“Whoever sees sincerity in his sincerity, his sincerity is itself in need of sincerity.”
What a profound statement!
On a scale of one to ten, how sincere is your worship? Wait, don’t answer that!
Many people are satisfied with their worship knowing that they did it solely for the sake of Allah (SWT) alone. They think their work is pure with ikhlaas free of any riyaa. However, whoever believes that his worship is pure and he considers himself truely sincere, then his sincerity and ikhlas needs a reality check! The true worshipper is never satisfied with his worship, rather he is always worried about his sincerity and he never sees true sincerity in himself even if it were there! The true worshipper is worried about his ibaadah up until his or her death.
Indeed, “the destruction of every sincere person lies in his sincerity, (he is destroyed) to the extent that he sees sincerity in himself. When he abandons seeing sincerity in himself he will be sincere and purified.”
A Delayed Response
June 10, 2009
While talking to himself Ibn Al-Jawzi was blaming his soul in a gentle way. He said:
I found myself in trouble, and so I made Du’aa consistently, all the while requesting relief and comfort. The response to my Du’aa seemed to be delayed, and so my soul became disturbed and worried. However, I rebuked it saying, “Woe unto you; look attentively at yourself, are you the one possessed or are you the possessor? Are you the one that is controlled or are you the controller? Are you not aware that this world is the abode of tests for you? If you desire that your goals be fulfilled and become impatient when they are not, then, where is your test? Is it not the ultimate test when you get the opposite of whatever you desired?
So, (dear restless soul) try to understand the meaning of the word ‘Abd, and whatever is dear to you will become worthless, and whatever is difficult will become easy.” After it deliberated over what I said, it became a little appeased. I informed it that I had a second argument for it, and so I said, “Allah (azza wajal) is a necessary requirement in order for any of your aims to be fulfilled; yet you do not exhort yourself to work for His (azza wajal) pleasure. This is ignorance, as the matter should have been opposite to what you desire, primarily because you are the one possessed. (You should note) that the mindful ‘Abd should make sure that he fulfills the rights due to the Master, and that it is not necessary that He (azza wajal) gives to Al-’Abd whatever he desires or loves.”
It made it quieter yet I then mentioned that I had a third argument for it, and so I said, “You are under the impression that the response to your Du’aa has been slow; yet you were responsible for this because you closed the door of response (to your Du’aa) because of your constant sinning. If, however, you open the door [by developing Taqwa for Allah (azza wajal)], then the response (to your Du’aa) would arrive quicker, because having Taqwa for Allah (azza wajal) is the cause of all comfort.” Allah (azza wajal) said:”…And whoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him (Taqwa), He will make a way for him, to get out (from every difficulty), and will provide for him from sources that he never could imagine”[At-Talaaq:2-3]
Therefore, understand that if you do not develop this Taqwa for Him (subhana wa ta’ala), the result will be different from what you expect. Woe is me from the drunkenness of mindlessness which became stronger than any other drunkenness in confronting the soul’s aims to prevent them ftom reaching its hopes. It (the soul) knew that this was the truth, and so it became more tranquil still. I said to it, “I have a fourth argument for you, and it is that you seek a particular answer (to your Du’aa); yet you are not aware of the consequences that would result (if you were granted what you desire) because what you seek might be to your detriment. In this state you are like a feverish child asking for candy.
“(O soul) be conscious that your Master is more aware about your well-being than you are.” As He (azza wajal) said:”… And maybe you will dislike something that is good for You” [Al- Baqarah:216]
When this became clear to the soul, it became more tranquil still. I then said to it, “I have a fifth argument for you, and it is that your demands would lessen your rewards and would reduce your status (with Allah). However, if you would request that which is good for your eternal abode (Al-Aakhirah), it would be better for you. (O soul) it is crucial that you understand what I have explained.”It said, “I meandered in the garden of your explanation, and as such I wandered when I understood.”
Testing our Faith
May 31, 2009
Subhan’Allah, as American Muslims, we tend to test our iman/faith:
-by thinking we will give dawah to all the pretty girls on campus before knowing it we get emotionally attached to them when we are told to not even come close to zina
-by studying with someone of the opposite gender late into the night where Shaytan is the third amongst us
-by agreeing to shake hands with the opposite gender when we are severely warned against touching people of the opposite gender
-by subscribing to cable TV thinking we will only watch the halal shows, but we leave the door open to the possibilities
-by accepting riba from banks thinking we’ll use it for tax money when Allah and His Messenger have declared war against those who partake in riba
-by sitting at a table where alcohol is served when we are specifically prohibited from such an action
-by eating the food of those who own convenient stores selling alcohol when ten different types of people are cursed when it comes to alcohol
-by not donating any money as we fear poverty
-by having our hearts attached to the dunya instead of the ahkira when indeed the ahkira is better than the dunya
-by being awed by the non-Muslims in their dunya accomplishments when we should be pitying them instead
-by being materialistic when true wealth is being content in one’s heart
-by listening to music when it is clearly prohibited by all four madhabs
-by staying quiet when part of our deen is commanding the good and forbidding the evil
-by thinking tazkiyah is only for the sufis when in reality it is a true science of study in Islam as alluded to by the likes of Ibn Taymiyyah
-by seriously lacking in akhlaq and adab when some of the salaf studied them twice as long as they studied ilm/knowledge
-by joining up with a movement/cult/tariqa within Islam that separates from the jama when true success lies in following the jama in the Quran and Sunnah
-by asking a laymen for his or her Islamic opinion when we wouldn’t ask a laymen for medical advice
-by giving fatwa when we are clearly not a shaykh or shaykha
-by fatwa shopping
-by smoking sheesha when it’s clearly harmful to one’s health like cigarettes
-by not being thankful for all the immense blessings that have been bestowed upon us until it’s too late
-by complaining to others when we should only complain to Allah
-by procrastinating when we don’t know if we will be alive tomorrow
-by befriending the kuffar when it’s prohibited
-by thinking we are better than other people when they very well may be forgiven for their shortcomings and we may not be forgiven for ours
-by having pride not realizing it was the thing that destroyed the devil
Indeed, we test our faith and iman. However, would be test our lives the same way? Would we walk across the interstate/highway blindfolded? Absolutely NOT! Then, why do we test our iman when it is something much more valuable than our lives?
Do You Miswak?
May 2, 2009
I used to get a couple of cavities a year in my visits to the local dentist. Then, however, I discovered miswak, the Sunnah toothbrush. Subhan’Allah, for the last couple of years, I’ve been cavity-free. I don’t use the miswak too often, maybe a couple seconds here or there after making wudhu or before the prayer. However, the fact of the matter is that the Sunnah toothbruth is an effective tool for not only keeping your teeth fresh and clean, but also gaining the pleasure of our Lord, insh’Allah. The Messenger of Allaah (SAW) said, “Siwaak cleanses the mouth and pleases the Lord” (Bukhari).
The Prophet (SAW) highly recommended the use of the siwak as he said, “Were it not for the fact that I did not want to make things too hard for my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the siwaak at every time of prayer” (Bukhari).
The miswak is a confirmed Sunnah and it is something we all should try to implement into our daily lives, not just for the sake of the cleanliness of our teeth, but also for the sake of implementing a beautiful Sunnah.
So I ask you, do you miswak?
The Seven Deadly Sins and the Muslim Community
April 21, 2009
One of the most popular things for people to do nowadays in the Muslim community is to gossip. Subhan’Allah, many of the immature girls in our community do it constantly, not realizing they are ruining their account with Allah (SWT) and backbiting their fellow Muslimah. I’ve done a previous post on backbiting and gheebah, but in this post I wanted to emphasis the seriousness of one aspect of it by relating the following hadith:
The Prophet (SAW) stated, “Avoid the seven noxious things: associating anything with Allah, magic, killing one whom Allah has declared inviolate without a just case, consuming the property of an orphan, devouring usury, turning back when the army advances, and slandering chaste women who are believers but indiscreet” (Bukhari and Muslim).
The Prophet (SAW) warned us of seven of the worst crimes and amongst them are shirk, magic, and murder. However, if you continue reading the list, notice te final sin the Prophet (SAW) mentioned, “slandering chaste women who are believers.” Wronging your fellow Muslim sister with words is on the same list as shirk, magic and murder! Subhan’Allah, can you imagine standing in front of your Lord on the Day of Reckoning claiming to be a believer but having committed one of the most noxious sins on a daily basis, it’s unfathomable! Your deeds would be distributed to those whom you wronged, whether you murdered them or slandered them. O Muslim, please don’t gossip about one another, rather love and pray for another for we all know to whom we shall have to answer one day, to our Lord, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.
The Hidden Louis Vuitton Purse
April 6, 2009
Imagine going shopping and buying the most expensive Versace suit (for brothers) or the most expensive Louis Vuitton purse (for sisters). Then imagine not ever taking it out in public and showing it off. Rather, no one knowing that you owned that Louis Vuitton purse, Versace suit, Rolex watch, or Mercedes-Benz car.
Such was the case of one of the pious predecessors of this Ummah. He bought amongst the most expensive clothes and these clothes were amongst the most beautiful and precious in his time, yet he never wore them in public. You may ask, “what did he do with them then?” Rather, this man wore these beautiful clothes when he stood in front of His Lord to pray in the night prayer when no one would see him except for His Lord, for indeed Allah (SWT) tells us in the Quran, “O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 7:31).
Indeed, we should beautify ourselves when we stand in front of our Lord. Now ask yourself, “what did I look like when I prayed fajr this morning?” And compare that attire with what you looked like when you last went to a dinner party you were invited to.
Strangeness and the Stranger
March 28, 2009
By Ibn al-Qayyim al Jawziyyah (adopted by Ammar ibn Abdullah al-Hindi)
“Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers.”
The Meaning of “Strangeness”
Many times in many situations the people that follow the religion of Allah feel a sense of not belonging, of being out of place, of not fitting in, and, in other words, of being strange. This feeling could occur in a gathering of non-Muslims, but, unfortunately, this feeling sometimes also occurs when one is with his fellow Muslims.
A person sees his brothers and sisters doing acts that are contrary to Islam, or taking part in innovations that sometimes even border on kufr (apostasy), yet he feels that he does not have enough power or courage to stop them in these acts. Some brothers and sisters, especially if they do not have enough taqwa or Islamic knowledge, sometimes buckle under the pressure of their peers and join in these acts, knowing that this is not what Allah wants them to do. However, feeling helpless, since it seems that they are alone in their ideas and without any support to help them do what is right, they succumb to such pressures.
These brothers and sisters, may Allah have mercy on them, should take consolation in the verses of the Qur’an and the many statements of the Prophet (saws) describing this very situation of strangeness that they feel.
Why Have They Been Called “Strangers”?
Allah says in the Qur’an,
“If only there had been, in the generations preceding you, people having wisdom, prohibiting others from evil in the earth; except a few of those whom we have saved from among them.” (Qur’an Hud 116).
This verse speaks of the few people on earth, the “strangers”, who prohibit mankind from evil. These are the same people the Prophet (saws) spoke about when he said, “Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings [ar. Tooba. This is a tree in Paradise. So the Prophet (saws) is giving the good news of Paradise to these strangers.] to the strangers.” It was asked, “Who are those strangers, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Those that correct the people when they become corrupt.” [Reported by Abu Amr al-Dani, from the hadith of ibn Masoud. It is authentic according to al-Albani. Another narration says, "Those that correct my Sunnah which has been corrupted by the people after me."] In another narration he said in response to the same question, “They are a small group of people among a large evil population. Those who oppose them are more than those who follow them.” [Reported by ibn Asaakir. It is authentic according to al-Albani.]
These praiseworthy people are called strangers since they are a small minority among mankind. Thus, Muslims are strangers among mankind; the true believers are strangers among Muslims; and the scholars are strangers among the true believers. And the followers of the Sunnah, those that clear themselves from all peoples of innovation, are likewise strangers.
In reality, however, their strangeness is only because they are the minority and it is not because their actions and beliefs are strange. This is what Allah says in surah al-Anaam,
“And if you obey most of the people on Earth, they will lead you astray” (Qur’an al-Anaam 116).
Allah also says,
“And most of mankind will not believe, even if you (O Muhammad) desire it eagerly” (Qur’an Yusuf 103);
“And truly, most of mankind are rebellious and disobedient (to Allah).” (Qur’an al-Maidah 49)
“But nay, most of mankind are ungrateful” (Qur’an Yusuf 38).
Therefore, Allah, the All-Knowing Creator, knows the most of mankind will not follow the truth. Instead, only a small group of people will be set apart that truly and correctly believe in Him, the strangers from among mankind.
The strangers in belief, however, and the strangers in character and actions are in reality the majority of mankind, for they are strange to Islam and to the laws that Allah has revealed. Thus we see that there are various types of strangeness, of which some are praiseworthy, some are blameworthy and some are either praiseworthy or blameworthy. We will discuss these various categories separately below.
The Various Types of Strangeness
You should know, may Allah have mercy upon you, that strangeness is of three types:
The first type of strangeness is the strangeness of the “People of Allah and the People of His Messenger” (saws), which we mentioned previously. This strangeness is a praiseworthy strangeness, as it has been praised by Allah and His Messenger (saws). Therefore, this kind of strangeness should be sought and its people must be supported. This strangeness occurs in different times, in different places, and among different peoples. These strangers, then, are the true “People of Allah” for they do not worship ought save Him, and they do not take support from any path except the path of the Prophet (saws), and they do not call to anything except that which has been brought by the Prophet (saws). These are the people who left mankind when they (the strangers) were in need of them the most. For, on the Day of Judgment, when all other groups will go with that which they used to worship, they will stay in their places. It will be said to them, “Will you not go as the other people have gone?” They will answer, “We had abandoned the people (in this life), and we were more in need of them then we are today, and we will wait for our Lord whom we used to worship.” [Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim] Thus it is apparent that this strangeness does not cause its bearer any discontent. Rather it is a comforting strangeness, a solace to the believers. This is because he knows that his helpers are Allah, His Messenger and those who believe [This is a reference to verse 55 of surah al-Maidah], even if all of mankind left and abandoned him.
These strangers are again described in a hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik, in which the Prophet (saws) said, “It is possible that a disheveled, dusty person, with not many belongings [Literally, "with two headdresses"], who is not noticed among the people, if he asks of Allah, Allah will fulfill his prayer.” [Reported by at-Tirmidhi and al-Hakim. Al-Albani said it is authentic.] Al-Hasan al-Basri [a very famous Follower – tabi‘ - known for his piety, asceticism and knowledge] said, “A believer is a stranger in this world, he is never afraid of its humiliation, and he never competes for its glory. The people are in one situation and he is in a different situation. The people are content with him, yet he is in turmoil [Literally, "tired"] with himself.” From the characteristics of these strangers that the Prophet (saws) described is the holding on to the Sunnah of the Messenger (saws), even if the people abandon it. They, the strangers, leave all the innovations that their people invent, even if such practices should be common among them. They also stick to tawheed, even if the people corrupt it with shirk. They do not ascribe themselves to anything besides Allah and His Prophet (saws); they do not, that is, ascribe themselves to a shaikh, tariqah, particular madhhab or a group of people. They are dedicated only to Allah, with their sincere worship of Him and Him alone, and to His Prophet (saws), by following the path that he followed. These are the people who grasp the glowing hot embers [A reference to the hadith that is to follow], even though most of mankind – nay, all of them – blame them for this. This is the meaning of the statements of the Prophet (saws) alluding to the fact that they stick to his Sunnah, even if the people corrupt it.
Allah, all praise be to Him, sent His Prophet (saws) when mankind followed different religions, for there were those who worshipped rivers and trees, and there were those who worshipped idols, and there were Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians. Islam, when it first appeared among these people, was strange to them. If a person from among them accepted Islam and followed the call of Allah and His Prophet (saws), he would be shunned by his family and his tribe. He would live the life of a stranger among his people. Eventually, however, Islam spread far and wide. The Muslims became stronger and stronger, so much so that the strangers were those that did not accept the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (saws).
But, alas, Satan deceived mankind again. People took to the ways that their forefathers, who had accepted Islam, had abandoned until, finally, Islam became strange again, just like it had started and just like the Prophet (saws) had foretold. Nay, indeed, rather the true Islam – that which the Prophet (saws) and his Companions were following [this is a reference to the reply that the Prophet (saws) gave when asked what the characteristics of the "Saved Group" were] has become even stranger to the people then when it initially appeared, even though its outward signs and external relics are well known and widespread. [This is what ibn al-Qayyim, wrote in the 8th Century of the Hijrah, wrote. Imagine our situations six centuries after him. May Allah protect us.]
How can it not be so, when these strangers are only one group among seventy-two others [the Prophet (saws) said in an authentic hadith that this Ummah would divide into seventy-three groups, all of which would go to Hell except the one Saved Group.], each of which follows its own desires and takes its passions as gods?
Those are the groups that base their teachings on doubts and innovations and whose sole purpose is the gratification of their own desires. Thus, the group whose goal is to achieve the pleasure of Allah by following the path of His Messenger (saws) will be the strange one among all of the other groups. This is why the true Muslims – those that adamantly cling to the Sunnah – will have the reward of fifty Companions. When the Prophet (saws) was asked about the verse,
“O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow right guidance, no harm can come to you from those who err” (Qur’an al-Maidah 105)
he said, “Nay indeed, order good and forbid evil until you see stinginess being obeyed, and desires being followed, and this world preferred [over the next], and each person being deluded by his own opinions. Then take care of yourself and leave the common people. For indeed, after you there will be days of patience, where patience will be like holding on to glowing embers. Whoever is able to do this will have the reward of fifty people that do like him.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, the reward of fifty of them?” He replied, “The reward of fifty of you” [Recorded by al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud with a weak chain but it has supporting evidence. Al-Albani calls it sahih. See al-Sahiha, #957]. This reward is due to his strangeness among the people.
So, if the believer whom Allah has blessed with wisdom and knowledge wants to tread upon this path, the path of Allah, then let him be prepared to resign himself to the life of a stranger among his people, just like his predecessors who accepted Islam were treated by the people. For indeed, he will be a stranger in his beliefs, because his people have corrupted their beliefs. He will be a stranger in his religion, due to what the people have done to it. He will be a stranger in his manner of praying, because the people are ignorant of the prayer of the Prophet (saws). He will be a stranger in his ordering of good and prohibiting evil, for the people have taken what is evil as good and they have abandoned what is good as evil. In short, then, he will be a stranger in all his matters of this world and the Hereafter, calling to the path of Allah and withstanding the harm of all those that go against him.
As for the second type of strangeness, then know, O reader, that this strangeness is the blameworthy strangeness, for its people are the evil sinners, the ignorant and the arrogant of mankind. Their strangeness is due to their refusal to follow the correct and straight path of Allah. This strangeness is the strangeness of not conforming to the religion of Islam and, as such, it will remain strange even if its followers are numerous, its power is strong and its existence is widespread. These are the strangers to Allah. May Allah keep us from becoming one of them.
The third category of strangeness is, in essence, neither praiseworthy or blameworthy. It is the strangeness that a traveller experiences when he travels to a different country, like a person who lives in a place for a short period of time, knowing that he has to move on. One aspect of this strangeness is that all of us, whether we realize it or not, are strangers in this world, for we will all go one day to our permanent abode in the Hereafter. This is the meaning of the hadith of the Prophet (saws) when he told Abdullah ibn Umar, “Live in this world as though you are a stranger or a wayfarer.” Thus, this category of strangeness has the potential to become a praiseworthy strangeness if we realize the meaning of this statement of Allah’s Messenger (saws).
We pray that Allah bless us to be Muslims, knowledgeable and pious, and that He forgive us our sins and bless us with His Mercy. Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute to Him And Peace be on the Messengers. And all Praise and thanks be to the Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Source: www.missionislam.com
Ibn Qayyim on Emaan in the Heart
March 18, 2009
Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah [rahimahullah] has categorized heart of a human into three types.
Think about which category yours may fall into:
- That which is void of Eeman and all types of good, thus being a dark heart. Shaytaan no longer needs to confront this heart with whispers because he now dwells in it. He decrees what he wishes in it and has taken complete control of it
- That which has been illuminated with the light of Eemaan. Faith has kindled its lanterns within it, but at the same time there is still some darkness of desires and winds of disobedience present in it. Shaytaan approaches and retreats from this category of heart, and at times he takes advantage of opportunities. The WAR [in this heart] is sometimes severe and at other times calm. The affair of the individuals who fall into this category of hearts varies between many and few. Some possessors of this category are usually victorious over their enemy, while others regularly allow their enemy to get the upper hand. Yet another class are of those who have equal moments of defeat and victory.
- That which is filled with Eemaan. This heart is illuminated with the light of Eeman and the veil of desires and darkness has been lifted from it. The light of Eeman is glowing within the chest and that glow contains flames. If desires challenge to approach this heart they are burned by the flames [of Eeman]. This protection is similar to the protection of the sky by the stars. If Shaytaan attempts to advance towards the sky to steal information he is pelted from every side with a Shihaabun Thaaqib [flaming fire of piercing brightness].
Then Imam ibn Qayyim goes on to brilliantly explain these three categorization of human hearts further with examples in this episode:
- Void of Eeman and all types of good
- Illuminated with the light of Eemaan
- Filled with Eemaan
He [rahimahullah] related the hearts with 3 different types of homes.
- The home of a king; in it are his treasures and precious jewels and belongings.
- The home of a slave; in it is his wealth and precious jewels and belongings, but indeed his belongings are much less [in value and quantity] than that of the king’s.
- The empty home; in it there is nothing to steal.
A thief approaches with the intention of stealing from one of the homes. Which one would you think he would burglarize?
If you say that he would steal from the empty home, this is something impossible because the empty home possess nothing for him to steal.
Based on this reality, it was mentioned to Ibn Abbas – May Allah be pleased with him – Verily, the Jews claim that they do not experience whispers [distractions] in prayer. Ibn Abbas – May Allah be pleased with him – thereupon commented: What would the Shaytaan do to a heart that is already destroyed [This is the example of a person whose heart is void of Eemaan]
If you say that he would steal from the home of a king. This would also be impossible due to the strong presence of security for making a thief impossible to penetrate.[This is the example of a person whose heart is filled with Eemaan]
Consequently, there is nothing left for the thief except to approach the third home. [This is the example of a person whose heart is illuminated with Eemaan]
Such is the case with Shaytaan that he approaches the home of a slave, and he snatches any and every opportunity that he gets. Thus, it becomes essential for such an individual to sincerely reflect upon the given examples and guard his home [i.e. heart] from the attacks of Shaytaan.
Heart-Softening Story: Destination the Hereafter
March 2, 2009
By Abdul-Maalik al-Qaasim
Her cheeks were worn and sunken and her skin hugged her bones. That didn’t stop her though, you could never catch her not reciting Qur’an. Always vigil in her personal prayer room Dad had set up for her. Bowing, prostrating, raising her hands in prayer. That was the way she was from dawn to sunset and back again, boredom was for others.
As for me I craved nothing more than fashion magazines and novels. I treated myself all the time to videos until those trips to the rental place became my trademark. As they say, when something becomes habit people tend to distinguish you by it. I was negligent in my responsibilities and laziness characterized my Salah.
One night, I turned the video off after a marathon three hours of watching. The adhan softly rose in that quiet night. I slipped peacefully into my blanket.
Her voice carried from her prayer room. “Yes? Would you like anything Noorah?”
With a sharp needle she popped my plans. “Don’t sleep before you pray Fajr!”
“Agh … there’s still an hour before Fajr, that was only the first Adhaan!”
With those loving pinches of hers, she called me closer. She was always like that, even before the fierce sickness shook her spirit and shut her in bed. Hanan can you come sit beside me.
I could never refuse any of her requests, you could touch the purity and sincerity. “Yes, Noorah?”
“Please sit here.”
“OK, I’m sitting. What’s on your mind?”
With the sweetest mono voice she began reciting:
[Every soul shall taste death and you will merely be repaid your earnings on Resurrection Day]
She stopped thoughtfully. Then she asked, “Do you believe in death?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you believe that you shall be responsible for whatever you do, regardless of how small or large?”
“I do, but Allah is Forgiving and Merciful and I’ve got a long life waiting for me.”
“Stop it Hanan … aren’t you afraid of death and it’s abruptness? Lookat Hind. She was younger than you but she died in a car accident. So did so and so, and so and so. Death is age-blind and your age could never be a measure of when you shall die.
The darkness of the room filled my skin with fear. “I’m scared of the dark and now you made me scared of death, how am I supposed to go to sleep now. Noorah, I thought you promised you’d go with us on vacation during the summer break.”
Impact. Her voice broke and her heart quivered. “I might be going on a long trip this year Hanan, but somewhere else. Just maybe. All of our lives are in Allah’s hands and we all belong to Him.”
My eyes welled and the tears slipped down both cheeks.
I pondered my sisters grizzly sickness, how the doctors had informed my father privately that there was not much hope that Noorah was going to outlive the disease. She wasn’t told though. Who hinted to her? Or was it that she could sense the truth.
“What are you thinking about Hanan?” Her voice was sharp. “Do you think I am just saying this because I am sick? Uh – uh. In fact, I may live longer than people who are not sick. And you Hanan, how long are you going to live? Twenty years, maybe? Forty? Then what?” Through the dark she reached for my hand and squeezed gently. “There’s no difference between us; we’re all going to leave this world to live in Paradise or agonize in Hell. Listen to the words of Allah:
[Anyone who is pushed away from the Fire and shown into Jannah will have triumphed.]
I left my sister’s room dazed, her words ringing in my ears: May Allah guide you Hanan – don’t forget your prayer.
Eight O’clock in the morning. Pounding on my door. I don’t usually wake up at this time. Crying. Confusion. O Allah, what happened?
Noorahs condition became critical after Fajr, they took her immediately to the hospital … Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
There wasn’t going to be any trips this summer. It was written that I would spend the summer at home.
After an eternity…
It was one O’clock in the afternoon. Mother phoned the hospital. “Yes. You can come and see her now.” Dad’s voice had changed, mother could sense something had gone deathly wrong. We left immediately.
Where was that avenue I used to travel and thought was so short? Why was it so long now, so very long. Where was the cherished crowd and traffic that would give me a chance to gaze left and right. Everyone, just move out of our way. Mother was shaking her head in her hands crying as she made du’aa for her Noorah.
We arrived at the hospitals main entrance.
One man was moaning, another was involved in an accident and a third’s eyes were iced, you couldn’t tell if he was alive or dead.
We skipped stairs to Noorahs floor. She was in intensive care.
The nurse approached us. “Let me take you to her.” As we walked down the aisles the nurse went on expressing how sweet a girl Noorah was. She reassured Mother somewhat that Noorah’s condition had gotten better than what it was in the morning.
“Sorry. No more than one visitor at a time.” This was the intensive care unit. Through the small window in the door and past the flurry of white robes I caught my sisters eyes. Mother was standing beside her. After two minutes, mother came out unable to control her crying.
“You may enter and say Salam to her on condition that you do not speak too long,” they told me. “Two minutes should be enough.”
“How are you Noorah? You were fine last night sister, what happened?”
We held hands, she squeezed harmlessly. “Even now, Alhamdulillah, I’m doing fine.”
“Alhamdulillah … but … your hands are so cold.”
I sat on her bedside and rested my fingers on her knee. She jerked it away. “Sorry … did I hurt you?”
“No, it is just that I remembered Allah’s words
[One leg will be wrapped to the other leg (in the death shroud)]
… Hanan pray for me. I may be meeting the first day of the hearafter very soon. It is a long journey and I haven’t prepared enough good deeds in my suitcase.”
A tear escaped my eye and ran down my cheek at her words. I cried and she joined me. The room blurred away and left us two sisters – to cry together. Rivulets of tears splashed down on my sister’s palm which I held
with both hands. Dad was now becoming more worried about me. I’ve never cried like that before.
At home and upstairs in my room, I watched the sun pass away with a sorrowful day. Silence mingled in our corridors. A cousin came in my room, another. The visitors were many and all the voices from downstairs stirred together. Only one thing was clear at that point … Noorah had died!
I stopped distinguishing who came and who went. I couldn’t remember what they said. O Allah, where was I? What was going on? I couldn’t even cry anymore.
Later that week they told me what had happened. Dad had taken my hand to say goodbye to my sister for the last time, I had kissed Noorah’s head.
I remember only one thing though, seeing her spread on that bed, the bed that she was going to die on. I remembered the verse she recited:
[One leg will be wrapped to the other leg (in the death shroud)]
and I knew too well the truth of the next verse:
[The drive on that day we be to your Lord (Allah)!]
I tiptoed into her prayer room that night. Staring at the quiet dressers and silenced mirrors, I treasured who it was that had shared my mother’s stomach with me. Noorah was my twin sister.
I remembered who I had swapped sorrows with. Who had comforted my rainy days. I remembered who had prayed for my guidance and who had spent so many tears for so many long nights telling me about death and accountability. May Allah save us all.
Tonight is Noorah’s first night that she shall spend in her tomb. O Allah, have mercy on her and illuminate her grave. This was her Qur’an, her prayer mat and this was the spring rose-colored dress that she told me she would hide until she got married, the dress she wanted to keep just for her husband.
I remembered my sister and cried over all the days that I had lost. I prayed to Allah to have mercy on me, accept me and forgive me. I prayed to Allah to keep her firm in her grave as she always liked to mention in her supplications.
At that moment, I stopped. I asked myself: what if it was I who had died? Where would I be moving on to? Fear pressed me and the tears began all over again.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar…
The first adhan rose softly from the Masjid, how beautiful it sounded this time. I felt calm and relaxed as I repeated the Muadhdhins call. I wrapped the shawl around my shoulders and stood to pray Fajr. I prayed as if it was my last prayer, a farewell prayer, just like Noorah had done yesterday. It had been her last Fajr.
Now and in sha’Allah for the rest of my life, if I awake in the mornings I do not count on being alive by evening, and in the evening I do not count on being alive by morning.
We are all going on Noorah’s journey – what have we prepared for it?
Source: www.islamicawakening.com
got brotherhood?
February 21, 2009
Amongst one of my fondest memories in Egypt was one time when I was at a juice-stand on a street corner and I was drinking some juice (yes, I gave into this fad) with another brother from the USA. Sitting right beside us were these two other brothers from Belgium. Now one thing about being a foreigner in the Middle East is that you immediately recognize the other foreigners while you are there. Anyways, the brothers from Belgium didn’t speak English (what language do they speak in Belgium anyways?) and they, like us, were relatively new to the Arabic language. We conversed for several minutes in broken Arabic before it was finally time to depart. As we were leaving, one of the Belgium brothers said to us, “Convey our salaams to the Ahlus-Sunnah (People of the Sunnah) in America as the Ahlus-Sunnah in Europe give theirs salaams to the Ahlus-Sunnah in America.”
Subhan’Allah, the brother’s statement really got me thinking. I started to think about the concept of brotherhood that exists in Islam and how fortunate we are to have such a unique blessing. Indeed, this Muslim from Belgium with whom I share probably nothing in common with (not culture, language, race, ethnicity, etc) except Islam is my brother in faith. Think about that for a moment. He’s not my cousin or uncle or anything else, but my brother in Islam. And this brother was able to group together millions of Muslims in Europe and tie them so closely with the millions of Muslims in the United States. Instant love exists within our hearts for our fellow Muslim brothers and this phenomenal love cannot be explained, but only truly experienced.
Indeed, the Quran states, “the Believers are but a single Brotherhood” (translation of the meaning of the Holy Quran, 49:10). The Messenger of God (SAW) stated, “None of you will have faith till he wishes for his brother what he likes for himself” (Bukhari).
Therefore, O Muslim, meet new brothers, spread the salaams, smile in the face of your brother and prefer your brother over yourself for indeed, we will see the fruits of such beauty in this life and the Hereafter, insh’Allah.
Related readings: Rights of Brotherhood in Islam and Islamic Brotherhood
Ibn Qayyim on the Present
February 1, 2009
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah [rahimahullah] said:
Your life in the present moment is in between the past and the future. So what has preceded [gone before] can be rectified by
- Tawbah [repentance], Nadam [regret], and Istighfar [seeking Allaah’s forgiveness]
- This is something that will neither tire you nor will cause you to toil as you would with strenuous [exhausting] labor.
- It is [just] an action of the heart.
Then as regards the future [then it can be corrected] by withholding yourself from sins; by merely leaving of something and to be at ease from them.
- This also is not an action of the limbs that requires you to strive and toil.
- It is a firm resolve and intention of the heart – which will give rest to your body, heart, and thoughts.
Neither of the two mentioned above involves any hardship or exertion of the limbs.
But then your attention must be directed to your life in the present – i.e. the time between the two times.
- If you waste it, then you have wasted the opportunity to be of the fortunate and saved ones.
- If you look after it, having rectified the two times – what is before and after it, you will be successful and achieve rest, delight and ever-lasting bliss.
- Looking after it is harder than that which comes before and after it.
- Guarding it involves keeping to that which is most befitting and beneficial for your soul, and that which will bring it success and well-being.
(Source: www.islaam.com)
Residual Ajr
January 24, 2009
Subhan’Allah, how people chase after money in this world and attempt to set-up residual incomes for themselves and their families. However, how many of us attempt to set-up residual hassanah (reward) for our hereafter? Just reflect on the follow hadith:
Jarir bin ‘Abdullah al-Bajali narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever introduces some good practice in Islam will have the reward of it, as well as the reward of those who act on it after him, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And whoever introduces some evil practice in Islam will bear the burden of it as well as the burden of those who act on it after him, without theirs being diminished in any respect.” (Bukhari)
How can we take advantage of such ‘residual ajr’? Subhan’Allah, there are multiple ways as Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “When a human dies, his good deeds stop, except three: a sadaqa jariyya (continuous charity), a beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child that prays for him” (Muslim).
One way is through our wealth by giving in a cause that will work for us continuously, insh’Allah. These projects could include the building of a masjid or a school. We can also donate to a dawah project or buy books and donate them to a library amongst many different things.
Another way is through knowledge. We can teach at a weekend school little children how to read the Quran. We can give dawah (to Muslims and non-Muslims). We can teach a new Muslim how to pray. We can establish a weekly-halaqa in our community. We can set-up a dawah project at our MSAs that will continue to run even after we’ve graduated.
And another way is through righteous children. We can raise on children upon the truth. We can help them in memorizing the Book of Allah. We can give them a proper Islamc education and upbringing and insh’Allah everytime they do good b/c our actions, we will see the fruit of it in the Hereafter. May Allah (SWT) bless us all with beautiful, pious children. Ameen.
The Month of Muharram
December 30, 2008
By Mufti Taqi Usmani
Facts About Muharram
- Muharram is one of the four sacred Months out of twelve. The other being Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah,and Rajab.
- These four months have been sacred since the creation of universe – as told by Allah Subhana Watala in the Quran.
- After Ramadan, fasting in the month of Muharram is most rewardable.
- Muharram is a sacred month NOT because the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (saw) was martyred in this month. It is sacred because Allah made it sacred along with three other months and told us about it in the Quran.
Facts about Ashurah – The 10th of Muharram
- Fasting on the 10th Muharram i.e. Ashura was obligatory on the Muslims before the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory.
- Fasting on the 10th of Muharram expiates the sins of the previous year.
- Musa (as) and the Bani Israel were saved from the Pharaoh by the parting of the sea on 10th Muharram.
- Prophet Musa (as) as a sign of gratitute to Allah used to fast on the day of Ashura and Jews did the same.
- Prophet Muhammad (saw) on hearing the fast of Musa (as) also ordered the Muslims to fast on this day and himself did the same.
- Prophet Muhammad (saw) decided to fast on 9th Muharram as well to differentiate from the Jews but he passed away before he could do so.
Misconceptions about Ashura
- This is the day Prophet Adam (as) was created
- This is the day when Allah accepted the repentance of Adam (as)
- This is the day when Ibrahim (as) was born.
- This is the day the Qayamat (doomsday) will occur. (From hadiths we know Qayamat will occur on a friday, but does not specify which month)
- Whoever baths of Ashura will never get ill.
- Muharram is an evil or unlucky month (due to the battle of Karbala)
- Marriages should not be held in Muharram.
All of the above are misconceptions based on unauthentic traditions. This misconception can be easily removed by the fact that on the exact same day Husain (ra) was martyred, years ago Prophet Musa as and his followers were saved from Pharaoh, which is why Prophet Muhammad saw observed the fast on Ashura and ordered the Muslims to do the same. The day can not be lucky or unlucky at the same time.
Historical Facts about Muharram
- Companion Umar Farooq (ra) succumbed to his injuries and attained Martyrdom on the 1st of Muharram, 23 AH (After Hijri)
- Grandson of Prophet Muhammad (saw) Hussain ibn Ali (ra) along with most of his family members was martyred in the desert of Kerbala in Iraq on the 10th of Muharram.
Authentic Ibadaat (Worship) of Muharram
- Fasting in Muharram (any day)
- Fasting on 10th Muharram and combining it with the fast of 9th Muharram to distinguish from the Jews.
Innovations and things to avoid in Muharram
- Preparing special dishes meals in Muharram.
- Holding lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Sayyidna Husain (ra)
- Cursing the companions.
- Wearing black clothes and starving and refusing to drink in memory of Husain (ra)
Source: http://www.albalagh.net
Related: What’s So Special About Muharram?
Alhamdulillah, we are now in the blessed month of Muharram! Insh’Allah, don’t forget to fast the 9th of Muharram (Tues, Jan 6 2009) and the Day of Ashura (Wed, Jan 7 2009). Insh’Allah, my dates are accurate but please double-check them in your locality!
Prayer Was Made the Sweetness of My Eyes…
December 22, 2008
By Sheikh `Abd al-Majîd b. Sâlih al-Mansûr
Anas b. Mâlik relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Women and fragrance have been made dear to my affections, but prayer was made the sweetness of my eyes.”
This hadîth is related in Musnad Ahmad and Sunan al-Nasâ’î al-Kubrâ, among other sources. It is an authentic hadîth. It has been authenticated by al-Hâkim in al-Mustadrak and by Ibn Hajar al-`Asqalânî in Fath al-Bârî.
In some narrations it reads, “From your worldly life, women and fragrance have been made dear to my affections…”
However, the variant narration that begins: “Three things from your worldly life have been made dear to me…” is not authentic. It is not established in any of the primary hadîth source works. Moreover, it is a strange narration since its meaning is contradictory, as prayer is not a matter of our worldly lives, but rather off our spiritual lives.
This hadîth is rich in its benefits. It informs us of the relationship a believer should have with prayer as well as with the world. It shows how Islam balances our spiritual lives and our worldly aspirations.
For the devotees of Allah, prayer is the most beloved of all experiences. It is where they find peace and contentment. Without it, they cannot find harmony, balance, and satisfaction in their lives. They need the experience of reverence and awe before Allah that prayer affords them.
Ibn Hajar al-`Asqlânî explains: “The ‘sweetness of one’s eyes’ is the beloved that one hopes never to depart from to the bliss that this beloved brings and the happiness that it enriches one’s life with. This is experience with prayer only by those who are reverently patient.”
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had attained an unparalleled level of devotion, where worshipping Allah became something much more than beloved to him. Ibn al-Qayyim writes:
No pleasure in this world compares to the bliss of the denizens of Paradise except for this. This is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Women and fragrance have been made dear to my affections, but prayer was made the sweetness of my eyes.”
Here the Prophet (peace be upon him) tells us that two things of the world have been made dear to him – women and fragrance. Then he informs us that it is prayer which is the sweetness of his eyes. This is something far more than love. The “sweetness of the eyes” is the most beloved of all – that which is loved for its own sake. The object of this love is none other than Allah. Everything else that is loved is beloved for His sake and does not in any way contend with the love for Him…
Prayer is the sweetness of the eyes of Allah’s devotees in this world, since it is the communion between the worshipper and his Lord, and this is the only way that the heart finds contentment and the soul finds peace.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to his caller to prayer: “O Bilal, give us our rest in prayer.” From this we know that prayer is what brought the Prophet relaxation and respite, just as it was the sweetness of his eyes.
We should, therefore, think twice before we say something like: “I offered so much prayer and then I took a rest from praying.” For a true devotee, it is within prayer that rest and contentment are to be found. Such a person will love to prolong the prayer so as not to depart from that which is beloved.
By contrast, the person whose heart is heedless of Allah will find prayer to be a burden. Standing for each prayer will be like standing on a hot coal, and the person will fidget until that prayer is over and done with – the shorter the prayer, the better.
What factors will make prayer the sweetness of your eyes?
1. Sincerity: Your reason for offering the prayer is the love of Allah and your desire to draw near to Him and seek His pleasure.
2. Devotion: Your heart is focused entirely on Allah. Your inner being is as fully involved in the prayer as your body which is going through the outward motions. Your mind is not distracted.
3. Proper performance: Your prayer must be carried out in accordance with the Prophet’s example. The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed us, saying: “Pray as you have seen me praying.” Care should be taken to observe the prayer in all of its details as it was learned from the Prophet by his Companions. It also means that no additional rites or practices should be added to the prayer.
4. Perceptiveness: The Prophet said: “Worship Allah as if you see him, and though you do not see him, you know that He indeed sees you.” This is how the Prophet (peace be upon him) defined the perfection of faith.
5. Gratefulness: You should recognize that it is only by Allah’s grace that you are praying to Him. It is the greatest of privileges that He has blessed you to be offering this prayer. This is a key factor in prayer becoming the sweetness of your eyes. The more acutely privileged you feel to be offering your prayer, the more beloved that prayer will be to you.
6. Humility: We should never feel haughty and self-satisfied with our piety. Rather, we need to feel that the prayers we are offering are not enough. Though we may strive to do the best we can, our worship must always fall far short of the mark. Allah’s greatness far surpasses our ability to glorify Him. His kindness and mercy far outweigh our gratitude.
Our Worldly Desires
This hadith refutes the idea that piety means the renunciation of worldly pleasures or devotion to Allah requires monasticism. This is one of the benefits we derive from the Prophet (peace be upon him) telling us: “Women and fragrance have been made dear to my affections.” We are not called upon to forsake what Allah has made lawful and good. There is no piety in renouncing wholesome pleasures.
Some people think of asceticism in outward terms. They mistake a “pious image” that other people can see for true piety and Godliness. This is because they are ignorance of the Prophet’s guidance in this matter. He was the most God-fearing of all people, but he would fast on some days and eat on others. He would spend part of the night in prayer, but he would also sleep. He got married. After elaborating this to his followers, he said: “And whoever desires something other than my way is not of me.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]
He never behaved like those conspicuously “pious” people who look emaciated and dress in rags. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us that piety is an inward quality. It is the relationship that we have with our Lord. The Propet (peace be upon him) took great care of his appearance. He was a clean person. He wore presentable clothes. He wore fragrance. This did not contradict with his asceticism in any way.
Ibn Rajab, while commenting on this hadîth, explains: Asceticism means to turn your heart away from being preoccupied with the world and to focus on seeking knowledge of Allah and nearness to Him. It means to long for Allah and to desire to ultimately return to Him.
These things are not of the world in the first place. This is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “From your worldly life, women and fragrance have been made dear to my affections, but prayer was made the sweetness of my eyes.” He did not count prayer among the worldly matters that were made beloved to him.
I conclude by beseeching Allah to make our words and deed righteous, and that He may bless us to be sincere to Him.
(Source: www.muslimlinkpaper.com)
The Prophet’s Last Sermon
December 9, 2008
[This sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul-Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat' in Mecca.]
After praising and thanking Allah the Prophet (saws) said:
“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn ‘Abd’al Muttalib [the Prophet's uncle] be waived.
Every right arising out of homicide in pre-islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that i waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibn al Harithibn.
O People, the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calender in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that which Allah has made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.
Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope of that he will be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste. O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white – except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belogs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware: do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur’an and my Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people.”
(Source: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA)
Virtues of the First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah
November 26, 2008
ALL praise is due to Allaah, and may He render our Prophet Muhammad safe from every derogatory thing, and exalt his mention, and the mention of his household and Companions.
Ibn Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days; meaning the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. They inquired: Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah? He said: Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, unless one goes out for Jihad sacrificing both his life and property and returning with neither. (Al-Bukhaari)
In another version, Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhumaa) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), said: There are no days during which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allah than these ten days. So recite more often the Tahleel (Laa Ilaaha Illallah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah). (Imam Ahmad) Jaabir reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: The best day is the Day of Arafah. There are no days during which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allaah than these ten days. So recite more often the Tahleel (Laa Ilaaha Illallah) , Takbeer (Allahu Akbar),
Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah).
Ten Kinds of Observances In These Days
With regard to the types of worship to be performed during these ten days: one must understand that these days are a great blessing from Allaah to His slave, which is appreciated properly by the actively righteous. It is the duty of a Muslim to appreciate this blessing and make the most of the opportunity, by devoting these ten days to paying more attention to striving hard in worship. Among His blessings to His slaves, Allaah has given us many ways in which to do good and worship Him, so that the Muslim may be constantly active and consistent in his worship of his Lord.
Among the good deeds which the Muslim should strive to
do during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are:
First: Performing Hajj and Umrah, which are the best of all observances. Its excellence is signified by many Prophetic traditions. The Prophet (sallallaahualaihi wa sallam) said: Performing Umrah and following it with another expiates sins that are committed in between. And the perfect Hajj would be requited with nothing other than Jannah. There are also many
authentic traditions to that effect.
Second: Observing fasting on all or some of these days, particularly on the Day of Arafah. There is no doubt that fasting is the best of observances; for it is one of the observances which Allah relates to Himself, according to the holy tradition (hadith Qudsi): Fasting is for Me, and I shall requite it. My
slave relinquishes his desires, food, and drink for My sake.
Abu Saeed al-Khudri (radiallahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Any slave of Allah who observes fast of a day in the cause of Allah, Allah would separate between him and the Fire a distance of seventy years on account of observing that day. (Agreed upon).
Abu Qataadah (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Observing fasting on the Day of Arafat; I expect Allah to expiate the sins that were committed during the preceding year, and the sins that will be committed in the year after. (Imam Muslim)
Third: Reciting takbeer, and Dhikr in these days according to the words of Allah, the Exalted: And mention the name of Allah in certain days [Al-Baqarah 2:203]. These certain days are said to be the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Therefore, scholars recommend Dhikr more often during these days, according to a
tradition which is reported by Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhumaa): Therefore, recite more often, tahleel, takbeer, and tahmeed. Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (radiallaahu anhum) used to go out to the marketplaces during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and recite out loud the takbeer and people would repeat it after
them. Ishaaq (rahimahullah) reported that the jurists (rahimahumullah) used torecite during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa Ilaaha illallah, wallahu Akbar, wa lillaahil-hamd. It is commended to recite them out loud in marketplaces, at homes, roads, mosques and elsewhere. According to the commands of Allaah: That you may exalt Allah for having guided you, and that you may be grateful to Him. [Al-Baqarah 2:185]
Fourth: Repentance and relinquishing acts of disobedience and all sins, in order to acquire forgiveness and mercy. Acts of disobedience are means of banishing, while acts of obedience are means of gaining favour with Allaah. Abu Hurairah (radiallahu
anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily Allah feels jealous, and the jealousy of Allaah is aroused when man violates what Allaah prohibits. (Agreed upon)
Fifth: Accomplishing more good deeds of voluntary observances, such as: salaat, charity, Jihad, Qur’ânic recitation, enjoining the good and forbidding the wrong, and the like; for the rewards of such observances are multiplied during these days. Observances during these days are unsurpassed in
excellence and they are better and more beloved to Allaah than other excellent observances including Jihad, which is the best of deeds, unless one sacrifices both, his life and his steed.
Sixth: It is legal during these days the recitation of the takbeer in general at all times, day or night until Eid prayer. The restricted takbeer is that which is to be recited after the obligatory prayers. As for the non-pilgrims, the takbeer begins from the Day of Arafah, and for pilgrims it begins from the noon
prayer of the Day of Sacrifice and continues until Asr prayer of the last of the days of Tashreeq.
Seventh: Offering the sacrificial animal during the day of sacrifice and the Days of Tashreeq. It is the sunnah of our father Ibraheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, in commemoration of the occasion when Allaah ransomed Ibraheems son with a large ram. It has been authentically confirmed that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) sacrificed two black and white rams with horns. He killed them with his own hand, and invoked the name of Allaah upon them, recited the takbeer, and placed his foot on their sides, when he
killed them. (Agreed upon.)
Eighth: Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: When you see the new moon of Dhul Hijjah, and one of you wants to sacrifice an animal let him refrain from cutting or shaving his hair or clipping his finger nails, or toenails. In another version: Let him not cut his hair or his fingernails until he has slaughtered his sacrificial animal. This perhaps is enjoined on non-pilgrims to have something in common with the pilgrims who bring along with them their sacrificial animals. Allaah, the Exalted, says: And do not shave off your heads until the sacrificial animal is slaughtered. [Al-Baqarah 197] This prohibition seems to apply only to a person who is making the
offering, not his dependents, unless one of them has his own sacrificial animal. There is no harm in washing the head even if some hairs fall off.
Ninth: The Muslim must make sure to observe Eid prayer in its designated place, and attend the khutbah of the Eid. He should also know the purpose of the Eid, and that its a day of giving thanks and a chance for accomplishing good deeds. He should not turn it into a day of mischief, disobedience, or an excuse for violating the prohibited things; such as singing music, illegitimate amusements, consuming liquor, or the like. All of these things are detestable and nullify the good deeds that one may have accomplished during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Tenth: After knowing all the above observances, every Muslim, male or female, must utilise these days in obedience to Allaah, remembering Him, expressing gratefulness to him, fulfilling all the obligatory observances, avoiding the reprehensible things and
taking advantage of this season to acquire His mercy and the pleasure. It Allah alone who grants success and guides to the right path. May He exalt the mention of Muhammad, and his household, and Companions, and may He render them safe from every derogatory thing.
Source: www.allaahuakbar.net
Related: The Superiority of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah by Shaykh ibn al-Uthaymin
