“A call from Strangers”
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Divine Inspiration
“And do not give the weak minded your property, which Allah (SWT) has made a means of sustenance for you, but provide for them with it and clothe them and speak to them words of appropriate kindness.
[Sura Al-Nisa Ch-05 V- 05]
Prophetic Inspiration
Narrated by Ibn Umer (R.A):-“All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects, the man is a guardian of his family, the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband’s house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects.”
[Bukhari & Muslim]
Dead Hearts
Indeed, what kind of piety is there in a person who witnesses Allah's sanctities being violated, his religion abandoned, the Sunnah of His Messenger shunned, and yet remains still with a cold heart and a shut mouth' Such a person is like a dumb Shaitan!
By: Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
While thousands of Muslims are being killed all over the world, and while tens of thousands are being imprisoned and tortured for calling to the path of Allah and for enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, most Muslims remain remarkably silent and have no worry except for the material things of life. Their hearts have been filled with the love of this life and the forgetfulness of the Hereafter.
Allah says in the Qur'an: "You will indeed find them, of all people, most greedy of life, even more than those who do not believe in Resurrection. Each one of them wishes he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from due punishment. For Allah sees well all that they do" (Al Baqarah ch:2 v:96). Many Muslims today have become so much attached to their life that their desire is to dwell among their family, house, money and commerce. They have forgotten that matters of the Hereafter should come before matters of this life and that we must strive to follow the orders of Allah, not just those we find easy and convenient to follow. Some Muslims today claim that it is better to perform extra prayers and extra fasting rather than enjoin the good and forbid the evil or defend the lives of weak Muslims. Such people would even blame the Muslims who strive to perform these obligations.
This is what Ibn al-Qayyim had to say about such people: ''The Shaitan has misled most people by beautifying for them the performance of certain voluntary acts of worship such as voluntary prayers and voluntary fasting while neglecting other obligatory acts of worship such as enjoining the good and eradicating the evil, to the extent that they do not even make the intention of performing them whenever they are able to. Such people are considered by the scholars to be on the bottom of the scale of religion: For the essence of our religion is to perform what Allah ordered us to do. The one who does not perform his obligations is actually worse than the one who performs sins. Anyone having some knowledge about the revelation of Allah, the guidance of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, and the life of the companions would conclude that those who are pointed at today as the most pious people are in fact the least pious. Indeed, what kind of piety is there in a person who witnesses Allah's sanctities being violated, his religion abandoned, the Sunnah of His Messenger shunned, and yet remains still with a cold heart and a shut mouth' Such a person is like a dumb Shaitan! In the same way the one who talks falsehood is a speaking Shaitan. Isn't the misfortune of Islam due only to those who whenever their life and food are secure, would not care about what happens to the religion? The best among them would offer a sorry face. But if they were challenged in one of the things their heart is attached to like their money, they would spare no efforts to get it back. These people, besides deserving the anger of Allah, are afflicted with the greatest calamity without even knowing it: They have a dead heart. Indeed the more alive a person's heart is, the stronger its anger for the sake of Allah and the more complete his support to Islam and Muslims." (A'alaam al-Muwaqqi'een, volume 2, page 176).
What is Nikah & Why we do it
“Nikah in our society is delayed for smaller reasons like, educations, earnings etc.One should realise that faith and chasity is more important than career & future…"
Writes: Dr Shafeeq Bakshi
Praise to Almighty Allah, & Peace be upon Rasullulah(PBUH).There is no denying in the fact that Islam offers us complete guidance in all issue related to our life, marriage being an important aspect of human life is no exception.
Islam urges upon all Muslims to marry. The importance of marriage is revealed in this hadith as;
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has said, “He is not among us, who denies marrying.”(1)
Marriage is called as ‘Nikah’in Islamic terminology, here forth we will use the word ‘Nikah’.
Nikah is an Arabic word which means “Intercourse”. It is the literal meaning of the said word. And the actual meaning will differ as per situation i.e. Nikah of sister or daughter etc, will mean exempting an agreement, while Nikah of wife will mean the ‘intercourse’.(2)
Importance:-
Nikah has two major importance’s.
1. Safe guarding Faith & Chasity.
2. Preserving Humankind & kinship.
There are few more importance’s which we may speak about later. The first one will come under religious advantage & second one as social advantage, but let us clear this thing here only that Islam does not adopt this difference ‘as far a Muslim all social issues are indeed part of his Deen, that is why we say that Islam is a complete guide to life(including all issues).
1: Preserving of faith and chastity.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said, "When Allah grants one a righteous wife, He has helped him to preserve half of his religion”. (3)
All living things have a natural desire for opposite sex, same is the case with humans as well. And Islam being, the Religion of The Creator does acknowledge this fact and paves way for its followers to have spouse;
So that their chastity is preserved and they do not indulge in forbidden ways to fulfill this desire. This also needs to be understood that as parent one should not stop his/her offspring’s from having spouse when they need to have one.
But alas! This fact is denied for unnecessary things and issues, which have minimal or negligible importance in Islam. Nikah in our society is delayed for smaller reasons like, educations, earnings etc. One should realise that faith and chastity is more important than career & future, by this one may be securing his/her future but he or she may be destroying (real) Future (The Here-after).
So Nikah should be performed at an ideal age & not in late thirties, as is routine in our society, remember this has medical drawbacks as well, especially for females.
2: Preserving Humankind & kinship.
The second important advantage of Nikah is, to preserve Humankind and kinship. Any marriage contract which does not fulfill or is not performed to fulfill this very important aspect is indeed undesired. Islam disallows the same. In this regard ‘Matta’the time bound marriage contract and ‘halalah’ (paving way for marriage) are haram, because both of these do not ensure preserving humankind & kinship.
A Muslim has been urged to marry a female who will bear more children, our bellowed Prophet (S.A.W) has said,
“Marry a woman who is loving and can bear many children.(4)
Similarly, Nikah preserves the kinship, it has been mandatory to recite following verse from Surah Al-Nisah in the nikah sermon, to address the importance of preserving and strengthing the kinship. Allah (SWT) says,
“O People! Revere Your lord who has created you from a single soul, created from it its mate, and dispersed from both of them many men & women .Revere Allah through whom you demand things from one another, and (cherish the ties of)the women’s Indeed Allah is ever-watchful over you(5)
So if someone does the marriage which results in discard of kinship, either man stopping his wife from visiting or enquiring about well being of her kith & kins, or woman abuses her husband for taking care about his kiths & kins is indeed against the concept of Nikah. This needs to be understood clearly, because for many reasons kinship of either of spouses get hurt, rather get cut, which is a ‘greater sin’ Our belowed Prophet (s.a.w) has said that “Once who breaks the kinship will not enter Jannah”.
Nikah enables one to here children, and now relations come into existence, besides it is a wonderful experience to have a child {May Allah bestow the childless couples with this fruit}.
Conclusion:-So it is understood that in order to preserve the humankind, kinships, chasity and Religion, one needs to perform Nikah. Every person who has come to this world owes a basic duty to this world that is, to leave a replacement (offspring) after he/she leaves this world, and for that matter Nikah is the only safest and desirable way.
May Allah help us all to have spouse(s) that will strength our faith and kinship.(ameen) Writer heads a socio-religious organization, Muwadad Nikah council’ and can be mailed at: Drshafeeqbakshi@gmail.com
Refrence:
· Sahih Ibn Maja Hadith No. 2383
· Lisan-ul-Arab
· Al-Tabrani Al-hakim – verified by Hasan by Albani Hadith No.625
· Recorded by Abu Dawood and Nasai verified as Sahih by Albani Shaih-Jamah Hadith No.2940
· Al-Nisa ch:4 v:1
The Supplication
O Lord! To the Muslim’s heart grant that live longing
Which may warm the heart, which may restlessness to the soul grant
Again bright in up every speck of dust of the valley of Faran
Again long in for the spectacle, taste for the asking grant
Again to the one deprived of the spectacle the discerning eye grant
Whatever I have seen, to others also its sight grant
Again guide the strayed away deer towards the Harm
To the one addicted to city, vastness of wilderness grant
Again in the forlorn heart create the Last Day’s tumult
Again to this empty camel-litter the lover of Lailah grant
In the darkness of this age to every perturb heart
That mark of love which may embarrass the moon grant.
(Iqbal RA)
The Status of Women in Islaam
The secret of her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that is placed upon her, and the difficulties that she has to shoulder - responsibilities and difficulties some of which not even a man bears
Writes Sheikh Abdullah Ibn Baaz(R.A)
The status of the Muslim woman in Islaam is a very noble and lofty one, and her effect is very great in the life of every Muslim. Indeed, the Muslim woman is the initial teacher in the building of a righteous society, providing she follows the guidance from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Since adherence to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah distances every Muslim - male or female - from being misguided in any matter...
The secret of her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that is placed upon her, and the difficulties that she has to shoulder - responsibilities and difficulties some of which not even a man bears. This is why from the most important obligations upon a person is to show gratitude to the mother, and kindness and good companionship with her. And in this matter, she is to be given precedence over and above the father...
A man came to Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and said: O Messenger of Allaah! Who from amongst mankind warrants the best companionship from me? He replied:"Your mother." The man asked: Then who? So he replied: "Your mother." The man then asked: Then who? So the Prophet replied again: "Your mother." The man then asked: Then who? So he replied: "Then your father." [Related by al-Bukhaaree (no.5971) and Muslim (7/2), from Abu Hurayrah radiallaahu ‘anhu]. So this necessitates that the mother is given three times the like of kindness and good treatment than the father.
As regards the wife, then her status and her effect in making the soul tranquil and serene, has been clearly shown in the noble aayah (verse), in His - the Most High’s - saying:
"And from amongst His Signs is this: That He created for you wives from amongst yourselves, so that you may find serenity and tranquility in them. And He has put between you love and compassion. Indeed, in this are signs for those who reflect." [Soorah Room 30:21].
...And do not forget about ‘Aaishah - radiallaahu ‘anhaa - and her great effect. Since even the great Sahaabah (Companions) used to take knowledge of Hadeeth from her, and many of the Sahaabiyaat (female Companions) learn the various rulings pertaining to women’s issues from her...
And there is no doubt, that the house in which there is kindness, gentleness, love and care, along with the correct Islaamic tarbiyah (education and cultivation) will greatly affect the man. So he will become - if Allaah wills - successful in his affairs and in any matter - whether it be seeking knowledge, trading, earning a living, or other than this. So it is Allaah alone that I ask to grant success and to guide us all to that which He loves and is pleased with. And may the prayers and peace of Allaah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his Family, his Companions and his followers.
Source: Majmoo' Fataawaa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah
10 Inspirations from
Shaykh-ul-Islam
Ibn Taymiyah(R.A)
a Every punishment from Him is pure justice and every blessing from Him is pure grace. [ Majmu Fatawa (10/85)]
a Whoever desires everlasting bliss let him adhere firmly to the threshold of servitude.[Madarij (1/531)]
a The Lord loves to be loved.[ Majmu Fatawa (1/54)]
a Guidance is not attained except with knowledge and correct direction is not attained except with patience.[ Majmu Fatawa (10/40)]
a In this world is a Paradise, whoever does not enter it will not enter the Paradise of the Hereafter?[ Al-Wabil (p.69)]
a The one who is (truly) imprisoned is the one whose heart is imprisoned from Allah and the captivated one is the one whose desires have enslaved him.[ Al-Wabil (p.69)]
a This whole religion revolves around knowing the truth and acting by it, and action must be accompanied by patience.[ Majmu Fatawa (10/38)]
a Worship is founded upon the Legal Law and following it, not upon ones base desires and innovation.[ Majmu Fatawa (1/80)
a If you do not taste the sweetness of an action in your heart, suspect it, for the Lord, Exalted is He, is the Appreciative.[ Madarij (2/68)]
a The more the servant loves his Master, the less will he love other objects and they will decrease in number. The less the servant loves his Master, the more will he love other objects and they will increase in number.[ Majmu Fatawa (1/94)]
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
“Allah does wish to make clear to you and to show you the ordinances of those before you; and (He does wish to) turn to you (in Mercy): and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
Al-Quran Sura Al-Nisa Ch: No.4 V: No.26
Welcome o Ramadan!
Introduction with Reminder
“Fasting is an experience wherein the person leaves his wants and desires for the sake of putting what Allah wants first. This reminds him of his true goal and purpose in life.”
Writes Suhana Lateef
“Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may (learn) self-restrain”
Surah Baqarah ch:2 v:183.
The fourth pillar of Islam is saum (fasting), ninth month of Islamic calendar (Ramadan). This means to abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse during the day time. (From dawn until sunset of the days of the month).
It is notable that fasting is much more than simply restraining from food, drink and sexual intercourse. It is supposed to be a time in which God consciousness is greatly heightened .This increased level of God-consciousness should be reflected in everything the individual does while fasting.”Perhaps the fasting person may get nothing from his fast except hunger. And perhaps the one who performs the late night prayer may get nothing from his prayers except sleeplessness.”(Sahih al –Jami-al-Sageer). The fasting is (not only abstaining) from food and drink but the fast is abstained from vain speech and lewd speech. If anyone reviles you or act foolishly with you, you should say, I am fasting, I am fasting. (Sahih al-Jami al-Sageer). The prophet (peace be upon him) also said, “If someone does not give up false speech and acting according to it, Allah is in no want of him giving up his food and drink. (Sahih-Bukhari).
When a person conscientiously strive for Allah’s will and pays due respect, while he is fasting, to the instructions laid down by the prophet (peace be upon him) in this connection. It is most necessary to leave strictly alone not only food and drink, but also the major and minor sins. He must neither quarrel, not utter a lie nor engage himself in slander and back biting.
Fasting is an experience wherein the person leaves his wants and desires for the sake of putting what Allah wants first. This reminds him of his true goal and purpose in life. This experience allows him to put matters into proper perspective concerning what he wants out of this life and what is of true importance to him.
The prophet (peace be upon him) has given an instruction that will help us to appreciate the numerous benefits that we have received from Allah .Let us use this instruction in our daily life. He (pbuh) “Look at those who are lower than you (having less than you) and do not look at those who are above than you(having more than you)as otherwise the bounties of Allah upon you would become insignificant to you”. (Sahih Muslim).
The institution of fasting can take the person even further while fasting the person does not view the plight of others but he can actually begin to feel their plight. Hence the rich can reflect on what they have been given and give true thanks. Especially in this age, in some materially advanced countries, one becomes very much accustomed to easy access of food, drink, clean water, electricity and so on .Since these are readily available, the person starts to take them granted and does not realize what a great blessing they are and how so many in today’s world are actually deprived of these basic needs.
Fast can lead to the promotion of virtues of piety and righteousness and impart the moral strength needed to control and discipline the sensual appetites when, together with abstention from food and drink, all the major and minor transgressions of the law of Allah are, also Zealously avoided. Let’s observe in the right spirit, and with proper care and solicitude, then the benefits indicated above can positively be obtained from them.
Let us turn to Allah with a sincere heart and ask Him to forgive our all minor and major sins in this blessed month which is ready to come. (ameen)
Suhana Lateef, (B.A 1st year) www.facebook.com/Bibliophile.sohana
How Can We Confront Intellectual Attack
By Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn Baaz
We must confront the intellectual onslaught represented in the internet radio, books, newspapers, magazines and writings which the Muslim communities in our present time have been afflicted with. The Muslim male and female spend most of their time with such, despite the fact that they contain deadly poison and misleading propagation most of the time. Therefore confronting this is a very important issue if we want to protect Islaam and the Islamic culture from its conspiracies and evil.
The da`ees and the defenders of Islaam must devote their time in writing beneficial researches, articles, periodicals and give da`wah. They should respond to different types of cultural attack and expose its defects and clarify its falseness. The enemies have gathered now and are preparing all their efforts and abilities to establish different organizations and various ways to scheme and plot against the Muslims and deceive them.
Therefore we must counter attack these enemies. We must refute and disapprove of their networks, expose them, and present Islaam as a faith, belief, legal system and a social and moral system. This should be done in a way that will make the people learn it, through good methods suitable for the age, and with wisdom and good admonition, arguing in a way that is best. We should use all the methods of the media, according to the resources available and our ability.
The deen of Islam is a complete deen, which contains all good. It is the source of happiness for all mankind, and helps us in achieving righteous prosperity, sound progression, security, tranquility and a noble life and victory in this life and in the Hereafter.
Source: Internet
