Blame Culture

Blame Culture

Some people will blame you for everything.

When you advise them against something for their own good, they will say you are against them.  When you don’t advise them they will say you didn’t care for them.  When they still do it anyway and fail, they will blame you for their failure.

In their eyes YOU will always be to blame, so don’t forget to pray for them over & above what you do for them.

Mufti Ismail Menk

A Message to University Graduates

Earlier this week I was part of a group that was invited to attend a University Graduation ceremony. Someone dear to me will also be graduating soon and some very good general advice was given at the ceremony I attended, so I decided to write this little message up to Muslim University Graduates.

Graduation day is the culmination of 3-5 years of studying a particular subject in depth at degree level. You have spent these years studying because you realise that education is a means to attaining a good career and perceive it to lead to a better way of life.

At this significant stage in your life, you are experiencing the transition from being a student through to a professional who will soon be working in the ‘real’ world. With this transition comes the need to prepare yourself in dealing with issues that may arise in the workplace, not due to trivialities such as race etc but mainly because of your religion.

Whilst many undergraduates become closer to their deen at university thanks to the efforts of ISOCs and associations, for those of us who will be going out into the workplace where their will be a minority muslim workforce or where contact with fellow muslims will be limited, it is especially vital for us to hold on to our deen; That is YOUR ISLAM.

If during your university days, you were unable to ‘get involved’ with the Muslim community, make this the starting point of change in your life.

“The one who treads a path seeking therein knowledge, Allah eases his path to the Garden.” [Sahih Muslim]

We must fully realise that our ultimate purpose in this dunya is to serve Allah Ta’ala and that our ultimate goal is to reach Jannah in the akhira (hereafter). Therefore your focus should now, be on adopting the means to achieve this eternal goal, i.e. adopting the teachings of Islam and following the Sunnah of our beloved messenger Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

This does not mean that you have to become a hermit and retreat to some remote jungle to spend the rest of your days engaged in ibaadah. In fact we must live in the dunya but work for the akhira. What does this mean? This means that we must attempt to the best of our ability to seek deeni knowledge into at least the basic fundamentals of our religion. For example start from the basic fiqh of cleanliness and prayer and then move onto more advanced areas of the shariah such as the etiquettes of trading and business, especially for the field of work that you will soon enter into. You may also decide to study the fiqh of Nikaah and Talaaq because sooner or later if not already you will be approaching the stage where you will marry and eventually settle down with a family. These are just suggestions that hope to serve as an example of how YOU can tread that path to bring you closer to your Lord Allah Ta’ala and how you can balance the work of this world with the work of the akhira, Inshallah Ta’ala.

Whilst we have covered the importance of learning about our religion to benefit us in the hereafter, it is also necessary to learn about Islam so that we may be in a position to answer any questions that non-Muslim work colleagues may pose to us genuinely or out of curiosity.

Islam is in the spotlight; the media reports and the people see. Hence situations are bound to arise where you will be asked questions about Islam. It is therefore important that we should be equipped with the correct answers and teachings of Islam rather than substituting it with your own logic. Using your own logic in most cases will mean that you won’t be sharing the ‘true’ teachings and views of Islam and instead could be causing confusion and misinterpretation of our beautiful deen. Remember, what you say/ utter is what most people will think of Islam; so think before you speak.

Graduation also means that you have acquired a certain status in society as well as now being able to place certain letters after your name. One should, however, remember that in Islam there is no superiority of one over another except through taqwa.
“…Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa. …” [Surah Hujurat V13]
Also, never look down upon anyone or let pride set into your heart as a result of your education. Any status we can obtain in the world is of no value whatsoever if Allah is displeased with us. Remember we should look at the people below us in the dunya, so that we may make shukr for what Allah Ta’ala has given us, and we should compete with the people above us in the matters of deen so that we may become closer to Allah Ta’ala.

After graduation some of you may return to your home town/ city whilst others remain living away from home to continue studies or work. We should reflect on how we travelled away from home to acquire our worldly education and if need be we must prepared to travel to acquire ‘deeni education’ and benefit also. We are aware of how our pious predecessors would travel years and years to obtain deeni knowledge, but that was a sacrifice that they were willing to make. We have vast arrays of modern technology to aid us, not only that; we have Masjids and Khanqahs where we can learn from the pious. Make the most of the means and resources that Allah Ta’ala has blessed you with.

I pray Allah Ta’ala fills our working lives with blessings and they are not a distraction to us from striving to achieve taqwa and, ultimately, jannah in the hereafter.

Jazakallah to Sister Mujahidah for her help in putting together this article.

Hazrat Maimoonah (R.A)

She was the daughter of Harith bin Hazan. Her original name was Barrah but she was later renamed Maimoonah by the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) . She was first married to Abu Rahim bin Abdul Uzza. According to some reports, she was married twice before she became Ummul Mominin. She had been widowed lately when the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) married her at Saraf, a place lying on his journey to Mecca for ‘Umrah in Zul Qa’dah 7 A.H. He had intended to start living with her when in Mecca after performing ‘Umrah but, as Qureysh did not allow him to enter Mecca, he called her over to him in the same place on his return journey. Many years later she died and was buried exactly at the same place in 51 A. H. (when she was 81).

This is a strange coincidence that at a certain place during one Journey she is married, at the same place on the return journey she starts living with the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and at the very place during another journey she dies and is buried.

Hadhrat Aishah (R.A) says: “Maimoonah was the most pious, and the most mindful of her kith and kin, among the Prophet Mohammad’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) wives.”

Hadhrat Yazid bin Asam (R.A) says: “She was seen either engaged in Salaat or in domestic work. When she was doing neither, she was busy in Miswak.” She was the last woman to be married by the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) . Certain Muhaddithin have, however, mentioned one or two other marriages contracted by the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) .

Fazail-e-Amaal

3 Types of People to Pray For

Three categories of people we should pray for today & everyday.
The deceased, the sick & the distressed.
Mufti Ismail Menk

How to Perform Wudu


The ahadaith mentioned/ referred to in the video.  Video courtesy of Hanafi Fiqh Youtube Channel.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “There is no wudu for him who does not mention Allah’s name upon it.” (Sahih – Ibn Maajah, At-Tirmithee, Abu Dawood, and others)

Humran (RA) narrates that Uthman (RA) called for water to make wudu and washed his hands three times… then said, “I saw Rasoolullah (SAW) make wudu just as I have made wudu.” (Sahih – Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “When you make wudu then wash your mouth.” (Sahih – Al-Baihaqee)

The Prophet (SAW) said, “When one of you makes wudu then let him enter water into his nose, then expel it.” (Sahih – Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood)
Abd Khair (RA) said, “We were sitting looking towards Ali (RA) – as he made Wudu – and he entered into his mouth a handful of water with his right hand and washed his mouth and nose, then expelled it from his nose with his left hand – he did that three times, then said, ‘Whoever would like to see the way of purification of Rasoolullah (SAW) – then this is his purification.'” (Sahih – Ad-Daarimee)

Allah (SWT) said, “O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles…” (Al-Ma’idah 5:6)

Humran ibn Abaan (RA) narrates that Uthman (RA) called for water to make wudu and so mentioned the way in which the Prophet (SAW) made wudu. Humran (RA) said, “Then he washed his face three times.” (Sahih – Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Anas (RA) narrates that the Prophet (SAW), when he made wudu, used to take a handful of water and enter it below his chin and rub it through his beard and said, “This is what my Lord – the Great and Exalted – has ordered me to do.” (Sahih – Abu Dawood, Al-Baihaqee, Al-Haakim)

Allah (SWT) said, “O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles…” (Al-Ma’idah 5:6)

Nu’aim ibn Mijmar (RA) said, “I saw Abu Hurairah make wudu – he washed his face and completed the wudu, then washed his right hand until he reached the upper arm, then his left hand till he reached the upper arm” – then in the end of the Hadith he said: “This is how I saw Rasoolullah (SAW) make wudu.'” (Sahih – Muslim)

Allah (SWT) said, “O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles…” (Al-Ma’idah 5:6)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “The two ears are a part of the head.” (Sahih – At-Tirmithee, Abu Dawood, and Ibn Maajah)

From Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) – about the way of performing wudu – he (SAW) said, “Then he (SAW) wiped his head and entered his two forefingers into his ears and wiped the backs of his ears with his thumbs”. (Sahih – Abu Dawood, An-Nasaa’ee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Khuzaimah)

Ar-Rabee bint Mu’awwidh (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW), “Wiped his head with water remaining in his hand”. (Hasan – Abu Dawood and others)

Allah (SWT) said, “O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles…” (Al-Ma’idah 5:6)

“Ibn Umar (RA) said, “Rasoolullah (SAW) fell behind us and then came upon us during a journey, then we found him and it was time for ‘Asr – so we began to make Wudu and wipe over our feet, so he (SAW) called out at the top of his voice, ‘Woe to the ankles from the Fire. (two or three times)'” (Sahih – Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

“Al-Mustaurad (RA) said, “When the Prophet (SAW) made wudu he would enter the water between his toes with his little finger.” (Sahih – Abu Dawood, At-Tirmithee, and Ibn Maajah)

Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “None of you makes wudu and completes the wudu then says: “Ash hadu an la ilaha illal lahu wah dahu la shareeka lahu wa ash hadu an-na muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasulhu” except that all eight Gates of Paradise are opened for him – so that he enters by whichever he pleases.” (Sahih – Muslim, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmithee, An-Nasaa’ee, Ibn Maajah)

“Allah hum maj ‘alnee minat taw-wabeena, waj ‘alnee minal muta tah-hireen.” (Sahih – At-Tirmithee)

Time Ticks

Time ticks but we still don’t click,
days go by yet we continue to lie,
very strange how we still don’t change.
Years pass but we fail.

Mufti Ismail Menk

Hazrat Safiyyah (R.A)

She was the daughter of Hayi, Who was a descendant of Hadhrat Harun (a.s) the brother of Moosa (a.s). She was first married to Salam bin Mishkam and then to Kinallah bin Abi Huqaiq at the time of Khevbar. Kinallah was killed in the battle and she was captured by the Muslims. Hadhrat Dahya Kalbi (Radhiyallaho anha) requested for a maid, and the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) made her over to him. At this, the other Sahabah approached the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and said:

“O, Prophet of Allah! Banu Nazir and Banu Quraizah (the Jewish tribes of Madinah) will feel offended to see the daughter of a Jewish chief working as a maid. We therefore suggest that she may be taken as your own wife.”

The Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) paid a reasonable sum of money to Hadhrat Dahya (r.a) as ransom, and said to Safiyyah: “You are now free; if you like you can go back to your tribe or can be my wife.”

She said: “I longed to be with you while I was a Jew. How can I leave you now, when I am a Muslim?�

This is probably a reference to the fact that she once saw in her dream a portion of the moon falling into her lap. When she mentioned her dream to Kinanah, he smote her face so severely that she developed a mark on her eye. He said: “You seem to be desiring to become the wife of the King of Madinah.”

Her father is also reported to have treated her similarly when she related the same or similar dream to him. She again saw (in her dream) the sun lying on her breast. When she mentioned this to her husband, he remarked:

“You seem to be wishing to become the Queen of Madinah.”

She says: “I was seventeen when I was married to the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) . She came to live with the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) when he was camping at the first stage from Khaiber. Next morning, he said to the Sahabah: “Let everybody bring whatever he has got to eat.”

They brought their own dates, cheese, butter, etc. A long leather sheet was spread and all sat round it to share the food among themselves. This was the Walimah for the marriage.

She died in Ramadan, 50 A. H., when she was about 60.

Fazail-e-Amaal

Real Beauty of a Muslimah

True strory told by Shaykh “Abdul Mohsen al Ahmad”, it happened in Abha (the capital of Asir province in Saudi Arabia).

“After performing Salat Al Maghrib, she put her make-up, wore her beautiful white dress preparing herself for her wedding party, Then she heard the Adhan of ‘Ishaa and she realized that she broke her Wudu.

She told her mother: “mother, I have to go to make wudu and pray ‘Ishaa.”
Her mother was shocked : “Are you crazy?!! Guests are waiting for you, to see you! What about your make up? It will be all washed away by water!!” Then she added:  “I am your mother and I order you not to perform salah now! wallahi if you make wudu now, I will be angry at you.”

Her daughter replied: “Wallahi I won’t go out from here until I perform my salah! Mother you must know that there is no obedience to any creature in disobedience to the Creator!!”

Her mother said: ”what would our guests say about you when you’ll show up to your wedding party without make-up?  You won’t be beautiful in their eyes and they will make fun of you!”

The daughter asked with a smile: “Are you worried because I won’t be beautiful in the eyes of creations?  What about my Creator? I am worried because, if I miss my salah, I won’t be beautiful in His eyes.”

She started to make wudu, and all her make-up was washed away, but she didn’t care.

Then she began her salah and at the moment she bowed down to make sujud, she didn’t realize that it will be her last one!

Yes! She died while in sujud!  What a great ending for a Muslimah who insisted on obeying her Lord!  Many people who heard her story were so touched!!

She put Him and His obedience first in her priorities, so He granted her the best ending that any Muslim could have!
She wanted to be closer to Him, so He took her soul in the place where Muslims are the closest to Him! SubhanAllah!
She didn’t care if she would be beautiful in the eyes of creatures so she was beautiful in the eyes of Her Creator!

O Muslim sister, imagine if you are in her place!  What will you do?  Subhan’Allah, what an amazing story.

Source: http://weirdmuslimah.wordpress.com

Jealousy

Those who are jealous of others are contesting the Decision of the Almighty, dropping their faith to a very low level.

The Almighty is the sole Decider as to who will have what amount in terms of wealth, health, knowledge, beauty, intellect, wisdom, contentment, success in every aspect of life etc. Nobody has a say in this Divine Decree!

So when others are jealous of us, they are upset with the Almighty’s Decision and have primarily declared war against Him before their enmity with us. What type of success would such a person expect in his or her life?

This is why we have been warned of the detrimental nature of the damage caused by jealousy to our faith to begin with, to our other good deeds which are eaten away as a result and then to our overall well-being. It never pays to be jealous of others in any way.

May the Almighty protect us from this dangerous disease. Aameen

Mufti Ismail Menk

Hazrat Umme Habibah (R.A)

Hadrath Umme Habibah (Radhiyallaho anha): She was the daughter of Abu Sufyan, and was first married to Ubaidullah bin Jahsh in Mecca. The couple embraced Islam, and then emigrated to Abyssinia due to persecution by the Qureysh. One night she saw her husband (in a dream) in the most ugly and obnoxious form. The next day she came to know that he had turned Christian. She, however, remained a Muslim and was therefore separated from him.

She was now all alone in exile. But Allah soon recompensed her loss. The Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) sent her an offer of marriage through the King Negus, who sent a woman named Abrahah to her with the message. She was so happy with the good news that she made over the bracelets and other jewellery that she was wearing to the woman in gratification. King Negus represented the Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) Nikah ceremony, and gave her 400 dinars as her portion and many other things in dowry from himself. He also gave a feast and dinars as gift to all those who were present in the ceremony. The Negus then dispatched her to Madinah, with her dowry and other gifts such as perfume, etc. This marriage took place in 7 A. H. (Her father was not a Muslim then).

She most probably died in 44 A.H.

Fazail-e-Amaal

1 2