Virtues of the Quran

“The best of you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.”

[al-Bukhari]

“Will not any of you go to the masjid and learn or read two verses from the Book of Allah `azza wa jall? (For) that is better for him than two she-camels, and three (verses) are better for him than three (she-camels), and four (verses) are better for him than four (she-camels). And the number (of verses read in total) are better than the same number of camels.”

[Muslim]

“There is no envy (acceptable) except in two (cases): a person whom Allah has given the Qur’an and recites it throughout the night and throughout the day. And a person whom Allah has given wealth, that he gives out throughout the night and throghout the day.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the hasanah is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is (considered as) a letter, rather Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter, and Meem is a letter.”

[At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darimi]

“He who is skillful in reciting the Qur’an is with the unveiled, honorable, and pious (i.e. Hur al `Ain). And he who stutters when reading the Qur’an, (and its recitation) is difficult upon him, will receive two rewards.”

[Al-Bukhari]

“Verily he who has nothing of the Qur’an in his heart, is like a house (which has been) destroyed.”

[At-Tirmidhi]

“Read the Qur’an. For verily it will come forth on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its readers.”

[Muslim]

“The Qur’an is an intercessor (which by Allah’s permission) intercedes, and an opponent (which is) truthful. He who appoints it as his leader, (then it) will lead him to Paradise. And he who puts it behind him, (then it) will lead him to the Fire.”

[Ibn Hibban, Al-Bayhaqi, At-Tabarani, Sahih]

“Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for the slave on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: ‘O My Rabb! I prevented him from food and desires, so accept my intercession for him.’ And the Qur’an will say: ‘I prevented him from sleep during the night, so accept my intercession for him.’ He (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘And they will (be allowed to) intercede.’”

[Ahmad, at-Tabarani, Al-Hakim, Sahih]

“Maintain learning the Qur’an, by heart for verily it is greater in escaping from the chests of men than camels from their reins.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

“Verily Allah raises nations by this book (the Qur’an) and puts down (i.e. destroys) others by it.”

[Muslim]

Hajj: Background Info.

Conditions of Hajj

The Timings and placings of Hajj

Prohibited Acts in the State of Ihram

Types of Hajj

Not because of us

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God.

However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food.The next day,like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island.

He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”“My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything.”

“You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of My blessings.”
“Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”

“He prayed that all your prayers be answered.”
For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.

===================================

Ever wondered how many of us take things for granted....just assuming our prayers are answered, when we may be the most selfish of people????

If we all became a little more mindful and selfless in our dua'a, prayed for others, prayed wholeheartedly and with content, sabr and sheer gratitude...would that not be more beneficial for us than merely asking of Allah to drown us with material possessions we will leave behind, or complaining to Allah to show our lack of patience and integrity.... lets be content once in a while and reflect how blessed we really are... reporting for duty...when we stand for salah, not to give Allah instructions, when HE alone is the best of all planners and He alone is the Creator of all things in the heavens and the earth.

May Allah make us all less selfish.

Ameen

8 tips on preparing for Hajj NOW!

Any Muslim who can afford it and is in good health must perform Hajj. it's an obligation not an option. This once-in-a-lifetime experience for most Muslims requires the utmost preparation and planning beforehand.

Below are some tips to help you start preparing today.

1. Ask Allah
Say Bismillah (In the Name of Allah) and make Dua (supplication) to Allah to help you find the resources and time to perform Hajj this coming year. Only He can make it happen.

2. Discuss vacation time
If you work or have other obligations, you must ensure you get the three weeks to one month off needed to perform Hajj. Check the exact dates of Hajj in the coming year, find out exactly what days you need off (once again, you can talk to your travel agent) and talk to your employer or anyone else who needs to be informed about your plans to give you time off.

3. Start saving up and shopping around
Hajj is an investment. You need to shop around to find a travel agent who can give you the best deal. This is where your meetings with others who have performed Hajj can help.
Look for a Hajj package through a travel agent who offers a wide selection of "packages" for Hajj and who can help you with other details relating to Hajj (i.e. immigration, leading a group through the Hajj, etc.).

4. Start asking about the legal requirements
You need a number of legal documents to perform Hajj.
You will need a visa to go to Saudi Arabia. Find out how long before you have to apply for this, what documents to prepare for it, etc. Make sure your passport has not expired. Be sure to get it, or any other paperwork relating to your residency in your country to be complete before you leave. Start today by calling your local Saudi Arabian embassy to ask about the requirements and preparing the necessary paperwork. Or you can also ask your travel agent (some who offer Hajj packages also help arrange immigration matters for those customers taking their Hajj package).

5. Read about how to do Hajj
There are a number of guidebooks on how to perform Hajj. One of them is A Handbook of Umra & Hajj by Sarwar Alam Raz (which is also available online).
Know the different rituals of Hajj, how and when they are performed, as well as the things to avoid and things that are recommended to do during Hajj.

6. Keep yourself physically fit
Hajj is one pillar of Islam that is physically demanding. Having to walk in the heat, running from Safa to Marwa, these are just some of the rituals someone performing Hajj will have to do.
Start watching what you eat and walking 30 minutes a day or getting involved in any other kind of Islamically permissible activity you enjoy to keep you physically ready for when you go to Hajj, if Allah wills it. Also, get a medical checkup.

7. Make an appointment with those who have made Hajj
Make a formal appointment by phone or in person with someone who has performed Hajj. If you are planning to meet them in person, ask them to bring their Ihram and other things they used during Hajj. Use this meeting to get tips and practical advice from them which you won't find in most guidebooks.

8. Read the Diary of a person who has performed Hajj
If you know of no one who lives near you who has performed Hajj, read the diary of a Hajji by Ishaq Zahid (it's online and it's free!) to get the inside story on Hajj from someone who has performed it.

NB: Remember us in your dua'az when you make Hajj inshaAllah.

=========
Other useful links:

HAJJ PRODUCTS FREE HAJJ HANDBOOK MAP OF MAKKAH & MADINAH

An online Handbook for Hajj and Umrah or BUY IT!

Diary of haji: Day by Day in Makkah & Madinah

The Inner Dimensions of Hajj: Syed Abul Ala Maududi

A Hajj packing list for Muslim women

Running to Remember a Mother and Her Trust in Allah

The Kaba: It's Size and History!

Zamzam: Notes and Facts

21 Tips for Parents for a Hajj Presentation in a Class

Hajj on CNN

Getting into Hajj Spirits (for non-hajjis)

OTHER HAJJ-RELATED INFORMATION

The Last Sermon of the Prophet Mohamed (peace and blessings be upon him)

One Hajji's apprehension & acceptance of the animal sacrifice

The Place of Prophet Ibrahim in Islam, Christianity and Judaism

The first 10 days of Zul Hijjah: why they matter

15 Supplications for the first 10 days of Zul Hijjah

10 steps to memorising the Quran

Memorising the Quran is a great virtuous deed. It will intercede for the one who memorises it and will also act as prevention for one to enter Hell-Fire. According to ahadith, it is also narrated that Allah will never put a person in Hell-Fire who has any part of the Quran in his heart. The 'Golden Age', as described by the classical scholars is between the ages 5 to 23 years. Definitely the golden age is the best time to memorise the Quran as it is the peak of a person's memory. This age factor is a great bonus and aid for those wishing to memorise the Quran and should be utilised by the person immediately.

Below are 10 simple steps a person needs to practice in order to memorise the Quran fast and effectively:

1. Al-Ikhlas - Sincerity The first step to ease the memorisation of the Quran is sincerity. The person must memorise the Quran for the sake of reward and to please Allah. Not to show off, aim to impress others or in order to get a Job (e.g. as Imaam of the Masjid).

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2. Correct the pronunciation and recitation Another factor that will help a person memorise the Quran is to correct the pronunciation and recitation of the Quran. This can be achieved by listening to a Qari whose style of recitation you like and makes you feel connected to the Quran.

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3. Specify how many verses you want to memorise on a daily basis For example, commit yourself to memorise 3, 5, 10, 20 verses per day. If you give yourself a target to memorise 3 verses per day, read the three verses you have memorised along with the new three verses you are trying to memorise e.g. If you memorise 3 verses on one day, the next day you should memorise another 3 verses and repeat the verses you memorised the day before. Another tactic to memorise the Quran is to keep repeating the verses at any opportunity with tajweed (tune). The tajweed will cause the person to enjoy the tune of recitation thus allowing the person to memorise that verse.

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4. Do not exceed the limit of your day If you have committed yourself to memorising 5 or 10 (for example) verses per day then do not exceed it. Commit yourself to a regular number of verses you wish to memorise everyday and do not change this pattern.

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5. Memorise from only one copy of the Quran This is because in every Qurأan, the layout of the verses is different. If you memorise from one copy you will have a mental picture of the verse in your mind, whereas if you attempt to memorise from many different copies of the Quran, it could lead to confusion and difficulty in memorising the Quran.

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6. Understanding is a mechanism of memorising Understanding the verses will definitely increase memorisation and also khushoo (ritual fear and focus) during salah.

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7. Do not go to another chapter until you finish the chapter you are on Memorising the Quran in chapters is the best way to memorise the Quran as it will be easier to remember where you stopped last.

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8. Do not listen to yourself all the time It is advisable to recite in front of someone who is Hafiz ul Quran (who has memorised the Quran) as this will benefit the hafiz and he will correct him on any mistakes he makes.

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9. Continuity - Always recite to yourself, wherever you are It has been reported the Messenger Muhammad (saw) said that the Quran will run away from the tongue of a person faster than an untied camel. Make sure you are constantly reciting the Quran wherever you are e.g. on the bus, whilst travelling, relaxing at home etc.

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10. Identify the patterns of the verses The Quran is Mutashaabihaat, which means that it has a pattern. Verses often look and sound like each other, which is a great aid to memorising the Qurأan.

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Difficulties in memorising the Quran

For those who have passed the golden age, have disability or any hardship in memorising the Quran, it is advisable to have plenty of honey and black seed, which are natural remedies that aid memorisation as-well as cure sicknesses.

Improving your Relationship with the Qur'aan

1. Before you touch it, check your heart. The key to really benefiting from the Quran is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah's book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was described by his wife as a "walking Quran": in other words, he didn't just read and recite the Quran, he lived it.

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2. Do your Wudu (ablution). Doing your Wudu is good physical and mental preparation to remind you you're not reading just another book. You are about to interact with God, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.

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3. Start with reading only 5 minutes everyday. Too often, we think we should read Quran for at least one whole hour. If you aren't in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (God willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become ten, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more!

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4. Make sure you understand what you've read. Five minutes of reading the Quran in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you're reading. Make sure you have a good translation of the Quran in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you've read that day.

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5. Remember, the Quran is more interactive than a CD.In an age of "interactive" CD-Roms and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Quran is not like that. Remember that when you read Quran, you are interacting with Allah. He is talking to you, so pay attention.

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6. Don't just read, listen too.There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Quran, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your walkman or your car's CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Quran reading, not as a replacement for it.

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7. Make Dua (supplication). Ask Allah to guide you when you read the Quran. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allah

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Remember Death....

SubhanAllah, i had to share this video....any time you need to remember death....or when your getting too wrapped up in your worldly affairs, take time out and contemplate...and really reflect on why you are here inshaAllah.

""Every soul shall taste death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception."

(Surah Al-e-Imran: verse 185)

Ummah Films Season 2: That's Not Hijab!

Two Little Girls

by Abu Maryam Smith

Two little girls playing in the sun

One wore a scarf, the other wore none.

"Why do you wear a scarf?" asked the one without.

The other little girl said without a doubt

"Allah loves me to cover my hair

so that little boys won't stand and stare,

when I grow up what I really want to be

is a well dressed Muslim lady like my pretty Mummy."

Count your blessings: SubhanAllah

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back,a roof overhead and a place to sleep ...

you are richer than 75% of this world's population.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet,and spare change in a dish someplace ...

you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ...

you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...

you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can pray in mosque without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ...

you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married ...

you are very rare.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful...

you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can read this message,

you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you,

and furthermore,you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings to thank ALLAH (God),and pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

===============================

Take heed, be thankful to Allah, for today...."If you wake up in the morning, don't think of the evening, and if you stay alive to the evening, don't think of the morning.
Save from you health to anticipate your sickness. And from your youth to your old age. And from your life to your death. And from your wealth to your poverty. Indeed! You do not know what you will be called in the future."

Urgent: Shaykh Anwar Al Awlaki

Campaigns : Shaykh Anwar Al Awlaki


Urgent Appeal: Shaykh Anwar Al Awlaki - A Leader in Need 08/11/2006

Urgent Appeal: Imam Anwar Al Awlaki - A Leader in Need www.cageprisoners.com

Reports indicate that Imam Anwar Al Awlaki, a prominent Muslim scholar highly regarded in English speaking Islamic circles, has been detained incommunicado for the past two months in Yemen and may face torture or ill treatment in custody. Anwar Awlaki, whilst in the US worked for inter-faith dialogue– working hard to establish a reasoned, nuanced and just form of intellectual dissent in Western Muslims Enabling Muslim communities in western societies to contribute and interact in wider society and contribute to it whilst remaining confident of their Islamic heritage and identity. Regarding the 9/11 attacks, Imam Anwar was quick to state, “What has occurred is a heinous crime. A Muslim can have nothing to do with this.” [1] Imam Anwar was renowned for his justice amongst people, even when Muslim sentiment would seem to be totally against the West; this is typified by one of his statements: “President Bush has showed the Muslim American community some good gestures. He specifically warned the people from committing any hate crimes against their fellow Muslim citizens, and he visited a Mosque.”

BACKGROUND
Anwar al-Awlaki is a Muslim scholar who was born in New Mexico, and is a US national. His parents are from Yemen, where he lived for eleven years and received the early part of his Islamic education. He served as an Imam in Colorado, California, and later in the Washington, D.C. area where he headed the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center and was also the Muslim Chaplain at George Washington University. Prior to his detention, he was resident in Yemen, where he was studying Islamic Jurisprudence with prominent scholars, He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University, a M.A. in Education Leadership from San Diego State University and was working on a Doctorate degree in Human Resource Development at George Washington University. He authored many popular audio series including the "Lives of the Prophets", "The Hereafter" and "The Life of Muhammad".

In the early hours of October 17, a Yemeni secret police raid swept up eight foreigners living in Sana'a, under surveillance by the CIA and British intelligence, and at least 12 other men across Yemen. Yemeni authorities insist they dismantled an al-Qa'ida cell and disrupted a gun-running ring to neighboring Somalia. It was subsequently reported that the key to the raids was Anwar Al Awlaki (identified in the media as 'Abu Atiq') who was arrested six weeks before the October 17 swoop. Media reports allege that 'Abu Atiq' was an associate of two of the September 11 hijackers and a protege of Abdul al-Majid al-Zindani, who the US wants arrested on terror charges. They also make allegations of supposed involvement in a foiled al-Qa'ida plot to bomb oil and gas facilities in Yemen.

He is believed to be held in Central Security Prison in Sana'a. Locals in Sanaa insist, perhaps apocryphally, that the two stories of the complex above ground sit atop eight stories underground, where torture rooms and darkened cells are often used. Human rights organisations such as Amnesty International have repeatedly raised concerns regarding arrests and detentions by the Political Security Organ in Yemen, which are carried out with total disregard for the rule of law and for Yemen’s international human rights obligations. Amnesty states that, “arrests are carried out without the judicial supervision required by law and those detained were invariably subjected to lengthy incommunicado detention and interrogations, during which some detainees claim that they were tortured or ill-treated. Detainees have also been denied access to lawyers, as well as being denied the opportunity to challenge the legality of their detention before a court.”For more information about Imam Anwar al-Awlaki, please visit: http://www.cageprisoners.com/prisoners.php?id=2127

Take Action for Imam Anwar Al Awlaki

Write to the US authorities: Demand that the state department fulfils their statutory duties and provide consular assistance and clarify where Anwar Al Awlaki is held; Demand an end to incommunicado and secret detention; detainees should be held only in officially recognized places of detention with access to family, lawyers and courts; Call for human rights laws and standards to be strictly adhered to in cooperation between US security forces and those of other countries, ensuring that torture and ill-treatment, incommunicado detentions and "disappearance" play no part in such cooperation; Ensure his rights as a US national are being protected and that his detention is free from torture or ill-treatment

Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State U.S. Department of State2201 C Street, N.W. Washington DC 20520Tel: + 1 202 647 4000 Fax: + 1 202 261 8577
E-mail: http://contact-us.state.gov/ask_form_cat/ask_form_secretary.html

Write to the Yemeni authorities:

Appeal for the immediate release of Anwar Al Awlaki unless he is to be promptly charged with a recognizable criminal offence and given a fair trial without further delay in accordance with international fair trial standards

Call on the authorities to respect the rule of law Remind the authorities of their obligations under both national and international human rights law and allow Anwar Al Awlaki access to legal counsel, his family and the opportunity to challenge the legality of his detention
General ‘Ali ‘Abdullah SalehPresidentOffice of The PresidentSana’aRepublic of YemenFaxes: 009671274147

Rashid Muhammad al-‘Alimi Office of the Republic of Yemen Ministry of the Interior Sana’a Republic of Yemen Telephone: 009671332701 Fax: 009671274147

Write to Islamic organisations:

Encourage all Islamic organisations in the US to campaign for the release of Imam Anwar al-Awlaki.
Further encourage the these societies in the US to promote the right to a fair trial and the rule of law.
Islamic Society of North America PO Box 38 Plainfield IN 46168 USA Telephone: 0013178398157 Fax: 0013178391840
Council on American-Islamic Relations 453 New Jersey Avenue , S.E. Washington DC 20003 Telephone: 0012024888787 Fax: 0012024880833

==========================================

May Allah (swt) give the Shaykh sabr, shifa'a, protect him from torture, or ill acts and hasten his release alongside our other brothers and sisters currently captive across the globe.

Ameen

Anticipation

'Abd Allah Ibn Umar (RA) said, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to me:

"Be in this world as a stranger or a wayfarer and count yourself amongst the dead. If you wake up in the morning, don't think of the evening, and if you stay alive to the evening, don't think of the morning.

Save from you health to anticipate your sickness. And from your youth to your old age. And from your life to your death. And from your wealth to your poverty. Indeed! You do not know what you will be called in the future." (i.e you do not know if you will be called a righteous or evil, believer or unbeliever, in the Hereafter).

::::::SELF ANALYSIS::::::

Ok, so subhanAllah....time out....

Take a minute, re-read the above and reflect on it a moment....

....

Ahem...so the big question is, what are we doing! Are we really living for our akhirra as obedient slaves of Allaah....or are we slaves to the dunya and best friends of shaytaan (may Allah swt protect us and forgive us...)

So we all have these great plans...for the future and our perfect little lifes on the dunya...but are we really travellers....or are we building our mansions on the dunya and leaving our akhirra as little more than a pit in the hellfire?

Think about it...how much to we hoard, in anticipation of that rainy day, or that brighter future...how much time and effort do we spend on things that really do not concern us.... Are we really mindful of death or our accountability?

Spending our lives in neglect...and then having the nerve to doubt the will of Allah when a calamity strikes....Can we really, truly call ourselves believers????

Take Heed, refect and really analyse your purpose, your existance, your way of life....are you living for the dunya, or are you living for your akhirra.....

Are you a slave of Allah or a slave to your desires.

May Allah swt protect us from the lure of shaytaan and our nafs, May we die as true righteous believers and May Allah swt grant us the best and purify our intentions.

Ameen

The Believer's Vehicle

Abu Musa al-Ashar'i (RA) said, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

"Do not curse wordly life! It is indeed a good vehicle for the believer through which he can do good deeds, and through it he will be safe from evil.

If the 'Abd (Allah's bondsmen) says, 'God damn this life.' Life will say, 'May God damn the one of us who is more disobedient to his Lord."

::: Self Analysis: Time out :::

In the midst of this everyday life, all encompassing, of deeds (for the akhirra) and activities.... how many of us, have turned and said oh we're sick of this, or sick of that...through thick and thin, are we really true to Allah and His commands? Are we really grateful for the blessings He (SWT) bestows on us, every hour of every day? Are we really taking advantage of the little time we have left on this dunya? Are we really fulfilling our duty as Muslims? Are we really carrying and spreading the message of Islam far and wide? Have you ever spoken to your neighbours about Islam? Have you ever raised your hands and showed your gratitude for each breath that leaves your body so effortlessly?

We're all too quick to curse and be ungreatful....when we subhanAllah, have so much to be thankful. Even if we spent our lifetimes on our knees repenting before Allah.....we would not appreciate how blessed we truly are. So strike a balance...take heed...and make the most of the few hours/minute/seconds you have left...don't wait till tomorrow....as you can not gaurentee you will survive tonight.

May Allah (SWT) soften our hearts and guide us.

Ameen

Beware of Excess

Abu Hurairah (RA) said, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

" Beware of the excess of food; indeed, the excess of food hardens the heart, and slows the limbs from obedience to Allah, and deafens the mind from hearing the admonition.

Beware of the excess of looking; indeed, it sows lust in the heart and creates foolishness.

Beware of being greedy because greed fills the heart with strong avidity and seals the heart with the seal of the love of this world, and it is the key for bad deeds and the cause for foiling good deeds"

:::SELF ANALYSIS:::

Take a moment.....

As Ramadhan has finally departed for another year, how many of us have truly drawn from it the bear minimum....??? Have you?

What changes have been made permanent (atleast by intention) in your life?

How aware are you of excessiveness in all its forms????

Reflect....

Are you really doing yourself justice? Where can you improve? How are you going to do it?

May Allah swt save us from greed, and excessiveness in all its forms.

Ameen.

A Quick Reminder

Just a quick reminder for us all inshaAllah.

Ramadhan 1427: The last 10 days....

So....day 24 of Ramadhan 1427....well into the last 10 days of Ramadhan....subhanAllah...that feeling of sadness gradually creeping up on us as we try and make the most of what we have left, not knowing whether we will be alive to see it thru and be blessed enough to see the next.

For many this Ramadhan has been a time for change, a time for reflection, contemplation, and soul searching....changing ourselves, begging for forgiveness, and hoping our fasts were kept with pure intention and are accepted along side our ibadah by Allah (SWT). Many still in hope that mercy, and forgiveness may still be bestilled upon us...before the shayateen are let loose and the muslim community once again disperses for another year, as the masjids stand empty 6 days out of 7. In hope these chages are truly going to last for the next 11 months atlest!

For others, who are looking forward to Eid, and the copious amount of food, free mixing and entertainment, the freedom to go to the cinema, and do all that is haram for the body and the nafs in this life and the akhirra....did you truly understand the concept of Ramadhan, do you truly understand the power of Allah (swt), or have you become blind to the beauty of the deen that has been given to you ...the guidance that is clearly prescribed for you??? All to fulfil your worldly desires, succumb to shaytaan, and feed your nafs all it desires....

MUSLIMS!!!!

Yes, you!

Watch out....the clock is ticking, there is little time left, as another blessed Ramadhan passes us by? Have you done enough, should you die tomorrow? Are you happy with the way you have reformed your characer? Have you removed your bad traits and begged for forgiveness?

Noone....not one of you, can truly say you have done enough....and I for one, put myself at the top of the list! But what are we going to do about it? Wait in awe of Eid, or get down on our knees, hold our hands in dua'a, recite Quran, in hope of some salvation....

Before it's too late....

The poem below is written by myslef....in hope it will make you think and reflect inshaAllah before Ramadhan passes us by, and we succumb to shaytan, our nafs, and worldly desires...

May Allah swt have mercy on us, accept our actions, and distance us from our sins, and the lure of our rotten nafs

Ameen.

Dunya vs. Akhirra...

"Rivalry in worldly increase distracteth you, Until ye come to the graves.Nay, but ye will come to know!Nay, but ye will come to know!Nay, would that ye knew (now) with a sure knowledge!For ye will behold hell-fire.Aye, ye will behold it with sure vision.Then, on that day, ye will be asked concerning pleasure."

(Surah At Takathur)
You have this great plan, of how you want your life to be;

Planning for the dunya, when only He can but foresee.

Studying, working, purchasing, a brand new house or car;

In this wild delusion that this world may take you far.

Distracted from your duties, never mindful of your death,

Not knowing when or where, you might take your last few breaths.

Every day taken for granted, every hour wasted in awe,

Materialistic dunya, ungrateful servants wanting more.

You all manage to fast okay, practice the hunger and the thirst;

Turning your backs then to backbite, envy, hate or worse.

Once a year, in Ramadhan, you all try to do more;

As soon as Eid ul fitr comes, Islam goes out the door.

In a place where there’s no wealth except your deeds, both good and bad;

What use is all this money, when you wasted what you had?

You never spent in Allah’s cause, for fear of poverty;

You embraced the dunya, forgot about Eternity.

When you see, all those you wronged, take the few good deeds you had;

When you see that all your wealth you’ll leave behind, will you be glad?

On the final day of reckoning, when you stand before Allah,

Will you be sent to Hell, or granted access to Jannah?

What’s going on O Muslims? Why do you think that you;

Might escape the punishment, no matter what you do.

The End is but inevitable, the grave your place of rest,

Even the rich amongst you, will have to pass the test.

Control of your Nafs, Purifying your intention,

Don’t let the Shayatin, give bad deeds even a mention.

Live each day as it’s your last, don’t withhold enmity,

Forgive and forget, in hope of pure serenity.

Take heed today o Muslims, and be thankful to Allah;

Turn and Repent, Help others, give Zakah.

Be mindful of your speech, be grateful of your health

Read Quran and Salaah, for truly they will be your wealth.

Soul Scripture, Ramadhan 1427

Ramadhan 1427 (9): How does the ear fast?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the All-Merciful
The ear is responsible before Allah for what it hears. The righteous people are those who listen carefully to what is said and follow it.
The ears fast from listening to obscenities, music and lewd material. To the righteous there is an illustrious fast from hearing things that may anger Allah (SWT) both in and outside of Ramadhan.
There are those amongst us, that fill their ears with forbidden sounds and sinful words and fofbid their ears from the Noble Quran, the noble, distinct and divine audition. Listening to the Quran bears the fruit of faith, guidance, light and prosperity; filling the heart with wisdom, tranquility, intimacy and contentment. It is a source of protection from dangerous, deviant, and and sinful thoughts. So the power of the ears lies in rememberance, beneficial knowledge, good advice, profound manners,and good speech.

Some words on fasting of the ears:

And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not, etc.) that of which you have no knowledge (e.g. ones saying: "I have seen," while in fact he has not seen, or "I have heard," while he has not heard). Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned (by Allah).

(Surah Al-Isra: Verse 36)

And surely, We have created many of the jinns and mankind for Hell. They have hearts wherewith they understand not, they have eyes wherewith they see not, and they have ears wherewith they hear not (the truth). They are like cattle, nay even more astray; those! They are the heedless ones.

(Surah Al-Araf: Verse 179)

Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle; nay, they are even farther astray from the Path. (i.e. even worst than cattle).

(Surah Al-Furqan: Verse 44)

And when they (who call themselves Christians) listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognised. They say: "Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses. (Surah Al-Maeda: Verse 83)

And whenever there comes down a Soorah (chapter from the Quran), some of them (hypocrites) say: "Which of you has had his faith increased by it?" As for those who believe, it has increased their faith, and they rejoice. But as for those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubt, disbelief and hypocrisy), it will add suspicion and doubt to their suspicion, disbelief and doubt, and they die while they are disbelievers.

(Surah At- Taubah: Verse 124-125)

And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden).

(Surah Al- Mu'minoon: Verse 3)

And when they hear AlLaghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk), they withdraw from it and say: "To us our deeds, and to you your deeds. Peace be to you. We seek not the ignorant."

(Surah Al-Qasas: Verse 55)

May Allah (swt) protect us from the evil, sounds, words, and acts of disbelief evil or hypocrisy and keep us rightly guided on the one true path. Purifying our hearts, so that we may find peace and true serenity in listening, understanding and learning from the beautiful words of the Holy Quran.
Ameen!

Ramadhan 1427 (8): How does the eye fast?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the All-Merciful

So as we all know, fasting isn't just about the thirst and hunger, but also involves fasting with all the parts of the body. Those include the heart, the tongue (hence avoiding Al-Ghiba), the eyes, ears, hands and feet.

So now we've looked at the fasting of the tongue, and avoiding the major sin of Al-Ghiba, lets look at the fasting of the eye inshaAllah.

Allah (swt) says in the Quran:

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss."

(Quran:Surah 24: verse 30 and 31)

The eye is an opening to the heart and a door to the spirit.

Ali ibn Abi Talib once asked the Prophet (saw) about the gaze. He (saw) replied: 'Lower your gaze' Hence whoever does not lower his gaze will be afflicted by 4 calamities.

1. The disposing of the heart in every direction, and its tearing apart in every field. As a consequence, it has no stability and enjoys no inner peace. Neither is it able to mobilize all its power. It is wounded and weakened and quite rightly complains of the misdeeds of the eyes, its gazes and glances.

2. Punishments of the soul and training it with the loss what is saw and did not get. the soul, because of the act of the eye, is in constant distress, anxiety and turmoil.

3. With the release of forbidden glances, the sweetnesses of worship and obedience is lost. Thus, say goodbye to the light of faith if the eye is not disciplined and made to fast from the unlawful sights. The souls will neither taste faith not find conviction except through the control of the eye.

4. Because of the great sin incurred by its violation of honour and privacy, the eyes would be rewarded with great sin. No one ever fell into filth and perversion except after his eyes had gone astray. Surely there is no movement and no power except with Allah the most High, the most Magnificent.

5 Benefits of Lowering the gaze:

1. Obedience to Allah (swt) command to lower the gaze and hence a blessing and honour in this world and the akhirra inshaAllah.

2. Peace of the heart, its nourishment as well as its realization of its full potential, comfort, happiness and ease.

3. Avoidance of calamaties and safety from trials and misdeeds.

4. Allah opens for His servants the doors of Ilm, understanding, success and uprightness; a fitting reward for piety.

5. Allah will instil a sense of discernment in the heart of the learned and His perfect light in the souls of the truthful; again a reward for those who lowered their gaze.

Summary

So the eyes are expected to fast in obedience to the Ever living, the Selfsubsisting.

There are people whose stomach fasts from food and dirnk but their eyes graze shrubbery of forbidden sights. Such people do not know the real essence of fasting.

So, let our eyes fast from the unlawful things in the same way that we abstein from food and drink inshaAllah.

Let our hearts be healthy and our spirits relax.

The Quran says:

"May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon the one whose eye fasts for the pleasure of His Lord."

(Surah 76: verses 11 and 12)

May Allah (swt) make us worthy of his peace, blessings and mercy.

Ameen!

Ramadhan 1427 (7): Al-Ghiba'a, A Summary (Part III)

Lessons regarding Al-Ghiba:

1. Al-Ghiba, is backbiting, and means t mention something bad about a person in their absence.

2. If what is said is not true, it is called slander.

3. The one who listens to backbiting is one of the backbiters.

4. The backbiter pays for the sins of the person who did the wrong.

5. A backbiter is not forgiven by Allah until the person He spoke ill of forgives him.

6. People normally backbite about: character, deeds, religious or worldly affairs.

7. Speaking ill of a leader about his wrongs is not backbiting.

8. It is not backbiting if one warns other Msulims about the practices of someone or to speak ill of a person who is known for his bad habits.

9. Just as you would hate to eat the flesh of your dead brother, so too, you should hate to hurt the feelings of a Muslim by backbiting.

10. If you conceal the faults of others, Allah will conceal yur faults in this world and the Hereafter.

11. If you see one virtue in a person do not mention the 10 faults they have.

12. Paradise is for him who controls his tongue.

13. Do not speak ill of good people; you then do them wrong.

14. Do not speak ill of the wicked; you then make an enemy of them.

15. Do not slander another; lest you make another enemy.

Ramadhan 1427 (6): Al-Ghiba'a (Part II)

Causes of Al-Ghiba

There are 7 causes of Al-Ghiba

1.Venting one's Anger:
For example in an arguement between two people, and later one backbites the other to justify or gratify their anger.

2. Desire to fit in and be accepted by one's companions:
When you hear your friends speak ill of others behind their back and you don't stop them or warn them, you join them! Take heed of the verse:
"..friends on that day will be foes one to another, except the righteous people."
Al Zakhruf: Verse 67

3. To raise oneself by degrading another:
In the same way one becomes jealous when another is praised, and then seeks to disparage them. Or when one's knowledge, honour, and good qualities are praised in front of him and he says, yes but he also has such and such bad qualities. This is shaytaan, luring you to believe this is sincere advice, but if it was, you would give it privately not expose him publicly.

4. Sheer Envy:
Envy is an evil. Shaytaan decieves us by envying the benefits of others and waiting for Allah (swt) to remove them. Hence the only way to disparage them is to speak ill of them behind their back. Muslims, be aware! Allah only gives His benefits, to those whom He likes, and no one can change this decree.

5. Joke and Amusement:
Backbiting in order to make others laugh. This is a grave sin as the Prophet (SAW) said:
"It is a serious evil for a Muslim to look down upon his Brother Muslim."
Sahih Muslim: On the authority of Abu Hurairah (RA).

6. Pretending to Show Mercy:
Someone may say: poor so and so, I feel sorry for him, he takes the Fajr prayer so lightly, or he has shaved his beard or been tested by such and such offence. If the backbiter was sincere, he would be genuinely distressed, and not spread the misdamenours but invoke Allah (swt) to help him overcome their problems, advising them in secret.

7. Forcing oneself to be angry for the sake of Allah:
For example whem one says: Look and so and so and how he transgresses against Allah's boundaries or violates His Commands. This person is wicked and evil, because if he is honest he would have met him and commanded him to do good and forbid him frm evil.

The cure for Al-Ghiba

One can overcome Al-Ghiba in 5 ways:

1. Realise:
Ghiba is a sin that exposes you to the displeasure of Allah (swt) and remember just what the punishment is.

2. Remember:
That your good deeds are going to the one you are backbiting, and their sins are being given to you, on the Day of Judgement, you might be in need of that one good deed to save you from Hellfire.

3. Be Mindful:
Put yourself in the shoes of the one you are backbiting. Would you like it that someone else back bite you?

4. Purify:
Clean your heart from that which causes you to backbite a fellow Muslim; such as hatred, ency, glory (self praise), arrogance, and other diseases.

5. Reflect:
Ponder over your own faults instead of backbiting other people, and occupy yourself with correcting them. Feel ashamed to discuss others faults when you have so many. If you are really free from faults, be thankful to Allah as backbiting is one of the major sins.

"O Children of Adam, you will not achieve the reality of Eeman until you stop finding faults with people when you yourself have so many faults, and until you start correcting them. If you do so, occupy yourself with your own self, because the dearest servants of Allah are those who are like this."
Al-Hassan Al-Basri (may Allah have mercy upon him)

Reflect:

If your soul drives you to mention other people's faults, first ask yourself:

- Have you prayed with the Imam the 5 daily prayers in the Masjid?

-Have you performed the Night prayers?

- Have you recited part of the Quran today?

- Have you invoked Allah (swt) for helping Muslims today?

- Have you invoked Allah (swt) for your parents today?

- Have you given sadaqah today to the poor?

- Have you fasted one day for Allah (swt) this week?

- Have you performed your prayers today, submissively in the presence of Allah (swt)

- Have you prayed Du'ah (forenoon) Salaah today?

- Have you maintained your voluntary prayers?

- Have you mentioned the morning and afternoon Adhkaar?

- Have you remembered Allah (swt) today and cired or were you negligent?

Take time to look at yourself, and take advantage of your time by asking for Allah's forgivenness, and occupying yourself with your own problems and flaws.

May Allah (swt) purify us and distance us from the evil fo Al-Ghiba, bringing us closer to Him and may He purify our intentions and accept our good deeds.
Ameen

Ramadhan: The Merits and Etiquette of the Last Ten Nights of Ramadhan

by Shaykh Ali Al Timimi

(May Allah SWT have mercy on Him and ease His suffering, Ameen)

My dear brothers and sisters! It is reported in as-Sahihayn[1] that ‘A’isha – may Allah be pleased with her – informs that when the last ten nights began Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would ‘tighten his izar’, keep awake during the night, and awaken his family. In Muslim’s report she said that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would exert himself during the last nights to a greater extent than at any other time.

The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would emphasize the last ten nights of Ramadan what he would not emphasize at any other time during the month by performing specific acts that he would not perform at any other time during the month. The scholars who have studied the Prophet’s Sunnah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) have identified six specific acts that he would do unlike the other nights of Ramadan:

He would keep awake during the night.

This could imply that he would keep awake throughout the whole night. For it is reported in al-Musnad upon ‘A’isha that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would combine the [first] twenty nights [of Ramadan] with prayer and sleep, but if the [final] ten nights began he would ‘pull up and tighten his izar.’

Or this could imply that he would keep awake most of the night. Some of the earliest scholars have stated whoever keeps awake half the night, has kept awake all the night.

He would awaken his family for prayer.

Abu Dharr – may Allah be pleased with her – that Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) led them in [night] prayer during the night of the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, and the twenty-seventh.

It is mentioned that he called his family and his women [to pray] during the night of the twenty-seventh in particular.

This shows that it is stressed to awaken them during the more emphasized odd nights which laylatul-qadr is sought.

Sufyan ath-Thawri would say, “It is so beloved to me if the last ten nights begin for someone to pray tahajjud and exert oneself and awaken one’s wife and children to pray if they can endure that.”

He would ‘tighten his izar.’

This Arabic expression means he would stay away from his wives.[2] It is reported that he would not return to his bed until Ramadan ended. Anas reports he would roll up his bed and stay away from his wives.

The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would perform ‘itikaf during the last ten nights. It is forbidden for the one performing ‘itikaf to have sexual relations. The wisdom behind this is that while Allah permitted during the month of Ramadan sexual relations during the night, it was legislated that during the last ten nights for those seeking layatul-qadr to avoid sexual relations so that they might not miss it. For this reason those engaged in ‘itikaf are prohibited from sexual relations.

He would delay his breaking of his fast until his predawn meal.

It is reported upon ‘A’isha and Anas that he the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would delay his dinner until sahur. This is because dhikr for those who know Allah suffices them from food and drink.

He would wash himself between maghrib and ‘isha’.

Ibn Abi ‘Asim reports that ‘A’isha has reported this. Ibn Jarir says the earliest Muslims used to like to wash every night of the last ten. Some of them would wash and perfume themselves[3]. Hammad ibn Salama said that Thabit and Humaid would wear their best clothes and perfume themselves and perfume the mosque during those nights which one would expect laylatul-qadr.

So it is preferable during these last ten nights, and especially those which one expects laylatul-qadr, to beautify oneself by cleaning oneself, wearing perfume and one’s best clothes. One does not truly beautify oneself outwardly unless one beautifies oneself inwardly by repentance and remorse. For outer beauty with inner ugliness is worthless.

He would perform ‘itikaf.

‘A’isha said that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to engage in ‘itikaf during the last ten nights of Ramadan till Allah took him, and then his wives followed this practice after his death. This reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Seclusion for worship is legislated in the masajid so that neither the congregational nor the jumu’a prayers are missed. To seek seclusion elsewhere is a reprehensible innovation.


My brothers and sisters! We have been commanded to seek to perform as many good deeds, be they obligatory or just praiseworthy. At the same time, we are ordered to avoid as many evil or reprehensible deeds. Those whom Allah has decreed eternal happiness in the Hereafter will find performance of good deeds and avoidance of evil deeds easy for them, while those whom Allah has decreed eternal sorrow in the Hereafter will find themselves unable to accomplish any good deeds nor avoid any evil deeds.

With that we should always remember that what we ultimately seek is that our deeds are accepted, not just mere physical exertion of our bodies. For as the earliest Muslims would say, “How many of those who are awake in prayer are denied Allah’s mercy (mahrum), while those who are asleep are shown it (marhum)?”

[1] I.e., al-Bukhari and Muslim.
[2] In other words not have sexual relations.
[3] Women are not allowed to perfume themselves when going out in public.

Ramadhan 1427 (5): Al-Ghiba'a (Part I)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the All-Merciful

Allah (swt) reminds us in the Quran:

"O Believers, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you, so that you may learn to restrain yourselves."

This restraint isn't limited at our abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours....its more than that, it's about gaurding every part of our body from haram...and that is more important than the giving up of food and drink ramadhan, because it is the control of your nafs that will truly make us believers.

Reprehensible actions and characteristics that come under the title of ‘Major Sins’ are many. Some rate higher on the scale due to the damage they cause to the individual’s spirituality, and havoc they wreak on the society.

Backbiting or "Al-Ghiba" is of these Major Sins, because it is the root of dissension and discord. It is the ‘arm of the devil’ responsible for spreading unpleasantness, malice and spite, and the leading cause of enmity amongst people.

What is Al-Ghiba???

The Prophet of Allah (SAW) said: "Backbiting is to mention something about your brother that he may hate to have mentioned".
Moussa bin Jaafar (AS) said: Whoever mentions something about a man behind his back which is a part of him and his character, and the people already know about it, then it is not backbiting. Should he mention something about him behind his back which the people have no knowledge of, then he has backbitten him. If he mentions him behind his back with something that is not part of him, then he has slandered him. If the defect or characteristic in a person is present, visible, and known to all then it does not come under the category of backbiting, but it would come under the subtitle of defamation, causing hurt and scorning the faithful. Nonetheless, under the guise of these subtitles it is still forbidden.

A Summary of Al-Ghiba

1. Al-Ghiba is the revelation of a defect of shortcoming, be it something common, or concerned with ones religion, which has been hidden by Allah from the ears of the one about to hear it. It is that which the person being talked about would hate to have revealed and the intention of the backbiter is to belittle the one who possesses that characteristic.

2.Transmitting news of something which is not known to others, not for sake of scorning or belittling, but for other reasons, such as amusement, or to use as evidence, or even as a show of compassion (for example you feel sorry for someone who may have a physical or some other defect or problem, which is known only to you, but you talk about it to someone else who has no knowledge of it out of pity. This is considered backbiting). There is no doubt that this type of backbiting referred to in the above instances is forbidden.

3. There is the transmitting of news of a person's defect to someone else who already knows of this defect. On face value, some narrations say that this form of talk is removed from under the title of backbiting, although there is other narrations that place this also under the title of backbiting. Nevertheless in light of that, should the backbiter's intention be to scorn and belittle, then without doubt it again falls under the title of a forbidden act. Because the transmitting of such news may cause harm and weaken a believer’s position. Although the backbiter's intentions may not be to cause harm, it nevertheless happens and it is beyond his power to control the fallout from what has been relayed to others.

4. There is little difference between the mentioning of defects or characteristics in one form or another. Be it a physical, dispositional or hereditary characteristic or defect, be it about one's words or one's actions, about one's worldly business or religious matters, or about matters related to his dress, house, transport and the likes.

5. Things that come under the mentioning of physical bodily characteristics is to say so and so is bleary-eyed, cross-eyed, bald, short, black, yellow and so on. Characteristics a person may possess, thus causing him hurt should it be mentioned in an ill manner. As for backbiting related to heritage is to say this persons father is immoral, cruel, sordid etc. As for dispositional backbiting, it is to say that one is covet, or proud, or a coward, is weak, or a thief, etc.

6. Backbiting which strikes at ones beliefs and principles is to say for example, so and so is a liar, or drinks alcohol, or is negligent in his prayers. Backbiting related to one's worldly affairs is to say, so and so is a big eater or big sleeper, or his clothes are dirty, old, torn, long, short. In short, it is mentioning something that the other party does not accept.

7. It is also forbidden to generalize. An example of that is that you may have seen a Lebanese man stealing. You cannot say, 'The Lebanese are thieves', for then you have backbitten a whole nation.
=================================

The main point to note is the concept of controlling one's actions seems easy in ramadhan, because everyone jumps on the bandwagon and prays, fasts, recites quran and has the excuse that the shayateen are locked up we are able to do such and such. The action most people really have an issue with is the control of the tongue and in effect, the control of the nafs.
So turn, reflect, and really consider the value you are adding to a person through your speech...as it could be that in turn your speech is taking you closer to jahanum, not jannah...
‘Backbiting eats at one's good deeds (hasanaat) in the same manner that fire eats wood’.
===============================

Ramadhan 1427 (4): Zakat and Sadaqah..

Collect a portion of their wealth in charity, so that you may purify and bless them by means of it...

(Al Quran 9:103)

...Whetever you spend (in Allah's cause), He will replace it. He is the best of the providers.

(Al Quran 34:39)

The Prophet (SAW) said: 'An act of charity is due every day from every joint of the body (as a means of showing gratitude to Allah for one's body and good health): Helping a person to ride hsis animal (or vehicle) or load his baggage is charity, a good word is charity, and showing someone the way is also charity'

(Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet (SAW) said: 'Every act of goodness is charity'.

(Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet (SAW) said: ' Do not hold back (from giving to peple and helping them), or Allah will withold (His mercy and blessings) from you.'

(Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet (SAW) said: 'A person's wealth will never decrease from giving charity'.

(Tirmidhi)

*************************************

We all know that zakah is one of the pillars of Islam, but how many of us really take heed in our actions? Many of us know these a'Hadith and still live in fear of poverty if we give anything of our wealth...others, well they simply see it as a "class thing"...but we're Muslims! It's our duty!!

Wake up Muslims, it's Ramadhan, purify yourselves!

Before it's too late....

Click any of the links to Islamic charities in the right menu to Donate now inshaAllah.

‘Surely they who recite the Book of Allah and keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them secretly and openly, hope for a gain which will not perish’
(Surah al Fatir, Verse 29)

'By no means shall you attain righteousness until you spend (benevolently) out of what you love; and whatever thing you spend, Allah surely knows it'

(Surah aal Imran, Verse 92)

"The parable of those who spend their property in the way of Allah is as the parable of a grain growing seven ears (with) a hundred grains in every ear; and Allah multiplies for whom He chooses; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing."
(Surah Baqarah, Verse 261)

Ramadhan 1427 (3): Seeking Knowledge Until Death

From the Life and Works of al-Imâm Ahmad
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the All-Merciful, may His salâh and salâm be upon His Final Messenger.

Imâm Ahmad had two sons, 'Abdullâh and Sâlih, whom were half-brothers. Sâlih relates that:
"A man saw my father carrying a mihbarah (a wooden inkwell that students used to carry along with their pens) and said, 'O Abâ 'Abdillâh! You are the Imâm of the Muslims!' "

This man spoke like this since he was surprised to see Imâm Ahmad carrying his mihbarah as the young students would carry it, or indeed that he would still read books, or shoulder the same responsibilities that the youth did. Note also how all the people were fascinated by him (by Imâm Ahmad), even the elders of the people!

Imâm Ahmad replied with a statement that nullified this man's whole understanding. He said:
"I will be with the mihbarah all the way to the maqbarah (graveyard)."
What did he mean? He meant, "I will be busy with knowledge until I die."
Another narration mentions that he said this same statement on a separate occasion to another group of people:
"As for me, I will seek knowledge until I am placed in the grave."

When the time of his death came near, he said to those around him:
"Relate to me the statement of Hushaym." (Hushaym was Hushaym ibn Bashîr, Imâm Ahmad's first teacher. He met him in the year 179AH, when he began seeking knowledge at the age of 16) So they read to him what he had requested. This narrated tradition mentioned that Ibn Sîrîn used to dislike a person groaning from pain. At that time, Imâm Ahmad had became very ill and he used to groan due to the pain yet when they informed him that Ibn Sîrîn used to dislike groaning at such a time, he did not groan again until he died.

This is the reality of his statement, "I will seek knowledge until I am placed in the grave," meaning, "I must continue benefiting from knowledge."

So if you have left your youth behind and become a teacher or an educator, or a lecturer or professor in the university, or an author, and you say, "I have finished seeking knowledge," know that this is the situation of someone who does not know the reality of his affairs.
Al-'Ilm is knowledge of what? It is knowledge of the Speech of Allah and the speech of His Messenger, peace be upon him. Has anyone reached a level of awareness of the meanings of the Speech of Allah and His Messenger, peace be upon him, and also the statements of the scholars explaining the Book and the sunnah, a level of awareness that is sufficient?

No one has reached that level. No one who has the right intention and a proper heart has reached that level. Regarding this, Imâm Ahmad said, "With the mihbarah all the way to the maqbarah." He was addressing everyone, advising us to continue seeking knowledge and not to give it up for any petty reason.

In the study circles of our mosques we have seen a great number of students who are eager to learn for two months, and then they abandon it. Three months or so only. What is this?! Some of them seek knowledge for 3, 4, 5, or 7 years and then they abandon it.

Why is that? Is it because the lure of the world has come to you, so you are finished and now you head off into the world? Is it because a position was offered to you and you took it? Is it because you have reached a certain status, you have become a school director or professor in the university? For this you reason you have stopped seeking knowledge? No! You must continue seeking knowledge until you die. This is what will correct the society's problems, if their scholars take this advice. As for the students of knowledge, then they must hold fast to this advice, "With the mihbarah all the way to the maqbarah."
He must stay with his book until he dies - reading, learning, memorizing, reviewing, teaching, until his end.

What are the people saying these days? "The rulings related to prayer, we know them, no problem." If you asked them about many of the rulings, you will find that they do not know them. Why is that? It is because they have become satisfied with the knowledge they have, even delighted that they have the knowledge they have. We ask Allah that He excuses us and that He is pleased with us.

If you asked them about affairs even greater than the prayer, issues of creed, issues of tawhîd, you will find that they have not fully grasped the issues, and they used to be students of knowledge! Why is that? Because they were negligent, and thus abandoned it.
Knowledge is honour, if you abandon it, it will abandon you. If you take the task seriously, you will be given some of it, from what Allah has decreed for you.

Say: "O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful

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