Bring Almaghrib to Florida!

Alhamdulillah, there is an effort going on to bring Al-Maghrib classes to the Sunshine State.  Al-Maghrib is growing and becoming ever so popular amongst the Muslims in North America.  Just recently, it added Imam Suhaib Webb to its list of already impressive instructors (which include Shaykhs Yasir Qadhi and Waleed Basyouni).  Please help bring Al-Maghrib to Florida. 

Now you may ask, what can you do to help?  Firstly, please, please make dua.  Secondly, please join the list-serve that has been generated for this effort by clicking: http://groups.google.com/group/almaghrib_florida/.  There is also a facebook group (http://jhu.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2733395559&ref=mf) that is dedicated to the effort of bringing Almaghrib to Florida.  Almaghrib-Florida has also started a new blog (http://almaghribfl.wordpress.com) and can be contacted at: almaghrib.florida@gmail.com.  Please email them and let them know you’d love to volunteer.  One final thing you could do to help would be to hype-up Almaghrib-Florida by registering and becoming active on the Almaghrib Forums (http://forums.almaghrib.org).  May Allah (SWT) bless you for your help and may Allah (SWT) allow the Muslims of Florida to benefit from the Almaghrib Institute.  Ameen.

Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays

Ramadan is fast approaching us and we need to prepare for it.  The month of Shaban is only a couple weeks away as we are in the midst of the month of Rajab.  Therefore, let us prepare for Ramadan by fasting NOW!  Abu Hurayrah (ra) narrated that Rasoolullah (SAW) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.  Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “Deeds are presented on every Monday and Thursday.  Allah forgives every Muslim or every believer, except for those who are forsaking each other.  He says (about them), ‘Leave them’” (reported by Ahmad). 

Therefore, let us try to implement the fasting of Mondays and Thursdays before Ramadan begins and let us attempt to keep this routine as part of our lives even after Ramadan has passed us.  You may say that fasting these hot summer days is painful, but consider what one of the righteous scholars of the past said.  He commented how he loved to live on only because of three things and they were to fast in the long summer days, to pray (tahajjud) in the long winter nights, (and the third one is slipping my mind, hehe).

Let us implement the Sunnah of Rasoolullah (SAW) into our lives.  May Allah (SWT) guide us to the truth.  Ameen.  Wa assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu.

What is Tawheed Asma wa al-Siffat?

Simply put, Tawheed al-Asma wa al-Siffat is to affirm for Allah (SWT) all the Names and Attributes that are found in the Quran and authentic Sunnah, in a manner befitting to Allah (SWT), and to negate all attributes which are negated in the Quran and Sunnah.

 One must be careful not to commit ilhad (turn away from the truth, deviate) in Allah’s Names.  The Holy Quran states, “When it is said to them, ‘Adore ye ((Allah)) Most Gracious!’  They say, ‘And what is ((Allah)) Most Gracious?  Shall we adore that which you command us?’  And it increases their flight (from the truth)” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 25:60).  This verse criticizes the pagans for rejecting just one of Allah’s Names, despite their belief in Allah and the concept of mercy.

Hence, Allah (SWT) has warned us against ilhad in His Belief and Names as the Holy Quran states, “The most beautiful names belong to Allah.  So call on Him by them; but shun such men as use profanity [i.e. distort] in His Names: for what they do, they will soon be requited” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 7:180).  Ibn al-Qayyim has listed some of the types of ilhad to include:

• To deny (tatil) or distort (tawil) their meanings, or claim that they have no meaning (tafwid)
• To consider them as human attributes (anthropomorphism)
• To derive names for Allah that are not befitting Him (e.g. ‘Father’)
• To name idols or other beings with the names of Allah or their derivates (e.g. al-Uzza, al-Manat)

May Allah (SWT) guide us all.  Ameen.

Cool Tidbits on Akhlaq

Cool Tidbits:

• “We should plan for our life as though we will live forever, yet we should live our life as though we will die tomorrow” -I forgot who said this, but it’s deep.

• The Holy Quran states, “This is a nation which has already passed away: there awaits it whatever it has earned, while you will have what you have earned.  You will not be questioned about what they have been doing” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 2:141).  Therefore, as Muslims, we need to focus upon what is in our control and not be amongst the people who focus on the faults of others. 

•  As Muslims, we should put our trust in Allah (SWT) first and foremost.  Indeed, when we strive for the sake of Allah (SWT), the rest of our lives will come into play for our benefits.  Aisha (ra) reported that Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “Whoever seeks Allah’s Pleasure at the expense of man’s displeasure, will win Allah’s Pleasure and Allah will cause men to be pleased with him.  And whoever seeks to please men at the expense of Allah’s Displeasure, will win the Displeasure of Allah and Allah will cause men to be displeased with him” (narrated by Ibn Hibban).  Therefore, we need to always consider whether we are doing actions for the sake of Allah (SWT) or for the sake of others.  For if we truly do good solely for the sake of Allah (SWT), other people will be pleased with us and we will be on the straight path, insha’Allah.

• As Muslims, we need to do our actions solely for the sake of Allah (SWT) as the Holy Quran states, “Then there are among men such as say, ‘We believe in Allah;’ but when they suffer affliction in (the cause of) Allah, they treat men’s oppressions as if it were the Wrath of Allah!  And if help comes (to thee) from They Lord, they are sure to say, ‘We have (always) been with you!’  Does not Allah know best all that is in the hearts of all creation?” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 29:10).  One lesson we can definitely learn from this verse is we need to have patience in all circumstances.  It has been reported that Sufyaan at-Thawree stated ”The following three are from patience: Do not speak about a calamity that has befallen you, do not speak about your pain, and do not praise yourself.”   May Allah (SWT) increase us all in patience.

The Importance of the Sunnah

The Quran and Sunnah contains within it all that we need as the Holy Quran states, “O ye who believe!  Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you.  If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: that is best, and most suitable for final determination” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 4:59).  Therefore, as Muslims and as Mumins (believers) insha’Allah, we must take everything back to Allah (the Quran) and the Prophet (the Sunnah).

The Holy Quran states, “…and all things have we explained in detail” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 17:12).  As Muslims, we should not look at the Quran and Sunnah with any preconceived notions.  We should accept wholeheartedly everything that is in the Holy Quran and in the authentic hadith of Rasoolullah (SAW).

Indeed, many people nowadays accept the Quran, yet some people who are very ignorant dispute the Sunnah.  Rasoolullah (SAW) informed us all that we need to know as the Holy Quran states, “O Messenger.  Proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to Thee from Thy Lord.  If Thou Didst not, Thou wouldse not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission.  And Allah will defend Thee from men (Who mean mischief), for Allah guides not those who reject Faith” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 5:67).  According to the Holy Quran, we need to follow the way of Rasoolullah (SAW), “…if ye obey him, ye shall be on the right guidance…” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 24:54).

Verily, any guidance other than the guidance of the Prophet (SAW) is misguidance as the Holy Quran states, “Say: ‘Then bring ye a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than either of them, that I may follow it!  (Do), if ye are truthful!’  But if they hearken not to thee, know that they only follow their own lusts: and who is more astray than one who follows his own lists, devoid of guidance from Allah.  For Allah guides not people given to wrong-doing” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 28:49-50).  When asked about a good bidah, Imam Malik said it is for one who believes that the Prophet (SAW) did not fulfill his message (Umar did not commit a good bidah by congregating the taraweeh prayer in Ramadan, instead he revived a Sunnah).  Know that the people that reject Islam are following their desires. 

There is nothing that brings people closer to Paradise except that Rasoolullah (SAW) commanded us to it and there is nothing that brings us closer to the Hell-Fire except that Rasoolullah (SAW) warned us against it (recorded by Tabarani).  No prophet had come before Rasoolullah (SAW) except that he informed his nation of the good he knew and warned it against the fitna he knew (recorded by Muslim).  Rasoolullah told us that he left us upon the shining path.  Its nigh is like its day.  No one would deviate from it except (unless he would want to be) he would be destroyed (recorded by Abu Dawud).  The narrator of the hadith just mentioned (I believe it was Abu Dharr) said, “He (SAW) has told the truth, I swear by Allah.”

When Imam Ahmed ibn Hambal was being whipped while chained by the Khalifah, he would said, “O Khalifah, is this something the Prophet (SAW) claimed/believed, if not, then how do you know of something the Prophet (SAW) did not?”  Rasoolullah (SAW) told us his nation will divide into 73 sects.  We were told to follow the way Rasoolullah (SAW) and those with him (the Sahabah).  We are commanded to follow the Sunnah of the Rasoolullah (SAW) and the Sunnah of the right-guided khulafa (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali).  Indeed, may Allah (SWT) make us all amongst the people who follow the example set forth by our beloved Prophet (SAW).

Blessings of Tawheed Asma wa al-Siffat

Tawheed can be broken down into three categories: Rububiyyah (Affirmation of Lordship), Asma wa al-Siffat (Names and Attributes), and Uloohiyyah (Worship).  Some of my earlier posts focused on Tawheed focused on Rububiyyah and Uloohiyyah.  Now, insha’Allah, I will try to write several posts dealing with Tawheed Asma wa al-Siffat.  Before those posts, I thought it would be nice that we could understand why it is important to study such an important matter.  The blessings of Tawheed Asma wa al-Siffat include:

• It is half of the basis of Tawheed
• It is the most noble of all sciences and knowledge
• It is one of the purposes that mankind was created
• We are commanded to learn it as the Holy Quran states, “Proclaim (or Read in other translations)!  And thy Lord is Most Bountiful“  (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 96:3)
• The knowledge of Allah’s Names and Attributes gives life to the heart
• Every single Name and Attribute gives life to a certain type of consciousness and humility in man
• A love of this field of Islam is based on the love of Allah (SWT) as Jarir bin Abdullah al-Bajali reported that some of the Sahabah were with Rasoolullah (SAW) when Rasoolullah (SAW) looked at the full moon and said, “You will see your Lord in the Hereafter as you see this moon having no difficulty in seeing it.  So try your best to perform your prayers before the rising of the sun and that before its setting” (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
• It is the basis of all other sciences, as everything in the creation returns either to the command of Allah, or His Words as the Holy Quran states, “Lo! your Lord is Allah who created the heavens and the earth in six days then mounted He the Throne.  He covereth the night with the day, which is in haste to follow it, and hath made the sun and the moon and the stars subservient by His Command.  His verily is all creation and commandment.  Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 7:54)
• It is the fundamental building block of our iman as once Rasoolullah (SAW) appointed a man to lead the prayer for a group of the Sahaba when the group when traveling. The Sahabah complained to Rasoolullah (SAW) that the appointed man would always finish his recitations with Surat al-Ikhlas. Rasoolullah said, “Ask him why he does so.” The Sahaba asked the man and he responded, “I do so because it mentions the qualities of the Beneficent, and I love to recite it (in my prayer).” Rasoolullah (SAW) said to the Sahaba, “Tell him that Allah loves him” (this story can be found in Bukhari and Muslim).  Therefore, Allah (SWT) loved a person because this person loved reciting an surat that described Allah (SWT).
• Knowledge of Allah’s Names and Attributes is the spiritual food of the soul as the Holy Quran states, “Who have believer and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah.  Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 13:28) which is why Allah (SWT) calls the one who does not worship Him as dead (spiritually).
• Hadith of the 99 names as Abu Hurairah reported Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “Verily to Allah belongs ninety-nine names, one-hundred less one.  Whoever encompasses (memorizes and understands) them will enter paradise” (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
• Understanding deviancy as much of today’s deviancy occurs within Tawheed Asma wa al-Siffat. 

May Allah (SWT) guide us all.  Wa assalamu alaykum.

Can Humans Marry Jinn?

Like humans, jinn also come from a variety of different religions, ethnicities, regions of the world, etc.  There are Muslim jinn and kaafir jinn.  There are probably Sunni jinn and Shia jinn and Sufi jinn and maybe even desi jinn.  There are good jinn and bad jinn as the Holy Quran states, “There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary.  We follow divergent paths” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 72:11).  The jinn themselves live together and procreate as the Holy Quran states, “He was one of the Jinn, and he broke the Command of His Lord.  Will you then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me?…” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 18:50) as this verse proves that jinn procreate and have progeny.

However, the question that this post attempts to answer is whether or not humans and jinn can intermarry.  Intercourse is possible between species here.  There is somewhat of a difference of opinion held upon the matter of marriage.  Malik held the opinion that a human male could marry a female jinn but a human female could not marry a male jinn.  Similarly, if a human male was to marry a female jinn, the female jinn would count amongst being one of the four wives the male would be allowed to marry.  Ibn Taymiyyah held the opinion that humans and jinn could intermarry and have children.

Nevertheless, many scholars say marriage between a human and a jinn is not allowed in Islam.  Scholars that say this marriage is impermissible point to the verse, “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates among yourselves…” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 30:21).  In this verse, mates among yourselves seems to point to humans being allowed to marry only within humans (and jinn within jinn).  Al-Hasan al-Basri held the opinion that marrying a jinn was possible, yet not permissible in the Shar’iah.  You may ask, what?  It is similar to the idea of a Muslim man wanting to marry a Hindu woman.  It is possible, yet it is not allowed in the Shar’iah.  Nevertheless, even if it is possible to marry a jinn, it comes highly recommended that one try not to pursue it…

Update: Shaykh Bilal Philips was recently asked the question of the permissibility of humans and jinn inter-marrying.  He stated he was of the opinion that it is impermissible.

Life in the Grave

One of the dua’s that Rasoolullah (SAW) used to make quite often towards the end of his prayer was the dua: “Oh Allah, I take refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, from the torment of the Fire, from the trial of life and death and from the evil affliction of the Al-Maseeh Ad-Dajjal” (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).  Indeed, Rasoolullah (SAW) said “Verily there is a pressing that occurs in the grave, if anyone could be saved from it, then Sa’d ibn Mu’adh would have been.”  The trial of the grave includes the questioning of the angels in which the disbelievers, evil-doers, and hypocrites will have problems answering these questions (O Allah, save us from hypocrisy).

Indeed, there are rewards and punishments in the grave, many of which are established through mutawatirah hadith (the most authentic kind of hadith).  Examples of reward in the grave include:

• widening of the grave
• good company in the grave
• light in the grave
• having a comfortable, deep sleep
• seeing one’s potential place in the Hell-fire, but then showing one’s true abode in paradise
• telling of glad tidings

Punishment in the grave can be cruel and harsh.  All but humans and jinn can hear the sounds of the punishments in the grave since if Allah (SWT) were to expose the punishments of the grave to humans in this life, then we would all just live in fear.  Examples of the punishment in the grave include:

• a bed of fire
• being in darkness
• being shown a position in paradise which would then disappear into a picture of the Hell-fire
• having tightness to break one’s ribs
• beating hammers in the grave

What causes one to have punishment in one’s grave?  Causes of punishment in the grave include:

• kufr/shirk
• poor cleaning of oneself after using the bathroom
• gossiping, back-biting, spreading rumors
• calling to innovations
• usury/interest
• stealing from orphans
• exposing a Muslim’s mistakes
• suicide
• committing major sins in Al-Haram (i.e. Makkah)
• learning Quran and being distant from it (including one who memorizes the Quran and does not pray the tahajjud (night prayer)!!!)
• not waking up for prayers (i.e. fajr)
• ruling against the Shariah
• eating and breaking one’s fast before time
• having one’s pants below the ankles due to pride (men only!)
• being merciless to animals
• not paying one’s debts (if one can)

Subhana’Allah, this list is very scary and insha’Allah, we are amongst those people who are spared the torment of the grave.  How can we be saved from this torment?  Two ways are by reciting the dua that Rasoolullah (SAW) used to recite (click on: http://www.makedua.com/display_dua.php?sectionid=24 and it is the first dua listed) and by Surat Tabarruk (Surat 67 of the Holy Quran).

“And they ask you (O Muhammad) concerning the Rooh (the Spirit); Say ‘The Rooh (the Spirit): it is one of the things, the knowledge of which is only with my Lord.  And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little’” (Translation of the Holy Quran, 17:85).

Death (Good versus Bad)

“Everyone shall taste the death.  Then unto Us you shall be returned” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 29:57).  No doubt, death is a truth that no one can deny and it is our first stop of the Hereafter.  The knowledge of the time of death is known to no one except Allah (SWT) as the Holy Quran states, “And no person can ever die except by Allah’s Leave and at an appointed term” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 3:145). 

Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “Often remember the destroyer of pleasures (death)” (narrated by Tirmidhi).  Nevertheless, we should not wait for death and call for it as Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “No one should desire death.  If he is a good-doer, he can increase in his good, and if he is a wrongdoer then he may repent” (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).  For two brothers can fight in jihad.  One would die a shaheed (martyr) while the other brother would live another year and in that extra year, the brother would garner more good deeds so that he would be higher in paradise.

However, as Muslims, we must realize it is crucial that we die in the state of pure Islam.  Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “Whoever dies upon something, he will be resurrected upon it” (narrated by al-Hakim).  Verily, a good ending will lead to a beneficial Hereafter while a bad ending will lead to a terrifying Hereafter based on the way we die for Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “By the One, other than Whom there is no deity worthy of worship, verily one of you performs the actions of the people of Paradise until there is but an arms length between him and it, and that which has been written overtakes him, and so, he acts with the actions of the people of the Hellfire and thus enters it; and verily one of you performs the actions of the people of the Hellfire, until there is but an arms length between him and it, and that which has been written overtakes him and so acts with the actions of the people of Paradise and thus he enters it” (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim) as this hadith can be mentioned for those people who act righteous in public and not in private for their hearts are not sincere.

 Therefore, as Muslims, we need to ensure a good ending for ourselves.  Causes of a good ending include:

• Alistiqamah (steadfastness)
• At-taqwa (piety)
• Husn ad-dhan billah (having good expectations of Allah)
• As-Sidq (truthfulness)
• At-Toubah (repentance)
• Remembering death and visiting cemeteries (and not worshipping them!)
• Avoiding the reasons that would lead to a bad ending

Signs of the good ending (Husn al-Khatimah) include death by:

• saying the Shahadah
• doing a good deed
• dying shaheed (a martyr)
• on a Friday
• due to a high fever or due to a plague
• because of a disease of the stomach
• in a collapsing building
• giving birth
• the modern version of a car accident not caused by oneself (note that Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin stated that dying in a high-speed car accident is like committing suicide)
• by a lion or wild animal
• in the city of Madinah
• while teaching the Sunnah
• in a sinking ship
• while standing up against a dictator

Furthermore, as Muslims, we need to avoid a bad ending at all costs.  Causes of the bad ending (Soo al-Khatimah) include but are not limited to:

• Corrupt belief and practice of innovations (For example, when group dhikr first evolved, Ibn Masood (ra) berated the people practicing such a practice for they thought they were doing better than the way of Rasoolullah (SAW).  Most of the berated people ended up becoming part of the deviant Khawarij sect).
• Hypocrisy (privately behaving contrary to one’s public behavior)
• Practicing sins and love of sins
• Love of this Duniya and expecting to live for a long time (for we should plan as though we will live for a long time but we should live as though we will die tomorrow)
• Unlawful love and attachments
• Procrastination (ahhh)

Signs of a bad ending include:

• saying words of kufr (disbelief)
• displaying anger
• committing sins
• refusing to say the Shahadah
• having unusual things in one’s grave
• having one’s body decompose quickly
• having one’s head refuse to face the qibla when placed in the grave

Indeed, Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him; and whoever dislikes to meet Allah, Allah dislikes to meet him” (narrated by Bukhari).

Summer of Fun

Assalamu Alaykum,

I’ve finally decided to start updating my blog once again and insha’Allah, I will continue to update it regularly. Since I’ve been on hiatus for the last several weeks, I thought I’d update my blog with what’s been going on in my life.  Alhamdulillah, my last summer before medical school has been full of excitement and joy.  In the past three weeks, I’ve traveled to sooo many states, it’s been awesome. 

I started my journey (it wasn’t a real journey by any means) by going to Chicago for a friend’s wedding.  Devon Street is a pretty happening street.  I was fortunate enough to eat at the famous Usmanias restaurant.  My new recommended favorite dish has definitely got to be Chicken Makkni (a.k.a. Butter Chicken).  From Chicago, I continued to Michigan to visit a friend.  Michigan was awesome.  Subhana’Allah, I really loved Dearborn, there are sooooooo many Muslims there it feels like another country.  There are masajid everywhere to be found.  One masjid we went to had several hundred people attending for a regular salaat!  Additionally, most of the local eateries serve halal food (I ate at a halal Big Boys!). 

My journey continued as I flew to California.  There were about eight brothers from Hopkins who met up as a reunion (Classes 2004-2007) and subhana’Allah, it was soo fun.  We arrived in Los Angles and continued our trip north up to San Jose (via Pebble Beach and Monterray) and south down to Long Beach.  California was an amazing experience as the trip defined true brotherhood.  One thing I got to do is give a shout-out to the UCLA MSA.  Masha’Allah, they’ve really got it going on.  The undergraduate and graduate students really get along.  We prayed jummah there on a non-school day and there were still about fifty people there for jummah!  Their MSA produces the Al-Talib newspaper which has been in production for seventeen years.  Furthermore, they run a free clinic for the medically uninsured.  Masha’Allah, I’ve never seen an MSA so together and on top of things.  After California, I fly back home to Tampa, but I stopped in Dallas for several hours.  A friend of mine picked me up and showed me around.  Dallas is a really impressive city and one that I think I may have to return to in the future to get the Texas experience.

After returning to Tampa and spending some time at home, I headed to Richmond, Virginia to find a roommate and apartment.  It appears as though it is final that I am attending Virginia Commonwealth University for medical school.  The medical school application cycle has been long and tedious at times for me.  Nonetheless, I’m excited about the final outcome.  I did have a great experience in all the cities I was able to travel to during my interviews.  Subhana’Allah, I met some superb brothers and the hospitality some of them gave me is unbelievable.  I put the results from my medical school process up at http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=6247.  Insha’Allah, make dua for me that whatever is best for me and my family in the duniya and ahkira to happen for us.  We’ll see how Richmond treats me next year, insha’Allah, it goes well! 

I was also able to travel to NYC where I ate the famous Platters from 53rd and 6th.  Subhana’Allah, the gyros there were definitely on point.  That’s really been about it for me over the last few weeks.  Now that I’ve gotten through boring you about my journey, insha’Allah, future posts will be back on point in dealing with things that are more important.  Take care, insha’Allah.

Wa assalamu alaykum