“TREASON ON THE HIGH SEAS” « USS LIBERTY

I’m someone who generally avoids talking about politics with any person.  However, I thought the following post deserved a good read.

“TREASON ON THE HIGH SEAS” « USS LIBERTY

and also check out:  http://www.democracynow.org/2007/12/26/shooting_back_the_israeli_human_rights

The Historic Khutbah

As it has came to be known, the Historic Khutbah was delievered by Shaykh Ali Abdur-Rahman al-Hudaifi, imam of Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah-al-Munawwarah , during the Jumah Prayer on March 13th, 1998 (15th Dhul-Qadah 1418).  Following the Khutbah, the Saudi government banned the publication of the khutbah and the sale of its audio recordings within the Kingdom.  The Sheikh was immediately arrested following the khutbah.  However, due to fear of public revolt, he was eventually released.  Today, he continues to be the imam of Masjid-e-Nabawi and is currently one of my personal favorite reciters of the Holy Quran.  The Historic Khutbah:

All praise is for Allah, the Sustainer of the entire universe, Lord of all worlds. He enlightened the hearts of His Aulia with divine guidance and strength of belief, and provided strength to their perception with the luminance of Wahi. Whomsoever He desired He guided to the right path, whoever He wanted, in His wisdom, He led astray. Thus did the hearts of the Kuffar and Munafiqeen become blind to accepting the light of Truth, and Allah Ta’ala’s entire argument was established over all His creatures.

I offer praise to my Rabb, and such gratitude which is worthy of His Being and magnificent sovereignty. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, He is One and Only and has no partner; that He is Master of the Day of Qiyamah.

And I bear witness that our Prophet and leader Hadhrat Muhammad SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam is His bondsman and Messenger, leader of all the ancients and the moderns. He was sent forth with the Holy Qur’an as a blessing for the Muslim, a bearer of glad tidings to them.

O Allah! Send Durood and Salaam, shower blessings upon your Bondsman and Messenger, Muhammad SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam, upon his descendants, Ashaab and Tabi`een.

Amma-Ba`ad. O Muslims, fear Allah. Fear Allah as is His due. Hold fast to the strong bond of Islam.

O people of Allah! Without doubt Allah Ta`ala’s greatest blessing upon man is his true faith. Through it Allah Ta`ala brings to life the dead hearts of the Kuffar, bestows the light of Imaan to the blind led
astray. Allah Ta`ala says:

“Can he who was dead, to whom We gave life, and a Light whereby he can walk amongst men, be like him who is in the depths of darkness, from which he can never come out?” (6:122).

And He further says:

“Is then one who doth know that that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth, like one who is blind? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.” (13:19)

Allah Ta`ala’s Deen in the Heavens and the Earth, for the ancients and the moderns is only the Deen-e-Islam. The orders of Sharee`ah were different for every prophet. Every prophet was given those orders which were appropriate for their particular Ummah. In His divine knowledge and wisdom, whichever order He thought proper, He cancelled, which ever one He wanted He retained.

But when He sent down the Prince among men, SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam He made null and void all previous Sharee`ahs, and bound all men and Jinn (spirits) to render obedience to him. Allah Ta`ala says:

Say: “O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He that giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His words: follow him that so ye may be guided.” (7:158)

And it is a saying of the Holy Prophet SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam:

“By Him in whose hands is the soul of Muhammad, every Jew or Christian of this age who hears my call and yet dies without believing me, shall be one of the people of Jahannam.”

Thus anyone who does not believe in RasoolulLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam, will burn in Jahannam forever. Allah Ta`ala does not accept any other Deen than Islam. In the Holy desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost all spiritual good (3:85). As Allah Ta`ala sent His Prophet SallalLahu`Alayhi Wasallam with such a Sharee`at which is the choicest, the most excellent, with a Deen which is complete in every respect, He has included in it all the basic principles which had been sent down upon all the earlier prophets. Thus He says:

“The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah-that which We have sent by inspiration to thee-and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus; namely that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: To those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the way to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who return to Him.” (42:13)

The followers of the Jews and the Christians know for sure that the Deen of Hadhrat Muhammad SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam is the true Deen, but jealousy with the Muslims, arrogance, lone of wealth, selfish desires are a barrier between them and Islam. Moreover even before the descent of Hudhoor SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam, the Christians and Jews had altered their heavenly books, and completely changed their religion. Thus they remain, firm upon their Kufr, led astray from the right path.

After a brief introduction of Haq and Batil, for us Muslims, this movement which has been started to bring closer together different religious, is a very painful thing. It is not to our liking too the invitation being extended by those ‘intellectuals’ who are not even acquainted with the basic and essential doctrines of Islam.
Especially now when wars are being fought on the basis of religion and all advantages are connected with it, such movements and invitations are
even more dangerous for Islam and the Muslims.

Without doubt Islam invites the Jews and Christians to save themselves from Jahannam (Hell) and enter Jannah (Paradise); renounce Batil and accept Islam.

Allah Ta`ala says:

‘Say : O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back, say ye: “Bear witness that we at least are Muslims, bowing to Allah’s Will”. (3:64).

Islam gives permission to the Christians and Jews to continue upon their religion but only if they remain subordinated to Islam; pay Jizyah to the Muslims and keep the peace. Islam does not force the Christians and Jews to become Muslims, as in the Holy Qur’an it is said:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error.” (2:256).

Islam is pure toleration and a well-wisher of all humanity. It does state that the Deen of the Jews and Christians is Batil so that whoever wishes to embrace Islam can do so, and whoever so desires can remain a Kafir. If the Jews, Christians and Mushrikeen are willing to accept Islam, then it will embrace them.

They will as brothers to the Muslims, for Islam does not admit of any prejudice on the basis of race or colour. History itself is a witness to this fact and furthermore Allah Ta`ala announces:

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you.”

As to the question of a joining between Islam, Christianity and Judaism that is simply impossible.

Allah Ta`ala Himself says:

“The blind and the seeing are not like; nor are the depths of Darkness and the Light; nor are the chilly shade and the genial heat of the Sun:
nor are alike those that are living and those that are dead. Allah can make any that He wills to hear; but thou canst not make those to hear
who are buried in the graves.” (35:19-22).

In the same way is this notion wrong that the Muslims should relinquish some of the Islamic tenets, ignore or show apathy towards them, in order to incline the Jews and Christians towards them; or that the Muslims should befriend them in order to bring them closer to Islam. A true Muslim can never do so.

Allah Ta`ala says:

Thou will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Day of Qiyamah, loving those who resist Allah and His Apostle, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. (58:22)

In short, there is no connection, no relationship between the Muslims and the Kuffar. In spite of this, Islam does not allow any Muslim to be cruel to the Kuffar. Islam has bound the Muslims to be just and fair to them too. On the other hand a Muslim has been ordered to defend his faith, to hear enmity towards Batil, and not only that, but make efforts the break its strength.

This distinction between Islam and Kufr can only be achieved by holding fast to the fundamentals and beliefs of Islam. By persevering upon faith and strictly adhering to the orders of Islam, can the Muslims prosper in the world and thereby by protect, safeguard their honour and their rights. Right or Haq can be established, Batil can be identified as Batil only through perseverance upon Deen. The campaign which has been started to unite different religious, is not only against the spirit of Islam but will land the Muslims into terrible trouble and misfortune.
The disastrous results of such a movement will be isastrous—weakening of Imaan, interpolation of beliefs, friendship with the enemies of Allah Ta`ala. Allah Ta`ala hasordered those of the Islamic faith to be friends of one another only. He says, “The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another (9:71).

While, the Kuffar, they may belong to any group have been designated as friends of each other by Him—–: “The unbelievers are protectors, one of another: unless ye do this, (protect each other), there would be
tumult and oppression on earth, and great mischief.” The famous Mufassir Imaam Ibne-Kathir RahimahulLahu Ta`ala has interpreted it in this way: If you do not adopt separation from the Kuffar, and befriend the Muslims a great mischief will be caused among the people. ‘Mischief’, here means the intermingling of the Muslims with the Kuffar, and of the truth becoming doubtful. Thus a mixing of the Muslims and Kuffar will lead to a mischief of great magnitude.

Allah Ta`ala says:

O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends
and protectors; they are but friends and protectors to each other.
(6:54)

How can there be any similarity, any bond between Islam and Yahudiyyat, (the Jewish faith) when Islam is exceptional, with its purity, light, brilliance, nobility, justice, toleration, magnanimity, high morality,
equally for man or Jinn, and Yahudiyyat is, a collection of materialism
and narrow-mindedness, bears malice towards humanity, is steeped in
moral degradation, greed and covetousness.

So how can there be any link between Islam and Yahudiyyat?

Can any Muslim tolerate the aspersion cast upon the pious, pure
character of Hadhrat Maryam `Alayhissalam by the Jews?

Can the Muslims bear the presence of the Jews who call Hadhrat `Esa
‘Alayhissalam (Christ) the son of a whore?

Na`oozubilLah. Allah forbid! And on this account how can there be any
link between the Holy Qur’an and Talmud, the holy book of the Satanish
Jews?

Similarly there is no similarity between Christianity and Islam. Islam
is a pure and clean religion believing in the oveness of Allah, in
Tauheed. It is pure justice and a blessing. It is complete Sharee`ah,
the revealed law.

Whereas Christianity is a deviation from the right path. The misled
Christians hold the belief of Trinity—Father, Son, Holy Ghost.
Christianity claims that Christ is God and the sons of God.

Allah Ta`ala says:

“Never will the Jews and Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou
follow their form of religion.”

And He says:

“And they will go on fighting you until they turn you away from your
faith if they could.”

Thus the only reason for the creation of a Jewish, Zionist state in
Palestine was to start an armed conflict with the Muslims and thus
create tension and terror in the region. After they had succeeded in
creating Israel, the Jewish colonial powers then set in motion such
basic and collective plans which are a cause of deep pain for the
Muslims even till to-day. Among these the major plan was to bring abut a dissolution of all Shara`ee courts from the Islamic countries and
establish non-Islamic, man-made laws in their place. To a large extent
the Kuffar succeed in their aim. But praise be to Allah Ta`ala, that the
Saudi government did not fall a prey to this conspiracy and there still
exist many Shara`ee courts in the country. To-day, amongst all the
Muslim governments of the world, the government of Saudi Arabia is the
only representative, model Islamic government.

After succeeding in bringing about an end to all Islamic, Shara`ee
courts in most of the Muslim countries, the Jews and Christians launched
a new plan in order to find an excuse for military intervention in the
area.

An insidious movements was started and such anti-Islamic, atheistic
ideas and beliefs as those of insurrection, Communism, nationalism were
instilled in the minds of the people. These consequently gave birth to
such military tyrants as Saddam Husain.

An open armed conflict with holy Sharee`ah thus began. All the means at
their disposal were brought upon to bear and the voices of Haq crushed
mercilessly. The conspiracies of the Kuffar bore fruit and thousands of
families migrated to the western countries.

The countries which had become victims of military rule, became weaker
and weaker in faith, in Deen, due to Western influences. In these
countries, every succeeding government blamed the previous government for the havoc and destruction in the country. (May Allah Ta`ala protect us). And to-day conditions in some countries have declined to such an extent that offering Salat Ba-Jama`at is now considered to be a crime there. Lahaula Wala Quwwata.

When such are the conditions how can one even think of Allah Ta`ala
divine assistance of religious honour and dignity?

With the establishment of a Jewish state, destruction of all Shara`ee
courts in the Islamic countries and their replacement by non-Islamic,
man-made system of law, circulation and formulation of groups and
beliefs inimical and contrary to Islam, and as a result the emergence of
such people as Saddam, the stage was no set for the super powers to act upon their basic conspiracies. To pave the way for a military
intervention they purposely created a fake crisis. They were already in
control of the economies of the region.

It is now no longer a secret that the great powers are planning upon
dividing the land of Arabia into smaller states constantly at war with
each other. For this will consolidate the forces of Kufr, provide
protection for their anti-Islamic beliefs and deeds.

Remember, that the world powers are the sworn enemies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it is the greatest centre of Islam, a fort of the Muslims. All the governments of the Kuffar are bent upon destroying it. In fact the forces of Kufr have now all united against Islam and the
Muslims. None of these countries can any longer be trusted. Specially
so, as American and Britain are now openly threatening the kingdom’s
survival and safety. Thus their blatant enemity, evil intentions,
destructive aims for Saudi Arabia have now become clear, are now common knowledge.

America! it would do well for you to remember that Saudi Arabia is no
alone. All the Muslims of the world, form east to west, are united in
the defence of the holy land, the last centre of the Muslims.

The evil intentions and aims of the world powers are:

* To strengthen and fortify the Zionist, Jewish state of Israel.

* To tear down Al-Aqsa Mosque and build a synagogue in its place, thus
satisfying the ancient desire of the Jews.

* To maintain the military supremacy of the Jews over the Muslim Arab
countries.

* To appropriate a major part of the oil-wealth of the Gulf States for
themselves, leaving the Saudis with the residue only.

* To deal a death-blow to Islam at the slightest provocation.

* To promote everything which is against Islam, which destroys the least
morals and virtues bestowed by Islam, and which would cause the Islamic states to be constantly at war with each other.

O Muslim! you should learn a lesson from Turkey where the accursed Kamal Ataturk established a secular form of government and forcefully
subjected the Turks to an irreligious, heathenish system. Not only was
the Islamic system discarded but the Islamic principles were fiercely
opposed on every front. So much so that even to-day the government there is inimical to the Muslims. It has made military pacts with the Jews. In spite of all efforts by the Turkish government to curry their favour,
the Kuffar are willing to tolerate the Turkish government only as long
as it remains subservient and in service of the Jews. Turkey sacrificed
everything-its religion, its principles for the Christian and Jews but
none of the European countries are even now willing to let it join the
European Union.

Why? What is Turkey’s crime? Only that it once was an Islamic centre.

O Muslims! Let Turkey be a moral to you. Be sure that you may renounce as many Islamic principles as you like but the Kuffar will never be pleased with you. So instead of trying to gain their favour you should
ahere to your own religion. Remember, that this enemity of the Kuffar is
based upon nothing else but Islam. If this was not so, tell me why are
the people of Iraq suffering under sanctions for the last six years?

What is the crime of the poor Iraqi people except that they are Muslims?
As far as Saddam and the ruling party are concerned, the sanctions have
not effected them the least bit. The world powers justify these cruel
sanctions against Iraq by saying that it violated a UN resolution. Iraq
violated only one, but the Jewish enemies have violated sixty UN
resolutions. It has not even signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty,
although this area is a veritable volcano and cannot bear the
accumulation of weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Husain cannot be absolved of all responsibility too. He is equally to blame for the atrocities committed against the people of Iraq, for he only complies with the wishes of the enemies of Islam. He does whatever they wish him to.

I am warning America to stop interfering in the affairs of our region.
As far as the security of the religion is concerned it is the responsibility of the Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, itself and not of America. America, be not proud of your power. It is a Sunnah of Allah Ta`ala that whenever the weak were oppressed, the powerful oppressors were destroyed. Allah Ta`ala Himself causes their destruction. America must not therefore be deceived by the apparent helplessness of the Muslims.

The Americans should learn a lesson from the Muslims of Afghanistan who had started Jihaad against Russia armed with sticks only. They had thus brought about the total destruction of the super power of the day.
Remember that technological superiority is not everything. The real
power is that of faith, of Imaan.

The maintenance of peace and security in the Arabian peninsula lies with
the governments of Arabia themselves. In fact it is a Fardh upon them to
guard their borders. There is no need of foreign intervention.

In fact these foreign powers which stepped-in to save Gulf States are
themselves the cause of the dangerous problems, terrible anxieties
afflicting the people there. The modus operandi of these powers of Kufr
is that wherever there is a crisis, even if it has been created by
themselves, they jump in on the pretext of solving it. They propose to
be helping the country out of its difficulties but in reality they
become a grave danger to it. For, can a wolf ever guard a flock of
sheep?

O people! there is religious enemity between the Muslims and the Kuffar. So how can they be the well-wishes of the Muslims?

Although America is Christian country yet its reins are in the hands of
the Jews. America is powerless. The Jews manipulate it, exploit it for
their own purposes. Still, the Muslims cannot tolerate the presence of
the American military force in the holy land. They cannot, will not
suffer the presence of any power of Kufr in the Arabian peninsula-RasoolulLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam has said,

“No two religions can remain in Arabia.”

The Holy Prophet’s last advice was:

“Expel the Jews and Christians from the Arab lands.”

Thus now when the Jews and Christians have set up military bases in and all around Arabia, it has become a Fardh upon the Muslims to act upon the last order of RasoolulLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam and expel them from the Arab lands.

O Muslims! Impending doom is threatening you. Offer sincere repentance for your salvation. To save yourself from destruction and ruin repent, offer Taubah, to Allah Ta`ala for all your sins. Because of the sins committed by the people, does ruin and destruction attend upon them. And in repentance lies their deliverance

O ye, who drank wine and thus disobeyed Allah Ta`ala, repent for your
sin, for thus you will, through this Taubah, assist in the reformation
of the society.

O ye, who committed adultery or sodomy, turn to Allah Ta`ala, offer
sincere repentance for your disobedience.

O ye, who disobeyed Allah Ta`ala by using drugs, offer Taubah before
Allah, for verily to Him will you return shortly.

O ye, who committed the disobedience of giving up offering Salat, repent before the Mighty Allah.

O ye, who caused a loss to someone’s honour or property, offer Taubah
for having been cruel to a Muslim. Seek refuge with Allah Ta`ala.

Purify your wealth from interest, for because of this evil destruction
and wars descend upon a people. In matters of business, sale and
purchase keep away from that which is contrary to the orders of the Holy Qur’an, to Sharee`ah. For in this way will all the transactions of a
bank correspond to the orders of Islam.

Call the people towards Allah. Establish firmly D`awah-IlalLah,
D`awah-Ilal Islam. Teach Islam to the people. Pay special attention to
the Madaris-e-Islamiyyah established in the Muslim countries to provide
religious knowledge to the people.

It is a Fardh upon every Muslim to call others towards Allah, specially
so upon the Ulama whose beliefs, knowledge and perseverance can be
relied upon; the Ulama who are well-versed in Islamic jurisprudence, to
whom people turn for solution of their religious problem.

O Muslim! avoid those groups which cause division and dissension; avoid the desires and temptations which lead you astray and cause disunity among you.O Muslim! save yourself from the wrath and punishment of Allah Ta`ala. Allah Ta`ala says:

“O ye who believe! take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks:
they will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire your ruin; rank
hatred has already appeared from their mouths; what their hearts conceal is for worse. We have made plain to you the signs, if ye have wisdom. Ah! ye are those who love them, but they love you not, though ye believe in the whole of the Book. When they meet you, they say, ‘We believe,’ but when they are alone, they bite off the very tips of their fingers at you in their rage.Say: ‘Perish in your rage; Allah knoweth well all the secrets of the heart. If aught that is good befalls you, it grieves them; but if some misfortune overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if ye constant and do right, not the least harm will their cunning do to you: for Allah compasseth round about all that they do. (3:188-120)

May Allah Ta`ala grant abundance in the Holy Qur’an for you and for me. May He make recitation of the Holy Qur’an and Zikr beneficial for you and for me. May He make following the instructions, copying the
characteristics of Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam profitable for us. I invoke Allah Ta`ala^?s forgiveness for myself, for you, for all the Muslims, for all the sins committed by us. All praise is for Allah who is friend to the virtuous.

I hear witness that thee is none other than Allah worthy of being
worshipped; that He is one and has no partner. It is He who gave honour to the Muslims and dishonoured the Kuffar. And I bear witness that our Prophet and leader Hadhrat Muhammad SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam is His bondsman and Messenger; a keeper of promises and trusts. O Allah; bestow upon your Prophet and bondsman, Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam upon his descendants, upon the Sahabah-e-Kiram, your choicest blessings and favours.

Amma B’aad! O Muslims! fear Allah Ta`ala. For, He says:

O ye who believe! give your response to Allah and His Apostle, when He calleth you to that which will give you life; and know that Allah cometh in between a man and his heart, and that it is He to whom ye shall all be gathered.And fear tumult or oppression, which affecteth not in particular only those of you who do wrong: and know that Allah is strict in punishment. (8 : 24-25)

O Muslims! assemble together on the Book of Allah and Sunnah of
Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam. Act upon the orders of the Book of Allah, upon the Sunnah of Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam. Every Muslim must turn to Allah, the Most Glorious.

All Islamic countries must have love for each other, must be each others
helpers and supporters. Especially so in the face of the terrible danger
which now confronts the Muslim counties. It is the Kuffar’s plan to
interfere in the affairs of the Muslims in such a way so as to divide
them, alienate them from each other and thus destroy them completely. It
is therefore imperative for all the Islamic countries, especially the
Gulf States to adopt a policy of mutual support and co-operation. It is
essential for the Gulf States not to accept any individual opinion or
controversial decision in matters of collective interest. None of the
Gulf States should pass any resolution without consulting the Saudi
government first; because upon this kingdom depends the existence and continuation of these states.

These Gulf countries, after deriving strength from Allah Ta`ala,
depend upon Saudi Arabia for their solidarity too.

The kingdom is a pillar of strength for these states. It is also
incumbent upon all these countries not to provide any military bases to
the enemies of Allah for strikes upon Iraq. For Allah Ta`ala has created
all the Muslims as one single body, and providing bases to the
anti-Islamic forces will only cause sufferings to the Muslims of Iraq.
Although a solution to the Iraqi problem seems to be imminent, yet the
world powers cannot be depended upon not to create a new crisis for the achievement of their own selfish ends. So they must not be allowed to find an ally in the Arabian countries.

Furthermore the Arabian countries must not allow aircraft carriers of
America or any other Kufriah country to use their harbours for launching
attacks upon any Muslim country. Nor should they allow the establishment of military bases on their land.

O Muslim! fear Allah only. It is necessary upon all Islamic and Arab
countries to fully co-operate with and assist Saudia Arabia in expelling
the anchored war ships and the stationed Christian and Jewish troops from the Arab lands. For, Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam has said:

‘Two religions cannot co-exist in Arabia.’ The governments of this
region are fully aware of their responsibility and of the necessity to
maintain peace. If only it is rendered safe and secure from the
interference of the big powers there would remain no danger to its
existence.

O Muslim! Become each other^?s helpers and supporters. Be well aware of the fact that these Kuffar are jealous of you. They envy yours your pleasant atmosphere even, for the skies of their cities are polluted with smoke from the factories etc., their places of worship redolent with the evil of their sins, with the depravity of the deeds disliked by Allah.
They this grudge you, your every possession. And the greatest thing they
are jealous of is your faith, your morals. O people of Allah, fear Him as
is His due, and listen to the saying of Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi
Wasallam:

“Very soon, other nations will invite others and fall upon you to attack
and destroy you just like people while inviting others, fall upon a dish
of food.”

The Sahaba-e-Kiraam asked Rasool-ulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam ‘Ya RasoolulLah! will this happen because we will be lesser in number at
that time?’

“No.” RasoolulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam answered, “You will be great in number, but you will be like froth upon the main, and weak as sticks and straws. Allah Ta`ala will remove, from the hearts of your enemies, your awe and terror, and He shall fill your hearts with cowardice.”

Sahaba-e-Kiraam RadhialLahu Ta`ala `Anhum asked “What is cowardice?”

“Love of the world, hatred for death,” RasoolulLah SallalLahu Alayhi Wasallam answered.

O people of Allah! Verily Allah Ta`ala and His angels send down
blessings upon Prophet Rasool-UlLah SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam. O
people of Faith, you too send Durood and Salaam upon the Holy Prophet. Rasool-UlLah SallalLahu has said, “The person who sends Durood upon me once is blessed by Allah Ta`ala ten times. So send Durood upon the first and last Prophet SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam. Allahumma-Sallay `ala Muhammad.

Ya Allah, bestow your choicest blessings (Rahmah) upon RasoolulLah
SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam as you bestowed blessings (Rahmah) upon
Hadhrat Ibraheem `Alayhissalam Verily, you are worthy of all praise,
most eminent and exalted. And bestow ‘barakah’ upon Rasool-UlLah
SallalLahu `Alayhi Wasallam as you did upon Rasool-UlLah SallalLahu
`Alayhi Wasallam as you did upon Hadhrat Ibraheem `Alayhissalam.

Verily are ye worthy of all praise, most glorious and eminent.

Ya Allah bestow your approval upon the Khulafa-e-Rashideen-Abu Bakar, `Umar, `Usman and Ali and all the Sahaba-e-Kiraam RadhialLahu `Anhum.

O Lord of the universe, be pleased with those who follow all of them in
the best possible way. Ya Allah! O Most Merciful of the merciful, grant
us you divine approval too.

Ya Allah! confer upon the Muslims and Islam, honour and victory, upon
Kufr and the Kuffar dishonour and defeat.

Ya Allah! consign the leaders of the Kuffar to the most grievous
penalty. Impress upon their faces, in their conversation conflict and
dissension. Ya Allah! whoever bears enemity towards Islam and the
Muslims, destroy him completely.

Ya Allah! Lord of the universe, cause the powers of Kufr to go war with
each other. Turn them away form the Muslims, and engage them in fighting each other.

Ya Allah! Make the conspiracies and stratagems of the enemies of Islam, ineffectual and useless.

Ya Allah! whoever bears malice and ill-will towards us and our cities,
make their maliciousness rebound upon themselves. Intervene between us and the evil he intends.

Ya Allah, Lord of the universe verily you have power over everything. We present you before every Kafir and his opposition. We seek your help against them. We defend ourselves against the Mushrikeen through you.

Ya Allah! seize the Jews and Christians in the grip of your punishment.
Seize the Hindus and the Mushrikeen too.

Ya Allah! send down upon them a torment most grievous which is not
turned away from a guilty nation. Ya Allah! they have filled the entire
world with tyranny, oppression and sins. Ya Allah, we seek thy help
against them. We seek thy protection against their evil.

Ya Allah, we seek only they shelter against the mischief of the Rawafiz,
the heretics. You are omnipotent indeed.

Ya Allah! Create affection in the hearts of the Muslims for each other.
Reform them, guide them to the paths of safety and peace. Draw them out from the Darkness into the Light, Assist them against your own and their enemies.

Our Lord, grant us beneficence in this world and in the Aakhirah too.
Save us from the torment of Jahannam.

Ya Allah! Provide safety to our Imaam and grant him the opportunity to
perform those deeds which are to your linking, which are acceptable to
you.

Ya Allah! include him among those who guide others to the right path,
who are the guided ones themselves. Ya Allah, assist him in religious
and worldly matters. Ya Allah, when matters are of a delicious nature,
when it is difficult to recognize Haq (Right), to act upon it, guide
them towards what is Haq. Ya Allah, set straight their ‘batin’.

Ya Allah! Lord of the universe, grant the Muslims the ability to perform
deeds which are worthy of your approval, which can gain your divine
favour.

O people of Allah! Allah commands you to do justice. He commands you the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all
shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that you
may receive admonition.

“Fulfill the Covenant of Allah when you have entered into it, and break
not your oaths after you have confirmed them; indeed you have made Allah you surety; for Allah knows all that you do.” (16:91-9).

Remember Allah, who is Great and Glorious one He will remember you. And give thanks unto Him for the many favours He has bestowed upon you, Allah will grant you more. Remembrance (zikr) of Allah is a great thing indeed. And Allah knows well whatever it is that you do.

Note: To protect myself, I must state that I do not necessarily agree 100% with everything in this post or any other post on my blog.  Barak’Allah feekum!
(Source: www.islamworld.net)

The Miracles of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) was granted many mirales by Allah (SWT) and some of them are as follows:

1. The Holy Qur’an is the living miracle bestowed by Allah upon Prophet Muhammad and this, Allah’s Book, was revealed to him through the (Gabriel). Today 1400 years have passed and nobody has been able to change a single letter or produce its imitation, as it is said in the Qur an (See Surah Hijr, V.15:9) and the statement of the Prophet : “Before me, every Prophet was given a miracle and they practised it during their lifetime: e.g., ‘Iesa (Jesus) used to cure the sick and make the dead alive, etc., Musa (Moses) was given the stick etc., and I have been given the permanent miracle of the Qur’an till the Hour is established, so I hope that my followers will be more in number than all the other Messengers’ as my miracle will last till the Day of Resurrection, and it is a Glorious Book; when anyone reads it, even if he is a pagan, etc., he is convinced that it is produced by none but by the Creator of the heavens and the earth.”

2. The splitting of the moon:

Narrated Anas, that the Makkans requested Allah’s Messenger to show them a miracle, so he showed the splitting of the moon.
( See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.4, Hadith No. 831)

3. The crying of the stem of the date-palm tree in the Prophet’s Mosque:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar, that the prophet used to deliver his Khutba (religious talk) while leaning against a trunk of a date-palm tree. When he had the pulpit made and used it instead, the trunk started crying and the Prophet went to it, rubbing his hand over it (to stop its crying).
(See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.4, Hadith No. 783)

4. The flowing of the water from among the fingers of Allah’s Messenger (See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.4, Hadith No. 779)

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: I was with the Prophet and the time for the ‘Asr prayer became due. We had no water with us except a little which was put in a vessel and was brought to perform ablution. The blessing is from Allah.” I saw the water gushing out from his fingers. So the people performed the ablution and drank, and I tried to drink more of that water (beyond my thirst and capacity), for I knew that it was a blessing. The subnarrator said : I asked Jabir, “How many persons were you then?” He replied, ” We were one thousand four hundred men.” (Salim said: Jabir said – 1500).
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.7, Hadith No. 543)

5.The Prophet’s meals used to glorify Allah while he ate, and this glorification was heard by the companions of the Prophet (See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.4, Hadith No. 779).

6. Stones used to greet the Prophet whenever he passed by through the lanes of Makka.

7. The throwing out of a dead body of a Christian by the earth:

Narrated Anas: There was a Christian who embraced Islam and read Surat Al-Baqarah and Al-Imran and he used to write the revelation for the Prophet. Later on he reverted to Christianity and used to say, “Muhammad knows nothing but what I have written for him.” Then Allah caused him to die and the people buried him but in the morning they found that the earth had thrown out his body. They said, “This is the deed of Muhammad and his companions. They have opened the grave of our companion and took his body out because he ran away from them,” so they again dug the grave deeper for him, but in the morning they again found that the earth had thrown the body out. They said, “This is a deed of Muhammad and his companions.” So they dug a third grave for him as deep as they could, but in the morning they found that the earth had thrown the body out. Then they believed what had befallen him, was not done by mankind, and they had to leave the body on the ground.
(See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.4, Hadith No. 814)

8. The screening (shading) by the trees, for the Prophet to answer the call of nature.

9. The rising of water in the well at Hudaibiya after it had dried. (See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 4. Hadith No. 777)

10.The increase in the amount of dates in the garden of Jabir bin ‘Abdullah after the prophet went round the heaps of dates and invoked Allah for His Blessings. (See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith No. 780)

11. Speaking of the wolf: It has been written that a wolf also spoke to one of the companions of the Prophet near Al-Madina, as narrated in Musnad of Ahmad, Vol.3, Page 83, Musnad Abi Saeed Al-Khudri.

Narrated Abi Saeed Al-Khudri: (While a shepherd was amongst his sheep) suddenly a wolf attacked a sheep and took it away. The shepherd chased the wolf and get back the sheep. The wolf sat on its tail and addressed the shepherd saying: “Be afraid of Allah, you have taken the provision from me which Allah gave me.” The shepherd said: “What an amazing thing! A wolf sitting on its tail speaks to me in the language of a human being.” The wolf said: “Shall I tell you something more amazing than this? There is Muhammad (the Messenger of Allah) in Yathrib (Al-Madina) informing the people about the news of the past.” Then the shepherd proceeded (towards Al-Madina) driving his sheep till he entered Al- Madina (city) , cornered his sheep to one side and came to Allah’s Messenger (Muhammad ) and informed the whole story.

Allah’s Messenger ordered for the proclamation of a congregational prayer , then he came out and asked the shepherd to inform the people (about his story) and he informed them. Then Allah’s Messenger said: “He (the shepherd) has spoken the truth . By Him (Allah) in Whose Hands my soul is, the Day of Resurrection will not be established till beasts of prey speak to the human beings, and the stick lash and the shoe-laces of a person speaks to him and his thigh informs him about his family as to what happened to them after him.
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 3, Page 83. Musnad Abi Saeed Al-Khudri)

12. The Mi’raj: The Ascent of the Prophet to the heavens. (See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, Hadith No. 345 and Vol.5, Hadith No. 227).

 (Source: www.ummah.com)

Signs of the Heart

The Signs of a Sick Heart

A servant’s heart may be ill, and seriously deteriorating, while he remains oblivious of its condition. It may even die without him realising it. The symptoms of its sickness, or the signs of its death, are that its owner is not aware of the harm that results from the damage caused by wrong actions, and is unperturbed by his ignorance of the truth or by his false beliefs.

Since the living heart experiences pain as a result of any ugliness that it encounters and through its recognising its ignorance of the truth (to a degree that corresponds to its level of awareness), it is capable of recognising the onset of decay-and the increase in the severity of the remedy that will be needed to stop it-but then sometimes it prefers to put up with the pain rather than undergo the arduous trial of the cure!

Some of the many signs of the heart’s sickness if its turning away from good foods to harmful ones, from good remedies to shameful sickness. The healthy heart prefers what is beneficial and healing to what is harmful and damaging; the sick heart prefers the opposite. The most beneficial sustenance for the heart is faith and the best medicine is the Qur’an.

The Signs of a Healthy Heart

For the heart to be heality it should depart from this life and arrive in the next, and then settle there as if it were one of its people; it only came to this life as a passer-by, taking whatever provisions it needed and then returning home. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to Abdullah ibn Umar, “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a passer-by” (Bukhari). The more diseased the heart is, the more it desires this world; it dwells in it until it becomes like one of its people.

The healthy heart continues to trouble its owner until he returns to Allah, and is at peace with Him, and joins Him, like a lover driven by compulsion who finally reaches his beloved. Besides his love for Him he needs no other, and after invoking Him no other invocations are needed. Serving Him precludes the need to serve any other.

If this heart misses its share of reciting the Qur’an and invoking Allah, or completing one of the prescribed acts of worship, then its owner suffers more distress than a cautious man who suffers because of the loss of money or a missed opportunity to make it. It longs to serve, just as a famished person longs for food and drink.

Yahya ibn Mu’adh said: “Whoever is pleased with serving Allah, everything will be pleased to serve him; and whoever finds pleasure in contemplating Allah, all the people will find pleasure in contemplating him.”

This heart has only one concern: that all its actions, and its inner thoughts and utterances, are obedient to Allah. It is more careful with its time than the meanest people are with their money, so that it will not be spent wastefully. When it enters into the prayer, all its worldly worries and anxieties vanish and it finds its comfort and bliss in adoring its Lord. It does not cease to mention Allah, nor tire of serving Him, and it finds intimate company with no-one save a person who guides it to Allah and reminds it to Him.

Its attention to the correctness of its action is greater than its attention to the action itself. It is scrupulous in making sure that the intentions behind its actions are sincere and pure and that they result in good deeds.

As well as and in spite of all this, it not only testifies to the generosity of Allah in giving it the opportunity to carry out such actions, but also testifies to its own imperfection and shortcomings in executing them.

The Causes of Sickness of the Heart

The temptations to which the heart is exposed are what cause its sickness. These are the temptations of desires and fancies. The former cause intentions and the will to be corrupted, and the latter cause knowledge and belief to falter.

Hudhayfa ibn al-Yamani, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Temptations are presented to the heart, one by one. Any heart that accepts them will be left with a black stain, but any heart that rejects them will be left with a mark of purity, so that hearts are of two types: a dark heart that has turned away and becomes like an overturned vessel, and a pure heart that will never be harmed by temptation for as long as the earth and the heavens exist. The dark heart only recognises good and denounces evil when this suits its desires and whims” (Muslim, Kitaab-al-Iman with a different wording). 

He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, placed hearts, when exposed to temptation, into two categories:

• First, a heart which, when it is exposed to temptation, absorbs it like a sponge that soaks up water, leaving a black stain in it. It continues to absorb each temptation that is offered to it until it is darkened and corrupted, which is what he meant by “like an overturned vessel”. When this happens, two dangerous sicknesses take hold of it and plunge it into ruin:
  • The first is that of its confusing good with evil, to such an extent that it does not recognise the former and does not denounce the latter. This sickness may even gain hold of it to such an extent that it believes good to be evil and vice-versa, the sunnah to be bida’ and vice-versa, the truth to be false and falsity to be the truth.
  • The second is that of its setting up its desires as its judge, over and above what the Prophet (SAW) taught, so that it is enslaved and led by its whims and fancies.
• Second, a pure heart which the light of faith is bright and from which its radiance shines. When temptation is presented to pure hearts such this, they oppose it and reject it, and so their light and illumination only increase.*

References include Ibn Rajab, Ibn al-Qayyim, and al-Ghazali
(Source: http://www.islamworld.net)

The Superiority of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

The first ten days of dhul-hijjah have just begun.  It is recommended to fast during these days, especially the day of Arafat (which will be Tuesday, December 18^th, 2007) as it will be expiation for two years’ worth of minor sins.  Check out the follow article about the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah:

The Superiority of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

By Shaykh ibn al-Uthaymeen

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Chief of the Messengers, Muhammad.

Indeed it is a great favour and blessing from Allah that He has made for His righteous servants periods of time within which they can increase in good deeds to attain great rewards and one of these opportunistic periods is the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah (the final month of the Islamic Calendar, in which the hajj is performed).

Superiority of the FIRST Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

The excellence of these ten days have been mentioned in the Qur’ân and the Sunnah.

1. Allah says in the Qur’ân: “By the dawn and by the ten nights … “ [Al-Qur'ân 89:1-2].  Ibn Kathîr said that “the ten nights” referred to here are the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and this opinion was also held by Ibn Abbâs, Ibn az-Zubair, Mujâhid and others. 

2. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “There are no deeds as excellent as those done in these ten days.” They (the companions listening) said, “Not even Jihâd?” He, peace be upon him, said, “No, not even Jihâd except a man who goes forth endangering his life and wealth and does not return with anything.” [Recorded by al-Imâm al-Bukhârî]

3. Allah says: ” … and remember the name of Allah in the appointed days.” [Al-Qur'ân 2:203].  Ibn Abbâs and Ibn Kathîr said this means in the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

4. The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said: “There are no other days that are as great as these in the sight of Allah, the Most Sublime. Nor are there any deeds more beloved to Allah then those that are done in these ten days. So increase in tahlîl (to say lâ illaha illallah), takbîr (to say allahu akbar) and tahmîd (to say alhumdulillâh).” [Reported by at-Tabarânî in al-Mu'jum al-Kabîr]

5. With regards to the noble companion Saîd bin Jubair, when the days of Dhul-Hijjah began he would strive to increase in good actions with great intensity until he was unable to increase anymore. [Reported by ad-Dârimî] 

6. Ibn Hajar says in Fath al-Bârî:  “The most apparent reason for the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah being distinguished in excellence is due to the assembly of the greatest acts of worship in this period, i.e. salawât (prayers), siyâm (fasting), sadaqah (charity) and the hajj (pilgrimage). In no other periods do these great deeds combine.“

What are the recommended acts in these days?

1. The Prayer – It is highly recommended to perform the obligatory acts at their prescribed times (as early as possible) and to increase oneself in the superogatory acts, for indeed, this is what brings a person closer to their Lord. The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said: “Upon you is to increase in your prostration to Allah, for verily you do not prostrate to Allah with even one prostration, except that He raises you in degrees and decreases your sins because of it.” [Reported by Muslim]

2. Fasting – This has been mentioned as one of the acts of righteousness where Hanbada ibn Khâlid reports on the authority of his wife who reports that some of the wives of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “The Prophet, upon whom be peace, would fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, the day of Âshûra and three days in every month.” [Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dâwûd, an-Nisâî and others]Al-Imâm an-Nawawî said that fasting in these ten days is extremely recommended.

3. Saying allahu akbar; lâ illaha illallah and alhamdulillâh – It is found in the aforementioned narration of Ibn ‘Umar:  “So increase yourselves in saying lâ illaha illallah, allahu akbar and alhamdulillâh.”  

Al-Imâm Bukhârî, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Ibn ‘Umar and Abû Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with them both, used to go out to the markets in the ten days saying the takbîr causing the people to follow them in this action.”  He also said: “Umar ibn al-Khattâb used to say the takbîr in his minaret in Mina, whereupon the people of the mosque hearing ‘Umar, would start to say the takbîr as would the people in the markets until the whole of Mina was locked in glorifying Allah.”  Ibn ‘Umar used to say the takbîr in Mina during these ten days and after prayers, whilst on his bed, in his tent, in his gathering and whilst walking. What is recommended is to say the takbîr aloud due to the fact that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattâb, his son and Abû Hurayrah used to do likewise, may Allah be pleased with them all. 

Strive with us O Muslims in reviving this sunnah that has become lost in these times and it was almost forgotten, even amongst the people of righteousness and goodness all of which is unfortunately in opposition to what the best of generations were upon (preserving and maintaining the superogatory acts).

There are a number of ways of making takbîr that have been narrated by the companions and their followers and from these ways is the following:

• Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, allahu akbar kabîrun.

• Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, lâ ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, wallahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd.

• Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, allahu akbar, lâ ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, allahu akbar wa lillâhil hamd.

4. Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah – Fasting has been affirmed on the day of ‘Arafah, where it has been confirmed from the Prophet, peace be upon him, that he said regarding fasting on the day of ‘Arafah: “Be content with the fact that Allah will expiate for you your sins for the year before (the day of ‘Arafah) and the year after (the day of ‘Arafah).” [Reported by Muslim]However, whoever is at ‘Arafah as a pilgrim then fasting is not expected of him, as the Prophet, peace be upon him, stopped at ‘Arafah to eat. 

May the peace of Allah be upon his Prophet, the family of the Prophet and all of his companions

(Source: http//www.sunnahonline.com)

The Ultimate Power-Combo Dua

Several months ago, I was talking with a brother and we came up with the idea of the ultimate power-combo dua, basically the time that would be the best time for one to make dua. So, what is the ultimate power-combo dua?

It would be to make sincere dua for another who turns out to be your child (that is not in your presence) in sajood (prostration) in the last third of the night while it is raining while one is a traveler at the Kaaba in Makkah during the night of Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Power) in Ramadan while being an oppressed and ill ruler who is just and righteous and has just visited someone who is sick.

However, other power-combo duas also exist and would include those made at the time after the adhan and before the iqama on a special hour of Friday (right before maghrib?) while fasting and about to break one’s fast with zamzam water right after having made wudhu.

It should be noted that for a dua to be accepted, it is very important that the dua is sincere. Now you may ask, what are the proofs for such power-combo duas? Consider the follow proofs:

1. The Last Third Of The Night
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?.”‘ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]

Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: ‘The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.’[at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, al-Hakim - Sahih]

2. Late at night
When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (SWT) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (SWT) for whatever they need. The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.’
[Muslim #757]

3. Between Adhan and Iqamah
Anas (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.’
[Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]

4. An Hour On Friday
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA): Allah’s Messenger (SAW) talked about Friday and said: ‘There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (SWT), then Allah (SWT) will definitely meet his demand.’ And he (the Prophet (SAW) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque on Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).

5. While Drinking Zamzam Water
Jaber (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.’ [Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062]. This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (SWT) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness…. etc.

6. While Prostrating
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW), said: ‘The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (SWT) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]

When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (SWT) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (SWT) so it is best to invoke Allah (SWT) at this time. It is said that while in prostration, one should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.

7. When Waking Up at Night
Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai’in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) He is the only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (SWT) All the glories are for Allah (SWT) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) and Allah (SWT) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (SWT) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (SWT), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat:
Narrated Abu Omamah (RA): that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (SWT), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi]. This time is after saying ‘At-tahyat’ , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer)

9. The Night Of ‘Qadr’ (Decree)
This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (SWT) said about it, “The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months.” [Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]

The Night of Decree is one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the earth is overwhelmed with peace and serenity until the break of dawn and when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.

10. During The Rain
Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa’ad (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain’. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]

‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’ [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]. The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (SWT) so, one should take advantage of this time when Allah (SWT) is having mercy on His slaves.

11. At the Adhan
‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’ [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

In another hadith; ‘When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the du’a is answered’ [al-Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]

12. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice and Opression
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to Mua’ad Ibn Jabal (RA), ‘Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the one who is suffering injustice) and Allah (SWT)’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The prophet (SAW) declared, ‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.’[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

In another hadith; The Prophet (SAW) declared: ‘Three du’as are surely answered: The du’a of the oppressed, the du’a of the traveler, and the du’a of the father/mother (upon their child)’. The One who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (SWT) when he invokes Allah (SWT) to retain his rights from the unjust one or oppressor. Allah (SWT) has sworn to help the one who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said.

13. The Traveler
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

During travel supplication is heard by Allah (SWT) if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.

14. The Parent’s Supplication for their Child
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

15. Dua after praising Allah and giving salat on the Prophet (SAW) in the tashahhud at the end of salat.
Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘When anyone of you makes du’a, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (SAW), then let him pray for whatever he wants’
[abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]

In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (RA) narrated that that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘Every du’a is not responded to until one sends blessings upon the Prophet (SAW)’ [al-Bayhaqi]

In another hadith; Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘Du’a is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (SAW)’ [at-Tirmidhi #486]

After a person has finished his tashahhud and before saying the ’salam’, supplication at this time is one likely to be responded to.
Ibn Mas’ud narrates: I was once praying, and the Prophet (SAW), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams on the Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (SAW) said:
‘Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!’ [at-Tirmidhi #593 - hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]

16. The dua of a Muslim for his absent brother or sister Muslim stemming from the heart.
The prophet (SAW) said: ‘There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence where the angels do not say, ‘the same be for you” [Muslim]

17. Dua on the Day of Arafat
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat’. [at-Tirmidhi and Malik]

The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. On this great and momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together on one plain, from every corner of the world, with only one purpose in mind – to respone to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.

18. Dua during the month of Ramadan

Ramadan is month full of many blessings, thus the du’a of Ramadan is a blessed one. This can be inferred from the Prophet (SAW) saying: ‘When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise) are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Shaitans are locked up’ Thus, it is clear that du’a during Ramadan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079 and others]

19. Dua when the Armies meet
When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the du’a of a worshipper is accepted.

Sahl ibn Sa’d (RA) narrtaed the the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du’a during the call for prayer, and the du’a during the clamity when the two armies attack each other’ [Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]

20. When Muslims gather for the purpose of invoking and remembering Allah (Dhikrullah).

The Prophet (SAW) said: If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend onto them and Allah will remember them among those with Him. [Muslim]

21. First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than during these ten days’
[Sahih al-Bukhai #969 and others]

22. Dua when the heart reaches out to Allah and is ready to be totally sincere

23. At Midnight

Abu Umamah (RA) said, the Prophet (SAW) was questioned; ‘Which du’a is heard (by Allah)?’ He answered, ‘At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer.’ [at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

25. Dua of people after the death of a person

In a long hadith, Umm Salamah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, when Abu Salamah had just passed away, and had closed his eyes, ‘Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for the angels will say ‘Ameen’ to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise his ranks among those who are guided.’ [Muslim, abu Dawud, Ahmad]

26. Dua of the one fasting until he breaks his fast.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

27. Dua of the one fasting at the time of breaking fast
The prophet (SAW) declared, ‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.’[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

29. Dua of a just Ruler

The prophet (SAW) declared, ‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.’[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

30. Dua of a son or daughter obedient to his or her parents

It is well known in the story narrated in hadith os three men who were trapped by a huge stone in a cave. One of them who was kind to kis parents asked Allah to remove the stone, and his du’a was answered. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3:36 #472]

31. Dua immediately after wudu

Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘There is not one of you that makes wudu, and does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah. he is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger’, except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he can enter into it through whichever one he pleases’ [Muslim #234, abu Dawud #162, Ahmad, an-Nasa'i] Saying what has been mentioned in the hadith that is directly related to it (ablution)

32. Dua after stoning the Jamarat at Hajj

The stoning of the small Shaitan (jamrat sugra), or the middle Shaitan (jamrat wusta) pillars during Hajj. It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make du’a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any du’a. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1753 and others]

33. At the Crowing of a Rooster

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a Shaitan’ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami #611]

34. Du’a made inside the Ka’bah
The Ka’bah is a sanctuary that has no comparison in the entire world. The du’a of one who prays inside the hijr is considered as being made inside the ka’bah, as it is part of the house (Baitullah). [This is the semicircle to the right of the Ka'bah if you face the door, opposite to the Yemeni corner and the Black stone wall.]

Usamah ibn Zayd narrated, ‘When the Prophet (SAW) entered the House (Ka’bah), he made du’a in all of its corners [Muslim 2: 968 and others]

35. Du’a on the mount of Safa or Marwah during Umrah or Hajj

It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would make long du’as at Safa and Marwah. [Muslim #1218 and others]

36. Dua at any of the holy sites.

37. While reciting Surah al-Fatihah

The Prophet (SAW) said that Allah the Exalted had said: ‘ I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me, and sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious — not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. [Muslim 4: 395]

38. Saying ‘Ameen’ during prayer

After finishing the recitation of al-Fatihah, the saying of’Ameen’ in congregation. The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘When the Imam says ‘Ameen’, then recite it behind him (as well), because whoever’s Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven.’ [Sahih al-Bukhari #780, Muslim #410 and others]

39. While visiting the sick, and dua made by the sick

Umm Salamah narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘When you visit the sick, or the dead then say good, because the angels say ‘Ameen’ to whatever you say [Muslim #2126]

Ali (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in Jannah.’
[at-Tirmidhi, abu Dawud]

(Source: http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/best.html)

Who Are Your Friends?

Take one step back and think about the people in your life.  Who are they?  Are they Muslim?  Do they pray five times a day?  Would you be proud to introduce them to your grandmother?  Would you be willing to take a bullet for them?  Indeed, the people we surround ourselves by are very important.  They are, in essence, an example of who we are.  Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (ra) reported that the Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “The example of a good companion and a bad one is the bearer of musk and the worker on the fires.  A bearer of musk would give you some, you might buy some from him, or you might enjoy the fragrance of his musk.  The worker on the fires, on the other hand, might spoil your clothes with sparks from his bellows, or you get a bad smell from him” (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).

Now, who are your best friends?  Consider their qualities and characteristics.  Do you like their character?  Well, we possess the same type of characteristics as our friends.  Indeed, if one walks into a masjid full of people in which there is only one hypocrite and if we are the other hypocrite (may Allah (SWT) protect us from such a disease, Ameen) then some way and somehow, by the end of the night, we will feel most at ease and will have the greatest connection with that one other hypocrite at the masjid.  Indeed, if we are a mumin (true believer), we will feel our heart inclined towards another mumin!  A perfect example is the Ansar.  Do you love the Ansar?  Consider the hadith of Rasoolullah in which Al-Bara (ra) heard Rasoolullah (SAW) say, “None loves the Ansar but a believer, and none hates them but a hypocrite. So Allah will love him who loves them, and He will hate him who hates them” (narrated by Bukhari). 

Now, if maghrib time is approaching and you want to go to the movies.  Is your friend going to step-in and remind you that prayer time is quickly approaching?  At the same time, why kind of friend are you?  If your boy is deciding between playing basketball or going to the masjid, which advice are you going to give him?  O my brother or sister, befriend the good and avoid the evil.  My own personal experiences will tell you that you are a product of your friends.

While we are on the subject of friendship, take time out and be thankful to your friend for indeed they are always there for you.  Insha’Allah, you benefit from sharing in the smell of musk from your friends (if not, it’s time for a change on who you hang out with!).  We need to be thankful to those people who benefit us even in the smallest of things as Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “Whosoever does not thank people, has not thanked Allah (SWT).”  Why not send that special person(s) a text message right now saying how much you love them and are thankful to them for all that they’ve done for you?  Why not make du’a to Allah (SWT) for that person right now?  That special person could (and should!) include our parents, our families, and our teachers.  Be genuine as Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “You will be treated the way you treat others.”