You won’t be able appreciate the importance of Allaah’s Favors till you have tasted the adversities

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

 

Allaah تعالى says:

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّـهِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّـهِ قَرِيبٌ

{Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said: “When (will come) the Help of Allaah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allaah is near!}

[Surah al-Baqarah (2): 214]

 

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله:

❝This is from the perfection of the Lord’s Favors and Blessings that He تعالى makes His slave taste the bitterness of being broken down into fragments before making him taste the sweetness of relief and reparation. Allaah تعالى makes the person know the extent of His Favors upon him by testing him with the opposite (i.e. by taking away the Favors). Like when how He سبحانه وتعالى wished to complete for Aadam the pleasure and delight of Paradise; He تعالى made him taste the bitterness of being expelled from the Jannah and made him suffer in this abode (earth), in which prosperity and pleasure are blended in with hardships and tribulations.

So, He تعالى does breakdown His Believing slave except to mend him, and He تعالى does not prevent from him except to give it to him, and He تعالى does not afflict him (with sickness) except to heal him, and He تعالى does not cause him to die except to resurrect him, and He تعالى does not constrict for him the Dunya except to make him yearn more for the Hereafter, and He تعالى does not test him with people’s rudeness except to make him turn towards Him سبحانه وتعالى.❞

[مختصر الصواعق المرسلة 1/306]

Be Different From Animals in Prayers

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Part #1:

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله:

The Prophet ﷺ forbade from imitating the animals while in prayers. For he ﷺ forbade from kneeling like a camel [1], and from looking here and there like a fox [2], and resting (spreading the forearms) on the ground like a wild beast [3], and squatting like a dog [4], and pecking like a crow [5], and from raising the hands like wild horses while concluding the Salaah with the Tasleem [6]. The actions of the one who is praying are different from the actions of the animals.

[Zaad al-Ma`aad (1/217-218)]

Police Brutality: A Legacy Of Shame!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

There is a continuous rise in police brutality everywhere around the world, especially in the power-hungry “democratic” (democrazy) countries of the world, the US, France, India, Russia, Philippines, etc., and new laws are being introduced to give the police officers more authority and immunity from criminal prosecution. These laws are being introduced especially to suppress the voice of the oppositions, and to oppress the minorities, without the fear of any repercussion or backlash from the public. There is more police brutality in the “democratic” countries than anywhere else. The systematic oppression and killing of the African-Americans and Native-Americans in the US, the pogroms and extrajudicial punishments against the Muslims in India, Burma (Myanmar) and China, and racial attacks on the minorities in different parts of the world are being carried out with the help of the police and army personnel. The people (police) who are supposed to uphold the law and maintain peace and security are the ones who are the worst in torturing the minorities. In many of these countries, torturing the poor has no consequences. 

All this was prophesied by the Prophet ﷺ 1400 years ago, and a severe punishment awaits these perpetrators in the Hereafter.

Religion Misunderstood (Poem)

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد 

This is a poem about the mental condition and the understanding of the religion by many who claim to be practicing Islaam. This is based on an Urdu poem by the prose writer, Altaf Hussain Haali. His book, “Mussadas-e-Haali” was the most famous book of the 20th century in Muslims of India during the reign of the British. The book examines the state of social and moral degradation prevalent in the contemporary Muslim society, for it contained the mistakes and the reasons for the downfall of the Muslim empire in India. This book was used for upraising the morale of Muslims. But in our age this is not limited to India alone, this can be widely applied everywhere, throughout the world, wherever the Muslims live. (Disclaimer: This is not an exact translation but I relied on that extensively with a few additions and modifications).

Ruling on removing the pebbles and fixing the prayer rug more than once in prayer

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In this period of Covid-19, where people have been instructed to bring their own prayer rugs to the Masaajid, as one of the means to control the spread of this virus, some have been observed to fix their prayer rugs over and over again while in prayer or during the Jumu`ah Khutbah (Friday sermon). If a person fixes his prayer rug or removes the pebbles before starting the prayer, then there is nothing wrong with that, but this unnecessary action during the prayer and during the Khutbah is disliked. The only exception is that if he can’t help it and he feels like he needs to fix his prayer rug while in prayer, then he may do so only once. This is based on the following Ahaadeeth and the explanation by the Scholars of this Ummah.

Takhbeeb: A punishable offense which goes unnoticed

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Except for Islaam, there is no other religion, society, or country that makes Takhbeeb an offense punishable by law. Since it is not mentioned in the Western world, many people, including many Muslims, are unaware of this word, “Takhbeeb” and the ruling concerning it. Islaam outlawed this crime 1400 years ago, and it took many precautions in this regard, it made it obligatory for both men and women to lower their gaze, it prohibited free-mixing between men and women, and it prohibited seclusion between a man and a woman who are not related, it prohibited improper clothing, it defined the dress codes for men and women, Hijaab, etc.

Some things corrupt a person’s marital life while he is unaware. It works like a hidden poison. This poison (a crime) is known as Takhbeeb: the act of corrupting or instigating the wife against her husband or the husband against his wife; and it is punishable by law.

To know what Takhbeeb means and who are the people involved, and how can they influence, kindly click the below link to download the pdf:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hUNBM76-wBNfypWu7FWdT8nMszfy0eL0/view?usp=sharing

or

https://www.scribd.com/document/473834412/Takhbeeb

What a delight! How beautiful it is! And How amazing! (Yaum al-Nahr)

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The sight of spilling of blood and its gushing out on the Day of `Eid. That is a sight when a slave (of Allaah) honors the Symbol from the Symbols of Allaah (by offering the sacrifice). And honoring the Symbols of Allaah is a sign of a righteous heart.

ذَٰلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّـهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ

{That is (so). And whosoever honors the Symbols of Allaah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart.}

[Surah al-Hajj (22): 32]

What is better, Takbeeraat or reciting the Qur'aan in Dhul-Hijjah?

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

What is better, reciting the Qur’aan or saying the Takbeeraat in the first 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah and the days of Tashreeq (the three days following Eid al-Adhha, i.e. 11th, 12th, 13th of Dhul-Hijjah)?

FIRST: People often make a comparison between the recitation of the Qur’aan and doing Dhikr, which they should not be doing. There is nothing that can be compared to the recitation of the Qur’aan, and as the Prophet ﷺ had said, the best Speech is the Book of Allaah.

The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: 

❝The best talk (speech) is Allaah’s Book (the Qur’aan), and the best way (for guidance) is the way of Muhammad, and the worst matters are the heresies (those new things which are introduced into the religion).❞

[Saheeh Muslim]

Moreover, the recitation of the Qur’aan itself is Dhikr (remembrance of Allaah). 

Furthermore, and the words of Dhikr are from the Qur’aan itself as the Prophet ﷺ had said:

Samurah Ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: 

❝The best talk after the Qur’aan – and it is from the Qur’aan – are four, and it doesn’t matter with which you begin:

سُبْحَانَ اللهِ 

Subhaan-Allaah (Glory is to Allaah), 

وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ

wal-hamdu-lillaah (praise is to Allaah), 

وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ

wa laa ilaaha illallaah (none has the right to be worshiped but Allaah), 

وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ

wa Allaahu Akbar (and Allaah is the Most Great).❞

[Musnad Ahmad (20223) and the wording is his, Saheeh Muslim (2137), Sunan Ibn Maajah (3811)]

SECOND: In general, the precedence is given to the recitation of the Qur’aan and the contemplation of its meaning, then to Dhikr (remembrance of Allaah), and then Du`aa (supplication). 

The recitation of the Qur’aan is general, meaning one can recite the Qur’aan at any time. But as for Dhikr, there are certain Dhikr which are bounded by time and place. So, preference is given to the actions which have been specifically mentioned for that period of time or place. Therefore, in these days saying the Takbeer should be given precedence as this has been recorded from the actions of the Sahaabah and the Salaf.

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله mentioned that Ibn `Umar and Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنهما used to go out to the market place and say aloud: “ALLAAHU AKBAR, ALLAAHU AKBAR” and the people would emulate them.

And Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله had said: ❝Preference should be given to saying the Takbeer, but if one recites the Qur’aan then no one should stop him or criticize him, because the Qur’aan is Dhikr, rather the best of Dhikr. But saying the Takbeer has been specifically assigned for this period, whereas the recitation of the Qur’aan is for all time (and not bounded or limited by time).❞ – end of quote.

In the end, the best is to combine between all the different acts of `Ibaadah, and a person should spend some time in reciting the Qur’aan, then doing Dhikr and making Du`aa.

And Allaah is the One who grants success.

Hypocrisy: A Brief Description

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Hypocrisy, like Kufr and Shirk, has different levels and grades, which may take a person out of Islaam and which may not.

 

Hypocrisy is of two types: Major and Minor.

 

Win the hearts and attack them when they're the least expecting (Part 2/2)

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

...Either through direct preaching or through entertainment. 

Part #2 (Entertainment) 

Entertainment in the name of Islaam is another sickness plaguing the Muslim Ummah.

The first Aayah and Command that was revealed was to READ, but many amongst us don't want to read. There are many educated ignorant amongst us; educated in the terms of worldly knowledge, but ignorant when it comes to religious knowledge. As Allaah تعالى says: 

Win the hearts and attack them when they're the least expecting (Part 1/2)

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

...Either through direct preaching or through entertainment.

 Part #1 (Direct preaching)

 We have learned from our scholars and the Salaf that if an innovator would come directly with his Bid`ah (religious innovation), people would run away from him. So, they disguise themselves as pious, well-wishers, sincere advisors etc. And the first one to play this role was Iblees himself: 

Errors in the movie: "The Message"

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

It’s been 40+ years since the movie: “The Message” was released. Even though the senior scholars from Saudi Arabia and some scholars from Azhar (Egypt) in the past spoke against its release, yet it has remained widely in circulation in the Muslim world. For many, this movie is and was the only source of learning the Seerah (the biography) of the Prophet ﷺ. Many things in this movie have been portrayed which are factually untrue, or based on Weak and fabricated narrations, or exaggerated to say the least.

This movie is again making a comeback due to recent praise by some “famous personality”, saying that this is the best movie according to him even if it is not 100% Halaal.

Is it “Du`aa” (supplication) or “Dhikr” (remembrance of Allaah)?

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

In regards to the saying after breaking the Fast, the following authentic Hadeeth is being circulated as a “Du`aa”:

Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما said that the Prophet ﷺ said when he broke his fast:

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

❝The thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if Allaah Wills.❞

[Sunan Abu Dawood (2357), Sunan al-Kubraa of al_nasaa’ee (3315, 10058), Mustdrak al-Haakim (1536), Sunan al-Daraqutnee (2279) and he graded it as “Hasan”, and also graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Irwaa’ (920)]

But is it actually a “Du`aa” or a “Dhikr”?

1) As mentioned in Sharh Usool al-Thalaathah, Du`aa are of two types: Du`aa for asking (دعاء المسألة) and Du`aa for worship (دعاء العبادة).

The 5 reasons for the downfall of the Ummah

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

It was narrated that Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما said: The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: ❝When you enter into `Eenah transactions ^[1], take hold of the tails of cattle ^[2], and are content with farming ^[3], and you forsake Jihaad ^[4], Allaah will cause humiliation to prevail over you ^[5] and He will not withdraw it until you return to your religion ^[6].❞

[Musnad Ahmad (4987) and Sunan Abu Dawood (3462) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (11)]

Notes:

[1] “`Eenah” (العينة): It is an illusionary transaction in which some people engage to conceal the Ribaa (usury/interest) dealings. The contract appears to be a “buying and selling” contract, whereas in reality, it is just Ribaa, and the transaction is just a cover-up. 

Do not be hasty in interpreting Dreams!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

1. If a person has in fact not seen the dream, but he is only making it up from himself, then this is a major sin and the worst type of lying:

Narrated Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما: Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ said:

“The worst lie is that a person claims to have seen a dream which he has not seen.”

📚 [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7043)]