Author: Ismail ibn Nazir Satia

I'm for the truth no matter who tells it. I'm for justice no matter who it is for or against. I'm a human being first and foremost and for whoever benefits humanity...

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Personalities

THE PILGRIMAGE TO MAKKAH – Malcolm X RH

When he was in Makkah, Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz RH wrote a letter to his loyal assistants in Harlem… from his heart:

“Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practiced by people of all colors and races here in this ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all the other Prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors.

IMG_9154“I have been blessed to visit the Holy City of Mecca, I have made my seven circuits around the Ka’ba, led by a young Mutawaf named Muhammad, I drank water from the well of the Zam Zam. I ran seven times back and forth between the hills of Mt. Al-Safa and Al Marwah. I have prayed in the ancient city of Mina, and I have prayed on Mt. Arafat.” “There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blondes to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and non-white.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MqeSPF48tg

“America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered white – but the white attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of their color.” “You may be shocked by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to rearrange much of my thought-patterns previously held, and to toss aside some of my previous conclusions. This was not too difficult for me. Despite my firm convictions, I have always been a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experience and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth.” “During the past eleven days here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept on the same rug – while praying to the same God – with fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, whose hair was the blondest of blond, and whose skin was the whitest of white. And in the words and in the deeds of the white Muslims, I felt the same sincerity that I felt among the black African Muslims of Nigeria, Sudan and Ghana.”

“We were truly all the same (brothers) – because their belief in one God had removed the white from their minds, the white from their behavior, and the white from their attitude.”

“I could see from this, that perhaps if white Americans could accept the Oneness of God, then perhaps, too, they could accept in reality the Oneness of Man – and cease to measure, and hinder, and harm others in terms of their ‘differences’ in colour.” “With racism plaguing America like incurable cancer, the so-called ‘Christian’ white American heart should be more receptive to a proven solution to such a destructive problem. Perhaps it could be in time to save America from imminent disaster – the same destruction brought upon Germany by racism that eventually destroyed the Germans themselves.” “Each hour here in the Holy Land enables me to have greater spiritual insights into what is happening in America between black and white.”

“The American Negro never can be blamed for his racial animosities – he is only reacting to four hundred years of the conscious racism of the American whites. But as racism leads America up the suicide path, I do believe, from the experiences that I have had with them, that the whites of the younger generation, in the colleges and universities, will see the handwriting on the walls and many of them will turn to the spiritual path of truth – the only way left to America to ward off the disaster that racism inevitably must lead to.” “Never have I been so highly honored. Never have I been made to feel more humble and unworthy. Who would believe the blessings that have been heaped upon an American Negro? A few nights ago, a man who would be called in America a white man, a United Nations diplomat, an ambassador, a companion of kings, gave me his hotel suite, his bed. Never would I have even thought of dreaming that I would ever be a recipient of such honors – honors that in America would be bestowed upon a King – not a Negro.”

“All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds.”

Sincerely, Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X)

(From the AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MALCOLM X with assistance from Alex Haley, the author of ROOTS)

Malcolm X saw and experienced many positive things. Generosity and openheartedness were qualities which were impressed on him by the welcome which he received in many places. He saw brotherhood and the brotherhood of different races and this led him to disclaim racism and to say: “I am not a racist… In the past I permitted myself to be used… to make sweeping indictments of all white people, the entire white race, and these generalizations have caused injuries to some whites who perhaps did not deserve to be hurt. Because of the spiritual enlightenment which I was blessed to receive as the result of my recent pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca, I no longer subscribe to sweeping indictments of any one race. I am now striving to live the life of a true Sunni Muslim. I must repeat that I am not a racist nor do I subscribe to the tenets of racism. I can state in all sincerity that I wish nothing but freedom, justice and equality, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people.”

(The preceding material was excerpted from The Autobiography of Malcolm X quoted in an article written by the Institute for Islamic Education.

Screenshot_2014-03-05-17-36-31 Screenshot_2014-03-05-17-36-56 7e1911e93d02a5040808599a25d10ffe IMG-20131108-WA0017 IMG-20141013-WA0018 Screenshot_2014-03-05-17-32-16

Categories
Ramadhan

Another Year… Another Eid. . .

Id

“If the hearts of the Muslims pronounced the takbir as much as their tongues do on ‘Eid, then the face of history would have changed.

If they always gathered as much as they do for Salat ul-‘Eid, then they would have defeated the enemy legions.

If their souls embraced as much as their hands shake one another, then they would have been able to deal with their differences.

If their souls smiled as much as their lips do, then they would have been with the people of the heavens.
If they sacrificed their ego and selfishness as much as they sacrificed their animals, then all of their days would have been ‘Eid.

And if they had worn the garments of good character like they wear the best of clothes, then they would have been the most beautiful nation on the face of this earth.”
(Dr. Mustafa as-Siba’i)

“Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum.”
“May Allah accept it from you and us”

May Allah allow all those who suffer in this life for the sake of Allah to enjoy the company of His Messenger (sall Allaahu’alayhi wa sallam)  in the highest level of Jannah, where every day will be an Eid In Sha Allah.

??عیدکم مبارک??
لَیْسَ الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ لَبِسَ الْجَدِیْدِ
اِنَّمَا الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ خَافَ بِالْوَعِیْدِ
لَیْسَ الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ تَبَخَّرَ بِالْعُوْدِ
اِنَّمَا الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ تَابَ وَلَا یَعُوْد
لَیْسَ الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ نَصَبَ الْقُدُوْرَ
اِنَّمَا الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ سَعَدَ بِالْمَقْدُوْرِ
لَیْسَ الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ تَزَیَّنَ بِزِیْنَةِ الدُّنْیَا
اِنَّمَا الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ تَزَوَّدَ بِزَادِ التَّقْوی
لَیْسَ الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ رَکِبَ الْمَطَایَا
اِنَّمَا الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ تَرَکَ الْخَطَایا.
لَیْسَ الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ بَسَطَ الْبَسَاطَ
اِنَّمَا الْعِیْدُ لِمَنْ جَاوَزَ الصِّرَاطَ
Categories
Shaykh Saleem Dhorat

Udhiyah [Qurbani]


The Spirit of Udhiyah (Qurbānī)

By Hadrat Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh

During the months following Ramadān, Muslims the world over remember the life of the great Prophet, the Friend of Allāh ta‘ālā, Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām; a life full of sacrifice and submission to the will of Allāh ta‘ālā.

At a very young age, when in need of the support of his father, Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām was compelled to leave him. Then, during the final stages of his life, when in his old age and in need of the support of his young son, he was commanded by Allāh ta‘ālā to sacrifice him. Without hesitation, he was ready to submit to the Will of his Creator. Allāh ta‘ālā says:

And when (his son) reached an age in which he was able to walk with him, he said: “O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you, so see what is your view.” He said: “O my father! Do what you are commanded. Allāh willing, you will find me of the patient ones.”

So when they had both submitted (to Allāh’s Will), and he laid him down on his forehead, We called out to him: “O Ibrāhīm! You have indeed fulfilled the vision.” Surely, thus do we reward the doers of good. This was a clear trial. (37:102-106)

 Allāh ta‘ālā granted this action of Ibrāhīm u so much acceptance that He made the Udhiyah (qurbānī/sacrifice) a symbol of this great act. When asked by the Sahābah radhiyallāhu ‘anhum what Udhiyah is, Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam replied:

It is the sunnah of your father Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām. (Ahmad, Ibn Mājah)

The act of Udhiyah brings enormous rewards and the Pleasure of the Lord. The Prophetsallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said:

The son of Ādam does no deed on the day of Udhiyah dearer to Allāh ta‘ālā than the sacrificing of animals. It (the sacrificed animal) will come on the Day of Qiyāmah with its horns and its hair and its hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allāh before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with a happy heart. (At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

Once, the Sahābah radhiyallāhu ‘anhum asked Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallamregarding the benefits of Udhiyah. He answered: “A reward for every hair.”

They asked: “And wool, O Prophet of Allāh?”

He said: “A reward for every fibre of the wool.” (Ahmad, Ibn Mājah)

Therefore, everyone who is able to offer Udhiyah should do so and acquire the rewards promised in the ahādīth.

Who is Required to do Udhiyah?

The act of Udhiyah is in some cases wājib and in others nafl. A person must perform the wājib Udhiyah and endeavour to perform as many nafl as possible. In the case of the person who, during the days of Udhiyah (10th, 11th and 12th Dhul-Hijjah), possesses wealth to the amount which would make zakāh obligatory upon him, be it in the form of gold, silver, cash, merchandise or any item which is surplus to his needs, the Udhiyah will be wājib. Unlike in the case of zakāh, it is not necessary for this amount of wealth to be in one’s possession for an entire year. The compulsion of Udhiyah is established simply if wealth equivalent to the nisāb of zakāh is possessed during the specified days.

Some Misconceptions Regarding Udhiyah

Here, we need to clarify certain common misconceptions as regards this ‘ibādah.

1) One common misconception regarding Udhiyah is that it is merely a virtuous deed; it brings reward to the one who performs it and there is no blame if it is not done. This is a serious misunderstanding, for in most cases in the UK, it is wājib.

2) The second misunderstanding is assuming that the obligation of Udhiyah is shared between the entire household. This results in those members of the household upon whom Udhiyah is incumbent performing just one between them, feeling that the obligation has been fulfilled. This is not so. If a man possesses the nisāb of zakāh, one Udhiyah is wājib upon him. If his wife also possesses the nisāb, she will have to perform a separate Udhiyah. Similarly, if any of the children (provided they are bāligh) possess the amount of nisāb, Udhiyah will be compulsory on each one of them as well.

3) Another common misconception is that Udhiyah is carried out to allow people to eat meat which is considered blessed. With this in mind they are satisfied with eating Udhiyah meat that has reached them from others. There is no doubt that Udhiyah meat is blessed, as Udhiyah is the re-enactment of the sacrifice made by Ibrāhīm‘alayhis salām, the Friend of Allāh, but it is even more importantly an obligation which needs fulfilling. Such people should worry about discharging the obligation of Udhiyah and not only be content with partaking of its blessed meat.

4) In many households, the father performs Udhiyah on behalf of all his family members without their knowledge or without their having requested him. We should understand that this approach to Udhiyah only amounts to a nafl Udhiyah. In the case of a father arranging the Udhiyah for his dependants, they need to make him their wakīl (agent) in order for these sacrifices to be considered valid.

It is clear from the above that we must become familiar with the masā’il and injunctions of Udhiyah. These masā’il can be learnt from various books as well as through consulting the ‘Ulamā and Muftis.

The Spirit of Sacrifice in Udhiyah

Just as the name itself suggests, Udhiyah (sacrifice) should be carried out taking its literal meaning into consideration. Generally, we arrange for our Udhiyah to be carried out at a cheap price in a poor country. No doubt this lifts the obligation, but it is not the type of Udhiyah that Allāh ta‘ālā would like to see. We will not experience the spirit of Udhiyah until we spend the amount that it takes to sacrifice e.g. a sheep in this country (which is often equivalent to the amount required to sacrifice a cow elsewhere). Allāh ta‘ālā has provided for us in abundance so we should express our shukr (gratitude) to Allāh ta‘ālā and not be miserly.

We should offer a Udhiyah in needy countries by all means, but we should also offer one in our own locality. By doing so we too can partake of the blessed meat.

The Custom of our Pious Predecessors

Shaykhul Hadīth, Hadrat Mawlānā Muhammad Zakariyyā rahimahullāh used to mention that during the three days of Udhiyah, no other food items should accompany the Udhiyah meat. The Shaykh would stress to the people that during these days, they were the guests of Allāhta‘ālā and that the meat of Udhiyah was His hospitality. We can gather from this how much our pious predecessors gave importance to Udhiyah. So let us perform Udhiyah in our localities as well as in those places where the destitute live who have no access to meat.

We should also offer Udhiyah on behalf of Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam, our parents, our teachers, our mashā’ikh, our well-wishers and benefactors, and also one on behalf of the whole Ummah. We may also perform Udhiyah on behalf of the variousSahābah radhiyallāhu ‘anhum, alternating between them on different occasions. The same applies for the Awliyā (friends of Allāh), the Muhaddithīn and the A’immah, all of whom we are indebted to.

My honourable father, Hāfiz Ibrāhīm Dhorat rahimahullāh used to keep an annual record of nafl Udhiyahs performed on behalf of all these great personalities. He also used to perform nafl Udhiyah every year on behalf of his parents and shaykh.

In this manner, our intended reward will reach the pious in the hereafter and, inshā’allāh, will be a reason for them to search for us on the Day of Judgement. We should also make this practice a habit whenever we have the opportunity to spend in the path of Allāh ta‘ālā. These acts will prove beneficial spiritually for our lives in this world and the hereafter.

May Allāh ta‘ālā give us the ability to offer Udhiyah in its true spirit, not feeling it a burden but with zeal and eagerness. Āmīn.

© Riyādul Jannah (Vol. 14 No. 12, Dec 2005)

Categories
Shaykh Saleem Dhorat

The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

By Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh

1. Allāh ta‘ālā has taken oath of ten nights in Sūrah Al-Fajr. According to the majority of the commentators of Qur’ān, the nights are those of the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

2. ‘Abdullāh Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā related that the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Good deeds performed on other days are not superior to those performed on these (first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Companions radhiyallāhu ‘anhum inquired, “Not even jihād?” He replied, “Not even jihād, except for that person who goes out putting himself and his wealth in danger and does not return with anything.” (Al-Bukhārī)

3. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā narrated that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “On no other days are good deeds more liked by Allāh than on these ten days (i.e. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Sahābah radhiyallāhu ‘anhum asked, “ O Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam! Not even jihād in the Way of Allāh?” Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam replied, “Not even jihād in the Way of Allāh, except for that person who goes out with his life and wealth and does not return with anything.” (Abū Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

4. Abū Hurayrah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu related that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “On no days is the worship of Allāh desired more than in the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the worship of each of these nights is equal to the worship of Laylatul-Qadr.” (At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Mājah)

5. The mother of the believers, Hafsah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. (Abū Dāwūd, An-Nasā’ī, Ahmad) 

6. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā related that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “No days are as weighty with Allāh and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. So on these days increasingly read Subhānallāh, Lā ilāha illallāh, Alhamdulillāh and Allāhu Akbar.” (Ahmad)

Virtues of the Day of ‘Arafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah)

1. ‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “ There is no day in which Allāh sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of ‘Arafāt. And on that day Allāh draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His Pride remarks to the angels, ‘What is the desire of these (servants of mine)?” (Muslim) 

2. Talhah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Apart from the day of the Battle of Badr there is no day on which the Shaytān is seen to be more humiliated, more rejected, more depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of ‘Arafāt, and indeed all this is only because of beholding the abundance of descending mercy (on the day) and Allāh’s forgiveness of the great sins of the servants.” (Mishkāt)

3. Abū Qatādah Al-Ansārī radhiyallāhu ‘anhu narrated that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam was asked about the fast on the day of ‘Arafāt. He said, “It compensates for the (minor) sins of the past and the coming year.” (Muslim, At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

Night of ‘Īd-al-Adhā 

The nights of both ‘Īds are described in the Hadīth as amongst the great and sacred nights in the Muslim calendar. To remain awake on the nights of ‘Īd and perform ‘ibādah is a source of great virtue and reward.

1. Abū ‘Umārah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu related that ‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Whosoever stays awake and performs ‘ibādah (worship) on the nights of the two ‘Īds, with hope for abundant reward (from Allāh ta‘ālā), his heart will not die on the day (i.e. Qiyāmah) when all hearts will be dead.” (At-Targhīb)

2. Mu‘ādh Ibn Jabal radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā relates that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Jannat is wājib (incumbent) for those who stay awake with the intention of making ‘ibādah on the following nights: 8th, 9th and 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the night of ‘Īd-al-Fiṭr and the night of the 15th of Sha‘bān.” (At-Targhīb)

Virtues of Udhiyah (Qurbānī)

Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “There is nothing dearer to Allāh during the days of Udhiyah than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allāh before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart.” (At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

Takbirāt of Tashrīq

The Takbirāt of Tashrīq are:

Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Lā ilāha illallāhu wallāhu Akbar,
Allāhu Akbar, Walil lāhil hamd.

“Allāh is the Greatest, Allāh is the Greatest. There is no deity besides Allāh and Allāh is the Greatest. Allāh is the Greatest and all praises are for Allāh only.”
It is wājib for every adult Muslim to recite these Takbirāt of Tashrīq audibly once after every fard salāh from the Fajr of 9th Dhul-Hijjah to the ‘Asr of 13th Dhul-Hijjah (i.e. total of 23 salāh).

• Mas’alah: Women should not say it loudly but softly.

• Mas’alah: Takbīr should be recited immediately after concluding the fard prayer. 

© Islāmic Da’wah Academy
Categories
Shaykh Saleem Dhorat

The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

By Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh

1. Allāh ta‘ālā has taken oath of ten nights in Sūrah Al-Fajr. According to the majority of the commentators of Qur’ān, the nights are those of the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

2. ‘Abdullāh Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā related that the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Good deeds performed on other days are not superior to those performed on these (first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Companions radhiyallāhu ‘anhum inquired, “Not even jihād?” He replied, “Not even jihād, except for that person who goes out putting himself and his wealth in danger and does not return with anything.” (Al-Bukhārī)

3. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā narrated that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “On no other days are good deeds more liked by Allāh than on these ten days (i.e. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Sahābah radhiyallāhu ‘anhum asked, “ O Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam! Not even jihād in the Way of Allāh?” Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam replied, “Not even jihād in the Way of Allāh, except for that person who goes out with his life and wealth and does not return with anything.” (Abū Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

4. Abū Hurayrah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu related that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “On no days is the worship of Allāh desired more than in the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the worship of each of these nights is equal to the worship of Laylatul-Qadr.” (At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Mājah)

5. The mother of the believers, Hafsah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. (Abū Dāwūd, An-Nasā’ī, Ahmad) 

6. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā related that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “No days are as weighty with Allāh and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. So on these days increasingly read Subhānallāh, Lā ilāha illallāh, Alhamdulillāh and Allāhu Akbar.” (Ahmad)

Virtues of the Day of ‘Arafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah)

1. ‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “ There is no day in which Allāh sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of ‘Arafāt. And on that day Allāh draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His Pride remarks to the angels, ‘What is the desire of these (servants of mine)?” (Muslim) 

2. Talhah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Apart from the day of the Battle of Badr there is no day on which the Shaytān is seen to be more humiliated, more rejected, more depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of ‘Arafāt, and indeed all this is only because of beholding the abundance of descending mercy (on the day) and Allāh’s forgiveness of the great sins of the servants.” (Mishkāt)

3. Abū Qatādah Al-Ansārī radhiyallāhu ‘anhu narrated that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam was asked about the fast on the day of ‘Arafāt. He said, “It compensates for the (minor) sins of the past and the coming year.” (Muslim, At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

Night of ‘Īd-al-Adhā 

The nights of both ‘Īds are described in the Hadīth as amongst the great and sacred nights in the Muslim calendar. To remain awake on the nights of ‘Īd and perform ‘ibādah is a source of great virtue and reward.

1. Abū ‘Umārah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu related that ‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā reports that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Whosoever stays awake and performs ‘ibādah (worship) on the nights of the two ‘Īds, with hope for abundant reward (from Allāh ta‘ālā), his heart will not die on the day (i.e. Qiyāmah) when all hearts will be dead.” (At-Targhīb)

2. Mu‘ādh Ibn Jabal radhiyallāhu ‘anhumā relates that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Jannat is wājib (incumbent) for those who stay awake with the intention of making ‘ibādah on the following nights: 8th, 9th and 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the night of ‘Īd-al-Fiṭr and the night of the 15th of Sha‘bān.” (At-Targhīb)

Virtues of Udhiyah (Qurbānī)

Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “There is nothing dearer to Allāh during the days of Udhiyah than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allāh before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart.” (At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)

Takbirāt of Tashrīq

The Takbirāt of Tashrīq are:

Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Lā ilāha illallāhu wallāhu Akbar,
Allāhu Akbar, Walil lāhil hamd.

“Allāh is the Greatest, Allāh is the Greatest. There is no deity besides Allāh and Allāh is the Greatest. Allāh is the Greatest and all praises are for Allāh only.”
It is wājib for every adult Muslim to recite these Takbirāt of Tashrīq audibly once after every fard salāh from the Fajr of 9th Dhul-Hijjah to the ‘Asr of 13th Dhul-Hijjah (i.e. total of 23 salāh).

• Mas’alah: Women should not say it loudly but softly.

• Mas’alah: Takbīr should be recited immediately after concluding the fard prayer. 

© Islāmic Da’wah Academy
Categories
Muslim women

Unveiling the reality

Umm Abdullah writes her own personal experience of life with the Niqab.

images

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

‘Ban the Burqa!’ was the latest one. I would have used the powerful verb ‘hurled’ as per usual, except this time it was more of a forced, cringe-worthy, schoolboy ‘tryin to impress me mates’ type. Abuse, nonetheless.

As a British ‘Niqabi’ (as I am sometimes labelled in the long list of politically correct labels and titles) I should be quite used to these types of remarks, no? Unfortuntely not. It still winds me up, still frustrates me and yes, quite frankly, it still upsets me six years on. Despite all this, one thing that the abuse has paved way for is the love for my Niqab and with each hurl it has burned bigger and brighter.

I started wearing my Niqab at the age of 18; an age I truly believe is an age for either make or break. Usually, at this point in life it is decided whether we’re turning left, right or going straight ahead at the crossroads. I was a typical teenager who loved (and still does!) clothes, make up and dressing up so it was only natural for me to be a little apprehensive towards the idea of completely veiling myself. Although I had been wearing the Hijab from a very young age and the Abaya more recently, I simply was not feeling the idea of the Niqab. I was extremely image conscious. I was paranoid. I was embarrassed.

Weeks turned into months wherein I did research upon research through classical texts, poring over books to unveil the history behind the Niqab. At the start, I was quite simply looking for a loophole to sooth my mind’s voice, to stroke my more ‘holy’ side into a lullaby; a lullaby of lies sung in the loudest voice drowning out the other voice that was telling me the Niqab was Wajib (Islamic obligation). However, over time I came to realise myself, slowly but surely, that I was fooling nobody but myself. Allah says in the Qur’an, ‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks over their bodies’ (33:59). Similarly, this was echoed in authentic Prophetic narrations, when the verse ‘they should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms…’ was revealed, the ladies cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces’ (Bukhari, 1:4:148). That was the first step for me – understanding and whole-heartedly accepting that the veil is mandatory on all Muslim, mature women in order to protect themselves. There were no loopholes. Allah’s order is Allah’s order and for me there was no running away from it.

I firmly disagree with the notion of it being a black cloth used to cover the face, however, that WAS my perception pre-niqab days. And that’s the thing with perception – it can deceive. You may be wise and knowledgeable (not that I was or am in any way!) but even then can be overtaken by the sweet lies of perception. On the topic of perception, some people perceive women in a Niqab as being oppressed and socially controlled and to be honest, this view cannot completely be diminished as there are some for whom this is the case. But it would be outrageously ignorant to believe that this is the case for all. Out of the 354 women who were fined for wearing the Niqab in France, not one said she was forced to. Now, we don’t have any sort of data like that to compare with in Britain but what we do have is a free society. Every woman has the liberty and choice to make her own decisions. And if it’s anything to go by, the women who appeared on the Channel 4 Niqab debate all said it was their own choice to wear the Niqab. And saying that, I know I would have hit the roof before I let anyone force me!

Similarly, there’s the conception of Niqabi women being uneducated and basically at the back of the queue with a colander when God was dishing out the brains. Being a qualified teacher myself and having friends and family who wear the Niqab with professions varying from cancer research doctor to speech therapist to pharmacists, I beg to differ. And quite rightly so, I’d say! I mean, come on, don’t start on me with that one.

Some people believe wearing the Niqab is a litmus test for piety. As much as I disagree with that, I won’t hesitate to say that the Niqab can be a sign of piety if it is fully recognised as a lifestyle rather than just a face covering. I recently read an article wherein the writer wrote about how the most rudest Muslim woman she had met wore the Niqab. That is a real shame and without trying to condone her rudeness, I’d just like to put across that women in Niqab are not angels.That’s right, we are humans and sometimes, just like with everyone else, our behaviour and temperament can let us down. And just for the record, the most beautiful woman in terms of character and personality that I am blessed to know is one who wears the Niqab.

Alhamdu Lillah, I am now in my sixth year of wearing the Niqab and I have to say it has been an exhilarating journey. It has been a LOT more than a black cloth. In fact, I quite loathe calling it a ‘black cloth’. I feel it deserves a lot more respect and love than that. It is my Niqab, my protection, my motivation, my love. From the day I started wearing it, I immediately felt a heavier sense of responsibility upon my own actions. My Niqab stopped me from acting in certain ways and prompted me to act in certain other ways. I began to notice small changes in my behaviour and I was liking that.

Although it has been six years, I believe I have a long way to go. I started off as an ‘amateur’ and I am nowhere near ‘professional’ yet.  I still have days where I slack and I still groan and moan when it gets beautifully hot outside (try having an ice cream with a Niqab on!). Saying that, I have mastered the art of eating and drinking with my Niqab on and keeping it crumb-free! On a serious note, in my opinion the Niqab is more of a lifestyle than a piece of Islamic clothing and nobody can take that away from me.

Umm Abdullah
1st Dhul Hijjah 1435
Allah grant the Muslim women Hayaa (modesty) and Iffah (purity) and Ismah (protection), Ameen Ya Rabb.
Categories
Spirituality

Keep Going!

Keep Going!

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

I want to begin by directly asking you a few questions. The first question I want to ask is if you saw an old lady crossing the road that needed help, would you choose to help her or would you leave her be? Secondly what do you think of a person who shouts at a baby for not being able to run?

Of course these questions may seem really weird for the moment but hang on in there and let me try to explain my point. Many people have a mentality that if I am committing a lot of sin, what is the point of me praying namaaz (5 daily prayers) or following any other of Allah’s commands for that matter. Well let’s look at the first question I posed at the start. If you answered yes then why should you do this? Isn’t helping an old lady a command of Allah?

Now I know some will say that this is the human thing to do. Well to follow Allah and His commands is also the human thing to do and if you want evidence then look deep in your heart to see if your heart is satisfied with your current life. Most people go to sleep unhappy every day or dissatisfied with their life. The obvious answer is that we are missing complete submission to Allah in our life. Isn’t it time to change and leave our old lives behind? Is it not time to turn back to Allah?

Some people, including myself when I was younger believe that Islam is only meant to be practised by a Hafiz or Alim. If this is you then let me ask you, will you be holding someone’s hand and taking them in your grave with you? If I want success in this world and the Hereafter I need to make changes in my life now. Neither me nor you know when the grave is going to swallow us up so shouldn’t we be making changes in our life now before it is too late?

I recently heard a very good point. We seem to be diverting ourselves to learn about the day of Qiyamah and we certainly should be, but isn’t there a bigger day coming for all us of very soon. Qiyamah will only come once all the major and minor signs told to us by the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) have come to pass. However our death is imminent. It can strike at any time and there are no signs of death. When Allah recalls us, we have to go.

As for the second question presented at the start, many people in our society frown upon those that try to follow Islam but stumble here and there. It is in the nature of a person that he or she will commit sins however some people feel they are of a high enough status and position to criticise and try to bring these people down.

Allah says “And remind for verily a reminder benefits the believer.” (Al-Qur’an: Adh-Dhariyat: 55)

The Qur’an tells us to do the complete opposite to what we are accustomed to. We should be reminding each other with love and affection otherwise we push those away who are trying to discover the truth of Islam. No matter how old you are or how exalted we are in the eyes of the people, we all make mistakes. Even the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) used to ask for forgiveness from Allah (God) even though all the prophets were infallible. The whole point of mankind being created was because we do make mistakes but we then repent and ask for forgiveness from people.

Allah is not like mankind. Allah is Ar-Raheem (The Most Merciful). There is none like Him. If I was to upset any human it would leave a crack in the relationship just like cracks in the wall but Allah completely removes the sin like it didn’t even take place. Allah’s mercy is such that he puts a veil over all of our sins. This in itself is a big blessing. Just imagine everybody was to know all the bad you and I have done! How disgraced would we feel? One pious person mentioned that you know you have reached piety if you can walk around the market place with your desires on a silver platter. That is certainly something to think about!

Lastly I just want to mention about wisdom. It’s very important that when we talk to anybody about Islam we think before we speak. Some people do get very heated with debates of Twitter, Facebook etc. A discussion is absolutely fine and that is encouraged but social networking sites aren’t the place. Certainly it is better to discuss in person where the truth and be found and we merely aren’t keyboard warriors.

As Muslims we should be trying to encourage each other as much as possible and this is the way forward. Give your friend a pat on the back. Tell them that they have done something good today and most importantly, SMILE!

Jazakumullah Khayran
Yasin Ibn Suleman Desai

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Categories
Current Affairs articles

End of Days (2)

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

All praise is due to Allah, the all-knowing, the all-seeing and we beseech Allah to send His noblest blessings on the Seal of the Prophets, Our Master and Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam).

Shaykh Sulaiman Moola (Lecturer/Ustadh of Hadeeth in Johannesburg, South Africa)

It is no secret the planet has been gripped, rocked and played by turmoil, turbulence, mayhem and anarchy. Doom and gloom has covered our horizons. The vessel of humanity is nagging against one iceberg or another. Political, social, economical, religious and otherwise. Every sane person with no exception, regardless of his paper denomination is appalled by the timings and brutality that is going on in the world. As Muslims we are equally appalled. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) foretold us of this 14 centuries ago. He (peace be upon him) told us, “The glory of this Ummah will be in the early days” (Bukhari)

Hudhayfah (Allah be pleased with him) mentions the environment was so pure and pristine that I could enter into a transaction with someone, and if he were a believer his faith would not let him tell a lie and if he were a disbeliever society would not allow him to tell a lie.

Abu Sufyan (Allah be pleased with him) was summoned by Hiraql – Abu Sufyan (Allah be pleased with him) had not accepted Islam yet. And he was about to be interviewed about the Prophet (peace be upon him), he categorically, emphatically, systematically and explicitly said, “I had an agenda, I wanted to be biased and prejudiced and I wanted to tarnish the reputation of the best of Allah’s creation. I was not in harmony, we couldn’t see eye to eye. But, now I was at a crossroad, either I speak ill of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the emperor would not be impressed but I could not live with the stigma of a liar for the rest of my life. So, I kept the interview as candid as possible.”

There will be fitnah in the latter of the Ummah. To the extent a man will sell his religion for little worldly gain. Imam Hakim (Allah have mercy on him) reports, the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited Surah Nasr: ‘When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest, And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes, Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.’ Thereafter He (peace be upon him) mentioned, “When people start flocking towards Islam and groups upon groups become Muslim, likewise many will leave Islam in large groups.”  Another Hadith metaphorically states that the fitnah will be blind, deaf and dumb. What this means is that they will leave the ‘people’  blind, deaf and dumb! In Fathul Bari, volume 15, page 52, Ibn Uyaynah (Allah have mercy on him) on the strength of Khalaf ibn Hawshab (Allah have mercy on him) narrates a poem (translation), “Fitnah are like battles, initially battles are young and attractive, but when you go deep into it you get swallowed and realise it is not as pretty, black and white mixed, you dislike her complexion, you will not want to spend a moment with her in seclusion.” To quote another Hadith, “Every subsequent era would be more wicked than the previous era.” If we look at the era of Hajjaj RH it was full of dhulm (oppression), then it was followed by an era of peace and justice ruled by Umar Ibn AbdulAziz (Allah have mercy on him). Shah Wailullah Dehlawi (Allah have mercy on him), reports, there will be many types of fitnah, the first type of fitnah will be in a man’s personal capacity, so much so that his heart will become hard. We see the carnage that is happening in the world, hearts have become hard. Secondly, in a man’s family structure. There will be mayhem in his social structure.  Imam Bayhaqi (Allah have mercy on him) on the strength of Abullah Ibn Mas’ood (Allah be pleased with him) and Abu Hurayrah (Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,  “A time will come, when a man will lose his strength and Imaan because of his wife and children.” The companions (Allah be pleased with them all)  were astounded, “But they are beloved to us!” The Prophet (peace be upon him), “How many a man, his family put such financial burden upon him that they make him stand beyond his economic muscle?” … Either you stay in this house, make or break, do or die?!

Imam Bukhari (Allah have mercy on him) and Muslim (Allah have mercy on him) have recorded from Hudhayfah (Allah be pleased with him), “We were once sat with Umar (Allah be pleased with him) and a group of Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them). Umar (Allah be pleased with him) asked, which one of you remembers the Hadith of the Prophet in which he mentioned the fitnah. Hudhayfah (Allah be pleased with him) said, “I do.” Umar (Allah be pleased with him) said, “Go ahead, you seem like the brave one!!” Hudhayfah (Allah be pleased with him), said a man would be gripped by fitnah through his family, his children, his neighbour,  his wealth, the only expiation and atonement he will find are; praying Salah, observing fast, inviting towards good and forbidding evil .” Umar (Allah be pleased with him) said, “No! You did not understand me! I am referring to those fitnah that will rock the planet!!! Those that will grip and seize the entire earth!! So Hudhayfah (Allah be pleased with him) replied, “But Umar what have you got to do with that – between you and those fitnah there is a door.” He asked, “Is that door open or closed?” “Unfortunately, it is broken.” To which Umar  (Allah have mercy on him) said, “I doubt it will ever be repaired.” Shaqeeq  (Allah have mercy on him) says, “We asked Hudhayfah does Umar know who the door is?” Hudhayfah (Allah be pleased with him) said, “Just as Umar knows day is preceded by night- with that equal condition he know who is the door.”  But to be sure we requested Masrooq (Allah have mercy on him) to ask Hudhayfah who was the door, says Shaqeeq  (Allah have mercy on him). Hudhayfah  (Allah have mercy on him) informed them, “It is Umar himself!”

A sign of Qiyamah is people will be greedy for leadership and authority (Caliph).

Shah Waliullah (Allah have mercy on him) further states another fitnah will be one that strips mankind of human instinct. He will reduce himself to animalistic behaviour. Do we hear of incest? Rape? Juvenile murders? Beastiality?  “There will be people who commit heinous crimes such as sleeping with their biological mothers” (Hadith). Shah Waliullah finishes by saying, “then will come the tornadoes, the tsunamis, the earthquakes.” How quickly will the events of Qiyamah befall? “Two men will be in a transaction,a piece of cloth will be put on the counter, they will be debating the price and Qiyamah will have happened!” (Hadith)

Another sign is that transparency, honest and trust will be extinct. When will this happen? When undeserving people will aspire for position and they will be given that position. We see so much nepotism in our institutions and circles. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “You will see exploitation, discrimination, unfairness and injustices – all blatant and brazen.” The companions (Allah have mercy on them) queried, “What do you advise?” He (peace be upon him) answered, “Whoever you owe your due to, discharge your due to him and what is owed to you, ask it from Allah.”

Allah says, “And We have made some of you [people] as trial for others – will you have patience? And ever is your Lord, Seeing.” (25:20) In the footnotes of Tafsir Uthmani, Allah is telling the Prophet (peace be upon him), the disbelievers are there to test your perseverance and you are there to test their submission.

A fitnah will also be those without knowledge who like to comment on the Qur’an. “And of the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge and follows every rebellious devil.” (22:3)  “And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah .” (3:7) The reason Allah sent the Qur’an was to see our compliance and whether we believe. Nobody truly knows what it means except Allah. But we love to have our views and opinions in deen and comment by ‘googling’  answers. And to prove that we have a story, Imam Hakim (Allah have mercy on him) in Mustadrak narrates that someone came to the Giant of Tafseer, Abdullah Ibn Abbas (Allah have mercy on him) and said, “There are two verses of the Qur’an and I can see a clear contradiction please help me reconcile,  “then it will ascend to Him in a Day, the extent of which is a thousand years of those which you count.” (32:5) The second verse, “The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years.” Abdullah Ibn Abbas (Allah have mercy on him) said, “these are two verses which Allah has categorically stated, how can i blurt something about which I know nothing.”

…How easy is it to say, “I don’t know.”

Mawlana Abdur Raheem Limbada Saheb, (Ustadh of Bury Darul Uloom)

The Court of Justice

We all have to stand before Allah on the Day of Qiyamat – hisaab, kitaab, mizaan, pul siraat…these are all things that we will all have to face.

We will come out of our graves just as we came out of the womb.

We will be raised back to life just as we are now; to the very fingertip.

The first person to be raised back to life will be Nabi (SAW), followed by the Khulafaa Rashidun, followed by those of Jannatul Baaqi, followed by those of Jannatul Ma’laa.

The maydaan (plain) of Hashr will either be Arafat or in Baytul Maqdis (there are differing opinions on this and Allah knows best). The maydaan will be stretched, there will be no seas as they will all have perished.

We will be drowning in sweat according to our sins. Things will be out of the norm on that day. Some people, (the chosen and blessed ones) will be under the shade of the Arsh  (Throne of Allah SWT). They will include the just ruler, the person who spent his youth in the path of deen, the one whose heart is attached to the Masjid, the one who rejected zinaa (fornication), two people who met and parted for Allah’s SWT sake, the one who gave in charity and the one who remembered Allah SWT and cried out of fear of Him. With regards to the last category, Shaykh mentioned that the one who cries even a single tear in this state will be granted this lofty status. We pray that the Almighty Allah SWT grants us the status of these people and grants us the shade of His Arsh on the day when there will be no shade. Shaykh also mentioned that two other categories have also been mentioned, though they are not as well known. They include the one who has istihzar (awareness/consciousness) of Allah SWT at all times and those who are kind to their spouses and parents.

Shaykh mentioned a description of the day when we shall be standing before Allah – how often to we think about this? Have we ever thought about this? We will be standing before our Creator, just you and Him. Before the commencement of hisaab kitaab, the people will be waiting for judgement to commence, everyone of us will be in a state of sheer panic and fear. People will start asking each other questions such as, ‘How long are we going to wait?’ (due to their anxiety), however as we will be weak, we will not have the guts to go straight to Allah SWT to ask Him, instead, we will look for an intercessor. (There is a difference of opinion as to whether all of the people will approach the Ambiya (AS) one by one or whether it will only be those amongst the pious). Each Prophet (AS) when approached, will say, ‘My Rabb is extremely angry today due to the sins of man, I made a mistake once; nafsi, nafsi’

Nabi (SAW), when approached will accept our request and will travel with Jibraeel (AS) on the buraaq. He (SAW), will be taken somewhere and will praise Allah SWT in a manner that will be inspired by Allah SWT Himself, he (SAW), will praise Allah SWT in a manner that Allah SWT has never been praised before. Allah SWT will ask him (Nabi SAW) to raise his head and ask; he (SAW) will ask for our intercession and he (SAW) will also make dua for hisaab kitaab to commence. This will be granted. The heavens and the earth will split asunder and the angels in the first heaven will be heard. There will be such a nur (heavenly/divine light) emanating from the first heaven that the people will ask if it is Allah SWT Himself. The people will be told that it is just the angels, who will come down onto maydaan-e-hashr and will surround the people. This will happen for each and every of the seven heavens, then finally, the Arsh of Allah SWT will be brought down by eight strong angels.

 Every nation will be told to follow whoever they followed, be this idols, people of false deities.

Our books will be presented to us so that we can read them (see verse: ‘Iqra’ kitataabaq…’) and they will given to us in either our right or left hands according to our deeds.

This will be the time when we will have a direct conversation with Allah SWT. A screen will be placed around a believer as Allah SWT is As-Sattaar. Therefore we are reminded that if Allah SWT conceals our sins, why do we, ourselves, not? If we commit sins, do not boast about them or make them public knowledge (through social media etc), rather our first steps should be those towards repentance.

At this stage, the mutakabireen (oppressors) will be cast aside and they will not even be granted Allah SWT’s presence.

Every person will be asked four questions, and their feet will not move until they answer them fully, what are these questions? They are:

1)    How did you spend your life?

2)    How did you spend your youth (the best portion of your life)?

3)    How did you spend your wealth and how did you earn it? (every single penny will need to be accounted for, thus why the poor will reach Jannah before the rich).

4)    How much ilm (knowledge) did you acquire, and how did you acquire it?

After this accountability has taken place, every good deed and every bad deed will be placed on the scale.

There are three groups that will be ‘fast-tracked’ to their destination, they will be:

1)    The Ambiya (AS) and other such people who will have no hisaab to give as they are not sinners.

2)    The Kuffaar who will have no hisaab to give as they are sinners.

3)    Those who are in-between the two (Al-A’raaf) – their good deeds and their bad deeds will be equal in weight and one good deed will make all the difference (however this will a day in which no-one will be willing to part with anything, not a single deed, as they will only be concerned about their own fate; nafsi, nafsi).

The events at the Pul Siraat and the knocking on the doors of Jannah by Nabi (SAW) will occur (wherein Ridhwaan will only open the door to Nabi (SAW)).

Everyone will go their own Jannah, just as we know which house is our house in this world, we will know which house is our house in Jannah as we will have been shown it during our time in the barzaq. On a side note Shaykhul Hadeeth mentioned that we hear a lot of people use the phrase, ‘Only Allah will judge me’ etc. Shaykhul Hadeeth advised us not to use this phrase due to the flippant nature of it; considering what has been covered, we need to take in to account the enormity of the words we are saying: Allah Will Judge Us. It should strike absolute fear in to our hearts – Allah SWT is going to judge us for every single deed one day very soon; what if on that day Allah SWT is angry with us? What if we have done something that has angered Allah SWT and attracted His wrath? All of the hasaanat (good deeds) that we have acquired could be wiped out due to one sin, one sin.

We must remember that on that day, all of creation will be given true and absolute justice, for our Rabb is Al-Adl (The Most Just), so much so that on that day, an animal who only had one horn will be given justice for not having two horns, SubhanAllah.

Shaykh Ahmed Ali (al-Mahad al-Islami, Bradford)

Let me take you back to July 1999, the 16th Century false Prophet was on the lips of every person, the news the media, it was none other than Nostradamus. He made many a prediction, despite many of those predictons were not true and proven false people still believed that the world was going to end. There were a group of people sat with their belongings in the centre of Leeds, waiting for the world to end. And many others believed the same. But did the world come to an end? Are you in doubt? Lol. Then it was the millennium – the world was meant to end. But it is August 2014, we are still here. Now, the talk of the town is still the world will come to an end!

We are sat here today to talk about the End of the World – Qiyamah. You don’t normally see a Masjid so full with thousands of people listening lecture upon lecture. Only in Ramadhan you may see this. On Jumuah you will see this but we pray 2 rak’ah and then leave. Our Masajid are crying, they are empty. We do not pray as we need to pray. We do to bow down as we need to bow down. We do not prostrate as we need to prostrate. We do not fast as we need to fast. Have we forgotten a time will come, when we will need to face our Lord, the Lord of the Arsh and Kursiyy (throne). There will be no veil or wall between you and Allah Almighty. Picture this in your mind’s eyes, this is no joke. Allah will be angry like never before. He will punish like nobody has ever punished before. Allah will hold you account for every word, for every minute, every word you uttered, every sin you committed, now tell me brothers is this what excites you about the world ending and about the Akhirah. Allah is swearing, “I will fill Jahannam with the humankind and the jinnkind!”

The fire of hell is not yellow or red like that of the fire in this world, it is absolutely black! The fire of Hell will be brought on Qiyamah it will have 70,000 reins and on every rein there will be 70,000 angels pulling and bringing Jahannam. Jahannam will be angry because Allah Almighty will be angry. It will be brought on the plain of Qiyamah, believe me kid! You will be there, you will be the actor in this film, you’re the producer and the director. Trust me, or you can hold my neck on the day of Qiyamah and call me a liar. Imagine the heat, billions of people on one open plain, every man from Adam (peace be upon him) till the last man Allah creates. You will be standing so close together you will be on top of one another. The Prophet (peace be upon him) described this as, “Feet on the day of Qiyamah will be like arrows in a pouch.” You will not be able to put your feet on the ground.

The sun is currently 90,000,000 miles away, on that day it will be brought close. Our Prophet informed us it will only be a mile away. ‘Meel’ in arabic is termed as a mile or some Ulama have taken another meaning which is the needle one uses to put surmah on. Man next to beast, beast next to jinn, jinn next to shaytan and it will be totally hectic. You will sweat, either up to your ankles, or up to your knees, or up to your waist and some will be completely drowning in sweat due to their sins. How is this possible that one person can be sweating up to his ankles and next to you someone is sweating up to his waist? it will happen brothers and sisters do not ponder on this too much by using your Aql (intellect). As everything does not make sense in our Aql. For example when we do masah on our socks for wudhu, do we do it on the top or the bottom of our socks? On the top, whereas it is the bottom that gets dirty. The reason for this is our religion is based on Naql (Qur’an/Hadith) not on Aql (intellect).

Now, the doors of Hell will be open, and the fire will be black as Allah will have been fuelling it for many years. When you light a fire and keep it burning it gets hotter and hotter, the fire of Jahannam has been burning for thousands and thousands of years. The doors of Hell will be thrown open and the hot air will blow on the faces of some and not on others. “The smell of Hell on the plain of resurrection will be worse than rotten corpses.” (Hadith) We cannot bear the stench of a dead mouse under the floorboards in our house, what will be the smell on that day. The gravity of this day will be so hard for us, a man will say, “O Allah! Just send me to Hell, I cannot bear this anymore, please send me to Hell, I will stay in Hell, anything but this!!” This is just the start, this is nothing, just the beginning. The punishment of Hell is far, far worse. For those who disbelieved in this world they will burn in Hell forever and ever, no coming out, no rest, no peace and respite.

Shaykh Hashim Ahmad (USA) – Prepare today for tomorrow

(Shaykh Hashim presented his topic with the aid of a PPT presentation thus it is difficult to translate without the slides for reference)

The two questions one needs to ask are these:

1)    Why am I here?

2)    What is the purpose of my life?

With regards to the first question, man has travelled far into space and into the depth of the oceans yet he still hasn’t figured out the purpose of his own creation, of his own existence – ajeeb!

With regards to the second question:

‘And I created not the jinn and mankind except for (My continuous) ubudiyyah (worship/servitude).

On a sidenote, Shaykh Hashim mentioned that the English translation(s) given for the term ‘ubudiyyah’ are rather lacking, for they do not even come close to defining or capturing the essence of what the term in Arabic means and tries to convey.

 (The root of the word ‘ubudiyyah’ is abd, which means ‘slave’; a slave does nothing except that which the Master commands)

A few questions that we need to look at in order to understand the essence of Islam:

1)    What is Islam?

Islam isn’t an ‘ism’; Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism etc, rather, it is a state of being. It is an absolute submission to Allah SWT, a submission borne out of love, awe and reverence of the Master

2)    Who is a Muslim?

A Muslim is one who submits (to his Lord, to the commands of his Lord).

3)    What is Deen?

It is a total system of submission to Allah.

Run to Allah, not from Him!

Ubudiyyah (servitude) isn’t just ibaadah (worship) – it (ubudiyyah) is obedience and servitude to Allah out of love and reverence of Him – whereas acts of ibaadah, like the five pillars of Islam are the ahkaamaat (commandments); they just also happen to be forms of ibaadah. Shaykh Hashim used a visual metaphor and described how ubudiyyah is like the trunk of a tree, with da’wah, taleem and tarbiyah being it’s roots (they are the basis upon which ubudiyyah is founded, and without which, ubudiyyah cannot exist, be understood or nurtured). Acts of ibaadah such as salaah, sawm, zakaah and hajj amongst others are the branches of this tree.

Shaykh Hashim finished off the talk by discussing the seven aqabaat outlined by Imaam Ghazali in his ‘On the path to ubudiyyah’:

1)    Tanabbuh (Awakening)

Recognition of being a Muslim and what this involves.

2)    Ilm and Tawbah

3)    Awaa’iq (Hinderences)

Awaa’iq: The Dunya

The remedy: Tajarrud – Abstain from the dunya, learn not to love it

Awaa’iq: Society

The remedy: Taffarud – Choose solitude instead of excessive socialising

Awaa’iq: Shaytan

The remedy: Muharabah – Battle him

Awaa’iq: Nafs

The remedy: Mukhalafa – Oppose it

4)    Awaarid (Obstacles)

Awaarid: Rizq (sustenance)

The remedy: Learn tawaqqul (reliance on Allah)

Awaarid: Akhtar (dangers)

The remedy: Tafweedh (plan, then leave the matter to Allah SWT)

Awaarid: Masa’ib (calamities)

The remedy: Sabr

Awaarid: Qadr (destiny)

The remedy: Ridaa bil qadha

5)    Bawaa’ith (motivators)

Raja (hope) and Khawf (fear) – these are both revivers.

6)    Qawadhih (destructors)

Riya (pride/showing off) and Ujb (conceit)

7)    And if/when you have worked your way through this process, turn to Hamd (praising Allah) and express your Shukr (gratitude).

Suggestions for an action plan to attain true ubudiyyah:

1)    Niyyah (intention)

2)    Azm (Determination)

3)    Sabr (Patience

4)    Connected with ‘the connected’ (the ulema)

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (In dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure).

10th Dhul Qa’dah 1435

Categories
Current Affairs articles

The End of Days

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

All praise is due to Allah, the all-knowing, the all-seeing and we beseech Allah to send His noblest blessings on the Seal of the Prophets, Our Master and Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam).

Assalamu Alaykum WaRahmatullahi WaBarakatuhu,

Dear Respected Brothers and Sisters,

After having attended ‘The End of Days’ conference at the Birmingham Central Mosque which was kindly organised by as-Suffa institute (Allah reward them), I thought to help me recap and recollect my thoughts, as well as sharing the Khayr with my brothers and sisters around the UK and elsewhere, I would put my notes to use for once! I shall try to keep my points short but succinct, so please bear with me. Bearing in mind my notes are not going to be precise I shall try to reference what I can and the rest will just have the scholars name as reference. If you do come across an error or something you wish to add, please do not hesitate to comment below – Jazak Allah. IS.

Mufti Liyaqut Saheb (Teacher at as-Suffa)

Mufti Saheb very eloquently mentioned how we should think about what we are and where we have come from. Man starts from a drop of sperm, forms into a foetus and thereafter enters into the world as a baby; young and feeble not able to help himself and crawling on all fours. Later, he develops through childhood into adulthood and just when he starts to think he is no longer in need of anyone and can stand for himself, he looks at himself with pride through his youthful eyes.  Allah reminds him of who he actually is and what ‘man’ is capable of doing on his own – nothing! Man is now in his old age, in a state of helplessness and weakness, back in a position where he started: dependent on others.  The lesson we learn from this very real eye-opener is that nothing remains: not our youth, our strength nor our beauty is everlasting.  Everything will come to an end and the world will eventually crumble with all our precious passions and desires left behind.

Mufti Saheb further elucidated on the minor signs of Qiyamah and focused in detail on the disappearing of knowledge before Qiyamah. He quoted, “The destruction of society because of the lack of knowledge, is worse than the destruction of society because of natural disasters.” Hadeeth (Prophetic Tradition) teaches us that Ilm (religious knowledge)will disappear not by Allah removing it from the hearts, rather through the death of Ulama (religious scholars). But who are the true, religious scholars? Someone once asked Hasan Basri RH, “What is an Aalim?”  He replied, “A seeker of knowledge in our times could be spotted through a few signs that, in essence, were the effects of this religious ilm.” He listed them as:

1. His humbleness

2. Abstinence from materialistic gain

3. Tongue (safeguarding it)

4. His gaze (focused on the Hereafter).

The world ‘Ilm’ comes from ‘Alam’ in Arabic which means ‘a sign’ or ‘to print’. So, we could say, knowledge is there to be imprinted in the mind. And this is how Islamic knowledge was passed on, directly from heart to heart and by sitting at the feet of scholars. Unfortunately, today we have  people who copy and paste from screen to screen, sending fatwas by e-mail or text through a few misunderstood forwards put together and as a result, believe themselves to be ‘learned’.  We can only truly understand knowledge by thinking and pondering on each, minute verse or word deeply. Allah cannot be worshipped without true knowledge. Our deen (religion) cannot be learnt at the tips of your fingers, ‘googling’ away whilst eating a packet of crisps. Unfortunately, we quote Hadeeth without even thinking and verifying whether it is correct or not. The students of Abdullah ibn Mas’ood (R.A.) once said, “Abdullah bin Mas’ood wouldn’t quote hadith as he pleased or whenever he wished. For one year we didn’t hear him say, ‘The Prophet (peace be upon him) said’.  After a year he said it, but started sweating immediately and then said, ‘No! No! I am not sure. I think he (peace be upon him) said it…”

Allah save us.

Mufti Abdul Rehman Mangera (ZamZam Academy, London)

Mufti Saheb began explaining there are different signs of Qiyamah: minor and major. He explained how many of the prophecies of Our Beloved Nabi (peace be upon him) have come true.  The word ‘Nabi’ means Prophet, the root word of which is ‘Naba’a’ in Arabic which means ‘to inform’. So quite simply put, the Prophets informed us of future events. He further explained about how people think the end of times are near because of the current climate and turmoil. When we had an Islamic Caliphate in Baghdad under the Abassid rule (Family of Abbas R.A.), one of the Khawarij attacked an envoy of Tartars. To retaliate, the Tartars starting killing Muslims, wiping cities like Bukhara and Samarqand.  They then arrived at the centre of the Darul Khilafah, Baghdad. Here they killed 800,000 Muslims (almost 1 million).

Unfortunately, we are in a downfall today but what we need to ask ourselves is, are WE contributing to the downfall? We should not be contributing nor should we be despondent by thinking it is the end of times and we will now wait for Mahdi (Allah be pleased with him). Presently, we see Muslims being killed and butchered but this is not something new, it happened before and, sadly enough, it will continue to happen. But history shows we must do something positive, not be negative and sit back. In the time of Imam Suyooti RH, the 10th century (he died 911 hijri) people were also being killed and there was widespread fitnah (corruption) people in those times said they wouldn’t last till 1000 hijri, but they did and we are here today, Alhumdu Lillah.  So brothers and sisters, let us remember before Mahdi (Allah be pleased with him) or Eesa (peace be upon him) or Dajjal that our own death lies closer.  Let us prepare for that by praying regularly, being honest and fulfilling ties. Let us together avoid greed, avarice and enmity. Life is short. It is easy to sit online and listen to talks by scholars and professors who say Dajjal has already come out, or the Tartars were Yajooj and Majooj (Gog and Magog) etc. Rather, let us move forward and make positive changes in our lives and maybe those around us too.

Moving forward, Mufti Saheb elaborated on some of the minor sins starting with the death of Ulama and knowledge being taken away. The Ulama of today are not like the Ulama of the past. The great giants of Hadeeth like Imam Bukhari had 4,000 – 5,000 teachers. How?  Because he travelled for knowledge. People were thirsty for knowledge and they had a zeal, a passion, a thirst. In Basrah or Baghdad a large masjid, bigger than this Masjid (Birmingham Central) would have had an Alim at every pillar giving Dars (lesson) on various topics; Seerah, Tafsir or Hikam. But this is not the case today and true knowledge is disappearing with the death of pious Ulama.

Another minor sign is that time will pass quickly because our lives will be devoid of Barakah (blessings). He narrated how when he travelled to Saharanpur, India he had a long day and managed to do a lot in a day. Then he served as an Imam in USA and he had no time for anything – 24 hours were not enough! But here, in the UK he sees a balance with the time.He asked one of his teachers regarding this, to which the reply he got, “Remember Allah abundantly and you will get Barakah.” If you make time for Allah, then Allah will make time for you.

Another on the list of minor signs, music, singing and dancing will be rife. Disobedience of parents is also a minor sign, which we see everywhere. Using the term, “My old man!” This is very disrespectful for one’s father. Also, murder and killing will be seen globally and it will be taken lightly.There were many other examples of foretold prophecies given by the Prophet (peace be upon him), one of which was, “The first fitnah will be killing, the killing of Uthman and the last of which will be Dajjal.” Also, let us look in the Hadith which mention about the greatest fitnah for men are women. And we men understand how hard it is to lower your gaze and protect yourself, imagine how great the fitnah of Dajjal will be. Trial and tribulations will come like waves of an ocean and waves do not stop or relax!

From the major signs the first sign will be the appearing of the Mahdi (Allah be pleased with him). Seven of the greatest Ulama (not most famous) will be going for Hajj every year, that year there will be many problems especially in Mina, to the extent blood will be shed on the Jamaraat. These Ulama will recognise Imam Mahdi (Allah be pleased with him). But he will escape them and go to Medinah, when the Ulama go to Medinah he will return and so will they. This will happen three times. Finally, they will get hold of him in Makkah and compel him to take reponsibility. (Recorded by Zarooji)

Times will be so hard a man will have to protect his women from going out because of fear of them being corrupted.

Another major sign is the returning of Eesa (peace be upon him).  He will descend on the eastern white minaret of the mosque in Damascus. We should bear in mind, when the Prophet (peace be  upon him) told his companions (Allah be pleased with them) the masjid was not built (whereas now it is). The minaret is near the Christian quarters. Eesa (peace be upon him) will break the cross and abolish the pigs and the Christians will follow him. However the Jews will split in two groups. Eesa (peace be upon him) will go to Jerusalem and Dajjal will be there. He will be telling the people, “Come! Time for Salah!” Eesa (peace be upon him) will kill Dajjal at a place called ‘Ludd’. Just a note here, currently in this place, Ludd, there is a Tablighi Markaz. After this, Yajooj and Majooj will appear but Eesa (peace be upon him) will not have as much power over them like he did over Dajjal.

Shaykh Zahir (Founder of as-Suffah)

Shaykh Zahir started with ‘Hadeeth Jibraeel’ in which, as a summary, it explains Islam: the five pillars, Imaan, the articles of faith, ihsaan, to worship Allah as though you see him.  The Hadeeth ends with the signs of Qiyamah – that the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings.  Shaykh went on to say how the Mushrikeen (polytheists) could never digest the matter of Qiyamah and the world ending.

Adiyy ibn Hatim (Allah be pleased with him) says I came to Medinah and I was with the Prophet (peace be upon him) when an African woman came to complain to the Prophet (peace be upon him) about her master, so the Prophet (peace be upon him) dealt with her affair. He (peace be upon him) then said  to me, “Take my hand and go wherever you want in Medinah.” Adiyy (Allah be pleased with him) says that I knew this man was no king or ruler because you cannot do this with them.

According to a Hadeeth, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever dies his Qiyamah has started” (Musnadul Firdaws- Daylami). When the angel of death will approach man, he will say, “Why have you come so early? You should have sent me a postcard!” The angel of death will say, “I did send you a postcard! Didn’t you see babies dying? Natural disasters? Cities being wiped away? Your grey hair? Wrinkles on your face?”

Allah says: “The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]” (54:1).  Here, one may question the past tense as Qiyamah has not yet occurred.  The explanation to that is understood in the language style of the Arabs who, in order to mention something of great importance would use the past tense. Allah is showing us the gravity of Qiyamah and the events post Qiyamah so man can take heed. But what do we see in the Dunya (worldly life)?  The more Allah gives a man the more arrogant, the more agnostic, the more atheist he becomes. He can reach the depths of the seas, the peaks of the mountains, travel from one side of the world to the other but Allah is still above him and in control of him. If he forgets Allah, Allah will remind him as the verse explains, “The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb – [those] from which men and livestock eat – until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people suppose that they have capability over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought” (10:24).

The final hour and death are two things which only Allah Almighty knows. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) would talk about Qiyamah he would get passionate, his cheeks would get red and talk as though he was warning about an enemy. When all the minor signs will finish and the major signs finish a wind will blow and take the souls of all the Muslims. Then then Ka’bah will be broken and Israfeel will be given the order to blow the horn. Since Israfeel has been given the trumpet his eyes have not moved from the Arsh because he does not want to delay the blowing of the trumpet for even the blink of an eye. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “How can I rest, how can I rest when Israfeel is waiting to blow the trumpet.”  The Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them) were very worried as they were worried about their Akhirah (hereafter) so they went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and He (peace be upon him) said,”Say: Allah is enough for us and upon Him do we rely.”

And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on. (39:68)

Imagine the scene when the trumpet will be blown, everything will stop and drop dead! How will be the sound of that horn? Today they are researching how to kill people without shotting bullets, they have sonic weapons and bullets whereby they do not need to shoot. They can break your eyeballs through the noise it makes. Let us look how Allah killed the people of Thamud, he killed them through noise, “And the shriek (sayhah) seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes [corpses] fallen prone.” (11:67) “But they were insolent toward the command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt (saa’iqah) seized them while they were looking on.” (51:44). So what is the difference between ‘Sayhah’ and ‘Saa’iqah’? Sayhah has the ability to kill and Saa’iqah has the ability to kill and burn.

120 decibels your ears will hurt

140 decibels your eardrums will pop

150 decibels your ribs will hurt and pain

200 decibles livers and lungs punch

So, it could start of as Sayhah and end up as Saa’iqah. This is why in America they are making electricity from soundwaves. Scientists prove if the noise is intense enough it can crush somebody. If the noise is above 200 decibels it can have an impact on a person’s body

Mufti Muhammad Ibn Adam Al-Kawthari (Daruliftaa.com, Leicester)

One thing everyone agrees on is death. But nobody knows their date of death neither the location. Death is such a reality but nobody wants to talk about it, because it is distasteful.  But more important than the end of time, end of days or Qiyamah itself is our own end – our death. Let us not dwell too much on Qiyamah and the events beforehand. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasised this many times in Hadith, we should remember death often so that the love of the world leaves our hearts. Once a piece of soft cloth came in front of the Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them) and they were amazed by the softness. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw this he said, “Are you amazed by the softness of this cloth? The towel/cloth in Jannah of Saad ibn Muaadh is much softer than this.” He (peace be upon him) was taking the love of materialistic things out of their hearts and instilling the love of the hereafter. Brothers and sisters we do not have long in this world. The average life span in this country is 60! “An intelligent man is the one who controls his Nafs (desires) and prepares for the Hereafter, (whereas) the foolish one is he who follows his desires and keeps (false) hopes in Allah.” Hadith

So time is short and time is flying by. A week goes like a day and a month goes like a week. But we are so engrossed in this worldly life and in pursuit of materialistic gain we have forgotten the Akhirah (hereafter). All we want to do is follow celebrities and football stars and pop stars. Allah has described this worldly life as a ‘game’ in the Qur’an. Meaning in comparison to the hereafter it is a game – the real deal is the hereafter. Let our focus be there In Sha Allah.

Man goes through different stages, his youth is spent in driving fast cars, eating nice food and dining out, chasing girls and having the latest gadgets. Then he grows up, now he gets married has pride over his wife and children. He boasts over his wealth, his properties in the UK and Dubai etc. He must be better than everyone around, his friends and family members. He forgets death and is unaware of the Hereafter. Hadith actually tells us to remember the destroyer of pleasures: death! We should also visit the cemetery frequently and remember people close to us who have left the world in young age and old age. When you leave this world you will take nothing with you. Your name is forgotten, you are referred to as ‘the body’ when you die.

Dunya in arabic means ‘something that is going to go’. Umar (Allah be pleased with him) said, “Every day it is announced fulaan ibn fulaan has died. A day will surely come and it will be announced Umar ibn Khattab has died and left the world.”

When a good man is put in his grave a voice will whisper to him, “Sleep as a newly wedded wife sleeps.” This is why Hadith mentions, “The grave is either a garden from the gardens of Jannah. Or it is a ditch from the ditches of Jahannam.” Mufti Shafi (Allah have mercy on him) of Pakistan said, “the grave and life of Barzakh is like a waiting room.” His son Mufti Taqi Uthmani says, “Every person thinks a lot and has a lot of thoughts about the world; work, family, shopping, car, property or marriage. But we need to change our thoughts to the hereafter, death, the grave, Qiyamah, the scales, pul sirat (bridge over Hell) and Jannah/Jahannam.”

Death is a gift for the believer – Hadith.

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia  (In dire need of Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and pleasure).

1st Dhul Qa’dah

Categories
Dhulm/Oppression

Dhulm: Oppression or Depression?

In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

IMG-20121124-WA006

All praise is due to Allah, the all-knowing, the all-seeing and we beseech Allah to send His noblest blessings on the Seal of the Prophets, Our Master and Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam).

The first crime or sin we could say, committed on the surface of the earth was perpetrated by the son of the noble Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) whose name was Qabil RH. As it is known, the sin he committed was no ordinary sin; it was none other than murder and what degree of murder could be worse than murdering a family member, his own blood brother, Habil RH. So ever since that day, every person that gets killed unjustly, the burden of the sin not only falls on the killer, but also on Qabil RH as he initiated killings.

In this worldly life, we see many forms of oppression, and Almighty Allah allows this oppression. Many people, Muslim and Non-Muslim ask why? It is NOT because Allah is pleased to see his servants committing ‘dhulm’ , rather it is something termed as ‘al-Istidraaj’. Something you could loosely explain as Allah loosening the rope and giving respite to stop and repent. It is when Allah Almighty gives fortunes to someone despite Him not being pleased with him/her. Our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) explained in a Hadith (Prophetic Tradition), “When you see that Allah Almighty gives good fortunes to his slaves who are always committing sins (disobedient), know that the person is being given istidraj by Allah.” (At-Tabrani, Ahmad and Al-Baihaqi)

However, it is the duty of others to stop dhulm as is explained in the Prophetic Tradition (Hadith),“Help your brother; be he the oppressor or the oppressed.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, I shall help him if he is oppressed but how do I help him if he is the oppressor?” He said:”Prevent him from oppression, that is you helping him.” Bukhari and Muslim.

But what exactly is oppression? It is normally termed for what goes on in war and when one takes another’s right. The literal meaning of al-Dhulm is, ‘to place something somewhere it does not belong’. For example, if one were to place his shoe on his head that would be classed as al-Dhulm as that is not the correct place for the shoe. But dhulm (oppression) in Islam has a much broader and deeper meaning. We only need to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television to see the oppression that goes on around the world, the young children suffering, the babies dying, women as well as the elderly tortured and their menfolk beaten and humiliated in front of them – the world accepts this as wrong, no matter which creed or race you are from and no matter which religion you follow.

But what I would like to shed light on is the dhulm you and I may commit; even though we would never like to be associated with dhulm or be called a ‘dhalim’ (oppressor), but sometimes we do commit oppression knowingly,or unknowingly.  Because oppression is not just what we see in Gaza or Syria, oppression is also what goes on here, in the UK; a man who beats his wife is oppression, not treating your children fairly and equally is oppression, to show ingratitude and display disobedience to your parents is oppression, to deprive a sibling of their rights to inheritance is oppression, bullying and harassing someone weaker than you in school or college or at a workplace is oppression, taking one’s anger out on an innocent individual is oppression, showing favouritism at a work place to certain employees due to unjustified reasons such as family connections, being from the same race or same sex (sometimes the opposite sex simply because they are attractive) is oppression, being ungrateful to your spouse or not spending time with him/her is oppression, not letting a father see his child without a valid reason is oppression and relaying lies or slandering someone out of jealousy and spite is oppression! The list really can go on, unfortunately.

The very sad reality is oppression is everywhere and for many of us, our hearts bleed because others cause us to bleed. Usually it is those closest to us; a family member or a relative. Hence the title of this article has been named, ‘Dhulm: Oppression or depression?’ despite the fact dhulm is normally translated as oppression it can consequently ‘lead’ to depression. And this is what we see when we look around the world; people are either suffering from oppression or depression, they are either bleeding or weeping! My little message to every brother to every sister out there who is suffering, be it equal to a prick of a thorn or the weight of a mountain, “DO NOT DESPAIR IN THE MERCY OF ALLAH!” (39:53). “Indeed, Allah is with the patient ones” (2:249). We are promised time and again in Qur’an and Hadith that Allah will give us justice for the oppression we face in this world and the injustices we have  to endure. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Give people their rights. Even the hornless sheep will take retaliation from the horned sheep (on Qiyamah)” (Adabul Mufrad).

Nothing is hidden from Allah, not even the black ant crawling on a stone in the darkness of the night nor its footprint! Let oppressors think not that Allah is unaware! Allah Almighty says, “And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror]” (14:42). In another verse, “And those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be paid back” (26:227). And to serve as a final reminder and warning, Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Fear injustice. Injustice will appear as darkness on the Day of Rising. Fear avarice. Avarice destroyed people before you and led them to shed one another’s blood and to make lawful what was unlawful for them” (Adabul Mufrad).

To conclude In Sha Allah, we pray Allah protects us from committing dhulm and from being the victims of dhulm, as well as giving us the ability to help the oppressed and stop an oppressor, as the saying goes, ‘Evil spreads not because of the violence of bad people, rather because of the silence of good people’ .

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (In dire need of Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and pleasure).

27th Shawwal 1435