Are We the People this Hadith is Referring To?

Narrated Abu ‘Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari that he heard the Prophet saying, “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, ‘Return to us tomorrow.’ Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection.”

The hadith mentioned above is narrated by Imam Bukhari (Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v).  Subhana’Allah, let us just consider this one hadith and ponder over it for a few minutes on the four things that are listed above.

1. Illegal Sexual Intercourse – How many people engage in the detestable act of masturbation and consider it permissible?  Remember there is zina of the eyes (by looking), of the tongue (by talking), of the legs (by walking), etc.  Are we completely free of zina?
2. Wearing of Silk – How many people consider the wearing of silk ties as permissible?
3. Drinking of Alcoholic Drinks – How many Muslims drink nowadays? Anas ibn Maalik (ra) said Rasoolullah (SAW) cursed ten with regard to alcohol: the one who squeezes it (the grapes etc), the one for whom it is squeezed, the one who drinks it, the one who carries it, the one to whom it is carried, the one who pours it, the one who sells it, the one who consumes its price, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is brought” (narrated by Tirmidhi and classified as sahih by Shaykh al-Albaani).  Subhana’Allah, can you imagine being cursed by Allah?  I’ve heard scholars say being cursed by Allah means being thrown outside the Mercy of Allah (SWT)!
4. Use of Musical Instruments -Needless to say many people will argue music is permissible looking for any fatwa they can find.  The fact of the matter is that all four madhabs (Hanafi, Maliki, Hanbali, Shafi) all have opinions that music is prohibited.  Just looking at this hadith, is it not enough that music is listed in the same sentence as alcohol and illegal sexual intercourse?  How many of us listen to music and consider it lawful?

Just thought I would share this hadith as I just read it last night.  May Allah (SWT) save us from being amongst those people that the above hadith mentions.  Ameen.

They all Feared Hypocrisy, Where do WE Stand?

The Signs of Beneficial Knowledge:

• From the signs that one has beneficial knowledge is that it leads him to flee from the worldly life and its splendors, as well as from leadership, fame and praise. 
• Keeping far away from these things and exerting one’s efforts in avoiding them are indications that one has beneficial knowledge. 
• And if he were to fall into committing any of these things unintentionally and unwillingly, he would be in immense fear of being punished for that since he would fear that such (praise or leadership or fame) is perhaps a plot or gradual delusion (before inevitable punishment from Allah).
• Such was the case with Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal [rahimahullah], for he would fear for himself when his name became famous and his reputation spread.
• Also from the signs of beneficial knowledge is that one does not claim to have knowledge nor does he use it to act arrogantly towards anyone, nor does he describe anyone as being ignorant – except for those who oppose the Sunnah and its followers, for in this case, he may speak about them out of anger for the sake of Allah and not his own sake nor intending to elevate himself over anyone.
• Those who possess beneficial knowledge think poorly of themselves while thinking highly of those scholars that came before them. 
• And they affirm with their hearts and souls the virtue and superiority that their predecessors have over them and their own inability to reach and attain the levels that they were at, let alone get near to them.

The Signs of Non-Beneficial Knowledge:

• An indicative sign of this non-beneficial knowledge is that it breeds haughtiness, pride and arrogance in the one who possesses it.
• It causes him to seek after grandeur and elevation in the worldly life and to compete for that.
• It also leads one to pursue competing with the scholars, arguing with the foolish and turning the people’s attention his way.
• It has been reported that the Prophet [sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said that whoever seeks knowledge for these reasons, then “the Fire, the Fire”(narrated by Ibn Majah).
• Another sign of this is when one openly claims to have a close relationship with Allaah, i.e. claims to be a Walee, as the People of the Scriptures would do

Ibn Abī Mulaykah – Allah have mercy on him – said, “ I met thirty of the Prophet’s Companions (including Ali, Aisha, Abu Hurayrah, Ibn Masood, etc)– Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them – and every one of them feared falling into nifāq [hypocrisy]; not one of them claimed he had the level of faith of Jibrīl or Mīkā`īl [alaihimis salaam].”

They all feared hypocrisy, where do WE stand?

[References include Ibn Rajab (via www.al-ibaanah.com) and Bukhari’s Fath al-Bari (via sayingsofthesalaf.blogspot.com).  Also, I apologize for the poor color of the font on this post, I ran into some 'technical difficulties']

Book and Lecture Recommendations!

Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah,

I just finished reading this amazing book that I thought was awesome and worth recommending on my blog.  The book is: “An Introduction to the Sciences of the Quran” by Yasir Qadhi.  This book is long and textbook-like, but it is well worth the read and full of information.  You will gain such a better love and respect for the Quran after reading it and you will learn something new in every chapter of the book.  You can buy the book here. 

Another good book by Shaykh Yasir is “Riyaa: The Hidden Shirk.”  This book is very short and can be read in one sitting and it was co-written with Bilal Philips.  Riyaa makes you think about things we may be doing unconsciously  as it is about showing-off and the like.  I would highly recommend it.  You can buy this book here.

As far as lectures go, I would highly recommend listening to Imam Anwar al-Awlaki’s lecture set entitled, “The Hereafter.”  It is an amazing CD-set that takes you from the time right before death through the grave through the Day of Judgement (including Signs of the Day of Judgement) through both Paradise and Hell-Fire.  It is an amazing lecture-set though it is quite long but still highly moving.  You can buy it here.  Anwar al-Awlaki is an amazing lecturer and all of his works are beautiful and would be highly recommended (though my favorite lecturer is still Brother Nouman Ali Khan of the Bayyinah Institute).  Imam Anwar’s lecture set on Umar bin Al-Khattab (found here) is awesome. 

If you’re looking for a good free lecture set to listen to, “Dua: Weapon of the Believer” is a solid lecture set by Shaykh Yasir and it can be found here.  Also, Shaykh Khalid Yasin has a very popular lecture entited, “The Purpose of Life” and this lecture can be found here on my blog by clicking on the Non-Muslims link at the top.

If you have any good recommendations for me, by all means, please let me know.

Mufti Taqi Usmani on Milad an-Nabi

The birth date of our beloved Prophet (SAW) is approaching and many people tend to have a celebration on this particular day.  Unfortunately, this practice is not correct and it is an innovation in religion.  Below is an article written by Mufti Taqi Usmani, who is one of the most well-respected Hanafi/Deobandi scholars in the world.  Enjoy the article entitled, “Rabi-ul-Awwal” by Mufti Taqi Usmani, below:

From Superstitions into Light

Rabi’ul-Awwal is the most significant month in the Islamic history, because humanity has been blessed in this month by the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Before the birth of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, not only the Arabian peninsula, but also the so-called civilized nations of Rome and Persia were drowned in the darkness of ignorance, superstitions, oppression and unrest. The Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, came with the eternal truth of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah), the only faith which provides a firm basis for the real concepts of knowledge, equity and peace. It was this faith which delivered humanity from ignorance and superstitions and spread the light of true knowledge all over the world.

Islamic Celebrations

Thus the birth of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was the most significant and the most remarkable event in human history. Had there been room in Islamic teachings for the celebration of birthdays or anniversaries, the birthday of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, would have undoubtedly deserved it more than the birthday of any other person. But that is against the nature of Islamic teachings. That is why, unlike Judaism, Christianity, and Hinduism, there are very few festivals in Islam, which provides for only two Eids (Eidul-fitr and Eidul-Adha) during the whole year. The dates of these two Eids do not correspond to the birthday of any of the outstanding persons of Islamic history, nor can their origin be attributed to any particular event of history that had happened in these dates.

Both of these two Eids have been prescribed for paying gratitude to Allah on some happy events that take place every year. The first event is the completion of the fasts of Ramadan and the second event is the completion of Hajj, another form of worship regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam.

The manner prescribed for the celebration of these two Eids (festivals) is also different from non-Islamic festivals. There are no formal processions, illumination or other activities showing formal happiness. On the contrary, there are congregational prayers and informal mutual visits to each other, which can give real happiness instead of its symbols only.

No Birthdays

On the other hand, Islam has not prescribed any festival for the birthday of any person, however great or significant he may be. The prophets of Allah are the persons of the highest status amongst all human beings. But the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, or his noble companions never observed the birthday or anniversary of any of them. Even the birthday of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, which was the most happy day for the whole mankind was never celebrated by the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, himself, nor by his blessed Companions.

The Companions of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, remained alive after him for about a century, but despite their unparalleled and profound love towards the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, they never celebrated the birthday or the death anniversary of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Instead, they devoted their lives for promoting the cause of Islam, for bringing his teachings into practice, for conveying his message to the four corners of the world and for establishing the Islamic order in every walk of life.

The Origins of Christmas

In fact, commemorating the birth of a distinguished person has never been prescribed by any religion attributing itself to divine revelation. It was originally a custom prevalent in pagan communities only. Even Christmas, the famous Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ finds no mention in the Bible or in the early Christian writings. It was only in the 4th century after the ascension of Jesus Christ that Christmas was recognized as a regular Christian feast. To quote the Collier’s Encyclopedia:

“It is impossible to determine the exact date of the birth of Christ, either from the evidence of the gospels, or from any sound tradition. During the first three centuries of the Christian era there was considerable opposition in the Church to the pagan custom of celebrating birthdays, although there is some indication that a purely religious commemoration of the birth of Christ was included in the feast of Epiphany. Clement of Alexandria mentions the existence of the feast in Egypt about the year A.D. 200 and we have some evidence that it was observed on various dates in scattered areas. After the triumph of Constantine, the Church at Rome assigned December 25 as the date for the celebration of the feast, possibly about A.D. 320 or 353. By the end of the fourth century the whole Christian world was celebrating Christmas on that day, with the exception of the Eastern Churches, where it was celebrated on January 6. The choice of December 25 was probably influenced by the fact that on this day the Romans celebrated the Mithraic feast of the Sun-god, and that the Saturnalia also came at this time.” (Collier’s Encyclopedia 1984 ed, v. 6, p. 403).

A similar description of the origin of Christmas is found in-the Encyclopedia Britannica with some more details. Its following passage will throw more light on the point:

“Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church, and before the 5th century there was no general consensus of opinion as to when it should come in the calendar, whether on Jan. 6, March 25 or Dec. 25. The earliest identification of Dec. 25 with the birthday of Christ is in a passage, otherwise unknown and probably spurious, of the philos of Antioch (c.180), preserved in Latin by the Magdeburyg centuriators (i, 3, 118), to the effect that the Gauls contended that since they celebrated the birth of Lord on Dec. 25, so they ought to celebrate the resurrection on March 25. A passage, almost certainly interpolated, in ‘Hippelates’ (c. 202) commentary on Daniel iv, 23, says that Jesus was born at Bethlehem on Wednesday, Dec. 25, in the 42nd year of Augustus, but he mentions no feast, and such a feast, indeed, would conflict with the then orthodox ideas. As late as 245, Origin (hem. viii on Leviticus) repudiated the idea of keeping the birthday of Christ “as if he were a king Pharaoh”. (Britannica, 1953 ed. v. 5, p.642)

These two quotes are more than sufficient to prove the following points:

1. The commemoration of birthdays was originally a pagan custom, never recognized by a divine scripture or prophetic teaching.

2. The exact date of the Birth of Sayyidna ‘Isa is unknown and impossible to be ascertained.

3. The commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ was not a recognized practice in the early centuries of the Christian history.

4. It was in the 4th or 5th century that it was recognized as a religious feast, and that, too, under the influence of the pagans who worshipped Sun-god.

5. There was a strong opposition against the commemorating of the birthday by the early Christian scholars like Origin, on the ground that it is originally a custom of pagans and idolaters.

Original Islamic Resources

In original Islamic resources, also we cannot find any instruction about the celebration of birthdays or death anniversaries. Many Companions of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, passed away during his life-time. His beloved wife Sayyidah Khadijah, Radi-Allahu anha, passed away in Makkah. His beloved uncle Sayyidna Hamzah, Radi-Allahu anhu was brutally slaughtered during the battle of Uhud. But the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, never observed their birthday or their death anniversaries, nor did he ever advise his followers to celebrate his own birthday in Rabi’ul-Awwal.

What is Wrong with These Celebrations

The reason for abstinence from such celebrations is that they divert the attention of people from the real teachings of Islam towards the observance of some formal activities only. Initially, these celebrations may begin with utmost piety and with a bona fide intention to pay homage to a pious person. Yet, the experience shows that the celebration is ultimately mixed up with an element of merrymaking and rejoicing and is generally confused with secular festivals and the secular, and often sinful, activities creep into it gradually.

The Transformation of Christmas

The example of Christmas will again be relevant. This Christian feast was originally innovated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and, of course, to remember his teachings. But once the occasion had been recognized as a feast, all the secular elements of public festivals crept in. The following quotation from the Encyclopedia Britannia is worth attention:

“For several centuries Christmas was solely a church anniversary observed by religious services. But as Christianity spread among the people of pagan lands, many of the practices of the winter solstice were blended with those of Christianity because of the liberal ruling of Gregory I, the great, and the cooperation of the missionaries. Thus, Christmas became both religious and secular in its celebration, at times reverent, at others gay.”

Then, what kind of activities have been adopted to celebrate Christmas is mentioned in the next paragraphs of which the following quote is more pertinent here:

“Merrymaking came to have a share in Christmas observance through popular enthusiasm even while emphasis was on the religious phase. … In the wholly decked great halls of the feudal lords, whose hospitality extended to all their friends, tenants and household, was sailing, feasting, singing and games, dancing, masquerading and mummers presenting pantomimes and masques were all part of the festivities.” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1953 v. 5, p. 643)

This is enough to show as to how an apparently innocent feast of reverence was converted into a secular festival where the merrymaking and seeking enjoyment by whatever means took preference over all the religious and spiritual activities.

Being fully aware of this human psychology, Islam has never prescribed, nor encouraged the observance of birthdays and anniversaries, and when such celebrations are observed as a part of the religion, they are totally forbidden.

The Religion is Complete

The Holy Qur’an has clearly pronounced on the occasion of the last Hajj of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam: “Today, I have completed the teachings of your religion.” [Al-Maida 5:3]

It means that all the teachings of Islam were communicated to the Muslims through the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. No one is allowed after it to add any thing to them as a part of religion. What was not a part of religion during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, can never become part of it. Such additions are termed by the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, as Bid’ah or innovation.

Thus, the observance of the 12th of Rabi’ul-Awwal as a religious feast is not warranted by any verse of the Holy Qur’an or by any teaching of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Had it been a part of the religion it would have been clearly ordered or practiced by the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and his blessed companions or, at least, by their immediate pupils. But no example of the celebration of the occasion can be traced out in the early centuries of the Islamic history. It was after many centuries [Albalagh Note: According to Maulana Yusuf Ludhinavi it was in the year 604 A.H.] that some monarchs started observing the 12th of Rabi’ul-Awwal as the birthday of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, without a sound religious basis, and the congregations in the name of Maulood or Milad were held where the history of the birth of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to be narrated.

Disagreement About the Date

The observance of the 12th of this month as the birthday of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is not only an innovation having no basis in the Islamic teachings, but the accuracy of this date as the real birthday of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is also very much doubted. There are different dates suggested in different traditions, and the majority of the authentic scholars is inclined to hold that the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was born on the 9th of Rabi’ul-Awwal. This difference of opinion is another evidence to prove that the observance of the birthday is not a part of the religion, otherwise its exact date would have been preserved with accuracy.

The life of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is, no doubt, the most important source of guidance for all the Muslims, and every Muslim is under an obligation to learn and study the events of his life, and to follow the practical example set by him in every sphere of life. The narration of his pious biography (the Seerah) in itself is a pious act, which invites the divine blessings, but the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah have not prescribed a particular time or method for it. This pious act should be performed in all the months and at all the times. The month of Rabi’ul-Awwal has not been designated by the Shariah as a special season for holding such congregations to commemorate the birth or life of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is thus an innovation (Bid’ah) to restrict the Seerah meetings to the month of Rabi’ul Awwal only, or to believe that the meetings held in this month are worthy of more reward than the meetings held on any other date during the year. In fact, the Companions of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to commemorate the life of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, throughout the year, not only by studying and conveying his message to others, but also by following his way of life and acting upon his teachings in each and every branch of their activities, and this is exactly what a Muslim is required and supposed to do.

By this we do not mean that the Seerah meetings should not be held in the month of Rabi’ul-Awwal. The point is only that they should not be restricted to it, nor should it be believed that the Shariah has laid any kind of emphasis on holding such meetings in this particular month.

Another point that should always be kept in mind while holding such meetings is that they must be in complete conformity with the rules of Shariah. A Muslim is supposed to abide by the rules of Shariah in all his activities. But at least the meetings held in the memory of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, should be free from all the acts forbidden by the Shariah.

Contemporary Seerah Meetings and Shariah

It is often observed, especially in the Western countries, that the people hold the Seerah meetings where men and women sit together without observing the rules of hijab prescribed by the Shariah. The teachings of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, are obviously against such mixed gatherings. How can a Seerah meeting bring fruits where such fundamental teachings of the Shariah are openly violated?

In some meetings the Na’ts (poems) in the memory of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, are recited by the women before the male audience, sometimes with music, which is totally against the instructions of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is clearly prohibited by the Shariah to hold such meetings or to participate in them, because it is not only a violation of the Shariah rules, but it is an affront to the sanctity of the Seerah of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

All other activities, often practiced on the twelfth of Rabi’ul-Awwal, like holding processions, constructing the mock tombs of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and illumination of the buildings and the roads are not warranted by any rule of the Shariah. Rather they are based on conscious or unconscious imitation of certain other religions. No example of such activities can be traced out from the earlier Islamic history.

Real Message of Seerah

What is really important with regard to the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is, first, to follow his teachings, and second to make his pious Seerah available to every Muslim, to preserve it in the hearts of the Muslims from the very childhood, to educate the family members to run their lives according to it and to hold it as the most glorious example of the human conduct the universe has ever witnessed — and all this with utmost love and reverence, not manifested by some formal activities only, but also through actual behavior of following the Sunnah. This cannot be done by merely holding processions and illuminating the walls. This requires constant and consistent efforts and a meaningful program of education and training.

(Source: www.albalagh.net)

How the Devil Talks us into Sinning!

Check out the following videos about how Shaytaan tries to deceive us into sinning.  These videos are very short (~2 minutes) and to the point.  At the very end, I have included an awesome short video lecture (less than ten minutes) by Shaykh Khalid Yasin that basically drives this point home, entitled “Ghuraba (Strangers).”  If you can only watch one video, watch the last one.  It really hits the heart.

Shaytan 1: DON’T WEAR HIJAB, YOU WILL LOOK UGLY

Shaytan 2: WHY GO TO WORK IF YOU CAN LIE AND STAY HOME?

Shaytan 3: DRINK ALCOHOL, DO NOT EMBARESS YOURSELF, BE FUN!

Shaytan 4: SLEEP IS BETTER THAN PRAYER

Shaytan 5: CHECK OUT THESE SEXY GIRLS

Shaytan 6: A VIDEO BLOG FROM SHAYTAN TO YOU

Shaytan 7: INVITE SATAN TO DINNER

Shaytan 8: SMOKING IS FOR COOL ADULTS

Shaytan 9: FORGET ABOUT YOUR MOTHER

Shaykh Khalid Yasin – Ghurabaa

Abandonment of the Quran

‘And the Messenger (will) say: ‘O My Lord, indeed my people took this Qur’an as something worthy of being abandoned!” [25:30]

Visualize yourself being amongst the ones that the Prophet (saws) will complain about to Allah (swt) on the Day of Judgment. Float down into your body and see yourself in that position, hear what you would hear in that situation and really feel the feelings of being someone the Prophet (saws) has complained about…on a scale of 1-10 how much pain are you feeling? The good news, alhamdulillah it hasn’t happened yet, but here are some signs to tell if have truly been abandoning the Quran:

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah said that there are various types of ‘abandonment’ of the Qur’aan as they are:

• To abandon listening to it and believing in it.
• To abandon acting upon it, and ignoring its lawful and prohibited ordinances (Halaal and haraam), even if one believes in it and recites it.
• To abandon judging by it, and resorting to it as a judge when there are differences in the essence of the religion or other matters.
• To abandon pondering over it, and understanding it, and seeking the explanation of it.
• To abandon using it as a cure in all types of diseases of the heart, and instead to seek to cure these diseases by other means.

 How many of these types of abandonments are we guilty of?

TV Challenge

Challenge: Avoid useless stuff for the next week. When I say useless, I’m talking about television, movies, music, gossiping, etc. Don’t be concerned with what other people have or possess. Rasoolullah said, “Being rich does not mean having a great amount of property. Being wealthly is being content” (narrated by Bukhari).

Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “Amongst the beautiful (characteristics) of a person’s Islam is that he pays no heed to that which does not concern him” (narrated in Tirmidhi).

Lessons from this hadith from Muhammad AlShareef:
“Your mind is PRIME real estate. If you had a piece of land right beside the greatest world attraction, wouldn’t you open the most amazing store on it?

Your brain and your life is more precious then that piece of land. Only build on it that which concerns your success in this life and the next.

For the next seven days, ask yourself this question daily, ‘Am I using my time right now towards that which benefits me?’”

(Courtesy: www.successinislam.com)