AL - ISRA'A

~Ya Nafsi~

2009-08-10T15:01:00.001-07:00

Ya Nafsi- Do you not remember?

Why shed these tears of sorrow?
Why shed these tears of grief?
Ya nafsi how soon you forget,
After trials come sweet relief

Why turn you from Ar-Rahman?
Why yearn for a listening friend?
Ya nafsi, do you not remember,
On Allah, you must depend?

Read you not those stories,
of the trials in days gone by,
Of the Sahabi beloved by Allah,
Who for Allah's cause did strive?

Why loosen your hold upon Him?
Why fling away, His outstretched Hand?
Ya nafsi, do you not remember,
Bilal's sabr on the blazing sand?

"Ahad! Ahad!" He cried,
While his flesh did drip and burn.
"Ahad! Ahad!" He cried,
To Allah alone he turned.

Forget you the firmness of Hamza,
As the gleaming swords did fall?
With Sabr he turned to Allah,
as the Qureish did slice and maul.

Why drown in salty teardrops?
How can you dare compare your pain?
To that of Yasir and Summayah,
As the lay tortured on the scorching plain?

Forget you the charring of Khabbab,
As on burning coals he lay?
Ya nafsi how meager your suffering,
Wherefore do you lose your way?

Why befriend you not Al-Wali?
Why not in Salat to Him complain?
Like Job who only to Allah,
Turned in all his grief and pain?

Forget you those trials in this life,
Cleanse your heart and make it clean?
Ya nafsi, why all this sadness?
Do you not wish your heart to gleam?

Be patient in all your hardships,
Allah hears your cries of woe.
So trust Him and His Hikmah,
For He knows best and you don't know.

So tighten your hold upon Him,
Lest He withdraw His outstretched Hand!
And remember the example of Bilal,
As he lay anchored on the blazing sand.

"Ahad! Ahad!" he cried,
While his flesh did drip and burn.
"Ahad! Ahad!" he cried,
To Allah alone he turned.

Ibn Qayim- Paradise and its delights

2009-08-07T04:03:00.000-07:00

Ibn al-Qayyim said, in regards to the description of the Paradise and the delights that it contains:

“And if you ask about its ground and its soil, then it is of musk and saffron.
And if you ask about its roof, then it is the Throne of the Most Merciful.
And if you ask about its rocks, then they are pearls and jewels.
And if you ask about its buildings, then they are made of bricks of gold and silver.
And if you ask about its trees, then it does not contain a single tree except that its trunk is made of gold and silver.

And if you ask about its fruits, then they are softer than butter and sweeter than honey.
And if you ask about its leaves, then they are softer than the softest cloth.
And if you ask about its rivers, then there are rivers of milk who’s taste does not change, and rivers of wine that is delicious to those who drink it, and rivers of honey that is pure, and rivers of water that is fresh.

And if you ask about their food, then it is fruits from whatever they will choose, and the meat of whatever birds they desire.
And if you ask about their drink, then it is Tasneem, ginger, and Kaafoor.
And if you ask about their drinking cups, then they are crystal-clear and made of gold and silver.
And if you ask about its shade, then a fast rider would ride in the shade of one of its trees for a hundred years and not escape it.

And if you ask about its vastness, then the lowest of its people would have within his kingdom and walls and palaces and gardens the distance that would be travelled in a thousand years.
And if you ask about its tents and encampments, then one tent is like a concealed pearl that is sixty miles long.And if you ask about its towers, then they are rooms above rooms in buildings that have rivers running underneath them.
And if you ask about how far it reaches into the sky, then look at the shining star that is visible, as well as those that are far in the heavens that the eyesight cannot possibly reach.
And if you ask about the clothing of its inhabitants, then they are of silk and gold.
And if you ask about its beds, then its blankets are of the finest silk laid out in the highest of its levels.
And if you ask about the faces of its inhabitants and their beauty,then they are like the image of the Moon.And if you ask about their age, then they are young ones of 33 years in the image of Adam, the father of humanity.
And if you ask about what they will be hearing, then it is the singing of their wives from among the Hoor al-’Ayn, and better than that are the voices of the Angels and the Prophets, and better than that is the Speech of the Lord of the Worlds.

And if you ask about their servants, then they are young boys of everlasting youth who resemble scattered pearls.

And if you ask about their brides and wives, then they are young and full-breasted and have had the liquid of youth flow through their limbs; the Sun runs along the beauty of her face if she shows it, light shines from between her teeth if she smiles; if you meet her love, then say whatever you want regarding the joining of two lights; he sees his face in the roundness of her cheek as if he is looking into a polished mirror, and he sees the brightness from behind her muscles and bones; if she were to be unleashed upon the World, she would fill what is between the Heavens and the Earth with a beautiful wind, and the mouths of the creation would glorifiy, praise, and exclaim greatness, and everything between the East and the West would be adorned for her, and every eye would be shut from everthing but her, and the light of the Sun would be outshone just as the light of the Sun outshines the light of the stars, and everyone on the face of the Earth would believe in the Ever-Living, the One who Sustains and Protects all the exists.

And the covering on her head is better than the World and all that is in it, and she does not increase with age except in beauty; free from an umbilical cord, childbirth and menses, and pure of mucous, saliva, urine and other filthy things; her youth never fades, her clothing is never worn out, no garment can be created that matches her beauty, and no one who is with her can ever become bored; her attention is restricted to her husband, so she desires none but him, just as his attention is restricted to her so she is the sole object of his desire, and he is with her in utmost safety and security, as none has touched her before of either humans or Jinn.

And if you ask about the Day of Increase (in reward) and the visit of the all-Mighty, all-Wise, and the sight of His Face – free from any resemblance or likeness to anything – as you see the Sun in the middle of the day and the full Moon on a cloudless night, then listen on the day that the caller will call:
‘O People of Paradise! Your Lord – Blessed and Exalted – requests you to visit Him, so come to visit Him!’ So they will say: ‘We hear and obey!’Until, when they finally reach the wide valley where they will all meet – and none of them will turn down the request of the caller – the Lord – Blessed and Exalted – will order His Chair to be brought there.

Then, pulpits of light will emerge, as well as pulpits of pearls, gemstone, gold, and silver. The lowest of them in rank will sit on sheets of musk, and will not see what those who are on the chairs above them are given. When they are comfortable where they are sitting and are secure in their places, and the caller calls:
‘O People of Paradise! You have an appointment with Allaah in which He wishes to reward you!’ So they will say: ‘And what is that reward? Has He not already made our faces bright, made our scales heavy, entered us into Paradise, and pushed us away from the Fire?’And when they are like that, all of a sudden a light shines that encompasses all of Paradise.

So, they raise their heads, and, behold: the Compeller – Exalted is He, and Holy are His Names – has come to them from above them and majestified them and said: ‘O People of Paradise! Peace be upon you!’ So, this greeting will not be responded to with anything better than: ‘O Allaah! You are Peace, and from You is Peace! Blessed are You, O possessor of Majesty and Honor!’ So the Lord – Blessed and Exalted – will laugh to them and say: ‘O People of Paradise! Where are those who used to obey Me without having ever seen Me? This is the Day of Increase!’So, they will all give the same response: ‘We are pleased, so be pleased with us!’

So, He will say: ‘O People of Paradise! If I were not pleased with you, I would not have made you inhabitants of My Paradise! So, ask of Me!’ So, they will all give the same response: ‘Show us your Face so that we may look at it!’ So, the Lord – Mighty and Majestic – will remove his covering and will majestify them and will cover them with His Light, which, if Allah – the Exalted – had not Willed not to burn them, would have burned them.

And there will not remain a single person in this gathering except that his Lord – the Exalted – will speak to him and say: ‘Do you remember the day that you did this and that?’ and He will remind him of some of his bad deeds in the Worldy life, so he will say: ‘O Lord! Will you not forgive me?’ So, He will say: ‘Of course! You have not reached this position of yours (in Paradise) except by my forgiveness.’So, how sweet is this speech to the ears, and how cooled are the righteous eyes by the glance at His Noble Face in the Afterlife…

{Some faces that Day will be shining and radiant, looking at their Lord…} (al-Qiyaamah:22-3)

-Remember me in your precious duas
Amatullah-

Spring has dawned upon us!

2009-03-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

In the UK, the 'Isha Salah is very late and Fajr exceptionally early. At times, barely five hours have
passed between both Salaah so undoubtedly, 'Isha and Fajr require extra exertion, but if one puts their
heart and mind into performing these prayers, Insha-Allah they will be performed, without the
slightest trouble and and instead one would feel an inner exhilaration.

I present four beautiful Ahadith for your perusal, on the importance of congregational Salah in general,
and Fajr and 'Isha, in particular-:

Hadhrat Abu Bakr relates that Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said:
A person who offers the Fajr Salaah in congregation, is in Allahs protection, and the person
who harasses the one who is in the protection of Allah, will be thrown into the fire of Hell by Allah subhan-Ahu-Wa'Ta'ala.
(Tabarani)

Hadhrat Uthman Ibn Affan relates: I heard the Prophet of Allah saying:
The one who offered 'Isha Salah in congregation, it was as if he remained in Salaah up to midnight,
and if he offered Fajr Salaah with congregation,it was as if he remained in Salaah all night.
(Muslim)

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah relates that the Prophet peace be upon him said:
He who guards the obligatory Salaah, will not be written amongst the neglectful.
(Ibn Khuzaimah)

Hadhrat Umar Ibn Khattab relates: I heard the Prophet peace be upon him saying:
Allah indeed admires the people offering Salaah with congregation.
(Musnad Ahmad)

See how benevolent our merciful Lord is. On such a little effort, He promises so much reward. Allah admires as per Hadith No. 4 for the little effort we make for His sake, which is certainly something to covet. For paltry worldly gains, we are willing to wake up early for work or business, and we don't feel the least reluctance, because we know that we will be recompensed at the end of the month.

In order for ones Faith/Deen to pick up speed, we must make a small sacrifice for Allah. The state of our daily Salaah can be likened to the thermometer of our Faith which shows how essential it is in our daily lives. Ponder on these and other Ahadith, and strive to be punctual in Summer and Winter.

Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji'oon

2009-03-03T10:19:00.001-08:00

Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji'oon
By Asma bint Shameem

Yeah, sure we say this statement when someone dies. Also some of us may say this sentence when they lose something, suffer a setback or harm. But………..do you know what it means?
Sure, everyone know that it obviously means 'To Allaah we belong and to Him is our return.'

But that's not what I am talking about.

I mean ….do you REALLY, TRULY understand these words and their implications in a Muslim's life?

It means …whatever we have is not really ours. It belongs to Allaah.

Take a look around you; everything you see, all that you have and all that there is….in you, on you, around you….belongs to Allaah, alone.
It is Allah Who has given you all the property and goods you possess, and that He is the true Owner of them all.

So the cars that you own, the houses that you live in, the businesses you possess all truly belong to Allaah
The kids that He blessed you with, the health that He gave you, the time that He has allowed you are all Allah's property.
Even the bodies we live in and the life that we have belongs to Allaah alone.

"And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth…." (Surah Aal-Imraan:180)

"The kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in them belongs to Allah. He has power over all things." ( Surat al-Ma'ida: 120)

'Say: 'To Allah belongs the East and the West…' (Surah al-Baqarah:142)

Now, since everything belongs to Allaah, then we have to include even our souls in that list.

The very souls that we think of as our "self"; our "nafs"; our "being" -- whatever you want to call it -- that very thing that distinguishes you from the rest of the world, belongs to Allaah.

It's not YOURS. In fact, YOU are not YOURS. You belong to Allaah.

And this is the essence of the concept of slavery to Allaah in Islam.

And since He is the true Possessor of everything, and everything is His property, He allots what He wills to whomever He wills…….and then He takes it away. After all, it was Allaah's to begin with.

So He may give you some thing and then take it back after a while..
He will bless you with a precious child that you love dearly…and then He may take it away.
He will grant you money, honour and status….and then He may take it away.
He will give you youth, vitality and health and then surely He will take it away.

In fact everything you have will only be with you for a very short while.
And then the Owner will claim His Right.

So when Allaah does reclaim what was rightfully His, WHY MOURN OUR LOSSES?

Just like a friend who lends you his book. And then after a few days, he wants it back and you give it back to him…no regrets…..no sorrow….no questions asked.

Similarly, if Allah takes back some of His blessings upon you for some reason….so be it.

Say Alhamdulillaah.

Don't grieve.

Be patient.

Submit to the will of Allaah, being pleased with His decision for you. For surely He will only do what is best for you.
Just think…..The Owner came and took it back.

Remember….that you're not the real owner…..you were NEVER the real owner to begin with. You only had everything because it was Allah who gave it to you in the first place. If He didn't give it to you, you wouldn't have had it in any way…in fact, you couldn't have had it.

Remember….man enters into this world empty handed…and leaves it empty handed.

Remember….that everything we have, all the blessings we enjoy, are gifts from Almighty Allah...gifts that we enjoy for a limited period until He takes them away whenever He deems fit.

They are a trust from Allah…a loan to you…to see how you respond to these gifts from Allaah and how you use them….in the obedience of the Almighty, thanking Him and worshipping Him……OR……..to the disobedience to the One Who gave then to you in the first place.

Take note of the words of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) on the occasion of the death of his son, Ibraahim:
'Our eyes are filled with tears, our hearts with grief, but we say nothing with our lips except that which pleases Allah.... Verily, to Allah we belong, and to Him we return.' (Bukhaari)

And we all know the famous incidence about the companion Abu Talha and his wife when one of the sons died and Abu Talha was not at home. She washed and shrouded him and when Abu Talha came home and asked about his son, she said, 'The child is quiet and I hope he is in peace….' (Bukhaari)
Subhaan Allaah….such patience!

And such Imaan in the statement "Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji'oon"!

She truly understood its meaning and the affect it should have on her life as a Muslimah, submitting to him and being pleased with whatever He has decreed for her.
She knew that whatever she has, is not truly hers. Rather, it is Allaah's….and He took back whatever He owns at its appointed time.
And it is because of this Imaan so strong, this understanding, that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) made dua for them and Allaah blessed them immensely.
"'They (i.e. Abu Talha and his wife) had nine sons and all of them became reciters of the Quran (by heart)." (Bukhaari)

"Be sure we will test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives, but give glad tidings to those who are steadfast, who say when afflicted with calamity: 'To Allah we belong and to him is our return.' They are those on who (descend) blessings from Allah and mercy and they are the once that receive guidance." (al-Baqarah: 155)

The Prophet (PBUH) said 'Pass on knowledge from me even if it is only one verse'

"May Peace Be With You"
Happiness is not something you find,
It's something you are blessed with by THE OWNER OF ALL BLESSINGS

Tis the Season to be merry

2008-09-22T16:07:00.000-07:00

Ramdan Kareem to all,
Keep this sinful slave in your duas, InshAllah..
And make the most of the Last 10days of this blessed month!

How often it is that a small action is made great by its intention, and a great action is made small by its intention. - Abdullah Ibn Al Mubarak

Forgive him who wrongs you; Join him who cuts you off; Do good to him who does evil to you; And speak the truth even if it be against yourself.

Wasalmualikum-warahmatullah
Amatullah-

Beautiful Recitation.. Shaikh Mustafa Ismail..Surah Tahrim

2008-07-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHPUSiSZXuE

O' Worshippers of the books of knowledge

2008-07-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

Reminded me of 'ya abidal haramain-

O Worshipper of the Books of Knowledge

O Worshipper of the books of Knowledge!
If only you could see us,
you would know that with your knowledge you are merely playing.
For every page of your book that you turn,
We turn, in its place, a page in the chapter of history.

Whoever fatigues his body in pursuit of theoretical knowledge,
Let him know that our bodies are fatigued by the weight of our shackles.
For every ruling of fiqh that you uncover,
Our enemies uncover our modesty and shame.

Do you preach to others the categories of tawheed,
When your own lives have barely suffered for it?
Do your eyes shed tears in your lectures,
Whilst the eyes of our families weep at our absence?
Whoever is pursued by those who seek his opinion,
Let him know that we are pursued by those who bind our hands.
For every drop of ink that leaves your pen,
A drop of our blood from torture leaves our bodies

Does your eloquent speech find no words for us,
When we are the victims of your silence?
Are you still hesitating to take this trust as its bearer,
When every hour passes us by as it is an era?

Whoever of you fears the blame of the blamer,
And whoever of you fears the sword of the oppressor,
Then know that the death of the brave does not come sooner,
And nor is the death of the coward delayed until later.

Do you seek the inheritance of the prophets,
When you refuse to follow in their footsteps?
Then know claim to emulate the predecessors,
When you refuse to pay the price that they paid?

Whoever of you prefers this life to the hereafter,
Then fear the trial of knowledge more than the trial of women.
For while your theories roam with the stars,
We are like lions, caged behind bars.

Let us remind you of one last thing whilst we still live:
The ink of the scholars is not holier than the blood of the captive.
For Allah spoke the Truth, to Him be Honour:
"It is he who fears Allah who is the true scholar."*

as-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
Your Muslim brothers in British prisons

The amazing scenes Allah swt has created

2008-04-30T15:54:00.000-07:00

-Amatullah

Path to Perfection

2008-03-19T11:44:00.001-07:00

Asalamualikum warahmatullah..

I begin with the words of Peace and salutations to you all....

Firstly, Please make dua for a very very special teacher of mine, who passed away after a battle with Leukemia. Leaving behind 3 small children..May allah s.w.t..Grant her Janatul Firdaus and may Allah s.w.t make the reckoning easy for us. She has gone, now it is our turn to prepare..'every soul shall taste death'

--------------------------------------------------

I recently attended the event 'Path to perfection' hosted by Ar-Rawdah.. Mashallah T'was a brilliant event..with the likes of Shaikh Sulaiman Moola from South Africa, (his talks can be found here: http://www.sulaimanmoola.com/Home.html) Shaikh Riyad-ul-Haq and Qari Saad Nomani (madina)

I made notes, I hope they are of benefit to you..

Shaikh Sulaiman Moola (South Africa)

Reflection on the Character of Rasullah s.a.w

Qari Iyaz ashifa said I studied 71 books and I found the following quotation in all 71 books: The combined intelligence of an entire creation is no more than a dust particle. The exclusive intelligence of our beloved prophet is like the Sand. ‘My lord made me and perfected me’

Our prophet s.a.w’s pinnacle manifestation and unique manner was so amazing that in two decades he moulded a barbaric community in to rightly guided Sahaba.Anyone who reflected on the teaching of Rasullah s.a.w, the literate, illiterate alike who were no less then wild beasts were moulded and prepared to give up their life for him.A poet says: I do not think he (s.a.w) is honoured, in me praising him in my poem, but it is a privilege to my poem that it enjoins his name

He s.a.w’s merciful character that he pardons 70wouldbe assassins and the Quranic ayah was then revealed ‘It is Allah who enabled you to release them after you had power over them’Hafiz ibn Qayim in his book (pg 63 volume 3): Fudhalah ibn umair ibn mulawih, came to Rasullah s.a.w whilst he was performing Tawaf, he came with bad intent to kill the prophet s.a.w whilst in Tawaf, when he got close, he s.a.w said:

Prophet s.a.w:‘oh Fudhalah what were you thinking about?’

Fudhalah: ‘nothing’

Prophet s.a.w: speak the truth O’fudhalah; you had advanced to kill me.

The prophet s.a.w then placed his hand on the chest of Fudhalah, Fudhalah said ‘instantly my agenda to kill him vanished, and my heart was calm and my fears disappeared’

‘By Allah before he was the most hated in my eyes, but after he put his hand on my chest, I loved him the most’

I went home, on the way I passed by a girl whom I used to converse with when I passed by, she said ‘come Fudhalah, let’s talk’ Fudhalah then said to her: No! I have become a Muslim, and Islam detests immorality, O’ my sister if only you could see my prophet (s.a.w) at the conquest of makkah you would have thought that truthfulness was suppressed and falsehood had been acknowledged.

They preferred our prophet s.a.w over their own selves.Zaid Ibn Haarith was abducted and someone was selling him in the market, Khadija r.a bought him, and gave Zaid as a gift to Rasullah s.a.w.

The father of Zaid is roaming the streets distressed looking for him ‘I know not if he is alive, or has passed, I do not know but I will not seize asking people O’ Zaid have you been slain on a mountain, as the sun rises in the east, and sets on the horizon, when the birds chirp, once again the remembrance of Zaid is made fresh’

See how he gives Zaid the choice if he wants to leave: ‘Call Zaid if he accepts you, he is yours with no money, but if he wants me, no one can take him.Zaid then speaks: ‘O rasullah I will not leave you, you are a father to me, you are a companion to me, you are a friend to me. You are the world to me’

A saying goes, ‘I have not seen any one who can veil the sanity of a man, then a women’

At the time of Umar r.a, there was a young boy, who used to visit his dad occasionally, whilst he was on his way to visit his dad, a girl appeared with the intention of seduction, before he could be in seclusion with her and before shuting the door he stopped thought of a verse of the Holy Quran and collapsed.

‘When your ego tells you to sin, and then remind yourself that the creator of darkness is away with me’The girl then left him at his father’s house, where he regained consciousness, the father asked his son ‘Oh my son what verse did you remember?’ he died before relating the verse to his father.

Umar r.a was then informed of the incident, he visited his grave, and said ‘I was told you have died in fear of Allah, those who die due to the fear of Allah have secured two places in Janna’The boy spoke from his grave and said ‘O’Umar you speak on theory, I talk on Reality, I have it Allah has given it to me’

Abu Huraryrah r.a was having difficulty mounting on a camel, He s.a.w says ‘let me help you’ the prophet s.a.w helps him up but they both fall, he s.a.w again gets up and helps him to mount again they both fall, Not a frown is present on the prophets face. He S.a.w again for the third times asks to help Abu Hurairah mount the camel, Abu Hurairah refuses and says ‘by Allah No! I do not want to drop you again’

This was the kind and the compassionate qualities our beloved possessed‘Because of your unique compassion people have flocked around, if you were cruel people would have dispersed’

At the Battle of Badr, Ali ibn Abu Talib and Abu Lubabah are about to dismount, as the prophet s.a.w is walking so to allow the prophet s.a.w to ride, he s.a.w refuses and says ‘you are not stronger then me, if you can walk, I can walk, I also need the reward'

He never deprived his wives from Social interaction, Aisha r.a said he would talk to her, about her day, only after she had fallen asleep would he get up and pray.

Related in Tabrani, Anas r.a narrates: We were sitting at the house of Aisha r.a, a platter was sent from the house of Umm Salamah r.a the wife of Rasullah s.a.w the meat and bread was placed before Rasullah s.a.w, he urged us to eat; Aisha r.a was away preparing food.

She returned saw the Platter and took offence, she took the platter and dropped it, it shattered in to pieces.The Prophet s.a.w said nothing but ‘Your mother Aisha r.a. has been overpowered with emotion’Rasullah s.a.w sent the shattered platter back to Umm Salamah and he said ‘O Umm Salamah you broke the Platter of Aisha r.a’ (you broke her heart)

Whenever Aisha r.a was angry he s.a.w used to touch her nose and say ‘Ya Uwaishah’ (oh honey) whilst she was angry he would say to her ‘you are angry with me, but you will have to use my name in your salah and dua’ (o’rab of Muhammad)

Imam Ghazali, requested his advisor to advice him, the advisor said: ‘Listen you have devoted nights and days in research what was your motive? You have travelled far and wide what was your intent? If you have done so to show off, then woe on to you, but if your intent was to revive the qualities and the characteristics of The prophet s.a.w and to crush the evil and the ego and to mould the character and control your ego then o’ my son you have done the right thing, blessed be your journey’

Imam Shafi says: ‘Anyone who has insulted or ridiculed me. I will forgive them because of the countless bounties Allah has bestowed upon me. I do not want to be the reason for a person not entering Janna, It will upset my prophet. So I have given a general pardon so I don not contribute to the pain of my beloved prophet s.a.w

‘He s.a.w’s face was radiant like the 14th moon, he had thin cheeks, his eyebrows did not meet there was a vein between them that used to protrude when he became angryOnce Amr ibn As and other sahabas were sitting talking about a sensitive topic-predestination, our prophet s.a.w arrived heard us his eyes became red, he was very angry, Amr ibn As says ‘that day the people that were not present were the lucky ones’

Any Mistakes are from me alone, if you see any mistake in the notes please do not hesitate to leave a comment so i may correct it. Jazakallah khair

Duas inshallah

-Amatullah-

~ I came to steal from him ~

2008-02-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

‘I Came to Steal From Him, but In the End, It Was He Who Stole Something from Me-My Heart’

It was a dark night on which the burglar scaled the wall of Malik bin Dinar’s house and stealthily made his way inside. To his utter disappointment, the thief found nothing in the house that was worth stealing; what’s more, the occupant of the house was actually inside and was busy praying.

Malik bin Dinar sensed the movement of the burglar, but without becoming alarmed, he turned around with perfect composure and extended greetings of peace to him. He then said, “My brother, may Allah forgive you. You entered my home and found nothing worth taking, but I will not allow you to leave without gaining some benefit."

Malik stood up, approached the burglar with a jug of water in his hands, and said, “Here, perform ablution and perform two units of prayer. If you do so, you will take away with you that which is better than what you came to find in the first place.”

“Yes, how generous of you,” said the burglar, somewhat stupefied and, more than anything else, humbled. He stood, made ablution, and performed two units of prayer. Upon completing them, he turned and said, “O Malik, will I be imposing upon you if I perform two more units of prayer.” “Perform as much as Allah decrees for you,” said Malik.

The burglar turned worshipper continued to pray until the morning, at which time Malik said, “Go, and be good.” “Will I be imposing upon you if I stay here with you today, for I have made the intention to fast today.” “Stay as long as you want,” said Malik. The man stayed with Malik for a number of days, spending the days fasting, and the nights standing up for prayer.

Finally deciding to leave, the man said, “O Malik, I have made up my mind to repent.” “That (i.e., Allah forgiving you and guiding you to repent) is in the Hands of Allah ‘Azza wa-jal (the Possessor of might and majesty),” said Malik. And in fact, the man did mend his ways and repented for his previous wayward existence.

When the man left Malik’s home, he came across another burglar he knew. Seeing the happy and serene expression on the man’s face, the burglar said, “I think you have finally found your treasure?” “My brother,” he answered, "I found Malik bin Dinar. I went to steal from him, but it was he who stole something of mine-my heart.

Indeed I have repented to Allah ‘Azza wa-jal (the Possessor of might and majesty), and I will remain at the door (of His Mercy and Forgiveness) until I achieve what His obedient, loving slaves have achieved.” [2]

[1]Al-Mawa’iz Wal-Majalis, pg 65 [2] Al-Mawa’iz Wal-Majalis, pg 85--

the-deen.co.uk/forum--

-Amatullah-

O' Muslims Be Muslims Part4 (end)

2008-01-21T06:56:00.000-08:00

Sheikh Riyad-ul-Haq (Leicester)

Surah Nisa, Allah says: ‘O those who have believed in Allah and his messenger and his book’ O believer be believers, what is that meant to mean? How can believers who already believe, believe? How can you achieve or attain something you already have?

There are many Grades in Faith, there is the simple testimony of faith, the declaration of faith is very important, and however the actions have to follow.

In the Prophets s.a.w’s time some Bedouins accepted Islam, and they said we ‘believe’ Allah used them as examples and he sent down the ayah in Surah Hujarah : ‘Say to them you haven’t yet believed, you have ‘apparently’ submitted, but Iman has just entered your heart’

There are many articles of faith, Prayer, is an article of faith, but it still isn’t full submission it is apparent submission,Zakah, Saum,Hajj in the same way these are all articles of faith, but isn’t full submission. If we carry out these actions we have ‘apparently submitted’

Prayer is NOT a routine of postures, Recitation and utterance, the prayer is meant to be a form of humbleness, devotion and total engrossment in the remembrance of Allah
‘These Muslims are successful who show humility in their prayer’
‘Woe on to those who pray but are headless in their prayer’

Even the hypocrites were punctual in their salat, ‘But when they stand they are lazy and they do not remember Allah’

Imam Muslim narrates on the authority of Hazrat Umar r.a. ‘Once we were seated with Rasullah s.a.w, a man entered, Clean with a black beard, and pure white clothes, no sign of journey was present on him, no one knew him: he greeted Rasullah s.a.w with salaam, he sat down, in front of Rasullah s.a.w his knees touching the knees of Rasullah s.a.w, this was very bizarre, he asked Rasullah s.a.w, ‘Ya Rasullah what is Iman?’ Rasullah s.a.w said, ‘shahada, establish salat, zakah and Hajj’. Having said that the man said ‘you have spoken the truth’, the Sahaba r.a was surprised. He then asked ‘what is Ihasan?’ Rasullah s.a.w answered saying ‘Ihasan is that you worship Allah as if you see him, if not that, then knowing he sees you, the man again said, ‘you have spoken the truth’

Do you truly believe?

Again in surah Nisa, Allah says about a certain group of people: ‘Give glad tidings to the hypocrite, O prophet of Allah, indeed for them is a painful punishment’

Even hypocrites, would speak about faith, but their actions were void of any.
‘They are hovering, in the middle, lingering, and not inclined to any set group’
‘Indeed the hypocrites will be in the lowest pits of Jahanam, even below the disbelievers’.
‘Indeed, he has erred a great deviation’

O’ believers, believe – believe completely, not partially, remain steadfast towards your faith, do not apostate from your faith.

We all as different communities, have a carved out image of ‘Islam’ according to some, prayer is everything, to others appearing to be pious is everything, having a beard, donning the eastern garments is everything. They all have their significance; however we should not base our understanding of piety on just these things.

To some as long as you’re not involved in Drugs or alcohol and avoid pork you are pious. We all have our definitions of piety, some of our definitions exceeds others, and vice versa. But we have to remember that ‘we convey the laws of Allah, we do not make them’

In Surah Bakarah, Allah talks about the Jews. In the pre Islamic days, their were two Arab tribes in Makah they were bitter rivals, and there were 3 Jewish tribes. When there were fights, within the two Arab tribes, the Arabs asked the Jews for assistance, the two Jewish parties would pare up with one Arab tribe, and one Jewish party with the other tribe. The Jews killed, looted and imprisoned their fellow brethren, who were fighting for the other tribe. When their brethren were captured, they would say ‘let them go, we will pay a ransom’ the Arabs would say, ‘why? You would have killed them anyway, it doesn’t make sense!’ they would say ‘god has commanded us to do so in our torah-if any of our brethren is captured it is our duty to help release them’ Allah says in Surah Bakarah, regarding these people, ‘Now look at you, you shed each others blood, you assist others over yourselves…-but when your brethren is captured, you remember Allah, when in fact it was Haram upon you to capture them or even partake in this’

This Ayah is a perfect example, you cannot pick and choose in Islam, Allah has made so many things Haram, we abstain from two, but we ignore the third! Are we making a mockery of Allah?

Abdullah ibn Salam R.A, before his conversion to Islam he was a big Jewish rabbi, In the Jewish religion, Camel meat was not allowed, So he asked the Prophet s.a.w ‘if I don’t have this meat, I would be confirming to my old religion, but in Islam by not having this meat I am not sinning’ then the verse was revealed ‘O believers, believe in Islam totally’

In surah Nisa, laws of costumes of marriage, chastity, promiscuity, inheritance, truthfulness, honesty, justice, defending and upholding justice, integrity of character, fulfilling and honoring trusts and the hypocrites. All this is mentioned in just one Surah
In just Surah Nisa, we are taught so much; imagine how much the whole Quran can be of benefit to us.

Muslims will never be true believers, unless they submit with no hesitation or reservation and have no doubt in what they believe in. otherwise their faith is deficient and incomplete.
Submitting totally, we mean, to observe kindness, be good to orphans and neighbors, companion on your side or distant. Help the travelers indeed Allah does not love the arrogant or boastful.

There are two kinds of neighbors, one who shares a wall with you, a passage, same side of a street, neighbors of vicinity
Neighbors of proximity- are your immediate neighbor. Both have a right over you.
Along with prayer, Zakah, Hajj... We have to do what was said above, this is complete faith.

‘O believers be establishers of justice’

The whole universe rests on the equilibrium of justice. In regards of interpretation of the Quran, every one is an expert, except the experts! Let’s take for example, something is wrong with our car, if we are not mechanics would we try to fix it?

For a healthy community, do not rely on rumors word of mouth or gossip- ‘O you who believe, when you travel in to a land and you see some one who gives you salaam, do not say you are not a believer, verify the facts, ascertain the truth, remember you were like them before, who knows Allah may have mercy on them and guide them as he did to you’ (when sahaba, passed by a land they thought the people only said salam to save their skin)

‘Do not declare yourself to be pure only Allah knows’ when you are greeted with salaam, reply to the greeting as this is the right of a Muslim over another Muslim.

Religion is about fulfilling the rights of Allah’s creation, accepting that you are wrong.

Surah Nisa- ‘there is no good, in many of their conversation and speeches accept for the one who enjoins charity’
We are those people Allah talks about, whenever we emit a voice their is no good in what we have to say, this is a categorical rule of Allah, except those who enjoin charity- do good, promote peace harmony and recreation.

Refraining from major sin is very important, being unchaste is corruption, but the tongue is just as dangerous as ones lack of chastity. We should always think, are we opening our mouth to produce harmony or corruption?

Imam Muslim narrates on the authority of Abu Hurairah r.a, Prophet s.a.w asked the companions ‘do you know who the poor and destitute person is? The companions replied saying ‘a man who has no dirham on his name, penniless. The prophet s.aw said: ‘the poor and destitute of ummah is one who has countless rewards of prayer, zakah but in the world he would slander, physically hurt people, these wronged victims will compensate all of his good deeds. If his good deeds expire, the wronged victim’s sins will be flunged on to him.

We say that marriage is half of faith, this is correct, but incorrect in the way we people interpret it. You marry you don’t complete your religion why?

Rasullah s.a.w said reported by Imam tirmidhi. What are the two main things that will take people in to paradise? They are ‘taqwa’ and ‘good manners’ and what are the two main things that will take people in to hell? They are the ‘tongue and the private parts’

Sayyidina Anas r.a says: Rasullah s.a.w said, ‘when someone marries he has guarded half his Iman let him fear Allah in the other half!’

Shykh further went on to saying, why am I saying that just marriage is not half your iman, because if you do not find a pious wife then your iman is at risk, thus instead of fulfilling half of your iman it is being violated., but whomsoever Allah has showered with a pious wife then Allah has assisted and protected him in terms of his deen.

Surah Bakarah: ‘it is not Bir-righteousness facing towards the east and the west raising your hands. Rather piety is that person who believes in the final day, the books, who gives wealth to ones relatives, orphans, neighbors, traveler’s beggars. Establishes salat and who is righteous to those who honor their pledge and who remains patient in adversity, those are the people of Taqwa-god fearing’

‘O believers, believe’

May Allah give us the ability to believe totally.

I hope you all benefited from the notes, may allah give me the ability to attain more Knowledge

'It is Obligatory for all believeing women to seek knowledge'

-Amatullah-

O muslims be muslims - Part 3

2008-01-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

Shaikh Zaheer Mahmood (Khateeb in Birmingham)

Ibn Kathir: ‘to attain what you have is impossible, so how can you believe?’

Its is narrated that once, their was a tree which beared dates, the tree belonged to a Munafiq, when the children used to eat the dates that had fallen from the tree, the Munafiq would stick his hand down the children’s mouth and take it out. The prophet heard about this and asked the munafiq, if he could buy jus one date from the tree, and he would be granted 1 date in paradise. The Munafiq refused, Abu Dahda r.a heard this and he requested to the prophet s.a.w ‘O Rasullah what if I get that date, will I also be given a date in paradise?’ Rasullah responded in the affirmative, Abu Dahda was so determined to purchase that date because he knew that one he enters Jannah, their will be no leaving.

Abu Dahda then went to the Munafiq and requested to buy the date the munafiq said ‘I didn’t sell it to the prophet of Allah what makes you think I will sell it to you?’ Abu Dahda said he would give 60/600(2 narrations) of his gardens for just this 1 date, the munafiq said ‘is this some joke?’ Abu Dahda gave away his gardens, for just one date.
Abu Dahda, then came back to Rasullah s.a.w with the date, Rasullah s.a.w said to him ‘O Abu Dahda, when you went I promised you just one date, but I see your Janat is filled with many dates’

‘O you who believe, believe’
When Ali r.a. gave his first Khutbah, after the death of Rasullah s.a.w nothing was more terrible then the assasination of Uthman r.a
Help of Allah comes threw actions, if you want the mercy of Allah to descend then we need to transfer our words in to actions. Allah is not obliged to help us, we are the slave, we have to fulfill the conditions and the help of Allah will come. Our numbers do not make any difference what counts is our substance.

Khaleed bin waleed marveled at the Christian numbers in the battle of Yarmuk, the Muslims were 41,000 and the Christians were 140,000, after this war the Christians never entered or fought with the Muslims again.

After this war the war with the greatest super powers of the world was to be fought the war with the Persians. Khaleed bin walled made an announcement saying, whoever wanted to go home could do so, out of the 13,000 people only 2,000 stayed and fought, a message was sent to Abu Bakr for reinforcement, Abu Bakr r.a sent ONE man to take the place of 11,000 people, this man was Kahka bin Amr, and he said ‘an army with the likes of Kahka can never be defeated’

Rasullah s.a.w said: ‘last night I saw a dream, Abu Bakr was weighed in one pan and the ummah in the other, and Abu Bakr was heavier, Umar was weighed in one pan and the ummah in another Umar was heavier’ ‘A time will come when you will not even be as light as the froth on the ocean, but the dirt in the ocean, yet there will be so many of you’

We have forgotten our abode; we have lost concern for the Akhirah. We need to aspire for the highest, for Janna, Rasullah s.a.w said to his sahaba ‘when you ask for Janna, ask for Jantul firdous, the highest of paradise’

What is withholding the help of Allah? It is our actions and our characters, we have so much knowledge, and we need to translate that knowledge in to actions
‘None of you can enter paradise until you believe, and non of you can believe until you love your brother’

We need to create unity in the Ummah, we need to talk about our similarities NOT our differences, Our youngsters are so illiterate, we need to create love within the youngsters we need to be unified, and unity isn’t the attitude ‘you HAVE to believe in what I believe’ everyone has their differences as long as the differences are within the Ahlus sunnah wal jamah.
Before we were labeled ‘ah you’re a salafi, you’re a wahabi, I am Sufi’ now its gone far beyond this now it is ‘you’re a moderate Muslim, you’re a conservative Muslim’ these Muslims who label people like this are those that cant practice themselves.

Shaikh gave a very good example which we could relate to, Miss England at the moment is a Muslim, she was on a documentary called ‘Islam and terrorism’ she related this story on the programme. She was at one of the contests, Miss Lebanon was also present, every one had a bikini on except Miss England, and Miss Lebanon asked her ‘why aren’t you wearing a bikini?’ Miss England answered saying ‘I am a Muslim’ Miss Lebanon said ‘I am a Muslim too’ To miss Lebanon, miss England is ‘extreme’

If the Sahaba, and the Salaf didn’t understand Islam neither would we.
Abu Bakr r.a was the weakest in body, Aisha r.a said her father used to walk with a stoop, but when it came to the commands of Allah he was the strongest.
Abdullah bin Masood r.a had thin shins the sahaba used to laugh at him once the prophet s.a.w commented saying ‘if these shins were placed on a scale and mount uhad was placed in the other pan of the scale, his shins would out weigh the latter’ because every vein, every blood was constant in the remembrance and obedience of Allah.

Why do we respect people, because they have the best cars or the best houses? When the best of people barely owned one pair of clothes, when Abu Bakr had 14 patches on his clothes! When Umar r.a the sahaba who conquered countries from china to Spain, when he died he’s clothes were old, sahabas requested to his wife: ‘change his clothes’ she remained silent again the sahabas said ‘change his clothes’ she again remained quite, the third time, the sahaba angrily said ‘he is dying change his clothes’ his wife remarked ‘by Allah these are the only clothes he has’

Hazarat Saad r.a had no status, Rasullah s.a.w encouraged him to accept Islam, he asked ‘if I embrace Islam what rank will I attain in Janna’, rasullah s.a.w said ‘the ranks of Abu Bakr and Umar r.a’, he accepted Islam, and said to the prophet, and ‘why is it no body wants to marry me?’ Rasullah s.a.w asked if Amr was in the gathering, he was a leader and his daughter was known for her beauty, he was told he was absent. Rasullah s.a.w the told Saad, to Go to Amr r.a’s house and say that the Prophet s.a.w had sent him, and request for her daughters hand in marriage. Saad went, and asked, Amr was shocked, a man of his status giving his daughter to the likes of him! He refused. His daughter, who had been listening, quickly rushed to her father to stop Saad r.a saying, if the prophet has requested then I am ready.

Rasullah s.a.w advised that the mehr be 400 Dirham’s, Saad was startled he said ‘O rasullah, I have never seen that much money’ Rasullah s.a.w requested him to go to hazrat Ali r.a and Uthman R.a asking them for 200 dirham’s each. He then went to the market, to buy his wife some gifts. Whilst he was in the market the call of Jihad came, Saad remarked, ‘lord I will buy what is pleasing to thee’ and he bought a sword and armor. Subhanallah.

In the battle field he hid his face, so that Rasullah s.a.w could not see him and scold him and tell him to go back to his wife, the sahabas were all curious as to who he was, in the madness of the battle Saad’s horse was struck, he pulled up his sleeve and Saad’s dark arms were made apparent, immediately Rasullah s.a.w remarked ‘Saad, is that you?’ saad replied ‘yes’ Rasullah s.a.w said ‘O saad there is no abode for you then Janna’

A short while later, this amazing sahaba was martyred. Rasullah s.a.w rushed to him, placed his head on his lap, he then cried, smiled and turned away. The sahabas asked ‘O rasullah s.a.w why did you cry then smile then turn away? He s.a.w said: I Cried, because of his death, I then began to smile, because I saw his status in Janna, he had reached the ‘houz’- the well of paradise, I then saw his many wives-damsels rushing towards him so much so that their shins were made apparent and so I turned away’ ‘O sahaba inform the wife of Saad that, her husband has reached such a status, that he has wives even more beautiful then her’ May Allah keep us united, and reunite us in Janna

-Amatullah-

O muslims be muslims - Part 2

2008-01-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Sheikh Rafiq Sufi (Bury madresa Graduate)

‘O you who believe enter in to Islam totally….for shaytan is an open enemy for you’

Rasullah s.a.w said, ‘there is no intelligence without planning’

We should live our life according to the way Allah s.w.t has prescribed to us, not partially but we should follow the deen in its ‘totality’. We should not judge anyone, as a small deed may grant them high status in the eyes of the almighty.

The prophet s.a.w said to his sahaba r.a: ‘look at the honour of the kabah, should I tell you something more honourable then this? The honour of a Muslim’
To hurt a Muslim brother/sister is worse then breaking the kabah.

We should go through hardship with patience and steadfastness and the end result will inshallah be jannah, steadfastness comes in many ways, controlling ones desires, his lust, the ‘look’

Total submission we mean, submit to Allah with our eyes, our tongue and our hands
We pray for the sake of Allah, we preserve our chastity and honour, this is total submission, we act on every branch our Aqeedah, our mushafirats our Akhlaaq, and this is total submission.

Rasullah s.a.w said to the nearest meaning: ‘music creates hypocrisy in the heart of a person, like watering a plantation how it grows, and then he becomes a munafiq’

The most abused word on the face of the earth is ‘halal’
Noman bin Bashir reported by ibn Muslim says: rasullah s.a.w said ‘halal is clear, and haram is clear and there are some aspects in between which are doubtful many a people are not aware of their doubtfulness’

Whosoever guards himself from doubtful matters he has gone to the utmost limits in seeking to be clear in regards to his honour and deen.
Rasullah s.a.w said: ‘leave what gives you doubt, to that which does not give you doubt’

Sheikh then went on to talking about HMC, how they went to Brazil to investigate in the abattoirs regarding the meat brazil was providing for the middle east that includes makkah and medina, he said only 11 of the 18 abattoirs granted HMC access, the other outwardly refused, in the 11 of the 18 abattoirs HMC ranked them to be ‘highly doubtful’ why? Because the meat was slaughtered by non Muslims, these same abattoirs provide meat for Makah and medina!

“whosoever falls in to doubtful matters, will fall in to haram, like a Sheppard whose pasturing his flock around the boundary of someone else’s field, it is very likely the sheep will graze outside his boundary and on to someone else’s’

‘Take heed every ruler have their boundaries and Allah has his boundaries also’
Surely in the body there is a piece of flesh, when that lump of flesh is good everything will be good, but if that lump of flesh is bad everything else will be bad, surely that is then heart.

Abu Hurairah r.a reports, Rasullah s.a.w said ‘Allah is pure, and only accepts deeds which are pure’

‘O prophets eat from which is Halal and do righteous deeds’

A man dishelved, has been travelling, tired raises his hands in supplication, and prays ‘O Allah have mercy on the ummah’ but his clothing is haram. His food is haram. So how can their duas be accepted, when they are earning haram sustenance? Someone who strives they are given the ‘silm’ peace.

Sheikh closed his speech talking about the world, the terror e.t.c; he left us with a question that we had to think about... he said that Micheal that John that Diane they are all accepting Islam, are they accepting Islam because of my actions or are they accepting because of what they see as true in the Deen? Am I a means of someone coming towards Islam, or am I means of someone going further away from Islam?

Next up inshallah will be Moulana Zaheer Mahmood

-Amatullah-

O' Muslims be Muslims

2008-01-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

Asalamualikum

I recently attended the event, 'O' Muslims be Muslims', it was aimed at the youth of today, mashallah they had a brilliant lineup, the speakers that attended were: Moulana Shamsuduha (Ebrahim college, Dewsburry madresa Graduate) Shaikh Rafiq Sufi.. (Bury Graduate) Moulana Zahir Mohammad (bury Graduate) and the most honourable Shaikh Riyadul Haq.

Here are some notes i made on the talks that were given. I hope they benefit others Inshallah, most importantly, if there are any mistakes, then they are from me, and please do not hesitate to correct me Inshallah.

1st speaker Shaikh Shamsuduha (Ebrahim College)

If we emulate the ways of the prophet s.a.w there is strong chance we will achieve what they had achieved

Allah s.w.t says: ‘Mohammad and those with him are severe towards the kufaar’
But they are the most ‘ruhama’ amongst one another.

Allah s.w.t declared he is pleased with the sahaba and we are also told that if we follow them Allah will also be pleased with us.

‘sabiqoon wal mujahidoon wal ansaar’ they were the ‘ridhwan’ of Allah, Allah utilised the sahaba sin for us to learn for example: zina, if this didn’t occur there would be no example of ‘rajam’ stoning, our prophet led their janazah salah, when sahabas asked ‘why are you leading janazah of those who have fornicated’ he said they have received their punishment in this world.

Allah looked at the hearts of his creation, and he chose Muhammad s.a.w and sent him as a messenger, he again looked at the heart of his people and he selected the sahaba r.a, and made them his ministers, who would strive for the deen with the beloved.

The sahabas were ‘hudal mustaqeem’ mullah ali Qari in his book mirqatul masabeeh states that the sahaba were the least pretentious in their actions, they walked barefoot, if no footwear was available, they prayed on the bare earth, if prayer mats were unavailable they were humble, they ate from any vessel, if necessary they would drink from leftovers, they had no ‘takaluf’ in these things. They did not speak, if it did not concern them. Similarly there recitation was recited with no melody or lengthening.
They were very high spiritually however, they did not dance or scream and they did not join circles of zikr nor did they make noise in the masjid.

Ibn masood says, said the tabioon, strived more but still the sahabas were much better why? Because they were not interested in the dunya, their qualities could not be matched, because they benefit by being in the presence of the prophet s.a.w ..It is said that one moment with the prophet s.a.w elevates a person spiritually so much so that even a life time of mujahidah couldn’t reach that level. Subhanallah.
How different would we be if we spent just a little time with the holy prophet s.a.w
But as the verse goes ‘Allah gives to whomsoever he wants’ Allah will take in to account that the sahabas saw the prophet s.a.w, however we can achieve great stations with very little effort.

It is said in a hadith to the nearest meaning that rasullah s.a.w said, if you do only 10% of good you will be destroyed, but a time will come that if you do just 10% that will suffice and you will be elevated. ‘My ummah is like the rain, I do not know whether the first of it is better or the last of it’

We never even saw the prophet s.a.w yet we still believe in his teachings, ibn masud says “no believer has possed faith better then the faith in the unseen”
A sahaba may be more virtuous but we can be with them in them paradise “whomsoever obeys Allah and his messenger will be raised amongst the shuhada the saliheen and the sidiqeen’

Abdullah ibn Abass was just 13 yrs old when the prophet s.a.w passed away he was the hibul hazizul ummah, the greatest scholar we have ever seen, can a 13 year old in this day and age give an opinion of how a state should be run?

Hazarat Ali r.a he was great in battle a just rular, a great scholar, a judge, first man to accept Islam, he was given tarbiyah by our prophet s.a.w himself. Prophet s.a.w said to him ‘you are to me as Haroon was to Musa accept that you are not a prophet’

Zaid ibn thabit was advised and encouraged by our prophet to learn different languages so he could write letters to different rulers of the world.

The story of Ali r.a and Muawiyah r.a their disputes are all in the books of history. When Ali r.a passed away, Zirar ibn Zamuah (Ali r.a’s right hand man. someone correct me if I am wrong)
Muawiyah r.a said to him, ‘describe Ali r.a to me’
Zirar due to the relationship between both of them refused and said ‘excuse me’
Muawiyah further said ‘I have not excused you’

Zirar then said, ‘by Allah he was foresighted, very strong (in the battle of khayabar he ripped out a castle door, and use it as his shield, and this door even 8 people found it hard to carry) knowledge gushed forth him, he felt estranged from the world, he was at ease with the night and its darkness, he was always in the state of ihtibaar (thought) he like clothing that was rough, food that was simple, when he smiled he displayed strong pearls, the powerful could not hope to corrupt him or accept any favours from him, I testify by Allah that during the night he was like a restless man bitten by a snake, or a grieving person, he used to raise his hands and say ‘lord! Lord! Oh world you deceive me to way with you, I have divorced you three times! Your life is short your assembly is lonely, O the little provision and the lonely road ahead’

When he finished muawiyah’s beard was wet with tears, people around him were crying so much that they were loosing their breath, muawiyah said “true, that is how Abul Hasan r.a was”

Muawiyah then asked Ziar, how are you? What state are you in? He said ‘my grief is like a mother who has lost her child, her tears shed, she grieves and her life is not settled’

Overall, we are liberated due to Islam, we can make the whole world Muslim if we take the chracter of our beloved nabi and embody and take in the universal characters of the sahaba.
May Allah give us the quality to emulate the ways of the pious, and may we be a good example to the people of Britain

Any shortcomings is from me alone, if I have noted something wrong feel free to correct me jazakallah khair.

Yes I know its long, inshallah I’ll post the other speakers notes up soon. Next inshallah will be Sheikh Rafiq Sufi's talk.

Amatullah -

Eid ul Adha

2007-12-17T17:25:00.001-08:00

By Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat

Significance of the First Ten Days of Zul Hijjah

1. Allah has taken oath of ten nights in Soorah Al-Fajr. According to the majority of the commentators of Qur'ãn, the nights are those of the (first) ten days of Zul Hijjah.

2. Abdullah Ibne 'Abbãs radhiallahu anhu related that the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, "Good deeds performed on other days are not superior to those performed on these (first ten days of Zul Hijjah)." The Companions radhiallahu anhum inquired, "Not even Jihãd?" He replied, "Not even jihãd, except for that person who goes out putting himself and his wealth in danger and does not return with anything." (Bukhãri)

3. Abdullah Ibne 'Abbãs radhiallahu anhu narrated that Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, "On no other days are good deeds more liked by Allah than on these ten days (i.e. The first ten days of Zul Hijjah)." The Sahãbah radhiallahu anhum asked, " O Rasoolullah ! Not even Jihãd in the Way of Allah?" Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam replied, "Not even Jihãd in the Way of Allah, except for that person who goes out with his life and wealth and does not return with anything." (Aboo Dãwood, Tirmizi, Ibne Mãjah)

4. Aboo Hurayrah radhiallahu anhu related that Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, "On no days is the worship of Allah desired more than in the (first) ten days of Zul Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the worship of each of these nights is equal to the worship of Laylatul Qadr." (Tirmizi, Ibne Mãjah)

5. The mother of the believers, Hafsah radhiallahu anhaa reports that Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam used to fast the (first) nine days of Zul Hijjah. (Nasã'ee, Ahmad, Aboo Dãwood)

6. Abdullah Ibne 'Umar radhiallahu anhu related that Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, "No days are as weighty with Allah and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of Zul Hijjah. So on these days increasingly read Subhãnallah, Lã ilãha illallãh, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar." (Musnad Ahmad)Virtues of the Day of Arafah (9th Zul Hijjah)

1. 'Ã'ishah radhiallahu 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 radhiallahu 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 radhiallahu 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'hãThe 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 radhiallahu anhu related that 'Ã'ishah radhiallahu 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 radhiallahu anhu relates that Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, "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)Virtues of QurbãniRasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, "There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Qurbãni than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart." (Tirmizi, Ibne Mãjah)

Takbirãt of TashreeqThe Takbirãt of Tashreeq are:Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,Lã ilãha illallãhu wallahu Akbar,Allahu Akbar, Walil lahil hamd."
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all praises are for Allah only.

"It is wãjib for every adult Muslim to recite these Takbirãt of Tashreeq audibly once after every fardh salaah which is performed with jamã'at (congregation) from the Fajr of 9th Zul Hijjah to the 'Asr of 13th Zul Hijjah (i.e. total of 23 salãh).

Mas'alah: It is not wãjib for women and shar'ee travellers. But, if they are performing salãh behind an imãm upon whom it is wãjib, then it will become wãjib upon them too. However it is mustahab for them to recite in any case.
Mas'alah: Women should not say it loudly but softly.
Mas'alah: Takbeer should be recited immediately after concluding the fardh prayer

My wandering thoughts...

2007-10-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe I let you go so quickly Out of my life,

as if you were never even there I should have paid more attention to you.

I’m so ashamed that I only realised when it was too late The sun has set,

and just as the rays have disappeared over the horizon so have you with it

GoneI spent all year waiting for you to come

And when you did I complained, complained about how tired I was and how hungry and thirsty

It’s true what they say you never know what you had until it’s goneI shed tears for you today not because I was sad, but because I was disappointed and angry at myself

How could I let such a precious jewel out of my life without even paying it the attention and care it deserved?

I’ve sworn that if get the chance again I’ll take better care of you and I’ll treat you right

So why then dose my heart feel heavy and my head light?

I know I’ll do the same next year.

what will it take to make me fear?

Ramdhan Mubarak

2007-09-15T09:12:00.001-07:00

Asalamualikum-

-I wish all my readers a Ramdhan full of spritual upliftment, hidayah and a boost of Iman =) -

Keep me and the whole ummah in your duas inshallah-

Wasalam

-Amatullah-

Eight lies of a mother

2007-08-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

Asalamualikum

I came across this particular pieace, and found it very heart rendering, however before i begin i'd like to post a few verses and hadiths:

Abdullah ibn Umar(radhiyallahu anhu), once saw a man from Yemen carrying his mother on his back and going around the Kaaba in his tawaaf. Rather than showing any sign of complaint, the man was happy, repeating a line of poetry in which he likened himself to a camel his mother was mounting. He looked at Abdullah ibn Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) and asked him. Whether by doing so he discharged his debt to his mother. Ibn Umar(R.A.) said: No, you have not even paid back one twinge of her labor pain when she gave birth to you."

"Your Lord has commanded that you shall not worship (anyone) but Him and to be good to the parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) 'Ugh' nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word. And lower for them 'the wings of humility' out of mercy; and pray; 'O my Lord! Have mercy on them as they brought me up (when I was) little.'" (17:23-24)

Eight lies of a mother

1. The story began when I was a child; I was a son of a poor family in Africa. We did not even have enough food. Whenever meal times came, mother would often give me her portion of rice. While she was removing her rice into my bowl, she would say "Eat this rice, son. I'm not hungry". That was Mother's First Lie.

2. When I was growing up, my persevering mother gave her spare time to go fishing in a river near our house, she hoped that from the fish she caught, she could gave me a little bit of nutritious food for my growth. After fishing, she would cook some fresh fish soup, which raised my appetite. While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me and eat the rest of the fish, which was still on the bone of the fish I had eaten. My heart was touched when I saw that. I then used my chopstick and gave the other fish to her. But she immediately refused and said "Eat this fish, son. I don't really like fish." That was Mother's Second Lie.

3. Then, when I was in Junior High School...... to fund my studies, mother went to an economic enterprise to bring some used-match boxes that would need to be stuck together. It gave her some money to cover our needs. As the winter came, I woke up from my sleep and looked at my mother who was still awake, supported by a little candlelight and with perseverance she would continue the work of sticking some used-match boxes. I said, "Mother, go to sleep, it's late, tomorrow morning you still have to go to work." Mother smiled and said "Go to sleep, dear. I'm not tired." That was Mother's Third Lie.

4. The final term arrived.......mother asked for leave from work in order to accompany me. While the sun was starting to shine strongly, my persevering mother waited for me under the heat for several hours. As the bell rang, which indicated that the final exam had finished, mother immediately welcomed me and poured me a cup of tea that she had brought in a flask. Seeing my mother covered with perspiration, I at once gave her my cup and asked her to drink too. Mother said "Drink, son. I'm not thirsty ! ” That was Mother's Fourth Lie.

5. After the death of my father due to illness, my poor mother had to play her role as a single parent. She had to fund our needs alone. Our family's life was more complicated. No days without suffering. Our family's condition was getting worse, a kind uncle who lived near our house assisted now and then. Our neighbours, often advised my mother to marry again. But mother was stubborn and didn't take their advice; she said "I don't need love." That was Mother's Fifth Lie.

6. After I had finished my studies and got a job, it was the time for my old mother to retire. But she didn't want to; she would go to the marketplace every morning, just to sell some vegetables to fulfill her needs. I, who worked in another city, often sent her some money to help her, in fulfilling her needs, but she would not accept the money. At times, she even sent the money back to me. She said "I have enough money." That was Mother's Sixth Lie.

7. After graduating with a Bachelors Degree, I then continued to do a Masters Degree. It was funded by a company through a scholarship program, from a famous University in America. I finally worked in the company. With a good salary, I intended to bring my mother to enjoy her life in America. But my lovely mother didn't want to bother her son. She said to me, "I'm not use to it." That was Mother's Seventh Lie.

8. In her old age, mother got stomach cancer and had to be hospitalized. I, who lived miles away, across the ocean, went home to visit my dearest mother. She lay in weakness on her bed after having an operation. Mother, who looked so old, was staring at me in deep thought. She tried to spread her smile on her face...but it was a noticeable effort. It was clear that the disease had weakened mother's body. She looked so frail and weak. I stared at my mother with tears flowing. My heart was hurt,….. so hurt, seeing my mother in that condition. But mother with the little strength she had, said "Don't cry, my dear. I'm not in pain." That was Mother's Eighth Lie.

After saying her eighth lie, my Dearest mother closed her eyes forever !

Source:http://www.everymuslim.net/index.php...=450&Itemid=42

Wasalam
~Amatullah ~

Heartfelt apologies from down under

2007-05-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

salamz

Hope all my readers are in the best of health and iman, yes i know i havent posted in yonks, my fault, i have been busy with the demands of the dunya, however after june 25th inshallah i will be regularly blogging (lets hope so) just finishing off my A levels, exams, Cw e.t.c.... make dua and once again apologise for not blogging so often, duas requested

wasalam
Amatullah...

Poems by Imam Shafi

2007-03-07T04:05:00.000-08:00

Poems By Imam Shafi' (Rahimullah)

صَدِيقٌ لَيْسَ يَنْفَعُ يَوْمَ بُؤْسٍ * قَرِيبٌ مِنْ عَدْوٍّ فِي القِيَاسِ
وَمَا يَبْقَى الصَّدِيقُ بِكُلِّ عَصْرٍ * وَلاَ الإِخْوَانُ إِلاَّ لِلتَّآسِي
عَبَرْتُ الدَّهْرَ مُلْتَمِسَاً بِجُهْدِي * أَخَا ثِقَةٍ فَأَلْهَانِي التِمَاسِي
تَنَكَّرَتِ البِلاَدُ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا * كَأَنَّ أُنَاسَهَا لَيْسُوا بِنَاسِ

A friend who does not benefit at the time of hardships,
Is close to an enemy on the scales,
The friend does not remain, during all times,
Nor does the brother, except for consolation.
I searched the days, with all my strengths
for a brother to trust, but my search was fruitless,
The lands and those who live them were barren,
As though its people were not people [I wanted them to be

إِذَا الْمَرْءُ أَفْشَى سِرِّهُ بِلِسَانِهِ * وَلاَمَ عَلَيْهِ غَيْرَهُ فَهُوَ أَحْمَقُ
إِذَا ضَاقَ صَدْرُ المَرْءِ عَنْ سِرِّ نَفْسِهِ * فَصَدْرُ الَّذِي يُسْتَودْعُ السِّرَّ أَضْيَقُ

If a man spreads his secret with his own tongue
and blames another... then he is a fool.
If his own breast is too narrow to conceal his own secret,
Then the breast of the one in whom he places it is even narrower.

Part from the days where you used to do as you wish
And restrain your soul when the decree of Allah is ordained
And don't despair over the events of the past
For none of the events of the dunya were ever meant to remain
And be a man who is firm upon his affairs
And whose character is that of pardoning and nobility
And there is no sadness or happiness that is continuous
Just as there is there is no comfort or pain
If you are a person who is satisfied with what he has
Then you and the owner of all possessions are equal
And upon he who's open valley death descends upon
Then there is no earth or sky to protect you from it
And the earth of Allah is vast but
When the ordainment of Allah descends even the open valley congests.

~ Imam Shafi

و من الشَقاوة أن تحبَ
و من تحبُ يحبُ غيرك
أو أن تريد الخير للأن
سان و هو يريد ضيرك

"And from misery is that you love, and (the one) who you love, loves other than you,
or that you want good for a person, and he wants to hurt you".

I complained to Waki about the weakness of my memory
So he ordered me to abandon disobedience
And informed me that the knowledge is light
And that the light of Allaah is not given to the disobedient

- Imam Shafi

لسانك لا تذكر به عورة امرئ *** فكلّـك عورات وللناس ألسـن

وعينك إن أبدت إليك معايباً *** فدعها وقل : يا عين للناس أعينُ

Let not your tongue mention the shame of another
For you yourself are covered in shame and all men have tongues.
If your eye falls upon the sins of your brother
Shield them and say: "O my eye! All men have eyes!"

The Humour and Jest of Rasullah s.a.w and his Sahabah

2007-01-24T04:45:00.000-08:00

Asalamualikum

Apologise for the lack of posts....exams got in the way ...however i'll try being more consistant Inshallah.

The Humour and Jest of the Prophet and his Sahaba are not things that we come across often, this is due to the utmost worry they had for the Ummah and the Deen, which was their priority however i came across a chapter in Hayatus Sahabah, which was entertaining and also gave an insight and more of an understanding of how the Sahaba R.A approached certain things in life,and how in certain matters things were taken very lightly by them, but in terms of deen they were consistant and strict. We as muslims should aquire this personality. The specific chapter was Humour and jest of Rasullah s.a.w and his Sahaba r.a

Here are some of the Humourous incidents in the lives of Rasullah s.a.w and the Sahaba that i would like to share with my readers, but before doing that i would like to quote a Hadith of the prophet s.a.w:

'Hadrat Abu Hurayrah r.a reports that the Sahaba r.a once asked, "O Rasullah s.a.w you manage to joke with us?" Rasullah s.a.w replied, "however i speak the truth (when i joke)." (Tirmidhi)

Firstly i will add some incidents that occured , which involved the Humour of our Beloved Prophet s.a.w ....

Hadhrat Anas r.a reports that a man once came to Rasullah s.a.w to ask for transport, Rasullah s.a.w said to him, "We shall give you the child of a camel to ride." "O Rasullah s.a.w!" the man said in surprise, "What will i do with a child of a camel (its too small to ride)?" Rasullah s.a.w replied "Is every camel not the child of another?"(Abu Dawood)

Hadhrat Anas r.a reports that Rasullah s.a.w once jokingly called hadhrat Anas r.a. saying, "O two eared one!" (Abu Dawood)

Hadhrat Anas r.a reports that a man from the country side called Zaahir r.a used to give Rasullah s.a.w things from the countryside and when he left, Rasullah s.a.w would give him things from the city. Rasullah s.a.w used to say, "Zahir is our countryside and we are his City"
Although he was not a good looking person, Rasullah s.a.w liked him a great deal. As he was busy selling his wares in the market place one day, Rasullah s.a.w grabbed him from the back (and covered his eyes) so that he could not see. "Release me!" Hadhrat Zaahir shouted, but when he turned and recognised rasullah s.a.w he started pressing his back closer to Rasullah s.a.w's chest. "who will buy this slave?" Rasullah s.a.w announced. "O rasullah !" Hadhrat Zaahir said "by Allah! if tou sell me, you will run at a loss". "Not at all," Rasullah s.a.w corrected, "You are not a loss in the sight of Allah. In Allah's sight, you are expensive" (Tirmidhi)

Hadhrat Nu'maan bin Basheer r.a narrates that when hadhrat Abu Bakr r.a was once about to ask for permission to enter Rasullah s.a.w's room, he heard (his daughter) Hadhrat Aisha r.a raising her voice at Rasullah s.a.w. When he entered, Hadhrat Abu Bakr r.a. grabbed her to give her a saying "Are you raising your voice about that of Allahs Rasool?!" However Rasullah s.a.w stopped him from taking action and Hadhrat Abu Bakr r.a.left in anger.

After Hadhrat Abu Bakr had left, Rasullah s.a.w said to Hazrat Aishah r.a " Now what do you think of me after i rescued you from that man?" It was a few days later that Hadhrat Abu Bakr r.a again sought permission to see Rasullah s.a.w this time he found that the couple had reconciled and Abu Bakr r.a said to them "Now enter me in to your peace as you had entered me in to your war." "We certainly will" Rasullah s.a.w said, "we certainly will" (Abu Dawood)

Hadhrat Aisha r.a. reports, "I once accompanied Rasullah s.a.w on one of his journeys when i was still a slim girl who not put on so much weight. Rasullah s.a.w instructed the others to go ahead and when they did, he said to me "Come! lets have a race." I then beat him in the race. Rasullah s.a.w let the matters rest, until the time came when i had put on some weight and forgotten about the incident. When i the accompinied him on a journey, he again instructed the others to proceed ahead, when they did so, he said to me "come! lets have a race ." This time he beat me and laughed as he said "This is for That" (Ahmed)

Hadhrat Anas bin Malik r.a narrates that rasullah s.a.w was once on a journey with his wives riding in front of him. Adressing the person who was reciting some poems to drive the camel on faster, Rasullah s.a.w said "O Anjasha! shame on you! take it easy with the crystels (the women, do not drive the camel to fast)" (Bukhari)

Hadhrat Hasan reports that an old women came to Rasullah s.a.w with the rquest, "O Rasullah s.a.w Pray to Allah to enter me in to Jannah" adressing her Rasullah s.a.w said, "Old women will not enter Jannah." when the lady went away with tears, Rasullah s.a.w sent someone to give her a message, that she would not enetr Jannah as an old women because Allah says:

"Indeed we have created these Damsels (of jannah) very specially and we have made them all virgins....." (surah Waaqia verse 35,36)

........Inshallah next post will be on the Humour of the Sahaba r.a....

duas requested

wasalam

Words of wisdom regarding marriage

2006-11-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

Sheikhul Hadeeth Imam Zakariah (rahmatullahi 'alayh) reminds us here of the ridiculous nature of the customs that we have attached to the islamic wedding ceremony, especially those of us from the Indian Subcontinent. This is a reminder that riya during such functions is against the Sunnah of our Beloved Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) and that going against the Sunnah is not to be taken lightly at all...

Rasulluah Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam also said: "That nikah has more blessings in it, in which least expenditure is incurred." It is a pity that we have through our customs made it the most difficult thing. No one knows how many salaahs are left unperformed because of it. Some times a greater museebat [calamity] is this: that the bride's party is sent off just at a time when salaah is to be performed, as a result of which the bride, bridegroom and the whole party miss the salaah. When that is the beginning of the union, is it any wonder that the end of it is arguments, disputes and corruption?

Ulema have written that the child that is conceived at a time of salaah (which is not performed) will tend to be disobedient to parents and troublesome to them. May Allah guide us and set us aright!

A worse museebat is that as a result of our customs, girls remain unmarried till late in life, the reason being that financial arrangements cannot be made. Even worse that this - often money has to be borrowed on interest, about which the Quran has passed a verdict that it is tantamount to a declaration of war from Allah and His Rasul Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam.

Who is there that can survive in a battle against Allah and His Rasul Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam? Often the excuse is brought that if all these things are not done, then our honour and dignity will be lost. I have seen many Elders have their marriages and the marriages of their loved ones performed according to the sunnat in utmost simplicity, without all this nonsensical rigmarole, but without any dishonour at all!!

Apologies

2006-11-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

Asalammualikum

yes....i havent posted in a while...and i apologise...inshallah i will be posting up soon just been a little busy and distracted with studies and family afwan. Bear with me, the wait is nearly over lol .....yes i know my blog isn't that special that people excitingly and eagerly wait for me to update lol but inshallah i'll be back with something of intrest for my fellow readers, once again i apologise for my lack of posts....(and laziness :/)

wasalamualikum-warahmatullahi-wabarakatu

EID MUBARAK

2006-10-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

I wish all the readers Eid Mubarak...hope you had a joyous one
duas requested
wasalam

Words of wisdom of Shaikh Abul Hasan Ali An-Nadwi

2006-10-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum

I came across this wonderful speech which was given 23 years ago by Shaikh Abul Hasan Ali An-Nadwi (author of qisasun nabiyeen)..... the speech was given at the opening of Dewsbury Markaz in 1982....however the message is more rellevent and important today.

I thought i would share this with you in ramdhan so you can set goals and carry it on after ramdhan inshallah.... like the tashkeels they do in jamat ;)

here it goes......

I am filled with happiness by your reception. I would be most ungrateful if I do not respect your wishes and share my inner feelings. If I desire I could shower you with praises, for Almighty Allah has bestowed me with an abundance of vocabulary, but I would not be fulfilling the right of friendship.

DA'WAH IN THE SEERAH

As you are aware, the Prophet (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam), had a burning desire to invite humanity towards Islam. Despite 13 years of untiring effort in Makkatul-Mukarramah and 7 years in Madinatul-Munawwarah, there was no large scale movement of non-Muslims into Islam. Between 7 AH and 10 AH, which is the period after Fath-Makkah until the Prophet's demise, there was such an influx of people entering the ranks of Islam that was not witnessed in the preceding 20 years.
Imam Zuhri (rahmatullahi-alayh), an eminent Muhaddith and Tabii, expressed surprise on this sea change, with so many people embracing Islam in a matter of just 3 years. Along with other distinguished Muhaddith he has commented that this was due to non-Muslims having had an opportunity for the first time, to observe and intermingle with Muslims, witness their honesty, fair dealing, compassion and sole reliance on Almighty Allah. This left such a deep and profound impression on non-Muslims that thousands entered into the fold of Islam within a relatively short period of time.

APPLYING THE LESSONS OF SEERAH HERE AND NOW

This incident also contains abundant lessons on how Muslims should live in this country. Their conduct should be sublime and captivating. Whosoever should see us should accept Islam. Whosoever sits with us should be inclined towards Islam. There should be no need to convince anyone to accept the Truth.
Therefore, in this country if you wish to live peacefully and have an opportunity to present Islam to the host community, you will need to inculcate and manifest sterling qualities, not just inside the Mosques but also outside in the streets, in the markets, in your daily activities, and at home. A life of Taqwa will immediately attract non-Muslims towards Islam.

DANGERS OF LIVING ISOLATED AND INSULATED

As an ordinary student of Islam it is my religious responsibility to warn you. If you do not lead an upright life, if you continue to live an insular lifestyle, and if you fail to manifest the beauty of Islam to non-Muslims, then you face some real dangers. In such a case, there is no reason for you to feel content and secure in this country.
If ever the fire of race, religion or nationalism rages here you will not be saved. In Spain there were Mosques a hundred times more beautiful than yours. So do not feel content and self-satisfied. As an ordinary student of religion I would wish to express my joy and happiness at this wonderful new Mosque. But what words shall I use to congratulate you?

LESSONS FROM SPAIN

Others may not speak to you as plainly, but remember the glorious Masjid-e-Cordova. It still stands in Spain. Iqbal, Poet of the East, so eloquently reminisces the great legacy of Islamic Spain in his famous poem Masjid-e-Qurtaba. In Islamic Spain, there were such brilliant Mosques, celebrated Madrasahs, famous scholars like Shaykh-ul-Akbar, Ibnu-Hazm, Qurtubi, Shatbi - and how many others shall I mention? However, when the flames of religious sectarianism raged then the Mosques and Madrasahs became deserted. Once, Islamic Spain boasted such magnificent structures, distinguished educational centres, refined culture and society. Regrettably, the Muslims, despite such a high standard of living, did not draw the non-Muslims of that country to see the Truth of Islam, to warn them of the dangers of disbelief, with the result that ensuing religious violence subsequently consumed them like a morsel. The Arabs with their glowing history, architectural splendour and vast oceans of knowledge, were displaced from the country. Today, unfortunately, the ears eagerly wait to hear the Azaan and the empty Mosques thirst for the Salah.

EARN YOUR PLACE IN YOUR COUNTRY

My dear brothers, you must earn your recognition in this country. You should earn your place and leave an imprint on the host community of your value and significance. You must show your exemplary conduct is far nobler than that of other people. You must impart on them the lessons of humanity. You should demonstrate such commitment and noble virtues that impress on people that there cannot be found more upright humans elsewhere besides you. You need to establish your worth, showing what blessing and mercy you are for the country.
If however you decide to live in an enclosed environment simply content with your Prayers and Fasting, apathetic to the people and society you live in, never introducing them to the high Islamic values and your own personal qualities, then beware lest any religious or sectarian violence flares up. In such a situation, you will not find safety or protection.

I pray to Almighty Allah my prediction is totally unfounded. But remember, you are guests here. Your Tabligh, Mosques, Madrasahs, Ibadah and religious sacrifices are all worthy of commendation. May Almighty Allah grant you Barakah. But do not forget to earn your place in this country. Gain proficiency of the national language and use it to effectively propagate Islam. Prepare writers and orators to convey the message of Islam. Although you will distance yourself from their religion, do not distance yourself from them. Establish your credibility to the extent that if you are entrusted with onerous responsibilities, as was Prophet Yusuf (alayhis-salam), you do not shirk but embrace all challenges wholeheartedly.

YOUR PRIORITY SHOULD NOT BE WEALTH AND LUXURY

You will have to present a new pattern of life to this country. You will not earn recognition by exerting yourselves in the workplace. If you overwork you will looked upon disparagingly and be likened to horses and bulls. In fact, you will be labelled as money-making machines. However, if you can show to the people here that you are worshippers of Almighty Allah and not wealth, you do not bow before power but only before virtue, you are humans and think like humans, you are concerned not only about yourselves but also about others; and you are compassionate about your own children as well as theirs, that you are earnestly concerned about the path of destruction they have chosen for themselves, you will then earn their respect. They will begin to respect Islam and become desirous of studying it. They will ask you for literature concerning Islamic beliefs and practices and an opportunity will arise here for you to promote Islam.

On the other hand, if you remain preoccupied in eating and working, engaged in Prayers, remaining indifferent to what is happening in the country, insulated within the Muslim community, totally apathetic to what is happening outside, which direction the country is taking - in such a situation if there is trouble you will not be able to save yourselves.

STRENGTHEN YOUR POSITION

I have been meaning to convey and accentuate this message to you as I do not know whether I will be able visit you again in the future. You gathered here with love and affection and therefore it was easy for me to convey. As a student of religion it would have been convenient for me to recommend the virtues of reciting various Zikr or prescribe certain Wazifahs but you may not have had an opportunity of listening to the message I have just conveyed from anyone else.
Please strengthen your position in this country.

Earn your recognition. Do not be like a straw or crop that is uprooted by a mere breeze. You should be so firm that not even a hurricane is able to displace you. Display such noble character that you attract the hearts of the people. See then how these people will stand up to defend you. If there is the slightest hostility towards you, they will be the first ones to argue on your behalf and argue what a blessing you are for them.
May Almighty Allah grant us the ability to understand what is right; may He bless and protect you. Aameen.

Taken for http://www.direct.za.org/index.html

p.s Inshallah we must all make intention to go out in the path of allah.....so that deen enters in to the hearts of the whole humanity... may allah safeguard this work ....and may allah give us the ability to act upon what was said above ameen

duas requsted

wasalam