What more can I say except الحمدلله

﷽

Few days ago we all were praying to Allah to witness Ramadan, but it's already 19th fast today. See how time flies quickly. I know no one of us wants to let go off Ramadan this early, so let's us make the most out of it in these remaining 10days. It is a chance for those who are struggling to be close to Allah, because this can be our turning point in our lives. In one of these nights our life can change, and our fate in life to come can change. No night of the life is more important to us than this one night.

As you all know today is 19th fast, which means after one day we will be entering the blessed last 10 nights of Ramadan (Laylatul Qadr). Laylatul Qadr is one of the greatest blessings from Allah to us.

So this means that we should be Allah increasing our ibadah/worship and doing all good deeds as much as we can from today onwards. Because ibadah done in these nights are better than praying for 1000 months.

Set your goals, make a plan and schedule for these days. Don’t give up even if you fell short and behind during the month. Make the most of every night and day. Continue doing good deeds until the end of the month, even if it is the last night.

May we take this time to increase in our acts of worship and utilize these days the best we can. Please share any other suggestions you have.

Observe itikaf

Give charity each day

Recite Quran

Voluntary prayers

Taraweeh every night

Worship until fajr

Remember Allah (dhikr)

Read about the Prophet's life

Eat light and healthy

Make sure to hydrate

Waste less time

Make deep, sincere duas

Evaluate yourself

The dua for last 10 nights (below)

‎اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي 

Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni
O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me.

(At-Tirmidhi)

The Prophet ﷺ would strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan as he did not do at other times. (Muslim)

Hi there ! So, I’m making a fictional religion for my story and was wondering what elements I should include to make it feel more realistic and like a real part of the lore

I can't find my original post so here:

Worldbuilding: Religion

All people follow some semblance of a god or deity or force. Call it Jesus, Allah, Apollo or positive energy, all worlds believe that there is something greater than themselves or that somebody is guiding their actions and the events that befall them. We all want someone to love, to blame, to talk to. So we create gods and powers that be.

Place of Religion

Before we get to the fun parts, we have to consider the place of the faith in your land. If we look around today, we see a patchwork of countries and their relationship with religion.

Some countries are a patchwork like America or France.

Some are predominantly one religion only and only that one is acceptable to practise.

Some have two religions vying for control such as Pakistan.

Believe in it or not, religion remains a major part of the woldbuilding. So with ever culture you must create you must think about its place in the everyday of your world. Perhaps there is love for religion and faith or perhaps there is fear or oppression. How do the people view religion in your land?

Another thing to consider, is the relationship between Church and State. Sometimes I find that the styles of government have different relationships with their faiths.

Theocracy- Religion is always a huge part. The government runs on it. The people breathe it.

Monarchy- Some monarchs claim to be gods or to be divinely chosen. This is good PR. But some kings and queens don't get on with religion. I'm looking at you Henry.

Government- May rely on the religion to prove their actions or detest them for going against them. Roman politicians often bribed augurs to fake omens to prove themselves right.

Pantheon

All faiths and religions have a force to look up to. We can have one singular god/force (monotheism) or a group of gods (polytheism).

Most Monotheistic religions focus on a singular theme. The being is all powerful, omnipresent and manages an expansive universe on their own. These gods are usually faultless and perfect and there are no embarrassing stories of them.

Polytheistic gods can be as perfect as their lonely friends but not always. Gather a bunch of all-powerful beings in a single room, you will get some funny stories. These gods are usually flawed. They will share the duties of running the universe, usually in charge of different factions of the world; war, love, death, water or fire.

Gods/forces usually come with stories. We will have an abundance of stories but mainly we will have:

A world creation tale

A human creating tale

A war against evil

Godly origin stories

Tale of a massive flood.

Ritual

We think of religion and we think of prayer. We no longer sacrifice goats or children or virgins to appease the things that be. But there are other things to do in order to honour the gods.

We usually have a few types of ritual.

The gesture

The offering

The sacrament

Gesture: Catholics bless themselves, Añjali Mudrā or the namaste is a sign of respect in India, Muslims perform the rakʿah/bowing cycles in ṣalāt/prayer

Offering: In Judaism, during Hanukkah they light candles to represent eight nights that an oil lamp burned. In Catholicism, candles are burned in memory of the dead, incense is burned. In Greek Mythology, young men were whipped before the statue of Artemis, their blood an offering to her.

Sacrament: Catholicism has seven levels (i once got thrown out of class for referring to it as pokemon evolution). In Islam and Judaism, we see coming of age sacraments.

Values and Ethics

Each religion teaches us something. Each has their own values. Most religions preach peace, love, truth, harmony (except when other relationships are involved in some).

Every religion has its own set of rules. Some are there to keep certain values entertained. If modesty is preached, the people don't make dick jokes or go about with tits out. If warriors are praised, the pacifist and conscientious objector will be shunned. How often are these rules broken? How are they enforced? What are the punishments for breaking the rules?

You must look at the message your religion conveys. We always hear about the peace and love. Mix it up and allow religions to send mixed messages. It makes it interesting.

Accessories

Every religion needs its accessories. A place to worship in, certain garments to wear and a symbol.

Places to worship can be any place. A building or outside in the open. You can have gilded temples with jewelled idols or your simple altar. You can have your field, forest and beach or river to pray beside.

Perhaps your religion has certain clothes one wears. Islam has the hijab or burka. Hindus have the bindi and the sari. Catholic women used to and still sometimes wear veils in mass. Judaism has their skull caps and rock awesome beards.

Symbols can be anything. It can be a circle. It can literally be a chair. But it needs a reason to be important. Perhaps the deity created the first Lay-Z boy or maybe the saviour likes good back support.

Lessons From The Hijrah 🍃🐪 Dr. Akram Kassab

The Hijrah is one of the events that changed the course of history, and it contains many lessons and learnings, and here I will mention some of what I learned from this blessed migration:

1. The Hijrah taught me: That tawakkul (reliance) upon Allah does not negate taking practical steps. Rather, the first step of having Tawakkul is to be taking practical measures, and this was evident in going out at night and hiding in the cave.

2. The Hijrah taught me: That the [best] outcome is for the righteous. So no matter how much the falsehood rises it is defeated, but victory is not only a victory over an enemy, but your persistence in the truth is a victory, and your adherence to your principles is a victory. Mus'ab did not see the stabilization of the muslim community nor did Hamza see the religion of Islam becoming dominant but they were victorious by remaining steadfast upon their principles until they died.

3. The Hijrah taught me: that sincerity is the basic foundation. So whoever speaks for da'wah seeking fame or wealth has missed the goal. If Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, wanted that, he would not leave his homeland and would not leave his house. So make sincerity your guiding motto and the world and the hereafter will come to you.

4. The Hijrah taught me: Moderation is the companion of the Muslim. So he is not humiliated when he is weak, nor is he arrogant when he is victorious. We saw the Messenger, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, leaving [his homeland] alone to migrate honored by his religion and dawah saying, as narrated by Ahmad: "If only your people did not force me to leave I would not have left." We also saw when he returned after eight years after the conquest of Makkah, he was nothing but humble and grateful.

5. The Hijrah taught me: That, without a doubt, God’s preservation of the callers of Dawah is certain, but preservation is not only the protection of life. Rather, from it, and most importantly, is the preservation of the religion. And no one emigrated for the sake of God except that God preserves his religion for him. And ask about Suhayb, Bilal, Ammar and Abu Salamah and you will be informed of this with certainty.

6. The Hijrah taught me: Confidence appears in during circumstances of difficulty. And here is the example of Al-Sideeq submitting himself to his friend, May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, on a journey filled with dangers. And what a most wonderful response of Al-Sideeq when he was asked: "Who is this man in front of you?" He said: "This man shows me the Way..." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

7. The Hijrah taught me: Victory comes with patience. There is no victory for the one who is frantic and hasty and no victory for the one who is quick to despair and lose hope. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Khabab and his brothers: By Allah, this religion (i.e. Islam) will prevail till a traveler from Sana (in Yemen) to Hadramaut fearing nobody except Allah and the wolf lest it should trouble his sheep, but you are impatient." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

8. The Hijrah taught me: Whoever left something for the sake of God, God would compensate him with something better than it. When the Companions left Makkah, which was of the best places to live, God conquered the world with them and they traveled the earth and inhabited many different lands bringing goodness and virtue to its' people.

9. The Hijrah taught me: that the woman is the companion of the man, so neither the man alone builds a civilization, nor can the woman alone create glory. And that is why Asma and those before her such as Sameeah and Naseebah were not absent from the events of the Hijrah.

10. The Hijrah taught me: that victory is not with the enthusiasm of the youth alone nor with the wisdom of the elders alone. The lesson is in the abilities and qualities. What Ali did is not less than what Al-Sideeq did. And Al-Sideeq did not qualify for his companionship [in the journey] due to his age or friendship, nor did Ali qualify for his role due to his youth or kinship, but rather what nominated each of that was based on their capabilities and qualities.

11. The Hijrah taught me: that preaching and guidance does not build civilizations or bring glory, but rather what builds civilizations and glories is through determination and planning. And the prophethood of the Prophet, may Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, did not prevent him from planning. So the role of Al-Sideeq was his companionship, the role of Ali was to take the place of the Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and the role of Asmaa was delivering food and sustenance, and the role of her brother was to bring news and to help keep their location hidden, and Ibn Areeqat's role was to show them the way.

12. The Hijrah taught me: That life has roles and everyone has a role in which he is fit and not everyone is fit for every role. He who does good work openly has a role model in the Al-Faruq, and whoever performs the work in secret has an example in the rest of his companions. And whoever God has endowed with money, then the giving of Al-Sideeq is a great example to be mentioned... So put yourself in what you have mastered and are effective, not what you love and desire.

13. The Hijrah taught me: that the leader does not deserve leadership if he takes it upon himself to act alone. Whoever leads alone will live alone and die alone. So the companionship of the leader is necessary. If someone was able to work alone, the Prophet, May the Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him, would have done it. And in the Qur’an: {He said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.” [At-Tawbah: 40].

14. The Hijrah taught me: The good is always in what God has chosen not what the servant of God wishes. God may dispel from you what you wish because He wants for you better than what you desire. Al-Sideeq wanted to migrate alone but Allah wanted for him an unparalleled companionship in his journey. And according to al-Tabarani, the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said: “Do not hurry; Perhaps God facilitate for you a companion [in your journey]".

15. The Hijrah taught me: That the Home of the Caller to Islam is his primary supporter. They believe in his idea, defend his cause, and carry out what his call requires. And how wonderful is the home of Al-Sideeq? The father is the companion [in the journey], the daughter brought them the food, and the son brought them the news. What a great and wonderful home.

16. The Hijrah taught me: Adversity strengthens the material of men. The men of Al-Arqam, the people of Abu Talib, and the people of the first and second bay'ah are the men of al-Hijrah, and they are the men of the da'wa and the state and how much has the intensity of the torture strengthened the resolve of Ammar, Bilal and Khabab.

17. The Hijrah taught me: That the man of the da'wah is not the man of the state, and there is good in each of them. Abu Dharr who was of the first of the Muhajireen, and he is the truest of the people in speech, but he is not fit for a statesman, even if he is a man of preaching at the highest and best degree. And therefore the abundance of worship does not qualify one for positions of leadership, and being from the first and foremost in the dawah does not necessarily qualify one for leadership.

18. The Hijrah has taught me: There are actions of the heart and actions of the body. For the heart is the worship through tawakkul (reliance), trust, tranquility, certainty, love and loyalty. And for the body are actions such as supplication, humbling oneself, reverence, striving, courage and generosity. So do not deprive yourself of either of these.

19. The Hijrah taught me: That brotherhood does not mean eating a brother’s money while he is under the duress of modesty. A person is more deserving of his own money. And according to Al-Bukhari, the Abu Bakr Al-Sideeq said: "O Messenger of God! I have two she-camels I have prepared specially for migration, so I offer you one of them." The Prophet said, "I have accepted it on the condition that I will pay its price."

20. The Hijrah taught me: The homeland of the Da'ee is where Allah opens the hearts of people for him and the Muslim’s homeland has no limits. If he is restricted in the place which he resides, even if it is the best of places, he must look for another place to reside. Allah says: And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance. [Al-Nisaa: 100]

-Dr. Akram Kassab

BASICS OF ISLAM : Islamic practice : Conclusion of Ramadan

Not long ago, we welcomed Ramadan with a mixture of feelings that overwhelmed our hearts and the hearts of Muslims all over the world. The hearts were and are full of hope, based on the promises and great tidings, given by Allah and His Messenger (S), of great bounties and endless blessings:

We have been promised that the past sins will be forgiven for those whose fast is based on belief (Eemaan), sincerity and on truly expecting the reward from Allah (Ihtisaab).We also have been promised that the past sins will be forgiven for those who offer night prayers (Qiyaam) during the whole month, and who do that with the same two conditions of Eemaan and Ihtisaab.We have further been told that there is one night in this month which is better (in rewards) than a thousand months of worship, and that all the past sins will be forgiven for those who spend it by offering Qiyaam again with both Eemaan and Ihtisaab.We have been told that the devils will be chained down, that the gates of Hell will all be shut and that the gates of Paradise will all be open throughout this month.We have been told that Allah will free (from punishment) some of his ‘ibaad (worshipers) on every single night of Ramadan.We have been told that Allah answers the du’aa of the fasting person at his iftaar.We have been told that Allah multiplies the rewards of fasting beyond limits or imagination.We have been told that the fasting person will be joyous and happy when he meets his Lord.

We all knew the true meaning of fasting. We knew that there are conditions for the fasting to be acceptable and to give its desired results: Eemaan and Ihtisaab.

So now that Ramadan is almost over let us ask ourselves:

Did we perform our fast with the true belief and the full surrender to Allah, or was it just a hard exercise for us in order to lose some weight? Did we fast because Allah imposed it on us or just because we have been used to it from our childhood? Were our intentions to please Him or to please and impress others?

Did we gain from the Season of Goodness during the past days? Have we been able to achieve any of its virtues?

We all hope to be among those who offered the fast in the right way, in order to cultivate its glorious fruits.We hope to be granted forgiveness of our previous sins, to be able to do much more good and to overcome all our weaknesses.We hope to be among those who receive the gifts from the Jannah, whose gates are open.We hope to humiliate our enemy (Satan), who is chained down, by rejecting any of his deceitful advice.We hope to be among those who shall be granted full atonement of their sins by the end of this month, and among those who will be most happy with their fast when they meet their Lord.We hope that all of us will be pleasing to Allah in our words and deeds so that we deserve His Mercy and victory.

Let us also keep in mind that the exercise of piety that we have performed during this Ramadan must not end with Ramadan.

Reciting Quran should not stop after Ramadan. If you can read one part every day then do so, but if one part is too much for you because you are too busy playing games and watching TV, then read something But do not neglect the Quran. You may not be able to fast every day after Ramadan, but you can fast three days every month, if not two days every week.

You may not be able to meet the members of this good Muslim community as we do for Iftars and Taraweeh prayers, but you can meet them every Friday after Ramadan and during other social gatherings which are made in the spirit of Ramadan.

Every Ramadan, this community, together with the members of the Islamic society at this collage, provide an excellent example about genuine brotherhood by the degree of cooperation, kindness and generosity offered and clearly manifested during Ramadan.

Let us pray to Allah to keep within each one of us the spirit of Ramadan after its departure.

ZAKAAH AL-FITR

Zakah al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadan. It is classified as a Wajib (compulsory) on every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.

The proof that this form of charity is compulsory can be found in the Sunnah whereby Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet made Zakah al-Fitr compulsory on every Muslim, male, female, young or old. The head of the household of family may pay the required amount for the other members.

The significant role played by Zakah in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the Zakah al-Fitr. However, in the case of Zakah al-Fitr, each individual is required to calculate how much charity is due from himself and his dependents and go into the community in order to find those who deserve such charity. Thus, Zakah al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor.

This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have.

The main purpose of Zakah al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakah al-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with which they can celebrate Eid al-Fitr along with the rest of the Muslims.

Ibn Abbaas reported, “The Prophet made Zakah al-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadan) and so that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salah will have it accepted as Zakah, while he who gives it after the Salah has given Zakah.”

Hence, the goal of Zakah al-Fitr is the spiritual development of the Believers.

By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy for the less fortunate), gratitude to God and the righteousness. But, since Islam does not neglect man’s material need, part of the goal of Zakah al-Fitr is the economic well-being of the poorer members of society.

Zakah al-Fitr is only Wajib for a particular period of time. If one misses the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make it up. This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salaah al-’Eed’ .

However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of the companions of the Prophet used to pay Zakah al-Fitr before the `Eed. Ibn `Umar used to give it to those who would accept it and the people used to give it a day or two before the `Eed. And Ibn `Abbaas reported that the Prophet said,

“Whoever gives it before the Salah will have it accepted as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah will not, for it will only be considered as ordinary charity.

The amount of the Zakah is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The amount used to be made out of certain quantity of is of food, or grain. Now a days the amount of the Zakah is calculated by its monetary value. Keeping the purpose of the Zakah in mind, the contemporary scholars believe that making the Zakah in money is practical and more beneficial to those who are entitled to it.

What would a person do now with so much barley, wheat or even dates!

Successful indeed are those who, during this Ramadan, will fast during the day and pray at night. Those who did not will regret it, and regret it strongly …

Ameen. Aqeemus Salaah!

Assalamu aleikum ♡ Could you please recommend me some hadith (or Qur'an verses) about times such as this, like the plague, and about dealing with emotions such as fear, anxiety and all the negativity that follows such challenging times? Thank you very much and may Allah bless you for all you're doing here!

Walaikum Assalaam

Don't be anxious. Whatever is meant to happen; it will happen. If we are written to be tested then we will be tested. We cannot change the circumstances but it's in our control how we respond to it.

“No amount of guilt can change the past and no amount of worrying can change the future. Go easy on yourself for the outcome of all affairs is determined by Allah’s Decree. If something is meant to go elsewhere, it will never come on your way, but if it is yours by destiny, from it, you cannot flee.”

-Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him)

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala won't burden us with something that we can't handle. Read these quotes it will help you in shaa Allah

"The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘There isn’t a man who stays in his house during a time when the plague occurs with patience, hoping for reward and knowing that nothing will afflict him other than that which has been written for him - except that he will have reward similar to the reward of a martyr.’ (Ahmad)

Ibn Hajar said whoever does the following three things will have the reward of a martyr whether he lives or he dies. Look at the beauty of this religion! The reward of a martyr for sitting at home. La ilaha ila Allah Muhammad Rasulallah ﷺ"

-Via Shaykh Mohammed Aslam

"If you’re feeling panicked, find a mushaf in your home. Even if you haven’t opened the Quran in such a long time- pick it up, hold it to your heart, and hug it. If you aren’t ready to start reading it, then just hold it and allow your heart to seek comfort from the Divine Words of the Most Merciful. And keep doing that until you start to open His Book.

Remember Who is in control. We are allowed to feel all of our emotions and it is valid to be so anxious you can’t sleep. In those moments, know you don’t have to be scared alone. Make istighfar- ask for His forgiveness. The Quran talks about this as a form of bringing so many different blessings into your life.

And when you’re overwhelmed at home trying to juggle your children’s needs and work, start saying Alhamdulilah- thanking Him. Because if you’re reading this on your smartphone, you might also be living in security with enough food in your fridge. There are people everywhere facing the virus without these basic necessities.

Many of you have empathized with oppressed populations, but not actively remembered their plight. This is our opportunity to remember the fear which they have lived with for decades in our daily prayers and call out to Him with a sincerity for them that we may have lacked when we simply didn’t know.

This is a time to process our emotions through our relationship with God. With the closing of masajid, the quarantining at home, the sudden unexpected rates of death and disease and the impact on that on our economies and daily lives an entire globe - isn’t it time to turn back to Him? The fact that you still have time to do so and are considering it- that’s a sign He has already turned to you. So turn back to Him."

-Ustadha Maryam Amir

"DO NOT squander this time. This is a windfall if you actually think about it.

The one thing that everyone regrets the most when they die is the time they wasted.

Life is a precious gift. No matter what your situation is right now, don’t forget that you were given EXISTENCE by the Creator of the Heavens and the Universe.

He WILLED for *you* to be here.

He CREATED *you* with intent.

He CREATED *you* to experience all the beauty and wonders of the world…to KNOW…to FEEL…to WITNESS…to HEAR….to TASTE…to LOVE…but perhaps you’ve forgotten what that really means and this is all to remind you!

Maybe you’re spared this illness so that you can actually take inventory of your life and get back in touch with who you are and what you’ve forgotten all these years distracted by work, responsibility, commutes, bills, taxes, school, family, friends, community service, etc…

Maybe you’re forced into spending time with your family because you’ve forgotten just how important they are to you or vice versa.

Maybe you’re supposed to have those long moments of panic and anxiety so that you move away from looking at the pantry shelves to looking at your children’s faces and realizing how much time has passed since you once held them in your arms and how the future is uncertain for you and them, but what matters is NOW and alhamdulillah you are with them and they are with you; healthy and together.

Maybe you’re supposed to scroll through pages of news and newsfeeds about this virus so that your neck begins to crane and you finally look up to see your spouse; the one whom, whether you’ve intended to or not, have taken for granted. You each have your roles to play and like ships passing each other in the night, you’ve found a rhythm, an efficient system to keep the family together…but what about you two? When is the last time you actually looked at one another with the loving gaze of someone who feels the value of the person in front of them upon their chest like a heavy weight? When is the last time you looked at your partner as if you weren’t guaranteed to see them tomorrow? Perhaps you’ll learn to do that now…and perhaps as a result, you’ll always see them that way and will never talk down to them, hurt them with insults, ignore them when they are in need, slight them in front of others, or treat them as though you are entitled to everything they do for you.

Maybe you’re supposed to wake up in the middle of the night sweating and unable to go back to sleep, so that you surrender to the solitude of the night and draw closer to the One who sends His angels looking for the ones who are looking for Him.

Maybe all of this started because of a dangerous virus with the potential to kill, but it will end by renewing life and light into hearts that died long ago; victims drowned by the turbulent waters of this dunya.

May Allah ﷻ guide us through these times to not squander the opportunities before us and to live and love fully, with presence, sincerity, transparency, and wholeheartedness. Amin."

-Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi

"In the midst of all this uncertainty and panic, I know things look bleak today…

-I personally had to cancel travel plans for the next two months.

-Some of my dear friends had to cancel a major event they’ve been planning for almost a year.

-Some of my friends who are immunocompromised are worried.

-Some friends reached out to me because they don’t know what to do about their children attending school.

-Some friends are worried about their elderly parents.

-Some friends are worried about their livelihood and businesses not being able to survive.

Whatever the case may be, let us keep perspective that as Muslims our Shariah compels us to preserve five things:

1. Faith

2. Life

3. Sanity/Mind

4. Lineage

5. Property

Our utmost concern right now should be to protect our faith, our lives, and our mental wellbeing.

This virus is on this planet and doing what it’s doing SOLELY by the permission of its Creator.

Our response should be to SUBMIT to our Creator, prioritize our faith, and beseech Him for protection.

We must also act responsibly to preserve our own safety as well as the safety of everyone else (family, friend, or stranger) that we come in contact with.

Thus, we must “tie our camel” and put our trust in Allah ﷻ to protect us from any and all harm.

This balance of submitting to God FIRST and then preparing and being responsible for the worst will protect our sanity so that we do not become paranoid and unreasonably afraid.

We must also remember that whatever opportunities or sustenance we have lost was never ours to begin with, and the Most Generous will either replace it with something better in this life or the next, IF we remain patient and accept His decree.

So let us not fall into despair, sadness, fear, and anxiety. Let us be wise, patient, and use the time of imposed isolation to reconnect with our faith and our Lord, as well as with our families.

Sometimes it takes calamities like this to recalibrate our hearts and remind us what our priorities should really be.

May Allah ﷻ protect and guide us all. Amin."

-Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi

Recite Astaghfirullah as much you can. As narrated in hadith

If anyone continually asks pardon, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon.(Abu Dawud)

Following are some dua that you can recite:

1.“Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy.”

(Aayah No. 83, Surah Al-Ambiya, Chapter No. 21, Holy Qur’an).

2. Recite “Hasbunallahu wa Ni’mal Wakeel” when you feel restless

“Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of Affairs.”

Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: When (Prophet) Ibraheem(عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) was thrown into the fire, he said: “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and, He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” So did Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (ﷺ), when he was told: “A great army of the pagans had gathered against him, so fear them”. But this (warning) only increased him and the Muslims in Faith and they said: “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)”. [Al-Bukhari].

3. O Ever Living, O Self-Subsisting and Supporter of all, by Your mercy I seek assistance, rectify for me all of my affairs and do not leave me to myself, even for the blink of an eye.’    [صحيح الترغيب والترهيب 1/273]

4.It was reported from Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say, when something upset him:

“Yaa Hayyu yaa Qayyoom, bi Rahmatika astagheeth (O Ever-Living One, O Everlasting One, by Your mercy I seek help).”

5. Allahumma inni a’oodhoo bika minal-hammi walhuzni, wal-’ajzi wal-kasali wal-bukhli wal-jubni, wa dal’id-dayni wa ghalabatir- rajaal

"O Allah! I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being oppressed by men."

I hope it will be helpful. May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala forgive us and guide us to the straight path.

Ameen

TEFSIR ibn KATHIR:: Surah Dhariyat Ayah 15-23

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

15. Verily, those who have Taqwa will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs,

16. Taking joy in the things which their Lord has given them. Verily, they were before this doers of good.

17. They used to sleep but little by night.

18. And in the hours before dawn, they were asking for forgiveness.

19. And in their wealth there was the right of the Sa'il and the Mahrum.

20. And on the earth are signs for those who have faith with certainty.

21. And also in yourselves. Will you not then see?

22. And in the heaven is your provision, and that which you are promised.

23. Then by the Lord of the heaven and the earth, it is the truth, just as you can speak.

Qualities of Those Who have Taqwa and Their Reward

Allah the Exalted says,

Verily, those who have Taqwa will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs, Allah the Exalted informs about those who have Taqwa, that on the Day of their Return they will be amidst gardens and springs.

To the contrary the miserable ones will be amidst torment, punishment, fire and chains.

Allah said,

Taking joy in the things which their Lord has given them.

His statement; (Taking) describes the state of the people of Taqwa in the midst of gardens and springs. They will receive what their Lord gives them, meaning, delight, happiness and favors.

Allah the Exalted and Most Honored said, Verily, they were before that, (in the life of the world), good doers,

As He said:

Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past! (69:24)

Allah the Exalted described the good acts that they performed, They used to sleep but little at night.

The scholars of Tafsir have two opinions about this:

The First Opinion

The first is that, they used to spend a little part of every night awake.

Ibn Abbas said,

"Every night, they would worship Allah, even during a little part of the night.''

Qatadah narrated that Mutarrif bin Abdullah said,

"Hardly a night would pass by them that they did not pray to Allah the Exalted and Most Honored, either in the beginning, or the middle of it.''

Mujahid said,

"Only a few nights, if any, would they sleep through the night until the morning without praying Tahajjud.''

Qatadah said similarly.

Anas bin Malik and Abu Al-Aliyah said,

"They used to pray between Al-Maghrib and Al- `Isha'.''

The Second Opinion

They used to spend a little part of the night in sleep. This was preferred by Ibn Jarir.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: (They used to sleep but little by night),

"They performed voluntary night prayer and would not sleep during the night except a little. They were active and would continue until they were seeking forgiveness right before dawn.''

Abdullah bin Salam said,

"When the Messenger of Allah arrived at Al- Madinah, people quickly gathered around him and I was among them. When I saw his face, I knew that it was not the face of a liar. The first statement I heard from him was, O people!

• Feed with food,

• keep relations to kith and kin,

• spread the Salam,

• pray at night while people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace.''

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abdullah bin Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said,

Verily, there are lofty rooms in Paradise in which their outside can be seen from inside and their inside from the outside.

Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari said, "Who are they for, O Allah's Messenger'' He said,

For those

• who use soft speech,

• feed food and

• spend the night in voluntary prayer while people are asleep.

Allah said:

And in the hours before dawn, they were asking for forgiveness.

Mujahid and several others said:

"They were performing Salah.''

Others said that they would stand in prayer during the night and delayed asking Allah for forgiveness until the latter hours before dawn.

As Allah, the Exalted the Blessed, said;

And those who seek forgiveness during the last hours of the night. (3:17)

This is because it is better if asking for forgiveness is done while praying.

It is confirmed in the Sahih collections as well as others, from several Companions, that the Messenger of Allah said,

Allah, the Most High, descends each night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains. He says,

"Is there anyone who is repenting so that I may accept his repentance? Is there anyone seeking forgiveness, so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone asking of Me, so that I may grant him his request?'' until Fajr begins.

Many of the scholars of Tafsir said that when the Prophet

Ya`qub said to his sons: I will ask my Lord for forgiveness for you (12:98), he delayed doing so until the hours before dawn.

Allah the Exalted and Most Honored said,

And in their wealth there was the right of the Sa'il and the Mahrum.

After Allah mentioned their quality of performing prayer, He then mentioned their quality of

spending in charity and acts of compassion and kindness, (And in their wealth there was the right), a designated part which they dedicated to the Sa'il and Mahrum.

The Sa'il is the poor who begs others, and he has a due right.

As for the Mahrum, Ibn Abbas and Mujahid said,

"He is the poor person who does not receive a stipend.''

Meaning he does not receive a stipend from the Muslim treasury, nor does he have a means of income, nor a profession.

The Mother of the faithful, A'ishah may Allah be pleased with her, said about the Mahrum,

"He is the displaced, the one who does not have a profession to easily earn an income from.''

Qatadah and Az-Zuhri said:

"The Mahrum is the one who does not ask the people for anything.''

Az-Zuhri added that the Messenger of Allah said,

The poor (Miskin) is not the one who goes round to the people and asks them for a mouthful or two or a date or two. But the poor is the one who

does not have enough to satisfy his needs and whose condition is not known to others, so that others may give him something in charity.

This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs using another chain of narration.

Allah's Signs on the Earth and in Mankind

Allah the Exalted and the Blessed said next, And on the earth are signs for those who have faith with certainty.

Allah says that there are signs on earth that testify to the might of the Creator and His boundless ability. These signs include what Allah placed on the earth, the various plants, animals, valleys, mountains, deserts, rivers and oceans.

He also created mankind with different languages, colors, intentions and abilities, and a variety among them, differences in the power of understanding and comprehension, their deeds, and ultimately earning happiness or misery. Allah put every organ in their bodies in its rightful place where they most need it to be.

So He said And also in yourselves. Will you not then see?

Qatadah commented,

"He who thinks about his own creation will realize that he was created with flexible joints so that it is easy for him to perform acts of worship.''

Allah the Exalted said next,

And in the heaven is your provision, (meaning, rain), and that which you are promised. meaning Paradise.

This was said by Ibn Abbas, Mujahid and several others.

Allah said:

Then by the Lord of the heaven and the earth, it is the truth, just as you can speak.

Allah is swearing by His honorable Self, all of the matters of the Judgement, Resurrection, and Recompense that they have been promised shall certainly occur. Therefore, it is the truth, there being no doubt about it, so do not doubt its coming, just as you do not doubt that you can speak When he would talk to one of his friends, Mu`adh used to say:

"What I am saying is as true as your being here.''

Tell us more about laylat ul-qadr please, with authentic hadiths. Jazakallah khairan

the Prophet said, “Search for the Night of Decree in the odd nights among the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1916, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1169

Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Look for the Night of Decree in the last ten nights of Ramadan. If one of you is weak or unable, then do not be overcome during the remaining seven nights.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1165

Abu Qilabah said, “The Night of Decree changes each year during the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

One of the best du’aa’s that may be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). Al-Tirmidhi narrated, and classed the report as saheeh, that ‘Aa’ishah said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’

He said, ‘Say:

Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni

(O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).”

THE MIRACLES OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbuh): Ninth Sign

One of the various kinds of miracles of God’s Most Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) is that like human beings, trees obeyed his orders, and moving from their places, came to him. There is also ‘consensus in meaning’ in the reports of these miracles, like those of water flowing from his fingers. They have been narrated in numerous forms and through numerous channels. Indeed, the consensus concerning trees leaving their places and coming to him may be considered as ‘explicit,’ because the best-known of the Companions such as ‘Ali, Ibn ‘Abbas, Ibn Mas‘ud, Ibn ‘Umar, Ya‘la b. Murra, Jabir, Anas b. Malik, Burayda, Usama b. Zayd, and Ghaylan b. Salama, each reported the same miracle with certainty. Hundreds of scholars of the succeeding generation narrated the miracle from one of the above-mentioned Companions through a different line of transmission, as though transmitting it to us in the form of multiple ‘consensus.’ Thus, this miracle of the trees has decisively and indisputably the certainty of ‘consensus in meaning.’ We will now cite only a few examples of this great miracle, although it was repeated many times.

F i r s t  E x a m p l e : Foremost, Imam Maja, and al-Darimi narrate from Anas b. Malik and ‘Ali, and Imam Bayhaqi from ‘Umar, that the Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) was saddened at the denial of the unbelievers. He prayed: “O my Sustainer!

Give me a sign that I shall no longer see anyone who contradicts me!” According to Anas, Gabriel was also present, upon whose instruction God’s Messenger called to a tree at the side of the valley. It came near him. He then told the tree to go back; it returned and settled itself in its place.

S e c o n d  E x a m p l e : In Shifa’ al-Sharif, Qadi Iyad, the leading scholar of the Maghrib, relates from ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Umar through an exalted and sound chain of narrators: “On one expedition, a beduin approached the Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace). God’s Messenger asked him: ‘Where are you going?’ He replied: ‘To my family.’ God’s Messenger asked him: ‘Don’t you want something better than that?’ The beduin asked: ‘What is that?’ The Messenger said: ‘That you bear witness that there is no god but God, He is One, He has no partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.’ The beduin asked: ‘What is witness to this testimony?’ God’s Messenger said: ‘The tree beside the valley shall bear witness.’” Ibn ‘Umar said: “Shaking, the tree cleft the earth and came to God’s Messenger. He asked the tree three times to testify; each time it testified to his truthfulness. When he ordered, it went back and settled in its place.”

According to the authentic narration of Ibn Sahib al-Aslami, Burayda reports: “When we were with the Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) on an expedition, a beduin came and asked for a sign, that is, a miracle. The Messenger said: ‘Tell that tree that God’s Messenger summons it!’ Then he pointed to a tree; it swayed to right and left, brought itself out of the ground with its roots, and came to the presence of the Messenger, saying: ‘Peace be upon you, O Messenger of God!’ The beduin said: ‘Now let it go to its place again!’ He commanded, and it went. Then the beduin said: ‘Allow me to prostrate before you.’ The Messenger replied: ‘No one is permitted to do that.’ The beduin said: ‘Then I will kiss your hands and feet,’ and he permitted him.”

T h i r d  E x a m p l e : Foremost the Sahih of Muslim, and the authentic books of Hadith relate that Jabir said: “We were together with God’s Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) on an expedition when he searched for a place to answer the call of nature. There was no secluded place. So he went towards two trees, caught hold of the branches of one of them, and pulled. Obeying him, the tree went together with him to the second tree. It was like an obedient camel being led by its reins. Having in this way brought the two trees together, he said: ‘Join together over me, with God’s permission!’ The two trees joined together and formed a screen. After relieving himself behind them, he ordered them to go back, and they returned to their places.”

According to another narration, Jabir said: “God’s Messenger commanded me: ‘Tell those trees to join together for the relief of God’s Messenger!’ I told them to do so, and they joined together. Then, while I was waiting, God’s Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) emerged, and indicated to left and right with his head. The two trees returned to their places.”

F o u r t h  E x a m p l e : Usama b. Zayd, one the brave commanders and servants of the Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace), reports in an authentic narration: “We were together with God’s Messenger on an expedition. There was no secluded, private place in which to answer the call of nature. He asked: ‘Can you see any trees or rocks?’ I replied: ‘Yes, I can.’ He ordered: ‘Speak to them and tell them to join together for the relief of God’s Messenger; also tell the rocks to gather together as a wall.’ I went and said as he commanded. I swear that the trees joined together and the rocks formed a wall. God’s Messenger after relieving himself, again commanded: ‘Tell them to separate!’ I swear by the Glorious One in the grasp of Whose power I am that the trees and rocks separated, and returned to their places.”

These two incidents which were reported by Jabir b. Usama were also reported by Ya‘la b. Murra, Ghaylan b. Salama al-Thaqafi, and Ibn Mas‘ud, referring to the Battle of Hunayn.

F i f t h  E x a m p l e : Reported by Imam b. Fawrak, known as ‘the foremost scholar of his time’ and ‘Shafi‘i the Second’ for his excellence in interpretation: “While travelling on horseback one night during the Ta’if expedition, sleep overcame God’s Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace). While in that state a lote-tree loomed up before him. To make way for him and not to hurt his horse, the tree split in two, and the Noble Messenger, on the horse, passed between the two parts of the tree.” The tree has remained as two trunks, in that honoured position, up to our time.

S i x t h  E x a m p l e : Ya‘la b. Murra relates in an authentic narration: “During an expedition, a tree -called either talha or samura- came, passed around God’s Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) as if circumambulating, and went back to its place. God’s Messenger said: ‘The tree requested of God that it should salute me.’ ”

S e v e n t h  E x a m p l e : Scholars of Hadith relate from Ibn Mas‘ud with an authentic narration: “When the jinn of Nusaybin came to the Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) in the place called Batn al-Nakhl in order to find guidance, a tree informed him of their coming.” Also, Imam Mujahid relates from Ibn Mas‘ud in the Hadith: “The jinn asked for a proof of his prophethood, so the Noble Prophet commanded the tree, and it left its place, came to him, then returned to its place.” That single miracle was sufficient for the race of jinns. So if a human being does not come to believe having heard of a thousand miracles like this one, is he not more of a devil than those described by the jinn as, “Some foolish ones among us”?

E i g h t h  E x a m p l e : Tirmidhi reports in his Sahih from Ibn ‘Abbas through a sound narration: “God’s Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) asked a beduin: ‘Will you testify that I am the Messenger of God if a branch of that tree comes to me when I call to it?’ He replied: ‘Yes.’ The Messenger called to the branch. It broke off and jumped over near him, then jumped back when he told it to do so.”

Like these eight examples, there are many others related through many chains of transmission. Seven or eight strands of rope form a strong cable when they come together. Similarly, these miracles concerning trees, which were reported on the authority of the best-known and most veracious Companions in thus numerous chains of transmission, certainly have the strength of ‘consensus in meaning,’ indeed, ‘true consensus.’ In fact, they take on the form of ‘consensus’ when passed down by the Companions to the following generation. In particular, the accurate books of Hadith such as Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Hibban, and Tirmidhi, made the chains leading back to the time of the Companions so sound, and they kept them thus, that reading a Hadith, say in Bukhari, is like hearing it directly from the Companions.

If, as seen in the above examples, trees recognize God’s Messenger(Upon whom be blessings and peace) testify to his prophethood, visit and salute him, and obey his orders, and those lifeless, unreasoning creatures who call themselves human beings do not recognize him or believe in him, will they not be more worthless than a dead tree, and like a piece of wood, fit for the fire?

The Life of The Prophet Muhammad: The Battle of Badr and Afterwards

THE BATTLE OF BADR: Part 2

Consultation with Mujahids

The Messenger of Allah gathered the Companions. He asked them whether it was more appropriate to follow the caravan or to fight the army of the polytheists. Some mujahids said it was more appropriate to follow the caravan. The Messenger of Allah did not like this idea. Meanwhile, Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar got permission to speak and said that it was more appropriate to proceed against the army of the polytheists and to fight them. The Prophet was glad to hear this thought.

Then, Miqdat b. Aswad from Ansar said, “O Messenger of Allah! Do whatever your Lord ordered you to do. We will not say as Banu Israel, who said to Moses, ‘Go thou, and thy Lord and fight ye two, while we sit here’. We will obey you.” 

The Prophet was very glad to hear this Companion, who was a symbol of altruism and courage; he prayed for this Companion.

After these talks, the decision was almost certain. However, it was necessary to ask the view of Ansar because they had promised to protect the Prophet and Muslims in Madinah. Now, they were outside Madinah. The Messenger of Allah asked their view about the issue.

Sa’d b. Muadh got permission to speak on behalf of Ansar and said,

“O Messenger of Allah! We believed in you and confirmed you. We witnessed that whatever you brought was right. We promised to listen to you and to obey you.

O Messenger of Allah! Do whatever you want to do; we are together with you. I swear by Allah, who sent you with the true religion, that if you showed us this sea and jumped into it, we would jump with you! Not even one person from us will remain behind. We will not avoid fighting the enemy. We will not return during the battle. Lead us with the blessing of Allah!” 

The decision was certain: A handful of mujahids were going to fight against the army of the polytheists, which was much superior to them in terms of number and weapons. Their superiority in number and weapons did not intimidate the heroic Companions. They risked, as it was stated in the Quran, “being driven to death and they (actually) saw it.” They trusted in the help of Allah. They knew that they were going to struggle for Allah and they believed heartily that the Owner of the religion would help them.

The mujahids were few in number but their belief and courage were like mountain chains. Their reliance point was the owner of the Universe; their leader was the master of the Universe, Hz Muhammad (pbuh). Such an army would definitely risk everything and would not avoid or fear from fighting the army of the polytheists!

The Messenger of Allah, who was very pleased with the speech Sa’d b. Muadh (may Allah be pleased with him) made, addressed the mujahids as follows: “Proceed and be happy with the grace of Allah! I already see the places where the Qurayshis will fall one by one and lie!” 

This speech affected the mujahids more deeply and increased their excitement. They started to move toward Badr enthusiastically.

Estimating the number of Soldiers of the Enemies

The Islamic army approached Badr on Thursday night, at the time of night prayer.

The Messenger of Allah said, “I hope we can get some information next to the well near that small hill.” Then, he sent some Companions like Hazrat Ali, Zubayr b. Awwam and Sa’d b. Abi Waqqas to that direction.

Meanwhile, the water-carriers of the polytheists were near the well with their camels that carried water. The mujahids captured some of them.

When they were taken to the presence of the Prophet, he said to them, “Give me some information about Quraysh!”

They said, “They are in the highest and farthest side of that sand hill.”

The Messenger of Allah asked, “How many people are there?”

They answered, “A lot.”

The Prophet asked again, “What can be their number?”

They said, “We do not know.”

This time, the Prophet asked, “How many camels do they slaughter every day?”

They said, “One day, nine camels and one day, ten...”

Then he asked, “Who are among them from the notables of Quraysh?”.

When the water carriers mentioned most of the names of the Qurayshi notables, the Messenger of Allah turned toward his Companions and said,

“Makkah sacrificed its most beloved people for you!”

Then, he asked the men, “Did any Qurayshis return on the way?”

They said, “Yes. Banu Zuhra returned together with Ahnas b. Sharik.”

Then, the Prophet said, “Allah showed Banu Zuhra the right path although they did not know the hereafter, Allah and the Book.” 

The Places Where the Notables of Quraysh will be Shot

When the Prophet reached Badr at night, he said, “Inshaallah, this is the place where such and such a person will be shot and fall! That is the place! This is the place.” He showed one by one where the leaders of the polytheists would be shot and fall by putting his hand on those places.

Hazrat Umar said,

“All of them were shot and fell at exactly where the Messenger of Allah had shown, neither forward nor backward!” 

Islamic Army Reaches Badr Before

The Messenger of Allah reached Badr before the polytheists and settled in a place very close to Badr well. He talked to his Companions about where to set up the headquarters.

Hubab b. Mundhir, who was about thirty-three years old then, stood up and said, “O Messenger of Allah! We are warriors. I regard it appropriate to close all of the wells except one and set up the headquarters there.” Then he said, “O Messenger of Allah! Is this place somewhere that Allah ordered you to settle and is it not permissible to go forward or backward? Or did you choose it personally as a precaution of war?”

The Messenger of Allah said, “No! I chose it personally as a precaution of war.”

Thereupon, Hubab said, “O Messenger of Allah! It is not appropriate to set up the headquarters here. Make people stand up at once! Let us go and settle near the well where the Qurayshis plan to settle. I know that place. There is a well with very nice and plenty of water. Let us close all of the wells behind that well. Then, let us make a big pool and fill it with water; then we will fight the polytheists. We will drink water from our pool as we get thirsty. They will not be able to find water and will be in a difficult situation.”

The Messenger of Allah said, “O Hubab! Your view is the right one” and stood up. The mujahids stood up, too. They went near the well where Qurayshis planned to settle.

All of the wells were closed upon the order of the Prophet. A pool was built and it was filled with water; then a receptacle was put in it. 

A Shade is built for the Prophet

Meanwhile, upon the offer of Sa’d b. Muadh, a shade, that is, a tent was built with date branches. The Prophet went under the shade together with Hazrat Abu Bakr.

Sa’d b. Muadh girded on his sword and started to keep guard with a few Companions in front of the shade. 

The Army is Put in Position

The Messenger of Allah put the army in position as soon as he arrived at Badr. He checked the ranks carefully. The Muslim forces had been divided into three: The Muhajirs, the Aws tribe the and Khazraj tribe. Each group gathered under their own standard. Musab b. Umayr was holding the standard of the Muhajirs; Sa’d b. Muadh was holding the standard of the Aws tribe and Hubab b. Mundhir was holding the standard of the Khazraj tribe. 

After the organization, the Messenger of Allah instructed the army as follows:

“Do not leave your lines! Stay firmly in your places without moving! Do not start fighting before I order you to do so. Do not waste your arrows by shooting them before the enemy approaches. Shoot your arrows when the enemy opens the shield. When the enemy approaches very near, throw stones. If the enemy approaches too much, use your spears and pikes. Use your swords when you are face to face with the enemy.” 

Every mujahid made a pile of stones where they were. It would be useful for them since they were going to be in the position of defense. The enemy was deprived of it because they were going to attack. Therefore, they could throw only a few stones when they attacked.

Muslims spend the Night Praying and Worshipping

It was one night before the battle.

The Prophet was in the shade built for him. He spent the whole night worshipping the Lord of Majesty. Then, he opened his hands toward his Merciful Lord and uttered the following supplication, which was so sorrowful as to make the universe cry and so effective as to make the earth and sky cry:

“O, Allah! Keep the promise you have made me!

O, Allah! If this handful of mujahids is destroyed, there will be nobody left to worship you on earth.” 

The Messenger of Allah repeated the same supplication in the prayers. The mujahids who heard this supplement could not standstill due to their excitement.

Two Armies Confront

The Messenger of Allah completed the preparations of the army. Meanwhile, the army of the polytheists reached Badr.

The scene was very thought-provoking. Most of the soldiers to fight against one another were relatives. Brothers, fathers and sons, uncles and nephews would fight against each other.

The army of the enemies had organized their ranks.

The Prophet came out of his shade and checked the army for the last time. Everything was in order, as he wanted. However, the enemy was superior in terms of the number of soldiers and weapons. Seemingly, it was not going to be an equal struggle. However, the mujahids never lost hope and believed heartily that the battle would end with their victory despite everything.

IS JERUSALEM A SACRED ISLAMIC CITY?

There is a big difference between a city being sacred in the eyes of God and it being a sacred Islamic city.

BY IMAM TAWHIDI 

Jerusalem is home to around 400,000 Muslims, but is it a sacred city according to Islam? This is a question the majority of Muslims within the political and academic world try to avoid, simply because it opens a rather uncomfortable discussion. In fact, a Muslim asking such a question could face serious consequences; such as society doubting in his/her faith.

Until 2014, I was an Islamist who abhorred Jewish people and was open to waging war against them. Today, however, I am friends with many Jewish faith leaders. This transition wasn’t political, it was rather theological. In brief, I started to question certain claims taught to me by my teachers and Muslim community. I began by asking myself the question, does Jerusalem really belong to Islam and Muslims? To answer this vitally important question, we need to inquire how cities become sacred according to Islam. Sacred cities in Islam Throughout human history, every religion has been associated with an area that has been sanctified, respected and revered. Islam is no different. There are tens of sacred cities in Islam, such as Mecca, Medina, Qum, Karbala and Najaf – due to clear verses of the Koran acknowledging their glory or sayings of Prophet Mohammad assuring Muslims of their exaltation. There is a big difference between a city being sacred in the eyes of God and it being a sacred Islamic city. For example, all prophetic tombs, birthplaces and areas where miracles took place are considered sacred in Islam, but they are not specifically Islamic locations. A sacred Islamic location is a location wherein a significant Islamic event has taken place by either Allah or Prophet Mohammad. Jerusalem in Islamic scripture The Holy Koran states very clearly that the Holy Land, Jerusalem, belongs to the Jewish nation of Moses, the Israelites: “And [mention, O Muhammad], when Moses said to his people, “O my people, remember the favor of Allah [God] upon you when He appointed among you prophets and made you possessors and gave you that which He had not given anyone among the world” (Koran: 5:20 onwards). The above verse also makes it clear that God “had not given (this land to) anyone among the world” other than the Jewish nation. From this verse, and others of similar context, we understand that Jerusalem is a sacred city according to God, but it is not a sacred Islamic city, due to the fact that its sacredness was established before the existence of Islam. After the emergence of Islam, in the year 621 CE, it is believed that Prophet Mohammad took a miraculous and spiritual night journey to Al-Aqsa Mosque (the Farthest Mosque). This event is reported in the Koran in the following verse: “Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from the Sacred Mosque (Mecca) to al-Masjid al- Aqsa (the Farthest Mosque), whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs…” (Quran 17:1). Two vital matters need to be addressed regarding the above verse: 1. Prophet Mohammad traveling to a location does not make that location “Islamic.” 2. There is little evidence that “Al-Aqsa Mosque” is actually in Jerusalem, and there are a large number of Muslims who believe that “the Farthest Mosque” is a reference to a mosque in the heavens, not on earth; due to the fact that the current Al-Aqsa Mosque did not exist during the lifetime of Prophet Mohammad, making it impossible for him to have visited it. Messengers of both Judaism and Christianity had arrived in Jerusalem to preach their scriptures centuries before Prophet Mohammad. Therefore, it cannot be historically accurate to say that Mohammad brought Islam to Jerusalem before them. Up until the migration of Mohammad to Medina in 622 CE and the official establishment of Islam therein, Islam was a minority religion when compared to the two well-established religions of Judaism and Christianity. Besides, the citizens of Jerusalem who converted to Islam merely changed their own faith, not the entire history of Jerusalem. Thus, neither Islamic scripture nor history  claim that Jerusalem is a sacred Islamic city. Jerusalem meets Islam In May 632 CE, Prophet Mohammad appointed Usama ibn Zaid as the commander of his army to respond to the Romans in an agreed-upon battle within Palestine. The next day Usama set out for his expedition, but he then learnt that Mohammad had died and therefore he returned to Medina. Caliph Abu Bakr then ordered Usama to increase his army to 3,000 men and to attack the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Moab and Byzantine-held Darum, to kill or capture as many as he could and Usama did so. This event proves that up until the demise of Prophet Mohammad, there were no Muslims in what is today known as Palestine, and that it was inhabited by the Romans of the Byzantine. Also, Prophet Mohammad would not wage war against a city full of Muslims. In reality, Islam as a religion officially came to Palestine in the year 636 CE, four years after Mohammad’s death and during the reign of the second caliph of Islam, Omar. The Islamic caliphate conducted an attack on Jerusalem, which was ruled by the Byzantine Romans. The city was placed under a four-month siege commencing in November of that year. After four months of hardship and butchery, the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Sophronius, surrendered Jerusalem to Caliph Omar in 637 CE. When Caliph Omar realized that Islam was still a minority religion in the region, he adopted the jizyah system, forcing Christians and Jewish people to pay tax to the Islamic caliphate. After conducting a massacre of the citizens of Jerusalem, our Caliph Omar came to Jerusalem to appoint his governors. He then built what is known today as “the Aqsa Mosque,” which many Muslims mistakenly think was built by Prophet Mohammad. The mosque in Jerusalem with its golden dome is known to Muslims as “Qubbat al-Sakhrah” (Dome of the Rock), and it was completed in 691 CE by the Umayyad Dynasty, the following Islamic caliphate. It is arguably not permissible for Muslims to pray within Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Qubbat al-Sakhrah, as they are built upon occupied and invaded land. By the ninth century, the Fatimid Dynasty, a Shia Islamic caliphate, ruled a large area of north Africa. They were also terrorists who invaded Palestine and massacred Christians in Jerusalem for siding with the Romans of the Byzantine, who had attempted to regain their conquered land. The notorious caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate, Al-Hakim, caused much damage to the entire region, even killing John VII, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, a provocative act that laid the groundwork for the First Crusade. Due to the defeat of the Crusaders, Muslims became the majority, by the sword and not by the pen. By this time, the entire Mediterranean coast of Palestine had been captured, followed by a series of massacres of the Christian people and a genocide that spread all the way to Damascus and Beirut. Islam became the established religion of Palestine by the ninth century, and became the majority religion of the region throughout the Mamluk Era, between 1250 and 1516. Therefore, we Muslims did not enter Palestine as preachers and convert its nation into Muslims. We murdered their leaders and conducted serial massacres led by both Sunni and Shia terrorist Islamic caliphs. The citizens of Palestine may convert to Islam, but in no way can Palestine be considered Muslim land. Of course, many may dispute this position, but the fact is that the Jews were in this land long before even Christianity arose. Their ancient cultural links remain unbroken, as in the saying each Passover, “Next year in Jerusalem.” Our Arab-Muslim ancestors came out of their deserts as conquerors and not as learners, and as guiders who do not seek the guidance of others. They believed that they had sufficient knowledge and wisdom, and that they did not need to learn anything from others. This delusion of my co-religionists persists to this day, despite the fact that the world has changed. Disturbing events in Islamic history On the other hand, I do not understand the Muslim struggle for Jerusalem. Islamic laws strictly prohibit relieving oneself while facing Mecca, in fact, toilets in all Islamic countries and most Muslim homes do not face Mecca, out of respect to the holy city. Yet Bukhari reports that our Prophet Mohammad used to deliberately and repeatedly relieve himself while facing Jerusalem, even though he could have faced another direction instead. Does it make sense that Palestinians are dying for Jerusalem when their own beloved Prophet used to prefer defecating toward it? Whether Palestine is Jewish land or whether Israel is a state are two completely different debates. A Muslim may reject Israel being a state, but cannot deny the fact that the entire region, including Palestine, is in fact Jewish land.   The writer, an Iranian-born Australian Shia Muslim Imam, is president of the Islamic Association of South Australia.

Imam Mohamad Tawhidi

In The Chapter Of The Qur'aan Called Surat al -Qadr, Allaah (God), ta^aalaa, said:

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ

Which Means: The whole Honourable Qur’aan was brought down in its entirety during the Night of Qadr.

The Blessings of "Laylatul Qadr" (The Night Of Sublime Greatness)

The Night of Qadr is a very great night in the blessed month of RamaDaan. It is “the Night of Greatness.”

In it, Allaah Ordered A Great Book- the Qur’aan To Be Brought Down By Angel Gabriel. Each year, when the Night of Qadr occurs, Great Honourable and Great Mercies come down to earth.

This night is not a night specific to the Nation of MuHammad which occurred after the revelation to Prophet MuHammad, Sallallaahu ^alayhi wa sallam. It is known that the Night of Qadr occurred during RamaDaan in the eras of the previous Prophets.

However, what is a specific for the nation of Prophet MuHammad is that Allaah guided them to know that the month of RamaDaan would be their fasting month.

In Surat Al -Qadr, Allaah, ta^aalaa, said:-

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ

Means:

[The whole Qur’aan was brought down in its entirety during the Night of Qadr].

The Qur’aan was copied from the Guarded Tablet and Angel Jibril (Gabriel).brought it down as a complete book to Baytul-^Izzah in the first sky.

This occurred on the Night of Qadr in the month of Ramadan in the year Angel Jibril first brought the revelation to Prophet MuHammad, Sallallaahu ^alayhi Wa Sallam.

Then, on the next day, Angel Jibril came with the first five verses of the chapter called Surat-ul-^Alaq.

This was the beginning of the prophethood of Prophet MuHammad, Peace and Blessings Be Upon him.

Ibn Hibban narrated from Wathilah Ibn al-‘Asqa^ that he said the Prophet, MuHammad, Sallallaahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said:

أنزلت التوراة لست خلون من رمضان

Which Means:

The Torah was revealed on the sixth (6th) night of Ramadan,

The Injeel on the thirteenth (13th) night,

The Zabur on the eighteenth (18th) night,

and

The Qur’aan on the twenty-fourth (24th) night of Ramadan.

From this hadith it is known that it is not a condition that the Night of Qadr happens on the 27th or the 29th of the month of Ramadan, although from other hadiths we know that this is most likely the case.

Since the Night of Qadr might occur on any of the nights of Ramadan, the Muslims should put forth effort to pray each night of Ramadan, seeking the promised reward for the one who prays (the optional prayers) during that night. Making the extra effort in worshipping Allah especially during the last ten days of Ramadan is recommended, because in most of the cases, the Night of Qadr occurs during one of those nights.

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ

literally means: [How would you know what the Night of Qadr is ?,] This means that before Allah informed you, you did not know what the merit of that Night was. This ayah truly is a question which emphasizes the high status of this night and encourages the person to seek its goodness.

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

is the answer to the previous question It means: [The reward one receives for praying during this night is greater than the reward he receives for praying one thousand (1000) months [which do not have the Night of Qadr in them.]]

تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

means: [The angels (in great numbers), including Jibril, descend from the sky to the earth during that night, and Allah gives them the knowledge of what is going to happen during the coming year.] It was narrated from Abu-Hurayrah that the number of angels who would descend to earth during that night may be more than the number of pebbles on earth. Jibril, referred to as “ar-Ruh” in this verse, will be among them.

Al-Hakim narrated from the Prophet that during the Night of Qadr Jibril comes down to earth with a group of angels, and they make supplication (du^a’) for every slave standing up or sitting down mentioning Allah. In another narration it is mentioned that these angels descend to earth at sunset and remain until the appearance of the dawn.

During the Night of Qadr, Allah, tabaraka wa ta^ala, gives the angels the knowledge of what is going to happen during the coming year in what pertains to the sustenance (rizq), the changes in the situation of the slaves, and the like. This is the meaning of min kulli amr (of all the matters) in the verse. Allah informs the angels about the details of the matters which will happen in the next year including what they are ordered to do that year. The angels copy matters from the Guarded Tablet which will happen during the coming year including the births, deaths, sustenance, calamities, enjoyments, and the like.

سَلامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

means: [The night is full of safety, goodness, and blessings (for the obedient believer) until the appearance of dawn.]

Among the signs that show the person that he saw (witnessed) the Night of Qadr are:

1. To see a great, clear light during the night other than the light of the sun, the moon, or electricity;

2. To see the trees prostrating;

3. To hear the voices of angels;

4. To see the Angels in their original form with two (2), three (3), four (4) or more wings, or to see them in the shape of a human being, i.e. the shape of a man (however, without genitalia).

Also, the way the sun rises the next morning is an indication that the previous night was the Night of Qadr. When the sun is rising its light and heat are not intense.

It is a very good sign for the person who sees the Night of Qadr and makes supplication (du^a’) during it.

A very great goodness is hoped for this person, and, in sha’ Allah, the supplication would be answered. At-Tirmidhiyy narrated from ^A’ishah that she said: “O Prophet of Allah, if I encounter the Night of Qadr, then what should I say? (What supplication should I make during it?). The Prophet answered her: “Say:

اللهم إنك عفو تحب العفو فاعف عني

which means:

O Allaah, You are the One who forgives a great amount and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.

We Ask Allaah bless us with seeing this great Night and making supplication in it Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen.

There is wisdom in hiding from the slaves exactly which night is the Night of Qadr. This is so they put forth effort during all the nights of Ramadan hoping that by that they would acquire the reward of praying during the Night of Qadr.

One would get the aforementioned multiplication of the reward, promised in the verses of the Qur’aan, by praying during that night whether one prays many optional rak^ahs or a few—even two (2) rak^ahs.

Reciting for a long time during the prayer is better than reciting for a short time.

If one has the choice between praying a few number of rak^ahs with a longer recitation in each and praying more (many) rak^ahs but reciting for a short time during each rak^ah, then the first is better. It is not a condition that one actually witnesses the signs of the Night of Qadr to get the promised reward of praying in that night.

Al-Bukhariyy and Muslim narrated from the Prophet, MuHammad, Sallallaahu ^alayhi wa sallam, that the one who prays during the Night of Qadr (out of believing in Allaah and for the sake of Allaah) then Allaah forgives him his previous sins. Some scholars said that the one who prays the Dawn Prayer (SubH) and the Evening Prayer (^Isha’) in congregation each day of Ramadan would get the reward of the Night of Qadr—even if he does not see that night. What a great reward!

Al-Bukhariyy and Muslim also narrated from ^A’ishah that the Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, urged the Muslims to take very special care to pray during the last ten nights of Ramadan, because most of the time the Night of Qadr is one of those nights. Likewise, they both narrated from ^A’ishah that she said: “When the last ten nights of Ramadan started, the Prophet used to put a forth great endeavor in worshipping during these nights. He used to pray the whole night and also wake his wives to pray.” They also related from ^A’ishah that the Prophet used to make I^tikaf (stay in the mosque during the last ten (10) nights of Ramadan) each year until he died.

Praying during all the nights of Ramadan has a great reward. Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, urged us to do that. Imam Muslim narrated from the Prophet that Allah forgives the previous sins of the one who prays all the nights of Ramadan out of believing in Allah and for His sake.”

We are now in the month of Ramadan. The blessings are coming down to earth to us. Many opportunities are open for us to acquire these blessings and the gate of repentance is open for those who want to repent. May Allah guide us. Let us take this great opportunity before we lose it.

O Allaah, You are the One who forgives a great amount and You love forgiveness so forgive me Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen and Aameen.

And Allah knows best.

* virtue of The Night of decree ( فضيلة ليلة القدر )*

(١) عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ دَخَلَ رَمَضَانُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ هَذَا الشَّهْرَ قَدْ حَضَرَكُمْ وَفِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ مَنْ حُرِمَهَا فَقَدْ حُرِمَ الْخَيْرَ كُلَّهُ وَلَا يُحْرَمُ خَيْرَهَا إِلَّا مَحْرُومٌ ( سنن ابن ماجه ١٦٤٤)

(1) Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said when the month of Ramadan began, “Verily, this month has presented itself to you. There is a night within it that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it has been deprived of all good. None is deprived of its good but that he is truly deprived.”( Sunan Ibn Mājah 1644)

*Knowledge of Laylat al-Qadr removed by insults ( رفع علم ليلة القدر بالسب و الإهانة )

عن عبادة بن الصامت أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَرَجَ يُخْبِرُ بِلَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ فَتَلَاحَى رَجُلَانِ مِنْ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي خَرَجْتُ لِأُخْبِرَكُمْ بِلَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَإِنَّهُ تَلَاحَى فُلَانٌ وَفُلَانٌ فَرُفِعَتْ وَعَسَى أَنْ يَكُونَ خَيْرًا لَكُمْ الْتَمِسُوهَا فِي السَّبْعِ وَالتِّسْعِ وَالْخَمْسِ ( صحيح البخاري ٤٩)

‘Ubadah ibn al-Samit reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came out to inform people about the Night of Decree in Ramadan, but two Muslim men were insulting each other. The Prophet said, “Verily, I have come out to tell you about the Night of Decree, but two men were insulting each other. Thus, its knowledge was removed and perhaps it is better for you. Look for it during the seventh, ninth, or fifth night of the last ten nights.”( Sahih al-Bukhari 49)

*Signs of The Night of decree ( علامات ليلة القدر )*

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةٌ طَلْقَةٌ لا حَارَّةٌ وَلا بَارِدَةٌ تُصْبِحُ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمَهَا حَمْرَاءَ ضَعِيفَةً ( صحيح ابن خزيمة ٢٠٤٩)

Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said regarding the Night of Decree, “It is a calm night, neither hot nor cold, and the sun arises on it red and feeble.” ( Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah 2049)

*Seeking for The Night of decree ( التحري لليلة القدر )*

(١) عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ القَدْرِ فِي الوِتْرِ مِنَ العَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ ( صحيح البخاري ٢٠١٧، صحيح المسلم ١١٦٩)

(1) Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Search for the Night of Decree in the odd nights among the last ten nights of Ramadan.” ( Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2017, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1169)

(٢) عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْتَمِسُوهَا فِي الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ يَعْنِي لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فَإِنْ ضَعُفَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَوْ عَجَزَ فَلَا يُغْلَبَنَّ عَلَى السَّبْعِ الْبَوَاقِي (صحيح المسلم ١١٦٥)

(2) Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Look for the Night of Decree in the last ten nights of Ramadan. If one of you is weak or unable, then do not be overcome by the remaining seven nights.”( Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1165)

*Supplication on The Night of decree ( الدعاء في ليلة القدر) *

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ إِن�� عَلِمْتُ أَيُّ لَيْلَة�� لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ مَا أَقُولُ فِيهَا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قُولِي اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عُفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي ( سنن الترمذى ٣٥١٣)

Aisha reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is the Night of Decree, what should I say during it?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Say: O Allah, You are pardoning. You love to forgive, so forgive me.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3513).

*Conclusion*

So, we have to strive on this blessed night to gain Allah's pleasure, may Allah grant us forgiveness on this night. Ameen.

* قصارى الكلام *

علينا ان نبحث عن هذه الليلة المباركة لرضوان الله تعالى ، غفر الله تعالى لنا ذنوبنا في هذا الليل. آمين

ISLAM 101: ISLAMIC PRACTICE: Part 5

CONCLUSION OF RAMADAN

Not long ago, we welcomed Ramadan with a mixture of feelings that overwhelmed our hearts and the hearts of Muslims all over the world. The hearts were and are full of hope, based on the promises and great tidings, given by Allah and His Messenger (S), of great bounties and endless blessings:

We have been promised that the past sins will be forgiven for those whose fast is based on belief (Eemaan), sincerity and on truly expecting the reward from Allah (Ihtisaab). We also have been promised that the past sins will be forgiven for those who offer night prayers (Qiyaam) during the whole month, and who do that with the same two conditions of Eemaan and Ihtisaab. We have further been told that there is one night in this month which is better (in rewards) than a thousand months of worship and that all the past sins will be forgiven for those who spend it by offering Qiyaam again with both Eemaan and Ihtisaab. We have been told that the devils will be chained down, that the gates of Hell will all be shut and that the gates of Paradise will all be open throughout this month. We have been told that Allah will free (from punishment) some of his ‘ibaad (worshipers) on every single night of Ramadan. We have been told that Allah answers the du’aa of the fasting person at his iftaar. We have been told that Allah multiplies the rewards of fasting beyond limits or imagination. We have been told that the fasting person will be joyous and happy when he meets his Lord.

We all knew the true meaning of fasting. We knew that there are conditions for the fasting to be acceptable and to give its desired results: Eemaan and Ihtisaab.

So now that Ramadan is almost over let us ask ourselves:

Did we perform our fast with the true belief and the full surrender to Allah, or was it just a hard exercise for us in order to lose some weight? Did we fast because Allah imposed it on us or just because we have been used to it from our childhood? Were our intentions to please Him or to please and impress others?

Did we gain from the Season of Goodness during the past days? Have we been able to achieve any of its virtues?

We all hope to be among those who offered the fast in the right way, in order to cultivate its glorious fruits. We hope to be granted forgiveness of our previous sins, to be able to do much more good and to overcome all our weaknesses. We hope to be among those who receive the gifts from the Jannah, whose gates are open. We hope to humiliate our enemy (Satan), who is chained down, by rejecting any of his deceitful advice. We hope to be among those who shall be granted full atonement of their sins by the end of this month, and among those who will be most happy with their fast when they meet their Lord. We hope that all of us will be pleasing to Allah in our words and deeds so that we deserve His Mercy and victory.

Let us also keep in mind that the exercise of piety that we have performed during this Ramadan must not end with Ramadan.

Reciting Quran should not stop after Ramadan. If you can read one part every day then do so, but if one part is too much for you because you are too busy playing games and watching TV, then read something But do not neglect the Quran. You may not be able to fast every day after Ramadan, but you can fast three days every month, if not two days every week.

You may not be able to meet the members of this good Muslim community as we do for Iftars and Taraweeh prayers, but you can meet them every Friday after Ramadan and during other social gatherings which are made in the spirit of Ramadan.

Every Ramadan, this community, together with the members of the Islamic society at this collage, provide an excellent example about genuine brotherhood by the degree of cooperation, kindness and generosity offered and clearly manifested during Ramadan.

Let us pray to Allah to keep within each one of us the spirit of Ramadan after its departure.

ZAKAAH AL-FITR

Zakah al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadan. It is classified as a Wajib (compulsory) on every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.

The proof that this form of charity is compulsory can be found in the Sunnah whereby Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet made Zakah al-Fitr compulsory on every Muslim, male, female, young or old. The head of the household of the family may pay the required amount for the other members.

The significant role played by Zakah in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the Zakah al-Fitr. However, in the case of Zakah al-Fitr, each individual is required to calculate how much charity is due from himself and his dependents and go into the community in order to find those who deserve such charity. Thus, Zakah al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor.

This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have.

The main purpose of Zakah al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakah al-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with which they can celebrate Eid al-Fitr along with the rest of the Muslims.

Ibn Abbaas reported, “The Prophet made Zakah al-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadan) and so that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salah will have it accepted as Zakah, while he who gives it after the Salah has given Zakah.”

Hence, the goal of Zakah al-Fitr is the spiritual development of the Believers.

By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy for the less fortunate), gratitude to God and the righteousness. But, since Islam does not neglect man’s material need, part of the goal of Zakah al-Fitr is the economic well-being of the poorer members of society.

Zakah al-Fitr is only Wajib for a particular period of time. If one misses the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make it up. This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salaah al-’Eed’.

However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of the companions of the Prophet used to pay Zakah al-Fitr before the `Eed. Ibn `Umar used to give it to those who would accept it and the people used to give it a day or two before the `Eed. And Ibn `Abbaas reported that the Prophet said,

“Whoever gives it before the Salah will have it accepted as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah will not, for it will only be considered as ordinary charity.

The amount of the Zakah is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The amount used to be made out of a certain quantity of is of food, or grain. Nowadays the amount of the Zakah is calculated by its monetary value. Keeping the purpose of the Zakah in mind, contemporary scholars believe that making the Zakah in money is practical and more beneficial to those who are entitled to it.

What would a person do now with so much barley, wheat or even dates!

Successful indeed are those who, during this Ramadan, will fast during the day and pray at night. Those who did not will regret it, and regret it strongly …

Ameen. Aqeemus Salaah!

THE MONTH OF RAJAB

_A Welcoming Month for Ramadhān_

Allah Ta'aala gives preference of one thing over the other. Sometimes Allah shows us the superiority of a certain land, city, night and day over the other. Likewise, amongst the month, one has priority over the other in the sight of Allah. Allah mentions in the Qur'aan:

*_إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُواْ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ.._*

_[سورة التوبة آية ٣٦]_

*_Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves (especially in these sacred months).._*

_[Surah Tawbah Verse 36]_

Here the twelve months are referring to the Islamic month /calendar. And this is what a Muslim should give great importance as well.

We come to know of the four sacred ones through the Hadith of Rasūlullah *ﷺ* :

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ *"‏..السَّنَةُ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا، مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ، ثَلاَثَةٌ مُتَوَالِيَاتٌ ذُو الْقَعْدَةِ وَذُو الْحِجَّةِ وَالْمُحَرَّمُ، وَرَجَبُ مُضَرَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ جُمَادَى وَشَعْبَانَ‏"* _(بخاري)_

*"..A year consists of twelve months. Among them are four which are sacred. These are consecutive: Dhul Qa'dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram and then Rajab"* _(Bukhari)_

*What should be done in the month of Rajab?*

_▪️ Strive more to stay away from committing sins_

Due to the sanctity of these four months, Allah Ta'aala has emphasised that one should take more precautions and stay away from all types of sins during these months. So just like the other three months, Rajab also is very auspicious. Allah Ta'aala has ordered us not to transgress ourselves during this month by committing sin. The sanctity of this month aggravates the sin we commit compared to other month.

_▪️Start preparing for Ramadhān_

We should also prepare for Ramadhān.

*كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا دَخَلَ رَجَبٌ قَالَ: اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي رَجَبٍ وَشَعْبَانَ وَبلغنا رَمَضَانَ* _(والبزار في مسنده، والطبراني في الأوسط، والبيهقي في الشعب)_

Nabi *ﷺ* would read at the appearance of the moon of Rajab:

*اَللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي رَجَبَ وَشَعْبَانَ وَبلغنا رَمَضَانَ*

*"Allahhumma barik lana fii rajaba wa Sha'bāna wa ballighnā Ramadhān."* _(Musnad Bazzār, Tabrani, Shu'abul Imaan)_

Translation:

_"Oh Allah bless for us the month of Rajab and Sha'baan and make us reach Ramadhaan (safely)."_

Preparation of Ramadhān starts from now.. start increasing our optional salaah, Dhikrullah, Tilāwah of Qur'aan etc.

*_What should not be done in the Month of Rajab?_*

Unfortunately, due to lack of knowledge/ignorance, people has attached a lot of things and innovation to the Month of Rajab.

Remember, Ibaadah/Allah's worship is only what Allah's messenger has taught us. Nothing more and nothing less.

Some of the innovation and incorrect customs are as follows:

*▪️41 times Surah Mulk*

_There are some who practice a certain custom on each Friday of Rajab or on other days (during this month) whereby for purposes of Isāle Thawāb (conveying reward to the deceased) they recite Surah Mulk 41 times on sweet rotis (an indian delicacy made from flour) and they then partake of the roti._

_This particular method of Isāle-Thawāb (conveying reward) is fabricated and incorrect. The Shari'ah has not specified any such method of Isaale-Thawāb._

*▪️Reward of a 1000 fast*

_Some people regard fasting on the 27th of Rajab to be necessary and the reward acquired equal to a thousand fasts. Some even refer it to as the fast of Sayyiduna Maryam (Alaihas Salaam)._

_This is absolutely baseless and such an erroneous belief denotes weakness in faith._

*▪️Salātur Raghā-ib!*

_Some people perform a certain Salāh on the first Thursday night of this month, whilst others perform this Salaah on the 27th night which they call Salaat-ur Raghaa-ib._ _This Salaah comprises of twelve rakaats and in each rakaat they recite Surah Fātiha followed by a Surah. Upon completing the twelve rakaats they remain seated on their places and recite Surah Fatiha seven times followed by a specific Du'aa four times and the following morning they fast._

_They believe that this act warrants reward equal to a hundred years of virtuous deeds. This is absolutely baseless and false. Such a virtue is not recorded in any Hadith of Rasūlullah *ﷺ*. Had there been any special merit of any form of Ibādah, then surely the companions of Rasūlullah *ﷺ* would have surely recorded it._

*▪️Celebrating The night of 27th of Rajab*

_The night of Me'raj (ascension) is indeed a great night. A journey which Rasūlullah *ﷺ* did physically. However, there's no mention in the Ahaadith that Rasūlullah *ﷺ* or any of his companions (رضي الله عنهم) has commemorate or celebrate this night after He *ﷺ* has come back from Me'rāj._

_In fact, there is no clear evidence on which night or month did the the miraculous journey took place._

*▪️Holding talks at the masjid*

_Some masājid hold talks on this particular night with the (good) intention that people comes to the masjid specifically on this night and they may benefit._

_This should also be discouraged. Because it's indirectly encouraging people to commemorate and give special importance to this uncertain night._

_By seeing the imaam of the masjid is having a special talk in masjid on this night, will reassure them that this is a night of great merit (regardless what we say in that speech). Whereas there is no greater merit than the Salāh of Fajr daily. These practices and beliefs shouldn't be entertained by neither the Imaam and the trustees of the Masājid._

Maulana M. Zaheer

26 Rajab 1442

09 March 2021

Daily Tafsir of Ibn Kathir

Dawud and Sulayman and the Signs which They were given; the Story of the People whose Sheep pastured

﴿Abu﴾ Ishaq narrated from Murrah from Ibn Mas`ud: "That crop was grapes, bunches of which were dangling.'' This was also the view of Shurayh. Ibn `Abbas said: "Nafash means grazing.'' Shurayh, Az-Zuhri and Qatadah said: "Nafash only happens at night.'' Qatadah added, "﴿and﴾ Al-Haml is grazing during the day.''

(And (remember) Dawud and Sulayman, when they gave judgement in the case of the field in which the sheep of certain people had pastured at night;) Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn Mas`ud said: "Grapes which had grown and their bunches were spoiled by the sheep. Dawud (David) ruled that the owner of the grapes should keep the sheep. Sulayman (Solomon) said, `Not like this, O Prophet of Allah!' ﴿Dawud﴾ said, `How then' ﴿Sulayman﴾ said: `Give the grapes to the owner of the sheep and let him tend them until they grow back as they were, and give the sheep to the owner of the grapes and let him benefit from them until the grapes have grown back as they were. Then the grapes should be given back to their owner, and the sheep should be given back to their owner.' This is what Allah said:

(And We made Sulayman to understand (the case).)'' This was also reported by Al-`Awfi from Ibn `Abbas.

(And We made Sulayman to understand (the case); and to each of them We gave wisdom and knowledge.) Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that when Iyas bin Mu`awiyah was appointed as a judge, Al-Hasan came to him and found Iyas weeping. ﴿Al-Hasan﴾ said, "Why are you weeping'' ﴿Iyas﴾ said, "O Abu Sa`id, What I heard about judges among them a judge is he, who studies a case and his judgment is wrong, so he will go to Hell; another judge is he who is biased because of his own whims and desires, so he will go to Hell; and the other judge he who studies a case and gives the right judgement, so he will go to Paradise.'' Al-Hasan Al-Basari said: "But what Allah tells us about Dawud and Sulayman (peace be upon them both) and the Prophets and whatever judgements they made proves that what these people said is wrong. Allah says:

(And (remember) Dawud and Sulayman, when they gave judgement in the case of the field in which the sheep of certain people had pastured at night; and We were witness to their judgement.) Allah praised Sulayman but He did not condemn Dawud.'' Then he -- Al-Hasan -- said, "Allah enjoins three things upon the judges: not to sell thereby for some miserable price; not to follow their own whims and desires; and not to fear anyone concerning their judgements. '' Then he recited:

(O Dawud! Verily, We have placed you as a successor on the earth; so judge you between men in truth and follow not your desire -- for it will mislead you from the path of Allah.) ﴿38:26﴾

(Therefore fear not men but fear Me) ﴿5:44﴾

(and sell not My Ayat for a miserable price.) ﴿5:44﴾ I say: with regard to the Prophets (peace be upon them all), all of them were infallible and supported by Allah. With regard to others, it is recorded in Sahih Al-Bukhari from `Amir bin Al-`As that the Messenger of Allah said:

(If the judge does his best, studies the case and reaches the right conclusion, he will have two rewards. If he does his best, studies the case and reaches the wrong conclusion, he will have one reward.) This Hadith refutes the idea of Iyas, who thought that if he did his best, studied the case and reached the wrong conclusion, he would go to Hell. And Allah knows best. Similar to story in the Qur'an is the report recorded by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad from Abu Hurayrah, who said that the Messenger of Allah said:

(There were two women who each had a son. The wolf came and took one of the children, and they referred their dispute to Dawud. He ruled that the (remaining) child belonged to the older woman. They left, then Sulayman called them and said, "Give me a sword and I will divide him between the two of you.'' The younger woman said, "May Allah have mercy on you! He is her child, do not cut him up!'' So he ruled that the child belonged to the younger woman). This was also recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in their Sahihs. An-Nasa'i also devoted a chapter to this in the Book of Judgements.

(And We subjected the mountains and the birds to glorify Our praises along with Dawud.) This refers to the beauty of his voice when he recited his Book, Az-Zabur. When he recited it in a beautiful manner, the birds would stop and hover in the air, and would repeat after him, and the mountains would respond and echo his words. The Prophet passed by Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari while he was reciting Qur'an at night, and he had a very beautiful voice, he stopped and listened to his recitation, and said:

(This man has been given one of the wind instruments (nice voices) of the family of Dawud.) He said: "O Messenger of Allah, if I had known that you were listening, I would have done my best for you.''

(And We taught him the making of metal coats of mail, to protect you in your fighting.) meaning, the manufacture of chain-armor. Qatadah said that before that, they used to wear plated armor; he was the first one to make rings of chain-armor. This is like the Ayah:

(And We made the iron soft for him. Saying: "Make you perfect coats of mail, and balance well the rings of chain armor.'') ﴿34:10-11﴾, meaning, do not make the pegs so loose that the rings (of chain mail) will shake, or make it so tight that they will not be able to move at all. Allah says:

(to protect you in your fighting.) meaning, in your battles.

(Are you then grateful) means, `Allah blessed you when He inspired His servant Dawud and taught him that for your sake.'