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.

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."



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.

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) 

Du'a During Rain..

Rain, baarish, matar.. Is it just me ladies, or has it been pouring alot lately (alhamdulillah, love it!) ? Anyways, as we know, there are certain times that are the best times to make du'a (supplication). One of those times is at the time of the rain.

Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa'ad (radhiAllaahu 'anh): The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said:

 'Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhaan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain'.

[Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]

 Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469 is reported to have said:

"Seek the response to your du'as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls."

The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allaah (azz wa jal) so, one should take advantage of this time when Allaah is having Mercy on His slaves.

Jannah (Paradise)

Ibn al-Qayyim's (Rahimullah) beautiful description of Paradise from his book, 'Haadi al-Arwaah'.


Ibn al-Qayyim said, in regards to the description of Paradise and the delights that it contains:


"And if you ask about its ground and its soil, then it is of musk and saffron. And if you ask about its roof, then it is the Throne of the Most Merciful. And if you ask about its rocks, then they are pearls and jewels. And if you ask about its buildings, then they are made of bricks of gold and silver. And if you ask about its trees, then it does not contain a single tree except that its trunk is made of gold and silver. And if you ask about its fruits, then they are softer than butter and sweeter than honey. And if you ask about its leaves, then they are softer than the softest cloth. And if you ask about its rivers, then there are rivers of milk who's taste does not change, and rivers of wine that is delicious to those who drink it,and rivers of honey that is pure, and rivers of water that is fresh. And if you ask about their food, then it is fruits from whatever they will choose, and the meat of whatever birds they desire. And if you ask about their drink, then it is Tasneem, ginger, and Kaafoor. And if you ask about their drinking cups, then they are crystal-clear and made of gold and silver. And if you ask about its shade, then a fast rider would ride in the shade of one of its trees for a hundred years and not escape it. And if you ask about its vastness, then the lowest of its people would have within his kingdom and walls and palaces and gardens the distance that would be travelled in a thousand years. And if you ask about its tents and encampments, then one tent is like a concealed pearl that is sixty miles long. And if you ask about its towers, then they are rooms above rooms in buildings that have rivers running underneath them. And if you ask about how far it reaches into the sky, then look at the shining star that is visible, as well as those that are far in the heavens that the eyesight cannot possibly reach. And if you ask about the clothing of its inhabitants, then they are of silk and gold. And if you ask about its beds, then its blankets are of the finest silk laid out in the highest of its levels. And if you ask about the faces of its inhabitants and their beauty, then they are like the image of the Moon. And if you ask about their age, then they are young ones of 33 years in the image of Adam, the father of humanity. And if you ask about what they will be hearing, then it is the singing of their wives from among the Hoor al-'Ayn, and better than that are the voices of the Angels and the Prophets, and better than that is the Speech of the Lord of the Worlds. And if you ask about their servants, then they are young boys of everlasting youth who resemble scattered pearls.


And if you ask about their brides and wives, then they are young and full-breasted and have had the liquid of youth flow through their limbs; the Sun runs along the beauty of her face if she shows it, light shines from between her teeth if she smiles; if you meet her love, then say whatever you want regarding the joining of two lights; he sees his face in the roundness of her cheek as if he is looking into a polished mirror, and he sees the brightness from behind her muscles and bones; if she were to be unleashed upon the World, she would fill what is between the Heavens and the Earth with a beautiful wind, and the mouths of the creation would glorifiy, praise and exclaim greatness, and everything between the East and the West would be adorned for her, and every eye would be shut from everthing but her, and the light of the Sun would be outshone just as the light of the Sun outshines the light of the stars, and everyone on the face of the Earth would believe in the Ever-Living, the One who Sustains and Protects all the exists. And the covering on her head is better than the World and all that is in it, and she does not increase with age except in beauty; free from an umbilical cord, childbirth and menses, and pure of mucous, saliva, urine and other filthy things; her youth never fades, her clothing is never worn out, no garment can be created that matches her beauty, and no one who is with her can ever become bored; her attention is restricted to her husband, so she desires none but him, just as his attention is restricted to her so she is the sole object of his desire, and he is with her in utmost safety and security, as none has touched her before of either humans or Jinn.


And if you ask about the Day of Increase (in reward) and the visit of the all-Mighty, all-Wise, and the sight of His Face - free from any resemblance or likeness to anything - as you see the Sun in the middle of the day and the full Moon on a cloudless night, then listen on the day that the caller will call: 'O People of Paradise! Your Lord - Blessed and Exalted - requests you to visit Him, so come to visit Him!'  So they will say: 'We hear and obey!'  Until, when they finally reach the wide valley where they will all meet - and none of them will turn down the request of the caller - the Lord -Blessed and Exalted - will order His Chair to be brought there. Then, pulpits of light will emerge, as well as pulpits of pearls, gemstone, gold, and silver. The lowest of them in rank will sit on sheets of musk, and will not see what those who are on the chairs above them are given. When they are comfortable where they are sitting and are secure in their places, and the caller calls: 'O People of Paradise! You have an appointment with Allaah in which He wishes to reward you!' So they will say: 'And what is that reward? Has He not already made our faces bright, made our scales heavy, entered us into Paradise, and pushed us away from the Fire?' And when they are like that, all of a sudden a light will shines that will encompass all of Paradise. So, they raise their heads, and, behold: the Compeller - Exalted is He, and Holy are His Names - has come to them from above them and majestified them and Said: 'O People of Paradise! Peace be upon you!' So, His greeting will not be responded to with anything better than: 'O Allaah! You are Peace, and from You is Peace! Blessed are You, O possessor of Majesty and Honor!' So the Lord - Blessed and Exalted - will Laugh to them
and say: 'O People of Paradise! Where are those who used to obey Me without having ever seen Me? This is the Day of Increase!' So, they will all give the same response: 'We are pleased, so be pleased with us!' So, He will Say: 'O People of Paradise! If I were not pleased with you, I would not have made you inhabitants of My Paradise! So, ask of Me!' So, they will all give the same response: 'Show us your Face so that we may look at it!' So, the Lord - Mighty and Majestic - will remove His Covering and will Majestify them and will Cover them with His Light, which, if Allaah - the Exalted - had not Willed not to burn them, would have burned them. And there will not remain a single person in this gathering except that his Lord - the Exalted - will Speak to him and Say: 'Do you remember the day that you did this and that?' and He will remind him of some of his bad deeds in the Worldy life, so he will say: 'O Lord! Will you not forgive me?' So, He will say: 'Of course! You have not reached this position of yours (in Paradise) except by my forgiveness. '


So, how sweet is this speech to the ears, and how cooled are the righteous
eyes by the glance at His Noble Face in the Afterlife...


"Some faces that Day will be shining and radiant, looking at their Lord.." (al-Qiyaamah: 22:3)


SubhaanAllaah.


May Allaah (azz wa jal) make us among the inhabitants of Paradise. *Ameen*