The Ins and Outs of Halloween

October 23, 2009 – 2:44 pm

Jack-o-Lantern with a jester face carved out of it.

So who’s down for a party this Saturday? Let’s do it! Meet at the closest masjid near your house at 7:45pm. Forget about these kiddish Halloween parties, be a person of dignity and honour, be amongst the party of Allah.

وَيُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ أُوْلَئِكَ حِزْبُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

And We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him – those are the party of Allah . Unquestionably, the party of Allah – they are the successful.

There are many amongst us in this part of the world that take time out of their busy schedules, Muslims (sadly) and non-Muslims, to celebrate a day known as Halloween. Now, I’m sure many of us as kids went out trick or treating in ignorance and many of our parents let us go out in ignorance. However, there are people amongsts us, and sadly the Muslims are included in this, that throw Halloween parties at their houses and dress up in costumes, leaving no trace of the Islamic traditions that were given to us. We have become so engrained within the morals, values, and customs of this part of the world that have we have forgotten the pure traditions that were given to us by Allah azza wa jal. We have lost our identity and thus have resorted to adopting the practices of those around us. However, we should realize this is probably done in ignorance as well; people just know no better. So, it becomes our jobs to educate those Muslims and bring them closer to a better understanding and a better way of living.

Inshallah, this article will serve as an educational tool for the Muslims. I ask Allah to accept it and make it of beenfit to the people. Before I begin, I find it important to lay out some basic prinicples of the religion, thereafter I will talk about the issue of Halloween and the stance of the Muslims on such practices.

I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Allah says:

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللّهِ الإِسْلاَمُ

Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.

The religion that will be accepted by Allah on the Day of Judgement will be al-Islam. Allah has chosen to make Islam the final religion for all of mankind; it is the religion that confirms everything that was revealed before it and it is the final message that was revealed to the final Prophet of Allah, Muhammad sallalahu alayhi wasalam. As Allah says:

نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ

It is He Who has sent down the Book to you with truth, confirming what came before it.

The Qur’an is truth and everything in it and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasalam is absolute truth. Allah has made this religion perfect; free of any need to burrow from other cultures/traditions/religions because Allah has completed this religion for us and made it perfect. Allah says:

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِيناً

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.

And it of no surprise that this perfect faith has been granted to all of mankind, because the essence of it carries out the purpose of our life. The essence of Islam is to submit ourselves to the one and only creator of the heavens and the earth and to worship Him alone. Allah says:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

And I have not created the jinn nor the human except to worship Me.

And so Islam has been perfected by Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. Meaning we have no need to add or subtract from this religion; everything that Allah has provided for us (through the Qur’an and the authentic traditions of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasalam) in this package known as al-Islam is exactly what we need to succeed. And Allah has given us this perfected way of life so that we may carry out the purpose of our creation (i.e to worship Him) with ease.

II. HISTROCIAL INFORMATION REGARDING HALLOWEEN

Background

Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain; from the Old Irish samain).The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes regarded as the “Celtic New Year”. Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.

History of the Name

The term Halloween is shortened from All Hallows’ Even (both “even” and “eve” are abbreviations of “evening”, but “Halloween” gets its “n” from “even”) as it is the eve of “All Hallows’ Day”, which is now also known as All Saints’ Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions, until Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV moved the old Christian feast of All Saints’ Day from May 13 (which had itself been the date of a pagan holiday, the Feast of the Lemures) to November 1. In the ninth century, the Church measured the day as starting at sunset, in accordance with the Florentine calendar. Although All Saints’ Day is now considered to occur one day after Halloween, the two holidays were, at that time, celebrated on the same day. Liturgically, the Church traditionally celebrated that day as the Vigil of All Saints, and, until 1970, a day of fasting as well. Like other vigils, it was celebrated on the previous day if it fell on a Sunday, although secular celebrations of the holiday remained on the 31st. The Vigil was suppressed in 1955, but was later restored in the post-Vatican II calendar.

Symbols

The carved pumpkin, lit by a candle inside, is one of Halloween’s most prominent symbols in America, and is commonly called a jack-o’-lantern. Originating in Europe, these lanterns were first carved from a turnip or rutabaga. Believing that the head was the most powerful part of the body containing the spirit and the knowledge, the Celts used the “head” of the vegetable to frighten off any superstitions. The name jack-o’-lantern can be traced back to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a greedy, gambling, hard-drinking old farmer. He tricked the devil into climbing a tree and trapped him by carving a cross into the tree trunk. In revenge, the devil placed a curse on Jack, condemning him to forever wander the earth at night with the only light he had: a candle inside of a hollowed turnip.

III. WHAT IS SAID REGARDING CELEBRATING OR TAKING PART IN HALLOWEEN AND OTHER SUCH CUSTOMS

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alayhi wasalam issued a stern warning:

“Whoever imitates a nation is one of them!”
(Recorded in Abu Da’oud)

Islam has strongly forbidden Muslims to follow the religious or social customs of the non-Muslims, and especially of the idol-worshippers or those who worship the devil. This is because the basis of our religion is to tesfify in the Oneness of Allah, it is to uphold tawheed, it is to give Allah His right of not associating and not acknowledging any partners to Him. Allah is One and Only and the Muslim does not oppress himself by taking part in celebrations/customs of those people who associate partners with Allah azza wa jal. May He be Exalted. Far above is He from that which they associate to Him. Allah says:

وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ

And when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, “O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah . Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice.”

Allah says:

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ

“…And those who do not witness falsehood [al-zoor]…” [al-Furqaan 25:72]

Allah describes the believers as “Worshippers of the Most Gracious” , saying: “And those who do not witness falsehood and if they pass by “Laghow” (evil play or evil talk) they pass by it with dignity” (the same verse quoted above). The scholars and interpreters of Al-Quran quoted Mujahed, Ad-Dhahak, Ikrimah and others that Laghow means festivities of the idolaters, ie, “Worshippers of the Most Gracious” do not attend festivities of the idolaters

In regards to the same verse, Shaykh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah rahmatulillah alay has said:

In regards to the festivals of the mushrikeen: they combine confusion, physical desires and falsehood, there is nothing in them that is of any religious benefit, and the instant gratification involved in them only ends up in pain. Thus they are falsehood, and witnessing them means attending them.

This aaayah itself praises and commends (those who do not witness falsehood), which has the meaning of urging people to avoid taking part in their festivals and other kinds of falsehood. We understand that it is bad to attend their festivals because they are called al-zoor (falsehood).

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah sallalahu alayhi wasalam came and they had two days in which they would (relax and) play. He said, “What are these two days?” They said, “We used to play (on these two days) during the days of ignorance.” The Messenger of Allaah sallalahu alayhi wasalam said:

“Allaah has given you something better instead of them:
Yawm al-Duhaa [Eid al-Adha] and Yawm al-Fitr [Eid al-Fitr].”
(Reported by Abu Dawood).

This indicates clearly that the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasalam definitely forbade his ummah to celebrate the festivals of the disbelievers. The fact that the religion of the People of the Book is accepted does not mean that their festivals are approved of or should be preserved by the ummah, just as the rest of their acts of disbelief and sins are not approved of. Indeed, the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasalam went to great lengths to command his ummah to be different from them in many issues that are mubaah (permitted) and in many ways of worship, lest that lead them to be like them in other matters too. This being different was to be a barrier in all aspects, because the more different you are from the people of disbelief the less likely you are to do actions of the people who disbelieve. And this is a true statement because we are a product of our environment.

The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasalam said:

“The Final Hour will not come until my followers copy the deeds of the previous nations and follow them very closely, span by span, and cubit by cubit (inch by inch).”
(Bukhari).

As mentioned earlier, Islam is a perfect religion revealed by Allah azza wa jal to the Prophet sallalahu alayhiw asalam. When somethign is perfect in its true sense, it has no need to be added to or taken away from.

The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasalam said:

“You must keep to my Sunnah and the sunnah of the rightly-guided Caliphs;
cling to it firmly. Beware of newly invented matters, for every
new matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misleading.”
(Bukhari)

Ibn Uthaymeen rahmatulillah alay has said:

Muslims are forbidden to imitate the disbelievers by having parties on such occasions, or exchanging gifts, or giving out sweets or food, or taking time off work, etc., because the Prophet sallalahua layhi wasalam said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah said in his book Iqtidaa’ al-siraat al-mustaqeem mukhaalifat ashaab al-jaheem:

Imitating them in some oftheir festivals implies that one is pleased with their false beliefs and practices, and gives them the hope that they may have the opportunity to humiliate and mislead the weak.

Allaah is the One Whom we ask to make the Muslims feel proud of their religion, to help them adhere steadfastly to it, and to make them victorious, for He is the Strong and Omnipotent. (Majmoo’ah Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/369)

Please forgive me for anything I said that may have offended you. Anything good that comes out of this is from Allah and Him Alone. Anything bad or wrong comes from myself and shaytaan. Jazak Allah Khair.

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

Tafseer Surah Balad, Part 2: Iqtahamaa

October 22, 2009 – 2:57 pm

This is post #34 in our series on Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma (click the link to see all posts in this series).

Picture of the top of the CN tower, as seen from below.

The CN Tower, 150 stories high. Fa laa iqtahamaa al-aqabah.

Continuing our discussion of Surah Balad, Allah (‘azza wa jal) says:

أَلَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُ عَيْنَيْنِ
وَلِسَانًا وَشَفَتَيْنِ
وَهَدَيْنَاهُ النَّجْدَيْنِ

Translation: Have We not made for him two eyes? And a tongue and two lips? And have shown him the two ways?[Surah Al-Balad, verses 8-10]

The word used for ways or paths is “najd.” Najd means a clear path, one where you can see where it’s going. Upward.

Then Allah says:

فَلَا اقْتَحَمَ الْعَقَبَةَ
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْعَقَبَةُ

Translation: But he has not broken through the difficult pass. And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? [verses 10-11]

When you read verse 10, the natural question that pops into your mind is “what is this ‘aqabah, this difficult mountain pass? And verse 11 says, as we discussed very similar verses before, Allah is saying that you will never understand what al-’Aqabah is.

And Iqtahamaa means … if you’ve ever seen Sumo wrestling, the real part is when the two wrestlers (big muscular guys) slam into each other with full power, at full force.

So Allah is giving us a clue. There’s Al-’Aqabah, the mountain pass; and you have to iqtahamaa, climb it at full-force with no holding back. If you’ve ever had to climb tons and tons of stairs–like the CN tower (pictured above, literally thousands of stairs)–you know that to make it to the top, you need to gather your strength and rush, all at once. You don’t climb stairs one by one and stop every few steps.

That‘s iqtahamaa.

So we need to do iqtahamaa of Al-’Aqabah. And we’ll never understand Al-’Aqabah.

But here’s a glimpse:

فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ
أَوْ إِطْعَامٌ فِي يَوْمٍ ذِي مَسْغَبَةٍ
يَتِيمًا ذَا مَقْرَبَةٍ

Translation: It is the freeing of a slave. Or feeding on a day of severe hunger, An orphan of near relationship. [verse 13-15]

Freeing a slave is something that’s not possible anymore; verse 14 says, feeding a poor person on a day of severe hunger. To feed someone poor when you yourself are hungry, that’s the best sadaqah you can do!

And an orphan of near kin (aka a relative of yours) is someone who has the rights of an orphan, AND the rights of near relatives; so that’s twice the rights of a regular orphan (or a regular relative).

Allah (‘azza wa jal) continues:

أَوْ مِسْكِينًا ذَا مَتْرَبَةٍ

Translation: Or a needy person in misery. [verse 16]

In the phrase “dhaa matraba,” we see in the latter word, turaab (dirt), from taraba (the verb). This eloquently describes a person out in the elements–out with the wind and the rain, with no shelter; someone homeless, clinging to the dirt out of misery.

And the final remark on Al-’Aqabah? The last thing mentioned to do?

ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ
أُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ

Translation: And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. Those are the companions of the right. [verses 17-18]

Nothing surprising here–a verse very similar to what we find in Surah Al-’Asr: believe, and call to patience, and call to rahmah (mercy, compassion). These are the winners, the ones who have conquered Al-’Aqabah, the people of the right.

Sounds difficult, right? Well, what’s the alternative?

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِنَا هُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ
عَلَيْهِمْ نَارٌ مُّؤْصَدَةٌ

Translation: But they who disbelieved in Our signs – those are the companions of the left. Over them will be fire closed in. [verses 19-20]

As shaykh Muhammad Alshareef says, if a person really, truly understands Hellfire, there is no choice. Allah (‘azza wa jal) describes His fire as “mu’sadah.” Mu’sadah means that the fire will close down on you.

People often think Hellfire is like a big plain, and there will be people running around. It’s not. It’s described as dark, with chained people, and with fire that is mu’sadah–closes down on you.

May Allah (‘azza wa jal) protect us from it and help us to understand and implement this great surah.

Really, the lesson here is that social services are from the core values of Islam. Praying and fasting and paying zakah and going for Hajj are what Muslims generally think about when you talk about Islam. But it’s more than just that; it’s social services, too.

Wallahu ta’ala a’lam.

References:

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Qur'an, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)

Tafseer Surah Balad, Part 1: Life is Toil

October 14, 2009 – 1:58 pm

This is post #33 in our series on Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma (click the link to see all posts in this series). This is the first of two posts on the tafseer of Surah Balad.

Allah says:

لَا أُقْسِمُ بِهَذَا الْبَلَدِ

Translation: I swear by this city (Makkah) … [Surah Balad, verse 1]

“Laa uqsim” literally means, “I will not swear by.” in Arabic language, it means “this thing is so truthful, I almost don’t even have to swear by it.” It’s translated as “I swear by.”

Then Allah says:

وَأَنتَ حِلٌّ بِهَذَا الْبَلَدِ

Translation: And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city … [verse 2]

“Anta hillu” means “you are free.” It’s a slight at the mushrikeen, that this place (Makkah) is honourable and noble because the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) is here, and they should listen to him and accept him instead of trying to kick him out and kill him.

It also indicates a time where the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) was allowed, for about an hour, to fight in Mecca–something even the mushrikeen considered haraam.

Then Allah says:

وَوَالِدٍ وَمَا وَلَدَ

Translation: And [by] the father and that which was born [of him] … [verse 3]

There are two opinions about what this verse means; one is that it means Adam (alayhi salaam) and his children; the other is that it means any parent and child. Allahu a’lam, the second opinion is stronger–that the relationship between the parent and child is mu’adhham sharan, of noble and lofty status in the Shari’ah.

Then Allah says:

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي كَبَدٍ

Translation: We have certainly created man into hardship (kabad). [verse 4]

Indeed, We created humans into Toil

Indeed, we have certainly created mankind into hardship/toil.

If you check Tafseer ibn Katheer, you’ll find a lengthy explanation of the encompassing meanings of this ayah; among other things, it means hardship in being born, and hardship in enduring life, and hardship in working to earn a living, and hardship in the hereafter (on the Day of Judgment).

This is really, for me, one of the cruxes of this surah. There’s even double emphasis on this ayah to draw attention to it–in addition to all the aqsaam (oaths) above!

Every single human being, young or old, man or woman, of any culture you can name, goes through hardship in their lives.

In Mecca, the companions were tortured and killed. They went through that kabad for the sake of Allah; but other people just go through it.

Think and reflect on this. Why are you going through the kabad in your life? If you try and have a good, sincere intention for everything you do, then insha’Allah you will earn a reward for all of it.

If not … well, as they say, “life just happens.”

Then in verse five, Allah continues:

أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّن يَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ

Translation: Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? [Surah Al-Balad, verse 5]

This is something you see very strongly in youth and kids–they think they’re invincible. They do crazy, daring things. “But you could get hurt,” you protest. “Me? I won’t get hurt,” they reply.

Qatadah, one tabi’ee, commented on this verse and mentions that it applies to wealth–that humans think nobody is able to take away his wealth; and that he denies that he will be asked by Allah how he earned it and how he spent it.” [Tafseer ibn Katheer]

Allah (‘azza wa jal) continues:

يَقُولُ أَهْلَكْتُ مَالًا لُّبَدًا

Translation: He says, “I have spent (wasted) wealth in abundance.” [verse 6]

This is something we see very clearly in Israel–they have a budget of billions of dollars to kill the Muslims. Even in the seerah, we know that by the middle of the Medinan period (around 6AH), the mushrikeen were exhausted financially–all that wealth they spent, thousands of dinars in Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, and other battles–all wasted wealth that brought them no benefit.

Then Allah says:

أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّمْ يَرَهُ أَحَدٌ

Translation: Does he think that no one has seen him? [verse 7]

This verse is a motto you should take for your life. Whenever you want to sin, reflect on this verse:

Does he think nobody sees him?

Because Allah sees everything; you can’t hide from Him (subhannahu wa ta’ala). Try and keep this in mind as you go through your life from day-to-day. It will increase you in taqwaa, insha’Allah.

Wallahu ta’ala a’lam.

References:

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Qur'an, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

Benefits of Tawbah

September 26, 2009 – 5:02 pm

Tawbah: returning to Allah

Bismillah

This is a translation from the original article in Arabic.

1- It is a cause to receive the Love of Allah azza wa jal. The Most High says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves. (2:222)

2- It is a cause of success. The Most High says:

وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

And all of you beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be successful. (24:31)

3- It is a cause of the acceptance of the deeds of a slave and pardoning of his sins. The Most High says:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَعْفُو عَنِ السَّيِّئَاتِ

And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and pardons sins. (42:25)

and The Most High says:

وَمَن تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَإِنَّهُ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَتَابًا

And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then verily, he repents towards Allah with true repentance. (25:71)

4- It is a cause of entrance into Jannah and safety from the Hell-Fire. The Most High says:

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَأُولَـٰئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا

But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil. Except those who repent, believe and do righteousness; for those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged at all. (19:59-60)

5- It is a cause of forgiveness and mercy. The Most High says:

وَالَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ ثُمَّ تَابُوا مِن بَعْدِهَا وَآمَنُوا إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِن بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

But those who committed evil deeds and then repented afterward and believed, verily, your Lord after (all) that is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (7:153)

6- It is a cause in the changing of evil deeds into good deeds. The Most High says:

وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا يُضَاعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِ مُهَانًا إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَـٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

And whoever does this shall be thrown the punishment. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace; Except those who repent and believe, and do righteous deeds; for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (25:68-70)

7- It is a cause of [receiving] every good. The Most High says:

فَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ

So if you repent, it is better for you. (9:3)

and The Most High says:

فَإِن يَتُوبُوا يَكُ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ

If then they repent, it will be better for them. (9:74)

8- It is a cause of emaan and [receiving] a great reward. The Most High says:

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَأَصْلَحُوا وَاعْتَصَمُوا بِاللَّهِ وَأَخْلَصُوا دِينَهُمْ لِلَّهِ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَسَوْفَ يُؤْتِ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

Except those who repent, do righteous good deeds, hold fast to Allah, and purify their religion for Allah, then they will be with the believers. And Allah will grant the believers a great reward. (4:146)

9- It is a cause of the sending of blessings from the sky and an increase in strength. The Most High says:

وَيَا قَوْمِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَىٰ قُوَّتِكُمْ وَلَا تَتَوَلَّوْا مُجْرِمِينَ

“And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as criminals. (11:52)

10-It is a cause of [receiving] the supplication of the Angels for those who repent. The Most High says:

الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ

Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe (saying): “Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your Way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire! (40:7)

11- It is obeying the Will of Allah, azza wa jal. The Most High says:

وَاللَّهُ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيْكُمْ

And Allah desires that He should turn to you (in repentance). (4:27) So the one who repents is doing what Allah loves and Pleases Him.

12- Allah becomes happy with the repentance of His slave. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Truly, Allah is happier with the repentance of His slave than one of you who is on his mount, and upon his mount is his drink and food; then he loses his mount in the desert, and he searches for it until he loses hope; so he sleeps and then wakes up to find that his mount is beside him, and he says, ‘O’ Allah, you are my slave and I am your Lord’. He pronounced this mistake as a result of extreme happiness.” [Muslim]

By AmatulWadood | Posted in Arabic, Gems, Islam, Tazkiyyah | Tagged , | Comments (6)

Ramadan Retrospective

September 19, 2009 – 10:27 pm

Eid Mubarak! As the sahaba would tell each other: May Allah accept our good deeds and your good deeds (from Ramadan). Ameen!

Ramadan is still fresh in your mind; the long days of fasting, the pain in your legs and back from taraweeh, and most of all, that biting regret that you didn’t do enough.

Would you like to make the next Ramadan even better? With only five minutes worth of effort?! Try this out: create a new document (by hand or computer, whatever you like) called “Ramadan Retrospective.” List out the following:

  • What you did well. Maybe you read more Qur’an than ever before! Or you prayed taraweeh every day. Whatever it is.
  • What you didn’t do well enough. Maybe you neglected your sunnah prayers because you were tired, or slept after Fajr. Write all that down.
  • What to do better next time. List the missed opportunities. Maybe you didn’t have a concrete plan for the last ten nights. Or you never bothered planning for ‘ittakaaf, and so, missed it.

The key step is to keep this in a safe place and look at it next Ramadan. This will insha’Allah give you a strong starting-point to move forward from. The key is to spend some time really thinking about it. If you don’t, it’ll just be superficial.

May Allah accept our good deeds and keep us doing them even after Ramadan has ended–ameen. And that, scholars say, is one of the best signs that your deeds were accepted.

Wallahu a’lam.

One final point–please list in the comments any lessons you learned (or heard about but maybe already knew) from Ramadan. Let’s see how much benefit we can come up with, insha’Allah. Here are a few to get you started from what I learned:

  • Eat little in Iftar, because bloat makes you sleepy in taraweeh.
  • Learn Arabic, because then taraweeh will be enjoyable, not endless.
  • Make a du’a list and use it every night in the last ten nights.
  • Pray two rakaahs before Fajr. It counts as Tahajjud!
  • Make du’a when you break your fast — that’s one of the best times.
  • Eat healthy.
By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Ibadah, Islam, Sawm, Tazkiyyah | Tagged , | Comments (3)

Plan for the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan

September 9, 2009 – 3:02 pm

make an action plan for the last ten nights of Ramadan

Ramadan is coming to a close. Like the last half-kilometer of a 10km race, the finish-line is in sight. This is the time to pull out all the stops and to sprint, flat-out. This is the time when Laylatul-Qadar, the night where deeds are multiplied by more than one thousand, hides.

Are you ready for it?

Maybe you felt like Ramadan breezed by. Maybe you felt like you didn’t do enough. Well, this is your chance to make up for it. You need to finish strong, insha’Allah.

So take five minutes and make an action plan. This plan will, insha’Allah, help you milk the end of the month. Grab a piece of paper and write “Ramadan Plan” on it.

First, list two categories of historical items:

  • The Good: List all the things you did, that you’re happy with. You read Qur’an. You prayed Taraweeh. You donated $100. And so on. You need to ensure you keep doing these things.
  • The Bad: Maybe you didn’t pray tahajjud. Maybe you didn’t even pray Fajr in the masjid! List all these things. Don’t hold back.

Then, create your action plan: Pick as many items as you think you can handle, the best of The Good and whatever you can take from The Bad. Using the example above, your action plan might include: Read Qur’an, pray Taraweeh, pray Fajr in the masjid.

Then, list all the things you need to stop doing to get this to work. Maybe you watch 2-3 hours of TV a day. Or you spend six hours daily on Facebook. Whatever it is–list it, and aim to get rid of it.

It’s crucial to realize that you need to sacrifice in the short-term. You want to maximize Laylatul-Qadr. Do so, even if you’ll drop behind on things here and there for a few days.

Insha’Allah if you do this, you’ll have a strong, action-oriented plan for the last ten nights. And remember to stretch yourself. Go beyond your comfort limit. That’s what Ramadan is about–breaking the limits.

If you have any other tips, insha’Allah list them in the comments. I’d love to squeeze more benefit out of Laylatul-Qadr. May Allah give us all the tawfeeq to catch this awesome night with the best good deeds.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Ibadah, Islam, Tazkiyyah | Tagged , | Comments (7)

Tafseer Surah Burjooj: Fitnah

August 25, 2009 – 3:38 pm

This is post #27 in our series on Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma (click the link to see all posts in this series).

Allah says, in Surah Al-Burooj:

وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الْبُرُوجِ
وَالْيَوْمِ الْمَوْعُودِ
وَشَاهِدٍ وَمَشْهُودٍ
قُتِلَ أَصْحَابُ الْأُخْدُودِ

Translation: By the sky containing great stars. And [by] the promised Day. And [by] the witness and what is witnessed. Cursed were the companions of the trench. [Surah Al-Buruj, verses 1-4]

The story of Ashaab-ul-Burooj, the People of the Ditch, is pretty well-known; in fact, we have an entire 15-part series on this surah. Check it out insha’Allah.

Allah opens this surahs with testifications. Then he testifies: qutila ashaabul-’uqdood. ‘uqdood is another word for ditch. Qutila, literally, means “they were killed.” But Ibn Abbaas (radiallahu anhu) said, whenever you read qutila in the Qur’an, it means lu’ina–cursed.

Allah cursed the People of the Ditch. And Allah is not in need of cursing–He can do anything, to anybody, anytime, anywhere. Lu’ina means, they were destroyed.

And they aredestroyed.

So what great sin did they perpetrate in order to deserve this immense reward–not only being cursed and destroyed, but being documented in the Qur’an, to be recited until the end of time?

Let’s see.
Read More »

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Qur'an, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Tafseer Surah Shams: One Man’s Sin

August 22, 2009 – 5:14 am

This is post #26 in our series on Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma (click the link to see all posts in this series).

camel

The noble she-camel, prized in the Arab society, was actually one of the signs Allah sent to a nation. What did they do with it?

Surahs are usually named by something unique in their content. But the sun (ash-shams) is mentioned in several surahs; so why is this one called Surah Shams?

The reason is because, in it, the sun is mentioned four times..

Yes, I said four times. Count ‘em. Allah says:

وَالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا
وَالْقَمَرِ إِذَا تَلَاهَا
وَالنَّهَارِ إِذَا جَلَّاهَا
وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَاهَا

Translation:By the sun and its brightness, and [by] the moon when it follows it. And [by] the day when it displays it, and [by] the night when it covers it. [Surah Ash-Shams, verses 1-4]

You notice “it,” “it,” “it,” … in Arabic, the pronoun used is haa (هَا), which is feminine. And “coincidentally,” all the other nouns referred to are masculine; which only leaves Ash-Shams–the sun–which is a feminine word; that’s the “it” referred to in the first four ayaat.

What’s even more amazing is that Allah testifies by himself:

وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا

Translation: And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it, … [verse 7]

Wow! Allah really wants us to pay attention here. What is He testifying to? What’s the maqsoom ‘alayh?

The answer is:

وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا
فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا
وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا

Translation: And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it, and inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness. He has succeeded who purifies it, And he has failed who instills it [with corruption]. [Verses 7-10]

The phrase “qad” (قَدْ) is a form of emphasis. Notice there is testification after testification, and emphasis on top to boot! That should really make you stop and think and ponder about the meaning–that’s the maqsoom ‘ayah, verses 9-10.

He has succeeded who purifies it, And he has failed who instills it [with corruption].

And the word translated as “instills it,” dassaahaa (دَسَّاهَا) means to step on something to hide it–like someone hiding something shameful behind their back or stepping on it.

And then comes an excerpt from the story of Prophet Salih (alayhi salaam):

كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ بِطَغْوَاهَا
إِذِ انبَعَثَ أَشْقَاهَا
فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ نَاقَةَ اللَّهِ وَسُقْيَاهَا
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَعَقَرُوهَا فَدَمْدَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُم بِذَنبِهِمْ فَسَوَّاهَا
وَلَا يَخَافُ عُقْبَاهَا

Translation: Thamud denied [their prophet] by reason of their transgression, When the most wretched of them was sent forth. And the messenger of Allah [Salih] said to them, “[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink.” But they denied him and hamstrung her. So their Lord brought down upon them destruction for their sin and made it equal [upon all of them]. And He does not fear the consequence thereof. [verses 11-15]

This was the sign of Prophet Salih (alayhi salaam)–they said, “Tell your God to make a she-camel come out of that mountain and then we’ll believe.” So he (alayhi salaam) asked.

And Allah sent a camel. But not just any camel, but a huge she-camel, like a mountain.

And Salih (alayhi salaam) said: Naaqata Allah! Allah’s she-camel! And everytime Allah links something to Himself, that shows the great honour and majesty of it. And he said: leave it alone! (verse 12)

And the camel was so huge, they would take turns drinking from the water sources. One day, Thamud drinks. The next day, the she-camel drinks. And then Thamud. And then the she-camel. And so on.

So then everybody believed, they all accepted Islam, and everybody went home happy and, eventually, to Jannah. Right?

Wrong.

Not only did they disbelieve–Allah says “kadh-dhabat” (كَذَّبَتْ), with shadda on the dhaal, a more intense form of lying than just kadhaba–but they, the person whom they sent, hamstrung it. Hamstrung means you cut down the back of the person’s (or camel’s, in this case) legs, forcing it to the ground. Because, again, it was huge, tall, and great.

And then they killed it.

And then Allah says: fa damdama. The fa indicates IMMEDIATE and SWIFT punishment, right on the heels of their killing of the she-camel. If I said “Muhammad entered, fa-Ahmed,” it means Ahmed entered right on the heels of Muhammad.

So Allah didn’t waste any time; but he sent their punishment, immediately. And he utterly obliterated and annihilated them.

And in the final verse, Allah says: he does not fear retaliation. Like the Jews in Israel–whenever they bomb a Muslim school, or a hospital, or a village, they close down their shops and houses and hide out of fear of retaliation.

Well, Allah says, He does NOT fear retaliation. Because nobody can harm Allah even an atom.

Nice story, huh? Well, it’s not just for passing time. There’s a very, very clear lesson here–above and beyond just obedience to Allah and His messengers. Think about this:

Only one person killed the she-camel. But ALL of them were wiped out.

“But wait,” you say, “I know some ‘aqeedah! Isn’t Allah Al-’Adl, the All-Just? Why would He wipe out one whole nation, for only one guy killing the she-camel?”

And the answer is, because they knew about the plans, but they didn’t stop him. “Oh he’s going to kill the she-camel. That’s nice. Let’s see what else is on TV.”

Think about it. Connect the dots! You have a responsibility to stop evil. If you don’t, you can be held accountable in the court of Allah.

Which raises the question of, in your country, what kind of sins are happening? What are people doing to disobey Allah? Are you doing your part? Are you advising the people, guiding the people, calling the people to Allah and away from evil?

Well, you might be accountable if you’re not. Just like Thamud. They were wiped out.

Think about it.

May Allah give us all the tawfeeq to live and implement these lessons in our lives (ameen). Wallahi they’re not just stories for entertainment. They’re deep, real-life lessons from history.

Action Plan:

  • Hold Them Back. Think of one person in your family, near or extended, who’s doing something against Allah and His messenger. Now, come up with a plan to correct them. Do it gently; take the time to build rapport, and find the best way to correct and advise them, without humiliating or hurting them. Then play your move.

References:

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Akhlaaq, Islam, Qur'an, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (4)

Ramadan Resource Bonanza!

August 20, 2009 – 4:10 pm

treasure chest.

What’s better than a chest of gold and jewels? A post full of Qur’an and sunnah!

Bismillah.

This is a guest post by an author who compiled a wide number of resources related to fasting, reciting Qur’an, and sincerity of intention. This is a great resource of ahadith and ayaat related to fasting. May Allah grant them a great reward (ameen!) and forgive any mistakes I have made in re-formatting it and linking all the sources to their citations.

So without further a-do, let’s jump into it.

Reported al-Bukhari that Umar bin al-Khaatab narrated: “I heard Allah’s Messenger (salallahu alyhi wa salaam) saying: “The reward of deeds depend on the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.” [Al-Bukhar: 1/1/1]

The Intentions of Fasting: Compilations of Intentions and benefits of fasting in the month of Ramadan

  1. To carry out the orders of Allah and to attain piety as Allah said: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al-Muttaqun (pious)” (Al-Baqarah 2:183)
  2. To get protection from Hell-Fire. Allah’s Messengers (salallahu alyhi wa sallam) said: “When a person fasts for a day, for the sake of Allah, Allah drives away the Hell-Fire from him to a distance of seventy years of traveling.” [Al-Bukhari: 4/52/93 and Muslim 6/2570 to 6/2572]
  3. To expiate one’s past sins. Allah’s Messenger said: “whoever observes Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan, out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari 1/2/37 and 3/32/231]
  4. To enter Paradise .Abu Umamah said: I asked the Prophet,’O Allah’s Messenger, guide me to a deed with which I may enter Paradise. “He (salallahu alyhi wa salaam) replied,’ Observe fasting; there is nothing like it.’” [An-Nissai, Ibn Hibban, and al-Hakim]
  5. To get the intercession on the Day of Judgment. “On the Day of Judgment, fasting and Qur’an will intercede for the person who observes fast and recites the Qur’an.” [Ahmed]
  6. To get a granted invocation (supplication).Allah’s Messenger said:’ Three kinds of invocations are to be granted; the invocation of the person who observes fast, the invocation of an oppressed person, and the invocation of a traveler.” [Al-Silsilah as-Sahiha no. 1797]
  7. To enter through the gate of Ar-Rayyan on the Day of Judgement. Allah’s Messenger said: “There is a gate of Ar-Rayyan on The Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it.”
    [Al-Bukhari 3/31/120, Muslim 5/2239 and 5/2240].
  8. To receive the reward in full without reckoning. Allah’s Messenger said:’ A man’s good acts are recompensed many times, from ten times to 700 times. Allah, the Exalted, says ‘But a fast is an exception because it is undertaken simply for My Sake) i.e.,there is no limit for it’s recompense) and I, Alone shall bestow the reward for it.’” [Muslim 6/2566 to 6/2568]

The intentions When taking Sahur (the Pre-Dawn Meal):

  1. To carry out the commandment of Prophet Muhammed (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) and follow his sunnah, when he said: “Take the Sahur because there’s blessing in it.” [Al-Bukhari 3/31/146, and Muslim].
  2. To be different from the people of the scriptures who do not observe partaking of Suhur [Muslim].
  3. To seek the salaah of Allah and his angels upon oneself. The Prophet Messenger (salallahu alyhi wa sallam) said: “Allah sends his salaah (graces, honors, blessings, mercy, etc.) and also his angels send their salaah (ask Allah to bless and forgive them) upon those who take sahur.’” [Ibn Hibban and at-Tabaraani]
  4. To facilitate fasting and gain strength for worshipping.
  5. To make Du’aa and ask forgiveness after taking Sahur at the end of the night.

The intentions at the time of breaking Fast.

  1. To carry out the orders of Allah (Subhana wa ta’ala) by eating at sunset.
  2. To gain strength for worshipping Allah (Subhana wa ta’ala).
  3. To follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammed (salallahu alyhi wa sallam) in hasting the breaking of the fast.
  4. Allah’s Messenger said: “The people will continue to be in a good state of affairs as long as they hasten the breaking the fast.’” [Bukhari 3/31/178 and Muslim 6/2417]
  5. To get the pleasure (Joy) when one will meet his Lord on the day of resurrection. Allah’s messenger said: “There are two pleasures of the person observing fast, one at the time of Iftar (breaking fast), and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; Then he will be pleased because of his Saum (fasting).” [Al-Bukhari 3/31/128 and 9/93/584]
  6. To get a granted invocation (prayer) at the time of breaking the fast. Allah’s messenger said: “Indeed the fasting person has at the time of breaking fast a prayer (supplication) which is not rejected.” [Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim]

The Intentions of Qiyaam (Establishing the nights with Prayer):

  1. To expiate ones past sins. Allah’s Messenger (salallahu alyhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever establishes (Nawafil, voluntary) prayers during the nights of Ramadan, faithfully, out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, all his past sins will be forgiven.’” [Al Bukhari]
  2. To search for Lailatul -Qadar (The Night of Qadar).Allah’s Messenger (salallahu alyhi wa sallam) said: “Search for the night of Qadar in the odd nights of the last nights of Ramadan.” [Al-Bukhari 1/2/37]
  3. To enter paradise with peace. Allah’s Messenger said: “O people! Spread Salaam (greetings), feed others, join your kin, and pray at night while people are sleeping, you will enter paradise with peace.” [Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi]
  4. To be one of the Muhsinun (Goodoers) who, “They used to sleep but little by night and in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness.” (51:17-18)
  5. To imitate and follow the way of the righteous predecessors. Allah’s messenger said: “exert your utmost to offer night prayers, because it is the way of the righteous predecessors before you it is nearness to your Lord, it expiates sins and prevents one from committing evil deeds or sins.” [At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by al-Albaani]
  6. To receive the great booty that comes from reciting the Qur’an in the night prayer is. Allah’s messenger (salallahu alyhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever establishes the night prayer and recite ten verses, will not be written down as one of the heedless and whoever prays at night reciting 100 verses will be written down as one of the sincere devotes, and whoever prays at night reciting 1000 verses will be written down as one of the al-Muqantarin [i.e. those for whom is written a Qintaar (a weight measure) of reward].” [Abu Dawoud and authenticated by al-Albaani]

The intentions when reciting the Qur’an

  1. To get the intercession. Allah’s messenger said: “Read the Qur’an as it shall come on the day of resurrection as an intercessor for its readers” [Muslim 4/1757]
  2. To get the healing for that which is in the breast (disease of ignorance, doubts, etc…)
  3. To be raised in grade (ranks) Paradise.
  4. To make it a protection (and a shield) from Hellfire
  5. To attain high ranks and to be with the angels.
  6. To be one of Allah’s special people.
  7. To get the Light with which one can be guided in the darkness (i.e. it is a light in the heart, in the face, in the grave and on the bridge (As-Siraat) on the day of Resurrection)
  8. To get increased amount of reward and to attain Allah’s love.
  9. To get the guidance and mercy of Allah.(Subhana wa ta’ala)

We ask Allah to help us be among those who implement all of these things consistently in our lives–allahumma ameen!

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Articles, Ibadah, Islam, Sawm, Tazkiyyah | Tagged , , | Comments (6)

New Project Unveiled: Salah Support

August 19, 2009 – 11:59 am

Bismillah.

Alhamdulillah, we’ve been working in the background for a while to launch a new project. Jazakumullahu khayran to everybody who helped out, may Allah keep giving you reward for it insha’Allah long after your bones are dust–allahumma ameen!

First, check yourself, and fill out the poll below:

How's Your Salah?

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If you haven’t guessed, our new project is: Salah Support, a forum where you can find resources on salah–everything from videos on how to pray, to ebooks on khushoo’, to creative alarms for Qiaaym-ul-Layl.

We hope, bi idhnillah, that people will benefit–posting questions, and answers (with proofs, of course).

If you’re masha’Allah a regular musalli with your 5x fard salawaat secured, I request that you monitor the forums and help others get up to speed, insha’Allah. After all, the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

Jarir ibn Abdullah and Abu Hurayrah (radiallahu ‘anhumaa) reported that Allah’s Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) as saying: He who called (people) to righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect. [Saheeh Muslim: book 34, #6466, #6468, #6469, and #6470]

So you can get the reward of people praying–five times a day, every day! But be careful, because the sin is multiplied, too–hence the importance of quoting sources and trustworthy shuyookh.

And if you need help, tips, support, then drop by–that’s what it’s all about!

May Allah allow us to benefit each other and ourselves from this project, and make it a way for us to extend our deeds until the day of Judgment–Allahumma ameen!

So check it out and see what you think!

And yes, there is a “sawm” folder too, for all things fasting-related; if it’s popular, we’ll keep it, otherwise, we’ll focus insha’Allah on just salah. Please give me some feedback in the comments, too, if there are any changes you need or ideas you have.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Ibadah, Islam, News, Salaah, Tazkiyyah | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)