The Day Is

 

Random thoughts/feelings…

Dignity and honour are two things that are invaluable to a person (at least, they are to me). The best way to hurt a person are by these two means. But a dignified person realises when their dignity or honour is being threatened and they back off and put their shield on…

 

Hijab By: Shariffa Carlo Al Andalusia

Hijab
By Shariffa Carlo Al Andalusia

In the last few years, I have seen Muslims, become so ignorant of our religion, as our beloved Prophet warned us, that many of us are being fooled by those who would have us worship our desires and abandon the correct worship of Allah.

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al’ As: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “Allah does not take away the knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray.” Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 3, Number 100.

We tend to indulge ourselves in “sheikh” hunting when we don’t like what we hear, until we find the “sheikh” who tells us what we want to hear. It soes not matter sometimes who this “sheikh” is or where he/shs learned or even what level his/her understanding has reached. If we heard someone call him sheikh or her sheikha, we follow what they teach. We would never do this with our life matters, yet for our deen, which extends beyond the limited bounds of our life, we find it easy. We are supposed to verify that everything that we learn is supported by the Quraan and the authentic hadiths of our beloved Prophet.

Narrated Abu Huraira: I said: “O Allah’s Apostle! Who will be the luckiest person, who will gain your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?” Allah’s Apostle said: O Abu Huraira! “I have thought that none will ask me about it before you as I know your longing for the (learning of) Hadiths. The luckiest person who will have my intercession on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who said sincerely from the bottom of his heart “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.”

And ‘Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz wrote to Abu Bakr bin Hazm, “Look for the knowledge of Hadith and get it written, as I am afraid that religious knowledge will vanish and the religious learned men will pass away (die). Do not accept anything save the Hadiths of the Prophet. Circulate knowledge and teach the ignorant, for knowledge does not vanish except when it is kept secretly (to oneself).” Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 3, Number 98.

Think about this. In explanation of this hadith, Umar bin Abdul Aziz told us to seek the knowledge of the hadith. Why? Its obvious, because it is here that we can truely understand the verses of Allah and stay away from shirk, by applying them as they were implemented by our beloved Prophet. Any other way is denying the truth of La ilaha il Allah!

The prophet warned us that there would emerge people, teaching from their ignorance. And those people are alive and thriving today. This is especially sad when we know that knowledge of what is truly Islam is so easy for us to find. We do not have to travel hundreds of miles on foot, or by steed to acquire knowledge of one hadith. They are all collected, authenticated and analyzed for us now. May Allah guide us to the true knowledge.

The latest trend to hit the streets as they say, is the invention of new interpretations for the verses on hijab. They have discovered, it seems, something the Prophet, himself, had not discovered. Audhu billah! At first they claim that the word, “hijab” does not appear in the Quraan. Which is not true. Hijab is there, in relation to the mothers of the believers. who are our examples. Also, jilbab and Khymar, two far more specific terms are there, and they are specifically directed towards us, the Muslim women, and in observing these two, we are essentially observing hijab. Since this is so easily disputed, they have to invent a new loophole. They go on to say that the verse for the khymar does not say hair. They have taken a verse and ignored the implementation of this verse as found in the authentic sunnah or the teachings of the scholars.

Those who are teaching this lunacy have committed two great violations. One, they are denying the verses of Allah, which in itself is outright shirk. Second, they are saying that our beloved Prophet did not understand these verses, because when the women began to cover themselves completely, he did not correct them. Which he ALWAYS did when they were wrong!

Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu’minin: When the verse “That they should cast their outer garments over their persons” was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads. Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4090.

and

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin: Safiyyah, daughter of Shaybah, said that Aisha mentioned the women of Ansar, praised them and said good words about them. She then said: When Surat an-Nur came down, they took the curtains, tore them and made head covers (veils) of them. Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4089.

and:

Narrated Anas ibn Malik: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) brought Fatimah a slave which he donated to her. Fatimah wore a garment which, when she covered her head, did not reach her feet, and when she covered her feet by it, that garment did not reach her head. When the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) saw her struggle, he said: There is no harm to you: Here is only your father and slave. Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4094.

Here, the Prophet was waiting for his daughter to cover from her head to her feet, the mother of the believers was praising the women for their understanding and implementation of this verse. If they were wrong, it would have been correction, not praise. Did our great Prophet, himself, not understand? Did his beloved daughter not understand? Did Aisha, the mother of the Believers, who is undisputedly one of the greatest scholars of al Islam, not understand? It is inconceivable that the Prophet and these great woman who lived with and learned from the Prophet himself, would understand Islam less than these Modern self-appointed scholars of Islam. May Allah guide them and protect us from them!

Having said this, let me give you the verses relating to the woman’s covering and try to explain them. Allah says:

O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments (Jalbab) over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 33:59

and

And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils (khymar) over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss. 24:31

and

O ye who believe! Enter not the Prophet’s houses,- until leave is given you,- for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation: but when ye are invited, enter; and when ye have taken your meal, disperse, without seeking familiar talk. Such (behavior) annoys the Prophet: he is ashamed to dismiss you, but Allah is not ashamed (to tell you) the truth. And when ye ask (his ladies) for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy Allah’s Messenger, or that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah’s sight an enormity. 33:53

In these verses, we see that we have been commands to wear the jalbab and the Khymar. What are these things? For a technical explanation, we find that jalabib, which is used in the verse is the plural of Jalbab. “Jalbab, is actually the outer sheet or coverlet which a woman wraps around on top of her garments to cover herself from head to toe. It hides her body completely.” Lisan ul Arab vol 1 p. 273. The best explanation is that it is what we would today call a burqa or an abiya.

In explanation of this word, Allamah ibin Al Hazam writes:

“In the Arabic language of the Prophet, Jalbab is the outer sheet which covers the entire body. A piece of cloth which is too small to cover the entire body could not be called Jalbab.” Al Muhalla, vol. 3, p. 217.

The second piece, the Khymar is from the root Khmr which means something which veils. As we can see from the term Khamir (alcohol or any substance which veils the mind). The Khymar was a piece which covers the head and the breast area as instructed in the verse.

Sheikh Al Al Baani was asked about this verse in relation to its limitations. He explained that it means a covering that goes over the head, shoulder and breast area, excluding the face. Here is the exchange in a question/answer format:

“What is the ruling regarding a woman’s wearing a scarf on her head?

Ans. That is not enough – she has to wear a ‘khimaar’ which covers the head and chest. The scarf is not loose fitting and does not cover enough.

Should not the shoulders also be covered by it?

Yes, that is the ‘khimaar’. It is a wide cover covering the head and shoulders. When we say that it covers the chest, then it covers the shoulders since it is wide. But as regards the head-scarf we often see a woman wearing it revealing a part of the neck due to it, but the ‘khimaar’ covers the neck and shoulder, and Allaah ta’aala orders that saying:

WALYADRIBNA BIKHUMURIHINNA ‘ALAA JUYOOBIHINNA

The head-scarf is as they say these days a compromise, and there is no such thing in Islaam!

Many people hold that the khimaar’ is a covering for the face.

Ans. That is ignorance with regard to the language. The ‘khimaar’ is a covering for the head and the man also wears the khimaar – putting it upon his head – the same as for the woman. He ta’aala said:

WALYADRIBNA BIKHUMURIHINNA ‘ALAA JUYOOBIHINNA

If the khimaar covered the face then He ta’aala would not say WALYADRIBNA meaning pull/draw together, but he would have said “let fall” [ using the verb 'sadala' ]. This is ignorance regarding the language.”

Here we can clearly see the limitations of the piece that covers our heads. It must bo over the shoulders and the breast to fit what is described in the Quraan.

When we put the two pieces together, what we have is a long dress jilbab and a head/shoulder/breast cover: khymar. These two pieces were commanded by Allah. Together they comprise the cover of the Muslim woman. Now, how do we know how serious it is to not cover? We find this in the explanations of the verses. We have one particularly strong hadith which pretty much covers it all.

The Prophet said, “The worst among women are those who freely leave their homes without hijab. They are hypocrites and few of those will enter paradise.” (Sunan Baihaqi)

Also, In al Qurtubi, Aisha is narrated as having said to some women from the tribe of the Bani Tamim who were wearing dresses made of thin material when they were visiting her, “If you are mumin this is not the type of dress suitable for mumin women. But if you are not mumin, then do as you please.” Also, narrated in Al Qurtubi is a statement from the mother of the believers, Aisha, that the woman who does not cover does not believe in surat al Noor. These are very strong words, for the one who disbelieves in any part of the Quraan is not a believer and has committed shirk!

So strong is the importance of covering, that we can not even reveal to others that which is hidden. Abdullah Ibin Masud narrated that the Prophet said, “A woman should not look at or touch another woman so that she may describe this woman to her husband in such a way as if he were actually looking at her.” (Bukhari, Abu Dawud)

The covering of the Muslim woman is not an option, it is a privilege and a commandment from Allah. It is the duty of every Muslim woman and the responsibility of every Muslim man. For the man was commanded to:

O ye who believe! save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded. 66:6

Now, the words of Allah in commanding us to wear khymar and jalbab should be enough. Added to that the words of our Prophet and the explanations from his wives, should be more than enough. Let’s add to that that it is the consensus of the scholars (ijimaa) that the “hijab” is mandatory, and there should remain no woman who does not observe it, if she believes in Allah and the last day.

So, knowing this, what is the believing woman to do, except submit to Allah. And how exactly do we do this. The cover of the Muslim woman is two pieces: An overgarment (jilbab) and a head/shoulder/bosom scarf (khymar). It is not pants, skirts, or other… The word in the Quraan is clear — jalbab (which is clearly a one piece garment). Also, the teachings and examples of the mothers of the believers, the family of the Prophet and the female companions of the Prophet are enough to show us that these are the only acceptable alternatives. While pants and skirts were available and known, there is not one single example of them being utilized as appropriate covering outdoors. This means they can not be utilized as such today. The covering has certain limitations and those limitations came from Allah’s commandments, not man (or woman’s) desires or rationalizations.

Second, the dress must be loose, and touching (even dragging ) on the ground. We know this from the following two hadiths.

When the Prophet was talking about Allah not gazing upon the one who trails his garments in pride,

Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu’minin: Safiyyah, daughter of AbuUbayd, said: When the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) mentioned lower garment, Umm Salamah, wife of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him), asked him: And a woman, Apostle of Allah? He replied: She may hang down a span. Umm Salamah said: Still it (foot) will be uncovered. He said: Then a forearm’s length, nor exceeding it. Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4105.

Also,

Narrated Dihyah ibn Khalifah al-Kalbi: The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) was brought some pieces of fine Egyptian linen and he gave me one and said: Divide it into two; cut one of the pieces into a shirt and give the other to your wife for veil. Then when he turned away, he said: And order your wife to wear a garment below it and not show her figure. Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4104.

These two hadiths show that the dress must touch the ground and must be loose. Since we know that they had shoes and socks, and they were not given as options, then we also know that they can not be taken as options today. The dress had to cover the feet and the legs. The commandments of covering never spoke of just covering the skin. They gave a specific UNIýFORM for the Muslim woman. Remember, in the verse about Jalbab, one of the reasons for it was so that the Muslim woman should be known as such. This is important for us to remember. We need to be able to recognize each other, and to be able to be easily recognized by others. This is one of the primary purposes of the cover.

Also, the dress should not be decorated, making it more beautiful than what is covered. Allah commands the believing woman to “not display their beauty” (24:31). and he orders us to ” not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments” (24:31). We are not to show the decorations we place on ourselves or even to allude to that which we hide. Therefore, the things which do show, the jilbab and the khymar should be devoid of decoration or ornamentation.

Now we have a dress which is plain, long and wide and a plain scarf which covers the head, shoulders and bossom. The only things showing should be the face and the hands. now what is face. It is the part we have to clean in wudu –the circle from the hairline (not including any hair), to the ears but not including the ears as they are considered part of the head, to the chin. The hands are from the wrist down. All else is considered aura (that which is to be hidden) including the feet which we were told to cover with our dress, not with socks or shoes. To strengthen this, we have a hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud. A woman asks Um salama, ” I am a woman who drags her dress and I walk in the dirty places, what shall I do? Um Salama answered, “Rasool Allah said ‘What is after it purifies it. ‘” Therefore, if the dress could be shortened and socks or shoes serve in their place as sufficient covering, this special right, that the dress becomes clean for salat by dragging over clean dirt would not have been necessary or even acceptable. And Allah knows Best.

Last, but not least, because the woman and man are forbidden to imitate each other and because we can not imitate the Kufar, the dress also can not imitate the dress of a man (like pants or a thob or dishdasha) nor can it imitate the kufar, like trying to make it match the latest kafir fashions or dressing like a nun. And the dress should never be a dress of pride.

May Allah guide us all to the best for this life and the next. May Allah guide our women to the proper dress of the Muslim woman, to the uniform of the Muslim, to the dress of dignity and piousness. May Allah keep us from worshipping our desires and guide us all to the sirat al mustaqeem. Ameen.

 

Laylat al-Qadr and I’tikaaf

The last ‘ashra of Ramadan is the ‘ashra of salvation from Hell-fire. It is in this ‘ashra that Laylat al-Qadr occurs as well. Allah SWT has said regarding this night, “The night of Qadr is better than a thousand nights.” [Qur’an, Surah Al Qadr]

‘Aa’ishah (r.a.) has said that, “When the last ten days of Ramadaan came, the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) would stay up at night and would wake his family up, and would abstain from marital relations.” [Bukhaari, Muslim]

During these last ten days Rasool Allah (s.a.w.w.) used to observe I’tikaaf. He did observe it, initially, in the first ‘ashra and then the second ‘ashra but finally when he (s.a.w.w.) was told that Laylat al-Qadr falls in the last ‘ashra, then onwards he observed it in the last ‘ashra.

During I’tikaaf one should devote themselves completely to the remembrance of Allah SWT. Men should observe it in the Masjid while women may observe it in the Masjid or a room in their house which is specifically used for ‘Ibaadah. For necessary requirements one may leave the masjid/place of I’tikaaf and return upon fulfillment of the need.

‘Aa’ishah (r.a.) said: “He (Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.w.)) would not enter his house for anything except for a need when he was observing i’tikaaf.” [Al-Bukhaari, Muslim]

The person must refrain from all worldly matters and marital relations. ‘Ibaadah must be done along with maintaining ourselves.

‘Aa’ishah (r.a.) said: “The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) used to lean his head towards me when he was observing i’tikaaf in the mosque, and I would comb his hair, when I was menstruating and I would wash it.” [al-Bukhaari, Muslim]

The Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr) is a night of great blessings.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

One should refrain from all bidah (special celebrations held for this night). Anything that has not been proven from Qur’an or Sunnah should be avoided. The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) has just told and taught us to do ‘Ibaadah on this night. One of the best du’aas that may be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) taught to ‘Aa’ishah (r.a), which is: “Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).” [Tirmidhi]

We should aim to do as the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) did and reap the benefits of the Sunnah. The Mssenger’s (s.a.w.w.) way is the best way as it is the way of Mustaqeem.

Insha’Allah, if the above was not achieved this year we should aim to achieve it next Ramadaan. It is such a pleasure to see young sisters observing I’tikaaf at the Masaajid. May Allah SWT reward them for their efforts, ameen!

May Allah SWT accept our Ramadaan, ameen!

Originally posted at Chowrangi.com

 

Strong American Presence in Pakistan: Is China threatened by the U.S.?

We are aware that the U. S. has stationed a large number of its army in Pakistan. Lately, the Pentagon has proposed to transfer U.S. military equipment from Iraq to Pakistan. This is supposedly done to aid Pakistani security forces to combat the Taliban.

Setting up such a strong base in Pakistan does look like a real war is about to take place. So, is the target of war just the Taliban or also some other threats to the U.S. government?

China is, of course, a super-power rival that may be easily attacked if Pakistan is set as the base. The Chinese government will protest against this mass transfer of army and military equipment or not time will only tell. However, Pentagon would sure be struggling to think how to fit Russia in this mass destruction strategy.

On the other hand, just think how stealthily and cunningly the U.S. has taken foothold in Pakistan. It has definitely learned from past mistakes of Afghanistan and Iraq that subtlety is the best policy… presumably…

 

The Diseases and the Guidelines in Kalamullah and the Sunnah

Come September 19th is one of Italy’s most celebrated and looked-forward-to festival of Saint Januarius, in which the blood of the saint that has been stored in a vial is kissed by devoted Neapolitans.

A woman called Eusebia – who soaked up his blood with a sponge and preserved it in a glass vial – when pagan Romans killed the saint, saved the sample of blood.

The public gathers to watch the blood liquefy, twice a year. It is considered a miracle, even though scientific studies has proved that the vial contains a chemical, thixotropic gel, that increases the viscosity of the blood if left unstirred and decreases if stirred or moved.

This year Neapolitans will be disappointed and not allowed to kiss the vial. The fear of Swine flu virus has prompted officials to take this initiative. Last week, Italy’s first resident died of the virus.

Swine flu, that began in Mexico, is the latest of the deadliest outbreaks that has taken thousands of lives. The flu is said to affect children and the elderly the most. Basically, anyone with a weaker immunity is susceptible to the disease. The vaccine for the H1N1 virus is still undergoing feasibility tests. On the brighter side, it has been confirmed that until now the virus has not changed its form.

Some of the other threats that mankind has faced and is facing are:

1. HIV/AIDS
2. TUBERCULOSIS
3. MALARIA
4. INFLUENZA
5. CHOLERA
6. HEPATITIS B AND C
7. DENGUE FEVER
8. YELLOW FEVER
9. MENINGITIS
10. AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS (SLEEPING SICKNESS)
11. MARBURG HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER

The weaker the immunity the higher is the chances in almost all of these diseases.

Many medicines and treatments have been discovered and propounded by inferring facts from the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah has not sent down any disease but He has also sent down a cure for it.”

It must be clearly understood that the Qur’an is not a book of medicine or geology etc. It is a book of guidance for mankind. It is articulate and contains ideas and concepts about a variety of matter that are part of our lives.

It has supreme healing powers, be it spiritual or mental. Allah SWT also guides us and informs us how to preserve and protect our health.

“And We send down of the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe.” [Qur’aan, Surah al-Isra’ :82]

The Qur’an contains the treatment for hearts and souls, and as such it is a means of expelling all sicknesses from the body. An experiment was conducted where Muslims and non-Muslims were asked to say ‘Allaah’ (completely proper pronunciation). It was noted that as soon as they said the Name of the Creator their body relaxed, blood pressure leveled, many said that they felt much calmness.

Surah al-Faatihah itself has many virtues one of it being that it is a ruqyah for healing.

The Qur’an mentions the principle of maintaining good health, which are: prevention, maintaining good health, and removing harmful substances from the body.

Honey is mentioned in the Qur’an as a healing for mankind. Allah SWT says: “There comes forth from their [bees’] bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men” [Qur’an, Surah al-Nahl :69]

Black Seeds that are abundantly found in India, is said to be the cure of all diseases.

Both Sahihs have reported the hadith narrated by Abu Salamah on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Use this black seed regularly, because it has a ’shifaa’ (cure) for every disease, except death.” [al-Bukhaari]

Another remedy that has been mentioned in Ahadith is Talbeenah. “Talbeenah soothes the heart of the sick person, and it takes away some of the grief.” [al-Bukhaari]

To sum it up, if one follows the guidelines Allah SWT has set for us, insha’Allah, they will be safe from harm.

Allaho ‘Aalam.

Originally posted at Chowrangi.com

 

Saeed-ul-Haque: Are We the Bearers of Justice?

Forty years is a long time. Could be the entire lifetime of an individual. For me it is the double of my lifetime to date. Simple imagine all these years of my life spent in a cage is very depressing.

It is the nature of human beings to socialize. Human beings undergo development throughout their lives. We are very dependent upon each other for our individual as well as universal system to survive. Hence, if one were kept in solitary confinement for ages, his/her abilities would be affected drastically. There would be no opportunity to develop one’s faculties and what was already known, prior to the confinement, would gradually fade from memory.

“Every aspect of their life, including their social interaction, is threatened. Their whole life changes: their memory, problem solving skills, speech, swallowing, not to mention all the physical things, like paralysis, that affect them.” (Lisa Shirk) This quotation fits very well with the situation of one who is isolated

It is harsh on the mind and body.

Saeed-ul-Haque, 85 years old, was released from Karachi Central Jail on Friday, after 38 years of imprisonment. His crime-never established.

An unknown man was found murdered. On January 20, 1971 the Artillery Ground police arrested Saeed-ul-Haque on suspicion. No one ever troubled himself or herself into investigating if it was, in fact, Saeed who murdered the man. The FIR simply stated ‘A man found murdered’. Albeit, there was no FIR against him yet he was being punished.

As has happened to many others, Saeed’s case was never brought forward to a court. He was just left to rot in jail.

On a visit to Karachi Central Jail in 1999, Qadir Khan a member of Jail Reformers Committee, learned about Saeed-ul-Haque’s plight (he has lost his mental stability due to severe torture at the hands of ‘Justice’). He sent an appeal to the government (Nawaz Sharif’s regime) to release Saeed. He received no reply.

Qadir Khan opened a trust committee, Qadir Khan Mandokhail and began striving for justice to be done. The trust sent an application of release to the Sessions Court that found him innocent in 1999. However, considering his mental illness he wasn’t released until, now, when he has recovered.

So, healthy sessions of torture were added to the agony of solitude. More details can be found by visiting BBC URDU.

One wonders how fear does not creep into the hearts of those brutes, who are the reason injustice has been inflicted upon millions of souls. In Islam, justice a moral virtue and an attribute of human personality. It is its basic objective.

Allah SWT told the Messenger (s.a.w.w.), “O My slaves, I have forbidden injustice for Myself and forbade it also for you. So avoid being unjust to one another.” [Saheeh Muslim]

“O you who believe, be upright for God, and (be) bearers of witness with justice!” [Quran, Al Maa’eda :8]

Furthermore,

“We sent Our Messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Book and the Measure in order to establish justice among the people…” [Quran, 57:25]

Everyone will be accountable for his/her deeds. No one can give the excuse that they were not aware of what Allah SWT has said. From the above verse we can safely state that since the beginning of time, Justice has been accentuated.

Image: BBC

 

Originally posted at Chowrangi.com

 

20 Common Mistakes Made During Ramadan

Most Muslims who fast in Ramadan focus on the benefits and rewards of it. But in doing so, we often make mistakes that instead of adding to our experience actually detract from it. Mistakes that can make us commercialize Ramadan as so many other religions have commercialized their sacred days. Insha’Allah the following will serve as a reminder to, first, myself and then to all Muslims. May Allah help us in spending our time wisely this Ramadan and help us in avoiding these mistakes. Ameen!

1. Taking Ramadan as a ritual

For many of us Ramadan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting, too. We forget that it’s a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil. We forget to beseech Allah SWT to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Hell-Fire. Surely, we stay away from food and drink but that’s about it. Although the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said:

Jibra’eel said to me, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadan comes and his sins are not forgiven,’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,’ and I said, ‘Ameen.” [Tirmidhi, Ahmad and others. It is classified as Saheeh by al-Albaani]

2. Too much stress on food and drink

For some people, the entire month of Ramadan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking only about food, instead of concentrating on Salah, Quraan and other acts of worship. They think so much about FOOD that they turn the month of ‘fasting’ into the month of ‘feasting’. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. Besides, it leads to wastage of food and extravagance.

…and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) [Qur’an, al-Araaf :31]

3. Spending all day cooking

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read the Qur’an. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

4. Eating too much

Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to ‘make up for the food missed’. However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.’ [Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. Classified as saheeh by al-Albaani]

Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless. It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

5. Sleeping all day

Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) ’sleeping away their fast’. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people are also missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot ‘bear’ to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but negligence on his part.

6. Wasting time

The month of Ramadan is a very precious time, so much so that Allaah SWT calls this month ‘Ayyamum Ma’doodaat’ (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music to occupy their mind so that they won’t feel the hunger pangs. Subhaan Allah! Trying to obey Allah by DISOBEYING Him!?

7. Fasting but not giving up evil

Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam activities, buying lottery tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah, to increase our Taqwa.

‘O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)’ [Qur’an, al-Baqarah :183]

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.’ [Bukhaari]

8. Skipping Suhoor (sehri)

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim].

And he (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor.’ [Muslim]

9. Stopping Suhoor at ‘Imsaak’ (a correction on my part)

Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe ‘Imsaak’.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allah allows us to eat until dawn: ‘and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)’ [Qur’an, al-Baqarah :187]

And the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes.’

This ‘imsaak’ which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed.’ [Muslim]

10. Not fasting if they missed Suhoor

Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is an act kind of cowardice and love of ease. Missing a few morsels in the morning will, insha’Allah, not lead to death. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything. Saying the intention for fast out loud or saying a specific dua’a to start fasting are bid’ah. The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shari’ah for us to say out loud. Also, there is no specific dua’a to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the Sunnah. Whatever ‘dua’a’ one may see on some papers or Ramadan calendars, etc. is Bid’ah.

11. Delaying opening fast

Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be ‘on the safe side’. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to open the fast, which means opening fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set (and not before). Aa’ishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (s.a.w.w.) used to do. [Muslim]

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to open the fast.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim]

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul (trust) on Allaah SWT and break your fast exactly on time.

12. Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up

Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss the Maghrib prayer. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.

13. Missing the golden chance of having your Dua’a accepted

The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.’ [al-Bayhaqi, classified as saheeh by al-Albaani]

Instead of sitting down and making Dua’a at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it…Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Dua’as.

14. Fasting but not praying

The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.’ [Muslim]

In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.

‘Whoever does not pray ‘Asr, his good deeds will be annulled.’ [Bukhaari]

15. Fasting and not wearing Hijaab

Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away, enormously, from the rewards of fasting.

16. Not fasting because of exams or work

Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do it during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than ‘good grades’. Besides, if you will fulfill your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make your studies and other activities easy for you and help you in everything you do. ‘Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him. [Qur’an, Surah at-Talaaq :2-3]

17. Mixing fasting and dieting

DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (especially sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone. Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk.

18. Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th Ramadan

Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim]

19. Wasting the last part of Ramadan preparing for Eid

Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. Even though, the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) used to strive the most during the last ten days of Ramadan in worship [Ahmad, Muslim] and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadan to the utmost.

Aa’ishah (RA) said: ‘When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (s.a.w.w.) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i..e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.’ [Bukhaari and Muslim]

20. Iftaar parties

Although inviting each other for breaking fast is good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish ‘Iftaar parties’ with all sorts of disobedience to Allah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing. It’s not too late to rectify ones mistake and do good for the sake of Allah.

Inform My servants that I am the Forgiver, Most Merciful. [Qur’an, al-Hijr:49]

 

Originally posted at Chowrangi.com

 

Innocent Muhammad Jawad Released From Guantanamo Bay after 6 Years

Here we have another proof of the great judicial system of the United States of America – the case of young Afghan, Muhammad Jawad.

Jawad was accused of throwing a grenade on a US army tank in 2002 that wounded two U. S. soldiers. Jawad was twelve years old when arrested and taken to the notorious US detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. To cover up their barefaced injustice, the Pentagon has argued that Jawad’s bone scans indicated that he was an adult at 18 years when he was arrested.

For six long years, Jawad was tortured day and night along with the other inmates.

“There was a lot of oppression when I was in Guantanamo and these inhumane actions were not for just one day, one week or one month,” Jawad told Reuters.

“I was oppressed the whole time until I was released. They tortured prisoners very badly and did not allow prisoners to sleep, did not give enough food,” he said.

Jawad’s lawyers say that he was treated very severely and forcefully kept awake and regularly shifted from cell to cell. Reuters reported that his age was never even given a thought.

“They knew I was underage but they did not care about my age,” Jawad said. “They insulted our religion and our Holy Quran, they insulted us and behaved in an inhumane way,” he said. A weary-looking Jawad stood and stretched his hands behind his back to show how he had been bound sometimes by his captors. He said he and other prisoners were told to eat with their hands bound behind their backs, bending over and putting their mouths into plates of food.

In July, a US judge ordered that Jawad be set free as his confession was got hold of under the circumstances of great affliction.

“I remember the US government lawyer provided evidence against me but could not prove anything and in the end, the judge said: ‘no charge against Mohammad Jawad can be proved and he is innocent’,” Jawad said.

Some might be in awe of the US government for delivering justice to the innocent boy but at the cost of six years. Such six years of torture that will forever leave a mark on him.

All-hail the US government that stabs and then comes arrogantly with a well-worn first-aid kit.

 

Haya : The Invaluable Gem of the Muslims Lady

Haya (modesty and a sense of shame) is a fundamental characteristic of the noble and a sign of high standards and Iman. This feeling is evident in the eye and affects the features. The best of Allah’s servants has said about it, “Al haya khairun kulluh.” (Muslim). Meaning that “Haya is all good.”

These days haya has become a taboo subject. Let alone having a slight affect upon Muslim women, the caller to haya is considered backward and unprogressive. This is due to the vicious impressions made by the enemies of Allah and of the Muslims woman so that she would lose her dignity and honor that Islam has bestowed upon her.

The western trends have so hypnotized the Muslim woman that she would follow it even if it leads her to the snake’s snare. Why is that so? Ponder over this however long; you would come to the evident conclusion that it is a stark indication of the weakness of religion in her.

The Muslim woman has been so influenced that we see her dressed in such clothes that are equivalent to being undressed. We see seduction in clothing, looks, the way she carries herself and the way she glances…do we want our daughters and sisters to be like this. The answer would be a loud NO. The heart cannot accept such a vision of their loved ones, but the eye is turned blind on reality. That is what is happening. The extent to which this matter grieves me cannot be explained in mere words. Unknowingly, many Muslim women are following the deviated path and happily entering the spider’s web. It is my sincere plea to every Muslim sister and brother to guide and advise your sister in faith. She needs direction with care.

What I am saying has been said by many before me. You might have heard it a number of times, but I pray to Allah to put effect in my words. Think over them carefully. Allah (SWT) has created upon you a pure nature. Let it remain pure. Protect it from the pollution of evil of the world. Take care of it. It is an Amaanat of Allah with you.

Allah (SWT) has given the Muslims woman a very high, honorable, dignified and revered position. It is this that is a thorn in the tranquility of the enemies of Allah. They have been trying their best to uproot the honour Allah has bestowed upon her. Are we so weak to bend to their maneuverings? No! We are strong enough to resist all evil temptations. How much will power does it require? Our love for our religion is way stronger than these silly temptations, insha’Allah.

We should be cautious of their efforts. We should tread on water, as they would come through that door of your house where the latch is weak. We see how well presented their advertisements are that easily influence the weak mind. Always the same terms used, ‘Move with the times’, ‘be a part of the civilized society’, ‘we need modernisation’. Are the principles of a civlised and modern society shedding of clothes and seduction? If that is the case then the most civilized society of the world resides in the jungles of Amazon.

The moral character, virtue , pride and honor of the Muslim woman is invaluable. That is what they envy. They want the Muslim woman to be despicable, disgraced and disregarded in the society.

Tell in what way is exposing oneself honorable and a sign of progress? We would hear statements like, ‘hijab should be of the heart…’ I fail to understand why doesn’t the mind question the stupidity of this statement. Surely, there is hijaab of the heart, i.e. the belief and its acceptance of hijaab. The acceptance is seen in the appearance of the person. The heart is already covered. There is no person, no matter how moral less the person is, to have his or her heart visible to the world.

‘’Do not make a display like the display of those previous to Islam (in ignorance).’[Al-Ahzaab: 33]

The practice of the enemies of Allah is not one of progress but is reverting one back to the days of ignorance. It is the nature of woman to have haya. And the Muslim woman is the metaphor of haya. The weakness of iman results in the weakening and eventual disappearance of modesty. This leads to the loss of her nature. Just think about that!

Does a logical mind respect that woman who reveals almost all her parts, and these days in private parts? Animals seem to have more respect than such human beings, as they at least have fur etc., to cover parts of their bodies. Is that what human ‘civilisation’ has come to?

The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) has said, “There are two types of people in Hellfire among them are women who are clothed yet naked, astray, tempting and whose hair is piled upon their heads like the humps of camels. They will neither enter the Paradise nor even smell its fragrance.” [Muslim]

Hold on to tight Habl-Allah and that is the Holy Book of Allah (SWT) and the Sunnah of the messenger of Allah (s.a.w.w.). That’s your shield against all evils. Be proud of your religion, your religion is the sole Truth.