Tag: Ismail ibn nazir satia

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Current Affairs articles

Integrate, NOT Assimilate!

brit

This was narrated by Qari Ismail Samni (Allah fill his grave with noor), Bolton: “Shaykh AbulHassan Nadwi (Allah have mercy upon him) visited the UK and a programme was held for Ulama. At the start of the talk, Shaykh mentioned a dream in which he saw the blessed and glorious vision of the Final Messenger, the Seal of the Prophets ﷺ. In the dream, the Prophet ﷺ mentioned that he had his eyes on the Muslims of England (mere nazar England walo par hein).

On hearing this, the Ulama present were delighted and overjoyed. After which Shaykh stated, ‘There is no need to be so happy! Let me explain… if a mother has two children, one is playing in the garden and the second is playing near the fire. Which child does the mother have her eye on? Obviously, the one near the fire. Similarly, the interpretation of the dream is the Prophet ﷺ has his eyes fixated on the people of England because your Imaan is at risk. You may ask how? The Muslims of Makkah and Madinah will not sell their Imaan, because they are surrounded by Muslims and they are living in a Muslim country. At the most, they will commit sins. Same for the people of Pakistan, they will not sell their Imaan. As for the Muslims for India, they live in a Hindu country but totally oppose the actions of the Hindus. They dress differently, worship differently and keep Masjids and Hindu Temples separate.

What I have seen in the UK, especially in the young generation, step by step and inch by inch they follow the non-Muslims in every way; in their dress; in their food; their hairstyles; and their whole lifestyle. You are surrounded by non-Muslims, it is very easy to sell your Imaan living in the West.'”

Mawlana then continued his bayan.

It is December, the time of the year we see festive decorations and lights all around the country. Christmas is coming soon… Living in a non-Muslim country, how should we participate in this Christian festival? Are we allowed to attend Christmas parties? Should we let our children partake in Santa’s Grotto? When they attend school they want to play a part in the nativity play, is this Halal? Further, on Christmas day should we exchange gifts with our families and our Christian neighbours? Can we prepare a turkey dinner on Christmas day and enjoy it with the family? I won’t answer all these questions, but it is food for thought, further to the dream I mentioned in the start.

See full fatwa

I will, however, like to touch on an issue increasing in the UK, having a turkey dinner on Christmas day. It is forbidden for a Muslim to prepare a turkey dinner on Christmas because this is an imitation of non-Muslims. It is confirmed in an authentic narration that “whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

Saying that the family gathers on this day and this is not with the purpose of imitating the non-Muslims but due to the fact that this day is a (bank) holiday, then this does not make it permissible for you to do this, because, in essence, you are imitating them. Gathering on this day could be on any other kind of food, why then have specifically a turkey dinner? Is this not imitating them even in the kind of food they eat?

The prohibition of resembling the non-Muslims is not restricted to inward actions [beliefs, actions of the heart] and intentions, but also to outward actions. It is for this reason that the Prophet ﷺ prohibited us from performing the prayer at sunset and sunrise, and he ﷺ said that it rises between two horns of the devil and the polytheist prostate to it at this time, despite the fact that a Muslim prays to Allah and not to the horns of the devil. However, the Prophet ﷺ forbade us from performing the prayer at that time regardless of our intention.

The Prophet ﷺ also used to differ from the people of the book even in the way they combed their hair.

Indeed, there are many narrations of the Prophet ﷺ about differing from the people of the Book in regard to both words and actions.

Therefore, we advise you to fear Allah and not imitate the polytheists and act in conformity with them in their festivals and traditions which are peculiar to them.

One should explain to the family, that it is permissible for the family to gather on that day because it is a holiday but without making this day as a festival and imitating the non-Muslims in their eating traditions and the like. It should be a family gathering like all other gatherings throughout the year [without any special food, settings or decorations].

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (One who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure)

29 Rabiul Awwal 1440

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Personalities

Sweet Memories

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In Memory of My Late Father, NazirAhmed Daud Satia (1947 – 2013)

 

Here in Blackburn was where his life started,

He wasn’t just a man, he wasn’t just a father, but so ever kind-hearted;

Principled, firm, full of awe and his beauty shone through,

With a voice so strong, every word spoken true.

 

In India, is where his life began,

His move to England was Allah’s plan.

Justice was his strength, his aura so majestic,

Community work, joining ties, his charity and courage were fantastic.

His sincerity, selflessness, humility and much more,

Such men are rare, that’s for sure.

 

Memories of Abba, I will cherish forever,

I pray in Jannah we will be together.

His aura and character sticks in my mind,

His laughter and smile it was one of a kind!

 

You are now far from our sight

Your beauty disappeared like the day covered by night.

Thank you for a lifetime of lessons I will never forget,

It only seems like yesterday when your sun finally set.

 

The next stage of your life has been set to begin,

Allah elevate your status and resurrect you without a single sin,

We miss you deeply and wish you all the best,

Allah bless you with every stage of success.

 

I won’t be sad, I won’t shed a tear,

I know the angels await you, they proclaim: “Do not be sad and do not fear.”

I pray you rest forever in peace and harmony, I pray you will never have pain or ache,

Know for sure, we all love you deeply for Allah’s sake.

 

Your son, indebted to you forever (Five years on).

19 Rabiul Awwal 1440

Categories
Poems

WORDS as sharp as sWORDS ⚔️

1-1-Cosplay-Free-Shipping-Sword-Movie-Lord-of-The-Rings-The-Hobbit-Frodo-Baggins-72cm.jpg_220x220.jpg
Words can be sharp, as sharp as a sword,
Sometimes we need to let them out because of the stuff we hoard.
But before you speak, take my advice on board,
Think before you speak, think of your Lord.
Don’t let your words out loosely, like marbles rolling down the road,
The cost of such a tongue is astronomical, one which you can’t afford.
When you speak, speak clearly, not like deciphering a code,
Some murmur and mutter, like they’re in sleep ? mode!
Using hurtful words can sometimes strike a chord,
They may get you in trouble or attract a nasty horde (a crowd).
We all make mistakes and we are all flawed,
We need to ensure before we wag our tongues our words are pored (examined).
If you have nothing good to say, keep your lips ? sewed,
Don’t let your words out, let them be stored.
Otherwise, on Qiyamah you will carry a heavy load,
Because words can be sharp, as sharp as a sWORD!?
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejFLIy2Atx8
Sword_topNteaser
Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in dire needs of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure).
19 Rabiul Awwal 1440
Categories
Current Affairs articles Miscellaneous

40 Sacred Hadith on Archery

c700x420.jpg1 From the collection of Sahih Muslim
On the authority of `Uqbah bin `Amr, may Allah, exalted be He, be well-pleased with him, who said, “I heard The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty upon him, say while he was delivering a sermon from the pulpit – minbar,

“Prepare to meet them with as much strength as you can afford,
verily, strength lies in archery,
verily, strength lies in archery,
verily, strength lies in archery.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken in Truth

2 From the collection of Sahih Muslim

On the authority of `Uqbah bin `Amr, may Allah be well-pleased with him, who said,
“I heard the Holy Prophet, Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, say

“Lands will be thrown open to you and Allah will suffice you against their evil, but none of you should give up sporting with his arrows, and you shall know.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken in Truth

3 Selected by at-Tabarani

On the authority of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah’s favour be upon him, who related,
“The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of the Almighty be upon him, said,

“You must use archery, for it is good for him who engages in warfare.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

4 Related by Abu ash-Shaykh and Ibn Abi Dunya

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, Allah Almighty’s favour be upon him, from The Holy Prophet, may Allah the Exalted bless him and give him peace, who said,

“Learn the throwing of arrows, and do not be averse to it, for the area between the two targets holds a garden of the gardens of paradise.”

and the Messenger has spoken truly

5 Chosen by ad-Daylami in his Musnad

On the authority of Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who related that The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,
“Learn the casting of arrows and the Qur’an.”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

6 Narrated by al-Bayhaqi the Sunan

On the authority of Abu Rafi’, may Allah be pleased with him, who related, “I asked The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, `Do children have rights over us as we have rights?’ The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, replied,

“Yes, the father has the same legal obligations towards his son as the son towards him.” And he said, “The rights of the son over his parent is that he should teach him writing, swimming, and the casting of arrows and that he should leave him in a good legal inheritance.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

7 Selected by ad-Daylami

On the authority of Jabir, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who narrated, “The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, said,

“Teach your sons the shooting of arrows!’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

8 Selected by Abu ash-Shaykh

On the authority of Abu Qilaba, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who narrated, “The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, said,

“Teach your young boys both archery and swimming.’”

9 Selected by Abu ash-Shaykh and others
On the authority of al-Qa’qa bin Abi Hidr, may Allah be well-pleased with him, who said, “The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, said,

“Dress like the Ma’d, adopt rough clothing, wear simple garments, surpass one another in jousting, and walk barefoot.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

10 Abu Da’ud and others

On the authority of `Uqba bin `Amr, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who related, “I heard The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, say, 
“Verily, with one arrow Allah almighty will admit three individuals into paradise :
the maker of the arrow who fashions it with good intent,
the archer who shoots this arrow and
the person who gathers it up (after it has been shot).’”

and the Holy Prophet has spoken truly

11 Selected by Abu ash-Shaykh

On the authority of Najiya, may Allah’s favour be on him, who related, “With a quiver in my hand, I was passing by an old man sitting by the gate of Bani Sulaym. He spoke to me and said, `Will you sell me the arrows you hold in your hand or not?’ I said, `I will sell it.’ And the old man said, `Verily I shall buy it, though I can no longer shoot it. Then he said to his servant girl,

`Oh slave girl, go check my quiver and tell me whether it is full up or not! 
For I heard The Holy Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, say,

“Attend to your quivers!’”

12 Related by an-Nasa’i and al-Bayhaqi

On the authority of `Ata ibn Abi Rabah, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who narrated, “I saw Khalid bin Abdullah and Jabir bin `Amru-l-Ansari, may Allah Almighty’s favours be upon them both, casting arrows. As one of them wearied, the other said to his companion, `You have grown weary of casting arrows, but I have heard these words from The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, who said,

“Everything that is done without the remembrance of Allah (Dhikrullah) is vain distraction and idle play, but for these four accomplishments :

a man walking between the two points of the archery ground, training his horse, learning how to swim and jesting with his family.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

13 Reported by al-Qarrab

On the authority of Abu ad-Darda’, may Allah Almighty shower His favours on him, who narrates from The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, who said,

“All games are idle play but three things :
the riding of horses,
the casting of arrows,
and a man playing with his wife ;
And of these the most beloved to me is the casting of arrows.”

14 ad-Daylami

On the authority of Ibn `Umar, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with them both, from The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, who said,
“What an excellent diversion for a man is the casting of arrows; and whoever 
leaves archery after having learnt it, he has rejected a gift of grace.”

and the Holy Prophet spoke truly

15 Selected by ad-Daylami

On the authority of `Abd-ur Rahman ibn Shumasa that Qusaym al-Layth said to `Uqba bin `Amr, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, as he was walking back and forth between the two targets (on the archery ground) “How is it that you keep going between these two points, whereas you are already an old man?” To this `Uqba replied, “Were I not for this world that I heard from The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, I would not take this upon myself.” And he said, “I heard him say,

“Whoever learns archery, only to later abandon it, he is not one of us.’”

16 Selected by Abu ash-Shaykh

On the authority of Ibn `Umar, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with them both, who narrates that The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, once missed a certain man. The Holy Prophet, upon whom be blessings and peace, said,

“Where is that missing person?

And one of them said, “He has gone gaming.”

And The Holy Prophet, Allah’s peace and Blessings upon him, said,

“What have we to do with games!”

And one man said, “O Prophet of Allah! That man has gone to cast his arrows.”

Thereupon The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, said,

“The casting of arrows is not one of the unlawful games; indeed, casting arrows is the very best of your pastimes.’”

17 Narrated by Abu ash-Shaykh

On the authority of Abu Hurayra, may Allah be well-pleased with him, who recalled, “The Holy Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, said,

“The casting of arrows is a share and a characteristic of the shares of Islam.’”

and the Holy Prophet has spoken truly

18 Reported by Abu ash-Shaykh

On the authority of Abu Umama, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who said, “The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

“Men have not drawn anything but that the bow had an advantage over it, and more.”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

19 at-Tabarani

On the authority of Saiyidina Ali, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who relates, “On the morning of Ghadir Khumm The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, wound my turban and its end fell down upon my shoulder. Then he said,

“Verily, the Lord, exalted be His Majesty, assisted me on the day of the battle of Badr and on the day of the battle of Hunayn with angels, and they were with this turban wound in this manner.”

Then the Holy Prophet, may Allah Almighty send peace and blessings upon him, went on to say,

“Truly the turban is a barrier between the Muslims and the idolaters.”

Then he donned his armour and, while holding an Arabian bow in his blessed hand, his eye fell upon a man who had in his hand a Persian bow. The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, said to him,

“Put that away from your hand and take this Arabian bow and these spears of metal; Allah in His exalted Majesty will then support your faith and make you firm in faith and establish you in the land.’”

20 Narrated by al-Bayhaqi

On the authority of Jabir bin Abdullah, may Allah be well-pleased with them both, on the authority of The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, who said,

“My love necessarily goes to whoever moves back and forth between the two points (the shooting place and the target of the archery field) with an Arabian bow, not with the bow of Chosroes (Persian kings).”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

21 Related by at-Tabarani
On the authority of Abi Darda’, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, on the authority of The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, who said,
“Everyone who walks between the two points of the archery field will have 
merited the reward for a good deed for every step he takes.”

and the Holy Prophet has spoken truly

22 Selected by Abu ash-Shaykh and ad-Daylami

On the authority of Abi Darda’, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, on the authority of The Holy Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, who said,

“Whoever removes his wrap from his shoulders and walks between the two targets of the archery field, will receive the reward for the freeing of a believing slave for every single step.”

and the Holy Prophet has spoken truly

23 Selected by Ibn Abi ad-Dunya

On the authority of Abdullah bin Jarad, may Allah be well-pleased with him, who said,

“The Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and give him peace, liked shooting arrows between the two targets, and he used to run along with his Companions.”

24 Selected by ash-Shaykh

On the authority of Anas bin Malik, may Allah be well-pleased with him, who said, “I saw The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, chewing a bowstring of sinew, and he firmly spliced the end of his bow with it while he was fasting on a day of Ramadan.”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

25 Selected by an-Nasa’i
On the authority of Ka’b bin Murra, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who said, “I heard The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, say,

“Shoot! He whose arrows reaches the enemy, provided his arrow is shot in the way of Allah, Allah will raise him one level in paradise.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

26 Selected by at-Tabarani
On the authority of Anas, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, said,

“Whoever shoots an arrow in the way of Allah, will receive the reward of freeing a slave; and this is his ransom from the fire.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

27 Selected by at-Tabarani in his book `Al-Awsat’

On the authority of Anas, may Allah be well-pleased with him, who said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, said,

“He who shoots an arrow in the way of Allah, whether it falls short or reaches its target, his reward for his arrow shall be as the reward for the freeing of four people of the sons of Isma’il, had he freed them.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

28 Selected by at-Tabarani in his book `al-Kabir’
On the authority of Muhammad Ibn-ul-Hanafiya, may Allah be well-pleased with him, who said,
“I saw Abu `Amru-al-Ansari, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, on the day of Siffin, and he had taken the pledge of allegiance at `Aqaba and fought in the Battles of Badr and Uhud ; now he was bent over from fasting and he said to his servant boy, “Give me cover with the shield!” and the servant boy gave him cover so that he was thereby protected from his enemy whilst he drew the bowstring, weakly until he was hit by three arrows, shooting which he did not return. Thereupon he said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, say,

“If a person shoots an arrow for the sake of Allah and His good pleasure, regardless of whether his arrow reaches or falls short of his enemy, that shot will be a light going ahead of him on the Day of Resurrection.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

29 Related by al-Bukhari
On the authority of Abu Usayd as-Sa’idi, may Allah be well-pleased with him, on the authority of his father, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, said,

“On the days of Badr and Hunayn, we joined ranks against the Quraysh and they have joined ranks against us; should they subdue you, go for your arrows.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

30 Selected by at-Tabarani

On the authority of Hussein Ibn as-Sa’ib Ibn Abi Lubaba, on the authority of his father, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who said, “It was the eve of `Aqaba or the eve of the Battle of Badr when The Holy Prophet, on whom be blessings and peace of Allah Almighty, spoke to those of the Ansar and the Muhajirin who were with him,

“How will you fight the unbelievers on the morrow?”

And `Asim Ibn Abi-al-Aflah said in answer to this, “O Messenger of Allah, first of all, we shall take up the bow and arrows; and if they have drawn close to us, up to two hundred cubits or around that distance, the shooting of a variety of bows begins ; and when they have drawn even closer, the shattering with stones, and when they have drawn yet closer within the reach of our lances, the play of lances begins until the lances are broken ; after that comes the contest of the swords, and this is the manner of battle, O Messenger of Allah.” Upon this The Holy Prophet, upon whom peace, said,

“Thus war is revealed to the people of faith.”

then he gave the command for it and said,

“He who engages in battle with the enemy, let him fight in the manner of Asim.”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

31 Upon which all (Traditions) are agreed

On the authority of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who said,
“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah Almighty bless him and grant him peace, supplied me with arrows on the day of Uhud and The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, said to me,

“Shoot, oh Sa’ad, may my father and mother be your ransom!”

also on this authority, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, he said, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah Almighty bless him and grant him peace, did not join both his parents (in this turn of phrase) for anyone else before me, and I was the first to cast arrows at the unbelievers.”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

32 Related by Abu ash-Shaykh and al-Hakim

On the authority of Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, said to me also on the day of Uhud,

“Oh Allah, guide his shot and grant his supplication”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

33 Chosen by al-Bukhari

On the authority of Salama bin al-Akwa’, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, that The Messenger of Allah, may Allah Almighty bless him and grant him peace, stepped out to the people of Bani Aslam, while they were staging an archery competition in the marketplace, and he said to them,

“Shoot, ye sons of Isma’il! For verily, your forefather was an archer; and I am with the tribe of so-and-so.”

Thereupon they hesitated, and The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, asked,

“What is it with you?”

and they said, “How shall we shoot while you are with the tribe of so-and-so?” and The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, said,

“Go ahead, and shoot, for I am with all of you.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

34 Narrated by at-Tirmidhi
On the authority of Abu Hurayra, may Allah be well-pleased with him, who said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings from Allah be upon him, spoke,

“No wager is permitted except with animals having soles (khuf or hooves – hafir) or with the casting of arrows (nasl).’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

35 Chosen by Abu ash-Shaykh

On the authority of Anas, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who said, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah Almighty bless him and grant him peace, said,

“Whoever acquires a bow in the way of Allah, from him Allah the exalted fends off poverty and need through its blessings.”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

36 Selected by at-Tabarani in his book `As-Saghir’

On the authority of A’isha, may Allah be well-pleased with her, who said, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

“There is no harm for any of you to take up your bow when you are overtaken by care, and thereby do away with your worries.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

37 Chosen by Abu ash-Shaykh

On the authority of Abu Khirash, may Allah be well-pleased with him, who said, “I heard al-Qasim relate about The Messenger of Allah, may Allah Almighty bless him and grant him peace, that he passed by some people shooting arrows with bows, and one of the Companions said, “I see that they have not yet prayed their obligatory prayers, which would be better than what they are doing,

O Messenger of Allah.” And the holy prophet, Allah Almighty bless him and grant him peace, then said,

“Their bows are better unless they miss the prayer time.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

38 Chosen by Abu ash-Shaykh

On the authority of Ibn `Umar, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with them both, who relates,

“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, spoke,
“The angels witness three things:
the wager of the horse-race,
the shooting with the bow,
and the pleasantry of a man with his wife.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

39 Chosen by at-Tabarani
On the authority of Rafi` bin Khadij, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who related, that he went out on the day of Uhud, and The Messenger of Allah, may Allah Almighty bless him and grant him peace, wished him to return to Medina, for he thought him to be too young. But his uncle told The Holy Prophet, that Rafi’ was an archer and a teacher of archery, whereupon The Holy Prophet, on whom be blessings and peace from Allah Almighty, permitted him to come along.

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

40 On the authority of Salama bin al-Akwa’, may Allah Almighty be well-pleased with him, who related, “I asked The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings from Allah Almighty be upon him, about the permissibility of praying with the bow and the leather quiver: was this permissible or not?” The Holy Prophet, may Allah Almighty bless him and send him peace, replied,

“Pray with the bow but leave aside the leather quiver.’”

and the Messenger of Allah has spoken truly

15 Safar 1440

Categories
Poems

A Pillar of Justice

An attentive listener, A sincere sympathiser, A generous giver, A considerate thinker, A beautiful soul, A ready giver of love, A noble mind, A deep carer, A nourishing heart, A pillar of justice, A man of principle, A heart of gold, A purified soul, An embodiment of truth, An ocean of knowledge, A wealth of experience, A treasure of advices, A pearl of wisdom, An angel personified…

In Memory of my Late Father – Haji NazirAhmed Daud Satia RH, who returned to Allah on this day, 4 years ago.

new scales

 

You held my hand when I was small, you caught me when I fell,

The hero of my childhood, and of latter years as well.

Every time I think of you, my heart just fills with pride,

And though I’ll always miss you, I know you’re by my side.

 

Not a day passes by, that you don’t cross my mind,

Not all of you departed when you left us all behind.

In my heart there is a place that only you can hold,

Filled with loving memories more priceless than silver or gold.

 

You never looked for praises, you were never one to boast,

You just went on quietly working, for the ones you loved the most.

You were a firm foundation through all our storms of life,

A sturdy hand to hold on to, in times of stress and strife.

 

Remembering you is easy, I do it every day,

Missing you is the heartache that never goes away.

You dwell among the angels now, but you left us too soon,

I can see you gliding across a golden field, above the harvest moon.

 

A thousand words won’t bring you back, I know because I’ve tried,

And neither will a million tears, I know because I’ve cried.

In laughter and in sorrow, in sunshine and in rain,

I know you always prayed for me, so now I pray for you…until we meet again.

 

He wasn’t a hero known by the entire world,

But a hero he was to his little world (his family).

If only you could see me, I’d want you to know this is true,

That everything I am today, is all because of you…

We will remember your values, teachings, morals, justice and principles.

Your beauty internal and external will never be extinguished from our minds.

Allah grant you everything you prayed for and much more, Allah fill the sorrowful void of your loss with Divine Consolation. Ameen.

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (One who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure)

9th Rabiul Awwal 1439

Categories
Current Affairs articles

Burma: Where Were the Muslims?

By Khalid Baig
 jeremy-bishop-295475.jpg
Just imagine the year is 2100 CE, long after we are all dead. A school child is studying Muslim history of the last century. He finds extremely disturbing events that took place at the beginning of that century. More than a million people were persecuted with murders, expulsions from homes, and dishonoring of Muslim women. The most disturbing fact is that it was not that Muslim armies fought and lost; these were simply one-sided battles with armies of murderers, rapists, and thugs victimizing innocent and helpless people.
Where were the Muslims, he wonders. He finds that despite a successful effort by their adversaries to reduce their numbers through birth control, there were still 1.2 billion of them in the world. They were on all continents, in all countries. More than 50 countries in the world had majority Muslim populations and Muslim rulers. Did they have no armies or weapons? Actually, they had big armies and lot of weapons. One country was even a nuclear power and had successfully developed ballistic missiles that could hit faraway targets. Another Muslim country with a big army was just next to the troubled area. Some of the countries were very rich. Together, they had sufficient resources to stop the atrocities.
Maybe they did not get the news of the tragic events in time. Actually, they did have good communication equipment. Although they did not really control that equipment and those controlling it used to color and distort things a lot, yet Muslims everywhere were able to hear and see the horrors faced by their fellow brothers and sisters as they were taking place. They saw their plight, they heard their cries, but not a soldier moved from the Muslim world to help those whose lives, honors, and properties were being trampled simply because they were Muslims.

 

Maybe they had become totally indifferent to the plight of their fellows. Maybe they had lost their faith— no, lost their soul — so they just did not care. Actually, despite all their problems, individual Muslims all over the world were still deeply concerned about their fellows. They talked about them. They raised money for them. They prayed for them. They desperately petitioned whoever they thought could help.
Then what was happening? The student is perplexed. As he continues to dig through historical accounts, he finds something curious. As the massacres were continuing in Burma, a big army assembled by Saudi Arabia was busy attacking Muslims in Yemen.
Their enemies had certainly done their part in igniting the flames of those internecine wars, but they had tried that throughout history. The intriguing development that facilitated this fiasco was a strange new ideology that had gripped the Muslim world. The devastating ideology was that of the nation-state. According to it each Muslim country was an independent nation. And so they became. Each with its own national flag, national anthem, national days, and national interests. As Muslim governments took legitimacy from the concept of nation-state, they owed their allegiance to it also — when they did not owe their allegiance to their foreign masters. In the halls of power, the ummah died. Muslim leaders did talk about the ummah but only as a remote, ceremonial entity. The governments and armies were there to protect the national boundaries and national interests; nobody looked after the boundaries or interests of the ummah.
The murders, arsons, and dishonoring of women in Kashmir was not the concern of anyone except Pakistan and that only because the area was a strategic source of Pakistan’s water. If it were not for the “national interests,” Pakistan would have nothing to do with them either. The brutalization of Muslims in Palestine was not the concern of anyone except the Palestinians themselves. Even Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa had become Palestinian problems. Burma was responsibility of no one, because it did not exist at all on the new maps of national interests.

 

It was a bizarre ideology, exported by the colonial powers so their hold would remain strong even after they had formally given up the colonies. But in those strange days people normally had one of two reactions to most anything that came from their former colonial masters; they either welcomed it, thinking it would bring them progress and happiness, or they became resigned to it thinking it inevitable. However, the ideology of nation-states was exactly opposed to the Islamic idea of one ummah and life was torn between the conflicting concepts. Hajj symbolized the dichotomy. It was the annual reminder that Muslims are one people, as believers from all over the world wore the same two-sheet dress, circumbulated the same Ka’ba, making the same commitment “O Allah I am here”. It had also been turned into a reminder of the most important belonging of a pilgrim: his passport. Without that certificate of belonging to a nation-state no one could perform Hajj or even move from one point to another in the sacred land.
The student finally understands the ideological trap that guaranteed the tragedies of Burma and Bosnia and Kosova and Iraq and Afghanistan and … and… an endless list. But he cannot figure out why did Muslims of the period allow themselves to be so trapped. Did they not remember the Qur’anic declaration, “The Believers are but a Single Brotherhood.” [AlHujarat, 49:10]. Did they not remember the Qur’anic command, “Hold fast together the Rope that Allah has extended for you and do not dispute among yourselves.” [Aale-Imran, 3:103]. Did they not remember the hadith, “Muslims are one body. If any part of the body is suffering the whole body feels the pain.” Did they not know that the devastating idea of nation-states was actually the idea of creating permanent divisions in the ummah?  What was going through their minds? Why did they allow themselves to be imprisoned in the cage of that stinking nationalism?
He gives up. History is so full of intrigues!
Post Script:
People have been asking why Pakistan is indifferent to the plight of Burma’s persecuted Muslims plight.
This is the wrong question to ask. For Pakistan is not indifferent. It has extended its hand of support —- to, yes, the Burmese government. 

https://www.dawn.com/news/1313519
“The governments of Pakistan and Myanmar are now in “advanced negotiations” to licence-build the JF-17, a single-engine multi-role fighter jet, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, an independent defence news agency, reported.”
What is more, they are quite proud of this achievement.
“According to PAC chairman Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed, the first sale of Pakistan-made jets to a foreign nation has been a “milestone in the country’s aviation history.”
http://www.defencebd.com/2016/10/myanmar-air-force-ordered-16-jf-17.html

Of course this was nearly two years after the report that showed strong evidence of genocide of Burma’s Muslim by its government.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/exclusive-strong-evidence-genocide-myanmar-151024190547465.html

(In 1999 I wrote Kosova: Where were the Muslims. Nearly two decades later it is the same story. This article is an adaptation of the earlier article).
Categories
Dhulm/Oppression Poems

A man was born…

dead

A man was born 69 years ago,

Brave, courageous, a fighter for the truth,

A man was born 69 years ago,

Who was no ordinary man, not a weak man but strong and valiant.

A man was born 69 years ago,

Who was kind, loving, warm and friendly,

A man was born 69 years ago,

Who had a heart of gold, but stayed firm and bold.

A man was born 69 years ago,

Who loved helping people, but never asked for help,

A man was born 69 years ago,

Who was thoughtful and caring, but fierce and daring.

A man was born 69 years ago,

He couldn’t see wrong in front of him, didn’t matter if it was his own kith and kin,

A man was born 69 years ago,

Selfless, sacrificing, noble and respected.

This man left us three years ago,

Silently, returned to his Lord SWT,

This man left us three years ago,

Our lips were silent, but our hearts spoke

This man left us three years ago,

Even if we tried to forget him, it’s difficult to hide the painful tears.

In Memory of Abba

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (One who is in dire need of Allah’s Forgiveness, Mercy and Pleasure).

27 Safar 1437

Categories
Spirituality

Sunday Morning Thoughts!

In the name of Allah, the entirely Merciful, the especially Merciful.

Time Bomb

Dear Mankind,

For how much longer will you blame the world?

For how much longer will you see the faults in others, but not in yourself?

For how much longer you will continue in your Arrogance and Denial?

For how much longer will you think yourself better than others and ignore your Narcissism?

For much how longer will you continue with your uncontrolled Anger and Impatience? Have you forgotten Allah’s Wrath and Anger are far, far, FAR worse!

For how much longer will you be ungrateful and show ingratitude to your Lord, your parents, your spouse?

For how much longer will you show heedlessness and forgetfulness towards the One who created you from an impure clot?

For how much longer will you be oblivious to the right of others, the injustices and the lies told?

For how much longer will your hypocrisy continue to grow and expand as far as the eye can see? The two faces you show, the promises you break and the endless red lies.

For how much longer will men continue to not act like (true) men?

Because… I cannot wait any longer.

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (One who is in dire need of Allah’s Forgiveness, Mercy and Pleasure)

23 Jamadul Akhar 1436

 

 

Categories
Poems

Hey Mr?! Don’t step the line…

fine lne

There is a fine line between being nosy and trying to help out,

There is a fine line between being arrogant and being confident.

There is a fine line between being obnoxious and being bold or brave,

There is a fine line between being argumentative and speaking up (haqq).

There is a fine line between being immature and cracking a joke,

There is a fine line between being passive or apathetic and being merciful.

There is a fine line between flirting and being polite,

There is a fine line between being two-faced and trying to compromise between two parties.

There is a fine line between treating your religion as a buffet (pick and choose) and having true spirituality and religiosity,

There is a fine line between acting hypocritical by being sweet with someone (on their face) and offering Salam and a handshake.

There is a fine line between being racist and having banter (racist jokes are just as wrong),

There is a fine line between simply being a coward (afraid to say the truth) and using Hikmah (to avoid a worse situation).

There is a fine line between bribing someone and being generous,

There is a fine line between complaining, moaning or whinging and constructively criticising.

There is a fine line between being negative and being a realist (perhaps the reality is negative),

There is a fine line between free speech and free hate; one encourages debate whilst the other incites hatred and violence.

There is a fine line between showing off (Riyaa) and showing your deeds to encourage or motivate others.

And finally, (lol) …There is a fine line between putting make-up on and looking as though you had a fight with Crayola!

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia

(One who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure).

8 Rabiul Thani 1437

Categories
Muslim men

Dear Abba

In memory of my late father, Haji NazirAhmed Daud Satia (Allah illuminate his grave).

The Eyes Tear,
The Heart is in Pain,
But (with my tongue) I will only say that which is pleasing to Allah,
And we are indeed sad at your departure.

20151212_154603[1]Dear Abba,

Today, 27th November 2015 we commemorate two years after you returned to Allah SWT. Two years since you left an empty spot in our hearts. Two years of grief, sorrow, memories and much patience. Two years since a vacuum has not been filled and indefinitely will not be filled. Simply because I believe you were not just a father and a grandfather. You were a unique man, a resilient, robust, righteous man. You were a man that stood up for his people, you stood up for what was right, if the whole world was against you. That’s all I saw for 28 years. There were and are few men in the world like you, but the world needed such great men, and still does.

A man asked the Prophet, when he had put his leg in the stirrup: “Which kind of Jihad is best?'” He said: “a word of truth spoken before an unjust ruler.” (Nisa’i)

People talk about Umar (Radhiy Allaho Anho) – who most certainly was a great man of justice and principles. People talk about Malcolm X (Rahimahullah) who was an advocate of truth and equality. These are my heroes too!

But Abba, I need not look far, when I had a role model in front of my own eyes. You taught us morals, values, justice and principles.

You taught us the true way of life.

You taught us how to defend and stand up for ourselves in the cruel and evil world we live in.

You taught us how money and power changes the best of people, and not to be materialistic. Rather keep a heart; a loving heart, a giving heart, a forgiving heart.

You taught us, rather reminded us how when you and your parents came from India, you had nothing. So be grateful for what we have as it is all from Allah, if you show ingratitude – He will take it away! Likewise, we came with nothing and we will leave this world with nothing.

The most amazing thing you taught us, was conviction in Allah. Something which even the most knowledgeable of people lack in this day and age. Your Yaqeen – that Allah does everything and how Allah’s help comes, was admirable.

Such were the lessons we learnt.

“That is Allah’s grace which He bestows on whom He wills, He is the Owner of Mighty Grace.” (62:4)

Abba, it is said in history books, Khattab the father of Umar (Radhiy Allaho Anho) was known for reconciling between tribes and his own people. Allah SWT made his son a leader, an Imam of justice and Taqwa. When I read this, I remembered you. You spent your entire life reconciling between people. How many marriages did you save, how many brothers and sisters who had stopped talking did you unite, and how many transactions did you witness to be carried out fair and honest. You never feared losing respect and honour, rather you did what was right. A great example of the verse below:

“You honour whom You will and You degrade whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.” (3:26)

You always prayed to Allah (and taught us too), to keep you independent. Never reliant upon anyone but Him. Allah granted this desire of yours.

No doubt, you were a respected and honourable man. A community man who was noble and worthy. A selfless and self-sacrificing man. A man who was principled and upright.

Ahumdu Lillah! All praise be to Allah (alone) for all of that.

Abba they say, “How you live is, how you will die.” Well, we certainly saw that in your life Ma Sha Allah! You spent over 20 years as a Chairman of the Sunnat Jamat in India. It was your life, your soul, your everything. And the last thing you did before your demise, you were in a meeting for the Sunnat Jamat, which went on half way through the night. Which inevitably was the cause of your heart attack. It is fair to say, you died fighting for what was right, for justice, for a cause you spent most your life doing.

Abba, you engaged and participated in many noble causes throughout your life, you were a generous and charitable man. You initiated many projects particularly in India, your birth place and it was always at the centre of your heart and mind.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever starts a good tradition which is followed, then for him is a reward, and the likes of their rewards of whoever follows him, there being nothing diminished from their rewards. (Tirmidhi)

This was eloquently said in the speech given Mawlana Abul Qasim Saheb (Hafidhahullah), at your funeral. His words were loud and clear,

“Today we are bidding farewell to a good man, rather a good ‘friend’ to us all. He will surely, most definitely be missed. He was a religious, holy and spiritual man. He was devout and sincere. He took his people forward, he brought them together, and he was the epitome of unity. He cared for one and all, he was the height of brotherhood. A man of Da’wah and Tabligh. He was concerned and always asking about our Darul Uloom (Markaz, Dewsbury). His greatest worry was regarding the ‘Watan’ – India. As he felt he owed it to the people left behind, so they can better their lives just as we had done (in the UK). He would visit India every year but would not return until he had accomplished a new project or finished an old one.”

Abba, it was hard on your funeral day. I remember it like it was yesterday. There were scores of people at the Janazah – Fa Lillahil Hamd! It was hard to sprinkle the soil on your face and see you for the last time. People had travelled from all over the country, those who you kept good connections with. Something else you instilled and embedded in our hearts and minds, to keep good ties with people and particularly those who had favours (Ihsan) upon you.

Aishah RA who said: “The Prophet SAW said,

‘If a Muslim dies and his funeral prayer is attended by a group of a hundred Muslims, and they all sincerely pray for his forgiveness, he is forgiven’. (Ahmad, Muslim, and Tirmidhi)

Ibn ‘Abbas RA reported: “I heard the Prophet SAW saying:

‘If a Muslim dies and a group of forty people, who do not associate any one with Allah, pray for him, their prayer is accepted and he is forgiven’.” (Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Daw’ud)

Abba, there were many signs of your ‘good death’. We all heard you praying and doing Dhikr as you lay in the hospital bed. Friends of mine who came to visit you said they heard you reading the last few Surahs of the Qur’an. Throughout your life you constantly did Dhikr and had a Tasbih in your hand.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,

“He whose last words are: `La ilaha illallah’ (There is no true god except Allah) will enter Jannah.” Abu Dawood

After your heart attack, your kidneys were failing, you were unable to excrete the last few days. I remember the pain you suffered. But now all the pain is over In Sha Allah.

Abdullah Ibn Yasar RH said,

“I was sitting with Sulaiman bin Sard and Khalid bin ‘Urfutah, and they said that a man had died as a result of abdominal illness. They wanted to attend his funeral, and one of them said to the other: ‘Didn’t the Messenger of Allah say: Whoever is killed by an abdominal illness, he will not be punished in his grave? The other said: ‘Yes.”’ (Nasai)

Abba, some might wonder why I am writing this when you can’t read it? Well, I know you won’t read it today. But one day you will In Sha Allah. Maybe when we are in Jannah – where we meet next In Sha Allah. It’s going to be quite awesome, as we will both be the same age (what a thought being same age as your father?!).

Mu’adh bin Jabal RA narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w) said:

“The people of Paradise shall enter Paradise without body hair, Murd, with Kuhl on their eyes, thirty years of age or thirty-three years.” (Tirmidhi)

Today, I stood at your grave for a long time. Not stayed for that period since a while. It was cold, wet and windy. But I felt your warmth, I felt peaceful, and a soothing, calm atmosphere. Others have said the same about your grave site. We have full hope and faith that you are being showered in the Mercy of Allah SWT and you are lying in a garden of Jannah. I prayed a full Para today – 29th Juz and will finish the 30th tonight In Sha Allah. All that reward will be yours like a blossom of flowers in your grave.

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah said:

“When a man dies all his good deeds come to an end except three: Ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), beneficial knowledge and a righteous son who prays for him.” (Nasai)

Abba, maybe I wasn’t as you wanted me to be or perhaps I’m not as obedient as I ought to be. But one thing I know, I have prayed for you every day since the last two years and I shall continue to do so. I am sorry for not fulfilling your rights, we all are. Please forgive us.

“They rejoice on account of favour from Allah and (His) grace, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers.” (3:171)

Recently, someone saw you in a dream sitting with Hadhrat Mawlana Yusuf Motala Saheb (Hafidhahullah) and Mawlana Fadhle Haqq Wadi Saheb (Hafidhahullah). You were all eating on a Dastarkhan (table cloth). Upon interpreting, it was said this indicates your love for these two Alims and your love for Ulama. How can we forget how you were always at the beck and call of Hafidh Patel Saheb (Hafidhahullah) when he used to come Blackburn and your closeness to Hadhrat Mawana Ismail Wadi Saheb (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). And also, from India – Hadhrat Mawlana Talha Saheb (Hafidhahullah) and last but not least Shaykhul Hadith Hadhrat Mawlana Muhammad Yunus Saheb (Hafidhahullah). The latter to whom you sent me in service to him, and what an honour that was.

And lastly, we cannot forget your incredible love for tea. Here’s your mug!

20151128_211702

وَاللَّهِ مَا يُخْزِيكَ اللَّهُ أَبَدًا، إِنَّكَ لَتَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ، وَتَحْمِلُ الْكَلَّ، وَتَكْسِبُ الْمَعْدُومَ، وَتَقْرِي الضَّيْفَ، وَتُعِينُ عَلَى نَوَائِبِ الْحَقِّ

“By Allah, Allah ﷻwill never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.” (Bukhari)

These were the words said to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) by his beloved wife, Khadijah (Allah be pleased with her) after he received the first revelation. I can certainly, without any hesitation say the same words to you In Sha Allah.

Your unworthy son – forever indebted to you.

20151212_154615[1]

O Allah! Grant my dear father Forgiveness. bless him with your Mercy, bestow upon him your Compassion, and make his grave a garden from the gardens of Jannah.

Ameen Ya Rabb.

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (One who is in dire need of Allah’s Forgiveness, Mercy and Pleasure).

16 Safar 1437.