Raising Children

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

Raising Children 

By Khadejah Jones

Providing children with Islamic education and raising them up as good practicing Muslims are essential duties of parenthood. Rightfully fulfilling these duties will lead to the Pleasure of Allah and good for the parents and the child in this life and the Hereafter. However, ignoring these duties would lead to the destruction of the child's Hereafter and the Wrath of Allah will befall the parents for not protecting their child from the traps of Shaytan and allowing him to choose the path of destruction.

Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock, a man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for his flock; a woman is the shepherd in the house of her husband and is responsible for her flock, the servant is the shepherd of his master's wealth and is responsible for it. Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock." [Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]

Allah says in the Quran:

{O you who believe! Save yourselves and your family from a fire whose Fuel are men and stones.} [Noble Quran 66:6]

One of the ways of protecting your children from the Fire is to let him memorize the Words of Allah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:  "If the Quran is gathered in a body (i.e. a person), Allah will not burn him with the Fire." [al-Baihaqi, Authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani]

"Teaching the children the Quran is a fundamental from the fundamentals of Islam. By it the child will grow upon the Fitrah (natural Islamic monotheism) and the lights of wisdom will rush to their hearts before the desires are able to settle in them and darken them with the cloudiness of disobedience and misguidance, " said al-Hafidth as-Suyooti.

This is because the child from the early age will be protected from the temptations of the world and whispers of the Shaytan, he will live and grow up among the gathering of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) where tranquility and the mercy of Allah of descends, and as a result Allah will preserve his Fitrah (natural inclination of Islamic Monotheism)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:  "No people gather in a house of the houses of Allah (i.e. Masjid) reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that the tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him (the lofty gathering of Angels)." [Sahih Muslim]

Your child will be given a position in Paradise according to the number of verses he memorizes from the Book of Allah, it will be said to him on the Day of Judgment as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"'Read, ascend and recite with slow, rhythmic chanting just as you used to recite in the worldly life. For verily, your position (in Paradise ) will be at the place of the last verse that you recite." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

Every time your child goes to the Masjid to learn the Quran he will have the reward of a perfect Hajj. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Whoever goes to the Masjid in the morning having no intention except to learn something good or teach it he will have the reward like the person who performs Hajj." [At-Tabari. Authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani]

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Abu Dharr,

"O Abu Dharr! That you set out in the morning and learn one verse from the Book of Allah is better for you than if you prayed one hundred Rak'ahs (units of prayer)." [Ibn Majah]

The Quran will intercede for your child on the Day of Judgment, Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Recite the Quran for verily it will come on the Day of Judgment as an intercessor for those who recited it." [Sahih Muslim]

Your child will be given to wear garments and a crown of honor on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"The Quran will come on the Day of Judgment and say, 'Oh Lord! Adorn him.' So the person will be made to wear the crown of honor. Then it (the Quran) will say, 'Oh Lord! Increase him.' So the person will be made to wear the garment of honor. Then it will say, 'Oh Lord! Be pleased with him.' So Allah will be pleased with him. Then it will be said, 'Recite and ascend.' And the person will receive an extra good deeds for every verse (that he recites of the Quran.)" [Sahih at-Tirmidhi]

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Whoever recites the Quran, learns it and acts upon it will be given a crown of light to wear on the Day of Judgment and its light will be like the light of the sun." [Sahih al-Hakim]

So, why not encourage our children to memorize the Quran and make them one of the best individuals of this Ummah. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it." [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Allah, the Exalted, has also promised abundant rewards for those parents who guide their children to memorize the Quran. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Whoever recites the Quran, learns it and acts according to it will be given a crown of light to wear on the Day of Judgment whose light will be like the sun. His parents will be clothed in two garments that did not exist in this worldly life. So they will say, 'What has caused us to be clothed (in these garments)?' It will be said, 'Your child taking hold of (i.e. memorizing) the Quran has caused this.'" [Al-Hakim graded it authentic]

When the parents leave a righteous child behind them, the child will be a source of reward and blessing for them after their death, for Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"When a man dies, all his good deeds come to an end, except for three cases; the charity of continuous blessings, beneficial knowledge which he leaves behind and a righteous child who prays for him." [Sahih Muslim]

The parents will also receive equal amount of reward that the child receives by memorizing or reciting the Quran, for the parents guide him to this good act and instill in his heart the love for Islam, and the love for the Book of Allah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:  "Whoever guides to something good is like the one who does it." [Sahih Muslim] and:

"Whoever invites to guidance will receive the reward like the rewards of those who follow him and that will not diminish anything from their rewards..." [Sahih Muslim]

The parents should also send those children who are intelligent and bright to learn the Quran and Islamic education. It should not be that only those children who when are unsuccessful in worldly studies are sent to Madras as for religious studies. The parents should realize the importance of Islamic education for their children and raising well-educated Muslims who would in the future work for the Cause of Islam.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"The example of guidance and knowledge with which, Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil, absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rainwater and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge), which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophet) and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)" [Sahih al-Bukhari v.1 no.79]

Those parents who give the excuse that their child is weak or does not have good memory or 'he is not gifted', should know that Allah has said in the Quran: {And indeed we have made the Quran easy to remember.} [Noble Quran 54:17]

And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Whoever treads on a path in search of Islamic knowledge, Allah will ease the way to Paradise for him. The Angels will lower their wings, pleased with this seeker of knowledge, and everyone in the heavens and on earth will ask forgiveness for the knowledgeable person, even the fish in the deepest of waters will ask for his forgiveness." [Sahih Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi (2835)]

It is not mandatory for your child to memorize the complete Quran. If he is not able to memorize the complete Quran then know that only attending daily circle for memorization will suffice your child for it will accustom him to frequent the places of worship rather than visiting evil gatherings. Your child will find good companions which will protect him from deviating and adopting evil habits and practices. Allah says:

{And keep yourself patiently with those who call on their Lord, morning and afternoon, seeking His Face and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose hearts We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lust and whose affairs (deeds) have been lost.} [Noble Quran 18:28]

Source: IdealMuslimah.com

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

 "Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.'' Then (giving a warning) he said, "Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter".  

[At-Tirmidhi]

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

Zuhd: An Anti-dote to Consumerism Culture

December 28, 2010

by ProductiveMuslimView Comments

Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 in Tips

One of the biggest enemies of productivity in our world today is the comfortable consumerism culture that we’re living in.

Everything is within reach and we’re constantly looking for the latest, quickest, or smallest! Each of us (except whom Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) had mercy upon) is literally ‘killing’ themselves running after acquiring more and more of today’s world and what’s sad about this is that we, as Muslims, should know better.

History seems to repeat itself, for the Muslim Ummah did indulge in such consumerism more than 1,000 years ago, during the Golden Age of the Islamic civilisation. The success of the expanding empire brought new riches unknown to the early Muslims which started corrupting the Muslims and making them forget their true purpose. True to the words of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), this consumerism destroyed us. In a hadeeth, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: ”By Allah, it is not the poverty about which I fear in regard to you but I am afraid in your case that (the worldly) riches may be given to you as were given to those who had gone before you and you begin to vie with one another for them as they vied for them. And these may destroy you as these destroyed them.” (Sahih Muslim, Book #042, Hadith #7065).

Fighting Consumerism

So what’s the problem with consumerism? And what’s the cure? This is what we’ll try to tackle in this article insha’Allah.

At first glance, nothing seems to be wrong with consumerism, in fact the objective seems noble and peaceful: it’s about living a comfortable and happy life and enjoying this world to the fullest. Nothing sinister, right? Well, not really. If you start thinking of our lives in terms of dunya AND Akhira, you start to realise that this consumerism culture is actually a distraction us from our true purpose in life, of worshipping Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and being His true vicegerent on Earth.

Let me give you an example: Imagine a student who’s supposed to start his University degree this year, he’s so concerned about ‘comfort’ that he asks for a special couch in the lecture hall, 3D HDTV screen to watch his favourite show whilst the lecture is going on, and of course popcorn and a packet of chips, and he doesn’t want to take exams nor do any assignments. Who thinks this student would survive university life? Or would even get a degree?! Sounds bizarre, right? But that’s exactly what we’re doing, instead of us working for our Akhira, we’re so concerned about the comforts of this life and how we can make our lives just that bit extra comfortable and easier, that we’re trading our finite world with the infinite Akhira! There’s nothing wrong in being comfortable; but when this becomes our sole objective, that’s when it becomes a problem!

Another issue with consumerism culture is that it literally entraps and enslaves people so they think of nothing else but how to ‘get more and have more’. People get into debt to buy bigger houses, get into more debt to buy a better car, few years down the line, once they’ve paid their debts, they go through the whole cycle again and get into more debt. 

We always want the latest, biggest, smallest, newest, and as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: ”Nothing fills (satisfies) the son of Adam except Dust”. (Sahih Bukhari, Book #76, Hadith #445) i.e. A person will never be satisfied till he meets death. The cash-less credit card society is teaching us to buy now and worry about paying later. It is directly feeding us into a 25-50 year slavery to financial institutions and banks; on most accounts, this was one of the reasons behind the recent severe global financial crisis.

A third grave consequence of the consumerism lifestyle – and this one has truly affected the Muslims – is that we’ve become lazy, expecting “others” to produce whilst we consume. We do not grow what we eat, we do not make what we wear, we do not produce what we ride, everything is imported from planes to biscuits! And everything is at our convenience. But there’s a problem here: we become dependants on “others” for our survival, and hence have a weak economic status in the international sphere. How do you think China, India and Brazil started to get noticed by the ‘Developed World’? They became producing/exporting countries and unless we as Muslims really get our act together and export more than we import, I’m afraid the consequences would be severe for the Ummah.

An Anti-dote: Zuhd

So how do we get out of this? Al-hamdulillah, we’ve a very powerful Islamic concept that would work as an anti-dote to consumerism culture. This is known as ‘Zuhd’ (known in English as Asceticism). Unfortunately, this concept has been grossly misunderstood and misinterpreted by many Muslims to mean complete refusal of dunya, hiding in a corner, and living a miserable, harsh and sad life.

Far from this, Zuhd according to the Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and the understanding of the Companions (May Allah be pleased with them) has a very simple but powerful meaning: it means to hold dunya in your hand, but not letting it into your heart. What this means is that you should work for dunya, but never let that take over your life that you forget the Akhira. You should build this dunya but when you’re asked to sacrifice some of it for Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and His Messenger (Peace be upon him), you can easily do it, because the dunya is in your hands and not your heart.

If we look at the life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and His companions, we’d find many examples of such understanding of ‘Zuhd’. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) once said: ”The worldly comforts are not for me. I am like a traveller, who takes a rest under a tree in the shade and then goes on his way.” (Tirmidhi). 

The companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) even feared the worldly pleasures. One example being that a meal was brought to ‘Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Auf once when he was fasting. He said: ”Mustab bin ‘Umar was martyred and he was better than I and was shrouded in his Burd and when his head was covered with it, his legs became bare, and when his legs were covered his head got uncovered. Hamza was martyred and was better than I. Now the worldly wealth has been bestowed upon us (or said a similar thing). No doubt, I fear that the rewards of my deeds might have been given earlier in this world.” Then he started weeping and left his food. (Sahih Bukhari, Book #23, Hadith #365).

I want to emphasize at this point, that I’m not against people improving their livelihood in this world and enjoying the blessings of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). Some of the Companions (May Allab be pleased with them) of the Prophet (Peace be uponhim) had thriving businesses, ate good food, and built nice homes, but once the call to sacrifice for Islam came, they threw all that away and ran for the Akhira.

Work and Sacrifice were the building blocks of the Islamic civilisation, not the palaces, art, and consumerism lifestyle. Those who came after the first 3 generations of Islam forgot these 2 ingredients and the Muslim civilisation declined.

After all that, don’t worry – there’s still hope!

We can still pick up the tools that were left by our ancestors, the tools of hard work and sacrifice, and rebuild our Ummah bi’ithnillah. Equipped with these, we can push dunya from our hearts and into our hands. Individually and collectively we can rebuild a new beginning for the Muslim Ummah – one that fights consumerism, encourages production, and gives back to the world more than it consumes.

Some Practical Tips

I leave you with 3 tips to help you take action today:

1. Adopt a Minimalistic lifestyle: Build your life around what you ‘need’, rather than what you ‘want’. Be like the traveller as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said in the hadeeth and live simply. Donate or throw away what you don’t need, and only keep those items that are essential to your day to day life. Believe me, you’ll feel so much ‘lighter’ as a consequence. (If you want more details about how to life a minimalist life, I highly recommend mnmlist website:
2. Invest more, consume less: Try your best to always invest more of your resources (time, money, strength) and consume less. Invest your time in learning, helping others, volunteering, and worshipping. Invest your money in charity, new or existing businesses, helping Muslim charities and non-profit organisations. Invest your strength in working for Allah (Subhanhu Wa Ta’ala), helping the poor and needy and supporting those around you in whatever physical means possible.
3. Spread the simplicity message: Encourage your family and friends to live a simple life rather than a material based one. It was said that simplicity is a part of faith and therefore try to spread the message about how we can fight our consumerism culture and what actions we can take from the Qur’an and Sunnah today to achive this. With sincere intentions and hard work, it can be done!

I hope this article has inspired you to take a look into your life differently, and inspired you look at dunya as a door to Akhira and not a door to limited comfortable life.

Source: http://www.productivemuslim.com/zuhd-an-anti-dote-to-consumerism-culture/

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

 "Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.'' 
Then (giving a warning) he said, "Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter".  

[At-Tirmidhi]

The Virtues of Muharram and 'Aashooraa' - Special Months & Times - Islamic Articles - A2Youth.com

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

“Fasting the day of `Ashura' (is of great merits), I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year.” 

 

(Muslim)

Read more: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545084#ixzz17w1znab6

The Virtues of Muharram and 'Aashooraa' - Special Months & Times - Islamic Articles - A2Youth.com

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

"Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.'' Then (giving a warning) he said, "Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter".

[At-Tirmidhi]

[Event] 15th Dec 2010, London Muslim Centre: Event of the Year with World Famous Shaykh Abu Bakr Shatry and Others

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

The Journey of the Souls:

The Last Breath

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MAIN GUESTS:

Shaykh Zahir Mahmood (UK)

“The Day of Awakening: Judgement Day”

Shaykh Saad al Jloaud (Saudi Arabia)

Senior Student of the late Shaykh Muhammad al-Uthaymeen:

“Prepare to meet your Lord”

Qari Ziyad Patel (South Africa)

“Nasheeds”

INSPIRATIONAL LECTURES

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Price: £10 (First come First serve/No reservations)

Date: Wednesday 15th December 2010

Time: 5:30pm – 9:30pm

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Bus: 25, 205
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Brothers and Sisters Welcomed: Full Segregation

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

 "Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.'' Then (giving a warning) he said, "Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter".  

[At-Tirmidhi]

Eid ul Adha 2010/1431 AH

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

Eid Mubarak!!!

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

 "Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.'' Then (giving a warning) he said, "Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter".  

[At-Tirmidhi]

Arafat

Answer:

Assalamu alaikum,

The 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah is known as ‘the Day of `Arafah,’ because the pilgrims at Hajj gather at `Arafah in worship, which is one of the three central integrals of the Hajj rituals. Its importance is such that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Hajj is `Arafah.” [Reported in most major hadith works]

The Day of `Arafah is important for those not at Hajj, as well.

Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) related that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “Fasting the Day of `Arafah [9thof Dhu’l Hijjah] expiates for two years, one prior and one forthcoming.” [Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah]

As such, the scholars concur that it is highly recommended (mustahabb) to fast the Day of `Arafah [9th of Dhu’l Hijjah], even for the one on Hajj in the Hanafi school, if it does not weaken the pilgrim from spending the day busy in worship. [Haskafi, Durr; Kasani, Bada’i`]

The Day of `Arafah is one of the days when supplications (du`a) are more likely to be accepted. [Ibn al-Haajj,al-Madhkhal; Saffarini, Ghidha’ al-Albab]

This is based on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) saying, “The best of supplications are those on the Day of `Arafah.” [Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Malik, and others] Imam al-Baji explained this as meaning, ‘Having most baraka, the greatest reward, and the quickest in being answered.’ [Baji,al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta]

The Takbirs of Eid Start on This Day: The Fiqh

Allah Most High commanded us to, “Remember Allah through the appointed days.” [Qur’an, 2.203]

Hakim recorded in his Mustadrak, from both Ali and Ammar that they said, “The Messenger of Allah used to… make thetakbirs from the Fajr prayer of the Day of `Arafah and would stop them after the Asr prayer of the final day of the Days of Tashriq [13th of Dhu’l Hijjah].” There is, however, weakness in the chain of narrators, as Imam Bayhaqi mentioned. There are numerous hadiths that have been mentioned on this, as Imam Jamal al-Din al-Zayla`i expounded in his Nasb al-Raya [2.266-269]

This has been established by consensus of the Companions of the Beloved of Allah, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). [Mawaffaq Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni 2.126 #1431]

Legal status:

         It is necessary (wajib) for every Muslim (male or female, whether praying in congregation or alone) to make the following takbir (declaration of the greatness of Allah) immediately after each obligatory (fard) prayer.

Time:

         From:   the Fajr Prayer on the 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah (the Day of `Arafah)

         To: the Asr Prayer on the 13th of Dhu’l Hijjah.

Thus, these takbirs last 5 days, and 23 prayers.

The takbirs:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Llahu.

Wa Llahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi Lhamd .

( اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُوَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ )

(Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah.

And Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.)

Rulings related to this:

 

The wajib is to recite this takbir once. If done more than this, it is good. [Haskafi, Durr, quoting `Ayni]
The position related above that it is obligatory for 23 prayers, whether in congregation or alone, for every Muslim, is the position of Abu Hanifa’s students, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, and it is the position acted upon and chosen for fatwa, because of the strength of their evidence and the inherited practice being on it, and because it is more cautious. [Durrand Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, quoting al-Zahidi] Abu Hanifa’s position, that it lasts only 8 prayers, is supported by evidence, too, though, including the practice of some major Companions such as Ibn Mas`ud (Allah be pleased with him), and was taken by some major Hanafi imams, though a minority, such as Ibn al-Humam in hisFath al-Qadir.
It is not wrong (rather, it is recommended) to also perform it after the Eid prayer itself because the Muslims have performed it generation after generation, so it is proper to follow their inherited practice (that has been accepted by generation after generation of scholars). [Durr and Radd al-Muhtar]
The followers must perform it, even if the imam leaves it. [Durr]
Latecomers [=those who missed one or more rakat of the congregational prayer] must perform it, but after completing their prayer.
It is necessary for the congregation to perform it out loud. [Ibn Abidin,Radd al-Muhtar, quoting Quhustani]
It is necessary to make the takbirs immediately after the salams. If one talks, loses one’s wudu, or performs other actions completely foreign to the prayer, one has missed the wajib. [al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya;Durr]
And Allah alone gives success.

Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.

 

في الدر المختار:( وَيَجِبُ تَكْبِيرُ التَّشْرِيقِ ) فِي الْأَصَحِّ  لِلْأَمْرِ بِهِ ( مَرَّةً ) وَإِنْ زَادَ عَلَيْهَا يَكُونُ فَضْلًا قَالَهُ الْعَيْنِيُّ . صِفَتُهُ ( اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ ) هُوَ الْمَأْثُورُ عَنْ الْخَلِيلِ . ...... ( وَقَالَا بِوُجُوبِهِ  فَوْرَ كُلِّ فَرْضٍ مُطْلَقًا ) وَلَوْ مُنْفَرِدًا أَوْ مُسَافِرًا أَوْ امْرَأَةً لِأَنَّهُ تَبَعٌ لِلْمَكْتُوبَةِ ( إلَى ) عَصْرِ الْيَوْمِ الْخَامِسِ ( آخِرِ أَيَّامِ التَّشْرِيقِ وَعَلَيْهِ الِاعْتِمَادُ ) وَالْعَمَلُ وَالْفَتْوَى فِي عَامَّةِ الْأَمْصَارِ وَكَافَّةِ الْأَعْصَارِ . وَلَا بَأْسَ بِهِ عَقِبَ الْعِيدِ لِأَنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ تَوَارَثُوهُ فَوَجَبَ اتِّبَاعُهُمْ , وَعَلَيْهِ الْبَلْخِيُّونَ , وَلَا يُمْنَعُ الْعَامَّةُ مِنْ التَّكْبِيرِ فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ فِي الْأَيَّامِ الْعَشْرِ وَبِهِ نَأْخُذُ بَحْرٌ وَمُجْتَبَى وَغَيْرُهُ ( وَيَأْتِي الْمُؤْتَمُّ بِهِ ) وُجُوبًا ( وَإِنْ تَرَكَهُ إمَامُهُ ) لِأَدَائِهِ بَعْدَ الصَّلَاةِ . قَالَ أَبُو يُوسُفَ : صَلَّيْت بِهِمْ الْمَغْرِبَ يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ فَسَهَوْت أَنْ أُكَبِّرَ فَكَبَّرَ بِهِمْ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ ( وَالْمَسْبُوقُ يُكَبِّرُ ) وُجُوبًا كَاللَّاحِقِ لَكِنْ ( عَقِبَ الْقَضَاءِ ) لِمَا فَاتَهُ , وَلَوْ كَبَّرَ الْإِمَامُ لَا تَفْسُدُ , وَلَوْ لَبَّى فَسَدَتْ ( وَيَبْدَأُ الْإِمَامُ بِسُجُودِ السَّهْوِ ) لِوُجُوبِهِ فِي تَحْرِيمَتِهَا ( ثُمَّ بِالتَّكْبِيرِ ) لِوُجُوبِهِ فِي حُرْمَتِهَا  ( ثُمَّ بِالتَّلْبِيَةِ لَوْ مُحْرِمًا ) لِعَدَمِهِمَا خُلَاصَةٌ . وَفِي الْوَلْوَالِجيَّةِ : لَوْ بَدَأَ بِالتَّلْبِيَةِ سَقَطَ السُّجُودُ وَالتَّكْبِيرُ .علق عيه ابن عابدين في رد المحتار:مَطْلَبٌ فِي تَكْبِيرِ التَّشْرِيقِ( قَوْلُهُ : وَيَجِبُ تَكْبِيرُ التَّشْرِيقِ ) نُقِلَ فِي الصِّحَاحِ وَغَيْرِهِ أَنَّ التَّشْرِيقَ تَقْدِيدُ اللَّحْمِ وَبِهِ سُمِّيَتْ الْأَيَّامُ الثَّلَاثَةُ بَعْدَ يَوْمِ النَّحْرِ . وَنَقَلَ الْخَلِيلُ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ وَالنَّضْرُ بْنُ شُمَيْلٍ عَنْ أَهْلِ اللُّغَةِ أَنَّهُ التَّكْبِيرُ فَكَانَ مُشْتَرَكًا بَيْنَهُمَا وَالْمُرَادُ هُنَا الثَّانِي , وَالْإِضَافَةُ فِيهِ بَيَانِيَّةٌ أَيْ التَّكْبِيرُ الَّذِي هُوَ التَّشْرِيقُ . وَبِهِ انْدَفَعَ مَا قِيلَ : إنَّ الْإِضَافَةَ عَلَى قَوْلِهِمَا لِأَنَّهُ لَا تَكْبِيرَ فِي أَيَّامِ التَّشْرِيقِ عِنْدَهُ وَتَمَامُهُ فِي الْأَحْكَامِ لِلشَّيْخِ إسْمَاعِيلَ وَالْبَحْرِ( قَوْلُهُ لِلْأَمْرِ بِهِ ) أَيْ فِي قوله تعالى { وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْدُودَاتٍ } وقوله تعالى { وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ } عَلَى الْقَوْلِ بِأَنَّ كِلَيْهِمَا أَيَّامُ التَّشْرِيقِ , وَقِيلَ الْمَعْدُودَاتُ أَيَّامُ التَّشْرِيقِ وَالْمَعْلُومَاتُ أَيَّامُ عَشْرِ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ وَتَمَامُهُ فِي الْبَحْرِ ( قَوْلُهُ صِفَتُهُ إلَخْ ) فَهُوَ تَهْلِيلَةٌ بَيْنَ أَرْبَعِ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ ثُمَّ تَحْمِيدَةٌ وَالْجَهْرُ بِهِ وَاجِبٌ وَقِيلَ سُنَّةٌ قُهُسْتَانِيٌّ ( قَوْلُهُ : وَعَلَيْهِ الِاعْتِمَادُ إلَخْ ) هَذَا بِنَاءً عَلَى أَنَّهُ إذَا اخْتَلَفَ الْإِمَامُ وَصَاحِبَاهُ فَالْعِبْرَةُ لِقُوَّةِ الدَّلِيلِ , وَهُوَ الْأَصَحُّ كَمَا فِي آخِرِ الْحَاوِي الْقُدْسِيِّ أَوْ عَلَى أَنَّ قَوْلَهُمَا فِي كُلِّ مَسْأَلَةٍ مَرْوِيٌّ عَنْهُ أَيْضًا , وَإِلَّا فَكَيْفَ يُفْتَى بِقَوْلِ غَيْرِ صَاحِبِ الْمَذْهَبِ . وَبِهِ انْدَفَعَ مَا فِي الْفَتْحِ مِنْ تَرْجِيحِ قَوْلِهِ هُنَا وَرَدُّ فَتْوَى الْمَشَايِخِ بِقَوْلِهِمَا بَحْرٌ . مَطْلَبٌ كَلِمَةُ لَا بَأْسَ قَدْ تُسْتَعْمَلُ فِي الْمَنْدُوبِ( قَوْلُهُ وَلَا بَأْسَ إلَخْ ) كَلِمَةُ لَا بَأْسَ قَدْ تُسْتَعْمَلُ فِي الْمَنْدُوبِ كَمَا فِي الْبَحْرِ مِنْ الْجَنَائِزِ وَالْجِهَادِ وَمِنْهُ هَذَا الْمَوْضِعُ لِقَوْلِهِ فَوَجَبَ اتِّبَاعُهُمْ( قَوْلُهُ فَوَجَبَ ) الظَّاهِرُ أَنَّ الْمُرَادَ بِالْوُجُوبِ الثُّبُوتُ لَا الْوُجُوبُ الْمُصْطَلَحُ عَلَيْهِ , وَفِي الْبَحْرِ عَنْ الْمُجْتَبَى : وَالْبَلْخِيُّونَ يُكَبِّرُونَ عَقِبَ صَلَاةِ الْعِيدِ لِأَنَّهَا تُؤَدَّى بِجَمَاعَةٍ فَأَشْبَهَتْ الْجُمُعَةَ ا هـ وَهُوَ يُفِيدُ الْوُجُوبَ الْمُصْطَلَحَ عَلَيْهِ ط( قَوْلُهُ وَلَا يُمْنَعُ الْعَامَّةُ إلَخْ ) فِي الْمُجْتَبَى قِيلَ لِأَبِي حَنِيفَةَ يَنْبَغِي لِأَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ وَغَيْرِهَا أَنْ يُكَبِّرُوا أَيَّامَ الْعَشْرِ فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ وَالْمَسَاجِدِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَذَكَرَ الْفَقِيهُ أَبُو اللَّيْثِ أَنَّ إبْرَاهِيمَ بْنَ يُوسُفَ كَانَ يُفْتِي بِالتَّكْبِيرِ فِيهَا قَالَ الْفَقِيهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ : وَاَلَّذِي عِنْدِي أَنَّهُ لَا يَنْبَغِي أَنْ تُمْنَعَ الْعَامَّةُ عَنْهُ لِقِلَّةِ رَغْبَتِهِمْ فِي الْخَيْرِ وَبِهِ نَأْخُذُ ا هـ فَأَفَادَ أَنَّ فِعْلَهُ أَوْلَىفي الفتاوى الهنديّة: 1/152( وَمِمَّا يَتَّصِلُ بِذَلِكَ تَكْبِيرَاتُ أَيَّامِ التَّشْرِيقِ ) ( الْكَلَامُ فِي تَكْبِيرَاتِ التَّشْرِيقِ فِي مَوَاضِعَ ) الْأَوَّلُ فِي صِفَتِهِ وَالثَّانِي فِي عَدَدِهِ وَمَاهِيَّتِهِ وَالثَّالِثُ فِي شُرُوطِهِ وَالرَّابِعُ فِي وَقْتِهِ , أَمَّا صِفَتُهُ فَإِنَّهُ وَاجِبٌ . وَأَمَّا عَدَدُهُ وَمَاهِيَّتُهُ فَهُوَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً : اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ , وَأَمَّا شُرُوطُهُ فَإِقَامَةٌ وَمِصْرٌ وَمَكْتُوبَةٌ وَجَمَاعَةٌ مُسْتَحَبَّةٌ , هَكَذَا فِي التَّبْيِينِ وَلَا تُشْتَرَطُ الْحُرِّيَّةُ وَالسُّلْطَانُ عِنْدَ أَبِي حَنِيفَةَ - رحمه الله تعالى - عَلَى الْأَصَحِّ , هَكَذَا فِي مِعْرَاجِ الدِّرَايَةِ . وَأَمَّا وَقْتُهُ فَأَوَّلُهُ عَقِيبَ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ مِنْ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ وَآخِرُهُ فِي قَوْلِ أَبِي يُوسُفَ وَمُحَمَّدٍ - رَحِمَهُمَا اللَّهُ تَعَالَى - عَقِيبَ صَلَاةِ الْعَصْرِ مِنْ آخِرِ أَيَّامِ التَّشْرِيقِ , هَكَذَا فِي التَّبْيِينِ , وَالْفَتْوَى وَالْعَمَلُ فِي عَامَّةِ الْأَمْصَارِ وَكَافَّةِ الْأَعْصَارِ عَلَى قَوْلِهِمَا , كَذَا فِي الزَّاهِدِيِّ . وَيَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُكَبِّرَ مُتَّصِلًا بِالسَّلَامِ حَتَّى لَوْ تَكَلَّمَ أَوْ أَحْدَثَ مُتَعَمِّدًا سَقَطَ , كَذَا فِي التَّهْذِيبِ وَلَا يُكَبِّرُ عَقِيبَ الْوِتْرِ وَعَقِيبَ صَلَاةِ الْعِيدِ .

The best of du’aa’ on Arafah

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

Rasoolullaah saw. said: “The best of du’aa’ is du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah, and the best that I and the Prophets before me said is ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer (There is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, to Him be praise, and He has power over all things).” al-Tirmidhi

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

 "Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.'' Then (giving a warning) he said, "Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter".  

[At-Tirmidhi]

1953 Rare Hajj photographs from National Geographic

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

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

 "Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.'' Then (giving a warning) he said, "Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter".  

[At-Tirmidhi]

Virtues of the Day of Arafaah

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

Praise be to Allaah.  
1.                     It is the day on which the religion was perfected and Allaah’s Favour was completed. 
In Al-Saheehayn it was reported from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) that a Jewish man said to him, “O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, there is an aayah in your Book which you recite; if it had come to us Jews, we would have taken that day as an ‘Eid (festival).” ‘Umar said, “Which aayah?” He said: “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [al-Maa’idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning]. ‘Umar said, “We know on which day and in which place that was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It was when he was standing in ‘Arafaah on a Friday.” 

2.                     It is a day of Eid for the people who are in that place. 
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Yawm ‘Arafaah (the day of ‘Arafaah), Yawm al-Nahr (the Day of Sacrifice) and Ayyaam al-Tashreeq (the 3 days following Yawm al-Nahr) are Eid (festival) for us, the people of Islam. These are days of eating and drinking.” This was narrated by the authors of al-Sunan. It was reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said: “It – i.e., the aayah ‘This day I have perfected…’ was revealed on a Friday, the Day of ‘Arafaah, both of which – praise be to Allaah – are Eids for us.” 

3.                     It is a day by which Allaah swore an oath. 
The Almighty cannot swear by anything except that which is mighty. Yawm ‘Arafaah is the “witnessed day” mentioned in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“By the witnessing day [Friday] and by the witnessed day [the Day of ‘Arafaah].” [al-Burooj 85:3].

It was reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of ‘Arafaah, and the witnessing day is Friday.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. 

It is the “odd” [i.e., odd-numbered, Witr] by which Allaah swore in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“And by the even and the odd” [al-Fajr 89:3]. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The even is the Day of al-Adhaa [i.e., 10th Dhoo’l-Hijjah] and the odd is the Day of ‘Arafaah [i.e., 9th Dhoo’l-Hijjah] This is also the view of ‘Ikrimah and al-Dahhaak. 

4.                     Fasting on this day is an expiation for two years. 
It was reported from Abu Qutaadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah. He said, “It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.” Narrated by Muslim. 

This (fasting) is mustahabb for those who are not on Hajj. In the case of the one who is on Hajj, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the Day of ‘Arafaah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not fast on this day in ‘Arafaah. It was narrated that he forbade fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah in ‘Arafaah. 

5.                     It is the day on which Allaah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam. 
It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah took the covenant from the loins of Adam in Na’maan, i.e., ‘Arafaah. He brought forth from his loins all his offspring and spread them before Him, then He addressed them, and said: ‘Am I not your Lord? They said, ‘Yes, we testify,’ let you should say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Verily, we have been unaware of this.’ Or lest you should say: ‘It was only our fathers aforetime who took others as partners in worship along with Allaah, and we were (merely their) descendents after them; will You then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practised Al-Baatil (i.e., ploytheism and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allaah)?’ [al-A’raaf 7:172-173 – interpretation of the meaning].” Narrated by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. And there is no greater day than this and no greater covenant than this.  

6.                     It is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and pride in the people who are there: 
In Saheeh Muslim it was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which Allaah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of ‘Arafaah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, ‘What do these people want?’”

 It was reported from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah expresses His pride to His angels at the time of ‘Ishaa’ on the Day of ‘Arafaah, about the people of ‘Arafaah. He says, ‘Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty.’” Narrated by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.

 And Allaah knows best.

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/7284

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

 "Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.'' Then (giving a warning) he said, "Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter".  

[At-Tirmidhi]

The Hajj: A Poem Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah

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

The Hajj: A Poem
Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah

By Him whose House the loving pilgrims visit,

Responding with ihram at the appointed limit,

Uncovering their heads in total humility

Before One to Whom faces bow in servility.

They exclaim in the valleys, "We have responded to You -

All Praise is Yours, and Kingdom too!"

He invited and they answered, with love and pleasure;

When they called upon Him, nearer came the Divine treasure.

You see them on their mounts, hair dusty and dishevelled,

Yet never more content, never happier have they felt;

Leaving homelands and families due to holy yearning,

Unmoved are they by temptations of returning.

Through plains and valleys, from near and far,

Walking and riding, in submission to Allah.

[At the Ka'bah]

When they see His House - that magnificent sight

For which the hearts of all creatures are set alight -

It seems they've never felt tired before,

For their discomfort and hardship is no more.

Now the eye of the Lover drowns in its streams,

It sees through its tears the goal of its dreams;

Now for Allah, how many tears are issued,

Each one being followed by a multitude?

When the eye perceives the House, its darkness clears,

And from the sorrowful heart, pain disappears;

Vision cannot encompass this beautiful sight:

Each glance returns with greater delight!

No wonder at this, for when the Merciful preferred

The House for Himself, it became most honoured.

He clothed it in Majesty, a magnificent garment;

Embroidered it with Beauty, a wonderful ornament!

The hearts all love the House therefore,

Awed and humbled, in respect and honour.

['Arafat]

Now to 'Arafat, hoping for Mercy and Forgiveness

From the One overflowing with Generosity and Kindness;

Now for Allah is that Magnificent Standing

Like, though lesser than, the Day of Reckoning.

The Irresistible draws near, His Majesty manifest,

Boasting to His angels, for He is the Mightiest,

"My slaves have come to Me so lovingly,

I'll be Generous and Merciful, willingly.

I have forgiven their sins, - to this you are witness -

Fulfilled their hopes, and showered them with goodness."

So joyous news! O people of that standing,

When sins are forgiven and Mercy is spreading;

How many slaves are set completely free?

Whilst others seek a cure, and heal will He.

Now Satan is never known to lose such face:

He's blameworthy, rejected, in utter disgrace.

For he sees a matter that enrage him must:

He flees, slaps his face and covers it in dust!

Such Forgiveness he never did see

As granted by the Lord, and such Mercy!

He built his edifice from every temptation available

Till he thought it was complete, unassailable;

Then Allah struck his building at its very foundation,

So it fell upon him, tumbling in devastation;

What worth has his structure, this evil ploy,

That he does build, and the Lord does destroy?

[Muzdalifah & Mina]

Now to Muzdalifah, to spend the night

In the Sacred Area, then Prayer at first light;

Now on to the Great Pillar, which they need

To stone at the time of the Prayer of 'Id;

Now to their tents for the sacrifice prepared,

Reviving the tradition of a Father revered.

If sacrificing themselves were Allah's demand,

They would respond, submitting to the command;

Just as they'd expose their necks in Jihad

To Allah's enemies, till these stream with blood;

They discipline themselves, presenting the head for a shave:
Bringing humility and happiness to the obedient slave.

[The Tawaf of Ifadah/Ziyarah]

So when they've removed those natural growths,

Completed their rites, and fulfilled their oaths,

He invites them again to visit His House:

What honour and welcome this visit allows!

By Allah, they visit it in so much splendour,

Receiving their rewards and plenty of honour;

There Allah bestows Grace, Favour and Kindness,

Showing Generosity, Mercy and Forgiveness.

[Mina]

Then they return to Mina, each to his tent,

Every minute wish is granted, and they are content;

They stay there a day, then another, then a third,

They're allowed to depart early, but to stay is preferred;

They stone the pillars daily after the sun's decline,

With a slogan of Takbir in the presence of the Divine!

If only you could see their standing there:

Palms outstretched, hoping for Mercy's share!

"O Lord! O Lord! Knowing as You do

That we hope for no-one, only You!

Then grant our wish, O You All-Knowing,

We pray for Your Mercy overflowing."

[The Farewell Tawaf]

When they've achieved at Mina all their gains,

Once more they fill the valleys and plains:

To the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, by the end of the day,

To circle it seven times, and then to Pray.

When departure nears and they are certain

That the bond of proximity is about to loosen,

There's only a last stand for a final farewell:

Now for Allah are the eyes that swell,

And for Allah are the heavy hearts that turn

Into cauldrons of desire where fire does burn;

And the passionate sighs whose heat so vigorous

Nearly melts the Lover, ecstatic, rapturous!

Now you see those bewildered, perplexed in the throng,

Whilst others chant their sorrowful song:

"I depart, but there remains for You my yearning,

My fire of grief is raging and burning;

I bid farewell, but longing pulls my reins -

My heart is encamped in Your eternal plains!"

No blame today for saying what you feel:

No blame for expressing what you used to conceal!


||IslamicAwakening.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]

When a person spends his whole day with no other concern but Allah alone....

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

‎"When a person spends his whole day with no other concern but Allah alone,  Allah will take care of all his needs and take care of all that which is worrying him; He will empty his heart so that it will be filled only with love for Him, free his tongue, that it will speak only in remembrance of Him (dhikr) and cause all his faculties to work only in obedience to Him.

But if a person spends his entire day with no concern but this world, Allah will make him bear its distress, anxiety and pain; He will leave him to sort himself out, and cause his heart to be distracted from the Love of Allah towards the love of some created being, cause his tongue to speak only in remembrance of that creation instead of remembering Allah and cause his faculties to work in obeying and serving them. So he will strive hard labouring like some work-animal, to serve something other than Allah". 

[Ibn Qayyim, RahimuAllah]

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]

Al-'Ubudiyyah

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

'Ubudiyyah is a comprehensive term that asserts the meaning of the ayah:

"You Alone do we worship and You Alone do we seek for Help." [Al-Qur'an 1:5]

It comprises the slavery of the heart, tongue and limbs to Allah ta'ala. The slavery of the heart includes both the qawl (saying of the heart) and 'amal (actions of the heart). The qawl of the heart is the belief (i'tiqad) in what Allah has informed about His Self, His Names and Attributes, His Action, His Angels, and that which He revealed in His Book and sent upon the tongue of His Messenger Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

The 'amal of the heart include love for Allah, reliance upon Him, turning to Him in repentance, fearing Him, having hope in Him, devoting the Deen sincerely to Him, having patience in what He orders and forbids, having patience with His decrees and being pleased with them, having allegiance for His pleasure, having humility for Him and humbling oneself in front of Him, and becoming tranquil with Him.

The qawl (saying) of the tongue is to convey what Allah has revealed (in the Qur'an and authentic sunnah) regarding Himself, His Names and Attributes, His Actions, His Commands, His Prohibitions, and all that is related to this din, to call to it, defend it, to expose the false innovations which oppose it, and to establish its remembrance and to convey what it orders. The 'amal (actions) of the limbs include the salat (prayers), jihad, attending the Jumu'ah prayers and the rest of the Jama'at (congregational prayers), assisting those who are unable, and acting with goodness and kindness to creation, and other such acts.

This comprehensive meaning of the 'Ubudiyyah pertains to its specific type. The people who fall under this type of 'Ubudiyyah are the believers who obey, love, and sincerely follow the din of Allah ta'ala.

The second type of 'Ubudiyyah is the general one in which all creatures in the heavens and in the earth are subdued to Allah's sovereign Authority and Power; everything is subservient to His Will, and Authority; nothing occurs or ceases to occur except by His leave; His is the Kingdom and He disposes the affairs as He pleases. This type of 'Ubudiyyah'Ubudiyyah of Qahr (Subduing) and Mulk (Sovereignty, Kingship, Possession, Mastership, etc.). is known as the

So, the part of the ayah signifying "You Alone do we worship" asserts the adherence to the four principles of 'Ubudiyyah:

1. The sayings of the heart
2. The actions of the heart,
3. The sayings of the tongue, and
4. The actions of the limbs.

The other part, "You Alone do we seek for Help," stresses the fact that the believer must ask Allah alone to help him establish the 'Ubudiyyah and succeed in executing all what it requires..

(s) Madarij as-Salikin 1/100-101, 105, slightly adapted by Dr Saleh as-Saleh - from a footnote in The Dispraise of Al-Hawa (Desire) by Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, 1998, Dar al-Bukhari.

Source: SunnahOnline

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]