Thursday 31 August 2006

Ramadhan: Eruption Upon Eruption

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

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

Ramadhan: Eruption Upon Eruption





Alhamdulillah was Salatu was Salamu 'ala Rasoolillah




O Youth of Islam in every corner of the earth, we are receiving the month of Ramadan. We are to receive wonderful nights and prosperous days, and we will encounter in it exuberant and dashing Iman, which fills the heart and outpours upon the limbs, and we will encounter taqwa of ALLAH: SO THAT YOU MAY ATTAIN TAQWA ; taqwa which is the sensitivity in the hairs and the alertness of the conscious. So fasting takes us to the ultimate grades of taqwa through zuhd (abstinence) and piety after we have reached, through the other ibadat, to the initial grades of taqwa through moderation and steadfastness. And when all the wajibat (obligations) have born fruit from taqwa: restraint from evil prohibitions, then taqwa itself bears fruit from fasting; broader and more encompassing, since it teaches us how to refrain from some halal and mubah (permissible) and from the necessities of life.




Thus the beginning of purity is purity of the righteous ones by leaving off the prohibitions, and the conclusion of purity is purity of the excellent ones, by freeing one's self from luxurious ways and a life of enjoyment, until when tomorrow comes, he finds good fortune; the caller calls to the great sacrifice; that of jihad in the way of ALLAH, and we are there. We have made preparations for the matter since we have practised patience and its hardship, and on that day we will be pleased with thirst, fatigue, and hunger in the sake of the wajib. And we will not be pleased to return to luxury, and enjoyment under humiliation and in the grip of the usurper. So if you fast, O Muslim youth, then you have trained in patience and have become accustomed to it. You have learnt not to degrade yourself for a morsel of life. And you are prepared at any time to suppress your stomach by leaving food in which there is humiliation and weakness. You train yourself upon dignity and strength, upon steadfastness and patience, so you are not humbled to creation whatever its location, and that a morsel of life does not affect your nobility and honour, and you do not bow your head because of it, for verily you only bow your head to One to whom faces are humbled: , AND FACES WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES BEFORE AL-HAYY (THE LIVING), AL-QAYYUM (THE ETERNAL), AND HE WHO BEARS WRONGDOING WILL INDEED BE A FAILURE. Fasting trains you to reduce your food as much as possible, and as long as that happens, it will affect your dignity and strength. Taqwa, taught to us through fasting, comprises firstly of restraint and dissolution, then secondly that of setting up and building. So the matter does not end with silencing the voice of desires; verily it is silencing the voice of desires whilst establishing the voice of truth and guidance. You must release your tongue with the word of truth and da'wah to constancy upon it, and you should raise your voice in forbidding the evil without shyness or fear. Do not be taken aback for the sake of ALLAH by the blame of those who blame, then the world will shake and the distant lands will tremble whilst you are speaking the truth and exposing the oppressor.




Indeed the month of Ramadan will give you strength and steadfastness and will grant you a strong determination, a sure decision and relentlessness in speaking the truth. Indeed the fasting of Ramadan is eruption upon eruption; eruption from which you can take generosity, and kindness. The Messenger of ALLAH (SALLAHU 'alaihi wa sallam) was the most generous of men and was even more generous in Ramadan; you take du'a AND WHEN MY SLAVES ASK YOU CONCERNING ME, THEN INDEED I AM NEAR, I RESPOND TO THE DU'A OF THE SUPPLICATOR WHEN HE CALLS UPON ME ; you take from it rukoo', sujood, qiyam and activity: Whoever spent Ramadan with Iman and hoping for reward , is forgiven for his past sins. . You take from it i'tikaf in the last ten days; 'Aisha (Radi'ALLAHU 'anha) said: When he entered the last ten days of Ramadan, the Messenger of ALLAH (SALLAHU 'alaihi wa sallam) would tighten his izar (waist wrapper), spend the night in prayer, and waken his family.




And the fasting of Ramadan is an eruption which trembles and shakes the thrones of oppression and tyranny, annihilates and erases the palaces of rebellion and rancour. Across the range of Islamic history, upheavals occurred in Ramadan and Jihad used to increase and multiply. In the heart of Islam, the day of Badr was in Ramadan, as well as the day of Conquest, during it were heard words of upheaval and strength, and disassociation from weakness, cowardice, and lassitude; such was Miqdad bin 'Amro from the companions of the Messenger of ALLAH (SALLAHU 'alaihi wa sallam), saying words which were ringing out in the world:




Continue O Messenger of ALLAH for what you will, for we are with you. By ALLAH we will not say to you as the Bani Israeel said to Musa: 'Go you and your Lord and fight, we will sit here' , but we say ' Go you and your Lord and fight and indeed we will fight along with you, we will fight on your right and on your left, in front of you and from behind you. By the One in whose Hand is my soul, if you were to take us to Bark Al-Ghamad we will still fight resolutely with you against its defenders until you gained it.




The Messenger of ALLAH (SALLAHU 'alaihi wa sallam) became pleased and made a du'a for him for good, then he (SALLAHU 'alaihi wa sallam) said: Advise me O people by which he meant the Ansar. Then Sa'd bin Muadh said: By ALLAH, I feel you want us to speak?, he said Oh yes. So Sa'd bin Muadh said:




O Messenger of ALLAH we have believed in you and have attested to you, and we have born witness that what you have brought us is the truth, and for that we have given you our pledge and covenant for patience and obedience to you. So proceed O Messenger of ALLAH where you will, for by the One in whose Hand my soul is , if you were to ask us to plunge ourselves into the sea, we will do that most readily, and not one man from us will stay behind. We are experienced in war and are trustworthy in combat. We hope that ALLAH will show you through our hands those deeds of valour which will please your eyes. Lead us to the battlefield with the blessing of ALLAH. Cut ties with who you wish, join ties with who you wish, make peace with who you wish, show enmity to who you wish, take from our wealth what you wish, and present us with what you wish, and that which you take from us is more beloved to us than that which you have presented us with.




These words of truth were heard by the world and by history during Ramadan. Similarly we heard the speech of our Noble Messenger SALLAHU 'alaihi wa sallam in Ramadan on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, a day he entered triumphant, victorious and came the Victory of ALLAH and the Conquest. He said to the people of Makkah whilst they were sitting beside the Masjid al Haraam: There is no deity but ALLAH, the One, who was True to His promise, gave victory to His slave, and defeated the confederates on His own. O people of Makkah, what do you think I am to do with you ? ,they said, Good, a noble brother, son of a noble brother. He said: Go for you are all free.




And whilst Ramadan is eruption upon eruption, then indeed Ramadan is also a fire and a light- fire which rages in the hearts of the enemies and inflames and ignites them; and a light which penetrates the hearts of the awliyaa (allies of ALLAH) gently rocks their souls, anoints their limbs, illuminates their path and implants in them determination, zeal, and power.




So O Muslim youth in every corner of the earth, rush to it with a tremendous, strong and thundering eruption INTIMIDATE WITH IT THE ENEMIES OF ALLAH AND YOUR ENEMY, AND OTHERS BESIDES WHOM YOU MAY NOT KNOW, BUT ALLAH DOES KNOW. Chase from behind them with strength and force so that they may remember; announce the Islamic Jihad in every land of Jihad, and multiply the effort; ask for ALLAH to shower His mercy, and He will bring you His help and send with you forces you do not see.




O Muslim Youth, in every place, you must move, expend blood and sweat, work night and day in the way of ALLAH and to make high His Word.




Eliminate the thrones of the kings and leaders, those who see the wealth of the Muslims and their lands as permissible and its squandering inherited; the kings and leaders for whom it is not matter to gather the wealth, power and authority in their hands. Eliminate these thrones of falsehood, causing the truth to triumph, and bringing the falsehood to nothing.




THAT HE MIGHT CAUSE THE TRUTH TO TRIUMPH AND BRING FALSEHOOD TO NOTHING, EVEN THOUGH THE CRIMINALS MAY HATE IT.




Erupt upon the people of oppression and tyranny, remove them from the surface of the earth, and bury them in its depths. Cleanse the life from this impurity and filth, those who make people taste distress, and cram the Muslim youth into prison camps.




So it is upon you, O youth of Islam, that you should wake up, and rouse from your heedlessness, for the period of sleep is over. Truly the period for sleep is over, and the time for Jihad and fighting has started; sacrifice, generosity and Jihad in the way of ALLAH. Proceed with the blessings of ALLAH: you will be guarded by the care of ALLAH, and His attention, and ALLAH will send down upon you his succour.




I say this and seek forgiveness for myself and for you.



Source








The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:

"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:

Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,

Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."

[Ahmad]

Wednesday 30 August 2006

Ramadhan: The Month of Qur'an

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Ramadhan: The Month of Qur'an

Abu Dharr

Based on Ibn Rajab's "Lata'if al-Ma'arif"


The first part of this is based on an extract from Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali's Lata'if al-Ma'arif (pp. 179-182), quoted by Fahd bin Sulaiman in Kayf Nastafeed min Ramadan (pp. 48-50).


Ramadan has a special relationship with the Qur'an, of course:


"The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it." (cf. Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)


The word 'so' (fa) in this ayah leads to the following paraphrase of one aspect of its meaning:


"Fast this month because it is the one in which the Qur'an was sent down"


Ibn 'Abbas narrates "that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the most
generous person, and he would be at his most generous in Ramadan because Jibril would come to him every night and he would rehearse the Qur'an with him." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Eng. trans. 6/486)


This hadith contains recommendation of the following:


* Studying the Qur'an in Ramadan;

* Coming together for this purpose;

* Checking (one's memory/knowledge of) the Qur'an with someone who has preserved it better;

* Increasing recitation of the Qur'an in Ramadan;

* That the night time is the best time to recite, when other preoccupations decrease and it is easier to concentrate, as in Surah al-Muzzammil 73:6.


Further, Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated from her father (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), who told her that Jibril would rehearse the Quran with him (in Ramadan) once every year, and he did so twice in the year of his death. (Bukhari 6/485)


After mentioning the above aspects of the Sunnah, Ibn Rajab talks about the situation of the Salaf (the early Muslims) during Ramadan:

"... Some of the Salaf would complete reciting the whole Quran during the night prayer of Ramadan every 3 days, others every 7 days e.g. Qataadah, others in 10 days e.g. Abu Rajaa' al-Atardi. The Salaf would recite Quran in Ramadan in Prayer as well as outside it. Al-Aswad would finish the Quran every 2 nights in Ramadan; Ibrahim an-Nakh'I would do likewise in the last 10 nights specifically, & every 3 nights during the rest of the month. Qataadah would regularly finish the Quran in 7 days, but in 3 days during Ramadan, when he would study the Quran especially, and every night during its last 10 days. Al-Zuhri would say when Ramadan began, 'It is recitation of the Quran and feeding of people.' When Ramadan began, Imam Malik would cease narrating Hadith and sitting with the people of knowledge, and stick to reciting the Quran from its pages, while Sufyan al-Thawri would leave other acts of worship and stick to reciting the Quran. 'Aishah would recite from the pages of the Quran at the beginning of the day in Ramadan (i.e. after Dawn), until when the sun had risen, she would sleep. Zayd al-Yaami would bring copies of the Quran when Ramadan began and gather his companions around him. ..."


Ibn Rajab later continues, "The forbiddance of completing recitation of the Quran in less than 3 days applies to this being made a regular practice, but as for favoured times such as Ramadan, esp. the nights in which Laylat al-Qadr is sought, or favoured places such as Makkah for the visitor, it is recommended to increase reciting the Quran to avail the time and place. This is the view of Ahmad, Ishaq & other Imams, and the practice of others indicates this too."


The purpose here is not to discuss whether or not the latter view is correct or not, since that is purely academic for most of us, as we do not get anywhere near reciting the whole Quran in three days! However, the practice of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), his Companions, and those who followed their path, should be clear enough. As a further example, Bukhari (3/79) quotes from the noble Companion Zaid bin Thabit who answered the question, "How much time was there between the pre-dawn meal and the Dawn Prayer?" by saying, "Enough time to recite fifty ayat"; since the practice of the Arabs was to measure time in terms of everyday actions, this shows that the Sahabah were pre-occupied with the Qur'an, especially in Ramadan.


Compare all this with our sad state, when we talk so much about establishing Islam, implementing the Quran, etc. and yet have such little contact with it, maybe not completing its recitation ever at all since childhood, or perhaps never! Hence we become imbalanced in our understanding of Islam, because there are ayat which we rarely or never hear or think about; we repeat only certain selected ayat over and over again; we lost the context of the verses, the overall flow, argument and balance of the Quran, all of which is beautiful & miraculous. Because of this ignorance we go astray from the Straight Path, split up into sects, lose the blessings of Allah...


"We took a covenant from those who said: we are Christians, but they forgot part of the message with which they had been reminded, so we ingrained amongst them enmity and hatred
until the Day of Judgment..."
(Surah al-Ma'idah 5:14)


In Sahih Bukhari (6/521), there is an amazing piece of advice from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): "Recite the Quran as long as your hearts agree on it; if you disagree about it, stop reciting it (for the time being)" -- studying the Quran should bring people together!


In Surah al-Mu'minoon (23:53), there is mention of the people before us (in whose footsteps we would follow), who broke up their Deen into sects (zuburan), each party rejoicing in what it had. One understanding of this, from the word zuburan meaning literally 'books', is that each sect left the Book of Allah, & concentrated solely on the books of its own sect, so "they split their deen up into books"!


The most twisted, ridiculous, shallow ideas, innovations and superstitions are propagated amongst Muslims when they are away from the Quran, because any little knowledge of the Quran would be enough to dispel them.


Hence, O slave of Allah, leave aside secondary books and concentrate on studying the Blessed Book of Allah in this Blessed Month (use a goodtranslation/ commentary if needed), for it is the source of all Knowledge in other books, and keep away from wasting time, especially in futile discussions and arguments which lead nowhere, for that is a sure sign of being misguided, as the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Whenever a people went astray after they had been on guidance, they were given to argumentation (jadl)." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah - Sahih al-Jami' al-Saghir, no. 5633)


Finally, remember that the Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) will complain to Allah on the Day of Judgment that his people neglected the Qur'an (Surah al-Furqan 25:30). Neglect of the Qur'an is of different levels, as Ibn al-Qayyim writes:


Not reciting or listening to it;
Not studying and understanding it;
Not conveying its message;
Not judging by it in personal and communal matters, at all levels of society;
Not believing in it.



All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.
Abu Dharr, Ramadan 1415.

Source






The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]

Reaping the Benefits of Ramadhan

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Reaping the Benefits of Ramadan

'Ali al-Timimi

In the month of Ramadaan it is very important that we spent a few moments to understand some of the wisdoms and lessons that we can learn from this month of fasting.


Unfortunately, many Muslims come in to this month and they are as a companion of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you break fast be equal." Meaning, one's behaviour, attitude and outlook are the same whether one fasts or not, i.e. fasting has no effect upon that person. This is why we need to reflect on some of these lessons.


LESSON 1: Gaining Taqwaa


Allaah legislated fasting for gaining taqwaa,


"O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain taqwaa."
(meaning of Soraat ul Baqarah (2):183)


Taqwaa in this case means to make a shield between oneself and Allaah’s anger and Hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our fasts, ‘Has this fasting day made us fear Allaah more? Has it resulted that we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire or not?



LESSON 2: Drawing closer to Allaah


This is achieved by reciting and reflecting on Al-Qur’aan during night and day, attending the taraaweeh prayers, remembering Allaah, sitting in circles of knowledge and, for those who can, making `umrah. Also for those who can, making I`tikaaf (seclusion) in the last ten nights of Ramadaan, so as to leave all worldly pursuits and seclude oneself in a masjid just thinking of Allaah, so as to bring oneself closer to Allaah (SWT). When one sins, one feels distant from Allaah. That is why one might find it heard to read the Qur’aan and come to the masjid. However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allaah and wants to worship Allaah more, because he is not shy from his sins.



LESSON 3: Acquiring patience and strong will


Allaah has mentioned patience more than seventy times in the Qur’aan and has commanded patience in more than sixteen ways in His Book. So when one fasts, and gives up one’s food and drink, and one’s marital sexual relations for those hours, one learns restraint and patience. This Ummah needs man and women that are strong willed, who can stand upon the Sunnah and the Book of Allah and not waver in front of the enemies of Allaah. We do not need emotional people, who just raise slogans and shout, but when the time comes to stand upon something firm, they cannot do so, they waver.



LESSON 4: Striving for Ihsaan (righteousness and sincerity) and staying away from riyaa’ (showing off)


Ihsaan means to worship Allaah as if one seeks Him, and even though one does not see Him, He sees all. Hasan al-Basree said, "By Allaah, in the last twenty years, I have not said a word or taken something with my hand or refrained to take something with my hand or stepped forth or stepped back, except that I have thought before I have done any action, ‘Does Allaah love this action? Is Allaah pleased with this action?' So when one is fasting, one should gain this quality of watching oneself and also staying away from riyaa’ (showing off). That is why Allah said in a hadeeth qudsee, "Fasting is for Me and I reward it." (al-Bukhaaree) Allaah singles out fasting from all other types of worship saying, "Fasting is for Me", because no one knows whether you are fasting or not, except Allaah. For example, when one is praying or giving charity or making tawaaaf, one can be seen by the people, so one might do the action seeking the praise of the people. Sufyaan ath-Thawree used to spend the nights and the days crying and the people used to ask him, "Why do you cry, is it due to the fear of Allaah? He said, ‘No.’ They said, "Is it due to the fear of the Hellfire?" He said, ‘No. It is not the fear of Hellfire that makes me cry, what makes me cry is that I have been worshipping Allaah all these years and doing scholarly teaching, and I am not certain that my intentions are purely for Allaah.’"



LESSON 5: Refinement of manners, especially those related to truthfulness and discharging trusts.


The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allaah (SWT) has no need that he should heave his food and drink." (al-Bukhaaree) What we learn from this, is that we must pay attention to the purification of our manners. The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "was sent to perfect good manners." (Maalik) So we must check ourselves, are we following the behaviour of the Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him)? For example: Do we give salaam to those we don’t know and those we do know? Do we follow the manners of Islaam, by telling the truth and only telling the truth? Are we sincere? Are we merciful to the creation?



LESSON 6: Recognizing that one can change for the better


The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent." (Ibn Maajah) Allaah provides many opportunities to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become obedient.


LESSON 7: Being more charitable


Ibn `Abbaas said, "The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) was the most charitable amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadaan when Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadaan till the end of the month…" (al-Bukhaaree) The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person’s reward." (at-Tirmidhee)



LESSON 8: Sensing the unity of the Muslims


The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "… Those of you who will live after me will see many differences. Then you must cling to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khaleefahs. Hold fast to it and stick to it." (Aboo Daawood) In this month we sense that there is a possibility for unity, because we all fast together, we break fast together, we all worship Allah together, and we pray Salaatul-`Eid together. Therefore we sense that the unity of Muslims is possible. It is possible for Muslims to be a single body, but this will only be achieved when obedience is only to Allaah and His Messenger.


LESSON 9: Learning discipline


The Prophet (ma Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) made us adhere to discipline and strictness, strictness that does not lead to fanaticism or going outside the bounds that Allaah has laid down. One cannot knowingly break the fast before the sunset, as this will not be accepted by Allaah. Muslims should learn to be very strict in their lives, because they are people of an important message, which they mold their lives around.


LESSON 10: Teaching the young to worship Allaah


It was the practice of the people of Madeenah, that during the fast of `Aashooraa (which is now a recommended fast of one day) to get their children to fast with them. When the children would cry of hunger and thirst, their parents would distract their attention by giving them some sort of toy to play with. The children would break their fast with their parents. (as mentioned in al-Bukhaaree).


So the young should be brought to the masjid and they should pray with their parents, so that they are able to get into the habit of becoming worshippers of Allaah. If one does not encourage children to fast when they are young, they will find it very difficult to fast for thirty days at the age of puberty. This is why the Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Command your children to pray at the age of seven and beat them at the age of ten (if they do not pray." (Haakim)



LESSON 11: Caring for one’s health


Fasting has many medical benefits and it teaches Muslims to take care of their health and too build strong bodies. The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone." (Muslim)

Source


The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]

The Virtues Of Fasting

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

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


The Virtues Of Fasting




The Muslim Creed October 2004 Vol. 12 No. 10

Publisher: The Daar of Islamic Heritage








Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Allah’s Apostle, Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasallam, said:



“Allah said, ‘All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him: the good deeds will be multiplied ten times to seven hundred time, except fasting, which is for Me and I will reward for it accordingly. He abandons his (sexual) desire, food and drink for Me.’ Verily, there are two joyous and pleasurable moments for the fasting person: one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other is when he will meet his Lord (in the Hereafter). Verily, the unpleasant odor emanating from the mouth of the fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk.”
[Al-Bukhari & Muslim].




This noble Hadith entails numerous virtues and benefits that can only be attained from fasting. It also indicates the importance of fasting in Islam and its obligation upon all Muslims.



Among these virtues and benefits are:



1. Multiplying the rewards for fasting is different than the rest of the acts of worship and good deeds. As for fasting, there is no limit for such multiplication, while in the case of other deeds, each good credit is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times only.



2. Sincerity while fasting counts more than sincerity while performing other deeds, for Allah said in the Hadith, “He abandons his (sexual) desire, food and drink for Me.”



3. Allah has chosen fasting to be the acts of worship that He Himself will reward for it, for He said, “Fasting is for Me, and I will reward for it accordingly.”



As for “fasting is for Me,” the scholars have differed on its meaning. Some said it means that fasting is an act that is performed purely for Allah that no one else can witness, since it is not an action by the limbs, but rather an abstinence from some acts (eating, drinking and sexual intercourse). This is evident from Allah’s statement, “He abandons his (sexual) desire, food and drink for Me.” As for the other acts of worship, they are all actions that can be witnessed by others, and are thus performed either out of sincerity or out of showing off.



Other scholars said that this means that on the Day of Judgment, opponents will not take from the rewards the person acquires through fasting. It is stated in the Sunnah that if a person commits an act of injustice against another, then the victim can be granted some of the credits of the aggressor. Therefore, the scholars state that in such cases, the victim will only be given from the credits of the aggressor that were not acquired through fasting. As for the credits earned through fasting, Allah will preserve them for the person and no one will take them away from him.



Also, other scholars have stated that this means that fasting is an act of worship that is only performed to draw closer to Allah, and no one but Him. This is because the disbelievers of old used to draw closer to their idols through prayer, supplication, etc., but not fasting; fasting was not a form of worship that they knew or performed.



4. Fasting brings about two great occasions of joy and happiness for the fasting person: one in this life, and that is when he breaks his fast with what Allah has allowed for him of foods and drinks. As for the other, it is in the Hereafter, and that is when he receives the rewards for his fast. This is permissible happiness and joy, just as Allah said, what translated means,
"Say, “In the Bounty of Allah, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islam and the Quran); therein let them rejoice.”" [10:58].



5. The odor emanating from the mouth of the fasting person, which is sometimes foul, is more beloved to Allah than the scent of musk. This is because such bad odor is the result of a deed that Allah loves, and He therefore loves the resulting odor as well. This is clear from the portion of the Hadith that reads, “The unpleasant odor emanating from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk.”



6. Among the virtues of fasting is that Allah has designated one of the gates of Paradise solely for those who frequently fast. The Prophet Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasallam said, what translated means,



“There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyan, and those who frequently fast will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection, and none except them shall enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to fast?’ They will stand up, and none except them will enter through it. Upon entry, that gate will be closed and no one else will enter through it.”
[Al-Bukhari].




7. Fasting is a shield and protection from harmful desires and from the heat of Hell, as an authentic Hadiths affirms.



8. The supplication of the fasting person is accepted. The Messenger of Allah, Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasallam, said, what translated means,

“The fasting person has at the time of breaking his fast a Du’aa’ that is not rejected.”
[Ibn Majah & Al-’Hakim].




Also, Allah Almighty said while referring to fasting,



"And when My slaves ask you (O Mohammad) concerning Me, then answer them, I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor)." [2:186].



9. Another benefit of fasting is that it renders many worldly acts of the fasting person as acts of worship. On that, the Prophet Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasallam said, what translated means,
“The silence of the fasting person is Tasbi’h (remembering Allah in Thikr), his sleep is worship, his supplication is accepted, and his rewards are multiplied.”


[Al-Bayhaqi & At-Tayalisi].



10. Fasting is one half of patience, and this in itself is a great attribute. The Prophet Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasallam said, what translated means,

“Fasting is one half of patience.”

[At-Tirmithi & Ibn Majah].



11. Finally, fasting has numerous health benefits, just as the Prophet Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasallam stated,



“Fast and you shall attain good health.”

[Ibn As-Sunni & Abu Na’eem].




This is because fasting protects the internal and external body parts and aids the person in avoiding harmful foods.



Fasting has numerous other virtues and benefits, but we only mention a few to drive home the point to the reader.







The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:

"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:

Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,

Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."

[Ahmad]

Tuesday 29 August 2006

Ramadhan In History

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

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



Ramadhan In History


By: Sheikh Abdullah Hakim Quick. Ph.D.

The Message - Canada/January 1997






All praises to Allah (SWT), Lord of the worlds. He who revealed in His Glorious Quran,



"Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who came before you that you may keep your duty to your Lord (having taqwa),"2:185.




And may blessings and-peace of Allah (SWT) be upon His last Messenger Muhammad ibn Abdullah, forever.



Oh you who believe, Ramadan is a sacred month wherein Almighty Allah (SWT) is constantly testing His creation and giving humanity the opportunity to achieve infinite, endless Bliss. Fasting is a complete purification and a means to developing the consciousness of Allah's (SWT) presence. The consciousness of Allah (SWT), Taqwa, is a protection against the schemes of Shaitan, and the suffering of this world. Allah (SWT) has informed us that,


"Whoever keeps his duty to Allah (has taqwa), He ordains a way out for him and gives him sustenance from where he imagines not. And whoever trusts in Allah, He is sufficient for him. Surely Allah attains His purpose. Allah has appointed a measure for everything."(65:2)




Many Muslims today have a misconception about fasting and the activities of a fasting person. They go into a state of semi-hibernation, spending most of their daylight hours in bed. If they fear Allah (SWT) , they wake up for prayer, but then return to sleep immediately. This unnatural sleep makes them become lazy, dull witted and often cranky.




Ramadan is actually a time of increased activity wherein the believer
, now lightened of the burdens of constant eating and drinking, should be more willing to strive and struggle for Allah (SWT). The Prophet (pbuh) passes through approximately nine Ramadans after the Hijrah. They were filled with decisive events and left us a shining example of sacrifice and submission to Allah (SWT).




In the first year after the Hijrah, the Prophet (pbuh) sent Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib with thirty Muslim riders to Saif al Bahr to investigate three hundred riders from Quraish who had camped auspiciously in that area. The Muslims were about to engage the disbelievers, but they were separated by Majdy ibn Umar al-Juhany. The Hypocrites of Al-Madinah, hoping to oppose the unity of the Muslims, built their own masjid (called Masjid al-Direr). The Prophet (pbuh) ordered this masjid to be destroyed in Ramadan.




On the seventeenth of Ramadan, 3 A.H., Almighty Allah (SWT) separated truth from falsehood at the Great Battle of Badr. The Prophet (pbuh) and 313 of his companions set out to intercept a caravan of their own goods that had been left in Makkah. It was led by Abu Sufyan, himself, and estimated at 60,000 dinars. They were met, instead, by a well equipped army of the nobility of Quraish, intent on putting out the light of Islam. Despite being outnumbered three to one and appearing weak and unseasoned, the Muslims defended their faith with a burning desire to protected the Prophet and meet their Lord through martyrdom. Allah (SWT) gave them a decisive victory on this day of Ramadan, that would never to be forgotten.



In 6 A.H., Zaid ibn Haritha was sent to Wadi al-Qura at the head of a detachment to confront Fatimah bint Rabiah, the queen of that area. Fatimah had previously attacked a caravan led by Zaid and had succeeded in plundering its wealth. She was known to be the most protected woman in Arabia, as she hung fifty swords of her close relatives in her home. Fatimah was equally renowned for showing open hostility to Islam. She was killed in a battle against these Muslims in the month of Ramadan.



By Ramadan of 8 A H., the treaty of Hudaibiyya had been broken and the Muslim armies had engaged the Byzantines in the North. Muhammad (pbuh) felt the need to strike a fatal blow to disbelief in the Arabian Peninsula and conquer the city of Mecca. Allah (SWT) had declared His Sanctuary a place of peace, security and religious sanctity. Now the time had come to purify the Kaabah of nakedness and abomination. The Prophet (pbuh) set out with an army having more armed men than Al-Madinah had ever seen before. People were swelling the army's ranks as it moved toward Makkah. The determination of the believers, guided by the Will of Allah (SWT), became so awesome that the city of Makkah was conquered without a battle, on - 20 Ramadan. This was one of the most important dates in Islamic history for after it, Islam was firmly entrenched in the Arabian Peninsula. During the same month and year, after smashing the idols of Makkah, detachments were sent to the major centers of polytheism and al-Lat, Manat and Suwa, some of the greatest idols of Arabia, were destroyed.




Such was the month of Ramadan in the time of the Prophet (pbuh). It was a time of purification, enjoining the good, forbidding evil, and striving hard with one's life and wealth. After the death of the Prophet (pbuh), Muslims carried on this tradition and Allah used the true believers to affect the course of history. Ramadan continued to be a time of great trials and crucial events.




Ninety-two years after the Hujrah, Islam had spread across North Africa, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria. Spain was under the tyrannical rule of King Roderic of the Visigoths. Roderic had forced his six million serfs and persecuted Jews to seek the aid of the Muslims of North Africa in order to be delivered. Musa ibn Husair, the Umayyad governor of North Africa, responded by sending his courageous general Tariq ibn Ziyad at the head of 12,000 Berber and Arab troops In Ramadan of that year, they were confronted with a combined Visigoth army of 90,000 Christians led by Roderic, himself, who was seated on a throne of ivory silver, and precious gems and drawn by white mules. After burning his boats, Tariq preached to the Muslims warning them that and Paradise lay ahead of them and defeat and the sea to the rear. They burst with great enthusiasm and Allah (SWT) manifested a clear victory over the forces of disbelief. Not only was Roderic and his forces completely annihilated, but Tariq and Musa succeeded in liberating whole of Spain, Sicily and of France. This was the beginning of the Golden Age of Al-Andalus where Muslims ruled for over 700 years.



In the year 682 A.H., Salahuddin al-Ayyubi, after battling with the Crusaders for years, finally drove them out of Syria and the whole of their occupied lands in the month of Ramadan. The Muslim world was then destined to meet one of its most frightening challenges.



In the seventh century A.H. the Mongols were sweeping across Asia destroying everything that lay in their path Genghis Khan called himself "the scourge of God sent to punish humanity for their sins. " In 617 A.H. Samarkand, Ray, And Hamdan were put to the sword causing more than 700,000 people to be killed or made captive. In 656 A.H. Hulagu, the grandson of Genghis Khan, continued this destruction. Even Baghdad, the leading city of the Muslim world, was sacked. Some estimates say that as many as 1,800,000 Muslims were killed in this awesome carnage. The Christians were asked to eat pork and drink wine openly while the surviving Muslims were forced to participate in drinking bouts. Wine was sprinkled in the masjids and no Azan (call to prayer) was allowed. In the wake of such a horrible disaster and with the threat of the whole Muslim world. and then Europe being subjected to the same fate, Allah (SWT) raised up from the Mamluks of Egypt, Saifuddin Qutz, who, united the Muslim army and met the Mongols at Ain Jalut on 26th Ramadan, 468 A.H. Although they were under great pressure, the Muslims with the help of Allah (SWT), cunning strategy and unflinching bravery, crushed the Mongol army and reversed this tidal wave of horror. The whole of the civilized world sighed in relief and stood in awe at the remarkable achievement of these noble sons of Islam.




This was the spirit of Ramadan that enabled our righteous forefathers to face seemingly impossible challenges. It was a time of intense activity, spending the day in the saddle and the night in prayer while calling upon Allah (SWT) for His mercy and forgiveness.



Today, the Muslim world is faced with drought, military aggression, widespread corruption and tempting materialism. Surely we are in need of believers who can walk in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet (pbuh),the illustrious Sahabah, Tariq ibn Ziyad, Qutuz, Salahuddin and the countless heroes of Islam. Surely we are in need of believers who are unafraid of the threats of the disbelievers, yet kind and humble to the believing people; Muslims whose fast is complete and not just a source of hunger and thirst.



May Allah (SWT) raise up a generation of Muslims who can carry Islam to all corners of the globe in a manner that befits our age, and may He give us the strength and the success to lay the proper foundations for them. May Allah (SWT) make us of those who carry out our Islam during Ramadan and after it, and may He not make us of those who say what they do not do. Surely Allah (SWT) and His Angels invoke blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad. Oh you who believe send blessings and peace to him forever.





The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:

"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:

Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,

Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."

[Ahmad]

Muslim ummah should not lose hope

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful


Glad Tidings: The Islamic system is Coming

The Salaf Al-Saalih (our pious predecessors) would understand any Ahadith, which give tidings of victory and conquest, as a motivator for them. Such Ahadith drive us to achieve this victory; yet, we cannot use them to wholly depend on while we sit doing nothing. This is how the Muslims in the past understood the hadith that gave them glad tidings in the conquest of the city of Heraclius (Constantinople). The Khulafaa and their soldiers in the past were very intent on conquering Constantinople, in order that they be among those whom Allah (swt) honoured with the conquest.

Finally, however, the honour was bestowed upon the Ottoman Sultan, Muhammed Al-Fatih. Heraclius then became the capital of the Islamic State known as Islam Bol, 'the city of Islam.' Lather this land would be known as Istanbul.

These Ahadith must be used as a motivator for the Muslims, to be earnest and sincere in our work to re-establish the Islamic State, so that they may also be honoured with what these Ahadith indicate of conquest and victory. Inshallah, then they to may achieve the reward in both worlds; and that is the great success.


Before going into the subject of the Khilafah, and whether it is truly coming or a dream in the minds of the pious amongst the Ummah of Muhammed (saw), it is best that we first define the Khilafah, the Hukum (ruling) regarding the appointment of a Khalifah, and the evidences to support this, in summary:

The Khilafah is a general leadership of the Muslims. It is a worldly leadership to implement the Islamic Shari'a and to carry the Da'wa to the world. Therefore, it is a public leadership and not a private one. The Khalifah is the Amir (leader) of the believers who succeeds the Messenger of Allah (saw) in implementing Islam and not in conveying it, and thus, it is a worldly leadership and not a religious one. The Khalifah does not communicate a message from Allah (swt), nor has he been personally appointed by Allah (swt), rather he is appointed by the Muslims to represent them in the implementation of Islam within Dar Al-Islam (the land ruled by Islam), and in carrying the da'wa outside it.

Appointing a Khalifah is a Fard (obligation) of sufficiency, meaning that it is required from the Muslims as a whole, and the sin is not removed unless the obligation is met fully or the work to implement it is undertaken. In other words, no one is saved from sin before the Khilafah is re-established, unless serious work that would lead to its re-establishment is undertaken. The Messenger of Allah (saw) has drawn out a method for this work when he (saw) established the Islamic State the first time, but its details are another topic. As for the evidences regarding the obligation of this work, these come from the Qur'an, the Sunnah and Ijmaa' Sahaba (consensus of the Companions):

First, let us look to the evidences in the Qur'an. In doing this, we shall examine the following ayat:
''And rule between them with what Allah has revealed'' [ Al-Ma'idah: 48].
''But no, by your Lord, they do not believe until they make you judge between them in all their disputes'' [ An-Nisa': 65]

''And hold fast, all together, by the Rope of Allah and be not divided
among yourselves
'' [ Al-'Imran: 103].


The first ayah addresses the Messenger of Allah (saw). An address to him (saw) is an address to his Ummah, unless there is an evidence to make it specific to him (saw); and, the rule by what Allah (swt) has revealed cannot be performed except by the ruler. Similarly, the second ayah, also cannot be fulfilled except by the ruler, and what is necessary to complete an obligation, is in itself an obligation. As for the third ayah, Allah (swt) orders us to be one Jama'a (group) and forbids us from separation. Since the Jama'a cannot be achieved except with the existence of a Khalifah, as is understood from all the evidences regarding the Jama'a, this makes appointing a Khalifah an obligation, based on the previously mentioned principle.


Secondly, let us look to the evidence in the Messenger's (saw) Sunnah. Abdullah b. 'Umar (ra) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saw): ''Whosoever removes his hand from the obedience of Allah will meet Allah on the Day of Resurrection with no excuse for him, and whoever dies without a Bay'ah (pledgeof allegiance) on his neck, has died a death of Jahiliyyah (the days of Ignorance)'' [Muslim].

The obligation imposed by this hadith is that every Muslim must have a Bay'ah on his neck, not that each Muslim must give the Khalifah the Bay'ah personally; rather, it is the existence of the Khalifah that establishes the Bay'ah upon every Muslims neck, whether he gave the Bay'ah personally or not. Therefore, the hadith is an evidence for the obligation of appointing a Khalifah, as the Bay'ah is not to be given to anyone but him. It was also narrated by Muslim, from the hadith of Abu Hurairah (ra), who said he heard the Prophet (saw): ''The Imam is a shield; you fight from behind him and you seek protection with him.'' This is a notification with the intent of an order; in other words, it informs us that the Imam is a Shield, but also makes it an obligation for this to exist. It was narrated by Imam Ahmad, Al-Tirmidhi, Al-Nisaa'i and Al-Tayalasi from the Hadith of Al-Harith Al-Ash'ari: ''and I order you five (things) that Allah has ordered me to do: to (stay with) the Jama'a, to listen and to obey, to emigrate (to Dar Al-Islam) and to perform Jihad for the sake of Allah; for whoever leaves the Jama'a, even the measure of an inch, has removed the rope of Islam from around his neck, unless he returns'' The Jama'a cannot be achieved except by having one man as the Imam, as is narrated in the hadith of Huthayfah, narrated by Muslim. In this hadith, the Prophet (saw) was recorded, ''You keep to the Jama'a of the Muslims and their Imam'' This is further corroborated by a hadith by 'Arfajah, narrated by Muslim, ''Whoever comes to you while you are united upon one man, and wishes to sow dissension amongst you or break your unity, kill him.''

In another hadith, the hadith of Fadhaalah b. 'Ubayd, narrated by Ahmad and Al-Bayhaqi:
''Three (people), do not ask of them: a man who abandoned the Jama'a, and disobeyed him Imam and died in (that state of) disobedience'''' Thus, the Messenger of Allah (saw) orders us to have a Jama'a and clarifies that this cannot be achieved except by having one man as the Imam. Since the Jama'a cannot be achieved except by having an Imam, appointing one becomes an obligation based on the principle: what is necessary to complete an obligation is in itself an obligation.

Third we shall look to evidences from the Ijmaa' (consensus). The Companions (ra) have established a consensus regarding the appointing of a Khalifah within three days, and there is no need for further detail in this area. Therefore, the work to re-establish the Khilafah is an obligation, and through it all other obligations are implemented. Whether the Khilafah is re-established or not has nothing to do with it being an obligation, nor is it permissible for the one upon whom the obligation falls to use the
knowledge of Allah (swt) and His (swt) decree as an excuse to sit and not undertake this obligation. Just like one who has an obligation to support someone financially but does not possess the necessary funds to do so, it becomes obligatory upon him to work to attain the funds. Evidence for this may be found in the hadith, ''It is enough of a sin for a person to neglect his family (under his care) or those who need financial support (who are his responsibility).'' Thus, it is not permissible to sit idle, not seeking money and financial gain, based on the excuse that Allah (swt) will give one sustenance. Victory is through the re-establishment of the Khilafah, and sustenance is in the hands of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) is the One who gives victory and sustenance, and this has nothing to do with the slave of Allah (swt). It is the slave's duty to work to attain the necessary sustenance to meet the obligatory expenditures and undertake the necessary work to re-establish the Khilafah. Allah (swt) has not placed a burden upon us that we cannot bare. The fact that America and many other countries are powerful does not give us an excuse to sit idle, for as long as we are obligated to work, we must continue to work. Allah (swt) will take care of the victory. Allah (swt), having revealed some of His (swt) knowledge of this issue through definite evidences that prove that the Khilafah will return, gave us hope for the impending justice. This knowledge should increase our Iman, determination and seriousness in our work, for the narrations have become Mutawaatir in meaning, which leaves no room for doubt, or to sit idle.


The following are the evidences of this:

Firstly: The hadith of the Khilafah on the way of the Prophet

It was narrated by Ahmed in his Musnad, from Al-Nu'man b. Bashir, who said: ''We were sitting in the mosque of the Messenger of Allah (saw), and Bashir was a man who did not speak much, so Abu Tha'labah Al-Khashnee came and said: 'Oh, Bashir bin Sa'ad, have you memorised the words of the Messenger of Allah (saw) regarding the rulers?' Huthayfah replied, 'I have memorised his words'. So Abu Tha'labah sat down and Huthayfah said, 'The Messenger of Allah (saw) said 'Prophethood will be amongst you whatever Allah wishes it to be, then He will lift it up if He wished to lift it up. Then there will be a Khilafah on the way of the Prophet, and it will be whatever Allah wishes it to be, then He will lift it up if Allah wished to lift it up. Then there will be an inheritance rule, and it will be whatever Allah wishes it to be, then He will lift it up if He wished to lift it up. Then there will be a coercive rule, and it will be whatever Allah wishes it to be, then He will lift it up if He wished to lift it up. Then there will be a Khilafah on the way of Prophethood.' Then he was silent.''

Secondly: The hadith regarding the entering of Islam into every home on the face of the Earth

It was narrated by Ahmad in his Musnad, from Tameem Al-Daari, who said that he heard the Prophet (saw) say: ''Verily, this matter (Islam) will reach where day and night have reached, and it will not leave a house of Madar (mud or clay) or a house of Wabar (fur of camels and goats, i.e. tents) except Allah will bring it into this Deen, (either) with the honour of an honoured one, or the disgrace of a disgraced one; honour with which Allah honours Islam, and disgrace with which Allah disgraces Kufr.'' Al-Haithami said: This was narrated by Ahmad and Al-Tabarani, and the men of the narration of Ahmad are the men of authentic Ahadith.

This hadith was also narrated by Al-Haakim in Al-Mustadrik, who declared it Sahih (authentic) according to the conditions of the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim). Al- Haakim's Al-Mustadrik is a work of Sahih Ahadith that met the conditions of both Bukhari and Muslim with regards to Ahadith. The Ahadith in discussion, was, however, omitted from both of their works.
It was also narrated by Al-Haakim in Al-Mustadrik, on the authority of Al-Miqdad b. Al-Aswad Al-Kindi (ra), who said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: ''There will not be one house on the face of the earth, made of either Madar or Wabar (meaning all homes), except Allah will bring the word of Islam upon them, (either) with the honour of an honoured one, or the disgrace of a disgraced one; Where Allah will honour them and make them of its people, or He will disgrace them and they will not submit to it.'' Al-Haakim declared this hadith to be Sahih according to the conditions of the two Shaykhs. This hadith was also narrated by Al-Baihaqi in his book: ''Al-Sunan Al-Kubrah.'' In this narration, however, the end of it reads:''or He will disgrace them and they will submit to its authority.''

This hadith by Al-Miqdad was also narrated by Ahmad in his Musnad, as well as Al-Tabarani in his book ''Al-Kabeer.'' Al-Haythami said that the men of the narration of Al-Tabarani are the men of authentic Ahadith. It was also narrated by Ibn Habban in his book of authentic Ahadith.

It was also narrated by Al-Haakim, from the Hadith of Abi Tha'labah Al-Khashni, who said: ''When the Messenger of Allah (saw) would return from a battle or travel, he would first come to the mosque and pray two Rakahs, then he (saw) would go to his daughter Fatimah (ra), then he (saw) would go to his wives (ra). So after he (saw) returned, he left the mosque and was met by his daughter Fatimah (ra) at the door of his (saw) home, and she began kissing his mouth while her eyes cried, so he (saw) said to her: 'My daughter, what makes you cry?' She replied: 'Oh, Messenger of Allah, it is because I see you all ruffled and exhausted, and your clothing are all worn out!' He said: 'Do not cry, for Allah, Azza Wa Jall, has sent your father with a matter that not one house made of Madar or Sha'ar (fur, i.e. tents), will be left on the face of the earth, except Allah will enter them into it, with honour or disgrace, until it reaches where night has reached.''' According to Al-Haakim, this hadith has a Sahih chain of narration, and it was not narrated by the two Shaykhs.

This hadith by Abi Tha'labah was also narrated by Al-Tabarani in 'Musnad Al-Shamiyeen.'

The above hadith was narrated by three of the Sahaba (the companions of the Prophet (saw)), to at least three of the Tabi'een (those who followed the Sahaba, but did not meet the Prophet (saw)), to at least nine of the Tabi' Tabi'een (those who followed the Tabi'een, but did not meet the Sahaba). It conveys information regarding the entering of Islam into every house on the face of the earth. Most of Western Europe has not entered into Islam, neither have the Americas, Australia, nor much of Africa. The meaning of the entering of Islam into every house in the hadith was interpreted as either becoming Muslim, or submitting to its authority. Their submission cannot be achieved except by ruling over them.


All the narrations speak of submission to Islam, except one hadith narrated by Al-Haakim. This hadith can be understood that they will not submit to the belief in Islam, but they will be degraded by paying the Jizyah and by submitting to its ruling authority. Thus, it does not have the same context as the other narrations. Furthermore, submission to the rule of Islam necessitates the existence of the Islamic State; therefore, the hadith indicates that the Islamic State is coming, and that it will bring the whole of the earth under its authority.


Thirdly: The Hadith of the hanging papers

It was narrated by Al-Haakim, in Al-Mustadrik, on the authority of 'Umar (ra), who said that while sitting with the Prophet (saw), he heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: ''Do you know whom amongst the believers have the best Iman? He replied, 'the angels, oh Messenger of Allah?' The reply came, 'They are so, and they have the right to be so, for what stops them when Allah has given them such a status that He has given them; but it is other than them.' He then said, 'Then
it is the prophets whom Allah (swt) has honoured with prophethood and the message. The reply came, 'They are so, and they have the right to be so, for what stops them when Allah has given them such a status that He has given them; but it is other than them.' 'Then who are they, oh Messenger of Allah?' The answer came,
'They are Aqwaam (groups of people) that come after me, in the loins of men (meaning that they have not been born yet); so they believe in me, (even though) they have never seen me, and they find the hanging papers, so they work according to what is in it; they are the best of the believers in Iman.''' According to Al-Haakim this hadith has a Sahih chain of narration, and was not narrated by the two Shaykhs.

It was narrated by Al-Bazzar, on the authority of 'Umar (ra), ''they are the very best of creation in status and the very best of creation in Iman with Allah on the Day of Resurrection.''
This hadith was narrated by at least three Tabi' Tabi'een, from three Tabi'een, from one of the Sahaba. It indicates that the Khilafah State will return after it has been destroyed. This indication lies in the words: ''''so they work according to what is in it.'' In the Arabic language, the word 'Maa' (in English: 'what') indicates generality (i.e. everything). This includes all the duties of an individual, such as Salat, fasting, carrying out the duties of the state, carrying the da'wa, forming treaties and implementing all the Ahkam that Allah (swt) has made the responsibility of the State. As for the indication that this will be after the destruction of the Islamic State, this comes from the words: ''and they find the hanging papers.'' The hanging papers (Al-Waraq Al-Mu'allaq) include the Qur'an and the Sunnah. These papers existed during the time of the Sahaba (ra). Generally, these were Ayat written down and hung in homes. They were also hung in homes in the generations that followed the Sahaba, so what is the difference between them and us? The difference, and Allah (swt) knows best, is that they found the hanging papers and found the State which implements it, whereas we found nothing but the hanging papers, and did not find the State, so we worked to re-establish it and will work according to what the papers say when it returns, Insha'Allah (swt). Here, the meaning of the hadith becomes: '''and they find the hanging papers abandoned, so they begin to work according to it completely.' In other words, the hanging papers were not implemented, so worked to implement it. The Believers will put the words of the hanging papers into practice.
There is an important point that must be clarified in this hadith, which is that these groups of people are not better than the angels and prophets. The Messenger of Allah (saw), when he spoke of the angels and the prophets used the words: ''They are so.'' This choice of words implies that they are the best of the believers in Iman, for it is clear to see that they are so, and such a question is unnecessary. The ones who should be asked about are those who are not given this status, rather the level of their Iman is what makes them deserving of this status that Allah (swt) has given them. These groups of people are the best of the believers in Iman, other than the angels and the prophets. Furthermore, their status as the best of the believers in Iman, however, does not make them better than the Sahaba. This is because their status is limited to their Iman and is not an unrestricted superiority. This is made clear by the Prophet (saw) mentioning: ''in Iman.'' As superiority can be in Iman, Taqwa or actions, these groups of people are superior in Iman due to their believing in the hanging papers without ever seeing a prophet, revelation or a State. Thus, their status is restricted to this specific characteristic. If we were to gather all areas of superiority that a Muslim can be characterised with, i.e. superiority in general, we would find that the Sahaba are better than them, without argument.


Fourth: The hadith of the coming of the Khilafah to the land of Al-Quds

It was narrated by Abu Dawud, on the authority of Ibn Zughb Al-Ayadi, who said that Ali Abdullah b. Hawalah Al-Azdi came to him and said: ''The Messenger of Allah (saw) sent us to seek booty on foot, so we returned and did not find anything, and he (saw) could see the exhaustion in our faces, so he stood up and said: 'Oh Allah, do not leave them for me, where I would be too weak for them, and do not leave them to themselves, where they would be too weak for themselves, and do not leave them for the people, where they would keep (the good) from them, keeping it for themselves.' Then he (saw) placed his hand on my head''(or he said: ''on my forehead): 'Oh, Ibn Hawalah, if you see that the Khilafah has come to the sacred land (Al-Quds), then the earthquakes, the troubles, and the great happenings have come, and the hour on that day is nearer to the people than my hand here on your head.'''

Al-Haakim also narrated this hadith on the authority of Ibn Zughb Al-Ibaadi. He declared that this hadith has an authentic chain of narrators, and it was not narrated by the two Shaykhs. Ahmad narrated it with the same Isnad (chain of narrators) as Al-Haakim.

If Ibn Zughb is Abdullah, then he is one of the Sahaba, and if he is Abdul-Rahman, then he is one of the Tabi'een. Therefore, this hadith was narrated by two Sahaba if he is the first (Abdullah), or one of the Sahaba if he is the second (Abdul-Rahman); and one of the Tabi'een if he is the first, or two of the Tabi'een if he is the second; and three Tabi' Tabi'een in both cases.

This hadith indicates that the Khilafah will come to the land of Al-Quds. It cannot be said that the Khilafah came to it during the Khilafah of 'Umar (ra), because the earthquakes, troubles and tumultuous events did not come at that time. This means that there will be a second coming of the Khilafah in which these events will follow.

Fifth: The hadith regarding the 'Uqr (origin) of the land of the believers (Dar Al-Islam) being in Al-Shaam

It was narrated by Ibn Habban in his book of Sahih Ahadith, that Al-Shaam (the region which covers Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and part of Iraq) will be the base of the land of the believers at the end of time. On the authority of Al-Nawas b. Sam'aan, who said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say, ''and the 'Uqr (natural origin) of the land of the believers is Al-Shaam.'' It was also narrated by Ahmad from the hadith by Salamah b. Nufayl, ''verily, the 'Uqr of the land of the believers is Al-Shaam''
Furthermore, it was narrated by Al-Tabarani, in 'Al-Kabeer,' on the authority of Salamah b. Nufayl: ''The 'Uqr of Dar Al-Islam is in Al-Shaam.'' According to Al-Haythami, this was narrated by Al-Tabarani, and his men (chain of narration) are trustworthy.


This hadith was narrated by five Tabi' Tabi'een, from two Tabi'een, from two of the Sahaba. Due to the nature of the definite truthfulness of the speaker (the Messenger of Allah (saw)), this hadith is with regards to the second 'Uqr of Dar Al-Islam, and not the 'Uqr of the first, for the meaning of the 'Uqr of the land is its centre and origin, and the 'Uqr of the first Islamic State was in Al-Madina Al-Munawwarah; therefore, this means that what is meant here is the 'Uqr of the second Islamic State.

Sixth: The hadith of justice and injustice

It was narrated by Ahmad in his Musnad, on the authority of Mu'qal b. Yassaar: ''Injustice will not remain dormant after me for long before it comes out; where every time something of injustice comes out, the same amount of justice disappears, until (people) will be born into (a world of) injustice who know nothing other than it. Then Allah (swt) will come with justice, where every time something of justice comes, the same amount of injustice disappears, until (people) will be born into (a world of) justice who know nothing other than it.''

Al-Shafi'i said in 'Akham Al-Qur'an' in the Tafseer of the following ayah means 'to abide by His revealed legislation'':

''That you judge with justice'' [ An-Nisa': 58].

This hadith was narrated by one Tabi' Tabi'een, from two Tabi'een from one of the Sahaba. It indicates that there will come a time when the people will rule by Islam alone, after going through a period of ruling by other than what Allah (swt) has revealed. We have seen people born into this world who know of nothing but injustice, and Allah (swt) will soon come with justice, the Islamic State. Only then can the legislation revealed by Allah (swt) be implemented, and it will be untouched by foreign influences.
It is incorrect to say that justice will come gradually. It would be incorrect to say that there will be a time where people will rule with a mix of justice and injustice, then afterwards justice would be freed of all injustice and become pure. This is incorrect because justice cannot be combined with injustice, nor can it then be called 'justice'. The ruler who seizes all public property but cuts the hand of the thief, is not a just ruler. The ruler that allows the existence of Islamic groups that calls to individual acts of worship and prints books on Islamic culture, but forbids the existence of political Islamic groups, is also not just. Neither is the ruler who buys weapons from foreign Kafir countries and forbids its production domestically just. Likewise, the ruler who encourages reviving dead land by permitting interest-based loans is also unjust. Furthermore, any ruler who permits free mixing between the sexes while permitting the seclusion of men and women, but implements the Hadd (prescribed punishment) for fornication, is unjust. Therefore, justice can come gradually to different places on earth, but cannot enter into its description and laws. Hence, every time a region is added to the State, justice is brought to it and injustice is removed.
Seventh: The hadith of the location of the Hijra of Ibrahim, and the Hijrah after the Hijrah

It was narrated by Abu Dawud in 'Al-Sunan', on the authority of Abdullah b. 'Amr (ra): ''There will be a Hijrah after a Hijrah, so the best people on earth are those who keep to the (land of the) Hijrah of Ibrahim (i.e. Al-Shaam).''

This hadith was narrated by at least five Tabi' Tabi'een, from three Tabi'een, from two Sahaba. It indicates that there will be a Hijrah (emigration) to Al-Shaam after the Hijrah to Al-Madina. The purpose of Hijrah is to leave Dar Al-Kufr (land ruled by Kufr) and to emigrate to Dar Al-Islam (land ruled by Islam). The first emigration was to Al-Madina, and the second emigration will be to Al-Shaam. This understanding supports the hadith regarding the 'Uqr of Dar Al-Islam.


Eighth: The hadith regarding the strangers, who separate away from their tribes

It was narrated by Muslim in his book of Sahih Ahadith, on the authority of Abu Hurairah (ra): ''Islam began as a stranger and it will return as a stranger, so, blessed are the strangers.''

Ibn Majah, also narrated this hadith on the authority of Anas b. Malik (ra) of the Messenger of Allah (saw), who said '' then he mentioned the hadith.

In the narration by Ibn Majah, from Abi Al-Ahwas, from Abdullah: ''Islam began as a stranger and it will return as a stranger, so, blessed are the strangers. It was asked: And who are the strangers? He replied: Those who separate away from the tribes.''

In the narration of Ibn Majah also, on the authority of Abu Hurairah (ra), who said: '' The Messenger of Allah (saw) said''then he mentioned the hadith.

It was also narrated by Al-Tirmidhi from two different chains of narration, and said that they are Hasan Sahih:

The first: From Abi Al-Ahwas, from Abdullah, who said:'' The Messenger of Allah (saw) said '' and mentioned the hadith; and in the same section from Sa'ad, and Ibn 'Umar, and Jaber, and Anas, and Abdullah b. 'Amr.

The second: On the authority of Katheer b. Abdullah b. 'Amr b. 'Awf b. Zayd b. Malha (ra), from his father (ra), from his grandfather (ra): ''The Deen will slither its way to Al-Hijaz (region surrounding Makkah and Al-Madinah) the same as the snake slithers its way to its burrow; and the Deen will be linked to Al-Hijaz, the same as mountain goats are linked to the top of the mountain (i.e. place of return).''

The chains of narration of the above Ahadith include seven of the Sahaba, from nine of the Tabi'een, from nine of the Tabi' Tabi'een. This hadith gives the news that Islam will come back, returning the same way it came the first time. The return of Islam means the return of its state.

In conclusion, the news of the coming of the Islamic system and its return has become Mutawaatir (firmly established due to recurring narrations). At least 25 of the Sahaba narrated to 39 Tabi'een, who narrated to 62 of the Tabi' Tabi'een. This overrules the possibility of them conspiring to lie, and thus Tawaatur of the subject is established. There are other Ahadith and narrations in this section that do not need to be mentioned, which confirm the Tawaatur of this matter. These include narrations by Al-Haakim, which have been classified as Sahih. Of these is the narration from Abi Shareeh: ''''I have heard those who say that they will be twelve banners, and under each banner twelve thousand (men), and the Muslims will gather to their comrade (or Imam) in Bait-ul-Maqdis (Al-Quds).''

There are also others narrated by Ibn 'Asaakir from Maseerah b. Jaleese, where he heard the Prophet (saw): ''This matter (the Khilafah) will continue after me in Al-Madina, then (move to) Al-Shaam, then to the peninsula, then to Iraq, then to the city, then to Bait-ul-Maqdis. So if it reaches Bait-ul-Maqdis, then it would have reached its (natural resting place); and no people who remove it (i.e. the capital of the Khilafah) from their land will ever get it back again (for them to be the capital again).'' I believe that what he (saw) meant by 'the city' is the city of Heraclius. In addition there are others from Ibn 'Asaakir, from Abdul Rahman b. Abi 'Umayrah Al-Muzni, who said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saw): ''There will be, in Bait-ul-Maqdis, a (rightly guided) Bay'a.'' Furthermore, there are other narrations by Al-Haakim such as the hadith from Abu Hurairah (ra), who said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saw): ''If the fierce battles take place, a delegation of supporters will come out of Damascus who are the best of the Arabs in riding and the most skilled in weaponry, and Allah will assist the Deen through them.''

It was narrated by Al-Haakim, and classified as Sahih, the narration of Abdullah b. 'Amr, who said: ''There will come a time when there will not be one believer left, but will rush to Al-Shaam.''

Hence, the happy one is he who begins to work with those working to re-establish the state by putting in sincere effort for the sake of Allah (swt). He does this work so that Allah (swt) may accept his actions and make him of the strangers who separate away from their tribes, whom Allah (swt) employs to serve this Deen. Miserable is the one who helps the Kuffar and the hypocrites in their work to obstruct the path of this Deen. Truly the loser is the one who follows his vain desires and stands watching, waiting to see to whom the tables will turn to next.

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The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]