Pornography is worst than zina
Kosher Gelatin
There is a big confusion about Kosher Gelatin which is now used very extensively in yogurts, sour Cream, Cottage cheese and Ice Cream.
There are four type of kosher gelatin in the food products but none of them meet the Islamic dietary requirements and considered NOT Halal.
Different kosher certifying organizations have different beliefs.
For example kosher organization with symbols
· OU, CRC, V, Kof K do not consider pork gelatin as a kosher gelatin.
· K, KO accept pork gelatin as a kosher product.
So the statements such as “Gelatin is considered Kosher regardless of its source of origin”, which appears in many Halal foods books is not true.
Gelatin in Jell-o Gelatin products is made from pork and considered kosher by a Rabbi who certify these products with a kosher symbol K. These products are Haram (NOT HALAL).Kosher gelatin is also obtained from non kosher slaughtered cattle bones and skin in China, which is certified by a Rabbi in Florida. This gelatin is used in majority of Dannon Yogurts( Dannon’s Premium Low Fat Plain, Premium Non Fat Plain and Natural Plain with UD kosher symbol do not contain any gelatin and considered as Halal products) and other brand of yogurts.Kosher gelatin is also made from pork source and listed as kosher gelatin in some products with kosher symbol KO. These products are Haram (NOT HALAL).The Union of Orthodex Jewish Congregation of America certifies a Kosher gelatin, which is made from cattle. These cattle are slaughtered according Jewish laws by a Sochet (A Rabbi). This kosher gelatin is used in Entenmann’s Frosted Toaster Pastries with kosher symbol UD. Many Islamic Scholars do not accept kosher meat as the meat of Ahle-Kitab because Sochet (Rabbi) do not announce the name of Allah and other prayers on each animals.
Only fish gelatin and gelatin made from the bones and skins of Halal animals slaughtered according to Islamic Sharia is considered Halal.
Kosher Symbols: Allah says in Quran
“This day are (all) things are good and pure made lawful unto you. The Food of the people of the books is lawful to you and yours is lawful unto them” (Sura 5, Ayat 5).
If an authentic and genuine non meat kosher certified food products bearing kosher symbols such as OU, K. CRC, V, Kuf K, KVH, COR and Parve meet the Islamic dietary requirements, then those products are considered Halal.
However if they contain gelatin, kosher gelatin, wine, alcohol, L-cysteine from human hair, wine vinegar, rum flavor, beer batter then they are considered to be NOT Halal food products.
For example if a food product contains gelatin or Kosher gelatin and also bears kosher symbol, then it will not be considered Halal.
We do not recommend Kosher meat for Muslims because they do not announce Allah’s name on each animal. Majority of Muslims do not consider it Halal. Besides, the Zabiha meat is accessible to Muslims in USA and Canada.
PLEASE DONOT USE THE KOSHER CERTIFIED FOOD PRODUCTS IF THEY CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS:
1) Gelatin (2) Kosher Gelatin (3) L-Cysteine made from human hair (4) Wine (5) Liquor (6) Beer batter (7) Rum flavor (8) Ethyl Alcohol as a main ingredient appears on the ingredient list (9) Cochineal or Carmine, a red color from insects (10) Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce (11) Yeast Extract or Autolyzed Yeast made from brewer?s yeast, a by product of beer making (12) Torula Yeast grown on alcohol (13) Nucleotides (building block of nucleic acid) are obtained from yeast cells grown on alcohol, used in Infant Milk formulas to help babies build a good immune, digestive system and decreased incident of diarrhea (14) Vanilla Extract (15) Wine Vinegar (16) Ethyl alcohol is used as a solvent in natural and artificial flavors (17) Confectionary Glaze made with alcohol.
i. Gelatin (Jell -o Gelatin products)
ii. Kosher Gelatin (from cow not slaughtered according Jewish slaughtering methods such as kosher gelatin in Dannon yogurts)
iii. Kosher Gelatin (from cows slaughtered according to Jewish method of slaughtered in which they pronounce name of Allah on the first cow and last cow, no pronouncement of Allah’s name between first and last cows such as kosher gelatin in Entenmann’s Frosted Toaster Pastries)
iv. Wine (Grey Poupon Mustard)
v. Alcohol
vi. Alcohol in Flavor ( Some Islamic scholars accept it as Halal and some do not, please consult your Islamic scholar)
vii. L-Cysteine from human Hair
Cochineal (Insect red color, all insect except gross hopper are Haram according to Hanafi fiqha)
viii. Naturally Brewed Soya Sauce (Soya sauce made with wheat and soy is Haram because the production of alcohol in its production and retention of 1-2% alcohol in soya sauce, Soya sauce made with water, Salt, Hydrolyzed vegetable Protein, Corn Syrup and Sodium Benzoate is Halal, it is also called All purpose Soya sauce)
ix. Brewer’s Yeast Extract ( some Islamic scholars accept it as Halal and some considered it mushbooh because it is by-product of beer making, please consult with your Islamic scholar)
x. Beta Carotene (made with gelatin, if fish gelatin or vegetable oil is used then it is Halal.
And Allah knows best …
Fasting the 9th & 10th of Muharram: Virtues & Rules
First of all, it is very important to make it clear that fasting on the day of `Ashura’ – the 10th of Muharram- is of great merits in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,“Fasting the day of `Ashura’ (is of great merits), I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year” (Muslim).
Also, fasting the 9th of Muharram is highly recommended by the Sunnah. Imam At-Tirmidhi reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to say: We should fast on two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram to distinguish ourselves from the Jewish community. (At-Tirmidhi).
It is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him used to fast on the day of `Ashura’. When he came to Madinah, he found out that the Jews of Madinah were also fasting on this day remembering Prophet Musa (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) admired this tradition and said to the Jews, “I am closer to Musa than you are.” He fasted and he also told his Companions to fast on this day.
Later, before the end of his life, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told Muslims to add the 9th day also. Thus, it is recommended to fast on both the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
Moreover, in his well-known book, Fiqh As-Sunnah, the late Sheikh Sayyed Sabiq states:
Abu Hurayrah reported: “I asked the Prophet: ‘Which Prayer is the best after the obligatory Prayers?’ He said:‘Prayer during the mid of the night.’ I asked: ‘Which fasting is the best after that of Ramadan?’ He said, ‘The month of Allah that you call Muharram’” (Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawud).
Mu`awiyyah ibn Abi Sufyan reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah say: “Concerning the day of `Ashura’, it is not obligatory upon you to fast on it as I do. Whoever wishes may fast and whoever does not wish to is not obliged to do so” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
It is noteworthy that Muslim scholars have stated that fasting of `Ashura’ is of three levels as follows:
1. fasting for three days, i.e., on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram,
2. fasting the 9th and 10th of Muharram, and
3. fasting only the 10th of Muharram.
Important Reminders about Eid-UL-Adha:
Important Reminders:
1. Recite the the Takbeerat of Tashreeq aloud 1 time after every salah beginning at Fajr on Wednesday (9 Zhul Hijjah) until Asr on Sunday (13 Zhul Hijjah). [SEE BELOW]
2. The Day of Arafah (9 Zhul Hijjah) is Wednesday, September 23. The Messenger of Allah (s) said: “Fast the Day of Arafah, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins) of the year after it, and the year before it.” (Tirmizhi, 749)
3. The Night of Eid is very valuable in the eyes of Allah, as the Prophet (s) says, “Whoever spends the nights of the two ‘Eid in praying voluntary prayers, seeking reward from Allah, his heart will not die on the Day when hearts will die.” (Ibn Majah, 1854)
4. The most important action on Eid al-Adha day is Qurbani (Ud’hiya). Allah’s Messenger (s) says, “The son of Adam does not do any deed on the Day of Sacrifice that is dearer to Allah than performing qurbani (ud’hiya). It will come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns and cloven hoofs and hair. Its blood is accepted by Allah before it reaches the ground. So be content when you do it.” (Ibn Majah, 3246)
5. The following acts are sunnah on the day of Eid al-Adha:
1. To wake up early in the morning.
2. To clean one’s teeth with a miswak or brush
3. To take bath.
4. To put on one’s best available clothes.
5. To use perfume.
6. Not to eat before the Eid prayer.
7. To recite the Takbir of Tashriq in a loud voice while going to the Eid prayer.
6. It is preferable not to cut the nails or hair (on any part of the body) in the first Ten Days of Zhul Hijjah, if one intends to perform Qurbani (Ud’hiya).
First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah: Days of Virtue And Righteous Deeds
Ibn’ Abbas says about the Aayah, “Remember Allaah during the well known days,” that it refers to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. [This is related by al-Bukhari]
Allaah swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning) “By the dawn; by the 10 nights” [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Ibn Abbaas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: “This is the correct opinion.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413]
Praise be to Allaah Who has created Time and has made some times better than others, some months and days and nights better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves. This encourages them to do more righteous deeds and makes them more eager to worship Him, so that the Muslim renews his efforts to gain a greater share of reward, prepare himself for death and supply himself in readiness for the Day of Judgement.
This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct ones faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Every one of these special occasions involves some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw closer to Allaah, and some kind of blessing though which Allaah bestows His favour and mercy upon whomsoever He will. The happy person is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours and draws nearer to his Lord during these times through acts of worship; he will most likely be touched by the blessing of Allaah and will feel the joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of Hell. [Ibn Rajab, al-Lataaif, p.8]
Ibn’Abbas reports that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) said, “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days [meaning the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah].” The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad in the way of Allaah?” He said, “Not even jihad, except for the man who puts his life and wealth in danger [for Allaah’s sake] and returns with neither of them.” [This is related by the group except Muslim and an-Nasa’i]
Ahmad and at-Tabarani record from Ibn’Umar that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) said, “There is no day more honorable in Allaah’s sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allaah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah : Laa ilaaha illallaah), takbir (Allaah is the greatest Allaahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allaah : alhumdulillaah) a lot [on those days].” [Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated it is saheeh]
Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) said, “There are no days more loved to Allaah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr].” [This is related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]
Ibn’ Umar narrated that at Mina, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) said, “Do you know what is the day today?” The people replied, “Allaah and His Messenger know it better.” He said, “It is the forbidden (sacred) day. And do you know what town is this?” They replied, “Allaah and His Messenger know it better.” He said, “This is the forbidden (sacred) town (Mecca). And do you know which month is this?” The people replied, “Allaah and His Apostle know it better.” He said, “This is the forbidden (sacred) month.” The Messenger added, “No doubt, Allaah made your blood, your properties, and your honour sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours in this month of yours in this town of yours.”
Narrated Ibn’ Umar: On the Day of Nahr (10th of Dhul-Hijja), the Messenger (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) stood in between the Jamrat during his Hajj which he performed (as in the previous Hadith) and said, “This is the greatest Day (i.e. 10th of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Messenger (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) started saying repeatedly, “O Allaah! Be Witness (I have conveyed Your Message).” He then bade the people farewell. The people said, “(This is Hajjat-al-Wada).” [Bukhari 2.798]
Fasting Day of Arafat
Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) said, “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of ‘Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it.” [This is related by “the group,” except for al-Bukhari and at-Tirmidhi]
Hafsah reported, “There are five things that the Messenger (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) never abandoned: fasting the day of ‘Ashurah, fasting the [first] 10 [days of Dhul-Hijjah], fasting 3 days of every month and praying two rak’ah before the dawn prayer.” [This is related by Ahmad and an-Nasa’i]
‘Uqbah ibn’Amr reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) said, “The day of ‘Arafah, the day of sacrifice, and the days of tashreeq are’ids for us–the people of Islam–and they are days of eating and drinking.” [This is related by “the five,” except for Ibn Majah. At-Tirmidhi grades it sahih]
Abu Hurairah stated, “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu’alaihi wa sallam) forbade fasting on the day of’Arafah for one who is actually at ‘Arafah.” [This is related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah]
At-Tirmidhi comments: “The scholars prefer that the day of ‘Arafah be fasted unless one is actually at ‘Arafah.”
Takbeer
It is Sunnah to say Takbeer (“Allaahu akbar”), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah”), Tahleel (“La ilaha ill-Allaah”) and Tasbeeh (“Subhaan Allaah”) during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allaah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allaah, may He be exalted. Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning)
“That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)…” [al-Hajj 22:28]
The majority of scholars agree that the “appointed days” are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, because of the words of Ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father), “The appointed days are the first ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah).”
The Takbeer may include the words “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, la ilaaha ill-Allaah; wa Allaahu akbar wa Lillaahil- hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah; Allaah is Most Great and to Allaah be praise),” as well as other phrases.
Takbeer at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that has been forgotten, especially during the early part of this period, so much so that one hardly ever hears Takbeer, except from a few people. This Takbeer should be pronounced loudly, in order to revive the Sunnah and as a reminder to the negligent. There is sound evidence that Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with them) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. The idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Sharee’ah for doing this.
A beautiful story for all to read :
The Dirty Laundry
A young couple moved into a new neighborhood.
The next morning, while they are eating breakfast, the young
woman watches her neighbour hang the washed laundry outside.
“That laundry is not very clean”, she said, “she doesn’t know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbour would hang her washed clothes to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
“Look! She has learnt how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this.”
The husband said: “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows!”
And so it is with life:
What we see when we are watching others, depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
Our life is a creation of our mind !!!
Celebration of Wedding Anniversaries and Birthdays
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The celebration of wedding anniversaries and birthdays is the way of disbelievers.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Salam) stated one who imitates a nation is from them.[1]
Almighty Allah commands us in His Quran to obey His Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Salam).[2]
The Difference :
There are major differences between the thinking of muslims and the non-muslims. The life of a non-muslim is confined to the pleasures and the luxuries of this world. A non-muslim is not concerned regarding the hearafter. Enjoyment, celebration etc. are the absolute objectives of their lives. The true purpose of their life has been forfeited. There remains nothing for the non-muslims in the hearafter.
Contrary to that, while we as muslims mark happy occasions, that is not the end of it. Our greatest concern is the hearafter. True happiness and pleasure can only be achieved in the hearafter.
When one completes a year of his life, that is a great bounty of Allah. It is a moment of happiness. For that, one should thank Allah and ask Allah for a long life span and barakah (blessings) in his life. This is how we should celebrate our birthdays. The happiness during ones birthday should not be expressed like the customary birthday celebrations in which there is only entertainment and merry. The prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam has mentioned in a Hadith:
(مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ) سنن أبي داود (4/ 44)
(“Whosoever emulates a nation is amongst them.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 4/4 ”
Let us examine the origin of birthdays:
Development of Calendars[i]
Early people had no way of keeping track and marking time except by the moon, sun or by some important event. Little attention was paid to the anniversary of a person’s birth. Everyone realized, of course, that people grew older as time passed; but they didn’t mark any special milestone for it. Only when ancient people began taking notice of the moon’s cycles, did they pay attention to the changing seasons and the pattern that repeated itself over and over and so they began to mark and note time changes. That’s the beginning of birthday in history. Eventually, the first calendars were formulated in order to mark time changes and other special days. From this tracking system, came the ability to celebrate birthdays and other significant anniversaries the same day each year.
Birthday History
History of Birthday observance can be traced back before the rise of Christianity. Birthday celebrations began as a form of protection. In pagan culture, it was believed that evil spirits visited people on their birthdays. To protect the person from the evil effects, friends and family members used to surround him and make merry. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off the evil spirits. A lot of noise used to be created in such parties to scare away the evil spirits. In those times, there was no tradition of bringing gifts and the guests who attended the birthday parties would bring good wishes for the birthday person. However, if a guest did bring gifts, it was considered to be a good sign. Later, flowers became quite popular as a Birthday gift.
Popular Birthday Celebrations in History
- Best known birthday in the history is that of Jesus Christ. For nearly 2,000 years since the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, Christians have been honoring the day as Christmas.
- About 4,000 years ago King Pharaoh used to celebrate his birthday by giving a feast to his court followers.
- King Herod is said to have celebrated his birthday by treating lords, high captains and special friends with a special supper party in Galiliee.
Common people and especially children never celebrated their birth when the idea came about. This trend has been explained by a theory that noble ones were the only people wealthy enough to throw such celebrations, and quite possibly were the only ones thought to be important enough to have been written about or remembered. Some historians believe that these early birthday bashes resulted in the custom of wearing birthday “crowns” as time went on.
History of Popular Birthday Traditions and Symbols
Many of the popular Birthday traditions and symbols that we see today, originated hundreds of years ago. Some believe that the tradition of “Birthday Cake” was started by early Greeks who used to take a round or a moon shaped cake to the temple of Artemis (the Goddess of Moon). Others believe that the custom of Birthday cake initiated in Germany where people used to make bread in the shape of baby Jesus’s swaddling cloth.
The popular custom of lighting candles on cakes is said to have originated from the Greeks since they used to light candles on the cake taken to Artemis to make it glow like a moon. Some believe that the custom originated from a religious belief that the gods lived in the sky and the lighted candles helped in sending signals or prayers to the god. Germans are said to have placed a big candle in the center of the cake to symbolize ‘the light of life’. Even today people make silent wishes as they blow out candles. It is believed that blowing out all candles in one breath brings good luck.
More in birthday history:
The song “Happy Birthday to You” was composed by two sisters, Mildred and Patty Hill, in 1893, but nobody really paid much attention to it until the original words “Good Morning to You” were changed to “Happy Birthday to You”, words that are sung in virtually every home across the world at least once a the year.[ii]
As muslims, we should endeavor to follow the lunar calendar as two tenets of Islam are based on the lunar calendar. Ramadan falls on the 9th month of the lunar calendar. Haj is performed in Zil-Hijjah which is the 12th month of the lunar calendar. Eid-ul-Fitr falls in Shawaal, the beginning of the 10th month of the lunar calendar. The calculation of Zakāt in 1 year will be calculated according to the lunar calendar and not the solar 1 year. The determination of a person’s age is according to the lunar calendar. When a child reaches the age of 15 years, according to the lunar calendar, he will be considered bāligh (mature) and obliged to adhere to the laws of Shari’āh. This is approximately 6 months earlier than the solar calendar since the lunar calendar is about 10-11 days shorter than the solar calendar.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Abdul Hannan Nizami,
Student Darul Iftaa
USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net
[1] 4031 – حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النَّضْرِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَسَّانُ بْنُ عَطِيَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُنِيبٍ الْجُرَشِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ»
سنن أبي داود (4 / 44):
[2] {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا (59)} [النساء: 59]
MUS’AB IBN `UMAIR
Ps when reading add (Raziallahu anhu) where ever the name of Mus’ ab (raz) comes, and Sallalahualihiwassalam where the name Muhammed (saw) comes ..
The First Envoy of Islam
This man among the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), how good it is for us to start with him. He was the flower of the Quraish, the most handsome and youthful! Historians and narrators describe him as “The most charming of the Makkans”.He was born and brought up in wealth, and he grew up with its luxuries.Perhaps there was no boy in Makkah who was pampered by his parents like Mus`ab lbn `Umair. This mirthful youth, caressed and pampered, the talk of the ladiesof Makkah, the jewel of its clubs and assemblies: is it possible for him to be one of the legends of faith?
By Allah, how interesting a tale, the story of Mus`ab Ibn `Umair or Mus`ab the Good, as he was nicknamed among the Muslims! He was one of those made by Islam and fostered by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).But who was he? His story is a pride of all mankind. The youth heard one day what the people of Makkah had begun to hear about Muhammad the Truthful,that Allah had sent him as bearer of glad tidings and a warner to call them to the worship of Allah the One God. When Makkah slept and awoke there was no other talk but the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his religion, and this spoiled boy was one of the most attentive listeners.That was because, although he was young, the flower of clubs and assemblies,the outward appearance of wisdom and common sense were among the traits of Mus`ab.He heard that the Prophet (PBUH) and those who believed in him were meeting far away from the dignitaries and great men of the Quraish at As-safaa in the house of Al-Arqam lbn Al-Arqam daar Al-Arqam. He wasted no time. He went one night to the Daar Al Arqam, yearning and anxious. There, the Prophet(PBUH) was meeting his Companions, reciting the Qur’aan to them and praying with them to Allah the Most Exalted. Mus`ab had hardly taken his seat and contemplated the verses of Qur’aan recited by the Prophet (PBUH) when his heart became the promised heart that night.The pleasure almost flung him from his seat as he was filled with a wild ecstasy. But the Prophet(PBUH) patted his throbbing heart with his blessed right hand, and the silence of the ocean’s depth filled his heart. In the twinkling of an eye, the youth who had just become Muslim appeared to have more wisdom than his age and a determination that would change the course of time! Mus`ab’s mother was Khunaas Bint Maalik, and people feared her almost to the point of terror because she possessed a strong personality. When Mus`ab became a Muslim, he was neither careful before nor afraid of anyone on the face of the earth except his mother. Even if Makkah, with all its idols,nobles,and deserts were to challenge him, he would stand up to it. As for a dispute with his mother, this was an impossible horror, so he thought quickly and decided to keep his Islam secret until Allah willed. He continued to frequent Daar Al-Arqam and take lessons from the Prophet (PBUH). He was satisfied with his faith and avoided the anger of his mother, who had no knowledge of his embracing Islam.However, Makkah at that time kept no secret, for the eyes and ears of the Quraish were everywhere,very alert and checking every footprint in its hotsands. Once, `Uthmaan Ibn Taihah saw him steadily entering alarkam’s house,then he saw him a second time praying the prayer like Muhammad. No sooner had he seen him than he ran quickly with the news to Mus`ab’s mother, who was astonished by it.Mus`ab stood before his mother, the people, and the nobles of Makkah who assembled around him,telling them the irrefutable truth and reciting the Qur’aan with which the Prophet (PBUH) cleansed their hearts and filled them with honor, wisdom, justice, and piety. His mother aimed a heavy blow at him, but the hand which was meant as an arrow soon succumbed to the powerful light which increased the radiance of his face with innocent glory because it demanded respect with its quiet confidence. However,his mother, under the pressure of her motherliness, spared him the beating and the pain, althoug to hit was within her power to avenge her gods whom he had abandoned. Instead she took him to a rough corner of her house and shut him in it. She put shackles on him and imprisoned him there until he heard the news of the emigration of some of the believers to Abyssinia. He thought to himself and was able to delude his mother and his guards, and so escaped to Abyssinia.There he stayed in Abyssinia with his fellow emigrants and then returned with them to Makkah. He also emigrated to Abyssinia for the second time with the Companions whom the Prophet (PBUH)advised to emigrate and they obeyed.But whether Mus`ab was in Abyssinia or Makkah, the experience of his faith proclaimed itself in all places and at all times.Mus’ab became confident that his life had become good enough to be offered as a sacrifice to the Supreme Originator and great Creator. He went out oneday to some Muslims while they were sitting around the Prophet (PBUH) , and no sooner did they see him than they lowered their heads and shed some tears because they saw him wearing worn out garments. They were accustomed to his former appearance before he had become a Muslim, when his clothes had been like garden flowers, elegant and fragrant.The Prophet (PBUH) saw him with the eyes of wisdom, thankful and loving,and his lips smiled gracefully as he said, “I saw Mus`ab here, and there was no youth in Makkah more petted by his parents than he. Then he abandoned all that for the love of Allah and His Prophet!”His mother had withheld from him all the luxury he had been over whelmed by, when she could not return him to her religion. She refused to let anyone who had abandoned their gods eat of her food, even if he was her son. Her last connection with him was when she tried to imprison him for a second time after his return from Abyssinia, and he swore that if she did that,he would kill all those who came to her aid to lock him up. She knew the truth of his determination when he was intent and decided to do something,and so she bade him good bye weeping.The parting moment revealed a strange adherence to infidelity on the part of his mother, and the greater adherence to faith on the part of her son.When she said to him, while turning him out of her house, “Go away, I am no longer your mother,” he went close to her and said, “O mother, I am advising you and my heart is with you, please bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.” She replied to him,angrily raging, “By the stars, I will never enter your religion, to degrade my status and weaken my senses!”So Mus`ab left the great luxury in which he had been living. He became satisfied with a hard life he had never seen before, wearing the roughest clothes,eating one day and going hungry another. This spirit, which was grounded in the strongest faith, adorned with the light of Allah, made him another man,one who appeals to the eyes of other great souls.While he was in this state, the Prophet (PBUH) commissioned him with the greatest mission of his life, which was to be his envoy to Al-Madiinah. His mission was to instruct the Ansaar who believed in the Prophet (PBUH) and had pledged their allegiance to him at `Aqabah, to call others to Islam,and to prepare Al-Madiinah for the day of the great Hijrah. There were among the Companions of the Prophet(PBUH) at that time others who were older than Mus`ab and more prominent and nearer to the Prophet(PBUH) by family relations.But the Prophet (PBUH) chose Mus`ab the Good, knowing that he was entrusting to him the most important task of that time, putting into his hands the destiny of Islam at Al-Madiinah. The radiant city of Al-Madiinah was destined to be the home of Hijrah, the springboard of Islamic preachers and the liberators of the future. Mus`ab was equal to the task and trust which Allah had given him and he was equipped with an excellent mind and noble character. He won the hearts of the Madinites with his piety, uprightness and sincerity. And so they embraced the religion of Allah in flocks. At the time the Prophet(PBUH) sent him there, only twelve Muslims had pledged allegiance to the Prophet (PBUH) at the Pledge of `Aqabah. He had hardly completed a few months when they answered to the call of Allah and the Prophet (PBUH). During the next pilgrimage season, the Madinite Muslims sent a delegation of 70 believing men and women to Makkah to meet the Prophet (PBUH).They came with their teacher and their Prophet’s envoy, Mus`ab Ibn `Umair.Mus`ab had proven, by his good sense and excellence, that the Prophet (PBUH)knew well how to choose his envoys and teachers.Mus’ab had understood his mission well. He knew that he was a caller to Allah and preacher of His religion, which calls people to right guidanceand the straight path. Like the Prophet (PBUH) in whom he believed, he was no more than a deliverer of the message. There he stood fast, with As`ad Ibn Zoraara his host, and both of them used to visit the tribes, dwellings,and assemblies, reciting to the people what they had of the Book of Allah,instilling in them that Allah is no more than One God.He had confronted certain instances which could have put an end to his life and that of those with him but for his active, intelligent, great mind. Oneday, he was taken by surprise while preaching to the people to find Usaid lbn hudair, leader of the `Abd Al-Ashhal tribe, at Al-Madiinah confronting him with a drawn arrow.He was raging with anger and animosity against the one who had come to corrupt the religion of his people by telling them to abandon their gods and talking to them about the idea of only One God Whom they did not know before and had never heard of. Their gods were to them the center of their worship.Whenever any of them needed them, he knew their places. They would invoket hem for help. That was how they thought and imagined! As for the God of Muhammad(saw), to whom this envoy was calling, nobody knew His place, nor could anybody see Him! When the Muslims who were sitting around Mus`ab, saw Usaid lbn hudair advancing in his unbridled anger, they were frightened, but Mus`ab the Good stood firm. Usaid stood before him and As`ad lbn Zoraarah shouting, “What brought you here? Are you coming to corrupt our faith? Go away if you wish to be saved!”And like the calmness of the sea and its force, Mus`ab started his fine speech saying, “Won’t you sit down and listen? If you like our cause, you can accept; and if you dislike it, we will spare you of what you hate.”Allah is the Greatest! How grand an opening whose ending would be pleasant!Usaid was a thoughtful and clever man, and here he saw Mus`ab inviting him to listen and no more. If he was convinced he would accept it, and if he was not convinced, then Mus`ab would leave his neighborhood and his clan,and move to another neighborhood without harm, nor being harmed. There and then Usaid answered him saying, “Well, that is fair,” and he dropped his arrow to the ground and sat down listening.Mus`ab had hardly read the Qur’aan, explaining the mission with which Muhammad lbn `Abd Allah(PBUH) came, when the conscience of Usaid began to dear and brighten and change with the effectiveness of the words. He became over whelmedby its beauty. When Mus`ab finished speaking,Usaid lbn Hudair exclaimed to him and those with him, “How beautiful is this speech, and how true!How can one enter this religion?” Mus`ab told him to purify his body and clothes and say, “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.” Usaid retired for some time and then returned pouring clean water on his head and standing there proclaiming, “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”The news spread like lightning and then Sa`d Ibn Mu`aadh came and listened to Mus`ab, and he was convinced and embraced Islam. Then came Sa`d lbn `Ubaadah.There and then blessings came with their entering Islam. The people of Al-Madiinah came together asking one another, “If Usaid lbn Hudair, Sa`d Ibn Mu`aadh and Sa`d Ibn `Ubaadah have embraced Islam, what are we waiting for? Go straight to Mus`ab and believe. By Allah, he is calling us to the truth and the straight path!”The first envoy of the Prophet (PBUH) succeeded without comparison. It was a success which he deserved and to which he was equal.The days and years passed by. The Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions emigrated to Al-Madiinah,and the Quraish were raging with envy and their un godly pursuit after the pious worshippers. So the Battle of Badr took place, in which they were taught a lesson and lost their strong hold. After that they prepared themselves for revenge, and thus came the Battle of Uhud. The Muslims mobilized themselves,and the Prophet (PBUH) stood in their midst to sort out among their faithful faces and to choose one to bear the standard. He then calledf or Mus`ab the Good, and he advanced and carried the standard.The terrible battle was raging, the fighting furious. The archers disregarded the orders of the Prophet(PBUH) by leaving their positions on the mountain when they saw the polytheists withdrawing as if defeated. But this act of theirs soon turned the victory of the Muslims to defeat. The Muslims were taken at unawares by the cavalry of the Quraish at the mountain top, and many Muslims were killed by the swords of the polytheists as a consequence.When they saw the confusion and horror splitting the ranks of the Muslims,the polytheists concentrated on the Prophet of Allah to finish him off. Mus`ab saw the impending threat, so he raised the standard high, shouting, “AllahuAkbar! Allah is the Greatest!” like the roar of a lion. He turned and jumped left and right, fighting and killing the foe. All he wanted was to draw the attention of the enemy to himself in order to turn their attention away from the Prophet (PBUH). He thus became as a whole army in himself. Nay, Mus`ab went alone to fight as if he were an army of giants raising the standard (Meaning flag) in sanctity with one hand, striking with his sword with the other. But the enemies were multiplying on him. They wanted to step on his corpse so that they could find the Prophet (PBUH).Let us allow a living witness to describe for us the last scene of Mus`ab the Great. Ibn Sa`d said: Ibraahiim lbn Muhammad lbn Sharhabiil Al-‘Abdriyrelated from his father, who said: Mus`ab lbn`Umair carried the standard on the Day of Uhud. When the Muslims were scattered, he stood fast until he met lbn Qumaah who was a knight. He struck him on his right hand and cut it off, but Mus`ab said, “and Muhammad is but a Messenger. Messengers have passed away before him ” (3:144). He carried the standard with his left hand and leaned on it. He struck his left hand and cut it off, and so he leaned on the standard and held it with his upper arms to his chest, all the while saying, “And Muhammad is but a Messenger. Messengers have passed away before him”. Then a third one struck him with his spear, and the spear went through him. Mus`ab fell and then the standard.Nay, the cream of martyrdom had fallen! He fell after he had struggled for the sake of Allah in the great battle of sacrifice and faith. He had thought that if he fell, he would be a stepping stone to the death of the Prophet(PBUH) because he would be without defense and protection. But he put himselfin harm’s way for the sake of the Prophet (PBUH). overpowered by his fear for him and love of him, he continued to say with every sword stroke that fell on him from the foe, “and Muhammad is but a Messenger. Messengers have passed away before him “(3:144). This verse was revealed later, after he had spoken it. After the bitter battle, they found the corpse of the upright martyr lying with his face in the dust, as if he feared to look while harm fell on the Prophet (PBUH). So he hid his face so that he would avoid the scene.Or perhaps, he was shy when he fell as a martyr, before making sure of the safety of the Prophet of Allah, and before serving to the very end, guarding and protecting him.Allah is with you, O Mus`ab! What a great life story!The Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions came to inspect the scene of the battle and bid farewell to its martyrs. Pausing at Mus`ab’s body, tears dripped from the Prophet’s eyes. Khabbaab lbn Al-Arat narrated: We emigrated with the Prophet (PBUH) for Allah’s cause, so our reward became due with Allah.Some of us passed away without enjoying anything in this life of his reward,and one of them was Mus`ab Ibn`Umair, who was martyred on the Day of Uhud.He did not leave behind anything except a sheet of shredded woolen cloth.If we covered his head with it, his feet were uncovered, and if we covered his feet with it, his head was uncovered. The Prophet (PBUH) said to us,”Cover his head with it and put lemon grass over his feet.”Despite the deep, sad pain which the Prophet (PBUH) suffered over the lossof his uncle Hamzah and the mutilation of his corpse by the polytheists in a manner that drew tears from the Prophet (PBUH)and broke his heart; despite the fact that the field of battle was littered with the corpses of his Companions,all of whom represented the peak of truth, piety and enlightenment; despite all this, he stood at the corpse of his first envoy, bidding him farewell and weeping bitterly. Nay, the Prophet(PBUH) stood at the remains of Mus`ab lbn `Umair saying, while his eyes were flowing with tears, love and loyalty,”Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah” (33:23).Then he gave a sad look at the garment in which he was shrouded and said,”I saw you at Makkah,and there was not a more precious jewel, nor more distinguished one than you, and here you are bareheaded in a garment!” Then the Prophet(PBUH) looked at all the martyrs in the battlefield and said,”The Prophet of Allah witnesses that you are martyrs to Allah on the Day of Resurrection.”Then he gathered his living Companions around him and said, “O people, visit them, come to them, and salute them. By Allah, no Muslim will salute them but that they will salute him in return.”Peace be on you, O Mus`ab. Peace be on you, O Martyrs. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you!
Note :- Mus’ ab bin Umair (Raz) was the prince of Makkah and look at his life and what he sacrificed for Allah and his messenger. He was a youth with proper determination in life . May Allah give us guidance from his life and change our life towards the straight path . Ameen
Virtues of the Day/Night of Arafah (9th Zul Hijjah)
1. ‘Ã’ishah radiyallahu anhaa reports that Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, ” There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafah. And on that day Allah 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 radiyallahu anhu reports that Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, “Apart from the day of the Battle of Badr there is no day on which the Shaytãn is seen to be more humiliated, more rejected, more depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of Arafah, and indeed all this is only because of beholding the abundance of descending mercy (on the day) and Allah’s forgiveness of the great sins of the servants.” (Mishkãt)
3. Aboo Qatãdah Al-Ansãri radiyallahu anhu narrated that Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam was asked about the fast on the day of Arafah. He said, “It compensates for the (minor) sins of the past and the coming year.” (Muslim, Tirmizi, Ibne Mãjah)
Night of ‘Eedul Adh’hã
The nights of both ‘Eed are described in the Hadeeth as amongst the great and sacred nights in the Muslim calendar. To remain awake on the nights of ‘Eed and perform ‘ibãdah is a source of great virtue and reward.
1. Aboo Umarah radiyallahu anhu related that ‘Ã’ishah radiyallahu anhaa reports that Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, “Whosoever stays awake and performs ‘ibãdah (worship) on the nights of the two ‘Eed, with hope for abundant reward (from Allah), his heart will not die on the day (i.e. Qiyãmah) when all hearts will be dead.” (Targheeb)
2. Mu’ãz Ibne Jabal radiyallahu anhu relates that Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallamsaid, “Jannat is wãjib (incumbent) for those who stay awake with the intention of making ‘ibãdah on the following nights: 8th, 9th and 10th of Zul Hijjah, the night of ‘Eedul Fitr and the night of the 15th of Sha’bãn.” (Targheeb)
Takbiraat of Tashreeq
Nasihah (Advice): The fast of the day of Arafah (9th Zul Hijjah)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said regarding the fast on the day of Arafah (9th Zul Hijjah):“It expiates the sins of the previous year and that of the following year.” (Sahih Muslim)
The 9th Zul Hijjah falls on Thursday, 25th October in USA.
It is Wajib (compulsory) to recite aloud the Takbiraat of
Tashreeq (once only) after every Fardh Salaah, from the Fajr of
the 9th Zul-Hijjah (Thursday, 25 October 2012) to the Asar of
the 13th of Zul-Hijjah (Monday, 29 October 2012), performed
with Jamaat or individually.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa illaaha illallaahu Wallaahu
Akbar. Allahu Akbar Walillaahil Hamd.
Translation: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There
is no deity besides Allah & Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the
Greatest & all praise belongs to Him.
NB. Females should recite the Takbeer silently.
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