Giving Life
June 16, 2009
Though life and death are both from Allah (SWT), one of the most virtuous things a human being can do is to help play a role in giving life. After all, by giving charity to those less-fortunate, those that deserve it may benefit from it.
One way I would like to recommend ‘giving-life’ is to donate blood. In many cases, one pint of blood (the average donation) saves the lives of three people. Can you imagine the sadaqa involved in helping prolong the lives of three different people?
Allah (SWT) tells us in the Quran, “For this reason did We prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men; and certainly Our messengers came to them with clear arguments, but even after that many of them certainly act extravagantly in the land” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 5:32).
Therefore, next time you see a blood mobile in your locality, consider giving the gift of life as the process is generally painless and the reward is with Allah (SWT).
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?
Advice to the Aspiring Muslim with Homosexual Urges
April 29, 2009
In today’s world, homosexuality is something very common and accepted. Considering the environment we live in, it is quite possible that some aspiring Muslims may also have homosexual urges even though they may not want to. However, in Islam, acting upon these urges is strictly prohibited. For a parallel example, as a man, I may want to have relations with numerous different women, but as we know, even though I may have that urge or desire the act does not become permissible (as we are only permitted to have relations with those that are halal to us (i.e our spouse)). Similiar, a person who has homosexual desires must also refrain from their urges and impulses and insh’Allah they will be rewarded for their patience and virtue. For a more complete look into this subject, please check out Shaykh Yasir Qadhi’s post on MuslimMatters.
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.
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
Pitying the Kuffar?
March 22, 2009
Ibn Abbas held the opinion that touching the kafir breaks your wudhu. I believe I read the above statement in the work of an orientalist and it had no evidence to support it so I am not sure if this truly is the opinion of Ibn Abbas. However, the statement got me thinking about the issue of the kuffar and the Muslims approach to them. Indeed, al wala wal bara is a part of the Muslim aqeeda and it is something that Muslims must adhere to very strictly. The topic seems to be the current hot-topic amongst many Muslim bloggers after the article posted by Shaykh Tawfique Chawdhury on MuslimMatters and Imam Anwar al-Awlaki’s response to it on his own blog about working with the kuffar.
However, one thing I wanted to point out and emphasize while all this debating is going on is the blessing, we, as Muslims, truly have been blessed with. I mean, subhan’Allah, can you imagine life without Islam? We have been blessed with guidance from the Lord of the Worlds. In addition to al wala’ wal bara’, I feel great remorse towards the non-Muslim and I feel great pity towards them. I was at a restaurant less than a week ago and they were playing a music-video of some MTV rapper. The MTV rapper had women and money and the dunya in his music video, yet you could tell he wasn’t happy. If you look at people in the Western society today, you notice that they go through ups and downs like it’s nobody’s business. Depression is extremely common in the USA and UK nowadays. When I look at the non-Muslim, I realize they have been deprived of so many things. Just think about the following, the non-Muslim:
-
Does not realize who is His Lord nor does he have a relationship with His Lord
-
Does not understand the purpose of life
-
Is in a continuous state of najis (impurity), hence why the first thing someone does after converting to Islam is take a bath (ghusl)
-
Has never tasted the sweetness and khushoo of the prayer
-
Has no comprehension of tawakkul and relying on God, therefore causing stress and depression
-
Will never be truly happy for we know happiness is not with wealth but in the heart
-
Has never experienced true brotherhood (not the one where you pay money to have friends in a fraternity)
-
Does not have a proper relationship with society (where it’s with the parents, the masjid, or the community)
-
Does not have the beauty of the greeting of the salam
-
Does not experience the sweetness of faith (emaan)
-
Solves problems with alcohol instead of with dua or the Quran
-
Does not know what true fun/pleasure is (compare going to the club with brotherhood)
-
Has nothing to look forward to it (everyday is a blessing for us and we look forward to meeting our Lord, insh’Allah)
-
Money is their Lord and the lack of it depresses them and they will never have their fill (b/c of greed)
-
Their women are completely degraded and slaves to a sexual society
Number ten really hits the nail on the head. We need to be thankful everyday for the Islam that has bestowed upon us. We need to make dua to Allah (SWT) that He allows us to die in a state of emaan.
Therefore, O Muslim, be thankful for the blessing that is Islam and feel extreme gratitude to have been excluded from those that have been deprived of it.
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.
The Many Facets of Happiness
March 7, 2009
by Shaykh Salman al-Oadah
I went on an outing with my children. Our main intention was to swim and for the children to have their fair share of recreation and of my quality time. It was also a chance for me as a father, to have my rightful share of the joy of being with my children, for truly we need our children as much as they need us, if not more. I found myself busy on that day with all sorts of little tasks – like making sandwiches, setting the picnic table, and handing out sweets. It was a beautiful day to harvest some of the fruits of happiness just by enjoying ordinary activities in total relaxation and familiarity.
That day made me think about how much we, as people, speak about happiness. Hundreds of books are published every year to address the issue from a dry, philosophical standpoint. These works strive to define happiness and reveal its connection with factors like prosperity, pleasure, and our state of mind. There is considerable controversy about what brings about happiness and, more essentially, what it actually means to be happy. This leads to the more mundane questions of role that health, wealth, one’s job, one’s marriage, and being successful play in our chances for happiness.
We might fail to see that happiness is an inner state of our being, which comes into its being within ourselves, and is often connected with the most ordinary and seemingly insignificant events of our lives. It is the normal state of a person’s mind when that person is enjoying an experience or an activity. Those of us who disdain engaging in some pleasant activities, or simply fail to admit our enjoyment of them – due to our preconceived notions of what is suitable for us as adults, or as elderly people, or as people of social prominence – need to rethink some of our ideas. We should not rob ourselves of life’s small but significant pleasures.
Be like a small child and really enjoy that cup of tea you are drinking. Take time to taste it. The same goes for a piece of chocolate or your ordinary daily meal. Enjoy it. Enjoy eating alone and in the company of people you care about.
Allah says: “There is nothing wrong with you eating together or by yourselves.” [Sûrah al-Nûr: 61]
Be like a child who looks forward excitedly to taking a ride. Look forward to pleasant things. Laugh at a funny joke without first examining it to deduce whether the humor of the joke holds up under close scrutiny. Look forward to your sleep. Recognize it as being Allah’s blessing and a refreshment for your body and mind. Maybe you will dream about those you love.
Look forward to the activity that is ahead of you. Take pleasure in the accomplishment – however small – that completing your task provides you with. This can be said of reading a book, preparing a letter, a lesson that you attend, or a social event that you participate in.
Try to see the beauty of a flower in bloom, the fields of crops, a flowing stream, the sparrow’s song, and a child in play. Do not block these things from your sight, thinking them to be unimportant. Indeed, our sense of importance and of what carries weight with us – this is one of the greatest obstacles to happiness. This is an affliction that we impose upon ourselves. We need no enemy to do this to us.
We are happiest when we are the least inhibited in acknowledging and expressing how we feel. This is the case whether we are in the company of those we know or those we do not know. Expressing our feelings should not carry with it a sense of dread as if we are disclosing the most sensitive of state secrets.
We are happiest when we shed our ostentation and inflated sense of self-importance, so we can really listen to ourselves and acknowledge our inner needs and aspirations.
We are happiest when we are not pining after unrealistic and overly idealistic dreams but look at our lives naturally, without shame, and without exaggerating things.
We are happiest when we focus keenly on the experience of the moment, taking note of the billions – nay trillions – of blessings that are right in front of us. Allah’s generosity extends to each living cell of our bodies and to everything on the land, the air, and in the sea. His grace extends to all the intangibles as well, like those feelings and sensations that we cannot describe in physical terms. Faith is a good example, love, pleasure, the apprehension of language, longing, joy, hope…
We may be happiest of all when we realize that happiness is not a package we receive in the mail – either by design or fortune – nor is it a degree conferred upon us like a diploma. It is rather the felling of the moment, if we harvest well what that moment has to offer and resolve to make the best of it. It is when we shove aside despair, worry, fear, hatred, envy, and the other negative emotions that too often preoccupy our thoughts.
We are the happiest we can be when we choose to be happy.
Source: www.islamtoday.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
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.
“If we are equal in sins to them, they will be able to overtake us due to their (military) power”
January 12, 2009
The title is a statement of Umar ibn al-Khattab. The situation in Gaza is devastating, not just for Gazaians or Palestinians or Arabs, but for Muslims. We need to feel the pain of our oppressed brothers and sisters. The Prophet (SAW) stated that, “The believers are like one person; if his head aches, the whole body aches, because of fever and sleeplessness” (Muslim). We need to feel the suffering and agony felt by our brethern and sisteren. Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second khalifah, wrote the follow letter to the commander of the Muslim army. Give it some deep thought:
“…Then after, I order you and all troops that are along with you to be obedient to Allah, in all circumstances, as this is better than the weapons against the enemy and a strong stratagem in the war. I order you and the soldiers who are with you to be more cautious and afraid of your own crimes and sins than your enemy, as the crimes and sins of the soldiers are more dangerous to them than the enemy.
The Muslims are victorious only because their enemies are disobedient to Allah and had it not been so, we have no power over them, because neither our number is equal to their number, nor are our weapons like theirs. If we commit crimes and sins as they do, then they (our enemies) will have superiority over us in power and we will not gain victory over them. WE DO NOT OVERPOWER THEM WITH OUR STRENGTH.
And you should also know that in this marching of yours, there are guards upon you from Allah and they all know what you do. So be shy from them and do not commit Allah’s disobedience while you are going in Allah’s Cause and do not say: ‘ Our enemy is worse than us, so they will not overpower us.’ Perhaps some people who are worse than the others may overpower the others as the (disbelievers) Magians overpowered the Children of Israel when they (the latter) involved themselves with disobedience to Allah. So they (disbelievers) entered the very innermost parts of their homes and it was a promise fulfilled.
And ask Allah the assistance over your own selves, just as you ask Allah for the victory over your enemies. I ask Allah for that, both for you and for us.”
Keep our brothers and sisters (not just those in Gaza, but world-wide) in your duas, insh’Allah. To find out what we can do to help in Gaza, check out: Action-Gaza
Can We Eat the Non-Zabiha Meat in America?
January 4, 2009
A common debate topic amongst Muslims today is the issue of non-zabihah meat and whether or not it is permissible to eat. Can we, as Muslims, eat a Big Mac at McDonalds? Can we eat Kosher meat? I recently attended a “debate” in which two shaykhs argued their sides in a discussion manner that was very respectful and dignified. One scholar, Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, representing the Hanbali opinion, argued the meat of the Christians here in the United States is not-permissible while another scholar, Shaykh Yaser Birjas, representing the Shafi opinion, argued the chicken that is available wide-spread in America is permissible. Here’s the breakdown of the opinions:
Taking into account the Quranic Ayaat found in Surat Maidah, the main difference of opinion between the different schools of thought comes down to the fact of whether or not saying the Bismillah is wajib (obligatory) or mustahhab (desirable) before the actual slaughter takes place. Apparently the Hanafis, Malikis, and Hanbalis all consider saying the Bismillah as wajib before the slaughter takes place. The modern Shafis consider the saying of Bismillah as recommended, but not required. Shaykh Bin Baaz also followed the opinion that saying Bismillah is also required.
It should be noted both scholars agreed that Kosher meat is permissible since the Jews do mention the name of Allah (SWT) before their slaughter. However, both scholars also agreed that red meat in America should be avoided on the premise that much of the red meat available here comes from animals that have died from stunning (Fatwa here). The audio of the dialogue is available here.
Before we delve too much, we must consider the USA or our respective country to be a place where the majority of the people are Ahl-Kitaab or else this discussion is useless. Now, is the USA a Christian country? Allahu Alim. Let’s consider it one for this discussion, but do keep this Fatwa in the back of your mind.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the issue. The Jews do follow the Torah and they slaughter in the name of Allah for their Kosher meat. Therefore, Kosher meat is permissible for Muslims today. Christians are also required to follow the Old Testament and hence, they are to slaughter in the name of God. However, this aspect of Christian Law is completely neglected today and they do not mention anything when they slaughter their meat. If a Christian were to say, “In the Name of the Lord,” then this meat would be permissible. However, as we know, this does not take place amongst today’s Christians.
With that being said, what’s happened here in America today is that many of the ‘modern-day salafis’ have misinterpreted a fatwa from Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin lived his life in Saudi Arabia and never lived in the West (though he did travel to the USA for medical purposes). Living in Saudi Arabia, he did not interact with Christians on a regular basis. It appears he was not aware that ALL Christians have abandoned this practice of stating the name of Allah. If one reads his fatwa, he states that if one is unsure whether or not a Christian has mentioned Allah or not, then this meat is, by default, permissible. However, the fact of the matter is, we know FOR SURE that the name of Allah has not been mentioned by these Christians when they slaughter their meat. Shaykh Yasir Qadhi was once in a gathering with Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin when a student asked, “Is their meat permissible when I know 100% for sure that they are slaughtering without saying Bismillah?” Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin responded by saying then, this meat is haraam (just) for you. It appears that the Shaykh thought that this student of knowledge that asked this question was one of very few people who knew for sure that modern-day Christians do not say Bismillah. However, the reality of the fact is that we ALL know that the name of Allah is not mentioned before the slaughter amongst Christians. Furthermore, if a Christian were to mention someone, it would probably be Jesus, in which case, the meat is haraam for it has been slaughtered in the name of other than Allah!
In closing, I leave you with the follow hadith to consider:
Adi b. Hatim reported: Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said to me: “When you let off your dog, recite the name of Allah, and if it catches (game for you) and you find it alive, then slaughter it; if you find it killed and that (your dog) has eaten nothing out of that, (even then) you may eat it; but if you find along with your dog another dog, and (the game an) dead, then don’t eat, for you do not know which of the two has killed it” (Muslim).
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!
The Four Types of People – Which Type are YOU?
December 15, 2008
I remember a professor once described to our class the four categories of people. Even though the topic was related to science, I feel it also applies to Islam and the knowledge we possess. Read the following categories of people and think about which category best suits you. Without further ado:
1. Unconsciously Incompetent – This person would be the individual that does not know anything, yet he does not realize he doesn’t know anything. People in this category tend to jump to make conclusions about Islam and they convey their thoughts and fatwas to others. Unfortunately, this category probably entails the largest amount of people as everyone thinks of themselves as knowledgeable in Islam. The masses consider their Islamic knowledge to be sufficient. However, the reality is, many of us have little to no formal Islamic education. How can we think we are knowledgeable about Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh or any other Islamic-related matter when we are probably at a fifth-grade level in our Islamic comprehension?
2. Consciously Incompetent – This group of people would include the category of people who do not anything and they know they do not know anything. Many times, this is the category for the beginner student of knowledge who will quickly realize this is the category that best suits him or her. We need to learn how much knowledge there is out there for us to learn in terms of Islam. People with little to no formal Islamic education often times realize their place at the bottom of the food-chain in terms of knowledge. The masses will often ask these people their Islamic questions, but the people in this category will often refuse to answer or answer with a simple, “Allahu Alim.” As the saying goes, the more you learn, the more you learn how little you know.
3. Consciously Competent – This group of people are those that are knowledgeable and they know it. I would argue that this is the category our ulema (scholars) fall into. They have formal Islamic education and they have been trained in various Islamic sciences. These people impart knowledge onto others since they know they have been blessed with such a beautiful thing.
4. Unconsciously Competent – This is a very small group of people. It includes those people that know and they know it subconsciously. Knowledge is natural to them. I would classify the biggest scholars of Islam into this category. For the muhaddith of the faqih, knowledge is second-nature to them even though they are quite humbled by the enormous blessing that has been bestowed upon them by the Mercy of Allah (SWT).
Now ask yourself, which category are YOU in?
To Our Dear Sisters
October 30, 2008
Paradise is for believing men and women
We often hear speakers in Friday prayer or in admonitions talking about Paradise and all of us find our hearts, minds and thoughts tuned on to that ‘frequency’. However, majority of the speakers talk about Paradise as if it were a house for men only. Reality is not like that. Paradise is for the believing men and women. The only price for it is sound belief in Allah, love of Allah and His Messenger (Peace be upon him), and obedience to Allah and His Messenger (Peace be upon him).
In what follows are the glad tidings given by the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), to some of the women among his companions.
Narrated ‘Ayshah (May Allah be pleased with her): I did not feel jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet as much as I did of Khadijah (although) she died before he married me, for I often heard him mentioning her, and Allah had told him to give her the good tidings that she would have a palace of Qasab (i.e. pipes of precious stones and pearls in Paradise), and whenever he slaughtered a sheep, he would send her women-friends a good share of it. [Sahih al-Bukhari]
Anas reports that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), said: ‘The best women of mankind are four: Mariam daughter of `Imran, Assiya wife of Pharaoh, Khadijah daughter of Khuwailid, and Fatima the daughter of the Messenger of Allah.’ [Bukhari and Muslim]
Narrated Abu Hurayrah: Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! This is Khadijah coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord (i.e. Allah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of having a Qasab (palace in Paradise) wherein there will be neither any noise nor any fatigue (trouble).’ [Bukhari]
Narrated ‘Ata bin Abi Rabah: Ibn ‘Abbas said to me, ‘Shall I show you a woman of the people of Paradise?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This black woman came to the Prophet and said, ‘I get attacks of epilepsy and my body becomes uncovered; please invoke Allah for me.’ The Prophet said (to her), ‘If you wish, be patient and you will have (enter) Paradise; and if you wish, I will invoke Allah to cure you.’ She said, ‘I will remain patient,’ and added, ‘but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allah for me that I may not become uncovered.’ So he invoked Allah for her.’ [Bukhari]
The aforementioned hadith clearly state the stature of some of the women given the glad tidings of Jannah (Paradise). What can the women of today do in order to achieve that pinnacle of success, Paradise?
To do so one MUST learn how these women lived, how they behaved, how they spoke, how they dressed, how they walked, etc. In this issue of al-Mu’minah we will try to learn from the black woman mentioned in the last Hadith, insha’Allah. The black woman is not even known by her name, or her exact whereabouts, rather she is known by her deeds, her faith, her modesty, her chastity, and for her being an inmate of Paradise. And, in the end, that is what matters most. When Abdullah Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said ‘this black woman’, he did not mean to point at her race or to belittle her in any way. Indeed, he but meant to teach the people around him a great principle of Islam which is mentioned in the verse, [in the meaning of] : ‘O people! We have created you from a man and a woman and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know each other, verily the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah are the most pious.’
The same principle is mentioned in the Hadith: ‘Allah does not look at your pictures (shapes) and bodies but He looks at your hearts (and your deeds).’ [Muslim]
She (the black woman) was physically sick, yet she sought cure in the Du’a of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him). She knew that the one who cures, ash-Shafi, is Allah, and Allah would answer the Du’a of His Messenger (Peace be upon him). We conclude from that that Du’a heals all diseases be they of the body or of the heart. When commenting on this Hadith, al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar said: ‘It is inferred from this Hadith that the cure of diseases through Du’a and supplication to Allah (wa al-iltija’ ila Allah) is the most successful way of healing, but this cannot be fulfilled unless two conditions are satisfied: pure intention and sincere trust in the effectiveness of the Du’a, and righteousness and reliance on Allah.
The fact that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: ‘If you wish, be patient and you will have (enter) Paradise’ is a proof for the virtue and reward of patience during sickness. In another Hadith, he (Peace be upon him), says: ‘Whenever a hardship affects the Muslim, he will be forgiven for it even when he is picked by a spike.’ [Muslim]
And in another Hadith, also narrated by Muslim, Ummu as-Sa’ib cursed fever, to which the Prophet (Peace be upon him) told her: ‘Do not curse fever, for it takes away the sins like the blaze [fire] takes away the impurities of iron.’ The black women preferred the suffering of this world to getting the eternal reward of Paradise! She suffered from sickness, yet her pain and discomfort did not force her to forego pleasing Allah! And no matter who one is, if one is in the path of Allah, one will encounter difficulties, because Paradise is rounded by hardships. If things are easy and life is rosy, then one must check oneself; are we following the true Islam? Especially in this western environment it may be difficult for a young woman to wear the dress of modesty, the Hijab (even though it is mandatory), not to talk to men and keep away from them (which is also mandatory), except if necessary.
All these may be difficult to achieve for some in the beginning, but when one overcomes herself for the sake of Allah, then all the other obstacles become baseless. So, how to overcome oneself? By knowing Allah by His names and attributes; by loving and obeying Allah and His Messenger (Peace be upon him); and then the help of Allah will come, insha’Allah. She (the black woman) preferred being patient, but could not tolerate that her honor, her modesty and her chastity be damaged or even touched, nor that any part of her body be uncovered, though she had no control over it. Indeed she was a real slave and servant of Allah; she was a faithful, a believer, a Muslimah, a righteous and pious woman, a truthful woman, and she was loyal to Allah and His Messenger (Peace be upon him). Not only having these awe-inspiring qualities, she was also a wise and a great woman, as her memorable words rang …: ‘… but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allah for me that I may not become uncovered.’
If words are to be written in Gold, these words should be written in gold … Remember this simple equation:
Iman + Suffering + Patience = Paradise
It can also be inferred that the righteous Muslim woman inherently loves to be covered, loves modesty and chastity and hates revealing her body and her beauty. The black woman, could sustain being so sick but could not bear to be uncovered in front of people.
The issue, one must understand, is not of black or white or Arab or non-Arab, rich or poor, noble[with lineage] or not, it is rather of a creed so deeply rooted in the hearts of Muslims like blood flows in the arteries and veins of people. They are those who are totally committed to Islam. Fourteen Hundred years of history showed that Muslim women could sustain hunger, poverty, sickness but could never sustain disobeying Allah. The wife would tell her husband when leaving for work: ‘Fear Allah in us, for we can sustain hunger and thirst but we cannot sustain Hell fire [i.e. do not acquire unlawful earning].’
Dear sisters, ask yourself what made Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) be greeted by Allah and by Jibril. Ask yourself what made Khadijah be rewarded a Palace in Jannah as no one can imagine. Reading the biography of Khadijah and others like her in greatness, one would wish to be at their service; to carry their shoes, wash their clothes, to serve them in any possible way and get Du’a from them. It is sad that we just don’t know the great personalities of this Ummah. If only we strive to study the lives of the righteous that preceded us, we would find in them immense guidance for our existence, and if we know them and follow them we could be in the forefront of mankind …
It is said, ‘Iman (faith) is not by hope, it is rather what occurs in the heart and is proved by the deeds [maa waqa`a fil qalbi wa saddaqahul-`amal].’ We leave you to think about this and pray to Allah to make us all among the dwellers of Paradise and to bestow upon us the faith and the patience that lead us to Paradise. And to bless the present Muslim Ummah with many women like the black woman (may Allah be pleased with her), who help us focus on the straight path …
Source: www.islamswomen.com
The Islamic Perspective on Sex
August 14, 2008
Islam considers sex as one of the essential human needs that must be properly satisfied. It is a necessity of the human being that requires favorable consideration. In fact, Islam considers it one of the requirements of life that should be properly and lawfully satisfied. Moreover, Islam does not treat it as a distasteful, filthy, or heinous act of man.
Allah states in the Glorious Qur’an Surrah Al-Imran [The Family of Imran] (3:14):�Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons; heaped-uphoards of gold and silver; horses branded [for blood and excellence]; and [wealth of] cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world’s life; but in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals [to return to]�.
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
Three items of this world were made attracted [or likeable] to me: women, perfume [but] the [utmost] pleasure of my eyes [soul] is in prayer�.
In fact, Islam prohibits deprivation of the sexual behavior. This is, simply, because Islam is the natural religion commensurate to pure human innate. Islam does not, at any time, interfere with the requirements of the human’s needs or desires. It rather attempts to answer and fulfill all human needs and requirements, yet by setting certain lawful limits and restrictions to ensure satisfying these needs in a right and lawful manner. Islam endeavors to keep the sex within the framework of human needs and elevates it above the savage and uncivilized way.
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
“People enter Jannah, Paradise mostly based on Taqwa of Allah (respect and fear of Allah) full respect and obedience of the Commands of Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)], and based on their good conduct. [While] most people enter the Hellfire because of the [ill use] of the mouth and private parts�.
Islam sets the mode for the better advancement of man, if he follows the Islamic rules and God’s Commands on the subject. Islam looks at the proper (legal) use of the sex as an act of worship, (Ibadah). A Muslim would be rewarded when he practices this act, as he is rewarded when he does any other acts of worship.
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
[A Muslim] would have an intercourse with his spouse and would be rewarded for it. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked: Oh Messenger of Allah! A person would be rewarded while satisfying his sexual need? Prophet Mohammad replied: Yes. Isn’t it that he would be punished had he practiced sex illegally (not with his spouse)? The same applies if a Muslim practiced a lawful intercourse with his spouse. As such, he would be rewarded�.
In Islam, the only way allowed for satisfying the sexual desire is a lawful “marriage”. In fact, Islam urges Muslims to seek marriage.
Islam regards marriage as a natural necessity in order to achieve tranquility and peace of mind for the Muslim. To the society, Islam regards marriage as a place to foster love, affection, closeness. Further, Islam regards marriage as a requirement to maintain the human race. Also Islam regards marriage as a mean for better moral values, preservation of honor and dignity, and preservation of the moral values of the human society. Thus, neglecting marriage or rejecting it is regarded as a denial of all the normal human behaviors and pure code of social ethics”.
Hence, marriage in Islam is a way to reach tranquility and peace of mind.
Allah states in the Qur’an Surrah Al-Room (30:21):
�And among His Signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your [hearts]: verily in that are Signs for those who reflect�.
In fact marriage is essential to protect both spouses against indulgence in unlawful sexual practices that eventually leads to corruption and immoral acts [such as prostitution, fornication and adultery] in the Muslim society.
Prophet Mohammad has stressed that when he said:
There is no greater sin after the sin of associating partners with Allah than a man placing his semen in a womb [private part of a woman] that is unlawful for him to place(having sex with a woman that is not his wife)�.
source: www.therevival.co.uk via www.islamonline.com
By Imam Suhaib Webb
Imam al-Nawawi related the following:
“Purify your hearts [for the knowledge] the way land is purified for cultivation.”
Imam al-Shaf’i on Humility:
“None of you will seek this knowledge with a domineering attitude and exaggerated self worth, then succeed. However, one who seeks this knowledge, struggles with his/her soul, [enduring] strained provision and [struggles in the] service to the scholars is successful.”
I remember my Sheikh telling me: “My mother used to send me with gifts to my father. Although he was my father, she did this because, in reality, he was also my Sheikh. She did this so my knowledge would be blessed.”
I recall my teacher saying to me, when I tried to serve him, “I don’t want that type of service.” Then he paused and said, “But you need to do it. This is the way of blessing.”
Avoid Complaining, it is the Opposite of Shukur:
When we land overseas we must be very careful that our attitude is not what are these scholars going to do for us. Do not ask what your scholars can do for you, but what you can for your scholars.
Serve the ‘Ulema and treat them with respect.
Once a Sheikh from South Africa told me the following, “We had a very intelligent student with us. He was so gifted and one day he began to debate our teacher and was very rude with him. He won the debate, but our teacher turned to him and said, “If you are not careful, your knowledge will go un-blessed!” Suhaib, by Allah he was the most intelligent, gifted and bright student amongst us, however today he is working serving tea to people in the markets. All of that knowledge, all of that intelligence, and he is not asked by even one person a single question.”
Hardships:
Imam Malik said, “No one will attain this knowledge until he is afflicted with poverty that touches upon every aspect of his life.”
al-Shaf’i [may Allah have mercy upon him said], “No one will acquire this knowledge except the bankrupt.”
Once I came across some brothers in al-Azhar who told me about a brother who came to study in Egypt. He was very poor and his mother’s goal was for her son to become an Azhari. With no way to purchase the ticket for the trip, his mother sold her house in order to send him! I’ve meet a large number of brothers and sisters here who haven’t seen their families in 6-7 years. I knew some sisters who sold food in order to stay in Egypt and complete their masters in Shari’ah. It is these efforts, these struggles which plant the seeds for the future.
My Sheikh told me: “When I was young I remember seeing the brothers out at night under the street lights until late. Later on I realized that they were memorizing the Qur’an and had no electricity in their homes.”
Once one of the Shanaqita told me, “You memorize the Qur’an in your nice homes. I memorized it by the camp fire! You, Westerners go for fun to Disney Land. We used to spend our time making tafsir!”
My Sheikh told me, “I remember when I as young and the Shanaqitah would come with their kids to our city. I saw their kids playing by making ‘Irab of the language!”
I knew a student of knowledge who came to Egypt and was homeless! He used to attend classes in the day and sell watches at night. When he wanted to splurge on himself he would go, once a week, and buy Koshari. [equal to a $1.00 meal]
Western Muslims have a great opportunity since the have been blessed with wealth. However, how many times have blessings, as Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned, become trials?
The Poet wrote:
قد ينعم الله بالبلوى وإن عظمت……… ويبتلي الله بعض القوم بالنعم
Perhaps Allah will bless with trials, even if abundant………. and perhaps He will try some people with blessings!
Avoiding Hatred and Jealousy:
It moves through us like our blood. Raised on WWE, Kimbo Slice and the Gladiator, Western Muslims are prone to make studying out into an epic adventure the likes of the Lord of the Rings. However, we are all, for some strange reason, the heroes and never the bad guys? I’ve experienced this a lot here and I’m sad to say that there are problems amongst us that I would have never imagined. Let’s move beyond these things and realize that what holds us together is stronger than what pulls us apart. This is a very serious disease of the heart and its cure, as Sidi Zaroq mentioned, in his famous principles on tasawwuf, is to do the opposite. This was also the statement of Sh. Bin ‘Uthyamin who said that the way to destroy this is to act on its opposite. Let us pray for each other, work to facilitate each others affairs and remove these evil shadowy feelings in our hearts. If not, the outcome of our knowledge will be tainted and our time spent will not be complete.
Summer Break: Know that you Don’t Know
Let us take the time, oh students of knowledge, to humble ourselves. Many of us are going back for the summer. When we get back, let’s not impose, nor direct others. We’ve spent a year or so learning, now lets spend the summer learning humility, respect and mercy. The art is not mastered by knowing, it is mastered by knowing that you don’t know. For that reason the scholars said: “I don’t know” is half of knowledge.
Often times when we go back we run into conflicts with other scholars, imams and activist in the community. Let us understand that our goals are the same, our destination is one and we need each other to arrive at, “And to your Lord is the ending.” We are not going back as the latest upgrade to ImamVirus 2009 Plus. We need to be humble. If we hear things that are wrong, let’s check ourselves and make sure we are hearing with our hearts that are clean and not with the deaf ear of arrogance and conceit. The same holds true for the masses, perhaps people will say things that, according to an Azhari, are out there, make no sense and, perhaps, are un-orthodox. Subhanallah! We ourselves have troubles, struggle to encompass the knowledge and expect people who sit 40 hours a week in front of an office desk, or burning paratas to know these things. Allah says that the Disciples of Jesus said, “Can your Lord send a table from the heavens?” This is a question that, on the surface, amounts to a major mistake in creed. None can say about Allah, “Can He do….” because He is Allah. However, as al-Qurtubi mentioned, some scholars stated that this question was acceptable because these people had just accepted Islam. If this was the case of those who lived and walked with a great Messenger of Allah, what of those who’s secretaries look like Beyonce, are struggling to raise their kid, pay the bills and keep their marriages together? Let us remember to “lower your wings to the believers” exercise humility and teach with the caress of a loving father.
Allah knows best
www.suhaibwebb.com
Want a House in Paradise?
June 28, 2008
I have not done too many posts on hadith reflections (though I have done a couple, see: http://mustaqeem.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/the-seven-under-the-shade-of-allah/ and http://mustaqeem.wordpress.com/2008/03/30/are-we-the-people-this-hadith-is-referring-to/), but I really have started to love the following hadith and I feel it is something that we need to incorporate into our everyday lives if we want to be successful.
Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “I guarantee a house in Jannah (Paradise) for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a house in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even when joking / for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners.” [narrated by Abu Dawud]
The breakdown:
- for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right
So basically any house in paradise is amazing even if it is in the lowest parts of paradise for we know we will not be jealous of one another in paradise, insh’Allah.
Imam Shafii (rahimullah) stated, “I have never disputed anyone in order to overcome him, and whenever I dispute anyone, I love that the truth should become manifest at his hands.” Look at the wisdom of Imam Shafii, he would love to lose a debate as long as the truth prevailed! Subhan’Allah, many of us become a part of some movement and we defend our stances even if we know we are wrong. Are we to be given a house in paradise then?
Imam Shafii further stated, “I debated a scholar and beat him. Then I debated a layman and that layman beat me – he had no knowledge of the principles and texts. I had nothing to say.”
Nowadays, knowledge is only with few as the one of the signs of the Day of Judgement is that knowledge will be lost. Therefore, my brother or sister in Islam, avoid confrontation and debating.
- for one who abandons lying even when joking / for the sake of fun
People love to joke and have fun. However, Rasoolullah (SAW) stated “If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.” Laughing and joking in Islam are, of course, permissible, but to an extent.
Imaam al-Nawawi (rahimullah) said: “The kind of joking which is forbidden is that which is excessive and persistent, for it leads to too much laughter and hardening of the heart, it distracts from remembrance of Allaah, and it often leads to hurt feelings, generates hatred and causes people to lose respect and dignity. But whoever is safe from such dangers, then that which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to do is permissible for him.”
Joking and laughter has its limits and one of those limits is that we do not lie when we joke.
- for one who has good manners
Good manners were studied by the scholars of the past twice as long as knowledge was. Indeed, one’s manners can be the means by which one has a house in the highest part of paradise! What is our relationship with our parents, with our friends, with ourselves, and most importantly, with ALLAH?
Subhana’Allah, many people exert poor manners when they are trying to prove something and their entire message is lost in their actions. I want to give a small personal example that irritates me. Many people put the mus’haf on the ground and though this may be something that is permissible (Allahu Alim), but we should not do it out of respect for kalaam Allah (the Speech of Allah – the Quran). We should respect our hearts out with the Quran. We should love the Quran and not let it sit on the ground when we are not reading it. Furthermore, out of respect for the Quran, we should not have ayaats of it scribbled on our clothing or on some necklase that we wear, but we should recite it more than anything. This gives the proper respect to the Quran.
Another example that can be used is how we enter the masjid. There is no specific hadith that says enter the masjid with the right foot (as far I know), but we know of the hadith that says to enter the bathroom with the left foot. From this hadith and out of respect for the place we worship Allah, we should enter the masjid with our right foot, if possible. I know of a couple brothers who would enter the masjid specifically with the left foot to make a point. This is not respect. Respect is something we, as Muslims, need to work on.
The good in this article is from Allah and the bad is from me and the rejected shaytaan.
May Allah SWT guide us all to the truth. Ameen.
