Haq Islam » Islam

How to Apologise

Ahmed — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:35:34 +0000

Those who do not really want to apologize for the wrong they have done choose words that make it seem to be an apology yet it is not. “I am sorry for how you felt” is neither an admission of guilt nor an apology for what was done. It is more like saying, “What I did was correct but how you felt was wrong.” The same applies to those who “apologize for how you reacted”.

Is it not foolish to apologize for a reaction by someone else, of our deed or utterance? If we were truly apologetic for what we did, we would consider ourselves wrong and put aside all pride by choosing words like “I am sorry for what I said or did”. Many times when a “but” is added to an apology it is a mere justification or a showered down apology which could be insincere.

Whenever we apologize we should consider the wording of the apology and be as clear and sincere as possible. Never allow pride to block, disrupt, delay or water down an apology owed to others. May the Almighty forgive our shortcomings and guide us to the straight path.

Mufti Ismail Menk

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Spending on the Family on 10 Muharram

Ahmed — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:25:42 +0000

I would like to know whether spending on one’s family on the 10th of Muharram is an authenticated practice. If this is so, is it recommended to spend specifically on food and drink or will general gifts suffice. Also could these gifts be bought in advance with the intention of spending on one’s family on the 10th of Muharram?

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

There are two types of narrations related in this regard. The first concerning the virtue of giving general charity on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura), and the second concerning the virtue of spending specifically on one’s family on this day.

As far as general charity is concerned, it has been reported from the Companion Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said, “Whoever fasts on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura), it is as though he has fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity on this day, it is like the charity of an entire year.” (Recorded by Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali in his Lata’if al-Ma’arif from Abu Musa al-Madini)

As for spending and being generous on one’s family, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) is reported to have said, “One who generously spends on his family on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura), Allah will be generous on him for the entire year.” (Recorded by Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali in his Lata’if al-Ma’arif from Tabarani in his al-Awsat and Al-Bayhaqi in his Shu’ab al-Iman)

These and other narrations indicate that one should be generous on one’s family and dependants and spend more on them by providing more food and other items on this day as compared to other days. One may give cash, food and drink, or any other item of gift.

Although some scholars consider these narrations to be weak (dha’if), many others like Imam al-Bayhaqi, Hafidh al-Iraqi and Ibn Hibban have accepted them as reliable. Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali relates from Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (Allah have mercy on him) that he did consider some basis for them. He also quotes Sufyan ibn Uyayna (Allah have mercy on him) as saying, “I have practiced this [spending on the family] for fifty or sixty years, and have found nothing but good in it.” (Lata’if al-Ma’arif P 64)

Moreover, even if considered weak, scholars generally agree on the permissibility of acting upon weak narrations for virtuous actions, as long as they are not fabricated (mawdu’).

As such, in conclusion, it would be virtuous and rewarding to spend more on one’s family on the 10th of Muharram. One may provide more food and drink or any other item. However, this practice should not be considered as firmly established, and thus, one should avoid attaching extra significance to it.

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK

Muharram and Ashura

Muharram and Ashura

Ahmed — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:16:56 +0000

MUHARRAM is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Muharram means “Forbidden.” Even before Islam, this month was always known as a scared month in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of blood. It is one of the four sanctified months about which Allah Ta’ala says: “The number of months in the sight of Allah are twelve, so ordained by Allah, the day He created the heavens and the earth; Of them four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so wrong not yourselves therein.” (Surah Tawbah – verse 36)

The four sanctified months according to authentic Ahaadeeth are the months of Zul- Qa’dah, Zul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. The sanctity of these months was observed in the shariah of all the previous Prophets. “Allah Ta’ala made them (i.e. the four months) sacred and increased their sanctity. Hence He declared a sin therein more severe and increased the virtue of good deeds and the reward thereof.” (Ibn Katheer Vol.2)

The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhaan is the fast during Allah’s month of Muharram and the best of Salaah besides the Faraaidh (obligatory salaah) is the Tahajjud Salaah (performed after midnight). (Muslim,Vol. 1)

THE DAY OF AASHURAH( 10 TH OF MUHARRAM)
The Tenth of Muharram, known as the day of Aashura, is a very significant day in the Islamic Calendar. Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has exhorted the Ummah to fast on this day. Hadhrat Aaisha(rahiyallahu anha) reports that Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) ordered the observance of
the fast of Aashura.

However, when the fast of Ramadhaan became compulsory, Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) left the fast of Aashura (i.e. it’s compulsion). Thereafter, whoever desired, kept the fast of Aashura and whoever desired not to keep the fast did not observe it. (Bukhari, Vol. 1)

Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas(radhiyallahu anhu) says: “I did not see Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to (over other days), except this day of Aashura and the month of Ramadhaan. ” (Bukhari, Vol. 1)

VIRTUE OF THE FAST OF AASHURAH
The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said: “The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadhan are those of the month of Muharram.”
Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most rewardable ones among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.

The hadith does not mean that the award promised for fasts of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he can.

Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was asked with regard to the blessings of this fast, he replied:” It is a compensation for the sins of the past year.” i.e. Allah will forgive the sins of the past year.”
(Muslim, Vol 1). Abu Qataada (radhiyallahu anhu) has related that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has reported to have said, ” It is my thought that by fasting on the 10th of Muharram Allah Ta’ala will pardon the sins of the past year.” (Tirmizi). Note: For the forgiveness of major sins Taubah and Istighfaar is a pre-requisite.

Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas(radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that when Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of Aashura he inquired, ” What is the significance of this day on which you fast? ” They replied, ” This is the day Allah saved Nabi Moosa(alaiyhis salaam) and his followers and drowned Fir’oun and his army. Moosa(alaiyhis salaam) fasted on this day as a token of thanks – giving, thus we too fast on this day.” Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: ” We are more worthy of Moosa(alaiyhis salaam) than you and we are more closer to him than you are.” Thereafter he fasted on this day and ordered the Sahaabah to do the same”. (Muslim, Vol 1)

According to another hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of ‘Ashurah should either be prefixed or suffixed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th an 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of it. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Aashurah alone, and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) wanted to distinguish the Islamic-way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of Aashurah.

Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) is reported to have said: ” Observe the fast of Aashura and oppose (the ways of) the Jews. Fast a day before it (also) or a day after.” Hence, it is better to fast on the 9th and 10th or on the 10th and 11th.

GENEROSITY TO ONE’S FAMILY
Some traditions signify another feature of the day of ”Ashurah. According to these traditions one should be more generous to his family by providing more food to them on this day as compared to other days. These traditions are not very authentic according to the science of hadith. Yet, some Scholars like Baihaqi and Ibn Hibban have accepted them as reliable.

It is mentioned in a Hadeeth: ” He who will be generous to his family on the day of Aashura, Allah will be generous to him for the entire year.”

EVENTS OF MUHARRAM:-
1.Sayyidina Hussain (R.A.), the grandson of Rasullullah(sallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was martyred in this month in Karbala.
2.Shaykhain Tirmizi and Haakim has narrated from Anas(radhiyallahu anhu) that the following verse: “Allah may forgive thee of thy sins that which is past and that which is to come.” (Al-Fath) was revealed on the 10th of Muharram.
3.Prophet Muhammed(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) went to defeat Bani Muhaarin and Bani Tha’laba (Tribes of Bani Gatfan) in the month of Muharram in the year 4 A.H. (Asahhus-siyar)
Prepared by Al-Islaah Publications from Islamic Months & Nurul Huda Pamphlet on Muharram.
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.com

The Sunnahs of Eid

Ahmed — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:07:04 +0000

1. To awaken earlier than usual

2. To brush the teeth with Miswaak

3. To have a bath (Ghusl)

4. To be well dressed in an Islamic manner

5. To be dressed in one’s best clothes (Doesn’t necessarily have to be new)

Note: Care should be taken that we do not incur debts or transgress the limits of modesty on the clothes we purchase and wear on Eid day as is seen in Muslim communities of today. Many of our brothers are seen with unsuitable haircuts and inappropriate clothing imitating the kufaar and many of sisters are seen dressed provocatively attracting unwanted attention and the gaze of strange men upon them. What would happen if we were to die in such a state? We should adopt modesty in everyday of our loves and should never imitate the kufaar in anyway. May Allah save us from this evil. Ameen

6. To use Attar (Perfume)

7. To perform Eid Salah at the Eidgah (An open ground)

8. Avoid eating before Eid Salah on the day of Eid ul Adha and to eat an odd number of dates or anything sweet on the day of Eid ul Fitr

9. To go to the place of Eid Salah early

10. To walk to the place of Eid Salah (If it is within walking distance because every step is reward)

11. To read aloud “Takbeerat” on the way to the place of prayer for Eid-ul-Adha and silently for Eid-ul-Fitr:

“Allaahu Akbar Allaahu Akbar Laa ilaaha illallaahu Wallaahu Akbar walillaahil hamd”.

12. To use different routes to and from the place of Eid Salaah

13. To frequently read the takbeers (Loudly for Eid Ul Adha and softly for Eid ul Fitr)

14. To pray the Eid-Ul-Fitr prayer later and the Eid-ul-Adha earlier.

15. To read two rak’ahs Waajib Salaatul Eidain without any Adhaan or Iqaamah

16. It is forbidden to pray Nafil prayer before or after the prayer.

17. To read the two rak’ahs Nafl prayer on reaching home.

18. During Eid Salaah, in the first rak’ah, Rasulallah would recite Surah Ala (no. 87) and Suratul Ghathia (No. 8 in the second rak’ah.

19. Reciting these Sura’s in the Eid prayer should not be regarded as obligatory for other Sura’s may also be recited.

20. When Rasulallah completed the prayer of Salaatul Eidain he would stand facing the people who were seated in their rows and deliver a khutba issuing instructions and commanding them to do good. If he intended to send an army he did so and likewise issued any special orders he wished to.

21. The Khutba was delivered after the Eid Salaah

22. During both the khutba’s of Eid Rasulallah used to recite the Takbeerat frequently

23. The khutba of both Eids are Sunnah but to listen to them is Waajib. It is totally prohibited (Haraam) to walk around, talk or even read Salaah whilst the khutba is in progress.

24. To shake hands and hug one another on happy occasions is Mubaah (permissible). The general principle of a Mubaah act is not to regard the act as compulsory as that projects a wrong image of Deen. Furthermore, people should not regard the meeting on the day of Eid as compulsory and an inseparable part of the occasion.

(SUNNATS, Mufti E. M. H. Salejee pg 89, 90)
25. The greeting on Eid: Jabyr ibn Nufayr said: ‘When the companions of Allah’s Messenger met on the day of Eid, they would say to each other, ‘Taqaballahu minna wa mink (May Allah accept from us and you).” [Al Mahamiliyyat; hasan isnad; see Fath ul Bari 2:446

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Muslims and the Internet

Ahmed — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 07:22:41 +0000

Assalam alaykum,
I recently came accross this article which I posted over at http://breatheislam.blogsome.com a long time ago but the advice still holds true and beneficial for us today, so I would like to share with you here again.

When it comes to the internet, so much time is wasted, previously the TV was the time waster but now the internet has surpassed it. We need to worry about this influence a great deal more as concerned Muslims. Many many hours and hours can be spent on the net and if after this one reflects as to what they gained from that period of time, the sad reality in most cases is that it was only flicking and scrolling from screens and webpages. Yes there are benefits to be obtained but in general there is so much time wasted on the internet.

It is so sad that after Isha people can sit on the internet and stay on for so long that the Fajr Salah is missed due to being tired. Visiting some places I asked the father/ parents that your son was awake until 2am, he said ‘oh yes he was doing his homework on the computer.’ Previusly we would know the child was at the library doing his or her homework, but now they do not have to even leave their room. Only Allah really knows what is going on in the childs room whilst the parents are asleep.

Every evil is available at your finger tips now. Just a few words to type and one can have a picture of such filthy evils imprinted onto your heart, evils previously unimaginable.

All these sins have an impact on our ibaadah and our imaan. Even the kuffar and sinners/ criminals in the past would not see some of the things we can so easily view today. Then we ask ourslves why we don’t we experience pleasure and khushu in our ibadaat? This is the effect of our sins on our heart.

The Holy Prophet pbuh said: ‘A look towards the Haram is a poisoned arrow from the arrows of the Iblees.’

How strong is our imaan and how many arrows can our imaan take? Now we are having these arrows shot at us, one after the other through the internet, and Satan continues to deceive us.

May Allah SWT give us the Taufiq to stregthen and protect our imaan from such sins. Controlling our Nafs is key to save ourselves, and we need to realise that when we are in the privacy, darkness and loneliness of our room with the internet, that Allah the All Seeing, All Hearing is All Aware of what we do. If we realise that someone is watching us while we commit such harams, and that they will take us to task tomorrow then we would refrain from the Haram right away. Then how can we continue with these harams when tomorrow we will be called to account for these actions in the court of Allah? How we spent each and every second of our lives will be either for us or against us. If despite realising these points we continue with these sins we should take a serious look with regards to our connection with Allah the Almighty.

Inshallah rememberring these points will save us from the evil influences of the internet.
transcribed from a speach given by Shaykh Ibrahim Madani

May Allah SWT give the ability first of all to me, and then to you to act upon the above and save ourselves from the clutches of the Satan. Duas requested please. Wasalams

Competition

Ahmed — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:32:57 +0000

Assalam Alaykum,

I have decided to run a competition for my UK readers, giving away some free books and CDs. All you have to do is leave a comment below saying:

1, “as-Salaamu ‘alaikum”
2, what you like most about Haq Islam
3, how we can improve

and you will automatically be entered into the competition. Do not feel you to write an essay or lengthy paragraphs about 2 & 3 above, even one sentence will do. If you are from outside the UK and would like to leave your comments, then please do so but state at the end of your message that you are not based in the UK.

Please read the terms and conditions below for more information.

Remember, you must enter your email address (only visible to you and us) in case you win, so we can email you to let you know you are a winner. You do not have to enter your real name.

Jazakallah

Terms and Conditions
1. Entries are open to participants in the UK
2. Participants must be at least 18 years old at the time of entry
3. Competition closing date will be 8/04/2011 and winners will be emailed on 15/04/2011
4. Winners may be required to pick it up from the branch where the books are located. There will be a postage fee if winners wish for the books to be posted.
5. All comments may not be published, but all will be entered into the competition
6. Any questions should be emailed to info @ haqislam.org [remove the spaces]
7. The books will consist of dars e nizami-type books as well as general reading in Arabic, English and urdu.
8. The competition is not open to any administrator of Haq Islam.
9. Any unclaimed winning entries will automatically be handed to the runner up if not claimed within 5 days from email date.

Competition Update

Getting Closer to Allah

Ahmed — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:35:10 +0000

To gain closeness to Allah taala a person should do the following things:

[1] A believer should make it his/her habit to recite a portion of the Holy Qur’an every day. Recital of the Qur’an is also a strong means in cleansing the hearts of the dirt of sins.

[2] Stay away from all sins, especially back-biting, slandering and telling tales, as the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, taught not only do these things deaden the heart, and thus lead a person to commit more sins, moreover they are the main cause for believers being punished in the Nextlife.

[3] Spend as much time as you can in the Dhikr of Allah taala. Specify an hour in the day and sit down and recite as much as you can, the Kalima; LAA ILAAHA ILALLAH, pondering over its deep meaning. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings upon him, said it is the best of Dhikrs. Start by reciting it one hundred times and then the easier it gets the more you can increase the number.

[4] One of the most important things you must do, which sadly many people neglect, is that you should avoid bad company. People you should avoid taking as friends are those who speak too freely, who miss Salah, who do not dress modestly, who backbite etc. The company of such people is poison; just even sitting and talking with them will lead one to commit sins. Just as a person who sits for a longtime with a perfume seller begins to smell nice, and a person who sits by a gutter cleaner begins to smell awful, similarly a person who spends time in the company of the wicked eventually gets affected badly by them. Rather, you should seek out pious friends who fear Allah taala and who have the qualities of humility, charity, compassion, modesty and knowledge. If you sit with them you will always benefit and they will be a means for you to get closer to Allah taala.

[5]It was the practice of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings upon him, to ask Allah taala for forgiveness (by saying ASTHAGHFIRULLAH) a hundred times in a day. Our Messenger, peace and blessings upon him, was innocent and free of sin yet he did this, why? The scholars explain the reason he would ask Allah taala for forgiveness so frequently was because the act of turning to Allah taala and humbly seeking his forgiveness in itself is highly beloved to Him and thus is a means to get closer to him. We who sin day and night, are more deserving of making this a part of our daily routine.

Mufti Mohammed Sajjad

Wallahu Aalam bis-sawab

Source: As-Suffa Institute

8 Ways to Earn Even After Death

Ahmed — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:38:56 +0000

8 ways to earn even after your death.

Give a copy of the Qur’an to someone. Every time they read from it, you
gain.
Donate a wheelchair to a hospital. Each time a sick person uses it, you
gain.
Teach someone to recite a Dua.
Share a Qur’anic CD.
Participate in building a Mosque.
Place a water cooler/ well in a public place.
Plant a tree. You gain whenever a person or animal sits in its shade or
eats from it.
Share this message with other people. Even if only one person applies any of the
above, you gain.

My Yearning

Ahmed — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:33:37 +0000

O Allah, my yearning for You is even more intense than constant thirst for cool water on a very hot day. Related posts: Miracles

Miracles

Shaykh Khalid Abdul Sattar

Ahmed — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:19:09 +0000

Shaykh Khalid Abdul Sattar was born in Chicago in 1974. He completed his bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from the Stern School of Business at New York University (NYU) in 1997.

After graduation, he began studying with local scholars in Chicago. In 2003, he traveled to Pakistan to further advance his knowledge of the traditional Islamic sciences. There he dedicated five years to a full-time course of studies under some of the most accomplished scholars of the sub-continent. In 2008, he formally graduated with a degree in Islamic Studies. He also received his teaching licenses in various Islamic subjects, including Classical Arabic, Hanafi Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh and Hadith.

In conjunction with his pursuit of traditional knowledge, he has also received spiritual guidance and training from Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad. After spending more than a decade in the company of his shaykh, he was given permission to take students in the path of Tasawwuf.

Currently, he runs Ilm Essentials.com, an online traditional learning program, and also teaches Arabic and Hanafi Fiqh with Sacred Learning, a Chicago-based learning institute. He currently resides in Maryland with his family.

Some talks delivered by the Shaykh can be heard on Traveling the Path website.

Source: www.ilmessentials.com