Urging towards increasing Good Actions in later part of Life

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim


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

Riyadh us Saliheen: Chapter 12

Urging towards increasing Good Actions in later part of Life

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"Did We not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition, - could receive it? And the warner came to you.'' (35:37)

Ibn `Abbas and others said that "long enough'' in the Verse means sixty years. The Hadith which follows supports this. Others said it means eighteen years; Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Al-Kalbi and Masruq said it means forty years, it has also been reported by Ibn Abbas and others that whenever the people of Al-Madinah turned forty years of age, they would devote themselves completely to worship. "Long enough'' in the Verse has also been interpreted to mean the age of puberty. Ibn `Abbas and the majority of Muslim scholars said that the "warner'' in the Verse refers to the Prophet (PBUH). `Ikrimah bin `Umaiyyah and others interpreted this word as the grayness or whiteness of hair". Allah knows better.

112. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Allah excuses and grants forgiveness to a person until he attains the age of sixty years".
[Al-Bukhari].

Commentary:
1. This Hadith makes it evident that Allah does not punish any individual or nation without warning them first.

2. The second point is that a person who is given sixty years of life and yet he neglects the obligations of Faith, will have no excuse.

3. After the age of sixty years, one must not neglect his religious obligations because then one is closer to death. Although one may die even at a young age, in youth one is still hopeful of life. After crossing the age of sixty, to hope for longer age, while leading a sinful life and defying Divine injunctions constitute a disastrous conduct. May Allah save us from doing so.

113. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) used to make me sit with the noble elderly men who had participated in the battle of Badr. Some of them disliked it and said to `Umar: "Why do you bring in this boy to sit with us when we have sons like him?'' `Umar replied: "Because of the status he has, which you already know about (i.e., belongs to the source of knowledge and the house of the Prophet (PBUH)).'' One day, `Umar called me and seated me in the gathering of those people; and I think that he called me just to show them (of my religious knowledge). `Umar then questioned them (in my presence). "How do you interpret the ayah of Allah: `When there comes the Help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad (PBUH) against your enemies) and the Conquest (of Makkah).''' Someone said that when Allah's Help and the Conquest (of Makkah) came to us, we were called upon to celebrate the Praise of Allah and ask for His forgiveness. Some others remained silent and did not utter a word. Thereupon `Umar asked me: "Ibn `Abbas! Do you say the same.'' I replied: "No". He said: "What do you say then?'' I replied: "That is the sign of the Prophet's death about which he had been informed. Allah, the Exalted, says:

'When there comes the help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad (PBUH) against your enemies) and the Conquest (of Makkah)'.

So declare the remoteness of your Rubb from every imperfection, and ask for His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives".

On that `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "I do not know anything about it other than what you have said".
[Al-Bukhari]

Commentary:
1. This value of man does not go with the length of age but with that of intellect, intelligence, knowledge and consciousness. For this reason, a young boy can have precedence and preference over the elders due to his clear understanding and vast knowledge.

2. When a person gets closer to death, he must devote himself more and more to the praise and glorification of Allah and beg pardon from Him.

114. ' Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: After the revelation of (the Surah) "When the Help of Allah comes (to you, O Muhammad (PBUH) against your enemies) and the Conquest (of Makkah)'' (110:1), Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to recite in every prayer: "Subhanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahum-maghfir li (Far removed You are from every imperfection, our Rubb, and all praise is for You, forgive me, O Allah)".
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) recited frequently in bowing and prostration: "Subhanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahum-maghfir li. (Far removed You are from every imperfection, our Rubb, and all praise is for You, forgive me, O Allah)". He elucidated that it has been commanded in the Noble Qur'an to recite: "So glorify the Praises of your Rubb, and ask for His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives". (V.110:1) And he (the Messenger of Allah) acted upon it.

According to the narration in Muslim, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) frequently recited these words just before he passed away: "Subhanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika. Astaghfiruka wa atubu ilaika.'' I (`Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) asked him: "O Messenger of Allah! What are these new words which I hear from you repeatedly.'' He replied, "A sign has been appointed for me relating to my people that I should repeat these words at the sight of that sign". Then he recited Surat An-Nasr.

Another narration in Muslim related from `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) is: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) often recited, "Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him; I seek forgiveness of Allah and turn to Him in repentance.'' I said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, I hear you recite frequently: `O Allah, You are free from every imperfection our Rubb and all praise is for You; I seek forgiveness of Allah and turn to Him in repentance.''' He replied, "My Rubb has informed me that I would soon see a sign regarding my people, whenever I see it, I repeat this statement more often (of His Glorification and Praise and beg pardon of Him and turn to Him). Now I have witnessed the sign. The revelation of Surat An-Nasr and the victory is the conquest of Makkah.''

"When there comes the Help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad (PBUH) against your enemies) and the Conquest (of Makkah). And you see that the people enter Allah's religion (Islam) in crowds. So glorify the Praises of your Rubb, and ask His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives.'' (110:1-3)

Commentary:
1. Acceptance and approval of reciting the words `Subhanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahum-maghfirli' in Ruku` and Sujud respectively, instead of the words `Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim' and `Subhana Rabbiyal-A`la'.

2. One must express his gratitude to Allah whenever he receives a blessing from Him.

115. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah the Rubb of honour and glory sent Revelation to His Messenger (PBUH) more frequently before his death than at any other time.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: During the last days of the Prophet (PBUH) the abundance of Wahy (Revelation) was an indication that he was about to leave this world.

116. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Every one will be raised in the condition in which he dies".
[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith has a meaning similar to the one quoted at another place which signifies that if a person dies performing good deeds, he will have a good end; and the one who dies in misdeeds, he will come to a bad end. It is, therefore, necessary that one should always avoid disobedience of Divine injunctions, especially in old age and illness because one may fall in the clutches of death at any time .

(Riyadh us Saliheen: Imam Nawawi)

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 Role of Muslim Women in Daw’ah

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



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

كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ



“You are the best of the nation raised up for mankind because you enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and believe in Allah” [TMQ Ale-Imran: 110]

There many evidences in the Qur'an and Sunnah that obligates ALL Muslims, men and women to do da'wah, and enjoin good and forbid evil.



The Qur’an and Sunnah have expressed the idea of da’wa with the terms; tableegh (delivering the call), enjoining the good (ma’ruf) & forbidding the evil (munkar), recommending one another on the truth (tawaasi), being sent to give good tidings and to warn, clarifying the truth, advising (naseeha) and reminding the people, and debate and discuss with the people in the manner which is best and the struggling to make the Deen prevail.



ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ



Allah (swt) says, “Invite to the way of your Lord (i.e. Islaam) with Hikmah (divine evidences), and argue with them in a way that is better.” [TMQ 16: 125]



What we can notice when we look at the evidences is that they have come in a general form, addressing Muslims as a whole – not being specific to men or women.



The fuqaha have explained that Da’wah to non-Muslims is in origin Fard Kifayah (obligation of sufficiency), meaning if some people are fulfilling it – the rest of the Ummah are not sinful and are encouraged to also perform it. However, it can become Fard Ayn (individual obligation) in the case where we know a non-Muslim who does not know about Islam and is unlikely to hear about it except through you – in this case it is our obligation to convey the message of Islam to them.



Da’wah to non-Muslims differs from da’wah to Muslims which includes enjoining the Ma’ruf and forbidding the Munkar which is an individual duty.



Ahmad narrated on the authority of Abu Bakrah that the messenger said: "If the people see the Munkar (evil, wrong doing) and they do not change it, Allah will take them with a punishment".



The Muslims, as individuals, are required to enjoin that which they are commanded with and forbid that which they are ordered to abstain from - if anything happens in front of them that necessitates that – according to the knowledge each individual has.



Furthermore, the Messenger (saw), when addressing the people used to say, “Let the one who is present convey what he has heard to the one who is absent” (Al-Bukhari).



Consequently, enjoining the ma’roof and forbidding the munkar becomes an individual obligation (fard ayn) for which the Muslim will be sinful if he or she did not undertake it, and he is not excused for abandoning it. Thus the Muslimah, in her daily life with her husband, children, relatives, neighbours, customers, acquaintances or anyone else who they happen to meet; each one of such people needs be given the naseeha (advice), if they failed to perform a duty or was disobedient. How can this not be the case when there are sins that only she may be aware of. Such as a sin committed in front of her at a sitting where no one else is present. If she did not advise them then she will be sinful. No one else can take her place, and in his sphere, nobody other than her can fulfil it. For every munkar that appears in his sphere, no one other than the individual who witnesses it is responsible.



If one of our friends is not wearing the khimar, taking riba, has haram relations with men before marriage or engages in any other definitive haram – then you are obliged to forbid this munkar.



The Prophet (saw) said in a hadith narrated from Imam Muslim from Abu Sa’id al Khudri: “Whosoever sees a Munkar (an evil or wrong) let him change it by his hand, if he could not let it be by his tongue. If he could not let it be by his heart, and this is the weakest of Iman”



We are also obliged to work to establish the mechanism which will establish the Ma’ruf and ensure the removal of Munkar, the Islamic state – which has been emphasised by the hadith in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (saw) said:



“Whosoever dies without a bay'ah on their neck dies the death of Jahiliyyah.'' [Sahih Muslim]



Women have been expressly addressed with the duty of the da'wah because Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, says:



يَا نِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَعْرُوفًا



"O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah) then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but say that which is Ma'roof (good)." [33:32]



Ibn Abbas understood Allah's injunction to the Prophet's wives, to "say good," to mean that they have to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil. This can be taken as a general address to all Muslim women. Allah also says:



وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ



"The believers, men and women are Auliya (helpers, protectors) of one another, they enjoin the good and forbid the evil, they perform salah and give away zakah and obey Allah." [9:71]



It is clear in this verse that women are addressed with this task, just as men, whenever they are capable of undertaking it.



* Removing ignorance, increasing awareness of Islam, and the creation of qualified women da'wah carriers. These results have a lasting and beneficial influence, not only on women and the Muslim community, but also on the whole society at large

* Women's place and status in Islam would be highlighted and Muslim women would attain a better awareness of their rights and duties.

* Making dawah should be part of our children’s upbringing by making them aware that they are the future carriers of Islam; and Islam is their identity; without it they are lost.



Examples from Muslim women in the past



The Prophet's companions who left their homes to go places that were thousands of miles away to take the new religion to people also had the support and the backing of their wives. Let’s look at some examples:



- Khadija's (ra) comfort, help, and support of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, offer the greatest proof of the vital importance of this role. Khadijah was very rich, and she spent her money to support the da'wah



- If we look at the hadeeth narrated by Abu Saeed that the women said to the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, "The men are keeping you busy and we do not get enough attention from you. Would you specify a day for us, women? He promised them a day to meet them and educate and admonish them." (Bukhari)
The fruits of this understanding and concern by the women companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, and the attention he gave them, are shining examples and a source of pride for Muslim women



- Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, is also a perfect example of what the Muslim women should strive to be like. After the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, died, Aisha (ra) was the main source of knowledge about the Prophets teachings. She was active in telling people about Islam and giving knowledge to those who sought it. Abu Musa Ash'ari narrated, "We never had a problem to tackle but always found a relief from Aisha (ra). Her knowledge was stupendous." Imam Zuhri, a Tabe'ie of great renown said, "Aisha was the greatest among the living scholars."



- Umm Sulaim (ra) teaching her son Anas Ibn Malik (ra) about Islam, even though her husband rejected Islam. When Abu Talha proposed to her (before accepting Islam) she told him that her dowry was Islam, he in-turn embraced Islam and she married him. She gave her son Anas to the Prophet (saw) as a servant.



- Umm Hakeem (ra) was the reason behind her husband embracing Islam, the aunt of Adi ibn Hatem (ra) also led him to Islam. Amra, the wife of Habib Al-Ajami would wake up her husband to make salah at night. Asmaa (ra), the daughter of Abu Bakr, encouraged her son, Abdullah ibn Az-Zubair (ra), to stand up for the truth and not fear death in the face of a tyrant.



- Sumayyah (ra) gave up her life when Abu Jahl killed her for becoming a Muslim. She was the first martyr in Islam.



- Umm Salamah (ra) left her husband and saw her children persecuted when she migrated. (She is the one who narrated the famous speech of Ja’far to Najashi). Umm Ammarah (ra) fought in defence of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, in the Uhud battle. Tending the wounded in battles was the role Muslim Women played throughout history.



- It is reported that Dawud ibn Husayn (ra), a companion of the Prophet, used to take Qur'anic lessons from Umm Sa'd Jamilah bint As'ad Ansariyyah (ra), daughter of As'ad ibn Rabi who fought in the Battle of Badr and achieved martyrdom in the Battle of Uhud. According to Ibn Athir, Umm Sa'd had memorized the Qur'an and used to give regular lessons.



Even in later generations Muslim women continued to play a large part in Da’wah and the propagation of Islam.



- Nafisa bint al-Hasan (d. 208/824) taught hadith to Imam ash-Shafi'i.



- Ibn Hajar mentioned 12 women who were musnida (transmitters of collection of hadith). He studied with 53 women.



- Ibn Asakir al-Dimashqi (499-571) took hadith from 1,300 male shaykh and 80-odd female shaykha.



What contribution can women make?



Many obstacles and restraints have been the causes behind the weakness and neglect of da'wah work amongst women.



One major reason, is that many men are not convinced about the importance of women's role and responsibilities in the field of da'wah. This is due to the influence of eastern Mushrik culture where women are seen as slaves to men. Unfortunately some attempt to justify this by misinterpreting Islamic evidences, for example:



The Qur'anic verse: وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ "...remain at your homes..." [33:33] has been misinterpreted by many, and so has the right of guardianship or Qawama. In many instances we see men objecting to women's participation in da'wah and thus preventing them from fulfilling their role toward their fellow Muslims and to the larger society in general. Spreading Islam has been made incumbent on all Muslims, men and women.



It is vital that husbands encourage their wives to participate in da'wah work. Unfortunately, not a lot of Muslim women feel that they know enough about Islam to share it with others. They need to realize that it is their responsibility to obtain that knowledge and then share it with others. Many women also feel uncomfortable presenting to groups of people due to various reasons.



Although many women are busy due to their responsibility as a wife, mother, cook, and teacher, inside their homes, etc – as with any fard, we must make time and organise our lives such that it becomes a centre point of our lives. Women have the ability to make a real difference:

- They generally have a great effect on their husbands. If they have strong Iman and character, they have a very good chance at helping their husbands become strong as well.

- Women are more free than men in communicating with other women, either individually for da'wah activities, or in women's learning and other forums and places of meeting.

- Women stay at home with their sons and daughters, and thus can bring them up as they please.



Practical Steps for women



* Where to do dawah: ideally where people gather regularly, such as the mosques, girls schools – trying to influence the teacher and the curriculum, associations, da'wah groups, friends, families etc.



* We need to start by seeking knowledge and developing our Islamic personalities.
Proper Islamic rules of mixing between men and women must be observed at all times



* Building of the da'wah personality: Da'wah requires sacrifices and therefore women must be prepared to bear the burdens of calling to Islam



* Da'iyat delivering lectures, seminars, sermons, should be able to persuade the listeners by addressing their minds through proofs and evidences.



* Utilising the latest communication technology is important for fruitful dawah. Radio, TV, and the internet are very efficient means for local and international mass-dawah.



* Writing and publishing such as books, newspaper, articles etc are means by which you can easily reach people. Writings should both be eloquent and convincing, through sincere, sound and documented arguments.



So, let us strive to aid in the revival of the Ummah, by being da’wa carriers – possessing thought and articulation to uphold the truth.



Each of us has a gift from Allah we should not ignore our obligation in fear of rejection or failure but, join together to contribute our talents and reasons to share the gift of Islam, truly a mercy from Allah (swt).



وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِمَّنْ دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ



"Who is better in speech than the one who calls (people) to Allah, works righteousness, and says I am one the Muslims?" (41:33)



Shifaa bint Mukhlis Miah

AbuIsmael.blogspot.com

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]

...no good in wealth without generosity

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



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

There is no good in wealth without generosity; there is no good in brotherhood without caring for one another; there is no good in a blessing that is short lived; and there is no good in supplication without sincerity. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

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]

Whoever fails to show mercy to our children and honor to our elders…

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim


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

“Whoever fails to show mercy to our children and honor to our elders…”

| Rahmah al-Ghâmidî|

Anas b. Mâlik relates that an elderly man approached, wanting an audience with the Prophet (peace be upon him), but the people were slow to make room for him, so the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever fails to show mercy to our children and honor to our elders is not one of us.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhî (1919)]

This hadîth presents us with a vital set of relationships between the constituent members of Muslim society and particularly between members of the Muslim family.



One of the essential values of Islam and one of the vital characteristics of the Muslim family is the concern and care that parents show for their children. Parents sacrifice their strength, their rest, their time, and the wealth in order to provide a better future for their children. They labor and strive to provide the culture and education that their children need and that they themselves may never have had. They regard this as part of what it means to be a parent.



At the same time, they also recognize it as their religious duty, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for those under your care. A man is a shepherd, and he is responsible for those under his care. The woman is a shepherd in her husband’s household and she is responsible for those under her care.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]



Another most vital characteristic of the Muslim family is the deference and reverence that children show to their mothers and fathers. About this, Allah says: “And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning. Show gratitude to Me and to your parents. To Me is your final goal.” [Sûrah Luqmân: 14]



We can feel the affect of this when children behave towards their parents and grandparents with deference and deep respect. This becomes especially evident when these elders become advanced in age and can no longer work to support themselves. This is the time when the children work together to support their parents and grandparents and make sure that they are happy. A child does this for them most gladly in recognition of the great care and favor that they had bestowed upon him in the past. This is something totally natural. It is not a contractual duty or a legally imposed one, but something we do willingly for our parents.



Everything in society cannot be realized only through the force of law. There must also be the authority of moral values, customs, traditions, and religious consciousness. Each has its own sphere of effectiveness. Whenever someone departs from these norms, they are faced with either society’s disapproval and censure or the threat of punishment in the Hereafter. As for those who break the law, the government imposed upon them a physical or pecuniary punishment, usually set forth in a written legal code. Sometimes the force of custom and tradition is greater than the force of law. This is why Islam relies upon the Qur’ân and Sunnah for its legislation, giving its injunctions and teachings the force of general, widespread customs for Muslim society.

The Parental Relationship

This is a natural, instinctive relationship that is further emphasized by Islamic teachings and societal norms. It is not a relationship that is established by contract or the force of law. Allah has made it obligatory upon children to be good to their parents. He says: “Worship Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good to parents.” [Sûrah al-Nisâ’: 36]



He says: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents.” [Sûrah al-Isrâ’: 23]



Likewise, Allah has obligated parents to show kindness to children. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever is given daughters and treats them well, they will be as a barrier for him against the Fire.”



It is best when the relationship between parents and children exists on a basis of goodness, love, and the noble values of Islam and not on the basis of contractual agreements or legislation. This relationship is something natural for people, placed in their hearts by their Creator, and this nature is what needs to be reaffirmed and reinforced. The civil law always places its obligations in the context of rights. The moral teachings of Islam impose duties without the existence of reciprocal rights.



We see that parents provide their children their rights continuously – all the care, support, and upbringing that they provide – without waiting for any duties to be carried out by the children in return. The only thing the parents can expect in return is their children’s obedience. It is the moral teachings of Islam, again, that oblige children to obey their parents, listen to them, and – when they grow up – to consider their own wealth to belong to their parents. This is because of the great moral right that parents have over their children.

A Mother’s Love

A mother’s love is founded upon self-denial and sacrifice. Because of this, it is the purest kind of love. It is pure giving without anything being expected in return.



In the same way, a father’s love is also above being mixed with any vested interests. A father considers it his duty before Allah when he undergoes hardships to provide food, clothing, shelter, care, and proper education for his children. Since a child is unable to take care of himself, Islam has placed the responsibility to do so upon his parents. The child has the right to be provided for, cared for, and brought up. Parents do not have to be compelled to carry out this duty, since Allah has placed a great love for their children in their hearts which makes them want to provide for their children every comfort and happiness. The factors that contribute to the mercy parents have for their children are many, including faith, instinct, social customs, and love.

Discipline and Upbringing

It is the duty of parents to bring up their children well and to provide their children with discipline. This does not mean that parents should ever abuse or mistreat their children. Instead of arbitrarily hitting and punishing them, parents need to teach their children why it is best for them to obey their parents and the values of being honest and trustworthy.



Children need to have all the moral values of Islam instilled in their character. They need to be made aware of the benefits that good behavior has for them and for others in this world and the next. The parents should rely upon the Qur’ân and Sunnah. The children need to grow up knowing that they please Allah by obeying their parents, and that they also gain the respect of the people by doing so. This gives the children, in turn, an awareness of their own value and a sense of honor. In this way, they will conduct themselves properly without having to be threatened by their parents with punishment.




IslamToday.com

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]

Plant your actions with the seeds of sincerity

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



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

Plant your actions with the seeds of sincerity, and you will see it flourish and sprout with Allah's blessings...and its fruits grow



For if planted with insincerity, you will see your action diminished and soon the action will die out.

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 greatest of all losses

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



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

Know that the greatest of all losses is the involvement with someone who weakens your relationship and standing with Allah, cutting you off from Him, wasting your time, dispersing your heart, weakening your resolve and dividing your aspirations.

Therefore, if you are tested with this [kind of situation] - and it is inevitable that you will be - then bear up for the sake of Allah, and acknowledge Him as much as you are able. Draw near to Allah by whatever of it pleases Him. Make your association [with wordly people] a profit not a loss.

Be like the man travelling along, whom another invites to stop: seek to take him along with you. When he comes along, lead him but be not lead by him. And if he refuses, and you have no hope that he will journey, then [at least] do not let him detain you. Rather, hasten on, pay him no heed. Do not [even] turn in his direction, for he is a highway robber regardless.

[Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah: The Invocation of God]

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]

Muharram and Ashoora

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



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

The Virtues of the Month of Muharram and Ashoora (click here)

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]

Verily the Grinder of Islam will continue to grind

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



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



At-Tabarani upon the authority of Mua’dh bin Jabal (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said,



“‘Verily the Grinder of Islam will continue to grind, so continue with the Qur’an wherever it moves (i.e. stick to the Qur’an). Verily the Qur’an and the authority (of Islam) will be separated from each other, do not leave the Qur’an. There will be rulers amongst you, who will allow for themselves things which they will prevent for you. If you disobey them then they will kill you. If you obey them they will misguide you.’ They (as-Sahabah) asked, ‘What do we do in such a situation?’ He (saw) said, ‘Do as the apostles of Isa ibn Maryam (as) did; they were cut by saws and hung upon wood. Being killed in obedience to Allaah (swt) is better than a life of sin.’”



[at-Tabarani, Mu’jam al-Kabeer]

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]

[Video] Islam: Empire of Faith

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



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

Islam: Empire of Faith



Part 1

What is Islam? Who is Muhammad (peace be upon him)? This is the first of 3 part documentary narrated by Ben Kingsley about Islam and attempts to answer these questions.



This part deals with the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his early life, his encounter with God Almighty and the birth of the Islam. Islam would become the revitalizing force of a barbaric Arabia, returning people to God and bringing back the monotheistic message of Christianity and Judaism in its most powerful way.: Islam Women were given rights over there husbands, racism was annihilated and the rich were made equal to the poor. This religion is the solution to all of humanities problems and it is important to learn about it today.

Part 2

This part relates the golden age of Islam. A time of great learning when Europe was steeped in the Dark Ages. The building of great works of architecture, reading, writing, mathematics, medicine, and astronomy. Even before the printing press Muslims would have hundreds of scribes writing all at once so they would learn and reproduce the writings.

Part 3

This portion deals with the growing Ottoman Empire, which would control the bridge between 3 continents: Africa, Europe and Asia. This empire would begin at the close of the Crusades until World War I, from the 1300s to 1923. They would rule the entire Middle East and make there way into Europe. Before there was the state of Israel, there was great peace in the Holy Land regulated by the Ottomans.

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]

Woe Unto You, O Dinâr

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



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

Woe Unto You, O Dinâr

There is an interesting story related about Dinâr Al’Ayyâr. Dinâr had a righteous mother who would constantly advise him to repent for his wayward, sinful existence, but as much as she tried, her words had no positive effect on him whatsoever. Then, one day, as he was walking by a graveyard, he stopped to pick up a bone; he was shocked to see how it crumbled and turned to dust in his hand. The sight of that bone had a profound effect on Dinâr. He began to think about his life and is past sins, and then he exclaimed, “Woe unto you, O Dinâr, you are going to end up like this crushed bone, and your body will turn into dust.” All of his past sins then flashed before his eyes, and he made a firm resolve to repent. Turning his gaze towards the sky, he said, “My Lord, I now turn to You in complete submission, so accept me and have mercy on me.”

With a complete changed heart and state of mind, Dinâr went to his mother and said, “Mother, what does a master do when he captures his slave, who had run away from him?” She said, “(To punish him,) the master then provides him with coarse clothing and low-quality food; and he ties his hands and feet, so that he does not make another attempt to escape. ” Dinâr said, “Then I want a garment made of coarse wool, low-quality barley, and two chains. Mother, do with me which is done to a runaway slave: Perhaps my Lord will, upon seeing my humiliation and humility, have mercy on me.” Seeing that her son was adamant and resolute in his quest, she complied.

At the beginning of every ensuing night, Dinâr would begin to cry and wail uncontrollably. And he would repeat the words: “Woe unto you, O Dinâr, do you have the power to withstand the Hell Fire! How brazen you have been to have led a life that has made you deserving of the anger of the All-Mighty!” He would continue upon that state until the morning. Turning wan and pale, Dinâr’s body slowly wasted away. Not being able to bear seeing hum in that pitiable state, his mother said, “My son, be easy on yourself.” He answered, “My mother, let me remain tired for a short while, so that perhaps I can achieve long term comfort later on. For tomorrow, I will be waiting a long time before my Majestic Lord, and I do not know whether He will order me to go to places of beautiful shade or to places of unspeakable horror.”

She said, “My son, at least rest for a while.” He said, “It is not present rest or comfort that I am seeking out. Mother, it is as if I see you and other people being led tomorrow towards Paradise, while I am being led towards the Hell Fire along with its inhabitants.” She left him then, and he returned to crying, worshipping, and reciting the Quran. One night, as he was reciting the Quran, he came across these verses:

“So, by your Lord (O Muhammad), We shall certainly call all of them to account, for all they used to do.” [Quran 15: 2, 93]

As he contemplated the meaning and the implications of the verses, he cried with such intensity that he fainted. His mother rushed to him and tried very hard to revive him, but he wouldn’t respond; she thought that he had died. Looking into the face of her precious son, she said, “O my beloved one, O the joy of my heart, where shall we meet again?” In fact, Dinâr still had some life left in him, and hearing his mother’s words , he answered with a faint voice, “My mother, if you do not find me on the wide plains of the Resurrection Day, then ask Malik, the Custodian of the Hell Fire, about me.” He then made a croaking sound and died.

After she finished washing his body, Dinâr’s mother prepared for him his funeral. She then went out and made the announcement: “O people, come to the (funeral) prayer of one who has been killed by (fear of) the Hell Fire.” People began to come from all directions; it is said that, during that era, no greater gathering came together and no amount of tears were shed as much on that day.

On the same night that his funeral was held, one of Dinâr’s friend saw him in a dream: attired in a green robe, Dinâr was prancing around in Paradise, all the while reciting the verse:

“So, by your Lord (O Muhammad), We shall certainly call all of them to account, for all they used to do.” [Quran 15: 2, 93]

During the dream, his friend heard him say, “By His and Majesty, He asked me (about my deeds). Having mercy on me, He forgave me and pardoned me (my sins). Lo! Convey news of this to my mother.”

From the Book: Stories of Repentance, By: Muhammad Abduh Mughawiri

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]

~'Id ul Adha ~

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



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

~'Id ul Adha ~

The Coordination Committee of Major Islamic Centres and Mosques of London has agreed that Eid ul-Adha, will be on Wednesday 19 December 2007. Eid prayers at the East London Mosque will be held at

8.30 AM, 9.30 AM, 10.30 AM and 11.30 AM.

East London Mosque





Announcemenents



10th of December 2007 is the 1st of Dhul Hijja 1428 AH



Central London Mosque




Virtue of 10 days of Dhulhijjah



Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There are no days more loved to Allaah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr]." [This is related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]



Ibn 'Abbas reports that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days [meaning the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah]." The companions asked, "O Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad in the way of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihad, except for the man who puts his life and wealth in danger [for Allaah's sake] and returns with neither of them." [This is related by the group except Muslim and an-Nasa'i]




Ahmad and at-Tabarani record from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There is no day more honorable in Allaah's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allaah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah : Laa ilaaha illallaah), takbir (Allaah is the greatest : Allaahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allaah : alhumdulillaah) a lot [on those days]." [Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated it is saheeh]




Virtue of Fasting on day of Arafah



Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Fasting on the day of 'Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of 'Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it." [This is related by "the group," except for al-Bukhari and at-Tirmidhi]




Hafsah reported, "There are five things that the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) never abandoned: fasting the day of 'Ashurah, fasting the [first] 10 [days of Dhul-Hijjah], fasting 3 days of every month and praying two rak'ah before the dawn prayer." [This is related by Ahmad and an-Nasa'i]




Abu Hurairah stated, "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) forbade fasting on the day of 'Arafah for one who is actually at 'Arafah." [This is related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah]



Fi Amanillah

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]