Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Jawal Zad Hajj

1) The gathering of Hajj is the invitation of the Lord of the Worlds. Muslims meet there on a footing of equality. "And proclaim to mankind the Hajj. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj), that they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade)." [al-Hajj 22:27-8-interpr. of meaning].

2) Dhul-Hijjah The prohibition on cutting the hair and nails applies to the one who is offering the sacrifice, whether or not he (or she) delegates someone else to do the actual deed. The person who is delegated does not have to adhere to this prohibition. Also, it appears to apply only to the one who is offering the sacrifice, not to his wife and children, unless any of them is offering a sacrifice in his or her own right.

3) Among the special seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah. Allah has preferred these days over all the other days of the year. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." (al-Bukhari)

4) O you who are seeking out the Sacred House: "When you leave your house, heading for the Sacred House, for every step your mount takes, Allah decrees one good deed (hasanah) for you and erases one bad deed." (a hasan hadeeth). As for your standing in 'Arafah, Allah descends to the nearest heaven and boasts to the angels about the pilgrims: "These are my slaves, they come to me dishelved and dusty from every deep and distant highway. They are hoping for my mercy and fear My punishment, and they never saw Me. Imagine if they did see Me? If you had sins like the sands of 'Aalij [a place with a lot of sand], or as many as there are days in the life of the world, or as many as the drops of water coming from the sky; Allah will wash those sins off of you. As for when you throw the pebbles, the reward is saved up for you; and when you shave your head, you will have a hasanah, for every hair that falls; and you make tawaf around the House, you will come out [free] of your sins like the day your mother gave birth to you." (hasan)

5) Before leaving for Hajj: repent to Allah for your sins and untangle yourself from disobedience; fulfill your promises and return trusts; leave enough money for your family, and if you plan to leave them an udhiyah (sacrifice), make good on it; leave what has been preoccupying you so you can focus on the rites of Hajj; learn the rulings of Hajj by reading books and brochures, and by listening to lectures and tapes; get the phone numbers for scholars and fatwa services; and set some money aside for emergencies and for charity.

6) For those who intend to make Hajj and offer the sacrifice (the hadiy): if you wish to offer a sacrifice (udhiyah) in your home country as well, do not remove or trim anything from your hair or nails starting from the first of Dhul-Hijjah. The exception is for those who are performing Hajj Tamattu': They must remove something from their hair to complete their 'Umrah. For those who are sacrificing the hadiy only, they can remove what they wish from their hair and nails until they enter ihram for Hajj.

7) The one who performs Hajj on behalf of another must have performed Hajj for himself first. A man may be a proxy for a woman and vice versa. The proxy may accept money for doing the Hajj even if it is more than he spends. He must return the extra money if that was a condition of the arrangement. Whoever desires the money only will not find any reward with Allah. Whoever does it to see the Sacred places and to help his brother by being his proxy, then it is hoped he will have a reward like the one for whom he performed Hajj.

8) Hajj is a manifestation of being a slave of Allah and one's thankfulness for His blessings. It teaches surrendering to Allah, submission to Him, and hastening to Him. Hajj opens the door to hope, the hope of returning from it like the day one was born, free of sin. It also teaches one to leave forbidden things and to get used to being organised.

9) Hajj and other righteous deeds are a means of expiation for sins if a person does them as prescribed in sharee'ah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "From one Umrah to the next is an expiation foe whatever (sins) came between them, and for an accepted Hajj there is no reward but Paradise." (al-Bukhari, Muslim)

10) The Hajj is a common gathering with a single purpose. The people are equal. They wear one type of clothing, their actions are as one, and their call is one: "Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wa 'l-ni--mata laka wa'l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Hare I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner.)"

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 23

1) The obligatory deed is more beloved to Allah than the nafil deed. Make up any missed days before fasting the six days of Shawwal. The hadeeth "Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is like fasting for a lifetime." implies that one should complete the obligatory fasts first. That will discharge one's duty and is also being on the safe side.

2) Be grateful and seek forgiveness: The servant is always either the recipient of a blessing from Allah, in which case he is in need of gratitude; or he is the perpetrator of a sin, in which case he is in need of repentance. (From Majmoo' al-Fatawaa).

3) A recompense the like thereof: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever calls people to right guidance will have a reward like that of those who follow him, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest. And whoever calls people to misguidance will have a burden of sin like that of those who follow him, without that detracting from their burden in those who follow him, without that detracting from their burden in the slightest." (Muslim)

4) If Allah has accepted a person's Ramadan, and he benefited from that spiritual training, and he continues to obey Allah, then he has joined the caravan of those who remain steadfast and respond to Allah. He says (interpr. of meaning) : "Verily those who say: 'Our Lord is Allah (Alone),' and they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying) : 'Fear not, nor grieve! but recieve the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!'" [Fussilat 41:30].

5) From the signs that a person's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in obedience to Allah. Allah says (interp. of meaning) : "And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor] ..... " [Ibrahim 14:7]. Arighteous deed followed by a righteous deed, a hasanah followed by hasanah.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 22

1) It is permissible for a person to send zakaat al-fitr to another country in the case of need, such as if he does not know any poor people in the place where he is. It is permissible to delegate a trustworthy person to buy it and give it on his behalf. The Sunnah is to give it as one is going to the Eid prayer. He can find out where the poor person's house is ahead of time so that he can give it to him at the right time.

2) Allah has honored us in Ramadan by chaining up the devils, opening the gates of Paradise, closing the gates of Hell, and multiplying the reward. Fasting will intercede for a person and protect him from Hell, and admit him to Paradise through the gate of al-Rayyan.

3) If a person fasts in one country then travels to another country where the people started to fast before or after him, he comes under the same ruling as them because of the hadeeth: "The fast is the day when you [plural] fast, and al-Fitr is the day when you break the fast." This is true even if it means that he fasts more than 30 days. However, if it is less than 29 days, he should make up the shortfall after Eid. (From Shaykh Ibn Baaz)

4) The Sunnahs of Eid include reciting takbeer, doing ghusl, wearing nice clothes, and eating an odd numbers of dates. Take the woman out with you, even those who are menstruating, wearing proper hijab, so that they may witness goodness and the du'a of the Muslims. One should go walking via one route and then return by another route. One should give generously of permissible things to one's children.

5) Eid al-Fitr is just one day, the first day of Shawwal, on which it is haraam to faast. The common belief that Eid al-Fitr lasts for three days is merely a custom that is known among the people. It has nothing to do with any shar'i rulings. As for the second and the third days of Shawwal, it is permissible to fast these days to make up a missed Ramadan fast or as a voluntary fast.

6) It is narrrated in a saheeh hadeeth: "Fasting the month of Ramadan is equivalent to fasting ten months, and fasting six days of Shawwal is equivalent to fasting two months, so that is fasting for a year" i.e. it is like the obligatory fast in reward. The intention for the six nafil days of Shawwal should be made the night before. One may fast them consecutively or seperately.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 21

1) For women going for 'Umrah: Menstruation does not prevent a women from entering ihram for 'Umrah. She should enter ihram from the meeqat, but she should wait until she becomes pure before doing tawaaf and completing her 'Umrah.

2) The one who is observing i'tikaf can go out for essential things such as relieving himself, ghusl from janabah, and eating if he does not have anyone to bring food. He should not go out unnecessarily even to visit the sick or attend a funeral (unless he stipulated that). From Shaykh al-Barrak: The person in i'tikaf can go out of the door of the mosque to ask for food (or to order it); there is nothing wrong with recieving it in the mosque after that, and paying the worker who brought it, because it is a debt that he owes.

3) The wives of the Prohet (peace be upon him) observed i'tikaf, but a women can only observe i'tikaf with her husband's permission and if the place in the mosque is secure. I'tikaf is invalidated by nenses. If it is not possible for a women to observe i'tikaf, she should do a lot of acts of worship in her house, and she will be rewarded.

4) It is not permissible to miss Fajr prayer for the sake of qiyam al-layl. It is not permissible to omit an obligatory deed for the sake of a nafil deed. Let's strive in these last days to pay attention to both obligatory and nafil actions, so that Allah will love us.

5) According to the correct opinion, one of the reasons why Laylat al-Qadar was concealed and may move among the last ten days is so that one will strive completely every night. A person, hoping that it will be Laylat al-Qadar, will worship properly and offer sincere dua' every night, and wi that will help him through the rest of the year.

6) If a person is too busy or is not able to stand with the Imam for the second qiyam, he should not omit the rest of the prayer. After the first qiyam he may pray by himself or in congregation with his family. He should try to make it long and pray Witr. Do not miss out on the reward!

7) Laylat al-Qadar is blessed and full of virtue. On it the Qur'an was revealed, and it is better than worshipping for 83 years. The decrees concerning the provision and the lifespan of people are transferred from al-Lawh al-Mahfooz to the books of the angels, who are safe from the devils and punishment.

8) Laylat al-Qadar is a bright, clear and mild night when angels more numerous than the pebbles come to earth. The sun rises on the following morning weak and red with no rays. The one who spent that night in prayer out of faith and seeking reward is forgiven.

9) When a horse appoaches the end of its race, it does its best. Whoever does his best during the time that remains, Allah will forgive him for what has passed. What matters is ending perfectly even if the start was imperfect.

10) Zakaat al-fitr is purification for a fasting person's shortcomings. Feeding the poor and needy means giving a saa' of the local staple food (approx. 3kg of rice for e.g.), not cash. It is given on behalf of oneself and each of those on whom one is obliged to spend (wife, children, parents-although they may give it on their own behalf). It is mustahabb to give it on behalf of a fetus, but not obligatory. It may be given on the 28th, 29th or 30th of Ramadan. It should be given in the country where one is for Eid.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 20

1) Zakaah on gold and silver jewelry: the more correct view is that it is obligatory to pay zakaah if it reaches the nisaab (minimum amount), even if the jewelry is used (worn or lent). It must be paid by the owner (i.e. the woman). Someone else (father, husband, etc.) may pay on her behalf with her permission. There is nothing wrong with that. Zakaah need not be paid from the jewelry itself. An equivalent value may be given. (From Standing Committee on Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas; Shaykh Ibn Baaz).

2) If a woman did not previously know that zakaah is due on her jewelry, she does not have to pay zakaah for the past. She must pay from the time when she came to know that it is obligatory and in future years. She was unaware ao it, and there is also some confusion among people concerning this issue. And Allah knows best. (From Shaykh Ibn Baaz).

3) Salaries are intermingled and it is often too difficult to work out on what payment one year has passed. The easiest way to determine zakaah on it is to see what has been saved of it one hijri year after the nisaab was reached, and then pay 2.5% on that. Also. if a person spends all of his salary every month and has nothing left, he does not have to pay zakaah. And Allah knows best.

4) Going for Umrah during the last ten days? Remember: For the one who intends to do Umrah, it is not permissible to pass the meeqat without entering ihram. If he does this, even though he forgot or was asleep, he has to go back to the meeqat and enter the ihram. If he enters ihram after passing the meeqat, then he has to slaughter a sheep and distribute its meat to the poor of the Haram.

5) It is not permissible to give zakaah to one's ascendants (father, mother, grandfather, grandmother) or descendants (son, daughter, grandchild) because one is obliged to spend on them if they are poor. It is permissible to give zakaah to other poor relatives (brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin). It should be given to one who really needs it, without favouring any particular relative or acquaintance. (From Ibn Baaz).

Friday, September 19, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 19

1) From Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen: There is nothing wrong with seeking out Imams with beautiful voices to increase one's hushoo (proper focus in prayer), so long as that does not lead to neglecting neighborhood mosques, because there is a shar'i interest to be served in the gathering of people of a neighborhood with their Imam.

2) Hadeeth: "Whoever provides food for afasting person to break his fast will have a reward like his." Ibn Taymiyah said: What is meant by providing food means giving him enough to satisfy him. If he cannot give him more than a date or a drink of milk or water, then he should do that and he will have a reward commensurate with his efforts.

3) Do not give zakah to offer food to fasting people, because it should be given to the poor, and some of those who break the fast may not be poor. Do not give it to an orphan unless he is poor, because he may be independent of means due to an inheritance. Servants and drivers must be in genuine need and the one who gives them zakah should not benefit from that.

4) Things that a person keeps for his own uses and needs, such as dwellings, household, furniture, clothing, jewellery, means of transportation, tools of his trade, machinery, equipment, shop decor and so on are not subject to zakah, except for gold and silver.

5) If a Muslim wants to observe i'tikaf for one night, he should enter the mosque before Maghrib and come out after Fajr. The last ten days begin when sun sets on the 20th of Ramadan, at which point the night of the 21st begings. Whoever wants to observe i'tikaf for the ten days or the first of them should enter the mosque before the sun sets.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 18

1) Sahoor is a blessing, even if it is only a sip of water. The best food of sahoor is dates. It can only be called sahoor if it occurs in the second part of the night. Eating sahoor involves being different from the People of the Book, and it helps one to worship Allah by fasting and getting up for Fajr prayer. It is Sunnah to delay Sahoor.

2) There is nothing wrong with smelling pleasant fragrances when one is fasting, but one should not inhale incense deeply. Beware of things that may kindle one's desires and spoil the fast, such as speaking, looking repeatedly, or touching. Remember the hadeeth qudsi which praises the fasting person: "He gives up his desire (and according to one version: his wife) for My sake."

3) Having a blood sample taken, if it is a small amount that does not weaken the body, does not break the fast, but if it is a large amount that does cause weakness, then it breaks the fast as cupping does. Based on this, donating blood breaks the fast so it should only be done if it is necessary and that day should be made up.

4) When breaking the fast, the fasting person experiences joy for several reasons: what was forbidden of food and drink has now become permissible, he was able to do an act of worship and complete the day, he breaks the fast with things that Allah has permitted, and he follows the Sunnah by hastening to break the fast, and he is granted a prayer to be answered when he breaks the fast.

5) Allah has honoured us in Ramadan by chaining up the devils, opening the gates of Paradise, closing the gates of Hell and multiplying the reward. Fasting will intercede for a person and protect him from Hell, and admit him to Paradise through the gate of al-Rayyan. If someone were to ask why sins occur during Ramadan when the devils are chained? The answer is that it is the maarids (most of evil jinn) that are chained up, not every devil. And it was said that the chains weaken their movements but do not prevent their whispering (waswaas). If we add to that the devils among mankind, and the self which is inclined towards evil, then we will know the reason why sins happen in Ramadan, although evil is still less at this time.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 17

1) Medical Injections that do not provide nourishment, such as penicillin, insulin, anaesthetics, inoculations and dyes for diagnostic imaging, whether they are intramuscular or intravenous, endoscopy and the like, suppositories and pessaries none of these break the fast.

2) Having teeth filled, extracted or cleaned, using the siwak without added flavours, brushing the teeth with toothpaste, gargling with medicine, using a puffer that is placed in the mouth, and tasting food if necessary, none of these break the fast so long as nothing passes the throat.

3) Kidney dialysis, in which the blood is removed and cleaned then returned to the body with some nutritional substances, breaks the fast. [Fatwa al-Lajnah al-Da'imah (190/10)]. the days when one has dialysis have to be made up. Be patient if you suffer from this complaint, and if you are healthy then give praise to Allah for well being.

4) One of the wonders of fasting is that Allah says, "It is for Me." Allah has singled out it for Him because no one can see it but Him, so it is a sacret between you and Him. Only He knows what the reward for it is, and there is no other act of worship like it. It is patience which brings reward beyond measure, so congratulations to the men and women who fast.

5) The mosques must be kept free of the smell of garlic, onions, sweat, cigarettes and every foul smell, lest it offend the angels and the worshippers. It is permissible for the one who is praying next to someone whose smell he cannot stand to interrupt his prayer and move to another spot, but he should strive to be polite and offer advice in a kind manner.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 16

1) It is allowed for the person who missed his Isha' prayer in congregation to join the Imam in taraweeh with the intention of Isha' prayer.

2) If a person has prayed the taraweeh and witr with the Imam but still wants to pray more raka'hs at tahajjud time then it is permissible for him to pray two by two raka'hs without repeating the witr.

3) It is permissible for a person to break his fast if the disk of the sun has disappeared completely from the horizon even if he didn't hear the adhaan.

4) It is permissible to read the opening dua' in the first raka'h of every prayer in taraweeh and tahajjud (night prayer). [Ibn Uthaymeen]

5) The non-menstrual blood (Istihaada) does not affect a womans fast. [Ibn Baaz]

6) An ointment that moisturizes, softens, or soothes the skin and medication plasters for skin do not break the fast. [The Standing Committee]

7) The reward is for concentration and length of prayer and not for the lesser and quicker prayer.

8) We ask Allah to guide more people to pray in the Mosque. Prayer is better than sleep and taraweeh is better than watching serials.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 15

71) The intention (niyyah) for Ramadan fasts is made at night, before the dawn comes. The Prophet (peace be upon him): "Whoever does not intend to fast from the night before, there is no fast for him." (al-Nisaa'i; classed as hasan by al-Albani) Whoever does not resolve to do so, his fast is not valid. The correct intention is when a person resolves in his heart that he is going to fast tomorrow. It is not prescribed for him to utter it out loud.

72) The "day of doubt": when people are not sure whether it is the last day of Sha'ban or the first of Ramadan because of cloudy weather or another reason. Fasting on this day is haraam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Fast when you see the new moon abd break your fast when you see the new moon, and if you are not sure then complete Sha'ban as thirty days." (al-Bukhari)

73) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Do not preempt Ramadan by one or two days, except for those who have the habit of fasting regularly, in which case they may fast." (al-Bukhari). A person may also fast if he is bound by a vow or has to make up an obligatory fast. Fasting at the end of Sha'ban is prohibited to maintain a distinction between the obligatory and voluntary fasts.

74) Zakaah must be paid immediately when one full hijri year has passed since the nisaab [minimum threshold] is acquired. If a person pays it in advance in Ramadaan before the year has passed (to take advantage of the virtue of the month), there is nothing wrong with that. But after the year has passed it is not permissible to delay it until Ramadaan. Zakaah on agricultural crops must be paid on the day of harvesting.

75) One of the conditions of zakaah is having the proper intention at the time of paying it. It is not acceptable to decide that what one has previously given (with the intention of sadaqah) is now zakaah.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 14

66) Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "People's deeds are shown [to Allah] twice each week, on Monday and Thursday, and every believing slave is forgiven except a person between whom there is a dispute, and it is said, "Leave these two untill they reconcile." (From Muslim)

67) Imitation of the Kufaar that is permissible means doing something that is not originally taken from them, but they do it too. It is permissible only when the following conditions are met: 1) The resemblance should not be to any of their traditions or rituals by which they are distinguished. 2) That it should not be part of their religion. 3) That it should not be anything that Islam refers specifically to. If there is a specific reference in Islam, either approving or disapproving of it, then we must follow what our religion says about it. 4) The resemblance should not lead to going against any of the commands of shareea'ah. 5) That it should not involve celebrating any of their festivals. 6) The resemblance should be only according to what is needed, and no more.

68) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "I have been given the Qur'aan and something like it with it." The phrase "something like it with it" refers to the Sunnah. (Saheeh hadeeth). Allah commanded us to refer to these two constitutional references,when He said (interpr. of meaning): ".....if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger....." [al-Nisa' 4:59]. The Qur'an is the primary source of legislation, then the Sunnah. And Allah knows best.

69) There is no suggestion that at the end of an old year or the beginning of a new year the records of deeds are closed and deeds are shown to Allah. Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said concerning commemorating the end of the year: "There is no basis for that, and singling out the end of the year for specific acts of worship such as fasting is a reprehensible innovation (bid'ah)." End quote.

70) Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The angels of the night and the day come to you in succession, and they meet at Fajr prayer and at Asr prayer, then those who stayed among you ascend and their Lord asks them, although He knows best about them, "How did you leave My slaves?" and they say, "We left them when they were praying and we came to them when they were praying."" (From Bukhari, Muslim)

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 13

61) Abu Hurayrah said: the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Jibreel came to me and said: "I came to you yesterday and nothing prevented me from entering except that there was a statue by your door, and there was a curtain in your house with images on it, and there was a dog in the house. So tell someone to cut the head off the statue by your door, so it will look like a tree; tell someone to cut up the curtain and make it into floor-cushions that will be stepped on; and tell someone to put the dog outside."" So the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did that. (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad) The hadeeth of Ibn Abbaas: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or images." (Agreed upon)

62) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When one of you prays facing something that is screening him from the people, and someone wants to pass in front of him, let him push back, and if he insists then let him fight him, for he is no more than a devil." (Agreed upon) What is meant by the phrase "let him fight him" is let him push him back forcefully.

63) Even if a child passes in front of you in the prayer you must stop him, because of the general meaning of the evidence. If the child passes frequently and stopping him will distract the worshipper, then he should let him be. From Fath al-Baari: Ibn Battaal and others narrated that there was ascholarly consensus that it is not permissible for a person to move away from his spot in order to push (another person) away, or to move a great deal in doing so, because that has a greater effect on the prayer than his passing in front.

64) In prayer, it is better to recite Quran from memory rather than from a Mushaf, to prevent physical distractions such as holding the Mushaf, putting it down, turning its pages, looking at the letters, etc. By doing so he will miss out on putting his right hand over his left hand on his chest while standing during the prayer, or spreading out his arms during rukoo and sujood, if he puts the Mushaf under his arm. Shaykh ibn 'Uthaymeen, al-Fataawa al-Islamiyyah, 8/4.

65) Abu Moosa al-Ash'ari said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stood up before us and told us five things. He said: "Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, does not sleep and it is not befitting that He should sleep. He lowers the Balance and raises it; the deeds of the night are taken up to Him before the deeds of the day, and the deeds of the day before the deeds of the night...." (From Muslim)

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 12

56) Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: "There is no Muslim who visits a (sick) Muslim early in the morning but seventy thousand angels send blessings upon him until evening comes, and if he visits him in the evening, seventy thousands angels send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a garden in Paradise." Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

57) A sin that is committed in secret is lighter in sanctity than one committed openly. Via Abu Hurairah the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that all of my Ummah is pardoned except for the mujahiroon (those who do things openly). Among [those] are people who do a deed during the night which Allah has hidden (from the eyes of others), then they go during the day and tell others that yesterday they did so and so. Whereas their Lord had concealed their wrongs overnight, they awake disclosing what their Lord had hidden. Bukhari and Muslim.

58) Participating in the holidays of the nonbelievers and congratulating them on them is part of imitating them and taking allegiance to them. Ibn ul-Qayyim said: it is haram by unanimous agreement; and if it is not considered kufr (disbelief) then it is at the very least forbidden and considered the same as one who congratulates one for prostrating to the cross.

59) Allah created the angels from light. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from smokeless fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you." (From Muslim) The angels are by nature obedient to Allah: "[they i.e., angels] disobey not, [from executing] the Commands they recieve from Allah, but do that which they are commanded" [al-Tahreem 66:6- interpr. of meaning]

60) Angels are created in such a way that they do not eat or drink. Their food is glorification of Allah (tasbeeh) and saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (tahleel), as Allah tells us concerning them (interpr. of meaning): "They [i.e the angels] glorify His Praises night and day, [and] they never slacken [to do so]" [al-Anbiyaa' 21:20]

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 11

51) Allah has guarenteed to preserve the Qur'an. He says (interp. of the meaning): "Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)." [al-Hijr 15:9]. Everything revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) was written down in front of him. The transmission of the Qur'an by memory and writing was mutawaatir, narrated by groups to groups. The Qur'an was compiled by the Sahabah, and Uthman sent copies of the Mus-haf to all the main centers of Islam. There are several ancient manuscripts of the Qur'an in libraries and museums which bear visible testimony to the fact that nothing has been changed in the Book of Allah. Allah says (interpr. of the meaning): "And verily, it is an honorable well fortified respected Book (because it is Allah's Speech, and He has protected it from corruption). Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it , (it is) sent down by thw All Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allah)." [Fussilat 41:41-42]

52) The shaytan has troops whom he sends to keep people from following the religion. They are the ones who prevent people from obeying Allah and push them to commit sins. Allah says (interpr. of the meaning): "And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies" Shayateen (devils) among mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (for by way of deception). If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it; so leave them alone with their fabrications" [al-An'aam 6:112].

53) The basic principle of religion is that the halal is that which Allah and His Messenger have permitted, and the haram is that which they have forbidden. The religion is that which Allah and His Messenger have prescribed. No one has the right to transgress those limits. Allah says (interp. of the meaning): "And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will seperate you away from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)" [al-An'aam 6:153].

54) Allah offers a great reward if you bear the insults of foolish people with patience in this world. Allah says (interpret. of the meaning): "Beautified is the life of this world for those who disbelieve, and they mock at those who believe. But those who obey Allah's Orders and keep away from what he has forbidden, will be above them on the Day And Allah gives (of His Bounty, Blessings, Favors, and Honors on the Day of Resurrection) to whom He wills without limit." [al-Baqarah 2:212]

55) The believer combines good deeds with fear of punishment: A'ishah asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the verse: "And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear" [al-Mu'minoon 23:60]

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 10

46) Anyone who studies the creation of Allah will see some of the signs of His greatness. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, describing the Kursiy (Footstool) and Throne: "The seven heavens, in comparison to the Footstool, are like a ring lying in the wilderness, and the superiority of the Throne to the Footstool is like the superiority of the wilderness to that ring." (Classed as saheeh by al-Albani)

47) This world should not be the main concern of the Muslim. Worry about his provision should not find any room in his heart or mind. Anas said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever is mainly concerened about the Hereafter, Allah will make him feel independent of others and will make him focused and content, and his wordly affairs will fall into place. But whoever is concerned with this world, Allah will make him feel in constant need of others and will make him distracted and unfocused, and he will get nothing of this world except what is decreed for him." (Classed as saheeh by al-Albani.)

48) Prayer is the greatest pillar of Islam after the Shahadatayn, and it is not wavied for anyone so long as he is of sound mind. Whoever can pray standing must do that, otherwise he should pray sitting or on his side, or by making gestures, according to what he is able to do, and Allah does not burden any soul beyond its scope. That is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Pray standing, and if you cannot, then sitting, and if you cannot, then on your side." (Bukhari)

49) In prayer it is better to recite Qur'an from memory, because if a person recites from the Mushaf, he will be doing repeated actions such as holding the Mushaf, putting it down, and turning its pages. By doing so he will miss out on putting his right hand over his left hand on his chest when standing, or spreading out his arms during rukoo ans sujood. Some people carry the Mushaf to the imam's recitation in the prayer. This is something which should not be done.

50) If one is reciting Qur'an in situations other than in prayer, then reading from the Mushaf is better, because it is more accurate and helps one to remember better. But if reciting from memory is easier and helps one to concentrate more and have better presence of mind (khushoo'), then one should recite from memory.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 9

41) Based on the hadith in Bukhari and Muslim: On the night when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was taken up into the heaven (the Mi'raj), Allah initially enjoined fifty prayers to be performed night and day. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) kept asking his Lord to reduce it untill it became five prayers to be offered night and day. But Allah decreed that whoever prays the five prayers will still recieve the reward of fifty prayers.

42) Abu Umamah said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursiy immediately after each prescribed prayer, there will be nothing standing between him and his entering Paradise except death." (This is how it was narrated by al-Nasa'i, and its chain of narration meets the conditions of al-Bukhari.)

43) A marriage contract must be done in the presence of the woman's wali (guardian) and with his consent. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There is no marriage without a wali." And he (peace be upon him) said: "Any woman who gets married without the permission of her wali, her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid."

44) When Allah forbids people to commit sin, He also supplies them with means to help them give up the sin if they fall into it. Among these means are:
1) Strengthening one's faith in Allah and one's fear of Him. 2) Knowing that Allah is always watching and that everything that you do is being recoeded. 3) Comparing the fleeting pleasure of sin (which quickly fades) with both the punishment of the sinner and the reward of the one who refrains from sin. 4) Keeping away from the things that help one to sin, such as haram looks, bad company, and going to sinful places. 5) Striving to keep company with righteous people.

45) With regard to the Shaytan sharing in a person's food and drink, Jabir ibn Abd-Allah said that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: "When a man enters his house and remembers Allah [i.e.,says Bismillah] when he enters and when he eats, the Shaytan says, "You have no place to stay and no dinner." If he enters and does not remember Allah when entering, the Shaytan says, "You have found a place to stay." If he does not remember Allah when he eats,[the Shaytan] says, "You have found a place to stay and dinner."

Monday, July 14, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 8

36) Islamic nasheeds (words with a tune) as outlined by Shaykh ibn Uthaimeen:
1) If the nasheed is accompanied by the duff (a certain type of drum), then it is haram, because the duff is only permissible in a specific situation. It is more forbidden if it is accompanied by music or other types of drums.
2) If it is performed in the manner of immoral songs then it is not permissible, for it may lead to listening to haram kinds of songs.
3) If these nasheeds are sung in a way that provoke desire, or such that a person may enjoy listening to the melody of the sound regardless of the content, then this is also not permissible. Rather than listening to a nasheed, it is better to listen Qur'an, or a lesson by a scholar.

37) The wise person wants to eat to live, not live to eat. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The descendents of Adam fill no worse vessel, than their stomach. A simple few morsels are sufficient to sustain him." (Al-Tirmidhi, hassan saheeh hadith.)

38) More means of reaching Pradise: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "In Paradise there are rooms whose outside can be seen from the inside and the inside can be seen from the outside. Allah has prepared them for those who feed the poor, who are gentle in speech, who fast regularly and who pray at night when people are asleep." (Al-Albani classified as hassan).

39) It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qirat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qirats." it was said: "What are the two qirats?" He said: "Like two great mountains."

40) Abd-Allah ibn Umar only broke his fast with orphans and poor people. Consider a moving scene: arich man serving workers and needy people at the time of Maghrib adhan in a tent set up for iftar at one of the mosque.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 7

31) From Shaykh al-Barrak, regarding Qur'an read from mobile phones and other such devices: [they] do not come under the same rules as the Mushaf, because the letters of the Qur'an in the these devices are different than the letters in the Mus-haf. [They] exist in the form of waves that form the letters when needed, so they appear in the screen then disappear when one moves to when needed, so they appear in the screen then disappear when one moves to another verse.

32) The evidence in the Qur'an and Sunnah is clear that honoring one's parents is a duty on all children, male and female. "And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour." [al-Isra 17:23 interpretation of the meaning]. And the well-known hadith from Abu Hurayrah: A man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: Which of the people is most deserving of my good companionship? He said: "Your mother." He said: Then who? He said: "Then your mother." He said: Then who? He said: "Then your mother." He said: Then who? He said: "Then your father."

33) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "No one should touch the Qur'an but one who is pure." From Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Barrack: It is the view of the majority of scholars that it is haram for one who is in a state of impurity to touch the Mushaf, wether that is for reading or otherwise. Also: It is well known that it is not essential to be free from minor impurity when reciting Qur'an from memory, or even from major impurity, but purifying oneself before reciting Qur'an, even from memory, is better.

34) Regarding the adhan: The people of every town must have someone among them who can give the call to prayers so that the people may be informed that the time for prayer has come. The scholars of the Standing Comittee said: The adhan is fard kifaayah (a communal obligation) in a town, and the same applies to the iqamah. If a person starts to pray without the adhan or iqamah, whether out of forgetfulness or ignorance, or for some other reason, the prayer is still valid. The same applies if the muezzin forgets the phrase al-salaatu khayrun min al-nawm (prayer is better than sleep) in the adhan for Fajr prayer...(i.e., he does not have to repeat it).

35) The wise person wants to eat to live, not live to eat. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The descendants of Adam fill no worse vessel, than their stomach. A simple few morsels are sufficient to sustain him." (Al-Tirmidhi, hassan saheeh hadith).

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 6

26) Regarding trials: Victory and success cannot be achieved except after tests which will bring the good forth from the evil and tell the believer apart from the kafir. "Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. Nor will Allah disclose to you the secrets of the Ghayb (Unseen)." [ Interpretation of the meaning, Aal Imraan 3:179 ]

27) From the benefits of memorizing the Qur'an: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Fasting and the Qur'an will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, "O Lord, I deprived him of food and desires during the day, so let me intercede for him." The Qur'an will say, "O Lord I deprived him of his sleep at night, so let me intercede for him." Then they will both intercede for him." (Classed as saheeh by al-Albani.)

28) True peace of mind: make a lot of du'a, call upon Allah, and seek to draw close to Him by different kinds of worship such as praying, giving charity, fasting and so on. Ask Allah to take away what is in your heart of sorrow and to grant you relief. "Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah-Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." [interpretation of meaning- al-Ra'd 13:28]

29) Regarding intention: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Four people are making the most of this world: a man to whom Allah gives wealth and knowledge, so he fears his lord with regard to the way in which he disposes of his wealth, and he uses it to uphold ties of kinship and he realizes that Allah has rights over it. This man occupies the highest status. And a man to whom Allah has given knowledge but did not give him wealth, so he is sincere in his intention when he says, "If I had wealth I would have done the same as so and so is doing." So he will be rewarded according to his intention and the reward of both of them is the same..." [Classed as saheeh by al-Albani]

30) A man may attain by his intention the reward of one who actually does the deed, if he is prevented from acting by some excuse. From Anas ibn Malik: the Messener of Allah (peace be upon him) came back from the campaign to Tabook and when he drew close to Madeenah he said: " In Madeenah there are people who, whenever you traveled any distance or crossed any valley, were with you." They said: O Messenger of Allah, even though they are in Madeenah? He said: "Even though they are in Madeenah, because they were kept there by excuses."

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 5

21) The Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said : " Allah has relieved the traveler of the obligation of fasting and half of the prayer, and He has relieved the pregnant woman and nursing mother of the obligation of fasting." ( classed as saheeh by al-Albani ). If a Pregnant woman fears that fasting may harm her or her baby then she may break her fast, and she has to make up the days that she did not fast. But if she does not fear harm for her or her baby, then she has to fast, because Allah says : " So whoever of you sights ( the cresent of ) the month ( of Ramadan i.e is present at his home ), he must observe Sawm ( fast ) that month." [ al-Baqarah 2:185 ] In most cases fasting is difficult for pregnant women, especially in the final months, and fasting may affect the pregnancy. She should refer to a trustworthy doctor for advice. And Allah knows best.

22) Our Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) is the best of the Prophets and the best of creation. But in addition, he ( peace be upon him ) is no more than a human being, so it is not permissible to call upon him or seek his help instead of Allah. Allah says : " Say ( O Muhammad ) : " I am only a man like you. It has been revealed unto me that your God is One God ( i.e. Allah ). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord " [ al- Kahf 18:110 ]

23) Ibn Abbas said : " The Messenger of Allah ( peace be upon him ) was the most generous of people [ in doing good ], and he was most generous of all in Ramadan when Jibreel met with him, and he used to meet him every night in Ramadan and teach him the Qur'an. The Messenger of Allah ( peace be upon him ) was more generous in doing good than a wind ( That carries generous bounties )."

24) Fasting on the 'day of doubt' ( the thirtieth of Sha'ban if the new moon cannot be seen because of clouds, etc. ) is not allowed. The Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said : " Do not anticipate Ramadan by fasting one or two days before it begins, but if a man habitually fasts, then let him fast." If a person has the habit of fasting alternate days, or Mondays, etc., and it happens to coincide with this day, then it is permissible for him to fast. If he does not have a reason, then it is haram for him on this day.

25) " Two hungry wolves do not do more damage to a flock of sheep than a man's eagerness for wealth and status do to his religious commitment." Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. The Prophet likened the harm to a Muslim's religious commitment caused by greed for wealth & status to the damage caused by two hungry wolves who enter the sheep pen ans attack the flock, because the one who is greedy for wealth & status wastes his time and may commit haram actions in his efforts, then when he achieves his goal he may not do what is then required of him.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 4

16) The Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said that : " There is a chapter in the Qur'an of 30 verses that intercedes for its reader until he is forgiven ( Tabarak alladhi bi-yadihi il-mulk ) . [ Abu Dawood, saheeh ]. I.e. Surat Al-Mulk. Ibn Masood said that whoever recites it every night, will be protected from the torment of the grave, and during the time of the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) we used to name it The Preventer ( protector ) . [ hassan ]

17) Some people think that exchanging engagement rings has an effect on their future relationship as spouses. This custom goes against sharee'ah. In principle there is nothing wrong with rings. However, there is no basis for this attachment to the rings in sharee'ah, and this custom also imitates the non-Muslims, which the Prohet ( peace be upon him ) warned us against. In addition, it is not permissible for the man to put ring on his fiancée's hand himself, because she has not yet become his wife.

18) Persist in doing good deeds. A'ishah said : The Messenger of Allah ( peace be upon him ) said : " O people, you should do whatever good deeds you can, for Allah does not get tired [of giving reward ] until you get tired. And the most beloved of good deeds to Allah is that in which a person persists, even if it is little. If the family of Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) started to do something, they would persist in it. "

19) The Prophet ( peace be upon him ) used to review the Qur'an with Jibreel every Ramadan. Abu Hurayrah said: " Jibreel used to review the Qur'an with the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) once every year, and he reviewed it with him twice in the year in which he passed away. " The fasting person should read Qur'an a great deal during Ramadan and to strive to complete it. If he does not complete it then he is not sinning, but he has missed out a great deal of reward.

20) The Prophet ( peace be upon him ) used to tell his Companions the good news of the onset of Ramadan. Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah ( peace be upon him ) said : " There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month. Allah has made it obligatory on you to fst [ this month ]. During it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are locked, and the devils are chained up. In it there is a night that is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is deprived indeed."

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 3

11) Children should be instructed to fast at the age of seven if they are able to. The child will be rewarded for fasting, and the parents will be rewarded for guiding him to do good. Al-Rubay' bint Mu'awwidh said, speaking about Ramadan : " We used to make our children fast, and we would make them a toy made out of wool. If any one of them started to cry for food, we would give them that toy to play with until it was time to break the fast. " True compassion for children includes helping them get used to fasting.

12) Fasting is an obligation on every adult who is able to fast, is sane, and is not traveling. Women who do not have menstruation or post-natal bleeding to prevent them are obliged to fast. A person is deemed to have reached adulthood when he or she has reached puberty or attained fifteen years of age. ( A female is obliged to fast when she has started her menstruation, even if she has not yet reached the age of ten. )


13) Abdullah Al-Antaki said to his companions : It is but 4 things [ to be concerned with ] : your eye, tongue, heart, and desire. So warn your eye not to look at anything forbidden; warn your tongue not to speak anything that Allah knows is not true to your heart; warn your heart not to harbor despite or ill-will towards another Muslim; & warn your desires not to long for anything evil. ( Al-Baihaqi in Al-Zuhd ul-Kabeer )

14) Based on an authentic hadeeth related by Tirmidhi, most scholars say that one should not fast during the second half of Sha'ban except for one who has the habit of fasting regularly ( e.g. Mondays and Thursdays ), or has fasting to make up from last Ramadan, or is continuing after fasting the first half of Sha'ban, which is sunnah and Allah knows best.

15) Regarding loans, the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said :" Whoever takes people's wealth intending to pay it off, Allah will help him to pay it off, but whoever takes it intending to use it up ( without repaying ), Allah will destroy him. "

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Jawal Zad SMS 2

6) The Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said : " The Holy Spirit ( Jibreel ) has revealed to me that no soul will die until it has completed its appointed term and received its provision in full, so fear Allah and do not be desperate in seeking provision, and no one of you should be tempted to seek provision by means of committing sin if it is slow in coming to him, for that which is with Allah can only be attained by obeying Him. "

7) Via Anas : Zayd ibn Thabit said :" We ate suhoor with the Prophet ( peace be upon him ), then he stood up to pray. " I [ Anas ] said : " How long was there between the adhan and suhoor ". He said : " As long as it takes to recite fifty verses. " From this hadeeth we understand that it is mustahabb to delay suhoor. Our scholars are agreed that suhoor is Sunnah, and that delaying it is preferable. Moreover the time for fasting is the day. So there is no sense in delaying iftaar, or refraining from eating suhoor at the end of the night.

8) While the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) was sitting, a man came in and prayed and said, " O Allah, forgive me and have mercy on me." The Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said, " You have been too hasty, O worshipper. When you have prayed and are sitting, praise Allah as He deserves to be praised, and send blessings upon me, then call upon Him. " Then another man prayed after that, and he praised Allah and sent blessings upon the Prophet ( peace be upon him ). The Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said : " O worshipper, ask and you will be answered. "

9) The relationship of an engaged man with his fiancée is the same as a man's relationship with any woman to whom he is not related. It is not permissible for him to touch her, shake hands with her, or be alone with her. He is not allowed to enjoy any kind of physical relationship with her whatsoever until the marriage contract with her has been completed.

10) The feet must be washed in wudoo'. It not sufficient to wipe them. From Abu Hurayrah : " The Prophet ( peace be upon him ) saw a man who had not washed his heels and he said, " Woe to the heels from the fire." Ibn Khuzaymah said : If wiping were sufficient to discharge the obligation, there would have been no warning of the Fire in this case.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Jawal Zad Sms - 1

1) ( Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error. ) [ al-Baqarah 2:286, interp. Of meaning]. Every sin that a Muslim commits because he makes a mistake, forgets, or is forced to do it, is forgiven by Allah. The Muslim will be brought to account for what he does deliberately. ( And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend. ) [ al-Ahzab 33:5, interp.of meaning].

2) Mu'adh said : " I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my grtting up." He sought reward for his sleepbecause he intended by sleeping to gain strength to do acts of worship.

3) Fasting in Shabaan : Osama bin zaid said: " Oh Prophet of Allah! I have not seen you fast any other month as much as you do in Shabaan. He said: It's a month which people neglect, between Rajab & Ramadan, in which people's deeds are raised to the Lord of the Universe, & I would like that my deeds are raised while I am fasting. Nisaa'I 2317 (rated as hasan by Al-Albani)

4) Allah says ( interp of meaning ) : " The mothers shall breastfeed their children for two whole years, ( that is ) for those ( parents ) who desire to complete the term of breastfeeding" [ al-Baqarah 2:233 ]. As the scholars explained, this is a command to mothers to breastfeed their children. They also mentioned that one part of breast feeding is obligatory, which is the yellow substance ( colostrums ) that is produced at the beginning of breastfeeding and which is known medically to be of great benefit.

5) The one who is praying behind the imam is to follow the imam, not to do anything before him, or at the same time as him, or to delay doing it. The Messenger of Allah ( peace be upon him ) said : " The imam is only appointed to be followed, so when he says takbeer, say takbeer; when he bows, then bow ( and do not bow until he bows ); when he says ' Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah ', then say ' Allahumma rabbana laka'l-hamd '. If he prays standing , then pray standing."