The Permissibility of Using Facebook for Dawah..

Question;
There is a website called Facebook which has become well known and is widely used all over the world. On this website every person has their own page where they can write in and post up their pictures. Through the use of this website men and women are able to look at one anotherýs pictures and they often meet up through this website. Furthermore, it has also been mentioned on some of the newspapers and news reports that cases of kidnap, as well as adultery and fornication have increased directly because of this website. Now some of Ahl us-sunnah have started to use this website in the name of Daýwah. So is it permissible for us to utilize this website whilst knowing all of what has been mentioned?

Answer
Shaykh al-'Allaamah Rabee' Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee hafidahullah
ýThe salafee does not visit this type of website. There are enough salafee websites that they can visit.ý


Shaykh Abu Umar Usaamah Utaybee of Madinah hafidhullah
ýThe website facebook is from the immoral and corrupt websites. And it is said that the Jews are behind it, and Allah knows best the truth of this statement. In any case, this does not concern us. That which concerns us is, whether the practices that occur on this website are permissible in the shareeýah. As for the use of this website for men to meet women, and the socialisation between sexes as well as the use of this site for other corrupt activities, then this is clearly impermissible.

And women are weak and naive, so Messenger (ie. msn) and Chat and other similar websites and programmers harm the society, if they are used between men and women. This is completely and absolutely impermissible, due to women being weak and vulnerable. And how many cases of fornication and divorce and sin have come about due to the use of these sites. And this is something clearly recognized.

Facebook came to gather between the evil of all of the previous messaging programmers. So all of these programmes were surpassed by Facebook and it increased upon them (i.e. their evil). Therefore it is an immoral and corrupt website. And if you were to use it to set up a page for Daýwah, then women would enter upon your page. And this would necessitate socializing with women and speaking to them, and perhaps she may even send you her picture and this is something unavoidable in Facebook. For that reason, the use of this website is impermissible, and I advise the youth that they stay away from it completely, and that they warn against it. And the fact that the sinful people and disbelievers use this website is not a reason for us to also use it, especially when the harm it causes is greater (than the benefit). So I advise you not enter into it.ý

Shaykh Abu ýAmr Al Hajooree hafidhullah of Yemen
Our Lord The Most High says in His Noble Book
وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشۡهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّواْ بِٱللَّغۡوِ مَرُّواْ ڪِرَامً۬
ýAnd those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignityý. And from the meanings of يشهدون to witness is يحضرون to take part in or to be present for. Allah the most high says
فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْه
ýSo whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month.ý Meaning is whoever is present for and takes part in (that month).

So it is not permissible for any Muslim who fears Allah to use this website and take part in it. Especially due to what has been mentioned from the corruption and widespread evil which is present within it from pictures and the meeting of women as well as that which takes place because of this website from illegal sexual intercourse and kidnappings and other than that from the crimes which occur. So it is not permissible to use this kind of website. And by the grace and bounty of Allah anyone can create his own forum in this time which we live in. So Ahl us-Sunnah should create their own websites and forums where there is no aiding one another upon sin and transgression but rather where the people aid each other upon righteousness and piety and where the people can call to Allah to their utmost. As for taking part in these kinds of websites, even if it is thought that there is some good in it, then the evil within it is a lot worse and taking part in this website constitutes agreeing with this evil so it is not permissible to take part in it.

Best times for a person to make du'aa

There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) as mentioned by Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). These times are as follows:

1. The Last Third Of The Night

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?.”‘ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]

Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: ‘The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.’ [at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, al-Hakim - Sahih]

2. Late at night

When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for whatever they need.

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.’ [Muslim #757]

3. Between Adhan and Iqamah

Anas (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.’ [Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]

4. An Hour o n Friday

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) talked about Friday and said: ‘There is an hour o n Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), then Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will definitely meet his demand.’ And he (the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque o n Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).
(Note: when we say an hour here we do not mean the hour everyone knows (60 minutes) but an unspecified period of time because the time counters which we use today came after the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had died.

5. While Drinking Zamzam Water

Jaber (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.’ [Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062]

This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness…. etc.

6. While Prostrating

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), said: ‘The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]

When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so it is best to invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) at this time. It is said that while in prostration, o ne should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.

7. When Waking Up at Night

Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai’in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) He is the o nly o ne who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) All the glories are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat:

Narrated Abu Omamah (radiAllahu anhu): that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi]

This time is after saying ‘At-tahyat’ , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer)

9. The Night Of ‘Qadr’ (Decree)

This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) said about it, “The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months.” [Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]

The Night of Decree is o ne of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the earth is overwhelmed with peace and serenity until the break of dawn and when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.

10. During The Rain

Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa’ad (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain’. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]

‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’ [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so, o ne should take advantage of this time when Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is having mercy o n His slaves.

11. At the Adhan

‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’ [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

In another hadith; ‘When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the du’a is answered’ [al-Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]

12. The o ne Who Is Suffering Injustice and Opression

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to Mua’ad Ibn Jabal (radiAllahu anhu), ‘Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the o ne who is suffering injustice) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared, ‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the o ne who is oppressed.’
[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

In another hadith; The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared: ‘Three du’as are surely answered: The du’a of the oppressed, the du’a of the traveler, and the du’a of the father/mother (upon their child)’

The o ne who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) when he invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) to retain his rights from the unjust o ne or oppressor. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) has sworn to help the o ne who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said.

13. The Traveler

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the o ne who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

During travel supplication is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.

14. The Parent’s Supplication for their Child

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the o ne who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

15. Dua after praising Allah and giving salat o n the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) in the tashahhud at the end of salat.

Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘When anyone of you makes du’a, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), then let him pray for whatever he wants’ [abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]

In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Every du’a is not responded to until o ne sends blessings upon the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)’ [al-Bayhaqi]

In another hadith; Umar (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Du’a is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)’
[at-Tirmidhi #486]

After a person has finished his tashahhud and before saying the ’salam’, supplication at this time is o ne likely to be responded to. Ibn Mas’ud narrates: I was o nce praying, and the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams o n the Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:‘Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!’ [at-Tirmidhi #593 - hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]

16. The dua of a Muslim for his absent brother or sister Muslim stemming from the heart.

The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence where the angels do not say, ‘the same be for you” [Muslim]

17. Dua o n the Day of Arafat

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘The best supplication is the supplication o n the day of Arafat’.[at-Tirmidhi and Malik]

The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. o n this great and momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together o n o ne plain, from every corner of the world, with o nly o ne purpose in mind – to respone to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.

18. Dua during the month of Ramadan

Ramadan is month full of many blessings, thus the du’a of Ramadan is a blessed o ne. This can be inferred from the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) saying: ‘When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise) are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Sahitans are locked up’ Thus, it is clear that du’a during Ramadan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened.
[Sahih al-Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079 and others]

19. Dua when the Armies meet

When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the du’a of a worshipper is accepted.

Sahl ibn Sa’d (radiAllahu anhu) narrtaed the the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du’a during the call for prayer, and the du’a during the clamity when the two armies attack each other’ [abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]

In another narration: ‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’[reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

20. When Muslims gather for the purpose of invoking and remembering Allah (Dhikrullah) .

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend o nto them and Allah will remember them among those with Him. [Muslim]

21. First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than during these ten days’ [Sahih al-Bukhai #969 and others]

22. Dua when the heart reaches out to Allah and is ready to be totally sincere

23. At Midnight

Abu Umamah (radiAllahu anhu) said, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was questioned; ‘Which du’a is heard (by Allah)?’ He answered, ‘At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer.’[at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

25. Dua of people after the death of a person

In a long hadith, Umm Salamah (radiAllahu anha) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, when Abu Salamah had just passed away, and had closed his eyes,
‘Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for the angels will say ‘Ameen’ to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise his ranks among those who are guided.’
[Muslim, abu Dawud, Ahmad]

26. Dua of the o ne fasting until he breaks his fast.

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the o ne who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

27. Dua of the o ne fasting at the time of breaking fast

The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,
‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler and the o ne who is oppressed.’ [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

29. Dua of a just Ruler

The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,
‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the o ne who is oppressed.’
[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

30. Dua of a son or daughter obedient to his or her parents

It is well known in the story narrated in hadith os three men who were trapped by a huge stone in a cave. o ne of them who was kind to kis parents asked Allah to remove the stone, and his du’a was answered. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3:36 #472]

31. Dua immediately after wudu

Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘There is not o ne of you that makes wudu, and does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah. he is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger’, except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he can enter into it through whichever o ne he pleases’
[Muslim #234, abu Dawud #162, Ahmad, an-Nasa'i]

Saying what has been mentioned in the hadith that is directly related to it (ablution)

32. Dua after stoning the Jamarat at Hajj

The stoning of the small Shaitan (jamrat sugra), or the middle Shaitan (jamrat wusta) pillars during Hajj.

It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make du’a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any du’a. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1753 and others]

33. At the Crowing of a Rooster

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a Shaitan’ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami #611]

34. Du’a made inside the Ka’bah

The Ka’bah is a sanctuary that has no comparison in the entire world. The du’a of o ne who prays inside the hijr is considered as being made inside the ka’bah, as it is part of the house (Baitullah). [This is the semicircle to the right of the Ka'bah if you face the door, opposite to the Yemeni corner and the Black stone wall.]

Usamah ibn Zayd narrated, ‘When the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) entered the House (Ka’bah), he made du’a in all of its corners [Muslim 2: 968 and others]

35. Du’a o n the mount of Safa or Marwah during Umrah or Hajj

It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would make long du’as at Safa and Marwah. [Muslim #1218 and others]

36. Dua at any of the holy sites.

37. While reciting Surah al-Fatihah

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that Allah the Exalted had said:
‘ I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me, and sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious — not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.
[Muslim 4: 395]

38. Saying ‘Ameen’ during prayer

After finishing the recitation of al-Fatihah, the saying of‘Ameen’ in congregation.
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘When the Imam says ‘Ameen’, then recite it behind him (as well), because whoever’s Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven.’ [Sahih al-Bukhari #780, Muslim #410 and others]

39. While visiting the sick, and dua made by the sick

Umm Salamah narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘When you visit the sick, or the dead then say good, because the angels say ‘Ameen’ to whatever you say [Muslim #2126]

Ali (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in Jannah.’ [at-Tirmidhi, abu Dawud]


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The Importance of Being Truthful

In the Name of Allaah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
All Praise is due to Allaah, Lord of everything that exists

The Importance of Being Truthful

One of the scholars from Kuwait, Shaikh Falah Isma'eel, recently relayed a heart-warming story that may interest you.

When Shaikh Isma'eel visited Holland, he was of course met by Muslims from Holland, and they told him, "if you had come two weeks ago, you would have seen it yourself. We prayed over this man [asking Allaah to have mercy on the deceased Muslim in what is called 'the funeral prayer'],"...and then they told him the following beautiful story.

[What follows is not verbatim, but a summary, with some explanations so as to clarify some terms that may be new to non-Muslims.]
quote:
quote:
He was a 26-year-old Christian from Holland. One day, he changed his dress to thobes, a burnoose, grew a beard, and the people started calling him "the one who looks like Jesus."

One day, he met some Muslims, and he said to them, "I love Jesus." And the Muslims told him, "We also love Jesus, and it is even a condition of Islam. We love Jesus and Moses."

So this man tried imitating Jesus, helping others when he could, cutting their lawns and the like. After two years, he entered the mosque [the Muslims' place of worship] for the first time, and he was greeted with "ahlan" [which means welcome, and thus was not greeted with the greeting reserved for Muslims "as-salaamu 'alaykum" (which means: may peace and safety be upon you on the Day of Judgement)].

He said, "no; I want to be a Muslim."

Then, the Muslims witnessed his testimony (pronounced "shahada") - there is none deserving of worship except Allaah, and Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, and Jesus is His servant and Messenger - taught him the basics, and taught him how to pray. He began praying in congregation with them, not missing a single congregation. Then one day, he noticed that the other Muslims were arriving at the mosque after him, so he asked for a key to the mosque. And he was given one.

The Muslims then observed that not only was he opening the mosque, but additionally he was routinely found in optional prayer whenever they entered the mosque for the dawn prayer. [They would enter and find him already engaged in the worship of Allaah.]

Then one day, he told the Muslims how he decided to become Muslim. He said he had a dream about Jesus (the son of Mary), and Jesus said to him, "Be Muslim. Be Muslim. Be Muslim." He said, "I woke up, and a few days later, I had the same dream. This happened three times."

[The shaikh interjected and said, this is success from Allaah.]

So after having prayed for 20 days with the other Muslims, he died.



May Allaah have mercy on him.

This is the mercy of Allaah, and Allaah saved him [from dying upon other than Islam].

This is Sidq (truthfulness); he truthfully loved Jesus, so he became Muslim. Allaah guided him to become Muslim, because he was truthful in his love for Jesus.



If one is truthful in his love for Jesus and his following Jesus, then this should lead him to the true religion of Jesus (Islam) and should lead him to following whom Jesus commanded to be followed after him - Muhammad, the seal of all Prophets.

After all, the religion of all the Prophets was Islam, and their creed was the same, and their message was the same, and they confirmed each other. It is only the deviant who have distorted the message of the previous Prophets, and thus Allaah - from His infinite Mercy - has promised to preserve His last revelation (the Qur`an) from corruption so that those who truthfully want guidance may be guided.

Be a Servant of Allāh

Allāh has also called the obedience of Shaytān in disobedience to Him, worship of him,

أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يَا بَنِي آدَمَ أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوا الشَّيْطَانَ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

Did I not make a contract with you, tribe of Adam, not to worship Shaytān, who truly is an outright enemy to you. [Ya Sin 36:60]

Allāh, Exalted is He, quotes His beloved Ibrahim as saying to his father,

يَا أَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ الشَّيْطَانَ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَنِ عَصِيًّا

Father, do not worship Shaytān. Shaytān was disobedient to the All-Merciful. [Maryam 19:44]

Whoever has not actualized the worship of the All-Merciful and His obedience will worship Shaytān through obeying him. A person cannot free himself of the worship of Shaytān except by making his worship sincere and wholly for the All-Merciful. The latter are the people about whom He said,

You have no authority over any of My slaves except for the misled who follow you. [al-Hijr 15:42]

These are the people who have actualized, ‘None has the right to be worshipped save Allāh’: those who were sincere in articulating it and their deeds testified to the truth of their words. These are people who have not turned to any other besides Allāh in their love, hope, fear, obedience, and reliance. These are people who remained true to their testification: these are the true servants of Allāh.


As regards the person who testifies that none has the right to be worshipped save Allāh, a testimony of the tongue, but then obeys Shaytān and his desires in disobedience to Allāh, his deeds prove the lie of his testimony and his Tawhīd is diminished according to the extent of his sin.

وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ بِغَيْرِ هُدًى مِّنَ اللَّهِ

And who could be further astray than someone who follows his whims and desires without any guidance from Allāh? [al-Qasas 28:50]

وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَى فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

… and do not follow your whims and desires, letting them misguide you from the Way of Allāh. [Sad 38:26]

So be a servant of Allāh and do not be a servant to your desires for desires throw a person into a Fire,

أَأَرْبَابٌ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ اللّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ

…are many lords better, or Allāh, the only One, the Conqueror ? [Yusuf 12:39]

May the servant of the dirham perish! May the servant of the dinar perish! By Allāh, none shall be saved from the punishment of Allāh tomorrow except for one who actualizes his servitude to Allāh Alone and is not duped into following empty desires. Whoever knows that his God and object of worship is one, let him single Him out alone for worship and not associate anything in the worship of his Lord.

Transcribed from: The Key to Paradise | Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali | A Translation of his: Tahqiq Kalimatu’l-Ikhlas
ḥ


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The Repentance of Al Habeeb Abu Muhammad

In The Name of Allah The Most Merciful, The Bestower of His Mercy

An Important Reminder Related to Sincere Repentance

Indeed the shaytan has succeeded in leading many people astray from the straight path of Allah. He promised this, as we were informed by our Lord - The Most High - when He said:

I will indeed sit on Your straight path. Then I will approach them from the front, from behind, from the right and then from the left. You will find most of them to be ungrateful. (Surah al 'Araaf:18)

From the countless tricks of the shaytan and his constant deception of the children of Adam (may the blessings of Allah be upon him) is that he seeks to divert the servant away from performing sincere repentance. He is keen to accomplish this through several means and sinister strategies. Amongst his strategies is persuading an individual to blame others for difficulties and calamities that occur as a result of one's own sins. Due to this Allah ý The Most High ý has informed His servant that that which occurs in one's life of calamity is a direct or indirect result of what a person has put forward by way of his own hands. Allah ý The Most High ý said:

That which befalls you of calamity is due to what your hands have put forward, and Allah pardons much. (Surah al Shura:30)

Sheikh 'Abdul Rahmaan al Sa'di commented on the above verse:

Allah informs in this verse that a person is not afflicted with a trial in his body, wealth, children, or in anything that he loves and is dear to him, except that this occurs due to that which he has put forward of sins from his own hands. (Tayseer Kareem al Rahmaan pg.899)

The Salaf of the past realized this evil plot of the shaytan and as a result, they did not seek to blame others if calamities took place, especially those which occurred as a result of one's sins.
If one were to read the speech of the Salaf, one would find them to be undoubtedly well versed and exceptionally intelligent as it pertains to sins and repentance. The likes of their true understanding of the ill effects of sins and what follows them of trials and calamity can be witnessed in the statement of Fudayl bin 'Eyaad, he said:

Indeed I disobey Allah and as a consequence, I witness the evil result in the character of my donkey and my servant. (Hilyat al Awliyah 8/109, Al Daa wa Dawaa pg.134)

Another example which shows how the Salaf viewed this matter is illustrated in the story of the repentance of Al Habeeb Abu Muhammad. It is mentioned that he was a wealthy merchant who used to lend money to those in need, but with a stipulation that the debtor repays the loan along with interest. One day while Al Habeeb was leaving his home he passed by a group of young boys who upon seeing him began to chant:

Here comes the man who deals in interest!

Upon hearing this, Al Habeeb lowered his head in humiliation and said:

Oh Allah! You have exposed my affair even to these young boys!

Al Habeeb then returned home, gathered his wealth and said:

Oh my Lord! I am a slave, and I seek to purchase myself with this wealth, so please free me.

In the morning Al Habeeb donated all of his wealth in charity and thereafter he began to diligently busy himself with the worship Allah.

It is mentioned that from that time on, if anyone saw Al Habeeb, he would either be fasting, or indulged in prayer and remembrance of Allah.

It took place that after some time Al Habeeb passed by a group of youth who upon seeing him mentioned:

Lower your voices. Here comes Al Habeeb, the devoted worshiper!
Upon hearing this Al Habeeb said:

Oh Allah! At times You admonish, and other times You praise. Indeed this is all from You.

The people of his time mentioned that Al Habeeb became in individual whose supplication was always accepted. (Tahtheeb al Kalaam 5/390)

Many lessons and points of reflection can be derived from this story. From amongst them:

1. When Al Habeeb realized that his affair became well known to the public, he immediately turned to Allah in repentance and sought His forgiveness.

2. He did not become angry because of the information being spread, but rather he straight away concluded that his own sins were the cause of the public becoming aware of his faults.

3. Without delay Al Habeeb removed from his presence that which he had gained of wealth by way of sin. This is an indication of his true sincerity in repentance.

4. Al Habeeb did not begin to inquire about who informed the youth of his sin, nor did he say that those who informed the youth had backbitten him. Instead, he grasped the most significant benefit derived from this occurrence, which is the fact that he has committed a wrong against his soul, and he is in need of Allah's forgiveness.

5. Due to his true sincerity and eagerness to repent, Allah blessed Al Habeeb by rectifying his honor with the people, and He made him and individual whose supplication was always answered.

In the actions of Al Habeeb are important lessons for the believers and we should all try to gain from this tremendous story.

A present day example of this is, if a Muslim female, for example, were to listen to music from time to time on the internet. One day while her husband is sitting with their children one of them says: Abee, do you know that Ummi listens to music on the computer? If the husband confronts and admonishes his wife, she should not become upset and angry with her children. Instead, she should recognize that possibly this means that her Lord wants well for her! How? It's possible that if her husband never became aware of this sin, she would continue performing it thereby causing greater harm to her soul. But once her fault became known to her husband and she was admonished for it, at this point, if she stops the sin, turns to Allah and seeks His forgiveness, this trial in reality has become a blessing!

The statement of Fudayl and the story of Al Habeeb clearly illustrate how the Salaf understood the great affair of repentance, and how they attributed what befell them of trials and tribulations to themselves and not to others. Indeed when an individual comes to such a realization, he will begin to sincerely turn to Allah and seek His pardon.

Another matter which is worthy of mentioning is that if a servant finds himself constantly committing wrong, however his Lord does not cause difficulties and misfortunes to occur in his life, but instead Allah continues to bless him, this is considered Istidraaj (leading to one's destruction). This fact was mentioned by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), he said:

If you notice that Allah continues to bless an individual with that which he loves of this world, while that person persists to indulge in sin, know that this is leading to his destruction. (Musnad Imam Ahmed and rated authentic in Silsilah al Saheehah 1/700)

The Prophet (may Allah be pleased with him) also said:

If Allah wants well for His servant, He rushes the punishment for his sins in this life, but when Allah doesn't want well for His servant, He delays the punishment until the Day of Judgment. (Jame' al Tirmidhee:2396)

The above narrations clearly show that when Allah wants good for a person who has wronged himself, He will put in that person's path a calamity that will distress him to such a degree that it consequently causes him to turn to his Lord in a state of humiliation seeking His mercy and begging for His pardon. This proves that tribulations in the life of the Muslim can in fact become enormously needed means of purification. But this only takes place if the servant notices this reality and uses the calamity to his benefit from the very beginning. In light of this, the Prophet of Mercy (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

Indeed patience is to be displayed at the beginning of the mishap. (Sahih al Bukhari:1283, Sahih Muslim:2178)

With clarification of this important issue, it becomes evident how cleverly the shaytan has allowed tremendous reward and forgiveness to escape the hands of those who are neglectful and careless at times of major tests in their lives!

May Allah correct our affairs and grant us Tawfeeq to understand all matters of our wonderful religion so that we may be saved from the endless plots of the shaytan.

Mustafa George DeBerry
Riyadh, K.S.A
August 24, 2010

Source salafitalk

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Benefits of Ramadhaan..We Need a Ramadhaan!!!!

Abu Uwais Abdullaah Ahmed Ali (rahimahullah)




Transcribed by: Umm Hasna Firdous Bint Jabir


TRANSCRIPTION:


Ramadhaan is a month of Forgiveness.
Ramadhaan is a month of Rahmah.
Ramadhaan is the month of generosity.
Ramadhaan, the month that Allaah subhaanahu wa ta'ala accepts the Tawbah of the servants, and the month that Allaah blesses His servants.
We are in need of Ramadhaan to correct ourselves, for we have forgotten Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala for the majority of the year.
To correct ourselves for we have been neglectful.
To correct ourselves for we are not upon the remembrance of Allaah.
To correct ourselves because our hearts have gotten hard, some hearts are dead, some hearts are sick, some hearts are stone-cold, some hearts are black, getting no benefit whatsoever. Some hearts are so bad, and so ill that they see a good as a Munkar, (as an evil), and they see an evil as a good. These are not as they should be.
We need a Ramadhaan. We need a Ramadhaan because our connection with Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala is not correct.
We need a Ramadhaan because we do not have any Khushoo or devotion in our Salaah.
We need a Ramadhaan because our Qura'an has dust and is sitting on a shelf.
We need a Ramadhaan because we never read the books of Sunnah.
We need a Ramadhaan because we don't fast, and if we fast physically without food or drink, we don't fast with our eyes by lowering them and our tongue by not slandering and our tongue by not lying and back-biting. We need a Ramadhaan to get ourselves back in order, to work for the Hereafter, to connect ourselves to Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala.
We need a Ramadhaan because relationships brother to brother and sister to sister is in a miserable condition.
We need a Ramadhaan because we have bad thoughts about one another.
We need a Ramadhaan because of dhulm, injustice to one another.
We need a Ramadhaan because there is backbiting, there is envy, there is jealousy, and there is slander.
We need a Ramadhaan because we are despicable, because we are sick, because we are ill. (All these are diseases of the heart)
We need a Ramadhaan because we don't believe in the promise of Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala, or if we do, we do not implement it.
We need a Ramadhaan because it is time for us to change and become something better then we are now.
We need a Ramadhaan because that is the only thing that is going to get us together…
We need a Ramadhaan because we don't have unity, there's no brotherhood
We need a Ramadhaan because there's no respect for elders
We need a Ramadhaan because there's no real love between us
We need a Ramadhaan, full of love and the Mercy of Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala.
A Ramadhaan like we come in, like in a clinic or a hospital, trying to solve our illnesses, trying to come out of there without the disease we came with, trying to be better than we went in with.
We need a Ramadhaan. Look around you, look to your right, look to your left, look in front of you and look behind you and you'll say, "We need a Ramadhaan".
The sisters aren't covering properly, we need a Ramadhaan. Brothers and sisters are mixing. We need a Ramadhaan. Talking on phones and on the internet, we need a Ramadhaan. This is a mess, we are in a fix, we are in a bind, and this is a problem… We need a Ramadhaan. We need a Ramadhaan to get ourselves together.
We need a Ramadhaan, that we come in the Masjid and we face the Qiblah and we say "Allaahu Akbar" and we stand in qiyaamah a long time until those diseases, that filth, that sickness, that hardness the heart goes away.
We need a Ramadhaan that reminds us of the Hell-fire. We need a Ramadhaan that tells us that we haven't been given a certificate that we are people of Jannah.
We need a Ramadhaan that lets us known that we are servants of Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala.
And if we were to spend our whole life, from the time we were born until Yawm al Qiyaamah in Sajdaah, it would not be enough to thank Allaah for His Mercy, His Grace and His Blessings.
We need a Ramadhaan and it is clear. If there is any fear of Allaah left in the hearts of ours and if there is any hope of Jannaah left in us, and if there is any desire to change and to be better and to be righteous and to come to the level of Ihsaan, to come to the level of a Mumim, to have taqwa, to fear Allaah … we need a Ramadhaan.
We need a Ramadhaan, a month of Tawbaah.
We need a Ramadhaan, a month of Maghfira.
We need a Ramadhaan to correct our behaviour, to correct the differences & the difficulties and the envy / jealousies in our relationship between one another.
We need a Ramadhaan to understand that we have been committing injustice to one another. And as the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said : 'Az-Zulm (injustice) – "Zulumaat yawmal Qiyaamah" –we'll be changed physically into darkness on the Day of Judgement.'

We need a Ramadhaan to understand the Hadith : to fear the duaa of the o­ne to whom we have done injustice. For there is not between Allaah and the person making the invocation, the person making that supplication of the person to whom injustice has been done, there is no veil between that person and Allaah. That duaa is immediately accepted.

The oppressor is the one for whom things are not going right; He is tripping into this and falling into that; He is Slipping there and sliding here. Why I can't get ahead? Why I can't progress in my Deen? Why I can't memorize this ayah? Why I can't understand this hadeeth? We may be living under the invocation, the answer for invocation for someone whom we abused or stepped over. You know you need a Ramadhaan. I know I need a Ramadhaan. We know we need a Ramadhaan. We need to get ourselves together. We've been running around in filth, we have been having our hearts around the low matters; We need our hearts to be around the thrones of Allaah; We need to think about the high matters, high goals; We need to think about Jannah; We need a hope for al-Jannah.
You're planning for marriage, you're planning for education, you're planning for a job, but we need to plan for the Jannah. We need to prepare for the Jannah during the month of Ramadhaan.
"'Nahnu be haajathin Ma'aasa fir Ramadhaan."
We are in severe need for Ramadhaan, so that we come into Ramdhaan with repentance, we come into it with regret, we come into it realizing that we are weak, that we need Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala to correct us, realizing that we are wrong and that we need Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala to place upon us that which is right, realizing that we are weak and that we need Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala to grant us strength. We need a Ramadhaan. Oh Yes !! We need a Ramadhaan.

We needs nights of Qiyaam, we need dua and sujood, we need nights of Ramadhaan to do thilawaah of Qura'an. We need to listen to Husri, or Sudays or Shurain, or Hudhaifi. We need a Ramadhaan to listen to the Qura'an. When was the last time that we listened to the Qura'an?? When was the last time we recited Qura'an? We need a Ramadhaan to study Qura'an, to implement the Qura'an, and this Ramadhaan may be our final Ramadhaan. As one brother spoke, I believe it is Abu Thasleem Hafidahullaah, where is the guarantee that this is not our final Ramadhaan? What is the guarantee that it is not our final Ramadhaan? We have to come into it seriously. And we want to come out of it much better than we came into it. We want to come out of Ramadhaan with Taqwa, because that was the main reason that it was legislated.
"O you who believe fasting has been written upon you as it was written for those before you, so that you may gain Taqwa."

Taqwa is fear of Allaah. If we had taqwa, our condition will be better than it is now. If we had taqwa our relationships would be smoother, if we had taqwa …father to son who is a Muslim, sister to brother who is Muslim, uncle, aunt, niece and nephew who is Muslim, husband and wife who are Muslims.. the relationships would be better if they are based upon Taqwa. And we can achieve Taqwa during the month of Ramadhaan. I don't believe that our hearts are that hard, I don't believe that we can't change, I don't believe that some of us who hold hatred for the last 10 years cannot learn to love, and because we have been taught deceit and deception now we can't learn to trust.

I don't believe that those brothers who have left circumstances physically but have the teachings and the behaviours that they had while they were up there, that they can't change. The sisters who remove their bodies from the fitnah and physically remove their bodies from a mistake, physically remove their bodies from foolishness but their hearts have to follow. Be iznillaahi tha'aalah ! Their hearts have to follow.

We need a Ramadhaan to be as the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was. That he was the most generous, he was generous in general and he was most generous in Ramadhaan. Like a wind … spending, giving to his right, giving to his left, giving in front of him, giving behind him, giving to anyone who came. He gave without them asking.

We need a Ramadhaan to inculcate these qualities. We need to control our desires. We need to control our tongue. We need to control our limbs. We need to learn self-discipline. We need to control our anger. We must do things in Ramadhaan not out of habit, something that is just tradition., that we are more despicable when we went in. We have to change our condition. We have to change our connection with Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala. For how light is the view of Allaah when they disobey Him. This is what was said by o­ne of the sahabas when he had the crown of the Persian King in his hand.

And the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, 'that he had been sent before the hour. And my provision has been provided for me under the shade of my spear and humiliation has been written against anyone who goes against my orders. Humiliation has been written upon anyone who goes against my orders. If we want to continue in the position of humiliation that we are in, then do not take the grand opportunity act like it doesn't exist, neglect and forget and be hard headed, be obstinate, follow your desires like you have been doing for the last 11 months and don't benefit from Ramadhaan. And when our circumstances doesn't change, when the Kuffar don't remove their spears from our necks, when our women are consistently raped and they are now these days in many parts of the world, when all of that happens, don't say "Why?" You know why. For we need a Ramadhaan and we have to correct ourselves in this Ramadhaan. And that you are a part of this Ummah and if you have an illness, and if you are a member of this ummah with a sickness, with filth, with crime, this affects the rest of the Ummah. It is like your body when you have an illness. It is like when you have hurt your finger or your toe, it affects the rest of the body. And it doesn't have to be said to you that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "the believers are like one body". If we want to correct the position of the Ummah, then we must first start by correcting ourselves. Don't worry about Ubyaid, Hassan and Musa, but worry about yourself. Be selfish this Ramadhaan. Not regarding giving sadaqa but where you are going to focus your rectification or how to rectify yourself. Your focus is going to be on yourself. Not worrying about this person and that person's manhaj. Are you on the correct Manhaj?? Not worrying about whether a particular brother is on the bidah or the Sunnah. Are you upon the Sunnah? Have those brothers stopped committing their sins --- have you stopped committing that sin? Has the brother made tawbah ---- Have you made tawbah?? Has the brother corrected a situation ----- have you corrected your situation? Worry about yourself. Worry about yourself this Ramadhaan.

Any other Ramadhaan do what you will. But my sincere advice to you is, this Ramadhaan worry about yourself. Am I backbiting? Am I slandering? Am I committing fahishah? Am I committing gheebah? Am I committing Nameemah (tale-carrying) ? Do I have 'hasad'? Do I have pride (Kibr) ? Am I arrogant? Am I too harsh? Am I unkind? Am I not gentle enough? Am I gentle enough? Question yourself. Was my intention when I said what I said or did what I did for the pleasure of Allaah or to be noticed? When I spoke what I spoke was it for the pleasure of Allaah or to be seen or heard? Was I doing it "Haarisa min Qalbi'--- sincerely from my heart or I did it to be known? 'Khutbath Duroor' --- Loving to be known breaks it.

Be Mukhlis. Be sincere. Be like that servant of Allaah like the Hadith that has been related in the Kitaab al tawheed of the soldier whose head is disheveled, who is bare-footed and dirty.. but he is sincere to Allaah. If he was placed at the rear of the army, he is pleased with that. And if he is placed in the front of the army he is displeased with that. His goal is Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala. Not where I sit. Not us and them, Not you and I but his brothers and sisters ..its the servants of Allaah, it is the believers, it is the Muslim, the salafiyoon, it is Ahlul –athar, it is Ahlus-Sunnah, it is Ahlul-Hadith. No one' bigger and no one is smaller . No one wants to step on anyone nor desire that. All of us should be working for the pleasure of Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala. And if we don't we have an illness which is Riyaah --- doing things to be seen or Sum'aah --- doing things to be heard and we need a Ramadhaan to correct that behaviour.

If we find that we talk to the sisters or brothers too much, we need a Ramadhaan to learn to stop talking to those who are not halaal for us to talk to. And if we find that we are mixing too much, we need a Ramadhaan to start mixing with those whom you are not supposed to mix with. We find that we have jealousy in our hearts, vengeance in our hearts, distrust in our hearts for other Muslims based upon nothing but Shaitaan whispers to us, we need a Ramadhaan.

We get all the good in front of us when we have the Book of Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala and the Sunnaah of the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the fahmas Salafus Saalih and the connection to the inheritors of the Prophet alaihissalaam – the Ulamaa – we got all the good in front of us but we are like that individual who has a disease and he has the prescription for the medicine in front of him but he refuses to open the package – let alone read it ----- let alone take it.

We need a Ramadhaan, Our condition won't change. We'll continue to complain.
We need a Ramadhaan or we'll forever be in pain. We need a Ramadhaan or we'll go insane.

We need a Ramadhaan, you and I. Why can't we lift up, roll up our sleeves? Why do we have to beat the hands of one another? Why do we have to step on somebody to get somewhere? Why do we have to step on our brother – he wants to go to the same place where you want to go? The Jannah. Why can't we do it together? Why can't we be side by side? You roll up your sleeves and I'll roll up my sleeves, we'll get busy and we'll get help and support one another.

Why can't we make excuses? Why can't we forgive? Why can't we forget? Why can't we let things go? Upon clarity, upon Haqq, knowing the Sunnah, knowing the Deen, connected to the scholars, not preceding them in any statement or action and if they make a statement, we make their statement (not add our own), This is important. We need a Ramadhaan.

This blessed month where you can go in as the most despicable devil and come out like an angel. That blessed month when you can go in as a miser and come out as the generous … that blessed month where you can be one of those hard-hearted brothers – (everybody usually gives you a smile but you don't give anybody a smile) – and if you do it right, you'll come out of Ramadhaan giving smiles to those brothers , not in the faces of the sisters but the faces of your brothers..
We need a Ramadhaan to correct our condition : we are slow, we are lazy, we don't have any incentive towards the deen and the Aakhiraah, the Hereafter . Our incentives are towards the Dunya and if the opposite of this was true most of the neighbourhood around here would be Muslims. Many would enter Islaam in folds, as Sheikh Ubaid Madkhali Hafidaallaah says in his explanation of 'Usool as thalaathah', that Islaam is a Mahaasin – the beauty of it is explained. Islaam he said is a Mu'jizaa minal Mu'jizaath' -- Islaam is a miracle of the Mircales. Ayah minal Ayaahs. It is that, when it is presented to the hearts, when it is presented to the people, and it is done in the right way, what happens? They enter Islaam 'Afwaajan' – in the multitudes.

He said that if one of them has a business and we want to advertise, very few who wouldn't advertise at all would say that "I have a business but I am going to be silent." Business won't be successful and no one will benefit, he will loose. Generally a good business person gets a good advertisement – he may use the print media, he may use the radio, the audio media, to get his advertisement --- his dawa'ah , he'll call out so that people will come and he mixes in the most beautiful way and has the most beautiful response. This is what he does. The Sheikh said, 'if we were to do that with Islaam, show its beauty, explain its Mahasin –its beauty, it is the natural fitrah of the person (unless his fitrah has been polluted) that he wants to know Islaam. He wants to know why he walks upon the earth. He wants to know his prayer. He wants to have his connection with his Creator. He wants to know the purpose of his existence. But who will explain it to him or her? Who will tell them? Who will open up those hearts? It is supposed to be 'us'.

Those of us who cannot express ourselves, what about our actions? If the person sees you are truthful , why you are truthful? Because Islaam teaches you truthfulness and you must be truthful and there is high martaba being truthful and minas-Siddeeqi is the only martaba -- level after the Prophets… It is the first level after the Prophets, rather. Closest to the prophet's stations are those who are Siddiqeen, the most truthful. So you be truthful because of that. You keep your word because of that. You are gentle, you are nice, you have good behaviour, you have good etiquette, you have good deportment, so when it comes to Islaam it is Afwaajan. So if you don't see them doing it, we are doing what we are not supposed to be doing. If we were doing what we are supposed to be doing, we would probably have to have this type of fundraising at one of the football stadiums. If we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, people will be hearing Islaam from the radio, they will see articles written in the papers regularly, they would see good behaviour, they would see kindness and gentleness, patience and forbearance. They would see the qualities and characteristics of Mustapha sallallahu alaihi wassallam. i.e if we were doing our job. But we are not. Not the male or the female. Not father or mother or child. We are not upon what we should be upon, we are not doing what we are supposed to be doing.
We need a Ramadhaan to clarify our situation. We need a Ramadhaan to put us in position. We need a Ramadhaan to give this Ummah a rebirth, air .. we have to understand that we are global. Whoever follows the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the Manhaj of the Salafus Saalih, then they are our closest brothers. And those who are upon ignorance, innovation, not mukaffarah, they are still brothers from a distant but from within this Ummah. So it affects all of us. And we are connected in that way.

If you sit there saying, 'I don't care what they do to the Muslims in India doesn't concern me; I don't care if they bomb Afghanistan up the planet… I don't care.... it has nothing to do with me …then you are a racist, a nationalist, you are not a Salafi. Because a Salafi concerns himself about this Ummah. Salafi at night thinks about this Ummah. Salafi cries in his salaah about the condition of this Ummah, he cries about all locally, he cries about their condition internationally. We need a Ramadhaan so that we can realize the Islaamic brotherhood again.

We need a Ramadhaan because some of them never practiced brotherhood ever in their lives and may have been Muslims 50 years. We need a Ramadhaan so that the sisters learn sisterhood,

We need a Ramadhaan so that we can focus on the Aakhirah -- Hereafter and we give Naseehah and advice to one another that is of benefit and that our talking and our mixing is just not about the Dunya, and what you want to do in the Dunya and how you are gonna be in this Dunya.

We need a Ramadhaan so that people learn to inculcate in their children to be like Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, Umar al-Khattab, Sa'ad abi Ibn Waqqas and like this. We need a Ramadhaan so that they can study knowledge. This Ummah needs another Bin Baaz, this Ummah needs another Al-Albani, this Ummah needs another Muqbil, this Ummah needs another Ibn Taimiyyah, this Ummah needs all of these and more. You are gonna tell me that none of them can come or no one like them can from our families? None of them can come from us? Not everyone who comes from us have to be Goofi. Can't our children speak the Arabic language at a young age? Can't we put in the hands of our children books that will benefit the Ummah.. the same love the Kaafir have for Harry Potter and their imaginary books? Our hope is low. Our desire is low. We are supposed to be having high goals. We should be looking at our kids Abdullaah and Abdurrahman and saying : You might be Sheikh Naasir for this Ummah. We should be saying when listening to Sudaisi and Shuraim that it could be you leading the salaah in haram. We are supposed to be having high goals. But until we brush off the dust, the foolishness of the jaahiliyyah , the hastiness of the youth, the bad characteristics that we have, we have to get rid of them , we have to change our condition, we need aRamadhaan.

We need our Qiyaam at night, we need recitation of Qura'an, we need to sit together and talk together only about the deen, not about the Dunya, we need to worry about our status in the Aakhirah, in the Hereafter. We need to wake up from our sleep. Wake up Oh Sleepy one. !! our slumber has been too long. You got to wake up, take wudoo, get within the caravan of Mohamed Ibn Abdullah, Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, Umar al-Khattab, Ibn Taimiyyah – you have to get with it. How long are we going to stay sick? How long are we going to be unsettled? How long are we going to have our problems? We need a Ramadhaan. And let this Ramadhaan be the one where you come out of it better, come out of it committed, come out of it devoted, you come out of it with your head held high. You are from the Ummah of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and don't you forget it!!

Walhamdulillaahi rabbil aalameen.

Abu hakim talks about his coversion to Islaam..

Question one: When did you become Muslim?

I entered Islam in the summer of 1991

Question two: How did your family react to it?

I was born into a Jamaican family, and it is well known that most Jamaicans are quite staunch Christians. Though my parents were not strong practising Christians our family was raised on Christian ethics. My father was of a seventh day Adventist background and they are known to be a Puritan Christian denomination. Since I was heavily involved in gang culture anything that could take me away from that was welcomed by my family. I think though, that they initially thought it was a phase I was going through and I would leave gun culture due to it and then probably eventually leave it.

Question three: Has anyone in your family become Muslim since your reversion? If yes then how did you feel?

Yes. My father embraced Islam while I was still a student in the Islamic University of Medina. He suffered from diabetes and became very ill and was admitted into hospital while I was in the second year of my study in the faculty of Hadeeth. I was given leave to return to England so I returned with the mission of giving my father da'wah. I knew that my father was receptive to the da'wah before I even went away to study. That was because when I used to speak to the family about Islam he would be in the room and would silently listen. What I know of him is that if you would disapprove of something then he would let his disapproval be known. Also due to his seventh day Adventist background, I knew that he would be more appreciative of the pure monotheistic message of Islam and the Qur'an. So I returned and began to give him da'wah and call him to Islam, it didn't take long for him to accept the message though he found difficulty speaking. And so he embraced two weeks before he passed away Al hamdullillah and may Allaah have mercy upon him. When I informed Shaikh Ubaid of the good news he was extremely happy and named him Ahmad. Though it greatly affected that year of study in the faculty (as I had to stay in England much longer than the time that was given to me) this is a drop in the ocean compared to the great good that was achieved because of it. I also have three brothers and two sisters who are all older than me. My brothers have said that after them hearing the da'wah, if they were ever to become religious than they would embrace Islam so I make du'a that Allaah guides them all.

Question four: What made you want to leave the life you once led?

Since the age of 12, I was involved with the largest most notorious gang in Birmingham at the time known as the inch-I crew. Inch-I (who went on to become the now well-known Johnson Crew) controlled the North West corridor of Birmingham, but its members were feared citywide. After years of gang affiliation I was eventually imprisoned due to gang related offenses. Looking back I consider this to be the beginnings of my step towards being guided. Although I didn't get da'wah in prison, I did get long periods of reflection. I also did a lot of reading and studying in general and thus my frame of mind was altered. After release I decided to look for a close companion of mine who I was imprisoned with, who was also Inch-I and who was one of the few inmates in that prison, who like me, came from Birmingham. Rumour had it that he had gone mad after his release so I took it upon myself to try and find him. When I eventually came across him, I found him wearing a Pakistani salwar khamees and a koofi and then realised why people were saying that he had gone mad. Knowing that he wasn't un-intelligent, I decided that I would look into exactly what had come over him. I invited him to my home and he brought a number of books with him among them a Qur'an. He began to speak about the 'truths' that he had discovered, the errors in the Bible, various prophecies, the call of the prophets and the realities of death. He clarified biblical misconceptions that I had always queried, and established concepts that I had always thought to be correct. Then he left the Qur'an with me and other books which I began to read. From the first things that I did was that I stopped drinking intoxicants. With a clearer head I was able to fully grasp the concepts that were present in Qur'an. I was struck by how powerful the book was, its message and wording, and I used to wash before reading it which increased the feeling of awe that I had for it. It was not long until I began to debate with people as though I was Muslim but I had not yet embraced Islam.

Inshaa'Allaah NEXT ISSUE: Part 2- Questions on his Perception on Muslims before Islam and His studies and teachers.

source: As-Sunnah Newsletter page 4

Related post: Scholarly recommendations for Br. Abu Hakeem Bilaal Davis

Oh sister covered in hijab

Oh sister covered in hijab by sh. Badr Ali Utaybee hafidahullaah

This is a poem by shaykh Badr Bin Ali Utaybee hafidahullaah, taken from "20 pieces of advice to my sister before her marriage"

"Oh sister veiled in hijaab slacken your pace.
Walk upon the hearts of the jealous
ones and cause them to tremble!

Move with nobility and pride whenever the eyes of the envious
are barred from glancing at your skin.

You are beauty in its goodness and perfection.
You are chastity in all its glory.

Don't be decieved! Indeed veiling your face is from the sunnah
of that chosen Hashami Mesenger (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam)

Being veiled from sight is for you
a sign of dignity;
be delighted and with it, spoil yourself.

Your veil is a protective armor from every dreadful assailing wolf.

This is our legislation, truly and justly
Just as it is our nature.

It has been established in verses of the Qur'an and
authentic hadiths, related by trustworthy narrators.

When you recite the book of your Lord then understand
that in (surah) an-Nur are ayaat concerning al-Hijaab.

So ponder His order to throw the khimar, that covers your head,
over your face and to let it drape over your sides front and back.

And understand the word (throw) to indicate the importance
of being keen to cover your face and body
and this is clear truth.

And you have been prohibited from throwing your legs about,
So let not the sounds of anklets entice the ears.

And also in (surah) al-Ahzaab are verses 53 and on,
In them is my Lord's command to veil.

When
they came asking the prophet's wives or if you, Oh
sister are asked.

Because these verses even though they are for the prophets wives,
they are to be applied generally, due to what follows.

Because veiling is for the purification of the hearts which
so quickly fades the eyes when lined with kuhl.

And look to the conclusion of Al-Ameen and his understanding of the verse in
Adwaa'ul bayaan (1) and it is replete with benefits and also in this verse is an order
for you to bring your garment over you fully as to hide yourself and make yourself unrecognizable.

This book of Allaah Affirming that unveiling is
a foundation of evil that bring (men) to trial.

And the best of creation says about you "she is auwra"(2)
referring to women so think!

And on the authority of ibn Mas'ood as related by at-Tirmidhee
and declared hasan saheeh with each narrator just and precise
from first to
last.

And likewise al Bazzaar and ibn Khuzaymah and ibn al Adiyy
and Ali ad-Daraqutni (3)

Oh sister do not throw off the veil.
It is nobility for you and increase you in splendor,

As for those who encourage unveiling,
they only intend for you shame and belittlement.

And that you become like a mannequin in the hands,
a plaything, sold off for a petty price.

They seek that your picture is displayed in magazines
after you were once like a jewel, protected and safeguarded.

They want you to dance to music with them,
abandon your religion, and act like someone else.

And that the scum of mankind exchange,
between them and themselves, authority over you.

And use not acting as an excuse
Barking jackals, howling wolves,
there is no trust to be had in them.

Be warned from becoming the hunted, stalked down and eaten.

The "muck" of the art is belittling and
embarressing,
be warned of falling, Oh sister into mud.

Don't be amazed by the laughing of the mistresses of singning
and don't be bedazzled by the sinful stars of cinema.

This cannot decieve your type!
By Allaah, their chests constrict due to their sins,
filled with anguish and regret.

They, with their worries and woes, live their lives in a sick state,
Only Allaah's religion holds the cure.

Their chests are burnt by an open flame
that has set a blaze in its hollow.

With every day it burns stronger, more hot.

This is their intent; it decieves us not.

So do you, Oh sister, see as we see?

Do you understand whats being presented to thee?

Is dignity, that the Muslim woman relinquishes her hijaab?

Or that she fills with shame and disgrace?

Or is it decency if she is naked, uncovering her face,
wearing tight clothes and pants instead a modest
overgarment?

Is chastity to sing the song of adulterers and fornicators,
when overtaken by passion la la lee?

Is fortitude to agree to burn along with those
that will roast in hell?

Or is it sound politics to appoint to office over the masses,
one pampered raised in petty amusement(4) .

Those who make one from your gender in charge over their affairs will never attain success,
As authentically reported in the prophetic narration (5)

And it is just that she is given exactly as her husband in inheritance
and in rights of marriage and divorce ? (6)

Naturally she is not the same as a man

And in Islamic legislation she is below him
and is rightfully under his guardianship.

Oh our sisters, By Allaah this is her condition,
If you asked them: A modern woman

So do yourself well and stick to the shari'ah,
which if you hold firm to it,
your will not be misguided and will not
go astray.

It is your fortress, your honour.

It is your covering,
your light in the darkeness of the nights

Your are exalted in sticking to the injunctions of your faith,
like a star by which the sky is full of beauty.

May Allaah protect you and All who say
"Be rewarded with good Oh Bad bin Al-Ali

footnotes:

1)
I intend here the shaikh of our scholars, Al- Allaamah Muhammad Al
Ameen ash-Shanqetee, in his book Adwaa Al-bayaan (6/548). He mentioned
that the strongest opinion is that this verse is general to all women.
2)
Translator note: The auwra (private part) for the woman varies
depending on who she is in front of. However, while in front of foreign
men, who are not her husband, father ,grandfather, brother, son , uncle
or nephew, she has to cover every part of her body according to the
opinion of many of the people knowledge.

3) Narrated by
at-Tirmidhee (4/337), Ibn khuzaymah in his saheeh (3/93-94), Al Bazzaar
in his Musnad (5/427), ibn Adiyy in al Kaamil (3/424),ad- Daraqutni in
al-I'lal (5/314), At-Tirmidhee declared it to be hasan saheeh Gareeb
and al Hafidh A'li bin Umar ad-Daraqutni graded it to be authentic.

4)
Allaah, the Most High said about the female gender "(Like they then for
Allaah) a creature who is brough up in adornments (wearing silk and
gold ornaments, i.e. women), and who in dispute cannot make herself
clear?"(surah az-Zukhruf:18) According to the scholars of tafsir, this
verse refers to the weakness of the woman and her deficiency in
expressing herself.

5) Collected by Al-Bukhari , based on this
how can woman be given positions of great importance in a nation, such
as the ruler of the country or military general?

6) A woman is
not equal to man in inheritance or when dealing with marriage and
divorce. All of this is not because of the deficiency in her, but it is
from the completeness of a man's authority and guardianship over her;
he is her wali and he is responsible for her affairs. That is because
in the Islamic legislation, females are not equal to males.

Umm Yahya Bint Muhammad Ali