Gathering Wednesday 30 th December

Bismillaah

This is only a reminder of tomorrows gathering, wednesday 30th of december inshaAllaah at 8 pm UK time. We will continue with some of the Names of Allaah inshaAllaah.

As salamu alaikum w rwb,

Next Gathering saturday dec 19th 2009, topic Attributes of Allah (swt). 8Pm gmt

Benefits of Prayer

The prayers is one of the many types of worship in our religion. They are an outwardly expression of our belief and submission to Allaah, subhanaho wata’ala. It is also a practical sign of obedience to the command of Allaah. As such it is something that is performed on a daily basis so that we will always stay mindful of the One who created us and provided for us with all that we can see and observe on this earth - all of which has been subjected to us, for our use and benefit. Allaah said:

And He has subjected to you [for your use and benefit] all that is in the Heavens and the Earth. It is all as a favour and kindness from Him. Verily in this are signs for a people who think deeply. Al-Jaathiyah (45:13]

Allaah mentions the prayer in many ayaat in the Qur’aan:


And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship). Al-Baqarah (2:43)

Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messenger, and the (fellowship of) believers,- those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship). Al-Ma’idah (5:55)

And to perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat)", and to be obedient to Allah and fear Him, and it is He to Whom you shall be gathered. Al-An’aam (6:72)

As salamu alaikum w rwb,

Just an annoucement in sha ALlah, We will be introducing counseling, aromatherapy and psychotherapy for the sisters. Also we will be having a network of websites to find help locally, there will be a sister's section where we will have links to ayat, hadiths and fatawah in regards to women and women's wellbeing in islam in sha Allah. If you would like any update please add the sisters mentioned or follow the blog in sha ALlah.

As salamu alaikum w rwb,

The benefits of prayers is the topic for tomorrow wednesday 16 december 2009 8 pm GMT In sha ALlah.

Maryam (as) and Isa (as)

As salamu Alaikum wr wb

Jesus and the Virgin Mary in Islam

Many people may be surprised that Muslims love Mary, the mother of Jesus. In the Quran, no woman is given more attention than Mary. Mary receives the most attention of any woman mentioned in the Quran even though all the Prophets with the exception of Adam had mothers. Of the Quran's 114 chapters, she is among the eight people who have a chapter named after them. The nineteenth chapter of the Quran is named after her, Mariam. The third chapter in the Quran is named after her father, Imran. Mary (peace be upon her) is the only woman specifically named in the Quran. An authentic Hadith states that the Prophet said, "The superiority of 'Aisha to other ladies is like the superiority of Tharid (i.e. meat and bread dish) to other meals. Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Mary, the daughter of Imran and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh." (Bukhari 4.643). Indeed, both Mary and Pharaoh’s wife are an example:

And Allah has set forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Fir'aun (Pharaoh), when she said: "My Lord! Build for me a home with You in Paradise, and save me from Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his work, and save me from the people who are Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers and disbelievers in Allah).

And Maryam (Mary), the daughter of 'Imran who guarded her chastity. And We breathed into (the sleeve of her shirt or her garment) through Our Ruh [i.e. Jibril (Gabriel) ], and she testified to the truth of the Words of her Lord [i.e. believed in the Words of Allah: "Be!" - and he was; that is 'Îsa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) as a Messenger of Allah], and (also believed in) His Scriptures, and she was of the Qanitun (i.e. obedient to Allah) .

(Quran 66:11-12)

. The Virgin Mary plays a very significant role in Islam. She is an example and a sign for all people.

Tonight's gathering

As salamu alaikum wr wb,
Tonights gatehring would but at the usual time, 8 pm London time. The topic will be about Isa (as) and His noble mother Maryam (as).

Wise sayings of Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah

Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimuhullah) amazes me…some of his inspirational words…

Every Punishment from Him is pure justice and every blessing from Him is pure grace.
(Majmoo-ul-Fataawaa, 10/85)

Whoever desires everlasting bliss, let him adhere firmly to the threshold of servitude.(Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Madaarij 1/531)

The Lord loves to be Loved. (Majmoo-ul-Fataawaa, 1/54)

Guidance is not attained except with knowledge and correct direction is not attained except with patience. (Majmoo-ul-Fataawaa, 10/40)

In this world there is a Paradise, whoever does not enter it will not enter the of the Hereafter. (Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Qaabil, p.69)

The one who is (truly) imprisoned is the one whose heart is imprisoned from Allaah and the captivated one is the one whose desires have enslaved him.(Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Qaabil, p,69)

This whole religion revolves around knowing the truth and acting by it, and action must be accompanied by patience. (Majmoo-ul-Fataawaa, 10/38)

Profound Saying of Ibn Qayyim (r)

Profound Saying of Ibn Qayyim (r)

Ibn Qayyim (r) said: "When the slave wakes up as the night encloses upon him and his only concern is Allah and how to please and obey Him, then Allah takes upon Him to fulfill all of his needs and remove from him all that causes him anxiety. Allah also makes his heart free to love Him only, his tongue free to remember Him only and his body free to serve Him only.However, when a slave of Allah wakes up when the night encloses upon him and his main concern is the world, Allah will make him bear the burdens of it's anxiety, grief and hardships. Allah will entrust him to his own self and He will make his heart busy, stealing from it His love since it will be preoccupied with love for creation. Allah will keep his tongue from His remembrance because it will be engaged with His creation; his body will be kept from obedience since it will be enslaved by its desires and services. And he will toil like a beast of burden toils in the service of another. And all who turn away from the worship, obedience and love of Allah, will be put into trial with the worship, service and love for creation."Allah (the Exalted) says:"And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) fromt he remembrance of the Most Gracious (Allah) (i.e. this Qur'an and worship of Allah), we appoint for him Shaitan to be a Qarin (an intimate companion) to him. (Qur'an 43:36)Ibn Qayyim continues to say: "Seek out your heart in three situations:-When you are listening to the Qur'an-When you are part of a gathering of remembrance-When you are alone and away from the world and it's distractions.If you cannot find your heart in these three situations, then ask Allah to bestow upon you a heart, for indeed you are bereft of one."

"Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed except with the company of Allah. And in it there is a sadness that can not be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah and being true to Him. And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled except with love for Him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him. And if a person were given all of the world and what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness."- Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya
__________________

Some Words to Heal the Broken Heart

Some Words to Heal the Broken Heart

Shaykh ul-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullaah
Taken from "Diseases of the Hearts and their Cures"

As for the sickness of desire and passionate love then this is the soul loving that which would harm it coupled with this is a hatred of that which would benefit it.Passionatelove is a psychological sickness, and when it’s effects become noticeable on the body, it becomes a sickness that afflicts the mind also. Either by afflicting the mind by the likeness of melancholy, or afflicting the body through weakness and emancipation. But the purpose here is to discuss its effect on the heart, for passionate love is the fundament that makes the soul covet that which would harm it, similar to the one weak of body who covets that which harms it, and if he is not satiated by that then he is grieved, and if he is satiated then his sickness increases. The same applies to the heart afflicted with this love, for it is harmed by its connection to the loved, either by seeing, hearing, touching or even thinking about it. And if he were to curb the love then the heart is hurt and grieved by this, and if he gives in to the desire then the sickness becomes stronger and becomes a means through which the grievance is increased.In the hadeeth concerning the saying of Moosa reported by Wahb*, which is recorded by Imam Ahmad in az-Zuhd:Allah says: Indeed I drive away My friends from the delights of this world and its opulence and comfort just as the compassionate shepherd drives away his camel from the dangerous grazing lands. And indeed I make them avoid its tranquility and livelihood, just as the compassionate shepherd makes his camel to avoid the resting placers wherein it would be easy prey. This is not because I consider them to be insignificant, but so they may complete their portion of My kindness in safety and abundance, the delights of the world will not attract him and neither would desires overcome him.




*Wahb ibn Munabbih is a noble taabi’ee, but this hadeeth is reported from him directly to the Prophet (saaw) and is not authentic.


Therefore the only cure for the sick lies in his removing the sickness by removing this blameworthy love from his heart.There are some whose hearts contain the disease of desire and whose perceptions are only skin deep. When the object of the desire submits, the sickness is satiated, and this satiation strengthens the desire and pursuit of the object and hence strengthens the sickness. This is in contrast to the one whose objective is not met, for this failure results in the removing the satiation that would strengthen the sickness and thereby the desire is weakened, as is the love. This is because the person definitely intends that there be action accompanying his desire, for otherwise all his desire would be is just whisperings of the soul, unless there is some speech or looking accompanying this.As for the one who sis afflicted with this passionate love but holds back and is patient, then indeed Allah will reward him for his taqwa as occurs in the hadeeth:That the one who passionately loves someone yet holds back, conceals this and is patient, then dies upon this, will be a martyr. (A da’eef hadeeth . refer to the discussion concerning its authenticity in al-Jawaab al-Kaafee and Rawdha al-Muhibbeen of Ibn al Qayyim and Silsilah ad-Da’eefah of al-Albaanee. )This hadeeth is known to be the report of Yahya al-Qataat from Mujaahid from Ibn Abbas from the Prophet (saaw) but it is problematic and such a hadeeth is not to be depended upon.But it is known from the evidences of the Shareeah that if one were to hold back from performing that which is unlawful, be it looking, speaking or acting, and he conceals this and does not articulate it so as not to fall into that which is prohibited and he is patient in his obedience to Allah and keeps away from disobedience to Allah, despite the pain that his heart feels due to this passionate love (similar to the case of the one who is patient through a calamity), then indeed this person would gain the same reward as those who have feared Allah and been patient.

Verily, he who fears Allah and is patient, then surely Allah makes not the reward of the doers good to be lost. [Surah Yusuf: Ayah 90]

But as for him who feared the standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode. >[Surah an-Naaziaat: Ayah 40]

When the soul loves something, it will do all it can to attain it, so the one who does this out of having a blameworthy love or hatred then this action of his would be sinful. For example, his hating a person due to envying him and thereby harming whosoever is linked to that person.As one poet affected by this said:For the sake of a Sudanese girl he loved Sudan to the point that he loved the black dogs due to his love of her.

Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah’s al Fawaaid (p111-112) “The slave is not afflicted with a punishment greater in severity then the hardening of the heart and being distant from Allah. For the Fire was created to melt the hardened heart. The most distant heart from Allah is the heart which is hardened. If the heart becomes hardened, the eye becomes dry.If four matters are exceeded in quantity, beyond what is necessary, the heart shall become hardened:Food, sleep, speech and sexual intercourse. A body afflicted by disease does not derive nourishment from food or water, similarly a heart diseased by desire does not benefit from admonishment and exhortation.Whosoever desires to purify his heart, then let him prefer Allah to his desires.The heart which is clinging to its desires is veiled from Allah, commensurate to the degree that it is attached to them, the hearts are the vessels of Allah upon his earth, hence the most beloved of them to him, are the ones most compassionate, pure and resistant to deviation.They (the transgressors) preoccupied their hearts [in the pursuance] of the Dunya, would that they preoccupied them with Allah and the hereafter, then surely they would have reflected upon the intended meaning of his poignant words and verses. Their hearts would have returned to their masters with wisdom, marvelously curious and [in possession] of the rarest of precious gems.If the heart is nourished with remembrance, its thirst quenched with contemplation and cleansed from corruption, it shall witness remarkable and wondrous matters, inspiring wisdom.Not every individual who is endowed with knowledge and wisdom, and assumes its character is form amongst its people. Rather the people of knowledge and wisdom are those who infused life into their hearts by slaying their desires. As for the one who slays his heart and vitalized his desires, then knowledge and wisdom is naked upon his tongue.The destruction of the heart occurs by security [in this Dunya] and negligence, its fortification occurs by fear and remembrance. If the heart renounces the pleasures of the Dunya, it settles upon the [pursuance of] pleasures of the Hereafter, and amongst those who call towards it.Should the heart become content with the pleasures of the Dunya, those pleasures [of the hereafter] cease [to continue].Yearning for Allah and his meeting is like the gentle breeze blowing upon the heart, extinguishing the blaze of the Dunya. Whosoever caused his heart to settle with his Lord shall be in a state, clam and tranquil, and whosoever sent it amongst the people shall be disturbed and excessively perturbed. For the love of Allah shall not enter a heart, which contains the love of this world, except as a camel, which passes through the eye of a needle.Hence, the most beloved servant before Allah is the one whom He places in His servitude, whom He selects for His love, whom He causes to purify his worship for Him, dedicates his objectives for Him, his tongue for His remembrance, and his limbs for His service.The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is al-Tawbah and protection [from transgression] .It becomes rusty as a mirror becomes rusty, and its clarity is obtained by remembrance. It becomes naked as the body becomes naked, and its beautification is at-Taqwa. It becomes hungry and thirsty as the body becomes hungry and thirst, and its food and drink are knowledge, love, dependence, repentance and servitude.”

Eating and drinking

Bismillah Ar-rahman Ar Rahim,
As salamu Alaikum w rwb,
Today’s topic is about the etiquettes of eating, drinking and host according to the Qur’an and Sunnah.

I have broken it down to few paragraphs:
· Gratefulness for the Halal food
· Uttering the name of Allah
· Manners of sitting while eating and drinking
· How we should eat and drink
· Serving food-
· Honoring guest
· Behaviors as a guest
· Right of the guest
· Right of the Host
· Accepting invitations
· Supplication for the host.

Backbiting and slandering

Bismillaah

Allaah, subhanaho wata’ala, says:

ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَۛ فِيهِۛ هُدً۬ى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ

This is the Book (the Qur'ân), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqûn [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allâh much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allâh much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. (Al-Baqarah 2:2)

One of the characteristics of a righteous behaviour is good speech. A person who stays mindful of Allaah, subhanaho wata’alaa, will want to refrain from sins of the tongue such as backbiting, slander, gossip, lying, swearing, cursing and vain talk. The Qur'aan and hadeeth warn against these sins of the tongue. Guarding one's speech is so important that Muslims will be held accountable for everything they say:

مَّا يَلۡفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيۡهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ۬

“Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)” (Al-Qaf 50:18).

In soorah al-Hudjuraat, He says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا يَسۡخَرۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مِّن قَوۡمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُواْ خَيۡرً۬ا مِّنۡہُمۡ وَلَا نِسَآءٌ۬ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيۡرً۬ا مِّنۡہُنَّۖ وَلَا تَلۡمِزُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَلَا تَنَابَزُواْ بِٱلۡأَلۡقَـٰبِۖ بِئۡسَ ٱلِٱسۡمُ ٱلۡفُسُوقُ بَعۡدَ ٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِۚ وَمَن لَّمۡ يَتُبۡ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ


O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; Nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith [i.e. to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: "O sinner", or "O wicked"]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zâlimûn (wrong-doers).

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱجۡتَنِبُواْ كَثِيرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعۡضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثۡمٌ۬ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُواْ وَلَا يَغۡتَب بَّعۡضُكُم بَعۡضًاۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُڪُمۡ أَن يَأۡڪُلَ لَحۡمَ أَخِيهِ مَيۡتً۬ا فَكَرِهۡتُمُوهُۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬



O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting)[] . And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (49: 12)

EID MOBARAK!!!

Bismillaah
Assalaamo alaykom warahmatollaahi wabarakatoh!

Eid Mobarak! Taqabal Allaah minna wa minkom!

Takbeer Eid from Mecca
by aliuser

The gathering on saturday 28th of November/11th of Dhul-Hijjah is cancelled because of Eid. Next gathering will be on wednesday the 2nd of December inshaAllaah.

BarakAllaaho fikom wasalaamo alaykom!

The Superiority of Tawheed

Alhamdulillaahi rabbil alameen
Assalaato wasalaamo ala rasoolullaah sayyidina Mohammad
wa ala ahlihi washabihi ajameen


Last week we were talking about the topic tawheed. We discussed the various categories of tawheed and most of all the importance of tawheed ul-Ulohiyyah, tawheed in worship. At the end of last gathering I quickly mentioned some of the superiorities of tawheed, and that is what we are going to discuss in more detail today inshaAllaah ta’ala.

In the Qur’aan, Allaah subhano wata’ala says, in soorah al-An’aam,


ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَلَمۡ يَلۡبِسُوٓاْ إِيمَـٰنَهُم بِظُلۡمٍ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡأَمۡنُ وَهُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ

"It is those who believe and do not adulterate their faith [in Allah's Oneness] with dhulm [wrongdoing, i.e. associating partners with Him], for them [only] is there safety and they are rightly-guided" (6:82)

Allaah mentions the word dhulm in this ayah. Dhulm linguistically means to place something in it’s wrong place. To misplace something. So Allaah says here, “those who believe and doesn’t mix their iman with any form of dhulm, these are the ones that has complete safety and will attain real peace.” In another ayah in the Qur’aan, Allaah says, this is in soorah Luqman, ayah 13

إِنَّ ٱلشِّرۡكَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِيمٌ۬


“Indeed Shirk is a great dhulm/wrongdoing.” (31:13)

Benefits of Knowledge

We often hear and say ourselves that knowledge is good, knowledge is important. Some feel and say it is just pure religious knowledge; and some say we are acquiring worldly knowledge and as far as religious knowledge is concerned, only few are meant for it. But during my years as a muslimah I have got to realize and to know and understand that both dunya (worldly) knowledge and religious knowledge are essential according to our beautiful religion. Both are related t each other, they complement each other. Having worldly knowledge helps one to appreciate and understand Allah’s Creation, His attributes, His Word and His Prophet. Acquiring religious knowledge helps us live better in this world, and to understand it more completely. Both depend on each other, it is really not wise to segregate knowledge into two different things

Every human being has been blessed with the power of learning and understanding. Allah, subhanaho wata’ala, has given each of us a free will and each one of us is born with the ability to distinguish right from wrong. Knowledge is very important because without it we cannot get closer to Allah, subhanaho wata’ala. Allah, subhanaho wata’ala , advices the Prophet, aleyhi salato wasalaam, and thus also us, to pray for increasing in knowledge, in soorah at-Taha, ayah 114

وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدۡنِى عِلۡمً۬ا


and say: "My Lord! Increase me in knowledge." (20:114)




So if the Prophet was advised to pray for this, then it sure means we should do that too. And for a du’aa to be successful we must strive to make it be fulfilled. So of course it means that we must actively seek knowledge ourselves, of course after our ability.

There are many ayaat in the Qur’aan and hadith or statements made by the Sahabas, that speaks about the importance of knowledge, and not only that, it also encourages us to seek knowledge and learn more and more, throughout our lives. The quest for knowledge never ends. Like in soorah al-Mujadilah, ayah 11:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمۡ تَفَسَّحُواْ فِى ٱلۡمَجَـٰلِسِ فَٱفۡسَحُواْ يَفۡسَحِ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ ٱنشُزُواْ فَٱنشُزُواْ يَرۡفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ۬

O you who believe! When you are told to make room in the assemblies, (spread out and) make room. Allâh will give you (ample) room (from His Mercy). And when you are told to rise up [for prayers, Jihâd (holy fighting in Allâh's Cause), or for any other good deed], rise up. Allâh will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allâh is Well-Acquainted with what you do. (58:11)"

And also in soorah az-Zumar, ayah 9

قُلۡ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ

Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allâh's Signs and Verses). (39:9)

When we are granted knowledge, we inshaAllaah appreciates Allaah's creation more, and becomes more acquainted with Allaah's attributes and qualities. And this will make us to witnesses with all our hearts, and minds and souls that our Creator is the only One worthy of worship. This will make us to submit to Him in a humble way and this, in return, generates in our hearts a fear, which is a result of a full appreciation and love of our Lord. Allah, subhanaho wata’ala, has witnessed in favour of His learned servants these qualities, full appreciation of His Oneness and fear of Him. In soorah Aal Imraan, ayah 18 Allaah says:

شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآٮِٕمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَڪِيمُ
There is no god but He: that is the witness of Allah His angels and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise. (3:18)

And also in soorah Fatir, ayah 28:

إِنَّمَا يَخۡشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡعُلَمَـٰٓؤُاْۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ


Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. (35:28)

Also , in a hadith, the Prophet, aleyhi salato wasalaam, says, "When Allah desires good for someone, He gives him understanding of the deen."(6) He, aleyhi salato wasalaam, also said, "Allah makes the way to the Garden easy for whoever treads a path in search of knowledge."(7)

Travelling on the path to knowledge refers both to walking along an actual pathway, such as going on foot to the for example the masjid to learn but also to following a metaphysical road, such as studying and memorising.

The above saying of the Prophet aleyhi salato wasalaam probably means that Allah makes learning the useful knowledge that is sought after easier for the seeker, clearing the way for him and smoothing his journey. Some of our predecessors used to say: "Is there anyone seeking knowledge, so that we can assist him in finding it?"

This hadith also alludes to the road leading to the Garden on the Day of Judgement, which is the straight path and to what precedes it and what comes after it.

Knowledge is also the shortest path to Allaah. Whoever travels the road of knowledge reaches Allaah and the Garden by the shortest route. Knowledge also clears the way out of darkness, ignorance, doubt and scepticism. This is why Allah called His Book, "Light", for example in soorah an-Nisaa’, ayah 174

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدۡ جَآءَكُم بُرۡهَـٰنٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَأَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكُمۡ نُورً۬ا مُّبِينً۬ا
O mankind! Verily, there has come to you a convincing proof (Prophet Muhammad SAW) from your Lord, and We sent down to you a manifest light (this Qur'ân). (4:174)

Al-Bukhari and Muslim have reported on the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Truly, Allah will not take away knowledge by snatching it
away from people, but by taking away the lives of the people of knowledge one by one until none of them survive. Then the people will adopt ignorant ones as their leaders. They will be
asked to deliver judgements and they will give them without knowledge, with the result that they will go astray and lead others astray."

When 'Ubadah ibn as-Samit was asked about this hadith he said: If you want, I will tell you what the highest knowledge is, which raises people in rank: it is humility."

He said this because there are two types of knowledge. The first produces its fruit in the heart. It is knowledge of Allah, the Exalted - His Names, His Attributes, and His Acts - which commands fear, respect, exaltation, love, supplication and reliance on Him. this is the beneficial type of knowledge. As ibn Mas'ud said: "they will recite the Qur'an, but it will not go beyond their throats. The Qur'an is only beneficial when it reaches the heart and is firmly planted in it."

Al-Hasan said: "There are two kinds of knowledge: knowledge of the tongue, which can be a case against the son of Adam, as is mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet (saw): 'The Qur'an is either a case for you or a case against you'(8), and knowledge of the heart, which is beneficial knowledge. The second kind is the beneficial kind which raises people in rank; it is the inner knowledge which is absorbed by the heart and puts it right. The knowledge that is on the tongue is taken lightly by people: neither those who possess it, nor anyone else, act upon it, and then it vanishes when its owners vanish on the Day of Judgement, when creation will be brought to account."


The Prophet, aleyhi salato wasalaam, used to stimulate and encourage his companions to seek knowledge: Ibn Mas'ud relates that the Prophet said, "Only two persons are worthy of being envied; a person upon whom Allah bestows riches and gives him the power to spend it in a righteous cause; and a person upon whom Allah bestows wisdom by which he judges and which he teaches." (Related by Bukhari and Muslim)

According to another hadeeth in sahih Muslim the Prophet, aleyhi salato wasalaam, said: “If a human dies, then his good deeds stop except for three: a Sadaqa Jariah (continuous charity), a useful knowledge that benefits people, or a righteous child who prays for him”.


The Prophet, aleyhi salato wasalaam, ordained all his companions and, thus, every Muslim who possesses some knowledge -- even as little as one verse -- to teach what they know to others: He said, "Convey (what you learn from me) even if only one verse…" (Related by Bukhari)

He made special du'a (supplication) for those who learn his sayings and transmit them to others: Zayd Ibn Thabit narrated that the Prophet said, "May Allah brighten the face of the person who hears what I say and retains it, then conveys it to others: for sometimes one who hears from another remembers it better than the original hearer himself." (Related by Ahmad and Tirmithi)

He assured all of us who spread his knowledge that we will get the same reward of any Muslim who acts upon that knowledge: Abu Hurayrah relates that the Prophet said, "He who calls another to guidance will have a reward equal; to the reward of him who follows him without diminishing the reward of either of them." (Related by Muslim)
The Prophet, aleyhi salato wasalaam, showed to us the noble status of the learned people of his ummah: Abu Umamah relates that the Prophet said, "A learned one is as much above an (ordinary) worshiper as I am above the least of you; and he added: Allah, His angels and all those in the heavens and in the earth, even the ants in their holes and the fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct people in beneficent knowledge." (Related by Tirmithi)
Better still, he declared that the 'Ulama' (those who have Islamic knowledge) are his heirs: Abu Darda' said that he heard the Prophet saying, "The 'Ulama' are heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets do not leave an inheritance of Dirhams and Dinars but (they left) only knowledge. He who acquires knowledge acquires a vast portion." (Related by Abu Dawud and Tirmithi)


The pursuit for knowledge is itself a form of worship. According to the Qur’an only men of knowledge really fear Allah most. Positive fear of Allaah, to be mindful and aware of Allaah (taqwa), can be attained only by those who have knowledge just as Allaah says in soorah Fatir, ayah 28:

إِنَّمَا يَخۡشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡعُلَمَـٰٓؤُاْۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ


Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. (35:28)
One of the indispensable conditions in relation to the spiritual state of the soul, in getting closer to Allah, is the attainment of knowledge. Indeed, it is only through knowledge that we can appreciate Allaah’s, subhanaho wata’ala, qualities.

I will end this reminder with a hadith where the Prophet, aleyhi salato wasalaam, says:
"The two feet of the son of Aadam will not move from near his Lord on the Day of Judgement until he is asked about five (matters):- 1) about his life - how he spent it; 2) about his youth - how he took care of it; 3) about his wealth - how he earned it; 4) and where he spent it; 5) and about that which he acted upon from the knowledge that he acquired."


May Allaah give us beneficial knowledge, and make us amongst those who seek knowledge for the sake of Allaah and may He make us amongst those who act upon the knowledge we have and teach it to others, amin.


What is good and correct is from Allaah, and whatever I said that is wrong and evil is from myself

Subhanaka allahomma wa bihamdik
ashhado anla ilaha illa ant
wastaghfirooka waatoobo ilayka

Adorning Knowledge with Actions

MashaAllaah we have been meeting here twice a week for quite some time now. That is really an accomplishment because it is so easy to start doing something and then after a few times lose interest in it and then it’ll be nothing. And mashaAllaah we have been talking about many different topics during these gatherings. Like tawheed, tawbah, taqwah, ikhlas and we have also mixed these theoretical subjects with more practical ones about how to act in certain situations or times of the year, mashaAllaah tabarakAllaah. So I just mentioned some words in Arabic and it might be difficult to understand them but to explain shortly, tawheed is the unity of Allaah, subhanaho wata’ala, it is the foundation of our religion and it is the message that all of the prophets, aleyhom salaam, came with. To worship only one God. And it is the reason for the creation, as Allaah says:


وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ

And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). (51:56)

As salamu alaikum w rwb,

In sha ALlah the a quick reminder that tonight there will be a gathering at 8 pm the topic will be about the importance of the first ten days of Dhul hijjah, JazzakAllah .

10 days of Dhul Hijjah

Allaah swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allaah says: “By the dawn; by the ten nights.” [al-Fajr 89:1-2]

Ibn ‘Abbaas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: “This is the correct opinion.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413)

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) also reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said:“There is no deed more precious in the sight of Allaah, nor greater in reward, than a good deed done during the ten days of Sacrifice.” He was asked, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?” He said, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Reported by al-Daarimi, 1/357; its isnaad is hasan as stated in al-Irwaa’, 3/398) The Prophet (pbuh) testified that these are the best days of this world, as we have already quoted above from saheeh ahaadeeth. The Prophet (pbuh) encouraged people to do righteous deeds because of the virtue of this season for people throughout the world, and also because of the virtue of the place - for the Hujjaaj (pilgrims) to the Sacred House of Allaah.

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allaah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (“La ilaaha ill-Allaah”), Takbeer and Tahmeed.” (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh)

Reminder of tomorrow's gathering.....

As salam 3laikum wa rahmatullah,

Just a quick reminder wednesday 8 pm London time the last part of our series on Tawheed and on Saturday in sha ALlah it will be about the Ettiquettes of eating, drinking and hosting.

JazzakAllah
wsalam

Tawheed and Worship

Bismillaahirrahmaanirraheem
Alhamdulillaah rabbil 'alameen
Assalaato wasalaamo ala rasoolullaah sayyidina Mohammad
wa ala ahlihi washabihi ajma'een

Last time we had an introduction to tawheed and the three categories of tawheed. I will shortly refresh our memories, because we are all human beings and we tend to forget even the most important things. Tawheed litterally means to unify something. To make something one. To attribute or asserting oneness to something. It comes from the word wahhada, that means to unify, unite, consolidate. To ascribe unity to something, to make it one. In our religion tawheed, (tawheedullaah) it does of course NOT mean that Allaah, azza wa jal, is three and then we make Him one. It means to acknowledge and maintain the oneness of Allaah and how we relate to it. It means realizing and affirming Allaah’s unity in all of man’s actions which directly or indirectly related to Him. It means to confirm the unification of Allaah, subhano wata’ala, the uniqueness of Allaah, when it comes to His Lordship, His Names and Attributes, and in His right to be worshipped.

Tonights gathering

Bismillaah, assalaamo alaykom!

Just a quick reminder about tonights gathering at 8 pm UK time. The topic will inshaAllaah be tawheed.

Fi ammanillaah

Add umm_haroon or seeker_0f_bliss to yahoo messenger if you want to join and don't know how. BarakAllaaho fikom!

Introduction to Tawheed

Bismillaahirrahmaanirraheem
Alhamdulillaah rabbil 'alameen
Assalaato wasalaamo ala Rasoolullaah sayyidina Muhammad
Wa ala ahlihi washabihi ajma'een

Tawheed litterally means to unify something. To make something one. To attribute or asserting oneness to something. It comes from the word wahhada, that means to unify, unite, consolidate. In our religion, ad-deen, tawheed, (tawheedullaah) it of course does NOT mean that Allaah is three and then we make Him one, it means to acknowledge and maintain the oneness of Allaah and how we relate to it. It means realizing and affirming Allaah’s unity in all of man’s actions which directly or indirectly relate to Him

Because of this principle of tawheed, the Islamic belief in God is uniquely unitarian and Islaam is counted among the world’s monotheistic religions along with Judaism and Christianity. However, according to the Islamic concept of tawheed, Christianity is classified as polytheism and Judaism is considered to be a subtle form of idolatry. Thus, the principle of tawheed is very profound and needs further clarification even among Muslims.

As salamu 3laikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

Just a quick reminder about the gathering tonight at 8 pm London time, topic tawheed.

wsalam

Niqaab, not nifaaq!

Taqwa, it's root and alternatives

Waqa [root: ي ق و]

I waqahu وقاه to preserve (ھsomething) ; to take good of (ھsomething); to be cautious of (something); to safeguard, shield, shelter, preserve, protect, keep ( ھ ه someone from); to guard (ھ ه someone against); to protect, offer or afford protection (ھ against); to prevent, obviate (ھ a danger); to preserve (a thing) against any harm or injury or damage.

VIII ittaqa اتقى to preserve or guard oneself exceedingly or extraordinarily; to put a thing between oneself and another to preserve or guard oneself ; to take as a shield.

وقى waqy protection; safeguard

وقاء waqa, wiqa protection; prevention

وقاية wiqaya(tun) a preservative

واق waaqin preserving; guarding; protecting; preventive; preservative; guardian; protector :

Women's role

Aouthou billah Minn ashshaytani rajeem
Bismillahi Ar-Rahmani Ar-Raheem

All praise is for Allah; we praise him and seek His assistance and his forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of our own selves and from our evil actions, Whomsoever Allah guides, then there is no one to misguide him, and whomsoever He misguides, then there is no guide for him. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah Alone and I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and messenger.

Today’s topic is about the women’s role in society and the importance of being active in the community.

What is the women’s role in society?

The role of the woman is different to that of a man, in fact it is more demanding but both genders work for the same goal and in sha Allah that we have a happy, stable, and secure, prosper and healthy society. But this really rest on our shoulders because:

A- We are the mothers of the heroes and the criminals too.
B- We are in greater numbers.

Our role is to seek knowledge, rectify society, to be inspirational, to be upright, to be articulate, to be eloquent, to be wise, to do dawah and to be nurturing. I will be using the template of the ‘women’s role in rectifying society’ by sheikh uthaimeen (ra) and divide the roles in 2 categories, the first is the rectification within the home, Allah (swt) says:
And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs (evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم), and to purify you with a thorough purification.Surah 33 verse 33

Al- Mathurath morning dhikr

Al- Mathurath morning dhikr

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Reminder for the gathering

As Salamu 3laikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuh,

Just a quick reminder of the next gathering tomorrow saturday Oct 17th @ 8 pm London time ( GMT+1) 

the topic will be the role of the women in society in general and the importance of being active within the communities.

If you aren't attending already please add umm_haroon on yahoo messenger.

May ALlah (swt) guide us all to what is nearer to Him ameen.

Definition of Taqwa

‘aouthou billahi mina shaytani rajeem

Bismillahi Ar-Rahmani Ar-Rahim,
My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance, You are the Ever-Relenting, the All-Forgiving.

Today’s topic is about Taqwa, In essence the reality of taqwa is obeying Allah (swt) with imaan and ihtisab (hope, or counting on Allah (swt)’s reward) in rewards to his commands and prohibitions.

We will find that Taqwa always implies ‘birr’ for instance in this ayah from Allah (swt) book:

..... Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment. Surah Madiah verse 2.[1]

Birr means, righteousness, virtue, goodness, birr is the excellence sought in an objective. Linguistically, it’s related to the word ‘burr’ which mean wheat and it surpasses all other grains in goodness.
The opposite of birr is ithm which compromises all evils and defects for which a person would be blame worthy.

As salamu 3alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

In sha ALlah, just a quick reminder of the next session.

It will be on Wed Oct 14th 2009 at 8 pm ( London time), topic will be Taqwah.

If you wish to join us please add sis umm_haroon on yahoo messenger, so that you could be invited to the gathering in sha ALlah.

JazzakALlah,

Wasalam

What is required for du'aa?

What is required for us that our du’aa will be answered?

Last time we talked about that du’aa is an act of worship, and with du’aa as with other acts of worship, there are some things that has to be met if the act of worship, if the ‘ibadah, will be accepted.

Ibnul Qayyim said: ”Du’aa and the seeking of protection from Allah are like weapons, but the sharpness of a weapon is not sufficient for it to cause effect, for the person that handles it also plays a role. So whenever the weapon is a perfect one, having no flaw in it, and the forearm is strong, and there are no preventing factors, then it will cause and effect on the enemy. But if any of these three factors are missing, then the effect will also be lessened. So if the du’aa in and of itself is not correct, or the person making the du’aa has not combined between his heart and tongue in the du’aa, or there is a preventing factor, then the desired effect will not occur”

Types of du'aa

Bismillaahirrahmaanirrahiim
Alhamdulillaahi rabbil alameen
Assalaato wasalaamo ala rasoolullaah sayyidina Mohammad
wa ala ahlihi washabihi ajameen

Last time we had a general introduction to du’aa. We mentioned that du’aa is worship and the importance of du’aa. We also talked about du’aas relation to aqeedah and iman.

Today we are biithnillaah going to talk about the different types of du’aa. And du’aa can be divided up in different ways. It is important to know about this because du’aa is mentioned so many times in the Quraan, so we must know the difference and understand what kind of du’aa Allaah is talking about in different ayaat.

We can see in the Quraan and sunnah that two types of du’aa is mentioned. Du’aa ul-mas’alah, we can call it ‘du’aa of asking’ and du’aa ul-‘ibadah, du’aa of worship.

The Prophet Muhammad ~S~ His Compassion Part 2 of 2

The Prophet Muhammad ~S~ His Compassion Part 1 of 2

99 Names of Allah

Why we love hijab!

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The Attributes of Allah (azza wal jal)

Al-Hakeem (the All-Wise):

He is the One to Whom belongs the highest wisdom, the One Who is All-Wise in His creating and commanding, Who perfected everything He created,

"and Who is better than Allah in judgement for a people who have firm faith?" (5:50)

Therefore He has created nothing out of mere frivolity and He has legislated nothing that is vain and of no use. The One to Whom belongs wisdom in the beginning and the end. He has three areas of ruling which nothing else has a share in: He rules between His servants with respect to His Law, His Decree and His Recompense. Wisdom is to place something in its correct place.

"For those who believe not in the Hereafter is an evil description and for Allah is the highest description. He is the All-Mighty, All-Wise." (16:60)

"It is He Who is the only God worshipped in the heaven and the on the earth. He is the All-Wise, the All-Knowing." (43:84).

The Attributes of Allah ( azza wal jal)

The Explanation of the Beautiful and Perfect Names of Allah

by Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmân ibn Nâsir as-Sa'dî (d. 1383 AH / n/a CE)

Translated by Abu Rumaysah[Taken from Tayseer al-Kareem ar-Rahmaan, Abdur-Rahmaan Naasir as-Sa`dee's Tafseer]

A large number of the Beautiful Names of Allaah are repeated manifold in the Qur`aan as demanded by the occasion and it is necessary to explain their meanings in a succinct way. So we say:

Ar-Rabb (The Lord)

This name has been repeatedly mentioned in many verses. Ar-Rabb is the One Who nurtures and sustains all of His servants through regulating the affairs and granting all types of favours and blessings. More specifically He is the One Who nurtures and sustains his sincere friends by correcting and purifying their hearts, souls and manners. This is why their supplications are frequently made with this Noble Name because they seek this specific nurturing.

"And your Lord is Most Forgiving, Owner of Mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they had earned then surely He would have hastened on their punishment. But they have their appointed time beyond which they will find no escape." (18:58)

Du3a ( Part two)

Du’aa is also the best way for us to strengthen our iman. This is due to many factors. One is that it makes us very aware of the fact that we have absolutely no control over our destiny, Alhamdulillah rabbil ‘alameen. It shows how much we need our Lord, our Rabb. And by making du’aa sincerely we confirm that Allaah hears our du’aa and that He answers our du’aa. The more we realise we are nothing but poor servants to Allaah, the more will our iman increase. And the more we know and understand and appreciate Allah’s perfect names and attributes, the more will our iman increase. The inner nature of iman and to be a true servant of Allaah is to know and understand that we are in a dire need of Allaah and to know and understand the perfect nature of Allaah. By making du’aa we show that we believe in Allaah and that only Allaah subhano wata’ala can listen to our prayer and only Allaah can answer our prayers. No one else!

Allaah says in soorah al-Jinn, ayah 20:

قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَدۡعُواْ رَبِّى وَلَآ أُشۡرِكُ بِهِۦۤ أَحَدً۬ا

Say: "I do no more than invoke my Lord, and I join not with Him any (false god)." (72:20)

To make du’aa to someone other than Allaah is nothing but shirk! It is shirk, because making du’aa to someone or something other than Allaah means that we attribute this person, thing, something that Allaah created, with attributes that only Allaah has. I mean, a person that makes du’aa to a person, living or dead, a stone, rock, yes whatever it can be, except Allaah, is in fact saying that this person whether it is living or dead, or that this object actually can hear you, and can respond to your prayer. That this created object has power to change our destiny, the power to see what state he is in, or what is in his heart. And has the power to grant him what he asks for. May Allaah protect us from such belief. The only one that can do this and can do this perfect is Allaah, azza WA jall. Allaah says in soorah Faatir, ayah 14:

إِن تَدۡعُوهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُواْ دُعَآءَكُمۡ وَلَوۡ سَمِعُواْ مَا ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لَكُمۡۖ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكۡفُرُونَ بِشِرۡڪِكُمۡۚ وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثۡلُ خَبِيرٍ۬

If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call, and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad SAW) like Him Who the All Knower (of everything) is. (35:14)

And this shows clearly that the object you would call on, won’t hear you. And even if they could, they won’t be able to respond to you, to your call. In soorah al-Hajj, ayah 12-13, Allaah describes these objects that some people call out to, make du’aa to.

يَدۡعُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَضُرُّهُ ۥ وَمَا لَا يَنفَعُهُ ۥ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ هُوَ ٱلضَّلَـٰلُ ٱلۡبَعِيدُ

يَدۡعُواْ لَمَن ضَرُّهُ ۥۤ أَقۡرَبُ مِن نَّفۡعِهِۦ‌ۚ لَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَوۡلَىٰ وَلَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡعَشِيرُ

life not benefit them nor harm them. They can’t help them. They can’t give them anything. And they can’t hurt them. In this life. But by calling on them instead of or besides Allaah, will cause a person great harm if he or she doesn’t repent from such evil ways. Because this is as we already said, shirk. And shirk is the only sin Allaah doesn’t forgive.

وَمَنۡ أَضَلُّ مِمَّن يَدۡعُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَن لَّا يَسۡتَجِيبُ لَهُ ۥۤ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ وَهُمۡ عَن دُعَآٮِٕهِمۡ غَـٰفِلُونَ

And who is more astray than one who calls on (invokes) besides Allah, such as will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are (even) unaware of their calls (invocations) to them? (46:5)

Subhanaka allahomma wa bihamdik
ashhado anla ilaha illa ant
wastaghfirooka waatoobo ilayk

Ibnul Qayyim said:” Du’a and the seeking of protection from Allah are like weapons, but the sharpness of a weapon is not sufficient for it to cause effect, for the person that handles it also plays a role. So whenever the weapon is a perfect one, having no flaw in it, and the forearm is strong, and there are no preventing factors, then it will cause and effect on the enemy…”

Du3a ( Part one)

Alhamdulillaahi rabbil alameen

Assalaato wasalaamo ala rasoolullaah sayyidina Mohammad

wa ala ahlihi washabihi ajameen

In the Quran, Allah says:

وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ

And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). (51:56)

So clearly we are all here for one purpose and one purpose only. And that is to worship Allaah, and Allaah alone. One of the greatest and most noble forms of worship is du’aa. What is du’aa?  It is a call from the heart of the believer directed to The Hearer of all things, the Knower of all secrets, Allaah. By making du’aa we believers confess that we are nothing but weak and helpless and that what we need is Allaah and that we can’t do anything without His will, help and permission. It is also an affirmation of the perfect names and attributes of Allaah, asmaa wa sifaat. Because it affirms that Allaah is al-Khaliq (the Creator), al-Muqeet (the Sustainer), al-Mudhaabeer (the Controller of all affairs), al-‘Aleem (the All-Knowing), as-Sami’ (the All-Hearer), al-Baseer (the All-Seer), Ar-Rahmaan (the Most Merciful), al-Kareem (the Most Generous), al-Ghaffoor (the Most Forgiving) and so on. Linguistically du’aa means to call out, to cry, and to say something out loud. In shari’ah, du’aa means to ask Allaah, to ask Allaah about something that will be of benefit for us in this life and in next, or to ask that something evil will be removed or prevented from coming to us. In it self, du’aa is an act of worship. Du’aa is ibadah. Allaah says in soorah al-Gahfir, ayah 60.

وَقَالَ رَبُّڪُمُ ٱدۡعُونِىٓ أَسۡتَجِبۡ لَكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدۡخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ 

And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): But those who are too arrogant to worship Me will surely find themselves in Hell in humiliation!" (40:60)

Allah says make du’aa to me. And then He says “I will respond to you”. Then He continues saying, but those who are too arrogant to worship Me, (yastakbiroona ‘an ‘ibaadatee). Allah first mentions to make du’aa to Him, and then mentions those who are too arrogant to worship Him, they will be in Hell. So those who do not ask Him, who do not make du’aa to Him, Allah counts them as those who are too arrogant to worship Him, and this shows that du’aa is worship, Du’aa is the essence of worship. To not make du’aa, means to leave worship, ibadah. And this is why the Messenger of Allah, aleyhi salato wasalaam, said:

Du’a is worship!

Allah created us to worship Him, which means we should and we must make du’aa. Of course there are many other ways of making ibadah, of worshipping Allah, and of course we should think of that in every aspect in our lives.

How can it be that du’aa is ibadah and that it is such an important part of our lives? By making du’aa to Allaah, azza WA jall, we are able to draw closer to Him. It means that we completely submit to Allaah, we confirm that only He has the right to be worshipped and we assure that we are nothing but a poor servant to Allaah, subhano wata’ala. A created thing, that has neither power nor any control over things. Rather it is we who are controlled. By making du’aa we also confirm that we are in need of Allaah, in every part of our lives, but that Allaah doesn’t need anything from us. Just as it says in soorah adh-Dhaariyat. First Allaah says, as we already mentioned, that He created man and jinn except that they should worship Him. Then He continues by saying: I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for my creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or my creatures). Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong. (51:57-58)

In another ayah, Allaah also mentions du’aa (well he mentions this in many ayaat of course) but in this specific ayah, Allaah calls du’aa deen. This is in soorah al-Ghafir, ayah 65

هُوَ ٱلۡحَىُّ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَٱدۡعُوهُ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَۗ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

He is the Ever living (al-Hayy), none has the right to be worshipped but He, so make du’aa to Him, and to Him is the deen. (40:65)

OR

He is the Ever Living, Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), so invoke Him making your worship pure for Him Alone (by worshipping Him Alone, and none else, and by doing righteous deeds sincerely for Allah’s sake only, and not to show off, and not to setting up rivals with Him in worship). All the praises and thanks are to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists) (40:65)

Du’aa is the only thing, the only act that ever has been equated to the entire deen, or connected to the entire concept of worship.

Du’aa is strongly connected to aqeedah and tawheed. By making du’aa we acknowledge that there is a God, that Allaah exists and that there is only one Creator, one Lord. We acknowledge that Allaah has the all the power and He is controlling everything. Otherwise, what would be the point in turning to Him? Allaah is the only one that can hear our du’aa and can answer our du’aa. By making du’aa we also acknowledge that only Allaah, azza WA jall, deserves our worship. Because if He is the one and only God, the one and only Creator, and the one that controls the world and the entire creation, the surely he is the only one that deserves our worship. By making du’aa we also acknowledge that Allaah subhano wata’ala, has the most perfect names and attributes, for only He can hear the du’aa from His servants no matter where we are, no matter how quiet or loud we call upon Him. And only Allaah knows what’s in our hearts and knows completely what situation we are in. He has knowledge about all things. This proves that du’aa affirms all three aspects of tawheed.

Striving to Maintain a Constant Nature

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Tawbah part 3

We have now been going through two of the benefits of repentance. It wipes away our sins and it admits us to Paradise. The third benefit is that it renews our faith, our iman. You know, the Prophet, aleyhi salaato wasalaam, he said that our iman wears out just like clothes wears out, so we should renew our iman. And if we are sincere about our tawbah we will see and feel how our hearts will start to thaw, to become soft again. Our hearts will be alive again. When we reflect to ourselves about what we did, or didn’t do, we will begin to feel the wounds from that disobedience. It can be minor sins, or major sins, or a small sin that we are constantly doing. The sins we do are in level with our iman. If our iman is low, we don’t care much about what we do, we might even like the sins we do and don’t refrain or regret doing them. Or we do them openly. Our iman and our sins are in a direct relationship. Every time we commit a sin, our iman diminishes, it gets lower. When we leave the sins, leave the things that displeases Allaah subhano wata’ala, our iman will rise. There are many ayat, verses in the Koran about this and also ahadeeth. For example the Prophet, aleyhi salato wasalaam, said, "The one who commits illegal sexual intercourse is not a believer at the time of committing illegal sexual intercourse, and a thief is not a believer at the time of committing theft, and a drinker of alcoholic drink is not a believer at the time of drinking. Yet, (the gate of) repentance is open thereafter" (Al-Bukhari 8, 801). At the time we are doing these actions, our iman isn’t completely cancelled, but it in such a low level that we are able to commit these wrong actions, these sins. When our iman is high, we do not commit these mistakes or these sins. In an another hadeeth, the Prophet, aleyhi salato wasalaam, says: “When an adulturer commits adultery, the iman leaves him.”

Tawbah part 2

Tawbah to the believer is more important than air is to a human being. Imagine that. How can we live without air? It’s impossible, right. So how can we not do tawbah? We must strive to do tawbah regularly. And as being one of those who regularly repents, we can gain it’s benefits. Because you know, there are several benefits from doing tawbah.

The first one is that Allaah subhano wata’ala wipes away our sins! I already mentioned the hadeeth where the Prophet, aleyhi salaato wasalaam, says that the one who repents from sin is like the one without sin. It could be a specific sin or more in general, the way we lead our life before that was not according to islam.

Tawbah part 1

The word Tawbah litterally means ’to return’. For us muslims it means to leave that what Allaah, subhanu wa ta’ala, has forbidden and to return to Him and to what He has commanded. To return to Allaah, to make tawbah, is a very important part of our islam, our submission to Allaah. In soorah al-Baqarah it says:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٲبِينَ
“Truly, Allâh loves those who turn unto Him in repentance” (2:222)

and this tawbah, is so important, because our destination in the hereafter is dependant on it, just as Allaah says in soorah An-Noor:

وَتُوبُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ
“And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.” (24:31)

The du'a in salat ul-istikharah

Change of time

Bismillaahi arrahmaani arraheem,
Assalaamo alaikom warahmatollaahi wabarakatoh

The time for our gatherings on saturday has to be changed to 8 PM GMT. So please, barakAllaaho fikom, please remember that. On wednesdays we will continue with the gatherings at 9 pm GMT though.

8 PM GMT ON SATURDAYS!

9 PM GMT ON WEDNESDAYS!

In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah says: “Those that remember Me in their heart, I remember them in My heart; and those that remember Me in a gathering (i.e. that make mention of Me), I remember them (i.e. make mention of them) in a gathering better than theirs.”

"“Seven people will be shaded by Allah under His shade on the day when there will be no shade but His. ... "Two persons who love each other only for Allah’s sake, and they meet and part in Allah’s cause only""

Fi ammanillaah wasalaamo alaikom!

Topics (3)

I. Duaa: etiquettes, how it affects al-qadr, the excellence of duaa, and so on

II. Tawheed: (always good to refresh!)

III. Diseases of the hearts and their cures

IV. Sabr and shukr: how to live a successful life

V. Trials and tribulations

VI. Importance of knowledge and to live as you teach (adorning knowledge with actions)

VII. Being a true slave of Allah (swt): the meaning of being a slave and what is expected from us.

VIII. Stories of the Qur’an and hadith: Various stories from the Qur’an and hadiths

Book to read: The Ideal Muslimah by Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi Can be read here: http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/The%20Ideal%20Muslimah.pdf

Updates!!!

Topics(2)

Bismillah,

I.            Marriage:  What things invalidate a marriage? And which marriages are forbidden in Islam?

II.            Rulings on abortion and contraception.

III.            Our thoughts on matrimonial sites.

IV.            Bringing kids up, our thoughts on physically disciplining children: Did the Prophet condemn or condone it? What to say to a parent who does so? What should an older child/teenager do, if anything, when their parent disciplines them in such a manner?

V.            Signs of the Hour, both major and minor.

VI.            The grave: Punishments & blessings

VII.            The women of paradise: description, reward.

VIII.            Etiquettes of eating, hosting and being a guest: From Qur’an and Sunnah

IX.            Women: In Islam, the role, rights and duties of women in Islam and in society

X.            The female Companions/scholars: The examples.

XI.            Menses: Worship during menses

XII.            Tawbah: repentance