Wife Beating in Quran?

Wife Beating in Quran?
Islam Forbids it Haram!

Question: Does the Quran say, "And beat your wives?" (refer to ayah #34 in Surah An-Nisa)

It is a clear fact, Islam forbids any kind of oppression or violence against women (or men for that matter).
Yet, it cannot be denied that there are some Muslims who do not really follow Islam - and what is worse, there are those who try to justify their violent behavior toward women (and others) by giving incorrect interpretations to Islam's teachings.

It is necessary, therefore, for us to explore what Islam really does say about these matters and then provide proofs for the believers to bring about correct understanding and better living for all of us.

Please Read This Special Update (and share it with others right away): Islam Forbids All Forms of Oppression The Quran orders men to "Protect and Defend - ALL WOMEN"

"..And dharabah them"
Bringing light to the Treatment of Women in Islam-- by yusuf estes

Continue Reading... Click Here

Quotes from Scientists About Islam

► Keith L.Moore

♣ Professor Emeritus,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology,University of Toronto.Distinguished embryologist and the author of several medical textbooks, including Clinically Oriented Anatomy (3rd Edition) and The Developing Human (5th Edition, with T.V.N. Persaud).

"For the past three years,I have worked with the Embryology Committee of King cAbdulazîz University in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia, helping them to interpret the many statements in the Qur'ân and Sunnah referring to human reproduction and prenatal development. At first I was astonished by the accuracy of the statements that were recorded in the 7 th century AD, before the science of embryology was established. Although I was aware of the glorious history of Muslim scientists in the 10th century AD, and some of their contributions to Medicine, I knew nothing about the religious facts and beliefs contained in the Qur'ân and Sunnah." "It has been a great pleasure for me to help clarify statements in the Qur'ân about human development. It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God, or Allah, because most of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later. This proves to me that Muhammad must have been a messenger of God, or Allah."

► E. Marshall Johnson

♣ Professor and Chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, and Director of the Daniel Baugh Institute, Thomas Jefferson University,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, USA.

"...in summary, the Qur'ân describes not only the development of external form, but emphasises also the internal stages, the stages inside the embryo, of its creation and development, emphasising major events recognised by contemporary science."

► T.V.N. Persaud
► Joe Leigh Simpson
► Gerald C. Goeringer
► Alfred Kroner
► Yushidi Kusan
► Professor Armstrong
► William Hay
► Durja Rao
► Professor Siaveda
► Tejatat Tejasen
► Dr. Maurice Bucaille

Please follow this link to read this article http://www.usislam.org/islam/quotes_from_scientists.htm

Hero Who Fought Crusaders Is Role Model for Muslims

For many Syrian Muslims, the Crusades still rankle. But the 12th-century leader Saladin may inspire today's peacemakers.

-- BY: Rhonda Roumani

On a dark street in a wealthy district of Damascus, a light shines from an arched, brass

doorway. The door is slightly ajar. Inside, except for a small computer in the corner, the room
seems like a medieval study Ottoman-engraved silver  plates, carved wood

couches, and stained glass windows line the sides of this narrow office. Here,

University of Damascus professor Suhair Zakkar is translating old manuscripts

for a 90-volume series on the Crusades--an accumulation of his life's work. To Zakkar, these texts are

not exactly ancient history. "We feel the campaigns never ceased," says Zakkar, who speaks with

the precision of a historian. "Europe invaded our country, and we fought the Europeans here and at

last succeeded in liberating our country." In Syria, the memory of the Crusades runs deep. It is

here that Muslims fought an onslaught of crusaders all along the coastline from Damascus to Aleppo.
For Arabs and Muslims, the Crusades marked a time of assault and destruction-a

time when the Muslim world was in dire jeopardy, defending against bloodthirsty

crusaders bent on destroying their land and their people simply because they were not Christian-or

because they were Muslim. "For two centuries, the crusaders killed several million Muslims," explains

Zakkar. "They left in this country a very bad memory of killing, destruction, spoiling and

devastation. More than that, they came to this country to `rescue' or help the local Christians. Before

the coming of the Christians, in every part of Syria, there was a considerable number of

Christians. But because of the Crusades, [ Christianity ] became a smaller religion in

Syria and the Christians became a real minority." Like Zakkar, many Muslims in the region believe that

the current political situation in the Arab world--which began when

the French and the British attempted to divide the region and helped establishthe state of Israel after the

second world war--is nothing more than another

wave of the Crusades. "The Crusades have continued until today," Zakkar says. "In 1291 we had
the Crusades against Egypt by Cyprus and then

several Crusades against North Africa. The Ottoman Empire faced several Crusades. Then we have

the French and the British mandate. Then up to today. When President Bush wanted to take his forces

to Iraq, he used the word Crusades several times-- and up to this moment, he believes himself to be the new messiah." Because past hurts of the Crusades are felt afresh, the Muslim heroes of earlier

campaigns are powerful symbols in the Arab world. Nureddin, the son of a Turkish tribal leader,

united all of Syria in the 12th century and defeated the crusaders in Egypt. His successor, Saladin al-

Ayyubi, symbolizes resistance and pride in defending against Christian crusaders. The leader of

Egypt, Saladin wrested Muslim land from the crusaders and gained his place in history in the Battle

of Hattin in 1187, when he liberated Jerusalem with little bloodshed. This battle is the climax of the new

Ridley Scott movie "Kingdom of Heaven."

Source: www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2000/04/Hero-Who-Fought-Crusaders-Is-Role-Model-For-Muslims.aspx

DEMOCRACY: A RELIGION! Part - 1

Allah says:-And whosoever seeks a way other than Submission to Allah, it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the hereafter. Written by: Abu Muhammad ‘Aasim al-Maqdisi Translated into English by: Abu Muhammad al- Maleki Revised by: Abu Sayf Muwahhid In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful All praise is due to Allah. We repent to Him, ask for His forgiveness and we ask Him to protect us from the evil of our own selves, and from the evil of our deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide, but whomsoever Allah leads astray, then none can guide him. I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Final Messenger. He is our leader, and our perfect example. May Allah bestow His peace and blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Noble Companions, and upon those who follow the Straight Path, until the Last Day. To proceed; These are a selection of papers that I authored just before the start of the polytheistic, legislative, parliamentary elections -at a time when people were becoming fascinated by democracy. Their fascination was arisen after the defenders of democracy and the defenders of other such false ideologies (who have no religion) defended democracy simply for the sake of it, and they mixed the falsehood with the Truth. Sometimes they call democracy a freedom, or a 'consultation' (this term is explained further on). Sometimes they bring forth arguments that apparently make democracy a valid concept, and they use the story of the judgement of Yusuf (Yusuf) -peace be upon him - with the King as an example. Other times they use the judgement of the Negus as an example - simply to serve their own interests and motives, and to fulfil their own personal agendas. They distort the Truth with Falsehood, and mix the Light with the Darkness, and the Polytheism of democracy with the Monotheism of Islam. But we, with the help of Allah, replied to all of these fallacies, and showed that democracy is a religion . But it is not Allah ’s religion. It is not the religion of monotheism, and its parliamentary councils are just places of polytheism, and safe havens for paganistic beliefs. All of these must be avoided to achieve monotheism, which is Allah ’s right upon His servants. We must destroy those who follow democracy, and we must take their followers as enemies -hate them and wage a great Jihad against them. Democracy is an obvious polytheism and thus a clear disbelief that Allah has warned us against, in His Book. And His Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa'sallam) attacked such taghut (false deities) throughout his life. So, be firm -my monotheistic brother -on being one of the Prophet ’s followers and helpers who attacks polytheism and it's people. Set out throughout your life to follow the path of those that apply Allah ’s decree. The Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa'sallam) said about this path: "A group of my people will still apply Allah ’s decree and they will not be harmed by any one who abandoned or contradicted it, until the predestination arrives". I do du'aa that Allah makes both you and me from the people of this group, and I thank Allah, the First and the Last. Abu Muhammad al- Maqdisi ORIGINS AND PURPOSES OF DIVINE CREATION, THE REVEALED BOOKS, THE CALL OF PROPHET IBRAHIM, AND THE FIRMEST OF HANDHOLDS One should know that Allah is the Creator and Originator of every thing and every being. The most important thing that Allah ordained for Adam ’s son to learn and to do, before praying, paying zakat, or any other act of worship, is to believe in the oneness of Allah and to avoid belief in any other deity. It was for this reason that Allah created the creatures, sent the Prophets, revealed the Books, and ordained the Jihad and martyrdom. Because of this, there is enmity between the followers of Ar-Rahman and those of Shaytan, and because of this, the Islamic State and the Khalifah System will be established. Allah said: "I have not created the jinn and men but to worship Me." 1, meaning that our sole purpose of existence is the worship of Allah, alone. He also said: "And verily, We have sent among every community a Messenger saying: Worship Allah, and avoid all other deities" . 2 This belief, that there is no god but Allah, is a basic element of Islam. No call, no jihad, no prayer, no fasting, no zakat, no pilgrimage will be accepted without it. One can not be saved from the fire of Hell without believing in it, because it is the only handhold that Allah has guaranteed His followers, that will lead to Paradise. No other handhold will be sufficient for safety from the fire. Allah said: "Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break." 3. Allah also said: "Those who avoid at-Taghut by not worshipping them and turn to Allah in repentance, for them are glad tidings; so announce the good news to My Slaves." 4 Witness how Allah talks about disbelief in false deities (or taghut), before He talks about belief in Himself. This shows us how He began with a negation of all false deities, before an affirmation of belief in Allah. Allah ordained monotheism with the words ( no god but Allah ) which points to this great principle of the firmest handhold, therefore there is no sincere belief in Allah, without extreme and total denial of other deities. The deities which one must disbelieve in and avoid worshipping, are not simply stones, idols, trees or graves that get worshipped through prostration or invocation - indeed, it encompasses far more than this! It contains every worshipped being (or thing) who accepts to be worshipped, other than Allah, by any act of worship 5. When the created commits an act of aggression against it's own soul, then it exceeds the limits set by Allah, and this includes worshipping deities other than Allah. Acts of worship include prostration, bowing down, invocation, making vows, and slaughtering. Obedience in legislation is also an act of worship. Allah said about the Christians: "They took their rabbis and their monks to be Lords besides Allah". 6 Although they did not prostrate, or bow down to their priests, they followed them and agreed with them in the forbiddance of the permissible and with the enjoining of the forbidden. Allah therefore considered that as making them (their priests) lords and gods, because the obedience in legislation is a form of worship, and must not be for any one except for Allah, since Allah is the only One who can provide legislation. Therefore, anyone who seeks to implement a legislation created by someone other than Allah, is in fact a polytheist. As an evidence for this is the incident which took place during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) between the followers of ar-Rahman and those of Shaytan over a dead goat. The polytheist people wanted to persuade the Muslims that there was no difference between the goat that the Muslims slaughter, and the goat that dies alone or 'naturally'. They claimed that Allah had slaughtered the dead goat. But in reply to this, Allah sent down His Judgement and said: "... if you obey them, you will surely become an idolater." 7 So the word 'deity' includes anyone who makes himself a legislator with Allah, ruler or ruled, a representative in the parliament (the legislative authority), or the persons who select him, because he exceeded the limits. Man was created to be a servant of Allah and Allah ordered him to accept His legislation, but man rejected and exceeded the limits. He wanted to equate himself with Allah, and to participate in the legislation of Allah, which is not allowed for anyone except Allah. If anyone transgresses the limits and does that, he makes himself a legislator, and he will be enacting the role of a deity. His Islam and his monotheism will not be accepted, unless and until he disbelieves in what he did and avoids it, and fights to get rid of its slaves and helpers -i.e. until he knows for certain that democracy is a false ideology. Allah said "... and they wish to go for judgement to the Taghut, while they have been ordered to reject them" . 8 Mujahid said: " The deity... is a Satan in the shape of a human whom people turn to for judgement, and they follow him" . Shaykh-ul-Islam lbn Taymiyyah said: "... for this reason the one who judges without referring to the Holy Book (Qur ’an) is a deity". 9 Ibn Al-Qayyim said: "Everyone who exceeded his limits either worshipped, followed or obeyed -so, the deity of any people is the one who they make a judge besides Allah and His prophet, or worship other than Allah, or follow him without taking any consideration of Allah, or obey him in a matter that is a disobedience to Allah" . He also said: "Whosoever does not judge or turn to what the messengers of Allah brought for judgement is eventually following a deity" 10 One of the worshipped deities nowadays, that every monotheist must disbelieve in -as well as disbelieving in its followers -in order to hold on to the firmest handhold and to be saved from the Hell fire, are the transitory man-made gods and goddesses of the so called legislature. Allah said: "Have they other associates who have prescribed another law for them that has not been dispensed by Allah? But for the decisive word (of Allah) a sentence would have been passed amongst them..." .11 People have followed these legislators and agreed to make their legislation as a right and characteristic for them, for their parliaments, and for their local, regional, and international ruling faculties. They showed through their constitutions, that it is the people who in fact provide legislation. 12 Therefore, the legislators became gods to every one who obeyed and followed them, or agreed with them in this disbelief and polytheism, just as Allah said about the Christians, when they followed their priests and the anchorites (or monks). The followers of today ’s democracy are worse and more impure than such priests and monks. This is because the priests did not claim to make what they said a law or a legal system, and they did not make constitutions, or books. Neither did they punish those who did not accept or practice what they said. Neither did they use Allah's book to provide evidences for their false deities. If you come to understand this, you should know that the greatest step of adherence to this firmest handhold and the highest step of disbelief in this man-made deity is the Climax of Islam. By this I mean 'The Jihad'. The Jihad against the deity, his followers, and helpers, to try to damage this man- made system, and to try to get the people to turn away from worshipping it and return to the worship of Allah alone. There must be a declaration and an open speech with the truth, just as the prophets did -and we must do this in the same way, and upon the same path - a path that Allah clearly showed us, when He ordained us to take Ibrahim ’s religion and his call as a model. He said: "you have an excellent model in Ibrahim and those who were with him 13 when he said to his people: “We are through with you and those you worship other than Allah. We reject you. Enmity and hate have come between you and us for ever, unless you believe in Allah, the One ”. 14 So the meaning of this saying has become obvious. Consider how Allah started with the enmity before the hate. Enmity is more important, because a human may hate the deity ’s followers, but may not consider them as enemies. So a human will not be doing his duty or obligation, unless he hates them, and takes them as enemies. Consider how Allah mentioned their disapproval of the polytheist people, before the disapproval of what they worshipped, because the first is more important than the second. Many people show disapproval to stones, idols, deities, constitutions, laws, and void religions, but refuse to show a strong disapproval to the slaves, or the helpers of these deities, and void religions. Therefore, such a person will not be fulfilling his duty or obligation. If he shows the disapproval to the polytheist slaves of the deities, it means that he also shows disapproval to their void religions, and whatever it is that they worship. 15 The lowest obligatory step upon everyone, that no one can save himself without, is the avoidance of the deity and avoidance of following him in his polytheism and his falsehood. Allah said: "to every community We have sent an apostle (saying) “worship Allah, and keep away from all other deities "16. And He said: "So shun the abomination of idols, and shun lying speech ".17 And He said about Ibrahim ’s invocation: "...And preserve me and my progeny from worshiping idols". 18 If anyone does not avoid the deity in this world by refusing to worship him now, he will become one of the losers in the Hereafter. Nothing of the religion will be useful or advantageous to him, and he will regret it at the time when the remorse will be useless to him. Then there will be a wish to return to this world to live again. Then they will say that they will avoid false taghut, and will follow the firmest handhold, and will follow this great religion. Allah said: "When those who were followed will disclaim those who followed them, and seeing the torment, all ties between them shall be severed. And the followers will say “Could we live but once again we would leave them as they have abandoned us now ” God will show them thus their deeds, and fill them with remorse, but never shall they find release from the Fire" 19. But it will be too late, there will be no return to this world. So if you want the safety and hope of Allah ’s mercy, that Allah gave the pious people, you must avoid all of the deities. Avoid their polytheism now! Now! No one can avoid them in the hereafter unless he avoids them in this world. But for everyone who supported their void religion and followed them, there will be a Caller in the Hereafter who will say: "He who worshipped anything will follow it. He who worshipped the sun will follow it. He who worshipped the moon will follow it. He who worshipped the deities, will follow them", but those who believed in Allah will be asked: "What are you waiting for? Why do you not follow them?" and they will say: "We are waiting for our God and we are not following them because we did not follow them in the first life when we were badly in need of their money and authority, so how come you ask us to follow them now ?" 20. These are some of the road marks, that Allah said "Gather all the wicked together and their Comrades, and those they had worshipped ". 21 Comrades means: everyone who is like them, their helpers and supporters in falsehood. Then Allah said: "So, they will become partners in punishment. That is how we deal with sinners. They were those who, when it was said to them “there is no god but Allah ” behaved with insolence." 22. Be careful! Do not reject and avoid the monotheistic word. Do not waste what is being implied in that word, and be ever prideful over the righteous word: that is the Oneness of Allah. Do not waste the following of the Truth, do not insist on helping the deities, because you will be with the people of destruction, sharing with them in their end, on the Day of Judgement. You should know that Allah made this pure Deen, the religion of Islam, and that Allah has chosen it for His monotheistic servants. So, everyone who follows it, his work will be accepted, and whoever follows any other religion, then it will be rejected and he will be one of the losers. Allah said: "And Ibrahim left this legacy to his son, and to Yaqub, and said “O, my son, Allah has chosen this as the faith for you. Don ’t die but as those who have submitted (to Allah)" 23. And He said: "The true way with Allah is submission" 24 And: "And who ever seeks a way other than submission to Allah, it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the world to come." 25 Be careful not to limit the word 'religion' just to Christianity, or Judaism and so on, because you may follow the other void religions and go astray. It includes every religion, method, judgment system, and law that the creatures follow and adhere to. All of these false religions must be left, and avoided. We must disbelieve in them, avoid their helpers and supporters, and work only for the monotheistic religion: the religion of Islam. Allah said, ordering us to say this to all disbelievers with their different religions : "Say: “O, disbelievers! I worship not that which you worship, Nor will you worship that which I worship, and I shall not worship that which you are worshipping, Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your religion, and to me my religion." So every religious community within the disbelieving communities that agreed with, met with, or gathered to a system that contradicts Islam, that has become their religion. This may include Communism, Socialism, Secularism, and other such innovated methods, and principles, which men invented with their own minds, and then satisfied these ideas to be their own religions. One of these religions is democracy. It is a religion that is a contradictory to Allah ’s religion. Following this text, there are some brief points that outline the errors of this innovated, invented religion, which many people are fascinated by - including those people who claim Islam is their religion (i.e. claim that they are Muslims). They know that democracy is a religion different from the True monotheistic religion of Islam, and they know it is one of the misguided ways, and that Shaytan stands at every door of these ways, calling to the Hellfire. This is a Reminder to the True Believers, and A Warning to the Negligent, and A Clear Evidence against the Arrogant. And this is an Apology to Allah. Foot Notes: 1 -Surat adh-Dhariyat, ayah 56 (51:56) 2 -Surat an-Nahl, ayah 36 (16:36) 3 -Surat al-Baqarah, ayah 256 (2:256) 4 -Surat az-Zumar, ayah 17 (39:17) 5 - This does not include the Angels, Prophets, or righteous men who were worshipped by people, but who themselves refused the right to be worshipped or to be called a deity (such as Prophet Isa, or Jesus). 6 -Surat at-Taubah, ayah 31 (9:31). 7 -Surat al-An'am, ayah 121 (6:121). 8 -Surat an-Nisa', ayah 60 (4:60). 9 -Majmoo al-Fatawa: part 28, page 201. 10 - Ee'lam al-Muwaqe ’en: part 1, page 50. 11 -Surat ash-Shura, ayah 21 (42:21). 12 -Article (51) of kuwait's constitution says: (The legislative authority is led by the Prince and the Parliamentary Council, according to the constitution)..And article (25) of the Jordanian constitution states: (The legislative authority is under the charge of the King and the Parliamentary Council) and article (86) of the Egyptian constitution states (the parliament is costed to be in charge of the legislative authority). 13 -Some interpreters have said: "those who were with him" means his followers, or the Prophets, who had the same way like Ibrahim's. 14 -Surat al-Mumtahinah, ayah 4 (60:4). 15 -See our book entitled (Ibrahim ’s Religion and the Prophets ’ Call and the Transgressors' Manners to Attack It). Printed by al- Nour for Islamic Massmedia. 16 -Surat an-Nahl, ayah 36 (16:36). 17 -Surat al-Hajj, ayah 30 (22:30). 18 -Surat Ibrahim, ayah 35 (14:35). 19 -Surat al-Baqarah, ayahs 166-167. 20 -Agreed upon. It is part of the hadeeth of the believers ’ seeing of Allah on the Last Day. 21 -Surat as-Saffat, ayah 22 (37:22). 22 -Surat as-Saffat, ayahs 33-35 (37:33-35). 23 -Surat al-Baqarah, ayah 132 (2:132). 24 -Surat aal'- Imran, ayah 19 (3:19). 25 - Surat aal'-Imran, ayah 85 (3:85). -- Al-Furqan Foundation

Science leads to Islam - Scientist converts to Islam

Women wearing Perfume

Women wearing perfume There are many ahaadeeth which forbid women to wear perfume when they go out of their houses. We will quote here some of those which have sahih isnaads: Abu Musa al-Ash’ari said: RasulAllah (saw) said: “Any woman who puts on perfume then passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.” Zaynab al-Thaqafiyyah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If any one of you (women) goes out to the mosque, let her not touch any perfume.” Abu Hurayrah said: the Messenger of Allah ( peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Any woman who has scented herself with bakhoor (incense), let her not attend ‘ Ishaa’ prayers with us.” Moosa ibn Yassaar said that a woman passed by Abu Hurayrah and her scent was overpowering. He said, “O female slave of al- Jabbaar, are you going to the mosque?” She said, “Yes,” He said, “And have you put on perfume because of that?” She said, “Yes.” He said, “Go back and wash yourself, for I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: ‘If a woman comes out to the mosque and her fragrance is overpowering, Allah will not accept any prayer from her until she goes home and washes herself.’” The reason for this prohibition is quite clear, which is that women’s fragrance may cause undue provocation of desires. The scholars also included other things under this heading of things to be avoided by women who want to go to the mosque, such as beautiful clothes, jewellery that can be seen, excessive adornments and mingling with men. See Fath al-Baari, 2 /279. This indicates that it is forbidden for a woman who wants to go to the mosque to wear perfume, because this causes provocation of men’s desires. This was reported by al-Manaawi in Fayd al-Qadeer, in the commentary on the first Hadith of Abu Hurayrah quoted above. These ahaadeeth are general in implication. Just as the prohibition covers perfume applied to the body, it also covers perfume applied to the clothes, especially in the third Hadith, where bakhoor (incense) is mentioned, because incense is used specifically to perfume the clothes. Using perfume for the husband is mustahabb and recommended, because it is part of treating him kindly, and it helps to increase love between the spouses, when each of them pays attention to what the other likes.  Al-Mannaawi said in Fayd al-Qadeer (3 /190) : As for putting on perfume and adorning herself for her husband, it is required and is something that is liked. One of the wise men said: For a woman to adorn herself and put on perfume for her husband is one of the strongest causes of love and affection between them, and wards off dislike and disdain, because the eye is the pioneer of the heart; if the eye looks at something attractive, the message will reach his heart and love will be created, but if it looks at something ugly or that it does not like of outfits or garments, that that message will reach the heart and dislike and disdain will be created. Hence the advice that Arab women gave to one another was: Beware of letting your husband see anything that does not please him or letting him smell anything from you that he finds off-putting.  Putting on perfume and going out with the aim of letting non-mahram men smell it. This is haraam, and is a major sin.   al-Mannaawi said in Fayd al-Qadeer (1 /355) : “ She is an adulteress” means: because of that she is exposed to zina, and implementing the means that lead to it and calling those who seek it. Hence she is called an adulteress in a metaphorical sense, because desire may prevail and real zina may take place. Her passing by men is likened to her sitting in their path so that they pass by her. If she puts on perfume and goes out, and thinks it most likely that she will pass by a group in which there will be men who will smell her perfume and fragrance, this is also haraam, even if she does not intend to tempt men and that is not her aim, because this action is a fitnah (temptation) in and of itself. There is also an indication in sharee’ah that it is haraam and not allowed.  Allah says: “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i. e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i. e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” [al- Noor 24 :31 ]  So women are forbidden to show their adornments to non-mahram men, and perfume is undoubtedly one of the woman’s adornments, so it is included in this prohibition.  If the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade women to go out to the mosque wearing perfume, because men will usually smell some of the fragrance because of close proximity and there being no barrier between men and woman, then it is more likely that women are not allowed to go out to the marketplace and gatherings wearing perfume, although it is not regarded as a major sin, rather it is something that is clearly haraam.   Ibn Hajar al-Haytami said in al-Zawaajir ‘an Iqtiraab al-Kabaa’ir (2/71-72):  The ahaadeeth which count it as a major sin should be interpreted as meaning that this applies if the fitnah is certainly there; when there is merely the fear of fitnah, then it is makrooh, or when she thinks it will cause fitnah then it is haraam but is not a major sin, as is obvious. -- Al-Furqan Foundation

The Wisdom and Benefits behind Fasting

The Wisdom and Benefits behind Fasting

Imam Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah
Zaad al-Ma'aad 

The objective behind fasting is to restrain the soul from (its) desires and to prevent it from those things, which are beloved to it. And its purpose is to control the soul's strength, so that it can be prepared to attain what is found in it (the fast) from success and joy for the soul. Through the fast, one curbs his hunger and thirst and is reminded of the condition of the hungry stomachs of needy people. 

Through fasting, one narrows the passages the Devil has inside the servant (of Allah) by narrowing the passages of food and drink. Also, it prevents the forces of the limbs from getting too accustomed to things that are harmful to it in this world and the hereafter. And each of the soul's body limbs and energies can cease their rebelliousness (to Allah) and be harnessed by its bridle. 

So therefore, the fast is the bridle of those who fear and obey Allah and the shield of those wage war (against desires). And it is a garden for the righteous and devoted servants of Allah. And it is for the Lord of the worlds, over all other actions (done to please Allah). This is since the person who fasts, in fact does nothing. He only abandons his desire and his food for the sake of the One whom he worships. 

So fasting is an abandonment of those things that the soul loves and desires, preferring instead Allah's love and contentment. And it is a secret kept between the servant and his Lord – no one else is aware of it. 

Fasting has an amazing effect in preserving one's outer limbs and inner capacities as well as protecting the soul from being overtaken by destructive components, which can ruin and destroy it. And it has a remarkable effect in causing all the harmful things that prevent the soul from being healthy to be emptied out. So fasting guards and protects the health of the person's heart and body limbs. And it returns the soul all that the hands of the desires has taken from it. So it is from the greatest ways of improving one's Taqwaa, as Allah says: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you in order that you attain Taqwaa." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 185] 

The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Fasting is a shield." And he commanded those who had intense desires for marriage but were not able to marry, to observe fasting, making it a shield against those desires (of marriage). 

When the benefits of fasting are born witness to by sensible minds and upright intuitions, one will come to realize that Allah prescribed it as a mercy for mankind, goodness to them and a protection and shield for them. The Prophet's (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) guidance concerning it was the most perfect of guidance, and the best for reaching the desired objective and the easiest on the soul. 

Since restraining the soul from what it loves and desires is from the most difficult and hardest of things, its obligation was delayed until the middle of Islam, after the Hijrah. This was at the point when the tawhid and the Prayer had become firmly established in the souls of the Muslims and when they loved the commands of Allah. So their souls were lead to its obligation in gradual steps. It became obligatory in the second year of Hijrah. 

When the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) died, he had fasted nine Ramadaans in total. Originally, it was obligated as an option left to the people to choose whether they wanted to fast or to feed needy people for every day. Then that option was transferred into the final obligatory fasting. And the matter of feeding people was left only for the old men and women who did not have the ability to fast. 

Fasting had three stages. The first stage was its being obligated with the option of fasting or feeding a needy person. In the second stage, only the fasting was allowed, but if the person fasting slept before breaking his fast, he was forbidden from eating and drinking until the following night. This was abrogated in the third stage. And this is the stage at which the Religion has settled with until the Day of Judgement. 

--
Al-Furqan Foundation

The Inner Secrets of Fasting

The Inner Secrets of Fasting

Imam Ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisee
Mukhtasar Minhaaj ul-Qaasideen (pp. 38-41) 

Know, that in the fast (Sawm) is a special quality that is not found in anything else. And that is its close connection to Allah, such that He says: "The fast (Sawm) is for Me and I will reward it." [sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

This connection is enough to show the high status of fasting. Similarly, the Ka`bah is highly dignified due to its close connection to Him, as occurs in His statement:

"And sanctify My House." [Soorah al-Hajj:26]

Indeed, the fast is only virtuous due to two significant concepts:

The first: It is a secret and hidden action thus, no one from the creation is able to see it. Therefore riyaa' (showing off) cannot enter into it.

The second: It is a means of subjugating the enemies of Allah. This is because the road that the enemies (of Allah) embark upon (in order to misguide the Son of Aadam) is that of desires. And eating and drinking strengthens the desires.

There are many reports that indicate the merits of fasting, and they are all well known.

The recommended acts of fasting

The pre-dawn meal (suhoor) and delaying in taking it are preferable, as well as hastening to break the fast and doing so with dates.

Generosity in giving is also recommended during Ramadaan, as well as doing good deeds and increasing in charity. This is in accordance with the way of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam).

It is also recommended to study the Qur'an and perform I`tikaaf during Ramadaan, especially in the last ten days, as well as increasing upon the exertion (towards doing good deeds) in it.

In the two Saheehs, `Aa'ishah said:

"When the (last) ten days (of Ramadaan) would come, the Prophet would tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar), spend the night in worship, and wake his family up (for prayer)." [sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

The scholars have mentioned two views concerning the meaning of "tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar)":

The first: It means the turning away from women.

The second: It is an expression denoting his (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) eagerness and diligence in doing good deeds.

They also say that the reason for his (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) exertion in the last ten days of Ramadaan was due to his (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) seeking of the Night of Al-Qadr (Lailatul-Qadr).

An explanation of the inner secrets of fasting and its characteristics

There are three levels of fasting: The general fast, the specific fast, and the more specific fast.

As for the general fast, then it is the refraining of the stomach and the private parts from fulfilling their desires.

The specific fast is the refraining of ones gaze, tongue, hands, feet, hearing and eyes, as well as the rest of his body parts from committing sinful acts.

As for the more specific fast, then it is the heart's abstention from its yearning after the worldly affairs and the thoughts which distance one away from Allah, as well as its (the heart's) abstention from all the things that Allah has placed on the same level.

From the characteristics of the specific fast is that one lowers his gaze and safeguards his tongue from the repulsive speech that is forbidden, disliked, or which has no benefit, as well as controlling the rest of his body parts.

In a Hadith reported by Bukhari:

"Whosoever does not abandon false speech and the acting upon it, Allah is not in need of him leaving off his food and drink." [sahih Bukhari, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah]

Another characteristic of the specific fast is that one does not overfill himself with food during the night. Instead, he eats in due measure, for indeed, the son of Aadam does not fill a vessel more evil than his stomach.

If he were to eat his fill during the first part of the night, he would not make good use of himself for the remainder of the night. In the same way, if he eats to his fill for suhoor, he does not make good use of himself until the afternoon. This is because excessive eating breeds laziness and lethargy. Therefore, the objective of fasting disappears due to one's excessiveness in eating, for what is intended by the fast, is that one savors the taste of hunger and becomes an abandoner of desires.

Recommended Fasts

As for the recommended fasts, then know that preference for fasting is established in certain virtuous days. Some of these virtuous days occur every year, such as fasting the first six days of the month of Shawaal after Ramadaan, fasting the day of `Arafah, the day of `Aashooraa, and the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram.

Some of them occur every month, such as the first part of the month, the middle part of it, and the last part of it. So whoever fasts the first part of the month, the middle part of it, and the last part of it, then he has done well.

Some fasts occur every week, and they are every Monday and Thursday.

The most virtuous of the recommended fasts is the fast of Dawud (`alayhis salaam). He would fast one day and break his fast the next day. This achieves the following three objectives:

The soul is given its share on the day the fast is broken. And on the day of fasting, it completes its worship in full.

The day of eating is the day of giving thanks and the day of fasting is the day of having patience. And Faith (Eemaan) is divided into two halves - that of thankfulness and that of patience. [Note: the Hadith with a similar stament is unauthentic, see adh-Dha`eefah: 625]

It is the most difficult struggle for the soul. This is because every time the soul gets accustomed to a certain condition, it transfers itself to that.

As for fasting every day, then it has been reported by Muslim, from the Hadith of Abu Qataadah, that `Umar (radhiallahu `anhu) asked the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam): 'What is the case if one were to fast every day?' So he (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "He did not fast nor did he break his fast - or - he did not fast and he did not break his fast." [sahih Muslim]

This is concerning the one who fasts continuously, even during the days in which fasting is forbidden.

Characteristics of the most specific fast

Know that the one who has been given intellect, knows the objective behind fasting. Therefore, he burdens himself to the extent that he will not be unable to do that which is more beneficial than it.

Ibn Mas`ood would fast very little and it is reported that he used to say: "When I fast, I grow weak in my prayer. And I prefer the prayer over the (optional) fast.

Some of them (the sahabah) would weaken in their recitation of the Qur'an while fasting. Thus, they would exceed in breaking their fast (i.e. by observing less optional fasts), until they were able to balance their recitation. Every individual is knowledgeable of his condition and of what will rectify it.

--
Al-Furqan Foundation

Allah taugth us,"How we should do Prayer (dua0"

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The only Owner of the Day of Recompense.
You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for Help.
Guide us to the Straight Way.
The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not of those who earned Your Anger nor of those who went astray.

"Our Lord ! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, our Lord ! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us; our Lord !Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maula (patron, Supporter and Protector, etc) and give us victory over the disbelieving people."

"Our Lord ! Let not our heart deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. You are Bestower."

"O Allah ! Possessor of the Kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You will, and You take the Kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honour whom You will, You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do all things."

"You (Allah) make the night to enter into the day, and You make the day to enter into the night(i.e. Increase and decrease in the hours of the night and the day during winter and summer), You bring the living out of the dead, You bring the dead out of the living. And You give wealth and sustenance to whom You will, without limit (measure or account).

"Our Lord ! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions ( in keeping out duties to You), establish out feet firmly, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk."

FOUR ACTIONS TOWARD TAQWA

                                      

                                              FOUR ACTIONS TOWARD TAQWA

"And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqoon."(Surah al Imraan: 133)


1. BRINGING THE SELF TO ACCOUNT FOR HIS DEEDS


Allah subhana wa ta'ala says in the Qur'an "O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do." (Surah al Hashr:18)


When a Muslim takes account of his own deeds he is able to realize his mistakes and correct them. Those who do not engage in accounting their own deeds, only condemn themselves in front of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Allah aza wa jal said in the Qur'an "So, by your Lord (O Muhammad) We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do." (Surah al Hijr:92-93)


Ibn Qayyim rahimu Allah said "Condemning oneself is a practice of the truthful. A servant draws closer to Allah in a moment (when he condemns himself) much more than he would do so through actions."


When a Muslim takes account of his actions, he is able to realize the right of Allah over him. Ibn Qayyim also said "A benefit of understanding Allah's right over the servant is that it breeds condemnation of oneself and delivers one from showing off and vanity. It also opens the door of humbleness in front of Allah and closes the doors of conceit. It allows one to realize that salvation is only through Allah's grace and mercy. It is Allah's right that He should be obeyed and not disobeyed: that He should be remembered and not forgotten and that He should be appreciated and not unappreciated. Whoever thinks over these things will know with certainty that he cannot fulfill these conditions and, thus, has to resort to Allah's mercy. Such a person will be convinced that he cannot rely on his actions, lest he be destroyed. Many people think about their rights over Allah and do not about His rights over them. This is how there are detached from Allah and deprived of the desire to meet Him. This is the epitome of ignorance of their Lord and of themselves." (Ighathatul lahfaan 1/99-101; secondary reference)


A'isha radi Allahu anha was once asked about the verse "Then We gave the Book the Qur'an) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose (the followers of Muhammad) Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah's Leave, foremost in good deeds. That (inheritance of the Qur'an), that is indeed a great grace." (Surah Fatir:32)


She answered "'My son! They are in Paradise. Those who raced towards good deeds are those who lived during the time of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam who testified to their sustenance and Paradise. As for those who were moderate, they followed him among his companions and caught up with him. And as for those who wronged themselves are concerned., they are people like me and you."


Abu Darda radi Allahu anhu said "No one can achieve complete understanding of Islam until he condemns people for the sake of Allah and then returns home and condemns himself even more."


Imam Ahmed rahimu Allah related from Wahab ibn Munabbah rahimu Allah "It is written from the family of Dawood alayhi salam "An intelligent person should not be distracted on four occasions; when he is supplicating to his Lord, when he is auditing himself, when he is being informed by his friends about his shortcomings, and when he is alone with himself."


Omar radi Allahu anhu said "Take account of yourselves before you are audited [by someone else], weigh your deeds before they are weighed [by someone else]."


Hasan al Basri rahimu Allah said about the verse "No. I do swear by the criticizing self....." (Surah Qiyamah:2) : A believer will always be critical of himself in his food, his drink and his speech. A sinner will not criticize himself." He also said "A believer is a guardian over himself: he audits himself for Allah. Those who take account of themselves in this world will be audited lightly in the Hereafter. Those who take this issue lightly will find their auditing very difficult."


2. DISCIPLINING ONE'S SELF FOR ITS SHORTCOMINGS


We are not made perfect by Allah subhana wa ta'ala and we inevitably have our shortcomings. The pious predecessors differed with us in that they were harsh on themselves when it came to their shortcomings because they knew that obedience can be very difficult.


In the Qur'an we are told that (Iblis) said: "Because you have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones." (7:12-17) The pious predecessors were always fully aware of this and did everything to their capability to take their souls into account for its shortcomings, all out fear, love and hope in Allah subhana wa ta'ala.


Tameem Dari radi Allahu anhu failed to wake up for Tahajjud one night and he stayed awake at nights in prayer the whole of the next year. Talhah radi Allahu anhu became preoccupied with a bird on his wall on his orchard while he prayed and he donated the wall as redemption for that shortcoming. Imam Muhammad ibn Sireen narrated that Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu said "Sometimes I fell unconscious in between the mimbar of rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and the chamber of A'isha. People would say "Maybe he is mad!" However, Allah knows best that I am not mad, but my hunger made me fall." Omar radi Allahu anhu gave a piece of land when he missed 'Asr prayers in a group, and ibn Omar used to stay awake the whole night if he missed a group prayer and then he would free two slaves.


Allah said in the Qur'an "And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salamun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein." (Surah al Zumar:73)


3. BRINGING THE SELF TO DO ACTIONS OF OBEDIENCE


When a Muslim knows the value of the Hereafter, making an effort to have a pleasant abode is no longer difficult. This is why the pious predecessors acted upon the Qur'an and Sunnah. Abu Bakr Siddiq radi Allahu anhu said "Whoever enters his grave without any provisions is like the one who mounts the sea without a ship."


Bringing the self to do actions of obedience to Allah has a great deal to do with being content by Allah's subhana wa ta'ala decree. This state can only be attained by those who seek to have great knowledge and love. And so, by this it is possible to find pleasure in whatever they have been given by Allah whether it is a trial or a tribulation, JUST BECAUSE, it comes from Allah subhana wa ta'ala.


Allah said in the Qur'an "Whoever acts righteously, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely give him life with a good life, and We will surely give them their reward in accordance with the best of what they used to do.." (16:97)


Ahmad bin Bindar narrated that Abu Hurairah cried during his last illness, and when asked about it he said "Surely I am not crying being attached to your world, but rather for the long journey awaiting me, and the little provisions I have prepared for it. This morning, I am descending upon either paradise, or hell, and I have no idea towards which of the two I will be taken!"


Narrated Muawiya: I heard the Prophet saying, "A group of people amongst my followers will remain obedient to Allah's orders and they will not be harmed by anyone who will not help them or who will oppose them, till Allah's Order (the Last Day) comes upon them while they are still on the right path." (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 56, Number 835)


Abdu Rahman ibn Abdullah bin Mas'ud narrated that someone asked his father "O Abu Abdu Rahman, teach me a few words that are all-encompassing and beneficial, so that I will need no further elaboration!" Ibn Mas'ud said "Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him. Live by the dictates of the Qur'an and pursue its guidance. Accept the truth and justice even if they come from a stranger you do not recognize, or even from someone you disregard as despicable, and refute falsehood even if it comes from a sibling you love."


Yahya ibn Mu'adh rahimu Allah said "Congratulations to those who leave the world before it deserts them; to those who build their graves before they enter them; and to those who please their Lord before they meet Him."


Thus we should try to bring ourselves to the very best of our abilities to do actions of obedience to Allah subhana wa ta'ala.


In Sahih Muslim it has been related that on the authority of A'isha radi Allahu anha that rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "Everyone of the children of Adam has been created with three hundred and sixty joints; so he who declares the Glory of Allah, praises Allah, and declares Allah to be one, Glorifies Allah, and seeks forgiveness from Allah, and removes stone, or thorn, or bone from people's path, and enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil, to the number of those three hundred and sixty, will walk that having removed himself from hell."


Abu Dharr radi Allahu anhu reported "Some of the people from among the companions of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to him: "O rasulullah the rich have taken away all the reward. They observe prayer as we do; they keep the fasts as we keep, and they give sadaqa out of their surplus riches. Upon this rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "Has Allah not prescribed for you by following which you can also do sadaqa? In every declaration of the glorification of Allah there is sadaqa, and every takbir there is sadaqa and ever declaration that He is One is a sadaqa, and enjoining of good is a sadaqa, and forbidding of that which is evil is a sadaqa, and in man's sexual intercourse with his wife there is sadaqa,. The companions said "Rasulullah is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us?" He said "Tell me if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward." (Muslim) Abu Dharr radi Allahu anhu asked rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam "Which action is best?" Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "Faith in Allah and Jihad in the way of Allah." He asked "Which neck is best for emancipation?" Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said ""That which is dearest of them in price and most valuable of them near its masters." He asked "If I cannot do it?" Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "You shall help a laborer or work for one who is disabled." He asked "If I cannot do it?" Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said "You shall call the people from wrong doing, because it is charity which you bestow u upon yourself." (Agreed upon/Riyadhus saleheen)


Allah subhana wa ta'ala said in the Qur'an "If anyone does a righteous deed, it is for his own soul." (45:15) And, He has promised us in the Qur'an "And whoso does good an atom's weight will see it then." (99:7)


4. SEEKING THE COMPANY AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE PIOUS


Unnecessary company is a disease that causes much harm. The wrong kind of companionships often afford one to be deprived of Allah's blessings Companionship in this life should be beneficial for one's akhirah. Ibn Qayyim rahimu Allah cites four different kinds of companionships:


a) People whose company is like food. It is indispensable, night or day. Once we have taken our need from this company we can leave it until we need it again. These are people with knowledge of Allah, who are pious, who wish well for Allah, His prophet and His servants. Associating with them is an achievement in itself.


b) People whose company is like a medicine. Their company is only needed when a disease sets in. When you are healthy you have no need for them, but mixing with them is sometimes necessary such as livelihood, business and consultation. Once what you need has been fulfilled, mixing with them should be avoided.


c) People whose company is harmful. Mixing with these people is like a disease, in all its variety and degrees. You will never benefit from them in this life or in the next life if you have them for company. You will lose either one or both of your deen and your livelihood because of them. If their companionship has taken hold of you and is established then it becomes fatal.


Among such people are those who neither speak any good that might benefit you, nor listen closely to you so that they might benefit from you. They do not know their souls. Their words are like lashes, while all the while they are full of admiration for and delight in their own words. They cause distress to their company, while believe they are the center of attraction. Mixing with such a person will inevitably come to an end and is destined to be doomed. In such cases a person should just hold on to good behavior, only presenting such company with his outward appearance, until Allah subhana wa ta'ala offers him a way out of this company and out of its afflictions.


d) People whose company is evil in itself. This is like taking poison, its victim either finds an antidote for it or dies. Many belong to this category. They are people of shirk and misguidance who abandon the Sunnah and bring their personal beliefs as the truth. A Muslim should not sit in their company nor mix with them. The result of which will be a death of the heart.


With these kinds of companionships, we need to be more aware of what we choose to surround ourselvers with. In addition, Hasan al Basri said "The heart becomes corrupt in six ways: commiting sins in the hope of repenting, seeking knowledge and not applying it, practice without ikhlas (sincerity), eating the sustenance of Allah without appreciating Him, not being please with Allah's decree and burying the dead without learning from them.


Thus, in our effort to have increased taqwa we must surround ourselves with company who only seek to please Allah subhana wa ta'ala in speech and in actions. We must also take time to acquire knowledge from the pious of the past and of the present. And finally, we likewise must make an effort to keep company of those who are hungry for knowledge about Allah subhana wa ta'ala and Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.


*may Allah subhana wa ta'ala forgive me for my errors and my sins, hidden and known.


*notes from hilyatul awliya wa tabaqat al asfiya and secondary references from ibn qayyim.

Scholars of the rulers

Shaykh ul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله

وليس المراد بالشرع اللازم لجميع الخلق " حكم الحاكم " ولو كان الحاكم أفضل أهل زمانه ; بل حكم الحاكم العالم العادل يلزم قوما معينين تحاكموا إليه في قضية معينة ; لا يلزم جميع الخلق ولا يجب على عالم من علماء المسلمين أن يقلد حاكما لا في قليل ولا في كثير إذا كان قد عرف ما أمر الله به ورسوله ; بل لا يجب على آحاد العامة تقليد الحاكم في شيء ; بل له أن يستفتي من يجوز له استفتاؤه وإن لم يكن حاكما ومتى ترك العالم ما علمه من [ ص: 373 ] كتاب الله وسنة رسوله واتبع حكم الحاكم المخالف لحكم الله ورسوله كان مرتدا كافرا يستحق العقوبة في الدنيا والآخرة قال تعالى : { المص } { كتاب أنزل إليك فلا يكن في صدرك حرج منه لتنذر به وذكرى للمؤمنين } { اتبعوا ما أنزل إليكم من ربكم ولا تتبعوا من دونه أولياء قليلا ما تذكرون } . ولو ضرب وحبس وأوذي بأنواع الأذى ليدع ما علمه من شرع الله ورسوله الذي يجب اتباعه واتبع حكم غيره كان مستحقا لعذاب الله بل عليه أن يصبر وإن أوذي في الله فهذه سنة الله في الأنبياء وأتباعهم قال الله تعالى : { الم } { أحسب الناس أن يتركوا أن يقولوا آمنا وهم لا يفتنون } { ولقد فتنا الذين من قبلهم فليعلمن الله الذين صدقوا وليعلمن الكاذبين } وقال تعالى : { ولنبلونكم حتى نعلم المجاهدين منكم والصابرين ونبلو أخباركم } وقال تعالى : { أم حسبتم أن تدخلوا الجنة ولما يأتكم مثل الذين خلوا من قبلكم مستهم البأساء والضراء وزلزلوا حتى يقول الرسول والذين آمنوا معه متى نصر الله ألا إن نصر الله قريب

“Whenever the `alim follows the hukm (legislation) of the ruler, and leaves off his knowledge, in contradiction to the book of Allah and the sunnah of His Messenger, he is a kafir (an unbeliever) and a murtadd (an apostate), who deserves to be punished in this life and the hereafter. This rule can also be applied with regard to the group of scholars who jumped and joined the Mongols due to fear of them and that they wanted to take benefit from them. These scholars made the excuse that some of the Mongols were speaking the Shahaada and that they were Muslims. Allah has said, (It is as if he is describing our situation today to the letter.)

‘Alif Laam Mim Saad. A Book sent down to you, so do not have any worry in your breast from it, so that you may warn and be a reminder to the believers. Follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord and do not follow protectors and helpers besides Him. Little is it that you remember!’ [Surat al-A`raf, 1-3]

“And even if this `alim is captured, put behind bars and tortured to leave what Allah I has taught him from His Book, he should be patient with that. If he leaves all that and follows the ruler, then he is one of the people that are supposed to be doomed by Allah. He should be patient even if he is harmed in the cause of Allah. This is the sunnah that Allah I has wanted and accepted from the Prophets and from the people who follow the Prophets. Allah says,

‘Alif Lam Mim. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say, ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested? And We indeed tested those who were before them. Allah will certainly make it known those who are true and will certainly make it known those who are liars. And He (Allah I) will make it known who the liars are.’ [Surat al`Ankabut 1-3]

Majmu`a Fataawa, V. 35, page 373

My first blogspot

Assalamualiekum brothers and sisters . I created my first blogspot on August 2009, and its address was hijack-islam.blogspot.com. Many of my friends whethere muslim or christian asked me the reason of keeping such address. Then i changed it to when-ur-returning.blogspot.com in october 09 or december, since then its there. ---Then my next one is Quran-Bible.Blogspot.com which is still unworked , because my study of islam-and-christianity is under progress. Sincerely i do not want to hurt any non-muslim by Mocking on His Religion or belief or His book but its my and every Believers duty to Reach the True Message of Almighty Allah to all the Peoples.
---- Reason to create this websites index !!---In very first i thought to make such an adjustment where i can put all my knowledge which i gained from Fair Corners. But due to my Other work i could not approach to limit which needs/Requires.

I also watched that, in Websites the ratio of anti-muslim is more than other sites;but matter does not end here, there are thousands of fake-islamic websites which giving wrong concepts-wrong belief-playing with Holy verses of Quran, and as such i thought to filter the websites and Gather it here. ---My Request--- Please mail me (md.ashraf2007@gmail.com) the websites which is islamic but fake,islamic, non-islamic,also other useful links. Assalamualiekum

Patience And Gratitude

                                Patience And Gratitude






         Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (From `Uddat as-Saabireen wa Dhaakirat ash-Shaakireen)
                                          The Sahabah and Taab'ieen o­n Gratitude



Salman al-Farsi (raheem Allah) said: "There was a man who was given many of the luxuries of this world, and then they were taken away from him. But he continued to praise and thank Allah until everything had been taken from him, even his bed. And then he still praised and thanked Allah. Another man , who had also been given many of the luxuries of this world asked him, "What are you praising and thanking Allah for?" The man said, "I am praising and thanking Allah for blessing which, if others asked me to give them to them in return for all that they have, I would never give them up." "What can they be?" asked the second man. "Can't you see?" asked the first man. "I have my eyesight, my tongue, my hands, my feet.."



Mukhallad ibn al-Husayn said: "The definition of gratitude is abstaining from wrong action". Abu Hazim said: "Every blessing that does not bring you closer to Allah is a disaster." Sulayman said "Remembering His Blessings makes o­ne love Allah".



Hammad ibn Ziyad narrated that Layth ibn Abi Burdah said: "I went to Maidah, where I met Abdullah ibn Salam, who said to me: "Would you like to visit a place visited by the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) and we will offer you sawiq and dates?.." Then he said, "when Allah gathers people o­n the Day of Judgment, He will remind them of His Blessings. o­ne of His slaves will say: "Remind me of something, " and Allah will say: "Remember when you faced such and such adversity, and you prayed to Me, so I relieved you of it. Remember when you were traveling in such and such a place, and you asked Me to give you a traveling companion, and I did so... Remember when you asked for the hand of so and so the daughter of so and so, and others also asked for her hand, so I gave her to you to marry, and kept the others away." His slave will be standing before his Lord, Who will remind him of His many blessings". Then the narrator of this story (Layth) wept and said, I hope that no o­ne will stand before his lord in this way, because the o­ne who does so will be punished." (ie if Allah has to point out that which should be obvious, this is a sign of a person's ingratitude, and he will be punished).



Bakr ibn Abdullah al-Muzani said: "When a man faces affliction, he may pray to Allah and Allah may deliver him from adversity. Then Shaytan comes to the man and whispers, "It was not as bad as you thought." Thus the man's gratitude will be weakened."



Zazan said: "The right of Allah over the man who is enjoying His blessings is that such a man should not use His blessings in order to commit wrong actions." A man of knowledge said: "The blessing of Allah to us is in keeping the luxuries which he has given us, because Allah did not like His Prophet to have the luxuries of this world. So I prefer to live in a manner which Allah preferred for His Prophet than to live a life which He disliked for him."



Ibn Abi'd-Dunya said: "It was narrated to me that some scholars said: "The scholar should praise Allah for having deprived him of the luxuries of this life, in the same way that he should praise Him for what He has bestowed upon him.. How can you compare the blessings and luxuries for which he will be accountable to the deprivation of luxuries which is a relief from being tested and which keeps his mind free to worship and remember Allah? So he should give thanks to Allah for all of that."



It has been said: "Gratitude is giving up wrong action". Ibn al Mubarak said: "Sufyan said: "He does not understand religion properly who does not count affliction as a blessing and ease as a disaster"".



                        Gratitude of different faculties



A man said to Abu Hazim: "What is the gratitude of the eyes?". He said "If you see good things, you speak about them, and if you see bad things, you keep quiet about it." He asked "What is the gratitude of the ears?". He said, "If you hear something good, you accept it, and if you hear something bad, you reject it." Then he asked "What is the gratitude of the hands?" He said, "Do not take that which does not belong to you and do not hold back from paying the dues of Allah (zakat)". Then he asked, "What is the gratitude of the head?". He said "To have knowledge in it". Then he asked "What is the gratitude of o­ne's private parts?". He quoted:



"Who guard their private parts, except from those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess - for (in their case) they are free from blame, but those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors. " (23:5-7)



As for those who o­nly pay lip service to gratitude, and do not give thanks with the rest of their faculties, are concerned, they are like a man who has a garment, and all he does with it is touch it, but he does not put it o­n: it will never protect him from heat, cold, snow or rain.



                                 Prostration of Gratitude



When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) used to receive good news, he would prostrate himself (sujud) and give thanks to Allah. Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf (radi Allahu anhu) narrated: "The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) entered upon us in the mosque, stood facing the qiblah, then prostrated himself and remained in sujud for a long time. I said to him, "O Messenger of Allah, you prostrated yourself for such a long time that we thought Allah had taken your soul." He said "Jibril came to me with good news. He told me: "Allah says, Whoever sends blessings o­n you, I will send sixty blessings o­n him in return and whoever salutes you, I will salute him in return", so I prostrated myself and gave thanks to Allah."



(Ahmad) Sa'id ibn Mansur narrated that Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) prostrated himself when he heard the news that Musaylimah had been killed, and Ka'b ibn Malik (radi Allahu anhu) prostrated himself when the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) told him the good news that Allah had forgiven him.



All the good deeds of men cannot pay for o­ne blessing of Allah



A worshipper worshipped Allah for fifty years, so Allah told him that He had forgiven him. The man said, "O Allah, what is there to forgive when I have not committed a wrong action?" So Allah caused a nerve in his neck to give him pain, so he could not sleep or pray. When the pain eased and he was able to sleep, an angel came to him, so he complained to the angel of the pain he had suffered. The angel told him, "Your Lord says to you that your fifty years of worship is to pay for the soothing of your pain".



Ibn Abi'd-Dunya mentioned that Dawud (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) asked Allah: "What is the least of Your blessings?" Allah revealed to him "O Dawud, take a breath." Dawud did so, and Allah told him "This is the least of My blessings o­n you".



From this we may understand the meaning of the hadith which was narrated by Ziyad ibn Thabit and Ibn 'Abbas (radi Allahu anhu): "If Allah was to punish the people of heaven and earth, He would have done that without being unjust towards them, and if He were to have mercy o­n them, His Mercy would be far better for them than their deeds." (Abu Dawood).



In a sahih hadith, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) said: "No o­ne will attain salvation by virtue of his deeds." The people asked, "Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?". He said, "not even me, unless Allah covers me with His Mercy and Blessings."



The deeds of a man cannot pay for even o­ne of the many blessings of Allah, because even the smallest of Allah's blessings and favors far outweighs the deeds of man. So we must always bear in mind the rights which Allah has over us.



Patience and Gratitude are the keys to success in this world and the next, as is evident from the words of Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah.



Our Lord! Pour out o­n us patience and constancy, and make us die as those who have surrendered themselves unto You. (7:126)

Ameen.



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Al-Furqan Foundation