MODERATION IN ALL THINGS
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once asked a companion: "(Is it true) that you fast all day and stand in prayer all night?" The companion replied that the report was indeed true. The Prophet then said: "Do not do that! Observe the fast sometimes and also leave (it) at other times. Stand up for prayer at night and also sleep at night. Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 127
ADOPT A MODERATE COURSE
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately. . .Always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course, whereby you will reach your target (of paradise)." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 470
BE MODERATE IN YOUR RELIGIOUS DEEDS
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The good deeds of any person will not make him enter Paradise (i.e., no one enters paradise only through his good deeds)." The Prophet's companions asked: "Not even you?" The Prophet replied: "Not even myself, unless God bestows His favor and mercy on me. So be moderate in your religious deeds and do what is within your ability. None of you should wish for death, for if he is a doer of good, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil doer, he may repent to God." - Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 577
Showing posts with label Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Show all posts
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Season of Hajj
Hajj literally means 'to set out for a place'. Islamically, however, it refers to the annual pilgrimage that Muslims make to Makkah with the intention of performing certain religious rites in accordance with the method prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Hajj and its rites were first ordained by Allah in the time of the Prophet lbrahim [Abraham] and he was the one who was entrusted by Allah to build the Kaba - the House of Allah - along with his son Ismail [Ishmael] at Makkah. Allah described the Kaba and its building as follows:
"And remember when We showed Ibrahim the site of the [Sacred] House [saying]: Associate not anything [in worship with Me and purify My House for those who circumambulate it [i.e. perform tawaaf] and those who stand up for prayer and those who bow down and make prostration [in prayer etc.]."
[Surah Al-Hajj 22:26]
After building the Kaba, Prophet Ibrahim would come to Makkah to perform Hajj every year, and after his death, this practice was continued by his son. However, gradually with the passage of time, both the form and the goal of the Hajj rites were changed. As idolatry spread throughout Arabia, the Kaba lost its purity and idols were placed inside it. Its walls became covered with poems and paintings, including one of Jesus and his mother Maryam and eventually over 360 idols came to be placed around the Kaba.
During the Hajj period itself, the atmosphere around the sacred precincts of the Kaba was like a circus. Men and women would go round the Kaba naked, arguing that they should present themselves before Allah in the same condition they were born. Their prayer became devoid of all sincere remembrance of Allah and was instead reduced to a series of hand clapping, whistling and the blowing of horns. Even the talbiah (Labayk allahumma labayk… -chant Muslims say while on pilgrimage) was distorted by them with the following additions: 'No one is Your partner except one who is permitted by you. You are his Master and the Master of what he possesses'.
Sacrifices were also made in the name of God. However, the blood of the sacrificed animals was poured onto the walls of the Kaba and the flesh was hung from pillars around the Kaba, in the belief that Allah demanded the flesh and blood of these animals.
Singing, drinking, adultery and other acts of immorality was rife amongst the pilgrims and the poetry competitions, which were held, were a major part of the whole Hajj event. In these competitions, poets would praise the bravery and splendor of their own tribesmen and tell exaggerated tales of the cowardice and miserliness of other tribes. Competitions in generosity were also staged where the chief of each tribe would set up huge cauldrons and feed the pilgrims, only so that they could become well-known for their extreme generosity.
Thus the people had totally abandoned the teachings of their forefather and leader Prophet Ibrahim. The House that he had made pure for the worship of Allah alone had been totally desecrated by the pagans and the rites which he had established were completely distorted by them. This sad state of affairs continued for nearly two and a half thousand years. But then after this long period, the time came for the supplication of Prophet Ibrahim to be answered:
"Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them your aayaat (verses) and instruct them in the book and the Wisdom and sanctify them. Verily you are the 'Azeezul-Hakeem [the All-Mighty, the All-Wise]."
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2:129]
Sure enough, a man by the name of Muhammad ibn 'Abdullaah (pbuh) was born in the very city that Prophet Ibrahim had made this supplication centuries earlier. For twenty-three years, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) spread the message of Tawheed [true monotheism] - the same message that Prophet Ibrahim and all the other Prophets came with - and established the law of Allah upon the land. He expended every effort into making the word of Allah supreme and his victory over falsehood culminated in the smashing of the idols inside the Kaba which once again became the universal center for the worshippers of the one True God.
Not only did the Prophet rid the Kaba of all its impurities, but he also reinstated all the rites of Hajj which were established by Allah's Permission, in the time of Prophet Ibrahim. Specific injunctions in the Quran were revealed in order to eliminate all the false rites which had become rampant in the pre-Islamic period. All indecent and shameful acts were strictly banned in Allah's statement:
"There is to be neither lewdness nor wrangles during Hajj."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:197]
Competitions among poets in the exaltations of their forefathers and their tribesmen's achievements were all stopped. Instead, Allah told them:
"And when you have completed your rites [of Hajj] then remember Allah as you remember your forefathers; nay with a more vigorous remembrance."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:200]
Competitions in generosity were also prohibited. Of course, the feeding of the poor pilgrims was still encouraged as this was done during the time of Prophet Ibrahim but Allah commanded that the slaughtering of the animals which was done for this purpose should be done seeking the pleasure of Allah rather than fame and the praise of the people. He said:
"So mention the name of Allah over these animals when they are drawn up in lines. Then, when they are drawn on their sides [after the slaughter], eat thereof and feed the beggar who does not ask, and the beggar who asks."
[Surah al-Hajj 22:36]
As for the deplorable practice of spattering blood of the sacrificed animals on the walls of the Kaba and hanging their flesh on alters, then Allah clearly informed them that:
"It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is Taqwaa (piety) from you that reaches Him."
[Surah al-Hajj 22:37]
The Prophet (pbuh) also put a stop to the practice of circling the Kaba in a state of nudity and the argument that the pagans put forward to justify this ritual was sharply rebutted in Allah's question:
"Say: Who has forbidden the adornment [i.e. clothes] given by Allah which He has produced for His Slaves?"
[Surah al-A'raaf 7:32]
Another custom which was prohibited through the Quran was that of setting off for Hajj without taking any provisions for the journey. In the pre-Islamic period, some people who claimed to be mutawakkiloon (those having complete trust in Allah) would travel to perform Hajj begging for food through the whole journey. They considered this form of behavior a sign of piety and an indication of how much faith they had in Allah. However Allah told mankind that to have sufficient provisions for the journey was one of the preconditions for making Hajj. He said:
"And take a provision [with you] for the journey, but the best provision is at-Taqwaa (piety)."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:197]
In this way, all the pre-Islamic practices, which were based on ignorance, were abolished and Hajj was once more made a model of piety, fear of Allah, purity, simplicity and austerity. Now, when the pilgrims reach the Kaba, they no longer find the carnivals and the frolic and frivolity that had once occupied the minds of the pilgrims there before. Now, there is the remembrance of Allah at every step and every action and every sacrifice was devoted to Him alone. It was this kind of Hajj that was worthy of the reward of paradise, as the Prophet (pbuh) said: "The reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing less than paradise."
May Allah grant us all the ability to visit His House and perform the Hajj in the manner of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Aameen.
from: Islamicity.com
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Unity in Islam
Unity is strength. In the words of Professor Maqsood Jafri, when grains of sand come together they form a vast desert and when drops of water come together, they become a boundless ocean. Alhamdulillah in a world of over 6.8 billion people, Islam is comprised of over 1.8 billion followers and is growing rapidly every day. Islam has believers all over the world, in every country, from every background, race and culture; but unfortunately the biggest problem that we see today within the Muslim community is unity.
The biggest goal of Islam is Unity – our teachings all surround unity – and if we are truly believers of Allah, we are supposed to be united. In the words of Prophet Muhammad (saw) The Muslim Ummah is like one whole body, if the eye is in pain the whole body is in pain, if the head is in pain the whole body is in pain, if the limbs are in pain, again, the whole body is in pain. Then why do we not feel pain for the flooding in Pakistan, for the bombings in Palestine, for the devastating reality of Afghanistan, for the massacres in Bosnia, or the more recent violent uprisings in Libya and around the Middle East. The Muslim Ummah is becoming full of disease and is slowly detaching from one another. We need to set aside our small differences and disputes and work together as one.
Allah made the believers as brothers so that they have mercy upon one another; so that they love one another; so that they help one another and support one another. This is how Muslims should be. In Surat Al Imran Ayah 103: Allah (swt) says: “And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (which is Islam) and be not divided among yourselves.” But there is division in Islam, whether it is in a more common form, like Sunnis and Shiites, sects like Sufi’s and Wahabi’s, or cultures from different countries.
In the last khutba of the Prophet Muhammad (saw); he reminded us of exactly this: All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.
We need to remember that the outside world is attacking all Muslims. When they display an act of hatred, they don’t do it to just Sunnis, or just Shiites. They do it to all Muslims. So there they are, attacking us from the outside, while we are busy attacking each other from the inside. And to make things worse, we are clearly letting them know about it. Just look at the twitter, YouTube or face book pages of some Muslims, and you will see the kind of hatred I’m talking about -whether it’s between Sunni’s and Shiites, or Muslims of two different cultures. We need to stop fighting between ourselves and focus on more important things like fighting Islamophobia in the west.
The Unity of Muslim Ummah is not in celebrating Eid on same day throughout the World but rather it is in following the Quran and Sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhammad (saw). If each and every Muslim starts following the Commands of Allah (swt) and the prophet, from Quran and Hadith, then unity among Muslims will prevail by itself.
We want unity, but only if it is on our own terms. But, we have to think realistically – the world can’t work on a give and take basis all the time. As Muslims, we need to give freely without expecting anything in return. If you still can’t digest this notion then think of it in this sense: what you give will be returned to you, if not by the person you helped, surely Allah will return its double to you in this life or the next. And He guarantees this in Surat al Baqara ayat 261 when He says: “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain of corn which grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah gives increase manifold to whom He will. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs”.
No matter how much you tell someone about Islam, they will not believe you if they don’t see you acting on your words. You say Islam is peaceful? Then act like a peaceful Muslim. It’s not that the text is not true, however, more people learn by seeing, than by reading. So when they see you acting like a good Muslim, they will love you and your religion. When they see you acting in a bad way, they not only will turn away from you, they will turn away from your religion. As much as we don’t like to admit it, this is true. And it is exactly what we don’t need if we want to fight negative stereotypes and bring out the truth about the beauty of Islam. So Inshallah it’s about time we start shaping up and fixing our problems from within to create a stable, healthy and united Ummah. We need to start today, with everyone, because the adults of today need to be an example for the children of tomorrow. In Surat al taubah, ayah 71 Allah says: “the believing men and women are awliyah (loyal) to one another”. So be the better person and make up with your friend if you are fighting, stop gossip as soon as it starts, kindle love in the hearts of others for Islam and be a good Muslim. As the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself."
-MYGA
The biggest goal of Islam is Unity – our teachings all surround unity – and if we are truly believers of Allah, we are supposed to be united. In the words of Prophet Muhammad (saw) The Muslim Ummah is like one whole body, if the eye is in pain the whole body is in pain, if the head is in pain the whole body is in pain, if the limbs are in pain, again, the whole body is in pain. Then why do we not feel pain for the flooding in Pakistan, for the bombings in Palestine, for the devastating reality of Afghanistan, for the massacres in Bosnia, or the more recent violent uprisings in Libya and around the Middle East. The Muslim Ummah is becoming full of disease and is slowly detaching from one another. We need to set aside our small differences and disputes and work together as one.
Allah made the believers as brothers so that they have mercy upon one another; so that they love one another; so that they help one another and support one another. This is how Muslims should be. In Surat Al Imran Ayah 103: Allah (swt) says: “And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (which is Islam) and be not divided among yourselves.” But there is division in Islam, whether it is in a more common form, like Sunnis and Shiites, sects like Sufi’s and Wahabi’s, or cultures from different countries.
In the last khutba of the Prophet Muhammad (saw); he reminded us of exactly this: All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.
We need to remember that the outside world is attacking all Muslims. When they display an act of hatred, they don’t do it to just Sunnis, or just Shiites. They do it to all Muslims. So there they are, attacking us from the outside, while we are busy attacking each other from the inside. And to make things worse, we are clearly letting them know about it. Just look at the twitter, YouTube or face book pages of some Muslims, and you will see the kind of hatred I’m talking about -whether it’s between Sunni’s and Shiites, or Muslims of two different cultures. We need to stop fighting between ourselves and focus on more important things like fighting Islamophobia in the west.
The Unity of Muslim Ummah is not in celebrating Eid on same day throughout the World but rather it is in following the Quran and Sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhammad (saw). If each and every Muslim starts following the Commands of Allah (swt) and the prophet, from Quran and Hadith, then unity among Muslims will prevail by itself.
We want unity, but only if it is on our own terms. But, we have to think realistically – the world can’t work on a give and take basis all the time. As Muslims, we need to give freely without expecting anything in return. If you still can’t digest this notion then think of it in this sense: what you give will be returned to you, if not by the person you helped, surely Allah will return its double to you in this life or the next. And He guarantees this in Surat al Baqara ayat 261 when He says: “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain of corn which grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah gives increase manifold to whom He will. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs”.
No matter how much you tell someone about Islam, they will not believe you if they don’t see you acting on your words. You say Islam is peaceful? Then act like a peaceful Muslim. It’s not that the text is not true, however, more people learn by seeing, than by reading. So when they see you acting like a good Muslim, they will love you and your religion. When they see you acting in a bad way, they not only will turn away from you, they will turn away from your religion. As much as we don’t like to admit it, this is true. And it is exactly what we don’t need if we want to fight negative stereotypes and bring out the truth about the beauty of Islam. So Inshallah it’s about time we start shaping up and fixing our problems from within to create a stable, healthy and united Ummah. We need to start today, with everyone, because the adults of today need to be an example for the children of tomorrow. In Surat al taubah, ayah 71 Allah says: “the believing men and women are awliyah (loyal) to one another”. So be the better person and make up with your friend if you are fighting, stop gossip as soon as it starts, kindle love in the hearts of others for Islam and be a good Muslim. As the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself."
-MYGA
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
No satisfaction for Terry Jones
Salam
A few months ago, American pastor Terry Jones was in the news for wanting to burn the Quran. Although he had few followers in his church, he sparked fire around the world when he began appearing all over the media for his plans of "burn the Quran day". After much dissaproval and uproar by people, he stated he would not be going through with his plans. However, two weeks ago he did go through with his plan and burned the Holy Quran. His actions are extremely vulgar and contemptible and as Muslims one way we could help not give him any satisfaction for his actions would be by not giving him press. The more he's in the news, the more he's googled, the more that video (Quran burning) is watched, the happier he is. Although the anger of many is completely understandable, we shouldn't give him any satisfaction by hurting ourselves by watching the video or becoming extremely upset. He should be fined and even sent to jail, but the way some people in countries like Afghanistan are taking out their anger is not justified ...only he should be held accountable for his actions, and the government of America for serving justice.
A good example of patience in the time of trouble would be Prophet Muhammad (saw) in the famous story of his journey to the city of Ta'if. When he went there to peacefully invite the people to Islam, they responded by pelting him with stones and hurting him until he was soaked in his own blood. After leaving the city, Angel Jibrail approached him and told the prophet that if he wished, he could bring the two mountains on either side of the city together, crushing the city of Ta'if and it's people for what they did. The Prophet declined and said even if none of these people become Muslim, I pray that their children may worship Allah and serve His cause. The beauty and moral of this story is that even when the prophet suffered so much pain and had the absolute opportunity to annihalate this town, he did not. He had patience, and hope. And instead of cursing them, he prayed for them. Lets look at the Prophets example and follow in his footsteps.
We should also always remember that Allah says in Surat Hijr (15.09) "We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)."
Again in Surat Hijr He says "Leave them alone, to enjoy (the good things of this life) and to please themselves: let (false) hope amuse them: soon will knowledge (undeceive them). "
May Allah (swt) guide us, give us patience and Iman. We need to keep faith that he will receive his due from Allah, and we should not let him even think he can affect us or our deen, because he can't.
A few months ago, American pastor Terry Jones was in the news for wanting to burn the Quran. Although he had few followers in his church, he sparked fire around the world when he began appearing all over the media for his plans of "burn the Quran day". After much dissaproval and uproar by people, he stated he would not be going through with his plans. However, two weeks ago he did go through with his plan and burned the Holy Quran. His actions are extremely vulgar and contemptible and as Muslims one way we could help not give him any satisfaction for his actions would be by not giving him press. The more he's in the news, the more he's googled, the more that video (Quran burning) is watched, the happier he is. Although the anger of many is completely understandable, we shouldn't give him any satisfaction by hurting ourselves by watching the video or becoming extremely upset. He should be fined and even sent to jail, but the way some people in countries like Afghanistan are taking out their anger is not justified ...only he should be held accountable for his actions, and the government of America for serving justice.
A good example of patience in the time of trouble would be Prophet Muhammad (saw) in the famous story of his journey to the city of Ta'if. When he went there to peacefully invite the people to Islam, they responded by pelting him with stones and hurting him until he was soaked in his own blood. After leaving the city, Angel Jibrail approached him and told the prophet that if he wished, he could bring the two mountains on either side of the city together, crushing the city of Ta'if and it's people for what they did. The Prophet declined and said even if none of these people become Muslim, I pray that their children may worship Allah and serve His cause. The beauty and moral of this story is that even when the prophet suffered so much pain and had the absolute opportunity to annihalate this town, he did not. He had patience, and hope. And instead of cursing them, he prayed for them. Lets look at the Prophets example and follow in his footsteps.
We should also always remember that Allah says in Surat Hijr (15.09) "We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)."
Again in Surat Hijr He says "Leave them alone, to enjoy (the good things of this life) and to please themselves: let (false) hope amuse them: soon will knowledge (undeceive them). "
May Allah (swt) guide us, give us patience and Iman. We need to keep faith that he will receive his due from Allah, and we should not let him even think he can affect us or our deen, because he can't.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Quran & Science
The greatest miracle of Islam is the Quran itself. It is the true, unchanged and unadulturated word of God for the past 1400 years. It's divine text not only includes the best ways to live, the secret to enlightment and the history of mankind...it includes scientific miracles; facts that no one knew about 1400 years ago. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a wise, honorable and honest man, but he was illiterate; and that is the beauty of Islam and it's truth as well. That proves for a fact that the Quran was the word of God, not man.
The following link is a website that includes the extraordinary revealings of the Quran and it's science and compares it to modern science. Please take a look at it :)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Hadith: Charity
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Every act of goodness is charity."
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 496
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Hadith: Religion Is Very Easy
Religion is Very Easy
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Religion is very easy, and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded.”
-- Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadith 38
Monday, January 4, 2010
Top 10: Facts about the Prophet (pbuh)
This week our theme is the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). So for our top 10, we decided to write 10 facts about him. Tell us charachteristics and facts you know about the Prophet (pbuh) :)
1) He was born in the year 570 CE and was soon orphaned. But he was raised by his uncle Abu Talib.
2) He was illiterate. And therefore Islams greatest miracle is the Quran, because a person who could not read or write would never be able to write something as profound as the Quran.
3) Before he became a Prophet, people used to call him "Al Ameen; The Trustworthy." Unlike other boys his age, he never drank or took part in immoral activities. He was reffered to as the Truthful and Trustworthy.
4) He received his first Wahi (revelation from God) in the year 610. The angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) appeared to him in the cave of Hira telling him to Iqra (read).
5) The first person he converted was his first wife Khadijah (ra). After seeing his distress she asked him what was wrong. When she found out, she did not hesitate to accept Islam for she was intelligent and knew that Muhammad (pbuh) was honest.
6) The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) always used to help clean up around the house and never left housework only to women.
"He used to keep himself busy serving his family and when it was time for the prayer, he would go for the prayer.” (Hadith)
"Cleanliness is half of faith….” (Hadith)
He used to say: "cleanliness is piety"
7) The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to joke (without lying).
“I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.” (Hadith)
8) The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was easy going and pleasant.
By the grace of Allah, you are gentle towards the people; if you had been stern and harsh-hearted, they would have dispersed from round about you. (Qur’an, 3:159)
“Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them, and make them calm (with glad tidings) and do not repulse (them).” (Hadith)
9) The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) cared for all living creatures.
The people asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He said, “(Yes) There is a reward for serving any living being.” (Hadith)
“If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats from it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity.” (Hadith)
10) He was very just and fair:
The Jews, in spite of their hostility to the Prophet (pbuh), were so impressed by his impartiallity and sense of justice that they used to bring their cases to him, and he decided them according to Jewish law. (Abu Dawud, Sunan Dawud)
In his fatal illness, the Prophet (pbuh) proclaimed in a concourse assembled at his house that if he owed anything to anyone the person concerned could claim it; if he had ever hurt anyone's person, honor or property, he could have his price while he was yet in this world. A hush fell on the crowd. One man came forward to claim a few dirhams which were paid at once. (Ibn Hisham, Sirat-ur-Rasul)
Tell us any facts you know of!
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