Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem ♥ بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

December 23, 2011

Friday Reminder #6



Allaah’s Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said, "The best day during which the sun has risen is Friday. It is the day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the Day of Judgment takes place." (Narrated in Muslim, Abu Dawood, An-Nisai, and Al-Tirmidhi).

Men are obligated to participate in Friday Prayer. Allaah –Most Merciful, said in the Qur’aan (62:9), "O’ you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to Prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allaah, and leave off business. That is best for you if you but knew."  The congregational prayer of Friday is so important and significant to Muslims that an entire chapter has been sent down just on the congregational prayer of Friday in the Qur'aan (chapter 62).

In addition, the Messenger (peace be upon him) has warned those Muslims who do not attend Friday Prayer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said about people who do not attend Friday Prayer, "I wanted to ask a man to lead people in the prayer so that I may go and burn houses of men who did not attend the Friday Prayer with us"(Muslim, Ahmad). He (peace be upon him) also said, "Either they (meaning people who do not attend the Friday prayer) stop neglecting Friday prayers or Allaah will set a seal on their hearts so they cannot find the right path again." (Muslim, Ahmad, An-Nisai).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "On Friday the angels come to stand on the doors of the mosque, the angels record who comes first, if the mosque prayer leader (Imam) starts delivering the speech, the angles close their files and come to listen to the speech." (Reported in Abu Dawood).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has even said, "We (Muslims) came last and yet we are the first on the Day of Judgment. They have received the books before us (meaning the Torah and Injil (Gospel of Jesus)). We have received the Book after them (meaning the Qur’aan). Friday was their day to be glorified. However, they disputed on that while Allaah had told us Friday is the day to glorify. Thus, they will follow us. The Jews glorify Saturday, and the Christians glorify Sunday." (Bukhari and Mulim).

December 19, 2011

The 4 Principles (Final Part)



 
Part 4 of Questions and Answers taken directly from Umm AbdulWahhab's Students of Sunnah Aqeedah Class, based on the book Al-Qawaa'id Al-Arba'ah by Al Shaykhul Islaam Muhammad ibn AbdulWahhab at-Tamimi (rahimullaah).

You can read PART 1 here , PART 2 here. and PART 3 here.

Question: What are 2 conditions that intercession must meet in order to be accepted?
Answer: The person being interceded for must be from at-Tawheed, in other words, the person must be a Muslim. The proof for this can be found in the Qur'aan in Surah Ghafir, verse 18 (40:18) :

"And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Approaching Day, when hearts are at the throats, filled [with distress]. For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor [who is] obeyed."

Question:What is 'waseelah'? Describe the legal and illegal forms of waseelah.
Answer: Waseelah means of nearness or obedience. There are 2 forms. The first one is 'legal' and that is which leads to Allaah's pleasure. The second is 'illegal' which is when one places someone between themself and Allaah (i.e. the righteous or the dead).

Question: The third rule is that the Prophet (peace be upon him), would encounter people who worshipped many different things, but he, peace be upon him, fought them all and did not differentiate between them. What is the proof for this?
Answer: The proof can be found in the following verse:

"And fight them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah. And if they cease - then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do." (Qur'aan 8:39).

Question: What is al-Laat? What is al'Uzza? What is Manat?
Answer: These were the 3 major idols worshiopped by the pagan Arabs who claimed that they were the 3 daughters of Allaah (azz wa jal). The following descriptions of the 3 idols are taken directly from the book.

"Al-Laat with takhfeef (without shaddah) on the taa, was the name of an idol in Taa-if in reference to a sculptured rock upon which a monument was built. It was surrounded by curtains to resemble the Ka'bah and around it was a courtyard with custodians. The people used to worship it besides Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and it belonged to Thaqeef (a tribe) and their related tribes and they used to take pride in it."

"Al'Uzza it was in the form of a tree in a palm growth between Makkah and Taa'if. A curtained building surrounded it and it used to have custodians. There were shayateen in it who would speak to the people and the ignorant people used to think that they were being spoken to by the tree or the building that was built upon it, although it was the shayateen who used to speak to them to divert them from the Path of Allaah, and the Quraish, the people of Makkah and those around them used to glorify it."

"Manat was a big rock which used to be in a place near Jabal Qudayd between Makkah and Madinah. It was venerated by Khuzaa'ah, 'Awd and Khazraj. They used to make Ihraam on it on the way to Hajj and they used to worship it besides Allaah."

Question: Which companion destroyed al-'Uzza? Which companion destroyed al-Laat?
Answer: Khalid bin Walid (radhiAllaahu 'anhu) destroyed al-'Uzza. Al-Laat was destroyed by Aby Sufyaan (radhiAllaahu 'anhu)

Question: The fourth principle is that the Mushrikeen(disbelievers) of our time are much worse than the Mushrikeen of the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Why is this so? What is the proof for this in the Qur'aan?
Answer: The Mushrikeen are much worse now because now it does not matter if they are in good circumstances or bad, they do not turn to Allaah (azz wa jal) at all. Atleast during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), if they were under bad circumstances they would turn to Allaah. The proof for this can be found in the following verse:

"And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allaah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him."(Qur'aan 29:65).

Question: In which ayah (verse) did Allaah (Subhaanahu wa ta'Alaa) state to worship Him until certainty, and which hizb (party/group) uses this to their advantage and how?
Answer: Surah Al-Hijr, Verse 99 says:

"And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him" (Qur'aan 15:99).

The hizb that uses this to their advantage are the Sufi's.


December 17, 2011

The Prophet (peace be upon him's) Love ..


The Prophet (peace be upon him) always kept his smile with his wives and he used to laugh and please them to make them laugh as well. With all the troubles around him, he used to take his wife 'Aisha (radhiAllaahu 'anha), to the desert and say, “'Aisha, lets race!” And she used to race him and win. So, he kept on feeding her meat for a whole week, so she would unassumingly gain weight, until he took her again to the desert and said, “'Aisha, let’s race!” At that time, he won and said to her, “This time I won!”.
(Recorded in Ahmad & Abu Dawood)


       Engraved on the ring of 'Umar bin al-Khattab        
  
 (radhiAllaahu anhu)were the words:

"Enough is Death as a reminder to you O 'Umar"

--Related in Kitab al-Bidayah wa al-Nihaya by Ibn Kathir.




‘Aa’ishah (radhiAllaahu 'anha), relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, they will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the ones who recite with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then they will have TWICE that reward.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

December 16, 2011

Friday Reminder #5



If a person walks to Jumu’ah prayer, for every step he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year. It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws al-Thaqafi (radhiAllaahu 'anhu) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Whoever does ghusl on Friday and causes (his wife) to do ghusl, and sets out early, and comes close to the imam and listens and keeps quiet, for every step he takes he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 496; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 410

December 13, 2011

The 4 Principles (Part 3)


PART 3 of Questions and Answers taken directly from Umm AbdulWahhab's Students of Sunnah Aqeedah Class, based on the book Al-Qawaa'id Al-Arba'ah by Al Shaykhul Islaam Muhammad ibn AbdulWahhab at-Tamimi (rahimullaah).

You can read PART 1 here , PART 2 here. , and PART 4 here.

Question: There are seven (sometimes eight) conditions of the shahadah (Ashhadu an La illaaha illAllaah wa ana Muhammadan Rasoolillaah). Name them.
Answer: They are knowledge ('ilm), certainty (yaqeen), sincerity (al-ikhlaas), truthfulness (sideeq), love for the statement (muhabban), compliance with what is required (al-waajibaat), acceptance (qabool), and disbelief in Taghoot (shirk).

Question: There are two forms of al-ikhlaas. What are they?
Answer: Sincerity to Allaah (azz wa jal) which means that all acts of worship are to Allaah alone without directing any of the worship to others. Sincerity to the Prophet (peace be upon him)'s Sunnah which is basically following the sunnah and leaving bid'ah (innovation).

Question: The first principle is that the kuffar, who the Messenger, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, fought, used to affirm that Allaah, The Most High, was the Creator and Disposer of Affairs, but that didn't enter them into Islaam. Name the proof.
Answer: Surah-Yunus, ayah 31. (10:31):

Say, "Who provides for you from the heaven and the earth? Or who controls hearing and sight and who brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living and who arranges [every] matter?" They will say, "Allaah," so say, "Then will you not fear Him?"

Question: The second principle is that the Mushrikeen would turn to others (Awliyyaa') for intercession to become closer to Allaah. Name the proof where Allaah rejects this intercession.
Answer: Surah Az-Zumur, ayah 3. (39:3):

"And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Approaching Day, when hearts are at the throats, filled [with distress]. For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor [who is] obeyed."

Question: Why did the Mushriks take on other people and objects as intercessors?
Answer: They thought that whatever they were worshipping was or were closer to Allaah, so they would go to these people for help rather than turn to Allaah (azz wa jal).

Question: What is the Arabic word for intercession? Define it. What are the 2 types?
Answer: As-Shafaa'ah. It means to step in to intercede for someone for benefit on behalf of someone else for them to go to Paradise (Jannah) or to save them from hell. The 2 types of intercession are 'Illegal' which means to seek intercession from other than Allaah (azz wa jal):
O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people. [Qur'aan 2:264]

and 'Legal' which means that intercession is sought from Allaah (azz wa jal) and He grants it. 

Allaah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi(chair) extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. [Qur'aan 2:255],

December 12, 2011

The 4 Principles (Part 2)



PART 2 of Questions and Answers taken directly from Umm AbdulWahhab's Students of Sunnah Aqeedah Class, based on the book Al-Qawaa'id Al-Arba'ah'by Al Shaykhul Islaam Muhammad ibn AbdulWahhab at-Tamimi (rahimullaah).

You can read PART 1 here. PART 3 here, and PART 4 here

Question: In what surah did Allaah (Subhaanahu wa ta'Alaa) state that shirk is unforgiveable?
Answer: Surah An-Nisa (4:116).
"Verily! Allaah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners in worship with Him, but He forgives whom He pleases other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with AllaAh, has indeed strayed far away."

Question: In what surah did Allaah (Subhaanahu wa ta'Alaa) state paradise is forbidden for those who commit shirk?
Answer: Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:72).

"Indeed, he who associates others with Allaah - Allaah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers."

Question: What are the forms of shirk? Shirk is the opposite of Tawheed (Oneness of Allaah).
Answer: There are two forms of shirk, Major (Akbar) and Minor (Asghar). Major shirk takes you  out of the fold of Islam. Minor shirk is when a person is still considered a muslim, however it is a major sin. The main difference between the two is the INTENTION.

Question: What are the types of bid'ah? Bid'ah is the opposite of Sunnah (The way of the Prophet (peace be upon him)).
Answer: Bid'ah Fid-Deen which are innovations or newly invented matters not from the Sunnah.
Bid'ah Fid-Dunya which are innovations in wordly matters.

Question: What are the 3 types of Tawheed?
Answer: Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah which is the Oneness of Allaah's LORDSHIP. Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah which is belief that Allaah (azz wa jal) is the only One worthy of worship. Tawheed Asma wa-Sifat which is the oneness of Allaah (azz wa jal)'s Names and Attributes. We do not take away names or attributes, nor do we add to them.

Question: Tawheed is free from the following 4 things. Define them.
Answer
Tasbih -- Comparison. Comparing the names of Allaah to something that already exists (i.e. so-and-so's mercy is like..)
Tamthil -- Saying that Allaah (azz wa jal) is like His Creation (i.e. His Hands are like our hands)
Tahrif --Distortion. Completely changing what Allaah (azz wa jal) has Said.
Ta'til -- Denial of Allaah's Attributes.

Question: The Kalimah (La illaaha illAllaah) has 2 pillars. Name them.
Answer: Nafi (La illaaha) which means negation. We negate everything that is worshipped other than Allaah (azz wa jal). Ithbaat (illAllaah) which means affirmation. We affirm that all worship is for Allaah (azz wa jal) Alone.







December 09, 2011

Friday Reminder #5



If a person walks to Jumu’ah prayer, for every step he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year. It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws al-Thaqafi (radhiAllaahu 'anhu) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Whoever does ghusl on Friday and causes (his wife) to do ghusl, and sets out early, and comes close to the imam and listens and keeps quiet, for every step he takes he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year.”

--Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 496 and classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

December 08, 2011

The 4 Priniciples (Part 1)


PART 1 Questions and Answers taken directly from Umm AbdulWahhab's Students of Sunnah Aqeedah Class, based on the book Al-Qawaa'id Al-Arba'ah'by Al Shaykhul Islaam Muhammad ibn AbdulWahhab at-Tamimi (rahimullaah).

PART 2 here. , PART 3 here , and PART 4 here.


Question: What is the meaning of Al-Qawa'id Al-Arba'ah and what is the book based upon?
Answer: The literal definition is 'The 4 Principles. It is based on tawheed and shirk, as well as knowing the traps of shirk and attaining knowledge of at-tawheed.


Question: The Shaykh begins the book making du'ah for the reader and names 3 important matters that lead to happiness. What are they?
Answer: Thankfulness, Patience, and Repentance.


Fill in the blanks:
On the authority of Aby Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (radhiAllaahu 'anhu), it is related that the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "How amazing is the affair of the believer. There is good for him in everything and that is for no one but the believer. If good times come his way, he expresses gratitude to Allaah and that is good for him, and if hardships come his way, he endures it patiently and that is better for him." [Muslim]

Question: What is Haneefiyyah? Who is a Haneef?
Answer: Haneefiyyah is belief in Allaah alone. It is to be sincere in the Deen. It's another word for Islam. A Haneef is a person who follows Haneefiyyah. He avoids shirk while being sincere in his Deen.

Question: Define shirk.
Answer: Shirk means to set partners and others in worship with Allaah (azz wa jal). If shirk exists in our 'ibaadah (worship), it nullifies it.

Question: What is the definiton of worship according to Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimUllaah)?
Answer: Worship is anything that pleases Allaah (azz wa jal). Both, sayings and actions.

Question: In what surah did Allaah (Subhaanahu wa ta'Alaa) define our purpose in life?
Answer: Surah Ad-Dhariyat (51:56)

Question: Worship is not correct unless it fulfills two conditions. Name them.
Answer: Sincerity to Allaah (azz wa jal), so it must be free from shirk, AND Mutaba'ah which means to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Zaynab bint Jahsh bin Rayaab (radhiAllaahu 'anha)




Source: Great Women of Islaam by Mahmood Ahmad Ghandanfar (Book)


Zaynab bint Jahsh bin Rayaab(radhiAllaahu 'anha) was the cousin of the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him). She was also amongst those who made the first hijrah. She married Zayd bin Haarithah --a former slave. This marriage occurred to eradicate the differences between men and women. To show that no man was above another except in piety. During the period when the proposal was sent to Zaynab bint Jahsh (radhiAllaahu 'anha), she didn't initially accept it and her brother, Ubayd-Allaah bin Jahsh rejected it. She had an aristocratic lineage which led to a high social status. She thought, "How could she accept this proposal from a former slave when she was a noble, high born lady?" However, because this matter was already decreed by Allaah (azz wa jal), as mentioned before (to remove the differences between men and women), Zaynab (radhiAllaahu 'anha) agreed to the marriage. This is the time when the following verse was also sent down to the Messenger (peace be upon him):

"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in plain error."

--Surah Al-Ahzaab, verse 36.

This marriage lead to both, Zaynab (radhiAllaahu 'anha) and Zayd bin Haarithah being unhappy. Day in and day out they would come to the Messenger (peace be upon him) complaining of the other. Soon after, verses came down, cancelling the prior established practice . Jibreel ('alayhis salaam) informed Allaah's Messenger (peace be upon him) that Zaynab bint Jahsh (radhiAllaahu 'anha) will become his wife.

Allaah (azz wa jal) is very clear about the reason for this marriage:
"So that there may be no difficulty to the believers in respect of the wives of their adopted sons when the latter have no desire to keep them (divorce them). And Allaah's Command must be fulfilled."

--Surah Al-Ahzaab, verse 37

Due to this, the next time Zayd bin Haarithah came complaining, the Messenger (peace be upon him) permitted him divorce. After this, the Prophet (peace be uopn him) married Zaynab bint Jahsh (radhiAllaahu 'anha) when the waiting period after her divorce was complete.

She was often heard boasting about her marriage to the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: "Your people gave you in marriage, but I was given out in marriage by Allaah from above His Throne." Perhaps this was Allaah's Blessing due to her obedience in marrying Zayd.


Also, the verse of hijaab came down at her instance. When Allaah's Messenger (peace be upon him) married her, after they consummated the marriage, he (peace be upon him) would send Anas bin Malik (radhiAllaahu 'anh) to invite people to a meal of bread and meat. Groups of people would come, eat, and then leave. A batch of 3 people remained chatting, when the following verse was revealed:

".. And when you ask his wives for anything you want, ask them from behind a curtain. That is purer for your hearts and for their hearts."

-- Surah Al-Ahzaab, verse 53

It established that such screening was necessary and purer for the hearts of everyone.

Zaynab bint Jahsh (radhiAllaahu 'anha) was truly an inspiring person. Her benevolence and generosity was well known. She was known as "The Mother of the Poor". The Prophet (peace be upon him)'s wife, A'ishah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to his wives: 

"One who has the longest hands amongst you would come after me (to die)." She further said, "After his (peace be upon him) death, we would stretch our hands on the wall to measure their length. We never ceased doing that until Zaynab died and she was a small woman so she could not have been the one with the longest hand. It is then, that we realized that what he (peace be upon him) meant was charity. She use to work with her hand, tan and pierce leather and that income she would spend on charity."

To conclude, A'ishah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) said of Zaynab bint Jahsh (radhiAllaahu 'anha):

"I have never seen a woman who was better in her religion, who feared Allaah more, who was more truthful in speech, who strengthened the ties of kinship more, and was more benevolent in charity than Zaynab. May Allaah be pleased with her."





December 03, 2011

Fasting The Day of 'Ashura - 10th Muharram



Ibn Abbas (radhiAllaahu anhu) reports that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of ‘Ashura.They said, "It is a day of great significance when Allaah (azz wa jal)  delivered Musa (peace be upon him) and his people, and drowned Pharoah and his people. Musa (peace be upon him) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it." The Prophet (peace be upon him) responded, "We have more right, and we have a closer connection with  Musa ('Alayhis-salaam) than you have"; so Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) observed fast (on the day of ‘Ashura) and gave us orders to observe it.
--Sahih Bukhari & Muslim


Abu Qatadah (radhiAllaahu anhu) reported:
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about observing a fast on the 10th day of Muharram, and he replied, "It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year.''

--Muslim



The Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended that we fast on this day, by his Sunnah. He also indicated how we should observe the fast of ‘Ashura.


Hakam ibn Al-Arat (radhiAllaahu anhu) relates:


I went to Ibn Abbas (radhiAllaahu anhu). I said to him,"Tell me about fasting on ‘Ashura. He said, "When you see the new moon of Muharram count the (days) and (begin to) observe fast on the 9th." I said to him, "Is it how the Prophet (peace be upon him) observed the fast?" He said, "Yes."
--Sahih Muslim



Ibn Abbas (radhAllaahu anhu) relates that when the Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

"If I survive till next year, I will definitely observe fast on the 9th of Muharram (as well)."
--Sahih Muslim 

He (peace be upon him) meant that he would also fast on the 9th as well as the 10th to which he was accustomed. We also should try fasting on the 9th and the 10th of Muharram.


The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Observe the fast of 'Ashura and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after."
--Baihaqi

Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say:

We should fast on two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram to distinguish ourselves from the Jewish community.

--At-Tirmidhi

These hadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the 9th AND 10th of Muharram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the 9th, then he/she should fast on the 11th of Muharram instead.

December 02, 2011

Friday Reminder #4



It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:

 “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.’”
(al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 1/298)

Al-Mundhiri said, this was narrated by Abu Bakr ibn Mardawayh in his Tafseer, with an isnaad with which there was nothing wrong.
 


Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen (rahimullaah) said:

The recitation of Surah Al-Kahf on Friday is a preferred act and there is merit in it. And there is no difference between a person reciting it from the Book or by heart. And the day, according to the Islamic law is from the time of the sunrise until sunset. Based upon this, if a person recites it after the Friday prayer, he will receive the reward for it.
 Fatawa Islamiyah (Vol.2, pg.477)