Monthly Archives: December 2006

The Best Days of the Year

December 20, 2006 – 7:19 pm

Are you a student, or working? Are you depressed or frustrated that you could not take the advantage of the last ten nights of Ramadan? There were midterms, assignments, and projects for all the working folk, all those cliched reasons, or maybe you did take advantage. Here is another chance. Its on our doorsteps, the most beloved days to Allah, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

It was reported by Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنه) that the Rasoolullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (al-Bukhari)

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) in surah al-Fajr says (interpretation of the meaning): “By the dawn; by the ten nights” [89:1-2]. Ibn ‘Abbas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: “This is the correct opinion.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413)

In the ayah Allah swears an oath by the dawn and the ten nights, and Allah swearing an oath signifies the importance of these days.

What can we do to reap the fruits of these days?

Fast

In a hadith qudsi: “Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says: ‘All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting, which is for Me and I am the One Who will reward him for it.’” (al-Bukhari)

Fasting on the best days, means – jackpot – INSHALLAH more rewards.

And our Rasoolullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) for sure used to fast on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. As Hunaydah ibn Khalid reported from his wife that some of the wives of the Prophet (رضي الله عنهنّ) said: “The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, on the day of ‘Ashoora’, on three days of each month, and on the first two Mondays and Thursdays of each month.” (al-Nisaa’i, Abu Dawud)

Say Takbeer, Tahmeed and Tahleel

It is reported that our Rasoolullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) commanded us to recite a lot of Tasbeeh (“Subhanallah”), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah”) and Takbeer (“Allahu akbar”) during this time. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما) reported that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (“La ilaha ill-Allah”), Takbeer and Tahmeed.” (Ahmad, Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh).

There are so many other good deeds to do, so we should take advantage of these days as much as we can.

By Taymullah | Posted in Articles, Islam, Sawm, Tazkiyyah | Comments (1)

Descriptions of the Believers

December 20, 2006 – 2:37 pm

How does it feel after reading Qur’an? Does it make a difference in us? How much do we implement it regularly, or even within the same day of reading an ayah?

When learning from the Qur’an and the seerah of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), Allah mentions a believers qualities in the Qur’an. The believers hearts become fearful and their eyes tear. This is a sign of the true believers, as Allah describes them in the Qur’an:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَاناً وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
أُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقّاً لَّهُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ

Translation: “The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His verses are recited unto them, they increase their faith, and they put their trust in their Lord (alone), who perform the prayers and spend out of that which We have bestowed upon them. It is they who are truly the believers. For them are grades of dignity and a generous provision” (al-Anfaal 2-4).

اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَاباً مُّتَشَابِهاً مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَمَن يُضْلِلْ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ

Translation: “Allah sent down the best speech, a Book, its parts resembling each other and oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their lord shiver from it. Then their skins and their hearts soften to the remembrance of Allah” (al-Zumar 23).

We should all try to compare ourselves to the description of the believers Allah mentions in Qur’an. Do we fear Allah when we recite or hear the Qur’an? Does it affect our hearts? Do we cry thinking about what we have done and how we will be able to meet Allah in the Hereafter? These verses give us some clear signs of being a true believer. These characteristics should occur within us at least sometimes. If they never do, then we must improve our eman and seek guidance from Allah!

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) help us reflect upon these verses as a true believer would (ameen)!

External Link: 25 Promises of Allah to the Believers by Shaykh Anwar al-Awlaki

By Slave of arRahman | Posted in Articles, Islam, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)

Tahajjud Made Easy

December 19, 2006 – 10:08 am

Many of us desire to be among those who pray Qiyam al-Layl (or Tahajjud), but find it difficult to wake up in the middle of the night for it. What can we do to make this easier?

Option 1: Late Sleepers. If you happen to be one of those late-night people–whether you’re up late studying for exams, chilling, or working on a project–why not make wudoo and pray two rakahs before you sleep? It’s not the sunnah way, and it doesn’t have to be long, but it starts you out with a regular habit, at least.

Option 2: Early Risers and Fasters. The other way is to wake up early. Now, we know the best time to pray is in the last third of the night–which gets to be pretty reasonable around winter time in North America. But how early should you wake up?

The answer is, whatever works for you. If you pray near the start of Fajr, then you can easily make it by trimming a mere 30 minutes or so from your sleep to rise early. Similarly, if you have a regular habit of fasting (such as Mondays and Thursdays, the White days, or in Ramadan) and you’re up for suhoor, wake up early or shorten your suhoor by a short period of time and pray qiyam instead.

And of course, the best way is to follow the sunnah of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) and the way he prayed qiyam. You can find an amazing lecture on how to pray Qiyam, every single day of your life, here.

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) make us among those who sincerely strive for and achieve this great virtue through His mercy, ameen!

External Link: Tahajjud – Praying at Night

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Salaah | Comments (1)

Perceiving Isn’t Reality

December 17, 2006 – 4:11 pm

Remember that the outcome of our actions are in the Will of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and nothing else. Our efforts do not convey a certainty towards the outcome whatsoever.

There are times where you study, study, study for a test and only score a 60. Then there are times you may just briefly glance over your notes the night before and score an 80.

Is it by luck?

No.

This shows that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) is The One in control. We should put our efforts in, but know that the result is in the Will of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). It’s miraculous, because there will be times (and I know many of my classmates have seen this) that we write a test, expect a 60, but actually score an 80. Thats Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) at work, and know that it is Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), and nothing else.

Times come where we perceive something to be bad for us, but Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) sees goodness it in. And there are times where we perceive something to be good for us, but Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) finds badness in it. We do not know what is best for us, and so it is always important to look to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) for everything we do, and put our trust in His judgment. For who knows better then The All-Knowing, The Wise?

By Abd al-Ahad | Posted in Islam, Tazkiyyah | Comments (1)

Nice and Slow

December 16, 2006 – 9:49 am

Continuing in our series of ways to attain purification in salaah: Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur’an:

وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلاً

“… and recite the Qur’an in slow, measured rhythmic tones” (Surah al-Muzammil 73:4)

From this alone, we see the importance of reciting the Qur’an in a proper manner–slowly and with a rythmic tone–and not just whizzing through it as if we were reading a magazine of some sort. Also, our beloved Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) had a recitation which was clear, with each letter proncounced distinctly (Ahmad, 6/294, saheeh). You can easily begin to comprehend the likliness of gaining khusoo’ while reciting in a slow, calm voice rather than fast, abrubt voice. To list a few reasons:

  • Your heart is more easily attached with the beauty of the Qur’an and the the Arabic language.
  • It brings focus to your salaah and deminishes outside thoughts.
  • You are able to ponder upon the ayaat you’re reciting!

Another great way of attaining khusoo’ in one’s prayer is to make our voices beautiful while reciting; to have our emotions fuse to one with the words of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), and to express that in your voice. Our noble Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said:

“Beautify the Qur’an with your voices, for a fine voice increases the Qur’an in beauty.” (al-Haakim, 1/575, saheeh al-jaami’)

Subhanallah! Something already as beautiful and perfect as the Qur’an has the ability to become even more so with our recitation! What a privilage Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has granted this ummah! May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) give us all the ability to realize this great blessing and give us the ability and understanding to recite the Qur’an in the best of manners, ameen!

A recap of the different ways to attain khushoo’ is salaah:

  1. Prepere for it: perform wu’du with perfection, use miswak.
  2. Relax: don’t rush, its not a race!
  3. Remember the innevitable: It might be that its your last prayer.
  4. Conversing with Allah: remember, salaah is your connection with Allah.
By Abd al-Ahad | Posted in Islam, Salaah, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)

The Barakah of the Ka’bah

December 15, 2006 – 11:58 am

A lot of Muslims, in their great love for the Ka’bah (which is an admiral thing), make some mistakes because of their lack of understanding about barakah. We already mentioned that the Ka’bah is one of the places that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) put barakah–but what does that mean?

As a reminder, only Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) decides what things contain barakah, and what things give barakah, because all barakah is from Him.

With respect to the ka’bah, the barakah is the place, not the structure. If you think about it, you’ll realize the Ka’bah is a building–and like any building, it wears out, suffers from weathering, natural disasters (such as flooding), etc. and needs to be torn down and reconstructed. Realize that not a single stone of the Ka’bah today is more then a few years old–with the exception of the Black Stone–because in 1996, it was virtually destroyed, and they rebuilt it. Is that stone holy and blessed? No, it’s just regular stone!

So it’s not the actual Ka’bah structure that’s got barakah. You don’t gain anything by touching the sides, rubbing yourself against the walls (as some Hajjis do), etc. Similarly, there’s nothing special about the cloth that drapes it.

Because some people say “oh the cloth has barakah! Because of its close contact to the Ka’bah!” … Do you mean to say that the Ka’bah osmosizes barakah? In that case, remember that it’s touching the ground! Within a few years, wouldn’t the whole world be encompassed in barakah? But that’s not true–because it’s not the structure, but the place that has barakah! (And remember, only Allah decides what contains and what gives barakah.)

So if you get a nice piece of the cloth, say “alhamdulillah, Allah blessed me with something nice that reminds me of the Ka’bah.” But don’t sew it into your clothes or cut it up into little pieces and eat it or anything like that, and expect it to bring you any benefit.

Similarly, while the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) mentioned the virtue of praying in Masjid al-Haram, he didn’t mention the ka’bah specifically. A lot of poeple try and muscle their way into the ka’bah, but if you go inside, it’s just like a couple of stone pillars, a couple of lamps, and that’s it. (If you want to check it out for yourself, go when they’re cleaning up the inside and they’ll let you in inshallah.)

And remember–the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) only prayed two (nafl, not even fard) rakaats in the ka’bah in his entire life–after the Conquest of Mecca. Then he left, and never set foot inside again. This is despite how close he lived to it. He prayed all his prayers outside, facing it.

So what should we do? Follow his great example, like the companions and the pious generations before us. That’s the best way to increase barakah in your life.

References

Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Aqeeda, Islam | Comments (1)

Family Defined

December 14, 2006 – 9:04 pm

After years of dawah the people of Nuh (عليه سلام), Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) revealed to Nuh (عليه سلام) (interpretation of the meaning) “None of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.” (Surah Hud, verse 35)

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) instructed Nuh (عليه سلام) to build an ark, and that the sinners will drown in a flood. As Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) states in Qur’an (to the interpretation of the meaning): “But construct an Ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration, and address Me no (further) on behalf of those who are in sin: for they are about to be overwhelmed (in the Flood).” Allah later stated (to the interpretation of the meaning): “At length behold! There came Our Command, and the fountains of the earth gushed forth! We said: ‘Embark therein of each kind two, male and female, and your family, except those against whom the Word has already gone forth and the Believers.’ But only a few believed with him.” (Surah Hud, verse 37)

Allah states in Qur’an (to the interpretation of the meaning): “The waves picked up the ark. At time of departure, Nuh (عليه سلام) asked his son to join them. So the Ark floated with them on the waves (towering) like mountains, and Noah called out to his son, who separated himself (from the rest): ‘O my son! Embark with us, and be not with the Unbelievers!’ The son replied: ‘I will be take myself to some mountain: it will save me from the water.’ Noah said: ‘This day nothing can save from the Command of Allah, any but those on whom He hath mercy!’― and the waves came between them, and the son was among those overwhelmed in the Flood.” (Surah Hud, verse 42-43)

Then Allah commanded the earth to swallow the water, the ark landed on Mouth Judi. Upon stopping, Nuh (عليه سلام) asked Allah (to the interpretation of the meaning) “O my Lord! Surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true and Thou art the Justest of Judges!”. Allah’s reply to Nuh was (to the interpretation of the meaning) “O Noah! He is not of thy family, for his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou become one of the ignorant!” (Surah Hud, verses 45-46)

Allah defines the meaning of family. Our family is not only our father, mother, brother, or sister. It is instead all the believers. Let he/she be brown, black, white, or of other races on this earth.

References

Anwar Al-Awlaki. The Lives of the Prophets. Al Basheer Publications and Translations, 2001.

By Taymullah | Posted in Gems, Islam, Tazkiyyah | Comments (1)

Talk Ain’t Cheap

December 13, 2006 – 4:02 pm

One of the diseases we experience in our culture is cheap talk. People say things all the time, whether they mean it or not. Worse, people lie as easily as they breathe–sometimes, even as often–and sometimes, under the guise of “just kidding!”

But is talk cheap? Let’s look at some evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah.

  • Shahada: People enter Islam when they take the shahada–in other words, when they say certain words.
  • Kufr: People leave Islam when they say words of disbelief.
  • Marriage, Divorce, Slaves: The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: Three things are serious if you’re serious, and serious if you’re joking: marriage, divorce, and freeing a slave. (The words matter, even if uttered without intention [1].)
  • The Truthful: The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, in a longer hadith: Truth leads to birr, and birr leads to Paradise. A person keeps speaking the truth until he is recorded with Allah as one of the truthful. [Bukhari]
  • The Liars: The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said in that same hadith: Lying leads to vice, and vice leads to Hellfire. A person keeps lying until he is recorded with Allah as a liar. [Bukhari]
  • Hellfire: One of the sahaba asked the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), “Will we be held accountable for what we say?” He said, “May your mother lose you! People will be flung face-down into the Hellfire on account of what their tongues sent before them!” [Tirmidhi]
  • Hypocrites: The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: the hypocrites have three traits. [One is] when he speaks, he lies. [Bukhari and Muslim] (I.e. words can become a reason for one to become a hypocrite.)

And these are a few small things that you probably already knew, some common ahadith we hear often enough. There are no doubt many, many more proofs.

Don’t cheapen your talk! Be honest, be sincere, and be true to what you say. When you give your word, keep it–and if you don’t think you can, don’t say “inshallah I’ll do it” so they leave you alone and you can run off, tell them “I’d love to but I don’t know if I can for sure.”

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) help us all to protect ourselves from cheap talk, ameen!

External Links: Ahmad Shehab – The Tongue (Video), The Tongue by Young Muslims Canada

References

(1) AbdulBary Yahya. Lecture. AlMaghrib. The Purification Act. University of Toronto, Toronto. November 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Akhlaaq, Islam, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)

The Call of Jahiliyyah

December 12, 2006 – 12:10 pm

Once a young man from the Muhajiruwn and a young man from the Ansaar quarreled. So the muhajirun called out for help stating: “O Muhajiruwn!” And the ansaari said: “O Ansaar!” The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) heard this and said: ”Is it with the call off jahiliyyah that you are calling out, and I am present amongst you!” (Bukhari)

Allah loves Muhajiruwn and Ansaar. Allah states (interpretation of the meaning) : “And [those Allah grants mercy on includes] the first to embrace Islam from the Muhajiruwn and the Ansaar, and those who followed them in goodness, beliefs and actions. Allaah is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens of Paradise, beneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. That is the supreme achievement.” [Surah at-Tawbah 9:100].

Still, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: ”Is it with the call off jahiliyyah that you are calling out, and I am present amongst you!”

Rasoolullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whosoever leaves off obedience and separates from the Jamaa’ah and dies, he dies a death of jahiliyyah. Whoever fights under the banner of the blind, becoming angry for ‘asabiyyah (partisanship and party spirit), or calling to ‘asabiyyah, or assisting ‘asabiyyah, then dies, he dies a death of jahiliyyah.” (Muslim)

And look at the pride (which is not even worth a peanut shell) people have, one might say “we fought you, and then we kicked you out of our land.” On this point, Rasoolullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, “lndeed, Allah revealed to me that you should have humility, and that no one should act proudly and oppressively over anyone else, nor should anyone boast over anyone else. ” (Muslim)

And to cap our discussion, Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:”Everything which is outside the call of Islam and the Qur’an, with regards to lineage, land, nationality, schools of thought, and ways, then it is from the calls of jahiliyyah.

References

Shaykh Abdul’azeez Bin Baz. “The Evils of Nationalism.” Islamworld. <http://www.islamworld.net/nation.html>.

By Taymullah | Posted in Akhlaaq, Islam, Tazkiyyah | Comments (2)

Love of Allah

December 11, 2006 – 9:00 pm

Want to earn the love of Allah? Imagine! To be loved by the greatest, the self-sufficient, the lord of the universe! Who doesn’t want that? Read on inshallah and find out how to achieve that lofty goal!

Love of Allah

Ibn al-Qaiyim (رحمالله) mentioned ten causes that result in Allah’s (سبحانه وتعالى) love for His slave and the slave’s love for his Lord. [These ten are:]

First, recite the Qur’an while pondering over its meanings and what is meant by it.

Second, get closer to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) by performing voluntary deeds after completing obligatory deeds. This is as is stated in a Hadith Qudsi: “My slave continues getting closer to Me by performing voluntary deeds until I love him.” [al-Bukhari]

Third, continually remember Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) under all circumstances, with one’s tongue, heart and actions. The extent of one’s love of Allah is determined by this.

Fourth, favour what He loves over what you love when you are overtaken by your desires.

Fifth, cultivate a heart avid of Allah’s (سبحانه وتعالى) Names, and Attributes and a heart that roams in that garden of knowledge.

Sixth, observe Allah’s (سبحانه وتعالى) kindness, goodness and bounties, both hidden and open.

Seventh, and this is the most wonderful, acquire a soft heart, subdued and meek before Allah.

Eighth, be alone with Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) during the time when the Lord descends during the last portion of the night while reading His Book and ending that by asking for forgiveness and with repentance.

Ninth, sit with the beloved and sincere, benefit from the most fruitful of their speech. And do not speak unless speaking is more beneficial and you know that it will improve your state and be beneficial to others.

Tenth, remain away from every cause that comes between the heart and Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

These ten causes take the lovers to the station of true love and bring them to their Beloved.

[Edited slightly for style, voice, and directness.]

References

Abdullah Bin Al-Jarullah. The Delight of Faith. Trans. Jamil Zarbozo. Dar as-Salaam, 1996.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Articles, Islam, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)