When they're gone...

Praise be to Allaah...

انّا للہ و انّا الیہ راجعون

Some of us are fortunate to have one or both parents still with us, for them and the rest, the following is a timely reminder. We may not really appreciate that none of us are gaurenteed for tomorrow, so to hope that this doesn't or won't affect us is a situation similar to the mouse that closes his eyes when a hungry cat stands before it....

SubhanAllah - probably one of the hardest things to think about is the thought of loosing someone dear to you... or seeing them suffer through illness...many people find these are the moments they loose faith and think "why me?" or "why us?", few accept it as the will and decree of Allah and remain steadfast, patient and hopeful that this mountain of a test will soon be conquered inshaAllah...
I've been there - so I'd like to share the following in the hope that you too may benefit today, or tomorrow from this advice....

If they are still with you, ask for forgiveness regularly, the last thing you want is for that seed of regret to remain planted in your heart forever as a painful torment and reminder or what passed...never hold a grudge, life is short - and you and I don't have a gaurentee who will be next, who won't be...give them everything you have in terms of respect, time, love, care and be with them in their sickness, in their happiness and in their despair...

These times may seem long, may seem hard, but if you haven't felt the loss, your in for the greatest of shocks ...

When they're gone, it's easy to say but "Sabr" is the one thing you have to have - if you don't have it - you have to find it...you see the tears can't fall forever...sooner or later your Emaan kicks in - you realise - you wake up ... and that is when you have to swallow that bitter pill, smile and remember the good times, be grateful to Allah and really start to do things for them....

Read the below to find out what you can do inshaAllah....from the smallest act of implementing something they taught you, and making dua'a for them...to building a well or making Hajj on their behalf...

Really, they're not wrong...you don't know what you've got till it's gone...but why look in despair when it has - isn't that too late... implement the following (see below) today...no matter what your position, and I pray that Allah will reunite you in Jannah, and grant you and them the mercy and forgiveness we all long for. InshaAllah....

------------------------------------------------------------

Allaah says in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
“And that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad)”
[al-Najm 53:39]
And Allaah knows best. Al-Muntaqa, 2/161

With regard to parents in particular, Islam regards the son as a source of his father’s earning good deeds. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The good deeds that will reach a believer after his death are:

knowledge which he learned and then spread;

a righteous son whom he leaves behind;

a copy of the Qur’aan that he leaves as a legacy;

a mosque that he built;

a house that he built for wayfarers;

a canal that he dug;

or charity that he gave during his lifetime when he was in good health.

These deeds will reach him after his death.”

Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 242; classed as saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah 4/121; classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi and al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb 1/18.

WHILE THEY ARE ALIVE....

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) was asked:
What are the deeds that will benefit one’s parents, whether they are alive or dead?
He replied: These deeds are: honouring them when they are alive, treating them kindly in word and deed, taking care of their needs for maintenance, accommodation and other things, feeling happy to be with them, speaking nicely to them and serving them, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents”
[al-Isra’ 17:23]
especially when they grow old.

AND WHEN THEY ARE GONE...

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

"When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except three:

sadaqah jaariyah (ongoing charity, e.g. a waqf or endowment),

beneficial knowledge (which he has left behind),

or a righteous child who will pray for him."

(Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no 1376; he said this is a saheeh hasan hadeeth)

ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS....

Prayers for forgiveness offered by both sons and daughters of the deceased bring great benefits, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

"A man’s status will be raised in Paradise and he will ask, ‘How did I get here?’ He will be told, ‘By your son’s du’aa’s (prayers) for forgiveness for you."

(Reported by Ibn Maajah, no 3660; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1617)

GIVE CHARITY...

Another thing that may reach the deceased is sadaqah (charity) given on his behalf, because ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) reported that a man said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):

"My mother has passed away, and if she could have spoken, she would have given something in charity. Will she receive a reward if I give something on her behalf?" He said, "Yes."

(Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath, 1388)

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the mother of Sa’d ibn ‘Ubaadah (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) died when he was away from her. He said:

"O Messenger of Allaah, my mother has died and I am away from her. Will it benefit her anything if I give in charity on her behalf?" He said, "Yes." He said, "Then I ask you to be my witness that I am giving my garden al-Mikhraaf (so called because it bore so many dates) in charity on her behalf."

(Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath, 2756)

Abu Hurayrah reported that a man said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "My father has died and left money behind. He did not make a wasiyyah (a will); will it expiate for his sins if I give some of it in charity on his behalf?" He said, "Yes."

(Reported by al-Nisaa’i)

PROVIDE WATER....THE BEST KIND OF CHARITY...

Sa’d ibn ‘Ubaadah said: "I said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, my mother has died. Should I give charity on her behalf?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I asked, ‘What kind of charity is best?’ He said, ‘Providing water.’"

(Reported by al-Nisaa’i)

PERFORMING HAJJ/UMRAH and FASTING...

Other deeds that may also benefit the deceased are Hajj and ‘Umrah on their behalf, after the living person has first performed Hajj and ‘Umrah on his or her own behalf.

‘Abdullaah ibn Buraydah reported that his father (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:

"While I was sitting with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), a woman came to him and said: ‘I gave my mother a slave-woman in charity, and now my mother has died.’ He said: ‘You have got your reward, and your right of inheritance has brought your gift back to you.’ She said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, she still had one month to fast – can I fast it on her behalf?’ He said, ‘Fast it on her behalf.’ She said, ‘She never went to Hajj – can I perform Hajj on her behalf?’ He said, ‘Perform Hajj on her behalf.’"

(Reported by Muslim, may Allaah have mercy on him, in his Saheeh, no. 1149)

This shows that it is also permissible to fast on behalf of the deceased. Another thing that may benefit the deceased is to fulfil their nadhr (vow), because Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that a woman came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said:

"My mother made a vow to perform Hajj but she died before she could do it. Can I perform Hajj on her behalf?" He said, "Yes, perform Hajj on her behalf. Don’t you think that if your mother owed a debt you would pay it off?" She said, "Yes." He said, "Then pay off what is owed to Allaah, for Allaah is more deserving of having vows fulfilled."

(al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, 7315)

SACRIFICE....

Another thing that may benefit the deceased is if his relative devotes a share to him of a sacrifice he offers. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) offered a sacrifice, he said:

"In the name of Allaah, O Allaah, on behalf of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad" (reported by Muslim, no. 1967)

and the family of Muhammad included both the living and the dead.

------------------------------------

Ref: Extracts from IslamQA.com ...

The Muslim Christmas/Xmas???

So I bet your thinking HUH?/WHAT?

Yes exactly....Xmas does not equal Eid, and incase some Muslims have been sleeping for the past few weeks, Eid was on the 7th of December 2008.

Okay so year on year it amazes me to see more and more of the Muslim community "joining in the festivities"....so I'd like to share the following for the benefit of those that do that, and those that claim they don't know, and well....those that simply know and pretend they don't do it for that reason..

REMEMBER

.انّا للہ و انّا الیہ راجعون

"We are for Allah and to Him we shall return"

- so when you sit down to "xmas dinner" or invite over your family to dinner

ask yourself what religion are u again?

is that the answer you will give when you are questioned in the grave?

What's the justification for you doing such actions and giving such value to a festival that doesn't belong to you or your religion? Is that the answer you will give on the day of reckoning?

May Allah guide myself and all of you....and protect us from the lure of shaytaan, our nafs and the material world - Ameen.

--------------------------

I see many "Muslims" joining in Christmas and other celebrations. Is there any daleel from the Quran and Sunnah that I can present to them to show that these are indeed very sinful practices?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible to join in the kaafir festivals for the following reasons:
Firstly: because this entails imitating or resembling them, and “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood). This is a serious warning. ‘Abd-Allaah ibn al-‘Aas said: Whoever lives in the land of the mushrikeen and celebrates their Nawrooz (New Year) and their Mahrajaan (festivals), and imitates them until he dies, he will be a loser on the Day of Resurrection.
Secondly: taking part in their festivals is a kind of befriending them and showing love for them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them… “[al-Maa’idah 5:51]
“O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists) as friends, showing affection towards them” [al-Mumtahanah 60:1]
Thirdly: festivals are the matter of religion and beliefs, not the matter of worldly customs, as is indicated by the hadeeth: “Every nation has its Eid, and this is our Eid.” Their Eid or festival reflects their corrupt beliefs of Kufr and Shirk.
Fourthly: “And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass it by with dignity” [al-Furqaan 25:72 – interpretation of the meaning]. The scholars interpreted this aayah was referring to the festivals of the mushrikeen. It is not permissible to give any of them cards for their festivals, or to sell them cards or any of the other things they need for their festivals such as lights, trees or food – including turkey, candy canes, etc.
------------

Is it permissible to attend the celebrations of Christian festivals and congratulate them?

Praise be to Allaah.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: it is not permissible for the Muslims to attend the festivals of the mushrikeen, according to the consensus of the scholars whose words carry weight. The fuqaha’ who follow the four schools of thought have stated this clearly in their books… Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a saheeh isnaad from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab that he said: “Do not enter upon the mushrikeen in their churches on the day of their festival, for divine wrath is descending upon them.” And ‘Umar also said: “Avoid the enemies of Allaah on their festivals.”

Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a jayyid isnaad from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr that he said: “Whoever settles in the land of the non-Arabs and celebrates their new year and festival and imitates them until he dies in that state, will be gathered with them on the Day of Resurrection.” (Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 1/723-724).

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What is the ruling on eating food prepared for a Christian festival? What is the ruling on accepting their invitation to their celebrations of the birth of the Messiah (peace be upon him) [i.e., Christmas celebrations]?
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible to celebrate innovated festivals such as the Christmas of the Christians, or Nowrooz (Persian New Year) or Mahrajaan (Persian festival), or festivals that have been innovated by Muslims such as the Prophet’s birthday in Rabee’ al-Awwal or the Israa’ in Rajab and so on. It is not permissible to eat from that food which the Christians or Mushrikeen prepare on the occasion of their festivals. It is also not permissible to accept their invitations to join them in their celebrations of those festivals, because this encourages them and is tantamount to approving of their bid’ah, which gives the wrong idea to ignorant people and makes them think that there is nothing wrong with that. And Allaah knows best

---------

Is it permissible for Muslims to take part in their festivals, such as Christmas?
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible for the Muslim to join the kuffaar in their festivals and to express joy and happiness on these occasions, or to take the day off work, whether the occasion is religious or secular, because this is a kind of imitating the enemies of Allaah, which is forbidden, and a kind of co-operating with them in falsehood. It was proven that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment”[al-Maa'idah 5:2]
We advise you to refer to the book Iqtidaa’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him), for it is very useful on this topic. [Translator’s note: This book is available in English under the title “The Right Way,” published by Darussalam, Riyadh].
And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

--------

There are many more Questions with answers on this topic here

http://islamqa.com/en/search/christmas/AllWords/t,q,a

May Allah protect you all from the practices that displease Allah - and guide us all to those practices that Allah has prescribed for us, that Allah is pleased with, and that strengthen our deen and emaan. Ameen.

HAYAT - BMT

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Deceptions of the Devil

As-Siraat presents

Deceptions of the Devil Shaykh Abdul Majid (IslamQA - Islam Channel)

1.30pm, Sunday 2nd November 2008.

Al-Manar Centre 2 - 4 Glynrhondda Street, Cathays, Cardiff CF24 4AN,

Brothers and Sisters Welcome.

Please spread the word!

The Virtues of Fasting....

Just a quick recap, to refresh and energise you as to the purpose/virtues of fasting and Ramadhan...

Time to renew and refresh your intentions,put your deen into gear and jump start your emaan inshaAllah.

May Allah give us all the tawfiq. Ameen.

DEFINITION

Linguistically, siyaam in Arabic means abstinence. In Islamic terminology, it means abstaining from things that break the fast, from dawn until sunset, having first made the intention (niyyah) to do so.

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The virtues of fasting are great indeed, and one of the things reported in authentic (saheeh) ahaadeeth is that Allaah has chosen fasting for Himself, and He will reward it and multiply the reward without measure, as He says [in a Hadeeth Qudsi5]:
“Except for fasting which is only for My sake, and I will reward him for it." (Al Bukhari)

Fasting has no equal (Al‐Nasaa`i, 4/165; Saheeh at‐Targheeb, 1/413), and the du‘aa (supplication) of the fasting person will not be refused. (Reported by al‐Bayhaqi, 3/345; al‐Silsilat al‐Saheehah, 1797).

‐ The fasting person has two moments of joy: one when he breaks his fast, and one when he meets his Lord and rejoices over his fasting (Reported by Muslim, 2/807.)

‐ Fasting will intercede for a person on the Day of Judgment and will say,

“O Lord, I prevented him from his food and physical desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.” (Reported by Ahmad, 2/174. Al‐Haythami classed its isnaad as hasan in al‐Majma’, 3/181. See also Saheeh al‐Targheeb, 1/411.)

‐ The smell that comes from the mouth of a fasting person is more beloved to Allaah than the scent of musk. (Muslim, 2/807).

‐ Fasting is a protection and a strong fortress that keeps a person safe from the Fire. (Reported by Ahmad, 2/402; Saheeh al‐Targheeb, 1/411; Saheeh al‐Jaami’, 3880.)

‐ Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will distance him from the Fire a distance of seventy years from the Fire. (Reported by Muslim, 2/808).

‐ Whoever fasts one day seeking the pleasure of Allaah, if that is the last day of his life, he will enter Paradise. (Reported by Ahmad, 5/391; Saheeh al‐Targheeb, 1/412).

‐ “In Paradise there is a gate called al‐Rayyaan through which those who fast will enter, and no one will enter through it except them; when they have entered it will be locked, and no‐one else will enter through it.” (Al‐Bukhaari, Fath, no. 1797).

‐ Ramadan is a pillar of Islam, the Qur`aan was revealed in this month, and in it there is a night that is better than a thousand months.
‐ “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains.” (Reported by al‐Bukhaari, al‐Fat’h, no. 3277.)

‐ Fasting Ramadan is equivalent to fasting ten months. (See Musnad Ahmad, 5/280; Saheeh al‐Targheeb, 1/421).

‐ “whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and with the hope of (Allah’) reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Reported by al‐Bukhaari, Fath, no. 37.)

‐ With the breaking of every fast, Allaah will choose people to free from Hellfire. (Reported by Ahmad, 5/256; Saheeh al‐Targheeb, 1/419).

Excerpt from: "Seventy Matters related to fasting" by Shaykh Al Munajjid

available for download here: http://75.126.222.101/data/en/ih_books/signal/en_Matters_Related_to_Fasting.pdf

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A short reminder: The acceptance of repentance

Allah the Most High says in the Holy Quran:

"Oh my Slaves who transgressed against themselves (by commiting evil deeds and sins!) Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is Most Forgiving Most Merciful." (Surah Az-Zumar:53)

It is not befitting that a true believer distances himself from Tawbah. Do no despair and think that Allah will not accept your Tawbah. This is not the sign of a true believer, and it leads to destruction. Indeed Allah is the Most Merciful, who always forgives his Repenting slaves and none despairs from the Mercy of Allah except the disbelieving people. What one is ordered to do is have a good opinion of Allah in all his affairs, even in the last moments of his life.

It is narrated from Du'maan Ibn Basheer who said regarding this ayaah:

"And do not throw yourselves into destruction" (Surah Al Baqarah:195)

If any of you sins he should not throw himself into destruction by saying Allah will not forgive me, rather he should ask Allah for forgiveness as Allah forgives all sins. (Al-Bayhaqi)

Extract from "Obstacles that prevent one from making repentance" by Shaykh ul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (RA)

Allah clearly reminds us of His infinite Mercy on us in the Quran, however we still fail to repent and we still lack our awareness that death may take us, today, tomorrow, or even before you finish reading this sentence....

Perhaps the most important thing any of us can do is to have tawakkul, being negative, and pessimistic, yes, this is human nature, but as Ibn Masud (RA) said:

"The is none of us that does not experience feelings like these (pessimism), but Allah eliminates them by Tawakkul" (Abu Dawud)

So it's not an excuse. Do you wish to die a pessimist, do you not believe in the words "Bismillahir Rahmaan Ar Raheem"... In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful....?

"Be weary about which state you die upon, and tht you do not die in a state of negligence".

(Al-Bayhaqi).

So it is ONLY when we loose the negative attitude, have tawakkul and be mindful of our death, that we will realise and appreciate that repentance is in our reach...UNTIL our last breath departs from our lips.

May Allah accept our repentance, make us mindful of our sins and shower us with His Mercy.

Ameen.

The Sacred Month of Muharram

The first month Muharram, is a month of great reward and virtue. Muharram itself means `sacred' and is from those months which have been mentioned as sacred in the Holy Quraan.

Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quraan:

"Four of them ( Zil-Qadah, Zil-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab) are sacred."

(Surah At-Tawbah, 36)

Virtues of Muharram

Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues:-

Abu Hurairah رضى الله عنه reported:

"I asked the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم: 'Which prayer is the best after the obligatory prayers?' He said: 'Prayer during the middle of the night.' I asked: 'Which fast is the best after the fast of Rarnadan?' He said, 'The month of Allah that you call Muharram.' "

(Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawud)

Mu'awiyyah ibn Abu Sufyan reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم say: "Concerning the day of 'Ashurah, it is not obligatory upon you to fast on it as I do. Whoever wishes may fast and whoever does not wish to is not obliged to do so."

(Bukhari and Muslim)

'Aishah stated: "The tribe of Quraish used to fast on the day of 'Ashurah in the days before Islam, as did the Prophet. When he came to Madinah, he still fasted on it and ordered the people to do likewise. Then, when fasting during the month of Ramadan becam obligatory, he said: 'Whoever wishes may fast ['Ashurah] and whoever wishes may leave it."

This is related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Ibn 'Abbas reported: "The Prophet came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of 'Ashurah. He said to them: 'What is this fast?' They said: 'A great day. Allah saved Moses and the tribes of Israel from their enemies on this day and therefore, Moses fasted on this day.' The Prophet said: 'We have more of a right to Moses than you,' so he fasted on that day also and ordered the people to fast on that day."

This is recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

According to al-Bukhari and Muslim, Musa al-Ash'ari reported: "The Jews would honor the day of 'Ashurah as an 'id. The Prophet said: 'You [Muslims] are to fast on it.'"

Ibn 'Abbas reported: "The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of 'Ashurah and ordered the people to fast on it. The people said: 'O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians honor.' The Prophet said, 'When the following year comes--Allah willing--we shall fast on the ninth.' The death of the Prophet came before the following year." This is recorded by Muslim and Abu Dawud. In one version the wording is: "If I remain until next year, we shall fast the ninth," meaning, the tenth.

This is related by Muslim and Abu Dawud.

The scholars have mentioned that the fast of 'Ashurah is of three levels:
1. fasting three days--that is, on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram;
2. fasting on the 9th and 10th; and
3. fasting only on the 10th.