Every night inshallah I will be recording the Tarawih prayers from Lewisham Islamic Centre and posting them here.
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10th NIGHT - 20 September 2007
Sadly my mp3 player was turned off how Allah knows best, but I only managed to get up to the 7th Rakah, inshallah I will ask another who was recording it to send me 7/8 Rakah and Witr inshallah, and post here
sorrie....
Track 46 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3782822678461a/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 47 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3782910495619b/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 48 - http://www.zshare.net/download/37830766fa9a37/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 49 (half) - http://www.zshare.net/download/3783110457e841/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 50 - (soon inshallah)
3 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
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9th NIGHT - 20 September 2007
Track 41 - http://www.zshare.net/download/37651538f9a6ef/
2 Rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 42 - http://www.zshare.net/download/37653227846801/
2 Rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 43 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3765534589bc31/
2 Rakahs - Reciter: Liiban Xassan
Track 44 - http://www.zshare.net/download/37656797919375/
2 Rakahs - Reciter: Liiban Xassan
Track 45 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3765890aa893d1/
3 Rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
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8th NIGHT - 19 September 2007
Track 36 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3748139126d745/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 37 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3748226c9d781b/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 38 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3748245fbdbf74/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 39 - http://www.zshare.net/download/374828158e9973/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 40 - http://www.zshare.net/download/374836134556d6/
3 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
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7th NIGHT - 18 September 2007
Track 31 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3728658fdac216/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 32 - http://www.zshare.net/download/372884197708bd/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 33 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3729016d7f85a2/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 34 - http://www.zshare.net/download/37291727830d3d/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 35 - http://www.zshare.net/download/37292931149849/
3 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
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6th NIGHT - 17 September 2007
Track 26 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3705896cf111a8/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 27 - http://www.zshare.net/download/37060853ec66f2/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 28 - http://www.zshare.net/download/37060853ec66f2/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 29 - http://www.zshare.net/download/37064507076c4f/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 30 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3706601b0413f9/
3 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
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5th NIGHT - 16 September 2007
Track 21 - http://www.zshare.net/download/368936155954c9/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 22 - http://www.zshare.net/download/36895535cdb32f/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 23 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3689712998f086/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 24 - http://www.zshare.net/download/36898567805fc5/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 25 - http://www.zshare.net/download/36900336526a7a/
3 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
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4th NIGHT - 15 September 2007
Track 16 - http://www.zshare.net/download/36713504a1654a/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 17 - http://www.zshare.net/download/367149059ae8d8/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 18 - http://www.zshare.net/download/36717029ba1465/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 19 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3671841d73e4af/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 20 - http://www.zshare.net/download/367200889482f5/
3 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
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3rd NIGHT - 14 September 2007
Track 11 - http://www.zshare.net/download/365385246e5a8e/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 12 - http://www.zshare.net/download/365396104e7c7d/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 13 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3654111f71e81f/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 14 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3654283189398d/
2 rakahs - Reciter: Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 15 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3654361726909d/
3 rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
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2nd NIGHT - 13 September 2007
Track 6 - http://www.zshare.net/download/363508054d09bf/
2 Rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 7 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3635130710f7dd/
2 Rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
Track 8 - http://www.zshare.net/download/363532828716e7/
2 Rakahs - Reciter: Liiban Xassan
Track 9 - http://www.zshare.net/download/363548672df902/
2 Rakahs - Reciter: Liiban Xassan
Track 10 - http://www.zshare.net/download/363562348cd18c/
3 Rakahs - Reciter: Ahmad As Shardi
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1st NIGHT - 12 September 2007
Track 1 - http://www.zshare.net/download/36186599971351/
2 Rakahs - Reciter Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 2 - http://www.zshare.net/download/36186430f982e0/
2 Rakahs - Reciter Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 3 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3618711658c2e2/
2 Rakahs - Reciter Ahmed As Shardi
Track 4 - http://www.zshare.net/download/3618753b14ae24/
2 Rakahs - Reciter Ilyas Ali Noor
Track 5 - http://www.zshare.net/download/36187842681dc1/
3 Rakahs - Reciter Ahmed As Shardi
Tarawih Prayer recording from Lewisham Islamic Centre (Every night updated)
Islamic Information Blog Issue 12 - Ramadan Issue
Assalamu Alaikum Brothers and Sisters,
I know there is so much time left before Ramadan, but isn't it best to be prepared for it?
In this issue InshaAllah, I hope to help you and as well as myself do good during this Ramadan, remember it only comes once a year...for all we know we may not reach the next.
There is so many reasons to why Ramadan is such a blessed month, not only for fasting, but other reasons such as
* The Qur’an was first revealed during this month
* The gates of Heaven are open
* The gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell.
* Taraweeh Prayers
* Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power)
* We fast thinking of others who "fast" for days and are grateful for food and drink when they get it. (meaning they haven't get what we have in life, the food and drink day after day.)
Anyone can really fast for days, but there has to be reasons to why we fast in this blessed month, especially when the weather can be really hot.
DID YOU KNOW?
That Ramadan isn't only to do with not eating and drink during the times we fast? We has Muslims still have to follow what Allah has told us to do, which is to do what is right, and forbid what is wrong, we still have to pray 5 times a day, just because its Ramadan and we have less energy doesn't mean we should give up our duties as a Muslim. Like I will say again and again, there is no such thing has a part-time Muslim who can pick and choose when to do what he likes, for example you will see Muslims only coming to the masjid during Fridays, or Ramadan with the Taraweeh prayers, or even just coming for Eid. Brothers and sisters, we has Muslims should be going to the masjid each and every salat! We make excuse after excuse, but act upon this if you do go to the masjid for Ramadan, make it a habit to come days and days after Ramadan for you are missing the reward for praying in congregation.
Vol 1, Book 8. Hadith 466. (Bukhari)
Narrated By Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The prayer offered in congregation is twenty five times more superior (in reward) to the prayer offered alone in one's house or in a business center."
Vol 1, Book 6. Fiqh 1.077B. (Fiqh-us-Sunnah)
Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said, "The ties of Islam and the principles of the religion are three, and whoever leaves one of them becomes an unbeliever: testifying that there is no god except Allah, the obligatory prayers, and the fast of Ramadan."
Ramadan can be a month where you turn your life around. What do I mean? Now is the time to change what is wrong about yourself and do what is right for the sake of Allah. Like I wrote above its time to make a habit of doing things for the sake of Allah, praying 5 times a day, doing extra prayers for Allah, extra fast, giving charity, doing good deeds, think about doing theses for Ramadan and think about doing theses in the rest of the year. You may get lots of reward for doing stuff in Ramadan, but you do get reward the rest of the year as well.
INTENTIONS
Before getting ready to fast the Month of Ramadan, everyday before Fajr remember!! to make your intentions to fast, for the one who doesn't make intentions, their fast will not be included. So you can say it before you sleep that way if you over sleep you will be able to carry on your fast InshaAllah.
WHO CAN FAST?
Fasting the month of Ramadan is an obligation on every Muslim adult, that is able to fast, menstruating woman or the woman who is on her period, is excused from fasting the days, also pregnant woman and breast-feeding woman is allowed not to fast if she fears that harm would come to her or her baby from her fasting but she must make up the days that she has missed after Ramadan. Children do not have to fast but they should be showed how to starting from the age of 7 years ago to help them get used to fasting and InshaAllah getting used to fasting this beautiful Month. To fast we must be stable and able to do the fast, fasting is not obligatory on the insane person. Also old age and people who have illness do not have to fast, due to it might make them weaker in health etc.
START AND END FAST
Muslims start eating and drink before dawn after that Muslims stop eating, drinking and other pleasures during the day, AFTER Maghrib as come in, not before, we are allowed to break the fast inshallah. During the day Muslims should do what they usually do, continue to pray, worship, give charity, helping others, read the Quran,
EXTRA PRAYERS: TARAWIH
Book 4. Prayer. Hadith 1666. (Muslim)
'Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) prayed one night in the mosque and people also prayed along with him. He then prayed on the following night and there were many persons. Then on the third or fourth night (many people) gathered there, but the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did not come out to them (for leading the tarawih prayer). When it was morning he said: I saw what you were doing, but I desisted to come to you (and lead the prayer) for I feared that this prayer might become obligatory for you. (He the narrator) said: It was the month of Ramadan.
Vol 2, Book 15. Fiqh 2.027. (Fiqh-us-Sunnah)
The legality of the tarawih prayer: The specific prayers during the month of Ramadan, which are known as tarawih, are sunnah for both men and women, and they are to be performed after the obligatory 'isha and before the performance of the witr. They should be prayed in sets of two rak'at each. It is allowed to pray them after witr; though, this is not the best thing to do. They may be performed until the end of the night.
Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam would encourage people to perform the special prayers during Ramadan without commanding them as obligatory and he said: "Whoever prays during the nights of Ramadan [Tarawih] with a firm belief and hoping for reward, all of his previous sins would be forgiven."
Vol 3, Book 32. Hadith 231. (Bukhari)
Narrated By Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
I'TIKAF.
I'tikaf is meaning the act of staying in the Mosque for the last day tens of Ramadan fully for the purpose of worshipping Allah, praying, prasing Him etc.
Vol 3, Book 58. Fiqh 3.154. (Fiqh-us-Sunnah)
Actions that Nullify the I'tikaf: If a person performs one of the following acts, his I'tikaf will be nullified:
1. Intentionally leaving the mosque without any need to do so, even if it is for just a short time. In such a case, one would not be staying in the mosque, which is one of the principles of I'tikaf.
2. Abandoning belief in Islam, as this would nullify all acts of worship. If you ascribe a partner to Allah, your work will fail and you will be among the losers.
3. Losing one's reason due to insanity or drunkenness, or the onset of menstruation or post-childbirth bleeding, all of which disqualifies a person for I'tikaf.
4. Sexual intercourse. Allah says: "But touch them not [that is, your wives] and be at your devotions in the mosque."
4. Sexual intercourse. Allah says: "But touch them not [that is, your wives] and
be at your devotions in the mosque."
However, one may touch his wife without there being any desires. One of the Prophet's wives would comb his hair while he was performing I'tikaf. As for kissing or touching due to desire, Abu Hanifah and Ahmad say that it is not desirable, for it leads to something that is forbidden for the one performing I'tikaf. However, it does not nullify it unless one ejaculates. Malik says that it nullifies the I'tikaf, for it is an illegal touch regardless of whether the person involved ejaculates or not. From ash-Shaf~i there are two reports that correspond to the two preceding opinions.
Ibn Rushd explains that: "The reason for their differences of opinion is [the (fact) that] if a word has more than one meaning, one being literal and the other figurative, does the word apply at one time to all of them or not? This is one of the types of words that have more than one meaning. Those who say that it carries both meanings interpret 'touch' in the 'ayah... and touch them not and be at your devotions in the mosque' in the unrestrictive sense - that is, covering both sexual intercourse and also actions [of touching] that are less than that. Those who don't say it carries all of its meanings and they are the majority say that the 'ayah points to sexual intercourse or to touching that is less than intercourse. If we say that it refers to sexual intercourse by consensus, then this nullifies the possibility of it referring to actions less than intercourse, as one [single] word could not be taken in its literal and figurative meaning [at the same time]. Those who say that what is less than sexual intercourse is included say so because it
falls under the literal meaning of the verse. Those who differ do not take the word in its literal and figurative meaning at the same time.
LAYLATUL-QADR
Vol 3, Book 57. Fiqh 3.144A. (Fiqh-us-Sunnah)
Night of Qadr, its virtue: The night of Qadr is the most virtuous night of the year. Allah says in the Qur'an: "We revealed it on the night of power [that is, Qadr]. What will tell you what the night of power is? It is better than a thousand months." Any action therein, for example, reciting the Qur'an, making remembrance of Allah, and so on, is better than acting for one thousand months which do not contain the night of Qadr.
Allah says in the Quran:
"Verily, We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?. The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousands months i.e 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Jibrail (Gabriel)) by Allah's Permission with all Decrees, (All that night, there is peace (and goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn" (Al-Qadr [Surah 97:1-5)
JazakAllah for the support always, anything that I have said wrong is from me and Satan, everything that was said right from Allah and Allah alone.
Brothers and Sisters of Islam, I hope you will look at this Ramadan and improve yourself, this newsletter was a simple reminder to myself and to you all, I ask Allah to increase our deen in the month of Ramadan, I ask Allah to accept our good deeds, prayers and fast in the
blessed month.
If I write another issue Allah knows best, until then, I love the Ummah for the sake of Allah
Your Brother In Islam
Was Salaam
Hadiths used in Issue 12
Narrated By Ibn 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):
1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle.
2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3. To pay Zakat. (i.e. obligatory charity)
4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
Vol 1, Book 2. Hadith 007. (Bukhari)
Narrated By 'Aisha: 'Ashura' (i.e. the tenth of Muharram) was a day on which the tribe of Quraish used to fast in the pre-lslamic period of ignorance. The Prophet also used to fast on this day. So when he migrated to Medina, he fasted on it and ordered (the Muslims) to fast on it. When the fasting of Ramadan was enjoined, it became optional for the people to fast or not to fast on the day of Ashura.
Vol 5, Book 58. Hadith 172. (Bukhari)
Narrated By Ibn 'Abbas: Allah's Apostle was the most generous of ll the people, and he used to be more generous in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel used to meet him. Gabriel used to meet him every night in Ramadan to study the Holy Quran carefully together. Allah's Apostle used to become more generous than the fast wind when he met Gabriel.
Vol 4, Book 54. Hadith 443. (Bukhari)
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (pbuh) as saying: When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained,
Book 6. Hadith 2361. (Muslim)
Yahya related to me from Malik from Thawr ibn Zayd ad-Dili from Abdullah ibn Abbas that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, once mentioned Ramadan and said, "Do not start the fast or break it until you see the new moon. If the new moon is obscured from you, then complete a full thirty days."
Book 18. Hadith 003. (Maliks Muwatta)
Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that he heard Said ibn al Musayyab being asked about making up days missed in Ramadan, and Said said, "What I like best is for days missed in Ramadan to be made up consecutively, and not separately."Malik said, "Whoever eats or drinks thoughtlessly or forgetfully in Ramadan or during any other obligatory fast that he must do, has to fast another day in its place."
Book 18. Hadith 048. (Maliks Muwatta)
Yahya related to me from Malik that Sumayy, the mawla of Abu Bakr ibn Abd ar-Rahman, heard Abu Bakribn Abd ar-Rahman say, "A woman came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'I had arranged to do hajj, but I was prevented,' and the
Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Do umrah in Ramadan, for doing umrah in it is like doing hajj.'"
Book 20. Hadith 067. (Maliks Muwatta)
Narrated By Jaber bin Abdullah Al-Ansari: A man asked the messenger of Allah : "Do you think that if I perform the obligatory prayers, fast in Ramadan, treat as lawful that which is lawful and
treat as forbidden that which is forbidden, and do nothing further, I shall enter Paradise?"
He said: "Yes."
Related by Muslim.
Book 1. Hadith Qudsi. Hadith 021
Narrated By 'Ubada bin As-Samit: The Prophet came out to inform us about the Night of Qadr but two Muslims were quarreling with each other. So, the Prophet said, "I came out to inform you about the Night of Qadr but such-and-such persons were quarreling, so the news about it had been taken away; so search for it on the 29th, 27th and 25th (of Ramadan).
Vol 3, Book 32. Hadith 240. (Bukhari)
Narrated By Abu-Huraira: Gabriel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur'an with the Prophet once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year he died. The Prophet used to stay in I'tikaf for ten days every year (in the month of Ramadan), but in the year of his death, he stayed in I'tikaf for twenty days.
Vol 6, Book 61. Hadith 520. (Bukhari)
Permissible Acts we can do while Fasting:
Brushing teeth: Using a Siwak is permissible while fasting and also very recommended.
Taking baths: We can have baths to cool ourselves if the weather is hot has long as the water isn't swallowed.
Washing mouth or nose with water: Has long as there is no gargling, has we have to make Wudu during the times we fast we need to watch out how much water we use.
Tasting food: Has long as it does not reach the throat
With partner: you are allowed to kiss your partner but you must remember to control your desires, if you can't don't risk it and wait till before and after fasting
Swallowing things which are hard to avoid: Allah never made this fast hard for us, we are allowed to swallow our own saliva, you will get dust from the road, smoke etc, if you swallowing
theses you should still have your fast in contact.
Unintentional vomiting or bleeding from itself for example nose bleeds or extraction of tooth.
Islamic Information Blog Issue 11
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
Assalamu Alaikum brothers and sisters
Think about this question, if you were told by Allah that you were going to die anytime soon, what would you be doing in that time left? praying to Allah for forgiveness?, making dua? or watching DVDs and playing video games?
I'm sure the answers would be that you would do something to please Allah as well as wanting to make as many good deeds as possible.. then my next question is why are you wasting your time on pointless things like watching tv, dvds or playing computer games when you do NOT know when you will be leaving this life and what you are doing now could be the last thing you could do.
Time and time again we should be thinking about how time is coming closer and closer...and what do we have to show for our life? I sure that video games is good thing to do but will it be enough to enter you to Paradise? will you be getting more reward from video games or reading the Quran?
What good is watching TV today anyway? With the game shows with people GAMBLING - isn't this haram? And with the chat shows when families come on tv and say you haven't been a good husband, you haven't been a good wife, you were cheating on me etc etc etc, isn't it true in Islam what is between the husband and wife stays with the husband and wife? The soaps on tv with the violence, drinking beer, racism, and everything else that is haram, why are we watching this rubbish?
Try telling Allah that its good, or they are only acting, it is still corrupting the mind, because you are watching every time its on, sadly we know its pointless and someday we will get that sign and realise its pointless...but it will be too late by then. ACT now and change what you do with your time. instead of watching tv, read the Quran, spend time with the family, go masjid, there are so many ways to enjoy life than watching tv or playing computer games.
I'm not having a go just at the ones who do this, but this is the time when I can write to you all, besides this isn't just a reminder to you, what I write, I read and inshallah try to act upon it as well.
It is time we need to improve the way we pray to Allah, we have to perfect our prayer, like when praying at the masjid, we must do this right like pray in a straight line!
This hadith from Vol. 1 Book 11 Hadith 685. (Bukhari) Narrated By An-Nu'man bin 'Bashir: The Prophet said, "Straighten your rows or Allah will alter your faces."
This hadith from Vol 1, Book 11. Hadith 687. (Bukhari) Narrated By Anas bin Malik: Once the Iqama was pronounced and Allah's Apostle faced us and said, "Straighten your rows and stand closer together, for I see you from behind my back."
This Hadith from Vol 1, Book 11. Hadith 692. (Bukhari) Narrated By Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, "Straighten your rows for I see you from behind my back." Anas added, "Everyone of us used to put his shoulder with the shoulder of his companion and his foot with the foot of his companion."
There is Hadiths about following the one leading the prayer, and do not go in front of him because he is meant to be followed
This Hadith from Vol 1, Book 11. Hadith 689. (Bukhari) Narrated By Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The Imam is (appointed) to be followed. So do not differ from him, bow when he bows, and say, "Rabbana-lakal hamd" if he says "Sami'a-l-lahu Liman hamida"; and if he prostrates, prostrate (after him), and if he prays sitting, pray sitting all together, and straighten the rows for the prayer, as the straightening of the rows is amongst those things which make your prayer a correct and perfect one."
A brother was talking to me about how the army, if you look how straight their line is, it is very straight and that is for the General of the amry or the one in charge, why can't we as Muslims do this right for Allah? Its upsetting that we will make anything perfect, our families, what we do for work, the way we dress, but this prayer that can change our lives in this one and the next, where we thank Him, ask Him to guide us, keep us on the straight path and even hope that He accepts and enter us to Paradise...We can't even create a straight line?
We do find it hard to pray most times because we stand next to someone who speaks TOO loud even when we are whispering.
It is said in the Quran (Surah al-Isra (17:110))
" And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way"
I'm sure its good to make many good deeds as possible as well but if we can't do prayer right, what use will the good deeds be?
I do love my brothers and sisters of Islam alot, SubhanAllah I'm happy to lend anyone a hand, and theses little reminders are for you and myself, I do want the best for you as well as for me, we all need to change our ways now for we do not know what hours from now will bring, saying that we might not even be here in a few hours, inshallah I'll get this message to you before I leave or you leave, no one know when any thing will happen, only Allah knows best.
Inshallah I'll leave it here, I know its a short issue, I haven't been well much, inshallah the next issue will be before Ramadan, I want to make that issue all about Ramadan.
JazakAllah for the support always, anything that I have said wrong is from me and Satan, everything that was said right from Allah and Allah alone.
Your Brother in Islam
Wa Salaam
Hadiths used in Issue 11
The Authority Of Ibn Omar, the son of Omar bin Al-Khattab: I heard the messenger of Allah say : "Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammed is the messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the zakat, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan."
Hadith Qudsi. Hadith 003
Related by Bukhari and Muslim.
The Authority Of Abu Hurairah: I heard the messenger of Allah say : "What I have forbidden to you, avoid; what I have ordered you [to do], do as much of it as you can. It was only their excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their prophets that destroyed those who were before you."
Hadith Qudsi. Hadith 009
Related by Bukhari and Muslim.
The following acts are permissible during the prayer: crying, moaning, or groaning, regardless of whether it is due to a fear of Allah or to any other reason (e.g., a moan due to some pain or injury that one cannot contain), is permissible. This is based on the Qur'anic verse: "When the revelations of the Merciful were recited unto them, they fell prostrating and adoring." This verse is general and includes one who is praying.
'Abdullah ibn ash-Schikhir relates: "I saw the Messenger of Allah praying and his chest was 'buzzing', like the buzzing of a cooking pot, due to crying." This is related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, and at-Tirmizhi. The latter classifies it as sahih.
Vol 2, Book 30. Fiqh 2.081. (Fiqh-us-Sunnah)
Vol 2, Book 18. Salatul Tasbih.
Fiqh 2.033. (Fiqh-us-Sunnah)
Salatul Tasbih: 'Ikrimah reports from Ibn 'Abbas that the Messenger of Allah said to 'Abbas ibn 'Abdal-Mutalib: "O 'Abbas, O Uncle, shall I not give you, shall I not present to you, shall I not donate to you, shall I not tell you ten things which, if you do, Allah will forgive your first and last sins, past and present sins, intentional and unintentional sins, private and public sins? The ten actions are:
pray four rak'at, reciting in every rak'ah al-Fatihah and a surah. And when you finish the Qur'anic recitation of the first rak'ah, say, while standing, 'Subhanallah, al-hamdulillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wa Allahu Akbar' ['Glory be to Allah. All praise is due to Allah. There is no God except Allah. Allah is the greatest.'] fifteen times. Then make ruku', and while you are in ruku', say the same ten times; then stand, and say the same ten times. Then go down and make sajdah, and while you're in sajdah, say the same ten times. Then sit after the sajdah, and say the same ten times. Then make sajdah, and say the same ten times. Then sit after the second sajdah, and say the same another ten times. That is seventy-five [repetitions of the phrases] in each rak'ah. Do that in each of the four rak'at. If you can pray it once a day, do so. If you cannot, then once
every Friday. If you cannot do that, then once a year. And if you cannot do that then once in your life." This is related by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Ibn Khuzaimah in his sahih, and at-Tabarani. About this hadith al-Munzhiri says: "This hadith has been related through many chains and from a number of companions. The best of them is this one from 'Ikrimah. A group of scholars have graded it to be sahih, including al-Hafez Abu Bakr al-'Ajari, (al-Munzhiri's teachers), Abu Muhammad 'Abdurrahim al-Misri, and Abu al-Hassan al-Maqdisi." Ibn alMubarak says: "The Tasbih prayer is a greatly desired act and it is desirable that one should punctually observe it and never neglect it.
Vol 2, Book 19. Salatul Hajah
Fiqh 2.033A. (Fiqh-us-Sunnah)
Salatul Hajah, the prayer for need: Ahmad has on sound authority reported from Abu Darda that the Prophet Sallallahu Alehi wasallam said: "He who makes wudu, and does it properly, then prays two rak'at, Allah will grant him whatever he may pray for, sooner or later."
Vol 2, Book 11. Supererogatory Prayers.
Fiqh 2.001. (Fiqh-us-Sunnah)
Their Significance, Supererogatory Prayers: At-tatawwu', or nawafil or Supererogatory prayers, have been legislated to make up for any deficiencies left in the performance of fard salah (obligatory prayers). In salah, there are virtues that are not found in any other form of worship. Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: "The first thing that the people will be called to account for on the Day of Resurrection will be the prayers. Our Lord will say to the angels although He knows better: 'Look into the salah of my servant to see if he observed it perfectly or been negligent in it. So if he observed it perfectly it will be recorded to his credit, but if he had been negligent in it in any way, Allah would say: See if My servant has any Supererogatory prayers. Then if he has any Supererogatory prayers, Allah would say: Make up the deficiency in My servant's obligatory prayer with his Supererogatory prayers.' Thereafter all his actions will be examined in like manner" (Abu Dawud).
Islamic Information Blog Issue 10
Assalamu Alaikum brothers and sisters
I hope you are all well and that your families are well too.
Time and time again I will say this and I really do respect the sisters of Islam, why? Because theses sisters are at the front line and covering up for the sake of Allah, and the amount of abuse, name calling they may get, they still cover up their beauty, MashAllah! May Allah reward you all. Don't get me wrong I respect the brothers as well, but if you look at us brothers we could easily take off our thobe, wear normal clothes, change our names from Ali to Alex and no one would ever know we were a Muslim, whereas we look at our sisters and they continue to cover their beauty, no matter what happens! I remember reading a story about a Muslim girl who wasn't wearing hijab before, but the day after 9/11 she was scared that people would attack her cause she was a Muslim, she went to the underground to catch a train and she saw fellow sisters, wearing hijab, niqab, enjoying their day, like nothing happened yesterday, they were STILL covered up and practicing their religion, that image brought tears to the girl's eyes and she went home, and started wearing hijab. SubhanAllah. When I read that story it got to me a lot because theses sisters have a lot of guts, you might say its not guts or confidents or anything like that, it is! of course they are just praciticing Islam but in this world, it isn't getting better, and nowadays the generations that are growing up are getting more violence so it can be easy for a sister to uncover nowadays because of the threats and abuse they may get, but MashAllah its so wonderful to see the sisters fearing Allah more than the people that is on this planet. Brothers we should be more fearing of Allah as well, its nice to have emaan, but we still need to do many other things like support our sisters, wives and daughters, everyone whether married or not should lower their gaze for it is easy to sin, we look to our left and we look to our right and we can sin.
"Tell the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And tell the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty…"
[Surah an-Nur [24:30-31]].
Allah tells us:
"O you who believe! Do not follow Satan's footsteps: if any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will command what is shameful and wrong..."
[Surah an-Nur [24:21]].
On the authority of Jurayr who said, "I asked the Messenger of Allah about accidentally looking at something that is not allowed and he said, 'Turn your eyes away.'"
(Muslim).
Every single one of us want to go to paradise, there are many things we should follow in this beautiful religion to get there, but sadly many of us do not follow what is needed to be followed, again and again I will point out that calling yourself a Muslim isn't going to get you there,
brothers and sisters there is a reason to why Allah sent the Quran down for us, Allah didn't have to, but He is Al Rahman (The Merciful) He is Al Shakur (The Most Grateful) and most of all He is Al Khaliq (The Creator) and The Creator wanted us to follow Islam because it is the ONLY perfect way of life, the Quran has no mistakes, it has never been changed since revealed. Allah is Al Muhaimin (The Protector) and He will always protect the Quran.
The beautiful thing about Islam is that if every Quran was destroyed, you could find brothers and sisters all around the world who would be able to create the Arabic Quran again (Arabic is the true version of the Quran whereas every other langauge is a translation for those who can't
speak Arabic), because there are brothers and sisters who have memorised the whole Quran. The Quran can teach you many things about how to live life, how to be a good Muslim, what we should be doing (i.e worship Allah) The Quran can give you so much information about this religion has well as the teachings of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) give yourself time to read the quran and hadiths, do something that will increase your emaan because time is short, look how fast time has been since you were born to now,
"It is He who created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot; then He brings you out as a child; then [He develops you] that you reach your [time of] maturity, then [further] that you become elders. And among you is he who is taken in death before [that], so that you reach a specified term (The time decreed for your death)."
[Surah Ghafir [40:67]]
"He it is who gives life and causes death; and when He decrees a matter, He but says to it "Be" and it is" [Surah Ghafir [40:68]]
Abu Hurairah (ra) reported that he heard the Prophet Peace be upon him asking: "Let someone imagine he had a river flowing in front of his house where he washes himself five times a day,
would this leave any dirt on him?" He companions replied: "Nothing of his dirt will remain"
The prophet Peace be upon him then said: "This is exactly like the five daily prayers by which Allah wipes out one's sins"
[Taken from Sahih Bukhari]
My point for this Hadith is simple, look at what it has been saying, and why its an easy way for Allah to forgive your sins! praying all 5 daily prayers on time could mean that Allah may forgive your sins, it is that easy! That is why we worship Allah, for the reward and forgiveness of our Lord, and inshallah we do what is asked from Allah, what reason is there for us not to go to paradise? (Allah knows best)
Writing to your ummah that are held in prison
There are so many that are now in prison for wrong reasons, many have read the story about brother Babar Ahmed, but there are so many others that are in prison for stupid reasons for example this brother
The masjid I usually go to, the Imam was reading this to us and he started to cry, its showed us that he cares about theses brothers and sisters that are treated badly, it was very emotional especially to the reason why this brother was arrested...for playing paintball.
Brother Hammad Abdur-Raheem was born in Washington, USA and arrested in Virginia and sentenced for 9 years from 2001.
Hammad came from a loving middle-class family. After high school he joined the US Army participating in the first Gulf War. While stationed in Arizona he accepted Islam. Returning to the DC area, where there is a large Muslim population, Hammad re-educated himself to become an engineer for a major US telecoms company. Along with a group of Muslims, he would go paintballing on weekends in order to have 'fun' and stay in good physical condition. Because of the 'fun' activity they all fell victim to a federal 'witch-hunt' that claimed that they were training for jihad and supporting Laskar al-Taiba in Kashmir. Hammad, who was a leader in paintball training, had never travelled to Pakistan or Kashmir. When he was indicted he asked 'what is Laskar al-Talba!' He had never heard of the group he was puportedly supporting. Hammad stood strong during the ordeal and never pleaded gulity despite the undeus pressure applied to him by the US government. Hammad was sentenced to 9 years and will not be released until 2010. Hammad spends his time praying, reading, playing basketball and working in the prison library.
You have just read, it doesnt matter if you are a born Muslim or even a revert, this can happen to us, there are so many more stories like this from Cage Prisoners at www.cageprisoners.com
please find the time to look and inshallah look for more information on how to help.
Until the next issue inshallah, place your trust in Allah and always make Dua for your brothers and sisters
Your Brother in Islam
WaSalaam
Islamic Information Blog Issue 9
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
Assalamu Alaikum brothers and sisters,
I hope you are all well and so is your families too.
We can all forget the good deeds or even to give thanks to Allah, inshallah in this issue I would like to remind my brothers and sisters of the many good deeds we can do, but like the end of this issue its no good just doing good deeds, we must still follow our religion, for that will help us more
to enter Paradise.
How do we make good deeds?
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Seek knowledge, it is a good deed. Teach others, it is a reward. Educate the ignorant, it is sadaqah." He further says: "There is no better sadaqah then to spread knowledge."
What does the Quran say about Deeds?
"So whoever does an atom's weight (or the weight of a small ant) of good will see it, And whoever does an atom's weight (or the weight of a small ant) of bad will see it"
(Surah az-Zalzalah (99:7-8))
"And indeed, each [of the believers and disbelievers] - your Lord will fully compensate them for their good deeds, Indeed, He is Acquainted with what they do."
(Surah Hud (11:111))
"Whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal - indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live. But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds - for those will be the highest degrees [in position]"
(Surah Ta Ha (20:74-75))
What good deeds could we do?
"Righteousness is not that you turn your faces towards the east or west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.
(Surah al-Baqarah (2:177))
Praying:
Making sure that we pray 5 times a day as well as on time, this is very important and one difference between a Muslim and a Non-Muslim, many Non-Muslims as well as "Muslims by name" will say that they haven't got the time to pray 5 times a day, or maybe because we have an late prayer (Ishaa) and early morning prayer (Fajr) that they are too tired to do theses, sometimes I feel like I haven't got the strength to do theses prayers, because it can be a long day for many of us and all we want to do is sleep, but the difference between the believer and the disbeliever is that you will pray no matter what for the sake of Allah, we think that the prayer we are about to do could be our last, we think about Allah and how much we want to please Him.
"And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. (5 Daily prayers) Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember" (Surah Hud (11:114))
Do not forget the voluntary prayers too brothers and sisters. This is beneficial mostly during the
last third of the night in which the gates of the heavens are opened and the supplications are responded to. The prophet peace be upon him said, "Allah waits until one half or two-thirds of the night has passed and He says, 'My slaves, shall ask from no one except Me. Whoever asks from Me, I shall respond to him. Whoever asks Me for something, I will give it to him. Whoever asks for my forgiveness, I shall forgive him. And this continues until the dawn"
Allah's Apostle said, "If the people knew the reward for pronouncing the Adhan and for standing in the first row (in congregational prayers) and found no other way to get that except by drawing lots they would draw lots, and if they knew the reward of the Zuhr prayer (in the early moments of its stated time) they would race for it (go early) and if they knew the reward of 'Isha' and Fajr (morning) prayers in congregation, they would come to offer them even if they had to crawl."
Sahih Bukhari - Volume 1, Book 11, Number 589.
Friday Jummah:
We should all be reading Surah Al-Kahf (Surah 18)
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on a Friday will
have a light (i.e will be guided) between it and the next Friday" (Nasaa'i)
Forgiveness:
Imam Muslim reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) said,
"If anyone repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will forgive him."
Charity:
In an authentic Hadith reported by Imam At-Tirmithi that the prophet (S.A.W.) said:
"The charity puts out the bad deed like the water puts out the fire."
Allah says in the Quran,
"Those who spend their wealth by night and day, privately and publicity, verily their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve"
(Surah al-Baqarah (2:274)).
And Allah also says,
"And spend of that which We have provided you before death comes to one of you and he says, 'My Lord if only You would reprieve me for a little while, then I would give alms and be among the righteous.' But Allah reprieves no soul when its term comes, and Allah is aware of what you do" (Surah al-Munafiqun (63:10)).
Reading the Quran
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever recites one word from the Book of Allah will be rewarded for a good deed and ten more like it; and I don't say that Alif Lam Mim is a word but Alif is a word and Lam is a word and Mim is a word" (Alif Lam Mim is 3 Arabic Characters.)
Reading Certain Surahs:
The Prophet said to his companions, "Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur'an in one night?" This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, "Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah's Apostle?" Allah Apostle replied: " Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.' (Surat Al-Ikhlas 112.1--to the End) is equal to one third of the Qur'an."
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 61, Number 534
For the one who preserves the reading of aayah al-kursee (Surah al-Baqarah 2:255) after every salah, there is nothing between him and entering Paradise, except death
The Benefits are whoever says it in the morning will be protected from the jinn until evening, and whoever says it in the evening will be protected from them till the morning.
Duas:
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) passed by Aboo Hurayrah while he was planting
something and said:
"O Aboo Hurayrah shall I not show you a planting better than this?" He said: "Of course O
Messenger of Allah" He (Peace be upon him) said: "Say … SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Laa ilaha Allahu Akbar… and a tree will be planted for you in Paradise for every one you say."
Passing Salaams:
It was narrated by Saalim that Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said
"He who says Assalamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you) ten rewards are written down for him, and he who says Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullah (Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy) for him twenty rewards are written down and he who says Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh (Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessing) thirty rewards are written down (for him)"
Final reminder to you all brothers and sisters:
Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said "The good deeds of any person will not make him enter Paradise." (i.e., None can enter Paradise only through his good deeds.) They (the
Prophet's companions) said, 'Not even you, O Allah's Apostle?' He said, "Not even myself, unless
Allah bestows His favor and mercy on me. So be moderate in your religious deeds and do the
deeds that are within your ability: and none of you should wish for death, for if he is a good doer,
he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil doer, he may repent to Allah."
Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 577
Brothers and sisters, I hope this will help you in many ways, if you know theses then please act upon them, if you do not know theses, then inshallah learn them and act upon them too.
JazakAllah for the support and until the next issue.
My love goes out to the whole Ummah, Your Brother in Islam
Was Salaam
Hadiths & Duas used in Issue 10
Hadith Section - Sahih Bukhari
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:
Once the Prophet remained behind us in a journey. He joined us while we were performing ablution for the prayer which was over-due. We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so the Prophet addressed us in a loud voice and said twice or thrice: "Save your heels from the fire."
Volume 1, Book 3, Number 57
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "When anyone of you stands for the prayers, Satan comes and puts him in doubts till he forgets how many Rakat he has prayed. So if this happens to anyone of you, he should perform two prostrations of Sahu while sitting.
Volume 2, Book 22, Number 324
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:
The Prophet said, "Ghusl (taking a bath) on Friday is compulsory for every Muslim reaching the age of puberty."
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 817
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "The Imam is to be followed. Say the Takbir when he says it; bow if he bows; if he says 'Sami a-l-lahu Liman hamida', say, ' Rabbana wa-laka-l-hamd', prostrate if he prostrates and pray sitting altogether if he prays sitting."
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 701
Narrated Salim bin 'Abdullah:
My father said, "The Prophet said, 'If the wife of any one of you asks permission (to go to the mosque) do not forbid her."
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 832
Hadith Section - Sahih Muslim
It is reported on the authority of 'Abdullah that the Apostle of Allah observed: The best of' the deeds or deed is the (observance of) prayer at its proper time and kindness to the parents.
Book 1, Number 0155
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There are ninety-nine names of Allah; he who commits them to memory would get into Paradise. Verily, Allah is Odd (He is one, and it is an odd number) and He loves odd number. And in the narration of Ibn 'Umar (the words are) : "He who enumerated them."
Book 35, Number 6475
Ubida b. Samit reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who loves to meet Allah, Allah also loves to meet him, and he who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah also abhors to meet him.
Book 35, Number 6486
Al-Bara' reported that whenever Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) went to bed, he said: "O Allah, it is with Thine Name that I live and it is with Thine Name that I die." And when he got up he used to say: "Praise is due to Allah, Who gave us life after our death (sleep) and unto Thee is resurrection."
Book 35, Number 6549
Ibn 'Abbas reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate during the time of trouble (in these words): "There is no god but Allah, the Great, the Tolerant, there is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Magnificent Throne There is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Heaven and the earth, the Lord of the Edifying Throne."
Book 35, Number 6582
Duas
Allahumma ansur al-Islamu wal-muslimeen
O Allah! Help Islam and the Muslims
Allahumma aizzal-Islama wal-Muslimeen, Allahumma aizzal-Islama wal-Muslimeen, wa adhillash-shirka wal-Mushrikeen, wa dammir adaa'ad-deen, wahmi hawzatal-Islami Ya rabbal Alameen.
O Allah! Raise the standing of Islam and the Muslims, O Allah raise the standing and the Muslims, and degrade the standing of Kufr and the Kaafireen, and Shirk and the Mushrikeen.
Destroy the enemies of the Deen, and protect the lands of Islam, O Lord of the Worlds.
Allahumma ahyini Musliman wa amitini Musliman
O Allah! Let me live as a true Muslim, and cause me to die as a true Muslim.
Allahummaj'al wasawisa qalbi khashyatika wa dhikrika waj'alhammi wa hawaya fima tuhibbu wa tarda.
O Allah! Render the thoughts and inclinations within my heart, to be Your fear and remembrance, and let my endeavour and desire be devoted to what You love and appreciate.
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi aafaani fi jasadi, wa radda 'alaiyya ruhee, wa 'adhina li bidhikriki
Praise be to Allah Who gave Strength to my body and returned my soul to me and permitted me to remember Him.
BarakAllahu laka wa baaraka 'alaiyka, wa jazakAllahu khairan, wa razaqakal-Llahu mithlahu, wa ajzala thawaabaka
May Allah Bless you, and shower His Blessings upon you, and May Allah reward you and bestow upon you its like, and Reward you abundantly
Yarhamukallah
May Allah have Mercy upon you
Islamic Information Blog Issue 8
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
Assalamu Alaikum Brothers and Sisters,
I hope you are all well and that your families and your lives are good too.
Your Heart
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said
"Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart"
Volume 1, Book 2, Number 49: Sahih Bukhari
We must look after our hearts, it maybe a piece of flesh in the body, it might only be to push the blood around the body, but if that heart stops, the whole body stops too. Look around the world follows this religion, Allah will guide their heart. today and see how corrupted the world is becoming. Islam is full of peace, the ones who rightly
Allah says:
"Whoever believes in Allah - He will guide his heart." (Surah At-Taghabun (64:11))
Now I'm not going to say every Muslim is perfect, because we are not and we make mistakes too, but if we follow the Quran and the teachings of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) we should be able to know right from wrong, what is good and what we should be forbidding.
Allah will question us on many topics on the Day of Judgement, and the heart is one of them as well, Allah says in the Quran:
"Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned"
(Surah Al-Isra (17:36))
We learn all the time
I may scare someone who reads this and my intention is not to scare, but to make you has well as myself realise that our lives are coming to an end when Allah wills and what good deeds have we got to show when we meet Allah? This is no joke and never has been, I used to be a Non-Muslim and if I were to read this back then, I wouldn't of believed any of it, but you read about Islam, you read the Quran, you read the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and you can see the signs of what is happening, though Allah knows best for when everything will come on this planet, but you can see the changes around you to understand that this is not the only life you will live. This life isn't a game where you can go party all night, drinking alcohol, doing drugs, Fear Allah! Fear Allah! Fear Allah!! For what you are doing now, could be worse in the next life.
Don't you just love the fact that this religion never gets boring, what do I mean? Well every single one of us will learn something new nearly every day, there is so much for us Muslims to read and learn, SubhanAllah, for the ones who say they know it all, don't believe them, because that is the talk of Satan, and plus not everything was revealed to us humans, we only know 99 names of Allah, but we don't know what other names Allah has, we may know how to say Alif, Lam, Meem (Surah al-Baqarah (2:1)) or Alif, Lam, Meem, Sad (Surah al-A'raf (7:1)) or Kaf, Ha, Ya, 'Ayn, Sad (Surah Maryam (19:1) in total there are 14 opening letters which come in different formats in 29 Surahs in the Quran, Allah never revealed what theses mean, there are people who say that it means _______ but how do we know it means that when it was never revealed to us? There is so much to learn, but ask yourself, have you read the whole of the Quran before? If you have then alhamdulillah you can read it again and again, if you haven't then alhamdulillah you have to read the whole Quran to understand your religion more, it is no good (has I will point again and again) to just call yourself a Muslim by name, we always have to do what is right and forbid what is wrong, how do we know what is right and wrong? By the word of Allah (Quran) and the teachings of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
Someone was talking in a group which I joined and the brother said that we are all destined for hell, why did the brother say this? How does he know that our lives are destined for hell? Mashallah an Uncle explained to him that no one knows apart from Allah what we are destined for, we can hope to be Muslims but could end up being a Non-Muslim and the same the other way round that a Non-Muslim could revert to Islam. This is a reason why we need to show prove to what we say, its no good to say that this is important or this is the Sunnah, without prove it's the Sunnah or says in the Quran, it could be something you made up and could lead us astray.
Keep your promises!
"O you who believer! Fulfill (all) contracts"
(Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:1))
"O you who believe! Why say you that which you do not? Grievously odious is it in the sight of
Allah that you say that which you do not."
(Surah Al-Saff (61-2-3))
We should never lie to our brothers and sisters has well as never lie to Non-Muslims, just because they do not believe in Islam doesn't mean that what you do to them, the rules do not apply and Allah will allow it, it doesn't mean that we shouldn't steal off our brothers and sisters but we can to Non-Muslims, that is not what Islam teaches, we shouldn't lie to anyone, we shouldn't steal off anyone, we shouldn't do anything that displeases Allah. The true Muslim will keep his promises faithfully. Breaking promises is a horrible sins that Allah (SWT) hates in his believing servants.
The Prophet (Pbuh) said:
"The signs of a hypocrite are three:
when he speaks, he lies;
when he makes a promise, he breaks it;
and when he is entusted with something, he betrays that trust"
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 32
Who should we fear more?
Who should we fear more? Should we fear the country leaders because they have power? Should we fear gangs because in their numbers they could do so much or should we fear Allah? the differents between Allah and the humans that I talked about is that Allah has no limits and can do anything He pleases whereas humans like the so called leaders of the world have limits and can't do things of what Allah can do, though most humans think they are God, but they are as always all mouth but cant prove it, which clearly shows they are not God. No human should be feared, no matter even in a problem where you could be beaten up and hurt, don't fear them because they can only harm you has much as it's been written down. Allah can give life and cause death, He is the reason to why you are living today, why you have what you have, the clothes, the family, the food and drink, We need Allah to guide us more than Allah needs us, Allah doesn't need anything, has He as the power to do what He pleases. Has it says in the first Surah "It is You we worship, and You we seek for help" We should worship Allah and only Allah, we should love Allah more than anything, and fear Allah more than anything, if you are worried about that one person who could beat you up, I suggest you worry more about what will happen on the Day of Judgement.
Remembering Text
A brother taught me something very useful, and I would like to share with you all inshallah. We all read and sometimes we all forget what we have read, inshallah when you next find something that is useful and possibly could bring up again, write a note in the back of the book, so that inshallah when you need to go back to something inshallah you can read your notes and find the pages, personally that is a good idea, because there are times when I want to quote something, but I forget what book its from, inshallah I will use this idea too.
Allah is able to do all things (Quotes from the Quran)
"Say, "O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honour who You willand You humble whom You will.
In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent. You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom You will without account [i.e., limit or measure]""
(Surah Ali 'Imran (3:26-27))
"If He wills, He can do away with you, O people, and bring others [in your place]. And ever is Allah competent to do that."
(Surah an-Nisa (4:133))
"[More precisely], is He [not best] who created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you
rain from the sky, causing to grow thereby gardens of joyful beauty which you could not [otherwise] have grown the trees thereof?
Is He [not best] who made the earth a stable ground and placed within rivers and made for it
firmly set mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier?
Is He [not best] who reponds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and
makes you inheritors of the earth?
Is He [not best] who guides you through the darkness of the land and sea and who sends the
winds as good tidings before His Mercy?
Is He [not best] who begins creation and then repeats it and who provides for you from the
heaven and earth?"
Surah an-Naml (27:60-64))
JazakAllah for the support and until the next issue.
My love goes out to the whole Ummah, Your Brother in Islam
Was Salaam
Islamic Information Blog Issue 7
Assalamu Alaikum brothers and sisters of Islam.
Yahya related to me from Malik from Sumayy, the mawla of Abu Bakr ibn Abd ar-Rahman, from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
Malik's Muwatta, Book 3, Number 3.1.3
"If people knew what was in the adhan and the first row of the prayer and could only draw lots for it, they would draw lots. And if they knew what was in doing dhuhr early, they would race each other to it. And if they knew what was in ishaa and fajr, they would go to them even if they had to crawl."
Brothers and sisters, why do many of us sit right at the back of the masjid and end up in the last rows during prayers? Even when the masjid is empty why are you at the back? I understand that many have to go back to work, classes, but we are all finishing prayer at the same time aren't we? Like the above Hadith says If you knew the reward for praying in the front row. Well lets see what is the reward is
Muslims are urged to go early to the masjid to attend congregational Prayer and be in the first row in order to get great rewards.
Ibn `Umar quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
"The reward of salah (Prayer) performed in congregation outweighs that of salah performed individually by twenty-seven degrees"
Another mistake I see is that we as Muslims in prayers are doing bowing or prostrating before the Imam does, why are you doing this? Brothers and sisters, the one leading the prayer is the one we follow, you wait until the one at the front leading is it that position then you go into that position
Malik said, concerning someone who forgot and raised his head before the imam in ruku or sujud,
Malik's Muwatta, Book 3, Number 3.15.61
"The sunnah of that is to return to bowing or prostrating and not to wait for the imam to come up. What he has done is a mistake, because the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'The imam is appointed to be followed as a leader, so do not oppose him.' Abu Hurayra said, 'The one who raises his head and lowers it before the imam - his forelock is in
the hand of a shaytan.' "
Brothers and Sisters we should Praise Allah for giving you what you have, Praise Allah that you are on the straight path and inshallah working your way through life, doing good deeds and inshallah returning to Allah knowing that Allah will be pleased with the way you passed the tests you were given by Him, doing what is right and forbidding what is wrong. When was the last time you gave thanks to Allah for everything He has given you, what has He given you? Well look around you right now, your home, your family, the food and drink, the clothes you are wearing, the technology around you. Without Allah none of this would exist…not even you!
Even give Charity to the ones who need it, does it really hurt us to give 1 pound/1 euro/1 dollar a day to charity? Charity brings peace to our hearts knowing that the money we give will go to someone who really needs it - Alhamdulillah
"And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah's Pleasure while they in their ownselves are sure and certain that Allah will reward them [for their spending in His Cause], is the likeness of a garden on a height; heavy rain falls on it and it doubles its yield of harvest. And if it does not receive heavy rain, light rain suffices it" (Quran 2:265)
Spend for the sake of Allah, remember doing this Allah will double it, if people knew the reward for spending in the sake of Allah, we would rush to do this more often has it says in the Quran
"If you lend to Allah a goodly loan [i.e. spend in Allah's Cause] He will double it for you, and will forgive you" (Quran 64:17)
Brothers and sisters there are so many ways to get rewards from Allah, so many! But how many
of us are really do this?
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 61, Number 534
The Prophet said to his companions, "Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur'an in one night?" This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, "Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah's Apostle?" Allah Apostle replied: " Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.' (Surah Al-Ikhlas 112.1--to the End) is equal to one third of the Qur'an."
Read that again, one third of the Quran, Surah 112, do you know how lines there are for that surah? Let us read it now inshallah
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
1. Qul huwAllaahu Ahud,
Say He is Allah, the One and Only
2. Allaahus-Samad,
Allah the Eternal Refuge
3. Lam yalid, wa lam yuulad,
He neither begets nor is born
4. Walam yakunl-la-Huu kufu-wan ahad.
Nor is there to Him any equivalent
Brothers and sisters, that was known as one third of the Quran, subhanallah
Do lots and lots of Nafil prayers or any prayers that are not fard salah,
Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet (pbuh) said:
"The first thing that the people will be called to account for on the Day of Resurrection will be the prayers. Our Lord will say to the angels although He knows better: 'Look into the salah of my servant to see if he observed it perfectly or been negligent in it. So if he observed it perfectly it will be recorded to his credit, but if he had been negligent in it in any way, Allah would say: See if My servant has any supererogatory prayers. Then if he has any supererogatory prayers, Allah would say: Make up the deficiency in My servant's obligatory prayer with his supererogatory prayers.' Thereafter all his actions will be examined in like manner" (Abu Dawud).
Still pray Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Ishaa no matter what, because theses are more important and as said above will be accounted for first on the Day of Resurrection, but doing theses extra prayers, wouldn't you want to be on the safe side? I will say again and again, this life is no joke and what we do and say are being recorded this very moment, nothing will get pass Allah, as Allah is All-Knowing.
Thank you for your support.
Your Brother in Islam
Was Salaam
Islamic Information Blog Issue 6
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
Assalamu Alaikum brothers and sisters,
I would like to start by saying that I love the whole ummah, whether I know you in person, or never met you or even if you are not reading this, I love all my brothers and sisters of Islam, because I could go to anywhere in this world, any Masjid, walk in and someone will pass their Salaams to me, it doesn't matter whether we knew each other or not, only because we love and fear and worship Allah, that we love each other for the sake of Allah. It doesn't matter what colour we may be, what backgrounds we might come from, we don't judge a person by silly categories like nationality, skin colour etc, because I am a Muslim and this brother is a Muslim and to us that's what matters more. I am proud to be a Muslim because there isn't need for groups because we are no better than the others. Allahu Akbar.
Praying towards a Surtrah
I've seen many brothers praying at my local Masjid without a surtrah and there have been brothers walking past, and sadly their rewards are being reduced because of this, I'm not sure about the sisters, but I believe it happens for the sisters too. A Surtrah is something in front of you when you are praying so no one walks in front of you when you pray, this can be a wall, pillar, a bag etc, there is no limit to the width but it should be at least the height of the back of a saddle, which if we use our human body, its about a hand span. Brothers and sisters! don't you want the full reward when praying obligatory and optional prayers? If you don't have anything in front of you, your reward may be cut or reduced, of course you may have children running around, but they wont reduce your reward, unless they are at an age of puberty, this is Sunnah to have a Surtrah in front of you when praying.
The Prophet (pbuh) said: "When one of you prays, pray towards a sutrah. Stand close to it and don't let anyone pass between you and it"
Making Dua
You can make Dua for almost anything, I say almost anything because there are some that make Dua to hurt someone, or wish for bad things for this person/family etc, You can not wish for someone to die, or anything bad that will go against Islam. Making Dua is asking Allah for help, asking Allah to help others. We can make Dua for our families, friends, brothers and sisters, even ask Allah to guide the ones who are misguided. Remember a small Dua can make a big difference, you can make Dua for forgiveness. Theses above are not the only duas we can do, how about the ones like for example: eating and drinking? Wearing new items of clothing? oing to the Masjid? I'm sure many of us have got a book about Duas, I'm sure the book
"Fortress of the Muslim" is popular one, we should say theses duas so that we can remember Allah more than what we do at the moment. There is a website for those who might not have the book or haven't got a book about Dua,
"...And whoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him (Taqwa), He will make a way for him, to get out (from every difficulty), and will provide for him from sources that he never could imagine…" [At-Talaq 65:2-3]
Hand of Prayer
When I read this on a bookmark, I thought it was a beautiful way to remember others when we pray, inshallah we can use this.
Thumb:
The strongest and nearest digit to you.
Begin by praying for those closest to you and giving thanks for all the strong things in your life.
Index Finger:
This is your pointing finger.
Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal.
They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction
Middle Finger:
The tallest finger reminds us of our leaders
Pray for those who govern and have authority; These people shape our nation
Ring Finger:
This is our weakest finger.
Let it remind us to pray for those who are being treated unjustly, those whose are in trouble,
or in pain
Little Finger:
The smallest and last finger.
By praying for others first it helps to put your needs into perspective.
I have recently found a website with more Quran Recitation, Subhanallah there is a total of 271 reciters, audio lectures from 163 people, many video lectures, video documentaries and video quran recitation, inshallah it should be a wondeful site to learn from.
Thank you for your support.
Your Brother in Islam
Islamic Information Blog Issue 5
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
Assalamu Alaikum brothers and sisters,
Do we really think about Allah seeing everything we do? It might sound funny when someone would say Allah is watching you picking your nose, but how about when Allah is watching you even when you thought no one saw you? We could lie or cheat our ways to anywhere in this world and fool every human, but we cant fool Allah, you will be the fool to even think Allah didn't see what you are doing, Allah knows more about your life in the present and future before we even experience it. Allah knows what will happen to everyone's life, even what will happen in this world, He is the only one who knows what will happen and when. That is a reason why we say inshallah (if Allah wills) when we plan to do something, I could say that there will be another issue in this month, but we never know if that will happen or not, I could be directed into doing something else, or may not be alive to even think of a next issue, that is why we say inshallah, just like above, only Allah knows what will happen to us in the future.
I was talking to a few friends of mine about how the Christians believe that Jesus (pbuh) was crucified on the cross.
I told them if Jesus (pbuh) was on that cross and died, how would he come back someday (when Allah decides when the right time is) and people see him alive? Isn't it true that EVERY human has only ONE life? Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did do miracles that shocked many but he is only a human, not able to do things that Allah can do. The things Jesus (pbuh) did was only cause of what Allah allowed him to do. I was asking them if they believe that Jesus (pbuh) was "God" because his mother Mary gave birth to him without a father, What does that mean for Adam? Who was born without a mother OR a father? Jesus (pbuh) only has a mother, In Islam we believe that Allah is not his father, nor anyone's father, nor is Allah related to anything that he created, whether its Human, animal, plants etc, Allah is one.
It was narrated from Hazrat Ali that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said "Commonly in Islam there are six rights of a Muslim upon a Muslim: when he meets him he should give him salaam; when he invites him (to a meal) he should accept it; when he sneezes he should bless him; when he falls ill he should visit him; when he dies he should accompany his funeral and he should prefer for him that which he prefers for himself"
I understand that many of us might be shy to say Salaam to fellow Muslims, but don't be, they are family, even if we never know what their names are, they are our family, try for the sake of Allah and send your Salaams to every Muslim you meet, whether they reply, its up to them, at the end of the day you will be rewarded for saying Assalamu Alaikum, that's a good deed brothers and sisters, something that small is a deed.
I would like to share a website with you all, a sister found this and passed it on to me and Mashallah it is very useful especially if you would like to learn about the Hadiths, the whole collection of Sahih Bukhari (total of 652 Hadiths) and Sahih Muslim (total of 7190) and there is more from learning about the Quran, many books to read from. Do read and learn inshallah
http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/index.htm
I did find problems when I used firefox, there was not links, but found all the links in internet explorer, but another person said that firefox showed links and internet explorer didn't so do try theses programs out, if one doesn't work, do use another.
Many things we should say:
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) passed by Aboo Hurayrah while he was planting something and said: 'O Aboo Hurayrah, shall I not show you a planting better than this?' he said: 'Of course, O Messenger of Allah He (pbuh) said: 'Say
Subhanallah, Alhamduilillah, la ilaaha illallah, Allahu Akbar
and a tree will be planted for you in Paradise for every one you say'
At the moment inshallah if we go to paradise, our homes will be beautiful, but the surroundings will be empty, by saying Subhanallah, Alhamduilillah, la ilaaha illallah, Allahu Akbar a tree will be planted for you. Has you got time reading this brothers and sisters say a few so that the angels can plant the trees for you.
Brothers and sisters there are so many rewards you can do, in minutes, lemme share a few, you can get theses rewards just by sitting there and saying something like:
In one minute you can seek the forgiveness of Allaah more than 100 times by saying "Astaghfir-Allaah (I seek the forgiveness of Allaah). The virtues of seeking forgiveness are no secret, for it is the means of attaining forgiveness and entering Paradise, and it is the means of being granted a good life, increasing one's strength, warding off disasters, making things easier, bringing rain and increasing one's wealth and children.
Adhkaar of the Morning and Evening:
(quoted from "More Than 1000 Sunan Every Day & Night")
Some adhkaar to be said in the morning and evening:
1. Aayah al-Kursee (Sura Al-Baqarah 2:255)
Allah - there is no deity expect Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer if [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him expect by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge expect for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him out. And He is the Most High; the Most Great.
Benefits from saying this:
Whoever says it in the morning will be protected from the jinn until evening, and whoever says it in the evening will be protected from them until the morning.
Al-Mu'awwidhaat: (Sura Al-Ikhlaas 112:1-4)
1. Say "He is Allah, [who is] One,
2. Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
3. He neither begets nor is born,
4. Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
(Sura Al-Falaq 113:1-5)
1. Say "I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak
2. From the evil of that which He created
3. And from the evil of darkness when it settles
4. And from the evil of the blowers in knots
5. And from the evil of an envier when he envies."
(Sura An-Naas 114:1-6)
1. Say "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
2. The Sovereign of mankind,
3. The God of mankind,
4. From the evil of the retreating whisperer -
5. Who whispers [evil] into the breast of mankind -
6. From among the jinn and mankind".
Benefits from saying this:
Whoever says them three times in the evening and morning, they will be protected from all kinds of evil (as mentioned in Tuhfat al-Ahwadee by Shaykh Muhammad al Mubaarakpuri)
Brothers and sisters, you might think that this newsletter might be a waste of time, or you might not be learning something new, if that is the case, I am sorry, my intentions are just to remind you whether its small or big, theses good deeds can be recorded for you. Remember Allah
Allah the All-Mighty has said: (Sura Al-Baqarah 2:152)
"Therefore remember Me. I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and never show Me ingratitude."
And He said: (Sura Al Ahzab 33:35)
"And the men and women who remember Allah frequently, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward."
Theses information emails are not to make me better than you, I am only a Muslim wanting to help my fellow Muslims to achieve and do good deeds, if this has helped you in anyway alhamduilillah, if it has not alhamduilillah. I'm just happy to do what I can, even this small token of gratitude to Allah shows that Muslims shouldn't give up learning because life maybe getting tough, yes it is, but what is more important is that you are pleasing Allah, with the good deeds you do. What is more important? This life? Or the next?
Your brother in Islam,
Wa Salaam
Make Dua for your brothers and sisters, wouldn't you want good things to happen to them as much as good things happening to you?
