Below is the alledged message from the leader of the Afghanistan Taliban which I found to be interesting. Quotes from this message were reported in news articles.
Note that the 'Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan' is known as the 'Afghanistan Taliban'.
"Message of Felicitation of the Esteemed Amir-ul-Momineen (Leader of the Believers) Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid (May Allah preserve him) on the Occasion of Eid-ul-Fitre
Friday, 02 October 2009 16:18 Ramadan 29, 1430 A.H, September 20, 2009
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious the most Merciful
Praise be to Allah, Who exalted Islam and Muslims and debased polytheism and the polytheists.
Peace be on the leader of the Mujahideen, the noble of the Apostles and Messengers and peace be on his descendants, companions and all those who follow his guidance.
Having said that, I would like to state: The Almighty Allah says:
“Say: Truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice, My life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds.” 6:162.
I extend my heart-felt felicitation to all heroic Mujahideen, the pious people, the families of martyrs of the sacred frontlines of Islam and to all Islamic Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitre and congratulate them for their having performed the sacred obligation of fasting.
I pray to Allah, to accept in His sight all the worships and sacrifices that they offered. May Allah pass these days of love, brotherhood and joy in an atmosphere of happiness, prosperity and victory over the invading enemy.
I congratulate you all for the historical victories achieved in the honorable frontlines of Jihad this current year. May Allah accept the martyrdom of the martyrs and the struggles of the Mujahideen in this blessed and holy path. Ameen
Availing of this opportunity, I deem it necessary to put forward the following points before you all:
First: I assure our brave people and the gallant Mujahideen that the plans of global colonialism for occupation of Afghanistan has faced failure because of your self-less sacrifices. During the past eight years, NATO under the leadership of the militarists of Pentagon, implemented a policy of brutality and atrocity, hoping that they will subjugate the brave people of Afghanistan by dent of military power.
They used their sophisticated and cutting-edge technology including chemical weapons in order to achieve that end; employed hundreds of centers of propaganda and spent billions of dollars to portray image of their military power in a palatable way and terrorize their counterpart opposition. But all these anti-human activities could not give them success. With the passage of time, the resistance and the Jihadic movement, as a robust Islamic and nationalist movement, assumed the shape of a popular movement and is approaching the edge of victory.
The invaders should study the history of Afghanistan from the time of the aggression of the Alexander, to the Ganges of the yore and to this very day and should receive lesson from it. Still, if they are bent on ignoring the history, then they themselves saw with their own eyes, the events of the past eight years.
Have they achieved any thing in the past eight years? Even if they are not ready to review the loss and benefits of these years, at least, they should ponder over the consequences of the extensive operations launched under the name of Khanjar “sword” and the panther’s claw. What did they achieve? Is this disgrace and historical defeat not enough for them (to take lesson).?
Though the double-faced media has kept their public ignorant of the facts but their government are well aware of the ground realities, the huge casualties and the sagging morale of their soldiers. The more the enemy resorts to increasing forces, the more they will face an unequivocal defeat in Afghanistan
It is clear from the statements of the military sources of NATO and America and the information disclosed by captured soldiers that material and life losses of the invaders are several times higher than what they acknowledge. Any way, the policy which they have adopted will only prolong the current crisis but will never solve it. This is because the existence of foreign troops in Afghanistan and the invasion is in itself an issue, not a solution, even a bigger issue in its own right.
The rampant corruption in the surrogate Kabul administration, the embezzlement, drug trafficking, the existence of mafia networks, the tyranny and high-handedness of the warlords, and spread and increase of the centers of obscenity being materialized as per the previously contemplated plans, are part of the colonial ambitious and conspiratorial accords. This has driven the people to face poverty, starvation and unemployment to the extent that they were forced to sell their children.
Despite the crimes of the invaders, another brazen atrocity is that, that they imposed a corrupt and stooge administration on the people once again by the pretext of the so-called elections which were fraught with fraud and lies and which were categorically rejected by the people.
It is very natural that the gallant and free people are not ready to accept the results of these illegitimate elections. Therefore, first of all the issue of the existence of the invading forces in the country should be solved and Afghanistan must find its place as a sovereign country on the map of the world. The internal issues among the Afghans can be solved but in circumstances of occupation, (our) national and Islamic interests come under the shadow of the interests of the foreigners and our national and Islamic interests readily fall prey to the interests and conspiracies of global colonialism.
Our goal is to gain independence of the country and establish a just Islamic system there on the basis of the aspirations of the Muslim nation. We can consider any option that could lead to the achievement of this goal. We have left open all options and ways towards this end. However, this will only be feasible when the country is free from the trampling steps of the invading forces and has gained independence.
Second: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants that the true sons of this land should have participation in the government and in the government-making, following the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, because the rehabilitation work, economic, political, educational and cultural affairs of the country can never go along way without participation of knowledgeable, professional and experienced sincere Afghans. Fortunately, a great number of our independent, professional, experienced Muslims cadres, whether they are inside the country or outside, have not submitted to the current occupation, nor they accept the administration brought about as a result of the occupation. They support an independent, free and Islamic government in the country.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has distinctive and useful plans for the future of Afghanistan under the shade of the just social system of Islam after the withdrawal of the foreign forces. They include rehabilitation of social and economic infrastructure, advancement and development of the educational sector, industrializations of the country and development of agriculture.
Third: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan calls on all those who work in the surrogate Kabul administration and shore up the global colonialism by their being there to stop opposing your religion, country and people. The foreign colonialists take strength from your Afghan arm and continue their occupation of our country. These brutal invaders have trampled down on all our Islamic values; they work for dissemination and spread of Christianity under a previously worked-out plan; they plunder our natural resources under one and another name and put heavy burdens of loans on our country. The Islamic Emirate has left door of safety open for whomever depart with the ways of betrayal and treason with the country and people.
All should bear in mind that the current popular Islamic revolution against the invaders is forging ahead like a powerful flood. Any one who opts to resist it will himself be washed away. Atrocity, torture, brutality, conspiracies, coalitions, the foreign forces and mercenaries could not hurl stumbling blocks in the way of this robust Jihadic movement. It is better to side with your people to fulfill the obligation required by the belief and gain historical honor, particularly the former Mujahideen who now work in the stooge administration should make for their infamy by joining the ranks of Jihad and abandon the ranks of the non-believers.
Fourth: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) believes in social and internal reform as well as in positive initiatives in the context of Sharia. The IEA is aware of the in discrepancies. Therefore, it obliges all Mujahideen to strictly observe the rules and regulations so that all Mujahideen will continue to wage Jihad as sincere sons of the country for the prosperity of the masses under the framework of Islamic Sharia. Thus, they will become both true protectors of the frontlines of independence and representatives of the fundamental wants of the people. The IEA considers the purge of its ranks and self-accountability an everlasting and necessary obligation.
The enemy has faced defeat in the field of the battle and it is not far way that it will swallow the bitter poison of a complete defeat. But as a last tactic, it is trying to spread seed of disunity and division among the nation to turn its defeat into victory.
Praise be to Allah, the High, that the enemy is facing a fiasco in its hypocritical efforts. The Islam-loving and country-loving people consider it a religious obligation to keep the unity and assist the Mujahideen. They see independence of the dear country as their legitimate right and believe the western media serves only as a loudspeaker of Pentagon. They will never be misled by their fatuous propaganda.
The sympathy, affinity and enchantment of the people play a great role in the unprecedented advancement of the Mujahideen. Praise be to Allah, the enchantment of people and their affinity grows day by day. Therefore, the Mujahideen should not think themselves to be a separate entity from the people. They should protect their property, life and honor and stop those who, under the name of Mujahideen, want to encroach on the property, life and honor of the people readily by the provocation of the enemy.
Similarly, Mujahideen should focus on the Islamic education of the masses, so that they would voluntarily participate in Jihad in person and by wealth. The people should remain aware to avoid being tricked by the empty bluffs of some military commanders or the statement of a British military commander saying that we would remain in Afghanistan for forty years.
We would like to point out that we fought against the British invaders for eighty years from 1839 to 1919 and ultimately got independence by defeating the Britain. Today, we have strong determination, military training and effective weapons. Still more, we have preparedness for a long war and the regional situation is in our favor. Therefore, we will continue to wage Jihad until we gain independence and force the invaders to pull out.
When we notified all regarding the unprecedented momentum and impetus in the resistance in our previous statement, they were not just propaganda-oriented empty words. All witnessed the momentum in action. We warn once again that our ensuing aggressive operations will be characterized by effective tactics which will enter a phase where the enemy will be inflicted with unparalleled casualties and constant defeats, if God willing.
Fifth: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants to maintain good and positive relations with all neighbors based on mutual respect and open a new chapter of good neighborliness of mutual cooperation and economic development.
We consider the whole region as a common home against colonialism and want to play our role in peace and stability of the region. We assure all countries that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, as a responsible force, will not extend its hand to cause jeopardy to others as it itself does not allow others to jeopardize us.
We would like to say, we are victims of the black propaganda of the enemy media. This has created doubts between us and a number of countries around the world. They have wrongly depicted us as a force being against education and women’s rights.
They also accuse us of our being a threat to the countries of the world. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants to clear away all these doubts provided a conducive atmosphere is available. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan calls on the public of the West not to be deceived by the assertions of Obama, who says the war in Afghanistan, is a war of necessity. The West does not have to wage this war. This war, in fact, started for clandestine motives under baseless reasons. The humanity, as a whole, suffers from its negative consequences. The global economic meltdown, instability, lack of trust and violation of international norms is the outcome of the baseless policies (of this war).
The public of the West should also not be deceived by the assertions of the General Secretary of NATO and British Prime Minister who are claiming that the war in Afghanistan is for the defense of the West. Such deceiving and baseless utterances should not confuse you. These are just demagogic efforts of your rulers aimed at justifying this unlawful and long imposed war in contravention of all international principles.
No country in the world has right to meddle in the internal affairs of its neighboring country according to the modern international principles. The arrogant powers-that-be at the White House and its British Ally should know their interference from thousands of kilometers away is never acceptable to the countries of the region and can never be tolerated.
The plans of colonial expansionism which is under way in the region under the notorious and unlawful slogan of war on terrorism is, in fact, an endeavor against the universal human values, justice, peace, equal distribution of resources and independence an endeavor tainting the true representatives of the aspirations of the people under one or another name. All countries, particularly the Islamic countries, our neighbors, the powerful countries, the movement of the non-aligned countries should feel and fulfill their historical role.
I urge the Islamic Ummah, particularly the Islamic and Jihadic organizations to remain aware of the conspiracies of the enemy; abandon the internal differences and begin a concerted and comprehensive struggle for the defense and freedom of the oppressed and occupied Ummah.
To end, I urge all God-fearing Muslims, as they themselves share the joy and happiness of this occasion with their families, should not forget the widows of the martyrs, orphans and mothers who have lost their sons.
They are the martyrs who laid down their lives against the coalition of the infidels for the establishment of Islamic system. Similarly, do not forget the bereaved families of those Afghan victims including elders, children, women and men who have been martyred as a result of the blind bombardment of the invaders and are no more among you.
Finally, I extend my felicitation to you on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitre and wishing you independence.
Hoping and praying for obtainment of independence and establishment of a complete Islamic system.
Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid
Amir-ul-Momineen
The Servant of Islam
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan"
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Amazing facts about the human body
The nasal bones are especially structured so that the air inhaled can go to the lungs only after circulating several times in the nose and thus warming up.
The thighbone can bear a weight weighing a ton when perpendicular.
When an athlete pole-vaults and he lands on the ground, every square centimeter of his pelvis is exposed to a pressure of 1,400 kilograms.
Even for a faint smile, 17 muscles have to work together at the same time.
A liver cell is specialized enough to perform more than 500 operations at a time.
The heart connects the 100 trillions cells in the human body one by one.
The heart beats approximately 100,000 times a day.
The human body has resistance to approximately 600 rads of radiation, whereas the tolerance of scorpions rises as high as 40-150 thousand rads.
A normal human body has about 5 billion capillaries whose total length, if stretched out, is about 950 kilometers.
Special secretion in the nasal mucous retains and sweeps out about 80-90of the micro-organisms that gain entry to the respiratory system directly or through dust.
One B cell can pump out more than 10 million antibody molecules an hour.
Our heart pumps about 43,000 liters of blood per day.
The simplest cells have roughly 2,000 different types of proteins.
If the information in DNA were put in the form of a book, these books put on top of each other would reach 70 meters high.
The DNA of a single cell contains the design of 206 bones, 600 muscles, a network of 10,000 auditory muscles, a network of 2 million optic nerves, 100 billion nerve cells, and 100 trillion cells in the body.
The probability of the amino acid sequence of a protein made up of 500 amino acids being in the correct order is 1 in 10950.
A brain cell is in constant interaction with others numbering up to 10,000. This communication network is far more complex than all the switchboards in the world.
The nucleus of each of the trillions of cells making up the human body includes a data bank big enough to fill a 900-volume encyclopedia.
The human eye works by some 40 different parts functioning together.
The retinal membrane at the back of the eye is made up of 11 different layers.
Each red cell can carry 300 million hemoglobin molecules.
When we inhale, oxygen floods into about 300 million tiny chambers in our lungs.
If water were only slightly more viscous, it would be impossible for blood to be transported through the body's capillary system.
Water makes up about 70 percent of the human body.
Immune system elements that the baby needs, such as antibodies or defense cells, are given to the baby ready-made in the mother’s milk.
There is 5 liters of blood in the body of a human weighing 60 kilograms.
Due to their incredible flexibility, red cells, with a diameter of about 7.5 micrometers, can squeeze through capillaries which are normally four to five micrometers in diameter.
A single brain can process work equivalent to that of 4.5 million transistors on a modern microprocessor.
The human kidneys filter about 140 liters of blood every day through one million small filtering units.
The lifespan of a red blood cell is about 120 days.
Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny? - [Quran 55:13]
The thighbone can bear a weight weighing a ton when perpendicular.
When an athlete pole-vaults and he lands on the ground, every square centimeter of his pelvis is exposed to a pressure of 1,400 kilograms.
Even for a faint smile, 17 muscles have to work together at the same time.
A liver cell is specialized enough to perform more than 500 operations at a time.
The heart connects the 100 trillions cells in the human body one by one.
The heart beats approximately 100,000 times a day.
The human body has resistance to approximately 600 rads of radiation, whereas the tolerance of scorpions rises as high as 40-150 thousand rads.
A normal human body has about 5 billion capillaries whose total length, if stretched out, is about 950 kilometers.
Special secretion in the nasal mucous retains and sweeps out about 80-90of the micro-organisms that gain entry to the respiratory system directly or through dust.
One B cell can pump out more than 10 million antibody molecules an hour.
Our heart pumps about 43,000 liters of blood per day.
The simplest cells have roughly 2,000 different types of proteins.
If the information in DNA were put in the form of a book, these books put on top of each other would reach 70 meters high.
The DNA of a single cell contains the design of 206 bones, 600 muscles, a network of 10,000 auditory muscles, a network of 2 million optic nerves, 100 billion nerve cells, and 100 trillion cells in the body.
The probability of the amino acid sequence of a protein made up of 500 amino acids being in the correct order is 1 in 10950.
A brain cell is in constant interaction with others numbering up to 10,000. This communication network is far more complex than all the switchboards in the world.
The nucleus of each of the trillions of cells making up the human body includes a data bank big enough to fill a 900-volume encyclopedia.
The human eye works by some 40 different parts functioning together.
The retinal membrane at the back of the eye is made up of 11 different layers.
Each red cell can carry 300 million hemoglobin molecules.
When we inhale, oxygen floods into about 300 million tiny chambers in our lungs.
If water were only slightly more viscous, it would be impossible for blood to be transported through the body's capillary system.
Water makes up about 70 percent of the human body.
Immune system elements that the baby needs, such as antibodies or defense cells, are given to the baby ready-made in the mother’s milk.
There is 5 liters of blood in the body of a human weighing 60 kilograms.
Due to their incredible flexibility, red cells, with a diameter of about 7.5 micrometers, can squeeze through capillaries which are normally four to five micrometers in diameter.
A single brain can process work equivalent to that of 4.5 million transistors on a modern microprocessor.
The human kidneys filter about 140 liters of blood every day through one million small filtering units.
The lifespan of a red blood cell is about 120 days.
Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny? - [Quran 55:13]
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Hadith
Abu Umaamah(R.A) narrates that Rasulullah [S.A.W] said:
“I guarantee an abode on the boundary of Paradise for him, who gives up a quarrel, even if he is right; and an abode in the centre of Paradise for him who abandons lying, even if it is for the sake of fun; and an abode in the highest grade of Paradise for him who excels in good conduct.”
“I guarantee an abode on the boundary of Paradise for him, who gives up a quarrel, even if he is right; and an abode in the centre of Paradise for him who abandons lying, even if it is for the sake of fun; and an abode in the highest grade of Paradise for him who excels in good conduct.”
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The World Today
When I read the news today, I really felt like the world and the inhabitants thereof are going crazy. As if we are getting sucked into a routine and a lifestyle that is opposing our natural order. While contemplating and meditating (Muraqaba), which I do everyday, I imagined looking down at earth from space and thinking that there’s an economic meltdown, in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine there are major wars, in Samoa a tsunami, in Africa drought, in America there’s fires and in all major ‘developed’ countries, there’s depression and stress not to mention the pandemic of AIDS. My conclusion on the reasons for all of these happenings is that Islam is not practiced the way it ought to be practiced. Islam is not understood correctly and this incorrect understanding of Islam is being broadcasted by the media.
As I’ve stated in my post on modesty and morality, that there are divine causes for whatever occurs on earth, it is the cause of our actions that Allah (S.W.T.) sends down conditions upon us. If we, Muslims, practice Islam correctly and we, Muslims and non-Muslims, understand Islam, there will be peace, contentment and tranquility on earth. In my opinion, the wars that are ongoing are because of greed, and the western nations want to impose their culture on all nations. Well, looking at the ‘civilized’ western culture, I only see more and more destruction. The economic meltdown is a result of the common use of interest, as interest is prohibited in Islam and AIDS is a result of immorality.
In this environment of evil, stress and depression, I only see peace and contentment in Salaah and the belief of Taqdier. Nabi (S.A.W.) has prophesized these times and I see the signs of Qiyamah happening more and more. I ask one and all, including myself, to try and understand and practice Islam correctly. Insha-Allah, Allah (S.W.T.) will grant us better conditions.
And Allah (S.W.T.) knows best.
As I’ve stated in my post on modesty and morality, that there are divine causes for whatever occurs on earth, it is the cause of our actions that Allah (S.W.T.) sends down conditions upon us. If we, Muslims, practice Islam correctly and we, Muslims and non-Muslims, understand Islam, there will be peace, contentment and tranquility on earth. In my opinion, the wars that are ongoing are because of greed, and the western nations want to impose their culture on all nations. Well, looking at the ‘civilized’ western culture, I only see more and more destruction. The economic meltdown is a result of the common use of interest, as interest is prohibited in Islam and AIDS is a result of immorality.
In this environment of evil, stress and depression, I only see peace and contentment in Salaah and the belief of Taqdier. Nabi (S.A.W.) has prophesized these times and I see the signs of Qiyamah happening more and more. I ask one and all, including myself, to try and understand and practice Islam correctly. Insha-Allah, Allah (S.W.T.) will grant us better conditions.
And Allah (S.W.T.) knows best.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Virtues of Haj - Hadith
"And pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah,upon everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it”–[ 3:96 Quran]
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [Peace be upon him] said,:
"Whoever performs the Hajj and commits no lustful act during it nor disobeys Allah (in any other way) shall return from it as pure and sinless as he was at the time of his birth." Bukhari & Muslim
"From one Umra to another (i.e. the two Umras) become an atonement for the sins committed during the period intervening between them and the reward on Hajj-e-Mabroor (i.e. pure and untainted Haj) is paradise itself and nothing less."
Bukhari & Muslim
"Those who make the pilgrimage for the Hajj or Umra are the guests of Allah. The petitions[duas] they make will be granted and if they seek deliverance from sins, their sins will be forgiven." Ibn-Maja
It is related by Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [Peace be upon him] said,:
"Any one who God has given enough to perform the Haj, and he also has a conveyance which can take him to the House of God. If he still fails to do so then it does not matter whether he dies a Jew or Christian, and it is so because God has said: Pilgrimage to the House (of Allah) is a duty men owe to God – those who can afford the journey." Tirmizi
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [Peace be upon him] said,:
"Whoever performs the Hajj and commits no lustful act during it nor disobeys Allah (in any other way) shall return from it as pure and sinless as he was at the time of his birth." Bukhari & Muslim
"From one Umra to another (i.e. the two Umras) become an atonement for the sins committed during the period intervening between them and the reward on Hajj-e-Mabroor (i.e. pure and untainted Haj) is paradise itself and nothing less."
Bukhari & Muslim
"Those who make the pilgrimage for the Hajj or Umra are the guests of Allah. The petitions[duas] they make will be granted and if they seek deliverance from sins, their sins will be forgiven." Ibn-Maja
It is related by Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [Peace be upon him] said,:
"Any one who God has given enough to perform the Haj, and he also has a conveyance which can take him to the House of God. If he still fails to do so then it does not matter whether he dies a Jew or Christian, and it is so because God has said: Pilgrimage to the House (of Allah) is a duty men owe to God – those who can afford the journey." Tirmizi
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Benefit of Figs
[I swear] by the fig and the olive. (Qur'an, 95:1)
The reference to the fig in the first verse of Surat at-Tin is a most wise one in
terms of the benefits imparted by this fruit.
There are several varieties of the fig. from greenish yellow to purplish or almost black. Figs can be eaten fresh as well as dry. Because of there high sugar content, figs, whether fresh or dried, are excellent for acquiring energy. Dried figs are very nourishing, especially in the cold months. Figs soften the bowels because of there mucin and pectin content. The calcium and carbohydrate contents in figs render them a high-energy food, which is assimilated into the body very easily and quickly. The Hakims recommend eating them liberally for building a healthy body and strengthening the nervous system. They are also excellent in cases of mental and
respiratory disorders.
For good results, at least 4-5 figs should be eaten at a time.
Black figs contain great amounts of potassium. Eating them in combination with goats milk is an excellent remedy for arthritis. It also helps detoxify the body. Fresh figs may be eaten in combination with other fruits. However avoid eating dried figs with fruits containing acids such as tomatoes, grapefruit, oranges, tangerine
etc.
The reference to the fig in the first verse of Surat at-Tin is a most wise one in
terms of the benefits imparted by this fruit.
There are several varieties of the fig. from greenish yellow to purplish or almost black. Figs can be eaten fresh as well as dry. Because of there high sugar content, figs, whether fresh or dried, are excellent for acquiring energy. Dried figs are very nourishing, especially in the cold months. Figs soften the bowels because of there mucin and pectin content. The calcium and carbohydrate contents in figs render them a high-energy food, which is assimilated into the body very easily and quickly. The Hakims recommend eating them liberally for building a healthy body and strengthening the nervous system. They are also excellent in cases of mental and
respiratory disorders.
For good results, at least 4-5 figs should be eaten at a time.
Black figs contain great amounts of potassium. Eating them in combination with goats milk is an excellent remedy for arthritis. It also helps detoxify the body. Fresh figs may be eaten in combination with other fruits. However avoid eating dried figs with fruits containing acids such as tomatoes, grapefruit, oranges, tangerine
etc.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Mercy
Hadith:
The Messenger of Allah [peace be upon him] said:
“Show mercy to those who are on earth; He Who is in the Heavens will have mercy on you.”
Quraan:
“And we have sent you (Muhammad[pbuh]) not but as a mercy to all of mankind .”
[Quraan-al-Ambyia:107]
The Messenger of Allah [peace be upon him] said:
“Show mercy to those who are on earth; He Who is in the Heavens will have mercy on you.”
Quraan:
“And we have sent you (Muhammad[pbuh]) not but as a mercy to all of mankind .”
[Quraan-al-Ambyia:107]
Monday, September 28, 2009
Modesty and Morality
We very well know and that there are physical causes and reasons for everything that occurs on this earth, as Muslims, we believe that there are also spiritual reasons and divine causes for whatever occurs on this earth. If we look at the world today, every human feels that things are changing dramatically for the worst. Time has no value any longer. While the world continues debating how to curtail the pandemic of aids and how to provide clean water to billions of people across the globe, whether or not a cure and solution will be found still remains to be seen but, as Muslims, we know that this is the direct result of immorality, which has unfortunately become common in society
If we have to analyse the problems that the Ummah is facing today, we will understand that until and unless the issue of morality, Haya, bashfulness, modesty will not be discussed on every possible platform and once again instill in our fathers and brothers, mothers and sisters, honesty, integrity, morality, modesty, till then we are dreaming of coming to any aid or any rescue for the plight of the world across the globe. When immorality becomes common and one starts seeing it happening more often, then the first thing that happens is one become immune to this, so now it is a common sight to see a boy and a girl having a lustful relation or perhaps fondling or holding in public view at different places. The more common it becomes, the first thing that happens is that one become immune to this wrong, the second thing that happens is that the evil element and disliking and disapproving this evil gradually comes out of the mind and it becomes part of the norm and part of society.
Take a look at the condition of the world today and ask yourself, are there any morals left. While nations want to ban the Hijaab and bring in the ‘western’ lifestyle, do they not see the deterioration in morals, value systems and compassion? Hijaab elevates the status and respect of women and is not a restraint. Do we not look at the harms of music? Music leads one to immoral acts. Once upon a time, there was so much respect and Haya in this world, the problems, pandemics and difficulties that face us today were non-existent. If we wish for peace and compassion, then modesty and morality must be alive in all societies. Imaan is the very epitome of hayaa (modesty). "Imaan is modesty through and through" (Hadith)
Quraan and Hadith on the scarf
"O prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way.) that will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. And Allah Ta'ala is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah 33 verse 59
In another verse it is mentioned, "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze …… and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes to see the way, outer palms, or dress with veil gloves, head cover etc) and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers…..
Surah 24 verse 31
The Mufassireen have explained "Khumur" in the ayah above, is that it is such a cloth that a woman wears on her head which also covers the neck and chest.
Ma'aariful Qur'an Vol. 6 pg 40
It is reported that Hazrat Ummi Salamah (RA) said, when the ayah (verse) "and draw their veils….. Was revealed, the Ansaar women came out and the headgear they wore resembled crows.
Abu Dawood Vol. 2 pg 211
Hazrat Aisha (RA) reports that once Hazrat Asmaa Binte Abi Bakr (RA) entered Nabi (S.A.W.)'s house and she was wearing thin cloths. Nabi (SAW) turned away from her and said, "When a woman becomes of age it is not permissible for her to show herself besides this and this." and pointed towards the face and palms.
Abu Dawood Vol. 2 pg 211
Hazrat Aisha (RA) is reported to have said: "at the time of Hajjatul Widaa, the people use to pass by us when we were with Nabi (SAW), when they would come towards us we would cover our faces with our veils and when they would pass us we use to remove it."
Abu Dawood Vol. 1 pg 254
May Allah grant us the understanding. Aameen
If we have to analyse the problems that the Ummah is facing today, we will understand that until and unless the issue of morality, Haya, bashfulness, modesty will not be discussed on every possible platform and once again instill in our fathers and brothers, mothers and sisters, honesty, integrity, morality, modesty, till then we are dreaming of coming to any aid or any rescue for the plight of the world across the globe. When immorality becomes common and one starts seeing it happening more often, then the first thing that happens is one become immune to this, so now it is a common sight to see a boy and a girl having a lustful relation or perhaps fondling or holding in public view at different places. The more common it becomes, the first thing that happens is that one become immune to this wrong, the second thing that happens is that the evil element and disliking and disapproving this evil gradually comes out of the mind and it becomes part of the norm and part of society.
Take a look at the condition of the world today and ask yourself, are there any morals left. While nations want to ban the Hijaab and bring in the ‘western’ lifestyle, do they not see the deterioration in morals, value systems and compassion? Hijaab elevates the status and respect of women and is not a restraint. Do we not look at the harms of music? Music leads one to immoral acts. Once upon a time, there was so much respect and Haya in this world, the problems, pandemics and difficulties that face us today were non-existent. If we wish for peace and compassion, then modesty and morality must be alive in all societies. Imaan is the very epitome of hayaa (modesty). "Imaan is modesty through and through" (Hadith)
Quraan and Hadith on the scarf
"O prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way.) that will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. And Allah Ta'ala is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah 33 verse 59
In another verse it is mentioned, "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze …… and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes to see the way, outer palms, or dress with veil gloves, head cover etc) and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers…..
Surah 24 verse 31
The Mufassireen have explained "Khumur" in the ayah above, is that it is such a cloth that a woman wears on her head which also covers the neck and chest.
Ma'aariful Qur'an Vol. 6 pg 40
It is reported that Hazrat Ummi Salamah (RA) said, when the ayah (verse) "and draw their veils….. Was revealed, the Ansaar women came out and the headgear they wore resembled crows.
Abu Dawood Vol. 2 pg 211
Hazrat Aisha (RA) reports that once Hazrat Asmaa Binte Abi Bakr (RA) entered Nabi (S.A.W.)'s house and she was wearing thin cloths. Nabi (SAW) turned away from her and said, "When a woman becomes of age it is not permissible for her to show herself besides this and this." and pointed towards the face and palms.
Abu Dawood Vol. 2 pg 211
Hazrat Aisha (RA) is reported to have said: "at the time of Hajjatul Widaa, the people use to pass by us when we were with Nabi (SAW), when they would come towards us we would cover our faces with our veils and when they would pass us we use to remove it."
Abu Dawood Vol. 1 pg 254
May Allah grant us the understanding. Aameen
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
SADAQATUL-FITR
Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam said: "The fast remains suspended between Heaven and Earth until the fitrah is paid."
*
Sadaqatul fitr [fitra] is compulsory charity which becomes payable on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
*
Fitr means to break fast or to refrain from fasting. Hence the Eid after the fasts of Ramadhân is called Eid-ul-Fitr, as it is the day of rejoicing after the completion of fasting. On this occasion of happiness, as a sign of gratitude one has to give a specific amount in aims, which is called Sad'qatui-Fitr. To purify and obtain complete blessings for the fasts of Ramadhân Mubârak one has to give Sadaqatul-Fitr. Thus it is wâjib to give Sadaqatul-Fitr to purify one's fast. The true object in giving Sadqatul-fitr on this happy, occasion is also to assist the poor and needy, so that, they may rejoice with the more fortunate.
*
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) made the Sadkat-ul-Fitr obligatory for the purpose of: purifying our fasting from vain talk and shameful mistakes, to make arrangements for the poor and the needy for food and clothing (for the festival of
Eid). (Hadith: Abu Dawud, Ibn Maja)
*
Sadaqatul Fitr (or fitrah) is wâjib [compulsory] upon all Muslims -male, female and children fitrah should preferably be paid before the Eid Salâh.
It is not permissible to delay the payment of fitrah later than the Day of Eid.
*
What amount Should be paid
The amount of Sadqatul Fitr is 1.633kg of wheat or 3.266kg of barley or the equivalent in cash. [In South Africa presently approximately [September 2009] R20 per person]
However to be certain please consult your local Islamic Scholars[Ulema] in your area.
It is highly recommended that this amount is paid in advance so that the contributions could be used for the benefit of the poor on Eid day.
*
Sadaqatul fitr [fitra] is compulsory charity which becomes payable on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
*
Fitr means to break fast or to refrain from fasting. Hence the Eid after the fasts of Ramadhân is called Eid-ul-Fitr, as it is the day of rejoicing after the completion of fasting. On this occasion of happiness, as a sign of gratitude one has to give a specific amount in aims, which is called Sad'qatui-Fitr. To purify and obtain complete blessings for the fasts of Ramadhân Mubârak one has to give Sadaqatul-Fitr. Thus it is wâjib to give Sadaqatul-Fitr to purify one's fast. The true object in giving Sadqatul-fitr on this happy, occasion is also to assist the poor and needy, so that, they may rejoice with the more fortunate.
*
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) made the Sadkat-ul-Fitr obligatory for the purpose of: purifying our fasting from vain talk and shameful mistakes, to make arrangements for the poor and the needy for food and clothing (for the festival of
Eid). (Hadith: Abu Dawud, Ibn Maja)
*
Sadaqatul Fitr (or fitrah) is wâjib [compulsory] upon all Muslims -male, female and children fitrah should preferably be paid before the Eid Salâh.
It is not permissible to delay the payment of fitrah later than the Day of Eid.
*
What amount Should be paid
The amount of Sadqatul Fitr is 1.633kg of wheat or 3.266kg of barley or the equivalent in cash. [In South Africa presently approximately [September 2009] R20 per person]
However to be certain please consult your local Islamic Scholars[Ulema] in your area.
It is highly recommended that this amount is paid in advance so that the contributions could be used for the benefit of the poor on Eid day.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Personality: Fatima bint Muhammed (R.A.)
Fatimah RA was the fifth child of Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and Khadijah RA. She was born at a time when her noble father had begun to spend long periods in the solitude of mountains around Makkah, meditating and reflecting on the great mysteries of creation.
This was the time, before the Bithah, when her eldest sister Zaynab RA was married to her cousin, al-Aas ibn ar Rabiah. Then followed the marriage of her two other sisters, Ruqayyah RA and Umm Kulthum RA, to the sons of Abu Lahab, a paternal uncle of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam. Both Abu Lahab and his wife Umm Jamil turned out to be flaming enemies of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam from the very beginning of his public mission.
The little Fatimah thus saw her sisters leave home one after the other to live with their husbands. She was too young to understand the meaning of marriage and the reasons why her sisters had to leave home. She loved them dearly and was sad and lonely when they left. It is said that a certain silence and painful sadness came over her then.
Of course, even after the marriage of her sisters, she was not alone in the house of her parents. Barakah RA, the maid-servant of Aminah RA, the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam mother, who had been with the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam since his birth, Zayd ibn Harithah RA, and Ali RA, the young son of Abu Talib were all part of Muhammad's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam household at this time. And of course there was her loving mother, the lady Khadijah RA.
In her mother and in Barakah RA, Fatimah RA found a great deal of solace and comfort in Ali RA, who was about two years older than she, she found a "brother" and a friend who somehow took the place of her own brother al-Qasim who had died in his infancy. Her other brother Abdullah, known as the Good and the Pure, who was born after her, also died in his infancy. However in none of the people in her father's household did Fatimah RA find the carefree joy and happiness which she enjoyed with her sisters. She was an unusually sensitive child for her age.
When she was five, she heard that her father had become Rasul of Allah, the Messenger of Allah. His first task was to convey the good news of Islam to his family and close relations. They were to worship Allah, Almighty alone. Her mother, who was a tower of strength and support, explained to Fatimah RA what her father had to do. From this time on, she became more closely attached to him and felt a deep and abiding love for him. Often she would be at his side walking through the narrow streets and alleys of Makkah, visiting the Kabah or attending secret gatherings off, the early Muslims who had accepted Islam and pledged allegiance to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam. read more
One day, when she was not yet ten, she accompanied her father to the Masjid al-Haram. He stood in the place known as al-Hijr facing the Kabah and began to pray. Fatimah RA stood at his side. A group of Quraysh, by no means well-disposed to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, gathered about him. They included Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, the Prophet's uncle, Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and Shaybah and Utbah, sons of Rabi'ah. Menacingly, the group went up to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and Abu Jahl, the ringleader, asked:
"Which of you can bring the entrails of a slaughtered animal and throw it on Muhammad?"
Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, one of the vilest of the lot, volunteered and hurried off. He returned with the obnoxious filth and threw it on the shoulders of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while he was still prostrating. Abdullah ibn Masud, a companion of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, was present but he was powerless to do or say anything.
Imagine the feelings of Fatimah RA as she saw her father being treated in this fashion. What could she, a girl not ten years old, do? She went up to her father and removed the offensive matter and then stood firmly and angrily before the group of Quraysh thugs and lashed out against them. Not a single word did they say to her. The noble Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam raised his head on completion of the prostration and went on to complete the Salaah. He then said: "O Lord, may you punish the Quraysh!" and repeated this imprecation three times. Then he continued:
"May You punish Utbah, Uqbah, Abu Jahl and Shaybah." (These whom he named were all killed many years later at the Battle of Badr)
On another occasion, Fatimah RA was with the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam as he made; Tawaf around the Kabah. A Quraysh mob gathered around him. They seized him and tried to strangle him with his own clothes. Fatimah RA screamed and shouted for help. Abu Bakr RA rushed to the scene and managed to free the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam. While he was doing so, he pleaded: "Would you kill a man who says, 'My Lord is God?'" Far from giving up, the mob turned on Abu Bakr RA and began beating him until blood flowed from his head and face.
Such scenes of vicious opposition and harassment against her father and the early Muslims were witnessed by the young Fatimah RA. She did not meekly stand aside but joined in the struggle in defence of her father and his noble mission. She was still a young girl and instead of the cheerful romping, the gaiety and liveliness which children of her age are and should normally be accustomed to, Fatimah RA had to witness and participate in such ordeals.
Of course, she was not alone in this. The whole of the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam family suffered from the violent and mindless Quraysh. Her sisters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum also suffered. They were living at this time in the very nest of hatred and intrigue against the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam. Their husbands were Utbah and Utaybah, sons of Abu Lahab and Umm Jamil. Umm Jamil was known to be a hard and harsh woman who had a sharp and evil tongue. It was mainly because of her that Khadijah was not pleased with the marriages of her daughters to Umm Jamil's sons in the first place. It must have been painful for Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum to be living in the household of such inveterate enemies who not only joined but led the campaign against their father.
As a mark of disgrace to Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and his family, Utbah and Utaybah were prevailed upon by their parents to divorce their wives. This was part of the process of ostracizing the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam totally. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam in fact welcomed his daughters back to his home with joy, happiness and relief.
Fatimah RA, no doubt, must have been happy to be with her sisters once again. They all wished that their eldest sister, Zaynab RA, would also be divorced by her husband. In fact, the Quraysh brought pressure on Abu-l Aas to do so but he refused. When the Quraysh leaders came up to him and promised him the richest and most beautiful woman as a wife should he divorce Zaynab RA, he replied:
"I love my wife deeply and passionately and I have a great and high esteem for her father even though I have not entered the religion of Islam."
Both Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum were happy to be back with their loving parents and to be rid of the unbearable mental torture to which they had been subjected in the house of Umm Jamil. Shortly afterwards, Ruqayyah married again, to the young and shy Uthman ibn Allan who was among the first to have accepted Islam. They both left for Abyssinia among the first muhajirin who sought refuge in that land and stayed there for several years. Fatimah RA was not to see Ruqayyah again until after their mother had died.
The persecution of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, his family and his followers continued and even became worse after the migration of the first Muslims to Abyssinia. In about the seventh year of his mission, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and his family were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in a rugged little valley enclosed by hills on all sides and defile, which could only be entered from Makkah by a narrow path.
To this arid valley, Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and the clans of Banu Hashim and al-Muttalib were forced to retire with limited supplies of food. Fatimah RA was one of the youngest members of the clans - just about twelve years old - and had to undergo months of hardship and suffering. The wailing of hungry children and women in the valley could be heard from Makkah. The Quraysh allowed no food and contact with the Muslims whose hardship was only relieved somewhat during the season of pilgrimage. The boycott lasted for three years. When it was lifted, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam had to face even more trials and difficulties. Khadijah RA, the faithful and loving, died shortly afterwards. With her death, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and his family lost one of the greatest sources of comfort and strength which had sustained them through the difficult period. The year in which the noble Khadijah RA, and later Abu Talib, died is known as the Year of Sadness. Fatimah RA, now a young lady, was greatly distressed by her mother's death. She wept bitterly and for some time was so grief-striken that her health deteriorated. It was even feared she might die of grief.
Although her older sister, Umm Kulthum, stayed in the same household, Fatimah RA realized that she now had a greater responsibility with the passing away of her mother. She felt that she had to give even greater support to her father. With loving tenderness, she devoted herself to looking after his needs. So concerned was she for his welfare that she came to be called "Umm Abi-ha the mother of her father". She also provided him with solace and comfort during times of trial, difficulty and crisis.
Often the trials were too much for her. Once, about this time, an insolent mob heaped dust and earth upon his gracious head. As he entered his home, Fatimah RA wept profusely as she wiped the dust from her father's head.
"Do not cry, my daughter," he said, "for Allah shall protect your father." The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam had a special love for Fatimah RA. He once said: "Whoever pleased Fatimah RA has indeed pleased Allah and whoever has caused her to be angry has indeed angered Allah. Fatimah RA is a part of me. Whatever pleases her pleases me and whatever angers her angers me."
He also said: "The best women in all the world are four: the Mary (Mariam AS), Aasiyaa the wife of Pharoah, Khadijah, the Mother of the Believers, and Fatimah RA, the daughter of Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam." Fatimah RA thus acquired a place of love and esteem in the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam heart that was only occupied by his wife Khadijah RA.
Fatimah RA, may Allah be pleased with her, was given the title of "az-Zahraa" which means "the Resplendent One". That was because of her beaming face which seemed to radiate light. It is said that when she stood for Prayer, the Mihrab would reflect the light of her countenance. She was also called "al-Batul" because of her asceticism. Instead of spending her time in the company of women, much of her time would be spent in Salaah, in reading the Quran and in other acts of Ibadah.
Fatimah RA had a strong resemblance to her father, the Messenger of Allah. Aishah RA, the wife of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, said of her: "I have not seen any one of Allah's creation resemble the Messenger of Allah more in speech, conversation and manner of sitting than Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with her. When the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam saw her approaching, he would welcome her, stand up and kiss her, take her by the hand and sit her down in the place where he was sitting." She would do the same when the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam came to her. She would stand up and welcome him with joy and kiss him.
Fatimah's RA fine manners and gentle speech were part of her lovely and endearing personality. She was especially kind to poor and indigent folk and would often give all the food she had to those in need even if she herself remained hungry. She had no craving for the ornaments of this world nor the luxury and comforts of life. She lived simply, although on occasion as we shall see circumstances seemed to be too much and too difficult for her.
She inherited from her father a persuasive eloquence that was rooted in wisdom. When she spoke, people would often be moved to tears. She had the ability and the sincerity to stir the emotions, move people to tears and fill their hearts with praise and gratitude to Allah for His grace and His inestimable bounties.
Fatimah RA migrated to Madinah a few weeks after the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam did. She went with Zayd ibn Harithah who was sent by the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam back to Makkah to bring the rest of his family. The party included Fatimah RA and Umm Kulthum RA, Sawda RA, the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam wife, Zayd's wife Barakah and her son Usamah. Travelling with the group also were Abdullah the son of Abu Bakr RA who accompanied his mother and his sisters, Aishah RA and Asma RA.
In Madinah, Fatimah RA lived with her father in the simple dwelling he had built adjoining the Masjid. In the second year after the Hijrah, she received proposals of marriage through her father, two of which were turned down. Then Ali RA, the son of Abu Talib, plucked up courage and went to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam to ask for her hand in marriage. In the presence of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, however, Ali RA became over-awed and tongue-tied. He stared at the ground and could not say anything. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam then asked: "Why have you come? Do you need something?" Ali RA still could not speak and then the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam suggested: "Perhaps you have come to propose marriage to Fatimah RA."
"Yes," replied Ali RA. At this, according to one report, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said simply: "Marhaban wa ahlan - Welcome into the family," and this was taken by Ali RA and a group of Ansar who were waiting outside for him as indicating the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam approval. Another report indicated that the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam approved and went on to ask Ali RA if he had anything to give as Mahr (dowry). Ali RA replied that he did not. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam reminded him that he had a shield which could be sold.
Ali RA sold the shield to Uthman RA for four hundred dirhams and as he was hurrying back to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam to hand over the sum as Mahr, Uthman RA stopped him and said:
"I am returning your shield to you as a present from me on your marriage to Fatimah RA." Fatimah RA and Ali RA were thus married most probably at the beginning of the second year after the Hijrah. She was about nineteen years old at the time and Ali RA was about twenty one. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam himself performed the marriage ceremony. At the Walimah, the guests were served with dates, figs and hais (a mixture of dates and butter fat). A leading member of the Ansar donated a ram and others made offerings of grain. All of Madinah rejoiced.
On her marriage, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam is said to have presented Fatimah RA and Ali RA with a wooden bed intertwined with palm leaves, a velvet coverlet, a leather cushion filled with palm fibre, a sheepskin, a pot, a waterskin and a quern for grinding grain.
Fatimah RA left the home of her beloved father for the first time to begin life with her husband. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam was clearly anxious on her account and sent Barakah with her should she be in need of any help. And no doubt Barakah was a source of comfort and solace to her. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam prayed for them:
"O Lord, bless them both, bless their house and bless their offspring." In Ali's RA humble dwelling, there was only a sheepskin for a bed. In the morning after the wedding night, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam went to Ali's RA house and knocked on the door.
Barakah came out and the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said to her: "O Umm Ayman, call my brother for me."
"Your brother? That's the one who married your daughter?" asked Barakah somewhat incredulously as if to say: Why should the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam call Ali RA his "brother"? (He referred to Ali as his brother because just as pairs of Muslims were joined in brotherhood after the Hijrah, so the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and Ali RA were linked as "brothers".)
The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam repeated what he had said in a louder voice. Ali RA came and the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam made a Du'a, invoking the blessings of Allah on him. Then he asked for Fatimah RA. She came almost cringing with a mixture of awe and shyness and the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said to her:
"I have married you to the dearest of my family to me." In this way, he sought to reassure her. She was not starting life with a complete stranger but with one who had grown up in the same household, who was among the first to become a Muslim at a tender age, who was known for his courage, bravery and virtue, and whom the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam described as his "brother in this world and the hereafter".
Fatimah's RA life with Ali RA was as simple and frugal as it was in her father's household. In fact, so far as material comforts were concerned, it was a life of hardship and deprivation. Throughout their life together, Ali remained poor because he did not set great store by material wealth. Fatimah RA was the only one of her sisters who was not married to a wealthy man.
In fact, it could be said that Fatimah's RA life with Ali RA was even more rigorous than life in her father's home. At least before marriage, there were always a number of ready helping hands in the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam household. But now she had to cope virtually on her own. To relieve their extreme poverty, Ali RA worked as a drawer and carrier of water and she as a grinder of corn. One day she said to Ali RA: "I have ground until my hands are blistered."
"I have drawn water until I have pains in my chest," said Ali RA and went on to suggest to Fatimah RA: "God has given your father some captives of war, so go and ask him to give you a servant."
Reluctantly, she went to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam who said: "What has brought you here, my little daughter?" "I came to give you greetings of peace," she said, for in awe of him she could not bring herself to ask what she had intended.
"What did you do?" asked Ali RA when she returned alone.
"I was ashamed to ask him," she said. So the two of them went together but the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam felt they were less in need than others.
"I will not give to you," he said, "and let the Ahl as-Suffah (poor Muslims who stayed in the Masjid) be tormented with hunger. I have not enough for their keep..."
Ali RA and Fatimah RA returned home feeling somewhat dejected but that night, after they had gone to bed, they heard the voice of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam asking permission to enter. Welcoming him, they both rose to their feet, but he told them:
"Stay where you are," and sat down beside them. "Shall I not tell you of something better than that which you asked of me?" he asked and when they said yes he said: "Words which Jibril taught me, that you should say "Subhaan Allah- Glory be to Allah" ten times after every Prayer, and ten times "AI hamdu lillah - Praise be to Allah," and ten times "Allahu Akbar - Allah is Great." And that when you go to bed you should say them thirty-three times each."
Ali RA used to say in later years: "I have never once failed to say them since the Messenger of Allah taught them to us."
There are many reports of the hard and difficult times which Fatimah had to face. Often there was no food in her house. Once the Prophet was hungry. He went to one after another of his wives' apartments but there was no food. He then went to Fatimah's house and she had no food either. When he eventually got some food, he sent two loaves and a piece of meat to Fatimah. At another time, he went to the house of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari and from the food he was given, he saved some for her. Fatimah also knew that the Prophet was without food for long periods and she in turn would take food to him when she could. Once she took a piece of barley bread and he, said to her: "This is the first food your father has eaten for three days."
Through these acts of kindness she showed how much she loved her father; and he loved her, really loved her in return.
Once he returned from a journey outside Madinah. He went to the mosque first of all and prayed two rakats as was his custom. Then, as he often did, he went to Fatimah's house before going to his wives. Fatimah welcomed him and kissed his face, his mouth and his eyes and cried. "Why do you cry?" the Prophet asked. "I see you, O Rasul Allah," she said, "Your color is pale and sallow and your clothes have become worn and shabby." "O Fatimah," the Prophet replied tenderly, "don't cry for Allah has sent your father with a mission which He would cause to affect every house on the face of the earth whether it be in towns, villages or tents (in the desert) bringing either glory or humiliation until this mission is fulfilled just as night (inevitably) comes." With such comments Fatimah was often taken from the harsh realities of daily life to get a glimpse of the vast and far-reaching vistas opened up by the mission entrusted to her noble father.
Fatimah eventually returned to live in a house close to that of the Prophet. The place was donated by an Ansari who knew that the Prophet would rejoice in having his daughter as his neighbor. Together they shared in the joys and the triumphs, the sorrows and the hardships of the crowded and momentous Madinah days and years.
In the middle of the second year after the Hijrah, her sister Ruqayyah fell ill with fever and measles. This was shortly before the great campaign of Badr. Uthman, her husband, stayed by her bedside and missed the campaign. Ruqayyah died just before her father returned. On his return to Madinah, one of the first acts of the Prophet was to visit her grave.
Fatimah went with him. This was the first bereavement they had suffered within their closest family since the death of Khadijah. Fatimah was greatly distressed by the loss of her sister. The tears poured from her eyes as she sat beside her father at the edge of the grave, and he comforted her and sought to dry her tears with the corner of his cloak.
The Prophet had previously spoken against lamentations for the dead, but this had lead to a misunderstanding, and when they returned from the cemetery the voice of Umar was heard raised in anger against the women who were weeping for the martyrs of Badr and for Ruqayyah.
"Umar, let them weep," he said and then added: "What comes from the heart and from the eye, that is from God and His mercy, but what comes from the hand and from the tongue, that is from Satan." By the hand he meant the beating of breasts and the smiting of cheeks, and by the tongue he meant the loud clamor in which women often joined as a mark of public sympathy.
Uthman later married the other daughter of the Prophet, Umm Kulthum, and on this account came to be known as Dhu-n Nurayn - Possessor of the Two Lights.
The bereavement which the family suffered by the death of Ruqayyah was followed by happiness when to the great joy of all the believers Fatimah gave birth to a boy in Ramadan of the third year after the Hijrah. The Prophet spoke the words of the Adhan into the ear of the new-born babe and called him al-Hasan which means the Beautiful One.
One year later, she gave birth to another son who was called al-Husayn, which means "little Hasan" or the little beautiful one. Fatimah would often bring her two sons to see their grandfather who was exceedingly fond of them. Later he would take them to the Mosque and they would climb onto his back when he prostrated. He did the same with his little granddaughter Umamah, the daughter of Zaynab.
In the eighth year after the Hijrah, Fatimah gave birth to a third child, a girl whom she named after her eldest sister Zaynab who had died shortly before her birth. This Zaynab was to grow up and become famous as the "Heroine of Karbala". Fatimah's fourth child was born in the year after the Hijrah. The child was also a girl and Fatimah named her Umm Kulthum after her sister who had died the year before after an illness.
It was only through Fatimah that the progeny of the Prophet was perpetuated. All the Prophet's male children had died in their infancy and the two children of Zaynab named Ali and Umamah died young. Ruqayyah's child Abdullah also died when he was not yet two years old. This is an added reason for the reverence which is accorded to Fatimah.
Although Fatimah was so often busy with pregnancies and giving birth and rearing children, she took as much part as she could in the affairs of the growing Muslim community of Madinah. Before her marriage, she acted as a sort of hostess to the poor and destitute Ahl as-Suffah. As soon as the Battle of Uhud was over, she went with other women to the battlefield and wept over the dead martyrs and took time to dress her father's wounds. At the Battle of the Ditch, she played a major supportive role together with other women in preparing food during the long and difficult siege. In her camp, she led the Muslim women in prayer and on that place there stands a mosque named Masjid Fatimah, one of seven mosques where the Muslims stood guard and performed their devotions.
Fatimah also accompanied the Prophet when he made Umrah in the sixth year after the Hijrah after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. In the following year, she and her sister Umm Kulthum, were among the mighty throng of Muslims who took part with the Prophet in the liberation of Makkah. It is said that on this occasion, both Fatimah and Umm Kulthum visited the home of their mother Khadijah and recalled memories of their childhood and memories of jihad, of long struggles in the early years of the Prophet's mission.
In Ramadan of the tenth year just before he went on his Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet confided to Fatimah, as a secret not yet to be told to others:
"Jibril recited the Quran to me and I to him once every year, but this year he has recited it with me twice. I cannot but think that my time has come."
On his return from the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet did become seriously ill. His final days were spent in the apartment of his wife Aishah. When Fatimah came to visit him, Aishah would leave father and daughter together.
One day he summoned Fatimah. When she came, he kissed her and whispered some words in her ear. She wept. Then again he whispered in her ear and she smiled. Aishah saw and asked:
"You cry and you laugh at the same time, Fatimah? What did the Messenger of God say to you?" Fatimah replied:
"He first told me that he would meet his Lord after a short while and so I cried. Then he said to me: 'Don't cry for you will be the first of my household to join me.' So I laughed."
Not long afterwards the noble Prophet passed away. Fatimah was grief-striken and she would often be seen weeping profusely. One of the companions noted that he did not see Fatimah, may God be pleased with her, laugh after the death of her father.
One morning, early in the month of Ramadan, just less than five month after her noble father had passed away, Fatimah woke up looking unusually happy and full of mirth. In the afternoon of that day, it is said that she called Salma bint Umays who was looking after her. She asked for some water and had a bath. She then put on new clothes and perfumed herself. She then asked Salma to put her bed in the courtyard of the house. With her face looking to the heavens above, she asked for her husband Ali.
He was taken aback when he saw her lying in the middle of the courtyard and asked her what was wrong. She smiled and said: "I have an appointment today with the Messenger of God."
Ali cried and she tried to console him. She told him to look after their sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn and advised that she should be buried without ceremony. She gazed upwards again, then closed her eyes and surrendered her soul to the Mighty Creator.
She, Fatimah the Resplendent One, was just twenty nine years old.
(Extracted from Radio Islams website)
This was the time, before the Bithah, when her eldest sister Zaynab RA was married to her cousin, al-Aas ibn ar Rabiah. Then followed the marriage of her two other sisters, Ruqayyah RA and Umm Kulthum RA, to the sons of Abu Lahab, a paternal uncle of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam. Both Abu Lahab and his wife Umm Jamil turned out to be flaming enemies of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam from the very beginning of his public mission.
The little Fatimah thus saw her sisters leave home one after the other to live with their husbands. She was too young to understand the meaning of marriage and the reasons why her sisters had to leave home. She loved them dearly and was sad and lonely when they left. It is said that a certain silence and painful sadness came over her then.
Of course, even after the marriage of her sisters, she was not alone in the house of her parents. Barakah RA, the maid-servant of Aminah RA, the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam mother, who had been with the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam since his birth, Zayd ibn Harithah RA, and Ali RA, the young son of Abu Talib were all part of Muhammad's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam household at this time. And of course there was her loving mother, the lady Khadijah RA.
In her mother and in Barakah RA, Fatimah RA found a great deal of solace and comfort in Ali RA, who was about two years older than she, she found a "brother" and a friend who somehow took the place of her own brother al-Qasim who had died in his infancy. Her other brother Abdullah, known as the Good and the Pure, who was born after her, also died in his infancy. However in none of the people in her father's household did Fatimah RA find the carefree joy and happiness which she enjoyed with her sisters. She was an unusually sensitive child for her age.
When she was five, she heard that her father had become Rasul of Allah, the Messenger of Allah. His first task was to convey the good news of Islam to his family and close relations. They were to worship Allah, Almighty alone. Her mother, who was a tower of strength and support, explained to Fatimah RA what her father had to do. From this time on, she became more closely attached to him and felt a deep and abiding love for him. Often she would be at his side walking through the narrow streets and alleys of Makkah, visiting the Kabah or attending secret gatherings off, the early Muslims who had accepted Islam and pledged allegiance to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam. read more
One day, when she was not yet ten, she accompanied her father to the Masjid al-Haram. He stood in the place known as al-Hijr facing the Kabah and began to pray. Fatimah RA stood at his side. A group of Quraysh, by no means well-disposed to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, gathered about him. They included Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, the Prophet's uncle, Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and Shaybah and Utbah, sons of Rabi'ah. Menacingly, the group went up to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and Abu Jahl, the ringleader, asked:
"Which of you can bring the entrails of a slaughtered animal and throw it on Muhammad?"
Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, one of the vilest of the lot, volunteered and hurried off. He returned with the obnoxious filth and threw it on the shoulders of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while he was still prostrating. Abdullah ibn Masud, a companion of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, was present but he was powerless to do or say anything.
Imagine the feelings of Fatimah RA as she saw her father being treated in this fashion. What could she, a girl not ten years old, do? She went up to her father and removed the offensive matter and then stood firmly and angrily before the group of Quraysh thugs and lashed out against them. Not a single word did they say to her. The noble Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam raised his head on completion of the prostration and went on to complete the Salaah. He then said: "O Lord, may you punish the Quraysh!" and repeated this imprecation three times. Then he continued:
"May You punish Utbah, Uqbah, Abu Jahl and Shaybah." (These whom he named were all killed many years later at the Battle of Badr)
On another occasion, Fatimah RA was with the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam as he made; Tawaf around the Kabah. A Quraysh mob gathered around him. They seized him and tried to strangle him with his own clothes. Fatimah RA screamed and shouted for help. Abu Bakr RA rushed to the scene and managed to free the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam. While he was doing so, he pleaded: "Would you kill a man who says, 'My Lord is God?'" Far from giving up, the mob turned on Abu Bakr RA and began beating him until blood flowed from his head and face.
Such scenes of vicious opposition and harassment against her father and the early Muslims were witnessed by the young Fatimah RA. She did not meekly stand aside but joined in the struggle in defence of her father and his noble mission. She was still a young girl and instead of the cheerful romping, the gaiety and liveliness which children of her age are and should normally be accustomed to, Fatimah RA had to witness and participate in such ordeals.
Of course, she was not alone in this. The whole of the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam family suffered from the violent and mindless Quraysh. Her sisters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum also suffered. They were living at this time in the very nest of hatred and intrigue against the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam. Their husbands were Utbah and Utaybah, sons of Abu Lahab and Umm Jamil. Umm Jamil was known to be a hard and harsh woman who had a sharp and evil tongue. It was mainly because of her that Khadijah was not pleased with the marriages of her daughters to Umm Jamil's sons in the first place. It must have been painful for Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum to be living in the household of such inveterate enemies who not only joined but led the campaign against their father.
As a mark of disgrace to Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and his family, Utbah and Utaybah were prevailed upon by their parents to divorce their wives. This was part of the process of ostracizing the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam totally. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam in fact welcomed his daughters back to his home with joy, happiness and relief.
Fatimah RA, no doubt, must have been happy to be with her sisters once again. They all wished that their eldest sister, Zaynab RA, would also be divorced by her husband. In fact, the Quraysh brought pressure on Abu-l Aas to do so but he refused. When the Quraysh leaders came up to him and promised him the richest and most beautiful woman as a wife should he divorce Zaynab RA, he replied:
"I love my wife deeply and passionately and I have a great and high esteem for her father even though I have not entered the religion of Islam."
Both Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum were happy to be back with their loving parents and to be rid of the unbearable mental torture to which they had been subjected in the house of Umm Jamil. Shortly afterwards, Ruqayyah married again, to the young and shy Uthman ibn Allan who was among the first to have accepted Islam. They both left for Abyssinia among the first muhajirin who sought refuge in that land and stayed there for several years. Fatimah RA was not to see Ruqayyah again until after their mother had died.
The persecution of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, his family and his followers continued and even became worse after the migration of the first Muslims to Abyssinia. In about the seventh year of his mission, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and his family were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in a rugged little valley enclosed by hills on all sides and defile, which could only be entered from Makkah by a narrow path.
To this arid valley, Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and the clans of Banu Hashim and al-Muttalib were forced to retire with limited supplies of food. Fatimah RA was one of the youngest members of the clans - just about twelve years old - and had to undergo months of hardship and suffering. The wailing of hungry children and women in the valley could be heard from Makkah. The Quraysh allowed no food and contact with the Muslims whose hardship was only relieved somewhat during the season of pilgrimage. The boycott lasted for three years. When it was lifted, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam had to face even more trials and difficulties. Khadijah RA, the faithful and loving, died shortly afterwards. With her death, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and his family lost one of the greatest sources of comfort and strength which had sustained them through the difficult period. The year in which the noble Khadijah RA, and later Abu Talib, died is known as the Year of Sadness. Fatimah RA, now a young lady, was greatly distressed by her mother's death. She wept bitterly and for some time was so grief-striken that her health deteriorated. It was even feared she might die of grief.
Although her older sister, Umm Kulthum, stayed in the same household, Fatimah RA realized that she now had a greater responsibility with the passing away of her mother. She felt that she had to give even greater support to her father. With loving tenderness, she devoted herself to looking after his needs. So concerned was she for his welfare that she came to be called "Umm Abi-ha the mother of her father". She also provided him with solace and comfort during times of trial, difficulty and crisis.
Often the trials were too much for her. Once, about this time, an insolent mob heaped dust and earth upon his gracious head. As he entered his home, Fatimah RA wept profusely as she wiped the dust from her father's head.
"Do not cry, my daughter," he said, "for Allah shall protect your father." The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam had a special love for Fatimah RA. He once said: "Whoever pleased Fatimah RA has indeed pleased Allah and whoever has caused her to be angry has indeed angered Allah. Fatimah RA is a part of me. Whatever pleases her pleases me and whatever angers her angers me."
He also said: "The best women in all the world are four: the Mary (Mariam AS), Aasiyaa the wife of Pharoah, Khadijah, the Mother of the Believers, and Fatimah RA, the daughter of Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam." Fatimah RA thus acquired a place of love and esteem in the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam heart that was only occupied by his wife Khadijah RA.
Fatimah RA, may Allah be pleased with her, was given the title of "az-Zahraa" which means "the Resplendent One". That was because of her beaming face which seemed to radiate light. It is said that when she stood for Prayer, the Mihrab would reflect the light of her countenance. She was also called "al-Batul" because of her asceticism. Instead of spending her time in the company of women, much of her time would be spent in Salaah, in reading the Quran and in other acts of Ibadah.
Fatimah RA had a strong resemblance to her father, the Messenger of Allah. Aishah RA, the wife of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, said of her: "I have not seen any one of Allah's creation resemble the Messenger of Allah more in speech, conversation and manner of sitting than Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with her. When the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam saw her approaching, he would welcome her, stand up and kiss her, take her by the hand and sit her down in the place where he was sitting." She would do the same when the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam came to her. She would stand up and welcome him with joy and kiss him.
Fatimah's RA fine manners and gentle speech were part of her lovely and endearing personality. She was especially kind to poor and indigent folk and would often give all the food she had to those in need even if she herself remained hungry. She had no craving for the ornaments of this world nor the luxury and comforts of life. She lived simply, although on occasion as we shall see circumstances seemed to be too much and too difficult for her.
She inherited from her father a persuasive eloquence that was rooted in wisdom. When she spoke, people would often be moved to tears. She had the ability and the sincerity to stir the emotions, move people to tears and fill their hearts with praise and gratitude to Allah for His grace and His inestimable bounties.
Fatimah RA migrated to Madinah a few weeks after the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam did. She went with Zayd ibn Harithah who was sent by the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam back to Makkah to bring the rest of his family. The party included Fatimah RA and Umm Kulthum RA, Sawda RA, the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam wife, Zayd's wife Barakah and her son Usamah. Travelling with the group also were Abdullah the son of Abu Bakr RA who accompanied his mother and his sisters, Aishah RA and Asma RA.
In Madinah, Fatimah RA lived with her father in the simple dwelling he had built adjoining the Masjid. In the second year after the Hijrah, she received proposals of marriage through her father, two of which were turned down. Then Ali RA, the son of Abu Talib, plucked up courage and went to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam to ask for her hand in marriage. In the presence of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam, however, Ali RA became over-awed and tongue-tied. He stared at the ground and could not say anything. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam then asked: "Why have you come? Do you need something?" Ali RA still could not speak and then the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam suggested: "Perhaps you have come to propose marriage to Fatimah RA."
"Yes," replied Ali RA. At this, according to one report, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said simply: "Marhaban wa ahlan - Welcome into the family," and this was taken by Ali RA and a group of Ansar who were waiting outside for him as indicating the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam approval. Another report indicated that the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam approved and went on to ask Ali RA if he had anything to give as Mahr (dowry). Ali RA replied that he did not. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam reminded him that he had a shield which could be sold.
Ali RA sold the shield to Uthman RA for four hundred dirhams and as he was hurrying back to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam to hand over the sum as Mahr, Uthman RA stopped him and said:
"I am returning your shield to you as a present from me on your marriage to Fatimah RA." Fatimah RA and Ali RA were thus married most probably at the beginning of the second year after the Hijrah. She was about nineteen years old at the time and Ali RA was about twenty one. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam himself performed the marriage ceremony. At the Walimah, the guests were served with dates, figs and hais (a mixture of dates and butter fat). A leading member of the Ansar donated a ram and others made offerings of grain. All of Madinah rejoiced.
On her marriage, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam is said to have presented Fatimah RA and Ali RA with a wooden bed intertwined with palm leaves, a velvet coverlet, a leather cushion filled with palm fibre, a sheepskin, a pot, a waterskin and a quern for grinding grain.
Fatimah RA left the home of her beloved father for the first time to begin life with her husband. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam was clearly anxious on her account and sent Barakah with her should she be in need of any help. And no doubt Barakah was a source of comfort and solace to her. The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam prayed for them:
"O Lord, bless them both, bless their house and bless their offspring." In Ali's RA humble dwelling, there was only a sheepskin for a bed. In the morning after the wedding night, the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam went to Ali's RA house and knocked on the door.
Barakah came out and the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said to her: "O Umm Ayman, call my brother for me."
"Your brother? That's the one who married your daughter?" asked Barakah somewhat incredulously as if to say: Why should the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam call Ali RA his "brother"? (He referred to Ali as his brother because just as pairs of Muslims were joined in brotherhood after the Hijrah, so the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam and Ali RA were linked as "brothers".)
The Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam repeated what he had said in a louder voice. Ali RA came and the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam made a Du'a, invoking the blessings of Allah on him. Then he asked for Fatimah RA. She came almost cringing with a mixture of awe and shyness and the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said to her:
"I have married you to the dearest of my family to me." In this way, he sought to reassure her. She was not starting life with a complete stranger but with one who had grown up in the same household, who was among the first to become a Muslim at a tender age, who was known for his courage, bravery and virtue, and whom the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam described as his "brother in this world and the hereafter".
Fatimah's RA life with Ali RA was as simple and frugal as it was in her father's household. In fact, so far as material comforts were concerned, it was a life of hardship and deprivation. Throughout their life together, Ali remained poor because he did not set great store by material wealth. Fatimah RA was the only one of her sisters who was not married to a wealthy man.
In fact, it could be said that Fatimah's RA life with Ali RA was even more rigorous than life in her father's home. At least before marriage, there were always a number of ready helping hands in the Prophet's Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam household. But now she had to cope virtually on her own. To relieve their extreme poverty, Ali RA worked as a drawer and carrier of water and she as a grinder of corn. One day she said to Ali RA: "I have ground until my hands are blistered."
"I have drawn water until I have pains in my chest," said Ali RA and went on to suggest to Fatimah RA: "God has given your father some captives of war, so go and ask him to give you a servant."
Reluctantly, she went to the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam who said: "What has brought you here, my little daughter?" "I came to give you greetings of peace," she said, for in awe of him she could not bring herself to ask what she had intended.
"What did you do?" asked Ali RA when she returned alone.
"I was ashamed to ask him," she said. So the two of them went together but the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam felt they were less in need than others.
"I will not give to you," he said, "and let the Ahl as-Suffah (poor Muslims who stayed in the Masjid) be tormented with hunger. I have not enough for their keep..."
Ali RA and Fatimah RA returned home feeling somewhat dejected but that night, after they had gone to bed, they heard the voice of the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam asking permission to enter. Welcoming him, they both rose to their feet, but he told them:
"Stay where you are," and sat down beside them. "Shall I not tell you of something better than that which you asked of me?" he asked and when they said yes he said: "Words which Jibril taught me, that you should say "Subhaan Allah- Glory be to Allah" ten times after every Prayer, and ten times "AI hamdu lillah - Praise be to Allah," and ten times "Allahu Akbar - Allah is Great." And that when you go to bed you should say them thirty-three times each."
Ali RA used to say in later years: "I have never once failed to say them since the Messenger of Allah taught them to us."
There are many reports of the hard and difficult times which Fatimah had to face. Often there was no food in her house. Once the Prophet was hungry. He went to one after another of his wives' apartments but there was no food. He then went to Fatimah's house and she had no food either. When he eventually got some food, he sent two loaves and a piece of meat to Fatimah. At another time, he went to the house of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari and from the food he was given, he saved some for her. Fatimah also knew that the Prophet was without food for long periods and she in turn would take food to him when she could. Once she took a piece of barley bread and he, said to her: "This is the first food your father has eaten for three days."
Through these acts of kindness she showed how much she loved her father; and he loved her, really loved her in return.
Once he returned from a journey outside Madinah. He went to the mosque first of all and prayed two rakats as was his custom. Then, as he often did, he went to Fatimah's house before going to his wives. Fatimah welcomed him and kissed his face, his mouth and his eyes and cried. "Why do you cry?" the Prophet asked. "I see you, O Rasul Allah," she said, "Your color is pale and sallow and your clothes have become worn and shabby." "O Fatimah," the Prophet replied tenderly, "don't cry for Allah has sent your father with a mission which He would cause to affect every house on the face of the earth whether it be in towns, villages or tents (in the desert) bringing either glory or humiliation until this mission is fulfilled just as night (inevitably) comes." With such comments Fatimah was often taken from the harsh realities of daily life to get a glimpse of the vast and far-reaching vistas opened up by the mission entrusted to her noble father.
Fatimah eventually returned to live in a house close to that of the Prophet. The place was donated by an Ansari who knew that the Prophet would rejoice in having his daughter as his neighbor. Together they shared in the joys and the triumphs, the sorrows and the hardships of the crowded and momentous Madinah days and years.
In the middle of the second year after the Hijrah, her sister Ruqayyah fell ill with fever and measles. This was shortly before the great campaign of Badr. Uthman, her husband, stayed by her bedside and missed the campaign. Ruqayyah died just before her father returned. On his return to Madinah, one of the first acts of the Prophet was to visit her grave.
Fatimah went with him. This was the first bereavement they had suffered within their closest family since the death of Khadijah. Fatimah was greatly distressed by the loss of her sister. The tears poured from her eyes as she sat beside her father at the edge of the grave, and he comforted her and sought to dry her tears with the corner of his cloak.
The Prophet had previously spoken against lamentations for the dead, but this had lead to a misunderstanding, and when they returned from the cemetery the voice of Umar was heard raised in anger against the women who were weeping for the martyrs of Badr and for Ruqayyah.
"Umar, let them weep," he said and then added: "What comes from the heart and from the eye, that is from God and His mercy, but what comes from the hand and from the tongue, that is from Satan." By the hand he meant the beating of breasts and the smiting of cheeks, and by the tongue he meant the loud clamor in which women often joined as a mark of public sympathy.
Uthman later married the other daughter of the Prophet, Umm Kulthum, and on this account came to be known as Dhu-n Nurayn - Possessor of the Two Lights.
The bereavement which the family suffered by the death of Ruqayyah was followed by happiness when to the great joy of all the believers Fatimah gave birth to a boy in Ramadan of the third year after the Hijrah. The Prophet spoke the words of the Adhan into the ear of the new-born babe and called him al-Hasan which means the Beautiful One.
One year later, she gave birth to another son who was called al-Husayn, which means "little Hasan" or the little beautiful one. Fatimah would often bring her two sons to see their grandfather who was exceedingly fond of them. Later he would take them to the Mosque and they would climb onto his back when he prostrated. He did the same with his little granddaughter Umamah, the daughter of Zaynab.
In the eighth year after the Hijrah, Fatimah gave birth to a third child, a girl whom she named after her eldest sister Zaynab who had died shortly before her birth. This Zaynab was to grow up and become famous as the "Heroine of Karbala". Fatimah's fourth child was born in the year after the Hijrah. The child was also a girl and Fatimah named her Umm Kulthum after her sister who had died the year before after an illness.
It was only through Fatimah that the progeny of the Prophet was perpetuated. All the Prophet's male children had died in their infancy and the two children of Zaynab named Ali and Umamah died young. Ruqayyah's child Abdullah also died when he was not yet two years old. This is an added reason for the reverence which is accorded to Fatimah.
Although Fatimah was so often busy with pregnancies and giving birth and rearing children, she took as much part as she could in the affairs of the growing Muslim community of Madinah. Before her marriage, she acted as a sort of hostess to the poor and destitute Ahl as-Suffah. As soon as the Battle of Uhud was over, she went with other women to the battlefield and wept over the dead martyrs and took time to dress her father's wounds. At the Battle of the Ditch, she played a major supportive role together with other women in preparing food during the long and difficult siege. In her camp, she led the Muslim women in prayer and on that place there stands a mosque named Masjid Fatimah, one of seven mosques where the Muslims stood guard and performed their devotions.
Fatimah also accompanied the Prophet when he made Umrah in the sixth year after the Hijrah after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. In the following year, she and her sister Umm Kulthum, were among the mighty throng of Muslims who took part with the Prophet in the liberation of Makkah. It is said that on this occasion, both Fatimah and Umm Kulthum visited the home of their mother Khadijah and recalled memories of their childhood and memories of jihad, of long struggles in the early years of the Prophet's mission.
In Ramadan of the tenth year just before he went on his Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet confided to Fatimah, as a secret not yet to be told to others:
"Jibril recited the Quran to me and I to him once every year, but this year he has recited it with me twice. I cannot but think that my time has come."
On his return from the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet did become seriously ill. His final days were spent in the apartment of his wife Aishah. When Fatimah came to visit him, Aishah would leave father and daughter together.
One day he summoned Fatimah. When she came, he kissed her and whispered some words in her ear. She wept. Then again he whispered in her ear and she smiled. Aishah saw and asked:
"You cry and you laugh at the same time, Fatimah? What did the Messenger of God say to you?" Fatimah replied:
"He first told me that he would meet his Lord after a short while and so I cried. Then he said to me: 'Don't cry for you will be the first of my household to join me.' So I laughed."
Not long afterwards the noble Prophet passed away. Fatimah was grief-striken and she would often be seen weeping profusely. One of the companions noted that he did not see Fatimah, may God be pleased with her, laugh after the death of her father.
One morning, early in the month of Ramadan, just less than five month after her noble father had passed away, Fatimah woke up looking unusually happy and full of mirth. In the afternoon of that day, it is said that she called Salma bint Umays who was looking after her. She asked for some water and had a bath. She then put on new clothes and perfumed herself. She then asked Salma to put her bed in the courtyard of the house. With her face looking to the heavens above, she asked for her husband Ali.
He was taken aback when he saw her lying in the middle of the courtyard and asked her what was wrong. She smiled and said: "I have an appointment today with the Messenger of God."
Ali cried and she tried to console him. She told him to look after their sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn and advised that she should be buried without ceremony. She gazed upwards again, then closed her eyes and surrendered her soul to the Mighty Creator.
She, Fatimah the Resplendent One, was just twenty nine years old.
(Extracted from Radio Islams website)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Picture - Darus-Salaam Masjid (Laudium, South Africa)
Darus-Salaam Masjid, Gauteng, Pretoria, Laudium, South Africa.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Laylatul Qadr - The Night of Power
Laylatul Qadr- The Night of Power!
“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.”[97:3 The Holy Quran]
The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [Peace be upon him] is reported to have said:
"It [laylatul qadr] is in Ramadhan, during the last ten days, on the unevenly numbered nights, either the 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadhan.
Whosoever stands in "Ibaadah" on this night, with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.
Among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the "Shayateen" on that night; it lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the Sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in it's fullness. On that day, Allah prohibits the "Shayateen" from rising up with the Sun."[Hadith]
What to do on this night?
Worship during this night can take on many forms. Here are a few suggestions to help you through Laylatul Qadr:
Ø Take a vacation for Allah! If possible, take a vacation for the last 10 days of Ramadan.Plan ahead if you are working. Discuss the importance of this night with your friends and family.
Ø Perform Itikaaf (seclusion in a mosque for worship) –If you cannot stay at your local mosque ask family or friends to help out during your Itikaaf at home. If you cannot spend all 10 days in Itikaaf, then do as many days as you can - even if it is only one day. According to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam whosoever performs "I'tikaaf" for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will spread three trenches between him and the fire of Hell, the width of each trench being greater than the distance between Heaven and the Earth."
Ø Increase the recitation of the Qur'an [reflect on the meaning of the verses, especially the verses used in Salah. This will help you concentrate.]
Ø Increase Salah (prayer).Read as many Nawaafil Prayers[optional prayers] as possible. Eg Tahajjud Salaah, Salatul Tasbih etc
Ø Make abundant Zikr [i.e remembering Allah, sending salawaat on our beloved Prophet (pbuh) and making Istigfaar(seeking forgiveness from Allah]
Ø Dua (Asking from Allah)- Spend lots of time begging from Allah to fulfil your needs and the needs of the Ummah both in this world and the hereafter. Ramadaan is replete with moments when duas are accepted. Aaisha (RadhiAllaho anha) reports: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), should I find myself the "Laylatul Qadr", what shall I pray. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) replied: say, Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tohibbu al'afwa fa'fu anna "O Allah, Thou art the One who grants pardon for sins. Thou lovest to pardon, so O pardon me."
Ø Make list of Things you need from Allah-Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. Once this list is ready then use it in your prayers.
Ø Best time for dua- Make long, sincere and deep Duas.One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night.Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet[pbuh] said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Hadith-Bukhari, Muslim).
Ø Take regular breaks during the night to avoid getting over-exhausted. Try switching between different forms of worship.
May Allah accept our prayers and allow us to take full benefit of this Mubarak Night..Ameen
“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.”[97:3 The Holy Quran]
The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [Peace be upon him] is reported to have said:
"It [laylatul qadr] is in Ramadhan, during the last ten days, on the unevenly numbered nights, either the 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadhan.
Whosoever stands in "Ibaadah" on this night, with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.
Among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the "Shayateen" on that night; it lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the Sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in it's fullness. On that day, Allah prohibits the "Shayateen" from rising up with the Sun."[Hadith]
What to do on this night?
Worship during this night can take on many forms. Here are a few suggestions to help you through Laylatul Qadr:
Ø Take a vacation for Allah! If possible, take a vacation for the last 10 days of Ramadan.Plan ahead if you are working. Discuss the importance of this night with your friends and family.
Ø Perform Itikaaf (seclusion in a mosque for worship) –If you cannot stay at your local mosque ask family or friends to help out during your Itikaaf at home. If you cannot spend all 10 days in Itikaaf, then do as many days as you can - even if it is only one day. According to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam whosoever performs "I'tikaaf" for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will spread three trenches between him and the fire of Hell, the width of each trench being greater than the distance between Heaven and the Earth."
Ø Increase the recitation of the Qur'an [reflect on the meaning of the verses, especially the verses used in Salah. This will help you concentrate.]
Ø Increase Salah (prayer).Read as many Nawaafil Prayers[optional prayers] as possible. Eg Tahajjud Salaah, Salatul Tasbih etc
Ø Make abundant Zikr [i.e remembering Allah, sending salawaat on our beloved Prophet (pbuh) and making Istigfaar(seeking forgiveness from Allah]
Ø Dua (Asking from Allah)- Spend lots of time begging from Allah to fulfil your needs and the needs of the Ummah both in this world and the hereafter. Ramadaan is replete with moments when duas are accepted. Aaisha (RadhiAllaho anha) reports: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), should I find myself the "Laylatul Qadr", what shall I pray. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) replied: say, Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tohibbu al'afwa fa'fu anna "O Allah, Thou art the One who grants pardon for sins. Thou lovest to pardon, so O pardon me."
Ø Make list of Things you need from Allah-Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. Once this list is ready then use it in your prayers.
Ø Best time for dua- Make long, sincere and deep Duas.One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night.Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet[pbuh] said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Hadith-Bukhari, Muslim).
Ø Take regular breaks during the night to avoid getting over-exhausted. Try switching between different forms of worship.
May Allah accept our prayers and allow us to take full benefit of this Mubarak Night..Ameen
Friday, September 4, 2009
Eating Halaal
“O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He whom ye worship” (Quran-2:172).
Quran and Hadith on consuming Halaal.
The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [Peace be upon him] is reported to have said:
“Allah the Almighty is pure and accepts only that which is pure. Allah has commanded the believers to do that which he commanded the Messengers, and the Almighty has said: “Oh Messengers, eat from the good things and act righteously. And the Almighty has said: “Oh those who believe! Eat of the good things We have provided you. Then he mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying]: Oh Lord! Oh Lord! - while his food is haraam, his drink is haraam, his clothing is haraam and he is nourished with haraam, so how can he be answered! (Hadith-Muslim)
“That which is halaal[permissible] is clear and that which is haraam[prohibited] is clear and between the two of them are doubtful matters which not many people know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters, clears himself in regard to his deen[religion] and his honour, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is haraam, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah’s sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a piece of flash, which, if it be correct, the entire body will be correct, and, if it be corrupt, the entire body will be corrupt. Truly it is the heart.” (Hadith-Muslim)
May Allah grant us the ability of doing those actions which are pleasing to Him. Aameen.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Greeting of Salaam
As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh
[May Allah's Peace & Blessings be upon you]
What a Wonderful way of Greeting!!!
Did you wake up this morning and say "As-Salaamu Alaikum" to your spouse or your child? Or did you greet them with a "Good Morning" or even a casual "hi" or "hello"?Have we been teaching our children the importance of greeting each other with salaam? Or when we see them off to school, do we send them off with a 'bye', instead of "As-Salaamu Alaikum", the dua for peace and blessings?
For some of us, this may seem a minor issue. Or it may even be a 'progressive' issue. But, in our haste to 'adapt', we forget that saying "As-Salaamu Alaikum" is the best greeting there could ever be.
This was the practice and teaching of Prophet Muhammad (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam), the best example for mankind. And it was Allaah Himself that prescribed the manner of greeting among Muslims as "As-Salaamu Alaikum" [not 'salaams' or 'good morning' or 'hey' or 'hi' or whatever]
"When those who believe in Our Ayaat (proofs, verses, signs, etc.) come to you, say: "Salaamun Alaikum" (peace be on you)....." (Surah al-An'aam:54)
Ibn al-Qayyim says: "Allaah, the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Peace, prescribed that the greeting among the people of Islam should be 'As-Salaamu Alaikum', which is better than all the greetings of other nations which include impossible ideas or lies, such as saying, 'May you live for a thousand years,' or things that are not accurate, such as 'An'im sabaahan (Good morning),' or actions that are not right, such as bowing in greeting. Thus the greeting of salaam is better than all of these, because it has the meaning of safety which is life, without which nothing else can be achieved...." (Badaa'i' al-Fawaa'id)
"As-Salaamu Alaikum" is the best Dua[prayer]
The word 'salaam' comes from the root 'salema', which implies to disassociate oneself from evil and harm. Thus, when we greet other Muslims, the greeting means: "No harm shall come to you from me (may no evil come to you, may no harm come to you)
And since As-Salaam is also one of the Beautiful Names of Allah, the greeting of salaam also means, "May the blessing of His Name descend upon you, may Allah be with you, may Allah guide and protect you."Subhaan Allah! What a beautiful greeting!
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "The best of the two persons is the one who begins with salaam." (Related by an-Nawawi)
"And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally."(Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:86)
BENEFITS OF "AS-SALAAMU ALAIKUM"
1."As-Salaamu Alaikum" is a means of immense reward
A man passed by the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) while he was sitting with others, and said "As-salaamu 'alaykum." The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "[He will have] ten hasanaat." Another man passed by and said "As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah)." The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "[He will have] twenty hasanaat." Another man passed by and said "As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings)." The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "[He will have] thirty hasanaat."
"The Prophet[pbuh] was asked: 'O Messenger of Allah ! When two persons meet with each other, who should take the lead in greeting the other? He answered: 'The one who is closest to Allah." (Tirmithi)
The Prophet[pbuh] said:"The person closest to Allah is the one who precedes others in greeting." (Abu Dawud)
2."As-Salaamu Alaikum" is an aspect of Imaan[faith]
Once a man asked the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) about which aspect of Islam was best. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) replied: "Feeding the hungry, and saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know." (Bukhaari and Muslim)
3. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" is a means of entering Jannah
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam (the greeting of peace) among you." (Muslim)
4. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" gets rid of sins
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) also said, "When two Muslims meet (give salaam), and shake hands, they are forgiven their sins before they part (with each other)." (Abu Dawud)
5. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" is the greeting of the people of Jannah
"Then, those that feared their Lord shall be driven in companies into Paradise. When they draw near its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say to them: "Salaamun 'Alaikum" (Peace be upon you), you have done well. Enter and live in it for ever." (Surah Zumar:73)
6. Even Allah says "As-Salaamu Alaikum"
Allah sends His Salaam upon the people who believe in Him, especially the prophets such as Nuh, Ibraheem, Ismaeel, Musa, etc.(Surah as- Saa ffaat) as well as other pious people.Jibreel came to house of the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and Khadeeja was there. Jibreel said: "Allah send s his salaam to Khadeeja." The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "O Khadeeja, Allah is sending His salaams to you." She said, "Allah is As-Salaam. And upon you O Jibreel, be as-salaam and upon you Rasulullah be as-salaam." [Bukhaari]
7.It is obligatory to return the greeting of "As-Salaamu Alaikum"
"The Muslim has five rights over his fellow-Muslim: he should return his salaams, visit him when he is sick, attend his funeral, accept his invitation, and pray for mercy for him [say "Yar ha'mu kallaah"] when he sneezes." (Bukhaari, Muslim)
We should say "As-Salaamu Alaikum" when we enter our homes
"When you enter houses, greet (with peace) one another with a salutation from Allah, blessed and good. As such Allah makes clear to you His verses so that you understand." (Surah an-Nur: 61)
8."As-Salaamu Alaikum" is also to be said at time of leaving
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "When one of you joins a gathering, he should greet those present; and when he leaves them he should salute them, because the first salutation is not better than the last one." (Abu Dawud and Tirmidi)
WARNING
Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "It is not lawful for a Muslim to desert (stop talking to) his brother beyond three nights, the one turning one way and the other turning to the other way when they meet, the better of the two is one who is the first to greet the other.''[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Yet, it is utterly tragic to see that some of us have exchanged something so beautiful for something so mediocre, when we stopped saying Assalaamu Alaikum and started with 'Good Morning' or 'Hi'. It is especially sad to see some of our youth, who don't even know how to say the words clearly and properly. Some say ' Saa kum", some just mumble something incomprehensible under their breath and some don't even bother to say anything at all! And if they are being really nice to you, they just might throw you a 'hey' from afar. Even those of us who do say salaam, some of us are so stingy or hesitant in doing so. Although, at the time of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) the Sahaabah would compete with each other to see who could give salaams first. They would go to the market just to say salaam to people they knew and to the people they did not know.When it comes to the matters of Dunya[worldly], we strive our utmost to give our families and friends the best. Yet when it comes to greetings, we forget the most beautiful and comprehensive greeting "As-Salaamu Alaikum", which is also a prayer....a prayer of peace and blessing...of security and protection from all harm and all evil.....a blessing that Allah Himself send s down to His beloved servants......a greeting of the people of Jannah[paradise] itself.
Say "As-Salaamu Alaikum" and be wise
Don't be shy or afraid and compromise!
Insha Allah by greeting so in Jannah you will rise!
Say "As-Salaamu Alaikum" and greet in the best possible way
It will earn you reward and brighten your day
Insha Allah it will lead you to Jannah where happily you will stay!
[May Allah's Peace & Blessings be upon you]
What a Wonderful way of Greeting!!!
Did you wake up this morning and say "As-Salaamu Alaikum" to your spouse or your child? Or did you greet them with a "Good Morning" or even a casual "hi" or "hello"?Have we been teaching our children the importance of greeting each other with salaam? Or when we see them off to school, do we send them off with a 'bye', instead of "As-Salaamu Alaikum", the dua for peace and blessings?
For some of us, this may seem a minor issue. Or it may even be a 'progressive' issue. But, in our haste to 'adapt', we forget that saying "As-Salaamu Alaikum" is the best greeting there could ever be.
This was the practice and teaching of Prophet Muhammad (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam), the best example for mankind. And it was Allaah Himself that prescribed the manner of greeting among Muslims as "As-Salaamu Alaikum" [not 'salaams' or 'good morning' or 'hey' or 'hi' or whatever]
"When those who believe in Our Ayaat (proofs, verses, signs, etc.) come to you, say: "Salaamun Alaikum" (peace be on you)....." (Surah al-An'aam:54)
Ibn al-Qayyim says: "Allaah, the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Peace, prescribed that the greeting among the people of Islam should be 'As-Salaamu Alaikum', which is better than all the greetings of other nations which include impossible ideas or lies, such as saying, 'May you live for a thousand years,' or things that are not accurate, such as 'An'im sabaahan (Good morning),' or actions that are not right, such as bowing in greeting. Thus the greeting of salaam is better than all of these, because it has the meaning of safety which is life, without which nothing else can be achieved...." (Badaa'i' al-Fawaa'id)
"As-Salaamu Alaikum" is the best Dua[prayer]
The word 'salaam' comes from the root 'salema', which implies to disassociate oneself from evil and harm. Thus, when we greet other Muslims, the greeting means: "No harm shall come to you from me (may no evil come to you, may no harm come to you)
And since As-Salaam is also one of the Beautiful Names of Allah, the greeting of salaam also means, "May the blessing of His Name descend upon you, may Allah be with you, may Allah guide and protect you."Subhaan Allah! What a beautiful greeting!
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "The best of the two persons is the one who begins with salaam." (Related by an-Nawawi)
"And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally."(Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:86)
BENEFITS OF "AS-SALAAMU ALAIKUM"
1."As-Salaamu Alaikum" is a means of immense reward
A man passed by the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) while he was sitting with others, and said "As-salaamu 'alaykum." The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "[He will have] ten hasanaat." Another man passed by and said "As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah)." The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "[He will have] twenty hasanaat." Another man passed by and said "As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings)." The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "[He will have] thirty hasanaat."
"The Prophet[pbuh] was asked: 'O Messenger of Allah ! When two persons meet with each other, who should take the lead in greeting the other? He answered: 'The one who is closest to Allah." (Tirmithi)
The Prophet[pbuh] said:"The person closest to Allah is the one who precedes others in greeting." (Abu Dawud)
2."As-Salaamu Alaikum" is an aspect of Imaan[faith]
Once a man asked the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) about which aspect of Islam was best. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) replied: "Feeding the hungry, and saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know." (Bukhaari and Muslim)
3. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" is a means of entering Jannah
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam (the greeting of peace) among you." (Muslim)
4. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" gets rid of sins
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) also said, "When two Muslims meet (give salaam), and shake hands, they are forgiven their sins before they part (with each other)." (Abu Dawud)
5. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" is the greeting of the people of Jannah
"Then, those that feared their Lord shall be driven in companies into Paradise. When they draw near its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say to them: "Salaamun 'Alaikum" (Peace be upon you), you have done well. Enter and live in it for ever." (Surah Zumar:73)
6. Even Allah says "As-Salaamu Alaikum"
Allah sends His Salaam upon the people who believe in Him, especially the prophets such as Nuh, Ibraheem, Ismaeel, Musa, etc.(Surah as- Saa ffaat) as well as other pious people.Jibreel came to house of the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and Khadeeja was there. Jibreel said: "Allah send s his salaam to Khadeeja." The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "O Khadeeja, Allah is sending His salaams to you." She said, "Allah is As-Salaam. And upon you O Jibreel, be as-salaam and upon you Rasulullah be as-salaam." [Bukhaari]
7.It is obligatory to return the greeting of "As-Salaamu Alaikum"
"The Muslim has five rights over his fellow-Muslim: he should return his salaams, visit him when he is sick, attend his funeral, accept his invitation, and pray for mercy for him [say "Yar ha'mu kallaah"] when he sneezes." (Bukhaari, Muslim)
We should say "As-Salaamu Alaikum" when we enter our homes
"When you enter houses, greet (with peace) one another with a salutation from Allah, blessed and good. As such Allah makes clear to you His verses so that you understand." (Surah an-Nur: 61)
8."As-Salaamu Alaikum" is also to be said at time of leaving
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "When one of you joins a gathering, he should greet those present; and when he leaves them he should salute them, because the first salutation is not better than the last one." (Abu Dawud and Tirmidi)
WARNING
Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "It is not lawful for a Muslim to desert (stop talking to) his brother beyond three nights, the one turning one way and the other turning to the other way when they meet, the better of the two is one who is the first to greet the other.''[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Yet, it is utterly tragic to see that some of us have exchanged something so beautiful for something so mediocre, when we stopped saying Assalaamu Alaikum and started with 'Good Morning' or 'Hi'. It is especially sad to see some of our youth, who don't even know how to say the words clearly and properly. Some say ' Saa kum", some just mumble something incomprehensible under their breath and some don't even bother to say anything at all! And if they are being really nice to you, they just might throw you a 'hey' from afar. Even those of us who do say salaam, some of us are so stingy or hesitant in doing so. Although, at the time of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) the Sahaabah would compete with each other to see who could give salaams first. They would go to the market just to say salaam to people they knew and to the people they did not know.When it comes to the matters of Dunya[worldly], we strive our utmost to give our families and friends the best. Yet when it comes to greetings, we forget the most beautiful and comprehensive greeting "As-Salaamu Alaikum", which is also a prayer....a prayer of peace and blessing...of security and protection from all harm and all evil.....a blessing that Allah Himself send s down to His beloved servants......a greeting of the people of Jannah[paradise] itself.
Say "As-Salaamu Alaikum" and be wise
Don't be shy or afraid and compromise!
Insha Allah by greeting so in Jannah you will rise!
Say "As-Salaamu Alaikum" and greet in the best possible way
It will earn you reward and brighten your day
Insha Allah it will lead you to Jannah where happily you will stay!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Horses
My love for animals began at a young age, as I was living in an area with lots of farms. I've had sheep, chickens, dogs, cats and birds as pets. I did go for a few horse trails when I was young, but that was at fairs and shows. My love for horses really materialised when I heard the following Hadith about two years ago:
Uqbah bin Âmir reported that the messenger of Allâh (Azza wa jall) said: Everything with which a man plays is unlawful except his shooting with arrows, and his training his horse, and his sporting with his wife; and verily these are of the truths. (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawoo,Ibn Majah
So I began doing out rides on a farm close to home and really enjoyed every second of it. Three weeks ago, I rode a registered thorough bred boerperd. The most enjoyable ride ever, since this particular horse is feisty and quick on his feet. There are many benefits to horse riding as well besides the joy and excitement. It helps will balance, fitness, coordination and is therapeutic. Insha-Allah I would like to go into archery very soon.
Another Hadith:
The Holy Prophet (Sallallâhu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: "There is blessing in the forelocks of horses."(Ahmad)
Quran Chapter 100 - Quran Translation of Surah Al-Adiyat
(The Chargers)
1. By the (steeds) that run, with panting (breath),
2. Striking sparks of fire (by their hooves),
3. And scouring to the raid at dawn
4. And raise the dust in clouds the while,
5. Penetrating forthwith as one into the midst (of the foe);
6. Verily! Man (disbeliever) is ungrateful to his Lord;
7. And to that fact he bears witness (by his deeds);
8. And verily, he is violent in the love of wealth.
9. Knows he not that when the contents of the graves are brought out and
poured forth (all mankind is resurrected).
10. And that which is in the breasts (of men) shall be made known.
11. Verily, that Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) their Lord will be Well-
Acquainted with them (as to their deeds), (and will reward them for their
deeds).
Hazrat Ibn Umar (R.A) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallâhu alaihi wasallam) said: "Teach your sons swimming and archery and teach your daughters sewing."(Baihaqi)
The Prophet (Sallallâhu alaihi wasallam) himself raced with his wife. Hazrat Ayesha said: "I raced with the Prophet (Sallallâhu alaihi wasallam) and beat him in the race. Later when I had put on some weight, we raced again and he won. Then he said, 'This cancels that', referring to the previous occasion."(Ahmad, Abu Dawood)
I would like to encourage the youth of the Ummah to take up these sports (keeping within the laws of Shari'ah) as they are permissible, healthy and do not necessarily lead us to Haraam. Horse riding, archery, swimming, sewing, foot racing and wrestling.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Quote - Good conducts for ladies and not men
Ali RA said: There are some conducts which are bad for a male but good for a female- miserliness, pride and cowardice. When a woman is miser, she protects her wealth and her husband's wealth and properties. When a woman is proud, she becomes soft and rejects doubtful talks. When a woman is coward, she keeps separate from her friends and fears to go to any place of defamation for respect of her husband.
Good advices
Here are some good advices I came across. I've added a few things that I feel are helpful.
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king/ Queen, lunch like a princes/ prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in factories.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time for prayer. (Salaah, Zikr and Quraan recitation)
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in last year
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day and ponder about Allah (S.W.T.). (Muraqaba)
9. Sleep for 6 hours and 1 hour siesta
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day ---- and while you walk, SMILE!!!
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do; keep your limits
14. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need…
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and Laugh more. (Smile is sadaqah)
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Community:
25. Call your family often. (Visit the sick and elderly)
26. Each day give something good to others
27. Forgive everyone for everything
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day
30. What other people think of you is none of your business
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right things
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
34. Allah (S.W.T.) heals everything
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. (Sabr, Patience is beautiful)
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up!
37. The best is yet to come
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank Allah (S.W.T.) for it. (Shukr)
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be HAPPY!!!
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king/ Queen, lunch like a princes/ prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in factories.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time for prayer. (Salaah, Zikr and Quraan recitation)
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in last year
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day and ponder about Allah (S.W.T.). (Muraqaba)
9. Sleep for 6 hours and 1 hour siesta
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day ---- and while you walk, SMILE!!!
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do; keep your limits
14. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need…
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and Laugh more. (Smile is sadaqah)
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Community:
25. Call your family often. (Visit the sick and elderly)
26. Each day give something good to others
27. Forgive everyone for everything
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day
30. What other people think of you is none of your business
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right things
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
34. Allah (S.W.T.) heals everything
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. (Sabr, Patience is beautiful)
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up!
37. The best is yet to come
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank Allah (S.W.T.) for it. (Shukr)
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be HAPPY!!!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Snap back to reality
Firstly, I would like to say that Ramadaan is wonderful and the first two days have been terrific. There is so much of peace and an atmosphere in the masajids that brings about an unbelievable amount of peace and contentment. The peace that is experienced in Taraweeh is really out of this world. Since Ramadaan has started, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about life out of Ramadaan and two questions or thoughts that came to my mind are, how would we live if Nabi (S.A.W.) was with us and the second is the thought of death? These two thoughts have ‘snapped me back to reality’ many times in the past.
If we have to analyze our environment, we would come to the conclusion that sin dominates good. It has come to such an extent that some actions have become a norm in society, that what was considered haraam in previous times are now considered ok or like I hear so often, the better of the two evils. As a community or individual, we should first recognize a sin in order to correct it. Today, we have forgotten that we have forgotten. Insha-Allah, may Allah (S.W.T.) give us the strength to change our environment back to the way it was in the time of the master of both the worlds, Nabi (S.A.W.). Aameen
I am not going to go into a discussion of the evils that are common in today’s times as that would mean discussing the signs of Qiyaamah. I think the previous two paragraphs can spark many thoughts in the reader and Insha-Allah encourages me first and all that read this to analyze ourselves and come closer to Allah (S.W.T.) and the Sunnah of Nabi (S.A.W.).
The author humbly requests one and all to make dua for the Ummah and for him and his family.
If we have to analyze our environment, we would come to the conclusion that sin dominates good. It has come to such an extent that some actions have become a norm in society, that what was considered haraam in previous times are now considered ok or like I hear so often, the better of the two evils. As a community or individual, we should first recognize a sin in order to correct it. Today, we have forgotten that we have forgotten. Insha-Allah, may Allah (S.W.T.) give us the strength to change our environment back to the way it was in the time of the master of both the worlds, Nabi (S.A.W.). Aameen
I am not going to go into a discussion of the evils that are common in today’s times as that would mean discussing the signs of Qiyaamah. I think the previous two paragraphs can spark many thoughts in the reader and Insha-Allah encourages me first and all that read this to analyze ourselves and come closer to Allah (S.W.T.) and the Sunnah of Nabi (S.A.W.).
The author humbly requests one and all to make dua for the Ummah and for him and his family.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Ramadaan
Ramadaan is on our doorstep and I feel the atmosphere changing. May Allah (S.W.T.) grant us the opportunity to see Ramadaan and take maximum benefit from this blessed month. Ramadaan gives us a spiritual lift and if we didn't get this yearly dose of a spiritual climax, we would be deteriorating all the time. The key is not to waste our time in Ramadaan.
I try to get myself prepared mentally for Ramadaan. This means checking my INTENTION first and making goals to achieve in Ramadaan. We should be focused and dedicated to really gain the maximum that we can. A little cough should not stop us from fasting. If we don't plan our days, this precious time will be wasted. By doing this, we will get the real feeling of Ramadaan and not take it as a ritual by just fasting and reading taraweeh like we brainwashed. Ramadaan is not about staying away from food only, its about controlling oneself, discipline and connecting with our creator, Allah (S.W.T.). We should fast and give up evil as well, fear Allah (S.W.T.) and gain piety. We should increase our Ibaadat. Many people spend their days sleeping and nights eating. This is not a good practice. Fasting should curb and control our desires and our nifs. We should eat healthy and look after our bodies, but not eat too much. Some people have this attitude like Ramadaan is the end of eating for the full month. We just don't eat during the day, but can eat at night. We should not encourage iftar parties, as these waste time and may be done against Shari'ah. I would urge parents to check up on their children and encourage them to gain maximum benefit from Ramadaan. The things we do during Ramadaan, should not end or stop after Ramadaan. How nice is it to see the masjids full, men with beards women with Hijaab during Ramadaan and how sad is it that on Eid all of this changes.
May Allah (S.W.T.) grant us all the understanding of Ramadaan and allow us to take maximum benefit from this month. Aameem.
I try to get myself prepared mentally for Ramadaan. This means checking my INTENTION first and making goals to achieve in Ramadaan. We should be focused and dedicated to really gain the maximum that we can. A little cough should not stop us from fasting. If we don't plan our days, this precious time will be wasted. By doing this, we will get the real feeling of Ramadaan and not take it as a ritual by just fasting and reading taraweeh like we brainwashed. Ramadaan is not about staying away from food only, its about controlling oneself, discipline and connecting with our creator, Allah (S.W.T.). We should fast and give up evil as well, fear Allah (S.W.T.) and gain piety. We should increase our Ibaadat. Many people spend their days sleeping and nights eating. This is not a good practice. Fasting should curb and control our desires and our nifs. We should eat healthy and look after our bodies, but not eat too much. Some people have this attitude like Ramadaan is the end of eating for the full month. We just don't eat during the day, but can eat at night. We should not encourage iftar parties, as these waste time and may be done against Shari'ah. I would urge parents to check up on their children and encourage them to gain maximum benefit from Ramadaan. The things we do during Ramadaan, should not end or stop after Ramadaan. How nice is it to see the masjids full, men with beards women with Hijaab during Ramadaan and how sad is it that on Eid all of this changes.
May Allah (S.W.T.) grant us all the understanding of Ramadaan and allow us to take maximum benefit from this month. Aameem.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Time
This is a short message that I wrote to friend a few months ago after he met up in accident.
"As time goes on, years, months, hours, minutes and seconds, things happen, things change and lessons are learnt. Sometimes Allah (S.W.T.) reminds us in life that every second we are getting closer to our final abode. With time, our love and closeness to Allah (S.W.T.), our creator, should strengthen and Insha-Allah Jannah will be ours."
"As time goes on, years, months, hours, minutes and seconds, things happen, things change and lessons are learnt. Sometimes Allah (S.W.T.) reminds us in life that every second we are getting closer to our final abode. With time, our love and closeness to Allah (S.W.T.), our creator, should strengthen and Insha-Allah Jannah will be ours."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Hadith: Salaah
Once The Messenger of Allah (S.W.T.), Muhammad [Peace be upon him] asked his companions, 'Do you believe that dirt can remain on a person bathing five times a day in a stream [river] running in front of his door?' 'No', replied the companions, 'No dirt can remain on his body.' The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) remarked: So, exactly similar is the effect of salaat[prayer] offered five times a day. With the Grace of Allah, it washes away all the sins'." ( Hadith)
Just a thought on Sport
After observing friends and to see how much they fight and argue over sport, this thought came to my mind during the 2009 IPL and before the Confed cup. Also after seeing the way people go on for European football.
So much fuss over sport. Just to watch 22 men, running and jumping behind one ball, wasting peoples time and money. Leading mankind to evil. None of them know that we exist, yet we fight with each other over 'them'. Why can't we go in the thousands, in our beautiful kits of kurta and hijaab, pack the mosques (free entrance) to capacity, 5 times a day, for something good, meaningful, beautiful and that leads us to do good.. and Allah (S.W.T.) knows each one of us better than we know ourselves...
May Allah (S.W.T.) guide us... Aameen
So much fuss over sport. Just to watch 22 men, running and jumping behind one ball, wasting peoples time and money. Leading mankind to evil. None of them know that we exist, yet we fight with each other over 'them'. Why can't we go in the thousands, in our beautiful kits of kurta and hijaab, pack the mosques (free entrance) to capacity, 5 times a day, for something good, meaningful, beautiful and that leads us to do good.. and Allah (S.W.T.) knows each one of us better than we know ourselves...
May Allah (S.W.T.) guide us... Aameen
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
My thoughts on finance and peace of mind
Wealth is a great test for one and all. Firstly, ones intention for working or trading should be correct and Insha-Allah we will be attain sawaab as well. Here are some points I find helpful in dealing with finances. My aim is not to discuss wealth accumulation but rather points to encourage a healthy way of living with what one has. When making any decision in life, I always put the Islamic laws and sunnah first and when it comes to finances, there is no exception. How beautiful is Islam that Allah (S.W.T.) has given us a guide to everything.
Allah (S.W.T.) is our creator and therefore knows better than us what is good for us. It is when we go against this natural order then we find a disruption in our lives.
Allah (S.W.T.) has forbidden interest (Riba) and we should accept this completely. When it comes to saving, interest accounts have become very common. This practice is Haraam and should be completely abolished.
From what I've noticed, we waste a lot. Not only does this affect our environment negatively, but it affects our health as well. The best is to live simply, be content, live within ones means, have goals, stay away from credit and don't waste. Always remember, wastage leads to poverty. One should save as to avoid taking on credit, but not to hoard. Giving in charity is very important or to give a gift to a neighbour or friend. Giving does not necessarily mean that one is loosing, rather I look at it as an investment for the hereafter. I feel that charity brings about unity and removes pride, jealousy and greed. I try to pay debts off as quickly as possible. To keep record of ones finances is also important so that we know where we are spending. This is where personal discipline comes in very handy. To be organised and up to date is always a good thing as it gives one peace of mind. Have an islamic will no matter how old one is.
We learn from life everyday and we make mistakes as well. If there were no mistakes we would not have been able to learn. We should be content and yet have goals. This may seem as a contradiction. We should be content with what we have, but improve ourselves everyday in health, knowledge and wealth. If we don't improve, we have given up.
Habits are very important. The best way of correcting habits is to bring in more sunnan into ones life. Be happy, think happy thoughts, smile more, make Shukr and Sabr and enjoy simple things around you. Just take time and enjoy the smile of ones beloved. Be at peace with everyone. To Allah (S.W.T.) we belong and unto Him we shall return. All that we have in life is a trust upon us.
May Allah (S.W.T.) guide us, Aameen.
The contents of this article are my personal opinions. Please correct me should there be any errors.
Allah (S.W.T.) is our creator and therefore knows better than us what is good for us. It is when we go against this natural order then we find a disruption in our lives.
Allah (S.W.T.) has forbidden interest (Riba) and we should accept this completely. When it comes to saving, interest accounts have become very common. This practice is Haraam and should be completely abolished.
From what I've noticed, we waste a lot. Not only does this affect our environment negatively, but it affects our health as well. The best is to live simply, be content, live within ones means, have goals, stay away from credit and don't waste. Always remember, wastage leads to poverty. One should save as to avoid taking on credit, but not to hoard. Giving in charity is very important or to give a gift to a neighbour or friend. Giving does not necessarily mean that one is loosing, rather I look at it as an investment for the hereafter. I feel that charity brings about unity and removes pride, jealousy and greed. I try to pay debts off as quickly as possible. To keep record of ones finances is also important so that we know where we are spending. This is where personal discipline comes in very handy. To be organised and up to date is always a good thing as it gives one peace of mind. Have an islamic will no matter how old one is.
We learn from life everyday and we make mistakes as well. If there were no mistakes we would not have been able to learn. We should be content and yet have goals. This may seem as a contradiction. We should be content with what we have, but improve ourselves everyday in health, knowledge and wealth. If we don't improve, we have given up.
Habits are very important. The best way of correcting habits is to bring in more sunnan into ones life. Be happy, think happy thoughts, smile more, make Shukr and Sabr and enjoy simple things around you. Just take time and enjoy the smile of ones beloved. Be at peace with everyone. To Allah (S.W.T.) we belong and unto Him we shall return. All that we have in life is a trust upon us.
May Allah (S.W.T.) guide us, Aameen.
The contents of this article are my personal opinions. Please correct me should there be any errors.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Some advices
The weekend I had was really enlightening. I was out in Jamaat. It seems that for the past few days I've only been getting information on marriage... The uncles that I joined in Jamaat always bring up this topic with me... I guess it's because I am getting married soon, InshAllah...
The most shocking thing that I've learnt this weekend is the amount of people that are on drugs and the amount of depression that exists in our community. Insha-Allah I will give my views on this at a later stage.
Some things I try to practice upon...
Speak less, listen more... I've done this for a the past two years now and I really learnt a lot, especially when sitting in the company of elders. I've also learnt from people younger than me, my age and elder than me just from listening more. This practice also humbles a person...
Eat less, exercise more... I need to practice this much more than I am... From what I have started doing, I feel healthier physically and mentally...
Sleep less, pray more... This I've done for a year now... Really helps.. Six hours of sleep is enough for me... I feel less tired and fresh... I would Ideally love to add 1 hour of siesta to this but unfortunately South Africa is not siesta orientated... In Jamaat it really helps to have a little nap in the afternoon. So sleeping less has given me much more time to pray... The Tahajjud prayer really becomes a part of ones life if this is brought into practice...
I hope one and all find this helpful. Please comment if there are any suggestions...
May Allah make it easy for me to bring the above more into practice into my own life. Aameen.
The most shocking thing that I've learnt this weekend is the amount of people that are on drugs and the amount of depression that exists in our community. Insha-Allah I will give my views on this at a later stage.
Some things I try to practice upon...
Speak less, listen more... I've done this for a the past two years now and I really learnt a lot, especially when sitting in the company of elders. I've also learnt from people younger than me, my age and elder than me just from listening more. This practice also humbles a person...
Eat less, exercise more... I need to practice this much more than I am... From what I have started doing, I feel healthier physically and mentally...
Sleep less, pray more... This I've done for a year now... Really helps.. Six hours of sleep is enough for me... I feel less tired and fresh... I would Ideally love to add 1 hour of siesta to this but unfortunately South Africa is not siesta orientated... In Jamaat it really helps to have a little nap in the afternoon. So sleeping less has given me much more time to pray... The Tahajjud prayer really becomes a part of ones life if this is brought into practice...
I hope one and all find this helpful. Please comment if there are any suggestions...
May Allah make it easy for me to bring the above more into practice into my own life. Aameen.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Islam and marriage
I know this is a long post, but it is well worth reading...
Islam and Marriage:excerpted from The Sermons by Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad (db)
The Status of Women in Different Societies
A discussion on and an understanding of the status of women in pre-Islamic times is essential before any topic concerning Islam and married life can be discussed. Historically a woman before Islam had no rights whatsoever. In France the woman was considered sub-human and therefore the root cause of all of society's ills. In China she was considered an agent of the devil and hence enticed men towards wrong, whereas in Japan she was shunned and kept isolated because it was considered that she had been created impure. Hinduism considered widows unfit for existence without their husbands, and hence were burnt alive together with their spouse. If not then she would be disgraced and shunned by society. Along the same lines Christianity considered women an obstacle to man's spiritual devotion to God, and hence they were encouraged to live out their lives as virgins while men lived as monks. The woman's plight was perhaps the worst in the Arabian Peninsula, where girls were considered a curse and so buried alive by the parents. Her rights were so trampled upon that just as inheritance is distributed to offspring after a man's death, the wife was also given to the eldest son in marriage as part of the inheritance. In another such case of the wife surviving the husband, the poor woman would be condemned to a hut outside Makkah for two years with only the bare necessities for existence. If still alive after these two years under such horrible circumstances, her face would be blackened and she would be paraded in the city for all to see before being permitted to again live with her family. Now this raises the question of why she was subjected to these horrors when she was not responsible for her husband's death. However the woman had been subjected to so much and stripped of all honor that she could not raise even a whimper in her defense. It was in this society where woman's rights were under attack from all directions that Allah sent His Messenger with the gift of Islam. The Messenger (saw) of Allah raised women's rights to their proper place by educating the masses that women were sisters, mothers and wives who were to be cherished and protected.
Status of Women in Islam
Into a society whose hearts were so hardened that they could not even be moved by the desperate screams of innocent babes buried alive came the Messenger of Allah. He taught that whosoever raised two girls and treated them well until they were married would be with him in Paradise, and he highlighted the closeness by joining his index and middle fingers.
The Value of Marriage
On the road towards returning the rights that had been stripped from women, the Messenger of Allah highlighted that the within marriage the woman is a companion who plays an essential role in earning the pleasure and blessings of Allah . Furthermore he clarified that isolation and monasticism had no place in Islam and Allah could not be pleased that way but emphasized that fulfilling the rights of others by fully participating in social life were the essential means of earning Allah's pleasure and blessing. The Prophet taught people to live together in the harmonious bond of marriage rather than alone as a hermit. To further emphasize the importance of marriage he announced that marriage was his Sunnah, and whosoever disapproved of his Sunnah would not be from among his people. Hence we cannot have a more poignant and forceful sign for how important marriage is within Islam.
Sunnah of the Prophets
The book of Imam Tirmidhi (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) has described four attributes as sunnah of the Prophets. The first is that all of them were extremely reserved and modest in all aspects of their lives. Secondly they all shared a love for applying fragrance and thirdly all were devoted users of the miswak [tooth-stick] for their oral hygiene. The fourth sunnah common to all is that they all lived with their female counterparts in the sacred bond of marriage.
Allah states in the Holy Quran:
We did send apostles before thee and appointed for them wives and children [6:38]
It goes without saying that the Prophets were engaged day and night in the service of Allah , but even so the responsibilities of marriage did not hinder them in this service. It was henceforth firmly established that marriage served a vital role in both religious and social progress.
Marriage: Half of Faith
Hadith literature testifies that the sacred institution of marriage fulfills half of a person's faith, and consequently the most devout of worshippers cannot reach perfection of faith unless he enters the rites of marriage and fulfills the proper rights due his wife. The young man or woman who reaches a suitable age of marriage and remains unmarried has been referred to as a miser [miskeen]. This is because such people are to be pitied because in remaining unmarried they are unable to benefit from the tremendous blessings associated with this special sunnah.
A Sound Legacy
Hadrat Ali (rah) used to say that the Messenger of Allah advised haste in five areas.
1) Establishing prayers before they expire.
2) Seeking repentance before death.
3) Completing the funeral rites of the deceased.
4) Discharging any debts upon you.
5) Marrying your sons and daughters upon finding a suitable match.
The Fortunate Person
Indeed anyone who finds a suitable life partner is very fortunate. Hadrat Ali (rah) used to say that anyone who acquires the following should consider him or herself very fortunate.
-A grateful tongue – Such a tongue is indeed a blessing from Allah . Unfortunately our despicable state most of the time is that our teeth fall out by consuming the innumerable bounties of Allah but we remain thankless and rebellious. Man should remain in constant gratitude to his Lord.
· A zakir [remembering] heart – Indeed a heart that is constantly engaged in praising and remembering Allah is a great blessing.
· A sound strong body – A healthy body houses a healthy mind.· Homeland sustenance – Finding work and livelihood in one's homeland is a far greater blessing than going abroad in search of it since the heart will always be at home in one's own land.
· A pious wife – Life's pleasures double with a sincere loving partner with whom one sees eye to eye.The person who finds him or herself having all the above mentioned should consider that Allah has showered all His blessings upon him or her.
Importance of Marriage
Adultery and fornication will be rampant in every situation where there is no marriage. Consequently there is no shortage of brothels and other such evil places of illegal pleasure wherever people try to avoid marriage and thus shun their responsibilities. The shariah [sacred law] has therefore mandated marriage for people so that they may live pure and clean lives and thus save themselves from sin. If the institution of marriage had not been mandated by sharia then human beings would merely regard each other as playthings. There would be little if any regard for the woman and she would not be protected. Hence sharia ruled that if men and women wanted to live together they would have to do so in marriage and likewise assume the responsibility that goes forthwith.
Importance of the Dower
Marriage is a contract that the couple enters into under the protection of Allah . Under this contract sharia has allowed the woman to ask for certain stipulations before the marriage can be finalized. For example if she demands that her future house have certain features or that she be given a certain amount as monthly stipend then sharia has allowed her such permissions. However, if such things are not arranged for in the contract beforehand then they cannot be negotiated after the fact. These sharia rules of marriage are very important and have depth in their reasoning but we are unfortunate not to be able to fathom their reality. At the time of finalizing the marriage contract the bride's family thinks it good to be humble and thus ask for little. This is indeed a very serious matter since this concerns then rest of the woman's life. On the other hand the bridegroom's family of course hopes for no dower request whatsoever since this points to increased responsibility. The following three sunnan of dower should be noted seriously, and the man should act according to one of these sunnan keeping his financial position in reference. Adhering to any of the following would earn the reward of sunnah.
· The dowry [mehr] of Fatima – the mehr that the Prophet offered for Hadrat Fatima az-Zahra and Hadrat Aisha (raa) is sunnah and therefore legal to assume.
· Compatible mehr [mehr mithal]– this mehr is the justifiable amount agreed to as being comfortable with the living standard that the woman is accustomed to.
· An appropriate agreed upon amount - that takes into account the woman's sincerity and lifestyle.The dower can be immediate [maujjal] or delayed [mu'ajjal]. Dower of the first category needs to be provided before the wedding night otherwise the groom will be guilty of sin. The second category of dower is such that it needs to be provided on demand, meaning whenever the wife requests it. The wife is indeed within her rights to either forgive or return all or part of the dower if she chooses to and Allah would certainly shower more blessings upon the union, but the husband has no right whatsoever to pressure the wife into forgiving it.
Proclaiming the Dower
Sharia has commanded that the dower be proclaimed and the sunnah calls for the marriage to take place on Friday either in the mosque or in front of another such gathering. Family and friends should be invited so that all may know that the couple involved is setting a foundation for their future together.
Increased Reward for the Married
Allah increases the reward for the one who takes a spouse in marriage. The ulama have written that after marriage Allah increases the reward of one prayer to that of twenty-one, the reason being that whereas before the husband was solely fulfilling the rights [huquq] of Allah when he was single, now he has taken on the added responsibility of rights of others [huqquq ul-ibad].
Before marriage talks are entered into, the bridegroom's family obviously admires some qualities in the prospective bride and vice versa. The following is a discussion of such qualities and characteristics.
Who is a Good Wife?
Imam Bukhari (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) records a hadith transmission in which Hadrat Abu Huraira (ra) lists the four reasons for choosing a spouse as spoken by the Messenger of Allah.
First and foremost marriage is commonly sought after for financial purposes, and thus a wealthy family is desired. Hopes are for a good and stable profession accompanied by a good home and transportation. The basis for such a marriage is wealth alone.
The second reason given is beauty and the third family status. The fourth reason for marriage is righteousness, and the Messenger of Allah advised that only this should be the basis for marriage.
A house cannot stand if built on weak foundations. Wealth, beauty and status are all temporary and all fade with time. Sincerity and devoutness in religion are such characteristics that improve with time and thus a house built on such strong footing will last forever and weather any storm. Hence search for wives with these characteristics as a beacon. A man pleases his eyes when he looks at his beautiful wife, but pleases his heart when looking upon a righteous wife.
A Hadith from the sahih of Imam Muslim (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) says that the most valuable commodity in the world is a righteous wife. Whosoever is fortunate enough to have such a wife should be grateful for a great blessing from Allah .
Another hadith states that deeds are rewarded according to their intentions. If the intention behind marriage is wealth or beauty or status the partnership will be ripe with argument and tension. The home will be in peace and harmony if the intention behind the union is the pleasure and service of Allah .
Hadith recorded by Imam Ibn Majah (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) states that after God fear and righteousness a man benefits most not from anything less but a righteous, chaste and obedient wife. The hadith continues the definition of quality by specifying that such a wife fulfills whatever is asked of her, guards her honor and her husband's assets in his absence, and is a joy to her husband whenever he looks at her.
The Best Woman in the World
Once there was a discussion in one of the Prophet's gatherings as to what characteristics make for the best woman. Various Companions commented on different qualities and so the discussion continued as Hadrat Ali (ra) returned home on an errand. At home he mentioned this topic to his wife Hadrat Fatima (raa) who replied, “I will tell you who such a woman is. She is one who does not look at a non-mahram man nor provides the opportunity for such a man to look at her.”
Hadrat Ali (ra) returned to the gathering and informed the Prophet of his wife's definition. The Messenger of Allah smiled and said, “Fatima is a piece of my heart.”
Qualities of a Good Wife
The people of Allah have defined four essential characteristics of a good wife, which are as follows.
· Modesty and humility should be evident from her face because her heart would be enveloped in the same qualities. A well known proverb says that the face is a reflection of the heart. Hadrat Abu Bakr (ra) used to say that modesty is better in the man but best in the woman.
· The wife should be soft-spoken and often speak well such that she is not always scolding the children and complaining to her husband. The former traits promise harmony whilst the latter only tension.
· She should have good intentions and sincerity in her heart. Moreover she should be used to work and should remain busy in keeping a good home.
Indeed the woman who possesses these qualities will be a good wife and spend her life in joy and happiness.
Qualities of a Good Husband
Two glorious examples from the life of the Prophet are sufficient for anyone searching for a husband for his daughter. The first is the example of Hadrat Ali (ra), the courageous like of whom was never seen before nor will be again. Allah had given him the heart of a lion and a youthful body that could withstand any hardship. Very responsible in all areas, Allah had also given him unparalleled knowledge.
The second example is that of Hadrat Uthman (ra), a gentleman of exemplary humble character who was renowned in society for the same both before and after having accepted Islam. He was a good businessman whose finances were in good health. Extremely soft-spoken and shy of nature, The Messenger of Allah once said that even the angels shy away from Hadrat Uthman (ra).
The Messenger of Allah has placed examples in front of anyone looking for a match for their daughter, examples that were never nor will ever be seen again.
Allah has made the man the head of the household and for this reason one of the most important qualities he should have is forbearance. He needs to exercise patience in all situations otherwise the household will be in chaos if he panics at everything, which is the exact result if the man does not have these qualities and erupts angrily at every minute detail. Complaints usually abound on small things such as lack of salt in the food and the proper ironing of certain clothes.
The poor wife works hard all day but never gets a compliment from the man, who is quicker than lightning to shower insults and complaints. In such circumstances that call for sound judgment the man is very hasty and foolish in his readiness to use the dangerous words of divorce. The man's example and position is that of a king and the wife's that of a queen and they must behave as such. Relationships in which the men do not exercise forbearance and a higher degree of patience become stalled and refuse to grow.
There was an incident in Sweden where the husband would insist on brushing his teeth in the kitchen sink instead of the one in the bathroom. The wife would understandably insist on him using the bathroom and the couple unfortunately divorced on this little insignificance. Life can never be a success without forbearance and patience. There will no doubt be countless struggles and endless arguments in families that live together, and these can only be settled by someone who exercises patience and restraint in bringing matters to resolution.
The second important quality in a husband is that he should be one who embraces work and responsibility and does not try to avoid it. Society does not have a better example than in the Messenger of Allah. Despite being the prophet of mankind and having the endless duties of that status he would help his wives with housework.
Likewise while on a journey Hadrat Musa's (as) wife had to stop because of a headache and so Hadrat Musa (as) told her to rest while he fetched firewood so to build a fire for warmth. Here we have excellent examples in which we see prophets engaged for the ease and comfort of their wives, and hence men should not shy away from any kind of work and responsibility but embrace the opportunity.
Little indifferences and arguments build up to form even larger troubles that endanger relationships just as small rocks make mountains. Unfortunately if these differences are left to fester then walls form to divide hearts and relationships even forty years old can end in divorce. If the man wishes that his wife should obey him and fulfill his needs then likewise he must also fulfill her wants and needs. This equation can only remain balanced when both partners in the marriage carry their own responsibilities. Sharia has given the couple checks and balances and only by properly fulfilling each other's rights can they live in harmony. Allah teaches us in the Holy Quran that the whole purpose of marriage is a life shared in love and harmony, not one in which only one partner is in ease and the other in pain.
A day does not pass in which a husband and wife do not chastise each other at least once, a sad consequence of our lack of knowledge and thus true character. Forgetting the larger and more beautiful picture we get lost and entangled in small, insignificant details because our nafs wants the upper hand.
The True Picture of Marriage
No society except that of the Messenger of Allah has been able to surpass the unparalleled concept of marriage as outlined in the Holy Quran. Allah says regarding the couple:
They are your garments and you are their garments [23:187]
There is extreme wisdom behind the use of the word garments. Garments bring honor to the person and hide the shameful body parts, or bad characteristics in the example of marriage. Garments are also the closest thing to the human body, hence the message of the Holy Quran that a couple needs to be close to each other in love and not distanced by quarrels.
It is recorded in hadith that Hadrat Hawa (as) was created from the rib of Hadrat Adam (as). Why? She was not created from the head because she is not meant to be put on a pedestal above the man nor dominate the man, and she was not created from the foot because she is not meant to be a slave under a man's feet. She was created from the rib because she is meant to be a companion close to one's heart. The Holy Quran does not merely state that one has to go through life aimlessly but that the man needs to spend a meaningful and peaceful life with his spouse.
Live with them on a footing of kindness and equity [4:19]
This is a tremendous blessing from Allah upon all wives that Allah is cautioning the men on their behalf. Men should realize that by heeding Allah's words and hence taking care of their spouses they can be forgiven on the Day of Judgment.
What Constitutes a Good Husband
It is recorded in hadith that the Messenger of Allah said:
The best among you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best to my family amongst you
The Messenger of Allah set himself forth as an example to all. To ascertain a man's character one should not look to his dealings with his friends or even his business but should ask his wife as to what kind of a person he is. That man is only a good person if his wife says he is.
The most complete of the believers in faith is the best (of them) in character [Hadith]
A woman came to the Prophet and complained that her husband not only made issues out of the minutest incidents but also beat her at times. What the Messenger of Allah said in reply stands as pinnacle guidance to all men, and they should be indeed heedful of this. He said:
One of you continues to hit his wife like a slave and then he continues to go to her and he does not feel ashamed?
The woman is meant to be a partner and not a plaything that is held close and kissed one moment as the close partner she is and then beaten like a disobedient servant the next. Sharia has allowed for a husband to rebuke his wife if she commits a grave sin and stubbornly refuses to obey. However, it is a sad truth that a woman exercises little control over her tongue and a man likewise over his hands, which makes for a dangerous combination.
The Ill Mouthed Wife
The ill mouthed and ill mannered wife will take her husband to Hell faster than a galloping horse, and that husband will never have a peaceful moment in his life. The woman has been instructed to be soft spoken and sweet, but even the sweetest woman will have some degree of venom in her only because marriage is such a delicate relationship that tension is unavoidable.
Sharia has advised the woman to speak kindly to her husband but if necessity calls for having to speak to a non-related [non-mahram] male then she should keeps the conversation short and businesslike. Unfortunately this paradigm is reversed in the fashionable women of today, in that they will speak to the husband will the venom of a cobra but speak to a stranger with all the sweetness of a flower. It is all too true that the tongue will tear apart those relationships that even the sword cannot separate, and the woman's tongue is a sword that never rusts. Sadly most women destroy their homes because of their uncontrollable tongue.
As mentioned above, sharia has advised the woman to speak kindly to her husband and harshly to a non-mahram. A wise man once said that there would be peace and happiness in the home if only the wife would speak as softly to her husband as she speaks to a non-mahram male. Consequently the home would be peaceful if the husband looks at his wife as lovingly as he looks at a non-mahram woman.
Example of the righteous predecessors [salaf salihin]
Allah has detailed married life and the rights associated therewith in surah al-Nisa, and the righteous predecessors would make it a routine to teach their daughters the explication [tafsir] of both surah al-Nisa and surah al-Nur before marriage. If the Muslims of today do not or cannot teach their daughters the entire Holy Quran they should at least teach their daughters the above named surahs so they would be familiar with their rights and responsibilities when the time of marriage comes.
Since there was no printing press at the time, most of the righteous predecessors used to make a habit of having their daughters transcribe the Holy Quran by hand when she had finished or was finishing her education and the time of marriage was still far. Hence the girl would perform ablution and happily transcribe parts of the Holy Quran daily, and when complete the father would bind it in gold and this would be given as dower at the time of marriage. This was the dower in those times, thereby informing the future husband that whatever free time the girl had in her home was spent in transcribing the Book of Allah .
Rights of the Husband
When discussing women's rights the Messenger of Allah said that if Sharia had permitted prostration to anyone in addition to Allah he would command the woman to prostrate to her husband. It is further recorded in hadith that if a woman fulfills all her obligatory duties to Allah and dies in a state in that her husband is pleased with her then she can enter Paradise through any gate without judgment. Consequently on the other hand the Messenger of Allah also said that the angels curse a wife all night whose husband is annoyed with her for a legitimate sharia reason and goes to sleep without the wife having obeyed him. Therefore Allah has included the husband's pleasure with His Own, and nobody demonstrated better regard for their husband better than the female Companions.
A female Companion (raa) was blessed with a child while her husband was away for battle, but the child became seriously ill and died merely a few hours before the new father arrived. Very worried that her husband would be extremely saddened at the news and not having had the chance to see his child in this life she sat contemplating what she should do. Not telling anyone her sad news, she bathed the child's body and laid it in the cot with a blanket over it. When her husband arrived and asked where the child was she merely replied, “He is at peace.” The husband hence thought the child was sleeping and then the couple ate together, discussed his ordeals in battle and then retired for the night.
May Allah give Paradise to such a heroic woman who undertakes the enormous burden of knowing her son's lifeless body is merely lying a few feet away, but bears this pain for the sake of sparing her husband who has just come home from battle.
The next morning she asked her husband, “If one is given a trust by someone else and he wants it back after some time should it be returned with pleasure or a heavy heart?” Her husband replied that all trusts should be returned to their rightful owners with pleasure since they were only given in the first place for safeguard purposes and not ownership. His wife thence continued, “Then Allah also gave you a trust for a limited time but claimed it just a few hours before you arrived. Now go and bury it with pleasure.” The strength of such women goes beyond the imagination for they truly fulfilled the rights of humanity.
Her husband promptly went to the Messenger of Allah and told him what had transpired and that his wife had borne all her pain simply to spare him the harsh news so soon after his arrival. The Prophet therefore supplicated to Allah who blessed their previous night together and gave them a son who grew up to not only memorize the entire Holy Quran but thousands of hadith as well.
Rights of the Wife
First and foremost it should be clearly understood that Sharia has not made the woman responsible for her own expenses. When in her parents' home the responsibility of her keep and welfare is her father's, and after marriage it becomes the husband's. In the case that she is unmarried and her parents are no longer living the responsibility falls to her brothers or other male relatives. Likewise if she is a mother and has outlived her husband the responsibility falls to her male children.
Sharia has never mandated that the woman should be responsible for her expenses. After marriage the woman leaves her dear home and family for the husband's sake and so Sharia has ordered him to not only provide for all her necessities such as food, clothing and shelter but also to regularly give something extra for her private needs based on what he can afford. Furthermore the husband should not question her as to what she did with it because she is fully within her rights to do whatever she pleases with that money.
Another basic right of the woman is that the husband is required to provide his wife with a private room for her own privacy and belongings. It is inappropriate for her belongings to be in the same room with that of her in-laws or anybody else's. It is obvious that not all can afford their own houses but even in the case of a joint family home she is to be given her own room for this is one of the husband's obligations.
Another requirement upon the husband is that he should be kind hearted and patient to his family since he is the head of the household and therefore the main responsible party for the welfare of those in his care. Allah will deal mercifully with the person who deals mercifully with His creation on earth. He who is quick to forgive will be forgiven quickly, and he who conceals others' faults will have his own faults concealed on the Day of Judgment.
Have mercy on whosoever is on the ground and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you
The concept of the wife in Islam is that of a life companion and friend and not of a servant or slave, and wherever Allah mentions the life or rights of marriage He also cautions the couple to be fearful of Allah . No one else is between the couple in this private relationship to check them and so Allah continuously reminds them to be fearful because everyone has to return to Allah one day.
Since the couple is alone without anyone else to check them they are very quick to hurt each other, hence this warning so people can reflect upon the Day when they have to face Allah after having hurt each other all their lives. Forgiveness is a very beautiful yet simple virtue that the couple should practice, and not only ask for forgiveness but also be quick to forgive each other if any partner makes a mistake. Admitting a mistake and asking forgiveness is strength and not a weakness.
An incident from the glorious life of Hadrat Maulana Ghulam Habib (rah) provides a beautiful example of this virtue. Before departing for the mosque to lead congregational prayers his wife was helping him in performing ablution in a way that displeased him. He hence scolded her but she remained silent and completed the ablution in the way he wanted. Walking to the mosque he stopped halfway and reflected on what had happened, weighing in his mind how he could possibly lead the people in prayer when he had dealt so harshly with his wife. Hadrat then returned home and apologized to his wife for his previous actions and continued to the masjid after being forgiven. Such individuals are indeed a shining example of sincerity in that their lives become a beacon for all to follow.
Marriage and Eastern Society
By Allah's Grace the majority of marriages in our eastern societies survive peacefully, and ninety-nine percent of girls who leave their homes after marriage carry with them a sincere desire and intention to build their own homes in peace and harmony. From here on it is equally if not more the husband's responsibility, for their life will be peaceful if handled properly but chaotic if not.
Most Islamic women are blessed in that they are totally devoted to their husbands and refrain from even glancing at other men, a quality which compares them to the women of Paradise. This is a tremendous blessing from Allah that such women still exist today without a thought of non-related men in their minds, and still others who despite being widowed will take on the full responsibility for their children, being both mother and father. A widow's life suddenly turns from the height of spring to harsh winter at the loss of her husband and subsequent responsibility of offspring, which is why Allah gives her the reward of jihad [battle] for her hardship.
Happily Ever After
“To run a big show requires a big heart” is an English proverb that reveals a great deal of what is required in married life. If love is lacking then the smallest differences become enormous obstacles and molehills become mountains. Sharia hence advises a couple should live in love and harmony.
Marriage demands great forbearance and patience. It seems so strange that a husband quarrels with the wife who has dedicated all her life to him and likewise the wife quarrels with the husband who not only takes care of her needs but also holds such a high status in their marriage.
No marriage is perfect, and many times even the most educated of couples become estranged mostly because of pride or lack of religious knowledge. Both husband and wife become so indifferent to each other that both search for faults to highlight in the other. Sadly they are physically so close but so far apart at heart.
It should be well noted that a husband and wife never fight because of each other but always because of a third party, usually the in-laws. To offset this sharia raises the in-laws to the level of parents after marriage, and the woman is taught that whereas before marriage she had one mother now she has two, and vice versa for the man. Hence the wife should make it a point to always try and please her husband's parents and the husband should do likewise for his wife's parents. Lives will change and homes will become peaceful if only people were to apply this principle to their lives.
Whenever one partner becomes angry the other needs to be calm to neutralize the situation because the matter only escalates to a danger level if both flare at the same time. It is recorded in hadith that both the husband and wife are given the reward of Hadrat Ayyub's (as) patience whenever one partner exercises patience and restraint at the other's anger. So if the reward for restraint is so great people should seriously ponder over the petty things they become angry upon.
Protection from Negative Thoughts
Avoiding negative thoughts about the other partner is crucial in the survival of a marriage, because everything concerning an individual that one likes appears rosy but at the same time everything concerning an individual that one dislikes appears evil. Moreover one becomes preoccupied nearly to the point of obsession in searching out the targeted party's faults. If this negativity infiltrates a marriage then the husband and wife begin to see everything of the other partner as poison.
There is a renowned story about such negativity that tells of a wife who would constantly chastise her husband at every opportunity. He hence supplicated to Allah one day to bestow such a miracle by which his wife would be impressed and start to respect him. Consequently he was inspired that if he so desired he would be given the power to fly and he seized this opportunity and flew over their house. When he returned home in the evening his wife snapped at him in her usual fashion, “You flaunt yourself like you're somebody important. Today I truly saw such a one who was flying overhead.” The husband smiled because he saw his opportunity and proudly said that that had been him. The wife thought hard at this and finally said, “That's why I was thinking to myself, why is this person flying in such a crooked fashion!?”
Negativity threatens to destroy a marriage and so a husband and wife must always try and see each other in a positive light. There will be no need to deal harshly or apply pressure on the other partner in an effort to get one's own way if both partner's treat each other with love, kindness and respect. A rosebush has beautiful roses as well as sharp thorns but it is up to us to focus on the good and not the bad.
Even a Smile is Kindness
It is recorded in hadith that Allah smiles favorably upon a husband and wife when they look and smile at each other. Hadrat Aisha (raa) said that the Messenger of Allah would always enter the house with a smile on his face. Husbands should leave their daily troubles at work and enter the house with a smile, thereby earning the reward of Sunnah and contributing to a happy household. At the same time the wife must make an equal effort to return her husband's smile rather than keep a frown on her face all day. Being so simple, a smile has an awesome power to change hearts.
A Guiding Principle
Bricks put together build a house but hearts joining together build a home. “A house is built by hands but a home is built by hearts” is a renowned saying in English worth noting and hanging up in one's home. Muslims should pay heed to such important wisdom and live harmoniously as a couple. Muslims who are living in foreign lands should keep in mind that their petty squabbles only provide non-believers reason to find fault with Islam and the honorable example of the Messenger of Allah. It is indeed a grave pity that we provide others with such ammunition because of our misgivings, and even more serious that we fail to realize that Allah will question us regarding such behavior.
Family quarrels should always be settled in the home and should never be allowed to grow so large that they spread out into the community and become local gossip. We need to look beyond our own selfishness and bring honor and dignity to the Muslims instead of ill repute. However such magnanimous people who put Islam before themselves are so few that one needs a lamp even in daylight to search for them.
Unfortunately people only realize the worth of a thing after it is gone and the same holds true for people. A proverb says that familiarity breeds contempt, and understandably from time to time there will be tension between a husband and wife who live so closely together and share everything. However, if the husband or wife were to die without the couple having resolved a quarrel then the surviving spouse will be reduced to sadness and self blame for the rest of their lives and be left only with memories.
Also commonly seen is that often a husband and wife divorce each other in a fit of anger, and then realize their grandiose mistake after calming down but unfortunately too late to rectify the situation. Then these people go to various ulama trying to find any loophole within Sharia that will allow them to remain husband and wife. There is no loophole after such a grave step as divorce has been taken but one should take the appropriate steps to make sure that circumstances that can lead up to a declaration of divorce never even come to pass in the first place. Marriage is a delicate partnership that needs tremendous forbearance and patience. People need to value each other instead of taking one another for granted lest those people are not alive tomorrow and things are left unsaid and quarrels unresolved.
Life already is so short my friend
Why pass so short a time in useless quarrels?
A Unique Occurrence
According to the scholars [ulama] there was once a very beautiful woman married to a dark man whose features made him look extremely strange and scary. There were both however very happy together because both were very righteous individuals who were devoted to Allah . One day the husband happened to smile in happiness as he looked at his wife, and at this she said, “We are entrants of Paradise.” Her husband asked how she came to know this and she continued, “When you look at me you smile in gratitude and when I look upon you I exercise patience. Hadith says that both the grateful and patient shall enter Paradise.”
Love After Marriage
Sharia has not given permission for any sort of pre-marital relations and hence any marriage that is based on such a concept as love before marriage will indeed be on a very weak footing. The unfortunate results of love marriages in non-Islamic societies are reflected in staggering divorce rates because they are based on a false and temporal love.
Marriage in Islamic societies is based not on this but on Sharia and the pleasure of Allah . Parents as rightful guardians select the best companion for their son and daughter based on various factors and hence the couple starts a new life together according to the tenets of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
A Life Filled with Love
The Prophet's glorious life was complete with shining examples for his nation to follow. He once entered his home and saw Hadrat Aisha (raa) drinking from a glass. In fondness he used to call her Humaira and so standing where he was he called to her and asked her to leave some water for him also. Despite being a prophet and mercy for mankind through whom the entire world was and would continue to benefit The Messenger of Allah requested his wife to save him some of what she was drinking although he had no need to do so.
Hadrat Aisha (raa) complied and as the Prophet was about to drink he asked her the specific location on the glass where she had put her lips. Hadrat Aisha (raa) pointed to where she had taken drink from and hadith literature states that the Messenger of Allah turned the glass around and applied his noble lips to the same location indicated by his wife and thence drank.
The world does not have a better example for all walks of life than the Messenger of Allah. There would be no need to pressure a wife into obedience if all husbands were to follow the supreme example of love and family life put forth by the Prophet . If treated right with love and respect a wife will certainly do her utmost to please her husband. She will reply to love with love and to respect with respect. Couples need to discard petty jealousies and selfish desires and follow the true Islamic concept of marriage that teaches spouses to build a clean and loving life together. May Allah bless us all with the ability to build such beautiful lives together.
From where do people find time to hate,
When life hardly allows time for love?
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Islam and Marriage:excerpted from The Sermons by Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad (db)
The Status of Women in Different Societies
A discussion on and an understanding of the status of women in pre-Islamic times is essential before any topic concerning Islam and married life can be discussed. Historically a woman before Islam had no rights whatsoever. In France the woman was considered sub-human and therefore the root cause of all of society's ills. In China she was considered an agent of the devil and hence enticed men towards wrong, whereas in Japan she was shunned and kept isolated because it was considered that she had been created impure. Hinduism considered widows unfit for existence without their husbands, and hence were burnt alive together with their spouse. If not then she would be disgraced and shunned by society. Along the same lines Christianity considered women an obstacle to man's spiritual devotion to God, and hence they were encouraged to live out their lives as virgins while men lived as monks. The woman's plight was perhaps the worst in the Arabian Peninsula, where girls were considered a curse and so buried alive by the parents. Her rights were so trampled upon that just as inheritance is distributed to offspring after a man's death, the wife was also given to the eldest son in marriage as part of the inheritance. In another such case of the wife surviving the husband, the poor woman would be condemned to a hut outside Makkah for two years with only the bare necessities for existence. If still alive after these two years under such horrible circumstances, her face would be blackened and she would be paraded in the city for all to see before being permitted to again live with her family. Now this raises the question of why she was subjected to these horrors when she was not responsible for her husband's death. However the woman had been subjected to so much and stripped of all honor that she could not raise even a whimper in her defense. It was in this society where woman's rights were under attack from all directions that Allah sent His Messenger with the gift of Islam. The Messenger (saw) of Allah raised women's rights to their proper place by educating the masses that women were sisters, mothers and wives who were to be cherished and protected.
Status of Women in Islam
Into a society whose hearts were so hardened that they could not even be moved by the desperate screams of innocent babes buried alive came the Messenger of Allah. He taught that whosoever raised two girls and treated them well until they were married would be with him in Paradise, and he highlighted the closeness by joining his index and middle fingers.
The Value of Marriage
On the road towards returning the rights that had been stripped from women, the Messenger of Allah highlighted that the within marriage the woman is a companion who plays an essential role in earning the pleasure and blessings of Allah . Furthermore he clarified that isolation and monasticism had no place in Islam and Allah could not be pleased that way but emphasized that fulfilling the rights of others by fully participating in social life were the essential means of earning Allah's pleasure and blessing. The Prophet taught people to live together in the harmonious bond of marriage rather than alone as a hermit. To further emphasize the importance of marriage he announced that marriage was his Sunnah, and whosoever disapproved of his Sunnah would not be from among his people. Hence we cannot have a more poignant and forceful sign for how important marriage is within Islam.
Sunnah of the Prophets
The book of Imam Tirmidhi (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) has described four attributes as sunnah of the Prophets. The first is that all of them were extremely reserved and modest in all aspects of their lives. Secondly they all shared a love for applying fragrance and thirdly all were devoted users of the miswak [tooth-stick] for their oral hygiene. The fourth sunnah common to all is that they all lived with their female counterparts in the sacred bond of marriage.
Allah states in the Holy Quran:
We did send apostles before thee and appointed for them wives and children [6:38]
It goes without saying that the Prophets were engaged day and night in the service of Allah , but even so the responsibilities of marriage did not hinder them in this service. It was henceforth firmly established that marriage served a vital role in both religious and social progress.
Marriage: Half of Faith
Hadith literature testifies that the sacred institution of marriage fulfills half of a person's faith, and consequently the most devout of worshippers cannot reach perfection of faith unless he enters the rites of marriage and fulfills the proper rights due his wife. The young man or woman who reaches a suitable age of marriage and remains unmarried has been referred to as a miser [miskeen]. This is because such people are to be pitied because in remaining unmarried they are unable to benefit from the tremendous blessings associated with this special sunnah.
A Sound Legacy
Hadrat Ali (rah) used to say that the Messenger of Allah advised haste in five areas.
1) Establishing prayers before they expire.
2) Seeking repentance before death.
3) Completing the funeral rites of the deceased.
4) Discharging any debts upon you.
5) Marrying your sons and daughters upon finding a suitable match.
The Fortunate Person
Indeed anyone who finds a suitable life partner is very fortunate. Hadrat Ali (rah) used to say that anyone who acquires the following should consider him or herself very fortunate.
-A grateful tongue – Such a tongue is indeed a blessing from Allah . Unfortunately our despicable state most of the time is that our teeth fall out by consuming the innumerable bounties of Allah but we remain thankless and rebellious. Man should remain in constant gratitude to his Lord.
· A zakir [remembering] heart – Indeed a heart that is constantly engaged in praising and remembering Allah is a great blessing.
· A sound strong body – A healthy body houses a healthy mind.· Homeland sustenance – Finding work and livelihood in one's homeland is a far greater blessing than going abroad in search of it since the heart will always be at home in one's own land.
· A pious wife – Life's pleasures double with a sincere loving partner with whom one sees eye to eye.The person who finds him or herself having all the above mentioned should consider that Allah has showered all His blessings upon him or her.
Importance of Marriage
Adultery and fornication will be rampant in every situation where there is no marriage. Consequently there is no shortage of brothels and other such evil places of illegal pleasure wherever people try to avoid marriage and thus shun their responsibilities. The shariah [sacred law] has therefore mandated marriage for people so that they may live pure and clean lives and thus save themselves from sin. If the institution of marriage had not been mandated by sharia then human beings would merely regard each other as playthings. There would be little if any regard for the woman and she would not be protected. Hence sharia ruled that if men and women wanted to live together they would have to do so in marriage and likewise assume the responsibility that goes forthwith.
Importance of the Dower
Marriage is a contract that the couple enters into under the protection of Allah . Under this contract sharia has allowed the woman to ask for certain stipulations before the marriage can be finalized. For example if she demands that her future house have certain features or that she be given a certain amount as monthly stipend then sharia has allowed her such permissions. However, if such things are not arranged for in the contract beforehand then they cannot be negotiated after the fact. These sharia rules of marriage are very important and have depth in their reasoning but we are unfortunate not to be able to fathom their reality. At the time of finalizing the marriage contract the bride's family thinks it good to be humble and thus ask for little. This is indeed a very serious matter since this concerns then rest of the woman's life. On the other hand the bridegroom's family of course hopes for no dower request whatsoever since this points to increased responsibility. The following three sunnan of dower should be noted seriously, and the man should act according to one of these sunnan keeping his financial position in reference. Adhering to any of the following would earn the reward of sunnah.
· The dowry [mehr] of Fatima – the mehr that the Prophet offered for Hadrat Fatima az-Zahra and Hadrat Aisha (raa) is sunnah and therefore legal to assume.
· Compatible mehr [mehr mithal]– this mehr is the justifiable amount agreed to as being comfortable with the living standard that the woman is accustomed to.
· An appropriate agreed upon amount - that takes into account the woman's sincerity and lifestyle.The dower can be immediate [maujjal] or delayed [mu'ajjal]. Dower of the first category needs to be provided before the wedding night otherwise the groom will be guilty of sin. The second category of dower is such that it needs to be provided on demand, meaning whenever the wife requests it. The wife is indeed within her rights to either forgive or return all or part of the dower if she chooses to and Allah would certainly shower more blessings upon the union, but the husband has no right whatsoever to pressure the wife into forgiving it.
Proclaiming the Dower
Sharia has commanded that the dower be proclaimed and the sunnah calls for the marriage to take place on Friday either in the mosque or in front of another such gathering. Family and friends should be invited so that all may know that the couple involved is setting a foundation for their future together.
Increased Reward for the Married
Allah increases the reward for the one who takes a spouse in marriage. The ulama have written that after marriage Allah increases the reward of one prayer to that of twenty-one, the reason being that whereas before the husband was solely fulfilling the rights [huquq] of Allah when he was single, now he has taken on the added responsibility of rights of others [huqquq ul-ibad].
Before marriage talks are entered into, the bridegroom's family obviously admires some qualities in the prospective bride and vice versa. The following is a discussion of such qualities and characteristics.
Who is a Good Wife?
Imam Bukhari (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) records a hadith transmission in which Hadrat Abu Huraira (ra) lists the four reasons for choosing a spouse as spoken by the Messenger of Allah.
First and foremost marriage is commonly sought after for financial purposes, and thus a wealthy family is desired. Hopes are for a good and stable profession accompanied by a good home and transportation. The basis for such a marriage is wealth alone.
The second reason given is beauty and the third family status. The fourth reason for marriage is righteousness, and the Messenger of Allah advised that only this should be the basis for marriage.
A house cannot stand if built on weak foundations. Wealth, beauty and status are all temporary and all fade with time. Sincerity and devoutness in religion are such characteristics that improve with time and thus a house built on such strong footing will last forever and weather any storm. Hence search for wives with these characteristics as a beacon. A man pleases his eyes when he looks at his beautiful wife, but pleases his heart when looking upon a righteous wife.
A Hadith from the sahih of Imam Muslim (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) says that the most valuable commodity in the world is a righteous wife. Whosoever is fortunate enough to have such a wife should be grateful for a great blessing from Allah .
Another hadith states that deeds are rewarded according to their intentions. If the intention behind marriage is wealth or beauty or status the partnership will be ripe with argument and tension. The home will be in peace and harmony if the intention behind the union is the pleasure and service of Allah .
Hadith recorded by Imam Ibn Majah (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) states that after God fear and righteousness a man benefits most not from anything less but a righteous, chaste and obedient wife. The hadith continues the definition of quality by specifying that such a wife fulfills whatever is asked of her, guards her honor and her husband's assets in his absence, and is a joy to her husband whenever he looks at her.
The Best Woman in the World
Once there was a discussion in one of the Prophet's gatherings as to what characteristics make for the best woman. Various Companions commented on different qualities and so the discussion continued as Hadrat Ali (ra) returned home on an errand. At home he mentioned this topic to his wife Hadrat Fatima (raa) who replied, “I will tell you who such a woman is. She is one who does not look at a non-mahram man nor provides the opportunity for such a man to look at her.”
Hadrat Ali (ra) returned to the gathering and informed the Prophet of his wife's definition. The Messenger of Allah smiled and said, “Fatima is a piece of my heart.”
Qualities of a Good Wife
The people of Allah have defined four essential characteristics of a good wife, which are as follows.
· Modesty and humility should be evident from her face because her heart would be enveloped in the same qualities. A well known proverb says that the face is a reflection of the heart. Hadrat Abu Bakr (ra) used to say that modesty is better in the man but best in the woman.
· The wife should be soft-spoken and often speak well such that she is not always scolding the children and complaining to her husband. The former traits promise harmony whilst the latter only tension.
· She should have good intentions and sincerity in her heart. Moreover she should be used to work and should remain busy in keeping a good home.
Indeed the woman who possesses these qualities will be a good wife and spend her life in joy and happiness.
Qualities of a Good Husband
Two glorious examples from the life of the Prophet are sufficient for anyone searching for a husband for his daughter. The first is the example of Hadrat Ali (ra), the courageous like of whom was never seen before nor will be again. Allah had given him the heart of a lion and a youthful body that could withstand any hardship. Very responsible in all areas, Allah had also given him unparalleled knowledge.
The second example is that of Hadrat Uthman (ra), a gentleman of exemplary humble character who was renowned in society for the same both before and after having accepted Islam. He was a good businessman whose finances were in good health. Extremely soft-spoken and shy of nature, The Messenger of Allah once said that even the angels shy away from Hadrat Uthman (ra).
The Messenger of Allah has placed examples in front of anyone looking for a match for their daughter, examples that were never nor will ever be seen again.
Allah has made the man the head of the household and for this reason one of the most important qualities he should have is forbearance. He needs to exercise patience in all situations otherwise the household will be in chaos if he panics at everything, which is the exact result if the man does not have these qualities and erupts angrily at every minute detail. Complaints usually abound on small things such as lack of salt in the food and the proper ironing of certain clothes.
The poor wife works hard all day but never gets a compliment from the man, who is quicker than lightning to shower insults and complaints. In such circumstances that call for sound judgment the man is very hasty and foolish in his readiness to use the dangerous words of divorce. The man's example and position is that of a king and the wife's that of a queen and they must behave as such. Relationships in which the men do not exercise forbearance and a higher degree of patience become stalled and refuse to grow.
There was an incident in Sweden where the husband would insist on brushing his teeth in the kitchen sink instead of the one in the bathroom. The wife would understandably insist on him using the bathroom and the couple unfortunately divorced on this little insignificance. Life can never be a success without forbearance and patience. There will no doubt be countless struggles and endless arguments in families that live together, and these can only be settled by someone who exercises patience and restraint in bringing matters to resolution.
The second important quality in a husband is that he should be one who embraces work and responsibility and does not try to avoid it. Society does not have a better example than in the Messenger of Allah. Despite being the prophet of mankind and having the endless duties of that status he would help his wives with housework.
Likewise while on a journey Hadrat Musa's (as) wife had to stop because of a headache and so Hadrat Musa (as) told her to rest while he fetched firewood so to build a fire for warmth. Here we have excellent examples in which we see prophets engaged for the ease and comfort of their wives, and hence men should not shy away from any kind of work and responsibility but embrace the opportunity.
Little indifferences and arguments build up to form even larger troubles that endanger relationships just as small rocks make mountains. Unfortunately if these differences are left to fester then walls form to divide hearts and relationships even forty years old can end in divorce. If the man wishes that his wife should obey him and fulfill his needs then likewise he must also fulfill her wants and needs. This equation can only remain balanced when both partners in the marriage carry their own responsibilities. Sharia has given the couple checks and balances and only by properly fulfilling each other's rights can they live in harmony. Allah teaches us in the Holy Quran that the whole purpose of marriage is a life shared in love and harmony, not one in which only one partner is in ease and the other in pain.
A day does not pass in which a husband and wife do not chastise each other at least once, a sad consequence of our lack of knowledge and thus true character. Forgetting the larger and more beautiful picture we get lost and entangled in small, insignificant details because our nafs wants the upper hand.
The True Picture of Marriage
No society except that of the Messenger of Allah has been able to surpass the unparalleled concept of marriage as outlined in the Holy Quran. Allah says regarding the couple:
They are your garments and you are their garments [23:187]
There is extreme wisdom behind the use of the word garments. Garments bring honor to the person and hide the shameful body parts, or bad characteristics in the example of marriage. Garments are also the closest thing to the human body, hence the message of the Holy Quran that a couple needs to be close to each other in love and not distanced by quarrels.
It is recorded in hadith that Hadrat Hawa (as) was created from the rib of Hadrat Adam (as). Why? She was not created from the head because she is not meant to be put on a pedestal above the man nor dominate the man, and she was not created from the foot because she is not meant to be a slave under a man's feet. She was created from the rib because she is meant to be a companion close to one's heart. The Holy Quran does not merely state that one has to go through life aimlessly but that the man needs to spend a meaningful and peaceful life with his spouse.
Live with them on a footing of kindness and equity [4:19]
This is a tremendous blessing from Allah upon all wives that Allah is cautioning the men on their behalf. Men should realize that by heeding Allah's words and hence taking care of their spouses they can be forgiven on the Day of Judgment.
What Constitutes a Good Husband
It is recorded in hadith that the Messenger of Allah said:
The best among you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best to my family amongst you
The Messenger of Allah set himself forth as an example to all. To ascertain a man's character one should not look to his dealings with his friends or even his business but should ask his wife as to what kind of a person he is. That man is only a good person if his wife says he is.
The most complete of the believers in faith is the best (of them) in character [Hadith]
A woman came to the Prophet and complained that her husband not only made issues out of the minutest incidents but also beat her at times. What the Messenger of Allah said in reply stands as pinnacle guidance to all men, and they should be indeed heedful of this. He said:
One of you continues to hit his wife like a slave and then he continues to go to her and he does not feel ashamed?
The woman is meant to be a partner and not a plaything that is held close and kissed one moment as the close partner she is and then beaten like a disobedient servant the next. Sharia has allowed for a husband to rebuke his wife if she commits a grave sin and stubbornly refuses to obey. However, it is a sad truth that a woman exercises little control over her tongue and a man likewise over his hands, which makes for a dangerous combination.
The Ill Mouthed Wife
The ill mouthed and ill mannered wife will take her husband to Hell faster than a galloping horse, and that husband will never have a peaceful moment in his life. The woman has been instructed to be soft spoken and sweet, but even the sweetest woman will have some degree of venom in her only because marriage is such a delicate relationship that tension is unavoidable.
Sharia has advised the woman to speak kindly to her husband but if necessity calls for having to speak to a non-related [non-mahram] male then she should keeps the conversation short and businesslike. Unfortunately this paradigm is reversed in the fashionable women of today, in that they will speak to the husband will the venom of a cobra but speak to a stranger with all the sweetness of a flower. It is all too true that the tongue will tear apart those relationships that even the sword cannot separate, and the woman's tongue is a sword that never rusts. Sadly most women destroy their homes because of their uncontrollable tongue.
As mentioned above, sharia has advised the woman to speak kindly to her husband and harshly to a non-mahram. A wise man once said that there would be peace and happiness in the home if only the wife would speak as softly to her husband as she speaks to a non-mahram male. Consequently the home would be peaceful if the husband looks at his wife as lovingly as he looks at a non-mahram woman.
Example of the righteous predecessors [salaf salihin]
Allah has detailed married life and the rights associated therewith in surah al-Nisa, and the righteous predecessors would make it a routine to teach their daughters the explication [tafsir] of both surah al-Nisa and surah al-Nur before marriage. If the Muslims of today do not or cannot teach their daughters the entire Holy Quran they should at least teach their daughters the above named surahs so they would be familiar with their rights and responsibilities when the time of marriage comes.
Since there was no printing press at the time, most of the righteous predecessors used to make a habit of having their daughters transcribe the Holy Quran by hand when she had finished or was finishing her education and the time of marriage was still far. Hence the girl would perform ablution and happily transcribe parts of the Holy Quran daily, and when complete the father would bind it in gold and this would be given as dower at the time of marriage. This was the dower in those times, thereby informing the future husband that whatever free time the girl had in her home was spent in transcribing the Book of Allah .
Rights of the Husband
When discussing women's rights the Messenger of Allah said that if Sharia had permitted prostration to anyone in addition to Allah he would command the woman to prostrate to her husband. It is further recorded in hadith that if a woman fulfills all her obligatory duties to Allah and dies in a state in that her husband is pleased with her then she can enter Paradise through any gate without judgment. Consequently on the other hand the Messenger of Allah also said that the angels curse a wife all night whose husband is annoyed with her for a legitimate sharia reason and goes to sleep without the wife having obeyed him. Therefore Allah has included the husband's pleasure with His Own, and nobody demonstrated better regard for their husband better than the female Companions.
A female Companion (raa) was blessed with a child while her husband was away for battle, but the child became seriously ill and died merely a few hours before the new father arrived. Very worried that her husband would be extremely saddened at the news and not having had the chance to see his child in this life she sat contemplating what she should do. Not telling anyone her sad news, she bathed the child's body and laid it in the cot with a blanket over it. When her husband arrived and asked where the child was she merely replied, “He is at peace.” The husband hence thought the child was sleeping and then the couple ate together, discussed his ordeals in battle and then retired for the night.
May Allah give Paradise to such a heroic woman who undertakes the enormous burden of knowing her son's lifeless body is merely lying a few feet away, but bears this pain for the sake of sparing her husband who has just come home from battle.
The next morning she asked her husband, “If one is given a trust by someone else and he wants it back after some time should it be returned with pleasure or a heavy heart?” Her husband replied that all trusts should be returned to their rightful owners with pleasure since they were only given in the first place for safeguard purposes and not ownership. His wife thence continued, “Then Allah also gave you a trust for a limited time but claimed it just a few hours before you arrived. Now go and bury it with pleasure.” The strength of such women goes beyond the imagination for they truly fulfilled the rights of humanity.
Her husband promptly went to the Messenger of Allah and told him what had transpired and that his wife had borne all her pain simply to spare him the harsh news so soon after his arrival. The Prophet therefore supplicated to Allah who blessed their previous night together and gave them a son who grew up to not only memorize the entire Holy Quran but thousands of hadith as well.
Rights of the Wife
First and foremost it should be clearly understood that Sharia has not made the woman responsible for her own expenses. When in her parents' home the responsibility of her keep and welfare is her father's, and after marriage it becomes the husband's. In the case that she is unmarried and her parents are no longer living the responsibility falls to her brothers or other male relatives. Likewise if she is a mother and has outlived her husband the responsibility falls to her male children.
Sharia has never mandated that the woman should be responsible for her expenses. After marriage the woman leaves her dear home and family for the husband's sake and so Sharia has ordered him to not only provide for all her necessities such as food, clothing and shelter but also to regularly give something extra for her private needs based on what he can afford. Furthermore the husband should not question her as to what she did with it because she is fully within her rights to do whatever she pleases with that money.
Another basic right of the woman is that the husband is required to provide his wife with a private room for her own privacy and belongings. It is inappropriate for her belongings to be in the same room with that of her in-laws or anybody else's. It is obvious that not all can afford their own houses but even in the case of a joint family home she is to be given her own room for this is one of the husband's obligations.
Another requirement upon the husband is that he should be kind hearted and patient to his family since he is the head of the household and therefore the main responsible party for the welfare of those in his care. Allah will deal mercifully with the person who deals mercifully with His creation on earth. He who is quick to forgive will be forgiven quickly, and he who conceals others' faults will have his own faults concealed on the Day of Judgment.
Have mercy on whosoever is on the ground and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you
The concept of the wife in Islam is that of a life companion and friend and not of a servant or slave, and wherever Allah mentions the life or rights of marriage He also cautions the couple to be fearful of Allah . No one else is between the couple in this private relationship to check them and so Allah continuously reminds them to be fearful because everyone has to return to Allah one day.
Since the couple is alone without anyone else to check them they are very quick to hurt each other, hence this warning so people can reflect upon the Day when they have to face Allah after having hurt each other all their lives. Forgiveness is a very beautiful yet simple virtue that the couple should practice, and not only ask for forgiveness but also be quick to forgive each other if any partner makes a mistake. Admitting a mistake and asking forgiveness is strength and not a weakness.
An incident from the glorious life of Hadrat Maulana Ghulam Habib (rah) provides a beautiful example of this virtue. Before departing for the mosque to lead congregational prayers his wife was helping him in performing ablution in a way that displeased him. He hence scolded her but she remained silent and completed the ablution in the way he wanted. Walking to the mosque he stopped halfway and reflected on what had happened, weighing in his mind how he could possibly lead the people in prayer when he had dealt so harshly with his wife. Hadrat then returned home and apologized to his wife for his previous actions and continued to the masjid after being forgiven. Such individuals are indeed a shining example of sincerity in that their lives become a beacon for all to follow.
Marriage and Eastern Society
By Allah's Grace the majority of marriages in our eastern societies survive peacefully, and ninety-nine percent of girls who leave their homes after marriage carry with them a sincere desire and intention to build their own homes in peace and harmony. From here on it is equally if not more the husband's responsibility, for their life will be peaceful if handled properly but chaotic if not.
Most Islamic women are blessed in that they are totally devoted to their husbands and refrain from even glancing at other men, a quality which compares them to the women of Paradise. This is a tremendous blessing from Allah that such women still exist today without a thought of non-related men in their minds, and still others who despite being widowed will take on the full responsibility for their children, being both mother and father. A widow's life suddenly turns from the height of spring to harsh winter at the loss of her husband and subsequent responsibility of offspring, which is why Allah gives her the reward of jihad [battle] for her hardship.
Happily Ever After
“To run a big show requires a big heart” is an English proverb that reveals a great deal of what is required in married life. If love is lacking then the smallest differences become enormous obstacles and molehills become mountains. Sharia hence advises a couple should live in love and harmony.
Marriage demands great forbearance and patience. It seems so strange that a husband quarrels with the wife who has dedicated all her life to him and likewise the wife quarrels with the husband who not only takes care of her needs but also holds such a high status in their marriage.
No marriage is perfect, and many times even the most educated of couples become estranged mostly because of pride or lack of religious knowledge. Both husband and wife become so indifferent to each other that both search for faults to highlight in the other. Sadly they are physically so close but so far apart at heart.
It should be well noted that a husband and wife never fight because of each other but always because of a third party, usually the in-laws. To offset this sharia raises the in-laws to the level of parents after marriage, and the woman is taught that whereas before marriage she had one mother now she has two, and vice versa for the man. Hence the wife should make it a point to always try and please her husband's parents and the husband should do likewise for his wife's parents. Lives will change and homes will become peaceful if only people were to apply this principle to their lives.
Whenever one partner becomes angry the other needs to be calm to neutralize the situation because the matter only escalates to a danger level if both flare at the same time. It is recorded in hadith that both the husband and wife are given the reward of Hadrat Ayyub's (as) patience whenever one partner exercises patience and restraint at the other's anger. So if the reward for restraint is so great people should seriously ponder over the petty things they become angry upon.
Protection from Negative Thoughts
Avoiding negative thoughts about the other partner is crucial in the survival of a marriage, because everything concerning an individual that one likes appears rosy but at the same time everything concerning an individual that one dislikes appears evil. Moreover one becomes preoccupied nearly to the point of obsession in searching out the targeted party's faults. If this negativity infiltrates a marriage then the husband and wife begin to see everything of the other partner as poison.
There is a renowned story about such negativity that tells of a wife who would constantly chastise her husband at every opportunity. He hence supplicated to Allah one day to bestow such a miracle by which his wife would be impressed and start to respect him. Consequently he was inspired that if he so desired he would be given the power to fly and he seized this opportunity and flew over their house. When he returned home in the evening his wife snapped at him in her usual fashion, “You flaunt yourself like you're somebody important. Today I truly saw such a one who was flying overhead.” The husband smiled because he saw his opportunity and proudly said that that had been him. The wife thought hard at this and finally said, “That's why I was thinking to myself, why is this person flying in such a crooked fashion!?”
Negativity threatens to destroy a marriage and so a husband and wife must always try and see each other in a positive light. There will be no need to deal harshly or apply pressure on the other partner in an effort to get one's own way if both partner's treat each other with love, kindness and respect. A rosebush has beautiful roses as well as sharp thorns but it is up to us to focus on the good and not the bad.
Even a Smile is Kindness
It is recorded in hadith that Allah smiles favorably upon a husband and wife when they look and smile at each other. Hadrat Aisha (raa) said that the Messenger of Allah would always enter the house with a smile on his face. Husbands should leave their daily troubles at work and enter the house with a smile, thereby earning the reward of Sunnah and contributing to a happy household. At the same time the wife must make an equal effort to return her husband's smile rather than keep a frown on her face all day. Being so simple, a smile has an awesome power to change hearts.
A Guiding Principle
Bricks put together build a house but hearts joining together build a home. “A house is built by hands but a home is built by hearts” is a renowned saying in English worth noting and hanging up in one's home. Muslims should pay heed to such important wisdom and live harmoniously as a couple. Muslims who are living in foreign lands should keep in mind that their petty squabbles only provide non-believers reason to find fault with Islam and the honorable example of the Messenger of Allah. It is indeed a grave pity that we provide others with such ammunition because of our misgivings, and even more serious that we fail to realize that Allah will question us regarding such behavior.
Family quarrels should always be settled in the home and should never be allowed to grow so large that they spread out into the community and become local gossip. We need to look beyond our own selfishness and bring honor and dignity to the Muslims instead of ill repute. However such magnanimous people who put Islam before themselves are so few that one needs a lamp even in daylight to search for them.
Unfortunately people only realize the worth of a thing after it is gone and the same holds true for people. A proverb says that familiarity breeds contempt, and understandably from time to time there will be tension between a husband and wife who live so closely together and share everything. However, if the husband or wife were to die without the couple having resolved a quarrel then the surviving spouse will be reduced to sadness and self blame for the rest of their lives and be left only with memories.
Also commonly seen is that often a husband and wife divorce each other in a fit of anger, and then realize their grandiose mistake after calming down but unfortunately too late to rectify the situation. Then these people go to various ulama trying to find any loophole within Sharia that will allow them to remain husband and wife. There is no loophole after such a grave step as divorce has been taken but one should take the appropriate steps to make sure that circumstances that can lead up to a declaration of divorce never even come to pass in the first place. Marriage is a delicate partnership that needs tremendous forbearance and patience. People need to value each other instead of taking one another for granted lest those people are not alive tomorrow and things are left unsaid and quarrels unresolved.
Life already is so short my friend
Why pass so short a time in useless quarrels?
A Unique Occurrence
According to the scholars [ulama] there was once a very beautiful woman married to a dark man whose features made him look extremely strange and scary. There were both however very happy together because both were very righteous individuals who were devoted to Allah . One day the husband happened to smile in happiness as he looked at his wife, and at this she said, “We are entrants of Paradise.” Her husband asked how she came to know this and she continued, “When you look at me you smile in gratitude and when I look upon you I exercise patience. Hadith says that both the grateful and patient shall enter Paradise.”
Love After Marriage
Sharia has not given permission for any sort of pre-marital relations and hence any marriage that is based on such a concept as love before marriage will indeed be on a very weak footing. The unfortunate results of love marriages in non-Islamic societies are reflected in staggering divorce rates because they are based on a false and temporal love.
Marriage in Islamic societies is based not on this but on Sharia and the pleasure of Allah . Parents as rightful guardians select the best companion for their son and daughter based on various factors and hence the couple starts a new life together according to the tenets of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
A Life Filled with Love
The Prophet's glorious life was complete with shining examples for his nation to follow. He once entered his home and saw Hadrat Aisha (raa) drinking from a glass. In fondness he used to call her Humaira and so standing where he was he called to her and asked her to leave some water for him also. Despite being a prophet and mercy for mankind through whom the entire world was and would continue to benefit The Messenger of Allah requested his wife to save him some of what she was drinking although he had no need to do so.
Hadrat Aisha (raa) complied and as the Prophet was about to drink he asked her the specific location on the glass where she had put her lips. Hadrat Aisha (raa) pointed to where she had taken drink from and hadith literature states that the Messenger of Allah turned the glass around and applied his noble lips to the same location indicated by his wife and thence drank.
The world does not have a better example for all walks of life than the Messenger of Allah. There would be no need to pressure a wife into obedience if all husbands were to follow the supreme example of love and family life put forth by the Prophet . If treated right with love and respect a wife will certainly do her utmost to please her husband. She will reply to love with love and to respect with respect. Couples need to discard petty jealousies and selfish desires and follow the true Islamic concept of marriage that teaches spouses to build a clean and loving life together. May Allah bless us all with the ability to build such beautiful lives together.
From where do people find time to hate,
When life hardly allows time for love?
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