There is no doubt that a woman’s prayer in her house is better for her than praying in the mosque, as is indicated by the Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him). He said: “Do not prevent your women from going to the mosque, even though their houses are better for them.” (Reported by Abu Dawud in al-Sunan, Baab maa jaa’a fee khurooj al-nisaa’ ilaa’l-masjid: Baab al-tashdeed fee dhaalik. See also Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 7458).

Whenever a woman prays in a place that is more private and more hidden, that is better for her, as the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: “A woman’s prayer in her house is better than her prayer in her courtyard, and her prayer in her bedroom is better than her prayer in her house.” (Reported by Abu Dawud in al-Sunan, Baab maa jaa’a fee khurooj al-nisaa’ ilaa’l-masjid. See also Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 3833).

Umm Humayd, the wife of Abu Humayd al-Saa‘idi reported that she came to the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, I love to pray with you.” He said: “I know that you love to pray with me, but praying in your house is better for you than praying in your courtyard, and praying in your courtyard is better for you than praying in the mosque of your people, and praying in the mosque of your people is better for you than praying in my mosque.” So she ordered that a prayer-place be built for her in the furthest and darkest part of her house, and she always prayed there until she met Allaah (i.e., until she died). (Reported by Imaam Ahmad; the men of its isnaad are thiqaat (trustworthy)).

But the fact that praying at home is preferable does not mean that that women are not permitted to go to the mosque, as is clear from the following hadeeth:
From ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar, who said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah SAWS (peace be upon him) say: ‘Do not prevent your women from going to the mosque if they ask your permission.’” Bilaal ibn ‘Abdullah said, “By Allaah, we will prevent them.” (Ibn ‘Umar) turned to him and told him off in an unprecedented fashion, saying: “I tell you what the Messenger of Allaah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said, and you say ‘By Allaah, we will prevent them’!!” (reported by Muslim, 667).

But there are conditions attached to the permission for women to go to the mosque, as follows:
(1) She should wear complete hijaab.
(2) She should not go out wearing perfume.
(3) She should have the permission of her husband.

Her going out should not involve any other kind of prohibited acts, such as being alone in a car with a non-mahram driver. If a woman does something wrong like that, her husband or guardian has the right to stop her; in fact it is his duty to do so. And Allaah knows best.

Source: Islam qa

Related Article: Women praying in the mosque

I was recently browsing and I came across the following quote by another Islamic Blog, regarding the issue of women attending the mosque. I therefore researched and  following the quote, is one of the articles.

QUOTE: [ Some  only choose to show the ahadeeth ,where the Prophet (peace to him) told them  not to prevent women from attending the mosque for prayer. This do to make a good impression to Western converts and others who are accustomed to  both sexes going  to Christian churches, and even lets women go to pray without the accompaniment of a mahram.
There are ahadeeth. But to stress them and hide the others, those that  prevent a woman to pray in the mosque, it is hypocrisy and guile.] END QUOTE

ARTICLE

There is no any hindrance for women to pray in the Mosques along with men. At the time of the Prophet, women used to perform prayers in the Mosque along with men. Not only that, but they used to attend religious classes and share the events such as the `Eid prayers with men. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “Do not prevent the she-servants of Allah from Allah’s mosques.”

Responding to the question, Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, states the following:

Women used to attend the jama`ah or congregational Prayers and the Friday Prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to urge them to stand in the last rows behind men.

At the beginning, men and women used to enter through the same door. When this caused overcrowding on entrances and exits, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him, said: “(It would be better) if this door is left for women.” Upon saying so, the men made that door for women, and it became known up until today as “The Women’s Door”.

Moreover, women, at the time of the Prophet, used to attend the Friday Prayer; they used to perform the Prayer regularly and listen to the khutbah to the extent that one of them could recite Surat Qaf as she heard the Prophet recite it several times in the Friday khutbah. Women also used to attend the `Eid Prayers and participate in that big Islamic festival that included the old and the young, men as well as women, out in the open, all worshipping Allah.

Umm `Attiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated, “We used to be ordered to come out on the Day of the `Eid and even bring out the virgin girls from their houses and menstruating women so that they might stand behind the men and say takbir along with them and invoke Allah along with them and hope for the blessings of that day and for purification from sins.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

Moreover, women used to attend religious sermons with men at the Prophet’s house and they used to inquire about religious matters that many women nowadays would find embarrassing to ask about. For instance, `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) praised the women of Al-Ansar for trying to understand their religion without being held back by bashfulness for they used to ask about such matters as major ritual impurity, wet dream, purificatory bath, menstruation, chronic vaginal discharge, etc.

And when women found that men’s questions were taking most of the Prophet’s time, they plainly requested theProphet (peace and blessings be upon him) to make a special day for women. So the Prophet dedicated a day for them when he used to give them lessons and sermons. (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

Shedding more light on the issue, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, president of the Fiqh Council of North America, adds:

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explicitly told men not to exclude women from going to the Mosque. It is reported that the wife of `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) used to attend the congregational Prayer in the Mosque at Fajr and `Ishaa’ Prayers. It was said to her, “Why do you leave home, you know that `Umar does not like that and he feels ashamed (that you leave home at that time)?” She said, “So what prevents him from stopping Me?” The person said, “It is the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ‘Do not prevent the she-servants of Allah from Allah’s Mosques.’” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

It is not obligatory for women to attend the jama`ah or congregational Prayers at the Mosque, because they have other obligations as regards their home and children. However, if they have time and feel safe to attend the Mosque, in proper Islamic dress, then they should not be stopped.

We should rather make our Mosques in such a way that men and women both have equal chance to pray there observing the rules of Prayers.

Some people, in voicing objection against women going to the Mosque, rely on what `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said in this regard. She is quoted to have said, sometime after the Prophet’s death: “If the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would have seen what the women do now, he would have stopped them from coming to Mosques.”

But the great scholar of Hadith Ibn Hajar states: “This statement does not say very clearly that `A’ishah gave the Fatwa that women are forbidden to come to Mosques.” (Fath Al-Bari, p. 928).

It is not known that any Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or a prominent jurist forbade women from attending the prayers in the Mosque. The custom of preventing women from attending the Mosques started later in times. This unfortunately has negative impact on many of our sisters, drawing them backward and making them ignorant of their faith.

Women in the West go everywhere. They are in the markets, in malls, in restaurants, and in offices. It is ironic that some men allow them to go to all the places of temptation, but they want to stop them from coming to the places where they can pray to their Lord and learn about their faith.

Source: IslamonLine

RELATED ARTICLE: Q & A  “Can women attend the mosque?”

AL-BASEER-The All-Seeing

Have they not looked at the birds above them, with wings outspread and folded back? Nothing holds them up but the All-Merciful. He is the All-Seeing . ( Surat al-Mulk, 67:19)

Our human faculty of sight is limited. With the naked eye, we can see for only a few kilometers. But to achieve this, we need clear weather and to be standing on a high place. Yet no matter how convenient the conditions may be, we can see only a hazy image.

In some situations, and especially when people are alone, they assume that nobody sees them. Assuming that they will not have to account for their deeds, they feel encouraged to do whatever they wish. Furthermore, they think they will never suffer any consequence for their wrongdoing. But this is a great delusion, for Allah sees even the smallest act. While our eyesight is limited, Allah sees the room in which a person remains, the rooms surrounding that room, the entire house, the city and country that harbor that house, the continent in which that country is located, the entire Earth, all planets, space, and all other dimensions beyond it. In the Qur’an, Allah informs us that He is aware of everything:

You do not engage in any matter, recite any of the Qur’an, or do any action without Our witnessing you while you are occupied with it. Not even the smallest speck eludes your Lord, either on Earth or in Heaven. Nor is there anything smaller than that, or larger, which is not in a Clear Book. (Surah Yunus, 10:61)

Perform prayer and pay alms. Any good you send ahead for yourselves, you will find with Allah. Certainly Allah sees what you do. ( Surat al-Baqara, 2:110)

They have different ranks with Allah. Allah sees what they do. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 3:163)

Those who adulterate Our Signs are not concealed from Us. Who is better—someone who will be thrown into the Fire or someone who will arrive in safety on the Day of Rising? Do what you like. He sees whatever you do. (Surah Fussilat, 41:40)

Source: Names of Allah

We read some verses in Qur’an but we are not attentive for its meaning, one of those verses is: (He brings out the living from the dead), let us read ….

One of our brothers sent me an article which was published in the “Guardian newspaper” dated (12/6/2008) about some dates which are 2000 years old, as the scientists found them in the castle of an old king in Jordon. Then they started to sow it to make it grow up and it grew!! Scientists were astonished about that, so they started to study this phenomenon but unfortunately they got nothing.

After studying of these seeds they found that the seed contains a special program to make it ready to back again to life at any time.

Scientists were asking, who put these programs? How did it get the power to back again to life just when it finds water? How the seed can produce the same plant as the palm seed produce palm tree and the grape seed produce grapes tree? Who taught those seeds to do that job without any mistake? He is Allah almighty who said: (He brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living. And He revives the earth after its death. And thus shall you be brought out (resurrected).) (Sûrat Ar-Rûm- verse 19).

Grains of dates,(2000 years old) which were found in the castle of King Herod near to the Dead Sea. Source(science magazine). Scientists were astonished that despite the long years but seeds of dates still in good condition and can be grown.

Three years ago, the scientists had sow those seeds in soil under suitable conditions and they processed it by a special hormone to make it grow up, now it is a palm tree with height up to 1.5 meter. Scientists confirm that many kinds of seeds can stay for years if it got the suitable condition.

Scientists tell us that this kind of seeds is the oldest kind ever discovered till now, they found seeds of the lotus which are 1300 years old and they succeeded to germinate it in special laboratories. But seeds of palm tree have a strange ability to stay alive, it is a blessed tree, God says: (And we send down blessed water (rain) from the sky, then we produce therewith gardens and grain (every kind of harvests) that are reaped.* and tall date-palms, with ranged clusters.* A provision for (Allah’s) slaves. And we give life therewith to a dead land. Thus will be the resurrection (of the dead).)(Sûrat Qâf-verse 9-11).

Palm tree which had been germinated from seeds that have 2000 years old, its leaves grew up after eight weeks.

These seeds started to split and grow up to produce a complete plant just after it received water. Scientists are asking a question about these seeds, how can it gets the needed power to split and double the cells till it became a complete tree that contains millions of cells?!! God says: (Verily! It is Allah who causes the seed-grain and the fruit-stone (like date-stone) to split and sprout. He brings forth the living from the dead, and it is He who brings forth the dead from the living. Such is Allah, then how are you deluded away from the truth?) (Sûrat Al-An’âm- verse 95).

Atheists are asking: if the man died and his body had decomposed, how can he come again to life after millions of years? Allah almighty by His power put the ability in the weak seed to stay and to afford the hard circumstances (temperature and moisture)to be as an evidence that Allah is able to revive the dead, Allah says: (Look then at the effects (results) of Allah’s Mercy: how He revives the earth after its death. Verily, that (Allah) (Who revived the earth after its death) shall indeed raise the dead (on the Day of Resurrection), and He is Able to do all things.) (Sûrat Ar-Rûm- verse 50).

——————–

By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel

www.kaheel7.com/eng

References:

1. Palm tree grown from 2,000-year-old date stone,http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/jun/12/ancient.seed
2. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1026082/The-Jesus-tree-Date-palm-grown-2-000-year-old-seed.html

Eating the right foods can have a positive impact on your mood. Azizan Rauf gives you the low-down on the link between food and mood and what to eat to beat the blues.

Whether it’s down to work, relationships or financial issue, life can be challenging and stressful at times. Scientists say that while an unhealthy diet can make you feel low, eating the right food can dramatically boost your mood and help you feel more positive. So, you can minimise negative feelings like depression, anxiety or stress by adding key foods to your daily diet. One recent report by two charities, the Mental Health foundation and Sustain, found a direct link between an unhealthy diet and depression. According to the report, high fat and high sugar diets could even be influencing the rate of mental illness in the UK. It is important to seek medical help if you suffer from depression or anxiety but at the same time your low mood will benefit from the right nutrition.

The link between food and mood

Certain foods trigger chemical changes in the brain and affect blood sugar balance and therefore affect your mood. The brain is an incredibly complicated organ, which explains why what we eat affects its performance. Believe it or not, the brain is mostly a great big lump of fat. In fact, it is 60 per cent fatty acids including DHA and AA. These fatty acids are important in influencing how your brain functions. Foods high in DHH and AA are fish, meat, milk and eggs, especially free range. The brain tissue is rich in minerals so it is important to include plenty of minerals in your diet especially zinc and iron which is important for normal brain function. The question is: how can you regulate mood swings and increase positive feelings through your diet?

Oily Fish

Research shows that people who eat a high fish diet are less likely to suffer from the blues. In fact one study in the Lancet found wide differences in the rates of depression between countries that ate a high-fish diet, like Japan, and those that did not, like New Zealand.
It’s no wonder that low fish intake has been linked to an increased risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), pre-menstrual depression, post-natal depression and even suicide. Make sure you stay positive by eating at least two portions of oily fish a week. This can include sardines, mackerel, salmon and fresh (not tinned) tuna.

Include minerals like zinc and iron in your diet as these are essential for improving mood and are vital for brain chemistry by eating protein rich food such as lean meat, fish, whole grains, nuts and seeds are good sources.

Protein and Carbohydrate
Eating foods with a high protein-to-carbohydrate ratio is important for upping your mood. For example a portion of chicken with a little rice instead of vice versa could help perk you up because it balances your blood sugar levels and as a result stabilises mood.

For an even more effective way of boosting your mood try eating a complex carbohydrate like wholemeal bread or brown rice with some protein foods with a low GI (glycaemic index) like fish, lean meat or tofu. Low GI Foods help release energy slowly and include porridge, beans, pulses, dried fruit and nuts.

Herbal tea

Coffee, tea and cola drinks all contain caffeine which can disrupt sleep and worsen negative moods in some people because of the effect caffeine has on the nervous system. Try herbal teas instead, which contain no caffeine and can help to soothe and relax. There is a wide variety of non-caffeine teas to suit every taste so give them a go. Peppermint tea and camomile tea are especially relaxing. Camomile tea works on the same part of the brain as anti-depressant tablets so it is a very effective way of balancing you mood. Add a teaspoon of honey if you like it sweet.

Chocolate

Good news! Research has shown chocolate can promote happy feelings, thanks to serotonin, a feel good brain chemical. But the buzz you get can be short-lived and followed by feelings of guilt especially if you have just blown your diet, so just allow yourself the occasional chocolate treat and limit yourself to a few pieces.

Cut it out
Cutting down on food which encourage negative feelings is half the battle when it comes to beating depression or anxiety. Avoid artificial sweeteners and artificial colourings as they can trigger negative reactions just like caffeine when consumed in high quantities.

Foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrate foods like white bread and cakes reduce blood sugar and brain glucose supply. Go for wholemeal or granary bread and cut down on sugar.

By improving your brain health you can maximise and improve your mood significantly. Make your diet more nutritional and you will soon feel the uplifting and healing power of food.

Vitamins and minerals

These are vital for stress hormone production and nerve health so be sure to include foods which are bursting with the B’s. Folic acid (part of the B-Vitamin family) has been proven to reduce depression in several trials. Foods rich in folic acid include green leafy vegetables and breakfast cereals. Vitamin B5 has anti-stress properties and should be included in our diet especially at times of intense stress, depression and anxiety. Foods rich in vitamin B5 include peanuts, mushrooms, pecans, soya beans, oats, sunflower seeds and lentils.

Source: Sisters Magazine

As Muslims, the default assumption we should have about other people in any matter is that they are free of blame. Islam demands fairness and impartiality when it comes to judging others.

Allah says: “And when you speak, then be just, though it be (against) a relative.” [Sûrah al-An`âm: 152]

He also says: “O you who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of any people make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do. ” [Sûrah al-Mâ'idah: 8]

It is wrong for a person to accuse anyone else of something wrong except with full knowledge and tangible proof. It is forbidden to base a judgment against someone on hearsay, conjecture or suspicion.

Allah says: “O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what you have done.” [Sûrah al-Hujurât: 5]

He also warns us: “O you who believe! Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a sin.” [Sûrah al-Hujurât: 12]

In those cases where one is compelled to mention another person’s faults, it is best to mention that person’s good points as well. It is wrong to exaggerate the importance of the person’s error or stress the fault too much, especially if it is possible that the error was an honest mistake or in a matter where the truth is not 100% clear.

If a person’s error is clearly manifest and established by solid evidence, then it is not wrong to warn people against the error and clarify the truth. However, that correction must be carried out appropriately, in a gentle manner that does not drive people away. The mistake itself should be corrected without delving into anything beyond that. For example, the person who made the mistake should not be accused of having bad intentions or an evil motive.

Al-Dhahabî, speaking about the mistakes of the scholars, said the following: [Siyar al-A`lâm al-Nubalâ' (14/374)]:

If we were to discredit every person who made mistake in judgment or declare those people as innovators – people who are essentially of good faith and sincerely seek the truth – then scarcely would any of our scholars be spared.

Speaking about Qatâdah – the illustrious Successor – he said [Siyar al-A`lâm al-Nubalâ' (2/271)]:

He was one who asserted human free will to the extent of denying Divine Decree over human actions. We ask Allah to protect us from such ideas. On the other hand, no one ever doubted his honesty in the least, or his integrity, or the strength of his memory. It is quite possible that Allah forgives the likes of him for falling into certain innovated ideas with no other intention but to glorify Allah and to hold Him far above (the bad deeds that people commit.) Allah is the judge who is just and merciful towards His servants. He is not to be asked about what He does.

We should keep in mind that people of knowledge, intelligence, integrity, and piety – who are meticulous in investigating matters and who are quite often correct in their conclusions – they are to be pardoned when they err in their judgment on occasion.

Their good qualities and good work should not be dismissed. Of course, we do not follow what is shown to be wrong, regardless of who the mistake came from. However, we do not use it to discredit the good that a person has done.

And Allah knows best.

source: Islamtoday

The Necklace

Ibn Rajab and others gave an account of a worshiper who ran out of resources while he was in Makkah. He became extremely hungry and was about to die from lack of nourishment.

One day, as he was wandering in the precincts of Makkah, he found an expensive necklace. He put it into his sleeves and headed for the Masjid. On his way he came across a man announcing that he had lost a necklace. The poor man later said, ” I asked him to describe it to me, and he did so, perfectly, leaving no room for doubt. I gave him the necklace without taking reward from him. I said,: ” O Allah, I have given it for You, so compensate me with what is better.”

He went to the ocean and began a journey in a small boat. Only a brief period of time passed before a storm came with heavy winds crashing into the boat. The boat smashed into pieces and the man was forced to cling to a piece of wood. The winds were violent, propelling him to the left and to the right.

Finally, he was washed ashore onto an island. He found there a Masjid filled with people who were praying, so he joined them. He found papers with parts of the Qur’an written on them and he began to recite from them. The people of the island asked him, “Do you read Qur’an?” He answered in the affirmative. They said, ” Teach our children Qur’an.”

So he began to teach them and he took a salary for his services.

One day, they saw him writing and they asked, ” Will you teach our children to write?” Again he answered in the affirmative and began teaching them for a salary.

A short time later, they said to him, ” There is an orphaned girl with us whose father was a good man. Will you marry her?”

He agreed to the marriage and later related, “I married her and found that she was wearing the exact same necklace. She said that her father lost it in Makkah and a man found it and returned to him. She said that her father would always supplicate while prostrating, for her daughter to become blessed with a husband similar to the honest man. I then informed her that I was that man.”

“O Allah, I have given it for You, so compensate me with what is better.”

Abandoning something for the sake and Pleasure of Allah- Allah will definitely compensate with something that is better, either sooner or later, in this world or Hereafter.

touching and inspiring story…

A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For
many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s
showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told
him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited
signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the
morning of his graduation his father called him into his private
study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine
son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son
a beautiful wrapped gift boxurious, but somewhat disappointed the young man
opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Quraan. Angrily,
he raised his voice at his father and said, “With all your money you
give me a Quraan?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy
book.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in
business.
He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his
father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He
had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make
arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had
passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He
needed to come home immediately and take care things.
When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and
regret filled his heart.

He began to search his father’s important papers and
saw the still new Quraan, just as he had left it years ago. With
tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he
read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope
taped behind the Quraan.
It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the
sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation,
and the words…PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not
packaged as we expected?

This story made me cry…. Xenia

Read in English

Μεταφραση Ξενια

Αυτος ειναι ο ΑΛΛΑΧ, ο Δημιουργος, που εβγαλε τα πραγματα στην υπαρξη και εδωσε τη μορφη τους. Σ Αυτον ανηκουν τα ωραιοτερα αξιοτερα Ονοματα. Οτιδηποτε υπαρχει στους ουρανους και στη γη υμνει τη Δοξα Του. Και ειναι ο Ανικητος, ο Πανσοφος. (Surat al-hashr, 59:24)

Το σύμπαν βασίζεται στην ισορροπία και στην αρμονία. Καθώς οι επιστημονικές εξελίξεις αποκαλύπτουν ολο και πιο πολλα  από τα μυστήρια του, μαθαίνουμε περισσότερα για αυτη την  ισορροπία και αρμονία. Είναι προφανές ότι κάθε σύστημα στο σύμπαν έχει σχεδιαστεί από μια ανώτερη ευφυΐα που δημιούργησε τα πάντα με  ένα καταπληκτικό τρόπο. Για δισεκατομμύρια χρόνια, αυτή η μεγάλη αρμονία και η τάξη υφίσταται μεταξύ ένος άπειρου αριθμόυ έμβιων και μη έμβιων όντων.

Όταν εξετάζουμε τη ζωή στη Γη, συναντάμε εκπληκτικές λεπτομέρειες. Είτε το αναγνωρίζουμε  ή μη,  μας περιβάλλουν  αμέτρητασημάδια της δημιουργίας. Για παράδειγμα, η αναλογία των διαφόρων αερίων στην ατμόσφαιρα είναι ιδανική για την επιβίωση όλων των έμβιων όντων. Οι ανθρώποι  και  τα ζώα  εισπνέουν οξυγόνο και εκπνέουν διοξείδιο του άνθρακα. Μολονότι η διαδικασία αυτή συνεχίζεται χωρίς διακοπή, ποτέ η  ποσότητα του οξυγόνου  δεν μειώνεται και το ποσό του διοξειδίου του άνθρακα δεν αυξάνει. Επιπλέον, αυτη  η  εκπληκτικη ισορροπία δεν διαταράσσεται ποτε,  διότι σε αντίθεση με τον άνθρωπο και τα ζώα, τα φυτά εισπνέουν το διοξείδιο του άνθρακα και εκπνέουν οξυγόνο. Έτσι, το οξυγόνο καταναλώνεται από ανθρώπους και ζώα,  και αντικαθίσταται από τα φυτά, μια διαδικασία που διαφυλάσσει την ισορροπία.

Το παράδειγμα αυτό είναι μόνο ένα από τα αμέτρητα σημάδια της δημιουργίας πανω στην  Γη. Τόσο το micro-και  το macro-σύμπαν αφθονούν με παρόμοια παραδείγματα. Το σύμπαν, οπως και  η ζωή στη Γη, υπάρχει μόνο επειδή ο Κύριός τα δημιουργησε σε συμφωνια το ενα με το αλλο. Ενας στιχος λεει

“Κι οταν ειπε ο Μωυσης στο λαο του:” Ω λαε μου αδικησατε τον εαυτον σας, λατρευοντας το μοσχαρι. Ζητησετε συγχωρεση απο τον Δημιουργο σας και σκοτωσετε τον εαυτον σας (με μετανοια). Αυτο θα ειναι το καλυτερο για σας κατα τη γνωμη του Δημιουργου σας. Τοτε εκεινος σας συγχωρεσε γιατι Αυτος αιναι ο Πολυεπιεικης, ο Φιλεσπλαχνος. ( Surat al-Baqara, 2:54)

`Abdullah Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,“(Believing in) bad omen is (a form of) idolatry.” Ibn Mas`ud added, “It may occur to anyone of us, but God clears it away when we rely totally on Him.” (Al-Bukhari, At-Tirmidhi, and Abu Dawud)

Mu`awiyah ibn Hakam said to the Prophet, “I have only recently abandoned ignorant beliefs, and now God has favored us with Islam. Some of our people visit fortune-tellers.” The Prophet said,” “Do not visit them. ” The man added, “And some of us associate bad omen with certain things.” The Prophet replied, “That is something which they find in their breasts. Let them not be deterred from their purpose ” (Muslim).

People often associate certain things, events, or signs with good or bad omens that tend to differ from one culture to another. In pre-Islamic Arabian culture, when people would go out on business, they would try to determine whether their tasks would be successful or not. They would usually look for any birds they might see. If a bird flew to their right, they would consider this to be a good omen and would continue with their business. If a bird flew to their left, they would see it as a bad omen and would not continue with whatever they had intended to embark upon. In fact, this superstition was so entrenched in their culture that the Arabic name for sensing bad omens is derived from the word tair, which means bird. It is used even when the object, action, or event that causes bad omen has nothing to do with birds.

Apparently, this superstition was not limited to Arabs. In other cultures, people also looked to birds for sensing what may come about. The English word “auspice” is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as “an observation of birds for omens.”

Needless to say, superstition of this nature is forbidden in Islam. It is contrary to the very concept that knowledge of the future is the preserve of God alone. It is also against the principle of putting our trust in God. Therefore the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) denounced the very idea of a bad omen, describing it as a form of associating partners with God. He said, “ (Believing in) bad omen is (a form of) idolatry. ” Ibn Mas`ud, the narrator of this hadith added, “It may occur to anyone of us, but God clears it away when we rely totally on Him.” (Al-Bukhari, At-Tirmidhi, and Abu Dawud).

This hadith is very clear in its import. It describes bad omens as forms of idolatry, or polytheism. The very idea that success was associated in ancient Arabian society with the direction a bird flies is indicative of its absurdity. How could a bird know future events? What does the direction of its flight signify in human language? How could it relate its knowledge to the actions of human beings, or to the people around? If the bird were to know all that, it would be much superior to man in knowledge, when not even the people who attached their omen to its direction of flight could have credited it with that.

A report by `Ikrimah, a learned scholar of the generation that followed the Prophet’s companions, mentions that `Ikrimah was attending to his teacher, `Abdullah ibn `Abbas, the Prophet’s cousin and learned companion, when a bird passed by and made some sound. A man in attendance said, “Good! Good!” Ibn `Abbas said to him, “This bird has neither good nor evil to offer.”

Despite this, people often experience some thoughts of bad omens when they hear something or see an event or an action taking place. Should this happen, believers must not entertain such thoughts for long. They should be quick to place their trust in God and rely on Him in all situations. When believers do this, all thoughts of bad omens are dispelled because they know that whatever befalls them comes from God. When we place our trust in Him, Allah is sure to enable us to overcome difficulties and to reward us for our patience when we meet adversity. We may recall the hadith in which the Prophet wonders at a believer’s lot:

I wonder at a believer’s affairs, as they all end up into what is good. This applies to none other than a believer. If something good comes his way, he expresses his gratitude to God, and it will be good for him; and if he experiences an adversity, he shows patience, and that will again be good for him.

So, we have to differentiate between a temporary thought which we try to dispel by placing our trust in God, and giving in to bad omens. In the latter case, people change their plans, restrict their movement, and do different things to avoid what they think bodes ill for them. This is the sort of things the Prophet warns against. The first type is often unavoidable.

A man called Mu`awiyah ibn Hakam said to the Prophet, “I have only recently abandoned ignorant beliefs, and now God has favored us with Islam. Some of our people visit fortune-tellers.” The Prophet said, “Do not visit them. ” The man added, “And some of us associate bad omens with certain things.” The Prophet replied, “That is something which they find in their breasts. Let them not be deterred from their purpose” (Muslim).

This hadith clearly distinguishes temporary pessimistic thoughts from giving in to bad omens. The distinction is at its clearest when people go ahead with whatever they are planning or what they is about to do, disregarding all negative thoughts and relying totally on God, and, on the other hand, giving in to such thoughts, changing one’s plans and purpose.

All this concerns bad omens, but what about good omens? There is a clear distinction between the two, as appears in the following hadith in which Abu Hurairah quoted the Prophet as saying, “Do not entertain bad omens. The best of it is the good one. ” Asked which is the good one, the Prophet answered, “A good word any of you may hear. ” (Al-Bukhari and Ahmad).

In this hadith, the Prophet gave a clear order that finding bad omens in any sign is unacceptable in Islam. In fact, it is forbidden, unless one tries to dispel its effects by placing his trust in God. Next, the Prophet spoke about good omens as being the best. The comparison here is not between two good things with one being better than the other, because there is nothing good in allowing bad omen to dictate our course of action. The comparative is merely in what we feel when something causes us to be optimistic or pessimistic about something we are embarking upon.

Besides, the Prophet explained that people normally find good omens in a good word they hear. It is not a sign by a bird or some other animal or an inanimate object. A good word may affect a person because it expresses some favorable feeling, or describes a positive situation. It is in human nature that we like fine expressions, beautiful scenes, peaceful surroundings, even when nothing of it belongs to us. Similarly, words that speak of a good thing happening to us soon are bound to have a good effect on us. We note here that such words may be without foundation, but the fact that they give us a sense of optimism is beneficial, provided that we attribute all future events to God’s will.

To give an example, a mother might say to her daughter on the morning she will take her exams, “I feel in my heart that you will do well.” The daughter will feel optimistic and will approach her exam in good spirits. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as the daughter does not attribute her fine results to her mother’s words or feelings.

Source: Islamonline

A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree. A little boy loved to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the treetop, ate the apples, took a nap under the shadow. He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him. Time went by and the little boy had grown up and he no longer played around the tree every day.

One day, the boy came back to the tree and he looked sad. “Come and play with me the tree asked the boy. “I am no longer a kid, I do not play around trees any more the boy replied.

I want toys. I need money to buy them. Sorry, but I do not have money, but you can pick all my apples and sell them. So, you will have money. The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the apples on the tree and left happily. The boy never came back after he picked the apples. The tree was sad.

One day, the boy who now turned into a man returned and the tree was excited Come and play with me the tree said. I do not have time to play. I have to work for my family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help me? Sorry, but I do not have any house. But you can chop off my branches to build your house. So the man cut all the branches of the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but the man never came back since then. The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot summer day, the man returned and the tree was delighted. “Come and play with me! the tree said. I am getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat? said the man. “Use my trunk to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy. So the man cut the tree trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and never showed up for a long time.

Finally, the man returned after many years. “Sorry, my boy. But I do not have anything for you anymore. No more apples for you c the tree said. “No problem, I do not have any teeth to bite” the man replied. “No more trunk for you to climb on I am too old for that now the man said. “I really cannot give you anything… the only thing left is my dying roots the tree said with tears. “I do not need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years the man replied. “Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest, Come, come sit down with me and rest. The man sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears.

This is a story of everyone.
The tree is like our parents
When we were young, we loved to play with our Mum and Dad…
When we grow up, we leave themconly come to them when we need something or when we are in trouble.
No matter what,
parents will always be there and
give everything they could
just to make you happy.

You may think the boy is cruel to the tree, but that is how all of us treat our parents.
We take them for granted we don’t appreciate all they do for us, UNTIL it’s too late.
Wallahi May Allah forgive us of our shortcommings and may He Guide us,
Insha’Allah Ameen Ya rub.
Please enlighten all your friends and your families by telling them this story,

Love your Parents

Source: qisas.com

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Αl-Baqi- Ο Αθανατος – Ο Αιωνιος

Ολα οσα ειναι πανω της στη γη θα πεθανουν( θα ειναι αφανη )και μονο το Προσωπο του Κυριου σου( ο ιδιος ) ο Αρχοντας της Δοξας και της Τιμης θα παραμεινει  (αθανατος)  55:26-27)

Όλη η δημιουργία έχει ένα τέλος. Οι άνθρωποι γεννιούνται, ζουν για ένα ορισμένο χρονικό διάστημα, και στη συνέχεια πεθαίνουν. Αυτό ισχύει και για τα φυτά και τα ζώα. Για παράδειγμα, ένα δέντρο μπορεί να ζήσει για εκατοντάδες χρόνια και στη συνέχεια εκπληρώνει το πεπρωμένο του πεθαίνοντας μια χρονική στιγμή . Ομοίως, όντα που δεν ειναι ζωντανα επίσης, συναντουν το τέλος τους, γιατι   τα καταστρεφει ο χρονος. Επισης, τι απομένει από  τα αρχαία έθνη εκτος  μόνο ερείπια τους.  Ο Αλλάχ καλεί την προσοχή μας σε αυτό το γεγονός:

Ποσα και ποσα χωρια εχουμε εξαφανισει, γιατι οι ανθρωποι τους ειχαν παραδοθει στην αδικια…( Surat al-Hajj, 22:45)

Το σύμπαν έχει επίσης ένα τέλος. Όλοι οι μετεωρίτες,  τα αστέρια, και  οι ήλιοι μεσα στο διαστημα  κάποια μέρα, θα τελειωσει η  ενέργεια τους και θα  εξαφανίσθουν.  Ή, για  καποιο άλλο λόγο, ο Αλλάχ θα καταστρέψει αυτό το σύμπαν και θα  κρατήσει την υπόσχεσή Του για την Ημέρα της Κρίσης.Μπορεί να το κάνει αυτό, γιατι  Αυτός είναι ο Δημιουργός και Μοναδικός Ιδιοκτήτης του απείρου, όπως το Κοράνι αποκαλύπτει:

Και οτι σας εχει δοθει απο πραγματα (της υλης) δεν ειναι παρα προσκαιρη απολαυση κι ανεση στη ζωη αυτου του κοσμου και η ακτινοβολια του. Αυτα ομως που βρισκονται με τον ΑΛΛΑΧ ειναι καλυτερα και διατηρουνται περισσοτερο. Δεν θα λογικευτειτε λοιπον;Surat al-Qasas, 28:60)

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AL-BAQI-The Everlasting

Everyone on it will pass away; but the Face of your Lord will remain , Master of Majesty and Generosity. ( Surat ar-Rahman, 55:26-27)

All of creation has an end. People are born, live for a certain period of time, and then die. This is also true of plants and animals. For instance, a tree may live for hundreds of years and then fulfill its destiny by dying at its appointed time. Similarly, non-living things also will meet their end, for time wears them all out. In addition, what remains of ancient nations is only their ruins. Allah calls our attention to this fact: “How many wrongdoing cities We destroyed, and now all their roofs and walls are fallen in; how many abandoned wells and stuccoed palaces!” ( Surat al-Hajj, 22:45)

The universe also has an end. All of the meteors, stars, and suns hurtling through space will one day exhaust their energy and disappear. Or, for another reason, Allah will destroy this universe and keep His promise regarding the Day of Judgment. He can do this, for He is the Creator and sole Owner of infinity, as the Qur’an reveals:

Anything you have been given is only the enjoyment of this world’s life and finery. What is with Allah is better and longer lasting. So, will you not use your intellect? ( Surat al-Qasas, 28:60)

Source: Names of Allah

Question

Asalamu Alaykum. In Islam we learn to always ask questions so that our knowledge may grow. I am a fairly young Muslim youth who at the same time is a woman and lives in the United States of America. As you can imagine the pressure is horrific. I love my religion more than anything and I would do anything to always safeguard it. I attend Islamic School during the weekends and I am very active in the Mosque I attend. For some months I have been there throughout the whole entire day. With that said I have a small problem I really don’t think I have a strong heart. I doubt myself a lot and sometimes I feel like I have no faith in my heart.

At times I cry for no reason because I feel like my heart has dried up. I try my best to be a strong person but sometimes its very hard. I remember a year ago I could sit and read Quran for hours but now it’s hard for me to read for just half an hour. I don’t know what is happening to me and I started to think that it’s not worth it.

I love my religion and I try to spend as much time as I can in the Mosque. But How do I make my faith stronger and how can I be a person who knows that what I am doing is for Allah only and no one else? Sometimes it’s very hard for me to even pray and the times I do pray I doubt my prayers and always think there is something wrong with them. I know Allah guides those he loves…but what can I do to become a strong person who is humble and always in worship? I feel like the things I do for the Mosque and community are not sincere yet I try to make my heart sincere by pushing myself. What advice would you give me?

Answer:

It is a common thing for all of us to go through times of what seem to be a decrease in our level of faith. You are not alone in feeling this way.

True believers always have this concern that they are not living up to Allah’s expectations. They always feel like there is room for improvement in their deeds and intentions.

Sometimes they even feel that they may be becoming hypocrites because they know the importance of pure intentions and right actions in everything they do so that Allah will accept them and reward them.

It is obvious that you are feeling down at this point in your life, but you do not have to feel that way.

If a person’s heart had truly dried up, do you think they would feel bad about it? Does the person with a hard heart cry because of it? Crying because of a desire to be close to Allah and to have a stronger faith is not something that they would be concerned about. Crying for fear of having weak faith is actually the best sign that you have strong faith.

There are some very good signs that your faith is strong. You are attending Islamic classes, you attend the mosque regularly, you read the Quran regularly, you pray regularly and you are constantly worried that you are not doing enough.

These are excellent ways to draw closer to Allah and I ask Him to give you the strength to keep these things the foundation of your daily life.

The problem I see from what you have shared about your habits, is that you may be overexposing yourself to the formal methods of worshipping Allah (prayer, Quran, and so on) and not spending enough time on other things in life that are also beneficial and enjoyable.

You are quite young to be spending most of your free time in the mosque. Although I am not trying to discourage you from visiting the house of Allah, or attending classes, there are other ways to worship Allah that may feel as rewarding as reading the Quran, for example, or fasting on a Monday.

You mentioned a very good concern that you wish to be a strong person who is humble and always in worship. The way to do that is quite simple. Anything we do in this life can become an act of worship if we stick to two simple rules; it must be intended to please Allah and it must be a good action.

Something as simple as taking a leisurely walk outside, for example, can be a form of worship if we do it in Allah’s name and if it is good according to Islam. If our intention in going for a walk is to get some healthy exercise, then all we have to do is to start our walk by saying, “Bismillah” before we head out.

Exercise is a requirement in Islam because we have to protect the body that Allah gave us. The entire time we spend on our walk is now considered an act of worship because we did something good and we did it in Allah’s name.

What is even better is that going for a walk is quite an enjoyable activity. If a person is interested in other activities, it is easy to do them and be in worship at the same time, so long as the activity is good according to Islam and the intention is to please Allah.

If we can find a good Muslim friend who has the same goals to be close to Allah, this can be an even greater way to enjoy life and worship Allah as much as possible.

Allah created us with many needs and interests. He has commanded only what is beneficial to us and has forbidden only what is harmful to us. Islam recognizes that all of His creation is good and there are only a few things that have been forbidden to us.

So, really there are many, many ways to worship Allah and do good deeds outside of the five pillars that we all know about. Prayer, fasting, zakah and Hajj are called pillars because they are the framework or supports of our lives. But we all know that a house has more than just pillars in it to make it livable and beautiful.

A house has walls, windows, doors, floors, furniture, decorations, etc. that make it such an enjoyable place to live. If the house we live in only had pillars and a roof, what kind of house would it be?

If our life in Islam is only prayer, fasting, zakah, etc. and we have no time for the other necessities of life, what kind of Islam would that be? Is that what Allah has commanded? In the Quran we find guidance in every aspect of life because there are many important things outside of formal worship that we need to dedicate our time and attention to.

Allah wants us to enjoy the life of this world as much as possible. But the only way to do that is to follow His guidance. He knows us better than we know ourselves and knows what in His creation will be good for us and what will be harmful. That is why he sent Islam to mankind.

Out of His infinite mercy he shows us how to have the best of this life and the best of the Hereafter and how to be saved from the Hellfire.

*{And there are men who say: “Our Lord! give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the Fire.}* (Al-Baqarah 2:201)

This verse in the Quran teaches us that there is much goodness in this world and it is for us to enjoy it within the generous limits that Allah has set for us. He loves the believers and only wants them to be happy and successful in this life and the next.

It also teaches us one of the best supplications that we can make on a regular basis. If we are granted this request, the best of this life and the next, what more could a person ask for?

Source: Reading Islam

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Αρ Ραχμαν- Αρ Ραχιιμ***  Ο Παναγαθος- Ο Πολυευσπλαχνος

Και θυμισου τον Ιωβ οταν καλουσε τον Κυριο τους. Η δυστυχια με εχει θλιψει. Εσυ ομως Κυριε εισαι απο τους σπλαχνικους, ο Σπλαχνικοτατος “(Surat al-Anbiya», 21:83)

Όπως συμβαίνει με όλα τα άλλα όντα, ειμαστε και εμεις σε κατάσταση ανάγκης. Η υπαρξή μας εξαρτάται από πολλούς όρους: <Για παραδειγμα, οξυγόνο για να αναπνεύσουμε, νερό και θρεπτικά συστατικά για τις σωματικες λειτουργιες του οργανισμού μας >. Ο κατάλογος είναι ατελείωτος, και ένας άπειρος αριθμός λεπτομέρειων είναι απαραίτητος για τη διατήρηση της  φυσικής ύπαρξης κάθε ατόμου.Ωστόσο, όλοι οι άνθρωποι μπορούν να επιβιώσουν χωρις να δίνουν πολλή σκέψη στην  ανταποκρίση των ανάγκωντους. Ό, τι χρειάζεται για το σώμα τους και την επιβίωσή τους έχει ήδη παρασχεθεί και  χρησιμοποιηθει. Το πρώτο παράδειγμα που μου έρχεται στο μυαλό είναι  η αναπνοή. Το οξυγόνο είναι απαραίτητο για την επιβίωση, αλλά  ποιος παρέχει το ακριβο μετρου του οξυγόνου στην ατμόσφαιρα; Ή, ποιος  διαθέτει το σύστημα που λαμβάνει αυτό το οξυγόνο και το  επεξεργάζεται έτσι ώστε να μπορεί να μεταφερθεί σε κάθε κύτταρο;Κανένα από αυτά δεν μπορεί να αποδοθεί σε κανέναν, διότι κανείς δεν έχει ρόλο στη διαμόρφωση της ατμόσφαιρας ή του συστήματος της αναπνοής του.

Αυτή η  ζωτική ανάγκη να είναι το κυριότερο,και  κάθε λεπτομέρεια είναι σχεδιασμένη στην πιο τέλεια και μορφή της.

Σε αυτό το σημείο, συναντάμε μια ανώτερη σοφία που σχεδιάζει όλες τις λεπτομέρειες και την άπειρη συμπόνια που ο ιδιοκτήτης αυτής της σοφίας- ο Αλλάχ, ο Πανάγαθος-δείχνει σε εμάς.

Το Έλεος του Αλλάχ δεν περιορίζεται μονο στην ικανοποίηση των  φυσικων  ανάγκων των ανθρώπων.  Ο Αλλάχ δημιούργησε άνθρωπους, τους τοποθέτησε στον πλέον κατάλληλο τόπο, και, σε αντάλλαγμα, τους ζήτησε μόνο να τον υπηρετησουν. Είπε, επίσης, στους άνθρωπους  πώς να το κάνουν  αυτό και έστειλε κάτω βιβλία και προφήτες για αυτό ακριβώς το σκοπό.Με αυτόν τον τρόπο, Ο  Αλλάχ μας εδωσε ευκαιρια να τον γνωρισουμε  και μας κάλεσε  στη θρησκεία και στην ηθική υπεροχή. Αυτά είναι προφανή σημάδια του άπειρου έλεους του Κυρίου μας.

Πηγή: ΟΝΟΜΑΤΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΛΛΑΧ

Assalam Alikum All,

Once we have decided to embark on this wonderful journey of self transformation, we need to understand a little bit about our destination and the road we need to take. My objective into this quick introduction is to provide you with some basic knowledge and then provide some vidoes and articles by renouned scholars.

What journey are we embarking on?

Every journey has a name, some cases it is a road trip, other times it is a vacation, it could be a pilgrimage or a safari trip… So what is the name of this journey?

There are many names but the most common terms are:

1) Islaha tun Nufus (Reformation of the Soul)

2) Al – Tazkiyah tun Nufus (Purification of the Soul)

2) Al Tazkiyah tun Qulub (Reformation of the Heart)

What is the Destination?

Jannah (Paradise)

What are the check points / Roadmarks  of the journey??

Journey of the Heart

“The day when wealth and children will not benefit anyone except he who will come to Allah with a Qalb-e-Saleem.” (Surah Shu’ara, Aayah 38-39)

This is the spectrum:

Black Heart (worst) ——–>  Sound Heart (best)

Journey of the Soul:

Nafs Al Ammara –> Nafs Al Lawwamah –> Nafs Al Mutma’innah

These are the three stages of development of the ‘nafs’ or the human soul / self:

1) Nafs Al Ammara: That which is prone to evil and if not checked and controlled, will lead to eternal damnation (aka, Hell fire) (Described in Quran 12:53)

2) Nafs Al Lawwamah: That which feels consciousness of evil, and resists it, asks for Allah’s grace and pardon after repentance and tries to amend. (Basically if you feel bad after doing something bad, you’re in this stage) (75:2)

3) Nafs Al Mutma’innah: The highest stage of all, when the soul achives full rest and satisfaction after ‘aql (intellect) has checked the evil tendencies of man. In this stage a man’s taqwa (fear of Allah) is at its peak. He (or she) is essentially an example to society.(89:27)

Why is this important?

My Top 10 reasons:

1) Don’t want to burn in Hell

2) See Allah (in paradise)

2) Hoor Al Ayn ( Most gorgeous wife(s)  in paradise; BTW did you know that we can go on for 70 year sessions!!

3) Palaces underneath which rivers flow (paradise)

4) Eternal Pleasure

5) Be friends with the greatest humans on earth!

( Muhammad PBUH, Jesus, Moses, Ibrahim, Suleiman (PBUT) and the rest, the Sahabas (Especially Umar, Abu Backar, Uthman, Ali, Khalid Bin Walid, Abu Darr, Saad bin Muad, Bilal, Zubair, Hassan, Hussain (May Allah be pleased with them)

6)  Peace and strength to deal with any situations (in this world)

7) Help change society for the better

8′) Become more loved (By Allah, parents, friends, collegues, the person you meet on the street even!)

9) OBEY my lord and being thankful to Him

10) Who doesn’t want to change for the better?

Check out this introduction to Islaha (reformation) by Imam Shuaib Webb. You can get the entire video lecture series @ www.jannah.org;

Jazak Allah Khair

Angels! Collection, Sahih Bukhari!

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “When it is a Friday, the angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). The one coming next is like one offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumua prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers and listen to the Khutba.”  (Book #13, Hadith #51)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “On every Friday the angels take heir stand at every gate of the mosques to write the names of the people chronologically (i.e. according to the time of their arrival for the Friday prayer and when the Imam sits (on the pulpit) they fold up their scrolls and get ready to listen to the sermon.”  (Book #54, Hadith #433)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “angels come to you in succession by night and day and all of them get together at the time of the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. Those who have passed the night with you (or stayed with you) ascend (to the Heaven) and Allah asks them, though He knows everything about you, well, “In what state did you leave my slaves?” The angels reply: “When we left them they were praying and when we reached them, they were praying.”  (Book #10, Hadith #530)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “The reward of the prayer offered by a person in congregation is twenty five times greater thanthat of the prayer offered in one’s house or in the market (alone). And this is because if he performs ablution and does it perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of praying, then for every step he takes towards the mosque, he is upgraded one degree in reward and his one sin is taken off (crossed out) from his accounts (of deeds). When he offers his prayer, the angels keep on asking Allah’s Blessings and Allah’s forgiveness for him as long as he is (staying) at his Musalla. They say, ‘O Allah! Bestow Your blessings upon him, be Merciful and kind to him.’ And one is regarded in prayer as long as one is waiting for the prayer.”  (Book #11, Hadith #620

Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, “When a human being is laid in his grave and his companions return and he even hears their foot steps, two angels come to him and make him sit and ask him: What did you use to say about this man, Muhammad ? He will say: I testify that he is Allah’s slave and His Apostle. Then it will be said to him, ‘Look at your place in the Hell-Fire. Allah has given you a place in Paradise instead of it.’ ” The Prophet added, “The dead person will see both his places. But a non-believer or a hypocrite will say to the angels, ‘I do not know, but I used to say what the people used to say! It will be said to him, ‘Neither did you know nor did you take the guidance (by reciting the Quran).’ Then he will be hit with an iron hammer between his two ears, and he will cry and that cry will be heard by whatever approaches him except human beings and jinns.”  (Book #23, Hadith #422)

Narrated Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.’ ”  (Book #24, Hadith #522)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Say Amin” when the Imam says it and if the Amin of any one of you coincides with that of the angels then all his past sins will be forgiven.” Ibn Shihab said, “Allah’s Apostle used to Say “Amin.”  (Book #12, Hadith #747)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “When the Imam says, “Sami’ a-l-lahu Liman hamida,” you should say, “Allahumma Rabbana laka-l-hamd.” And if the saying of any one of you coincides with that of the angels, all his past sins will be forgiven.”  (Book #12, Hadith #762)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall. When He created him, He said to him, “Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it will be your greeting (salutation) and the greeting (salutations of your offspring.” So, Adam said (to the angels), As-Salamu Alaikum (i.e. Peace be upon you). The angels said, “As-salamu Alaika wa Rahmatu-l-lahi” (i.e. Peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon you). Thus the angels added to Adam’s salutation the expression, ‘Wa Rahmatu-l-lahi,’ Any person who will enter Paradise will resemble Adam (in appearance and figure). People have been decreasing in stature since Adam’s creation.  (Book #55, Hadith #543)

Narrated Abu Talha: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying; “angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a livingcreature (a human being or an animal).” (Book #54, Hadith #448)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “When the Imam says: ‘Ghair-il-Maghdubi ‘Alaihim Walad-Dallin (i.e. not the path of those who earn Your Anger, nor the path of those who went astray (1.7)), then you must say, ‘Ameen’, for if one’s utterance of ‘Ameen’ coincides with that of the angels, then his past sins will be forgiven.”  (Book #60, Hadith #2)

Narrated Ibn Al-Musaiyab: Abu Huraira said, “The Prophet said, ‘A prayer performed in congregation is twenty-five times more superior in reward to a prayer performed by a single person. The angels of the night and the angels of the day are assembled at the time of the Fajr (Morning) prayer.” Abu Huraira added, “If you wish, you can recite:– ‘Verily! The recitation of the Qur’an in the early dawn (Morning prayer) is ever witnessed (attended by the angels of the day and the night).’ (17.78)  (Book #60, Hadith #241)

RELATED ARTICLE: Prayers attended by Angels

Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem

The Companions of our Prophet Muhammed (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa salaam) used to gather to remember death so that they would benefit their souls by increasing in fear of Allaah and strive to gain His pleasure. If this was the case of the Sahaabah and they were the best of generations, the most pious and God-fearing of this ummah, then what about us? Surely, it means that we need to engage in the remembrance of Allaah – The Most Perfect, The Most High – even more. After all, we are in far more need of this act of worship than they were.

Let us begin at the end of a man’s life, in his last moments. He is lying on his death bed and his family are at his side. His father is calling for the doctor. His wife asks him: “To whom are you leaving us?”. The man’s little daughter asks him, “Why do you not answer me?”, and his small boy cries but nobody responds to him. This is the situation Allaah, The Most High and The Most High, has informed us about:

“Nay, when the soul reaches the throat, and it is said: “Who will cure him now?”. The dying person concludes that this is the time for departing. The leg joins the other leg.” [Al-Qiyaamah: 26-29]

They place him in his shroud, his leg joins his other leg. Then he is carried upon the shoulders and taken to a dark hole. If he was a transgressing criminal he cries out: “Woe to it! Where are you taking it?

“The drive that day will be to your Lord” [Al-Qiyaamah: 30]

Then he is lowered into this ditch and dirt is thrown upon him until he is sealed in it. If he was a criminal, Allaah – The Most Perfect and The Most High – says:

“So he neither believed nor did he pray. Rather he belied and turned away.” [Al-Qiyaamah: 31-32]

This transgressor will remain in his grave alone, there will be no-one to sit with him and no-one to keep him company. He will feel the heat of the fire, smell its foul odour, and be tortured therein. This man’s grave will sqeeze in upon him so much so that the bones of his rib cage will cross each other. Despite all this punishment and all this torture and pain, he will hope that the hour will never be established. For this man knows that the hour is far worse and of he will be in greater loss on that Day.

The man hears ‘As-Saakhah’ from within his grave, and what is ‘As-Saakhah’? It is the second blowing of the trumpet. This is when all that is in the graves shall be raised and ressurrected. So the criminal will cry:

“Woe to us, who has woken us from our resting place?” It will be said: “This is what the Ever-Merciful promised and the messengers where truthful.” [Yasin: 52]

The earth will be torn away from above him. This man will see the heavens being cleft assunder, the stars falling and being scattered, the oceans in their greatness bursting forth, burning, the graves will at that time bring forth their contents.

“Every person shall know what he has sent forth of good and bad deeds at that moment.” [Al-Infitaar: 1-5]

Then he will raised up and driven to the crowding place: ‘Al-Mahshar’.

“That day, the mother who is nursing her child will become careless of it, the mother who is carrying her child will drop her load. That day, mankind will appear as if they are drunk yet they they are not drunk. Indeed the punishment of your Lord is great.” [Al-Hajj 1-2]

The mother will come to her son and say: “Oh my son, my breast was a container for you, my womb was a container for you. Oh my son I seek from you a hasanah (merit) that I may approach Allaah with. My son, do not be greedy towards me”. In the world this son would have sacrificed his life, rather many lives for merely the happiness of his mother so how does he treat her now? He responds to her plea: “Get away from me! Leave me! Indeed I am in need of this merit more than you.”

“So when ‘As-Saakhah’ comes. That day a man will flee from his brother, from his mother and his father, from his wife and his children. That day every man shall have enough to make him careless of others.” [Al-Abasa: 33-37]

So mankind will wait in this crowding place for 50,000 years, after which Allaah, The Most Perfect and The Most High, will come to judge them. So He will call the criminal and say to him, “Oh so and so, did I not give you of the cold water to drink? Did I not give you a healthy body? Did I not give you many bounties? What have you done with all that which I bestowed upon you?” So the man replies, “I have done nothing my Lord.”

So he lies to his Lord on that day. Allaah says: “Where are the witnesses!”. So the Angels come and bear witness that this criminal did not pray in those moments of prayer, he drank, fornicated, lied, cursed and insulted. He turned away from belief and was proud and arrogant. So the criminal says to his Lord, “I do not accept accept a wintness except one from myself.” His Lord replies to him, “And you have that?”

“The day when we shall seal their mouths, there hands will speak to us and their legs will bear witness to that which they used to earn.” [Yasin: 65]

So he turns to his skin and says to it: it was only for you that I was arguing.

“Nay, when the earth is shaken a true shaking and your Lord comes with the Angels in rows. That day the Fire will be brought near. That day man will remember but how will that remembrance avail him? He will say, ‘Woe to me! Would that I had put forth something for this life.’ “ [Al-Fajr: 21-24]

This man then remembers. This criminal remembers that when he heard the call for prayer and he did not respond to it. He remembers when he woke and the sun had already risen yet he had not prayed al-fajr. This man remembers when he abused this one, when he slandered that one, when he earned that unlawful wealth, when he struck this one and killed that one. This criminal remembers every sin with which he disobeyed Allaah with. That day all his remorse and regret amounts to nothing. Then Allaah will say, “Sieze him and fetter him. Then throw him into the blazing fire. Then put a chain which is 70 cubits long through him. Indeed he did not used to believe in Allaah, The Most Perfect, The Most High.”

The Angels will then drag him upon his face into the fire. As he enters it he will see his friends from the world already present.

“Every time a nation enters it curses it sister nation.” [Al-a'araaf: 38].

So he is greeted with curses and given a wretched abode in which to abide. The fire encompasses him from all sides roasting, burning his skin completely,

“Whenever their skins have been done (burnt away) we replace them with new skins so that they may taste of the punishment.” [an-Nisaa: 56].

Their food in the fire is Ad-Daree’ (a thorny plant).

“No food will they have except Ad-Daree’. It neither nourishes nor removes hunger.” [Al-Ghaashiyah: 6-7]

When they eat it they choke due to the thorns. So when they are choking they ask to be rescued with water, so they are rescued with an intensly boiling water which grills their faces when they appoach it. When they drink from the water, due to its heat, it cuts their intestines and causes them an increased pain. They eat from Az-Zaquum. They eat a bitter fruit which cannot be tasted.

“Indeed the tree of Zaquum will be the food of the sinners. Like boiling oil, it will boil in the belies, like the boiling of scalding water. It will be said : Drag, sieze him and drag him into the midst of the blazing fire. Then pour upon his head the torment of boiling water. Taste! You were pretending to be the Mighty the Generous.” [ad-Dukhaan: 43-49]

Due to this intense pain, suffering and anguish they are experiencing they call upon the guardian of hell-fire,

“They call, Oh Maalik let your Lord destroy us” After many years he responds to them with two words “You are staying.” [43:77].

After all of this, they have one last chance and they call upon their Lord, “Oh our Lord we were indeed astray! Oh our Lord we were indeed misguided, we did fall short. Return us to the world so that we can do good instead of that which we used to do.”

Allaah replies to them, “Rot in it and do not speak to me. After this they do not speak nor do they utter.”

They are then called from afar, “Oh dwellers of the fire, do you know what this is?” They reply, “Yes that is death in the form of a ram.” Death is then slaughtered in a place between Al-Jannah an An-Naar. It is said to the dwellers of the fire, ever-lasting life without death.

As for the other group, the ones who obeyed their Lord in this world, let us describe briefly their fate:

When he is placed into his grave it is widened and made spacious for him. He smells the sweet fragrance of Al-jannah and feels some of its comforts. He sleeps in his grave like a bride on her wedding night who no-one shall awaken except her beloved. When the cry comes he is gathered to the crowding place and waits there for 50,000 years. This time passes as if it were the time between Zohar and Asr. Then the Lord of the worlds comes to make judgement, so He calls His slave saying, “Oh my slave, do you not remember that sin, do you not remember this sin.” So the slave replies, “My Lord I have perished!” So Allaah replies to him, “I hid it in the world for you and this day I forgive it.” This good man is handed his book in his right hand. Due to his happiness he runs to the people and says “Take it; read my book. Indeed I used to think I would meet my accounting.”

“So he will be in a content life.” [Al-Haaqah: 19-21]

Then he will be crowded from a group of al-jannah. The Jannah has eight gates and between each gate is a distance that would take 40 years to traverse. There comes a day when the gates are crowded. So as this slave of Allaah enters Al-Jannah he is greeted with salaam (peace). He sees before him 4 rivers:

“… In it are rivers of water, the taste and smell of which are not changed. Rivers of milk of which the taste never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those wo drink and rivers of clear and pure honey …” [Muhammad: 15]

He has therein a house and he knows this house as he knows his dwelling in this life. His house is made from bricks of gold and silver. In it he has wives from the Hoorul-’een.

“And Hooron ‘een, like untouched, unseen, precious pearls. A reward for what they used to do.” [Al-Waaqiah: 22-24]

“Indeed we have created them a special creation, made them virgins, loving only their husbands of equal age.” [al-Waaqiah: 35-37]

Every time they cohabit with their husbands they return to being virgins. Outside this house he has a tent, in it he has wives. When he goes to one of them, the other does not see him.

In Al-Jannaah the righteous slave has everything he desires, wishes and wants. He neither feels extreme heat nor the bitter cold:

“They will see there neither the excessive heat of the sun nor the bitter cold.” [Al-Insaan: 13].

There is not a tree in Al-Jannaah except its trunk is made of gold. When he requires its fruit he does not need to get up from his place, since it comes to him:

“The bunches of fruit thereof hang low, within reach.” [al-Insaan: 14].

“They are served by youthful boys who never age. If you were to see them you would think them scattered pearls.” [al-Insaan: 19]

So he resides therein, tranquil and at ease. No pain, no ill feeling and no foul speech. Life without death, lasting with no end.

These are not mere stories that we tell to amuse ourselves or scare one another, rather they are the destinies of the ones who obey Allaah and those who disobey. Allaah calls His slaves to repentance many times in every day so avail these opportunities. Repentance has only three conditions, that you be sincere to Allaah, that you leave the sin and that you make a firm resolve that you never return to the sin.

So be the children of the Hereafter and not the children of this life; a party in Paradise and a party in the Hell-fire.

Source: Kalamullah

Penulis: Ummu Uwais Herlina Clara Sidi Pratiwi
Muraja’ah: ustadz Abu Ukkasyah Aris Munandar

Wanita, sosok lemah dan tak berdaya yang terbayangkan. Dengan lemahnya fisik, Allah tidak membebankan tanggung jawab nafkah di pundak wanita, memberi banyak keringanan dalam ibadah dan perkara lainnya. Mereka adalah sosok yang mudah mengeluh dan tidak tahan dengan beban yang menghimpitnya. Dengan kebengkokannya sehingga Rasulullah shalallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam memerintahkan untuk bersikap lembut dan banyak mewasiatkan agar bersikap baik kepadanya. Oleh karena itu, tidak mengherankan kiranya jika Allah Tabaroka wa Ta’ala dengan segala hikmah-Nya mengamanahkan kaum wanita kepada kaum laki-laki.

Namun, kelemahan itu tak harus melunturkan keteguhan iman. Sebagaimana keteguhan salah seorang putri, istri dari seorang suami yang menjadi musuh Allah Rabb alam semesta. Seorang suami yang angkuh atas kekuasaan yang ada di tangannya, yang dusta lagi kufur kepada Rabbnya. Putri yang akhirnya harus disiksa oleh tangan suaminya sendiri, yang disiksa karena keimanannya kepada Allah Dzat Yang Maha Tinggi. Dialah Asiyah binti Muzahim, istri Fir’aun.

Ketika mengetahui keimanan istrinya kepada Allah, maka murkalah Fir’aun. Dengan keimanan dan keteguhan hati, wanita shalihah tersebut tidak goyah pendiriaannya, meski mendapat ancaman dan siksaan dari suaminya.

Kemudian keluarlah sang suami yang dzalim ini kepada kaumnya dan berkata pada mereka, “Apa yang kalian ketahui tentang Asiyah binti Muzahaim?” Mereka menyanjungnya.Lalu Fir’aun berkata lagi kepada mereka,“Sesungguhnya dia menyembah Tuhan selainku.” Berkatalah mereka kepadanya,“Bunuhlah dia!”

Alangkah beratnya ujian wanita ini, disiksa oleh suaminya sendiri.

Dimulailah siksaan itu, Fir’aun pun memerintahkan para algojonya untuk memasang tonggak. Diikatlah kedua tangan dan kaki Asiyah pada tonggak tersebut, kemudian dibawanya wanita tersebut di bawah sengatan terik matahari. Belum cukup sampai disitu siksaan yang ditimpakan suaminya. Kedua tangan dan kaki Asiyah dipaku dan di atas punggungnya diletakkan batu yang besar. Subhanallah…saudariku, mampukah kita menghadapi siksaan semacam itu? Siksaan yang lebih layak ditimpakan kepada seorang laki-laki yang lebih kuat secara fisik dan bukan ditimpakan atas diri wanita yang bertubuh lemah tak berdaya. Siksaan yang apabila ditimpakan atas wanita sekarang, mugkin akan lebih memilih menyerah daripada mengalami siksaan semacam itu.

Namun, akankah siksaan itu menggeser keteguhan hati Asiyah walau sekejap? Sungguh siksaan itu tak sedikitpun mampu menggeser keimanan wanita mulia itu. Akan tetapi, siksaan-siksaan itu justru semakin menguatkan keimanannya.

Iman yang berangkat dari hati yang tulus, apapun yang menimpanya tidak sebanding dengan harapan atas apa yang dijanjikan di sisi Allah Tabaroka wa Ta’ala. Maka Allah pun tidak menyia-nyiakan keteguhan iman wanita ini. Ketika Fir’aun dan algojonya meninggalkan Asiyah, para malaikat pun datang menaunginya.

Di tengah beratnya siksaan yang menimpanya, wanita mulia ini senantiasa berdo’a memohon untuk dibuatkan rumah di surga. Allah mengabulkan doa Asiyah, maka disingkaplah hijab dan ia melihat rumahnya yang dibangun di dalam surga. Diabadikanlah doa wanita mulia ini di dalam al-Qur’an,

“Ya Rabbku, bangunkanlah untukku sebuah rumah di sisi-Mu dalam surga dan selamatkanlah aku dari Fir’aun dan perbuatannya dan selamatkan aku dari kaum yang dzalim.” (Qs. At-Tahrim:11)

Ketika melihat rumahnya di surga dibangun, maka berbahagialah wanita mulia ini. Semakin hari semakin kuat kerinduan hatinya untuk memasukinya. Ia tak peduli lagi dengan siksaan Fir’aun dan algojonya. Ia malah tersenyum gembira yang membuat Fir’aun bingung dan terheran-heran. Bagaimana mungkin orang yang disiksa akan tetapi malah tertawa riang? Sungguh terasa aneh semua itu baginya. Jika seandainya apa yang dilihat wanita ini ditampakkan juga padanya, maka kekuasaan dan kerajaannya tidak ada apa-apanya.

Maka tibalah saat-saat terakhir di dunia. Allah mencabut jiwa suci wanita shalihah ini dan menaikkannya menuju rahmat dan keridhaan-Nya. Berakhir sudah penderitaan dan siksaan dunia, siksaan dari suami yang tak berperikemanusiaan.

Saudariku..tidakkah kita iri dengan kedudukan wanita mulia ini? Apakah kita tidak menginginkan kedudukan itu? Kedudukan tertinggi di sisi Allah Yang Maha Tinggi. Akan tetapi adakah kita telah berbuat amal untuk meraih kemuliaan itu? Kemuliaan yang hanya bisa diraih dengan amal shalih dan pengorbanan. Tidak ada kemuliaan diraih dengan memanjakan diri dan kemewahan.

Saudariku..tidakkah kita menjadikan Asiyah sebagai teladan hidup kita untuk meraih kemuliaan itu? Apakah kita tidak malu dengannya, dimana dia seorang istri raja, gemerlap dunia mampu diraihnya, istana dan segala kemewahannya dapat dengan mudah dinikmatinya. Namun, apa yang dipilihnya? Ia lebih memilih disiksa dan menderita karena keteguhan hati dan keimanannya. Ia lebih memilih kemuliaan di sisi Allah, bukan di sisi manusia. Jangan sampailah dunia yang tak seberapa ini melenakan kita. Melenakan kita untuk meraih janji Allah Ta’ala, surga dan kenikmatannya.

Saudariku…jangan sampai karena alasan kondisi kita mengorbankan keimanan kita, mengorbankan aqidah kita. Marilah kita teladani Asiyah binti Muzahim dalam mempertahankan iman. Jangan sampai bujuk rayu setan dan bala tentaranya menggoyahkan keyakinana kita. Janganlah penilaian manusia dijadikan ukuran, tapi jadikan penilaian Allah sebagai tujuan. Apapun keadaan yang menghimpit kita, seberat apapun situasinya, hendaknya ridha Allah lebih utama. Mudah-mudahan Allah mengaruniakan surga tertinggi yang penuh kenikmatan.

Maraaji’:
14 Wanita Mulia dalam sejarah Islam (terjemahan dari Nisa’ Lahunna Mawaqif) karya Azhari Ahmad Mahmud
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Yawm al-Arafat:

The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of Arafat. It is this day when the pilgrims gather on the mountain plain of Arafat, praying and supplicating to their Lord. The day of Arafat holds great importance in Islam since this is the Day when Allâh completed his revelation on His Messenger (sAllâhu alaihe wa-sallam). It is reported in the Sahîhayn (i.e. Sahîh al-Bukharî and Sahîh Muslim), from Umar Ibn al-Khattab (radhi Allâhu anhu) that a Jewish man said to him:

Arafat is the day on which Allâh took the covenant from the progeny of Adam (alaihis-salâm), it was reported that Ibn Abbas (radhi Allâhu anhu) narrated: The Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) related:

Indeed, the day of Arafat is a blessed day and there is no other covenant greater than this covenant! Arafat is a day of Forgiveness from sins, freedom from the Hell-Fire for the people who are present in the plain of Arafat. A’ishah (radhi Allâhu anha) narrated the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) saying:

This Hâdîth mentions forgiveness for the pilgrims. In addition to this, fasting on the day of Arafat is a Sunnah and an expiation of sins for the residents. Hunaydah ibn Khâlid reported from his wife that some of the wives of the Prophet (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

It is reported in Sahîh Muslim that when the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) was asked about the fasting on the day of Arafat, he said:

This fasting is Mustahabb only for the non-pilgrims and not for the Hajis (the pilgrims) because it was not the practice of Allâh’s Messenger (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) to fast on the day of Arafat during pilgrimage and in a narration he also forbade doing so. Imâm at-Tirmidhî (rahimahullah) (d. 275H) said: