THE FIVE KINDS OF KNOWLEDGE

GUEST ARTICLE

The Qur’an Recognizes Five Kinds of Knowledge
By Dr. Kaukab Siddique

1. Empirical knowledge: mathematical, experimental, observational, and socio-economic.
This is the kind of knowledge best known in our times. Islam laid its foundations. According to Hadith of the Prophet, pbuh, there is a cure for EVERY disease.

2. Rational knowledge, including logic and axiology. The use of reason is strongly recommended in the Qur\’an. The Arabs translated Plato and Aristotle. In turn Europe was influenced by Islamic rationality. Kant\’s Critique of Pure Reason has Islamic influence in it.

3. Intuitive knowledge, including poetic inspiration, love [highest form being the mother\'s love for the child], conscience, compassion and forgiveness. The world\’s greatest poetry is influenced by Islam, be it that of Rumi, Son Jara, Iqbal or Ghalib.

4. Law and traditional Knowledge. The Qur\’an links the present to the past and teaches the rule of Law. Thus the best of the PAST is incorporated into Islam but the ephemeral and the historically limited knowledge is left out. SHARIA is extremely advanced and well developed in Islam.

5. Revelation. This is the highest form of knowledge and was given to Noah, Abraham, Hajira, Moses, Maryam, Jesus and Muhammad [peace be on them], and was perfected, completed and finalized in the Qur\’an and in the life, teachings and example [Hadith] of Muhammad, pbuh.
Revelation is directly from Allah [the God, the Creator of all beings and worlds]. It can be recognized as other than human owing to its revolutionary nature and \”impossibility\” within the social context in which it was revealed.

For instance, in pre-Islamic Arab society as well as in other societies before Muhammad, pbuh, women were regarded as the property of men and were often bought and even \”inherited\” by men. The Qur’an rejected the existing social norms and went outside all the \”possibilities\” in that era by proclaiming that not only are women and men equal but that women themselves must INHERIT property.

The Qur\’an is Islam\’s LIVING MIRACLE. Muhammad, pbuh, was unlettered, had no human teacher and had not been to any school. He did not write or think up the Qur\’an or make any claim of being the author of a Book, which re-shaped the world in all its dimensions.
MIRACLES of Jesus, pbuh, and other messengers of Allah are mentioned in the Qur\’an to illustrate the Power of Allah but they are downplayed if not entirely left out in the mission of Muhammad, pbuh.

Instead JIHAD is taught as central to Islam. Jihad is the uprising of the oppressed and the downtrodden against the oppressors, the exploiters, and the slave masters who pretend to be \”gods\” and who try to displace the Authority of Allah with their own- (More on this in Surah Tawbah)

Photo courtesy of flickr: Quran search

EMPOWERING THE MUSLIMS AGAINST THE SUPERPOWER 9:38

Surah Taubah 9:38

يَـأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَا لَكُم إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ ٱنفِرُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱثَّاقَلتُم إِلَى ٱلأَرضِ أَرَضِيتُم بِٱلحَيَوةِ ٱلدُّنيَا مِنَ ٱلأَخِرَةِ فَمَا مَتَـعُ ٱلحَيَوةِ ٱلدُّنيَا فِى ٱلخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ (٣٨

O ye who believe! What aileth you that when it is said unto you: Go forth in the way of Allah, ye are bowed down to the ground with heaviness. Take ye pleasure in the life of the world rather than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter. (9:38)

BACKGROUND:

It was ninth Hijri (nine years after Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him (pbuh) migrated from Mecca to Medina) Prophet Muhammad pbuh and the Muslims were just recovering from the victory of Mecca and the Battle of Hunayn when they were informed that the Romans (the super power of those times) were getting ready to attack the Muslims.

In this year the crops were ready to be picked and Tabuk was far away where the Romans had collected an army with supplies enough to last a year. This rattled the Muslim population and what evolved is addressed in this ayah.

TAFSEER by Dr. Farhat Hashmi

In this ayah Allah Subhanawataala commands the believers to leave with Prophet Muhammad to stop the Romans from destroying the muslims.

At this time Prophet Muhammad asked everyone if they would join him in offsetting the Romans and four types of people emerged at his request:

1. Those who immediately came to fight for Islam against the Romans.

2. Those who could not come due to a genuine physical or logistic reason

3. Those who made excuses, because they were so attached to their lifestyle and their material belongings.

4. Those who were lazy and did not feel like it.

This ayah is about the people mentioned in number three and four. FH explains: No matter what status, power or wealth we attain in life, in the end when we die the only thing we leave this earth with is a sheet of white cloth measured to our body length (kafan). If we look at the piece of white cloth (the kafan) in which we will be wrapped at death, that is all we take with us, all other belongings, jewelry, rich clothes, sports cars, designer homes children, family, institutions, companies, businesses, etc are all disengaged from us at death and left behind.

KEEPING AN EYE ON THE ULTIMATE FUTURE

This ayah is a reminder of Akhirah or the Hereafter, which is our final home. This ayah gives us vision into our future, chiding us, and the laggards of those times for our worldly attachments. It reminds us that eventually and maybe not too far into the future we will be going home and standing in front of Him Subhanawataala. This is the essence of our Deen and all behavior is to be modulated keeping this in mind at all times.

OUT OF SIGHT SHOULD NOT BE OUT OF MIND

The Hereafter is invisible to us at this time and thus we forget and start thinking that this (dunya) is the only life we have and that we must hang on to our acquisitions, never leaving them for fear of losing them.

ATTACHMENTS AND DETACHMENT

We make such deep and abiding attachments with objects and people in this dunya that that we are then unable to leave them for even a moment A fear sets into us. A fear of separation from our belongings and attachments. Thus leaving them to go and fight in the path of Allah, and the possibility that these attachments may no longer be there when we return, or that we may die in battle and thus be separated from these attachments of dunya, stymie our steps.

(My suggestion: For further study on attachments and detachment in the path of Allah review the CD set titled “Purification of the Heart” by Sheikh Mokhtar Magroubi, available at www. Zawiyah.net)

MY TAKE ON THIS:

Both ideas have no basis

FEAR OF OBEYING ALLAH AS WE MAY DIE BY DOING SO

As the time of our death is written and Allah Subhanwataala says:

003.145
Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing. If any do desire a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We reward those that (serve us with) gratitude.

WHO DECIDES IF WE KEEP WHAT WE HAVE OR LOSE IT?

Our attachments material and human may or may not be there on our return from working or fighting in the path of Allah.

There presence or loss is based on what Allah Subhanawataala decides to do with them and their relationship with us because: He has power over all things.

Either way we are submitting to Allah, willingly with His grace, or unwillingly with His displeasure as is reflected in the above ayah.

Tafseer by FH continuing:

Comparing the comfort of this life to the Hereafter is i.e. “but little” perhaps not even a nano second. The believers are being called to help Prophet Muhammad PBUH in a time, which is physically difficult, the journey to Tabuk is long and the enemy is a superpower.  In addition it is extremely hot and the numbers of the Muslim army are small compared to the Roman army, and they are tired after the Hunayn and are just starting to regroup after the Victory of Mecca.

THE ESSENCE OF THE KHUTBAH OF TABUK

On reaching the battleground of Tabuk, Prophet Muhammad PBUH gave a Khutbah. Unlike most non Muslim generals who usually incite their soldiers with hate, plunder, pillage and patriotism for a human cause, person or a geographical country, Prophet Muhammad PBUH oriented his soldiers to the higher levels of behavior set in the Quran for the Believer in battle and otherwise.

His (PBUH) Khutba was a succinct reminder to Muslims of the behavioral components of their Deen to be reflected in their actions, both in and out of battle, restraining the passion of the fierce warriors of Arabia to the obedience of Allah and Him Jalayjalalahu alone.

End tafseer

Thus the soldiers were given a formula to correct their mental and physical orientation before they went into battle.

This famous Khutbah stands as a guide for muslims of all generations to remember at all times, harsh and easy and if followed brings sakeena and peace to the heart. (More on that later)

SLAY THE IDOLATERS WHEREVER YE FIND THEM…………9:4-6

BACKGROUND:
Surah Tawbah lays the groundwork of the ethics of battle and treaties and the steps to follow if the enemy breaks the treaty. It empowers Muslims who were very weak and in the minority at that time to abide by the guidelines of the Quran when dealing with the enemy, while reminding them of their duties towards Allah Subhanwataa’la.

The guidelines of the Quran for battle are very different from usual and customary and are based on justice rather than vengeance.  These guidelines if followed also reign in the Lesser Self and ego -based oppression of the vanquished. These energizing the Muslim warrior against a strong enemy in doing what is right by Allah Subhanawataa’la.

During the process of teaching the Muslims via RasoolAllah (PBUH), Allah Subhanawataala in His revelations gives leeway for those people who may have a seed of emaan in their hearts or even an inclination to listen to Allah’s words which are for their own good.

The Muslims who were few and awed by the power of the Quraish are also encouraged and empowered in this Surah to fight for what is right and for the oppressed Muslims of Mecca and once again (as when Abraham built it) make the Kaaba a sanctuary of the pure and pious.

Several ayahs from this surah have been googled and quoted in isolation, by ignorant people. Ignorant by circumstance not choice.

It behooves the Muslims to read, review, understand and reflect on the Quran as a whole and this surah in particular so that they can explain its meaning in true essence and context to the ignoramus without being patronizing and to the best of their ability.

It is also important as mentioned elsewhere in the Quran that it is important not to be angered if the other person does not “buy” it our job is to give the message of Allah Subhanawataala, and it is in Allah’s hands and it is his will whom He chooses to guide.

These ayahs also outline what to do if the enemy asks for protection, in the heat of the battle.  The Muslim is behooved to explain, recite and make dua to allow this enemy to hear the Quran. How many of us can recite the Quran and explain its meaning in a language other than Arabic?

My personal take would be to make dua, recite Kalima shahada and then explain so that whatever comes out of our mouth as Muslims is an accurate reflection of Allah Subhanwataala’s message.

TAFSEER(FH)
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE AYAHS OF SURAH TAWBAH
These ayahs of surah Tauba (1-37) these ayahs cancel all previous pacts between Muslim and disbelievers and put the munafiqueen on notice.

PUTTING THE DISBELIEVERS & HYPOCRITES ON NOTICE
The Surah begins as:
This is a Baraa’et, which is a word that comes from: Al Burr ohu, which means “ to release oneself from a makkrooh act”.

This ayah proclaims that all relationships, pacts and treaties with the disbelievers are hereby invalided and this is a proclamation from Allah and His Rasool (PBUH) for those people whom Muslims made pacts with, now these pacts are invalidated publicly.

THE PROCLAMATION MADE AT HAJJ (9TH HIJRI) COMMANDED IN SURAH TAWBAH
Ali RA was asked later, “ What were you sent to announce?” He said I was asked to make four announcements:

1.    No person will do tawaf in the state of nakedness
2.    The Kafir with whom Rasool Allah PBUH made a pact of peace and those Kafirs have not broken their pact this pact stands for the period.
3.    For those with whom Muslims have no pact they have four months to either take Shahada, become Muslims and go to jannah or leave Mecca.
4.    After this year Muslims and Mushriks (disbelievers) will not be allowed to gather together in Mecca for Hajj as Arabia will be purified for the believers and thus no disbelievers will be allowed in Mecca.

GRACE PERIOD AND RESULTS OF DISOBEDIENCE TO ALLAH
Here the disbelievers are being addressed: You can walk around and visit everywhere in Arabia peacefully for four months (announced on 10 Zilhij) expires on 10 Rabi us Sani) this period is for you to reflect. You are being warned that you should know that you are not able to weaken Allah, or the Muslims and Allah SWT is going to openly punish the disbelievers.  This period of grace is not because Muslims are weak, but to give you time to reflect and change your behavior.  And Allah is capable of debasing disbelievers.

GRACE PERIOD GIVEN AND COMPARED TO THE OUTCOME OF PAST NATIONS
The past nations who were severely punished for their disobediences, Allah SWT dishonored them in dunya and destroyed them eventually.
After this reminder Allah Subhanawataala, the Arabs of Mecca were given four months to straighten up and accept and submit to the Unity and power of Allah.

Hajj Akbar is the actual Hajj, and Hajj Asghar is Ummrah.

PROCLAMATION FOR CHANGE
Ali RA announced this on Zilhij 10 in Mina near the Jamaraat” Allah SWT is tired of the mushriqeen and His Rasool (PBUH) is also tired of the mushriqeen, but if you repent (do tauba) return to Allah, then that is best for you and if you turn away then be warned that you cannot  overcome Allah. And give the message to those who do Kuffar that there is a severe torment awaiting them.

WHO IS BEING ADDRESSED?
These announcements addressed two groups:
1.    This one was for those who had broken the pacts
2.    For the general public

The Arabs would make pacts between tribes to help each other out this was called becoming Haleefs comes from “Halaf” which mean taking an oath. This was essential for the survival of the tribes. However by embracing Islam one crossed all the borders of tribes, familial ties and nations

This announcement was to warn all to collect under one flag that of Islam.

ALL TREATIES DISSOLVED WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS
Translation 9:4: Excepting those of the idolaters with whom ye (Muslims) have a treaty, and who have since abated nothing of your right nor have supported anyone against you. (As for these), fulfill their treaty to them till their term. Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty (unto Him).

Those who have abided by their pacts and have not made pacts behind your back against you. Complete the time of the pact and Allah loves those who are mutaqeen, here mutaqeen is one who abides by their pact.

9:3 all people were addressed.
9:4 those specific people were selected out of the above.

FOR ALL OTHERS A GRACE PERIOD: AFTER THE PERIOD OF GRACE IF THE WARNING IS NOT HEEDED THEN….
فَإِذَا ٱنسَلَخَ لأَشہُرُ لحُرُمُ فَٱقتُلُواْ ٱلمُشرِكِينَ حَيثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُم وَخُذُوهُم وَٱحصُرُوهُم وَٱقعُدُواْ لَهُم لَّ مَرصَدٍ فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّوةَ فَخَلُّواْ سَبِيلَهُم إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (5)

Then those months (Haraam months: those months of grace period) pass, once this time passes then kill them wherever you find them, in the field (a) exception of in the Haram, b) unless they fight you in the Haram (two opinions from scholars)

Pursue them, lay siege on them and wait for them, to get them, then if they repent, and stand for prayers (salaat) and pay zakat i.e. they accept the submission to Allah by demonstrating it in their actions of salaat and giving charity out of their earnings, then leave them and open their path, Allah is Ghafoor ur Raheem.

PROTECTION AND EDUCATION IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE
وَإِن أَحَدٌ مِّنَ ٱلمُشرِكِينَ ٱستَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرهُ حَتَّى يَسمَعَ كَلَـمَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبلِغهُ مَأمَنَهُ  ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّہُم قَومٌ لَّا يَعلَمُونَ (٦)
And if anyone of the idolaters seeketh thy protection (O Muhammad), then protect him so that he may hear the Word of Allah, and afterward convey him to his place of safety. That is because they are a folk who know not. (6)

Then if one of the mushriqs in the heat of the battle when they are subdued, ask for protection during the battle then give them protection until they have listened to the words of Allah, and then take him to the place of peace (his home)
This is because they are ignorant and they do not have knowledge of Allah’s words.
The message of Allah has to be given to everyone, even in the heat of the battle
End Tafseer

MY TAKE & SUMMARY:
Surah tawbah was revealed after 23years of struggle with the disbelievers.  Even with the success of Islam, there were some ignorant people who continued to carry on in their merry way, dancing naked around the Kaaba and making and breaking pacts and overall being a thorn on the side of the believers. These people did not have the upright ethics of the Muslims, yet they continued to take undue advantage of the ethical behavior of the Muslims

This surah is when Allah Subhanawataala say “That’s it!” and yet unlike the treatment of the past nations He in his infinite mercy does not turn the nations of the Arabs upside down and does not crush them into the earth like the nation of Lot nor the nations of Ad and Thamud. However the idolaters of Arabia have been given 23 years of change and they continue to defy Allah Subhanawataala’s commands by breaking treaties, and going back on their word.

He (SWT) sends firm instructions to Prophet Muhammad PBUH that it is now time to make Mecca the centre of Purity for the believers.

In doing so He (SWT) instructs the Muslims:

He (SWT) erases all previous pacts and commands the following:
1.    Muslims are to abide by the pacts that they have in place with the disbelievers and which the disbelievers have not been broken.
2.    To give four months notice to the idolaters to either submit to Allah or leave Mecca
3.    After the period of notice is over, if the idolaters persist with adversity then to kill the ones who fight the Muslims, and those who violently disobey the above mentioned commands BUT there is a caveat of mercy: if they repent, establish salaat and pay zakat then let them go because Allah is forgiving and merciful
4.    In the heat of the battle, Muslims should hold their swords from killing if any idolater asks for protection, and to give them protection till they (the idolater) have heard the words of Allah, and then if they set up salaat, and zakaat then take them to the place of peace (their home). Their lack in faith is thus from their ignorance.

Allah knows best.

If there I made any mistakes they are from me and from my lesser Self and the whisperings of the Shaitan, if I wrote anything correct or rightly guided, it is from Allah Subhanawataala.

Dua: May Allah Subhanawataala forgive me my mistakes and guide me, such that my brain and pen only think and write what He has deemed as just and right.

FROM TEARS………….TO LOVE

From the lips of a Turkish child:

WHY IS SLEEP LIKE DEATH?

Allah Subhana wataala says in the Quran:

Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and that, which has not died in its sleep; He withholds that against which He has decreed death, but releases the other till a stated term (al-Zumar 39: 42)

Prophet Muhammad when ever he retired for bed said:

‘In your name O Allah I live and die’

And he (PBUH) also said the supplication listed in the post “Sleep is like death”

Imam Ghazali says:

If the believer considers the two together, both the hadith and the Quranic verse, he cannot help but feel that his life from one moment to the next, is a gift from the hand of the Lord of All the Worlds.

It may be that when he lays himself down for the night he will rise again only on the Day of Resurrection. In this event, the believer’s only request is for mercy. But if he rises to live another day, then his only wish is to live under the protection of Allah.

Usually I am doing something or the other right till the moment before I fall asleep. I wonder if I should be preparing for sleep as one prepares for death and does this include the affairs of the world or the affairs of the deen? Or both?

Yet another aspect of my life that I need to redesign. Please keep me in your prayers.

TODAY IS ARAFAH

We are at Arafah! The bus has stopped. There is a flurry of activity. We need to find our tent, and figure out what to do next. It feels like the middle of the night, and feels chilly in the desert. We stumble in the dark, and find our tent; exhaustion mixed with a sober anticipation of things to come freezes all thoughts.
Wudu and prayer is the first order of the morning. Wudu in the desert is a challenge even though there is a ladies restroom with running water and a 24/7 cleaning staff.
I have a sudden appreciation of the depth of Allah Subhana wa taala’s love for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his beloved wife Ayesha (RA) He SWT revealed the ayahs on Tayammum (dry ablution) to make it easy on them and their companions to perform salaat in the desert.
After fajr, I begin my morning Dhikr, but my eyes are laden with sleep as if someone has injected me with a soporific. I fall over into a dead sleep in my sleeping bag. At the edge of my consciousness, I realize that Victoria has awakened and left the tent and others have awakened. I try to open my eyes but not only it is a soporific that is affecting me but I also feel that a muscle paralyzing agent is working on my muscles, I cannot move. Twice someone awakens me and I sit up but fall back into sleep.
I vaguely recall from my Hajj preparation CDs that Shaitan does not want you to repent at Arafah for then he loses all the work he has done on that person in the past. Perhaps I had heard it on Mokhtar Magroubi’s CD on ‘the inner dimensions of Hajj’ or read it somewhere. Intellectually I am vaguely aware that Shaitan and my Nafs have me imprisoned in the excuse of sleep. Practically the mist of sleep is like a drug for unconsciousness. Time is passing, it is now middle of the morning, and I am still in a state of sleep paralysis.
I feel someone kick my leg and shake me, “get up! Shaitaan has got you! we have already been to the Jabal e Rahma, it is beautiful, don’t you want to see it? It is Victoria, my friend, my companion in Hajj, always looking out for me.
Jabal e Rahma …….my brain registers, the place where our father Adam (AS) and our mother Hawwa (Eve) (AS) met after roaming around this earth and seeking each other after banishment from jannah. Ah yes……….. Being the romantic that I am, I want to see the place where love bloomed and our lineage began.
I sit up and try to shake out the sleep and muscle paralysis from my limbs to no avail. As if in a flash I realize, this is not tiredness from exhaustion, this is the age-old tug of war between shaitan aided by my Nafs and my Fitra of purity connected to the love of Allah.
I push away the sleeping bag and stand up in one movement and head towards the rest rooms. I am looking for the sobering splash of cold water, a refreshing wudu to banish this imprisonment by the evil forces.
Shireen and I meet up with another companion who serves as our guide. We hike towards Jabal e Rahma, and as we look across from our hill towards the Jabal e Rahma, it is dotted with white specks. Countless Hajjis in white Ihrams standing on the Jabal e Rahma in prayer, asking Allah for His mercy.
We return to the plain of Arafah and after Dhuhr, I read my book on Istighfaar, but not really connecting with the words. The mental barricades are up. There is static in my phone line to Allah SWT and time is running out.
All my companions have disappeared, they have sought their private spaces in which to stand and seek tauba (repentance) from Allah. I am still at sea, lost, and unguided how to begin and where to begin. I pray a few more supplications but I cannot even pretend that they are from the heart, Asr comes and goes like a polite visitor, and I set out to find myself a spot. On this vast plain of Arafah, there is no private spot. Every inch seems to be packed with hajjis. I look around, everyone is standing in supplication and as I pass by them, they do not even know I am there.
I find a short wall of stones, with the tent to my left and a tree to my right and all the Hajis dotted at intervals behind me. I stand in silence. Suddenly the flood gates of patience break, the barricades of superficial self defense crumble and the dammed water of anger, pain, sadness, recriminations, regret, anguish, loss, and mistakes gushes out with such a force that I think it gets His (SWT) attention and He (SWT) stops to listen……..I am crying? Yes I am! I am now talking to him directly, the lines are open and he can hear me loud and clear.
“My child you took my child……. My mother ……..”, I go on and on, my one sided soliloquy is with Him and Him alone. I sense His complete attention, He is listening patiently, He does not interrupt me He does not offer solace, nor comfort, nor explanation. As the evening moves forward to meet its night visitor, I feel His (SWT) formless, wordless answers enter and settle into my heart one by one bringing with them comfort, solace, retreat, and a weightlessness. I am spent!
I look around. All the people around me have disappeared and Maghrib is at hand. I go in search for my companions; we have to leave for Muzdalifa, to sleep in relief under the stars, as the Prophet (PBUH) did.
I pause and think of The man (PBUH) whose only thought was submission to Allah. He too stood here and begged Him (SWT) for acceptance of tauba from his Ummah for all the generations to come to Arafah. Love and a profound respect enter my heart, love for a man who wept and prayed for his (PBUH) Ummah and that includes me. Right here! I am truly humbled.

Somewhere on the plain of Arafah, there is a rectangle of sand soaked with my tears, where I left my regrets, my recriminations and my sins, with a supplication that they never be reclaimed.

Continued in………….TODAY IS EID UL ADHA 

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT: A TRAVELERS PRAYER

Starting a journey with the mercy and protection of Allah takes the stress out of it. We have a wonderful live example of Prophet Muhammad Peace and blessings upon him, beginning each action by invoking Allah Subhana wataala’s help and mercy.

It is best to commend to memory the supplications of Prophet Muhammad Peace and Blessings be upon him. However since I have not memorized these yet, let me share them with you from a little book that my dear friend shared with me recently.
Perhaps we can start memorizing them one by one.

Lets start with the goodbye to someone you leave behind when you leave your home:

While bidding goodbye to someone:
Ustaudi-ullaha deenaka wa amanataka wa khawatima amalika

Means:
Unto Allah commend thy faith, Thy trust and the consequence of Thy work.
~~~
At the time of Undertaking a Journey:
Allahhumma bika usulu wa bika ahulu wa bika asiru

O Allah it is by thy help that I assail and it is by thy help that I move and it is by thy help that I walk.
~~~~
At the time of Boarding a train, plane or vehicle:

Bismillah: In the name of Allah.

After taking ones seat in the the vehicle of travel:
Alhamdul lil lahi subhanal lazi sakhara lana haza wa ma kunna lahu muqrayneena wa inna ila rabbina la munqaliboon
Meaning:
Praise be to Allah Glory unto to Him who has subjected this (vehicle) for us, though we were unable to subdue it. Behold we are assuredly to return unto our Lord.
~~~~
After setting out on a journey:
Allahhumma haw-win alaina haza safara watwi anna boudahu.
Allahhumma antas sabibu fis safari was khalifatu fil ahli.
Allahhumma inni aaoodobika mew was a issafari wa ka-abbatil manzari wa su il munqalabi fil mali wal ahli wal waladi
Meaning:
O Allah! Make easy for us this journey of ours and roll up for us the distance thereof.
O Allah thou art our companion in this journey and guardian in our household.
O Allah I seek refuge in thee from the toil of this journey, from beholding a miserable sight and on ill return in my wealth, household and my children.

In every action and reaction in life, we have the guidance from Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him. He (PBUH) has taught us by action how to invoke our Lord before, during and after an action and thus have His (SWT) mercy and protection with us at all times.
May Allah protect us all.

I LOVE TEDDY BEARS BUT…………

Teddy bears are a symbol of love, cuddliness, warmth and affection for all ages, especially for children. Unfortunately some malicious people have used these symbols of innocence for devious purposes.
In the war between Soviet Russia and Afghanistan, the Russian army dropped hundreds of toys and teddy bears on Afghan soil. When afghan children ran to pick up the toys and teddy bears they detonated in their hands, near their feet, or in their faces as they bent down to pick them up.

There is a whole generation in Afghanistan of one legged, one armed or blind children who were blown up by a teddy bear. When these children are shown a toy or a teddy bear they cringe with pain and terror. This should be called “the teddy bear syndrome” instead of the posttraumatic stress syndrome.

More recently a non muslim teacher employed by a school in Sudan used a teddy bear in a manner that caused hurt and anguish at an emotional rather than a physical level. It damaged the emotional state of the children and their parents no less than the detonating teddy bears.
She was given a contract to teach children, which behooved her to respect the laws of the land even though they were different from her country of origin. She agreed to abide by the laws of the country she was being employed in, and she got the job.
One day she introduced to the class the persona of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) as “The Teddy Bear Muhammad”.
This was not a live person named Muhammad such as used by Muslims to name their children in the hope that they would imbue some of the characteristics of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). This was an icon used for depicting Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) sort of like a like a toy character that portrayed Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him).
This is what I understand from what has been reported but Allah knows best, and may He forgive me if I have made a mistake in understanding the issue.
The perplexed congregation at our local church who could not fathom why someone would be offended by a little teddy bear asked the Imam of our local mosque why was the teacher put in jail? Here is what the Imam said:
“If I am German while I am in Germany I have the freedom to drive more than 100 miles an hour on the autobahn if I so desire. However when I come to the United States and get a license to drive, inherent in that license, is that I agree to abide by the rules of this country and state.
If I then decide to exercise my “freedom” and drive 100 miles an hour on the interstate, because that is what I did in my country, do you think that the US State patrol has the right to catch me, give me a ticket and or put me in jail? Is the State trooper doing his job by doing so?

The question is do I have to abide by the laws of the country I am living in or the country I am from?”

The teacher in Sudan whatever her intentions were (Allah knows best) did not abide by the laws of that particular country and therefore was arrested and put in jail.

Muslims believe that the Quran is the word of God and has to be obeyed. In the Quran Allah Subhanawata’ala while addressing Prophet Muhammad says:

“Say (to the people) if ye do love God follow me (i.e. Prophet Muhammad PBUH):
God will love you and forgive you your sins.
For God is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
Quran 3:31

And again addressing Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Allah Subhana wa taala says:

“Say (to the people): Obey God and his Apostle (i.e. Prophet Muhammad PBUH)

But if they turn back,
God loveth not those
Who reject faith.”

Quran 3:32

Muslims do not make photos or icons of God (Allah) and muslims do not depict Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him in photos or icons.
Reducing the complex personality of Prophet Muhammad to an icon or a picture is a form of disrespect, thus it is strictly forbidden!
In light of the abovementioned verses of the Quran, as I understand them disrespect of Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings upon him is a statement of disobedience and is equivalent to “turning back”, i.e. turning away from the Love of God. Losing the love of God is a source of great anguish to the true believer.
Thus those who create, say or act in a disrespectful manner towards Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him knowingly or unknowingly create hurt and anguish in their fellow human beings.

Those who wish to live in muslim countries have to abide by the rulings of that country and avoid any action that could be construed as disrespect to Allah’s word or His Apostle.

Those who live in non-muslim lands and are truly civilized can demonstrate their respect for their muslim friends and colleagues and countrymen by abiding by the etiquette espoused in the Quran.

Allah knows best.

THE GLOW

On a random morning…………….

This morning I am agitated and my khushoo is nowhere to be found. I have time, but not the focus needed for a beautiful prayer. I begin with the Sunnah and as it progresses, I see in my mind’s eye Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, praying his sunnah in his little one room home, next to the Masjid e Nabwi. Sometimes in the dark of the morning he has to move his wife’s feet to make space for sujood. A sense of calm descends on me.
As Sunnah finishes, I pause. Should I rush into Fard? I decide not just yet. I recall a supplication made by Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him between the sunnah and fard of Fajr. It is a favorite of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Why would he (PBUH) need this particular supplication being Allah’s beloved Prophet, I have no way to fathom. On the other hand I do need it and it rolls off my lips with ease and need:
Allahhumma rabba gibraela, wa israfila, wa mikaela wa Muhammadin nabee salal lahho alayhe wasalama Aaoodobika minnan Naar.
Roughly translated as: O my Lord the Rabb of Gabriel, Israfil, & Michaeel and Muhammad, our prophet peace and blessings be upon him , I seek your protection from the Hellfire.

I repeat it three times and it ushers me in to my fard prayer with a clearer perspective of my mortality and my final destination. Fard flows but today it is too brief for me. At the end I recite Ayat ul Kursi and am thinking, should I pray more nafil or read the adkaars ( morning supplications)? I decide in favor of the Morning supplications.
Initially I am rusty, rusty in remembering them with perfection of language, rusty in concentration and rusty in their meaning. I know now why Rasool Allah repeated everything three times, by doing so my focus comes back.

My supplications begin by submitting that Allah is over me and everything and that I accept His supremacy, I then ask for His protection from my nafs, ask for the health of my body, eyes and ears, for never having to face a greedy nafs, an unanswered prayer and seek His protection from laziness, and arrogance. ……………And I go on to the durood, and more of the morning supplications.

On this chilly morning a warm feeling steals into me from within. Did Paul turn the heat up I wonder. I continue my supplications; and as I do, at an intuitive level I know that this warmth is from a cape of love being placed around my shoulders. I remain seated on my prayer rug in deep gratitude. I know now that my supplications have reached their destination.
At least for today I am loved. Happiness of a serene kind enters my heart and floods each cell of my body.
As I conclude and get up to dress for work, I want it to be fajr again soon.

AYESHA………

Dedicated to my dear brother’s first-born child and all the Ayeshas out there.

What does the name Ayesha bring to mind?

Ayesha (RadiAllah Anhuma: May Allah be pleased with her) the young, red haired, petite intelligent wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)

Ayesha (RA) enjoying the sport of archery on Eid, with her husband.Ayesha (RA) playful and fun, racing her husband, the Prophet of Allah.

Ayesha (RA) like many of us, a challenged cook.Ayesha (RA) sleeping in her one room house. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) gently moves her feet so as not to awaken her, to squeeze in a spot for sujood.

Ayesha (RA) standing tall when the town gossips about her and tries to tarnish her reputation.Ayesha (RA) standing her ground and only invoking Allah as her witness to clear her reputation and He (SWT) does in an ayah of the Quran

Ayesha (RA) unable to do wudu while traveling in the desert with her husband and Allah SWT reveals the ayah on Tayammum making it easy for her and all the generations of muslims to come.Ayesha (RA) with a memory precise and perfect in recollection.

Ayesha (RA) treating the sick with the prescriptions she had memorized from the visiting Hakeems and doctors.

Ayesha (RA) eloquent in speech and holding classes for the men and women of Islam who want to learn the Prophets Sunnah regarding his personal habits and prayer etc.

Ayesha (RA) becoming the carrier and transmitter of the Sunnah.

Ayesha (RA) standing in Doha (Chasht) prayer for hours.

Ayesha (RA) well organized so that all the work is done or planned such that she can stand in Doha prayer for hours.

Ayesha (RA) feeling jealous of Khadija RA (RasoolAllah’s first wife of twenty five years) when RasoolAllah voices Khadija’s (RA) name with love and remembrance laced in his tone.

Ayesha (RA) the beloved of the man who is the beloved of Allah.

Ayesha (RA) holding in her arms the most desirable and powerful man in the world as he bids goodbye to this world.

Ayesha (RA) having the emotional strength to have the tomb of her husband in her little one room house.

Ayesha (RA) ……sabir and shakir when she loses the love of her life, a wonderful loving husband and the Prophet of Allah.

Ayesha (RA) an indescribable mosaic of powerful spiritual femininity. She relied on Emaan, and intelligence rather than the transience of human beauty, and became a respected leader & scholar of the Sunnah for all times.

Does each girl child named Ayesha hold in her cells the genetic memory of the attributes of Ayesha RA?I wait in anticipation as the Ayeshas of this world release the tremendous feminine potential associated with this blessed name which they hold within them.

My dua: May Allah subhanawataa’la empower them to do so.