DISEASES OF THE HEART & BODY………….

Diseases of the heart and body, are both serious, here the speaker addresses the diseases of the body:

THE RELATIONSHIP OF DUA AND TAQDEER: 13:38-40

courtesy: www.flickr.com/dua

Surah Ra’ad 13:            38

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً  وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِيَ بِآيَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ  لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍ كِتَابٌ

We did send apostles before thee, and appointed for them wives and children: and it was never the part of an apostle to bring a sign except as Allah permitted (or commanded). For each period is a Book (revealed).

In french:

Et Nous avons certes envoyé avant toi des messagers, et leur avons donné des épouses et des descendants. Et il n’appartient pas à un Messager d’apporter un miracle, si ce n’est qu’avec la permission d’Allah. Chaque échéance a son terme prescrit.

39

يَمْحُو اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ  وَعِندَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ

Allah doth blot out or confirm what He pleaseth: with Him is the Mother of the Book.

In French:

Allah efface ou confirme ce qu’Il veut en l’Ecriture primordiale est auprès de Lui.

40

وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ الَّذِي نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَاغُ وَعَلَيْنَا الْحِسَابُ

Whether We shall show thee (within thy life-time) part of what we promised them or take to ourselves thy soul (before it is all accomplished),- thy duty is to make (the Message) reach them: it is our part to call them to account.

In French:

Que Nous te fassions voir une partie de ce dont Nous les menaçons, ou que Nous te fassions mourir (avant cela), ton devoir est seulement la communication du message, et le règlement de compte sera à Nous.

BACKGROUND: These ayahs have three main messages: Taqdeer, Dua, and the deliverance of the  Message of Tawheed with the understanding that all accountability is by Allah.

TAFSEER BY DR. FARHAT HASHMI

Allah Subhanawataala has the main book or the Mother of all books; The Luh Mahfooz He Subhanawataaala can change it or confirm it. E.g. He changed some of the rules for Rasoolallah’s Ummah compared to past rules brought by His messengers.

He can increase or decrease changes in His book (Luh Mahfooz) as He deems fit.

Which book is mentioned here? (ayah 39) Is this the Na’ama Aamaal or the Taqdeer? Because He has the mother of all Books. This give us the span of Allah’s power. He has rules for all times and All Ummahs.

Hadith:

Taqdeer is changed with dua.

In another hadith:

We know that the power is Dua is immense, the Dua may be rising and a calamity may be descending, thus if the dua is strong, then when it meets the rising Dua, there is a tussle for power of implementation, thus which ever is stronger, prevails. If  the Dua is strong, the calamity is turned around and if the Dua is weak or in adequately made then calamity prevails.

Allah Subhanawataala has the original book and he can make whatever changes he wants to. (Dua is asking Allah Subhanawataala to change one’s taqdeer and dua does affect taqdeer) .

Hadith:

Sila Rahmi increases life

Hadith:

Sins decrease our Rizq, we may be about to get something but we do disobedience and He turns His face away.

Everything is with Allah we need to ask Him by making Dua to change our Taqdeer.

Sadaqa is rad-e Bala, it pushes calamities away.

Thus Allah Subhanawataala’s message to Prophet Muhammad is:

If We (Allah Subhanawataala) show you (Prophet Muhammad pbuh) that azaab (Punishment) which we have promised the disbelievers inyour lifetime or do it after you die, in both case your (Prophet Muhammad pbuh) responsibility is to give the message and Ours (Allah Subhanawataala) is to check accountability.

ADVICE FOR A DAEE: DO NOT WAIT FOR TOMORROW!

Thus a Daee must continue her work, no matter what the results and whether the environment is advantageous or not, do not wait for times to become advantageous, just continue to give the message and leave the results to Allah Subhanawataala.

Allah Subhanawataala reiterates this message in Surah Ghashiya (88)

21

فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ

Therefore do thou give admonition, for thou art one to admonish.

22

لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ

Thou art not one to manage (men’s) affairs.

23

إِلَّا مَن تَوَلَّىٰ وَكَفَرَ

But if any turn away and reject Allah,-

24

فَيُعَذِّبُهُ اللَّهُ الْعَذَابَ الْأَكْبَرَ

Allah will punish him with a mighty Punishment.

End tafseer

My humble take on this:

Our Taqdeer is written in His book (Luh Mahfooz) but if he so wishes he can change it

How and why would Allah Subhanawataala change our taqdeer? Only if we make sincere Dua, which reflects the etiquette, respect and full protocol and adaab of Dua.

Calamities in this life can be warded off with Dua and Sadaqa

The disobedience of Allah causes Him to turn away from us. This may be reflected in the decrease in our Rizq in this dunya.

Allah’s Azaab (Punishment) is promised to those who deny the existence and Unity of God Almighty and He will and can show it at anytime.

The instructions to the Messenger (pbuh) and all those who come after him (Pbuh) is to give the Message of Allah to ……….go ahead and GIVE the message without waiting or hesitating even if they do not see an immediate effect, or if times are difficult or unfriendly.

Allah Subhanawataala Himself will do the accountability of the actions of each one of us after we received His message.

Supplication: Please keep me in your duas!!!

IN THE FIRE DUE TO OBSTINANCY OR IGNORANCE?…….……….Surah Ra’ad 13:43

Obstinate denial leaves us alone without Allah: courtesy flickr.com

وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَستَ مُرسَلاً قُل فَى بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدَا بَينِى وَبَينَم وَمَن عِندَهُ  عِلمُ ٱلكِتَـبِ (٤٣

The Unbelievers say: “No messengers art thou.” Say: “Enough for a witness between me and you is Allah, and such as have knowledge of the Book.” (43)

TAFSEER BY DR. FARHAT HASHMI 13:43

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him is commanded by Allah to say to those who deny that he is Allah; s Messenger that “ Allah’s witness is enough for me and he who has the ilm (knowledge) of the book”

Who has the ilm (knowledge) of the book? What is the book that is being referred here?

Thus if the Book being Luh- e- Mahfooz then it is Allah who has the knowledge and is being referred here. If the book is Torah and Injeel then the reference is to the Ulema of these Books and if the book is the Quran then the reference is to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Thus the people in the above categories are witness to Prophet Muhammad’s Prophet hood.

In Surah Al Imran ayah 18 Allah Subhanawataala says:

There is no god but He: that is the witness of Allah His angels and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise. (18) The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His will): nor did the people of the Book dissent there from except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account. (19)

The people of knowledge know who is Allah’s Messengers. No one who has knowledge of the book would deny that Prophet Muhammad pbuh is the Messenger of God.

People can deny the Messenger only on the basis of ignorance or their obstinate ego.

MY TAKE:

Obstinacy is the brother of arrogance. It is that characteristic which prevents us from softening our heart towards something that we know from the inner precincts of our heart to be true. but one  denies it because of arrogance ( A disease of the heart)  and the whispered encouragement of the Shaytaan to dig our heels in and oppose it.

Thus we sometimes end up denying the truth while knowing it with our inner being to be the truth.  (May Allah Subhanawataala protect us from this trait).

DEATH AT CLOSE QUARTERS……………………..

island in the day, ocean in the night:The Quran: 055.010: It is He Who has spread out the earth for (His) creatures: 055.013 : Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?

Have you ever seen death at close quarters and know that in some action done in the past you may have contributed to it?

And so it is………..

I am in khalwah on the beach; it is the remotest point of the island, where pieces of land submerge into the sea with the change of tides. Thus you may have left your shoes and bike at a safe place on the beach and walked till the sands ended. Hours later as you head back you see that you are separated from where you left your shoes and bike by a flowing river of water, waist deep. As you walk through the swirling water rushing with a force of determination to meet its destination in the salt-water lagoon, you have a new respect for the power of Allah who created this force, and are humbled by the thought that we human beings were sent as stewards on this earth (Ashraf ul Makhlooqaat)

Th force of the water separating the small islands

I am walking with my eyes on Allah’s creation in the sand where the water meets the shore. It is amazing to see what has been left behind by the tides. The ocean with its huge arm reclaims its possessions, giving them a just burial, in its depths, and also sometimes spits out on the beach the reminders of the cruelty of man to animals through their thoughtless and sometimes senseless and selfish actions.

On the sand as I walk I see the shells, the crabs, both live and dead, the sandpipers who watch me with the corner of the eye and keep on eating the small animals hiding in the sand in their shells. As the warm water touches my feet I am reminded that soon this part of the land will be reclaimed by the ocean.

Further on there is a white blur of birds patiently waiting for what I do not know. The words of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) come  unbidden to me and I paraphrase:

“Don’t the birds go out hungry in the morning and come back with their stomach full and satiated and know that their Lord will provide for them?”

It is Asar time and the birds are waiting to start dinner. There is no evidence of gluttony and of breaking rank to start eating before it is dinnertime for all. My approach is a signal; they all rise to the sky gracefully in a large C, well distanced from each other, organized in flight.

After I pass they alight back on the sand in a graceful swoop and again start their vigil for when the fishing is to begin for the Maghrib meal before night falls. I sneak a peak and find them grooming themselves…………wudu at the hour before Maghrib?

029.060
YUSUFALI: How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It is Allah who feeds (both) them and you: for He hears and knows (all things).

The birds take off in an organized graceful flight

042.029
YUSUFALI: And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures that He has scattered through them: and He has power to gather them together when He wills.

As I look back down again at the sands I see a piece of seaweed tangled with something glistening in the sun, and I recognize a piece of clear plastic bag, As I attempt to disengage it from the seaweed, I realize that its mouth has been tightened shut with almost a self made knot caused by twisting on itself.

In it lies a beautiful shell, the animal in it half extruding as if to find a breath of the fresh sea air, perhaps perplexed why it can still feel the sun but not the air. I touch it from the outside of the clear plastic bag, the kind that we often use for sandwiches or in which the newspaper is delivered, or an expensive scarf is usually placed in this type of a clear plastic to retain the newness of the gift. I realize that something is very wrong, and a shot of guilt pierces my heart.

I touch the plastic, and without a doubt I realize that the sea animal inside is dead! Dead as dead can be! Dead not as in by providing food for someone higher on the food chain, dead not because of age or injury, but dead in the prime of life, glowing in its beauty, its shell pink and healthy. Why? I think. My brain trying to refute the evidence before me. only because of the vanity and style of life of us women, men and children who inhabit this earth and use and toss things with a sense of Ghafala, unaware of the effect of our “innocent” acts on others.

Dead! unbeknownst to its murderers, who innocently are yet buying more plastic for their food, their clothes, their travel and then tossing it the trash can, thinking that this non biodegradable product that survives longer than a hundred years, will somehow disappear without causing harm.

A blue plastic bag spat out by the ocean onto the shore

Plastic, the essence of a fast life on the run (to earn more money). An essential part of an affluent society obsessed with germs, leaving in its wake a trail of blood and silent tears.

In its wake is the blood of many sea creatures, some fishes who swallow the bright pieces of plastic and asphyxiate, some turtles who choke, and some get caught in it. As they continue to die silently removing one more living being that was in tasbeeh of Allah, the hands of men and women who were sent on earth as stewards of all living things are being stained with blood.  The blood on the hands of humans is not only of their own kind, but of the creation of God that unlike us is continuously in tasbeeh and remembrance of God twenty four seven.

I stare at my hands and I do not see any blood, but I see countless plastic bags that I have tossed into the trash.  I look out at the ocean, a silent witness and I know that like Lady Macbeth,  all the water of the ocean cannot wash the blood from the hands of men, women and children who commit murder everyday without being aware of it (Ghafala).

How do you and I atone for it? Death by asphyxiation, by our own hands, slowly squeezing the life from this sea animal, who even in its last moments remains in the remembrance of God.

Death by Asphyxiation in a plastic bag

003.083
YUSUFALI: Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah?-while all creatures in the heavens and on earth have, willing or unwilling, bowed to His Will (Accepted Islam), and to Him shall they all be brought back.

COMMUNICATING GODS WORD: TAJWEED

BY YASIR QADHI:

and here is an introduction by Nouman Ali Khan:

COMMUNICATION: STYLE OR COMPREHENSION?

I am frustrated that some folks don’t answer their phone ever, some email and some only text brief messages. My style of communication has evolved from personal face to face conversation to phone, email and now text, the last two being my least favorite.

So in search of an answer to my frustration I happened to come upon a book called “The book of Knowledge” by Imam Al Ghazali, and found myself glued to it.

What amazed me and what should not amaze me is that 1400 years ago Prophet Muhammad  (PBUH) had advice for my current frustration and here it is:

Imam Al Ghazali says:
The Lord of men (Prophet Muhammad pbuh) said:

“We Prophets have been commanded to give every man his rightful place and to communicate with everyone according to his own ability to understand”

Thus for daily mundane communication and for dawah which should saturate every word that leaves our lips and every movement that we make with our bodies and senses………………for we are created only to worship Him Subhanawataala, the above guidelines stand.

Imam Al Ghazali also advises in “The Book of Knowledge”:

“”In order to be safe from his hand and useful to him deal with every person with the measure of his own intellect and mete out unto him with the scale of his own mind, otherwise because of the disparity between the measure (and the mind) your efforts will result in failure”

How true! ………….Thus we must assess the pulse of our listener before we communicate. DO YOU?

The Virtue of Tawakkul

Excerpted from:Books of Al Ghazali (http://www.ghazali.org/site/outtakes.htm)

The virtue of tawakkul: Allahu ta’ala has commanded everybody to have tawakkul and declared, “Tawakkul is a requirement for iman.” It is purported in the sura of Maida: “If you have iman, put your tawakkul in Allahu ta’ala.“ In the sura of ‘Imran: Certainly Allahu ta’ala likes those who have tawakkul.” In the sura of Talaq: “If a person puts his tawakkul in Allahu ta’ala, Allahu ta’ala is sufficient for him.” In the sura of Zumar: “Isn’t Allahu ta’ala sufficient for His born slave?” And there is many an ayat like these.

Once Rasulullah ’sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam’ said,

“They showed me some of my Ummat. They covered mountains and saharas. I was surprised and pleased to see that they were so many. ‘Are you pleased?’ they said, and I said, ‘Yes, I am.’ They said, ‘Only seventy thousand of these will go to Paradise without any questioning.’ ‘Which ones,’ I asked. ‘They are the ones who do not mix their deeds with sorcery, spell, incantation or augury, and who do not put their tawakkul and trust in anybody besides Allahu ta’ala.”

Uqasha ‘radiAllahu anh’, who was among the listeners, stood up and said, “O Rasulullah! Pray for me so that I shall be one of them.” So Rasulullah prayed, “O my Allah! Include him among them!” But when someone else stood up and asked for the same prayer, he stated, “Uqasha has forestalled you.”

He stated in another hadith,

“If you put your tawakkul in Allahu ta’ala thoroughly, He would send your sustenance as He sends it to the birds. Birds go out with empty, hungry stomachs in the morning and come back with their stomachs filled, satiated in the evening.”

He stated in a hadith,

“If a person trusts himself to Allahu ta’ala, Allahu ta’ala will come to his help in his every deed. He will send him food from places which he does not expect at all. If anyone trusts the world, He will leave him in the world.”

When Hadrat Ibrahim was put on the catapult and was about to be hurled into the fire, he said, “Hasbiyallah wa ni’mal wakil,” which means “My Allah will suffice for me. He is a good guardian, a good helper.” As he fell into the fire Hadrat Gabriel (Jabrail) came to him and asked, “Do you have any wish?” “Yes, I do, but not from you,” he said. Thus, he proved true to the word “Hasbiyallah.” Therefore, he was praised in the sura of Wannajmi: “Ibrahim, a man of his word.

” Allahu ta’ala declared to Hadrat Dawud: “If a person gives up hope of everything and puts his trust in Me only, I shall certainly rescue him even if all the beings on earth and in heaven strive to harm and deceive him.”

end excerpt

The Prophets of Allah: A Beautiful Brief Summary

For Quranic references and tafseer on some of these Prophets, please enter “Tafseer” in the search  and you will get the explanation and background from the Quran, inshallah.

Jazaaik Allah Khair to the one who put this presentation together.

Do Not Delay Hajj

GUEST ARTICLE

Don’t delay Hajj anymore

by Asma bint Shameem

Every one knows that Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. And performing Hajj is one of the obligations that Allaah has put upon His believing slaves if they have the means. But how many of us really pay attention to this command?

Now I am not talking about those of us who are sick, or financially unable to afford it. I am talking about those of us who have a steady job, a good enough income, Alhamdulillaah. And we have health and the physical and other means to go for Hajj.

But we just don’t think about it.

Sure we have all that money saved up but we are either saving it for that trip to Disney Land or that vacation to Hawaii. Perhaps it is for a bigger house or a fancier car. Or we are just so busy in our jobs and day to day lives that even the thought of going to Hajj doesn’t cross our minds.

Although Allaah tells us in the Qur’aan that Hajj is fardh on every Muslim once in lifetime, provided they are able to perform it.

“And Hajj to the House (Ka`bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses; and whoever disbelieves [i.e., denies Hajj, then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the `Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).” (Surah Aale-Imraan:97)

And the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said during a Khutbah: “O people! Hajj has been made incumbent upon you, so perform Hajj.” (Muslim)

From this we can conclude that hajj is obligatory on whoever has the (physical, financial, and circumstantial) ability to reach the sacred precincts of the Kaa’bah in Makkah.

But somehow, we don’t realize that delaying Hajj for no specific reason is so wrong.

The Ulama tell us that those who have the ability to go for Hajj but delay it for no specific reason, are concurring a major sin. That’s right…a major sin!

In fact, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I was about to send envoys to the towns to check on all those who have the means to make Hajj but do not perform it, in order to demand them to pay Jizyah; they are not Muslims, they are not Muslims”.

Subhaan Allaah! What strong words and we didn’t even think it was such a big deal.

Ibn Qudaamah said: “If a person is obliged to do Hajj and is able to do it, he must do it straight away and it is not permissible for him to delay it.” (al-Mughni)

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was asked about Hajj and whether one can delay it. He replied: ”The correct view is that it must be done straight away and it is not permissible for a person who is able to go on Hajj to the Sacred House of Allaah to delay it. The same applies to all the duties enjoined by sharee’ah: if there is no set time or reason, they must be done immediately.” (Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen)

But come to think of it, why would one want to delay it anyway?

Wouldn’t you want to have your sins…and I mean, ALL your sins forgiven?

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Whoever performs Hajj to this house – Kaa’bah- and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he, or she, will come out as the day he, or she, was born – pure and free from sins.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Just imagine! Pure and free from sin…as the day you were born!

Wouldn’t you want to be free from Hell Fire?

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: ”There is no day on which Allah sets free more slaves from Hell than He does on the Day of `Arafah.” [Muslim].

Sure, it is a rigorous journey. But isn’t Jannah worth it?

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The reward of Hajj Mabrur (i.e., one accepted) is nothing but Jannah.” [Bukhaari, Muslim].

And don’t think spending for Hajj will decrease your wealth or make you poor in any way. For not only does Hajj wipe away sins, but it also gets rid of poverty.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin just as the bellows eliminate impurities from iron and gold and silver.” (Tirmidhi, al-Nasaa’i, saheeh by al-Albaani)

And you don’t have to worry about anything when you go there, because you are Allaah’s guest and He will take care of you. Imagine…Allaah’s guest! What more could one want?!!

Hajj is the perfection of faith and true surrender to the Almighty. It is a reminder of the purpose of life and man’s ultimate end. It is a stage in which you can develop yourself spiritually. It is a time when you forget your home, your comfort, your families…your wealth, your friends, relatives and everything you possess, purely for the sake of Allaah. It is the time when you train yourself for absolute and complete surrender to the Divine Command of the Almighty. It is a perfect chance to earn Jannah.

So surely, that trip to Disney Land can wait, that house can be bought next year, that vacation can be postponed.

Make the intention for hajj now. And don’t just make the intention. Do something about it. Ask your boss for time off for Hajj. Work out your finances and other arrangements. And make lots of dua to Almighty. Surely He will make a way out for you if you are sincere. And even if you have been for hajj some years ago, go ahead and repeat your Hajj.

Because the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin….” (Tirmidhi)

So plan for Hajj today. Don’t delay it any further. There is still time for you to make it this year.

Go for Hajj to earn the pleasure of your Lord, and come back with all your sins forgiven.

“Race one with another in hastening towards Forgiveness from your Lord, and towards Paradise, the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allaah and His Messengers. That is the Grace of Allaah which He bestows on whom He pleases. And Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty.” (Surah Hadeed:21)

Note: “The definition of being able to go for Hajj is: a person should be physically healthy; he should have the means of traveling to the Sacred House of Allaah by plane, car or riding-beast, or have the money to pay for transportation; and he should have sufficient provision (food) for the journey there and back. This should be over and above what he needs to cover the costs of expenses for those whom he is obliged to spend on until he comes back from his Hajj.” (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah)

In case of debt: “Whoever owes a debt and is being asked to repay it in the sense that his creditors will not let him go for Hajj until after he has paid off the debt should not go for Hajj, because he is not able to. But if they are not asking him to repay and he know

“Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin just as the bellows eliminate impurities from iron and gold and silver.” (Tirmidhi, al-Nasaa’i, saheeh by al-Albaani)

“The one who fights for the sake of Allaah and the pilgrim who goes for Hajj or ‘Umrah are all guests of Allaah. He called them and they responded; they ask of Him and He will give them.” (Ibn Maajah– hasan by al-Albaani.

And imagine the reward for all this? Nothing but Jannah.

Also, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) encouraged us to go for Hajj as quickly as we can and fulfill this duty and not delay it. He (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Hasten to do Hajj – meaning the obligatory Hajj – for none of you knows what will happen to him.” (Ahmad- hasan by al-Albaani)

So hasten to the ‘maghfirah’ of your Lord…rush to seek His Bounty, His Mercy, His Pleasure….and race to a Jannah whose width is as wide as the heavens and the earth. For you never know what is in store for us. We are alive today but we may not be here tomorrow. We might be healthy today, but we be sick tomorrow.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
“Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness,your wealth before your poverty,your free-time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death.”(Hakim-saheeh)

Have you ever thought what it is like to pray in al-Haram…with the Kaa’bah right in front of your very eyes?This is where the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) sat, walked, prayed. This where the Sahabah were. What a magnificent place to be in! And you can multiply your good deeds there. And Tawaaf and Saa’ee cannot be done anywhere in the world except here.

Hajj is the perfection of faith and true surrender to the Almighty. It is a reminder of the purpose of life and man’s ultimate end. It is a stage in which you can develop yourself spiritually. It is a time when you forget your home, your comfort, your families…your wealth, your friends, relatives and everything you possess, purely for the sake of Allaah. It is the time when you train yourself for absolute and complete surrender to the Divine Command of the Almighty. It is a perfect chance to earn Jannah.

So surely, that trip to Disney Land can wait, that house can be bought next year, that vacation can be postponed.

Make the intention for hajj now. And don’t just make the intention. Do something about it. Ask your boss for time off for Hajj. Work out your finances and other arrangements. And make lots of dua to Almighty. Surely He will make a way out for you if you are sincere. And even if you have been for hajj some years ago, go ahead and repeat your Hajj. Because the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin….” (Tirmidhi)

So plan for Hajj today. Don’t delay it any further. There is still time for you to make it this year.

Go for Hajj to earn the pleasure of your Lord, and come back with all your sins forgiven.

“Race one with another in hastening towards Forgiveness from your Lord, and towards Paradise, the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allaah and His Messengers. That is the Grace of Allaah which He bestows on whom He pleases. And Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty.” (Surah Hadeed:21)

Note: “The definition of being able to go for Hajj is: a person should be physically healthy; he should have the means of traveling to the Sacred House of Allaah by plane, car or riding-beast, or have the money to pay for transportation; and he should have sufficient provision (food) for the journey there and back. This should be over and above what he needs to cover the costs of expenses for those whom he is obliged to spend on until he comes back from his Hajj.” (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah)

In case of debt: “Whoever owes a debt and is being asked to repay it in the sense that his creditors will not let him go for Hajj until after he has paid off the debt should not go for Hajj, because he is not able to. But if they are not asking him to repay and he knows that they don’t mind, then he may go for Hajj and his Hajj will be valid. It is also permissible to go for Hajj if there is no set time limit for repayment of the debt and he is allowed to repay when it is easy for him. Hajj may be a good thing that may lead to his paying off the debt.” (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah)

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “One prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam is better than one hundred thousand prayers anywhere else.” (Ibn Maajah, Ahmad, Saheeh)

FROM SOUTH AFRICA: Muslim Sisters give thanks………….

Muslim children of South Africa: courtesy ofhttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/photogalleries/south_africa_faces/photo3.html

GUEST ARTICLE

Muslim Sisters give thanks to Brothers who honored their Eid wish…by Quraysha Yousuf

As a result of the awareness campaign initiated by some sisters re the importance of attending the Eid Salaat, many women responded and shared in the joy of the Eid prayers. It was an emotional and empowering experience.

Muslim women felt liberated and honored to participate in the Takbir and as journalist Safiyyah Surtee wrote, ‘…

we had both fasted, we had both stood for the long nightly prayers, we had both increased our adhkaar (remembrance of God), we had both read the Quran, we had both helped each other try to gain nearness to Allah, and so we both deserved to come out on Eid morning, and thank Allah for the day, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his followers, men and women did a century and half ago. I believe this right belongs to every person who observes Ramadan, not just the men. The women in most cases, deserve it more, for not only did they fulfil one of the pillars of Islam, they also prepared the futoor/suhoor (dawn/dusk meals) for their families and communities…’

The women of Mafikeng were especially privileged as they were dignified and honoured by the men in their community. For the first time in the history of the town, women were given the opportunity to attend the Eid Gah. The brothers on the organizing committee were exemplary in arranging the Ladies’ Section and considered all aspects of their needs and hijaab.

Many sisters still felt doubtful and abstained because of the comments of certain Muftis. What they fail to realise is the following:

v     On the day of Eid, the Prophet SAW commanded each and every woman and young girl to come out and attend the Eid prayer. The Eid salaat is not like the 5 daily prayers as some scholars have tried to explain.

v     The Prophet SAW was consistent in action and speech- He said: ‘do not stop your women from going to the mosque, although their houses are better (perhaps more comfortable) for them’ (Abu Dawood). Look at his actions: regarding the 5 daily prayers, he allowed women to attend if they wanted to, and never rebuked them if they did not- hence the choice was theirs and he did not interfere nor limit them in that choice.

v     This same consistency can be found in the actions of his two greatest companions Abu-Bakr and Omar RA, his wife Aisha RA and from the Muffassir of this Ummah, Abdullah ibn Abbas who understood the meanings of the verses of the Quraan profoundly. Yet none of them used the above mentioned verse or hadith to prevent Muslim women from attending the mosques and in particular, the Eid prayer.

v     There is no evidence at all to indicate that any of the companions prevented women from attending the Eid Salaat and there is no evidence at all to indicate that the wives of the Prophet SAW, including Aisha RA did not attend the Eid Salaat. Remember, the Eid Salaat is different and the Prophet SAW commanded the women to attend- he did not use the same tone nor command regarding the 5 daily prayers.

Many Muslim brothers have understood the command of the Prophet SAW and facilitated arrangements for the sisters to attend the Eid Salaat. The responses by the youth and Muslim professionals on the internet and on Facebook were overwhelmingly positive. Individuals agreed that women must attend the Eid prayer. Amazingly, more men supported the initiative, encouraging sisters to ‘wear’ their faith with honour and courage and challenge the childish accusations of some scholars due to lack of confidence in the muslim men and women.

We salute our brothers for their faith in the honour and rights of the Muslim women! A society that honours and educates its women is a society that is protected.

With our veils we put our faith on display, with our honour, we strengthen the Ummah. We are ‘proudly Muslim women.’

For more on the rights and obligations of Muslim women CLICK HERE