Intoxicants – The ‘High’ Life

This is a talk delivered by Shaykh Ahmad Ali at the London Youth Tarbiyyah conference in June 2011.  Shaykh talks about the harms and dangers of being involved in alcohol, drugs and intoxicants in Islam.  A real important message and lessons for all to take on board and act positively upon.

reposted from Dec 2011.

The Necklace

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

“Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?”

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl’s upturned face.

“A dollar ninety-five. That’s almost $2.00. If you really want them, I’ll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday’s only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma.”

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday,Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, “Do you love me?”

“Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you.”

“Then give me your pearls.”

“Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She’s my very favorite.”

“That’s okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night.” And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny’s daddy asked again, “Do you love me?”

“Daddy, you know I love you.”

“Then give me your pearls.”

“Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.”

“That’s okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.”

And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style.

As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. “What is it, Jenny? What’s the matter?”

Jenny didn’t say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, “Here, daddy; this is for you.”

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny’s daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

He had them all the time… He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.

So it is, with God. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.

Are you holding onto things that God wants you to let go of?

Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities that you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing.

God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

Reposted from Dec 2009

Imam al-Nawawi

Birth of Imam Nawawi

Al-Imām Muhy al-Dīn Abū Zakariyyā Yahyā ibn Sharaf al-Nawawī (more commonly known as Imam Nawawi), was born in the village of Nawa on the Horan Plain of southern Syria in 631 H.

He was the imām of the later Shāfiʿī School, the scholar of his time in knowledge, piety, and abstinence, a hadīth master (hāfiẓ), biographer, lexicologist, and Sufi.

When he first came to Damascus in 649 H., he memorized the text of al-Imām Abū Ishaq al-Shīrāzī; al-Tanbīh in four and a half months, then the first quarter of al-Muhadhdhab, after which he accompanied his father on ḥajj, then visited Madīnah, and then returned to Damascus, where he assiduously devoted himself to mastering the Islāmic sciences.

He took Shāfiʿī Law, hadīth, tenets of faith, fundamentals of jurisprudence, Arabic and other subjects from more than twenty-two scholars of the time, including Abū Ibrāhīm Ishaq al-Maghrībī, ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Qudāmah al-Maqdisī, and others, at a period of his life in which, as al-Imām al-Dhahabī notes,“his dedication to learning, night and day, became proverbial.”

Spending all his time in either worship or gaining Sacred Knowledge, he took some twelve lessons a day, only dozed off in the night at moments when sleep overcame him, and drilled himself on the lessons he learned by heart while walking along the street.

Fastidious in detail and deep in understanding of the subjects he thus mastered. He authored many great works in Shāfiʿī jurisprudence, hadīth, history, and legal opinion, among the best known of which are his Minhāj al-ṭālibīn, which has become a main reference for the Shāfiʿī School, Riyāḍ al-ṣālihīn and Kitab al-adhkār in hadīth, and his eighteen-volume Sharh Ṣahīh Muslim.

He lived simply, and it is related that his entire wardrobe consisted of a turban and an ankle-length shirt with a single button at the collar.

Death of Imam Nawawi

After a residence in Damascus of twenty-seven years, he returned the books he had borrowed from charitable endowments, bade his friends farewell, visited the graves of his Shaykhs who had died, and departed, going first to Jerusalem and then to his native Nawa, where he became ill at his father’s home and died at forty-four years of age in 676 H, young in years but great in benefit to Islām and the Muslims.

Source: Madrasa In’aamiyyah

Imam Nawawi

Virtues of Salaah

Fajr Salaah:  It has been narrated by Aisha (R.A.) that Nabi (S.A.W.) said:  “The two Rak’aats of Fajr (Sunnah) is better than the entire world and whatever it contains.  (Muslim)

Zuhr Salaah:  Umme Habibah (R.A.) says:  “I heard Rasoolullah (S.A.W.) saying:  “Allah will make the fire of Hell Haraam on whoever observes the four Rak’aats before Zuhr and four Rak’aats (two Sunnah and two Nafl) after Zuhr.”  (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)

Asr Salaah:  It has been narrated by Ibne Umar (R.A.) that Nabi (S.A.W.) said:  “May Allah shower mercy on that person who performs four Rak’aats before Asr.”  (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)

Maghrib Salaah:  Abu Hurairah (R.A.) narrates that Nabi (S.A.W.) said:  “Whosoever performs six Rak’aats after the Maghrib Salaah and does not speak any evil in between, he will receive the reward of twelve years of ‘Ibaadah.”  (Tirmidhi)

Eshaa Salaah:  Whosoever performs Eshaa Salaah with Jamaat and performs four Rak’aats prior to leaving the Masjid will receive the reward of Laitul Qadr.  (Tibraani)

Fajr and Asr Salaah:  Umaarah bint Ruwaybah (R.A.) says:  “I heard Nabi (S.A.W.) say:  “That person who performs Salaah before sunrise and before sunset will never enter the fire.”  (That is Fajr and Asr Salaah)

Eshaa Salaah:  It has been narrated by Abu Hurairah (R.A.) that Nabi (S.A.W.) said:  “There is no Salaah that is more burdensome on a Munaafiq (hypocrite) than the Fajr and Eshaa Salaah.  If they knew the virtue of these Salaah they would perform them even if they had to come to the Masjid crawling.”  (Bukhari, Muslim)

Maghrib Salaah:  Abu Ayyub (R.A.) narrates that:  “Did you hear Nabi (S.A.W.) say that:  “My Ummah will continue to be on good or he said on Fitrah, as long as they do not delay Maghrib Salaah till the stars become apparent.”  (Abu Dawood)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best

Ilyaas bin Hashim Limbada

Attested to as correct by:

Mufti Muhammad Ashraf

Darul Iftaa

Jameah Mahmoodiyah Springs

www.mahmoodiyah.org.za

Taraweeh Salaah – Night 27

By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia – Canada
In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Tonight’s Tarawee consists of the remaining Surahs of Amma (JUZ 30) and the Surahs to be recited tonight are listed hereunder with brief explanations of their meanings.

SURAH AL DUHA: [The Glorious Morning Light].
In this Surah the vicissitudes of human life are referred to, and a message of hope and consolation is given to man’s soul from Allah’s past mercies, and he is bidden to pursue the path of goodness and proclaim the bounties of Allah. This is the general meaning. In particular, the Surah seems to have been revealed in a dark period in the outer life of the Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam, when a man of less resolute will might have been discouraged. But the Nabee S.A.W. is told to hold the present of less account than the glorious Hereafter which awaited him like the glorious morning after a night of stillness and gloom. The Hereafter was, not only in the Future Life, but his later life on this earth, full of victory and satisfaction.

SURAH AL SHARH or Al INSHIRAH: [The Expansion of the Breast].
This short Surah gives a message of hope and encouragement in a time of darkness and difficulty. It was revealed to the Nabee S.A.W. soon after the last Surah [Al Duha], whose argument it supplements. The Nabee S.A.W.’s mind and heart had indeed been expanded and purified; the burden which pressed on his soul had been removed; and his name exalted in this world and the next. For the righteous man there is no trouble but is linked with ease and joy; he must strive at every stage, and look to Allah Alone as the goal of all his hopes.

SURAH AL TIN: [The Fig].
This Surah appeals to the most sacred symbols to show that Allah created man in the best of moulds, but that man is capable of the utmost degradation unless he has Faith and leads a good life. Nature and history and the Light of Revelation, through the ages, show that man, created by Allah can fall to the lowest depths, unless he lives a life of faith and righteousness. Then will he reach his goal: if not he must stand his Judgement – none can doubt – before the Wisest and Justest of Judges.

SURAH AL ALAQ OR IQRA: [The Clinging Clot or Read]
The first five verses were the first direct revelation to the Prophet (SAW), noble is the mission of the Prophet (SAW), chosen to share publicly the message of Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of all His Creation, Whose measureless bounties include the instruction of man in new and ever new knowledge. But alas for man! he fancies himself self-sufficient, turns away from the Path, and misleads others. But nothing is hidden from Allah. He will bring all untruth and sin in rebellion to Judgement, and subdue all evil. The righteous bow in adoration to Allah, and draw closer to Him.

SURAH AL QADR: [The Night of Power and Honour].
The subject matter is the mystic Night of Power [or Honour], in which Revelation comes down to a benighted world – it may be to the wonderful Cosmos of an individual – and transforms the conflict of wrongdoing into Peace and Harmony – through the agency of the angelic host, representing the spiritual powers of Mercy of Allah, and bless every nook and corner of the heart! All jars are stilled in the reign supreme of Peace, until this mortal night gives place to the glorious day of an immortal world!

SURAH AL BAYYINAH: [The Clear Evidence].
The mystic night of Revelation is indeed blessed. But those who reject Truth are impervious to Allah’s Message, however clear may be the evidence in support of it. Faith and Good Life lead straight to the Goal – The Beauteous Gardens of Bliss Eternal!

SURAH AL ZALZALAH: [The Earthquake].
The Hour of Judgement must needs be heralded by a mighty Convulsion. The earth will give up her secrets and tell her tale of all man’s doing. Men will march in companies and clearly see the inwardness of all their deeds. Not an atom of Good or Evil done, but will be shown in the final account of men convinced.

SURAH AL ADIYAT: [Those that Run].
Its subject matter is the irresistible nature of spiritual power and knowledge, contrasted with unregenerate man’s ingratitude, pettiness, helplessness, and ignorance. There are those that fight with eager charge, the hosts of evil, and storm its citadel. But unregenerate Man shows less than gratitude for Allah’s most gracious Bounties. His life bears witness to his treason and his greed. Allah’s Knowledge is all-embracing. All things hidden will be laid bare at Judgement.

SURAH AL QARI’AH: [The Great Calamity].
This Makkan Surah describes Judgement Day as the Day of Clamour, when mankind will be distracted and the landmarks of this world will be lost, but every deed will be weighed in a just balance, and find its real value and setting. Those whose good deeds will show substance and weight will achieve a Life of good pleasure and satisfaction, while those whose good will be light will find themselves Alas, in a blazing Pit of Punishment.

SURAH AL TAKATHUR: [The Piling Up].
This Surah gives a warning against acquisitiveness i.e. the passion for amassing worldly and material things, whether in the good things of this world, or in manpower or in other forms of megalomania, which leave no time or opportunity for pursuing the higher things of life.

SURAH AL ‘ASR: [Time Through the Ages].
This Surah refers to the testimony of Time through the Ages. All history shows that Evil came to an end. But Time is always in favour of those who have Faith, live clean and pure lives, and know how to wait, in patience and constancy.

SURAH AL HUMAZAH: [The Scandalmonger].
This Surah condemns all sorts of scandal, backbiting, and selfish hoarding of wealth, as destroying the hearts and affection of men. The Fire of Wrath will envelop them and wither up their hearts and minds, and consume that largeness of life which is the portion of mankind.

SURAH AL FIL: [The Elephant].
Let no man be intoxicated with power or material resources. They cannot defeat the purpose of Allah. So Abrahah Ashram fired by religious fanaticism led a large expedition against Makkah intending to destroy the Ka’bah with his elephant or elephants. A shower of stones, thrown by flocks of birds, destroyed him and his army almost to a man. The stones produced sores and pustules on the skin, which spread like a pestilence.

SURAH QURAYSH: [The Tribe of Quraysh].
This Makkan Surah may well be considered as a pendant to the last. If the Quraysh were fond of Makkah and proud of it, if they profited, by its central position and it guaranteed security, from their caravans of trade and commerce, let them be grateful, adore the One True Creator and accept His Message. Who gave the Quraysh their talents for the arts of peace, for trade, for commerce and for journeys south and north at proper seasons, and made their home inviolable in Makkah? Surely they, if any, should adore their Lord and listen to His Message of Unity and Truth.

SURAH AL MA’UN: [The Neighbourly Assistance].
The subject matter is the meaning of true worship, which requires Faith, the practical and helpful love of those in need, and sincerity rather than show in devotion and charity.What remains if you deny all Faith and personal responsibility? Why then help the helpless or teach others deeds of charity? Vain were worship without heart and soul. What do you think of men who make great show, but fail to meet the simple needs of daily life?

SURAH AL KAWTHAR: [The Abundance].
This Surah sums up in the single mystic word Kawthar [Abundance] the doctrine of spiritual Riches through devotion and sacrifice. The converse also follows: indulgence in hatred means the cutting off of all hopes of this life and the Hereafter. To the man of Allah, rich in divine blessings, is granted a Fountain unfailing, they will quench the spiritual thirst of millions. Turn, then, in devotion and sacrifice to Allah, nor heed the venom of Hatred, which destroys its own hopes, alas, of the present and the future!

SURAH AL KAFIRUN: [Those Who Reject Faith].
This Surah defines the right attitude to those who reject Faith. In matters of Truth we can make no sacrifices, but there is no need to persecute or abuse anyone for his faith or belief. The man of Faith holds fast to his faith, because he knows it is true. The man of the world, rejecting Faith, clings hard to worldly interests. Let him mind his worldly interests, but let him not force his interests on men sincere and true, by favour, force, or fraud.

SURAH AL NASR: [The Help].
This beautiful Surah was the last of the Surahs to be revealed as a whole, though the portion of the verse 3 of Surah Al Ma’idah: “This day have I perfected your religion for you” etc., contains probably the last words of the Holy Qur’an to be revealed. The date of this Surah was only a few months before the passing away of the Beloved Nabee S.A.W. from this world, Rabi 1, A.H. 11. The place was either the precincts of Makkah at his Farewell Hajj, Dhu al Hijjah A.H. 10, or Madinah after his return from the Farewell Hajj. Victory is the crown of service, not an occasion for exultation. All victory comes from the help of Allah. Praise and Glory belongs only to Allah: to Him we humbly Turn and pray for Grace, for He is oft-Returning in Grace and Mercy.

SURAH AL MASAD or AL LAHAB: [The Plaited Rope] or [The Flame].
“Abu Lahab: “Father of Flame” – was the nickname of an uncle of the Nabee S.A.W; from his fiery hot temper and his ruddy complexion. He was one of the most inveterate enemies of early Islam. When the Nabee S.A.W. called together the Quraysh and his own family members to come and listen to his preaching and his warning against the sins of the people, the “Father of Flame” flared up and cursed the Nabee S.A.W. saying “Perdition to Thee!” This Surah carries the general lesson that cruelty ultimately ruins itself. The man who rages against holy things is burnt up in his own rage. His hands, which are the instruments of his action, perish, and he perishes himself. No boasted wealth or position will save him. The curses, insults, threats and spite, harmed not the innocent, but hit the wrondoers themselves and branded them with eternal infamy!

SURAH IKHLAS: [The Purity of Faith].
The nature of Allah is here indicated to us in a few words, such as we can understand. Here we are specially taught to avoid the pitfalls into which men and nations have fallen at various times in trying to understand Allah. Keep Faith all pure and undefiled. There is Allah, the One and Only; Eternal, Free from all needs; on Whom depend, to Whom go back all things; He hath no son nor father nor partner. There is no one like unto him.

SURAH AL FALAQ: [The Daybreak].
In Allah’s Created World, there are all kinds of forces and counter forces, especially those put in motion by beings who have been endowed with some sort of will. The forces of Good may be compared to light, and those of evil to darkness. Allah can cleave the depths of darkness and produce light (Surah Al An’am verse 96], and therefore we should cast off fear and take refuge in Divine Guidance and Goodness. Banish fear, and trust His Providence. No danger, the, from the outer world, no secret plottings from perverted wills, no disturbance of your happiness or good, can effect the fortress of your inmost soul.

SURAH AL NAS: [Mankind].
The previous Surah pointed to the necessity of seeking Allah’s protection against external factors which might affect an individual. Here the need for protection from internal factors, mankind being viewed as a whole, is pointed out. This Surah is a pendant to the last Surah, and concludes the Most Glorious and Holy Qur’an with an appeal to us to trust in Almighty Allah Rabbul ‘Aala’meen, rather than man, as our sure shield and protection. It warns us specially against the secret whispers of evil within our own hearts.
Allah is the Heavenly Sovereign Who gives Laws and Allah is the Goal to which we will be returned and Judged. Let man but place himself in Allah’s hands, and never can Evil touch him in his essential and inner life.

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

Sunnah: The Way to Live Your Life

This is a lecture titled Sunnah: The way to Live Your Life delivered by Shaykh Rafiq Sufi at the Youth Tarbiyyah Conference (London) 2011.

In Praise of the Chosen Prophet

In Praise of the Chosen Prophet delivered by Shaykh Abdur Raheem of Darul Uloom Bury.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was born in the city of Baghdad during the month of Rabi-ul Awwal 164 A.H.  His father passed away either before he was born or shortly afterwards, and it was his mother who diligently brought up the Imam.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s Education

He acquired his childhood education through the Maktab but even there his piety and scholarly character were recognised.  Abu Afeef (r.a) has reported, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (r.a) was within our learning group at the Maktab. At that time he was very young, and we, as students were aware of his piety.  Having completed his basic education at the age of 16, the Imam went on to study ahadith by attending the study circles of Qazi Imam Abu Yusuf (r.a).

Having acquired knowledge from the scholars of Baghdad, his zeal for learning took him to different parts of the world including Kufa, Basra, Yemen, Makkah, Madinah and Syria, to benefit from their great scholars.  Sometimes, during long and difficult journies to acquire ahadith, the Imam had to resort to manual work in order to cover his expenses.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s Teachers

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal had many teachers, amongst the most prominent was Imam Shafiee (r.a) whom he met on several separate occasions and each time he took full benefit of the opportunity.  Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal commented, ‘Only after sitting in the Majlis of Imam Shafiee (r.a) did I understand and comprehend nasikh and mansukh hadith.’  One should remember, the Imam was an accomplished scholar even before he met Imam Shafiee.

It was only at the age of forty, in 204 A.H., the Imam began formally teaching hadith.  Whilst his teachers were still alive he refused to teach and narrate hadith out of humility and respect for them.  Imam Ahmad was acknowledged by the Ulama of his time as the Imam ul Hadith.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s books

Amongst his publications, the more famous are Kitab ul Musnad (based upon 30,000 ahadith), Kitab ul Tafseer, Kitab us Salaah, Kitab us Sunnah, Kitab un Nasikh and Mansukh and others.

The Imam dressed very simply and disliked clothes which created a false awe.  He wore a turban, white clothes and a shawl.  He never accepted gifts offered by rulers and the affluent out of caution.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal died on the blessed day of Friday in Rabi ul Awwal 241 A.H at the age 77, after a period of illness which lasted nine days.  The news of the Imams death soon spread and after Jumuah more than 850,000 people performed his janazah prayer with the rows formed in the city, streets, bazaars and even on boats on the river Tigris.  Even the non-Muslims mourned the passing away of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.

Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal

Virtues of Durood

There are many ahadeeth narrating the benefits and virtues of Durood, below are a selected few shared to encourage the believers to send abundant durood upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Definition: Durood – the uttering of specific phrases to compliment the Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings upon him) when his name is mentioned or read in a text.  It is usually to praise and honour him with great love and compassion.

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ وَمَلـٰئِكَتَهُ يُصَلّونَ عَلَى النَّبِىِّ ۚ يـٰأَيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا صَلّوا عَلَيهِ وَسَلِّموا تَسليمًا ﴿٥٦﴾

Surely Allah Ta’ala and his angels send Durood (blessings) upon Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), O you who believe! You also send Durood and Salaams upon Hazrat Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) in abundance. 

In the above mentioned verse, Allah Ta’ala commands the believers to send Durood and Salaams upon Hazrat Nabi-e-kareem (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Allah Ta’ala says I myself and my pure creation; the Malaaikah continuously send Durood (blessings) upon Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Hence, you should also send Durood and Salaams upon my beloved Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

Virtues of Durood

Muslim narrated in his Sahih from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said ‘he who invokes blessings on me once, Allah sends ten blessings upon him.’

Al-Nasa’i narrated in ‘Invocations of the day and night’, from ‘Umar bin Dinar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said ‘he of my community who invokes blessings upon me sincerely, Allah will bless him ten fold and raise him ten degrees, and he will have written for him ten good deeds, and erased from his record ten bad deeds.’

Tirmidhi narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said ‘Verily, supplications are stalled between the heavens and the earth, and are not lifted up until the supplicant invokes blessings upon the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace).’

Tirmidhi related from Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said ‘the closest people to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who invoked the most blessings upon me.’

Tirmidhi narrated from ‘Amir bin Rani’ah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said ‘he who invokes blessings upon me, the Angels send blessings upon him equal to that which he invoked, so let the worshipper invoke some, or increase upon that.’

Virtues of Durood

Rights of the Prophet

Delivered by Shaykh Ahmad Ali

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