Love, as a verb

‘Why is it that I don’t feel any love for my grandparents or other close relatives, or for that matter even my spouse?’ If that’s a question that lingers in your mind, you need to look at ‘love’ from a different perspective.

Instead of considering it an emotion (noun), consider it something you gotta do (verb). And look at how your relationships change. So, when you love (as a verb) people who matter, you will serve, sacrifice, and be sincere to them. You’ll develop a sense of selflessness and devotion.

But before we get there, we need to make sure our intentions are right. Read the Qur’anic verses and the statements of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that emphasize the importance of upholding kinship ties. Be encouraged by the abundant reward Allah has promised for those who maintain ties and serve people.


“And worship Allah alone, and do not set-up any partner to Him in worship, and be kind and good to the parents, and to the relatives.” (Qur’an, 4:36)


The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari, 8/73, no. 13)

In another narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights in Allah’s Cause, or like him who performs prayers all the night and fasts all the day.” (Al-Bukhari, 7/64, no. 265)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Any woman who dies while her husband is pleased with her, she will enter Paradise.” (Al-Tirmidhi)


Al-Aswad Bin Yazid asked Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her), “What did the Prophet use to do at home?” She said, “He used to work for his family, and when he heard the Adhan, he would go out.” (Al-Bukhari, 7/64, no. 276)

Indeed, the Prophet’s life (peace be upon him) is an example for all people to come. He lived the Qur’an. The Sahabah strove to implement these teachings. Caliph Umar would sweep the floor of the mosque. Abu Bakr would cook and feed the blind old lady. Their lives tell us how they loved their people. They strove in selflessness. The Sahabah gave food to the guests while keeping their own children hungry.

Our world today teaches us to be selfish and materialistic. We hardly tolerate our loved ones, let alone serve them. The pursuit of luxury, wealth, and more wealth has clouded our purpose of life and sense of what happiness is. While career and earning money is required to feed our families, it should by no means become an obsession. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And I created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures). Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong.” (Qur’an, 51:56-58)


Our provision has been written down. It is Allah who provides us. Yes, we must seek it, but it’s Allah who provides. Knowing this should free up our mind so we could focus on the thing that matters, i.e. the purpose of life, the worship of Allah.

As Muslims, we submit to our Creator. We seek His Pleasure in what we do and we follow His Guidance. It is only that life that brings true joy to the heart and fills us with contentment, as opposed to a life of greed and dissatisfaction.

So, love with all passion and selflessness, but only and only for the sake of Allah. It is only then that you’ll taste the sweetness of that missing feeling.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith: 1. The one to whom Allah and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else; 2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah’s sake; 3. Who hates to revert to (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire.” (Al-Bukhari, 1/2, no. 15)

- by Faraz Omar

Salaah

We know that salah is fard–the 5x daily prayers–and that the reward of doing so is great, and the sin of doing so are terrible. Hellfire, punishment on the Day of Judgment, punishment in this life, all these things are but possibilities.

But let’s take a look at a slightly different angle: scholars. What’s the position of the scholars on someone who doesn’t pray?

The position of all four madhaahib–Maliki, Shafi’ee, Hanbali, and Hanafi–with no difference of opinion–is that a person who does not pray, ever, is not a Muslim.

Think about that. Not a Muslim. Not anyone who has a chance of Paradise.


Why? There’s a very explicit hadith on this–the hadith of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم):

The contract between us and them is salaah. Whoever leaves it, he has disbelieved (fa qad kafara).

This is a very direct, explicit hadith–salaah is the contract, part of the mithaaq, the original contract, with Allah that all humans took. And this is only one of the explicit ahadith like this.

What’s more, it was inconceivable in the time of the sahaba that someone could be a “Muslim” and not pray. It just doesn’t make sense.

On al Israa wal Miraaj journey Allah took his beloved prophet to the seventh heaven—a place not even angel Gibreel could enter. In the Prophet’s mission on earth, every instruction, every commandment was sent down through angel Gibreel. But, there was one commandment that was not. There was one commandment so important, that rather than sending angel Gibreel down with it, Allah brought the Prophet up to Himself.

That commandment was salah (prayer). When the Prophet was first given the command to pray, it was to be fifty times in a day. After asking Allah to make it easier, the commandment was eventually reduced to five times a day, with the reward of the fifty.

Reflecting upon this incident scholars have explained that the process of going from fifty to five was a deliberate one, intended to teach us the true place salah should hold in our lives. Imagine for a moment actually praying fifty times a day. Would we be able to do anything else but pray? No. And that’s the point. What greater way than that to illustrate our life’s true purpose? As if to say, salah is our real life; all the rest that we fill our day with…just motions.

And yet, we live as if it’s exactly the opposite. Salah is something we squeeze into our day, when we find time—if that. Our ‘lives’ don’t revolve around salah. Salah revolves around our ‘lives.’ If we’re in class, salah is an afterthought. If we’re at the mall, the Macy’s sale is more urgent. Something is seriously wrong when we put aside the very purpose of our existence in order to watch a basketball game.

And that is for those who even pray at all. There are those who have not only put aside their life’s purpose, they have abandoned it completely. What we often don’t realize about the abandonment of salah is this: No scholar has ever held the opinion that committing zina (fornication) makes you a disbeliever. No scholar has ever held the opinion that stealing, drinking or taking drugs makes you a disbeliever. No scholar has even claimed that murder makes you a non-Muslim. But, about salah, some scholars have said he who abandons it, is no longer Muslim. This is said based on ahadith such as this one:

“The covenant between us and them is prayer, so if anyone abandons it, he has become a disbeliever.” [Ahmad]

Imagine an act so egregious that the prophet would speak about it is such a way. Consider for a moment what satan did wrong. He didn’t refuse to believe in Allah. He refused to make one sajdah. Just one. Imagine all the sajdahs we refuse to make.

Consider the seriousness of such a refusal. And yet, think how lightly we take the matter of salah. Salah is the first thing we will be asked about on the Day of Judgment, and yet it is the last thing that on our mind. The Prophet said: “The first thing which will be judged among a man’s deeds on the Day of Resurrection is the Prayer. If this is in good order then he will succeed and prosper but if it is defective then he will fail and will be a loser.” [Tirmidhi]

On that Day, the people of paradise will ask those who have entered Hell-fire, why they have entered it. And the Quran tells us exactly what their first response will be: ”What led you into Hell Fire? They will say: ‘We were not of those who prayed.’”
(Qur’an, 74:42-43)

How many of us will be among those who say “we were not of those who prayed, or we were not of those who prayed on time, or we were not of those who made prayer any priority in our lives?” Why is it that if we’re in class or at work or fast asleep at the time of fajr and we need to use the restroom, we make time for that? In fact, the question almost sounds absurd. We don’t even consider it an option not to. And even if we were taking the most important exam of our lives, when we need to go, we will go. Why? Because the potentially mortifying consequences of not going, makes it a non-option.

There are many people who say they don’t have time to pray at work or school, or while they’re out. But how many have ever said they don’t have time to go to the bathroom, so while out, at work or school have opted instead to just wear Depends? How many of us just don’t feel like waking up at Fajr time if we need to use the bathroom, and choose instead to wet our bed? The truth is we’ll get out of bed, or leave class, or stop work, to use the bathroom, but not to pray.

It sounds comical, but the truth is we put the needs of our body above the needs of our soul. We feed our bodies, because if we didn’t, we’d die. But so many of us starve our souls, forgetting that if we are not praying our soul is dead. And ironically, the body that we tend to is only temporary, while the soul that we neglect is eternal.



Action Items:
* Make Tawbah. Whether you pray regularly or not, if you’ve missed prayers in your past, make wudoo and pray two rakaahs of tawbah for that. And be optimistic–insha’Allah Allah WILL forgive you!

* Hit the Minimum 5x/day. If you don’t pray your 5x daily prayers, start. Right now. Today. Praying is difficult at first, but over time, it becomes easier. Pick up prayers one at a time, whatever you can do, until you’re at least covering the daliy five consistently.

* Add Sunnah/Nafl Prayers. If you already have your five covered, alhamdulillah, start adding the sunnahs–starting with the two before Fajr, and with salaat-ul-Witr. Those are the best. Then gradually add more. Add Tahajjud, if you’re already praying all the sunnah prayers. The sunnahs are like a shield that protect your fard prayers; if you always pray them, in the worst case, you might skip one or two–but if you only pray fard, those are the first to go.

* Reflect on the Reward and the Punishment. If you didn’t know, for every fard action, Allah rewards you. Think about THAT. You’re actually getting some ajr! And reflect on the punishment of not praying, ever–capital. YOU might be praying, but you probably know someone in your family (near or extended), who doesn’t. Advise them gently.

Prayer (Salaah) is one of the most important pillars of Islam, second only to the Shahaadah.

Yet, there are innumerable excuses we come up with, to not pray, either on time or not pray at all.

Some of the most common excuses are:



Excuse #1:Allah is al-Ghafoor ar-Raheem. He will forgive me.

Reply: Yes, surely Allaah is al-Ghafoor ar-Raheem but, did you forget, O Muslim, that He also said that He is ash-Shadeed ul-Iqaab (severe in punishment).

"And fear Allaah much and know that Allaah is Severe in punishment." (Surah al-Baqarah:196)

And the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The covenant that stands between us and them (non-Muslims) is prayer; whoever gives up prayer is a kaafir." (Tirmidhi, al-Nasaa'i, Ibn Maajah--saheeh ).



Excuse #2: I know I have to pray, but I am too tired/lazy.

Reply: Praying Salaat at its proper appointed times is an obligation on every single person. Whoever deliberately misses a prayer exposes himself to the wrath of Allaah, and the wise believer does not do something which he knows could result in punishment.

Just look at what the people of Hell will say when asked:

"What has caused you to enter Hell?" They will say: "We were not among those who prayed (Salaat)." [Surah al-Muddaththir:42-43]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Between a man and kufr and shirk, there stands his giving up prayer." (Muslim)

Ibn Mas'ood said: "No one keeps away from the prayer except a hypocrite who is known for his hypocrisy." (Muslim)



Excuse #3: I am SO busy at work, I don't have time to pray.

Reply: So you mean to tell me that you can't take out even a few minutes out of the whole 24 hours to worship the very One Who created you in the first place?? You mean you don't have time to thank the Lord of the worlds for everything He's given you.....ALL His blessings?? What kind of ungrateful soul are you??!!

And if He wanted to take all these blessings away from you, is there anything, anything you could do?!!



"Men whom neither trade nor business diverts from the remembrance of Allaah nor from performing As-Salaat nor from giving Zakaat; they fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection).That Allaah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace. And Allaah provides without measure to whom He wills." [Surah al-Noor:37-38]



Excuse #4: I pray; I just delay it until it is convenient for me or I pray it Qadaa.

Reply: You should understand that delaying prayer beyond the time when it is due is a major sin, because Allaah says:



"Verily, As-Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours." [Surah al-Nisa':103]

And Allaah says:



"So woe unto those performers of Salaah (prayers). Those who delay their Salaah (prayer from their stated fixed times)." [Surah al-Maa'oon :4,5]



Excuse #5: I pray the 4 prayers. I only miss Fajr because I have to do Ghusl.

Reply: Allaah has enjoined upon you and me the FIVE prayers, NOT FOUR. How can a Muslim willingly expose himself to the wrath of Allaah and His punishment, just because he finds it difficult to do ghusl? In fact, it is NOT difficult to do ghusl, it is VERY easy, apart from the tricks that the Shaytaan tries to play on people. Allaah is talking to you and me when He says:

"Enter completely in Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islamic religion)." [Baqarah :208]



"Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salaat with all solemnity and full submissiveness...' [al-Mu'minoon:1-2]



"And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory) Salawaat (at their fixed stated hours)." [al-Mu'minoon 23:9]



Excuse #6: My position/boss/studies/does not allow me.

Reply: Remember that the Prophet (pbuh) mentioned prayer one day and said: "Whoever observes it regularly, it will be light and a proof and salvation on the Day of Resurrection, and whoever does not observe it regularly, it will not be a light or a proof or salvation for him, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be with Qaroon, Fir'aun, Hamaan and Ubayy ibn Khalaf." (Ahmad).

Ibn al-Qayyim said: These four people are mentioned because they are the leaders of kufr. This makes an important point about the one who does not observe regular prayer, whether that is because he is distracted by his wealth, his power, his position of leadership or his business. The one who is distracted from it by his wealth will be with Qaroon; the one who is distracted by his power will be with Fir'aun; the one who is distracted by his position of leadership will be with Hamaan and the one who is distracted by his business will be with Ubayy ibn Khalaf."



Excuse #7: If I pray, I will be fired from my job!

Reply: Remember that it is not your boss, but Allaah that provides RIZQ for you and me. If this job is keeping you away from the most important duty as a Muslim, is this job really worth it? And whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better than that.



"And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things." [Talaaq:2-3]



Excuse #8: I want to pray but my children are so young I can't leave them and pray

Reply: "O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allaah. And whosoever does that, then they are the LOSERS." (Surah al-Munaafiqoon:9)



Excuse #9: I can't pray at my job/school/public place. I am too embarrassed /they will think I am a TERRORIST!

Reply: How can a Muslim feel embarrassed about proclaiming the truth and worshipping his Lord openly, hastening to fulfill the command of Allaah at the time when Allaah has said it is to be done? Also, if you uphold your duty to pray, Allaah will never let you down. He is the one to protect you and save you from all harm, no matter what anyone tries to plot against you. Remember that the one who is protected by Allaah, NO ONE CAN HARM.



"Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer- verily, to him We will give a good life, and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do." [Surah al-Nahl:97]



Excuse #10: If I pray, people will think that I show off. So I don't pray.

Reply: Just as the Shaytaan comes to the Muslim to make him admire his actions and show off to people, sometimes he uses the opposite trick and makes a person think that he is showing off while fulfilling his relogious obligations, so that he will not do it. So just ignore these whisperings from the Shaytaan and don't let him keep you away from this major Ibadah. DO NOT let him win.

Ibraaheem al-Nakhaa'i said: "If the Shaytaan comes to you when you are praying and says, 'You are showing off', then you should make it even longer..."

"And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytaan, then seek refuge with Allaah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower." [Surah al-Aa'raaf:200]



Excuse #11: I have made/am making so many mistakes in my life, it is no use for me to pray. Allaah will never forgive me.

Reply: Now, this is another one of the tricks of Shaytaan.He does not want you to do Tawbah, because he knows, if you sincerely repent to Allaah for ALL that you have done, Allaah WILL FORGIVE YOU.

Allaah encourages us to do tauba when He said: "Say: 'O My slaves, who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah al-Zumar:53]

Subhaan Allaah! How Forgiving is our Rabb and how Merciful!

Isn't this Ayah enough, even for the worst of sinners among us?

And remember, doing good deeds wipes out sins.

"And perform As-Salaah, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory prayers]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds." [Surah Hood:114]



Excuse #12: I don't pray, but I have a good heart. I am a good person and I never hurt anyone.

Reply: The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." (Tabarani).

So no matter what good deeds you did in this dunya, if you didn't pray, nothing will count or even be accepted.....no zakaah, no fasting, no Hajj, no nothing.

"Whoever does not pray 'Asr, his good deeds will be annulled." (Bukhaari).



Excuse #13: But, I pray every Jumuah. Isn't that enough?

Reply: With regard to the ruling on one who prays Jumu'ah only, some of the scholars are of the view that one who prays Jumu'ah only is a kaafir, because he comes under the same ruling as one who does not pray at all, because he prays only one of the thirty-five prayers required each week, so he is like one who does not pray at all. (Fatawa Shaykh ibn Baaz and Ibn Uthaymeen).

Some scholars said that he is not a kaafir but he is committing a great sin that is worse than riba (usury), adultery, stealing, drinking alcohol etc.



Excuse #14: My spouse/parents don't pray. Why should I??

Reply: Just because your family does something sinful, does not mean that you do the same. Remember, they will NOT be there to save you when Allaah will ask YOU about YOUR Salaah. In fact, your duty is to call them to Allah by advising them and setting a good example for them to follow.



"And enjoin al-Salaah on your family, and be patient in offering them [the prayers]. We ask not of you a provision; We provide for you. And the good end (Paradise) is for the muttaqoon (pious)." [Ta-Ha:132]



Excuse #15: I will pray when I am older/after Hajj/ Ramadhan.

Reply: Do you want to be from these people that Allaah is talking about??

"Then, there has succeeded them a generation who have given up As-Salaah and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell." [Maryam:59]

And, how do you know you will live to be older? Or live until Hajj or Ramadhaan??

What if you die tomorrow?? What if it was today???



CONCLUSION:

There can be no excuses as far as Salaah is concerned. We have to pray all the five prayers and all of them on time.

"O you who believe! Fear Allaah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)."

[ al-Tawbah:119]



"Guard strictly the (five obligatory) prayers, especially the middle Salaat (˜Asr). And stand before Allaah with obedience."

[Surah al-Baqarah 2:238]



If you are beginning your journey for life success - your work, studies, marriage, dream job, or working on any of your dream you have in your life - begin that journey by making “Perfecting Salah” - one of your main life goals, and revolve your life around “Salah”.

Indeed this is the path to true life success and within days, you will begin to make a difference - in your life and the life of those around you.

May Allah accept.

Controlling one's emotions

By Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni

Emotions flare up for two reasons: either for joy or for inner
Pain. In a hadith, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:

"Verily, I have been prohibited from emitting two foolish and wicked sounds, one that is emitted when something favorable happens, and the other that is expressed when calamity strikes."

In order that you may not be sad over matters that you fail to get, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you. (Qur'an 57: 23)

For this reason, the Prophet (bpuh) said:

"Verily, true patience is that which is displayed during the initial shock."

Therefore, when one contains his emotions upon both the joyful and the calamitous occasion, he is likely to achieve peace and tranquility, happiness and comfort, and the taste of triumph over his own self. Allah described man as being exultant and boastful, irritable, discontented when evil touches him, and niggardly when good touches him. The exceptions, Allah informed us, are those who remain constant in prayer. For they are on a middle path in times of both joy and sorrow. They are thankful during times of ease and are patient during times of hardship.

Unbridled emotions can greatly wear a person out, causing pain and loss of sleep. When such a person becomes angry, he flares up, threatens others, loses all self-control, and surpasses the boundaries of justice and balance. Meanwhile, if he becomes happy, he is in a state of rapture and wildness. In his intoxication of joy, he forgets himself and surpasses the bounds of modesty. When he renounces and relinquishes the company of others, he disparages them, forgetting their virtues while stamping out their good qualities. On the other hand, if he loves others, then he spares no pains in according them all forms of veneration and honor, portraying them as being the pinnacles of perfection. The Prophet (bpuh) said:

"Love the one who is beloved to you in due moderation, for perhaps the day will come when you will abhor him. And hate the one whom you detest in due moderation, for perhaps the day will arrive when you will come to love him."

And in another hadith, the Prophet (bpuh) said:

"And I ask you (O' Allah) to make me just, both while being in a state of anger and while being in a state of Joy.

So when a person curbs his emotions, when he controls his mind, and when to each matter he gives according to the weight of its importance, he will have taken a step towards wisdom and true understanding.

Indeed we have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance [justice] that mankind may keep up justice. (Qur'an 57: 25)

Indeed, Islam came as much with balance in morals, manners, and dealings as it did with its straightforward, holy, and truthful way of life.

Thus we have made you a just [and the best] nation. (Qur 'an 2: 143)

Being just is an end that is called for in both our manners and in matters of jurisprudence. In fact, Islam is founded on truth and justice truthfulness in all that we learn from revealed texts, and justice in rulings, sayings, actions, and manners.

And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice.)
(Qur'an 6: 115)

Deeds that wash away our sins

The following are some statements of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on what deeds could lead to forgiveness of our past and future sins. The statements were collected in the book Al-Bihar Az-Zakhirah fi Asbab Al-Maghfirah

1. Perfecting one’s ablution

“No worshipper perfects his ablution except that his past and future sins are forgiven.” (Hasan, Al-Bazzar. Al-Haythami and Al-Mundhiri agreed upon.)


2. Fasting in Ramadan

“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking Allah’s reward then his past and future sins are forgiven.” (Ahmad)


3. Night prayer in Ramadan

“Whoever stands (in prayer) in Ramadan out of faith and seeking Allah’s reward then his past and future sins are forgiven.” (Sahih An-Nasa’i)


4. Night of Al-Qadr

Laylat-ul-Qadr or the Night of Al-Qadr can be expected in the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan. He who performs the night prayer in it out of belief and seeking Allah’s reward his past and future sins are forgiven. (Ahmad)


5. Thanking Allah after eating and putting one’s clothes on

“Whoever ate food and then said, ‘Praise be to Allah who has fed me this food and provided it for me, without any strength or power on my part’, is forgiven his past (and future*) sins. And whoever wears a garment and says, ‘Praise be to Allah who has clothed me with this (garment) and provided it for me, without any strength or power on my part’, is forgiven his past and future sins.” (Ibn Majah, Abu Dawood, Al-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i, and others)

The addition marked by (*) is related by Abu Dawood. Sheikh Al-Albani declared it Hasan in Sahih Al-Jami (no. 6086).


6. Getting old in Islam

“No one reaches 40 years in Islam except that Allah protects him from madness, leprosy and leucoderma. When he is 50, Allah makes his reckoning easy. When he reaches 60, Allah grants him repentance. And when he reaches 70, Allah loves him and the inhabitants of the heavens love him.

And when he reaches 80, Allah accepts his good deeds and overlooks his sins. When he reaches 90, Allah forgives his past and future sins, and he is named ‘the prisoner of Allah on earth’ and is granted intercession (for forgiveness) for his family.” (Hasan, Ibn Asakir. Ahmad Shakir said in his notes on Al-Musnad, 8/23, 25: “Its chain is at least Hasan. It is supported with other chains which raise it to the level of Sahih.”)


7. Neither Ruqya nor belief in bad omens

“I was told: ‘These are your people and amongst them there are 70,000 who shall enter Paradise without being taken to either account or torment.’ …’They are those who do not make Ruqya nor seek it, nor believe in bad omens, but trust in their Lord (Allah).’” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)


8. Patiently bearing children’s death

“Whoever buries three children, Allah will forbid the (Hell) Fire for him.” (Sahih, Tabarani in Al-Kabeer, Al-Albani authenticated it in Sahih Al-Jami, no. 6238)

“There are no two Muslim parents whose three children die before reaching puberty except that Allah will enter them into Paradise due to His mercy to the children.

It will be said to them, ‘Enter the Paradise,’ so they will say, ‘Not until our parents enter first.’ It will be said, ‘Enter the Paradise you and your parents.’ (Ahmad and An-Nasa’i; Al-Albani authenticated it in Sahih Al-Jami, no. 5780)

“Whoever remains content and patient after the death of three of his offspring will enter Jannah.”

A woman said, “What about two?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “And two.” (Sahih, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban; authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami, no. 5969)


9. Raising three daughters

“There is no one from my Ummah who takes care of three daughters or three sisters, and is nice to them, except that they will be a screen (protection) for him from the Fire.” (Sahih, Al-Bayhaqi and Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab, authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami, no. 5372)


10. Defending a Muslim’s honor

“Whoever defends the honor of his brother in absence has the right with Allah to be freed from the Fire.” (Sahih, Ahmad and Al-Tabarani; authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami, no. 6240)


11. Sincerity to Allah

No servant who says ‘La ilaha ill Allah’, seeking the pleasure of Allah, will reach the Day of Judgment, except that Allah will forbid the Fire for him. (Ahmad and Al-Bukhari) Hafidh Ibn Hajr said, “It’s not like that (i.e. not entering the Fire at all) for everyone who believed in Tawheed and worshiped, but it is specific for the sincere, and sincerity (Ikhlas) requires the realization of its meaning by the heart. One cannot imagine that the heart will reach that while persisting in sins, as the heart would be filled with the love and fear of Allah, whereupon limbs will embark upon obedience and leave disobedience.”


12. Crying out of fear of Allah

“No man who cried out of fear of Allah will enter the Fire until the milk returns to the udder, and dust in the path of Allah (Jihad) and the smoke of the Fire cannot go together.” (Ahmad, Al-Tirmidhi, and An-Nasa’i; authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami, no. 7778)


13. Congregational prayer for 40 days

“Whoever prays to Allah for 40 days in congregation, reaching the opening Takbeer (Takbeer Al-Ihram), will have two (rewards)written for him: freedom from the Fire and freedom from hypocrisy.” (Al-Tirmidhi, declared Hasan by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami, no. 6365)


14. Praying four Rak`at before and after Dhuhr

“Whoever is consistent in praying four units of prayer before Dhuhr and four after it, Fire will be forbidden for him.” (Sahih, Abu Dawood, An-Nasa’i, Al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah; authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami, no. 6195)


15. Praying before sunrise and after sunset

“No one will enter Fire who prays before sunrise and after sunset.” (Ahmad, Muslim, Abu Dawood, and An-Nasa’i; meaning: Fajr and Asr prayers)


16. Good character

“Whoever is easy-going, easy to deal with and kindhearted, Allah will forbid the Fire for him.” (Sahih, Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak, Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Tabarani; authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami, no. 6484)

They never look at him in the eye

Rights of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are the most important, after the rights of Allah. There is no human who has more rights than the Prophet. Allah said, what translated means:

“Verily, We have sent you (O Muhammad) as a witness, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner. In order that you (O mankind) may believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you assist and honor him (Muhammad)…” (Qur’an, 48:8-9)

Therefore, love for the Prophet (peace be upon him) should be more than one’s love for himself, his children, family, and worldly possessions. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, what translated means: “None of you will reach belief till I become dearer to him than his children, parents and all humans.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has many rights. Respect and appreciation for him should be observed in the best manner. Respecting the Prophet includes respect for and adherence to his Sunnah after his death. Due rights should be accoded to the Prophet without exaggeration. When one reads how the companions used to love and respect the Prophet, one knows the importance of this matter. When Quraish (the Prophet’s tribe) sent Urwa Bin Mas’ud to negotiate with the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Hudaibiyya, he was greatly impressed by how the companions treated the Prophet. He said, “I have visited the kings of Persia, Rome and Abyssinia, but I have not seen any leader more revered and respected by his people than Muhammad.

If he ordered them to do anything, they do it promptly delay. If he performs Wudhu (washing up for prayer) they all seek the remainder of the water he used. They never look at him in the eye, out of respect.” This is how the Prophet (peace be upon him) was treated by his companions. He was Allah’s Messenger who possessed great qualities and the best of conduct ever.

The rights of the Prophet include compliance with and submission to his orders and believing in what he informed us of the past and future happenings. When a Muslim wants to follow his religion, he must do so believing that he Prophet’s way is the best way. Believing in the Prophet includes the affirmation that his religion is the best religion. Allah said, what translated means:

“But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (Qur’an, 4:65), and, “Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If you love Allah then you follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an, 3:31)

To defend the religion of the Prophet is one of his rights upon believers. Defending the religion can be done by using arms, speech and writings. To ignore attacks on the Prophet (peace be upon him) or on his religion is impermissible for Muslims. Muslims must strive to prevent, in the best manner, attacks on the Prophet’s character or on any aspect of his religion, which is the best religion sent to mankind.


- By Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen

Aspects of the Islamic Faith: Coming last to take the lead

Islam was the final message God sent to mankind. Before it a long line of prophets and messengers gave guidance to mankind in various ways and places. However, the divine message maintained its essence in all its forms. The essence is the belief in God’s oneness and His being the only one to whom worship may be addressed and from whom help is to be solicited. He is the sole Creator and everyone in the universe submits to His will, whether willingly or unwillingly. The messages given by prophets differed in details of worship requirements and in certain laws, but the essential moral values remained the same. An earlier message might be complemented, or amended, through a later messenger, as in the case of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) who relaxed some of the restrictions God had imposed on the followers of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him). Jesus declared that he did not come to abrogate the message, but to endorse and complement it.

Earlier messages were often distorted, with some divine legislations undergoing change, abrogation or neglect. At times, learned men of religion disagreed on certain principles, with the disagreement leading to great divisions that continued over the centuries. Islam came to set the record straight and purge the divine message of all distortions that crept into it. God has guaranteed to preserve the message contained in His last revelation, the Qur’an. Muslims are required to make this message known to mankind, telling them that God wants them to follow it and then leave people to make their free choice, whether to follow this message or not. No one should be compelled in any way or form to follow it. Faith is a matter of choice. Hence, the Qur’an declares the everlasting principle: “No compulsion is admissible in matters of religion.” (2: 256)

One aspect of the divine faith is that people have a day every week when they are required to perform a special type of worship, and to be a day of relaxation and renewal of their resolve to follow divine guidance. To Muslims, this day is Friday. The following Hadith tells us that it was also applicable to earlier nations.

Abu Hurayrah says that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he said: “We are the last community, but we will be ahead of all on the Day of Resurrection. They, however, (i.e. other nations) were given the divine book before us. Then, this (i.e. Friday) is the day that has been made obligatory to them, but they differed concerning it, while God has granted us His guidance. Therefore, others come on our trail concerning it: the Jews tomorrow and the Christians the day after.” (Related by Al-Bukhari).

This statement by the Prophet tells us that Friday was always the day God wanted people to assign for special worship. Muslims offer a congregational prayer at midday, starting with a speech by the imam who should remind people of their duties toward God and that they will have to answer for all their deeds on the Day of Judgment. They then offer a short prayer. God has given us an hour on that day when all our prayers are answered.

It appears from other Hadiths that Moses informed his followers that they should make their special worship on Friday, but they said to him that God did not create anything on Saturday, and they would prefer to make Saturday their special day. He left them to carry on with their choice. The Christians, on the other hand, chose Sunday because it was the day on which God started to create His creation. Both groups erred by not following the guidance given them by their prophets. Muslims on the other hand followed God’s messenger and observed Friday as their special day. On the Day of Judgment they will be the first to be assigned their places after they have submitted their accounts of what they did in this present life.

- By Adil Salahi

we are MUSLIMS.

It is prohibited to make sects and divisions in Islam.

The Qur’an says: "Surely, those who split up their religion and break it up into sects, you have no concern at all with them. Their affair is only with Allah, Who will then inform them of what they used to do." [Al-Qur’an 6:159]

And surely this your Ummah is one Ummah, and I am your Lord, so fear Me alone . But they have broken the affair of their religion into sects among themselves, each group rejoices in that which is with it. So leave them in their ignorance for a time. ( Al-Qur'an 23: 52 -54 )

Today we may hear people saying , “ We are Sunnis” or “We are Shiites (Shias)”. Some may call themselves Hanafis, or Shafis or Malikis or Humbalis or Deobandis’.

The Qur’an says: "And hold fast, All together, by the rope Which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves;" [Al-Qur’an 3:103]

Which is the rope of Allah that is being referred to in this verse? It is the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the rope of Allah which all Muslims should hold fast together. There is double emphasis in this verse. Besides saying ‘hold fast all together’ it also says, ‘be not divided’.

Qur’an further says,

O you who believe! obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and make not vain your deeds! ( 47 : 33 )

Almighty Allah also says,

Say : ' If you love Allah, follow me ( Prophet Muhammad ( sm. ) ); Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.' ( 3 :31 )

All the Muslims are to follow the Qur’an and authentic hadiths and be not divided among themselves. Muslims are to take the Sunnah of the beloved Prophet Muhammad ( Sm ) in corcern in order to achieve nearness to Allah as instructed by Allah Himself.

Qur’an tells us to call ourselves Muslims.

If anyone poses a Muslim the question : “What are you?”, he should say "I am a Muslim, not a Shia or a Hanafi". Surah Fussilat chapter 41 verse 33 says,

“And who is better in speech than he who calls to Allah and does good and says : “ I am indeed one of the Muslims.” “ [Al-Qur’an 41:33]

The Prophet (pbuh) dictated letters to non-Muslim kings and rulers inviting them to accept Islam. In these letters he mentioned the verse of the Qur’an from Surah Al Imran chapter 3 verse 64:

....but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims. ( 3 :64 )

U r all invted to join the group, We are not Sunnis or Shiites, we are Muslims, Alhamdulillah.

Plz spread the message of the group & invite ur friends too.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17718014004#!/group.php?v=info&gid=17718014004

Du'a for the prophet?

Many Muslims while visiting the grave of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) make du’a to him directly. They believe the Prophet (peace be upon him) is alive and is able to answer them. But Allah says, “Every soul shall taste death.” (Qur’an, 3:185; 21:35). This verse refers to every soul, including that of the Prophet (peace be upon him). To argue that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is alive with a life akin to ours on earth is not based on any evidence or proof from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Instead the opposite is proved by the ahadith that describe his last days and final moments in this world.

Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: “When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was healthy, he used to say, ‘No soul of a Prophet is taken until he has been shown his place in Paradise and then he is given the choice.’ When death approached him while his head was on my thigh, he became unconscious and then recovered consciousness. He then looked at the ceiling of the house and said, ‘O Allah! (with) the highest companions.’ I said (to myself), ‘He is not going to choose (to stay with) us.’ Then I understood what he meant when he said that to us when he was healthy. The last words he spoke were, ‘O Allah! (with) the highest companions.’” (Al-Bukhari, no. 4463; Muslim, no. 2444)

His closest relatives – Ali Bin Abu Talib, Al-Abbas Bin Abdul Muttalib, his two sons Al-Fadl and Qutham, as well as Usama Bin Zayd – performed ghusl over his body, the Sahabah performed the funeral prayer and then they buried him in the spot where he died in Ayesha’s (may Allah be pleased with her) home. Would they have done this to a living man?

The clear text indicates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away from the life of this world, just as every one of us has to. Allah says:

“Verily, you (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) will die, and verily, they (too) will die.” (Qur’an, 39:30)

The life in the grave – the life of Barzakh – however is established. But this life is different from the life of the world and there is no connection between the two. As the soul departs, we are transited into a different life called the Barzakh. This is the intermediary stage till the Day of Judgment. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will bring every one back to life – and this life will be the eternal life. Mankind will be raised up naked and uncircumcised.

Some misuse texts that show the special status of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to establish wrong acts of worship. For instance some may say cite fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) receives our greetings of peace and blessings in the grave to say that he can hear our pleas. The truth however is that Allah has appointed angels to bring the greetings of his followers to him.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Allah has angels who go around on earth, conveying to me the salaam of my Ummah.” (Sunan Nasa’i, authenticated by Al-Albani)

This further indicates – and Allah knows best – that our greetings are not directly heard by him.

Whatever may be the case, when it comes to making du’a to him, it becomes an act of worship. Directly making du’a to anyone – alive or dead – believing that he or she is capable of answering our du’a is Shirk. The person who does that sets up a partner to Allah by giving what is the right of Allah alone to other than Allah. This goes against the fundamental of Islam – Laa ilaha illAllah – that all Prophets called their nations to.

“And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) but We revealed to him (saying): Laa ilaaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)), so worship Me (Alone and none else).” (Qur’an, 21:25)

“And your Lord says: Call on Me, I will answer your (prayer). But those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in hell, in humiliation.” (Qur’an, 40:60)

Moreover, any religious act is not acceptable to Allah unless it has been explicitly mentioned in the authentic texts. The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade his followers from exaggerating his status. In fact, in his final moments he warned the Ummah against taking his grave as a place of worship.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The most evil of people are those who took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship.” (Musnad Ahmad, no. 1691; authenticated by Al-Albani)

Seeking intercession of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to ask Allah’s help is also Haraam and Shirk.

The Quraish of Makkah used idols as intercessors with Allah. They worshipped idols of pious men of the past only to get nearer to Allah. However this act was rejected by Allah and His Messenger and they were considered Mushriks (polytheists).

They were instead commanded to worship Allah alone. Allah says about the Quraish:

And they worship besides Allah things that hurt them not, nor profit them, and they say:

“These are our intercessors with Allah.” Say: “Do you inform Allah of that which He knows not in the heavens and on the earth?” Glorified and Exalted be He above all that which they associate as partners with Him! (Qur’an, 10:18)

Moreover the Sahabah – the best generation of Muslims – never went to the grave of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to make du’a to him. They asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) to make du’a for them as long as he was alive. After his death there was not a single Companion who went to the Prophet’s grave for help or intercession. Undoubtedly they were deeply rooted in the belief of Tawheed. They gave the due respect which the Prophet (peace be upon him) by obeying him and following his sunnah. Allah Himself has approved of the Sahabah’s faith and made it an example for others in the Qur’an. He has explicitly stated that He is pleased with them.

“So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then they are rightly guided, but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition.” (Qur’an, 2:137)

From every angle that one may wish to look, there is absolutely no evidence for the practice of directing prayers to the Prophet (peace be upon him). Those who perpetrate this are only fooling themselves that they are practicing Islam. They follow nothing but conjecture.

- By Abdullah Al-Hindi

Understanding Liberal Islam

Why Liberal Islam is UnIslamic

http://www.understandingliberalislam.com/tiki-index.php

Events must not push us to edge of religion

“And from the people is he who worships Allah as if he were on an edge (i.e. in doubt): if good befalls him, he is content with it. And if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face. He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the clear loss.” (Qur’an, 22:11)

Commenting on this verse, Ibn Kathir said in his Tafsir (3/279): Such a person enters the religion on an edge. So, if he finds what he likes, he sticks with it. Otherwise, he retreats. Al-Bukhari reported that Ibn Abbas said, “A man would come to Madina. If his wife gave birth to a son and his mare gave birth to foals, he would say, ‘This is a good religion.’

If his wife didn’t give birth and his mare didn’t either, he would say, ‘This is a terrible religion.’” Ibn Abbas also said, “Some bedouins would come to the Prophet and become Muslims and then they would return to their homelands.

If they returned to a year of rain, produce, and good children being born, they would say, ‘This religion of ours is good. So, stick to it.’ If they came back to a year of hunger, bad children being born, and drought, they would say, ‘There is no good in this religion of ours.’ So, Allah revealed this (the above) verse.”

Abdul Rahman Bin Zayd Bin Aslam said (about this verse): “This is with regard to the hypocrite. If everything is going well for him in his life, he is consistent in his worship.

If things change and go bad for him, he goes back and wavers in his worship, except when things are going good.

So, if a trial, hardship, test, or inconvenience befalls him, he abandons his religion and returns to kufr (disbelief).”


Diy : apakah manusia itu mengira mereka dibiarkan (saja) mengatakan, 'kami telah beriman' sedang mereka tidak diuji lagi? -al-'Ankabuut:2