Islam Commands Us to Do Good and Avoid Evil
You who have iman! if you have taqwa of Allah, He will give you discrimination and erase your bad actions from you and forgive you. Allah's favour is indeed immense. (Surat al- Anfal: 29)
Muslims are very well aware of the good and bad as described in the Qur'an, and spend their whole lives implementing that awareness. Yet they have another important responsibility on their shoulders, and that is to invite others to see the truth, avoid evil and live by the morality of the Qur'an. That is why believers spend their whole lives telling people about the difference between good and evil. Allah has given the following command to the faithful, "Let there be a community among you who call to the good, and enjoin the right, and forbid the wrong. They are the ones who have success." (Surah Al 'Imran: 104)
Islam commands us to protect the poor, the orphan, the needy and to do good to others.
Furthermore, Allah also stresses in the Qur'an how those who abide by the commandment are much more auspicious than other people:
You are the best nation ever to be produced before mankind. You enjoin the right, forbid the wrong and have iman in Allah. If the People of the Book were to have iman, it would be better for them. Some of them are muminun but most of them are deviators. (Surah Al 'Imran: 110)
The faithful do not only perform that Qur'anic duty in respect of those people who do not know the difference between right and wrong and have no knowledge of religion, but also in respect of the faithful themselves. That is because people do not only fall into error out of ignorance, but also sometime out of forgetfulness, or by mistake, or because of their earthly desires. That being the case, the faithful also encourage good and prevent evil by reminding each other of the commandments of the Qur'an. They warn each other that only those who do good and devoutly carry out their religious obligations in this world will be rewarded with paradise, and that those who fail to avoid evil will suffer the torments of hell. That delightful responsibility means they never feel wearied or discouraged, and continue to warn others, compassionately and affectionately, no matter what mistakes they might have made. That is because in many verses Allah reveals that he loves those who have patience, and calls on the faithful to be patient when practicing the morality of the Qur'an. He reveals this in these terms in the verses:
You who have iman! seek help in steadfastness and salat. Allah is with the steadfast. (Surat al-Baqara: 153)
Except for those who are steadfast and do right actions. They will receive forgiveness and a large reward.(Surah Hud: 11)
Islam Commands us to Repay Evil with Good
A good action and a bad action are not the same. Repel the bad with something better and, if there is enmity between you and someone else, he will be like a bosom friend. (Surah Fussilat: 34)
Ward off evil with what is better. We know very well what they express. (Surat al-Mu'minun: 96)
As we can see from these verses, Allah has promised the faithful that they will be able to secure positive results as long as they adopt a pleasant attitude in the face of wrongdoing. It is emphasised that even if the person he is dealing with is an enemy the believer can still establish a warm friendship with him. Responding to evil with good is also an essential part of believers' understanding of compassion. When he sees that someone is adopting an attitude that will not be pleasing to Allah, the believer first of all considers how that is going to affect the other person in the hereafter, and approaches him with toleration and humility, refusing to become puffed up with pride.
Believers may come across people with very different characters over the course of their lives. Yet they will not change their view of morality in line with the attitudes of the people they meet. The other side may speak mockingly, or use ugly words, or get angry and even behave in a hostile manner. Yet the true believer never stops being polite, modest and compassionate. He will not respond to ugly words with more of the same. He will not laugh at those who laugh at him, nor answer anger with anger. He will be patient and tolerant. In the face of insulting behaviour he will behave in such a way as to symbolise proper morality and with such compassion that the other side will be ashamed. That is the morality recommended to us by our Prophet. In one of the hadiths, he says, 'Be tolerant, so that others may be tolerant of you.' (Ahmad) In another hadith, he called on the faithful in these terms: 'None of you must be the kind of weak person who says, 'I go along with other people. If other people behave well, then so will I. If they behave badly, that is what I will do.' On the contrary, you must curb your passions to do good if others do so, and not to behave unjustly if others behave badly.' (Tirmidhi)
In the Qur'an, our Prophet was told to be forgiving in the face of the betrayal by some of the children of Israel:
...They have forgotten a good portion of what they were reminded of. You will never cease to come upon some act of treachery on their part, except for a few of them. Yet pardon them, and overlook. Allah loves good-doers. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 13)
As we have seen from this verse, Allah commanded our Prophet to be forgiving, even in the face of betrayal by one part of the children of Israel. One must also not forget that poor morality being displayed by someone else is no justification for doing the same thing oneself. Each individual is solely responsible to Allah for his actions. What is more, being with compassion, affection and proper morality in the face of bad behaviour by someone else is, according to the Qur'an, itself a sign of superior morality. That is because it reveals the extent of a believer's devotion to God. One verse reveals the reward that such a pleasing attitude will bring:
Those who do good will have the best and more! Neither dust nor debasement will darken their faces. They are the Companions of the Garden, remaining in it timelessly, for ever. (Surah Yunus: 26)
Islam Commands The Faithful Always To Be Forgiving
One of the important signs of compassion is for a person to be able to be forgiving. This is how Allah calls upon His servants to be forgiving in the Qur'an:
Make allowances for people, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant. (Surat al A'raf: 199)
This is something that people may find difficult, but is an attitude that will be well rewarded in the sight of Allah. People may well be caught up in anger and refuse to forgive a mistake. But Allah has revealed to the faithful that it is better to forgive, and has recommended this morality to them:
The repayment of a bad action is one equivalent to it.But if someone pardons and puts things right, his reward is with Allah... (Surat ash-Shura: 40)
In another verse, Allah reveals that "But if someone is steadfast and forgives,that is the most resolute course to follow." (Surat ash-Shura: 43) and emphasizes that this is a very superior form of morality. In the words "Those of you possessing affluence and ample wealth should not make oaths that they will not give to their relatives and the very poor and those who have made hijra in the way of Allah. They should rather pardon and overlook. Would you not love Allah to forgive you? Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Surat an-Nur: 22) Allah encourages the faithful to consider their own position when it comes to being forgiving. That is because everyone wants Allah to forgive and protect and show him mercy. In the same way, we all hope that other people will excuse and forgive us if we make a mistake. Allah has thus commanded the faithful to treat others in the same way that they would like to be treated themselves. That is an important responsibility, and one that encourages the faithful to be forgiving towards one another. Our Prophet encouraged the faithful to be forgiving in the words, 'Allah has not failed to exalt any man who has forgiven unfairness or cruelty.' (Ahmad)
Since believers know that they may make a mistake at any moment, they behave tolerantly towards others. That is because those verses in the Qur'an that deal with repentance make it clear that the important thing is not making a mistake but rather being determined not to repeat a mistake as soon as one realizes one has done so. One of these verses reads:
Allah only accepts the tawba of those who do evil in ignorance and then quickly make tawba after doing it. Allah turns towards such people. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (Surat an-Nisa': 17)
Under these conditions, that reveal the sincerity of the individual, the faithful behave most forgivingly and compassionately towards one another. If someone who has committed an error sincerely repents having done so, then they cannot judge that person for his past deeds. Furthermore, even if the faithful are totally in the right and the other side completely in the wrong, they still have no compunction about forgiveness. That is because Allah recommends such behaviour as an example of proper morality, "Those who give in times of both ease and hardship, those who control their rage and pardon other people - Allah loves the good-doers - " (Surah Al 'Imran: 134)
When it comes to forgiveness, the faithful do not distinguish between great and small errors, and do not tailor their view of forgiveness accordingly. Someone may have committed an error and led to great loss of life or great financial loss, thus inflicting severe harm on others. Yet the faithful know that everything that happens does so by the permission of Allah and as part of His destiny, and therefore place themselves in the hands of Allah when it comes to such things, and feel no personal anger.
Alternatively, someone may have transgressed this Qur'anic rule and exceeded the bounds set by Allah. Yet it is only Allah who can judge that person's behaviour. That means that it is never up to the faithful to judge or refuse to forgive anybody on any matter. If a person is truly sorry and repentant then he will have his reward only in the sight of Allah. In fact, Allah has revealed in many verses that apart from 'ascribing partners to Him,' he will forgive the errors of the faithful if they sincerely repent. Since the faithful cannot know that, they simply forgive in the manner revealed to them By Allah, and if the Qur'an has anything to say on a particular subject they treat the person who has committed an error in the light of that.
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Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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4.3.09
Brazilians Join 3 Million Pilgrims Reenacting Abraham's Journey to Mecca
The tradesman Nagib Smaidi and his wife Soraia, from the city of Taubaté, in the interior of the southeastern Brazilian state of São Paulo, traveled to Saudi Arabia just before Christmas.
In the suitcase Nagib took large and light colored towels and Soraia the long dresses worn by Muslim women. As is the asked by the Islamic religion, Nagib is going to wrap himself in the towels and Soraia will cover her whole body, except for the face and hands, to visit the holy places in Saudi Arabia where the prophet Abraham went in the past.
The couple is part of the group of Brazilian Muslims who are going to make, at the beginning of next year, the pilgrimage to Mecca, holy city in Islam.
Every year between two and three million people from the whole world travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. The next Hajj will be on the 7th of January, followed by a four-day holiday. On these days the Muslims repeat the rituals made by Abraham about two thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Brazilian Muslims normally travel in groups. The sheikhs Mohamad Amame and Yasser Hussein, from São Paulo, for example, organized a group of about 40 people. The majority of the members of the group are travelling to Mecca for the first time and are about 50 years old or more. This is the first time the sheiks organize the trip.
The pilgrimage is a re-enactment of the journey made by Abraham after building, where Mecca is located today, the Kaaba. According to the Muslim religion, the Kaaba was erected by the prophet by divine order to become a place of adoration.
It is still in the original place, but was rebuilt many times throughout the years. The peregrines, as well as praying before the Kaaba, go to other holy places such as Mount Arafat, visited by Abraham in his time for being the place where, according to Islam, Adam and Eve met.
"The peregrination is a form of coming closer to God, to turn yourself to God," said sheikh Jihad Hassan Hammadeh, vice-president at the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.
This, according to the sheikh, is the second holiday in the year for the Muslims. The other is at the end of Ramadan, period in which the followers of the Islamic religious fast from sunrise to sunset.
Source
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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In the suitcase Nagib took large and light colored towels and Soraia the long dresses worn by Muslim women. As is the asked by the Islamic religion, Nagib is going to wrap himself in the towels and Soraia will cover her whole body, except for the face and hands, to visit the holy places in Saudi Arabia where the prophet Abraham went in the past.
The couple is part of the group of Brazilian Muslims who are going to make, at the beginning of next year, the pilgrimage to Mecca, holy city in Islam.
Every year between two and three million people from the whole world travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. The next Hajj will be on the 7th of January, followed by a four-day holiday. On these days the Muslims repeat the rituals made by Abraham about two thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Brazilian Muslims normally travel in groups. The sheikhs Mohamad Amame and Yasser Hussein, from São Paulo, for example, organized a group of about 40 people. The majority of the members of the group are travelling to Mecca for the first time and are about 50 years old or more. This is the first time the sheiks organize the trip.
The pilgrimage is a re-enactment of the journey made by Abraham after building, where Mecca is located today, the Kaaba. According to the Muslim religion, the Kaaba was erected by the prophet by divine order to become a place of adoration.
It is still in the original place, but was rebuilt many times throughout the years. The peregrines, as well as praying before the Kaaba, go to other holy places such as Mount Arafat, visited by Abraham in his time for being the place where, according to Islam, Adam and Eve met.
"The peregrination is a form of coming closer to God, to turn yourself to God," said sheikh Jihad Hassan Hammadeh, vice-president at the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.
This, according to the sheikh, is the second holiday in the year for the Muslims. The other is at the end of Ramadan, period in which the followers of the Islamic religious fast from sunrise to sunset.
Source
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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3.3.09
Lightning bolt makes healer of Indonesian village boy
MOHAMMAD Ponari was, until last month, a typical kid in the impoverished East Java village of Balongsari. Then, quite literally, lightning struck.
The nine-year-old, who had been playing in the rain in his front yard, was hit by the thunderbolt but, to the astonishment of his young friends, he was unharmed.
All the more bizarre, according to an account by his village chief and his family, when he came to, he found a stone the size of an egg on his head, and was convinced he possessed healing powers.
A boy next door with a fever was his first patient. The stone was placed in a glass of water and the boy drank deeply. His fever vanished.
Then another neighbour approached him, a woman in her 30s who had suffered from a depressive condition for 15 years. She, too, was healed.
The miracles, large and small, kept coming, said Nila Retno, the local village chief.
"My arm was sprained. The water touched by stone was given to me and I applied the water to my sprained arm. Suddenly, I was OK again," she said.
The district police commissioner, Sutikno, a devout Muslim who will be making the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca this year, told of his experience.
"I was inside the house talking to the boy and his family. Together with me in the house was a boy of his age who had not spoken for five years," he said.
"Ponari shook him. The boy reacted and they started fighting, like wrestling and pulling each other's hair. Then, a few moments after the fighting, the boy started to talk."
What did he say? "He said 'I'm scared' in Javanese — but he talked."
Full story
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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The nine-year-old, who had been playing in the rain in his front yard, was hit by the thunderbolt but, to the astonishment of his young friends, he was unharmed.
All the more bizarre, according to an account by his village chief and his family, when he came to, he found a stone the size of an egg on his head, and was convinced he possessed healing powers.
A boy next door with a fever was his first patient. The stone was placed in a glass of water and the boy drank deeply. His fever vanished.
Then another neighbour approached him, a woman in her 30s who had suffered from a depressive condition for 15 years. She, too, was healed.
The miracles, large and small, kept coming, said Nila Retno, the local village chief.
"My arm was sprained. The water touched by stone was given to me and I applied the water to my sprained arm. Suddenly, I was OK again," she said.
The district police commissioner, Sutikno, a devout Muslim who will be making the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca this year, told of his experience.
"I was inside the house talking to the boy and his family. Together with me in the house was a boy of his age who had not spoken for five years," he said.
"Ponari shook him. The boy reacted and they started fighting, like wrestling and pulling each other's hair. Then, a few moments after the fighting, the boy started to talk."
What did he say? "He said 'I'm scared' in Javanese — but he talked."
Full story
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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Mumbai killers to be denied a muslim burial
Published Date: 01 December 2008
A MUSLIM graveyard today refused to bury nine of the gunmen who terrorized Mumbai.
The men were not true followers of the Islamic faith, according to the influential Muslim Jama Masjid Trust, which runs the 7.5-acre Badakabrastan graveyard in central Mumbai.
"People who committed this heinous crime cannot be called Muslim," said Hanif Nalkhande, a trustee. "Islam does not permit this sort of barbaric crime."
Ten gunmen laid siege to India's financial capital. One was captured and the rest killed.
The bodies of the nine now lie in a morgue awaiting last rites, while the lone surviving militant is in police custody.
Normally, unclaimed bodies thought to be Muslims are given to the nearest Muslim graveyard for burial after three days, leaving police unsure what to do now.
More on this here
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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A MUSLIM graveyard today refused to bury nine of the gunmen who terrorized Mumbai.
The men were not true followers of the Islamic faith, according to the influential Muslim Jama Masjid Trust, which runs the 7.5-acre Badakabrastan graveyard in central Mumbai.
"People who committed this heinous crime cannot be called Muslim," said Hanif Nalkhande, a trustee. "Islam does not permit this sort of barbaric crime."
Ten gunmen laid siege to India's financial capital. One was captured and the rest killed.
The bodies of the nine now lie in a morgue awaiting last rites, while the lone surviving militant is in police custody.
Normally, unclaimed bodies thought to be Muslims are given to the nearest Muslim graveyard for burial after three days, leaving police unsure what to do now.
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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28.2.09
The Verse of Throne
"Next!" said the teacher. I gasped audibly. It was going to be my turn soon. I had not prepared for the oral geometry test and there was no way that I would be excused for not knowing the correct answer. I could imagine the humiliation and embarrassment I would go through. How was I going to get out of this one? At the age of thirteen, not knowing an answer in class seemed like the end of the world.
Suddenly, I remembered that we had been taught that the Ayat al kursi, or the ‘Verse of the Throne’ is a protection from God from all evils. I started reciting it silently, hoping against hope that I would be saved from the teacher’s wrath and sarcasm.
It worked! The girl in front of me stood up to prove a theorem. And then, when I thought I would be called, the teacher moved on to the girl sitting behind me. That was my first experience with the Ayat al-Kursi as a refuge. I did not even know the meaning of what I was reciting, but from that day onwards, it became a part of my life.
It was not until much later that I realised the beauty and significance of this glorious verse. I grew up, got married and had children. I taught them all the Ayat al-Kursi when each one was five years old.
Even then, I had not truly grasped the meaning of this verse. Of course, I had read the translation, but it was not until I actually studied the Holy Qur’aan that I discovered it has been described as the most sublime verse in the Qur’aan. It has been likened to one quarter of the Qur’aan.
"In the Name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful.
Allah-there is no God except Him.
The Ever-Living, the Sustainer of (all) existence.
Neither drowsiness overcomes Him nor sleep.
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.
Who is he that can intercede with Him except by His permission?
He knows what is before them and what will be after them.
And they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except what He wills.
His throne extends over the heavens and the earth.
And He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them.
And He is the Most High, the Supreme."
The gist of a Hadith tells us that whoever recites this verse after each obligatory prayer, will be granted a tongue that remembers Allah, a heart that thanks Allah and a reward like that of the Prophets and truthful ones, for only such people can be constant in reciting it after every farz or obligatory prayer.
What is so special about this verse? Why is it so sublime?
This verse is the first detailed introduction we get about Allah after Surah Al-Fatihah. He is telling us about Himself. The Ayat al-Kursi teaches us not to try and judge Allah or try to understand Him on a human level. In it Allah describes His unique qualities to emphasise that there is none like Him.
We learn from a narration by Hadhrat Abu Huraira (Radhi Allaho anho): Allah’s Messenger (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) ordered me to guard the Zakat revenue of Ramadan. Then somebody came to me and started stealing of the foodstuff. I caught him and said, "I will take you to Allah’s Messenger!"
Then Abu Huraira described the whole narration and said: That person said to me, "Please don’t take me to Allah’s Messenger; I will tell you a few words by which Allah will benefit you." When you go to your bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi, for then there will be a guard from Allah who will protect you all night long, and Satan will not be able to come near you till dawn." When the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) heard the story, he said to me, "He who came to you at night told you the truth although he is a liar; and it was Satan."
Once the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) asked Ubayy bin Kab (Radhi Allaho anho): "O Abu Mundhir! Which verse of the Book of God is the greatest?"
"Allah and His Messenger know best," came the reply.
The Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) repeated the question and Ubayy bin Kab (Radhi Allaho anho) replied: "Allah, there is no god but He, the Living the Self-Subsisting. Neither slumber overtakes him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth,..."
The Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) struck his chest with his right hand in approval on hearing the reply and with his face glowing with happiness, said, "May knowledge delight and benefit you, Abu Mundhir."
When Hadhrat Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) became a Muslim, he offered to be in the service of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). The Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) agreed and Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) gave up tending sheep in exchange for looking after the needs of the blessed Prophet. Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) remained closely attached to the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). He served him in the best way both inside and outside the house. He accompanied him on journeys and expeditions.
Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) received his training in the household of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). He was under the guidance of the Holy Prophet. He adopted his manner and followed his every trait until it was said of him, "He was the closest to the Prophet in character."
He was the best reciter of the Holy Qur’aan among the companions and he understood it better than them all. He was, therefore, the most knowledgeable on the Shari’ah.
Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) acquired such great knowledge of the Qur’aan that he would say, "By Him besides Whom there is no god, no verse of the book of God has been revealed without my knowing where it was revealed and the circumstances of its revelation. By God, if I know there was anyone who knew more of the Book of Allah, I will do whatever is in my power to be with him."
Once Hadhrat Umar bin al-Khattab (Radhi Allaho anho) came across a caravan on one of his journeys as caliph. It was totally dark and the caravan could not be seen clearly. Hadrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) ordered someone to stop the caravan. He did not know that Hadhrat Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) was in it.
"From where do you come?" asked Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho).
"From a deep valley," came the reply. (The expression used "fajj amiq" meaning a deep valley, is a Qur’aanic one).
"And where are you going?" asked Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho).
"To the ancient house," came the reply. (The expression used "al-bayt al-atiq" ancient house, is a Qur’aanic one.)
"There is a learned person (alim) among them," said Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) and he commanded someone to ask the person:
"Which part of the Qur’aan is the greatest?"
"God. There is no god except Him, the Living, the Self-subsisting. Neither slumber overtakes Him nor sleep," replied the person answering, quoting the Ayat al-Kursi (the Verse of the Throne).
After asking a few more questions, to which he received the most knowledgeable answers, Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) asked, "Is Abdullah bin Masood among you?" And he was told that indeed he was among them.
Reading the Ayat al-Kursi after each farz prayer seems quite easy but often when we are in a hurry, we forget to recite it. We should try and make it a habit, because the benefits are enormous and it is only constancy that will make it beneficial
By Ayesha Siddiqui
All rights belong to Source
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
Please share
Suddenly, I remembered that we had been taught that the Ayat al kursi, or the ‘Verse of the Throne’ is a protection from God from all evils. I started reciting it silently, hoping against hope that I would be saved from the teacher’s wrath and sarcasm.
It worked! The girl in front of me stood up to prove a theorem. And then, when I thought I would be called, the teacher moved on to the girl sitting behind me. That was my first experience with the Ayat al-Kursi as a refuge. I did not even know the meaning of what I was reciting, but from that day onwards, it became a part of my life.
It was not until much later that I realised the beauty and significance of this glorious verse. I grew up, got married and had children. I taught them all the Ayat al-Kursi when each one was five years old.
Even then, I had not truly grasped the meaning of this verse. Of course, I had read the translation, but it was not until I actually studied the Holy Qur’aan that I discovered it has been described as the most sublime verse in the Qur’aan. It has been likened to one quarter of the Qur’aan.
"In the Name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful.
Allah-there is no God except Him.
The Ever-Living, the Sustainer of (all) existence.
Neither drowsiness overcomes Him nor sleep.
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.
Who is he that can intercede with Him except by His permission?
He knows what is before them and what will be after them.
And they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except what He wills.
His throne extends over the heavens and the earth.
And He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them.
And He is the Most High, the Supreme."
The gist of a Hadith tells us that whoever recites this verse after each obligatory prayer, will be granted a tongue that remembers Allah, a heart that thanks Allah and a reward like that of the Prophets and truthful ones, for only such people can be constant in reciting it after every farz or obligatory prayer.
What is so special about this verse? Why is it so sublime?
This verse is the first detailed introduction we get about Allah after Surah Al-Fatihah. He is telling us about Himself. The Ayat al-Kursi teaches us not to try and judge Allah or try to understand Him on a human level. In it Allah describes His unique qualities to emphasise that there is none like Him.
We learn from a narration by Hadhrat Abu Huraira (Radhi Allaho anho): Allah’s Messenger (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) ordered me to guard the Zakat revenue of Ramadan. Then somebody came to me and started stealing of the foodstuff. I caught him and said, "I will take you to Allah’s Messenger!"
Then Abu Huraira described the whole narration and said: That person said to me, "Please don’t take me to Allah’s Messenger; I will tell you a few words by which Allah will benefit you." When you go to your bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi, for then there will be a guard from Allah who will protect you all night long, and Satan will not be able to come near you till dawn." When the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) heard the story, he said to me, "He who came to you at night told you the truth although he is a liar; and it was Satan."
Once the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) asked Ubayy bin Kab (Radhi Allaho anho): "O Abu Mundhir! Which verse of the Book of God is the greatest?"
"Allah and His Messenger know best," came the reply.
The Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) repeated the question and Ubayy bin Kab (Radhi Allaho anho) replied: "Allah, there is no god but He, the Living the Self-Subsisting. Neither slumber overtakes him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth,..."
The Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) struck his chest with his right hand in approval on hearing the reply and with his face glowing with happiness, said, "May knowledge delight and benefit you, Abu Mundhir."
When Hadhrat Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) became a Muslim, he offered to be in the service of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). The Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) agreed and Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) gave up tending sheep in exchange for looking after the needs of the blessed Prophet. Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) remained closely attached to the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). He served him in the best way both inside and outside the house. He accompanied him on journeys and expeditions.
Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) received his training in the household of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). He was under the guidance of the Holy Prophet. He adopted his manner and followed his every trait until it was said of him, "He was the closest to the Prophet in character."
He was the best reciter of the Holy Qur’aan among the companions and he understood it better than them all. He was, therefore, the most knowledgeable on the Shari’ah.
Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) acquired such great knowledge of the Qur’aan that he would say, "By Him besides Whom there is no god, no verse of the book of God has been revealed without my knowing where it was revealed and the circumstances of its revelation. By God, if I know there was anyone who knew more of the Book of Allah, I will do whatever is in my power to be with him."
Once Hadhrat Umar bin al-Khattab (Radhi Allaho anho) came across a caravan on one of his journeys as caliph. It was totally dark and the caravan could not be seen clearly. Hadrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) ordered someone to stop the caravan. He did not know that Hadhrat Abdullah bin Masood (Radhi Allaho anho) was in it.
"From where do you come?" asked Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho).
"From a deep valley," came the reply. (The expression used "fajj amiq" meaning a deep valley, is a Qur’aanic one).
"And where are you going?" asked Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho).
"To the ancient house," came the reply. (The expression used "al-bayt al-atiq" ancient house, is a Qur’aanic one.)
"There is a learned person (alim) among them," said Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) and he commanded someone to ask the person:
"Which part of the Qur’aan is the greatest?"
"God. There is no god except Him, the Living, the Self-subsisting. Neither slumber overtakes Him nor sleep," replied the person answering, quoting the Ayat al-Kursi (the Verse of the Throne).
After asking a few more questions, to which he received the most knowledgeable answers, Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) asked, "Is Abdullah bin Masood among you?" And he was told that indeed he was among them.
Reading the Ayat al-Kursi after each farz prayer seems quite easy but often when we are in a hurry, we forget to recite it. We should try and make it a habit, because the benefits are enormous and it is only constancy that will make it beneficial
By Ayesha Siddiqui
All rights belong to Source
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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23.2.09
Al-Qaeda founder launches fierce attack on Osama bin Laden
Al-Qaeda founder launches fierce attack on Osama bin Laden
One of al-Qaeda's founding leaders, Dr Fadl, has begun an ideological revolt against Osama bin Laden, blaming him for "every drop" of blood spilt in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Sayyid Imam al-Sharif, who goes by the nom de guerre Dr Fadl, helped bin Laden create al-Qaeda and then led an Islamist insurgency in Egypt in the 1990s.
But in a book written from inside an Egyptian prison, he has launched a frontal attack on al-Qaeda's ideology and the personal failings of bin Laden and particularly his Egyptian deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Twenty years ago, Dr Fadl became al-Qaeda's intellectual figurehead with a crucial book setting out the rationale for global jihad against the West.
Today, however, he believes the murder of innocent people is both contrary to Islam and a strategic error. "Every drop of blood that was shed or is being shed in Afghanistan and Iraq is the responsibility of bin Laden and Zawahiri and their followers," writes Dr Fadl.
The terrorist attacks on September 11 were both immoral and counterproductive, he writes. "Ramming America has become the shortest road to fame and leadership among the Arabs and Muslims. But what good is it if you destroy one of your enemy's buildings, and he destroys one of your countries? What good is it if you kill one of his people, and he kills a thousand of yours?" asks Dr Fadl. "That, in short, is my evaluation of 9/11."
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Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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20.2.09
World to end 2012? Answered by Imam Mustafa ‘Umar
The Question:
The life and death of planet Earth byastrophysicist Donald Brownlee and paleontologist Peter Ward. Now these two men are saying is that the world will end on some time in 2012. Allah says in the Quran that only he knows when the world will end these men are saying that there calculations are based on the mayacalendar, the calendar has been used to predict the future before also and so far it has only been 43 seconds off. Is there anything in the quran that agrees with this matter? i need some reassurance because i want to get it of my head its bothering me a lot.
The Answer by Imam Mustafa ‘Umar, Imam of Masjid Fahd, L.A, California
In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
You have made a very wise decision in asking this question on two counts. First, because many young people nowadays have several questions and/or misgivings about their religion but keep them inside. As time goes by, these ideas pile up and then might trigger some day and lead to numerous doubts about their religion without anyone understanding what happened. Therefore, it is beneficial to express what you feel and to ask questions.
Second, you have asked the right people who grew up in an environment similar to yours and have knowledge of Islam. Many people end up asking the wrong people who either can’t relate to them or have no knowledge. This would only end up causing more problems.
The stance of the Qur’an on this issue is clear from the following verse: “They ask you [Prophet] about the end of the world, saying, ‘When will it be?’ How can you tell them that? Its time is known only to your Lord. You are only sent to warn those who fear it.” (Qur’an 79:42-45)
The point is that when Allah says that something is “known only to your Lord”, it means that it is something that cannot be discovered by man, such as a person’s lifespan. Many people try to predict a number of things and we assume that, because of the advances in science and technology, we can also have knowledge similar to what Allah has. However, think about how many times the weather report has been wrong despite all the satellites and advanced equipment, how many people were supposed to die but lived, and how many people were supposed to have lived but died. All of these things remind us of how far we really are from Allah’s knowledge. As for using the Maya calendar, we need to stop and think about a number of things. First, how many predictions did they make? Second, what were their predictions about? Third, what was the rate of accuracy in all of their predictions and why they aren’t being used as mainstream evidence? Fourth, where did they get this knowledge from?
We must be very critical of people who claim to know the future. Most people who make such a claim are frauds while the others are merely guessing. It’s like horoscopes which are written in such a general way that people think they can actually tell the future when, in reality, they don’t. We shouldn’t be fooled by such things,even if they are packaged and presented in the name of science. Science is a very useful tool, but it is often misused and twisted to fit a certain agenda or just to sell a book. When all is said and done, remember that just because the sun has risen from the east for millions of years doesn’t mean that Allah can’t change it tomorrow and make it rise from the west. We must remember that just as our own lives are in the hands of Allah, so is the life of the world, and He can end it whenever He likes. May Allah allow us to utilize our limited lives with what pleases Him before our time is up.
Mustafa
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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The life and death of planet Earth byastrophysicist Donald Brownlee and paleontologist Peter Ward. Now these two men are saying is that the world will end on some time in 2012. Allah says in the Quran that only he knows when the world will end these men are saying that there calculations are based on the mayacalendar, the calendar has been used to predict the future before also and so far it has only been 43 seconds off. Is there anything in the quran that agrees with this matter? i need some reassurance because i want to get it of my head its bothering me a lot.
The Answer by Imam Mustafa ‘Umar, Imam of Masjid Fahd, L.A, California
In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
You have made a very wise decision in asking this question on two counts. First, because many young people nowadays have several questions and/or misgivings about their religion but keep them inside. As time goes by, these ideas pile up and then might trigger some day and lead to numerous doubts about their religion without anyone understanding what happened. Therefore, it is beneficial to express what you feel and to ask questions.
Second, you have asked the right people who grew up in an environment similar to yours and have knowledge of Islam. Many people end up asking the wrong people who either can’t relate to them or have no knowledge. This would only end up causing more problems.
The stance of the Qur’an on this issue is clear from the following verse: “They ask you [Prophet] about the end of the world, saying, ‘When will it be?’ How can you tell them that? Its time is known only to your Lord. You are only sent to warn those who fear it.” (Qur’an 79:42-45)
The point is that when Allah says that something is “known only to your Lord”, it means that it is something that cannot be discovered by man, such as a person’s lifespan. Many people try to predict a number of things and we assume that, because of the advances in science and technology, we can also have knowledge similar to what Allah has. However, think about how many times the weather report has been wrong despite all the satellites and advanced equipment, how many people were supposed to die but lived, and how many people were supposed to have lived but died. All of these things remind us of how far we really are from Allah’s knowledge. As for using the Maya calendar, we need to stop and think about a number of things. First, how many predictions did they make? Second, what were their predictions about? Third, what was the rate of accuracy in all of their predictions and why they aren’t being used as mainstream evidence? Fourth, where did they get this knowledge from?
We must be very critical of people who claim to know the future. Most people who make such a claim are frauds while the others are merely guessing. It’s like horoscopes which are written in such a general way that people think they can actually tell the future when, in reality, they don’t. We shouldn’t be fooled by such things,even if they are packaged and presented in the name of science. Science is a very useful tool, but it is often misused and twisted to fit a certain agenda or just to sell a book. When all is said and done, remember that just because the sun has risen from the east for millions of years doesn’t mean that Allah can’t change it tomorrow and make it rise from the west. We must remember that just as our own lives are in the hands of Allah, so is the life of the world, and He can end it whenever He likes. May Allah allow us to utilize our limited lives with what pleases Him before our time is up.
Mustafa
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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Manners of a Muslim
- Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)
Below is a list compiled of various good characteristics. Note which qualities that you have, and which you lack in. Try and better your character, inshaAllah.
Care taken when speaking, think before you talk.
Be honest at all times.
Respect and kindness shown to others
A muslim should help others unless they ask for help in forbidden matters.
Care should be taken when making promises lest one cannot fulfill them.
Be humble and modest.
Be truthful at all times
Think well of others.
Give sincere advice when it is sought by others.
Keep promises and be reliable.
Control ones anger.
Be forgiving
Never indulge in slander/back-biting.
Be modest. Don’t show off.
Refrain from speaking about things that does not concern you
Always be patient.
Think wisely before doing any action.
Defend others when they are absent from slander.
Encourage one another in doing good and obeying and Worshipping Allah
Be generous/charitable without being extravagant
Do not be suspicious of fellow muslims.
Don’t be nosey in matters that don’t concern you.
Don’t lie.
Don’t boast.
Don’t be proud and don’t draw attention to ones own good deeds.
Don’t speak in loud/rude tones
Don’t praise or flatter someone when they are in front of you
Don’t ridicule or scoff at others. Treat with respect.
Be obedient to Allah, offer the 5 prayers and obey the Qur'an & Sunnah.
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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Below is a list compiled of various good characteristics. Note which qualities that you have, and which you lack in. Try and better your character, inshaAllah.
Care taken when speaking, think before you talk.
Be honest at all times.
Respect and kindness shown to others
A muslim should help others unless they ask for help in forbidden matters.
Care should be taken when making promises lest one cannot fulfill them.
Be humble and modest.
Be truthful at all times
Think well of others.
Give sincere advice when it is sought by others.
Keep promises and be reliable.
Control ones anger.
Be forgiving
Never indulge in slander/back-biting.
Be modest. Don’t show off.
Refrain from speaking about things that does not concern you
Always be patient.
Think wisely before doing any action.
Defend others when they are absent from slander.
Encourage one another in doing good and obeying and Worshipping Allah
Be generous/charitable without being extravagant
Do not be suspicious of fellow muslims.
Don’t be nosey in matters that don’t concern you.
Don’t lie.
Don’t boast.
Don’t be proud and don’t draw attention to ones own good deeds.
Don’t speak in loud/rude tones
Don’t praise or flatter someone when they are in front of you
Don’t ridicule or scoff at others. Treat with respect.
Be obedient to Allah, offer the 5 prayers and obey the Qur'an & Sunnah.
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
Please share
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9.2.09
Ahmad Deedat Speaks On Zionist Jews
Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you
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