaanahu wa ta'aala Alhamdulillah, at times become lazy by the instigation of our own nafs and also shaytan...and thus at times waste time and lost the focus of the hereafter, yet it is so important to us to always keep in our minds how close the hereafter is and so very soon we have to depart to meet our Lord, may Allaah have mercy on all of us and forgive us,ameen.

Khâlid b. ‘Umayr Al-’Adawî reports, ‘Utbah b. Ghazwân – Allâh be pleased with him – once gave us a sermon. He praised Allâh, then said:

The life of this world has announced its departure and is quickly turning away, and nothing remains of it save the likes of the last drop of water in a vessel as its possessor tries to catch it.
You are moving on to an abode that has no end, so move on with the best [deeds] that you have. For it has been said to us that a rock can be dropped from the edge of Hell and fall for seventy years without reaching the bottom.
Yet, by Allâh, it will be filled. Do you not then wonder? And it has been said to us that a single entrance to Paradise is as wide as a journey of forty years, yet there will come a day when it will be crowded.

I have seen myself as the seventh of seven [followers of] Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him; we had no food save the leaves of trees which put sores round our mouths. I once got a cloak which I tore in half to share with Sa’d b. Mâlik: I used half as my waist-wrap and he used the other. And yet today, there is not one of us except he has become a governor over some city – and I seek refuge with Allâh that I consider myself great and important when I am small in front of Allâh. Verily there was never prophet-hood except that it gradually changed until it ended up being a kingship, and verily you will see what the governors after us are like.
Sahîh Muslim no. 7624

A Meeting With Allah...

Binth Mohammed Anwar — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:06:56 +0000

Excellent one ! Must Watch !!
Masha’Allah this was a pretty moving video on the People of Paradise meeting with Allah. The text mentioned in the video is from Ibn al Qayyim’s Haadi al-Arwaah ilaa Bilaad il-Afraah. The text is slightly different than in the book but majority of it is the same.

Umm Salaamah ... Sisters please listen ... absolutely beautiful!!!!!

Aisha Luna — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:26:00 +0000

In the name of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

Please check sunnahfollowers.net great site to gain ilm

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The Seven Under the Shade of ALLAH SUBHANA WA TA'ALAA

Aisha Luna — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:21:08 +0000

Bismilahir Rahmanir Rahim

The Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam said:
There are seven whom Allaah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade:

a just ruler;

a youth who grew up in the worship of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic;

a man whose heart is attached to the mosques;

two who love each other for Allaah's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that;

a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but be says: 'I fear Allaah',

a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity;

and a man who remembered Allaah in private and so his eyes shed tears.' Narrated by Abu Hurairah & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (english trans.) vol.1, p.356, no.629 & Saheeh Muslim (english trans.) vol.2, p.493, no.2248

In this beautiful Hadeeth, the Prophet salallah alaihe wasallam spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a huge reward: shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade [1].
This may not seem like much at first but then reflect upon the following Hadeeth:
'On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left a distance of only one mile. The people will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist and some would have the bridle of perspiration and, while saying this, the Messenger of Allaah put his hand towards his mouth.' Narrated by al Miqdaad ibn Aswad & collected in Saheeh Muslim (eng. trans) vol.4, p.1487-8, no. 6852}.

And in another Hadeeth, some will be submerged in sweat 'seventy arm-lengths in the earth.' Narrated by Abu Hurairah and collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (eng. trans.) vol.8, p.353, no.539) and Muslim (eng. trans.) vol.4, p.l487, no.6851
So who would want more then, on this Day, than to be under the Shade and protection of Allaah Azza wa Jal

Let us examine now the characteristics and virtues of these seven categories of people who will be worthy of such an exalted position on the Day of Gathering.

1. 'A Just Ruler...'
The concept of Justice in Islaam is very important and it is something which the Muslim - Ruler and the ruled - must apply in all matters without exception. Justice means to give each the right he deserves: Muslim or non-Muslim, relative or stranger, friend or enemy. Allaah says: '...And do not let hatred cause you to act unjustly, that is nearer to piety [Soorah al-Maa'idah (5):8].

Unfortunately, even if we admit this in theory, we quickly forget it in practice. So we find that when we speak about our friends and loved ones, we praise them beyond reason and when we speak about those whom we hold difference with, we can find no good in them and we just capitalise on their bad points. This is far removed from the justice which Allaah loves and gives great reward for, as mentioned in the following Hadeeth: 'The doers of justice will be on thrones of light at Allaah's Right Hand - and both of Allaah's Hands are Right Hands" - those who were just in their Ruling, with their families and in all that over which they were given authority [2].
The Prophet assigning to Abdullah ibn Mas'ud the open spaces in Medina between the dwellings and palm gardens of the Ansar, and when the Banu Abd ibn Zuhrah said, "Remove from us the son of Umm Abd (Ibn Mas'ud)," replying, "Why then did Allah send me. Allah does not bless a people among whom a weak man is not given his right." Baghawi transmitted it in Sharh as-Sunnah. Sunan at-Tirmidhi no.3003
The concept of justice is most important for the Ruler, since he is in charge of his people and the primary disposer of justice in the land. For this reason, the Ruler is given special mention as one of the seven who will be honoured with Allaah's Shade.

2 'A youth who grew up in the worship of Allaah...'
The great scholar, Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyaanee (d.131H) said, 'From the success of a youth is that Allaah guides him to a scholar of the Sunnah.' Hasan - Reported in Sharh Usoolis-Sunnah of al-Laalikaa'ee (no.30).
Indeed, it is a great blessing from Allaah for a youth h be guided towards worship and be befriended by the righteous, since it is in youth that a person is most vulnerable to the temptations of life and liable to drift away from the Islaamic Path. This becomes apparent when we look at society around us and we see that most of the worldly distractions, such as music, games, clubs, fashion etc. are all specifically targeted at the young. 'You're only young once!' they are told, which is why many Muslims nowadays waste their youth thinking that they will pray, wear hijaab and go on Hajj, etc. when they are old, as if they have a guarantee of longevity from Allaah! How well we would do to heed the Prophet's advice when he said: 'Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied and your life before your death.' Saheeh - Narrated by Ibn Abbaas & collected in al-Haakim & others. Authenticated by Shaykh 'Alee ibn 'Abdul Hameed in Forty Hadeeth of the Call and the Caller.

3. 'A man whose heart is attached to the mosques...'
There is great encouragement in the Sunnah for men to pray in the mosques and the reward associated with it is tremendous [3]. Not only does it make the person eligible for Allaah's Shade on the day of Judgement, but, 'he does not take a step [towards the mosque except that because of it, he is raised by one rank and one sin is removed from him. Then when he prays, the Angels do not cease supplicating for him [for] as long as he remains at his place of Prayer [sayings]: O Allaah send blessings upon him, O Allaah have mercy upon him...' Narrated by Abu Hurairah & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (eng. trans.) vol. 1 p.352 no.620).
It must be emphasised here however, that all the Hadeeth encouraging the men to be attached to the mosques are not intended to lead one to the conclusion that Islaam is a Religion which should be confined to the mosques, as many people imagine. Nonetheless, the mosque should be at the heart of the Muslim community, and the role of those in authority of the mosques is vital here. They are the ones mainly responsible for making the mosque a welcome refuge for the Muslims, rather than an arena for politics and power struggles as many seem to have become these days. And we seek Allaah's refuge from this!

4. 'Two who love each other for Allaah's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that....'
Having mutual love for the sake of Allaah is one of the great doors leading to the good of the Hereafter and a cause of tasting the sweetness of Eemaan in this world. Loving one another for Allaah's sake means that the Muslim does not love another except for the correctness of his Deen. So it does not matter what the person looks like, what he wears, how rich or poor he is, where he comes from, or what the colour of his skin is - perhaps you dislike everything about him, but you love him for his Eemaan: this is loving for Allaah's sake.
'Allaah, the Mighty and Magnificent says: 'Those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory will have pillars of light and will be envied the Prophets and martyrs.' Saheeh - Collected in Sunan at-Tirmidhee & Musnad Ahmad (5/336-7).
SubhanAllaah! Imagine being envied by Allaah's chosen Messengers and those who were slain in His Path! Such is the reward of those who love one another for Allaah's sake.

5. 'A man who is called by a woman of beauty and position but he says: 'I fear Allaah...'
This world is full of temptations which lead to burning in the Fire and amongst them is that which comes from women. Many a man has led his soul into destruction on account of the lure of a woman which is why the Prophet warned his Ummah specifically about this. He said, 'The world is sweet and green and verily Allaah is going to install you as successors upon it in order to see how you act. So avoid the allurement of women: verily the first trial for the Children of Israa'eel was caused by women.' Narrated by Aboo Sa'eed al-Khudree & collected in Saheeh Muslim (eng. trans.) vol.4, p.1432, no.6606
The most important provision which we need to protect ourselves from this and all other temptations in life is the fear (khawf) of Allaah. This fact is alluded to in the following Qur'aanic Aayah: 'And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires, verily Paradise will be his abode.' [Soorah an- Naazi'aat (79):40 1].

6. 'A man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity...'
This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ar-Riyaa. Ar-Riyaa means to do deeds in order to earn the praise and recognition of people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on a serious punishment for the one who commits it. It is particularly dangerous because it is in man's nature to desire and enjoy the praise of others. Thus, great care has to be token to ensure that one's intentions begin and remain pure whenever good actions (such as charity) are being done. Not like what we see today where we have mosque notice boards announcing who gave what to whom, why and when! Allaah warns: 'O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allaah nor in the Last Day.' [al-Baqarah (2):264]. May Allaah preserve us from this.

7. '...A man who remembered Allaah in private and so his eyes shed tears.'
Our noble Prophet informed us: 'If you knew what l knew, you would laugh little and weep much.' Narrated by Aboo Hurairah and Anas & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (eng. trans.) vol.8, p.326-327, nos.492 and 493
Crying is not a sissy' thing to do. The Prophet, who was the best of all creation, would weep as would all of his Companions. Tears are a genuine expression of fear of Allaah's Punishment and of our sincere love and awe of Him. But how often do we remember Allaah in seclusion and are then moved to tears? How much do we laugh and how little do we weep? The Prophet said, 'There is nothing more beloved to Allaah than two drops and two marks: A tear shed due to fear of Allaah, and a drop of blood spilled in the path of Allaah. And as for the two marks, then a mark caused in the path of Allaah, and a mark caused by fulfilling one of the duties made obligatory by Allaah.. Hasan - collected by at-Tirmidhee and al-Mishkaat (3837)

Alhamdulillaah, through these seven types of people mentioned in the Hadeeth, we have been given clear signposts of the way to attain Allaah's pleasure and satisfaction. So dear brothers and sisters in Eemaan, devote yourself to being one amongst those seven, for indeed fortunate will be those who are granted Allaah's Shade on the Day when there will be no shade but His.

Beauty and spa gathering in the west

Binth Mohammed Anwar — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:26:31 +0000

This is the response to what the Sheikhah Umm Abdillah Al-Waad’eeyah, may Allah preserve her, had when a flyer was shown and translated to her, for a sisters beauty and spa gathering in the west. The request was made to the sister Umm Abdillah Al-Britaaniyah, may Allah preserve her, to ask the Sheikhah about this issue.

The response from the Sheikhah:
All praises are due to Allah. And may the prayer and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is his slave and messenger. To proceed:
Firstly, it is upon every Muslim woman to know that Allah has made it obligatory upon her to remain at home. As He has said:
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ ٣٣:٣٣
"And stay in your homes (Oh you women) and do not display your adornments or beauty like the days of Ignorance"
So this is the foundation, however if it becomes necessary for her to leave her home then there is no objection. Provided that she leaves for a reason permitted by the legislation of Al-Islaam. This is because of the speech of the Prophet:
قد أنِنَ الله لكُنَّ أنْ تُخْرُجْنَ لِحَوائِجِكُنَّ
"Indeed it has been permitted for you (women) to leave your homes"
Collected in the Saheeh of Imaam Muhammad bin Ismaa’eel Al-Bukhaari #5237
Furthermore, if she leaves her home then it is likewise obligatory upon her to wear Al-Hijaab in a well-mannered fashion with modesty. As for a woman leaving her home to such events mentioned in the question, then it includes wasting time. Also, it is from resembling the disbelieving women, which is forbidden. The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
من تشبَّهَ بِقومٍ فهو منهم
"Whoever resembles a people then he is from them"
Narrated from Abdullah bin ‘Umar Collected in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad Vol. 2 page 50 and Graded Hasan by Imaam Al-Albaani
It also includes polishing the nails with nail polish. This act as a barrier against water when performing ablution. And whatever does this is prohibited. Except in the case of the menstruating woman. It also includes the women taking a bath or relaxing in water for hours. This legislatively is called "الحمامات" (Spas) and is prohibited (for women) because of the Hadeeth narrated by ‘Aaisha. She reported that the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
أيُّما امرَأةٍ وَضَعَتْ ثِيابَها في غَيرِ بيتِ زَوْجِها, هَتَكَتْ ما بينَها و بينَ اللهِ
"Which ever woman takes off her clothing in other than her husband’s house then she has indeed ripped the protection between her and Allah."
This Hadeeth is Saheeh collected in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad
So to summarize, it is not permissible to attend such events because of the contradictions to the legislation of Al-Islaam it presents. Such as wasting time and spending a lot of money without a justified reason. Also, I add to this subject that perhaps the women maybe caused to expose her Awrah this is because the beautician may seek to treat her whole body or most of it.
The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
لا يَنظُرُ الرَّجل أِلى عَوْرَةِ الرَّجل, و لا المَرْأَةُ أِلى عَوْرَةِ المَرْأةِ
"No man should look at another man’s ‘awrah, nor should a woman look at another woman’s ‘awrah"
Collected in the Saheeh of Imaam Muslim bin Al-Hajjaaj # 766. Narrated on the authority of Abi Sa’eed Al-Khudri
And perhaps it maybe a male beautician in which the prohibition and sin is far greater.
So stay far away from this oh Muslimaat. May Allah grant you all success with that. Accustom yourselves to staying in your homes and beware of resembling the disbelieving women because verily this leads to having amity (friendship, love, etc.) for the disbelieving women and love of resembling them inwardly. That is in relation to their belief.
Likewise, I advise you all to leave those lands that oppress its people and to have adherence upon this Haneef religion. And Allah is the one who grants success.
Al praises are due to the Lord of all existence.
…
Sheikhah Umm Abdillah Al-Waadi’eeyah
Darul Hadeeth Dammaaj
Translated by: Umm Abdillah Al-Britaaniyah
Darul Hadeeth Dammaaj

How should a person fill his spare time?

rahindr — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:19:47 +0000

Assalamualaikum.

How should a person fill his spare time?
I am suffering from the problem of too much spare time, because of which I have begun to feel very strange. My worship has become noticeably less, not because of anything that is distracting me but because I have become depressed. I am learning to memorize Qur’aan with a teacher but I am still in Juz’ ‘Amma (the 30th juz’). I memorize what is required of me, but I still have too much spare time. In an attempt to rid myself of depression I turn on the TV, but I hate it and I do not really want to watch it, but I sit in front of it for ten hours. Can you believe it – ten hours? And I used to watch it only a little. I don’t know. Please advise me as to how I may kill this spare time.

Praise be to Allaah.

The blessing of time is one of the greatest blessings that Allaah can bestow upon His slaves. Allaah even swears by time in some cases, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“By Al‑‘Asr (the time)”
[al-‘Asr 103:1]
- because of the importance and blessing of time.
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Make the most of five things before five others: life before death, health before sickness, free time before becoming busy, youth before old age, and wealth before poverty.” See Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 1077.

But most people are unaware of the importance of this blessing and are neglectful of their duties towards it, namely to fill it with acts of gratitude and obedience towards Allaah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are two blessings which many people do not make the most of and thus lose out: good health and free time.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6412.
Al-Teebi said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) likened the Muslim (who is accountable for his deeds) to a merchant who has capital and seeks to make a profit whilst also preserving his capital. The way to do that is to look for the right people to deal with and he himself will be honest and will try to be smart lest he be cheated. Good health and free time are our capital, and we should deal with Allaah with faith, striving against the evil inclinations of our nafs and the enemy of religion i.e., the Shaytaan, so that we may attain the best in this world and in the Hereafter. This is similar to what is mentioned in the passage where Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Shall I guide you to a trade that will save you from a painful torment?”
[al-Saff 61:10]
We should avoid following the dictates of the nafs and keep away from the Shaytaan lest we lose both our capital and our profit.
Fath al-Baari by Ibn Hajar.

If time is so important, then the Muslim should not have any free time, for he should be going from one act of worship and obedience to another. If he cannot spend all his time going from one act of obedience and worship to another then, he may spend some of his time in permissible pursuits, in which he should ensure that his intention is correct, so that he may earn reward thereby, as Mu’aadh (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I get up and I sleep, and I hope for the same when I sleep as I hope for when I get up.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6923; Muslim, 1854.

The problem that the sister is suffering from is caused by several things:
Firstly: she does not understand the value of time. This is true of many people, as stated above. Even worse than that, by neglecting this great blessing, her spare time has become something destructive, and she regards it as an enemy that she wants to kill, but she does not realize that she is killing herself.
Secondly: she feels depressed. There is no doubt that wasting one's time and one's life causes deep depression in man, because he feels that he is like an animal that eats so it can sleep, and sleeps so it can eat. Hence we see many disbelievers ended their life by suicide, after being afflicted by depression and other incurable diseases – may Allaah keep us safe and sound from that with which He has tested them. One of the primary causes of depression is disobedience towards Allaah. Undoubtedly wasting time watching TV leads a person to commit sin, such as watching and listening to haraam things, wasting time, and other things caused by this evil machine. The benefits that the sister gains by joining a halaqah for memorizing Qur’aan are largely cancelled out, if not erased entirely, by sitting in front of the TV. Just as good deeds erase bad deeds, bad deeds cause good deeds to be lost.
[You can refer to the Books section of this website; in Dealing with Worries and Stress you will find more details about the causes of worry and how to overcome them. In Dangers Facing the Home you will find mention of some of the harmful effects of TV.]
Thirdly:
She has given up with regard to time, and she has no determination to fill her time with beneficial things.
In order to solve this problem, the sister must strive to achieve the following:
1- Doing acts of worship such as reciting dhikr and wird, praying, reading Qur’aan, fasting and thinking about the signs and blessings of Allaah.
2- She should pay special attention to the Qur’aan, since she says that she memorizes what is required of her, then she has spare time that she kills by watching TV. Why doesn’t she use that time to remember Allaah and read Qur’aan, and memorize more so that she can memorize the whole Qur’aan, before she becomes burdened with the responsibilities of life. For (reading) each letter is a hasanah, and each hasanah brings a tenfold reward. And each verse raises one in status and increases one’s reward, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Read and rise (in status), for as you used to recite in this world, your position (in the Hereafter) will be determined by the last verse you read.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1464; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Saheehah, 2240.
3- Adopt a cause affecting Muslim women in the country where you live, such as helping to teach Muslim girls, undertaking charitable projects, and so on.
4- Find good and righteous friends with whom you can meet and get together.
5- Read Islamic books in particular and useful stories in general.
6- Get involved in da’wah, women’s activities and children’s sports in Islamic centres.
7- Listen to tapes and lectures, and write summaries which you can distribute to those who will benefit from them.
8- Learn some useful areas of worldly knowledge such as cooking, sewing, etc.
9- Learn about computers and useful programs, for this is a vast area which will take up a lot of time and can be used to do a lot of good and useful things. This will take you away from sitting in front of the TV which does not help you in any way, and does more harm than good.
10-You should read some books which speak of the importance of time and how to manage it; listen to some useful lectures on this topic too.
May Allaah help you and us to do all that is good.
For more information please see also questions no. 2267, 3619, 26869, 36546.

Islam Q&A

Music Videos (astghfurallah)

UmmHamzah7 — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:40:07 +0000

Assalaamu Alaikum Waramatullahi Barakatuhu

Dear Sisters,

I came across the article below on MSN - my first thought was, 'has it really taken this long for someone to notice how tacky and disgusting music videos are?' Alhamdullilah we have be guided to stay away from such shaitanic images and sounds. Before I reverted I used to listen to music and watch music videos - they were provocative but it has gotten even worse to the point where they are stepping way over the mark. Please read ahead:

pa.press.net, Updated: 26/02/2010 15:46
Watershed call for 'raunchy' videos

"A report has criticised 'sexually provocative' music videos
Music videos which are "sexually provocative" should be banned before the watershed, a Home Office commissioned report has said.

The study, by psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos, warned children were being damaged by exposure to * and violent images and lyrics on TV.

She said music videos were sexualising girls at a young age and encouraging them to aspire to an unhealthy ideal - but unlike other * content were not banned before 9pm.

As well as music videos, the report points to greater exposure of children to * and violent content from a younger age - through magazines, advertising, the internet and video games.

The report said: "Music channels and videos across all genres have been found to sexualise and objectify women. Women are often shown in provocative and revealing clothing and are depicted as being in a state of * readiness. Males on the other hand are shown as hyper-masculine and sexually dominant.

It added: "A Pussycat Dolls video, say, will mean very different things to a three-year-old, an eight year-old and a 14-year-old."

The report also called for a ban on Government job centres advertising jobs in lap-dancing clubs, massage parlours and other parts of the sex industry and for Internet Service Providers to block access to pro-bulimia and pro-anorexia websites.

It also suggested a ratings system for pictures of models in magazines so readers can tell if they have been airbrushed and a compulsory age rating system for so-called lads' mags to make clear they are "top shelf" titles

Exposure to sex and violence at a young age can lead to low self esteem, unhappiness with their looks and unhealthy * aspirations among young girls, the report said.

Boys are encouraged to aspire to a false "hyper-masculine" ideal, it found."

Sisters We must not forget what Allah SWT and his Messenger (pbuh) have said:

Allah (SWT) says,

"And of mankind he who purchases idle talks to mislead (people) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allah) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment." (Luqman 31:6)

The Prophet (SAW) said,

"From among my nation, there will be people who will render as lawful adultery, wearing silk (for men), Al-Khamr (liquor) and Al-Maa’azif (musical instruments)." (Al-Bukhari)

Forty Hadeeth-Imam Nawwawi

Binth Mohammed Anwar — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:58:01 +0000

click on Attached file and download the pdf version of forty hadeeth,jazakAllah khairun

What would you ask Allah(swt) for?

Neilam Iqbal — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:22:57 +0000

Asalaam alaikum sisters,

A few days ago I was driving home from work and, as usual, I was stuck in traffic for quite a while. It is one of those times when I am forced to sit and wait with nothing to do. I had the Quran with translation playing on the car stereo and decided to take the time to ponder over the verses... In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah(swt) mentions "Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought."

As I listened, I came across one verse in Surah Al-e-Imran which made me think deeply about the Hereafter:

"Those - their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow [in Paradise], wherein they will abide eternally; and excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers." (Surah Al-e-Imran, Al-Quran 3:136)

If, InshaAllah, I am granted Paradise as an eternal resting place and I am able to ask my Lord for anything I desire... what would I ask for? Of course, there is the usual desire for Allah(swt) to be pleased with me, for eternal happiness and contentment, and for my family & friends to be with me.

But what else do I desire? One thing I would love to ask for is the ability to see all the major events in history. I love researching on different types of history and have so many unanswered questions... How were the ancient Egyptian pyramids built? What were those men thinking when they assassinated Malcolm X? etc. Wouldn't it be amazing to have all those questions answered and to be able to see those things happening as if you were right there? How about seeing Prophet Musa(as) striking the Red Sea with his staff and splitting it in two? Or witnessing Prophet Isa(as) speaking to the people from his cradle?

I pray and make du'a that Allah(swt) grants us all a place in Paradise, and helps us all to stay on the correct path which pleases Him. Ameen

Well that's on my wish list! So sisters, what would YOU ask Allah(swt) for?

Islamic unity conference

fatimah taba — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:25:27 +0000

Tehran opens 23rd int’l Islamic unity conference
Tuesday, 02 March 2010 10:56

The 23rd International Conference on Islamic Unity opened in Tehran Tuesday.

According to IRIB World service, almost 500 scholars from various Islamic sects in the country as well as 150 scholars from 48 world states have taken part in the international event.

The conference seeks to set the stage for solidarity in the Islamic world; raising opportunity for exchange of views between the Muslim intellectuals; reviewing Muslims’ problems; and finding solutions for them.

The conference is held from March 2 - 4.

The Jinn are a Creation that fears the Believers the most

Binth Mohammed Anwar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:14:05 +0000

Shaykh Muhammad al-Maliki:
“The jinn are a creation that fears the Believers most.”

Question:
.
Yaa Shaykh may Allaah Preserve you.Is it true that the jinn/shayateen are repulsed by frankincense (bakhoor) and the angels are attracted to it? Do angels accompany cats and do jinns occupy vacant places and if a person moves into a house that has been vacant for a period of time are there any procedures that the Muslims should take to free the house of jinns/shayateen?
.
.
Answer:
.
The Shaykh praised Allaah and sent salaah and salaam upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said: First of all let me give you this information and glad tidings: “The jinn are a creation that fears the Believers most.”
.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab [1]:يا عمر بن الخطاب ما سلكت طريقاً ولا دخلتفجاً شعبا إلا سلك شيطان طريقاً وشعبا غير الذي سلكتSo the shayateen – the jinn, they are scared of the Believers, but they have a sense, they can feel the fear and fright of mankind. So if you become scared of jinns, they become brave and they start scaring you.So what you need to do is what Allaah تعالى says – I am not bringing this from my mind but from what Allaah تعالى says and from my experience
– Allaah تعالى says:ذَلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءهُ فَلاَ تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ{It is only Shaitân
(Satan) that suggests to you the fear of his Auliyâ’ [supporters and friends (polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger, Muhammad)]; so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers.} [Aal-‘Imraan 3:175]
.
So if you are a real Believer do not get scared of the Shayateen.
.
.
Regarding incense this is not true – this is commonly known by the Sufis. The Sufis say that the shayateen run away from the bukhoor, the incense, but it’s not true. The angels like any good smell whereas the shayateen doesn’t like good smells, rather they like bad smells. That’s why they whisper for one not to take a shower and they whisper for one not to clean up and that’s why when the kuffar go to the toilet – when they urinate or pass stool, they clean with paper only and they don’t clean well –
.
that’s why the shayateen control them.
.
Allaah تعالى says to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ تَؤُزُّهُمْ أَزًّا{See you not that We have sent the Shayâtîn (devils) against the disbelievers to push them to do evil.} [Maryam 19:83]
And that’s why Yaa Ikhwaan we need to always be clean and that’s why the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم encouraged us always have wudū’ and to use perfume.The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: حبب لي من دنياكم النساءوالطيبIt was made more beloved to me from your life the woman (the wife) and perfume. [2]
So it is good use perfume and incense, but don’t think that the shayateen will run away and the angels will come.
.
It’s true that the shayateen do not like good smells and the angels like the good smells; but at the same time don’t let this idea captivate your mind.
.
I say this because some people will be captivated by this idea, then one day they will forget to perfume and then they will then thinking “O Shaytaan is here, Shaytaan is there, jinn is here and jinn is there” and if anyone whistles or anyone says something, (they say) “O that’s Shaytaan” – this is bad.But what can turn Shayateen away? Akhi, remembrance of Allaah, remembrance of Allaah can turn Shaytaan away.
Allaah تعالى says: الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُم إِيمَانًا {… when Allâh is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur’ân) are recited unto them, they (i.e.the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone) …} [Al-Anfal 8:2]
.
And the other ayah: ألا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ {Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest.} [Ar-Ra’d 13:28]
.
So do a lot of remembrance (adhkaar), the remembrance of the morning and evening, for entering the house, exiting the house, entering the toilet, exiting the toilet, entering the mosque, exiting the mosque, going into your car etc. You take all the remembrances that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught us.
So Inshaa Allaah you will be protected.
.
And when you get to the house, it’s not true that a house that is abandoned for a while is captured (occupied) by the shayateen.
.
No, the shayateen are everywhere – they are in every house, they are with everyone.
Allaah تعالى says that everyone has a Qareen as in Surah Qaaf:قَالَ قَرِينُهُ {His companion (Satan/devil) will say…} [Qaaf 50:27]
.
So everyone has a qareen accompanying him from the jinn. So, how can you be protected from that?
You can be protected by continuous remembrance – by continuously being with Allaah (having Him in your thoughts) all the time.قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ{Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Verily, my Salât (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists).} [Al-An’aam 6:162]
.
So you live for Allaah and Allaah will protect you.إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدَافِعُ عَنِ الَّذِينَآمَنُوا{Truly, Allâh defends those who believe.} [Al-Hajj 22:38]
.
And in the hadeeth Qudsi: [3]ولا يزال عبدي يتقرب إلي بالنوافل حتى أحبهفإذا أحببته كنت سمعه الذي يسمع به وبصره الذي يبصر به ويده التي يبطش بها ورجلهالتي يمشي بهاولئن سألني لأعطينه وإن استعاذنيلأعيذنهHere Allaah تعالى is telling you that as much remembrance, worship and optional worship you do for Him, He will protect your eyes, your ears, your hands and your legs.
.
That means you are surrounded by protection from Allaah تعالى and Allaah تعالى will send the angels around you.
.
But when you go to a house whether it is an abandoned house or it is your house or it is someone’s house – even if it is your house whether empty or occupied, what you should do is say as-Salaam:لا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ بُيُوتِكُمْ حَتَّىتَسْتَأْنِسُوا وَتُسَلِّمُوا عَلَى أَهْلِهَا{O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own, until you have asked permission and greeted those in them.}[An-Nur 24:27]
.
And in the other ayah:فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمْ بُيُوتًا فَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى أنْفُسِكُمْتَحِيَّةً مِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ{But when you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allâh (i.e.say: السلام عليكم) As-Salâmu ‘Alaikum – peace be on you)}[An-Nur 24:61]
.
So even if it is unoccupied you say Assalaamu ‘Alaikum yourself as Allaah تعالى guides you.
By doing that, there will be no shayateen because as in the hadith the shayateen will stand by the door, when the person comes they listen, if he says Assalaamu ‘Alaikum – if he remembers Allaah the head Shaytaan will say ‘go back, go back you have no place here.’ But when you come into the house silent or saying any words other than the remembrance, He says ‘Ok come here you have a place to sleep you have food come, come’ and they come into your house. [4] This is the way you protect yourself from the shayateen, it is not related to the bukhoor or this or that – that is from Sufism. Wallaahu A’lam.
.
.
Answered by: Shaykh Muhammad al-Maliki
.
Title of Lecture: Ramadaan 1427 = 2006Date of the Lecture: Saturday, October 14th, 2006
.
[1] Reference Pending
.
[2] Shaykh al-Albaani رحمه الله says Saheeh in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (#3124) with the following wording:
.
[حبب إلي من دنياكم النساء والطيبوجعلت قرة عيني فيالصلاة[3] Reported as part of a longer hadith in Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Riqaaq (#6137) with the following wording:وما يزال عبدي يتقرب إلي بالنوافل حتى أحبه، فإذا أحببته: كنتسمعه الذي يسمع به، وبصره الذي يبصر به، ويده التي يبطش بها، ورجله التي يمشي بها،وإن سألني لأعطينَّه، ولئن
استعاذني لأعيذنَّه
.
[4]Reported with the following wording in Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Salaahtit-Taraaweeh (#1906) as part of a longer hadeeth.نعم البدعة هذه، والتي ينامون عنها أفضل من التي يقومونImaam Ahmad Bin Hanbal [Rahmahullah] Said: “Allah showers His Mercy upon the worshipper who approaches prayer in a state of humility and meekness towards Allah, in fear and supplicating Him with desire (for His Pleasure), and in hope (of His Mercy), making Salah to his Rabb, his most important consideration, dedicating his whispered utterances to Him and his back straight in his qiyam and his ruku.. and his sujud, poring out his heart and his feelings and struggling to perfect his acts of worship, for he knows not whether he will perform another prayer after it, or whether he will be overtaken (by death) before he can perform Salah again.”
.

Monster or Macho? Men who beat their wives! Part 3

summayyah — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:47:28 +0000

This is the last part of the series inshaAllaah...sorry it took so long. You may wish to check out the first two parts listed in my blogs inshaAllaah.

“In all the years I have been married I have never apologized to my wife, I never say sorry…” The man declared. The woman’s agonizing sobs stopped frozen from shock, she stared unbelievingly at the smug expression on his face as his words sank in. The man was her husband’s best friend; he had come to settle a bitter quarrel between her and her husband. She had turned to him for help, support and good counsel.

“Look, you don’t need to cry, and don’t bother telling me what he has done, don’t expect that he will be sorry either, men simply don’t apologize, and you just have to accept whatever he has done…” He finished self-righteously. He then followed with a long narration of some of the things he had done to his wife in the past and had never apologized for. He kept cutting off the woman’s account of how oppressed she was feeling as a result of certain unresolved issues in her twelve months old marriage, with the same counsel; “Get over it, HE IS MAN, he is licensed to do…anything”

Alhamdulilah, the woman survived that argument and has matured from several others through the years as she recounted the incident and the valuable insights it gave her to her man and her marriage which was enriched with moments of erring, repentance and forgiveness, given and received. Mr Macho however did not; his marriage broke up some years after that incident and rather messily too. You could say he had over drawn his account into red and had finally crashed and gone under the weight of his distorted definition of masculinity and dysfunctional principles for matrimony.

Abuse is abhorred, no matter what form it takes or under what guise it is sanctioned or validated, whether through tradition and culture, societal misnomer or warped virtues of the masculine gender. Some people will take one look at the allowance for a Muslim to ‘beat’ his wife and immediately put a negative label on Islam along with other promoted stereotypes. But will they reconsider if they learn that this ‘beating’ further explained by knowledgeable scholars is described as a light tap with the edge of a cloth or its equivalent? Will they take time to understand the context in which this ‘beating’ allowed?

As discussed in the second part of this three part series, Islam allows a man to show disapproval or displeasure through certain means and there is no tiptoeing around the fact that he is allowed to beat his wife in a ‘right’ way and set of circumstances.

So going back to where we should start from, how did the Messenger (saw) of Allaah, treat his wives in the first place? How did he resolve issues in his marriage? What were the ideals he left and lived then for us to learn and live by now?

Narrated the wife of the Prophet (saw) Aisha (ra);

Eleven women sat (at a place) and promised and contracted that they would not conceal anything of the news of their husbands.

The first one said, "My husband is like the meat of a lean weak camel which is kept on the top of a mountain which is neither easy to climb, nor is the meat fat, so that one might put up with the trouble of fetching it." The second one said, "I shall not relate my husband's news, for I fear that I may not be able to finish his story, for if I describe him, I will mention all his defects and bad traits." The third one said, "My husband is a tall man; if I describe him (and he hears of that) he will divorce me, and if I keep quiet, he will neither divorce me nor treat me as a wife." The fourth one said, "My husband is a moderate person like the night of Tihama which is neither hot nor cold. I am neither afraid of him, nor am I discontented with him." The fifth one said, "My husband, when entering (the house) is a leopard, and when going out, is a lion. He does not ask about whatever is in the house." The sixth one said, "If my husband eats, he eats too much (leaving the dishes empty), and if he drinks he leaves nothing, and if he sleeps he sleeps alone (away from me) covered in garments and does not stretch his hands here and there so as to know how I fare (get along)."

The seventh one said, "My husband is a wrong-doer or weak and foolish. All the defects are present in him. He may injure your head or your body or may do both." The eighth one said, "My husband is soft to touch like a rabbit and smells like a Zarnab (a kind of good smelling grass)." The ninth one said, "My husband is a tall generous man wearing a long strap for carrying his sword. His ashes are abundant and his house is near to the people who would easily consult him." The tenth one said, "My husband is Malik, and what is Malik? Malik is greater than whatever I say about him. (He is beyond and above all praises which can come to my mind). Most of his camels are kept at home (ready to be slaughtered for the guests) and only a few are taken to the pastures. When the camels hear the sound of the lute (or the tambourine) they realize that they are going to be slaughtered for the guests."

The eleventh one said, "My husband is Abu Zar and what is Abu Zar (i.e., what should I say about him)? He has given me many ornaments and my ears are heavily loaded with them and my arms have become fat (i.e., I have become fat). And he has pleased me, and I have become so happy that I feel proud of myself. He found me with my family who were mere owners of sheep and living in poverty, and brought me to a respected family having horses and camels and threshing and purifying grain. Whatever I say, he does not rebuke or insult me. When I sleep, I sleep till late in the morning, and when I drink water (or milk), I drink my fill.

The mother of Abu Zar and what may one say in praise of the mother of Abu Zar? Her saddle bags were always full of provision and her house was spacious. As for the son of Abu Zar, what may one say of the son of Abu Zar? His bed is as narrow as an unsheathed sword and an arm of a kid (of four months) satisfies his hunger. As for the daughter of Abu Zar, she is obedient to her father and to her mother. She has a fat well-built body and that arouses the jealousy of her husband's other wife. As for the (maid) slave girl of Abu Zar, what may one say of the (maid) slavegirl of Abu Zar? She does not uncover our secrets but keeps them, and does not waste our provisions and does not leave the rubbish scattered everywhere in our house."

The eleventh lady added, "One day it so happened that Abu Zar went out at the time when the milk was being milked from the animals, and he saw a woman who had two sons like two leopards playing with her two breasts. (On seeing her) he divorced me and married her. Thereafter I married a noble man who used to ride a fast tireless horse and keep a spear in his hand. He gave me many things, and also a pair of every kind of livestock and said, 'Eat (of this), O Um Zar, and give provision to your relatives." She added, "Yet, all those things which my second husband gave me could not fill the smallest utensil of Abu Zar's."

'Aisha then said: Allaah's Messenger said to me, "I am to you as Abu Zar was to his wife Um Zar." Bukhari

This is a long narration that is loaded with meaning for those who reflect. How many husbands would fit the modes described above? How many women are serving life sentences in their marriages from men such as these or worse?

What were the virtues of Abu Zar that described the Prophet (saw) and what kind of husband did that make him with his wives? This is a major point to ponder.

Narrated Mu'awiyah ibn Haydah; ‘“I said: Messenger of Allah, how should we approach our wives and how should we leave them? He (saw) replied: “Approach your tilth when or how you will, give her (your wife) food when you take food, clothe when you clothe yourself, do not revile her face, and do not beat her.”’ Abu Dawood

He (saw) said in his farewell message; 'Listen! Treat women kindly; they are like prisoners in your hands…Should they be guilty of flagrant misbehaviour, you may remove them from your beds, and beat them but do not inflict upon them any severe punishment. Then if they obey you, do not have recourse to anything else against them. Listen! You have your rights upon your wives and they have their rights upon you…” Tirmidhi

Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri; “’I went to the Messenger of Allaah (saw) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: “Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them”’. Abu Dawood

There is on conflict, all of these Ahadeeth are authentic and clear on the issue. The first and only option is compassion and good treatment of a woman. Beating is a choice that may be taken as part of a process of re-establishment of order in the marriage. This process is used under certain circumstances as we have already established and this cannot be over emphasized. This can be further explored and researched for more clarification.

Abdullah bin Zama narrated; The Prophet (may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him)… said "How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then he may embrace (sleep with) her?" Bukhari

How indeed would any individual worthy of being called a real man, hit his wife as though she was an animal whom we are even commanded to treat with kindness and then descend even lower by calling the same woman to bed afterwards?

The wife of the Prophet (saw) Aisha (ra), narrated; The Messenger of Allaah (saw) never beat anyone with his hand neither a woman nor a servant, but only in the case when he had been fighting in the cause of Allaah and he never took revenge for anything unless the things made inviolable by Allaah were made violable…” Muslim

How could the Prophet of Allaah, the one on whom the choicest of Allaah’s blessings belongs to, the best example, the best of men, beat his women when he perceived them as delicate and cherished, worthy of gentleness, respect, dignity and kindness?

The Messenger of Allaah was on a journey and he had a black slave called Anjasha, and he was driving the camels (very fast, and there were women riding on those camels). The Messenger of Allaah said, "Waihaka (May Allah be merciful to you), O Anjasha! Drive slowly (the camels) with the glass vessels (women)!" Bukhari

How else does one treat glass vessels, but with care and consciousness of their fragility?

You be the judge… monster or macho?

I rest my case….for now InshaAllaah!

football

jennifer khan — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:27:15 +0000

just got my tickets for the egypt v england freindly match, lol, it will be my first time at a match, is anyone else going? im English but will be supporting Egypt

Characteristics of A Wali of Allah

rahindr — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:44:25 +0000

Assalamualaikum.

Characteristics of A Wali of Allah
By Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah

[This article is adapted from his Book "Criterion between the Allies of Allah and the allies of the Devil"]
From As-Sunnah Bimonthly Islamic Newsletter

The word 'Awlia' singular 'Wali' comes from the root word of Wilayah. Wilayah is the opposite of enmity (Adawah). The Wali is therefore the one who is close.

Allah has explained in His Book, and in the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that He has Awlia among the people and that Shaytan also has his Awlia. The Quran mentions the allies of Allah.

"Indeed there is no fear upon the Awlia of Allah, nor shall they grieve; those who believe and used to fear Allah much. For them are glad tidings in this life and the Hereafter..." [Noble Quran 10:62]

"Allah is the protector (ally) of those who believe, He takes them out of darkness into light." [Noble Quran 2:257]

The allies of devil have also been mentioned in the Quran: "...As for those who disbelieve, their allies are the Taghut who take them out of the light and into the darkness. Those are the people of fire, and they will be in it forever." [Noble Quran 2:257]

"We have made the devils allies of those who do not believe; those who commit outrages and then say: "We found our predecessors on this (tradition)" Surely they have taken the devils as allies instead of Allah, and they think that they are on guidance" [Noble Quran 7:27-28]

After knowing that there are among people allies of the Merciful and the allies of the devil, it becomes very important to differentiate between these groups by means of the criterion, as described by Allah and His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as follows:

The First and Foremost Condition of an Ally of Allah - Taqwa and Belief in Allah

No slave can be an ally of Allah, unless he has the characteristics of faith and pious practices, since Allah has made faith and piety a pre-condition for His Wilayah. He said: "Indeed there is no fear upon the Awlia of Allah, nor shall they grieve, those who believe and used to fear Allah much (i.e. have Taqwa - piety). For them are glad tidings in this life and the Hereafter..." [Noble Quran 10:62]

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Allah, the Exalted said: "Whoever takes a Wali (loyal slave) of Mine as an enemy, I will wage war on him; and My slave will not perform any act with which he draws closer to Me, more beloved to Me then when he fulfills what I have ordained on him; and My salve will keep drawing closer to Me by performing the Nawafil (voluntary acts of worship) until I love him, and when I love him, I will be his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hands with which he strikes, and his legs with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him; and if he seeks refuge with Me, I will grant him refuge." [Sahih Bukhari]

From this narration and the above-mentioned Quranic verse, we know that the Awlia of Allah are those who believe in Allah and give Him their full loyalty Thus, they love all that Allah loves, hate what Allah hates, are pleased with what Allah is pleased with, despise what Allah despises, they enjoin what Allah enjoins, forbid that what He forbids, give to those whom Allah loves for them to be given, and withhold from those whom Allah loves not to receive, since Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained the best handhold of faith to be love and hate for the sake of Allah: "The most dependable handhold on faith is: love for the sake of Allah and hatred for the sake of Allah." [At-Tirmidhi]

"Whoever loves for Allah, hates for Allah, gives for Allah, and withholds for Allah, has sought the completion of his faith." [Abu Dawud]

Belief (Iman) of necessity entails belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His Prophets, and the Last Day:

"Say: We believe in Allah and in that which has been sent to us and in that which was sent to Ibrahim, and Isma'il and Ishaq and Ya'qub, and the tribes and that which was given to Musa and Isa and that which was given to the Prophets form their Lord. We do not differentiate between any of them, and we submit to Allah. And so, if they believe in that which you believe, they have achieved guidance, but if they turn away, they are surely in rebellion. Allah will suffice you against them and He is the all-hearing, the all-knowing." [Noble Quran 2:136-137]

"The Prophet has believed in that which is sent to him from his Lord as have the believers. All of them believe in Allah, His angels, His books and His Messengers. We do not differentiate between any of His messengers, and they say:

"We hear and we obey. (We seek)Your forgiveness, our Lord to You is the return (of all). Allah does not burden any soul beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned." [Noble Quran 2:285-286]

"This is a book in which there is no doubt, a guidance for those who are pious. Those who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them. Those who believe in that which was sent down to you and that which was sent down to those before you, and certainly of faith in the existence of the Hereafter. Such are on a true guidance from their Lord, and such are the successful." [Noble Quran 2:1-5]

Thus, a necessary component of faith (Iman) is to believe that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the seal of the prophets, and there is no prophet after him, and that Allah sent him to all of the two possessors of free will: humans and Jinns. From the moment he was made a prophet, Allah made him the criterion between His allies and His enemies, none are the allies of Allah except one who believes in Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and in that with which he was sent, and follows it openly and in secret. Whoever claims love of Allah and alliance with Allah but does not follow the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is not one of the allies of Allah. He is one of the allies of Shaytan.

Allah said:

"Say (O Mohammad) If you truly love Allah, then follow me so that Allah loves you." [Noble Quran 3:31]

Allah made it clear in the verse that Allah loves whoever follows the Prophet, and whoever claims the love of Allah, but does not follow the Prophet, is not from the allies of Allah. Al-Hasan al-Basri said about this verse: "A group of people claimed to love Allah, so He sent down this verse as a test for them."

And secondly to believe in all that which he (Prophet) was sent with. Anyone who does not believe in it is not a believer, much less a pious ally of (Wali) of Allah. Whoever believes in part of what he brought and rejects part is a Kafir, and not a believer:

"Those who disbelieve in Allah and His Prophets and seek to differentiate between Allah and His prophets, and they say: "We believe in some and we reject some" Such are true disbelievers, and We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment. As for those who believe in Allah and His prophets, and sought not to differentiate between any of them. We shall give them their rewards. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful." [Noble Quran 4:150-152]

Whatever stage the person reaches in terms of asceticism, devotion, and knowledge, but without belief in the entire message brought by Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), it can never make him a believer, nor an ally of Allah. Allah said: "Whoever turns away from the reminder of the Merciful, we will assign to him a devil, who will be a partner to him." [Noble Quran 43:36]

The reminder is the reminder with which He sent His Messenger such as the Quran. So, whoever does not believe in the Quran, and all the information contained therein, has turned away from it, and so is assigned a Shaytan. He turns himself as blind from the Book of Allah and Allah will turn him blind on the Day of Judgment:

"And whoever turns away form my reminder will have an oppressive, restricted life, and We will resurrect him on the Day of Qiyamah: blind. He will say: "Oh my Lord! Why have you resurrected my blind, while I used to see?" (Allah) will say: "Just as My verses came to you and you forgot them, today you are forgotten." [Noble Quran 20:124-126]

This verse clearly shows that 'my reminder' here is the same thing as 'my verses' which Allah sent down. Thus, even if someone mentions Allah (which is known as 'Dhikr' in Arabic) constantly, day and night, with devotion, but at the same time is not a follower of Allah's Dhikr (Quran) which He sent down to His prophet, he would be one of the allies of Shaytan, even if he were to fly through the air, or walk on water.

Faith also includes - belief that Prophet is the intermediary between Allah and His creation for the purpose of delivering His orders and forbiddance, His promises and threats, and the definition of Halal and the Haram. The Halal is that which Allah and His Messenger have declared Halal, and the Haram is what Allah and His Messenger have ordained, because Allah commands the believers to obey him:

"O you who believe! Obey Allah and Obey the Messenger and make not vain your deeds." [Noble Quran 47:33]

"He who obeys the Messenger had obeyed Allah" [Noble Quran 4:80]

He also says: "Whatsoever the Messenger gives you take it and whatsoever he forbids you refrain from it."

Thus, whoever believes that any Wali has a way to Allah without following the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is a Kafir, and is an ally of the devil.

Actions of The Allies of Allah

The allies of Allah are of two levels: forerunners those who brought near - and those of the right hand who act in moderation. Allah, the Exalted says reminding the Day of Judgment:

"And you (all) will be in three kinds (i.e. separate groups). So those on the Right Hand and Who will be those of the Right Hand? And those on the Left Hand and who will be those on the Left Hand? And those foremost will be foremost in Paradise. They will be those nearest to Allah." [Noble Quran 56:8-12]

And again Allah says in the end of the same Surah:

"Then, if the dying person be of the Muqarrabun (those brought near to Allah.) (There is for him) rest and provision, and a Garden of delights (Paradise). And if he be of those on the Right Hand. Then there is safety and peace for those on the Right Hand. But if he be of the denying then for him is entertainment with boiling water. And burning in Hell-Fire." [Noble Quran 56:88-94]

And the actions of these two groups are mentioned in the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him):

"Allah says: "Whoever takes a Wali (loyal slave) of Mine an enemy, I will wage war on him; and My slave will not perform any act with which he draws closer to Me, more beloved to Me then when he fulfills what I have ordained on him; and My salve will keep drawing closer to Me by performing the Nawafil (voluntary acts of worship) until I love him, and when I love him, I will be his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hands with which he strikes, and his legs with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him; and if he seeks refuge with Me, I will grant him refuge." [Sahih Bukhari]

Consequently, the righteous - those of the Right Hand are those who seek to come close to Allah with obligatory actions: they do that which Allah has ordered them to do, and avoid that which Allah has forbidden them, and do not demand of themselves the doing of the commendable but less than obligatory (i.e. Mandub), or the avoiding of some of the disliked of the allowed (i.e. Makruh)

As for the forerunners those brought near, they sought to come close to Allah with extra efforts after the obligatory. They did the obligatory and the commendable, and avoided the forbidden and the non-recommended. When they sought to come close to Him with everything within their ability of that which they love, Allah's love for them became complete, as Allah says:

"...My salve will keep drawing closer to Me by performing the Nawafil (voluntary acts of worship) until I love him..." [Sahih Bukhari]

The Allies of Allah Have No Special Appearance

The allies of Allah have no special appearance with which they differ form other people. They have no special dress from other than just being permissible. Rather, they are to be found in all categories of the nation of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). However, the Quran and the Sunnah show clearly that the best people in the sight of Allah is the one with the most of Taqwa (pious practice):

"O people, we have created you from a male and a female and made you in peoples and tribes that you may know each other. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the greatest in righteous practice." [Noble Quran 49:13]

Abu Hurairah narrates in a Sahih Hadith: "The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: "Which people are the best? He said: "Those greatest in Taqwa (righteous practice)"... [Bukhari and Muslim]

Allies of Allah Are Not Ma'sum (Protected) From Mistakes

It is not a condition for an ally of Allah that he be free of (protected from) mistakes and errors. It is quite possible that some knowledge of the Shari'ah may be hidden from him, just as it is possible for him to be confused about some issues in Islam But, he may not necessarily because of this, leave the ranks of allies of Allah, since Allah has overlooked and forgiven for this Ummah error, acts of forgetting, and things done under compulsion:

"There is no burden upon you for that in which you were mistaken, rather that which you have done with the full determination of the heart." [Noble Quran 33:5]

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When a ruler exerts himself to arrive at the correct ruling, and is correct, he gets two rewards and when he exerts himself but is mistaken, he gets one reward." [Bukhari and Muslim]

Since, it is possible for any ally of Allah to make a mistake. It can never be obligatory upon the people to believe in everything any one of them says, except that in the case that one of them is a prophet. Rather, it is obligatory for him to measure all of that up to the criterion of that which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) brought. If it is in agreement therewith then he can accept it, but if it is in disagreement then he must reject it, and if he cannot be sure whether it is in accordance with the Prophet's message or at variance with it, he must refrain from believing it or applying it.

The second Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), regarding whom Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "In previous nations there were individuals who were addressed (with the truth). If there are such people in my nation, Umar is the one of them." [Bukhari and Muslim]

"Verily, Allah has put the truth on the tongue of Umar and in his heart." [At- Tirmidhi (Hasan)]

But, Umar always did that which was obligatory upon him: i.e. - to measure things that occurred to him against that with which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was sent. He never said: "I am Muhaddath, I receive inspiration and visions, and so you should accept that which I say and not oppose me therein."

Heart is an intuitions and not protected from falling into errors, and so one needs always to measure them against that which has been brought by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the protected from falling into error. And the early scholars of Islam have unanimously agreed that the opinions of any man can be accepted and rejected i.e. they are open to questions except for the statements of the Prophet.

The point we are making here is an issue of complete consensus of the allies of Allah:

It is obligatory upon the allies of Allah to hold tight to the criterion; the Quran and the Sunnah, and no one of them is Ma'sum; i.e. protected against falling into errors, such that it is permissible to him or to his followers to follow that which comes to his heart without subjecting it to the test of the Quran and the Sunnah. Whoever does not accept this is in no way or shape or form among the allies of Allah, whom Allah has ordered us to emulate. Such a person is either 'Kafir' or is engaged in extreme and excessive foolishness and ignorance.

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