A Soul’s Burden

A Soul’s Burden - Posted by: KING-slave of ALLAH ! on: April 27, 2010
http://islamgreatreligion.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/a-souls-burden-special-islamic-reminders/

Trials and tribulations are a part of life. We do not like them; we do not like to go through them; but eventually we accept them. Even if we pray, fast, pay our zakat and do all different forms of ibadat we still get tested. Sadness sometimes fills our hearts. We could be the best of practicing Muslims, yet poor and unable to put food on our table. We could be rich yet lonely, or young yet unhealthy.

It is in these instances that shaytan starts toying with our head. We look at what others have, especially the non-Muslims, and our core gets rattled. The shaytan ignites a fire that gets our blood boiling, hopelessness and frustration set in, and we ask “Oh Allah, why me?! Why am I being punished?”

Psychologists tell us that human beings go through five stages of emotion when struck with a calamity. Understanding the different stages of grief minimizes the first four stages (which are denial, anger, bargaining and depression) and gets us to the final stage – which is acceptance. I went through these stages on many different occasions, as I am sure you have.

I am not a psychologist nor am I trying to refute the works of psychology, but I would nonetheless like to offer a different view, a Qur’anic view, on how to deal with life’s trials.

Though we do not have a say in when we are born nor in when we die, life has a clear beginning and a clear end. What is sometimes unclear is the journey between the two points. For Muslims, however, the journey could not be any clearer. Allah says in Surat Adh-Dhariyat:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”

(Qur’an, 51:56).

Now think back to the first paragraph of this article. You might think to yourself, “I pray five times a day, I fast during Ramadan and pay my zakat, yet I have an ill child, or still can’t find a job, or this stressor or that.” You begin to wonder why you are going through this and why you are being “punished.” Before you know it, shaytan takes the helm and you are on a slippery slope of anger and denial.

Before falling down that slope, one must take a deep breath and ponder the following question: is it punishment or is it a manifestation of what Allah has told us in Surat Al-Ankabut:

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested?”

(Qur’an, 29:2)

Allah tells us that through this journey we call life we will be tested. In Surat Al-Baqarah, He says:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits…”

(Qur’an, 2:155)

Tribulations are a part of life but that doesn’t make them easy. We still grieve — but how could we not? We are, after all, a very emotional creation. So how does one cope with adversity? There are many ayat in the Qur’an that talk about different mechanisms of coping such as patience, faith, prayer and acceptance. But what I find the most profound and the most comforting is what Allah says in Surat Al-Baqarah:

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا

“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear…”

(Qur’an, 2:286).

If you stand back and take a look at the whole picture, you will realize that what you have when faced by a tragedy is a choice. Will you go through the stages of grief, denying Allah’s destiny and the wisdom of His plan for you? Or will you realize that what you are going through is something you know you can handle? Whatever trial comes your way is something that Allah has planned and which He has guaranteed you can handle. This ayah is comforting because I, as a faithful mu’min who believes in Allah and His wisdom, know deep in my heart that although the sadness is cumbersome it will not be overwhelming; that although the times might be tough, I am tougher; and that whatever comes my way will go away; and that eventually I will face my Lord whom, I hope, will be pleased with me as I am pleased with Him.

So when you go through a difficult situation, be it the inevitable death of a loved one or the loss of a job or just a flat tire on the side of the highway, take a deep breath and say:

قُلْ لَنْ يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا

“Say: ‘Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allâh has ordained for us…’”

(9:51).

The Glorious Words of Allah

"And if all the trees on the earth were pens and the sea (were ink), with seven seas behind it to increase it, yet the Words of Allah would not be exhausted. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise."

[Surah 31:27]

A Tongue moist with the Remembrance of Allah

When passing through a mountain pass, a bedouin once came across an old man who was blind and who seemed to be afflicted with various ailments all over his body. It was clear that he was wasting away. He was even paralyzed and was constantly forced to remain in a seated position. The Bedouin could clearly hear him say,

"All praise is for Allah, Who has kept me safe from ailments with which He has tesed many among His creation; and He has indeed preferred me over many among those that He created."

"My brother!"

exclaimed the bedouin.

"What have you been saved from? By Allah, I think that you have been afflicted with every single kind of ailment!"

"Go away from me,"

said the old man, as he raised his head.

"Do I not still have a tongue with which I can pronounce His Oneness, and with which I can remember Him every single moment? And do I not still have a heart with which I can know Him?"

These words of the old man were enough for the bedouin to repent to Allah for his sins and ask Him for forgiveness.

[Source; Email Distribution]

This is a story for that serves to remind us All of the many things we take granted for. Sabr and Shukr, Our Sincerity of Our Servitutude to Allah (swt) are a few that comes into my mind for starters. Now, we should tell ourself this, what do we do when any type of hardships strikes?

Productivity around the PC

Hafidha Iffath Hassan (Part 1) »
Guest Post: Productivity around the PC; Sunday, March 7, 2010

This post was kindly prepared and submitted by Sr. Fathima Nafla. Jazakillah Khair! See link: http://www.productivemuslim.com/productivemuslimah/2010/3/7/guest-post-productivity-around-the-pc.html#comments

These are some very small tips dedicated to those of us who spend long hours with computers as a part of our daily work. The intention is to incorporate amal while working with a PC.

■Begin with Bismillah – Say Bismillah before you press the power button on your machine. Insha Allah your work will turn out well.


■Capitalise on the start-up time – A very common procedure is to head into office, switch on the computer and then go to the coffee machine while the computer readies itself for you. Instead of heading for the coffee, why not flip through a booklet on Islam which you keep on your desk? I happen to have a booklet containing one hundred hadith on my desk. So sometimes while my computer starts up and loads the basic programs (about five minutes) I am able to learn one hadith by heart. It’s not possible everyday because there may be colleagues who drop by to say ‘Good morning’ and see how you’re doing, but when it is possible it certainly is worth trying. Do the same while closing for the day or revise what you learned in the morning.
Added bonus: keeping Islamic material on your desk is a subtle way of performing da’wah, as you never know who might be interested in reading what you’ve got!

■Use the desktop wallpaper or sticky note software to learn things by heart – Repetition is the key to remembering. So for instance, if there’s a dua that you want to memorize, use any of those free post-it software applications to help you. Simply copy and paste the dua into a post-it and let it float on your desktop. Every time you minimize your windows to see the desktop, you will see the post-it and read what’s written on it. So Insha Allah you will learn it quickly. You can do this with hadith, dua, or even ayahs of the Quran.
If you enjoy creating your own desktop wallpaper you could do the same thing there. That way you don’t need special post-it note software.

Why don’t I recommend using the tangible kind of post-its? Those will accumulate and you or whoever cleans your office might end up throwing them in the bin. This isn’t the best way to dispose of papers containing the words of Allah.

■Zikr during waiting time – Got thirty seconds to wait while a web page loads, some files copy to your hard drive, or while a system responds? Instead of twiddling your thumbs you could close your eyes and do some quick zikr or recite some salawath. That way you earn reward and at the same time give your eyes a short break. We’ve all read about giving our eyes frequent breaks while using a computer, right? It doesn’t have to be loud recitation – do it in your heart.
So Insha Allah the next time you’re waiting for something to happen on your computer, sit back, shut your eyes and whisper ‘Subhanallah!’. Call it a spiritually uplifting break.

Insha'Allah do try these and let us know how they work for you. What other tips do you have to share regarding this topic?

Story about Freindship

A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?" The other friend replied "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Ways To Strengthen One’s Memory

[Source: http://www.iloveallaah.com/]

It is human nature to be forgetful, as the Arab poet said:

“He is only called man (insaan) because of his forgetfulness (nasiyaan), and it is only called the heart (al-qalb) because it changes so rapidly (yataqallib).”

In the past they said that the first one to forget (awwal naasin) was the first man (awwal al-naas), meaning Adam, peace be upon him. Forgetfulness is something that varies from person to person according to each individual’s nature; some may be more forgetful than others. Some of the things that may help to combat forgetfulness are the following:

Keeping away from sin, because the bad effects of sin result in a bad memory and the inability to retain knowledge. The darkness of sin cannot co-exist with the light of knowledge. The following words were attributed to al-Shaafi‘ee, may Allah have mercy on him:

“I complained to [my shaykh] Wakee’ about my bad memory, and he taught me that I should keep away from sin. He said that knowledge of Allah is light, and the light of Allah is not given to the sinner.”

Al-Khateeb reported in al-Jaami‘ (2/387) that Yahya ibn Yahya said:

“A man asked Maalik ibn Anas, ‘O Abu ‘Abd-Allah! Is there anything that will improve my memory?’

He said,

‘If anything will improve it, it is giving up sin.’”

When a person commits a sin, it overwhelms him and this leads to anxiety and sorrow which keeps him busy thinking about what he has done. This dulls his senses and distracts him from many beneficial things, including seeking knowledge.

Frequently remembering Allah, may He be glorified, by reciting dhikr, tasbeeh (saying ‘Subhan Allah’), tahmeed (‘Al-hamdu Lillaah’), tahleel (‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allah’) and takbeer (‘Allahu akbar’), etc. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“…And remember your Lord when you forget…”

[Qur’an al-Kahf 18:24]

Not eating too much, because eating too much makes one sleep too much and become lazy, and it dulls the senses, besides exposing one to the risk of physical diseases. Most of the diseases which we see result from food and drink.

Some of the scholars have mentioned certain foods which increase the memory, such as drinking honey and eating raisins and chewing certain kinds of gum resin.

Imaam al-Zuhree said:

“You should eat honey because it is good for the memory.”

He also said:

“Whoever wants to memorize hadeeth should eat raisins.”

(From al-Jaami‘ by al-Khateeb, 2/394)

Ibraaheem ibn said,

“You should chew resin gum, because it gives energy to the heart and gets rid of forgetfulness.”

(From al-Jaami‘ by al-Khateeb, 2/397)

As they mentioned, too much acidic food is one of the causes of laziness and weak memory.

Another thing that can help the memory and reduce forgetfulness is cupping (hijaamah) of the head, as is well known from experience.

(For more information see Al-Tibb al-Nabawi by Ibn al-Qayyim). And Allah knows best.

Project 99', the story thus far...

Earlier this month I mentioned that there was a project which I have taken up on Allahs Names and Attributes - which I have named Project 99' (which is befitting for 99 names in 99 Days). This Insha'Allah, has the aims for me to learn, understand and gain much closeness to our Rabb, The All Mighty, The All Merciful.

Here is a good link and source which I have used to gain further information for Project 99': http://www.tayyibaat.com/names-of-allah/. I have been receiving daily texts, a Asma wa Sifaat each day, Subhan'Allah, Jazak Allah Khayr to Allahs most deserving of Abds.

12 Days into the Project 99', I have covered the following:

Day 1: Ismul Jalaalah, The Grand Name: Allah الله.

This is Allah’s Personal Name. His Identifying Name. This Name only belongs to Allah, no one else can have besides Allah. Allah is the Title, the Name, of the One True Ilaah. The Name of Allah, you cannot play around with: there is no plural, there is no feminine. The Name Allah appears over 3000 times in the Qur’an.

When we mentioned the Name “Allah” linguistically, we don’t say “the word Allah” or “the Name Allah” because it is not appropriate. It is only for Allah ta’ala, so we say: Lafdhul Jalaalah, لفظ الجلالة، the word that is Grand.

Day 2: Ar-Rahman - The One who has extensive and Great Mercy (Believers and Non Believers)

Day 3: Ar-Raheem- The One who has extensive and Great Mercy but He expresses it on the ones whom He chooses (Believers)

Both of the names Rahman and Raheem come from the root Ra-ha-meem (ر ح م), these names are similar so they require a parallel explanation. What is Rahmah? Rahmah is mercy. In the dictionary it means: ar-rifqa wa ta’attuf, compassion, kindness and gentleness, when a person is kind, compassionate and tenderhearted towards the other. So Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem: The One who has a lot of Rahmah, The One who shows a lot of rahmah, He expresses a lot of Rahmah. There are two Names of Allah with the same root, to emphasize that Allah is really the MOST Merciful, there is no one else who is more merciful than Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.

Ar-Rahman is structure of fa’laan, Ar-Raheem is structure of fa’eel. They both have mubaalaghah (intensification). What is the difference? Rahman has more mubaalagah (intensification) than Raheem.

So ar Rahmaan indicates the One who has extensive and great mercy.
So who is Ar Raheem then? He is the One who has extensive and great mercy but He expresses it on the ones whom He chooses. So Ar-Rahman extends to all of His creation including disbelievers, and Ar-Raheem extends to Allah’s special mercy only for the believers.

Examples from the Qur’an

Surah 20: 5: Ar Rahman ‘alal ‘arsh istawaa’. The Most Merciful, upon the throne He rose. He established His throne and showed Mercy towards all His creation.

Surah 55:1-5: Ar Rahman, Who is He? ‘alamal Qur’an, He taught the Qur’an, khalaqal insaan and He created mankind. This mercy is not just for the believers, but for everyone (insaan).

Raheem only to the believers: Surah 33:43: wa kaana bil mu’mineena raheema. One who is especially merciful to the believers.

Surah 2:37: Innahu huwa at-Tawwaabur Raheem. Indeed He is the Greatest Acceptor of Repentance, the especially Merciful. Tawwaab is for those who turn to Allah, i.e to the believers.

Combinations of these Names:
These Names appear many times together. First example, the basmalah, and second verse of Fatihah. They appear together to express a lot of Mercy, Allah is the One who is THE MOST Merciful.

Day 4: Al-Malik - The King and Owner of Dominion

Allah has three Names that are similar to Malik: Maleek (مليك) and Maalik (مالك). The meaning for all three names is: One who possesses the attribute of Mulk. What is Mulk? Kingdom, dominion, power, authority. Mulk has three meanings:

1)Possession and ownership (لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ To Him belongs the Ownership of the heavens and earth 2:107)

2)Control and authority (لَكُمُ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ For you in the authority this day 40:29)

3)Ability and power (لاَ يَمْلِكُونَ They do not possess ability 13:16)

Duaas with these Names:
There is a hadeeth in Bukhari and Muslim, whoever says: la ilaha il Allahu waHadu, la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulk, wa lahul Hamdu, wa huwa ‘alaa kuli shayyin Qadeer,

‘None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner, to Him belongs all sovereignty and praise, and He is over all things omnipotent.’

100times he will receive the reward of freeing ten slaves. There are many variations of this duaa that we learn from the sunnah.

Day 5: Al-Quddus - The Holy One, The One who is free from blemishes

The One who is Very Pure, Absolutely Pure, He is far and above anything that does not befit Him.

Al-Quddus is from the root qaaf-daal-seen (ق د س), Al-Quddus has two meanings linguistically. It is on the structure of fu’ool, a form of mubaalagah/intensification.

1. First meaning of Qaf-daal-seen (ق د س), quds, is taharah (cleanliness). The verb qadasa is from the same root and it is used for the movement of a bucket. Why is it called qadasa? Because from the bucket that has water, you will obtain purity and cleanliness. Taqdees (تقديس) means taTheer (تطهير), to purify and wash. taTheer is the highest form of cleanliness. There are three levels of cleanliness (as shown in the sunnah duaa):

‘O Allah, distance me from my sins just as You have distanced The East from The West, O Allah, purify me of my sins as a white robe is purified of filth, O Allah, cleanse me of my sins with snow, water, and ice.’

2. The second meaning of this root is Barakah, a lot of goodness. Ardhul Muqaddasah (The Land that is Pure) also means Ardhul Mubaarakah (The Land that is Blessed). Allah says in the first ayah of Suratul Israa: إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed. So with this meaning, Al Quddoos means: The One who is Blessed, the One who is the Source of All Good, The One with a lot of Khayr. This root means to be or go far away. So Allah ta’ala is far from any impurity or imperfection.

Day 6: As-Salaam - The Perfection and Giver of Peace

There are two meanings of the Name As-Salaam:

a) The Perfection.

b) The Giver of Peace and Security.

Linguistically, salaam and salaamah mean baraa’ah: immunity, to be free of something and to be unblemished. According to ibn Al Arabi, salaamah means ‘aafiyah: well being, to be safe and good. We see in the Qur’an that a quality of ebaadur Rahmaan (slaves of The Most Merciful) is: وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا “and when the ignorant address them, they reply with words of peace” (25:63). They say “salaama” to the ignorant, meaning they don’t want anything to do with their conversation. Also, Jannah is called Dar us Salaam (10:25), it is free of all grief, death, worries, tensions, fatigues, enmities, hatred, and it is a place of safety. Also when we say “assalaamu alaykum”, it means, you are safe from me and you will not receive any sharr (evil) from me.

Day 7: Al-Mu'min - The Giver of Peace
Day 8: Al-Muhaymin - The Giver of Protection
Day 9: Al-Azeez - The Majestic, The Mighty One
Day 10: Al-Jabbar - The Overpowering Lord
Day 11: Al Mutakabbir - The Self-Glorious
Day 12: Al Khaliq - The Creator

Insha'Allah, there is much to be to learn and write on this significant topic of each Name and Attribute of Allah (swt), definitelty not enough for a Blogg post. May Allah provide us All with Ilm about His Divinity, so we may better equip ourselves to His Servititude, always Day and Night. Insha'Allah I shall keep you posted on the next batch.

Advice on Dealing with Family

Advice on Dealing with Family: Posted in Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi on October 14, 2009 by Abu Sabaya (Source: http://iskandrani.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/advice-on-dealing-with-family/

And I want to remind you of the saying of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم):

“The believer who mixes with the people and is patient with the harm they inflict is better than the believer who doesn’t mix with the people and isn’t patient with the harm they inflict,”

as reported by Ahmad and others from Ibn ‘Umar.

Based on this, what I advise you to do is to be patient with your family and to withstand their harm and to strive to give them da’wah and try to save them from the Fire, as in the verse:

{“O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones. It has stern, severe Angels watching over it who don’t disobey Allah in what He orders them with, and they do all that they are ordered.”}

[at-Tahrim; 6]

And I hope you don’t think of leaving the house and abandoning them. Exhaust all means of da’wah with them, especially if staying with them will have some effect on even a few of them.

Beware of starting off in a harsh and extreme way that will turn them off. Rather, talk to them according to what they understand with wisdom and kindness, as Allah Said:

{“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and kind way of speaking, and discuss with them in the best way.”}

[an-Nahl; 125]

And remember the saying of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم):

“Give glad tidings, and do not turn people away,” and: “Indeed, gentleness isn’t found in something except that it beautifies it, and it isn’t removed from something except that it ruins it.”

And start with the most important issues, and go in order. Don’t get into arguments with them over secondary matters while their principles are messed up. Instead, begin by addressing the principles, and if you happen to come across problems in secondary issues, tie it to the main principles and don’t make your enmity with them except when it comes to the basic principle of the Religion, Tawhid, its nullifiers, and what breaks its firm handhold…”

Ibn Taymiyyah’s Daily Routine

This is an excellent account of the daily routine of Taqi ad-Din Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah (January 22, 1263–1328), full name: Taqī ad-Dīn Abu 'l-ʿAbbās Ahmad ibn ʿAbd al-Ḥalīm ibn ʿAbd as-Salām Ibn Taymiya al-Ḥarrānī (Arabic: تقي الدين أبو العباس أحمد بن عبد السلام بن عبد الله ابن تيمية الحراني‎), was a famous Islamic scholar, theologian and logician born in Harran, located in what is now Turkey, close to the Syrian border. He lived during the troubled times of the Mongol invasions. As a member of the school founded by Ibn Hanbal, he sought the return of Islam to its sources, the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

There is much written about and by this Shaykh, re-known as the Shaykh Ul Islam, as a result of his vast specialisation in many of the Sciences of Islam.

Ibn Taymiyyah’s Daily Routine

Credits to iskandrani.wordpress.com [August 11, 2009 by Abdul-Haqq Abdul-Khaliq].

al-Imam al-Bazzar wrote a long, first hand account of the life of Ibn Taymiyyah, who was his personal friend and companion. The book is called ‘al-A’lam al-’Aliyyah fi Manaqib Ibn Taymiyyah,’ and this is a very, very small glimpse from it:

“During the nights, he would separate himself from everybody, secluding himself with his Lord, strictly maintaining his recitation of the Mighty Qur’an, and repeating the various types of daily and nightly worship.

When the night was over, he would rejoin the people for the Fajr prayer, praying the optional prayer before meeting them. When he would begin the prayer, your heart would want to fly from its place just from the way in which he would make takbirat al-ihram. When he would begin the prayer, his limbs would shake, moving him left and right. When he would recite, he would elongate his recitation, just as was authentically reported in regards to the recitation of the Messenger of Allah. His bowing and prostration, as well as his coming up from them, are from the most complete of what has ever been reported in regards to the obligatory prayer. And he would severely lighten his sitting for the first tashahhud, and would say the first taslim out loud, to the point that everyone who was present would hear it…
…And I came to know that it was his habit that nobody would speak to him unless absolutely necessary after the morning prayer. He would remain in a state of dhikr of Allah, listening to himself. Sometimes, he would let those sitting next to him listen to his dhikr, all the while constantly turning his eyesight to the sky. He would remain in such a state until the Sun rose, and the time in which prayer is forbidden had passed.

During my stay in Damascus with him, I would spend some of the day and most of the night with him. He would draw me near to him, sitting me beside him. I would hear what he would recite and repeat, and I saw that he would repeat ‘al-Fatihah’ over and over again, and would spend all of his time between Fajr and sunrise doing this.

So, I kept thinking to myself, wondering: why would he recite this specific chapter of the Qur’an in exclusion to the others? Eventually, it became clear to me – and Allah Knows best – that his intention in doing so was to combine with his recitation between what was narrated in the ahadith and what was discussed by the scholars, in regards to whether the narrated adhkar should take precedence over recitation of the Qur’an, or vice versa. So, he saw that in repeating ‘al-Fatihah,’ he could combine between both opinions, and reap the benefits of both actions, and this was from his strength in logic and depth of insight.

After this, he would pray Duha, and if he wanted to hear Hadith in another place, he would rush to that place with whoever was with him at the time.

It was rare that any intelligent person would see him and not come and kiss his hands. Even the busiest of businessmen would walk from what they were doing to greet him and seek his blessings. With all of this, he would give everyone of them their share of time, greetings, etc.

If he saw any evil in the street, he would work to remove it, and if he heard of a funeral taking place, he would rush to pray in it, or would apologize for missing it. Sometimes, he would go to the grave of the deceased after he finished listening to Hadith and pray over it.

Afterwards, he would return to his mosque, where he would remain either giving fatawa to the people or fulfilling their needs, until it was time to pray Dhuhr in congregation. He would spend the rest of the day in such a manner.

His classes were general for the old, the young, the wealthy, the poor, the free, the slave, males, and females. He appealed to everyone that would pass by him of the people, and everyone of them would feel that Ibn Taymiyyah was treating them better than he was treating anyone else present.

He would then pray Maghrib, and would follow it up with as much optional prayer as Allah made possible. I, or someone else, would then read his writings to him, and he would benefit us with various points and notes. We would do this until we prayeed ‘Isha’, after which we would continue as we were before, delving into the various fields of knowledge. We would do this until much of the night had passed. During this entire time – night and day – Ibn Taymiyyah would constantly remember Allah, mention His Oneness, and seek His forgiveness.

And he would constantly raise his eyesight to the sky, and would not stop doing this, as if he saw something there that kept his eyesight hooked. He would do this for as long as I was staying with him.

So, Subhan Allah! How short were these days! If only they were longer! By Allah, until this day, there has never been a time in my life that is more beloved to me than the time I spent with him, and I was never seen in a better state than I was at that time, and this was for no other reason than the barakah of the Shaykh, may Allah be Pleased with him.

Every week, he would visit the sick, especially those at the hospital. I have been informed by more than one person – whose trustworthiness I do not doubt –that the entire life of the Shaykh was spent in the way that I witnessed (and described above). So, what worship, and what jihad is better than this.

Volcanic Ash & The Qur'an

The follwing pictures have been taken from the http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/04/more_from_eyjafjallajokull.html?camp=localsearch:on:twit:bigpic

As ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano continued to keep European airspace shut down over the weekend [Sat 17th-Sun 18th April 2010), affecting millions of travelers around the world, some government agencies and airlines clashed over the flight bans. Some restricted airspace is now beginning to open up and some limited flights are being allowed now as airlines are pushing for the ability to judge safety conditions for themselves. The volcano continues to rumble and hurl ash skyward, if at a slightly diminished rate now, as the dispersing ash plume has dropped closer to the ground, and the World Health Organization has issued a health warning to Europeans with respiratory conditions. Collected here are some images from Iceland over the past few days. (35 photos total)

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur'ân) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things?

(Surah Fusilat; 41:53)

Verily, they are in doubt concerning the Meeting with their Lord? (i.e. Resurrection after their death, and their return to their Lord). Verily! He it is Who is surrounding all things!

(Surah Fusilat; 41:54)



Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Do you verily disbelieve in Him Who created the earth in two Days And you set up rivals (in worship) with Him? That is the Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists.”

(Surah Fusilat; 41:9)

He placed therein (i.e. the earth) firm mountains from above it, and He blessed it, and measured therein its sustenance (for its dwellers) in four Days equal (i.e. all these four 'days' were equal in the length of time), for all those who ask (about its creation).

(Surah Fusilat; 41:10)

Then He rose over (Istawâ) towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth: "Come both of you willingly or unwillingly." They both said: "We come, willingly."

(Surah Fusilat; 41:11)

Then He completed and finished from their creation (as) seven heavens in two Days and He made in each heaven its affair. And We adorned the nearest (lowest) heaven with lamps (stars)[] to be an adornment as well as to guard (from the devils by using them as missiles against the devils). Such is the Decree of Him the All-Mighty, the All-Knower.

(Surah Fusilat; 41:12)



This is the Majesty of our Creator. When He wills something he says” be” and it is.



This is just an sign, that nobody can do anything about natural disasters no matter how much we try and no matter how much we think we have progressed Tehcnologically
and Scientifically.

In the Glorious Qur'an, Allah Says in Surah Al-Hashr:

He is Allâh, beside Whom Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

(Surah Al-Hashr; 59:22)

He is Allâh beside Whom is Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allâh! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.

(Surah Al-Hashr; 59:23)

He is Allâh, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names[] . All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

(Surah Al-Hashr; 59:24)

And you will see the mountains and think them solid, but they shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds. The Work of Allâh, Who perfected all things, verily! He is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

(Surah Al-Naml; 27:88)

Dunya [This Temporary Life]

[This is an extract which I have heard before and was reminded recently on email about - not sure of the source, however the analaogy from the story is a great reminder to All of us of our temporal state in the Dunya].

Bismillaah Alhamdulillaah Wassalatu Wassalamu Ala Rasulillaah

Wa Ba'd [As To What Proceeds]

In this life of poverty, hardship and trials, Abdullah asked his father [Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal] one day, “Abi, when will we ever relax?” His father, one of the greatest revivers of the Sunnah, a role model for all Muslims looked him in the eye and said, “With the first step we take into Jannah.” Rahimahullah Al-Imam Ahmad! ♥

Once a man saw in his dream, that a lion was chasing him. The man ran to a tree, climbed on to it and sat on a branch. He looked down and saw that the lion was still there waiting for him.

The man then looked to his side where the branch he was sitting on was attached to the tree and saw that two rats were circling around and eating the branch. One rat was black and the other one was white. The branch would fall on the ground very soon.

The man then looked below again with fear and discovered that a big black snake had come and settled directly under him. The snake opened its mouth right under the man so that he will fall into it.

The man then looked up to see if there was anything that he could hold on to. He saw another branch with a honeycomb. Drops of honey were falling from it. The man wanted to taste one of the drops. So, he put his tongue out and tasted one of the fallen drops of honey. The honey was amazing in taste. So, he wanted to taste another drop. As he did, he got lost into the sweetness of the honey.



Meanwhile, he forgot about the two rats eating his branch away, the lion on the ground and the snake that is sitting right under him. After a while, he woke up from his sleep.

To get the meaning behind this dream, the man went to a a pious scholar of Islam. The scholar said

"The lion you saw is your death. It always chases you and goes where ever you go. The two rats, are the night and the day. Black one is the night and the white one is the day. They circle around, coming one after another, to eat your time as they take you closer to death. The big black snake with a dark mouth is your grave. It's there, just waiting for you to fall into it. The honeycomb is this world and the sweet honey is the luxuries of this world. We like to taste a drop of the luxuries of this world but it's very sweet. Then we taste another drop and yet another. Meanwhile, we get lost into it and we forget about our time, we forget about our death and we forget about our graves."

“Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers, evildoers), and (there is) forgiveness from Allaah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers, good‑doers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment”

[al-Hadeed 57:20]

Benefits from Surah Al-'Asr

Benefits from Surah Al-'Asr - by Abu Abdissalam See http://www.abuabdissalam.com


In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

All Praises are due to Allaah, and may the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be showered upon the Noble Messenger.

To Proceed:
Allaah says in Soorah al-’Asr:

“By the ‘Asr, Indeed all of mankind is in a state of loss,
Except those who have eemaan,
Conduct righteous actions,
Call each other to the Truth,
And call each other to having patience.”

‘Asr here means time. So there are three opinions as to what it is:

The time from the creation of the world till the Day of Judgement
The duration of the Prophethood of Muhammad SAW
Salaat-ul-’Asr

When Allaah says ‘By the ‘Asr’, He is making an oath. So Allaah is swearing byal-’Asr. Allaah can swear by anything He wants, as He can use anything to be His witness. However, we as Muslims, are not allowed to swear by anything or anyone except by Allaah, His Names or His Attributes. The Prophet SAW said:

“Whoever swears by other than Allaah has indeed committed kufr [disbelief] or shirk [polytheism].”

So this is a prohibition for us to swear by anything or anyone except Allaah.
Then Allaah says:

“Inna al-insaana la fee khusr”

[Indeed mankind is in loss]

Here Allaah could have said:
“Al-Insaanu fee khusr”
[mankind is in loss]

But, rather, He emphasised this sentence by the addition of ‘inna’ and ‘la’. This is only done if this there is some doubt or rejection of the sentence. In the Arabic language one would not use ‘inna’ or ‘la’ except if someone may have doubt in what is being said. So one would emphasise what he is saying by adding these two words.
Likewise, it is not necessary to use the ‘la’, as Allaah could also have just used
‘inna’:
“Inna al-insaana fee khusr”
So He added the ‘la’ for extra emphasis.
So Allaah emphasised the fact that mankind – the human race as a whole – are
in loss, in three ways:

Using an oath
Using ‘Inna’
Using ‘la’
He did this due to the fact that the kuffaar [disbelievers] rejected the fact that they would be in loss unless they possessed the four qualities mentioned later in
the soorah.
So the emphasis means that we pay special attention to what is coming next. We should want to know how we can be excluded from the general rule of being in a state of loss.
So Allaah then says:
“Except those who have eemaan”

Eemaan can be loosely translated as faith. However, a definition of eemaan, as stated by Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, would be:
“Eemaan is statement and action – statement of the heart and the tongue, and action of the heart, the tongue, and the limbs. It increases with obedience [of Allaah] and decreases with disobedience.”

So we can see that eemaan consists of five parts:

Statement of the heart: This is known as tasdeeq, or the firm beliefs that a person holds, which admits no doubt, whatsoever. E.g.: with respect to Allaah, His Angels, Books,
Messengers, Qadr [Predestination], the Last Day etc.

Statement of the tongue: This is when a person proclaims his belief, eg when he says: ‘I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah’.

Action of the heart: This refers to the different states and feelings of the heart. Things like love, hope, fear, reliance and trust in Allaah, etc.

Action of the tongue: Things like making dhikr of the tongue, such as saying subhaanAllaah. Or like giving da’wah – enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, etc..

Action of the limbs: Things like salaah, zakaah, sawm, hajj etc.

As eemaan consists of these different parts, we should see that it would not remain constant. One’s strength of belief increases and decreases, his love, hope, fear, etc increase and decrease. Therefore, we should see that eemaan increases with obedience to Allaah, and decreases with disobedience.
Next Allaah says:

“And do righteous actions”

So here Allaah has separated eemaan from righteous actions by saying:
“Except those who have eemaan and do righteous actions.” Does this mean that eemaan is separate from actions. Does this not mean that actions are not part of eemaan as mentioned above? The answer is no. Here Allaah is emphasising action. So He mentions a general point [eemaan] followed by a specific [actions]. This can be shown by the next aayah:

“And enjoin each other to the Truth.”

Enjoining each other to the Truth is da’wah. Giving da’wah is from the ‘righteous actions’. So Allaah mentioned da’wah to emphasise it from the many ‘righteous actions’. In a similar way, Allaah says:

“Say, whoever is an enemy to Allaah, the Angels, the Prophets, Jibreel and Mikaa`eel; then Allaah is an enemy of the disbelievers”

[Baqarah, 2:98].
Here, Allaah mentions the angels and then later on mentions Jibreel and Mikaa`eel. But Jibreel and Mikaa`eel are both angels. So why did Allaah mention them? This is, as we mentioned, in order to emphasise Jibreel and Mikaa`eel, as some people did indeed hate these two angels. So likewise, Allaah mentions actions after eemaan – even though actions are part of eemaan – due to the fact that some people would reject the fact that they must do righteous actions, and that belief is enough! As we often hear from some people who make excuses for their neglecting compulsory good deeds: “But God knows what’s in my heart” or “It is what’s in my heart that counts”….
As for the righteous action, then it has two conditions:

It must be founded upon a correct intention. That is: it must be done sincerely for the sake of Allaah. It must not be done to show off, or for the purpose of any saint, or other individual. The proof of this is the statement of the Prophet SAW:

“Indeed actions are but by intention, and every man shall get what he intends.”

It must be done according to the Sunnah of the Messenger SAW. The proof of this is the statement of the Prophet SAW: “Whoever introduces something in this affair of ours [ie Islaam], then it will be rejected.”

Then Allaah continues:

“And enjoin each other to the Truth.”

This means da’wah, or calling others to Islaam. So it is not enough to have the correct beliefs and righteous actions. One must call to that.
The Messenger SAW said:

“Narrate from me even if it is an aayaah.”

There are a number of conditions of da’wah:

Correct Intention: As we mentioned earlier, every good deed must be founded upon a correct intention, due to the statement of the Prophet SAW:

“Indeed actions are but by intention, and every man shall get what he intends.”

Da’wah is not excluded from this.

Knowledge: One must have knowledge of what he is calling to and how to call to it. Allaah says:

“Say [O Muhammad]: This is my path. I call to it UPON SURE KNOWLEDGE, I and those who follow me.”

Wisdom: Allaah says:

“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and a good admonition.”

So we should be gentle at times, and harsh at other times. We should employ tadarruj [graduation] not giving all of Islaam at once.
Da’wah can be of many types: with the pen by writing books, giving advice, giving speeches…

Practising what we preach: Allaah says:

“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?”

Allaah completes the Soorah by saying:

“And enjoin others to having patience [Sabr].”

There are three categories of Sabr:

-Sabr in being obedient to Allaah
-Sabr against being disobedient to Allaah
-Sabr against the Qadr [predestination] of Allaah, such as when calamities
occur etc.

So we ask Allaah ta’aalaa to make us of those who have eemaan, do righteous actions, call to that, and then have patience.

And all Praises belong to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds.

More Quotes...

Further quotes:

The Qur’an guides you to the recognition of your illnesses, and to their remedies. Your illness are your sins, and your medicine is seeking Allah’s Forgiveness.
-Qatadah

Fear more the sin when you are out of sight, it is where your witness is also your judge.
- Ali (RA)

Submission to Allah's (God's) Will is the best companion; wisdom is the noblest heritage; theoretical and practical knowledge are the best signs of distinction; deep thinking will present the clearest picture of every problem.
-Ali (RA)

The mind of a wise man is the safest custody of secrets; cheerfulness is the key to friendship; patience and forbearance will conceal many defects.
-Ali (RA)

A worshiper without knowledge is like the mill donkey; it rotates but it does not leave its place.
-Ali (RA)

If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a female, you educate a nation.
-Uknown

When you are in themorning, do not expect to see the evening, and when you are in the evening, do not expect to see the morning.
-Uknown

Do not expect gratitude from anyone.
-Unknown

Everything that is decreed for a muslim is best for him.
-Unknown

You are better off than many others
-Uknown

Indeed, with each difficulty, there is relief.
-Uknown

The hardships that befall you atone for your sins
-[There is Hadith with similar wording to this]

A strong man is not a man who is strong in wrestling, but a man who can control his anger.
-[There is a Hadith with similar wording to this]

Worry is like a rocking chair--gives you something to do, but doesn't get you anywhere.
-Uknown

Wealth is temporary and will perish - good deeds and the resulting rewards are eternal. Love of wealth is an unhealthy burden, whereas love for good deeds is healthy. Wealth can buy glasses, but not sight; wealth can buy books, but not knowledge; wealth can buy medicine, but not health.
-Uknown

All humans are dead except those who have knowledge;
and all those who have knowledge are asleep, except those who do good deeds;
and those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere;
and those who are sincere are always in a state of worry
-Imam Shaf'i (May Allah elevate his Rank)

Doing justice between two people is charity; and asisting a man upon his beast, and lifting his baggage is charity; and pure, comforting words are charity; and answering a questioner with mildness, is charity; and removing that which is an inconvenience to wayfarers, such as thorns and stones, is a charity.
-[There is a Hadith similar to this]

Your smiling in your brother's face is charity; and your exhorting man to virtuous deeds is charity; and your prohibiting the forbidden is charity; and your showing men the road, in the land in which they lose it, is charity; and your assisting the blind is charity.
- Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W)

My religion is like clouds dropping much rain; some of them falling on pure, favorable soil, cause grass to grow; some of them fall in hollows from which mankind are benefited, some fall on high lands from which benefit is not derived; then the two first are like the persons acquainted with the religion of God and instructing others; and the last like the person not regarding it nor accepting the right path.
- Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W)

Renewing peace between two aggrieved parties surpasses ritual praying, fasting, and almsgiving.
- Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W);as reported by Abu Darda'a

Renewing peace between two aggrieved parties surpasses ritual praying, fasting, and almsgiving.
-Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W); as reported by Abu Darda'a

Seek a true friend,
for a friend seeks the benefit of a friend,
Do good to the people for the sake of God
or for the peace of your own soul
that you may always see what is pure
and save your heart from the darkness of hate.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi

"

Reading the Qur'an but Practising Something Else

Reading the Quran but Practising Something Else

Source: Seekers-Of-Islam

prevalent culture
There is a prevalent culture among Muslims where they only view the Qur'an as a way of gaining reward for reciting out loud the Arabic words correctly. Such people think that they hold the Qur'an in high esteem, but this only keeps them away from studying the Qur'an as they should. Parents teach their children how to pronounce the Arabic words and send their children to evening schools to learn to recite the Qur'an correctly. Such people do not deny the importance of the Qur'an, but their idea of the role of the Qur'an is extremely mistaken and shallow. It is merely to either gain reward for each letter recited or to validate Salah by reciting some short chapters. Members of this majority group may even enjoy listening to recitations of the Qur'an, not because of the message in the Verses, but to appreciate the melody, or for relaxation purposes!

What Islam is, is merely everything else they hear outside of the Qur'an. Such people consider themselves highly religious, while they hold such an ignorant approach to the Qur'an. They recite the Qur'an frequently, but the recitation does not have any bearing on them. Then, they take all their religious guidance from outside the Qur'an - they think those practices amount to fulfilling their duty to the Qur'an. Many of such ignorant people's ideas and practices are even against what the Qur'an has to say, while they are not aware of it - or are aware of it but deliberately ignore thinking about it, laying excuses such as 'I am not knowledgeable enough' or 'I am a laymen, more knowledgeable people have said this, who are you and me to question?'

Real purpose of the Qur'an is to give guidance

The real purpose of the Qur'an is to give guidance to the individual human being who has been created to worship Allah. The Qur'an's guidance is in its meanings, not in the pronunciations of its Arabic letters. The guidance of the Qur'an is a mercy, cure and light for the true believers as it reveals many unknown secrets such as Allah's power, reasons to happening of events around us, and the true nature of Allah's religion. The Qur'an has been necessarily made easy to understand. But this majority have been bereft from this blessing, all while they are deceived into thinking they are following religion perfectly as they are fulfilling their own idea of what the purpose of the Qur'an is.

"We have sent down to you a Book containing your message. Do you not understand?"

(Qur’an 21:10)

Thinking one is fulfilling their obligations toward the Qur'an by simply carrying out rituals such as prayer and fasting, without making the effort to find out what the Qur'an actually says about religion is a great deception. This is because the Qur'an is a Book to reflect upon, to learn from and to gain the necessary insight and wisdom it gives to be a real believer, this is a duty upon anyone who wants to be a Muslim. One cannot possibly be a true Muslim without having necessary knowledge and understanding of the Qur'an. If one only learns about the Qur’an from books written about the Qur’an, written by people, and does not feel the necessity to learn from the Qur’an directly himself, he is only deceiving himself. Allah mentions this ignorant approach in the words,

“Or do you have another book which you study?”

(Qur’an 68:39).

Worship based on make-believing that Qur'an is being followed in the flow of the majority and under blind trust of leaders without a personal attachment to the Qur'an and knowledge of the Qur'an, holds little or no value in Allah's sigh.

Let us ask ourselves: how much do we know about the Qur'an? Not superficial knowledge like the number of chapters or verses, or which city a chapter was revealed in, but the message in its Verses and their many intricacies and secrets. How much wisdom have you gained from the Qur'an? Have you read the entire Qur'an even once in your own language? How many times a day do you refer to the Verses of the Qur'an as you lead your day to day life? Are you sure whether any of your outlooks are from the Qur'an, or is your religion muddled?

“The words of your Lord are complete in its truth and justice. Nothing can change His Words – He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. If you obeyed most of those on earth, they would lead you away from the path of Allah. They follow nothing but speculation – they are merely guessing.”

(Qur’an 6:115-116)

"This too, is a blessed Book which We have sent down – follow it, and be conscious of your Lord, so that you may receive mercy – lest you say, ‘Books were sent to two communities before us: we were not aware of what they studied’, or ‘if only the Book had been sent down to us, we would have been better guided than them.’ Now your Lord has brought you clear evidence, guidance, and mercy. Who could be more wrong than someone who rejects Allah’s Revelations and turns away from them? We shall repay those who turn away with a painful punishment."

(Qur’an 6:155-157)

It is clear that being heedless of the Qur'an will lead to losses in this life and the Hereafter as Allah will call all people into account their level of adherence to the Qur'an.

“Surely, the One who decreed the Qur’an to you will summon you to a predetermined appointment. Say: 'My Lord is fully aware of who it is that brings the guidance, and who has gone astray.' "

(Qur’an 28:85)

Follow the Book of Allah

As stated in the verse, all people are responsible for adhering to the way of life decreed by Allah in the Qur'an. Without direct knowledge of the Verses, practicing alleged claims about the Qur'an and following the majority, may not have any value in the sight of Allah.

Many people who do not have any Quranic insight or wisdom spread claims about the Qur'an's verses which are a far cry from the verses' true meanings. They usually get away with it as their audience have also been conditioned to simply follow 'sayings' about the Qur'an, rather than the Qur'an.

It is only when one opens his eyes and begins to comprehend the Verses of Allah, can he begin to follow the Book of Allah and hope to become a true Muslim.

"...Indeed there has come to you from Allah a Light and a Clear Book. With it Allah guides whoever follows His good pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from the darkness into the light by His permission: He guides them onto a straight path"

(Qur'an 5:15-16)

All Muslims must consider their position in religion in relation to the Qur'an. Reciting the Qur'an without a sincere effort to understand the verses directly will not enlighten the human soul.

Richness of the Soul - Hadith

From Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who said that Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) said:

"Richness is not having many belongings, but richness is the richness of the soul (contentment)."

(Muslim)

Hijaab - Poem

HIJAAB by Sister Fatme H. Jaber from USA (From Facebook Page: Sirat Al Mustaqeem )

You look at me and call me oppressed,
Simply because of the way I'm dressed,

You know me not for what is inside,
You judge the clothing I wear with pride,

My body is not for your eyes to hold,
You must speak to my mind, not my feminine mould,

I'm an individual. I'm no man's slave,
It's... Allah's pleasure that I only crave,

I have a voice so I will be heard,
For in my heart I carry His word,

"O ye women, wrap close your cloak,
So you won't be bothered by ignorant folk".

Man doesn't tell me to dress this way,
It's law from God that I obey,

Oppressed is something I'm truly not,
For liberation is what I've got,

It was given to me many years ago,
With the right to prosper, the right to grow,

I can climb mountains or cross the seas,
Expand my mind in all degrees,

For God Himself gave us liberty,
When He sent Islam, to you and me !

Believer to another Believer - Hadith

Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 43 :: Hadith 626 Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet said,

"A believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other."

The Prophet then clasped his hands with the fingers interlaced (while saying that).

Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 43 :: Hadith 623 Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle said,

"Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one."

Affection to our Children - Hadith

Abu Hurairah narrated:

"Al-Aqra bin Habis saw the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) kissing Al-Hasan and Al-Husain. So he said, 'I have ten children and I do not kiss any one of them.' So the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, 'Whoever shows no mercy, will be shown no mercy.'"

[Jami At-Tirmidhi - Graded Sahih]

This shows the importance of showing affection to our children Masha'Allah.

The advice of Ibraaheem ibn Adham

The advice of Ibraaheem ibn Adham By Sister Laila Mabrûk

A man came to Ibrahim ibn Adham, may Allah be pleased with him, and said,

"Abu Ishaq, I am unable to control my lower self. Please give me something to help me with it."

"If you accept five conditions," said Ibrahim, "and are able to put them into practice, your disobedience will not cause you any problem."

"Just tell me what they are, Abu Ishaq!" the man said.

"The first is that when you want to disobey Allah you do not eat anything He provides."

"Then how will I get anything to eat? Everything on the earth is from Him!"

"So is it right to eat His provision and disobey Him at the same time?" replied Ibrahim.

"No, it is not. What is the second condition?"

"When you want to disobey him, move off His land."

"That is even more difficult! Exclaimed the man. "In that case where will I live?"

"Is it right to eat his provision and live on His land and then to disobey Him?" asked Ibrahim.

"No, it is not. What is the third condition?"

"When you want to disobey Him in spite of eating His provision and living on His land, find a place where He will not see you and disobey Him there."

"What do you mean, Ibrahim? He knows everything that happens even in the most hidden places!"

"So is it right to disobey Him when you eat His provision and live on His land and when you know that He can see everything you do?"

"It certainly is not!" the man replied. "Tell me the fourth condition."

"That when the Angel of Death arrives to take your soul, you say to him, 'Give me a reprieve so that I can repent and act righteously for Allah.'"

"But he won't listen to me!"

"Then if you cannot ward off death long enough to give yourself time to repent, and you know that when it comes there will be no reprieve, how can you hope to be saved?"

"What is the fifth?"

"That when the angels of the Fire come to you to take you to the Fire, you do not go with them."

"They will take me whether I like it or not!" exclaimed the man.

"So how can you hope to be saved?"

"Enough, enough, Ibrahim! I ask Allah's forgiveness and I turn to Him!"

The man's repentance was sincere and from that time on he was assiduous in his worship and avoided acts of disobedience until the day he died.

Taken from the book: The Day of Rising Published by Dar al-Taqwa Ltd. 1997

Hayyatan Tayyibah - The Goodly Life

Subahna'Allah, this is most beautiful compiled video, and serves as an excellent reminder for us All, and worth every second of the 10 minutes you have to spare. The less I say of it, the more time you will have t o view the video Insha'Allah.

Cupping Therapy (Al-Hijama)

A Cure For Every Disease, Pain and Ailment (By Allah's Permission)

What is cupping (hijama)?

Cupping (hijama) is the best remedy recommended and used by the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)…"

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5371)]. He (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) also said that on the night of Israa (his ascension to the heavens) he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) did not pass by an angel except that it said to him,

"Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with cupping (hijama)."

[Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee (3479)]. This shows the importance and greatness of this Sunnah.

'Hijama' in arabic is derived from 'hajm' which means 'sucking'. Cupping (hijama) is the process of applying cups to various points on the body by removing the air inside the cups to form a vacuum.

Cupping (hijama) is of three types:

Dry cupping (hijama) - This is the process of using a vacuum on different areas of the body in order to gather the blood in that area without incisions (small, light scratches using a razor).
Dry massage cupping (hijama) – This is similar to dry cupping (hijama) but olive oil is applied to the skin (before applying the cups) in order to allow easy movement of the cups.

70% of diseases, pains and ailments are due to the blood being unable to reach certain parts of the body. Dry cupping (hijama) and dry massaging cupping (hijama) allow the blood to reach these places.

Dry and massage cupping (hijama) may be self-administered in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Each cupping (hijama) box is accompanied by an instruction booklet. We have also provided further instructions on our 'How To Cup' page. Dry and massage cupping (hijama) may be administered any time of the day, any day of the week or month. There are no restrictions.

Wet cupping (hijama)- This is the process of using a vacuum at different points on the body but with incisions in order to remove 'harmful' blood which lies just beneath the surface of the skin. (It is recommended that wet cupping (hijama) is only administered by a cupping therapist).
We will run cupping (hijama) courses for wet cupping (hijama) inshAllah. Please join our FREE newsletter and we will keep you updated inshAllah.

Wet cupping (hijama) may only be administered at certain times of the day and days of the week. Please see our 'Authentic Narrations' page for further details.

Is cupping (hijama) a cure for every disease?

Cupping (hijama) is a cure for every disease if performed in its correct time. The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "Indeed in cupping (hijama) there is a cure." [Saheeh Muslim (5706)]. The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "Whoever performs cupping (hijama) on the 17th, 19th or 21st day (of the Islamic month) then it is a cure for every disease." [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3861)].

There are specific points on the body where the cups are applied for each ailment.

Is cupping (hijama) from the Sunnah?

Above are just some of the authentic narrations which show that cupping (hijama) is from the Sunnah of the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). Please see our 'Authentic Narrations' page for more authentic narrations about cupping (hijama).

The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"Whoever revives a Sunnah from my Sunnah and the people practise it, s/he will have the same reward of those who practise it without their reward diminishing…" [Sunan ibn Maajah (209)].

Authentic Narrations About Cupping (Al-Hijama)

Cupping (Hijama) Is The Best Of Remedies

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)…" [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5371)].

Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping (hijama)." [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3857), Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3476)].

The Angels Recommending Cupping (Hijama)

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the night journey except that they all said to me: Upon you is cupping (hijama), O Muhammad." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3477)].

In the narration reported by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allaah be pleased with him) the angels said,

"Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with cupping (hijama)." [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee (3479)].

Cupping (Hijama) Is A Prevention

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"Whoever wants to perform cupping (hijama) then let him search for 17th, 19th and 21st and let none of you allow his blood to rage (boil) such that it kills him." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3486)].

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"When the weather becomes extremely hot, seek aid in cupping (hijama). Do not allow your blood to rage (boil) such that it kills you." [Reported by Hakim in his 'Mustadrak' and he authenticated it and Imam ad-Dhahabi agreed (4/212)].

In Cupping (Hijama) There Is A Cure And A blessing

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper, in drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire, but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from cauterization (branding with fire)." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5681), Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3491)].

Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"Indeed in cupping (hijama) there is a cure." [Saheeh Muslim (5706)].

Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing..." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)].

* 'alaa ar-reeq in arabic means to fast until after being treated with cupping. Once the treatment of cupping has been completed, one may eat and drink.

Cupping (Hijama) In Its Time Is A Cure For Every Disease


Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "Whoever performs cupping (hijama) on the 17th, 19th or 21st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) then it is a cure for every disease." [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3861)].

The Best Days For Cupping (Hijama)

The best days for cupping (hijama) are the 17th, 19th and 21st of the Islamic month which coincide with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"Whoever wants to perform cupping (hijama) then let him search for 17th, 19th and 21st…"

[Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3486)].

Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory. So cup yourselves with the blessing of Allaah on Thursday. Keep away from cupping (hijama) on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform cupping (hijama) on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allaah saved Ayoub from a trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night."

[Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)].

Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach* is best. It increases the intellect and improves the memory. It improves the memory of the one memorising. So whoever is going to be cupped then (let it be) on a Thursday in the name of Allaah. Keep away from being cupped on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Be cupped on a Monday or Tuesday. Do not be cupped on a Wednesday because it is the day that Ayoub was befallen with a trial. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night."

[Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3488)].

* 'alaa ar-reeq in arabic means to fast until after being treated with cupping. Once the treatment of cupping has been completed, one may eat and drink.

As for the Islamic day and night, the night enters before the day. So at sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday night comes in. Cupping (hijama) is best performed during the daytime between the adhaan of fajr and the adhaan of maghrib because yawm in arabic means daytime.

The Sunnah days for cupping (hijama) every month are when the 17th or 19th or 21st of the lunar month coincide with a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. These are the best and most beneficial days for cupping (hijama). If one is not able to be cupped on 17th, 19th or 21st (coinciding with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday) then any Monday, Tuesday or Thursday of the month.

Cupping (Hijama) May Be Used For:

Headaches
Salma (may Allaah be pleased with him), the servant of the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "Whenever someone would complain of a headache to the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam), he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) would advise them to perform cupping (hijama)." [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3858)].

Magic
Ibn al-Qaiyum (may Allaah have mercy on him) mentions that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) was cupped on his head when he was afflicted with magic and that it is from the best of cures for this if performed correctly. [Zaad al Ma'aad (4/125-126)].

Poison
Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that a Jewish woman gave poisoned meat to the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) so he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) sent her a message saying, "What caused you to do that?" She replied, "If you really are a Prophet then Allaah will inform you of it and if you are not then I would save the people from you!" When the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) felt pain from it, he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) performed cupping (hijama). Once he travelled while in Ihram and felt that pain and hence performed cupping (hijama). [Ahmed (1/305) the hadeeth is hasan (good chain with all the paths)].

Strengthening One's Intelligence And Memory

Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

"Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory. So cup yourselves with the blessing of Allaah on Thursday. Keep away from cupping (hijama) on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform cupping (hijama) on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allaah saved Ayoub from a trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night."

[Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)].

* 'alaa ar-reeq in arabic means to fast until after being treated with cupping. Once the treatment of cupping has been completed, one may eat and drink.

Dislocation/Bruising
Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) fell from his horse onto the trunk of a palm tree and dislocated his foot. Waki' (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, "Meaning the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) was cupped on (his foot) for bruising." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (2807)].

Cupping (Hijama) While fasting Or In The State Of Ihram

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) was cupped on his head for a unilateral headache while he was in Ihraam. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5701)].

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) was cupped while he was fasting. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5694)].

Areas of Cupping (Hijama)

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) was treated with cupping (hijama) three times on the two veins at the side of the neck and the base of the neck. [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3860), ibn Maajah (3483)].

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) was cupped on his head. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5699)].

Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) used to cup his head and would call it (the place at the top of the head)

"Umm Mugheeth." [Saheehah (753), Saheeh al-Jaami' (4804)].

Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) was treated with cupping (hijama) on his hip for a pain in that area. [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3863)].

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) was treated with cupping (hijama) when he was in Ihram, on the top of his foot, for a pain in that area. [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (1836)].

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said,

"Cupping (hijama) under the chin is beneficial for pain in the teeth, face and throat, if it is performed in its proper time. It purifies the head and the jaws.
Cupping (hijama) on the top of the foot is a substitution for the puncturing of the Saphena, which is a large vein in the heel. It is beneficial for treating ulcers that occur on the thighs and calves, the interruption of menses and skin irritation on the testicles.
Cupping (hijama) at the bottom of the chest is beneficial for the treatment of sores, scabies and mange on the thighs. It helps against gout, hemorrhoids, elephantiasis and itchiness on the back." [Zaad al-Ma'aad, 4/58]

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Cupping (Hijama) For Women

Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) asked permission from the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) to be treated with cupping (hijama). So the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) ordered Abu Teeba (may Allaah be pleased with him) to cup her. Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, " I think he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said that Abu Teeba (may Allaah be pleased with him) is her brother through breastfeeding or a young boy who didn't reach puberty". [Saheeh Muslim (5708), abu Dawud (4102), Saheeh ibn Maajah (3480)].

Cupping Videos

Below are links to Shaikh Muhammad Musa Nasr's Cupping (hijama) video on youtube.com and brother Abdul Hakim's (from naturalhealthnaturesfinest.co.uk) Cupping (hijama) video on islamictube.net:

The following is a link to a six part video by Shaikh Muhammad Musa Aal Nasr titled, 'The Sunnah Of Hijaamah':
http://healthmeanswealth.co.uk/index.php?pr=Cupping_Videos