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Saturday, June 28, 2008

Major Signs of the Day of Judgement

A. The occurences before the Major Signs


GENOCIDE
A man from Abu Sufyaan’s progeny massacres descendents of Nabi (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and rules over Syria and Egypt.

WAR
A major war between Muslims and Christians: Half the Christian army will sign a peace treaty with the Muslim army, while the second half of the Christian army remains the common enemy.

ISTANBUL CONQUERED BY CHRISTIANS
The enemy half of the Christian army conquers Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey.

ISTANBUL RECONQUERED JOINTLY BY MUSLIM AND CHRISTIANS
The Muslims and the good half of the Christian army conquer Constantinople together, against the enemy Christians. Thereafter, a Christian will say the victory was due to the cross, and the Muslim will say it was due to Islam. A battle between both sides will ensue, and the Muslim Ruler will be martyred.

SYRIA CONQUERED BY CHRISTIANS
The two Christian armies reunite, conquering Syria.

CHRISTIAN DOMINATION
Christians dominate the world up to Khaiber (near Madinah), and they will pursue Muslims with 80 flags, with 12,000 men under each flag.

MUSLIMS AWAIT IMAM MAHDI

TOTAL ECLIPSE
A total eclipse of the sun and moon will occur in Ramadhan, prior to Imam Mahdi’s emergence.

IMAM MAHDI EMERGES
At age 40, Imam Mahdi appears in Makkah, then flees to Madinah.




B. The Major Signs (i.e. events after the emergence of Imam Mahdi)

MUSLIM ARMY MARCHES
The army of Mansoor from Khurasaan will head towards Makkah to aid Imam Mahdi. They will win many battles on the way. No force will be able to stop them. They will carry black flags.

SUFYAANI ARMY SWALLOWED BY THE EARTH.
The Sufyaani army (an Anti-Muslim force) from Syria singles out Imam Mahdi for execution. On the way to Makkah, they get swallowed into the ground. A second Sufyaani army is created with 960,000 men (of 80 nations).

CONFRONTATION IN SYRIA
Imam Mahdi and the Muslim army go to Syria to confront the Christians. The Christians, before the battle, will ask Muslims for the return of their prisoners-of-war. The Muslims will refuse. The battle will begin. One-third of Imam Mahdi’s army will flee (their repentance will not be accepted), one-third will be martyred, and one-third will gain victory over the Christians.

MUSLIM ARMY UNDER IMAM MAHDI CONQUERS PALESTINE

JIHAD ON INDIA
A jamaat of Muslims wages Jihaad on India and be successful.

SYRIA UNDER MUSLIM RULE
Imam Mahdi returns to Syria and establishes Muslim rule over the lands he passes.

ANIMOSTIY RIFE AMONGST THE PEOPLE
At this time, Muslims will be weak and there will be very few pious people.

3 RUMORS OF EMERGENCE OF DAJJAL ("Anti-Christ")... 3 YEARS OF DROUGHT
Before the emergence of Dajjal there will be three years of drought. The first year, the skies will retain 1/3 of its water, the second year 2/3, and all of its water the third year.

DAJJAL APPEARS
Dajjal appears. His followers, the Yahudis, will number 70,000 and will wear expensive silk attire and carry double edged swords.

PROPHET ISA (ALAYHIS SALAM) (JESUS) APPEARS
Isa (alayhis salam)descends during the lifetime of Imam Mahdi.

DAJJAL KILLED AT THE GATE OF HUDD
Hadhrat Isa (alayhis salam) kills Dajjal at the Gate of Hudd, near an Israeli airport, in the valley of “Ifiq.” The final war between the Yahudi's will ensue, and the Muslims be victorious.

TOTAL PEACE
With the death of Dajjal, all wars will end. Jihad will be stopped; peace, harmony, and tranquility will be on earth. The earth will produce abundant crops and fruit. The people will follow Islam.

ISA RECEIVES REVELATION
The revelation tells that the Yajooj and Majooj will soon be released and the believers should be taken to Mt. Toor (Sinai).

YAJOOJ AND MAJOOJ ("Gog and Magog") RELEASED
The Yajooj and Majooj surge forth in large numbers. They destroy everything in their path in their effort to conquer the world. They will be released in two groups.

YAJOOJ AND MAJOOJ REACH JERUSALEM
When they reach Mount Khamrin in Jerusalem, they will proclaim to have conquered the world. Then the will shoot arrows into the sky to conquer the heavens. The arrows will return blood stained.

HARDHSHIPS ON MOUNT TUR
Scarcity of provisions and hardships will afflict the Muslims. Prophet Isa (alayhis salam) and the Muslims will pray for the removal of the calamity.

YAJOOJ AND MAJOOJ KILLED BY INFECTIONS
Their prayers were answered and the Yajooj and Majooj develop boil infections, causing them to burst simultaneously as a result.

EARTH FULL OF STENCH OF CORPSES
Prophet Isa (alayhis salam) and his companions pray again and huge birds are sent to pick up the Yajooj and Majooj corpses and dispose of them in Nahbal (according to Tirmidhi), the ocean or elsewhere.

PEACE ON EARTH
It will rain for forty days and the earth will be cleansed. Muslims will burn the bows and arrow of Yajooj and Majooj for 7 years. Life will be peaceful while Prophet Isa (alayhis salam) is alive. The earth will be bountiful. Prophet Isa will live 19 years after marriage.

PROPHET ISA PASSES AWAY AND BURIED NEXT TO MUHAMMED (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)

OTHER LEADERS FOLLOW AFTER ISA (alayhis salam)
Jahjaan from Qahtaan, from a tribe in Yemen, will rule as the next Khalifa. Muquad, from a tribe of Banu Tamim will also be a deputy. SOCIETY SLOWLY DECAYS AND KUFR SETS IN




The Final Signs of Qiyamah:

1 THE CAVING IN OF THE GROUND
The ground will cave in: one in the east, one in the west, and one in Hejaz, Saudi Arabia.

2 THE FORTY DAY SMOKE/FOG
Fog or smoke will cover the skies for forty days. The non-believers will fall unconscious, while Muslims will be ill (develop colds). The skies will then clear up.

3 THE NIGHT OF THREE NIGHTS
A night three nights long will follow the fog. It will occur in the month of Dhul-Hajj after Eid al-Adha, and cause much restlessness among the people.

4 THE RISING OF THE SUN IN THE WEST
After the night of three nights, the following morning the sun will rise in the west. People’s repentance will not be accepted after this incident.

5 THE BEAST FROM THE EARTH APPEARS
One day later, the Beast from the earth will miraculously emerge from Mount Safaa in Makkah, causing a split in the ground. The beast will be able to talk to people and mark the faces of people, making the believers’ faces glitter, and the non-believers’ faces darkened.

6 THE BREEZE FROM THE SOUTH
A breeze from the south causes sores in the armpits of Muslims, which they will die of as a result.

7 DESTRUCTION OF THE KA'BAH
The Ka'bah will be destroyed by non-Muslim African group. Kufr will be rampant. Hajj will be discontinued. The Qur’an will be lifted from the heart of the people, 30 years after the ruler Muquad’s death.

8 FINAL SIGN OF QIYAMAH: FIRE IN YEMEN
The fire will follow people to Syria, after which it will stop.

COMMENCEMENT OF QIYAMAH
Some years after the fire, Qiyamah begins with the Soor (trumpet) being blown. The year is not known to any person. Qiyamah will come upon the worst of creation.




For more information please visit the following websites:
The Signs of Qiyamah (All in One Page)
Signs of Qiyamah
Major Signs Before the Day of Judgement (Qiyamah)

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

He went to a fortune teller then he repented, but he found that what the fortune teller told him is coming true, day after day!

One of my friend did a big mistake, he went to a furtune teller before starting his medical studies. After that he got knowledge and he repented sincerely towards Allah, and made Taubah for his sin. But the problem here is that whatever the Fortune teller informed him is coming true day by day. He want to remove his thinkings from this but unable to act such. He started offer praying. Whats the solution for such problems according to Islam. What you advice him about this.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

It is not permissible to go to soothsayers and fortune tellers, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks him about something, his prayer will not be accepted for forty nights.” Narrated by Muslim (2230).

And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever has intercourse with a menstruating woman or with a woman in her back passage, or goes to a fortune teller and believes what he says, has disbelieved in that which Allaah revealed to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).” Narrated by Abu Dawood (3904), al-Tirmidhi (3904) and Ibn Majaah (936); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.

The kufr mentioned in the hadeeth is to be understood in the sense of minor or lesser kufr, according to many scholars, unless he believes that the witch or soothsayer has knowledge of the unseen or he believes his claims to have knowledge of the unseen.

The one who has fallen into any of these matters must repent to Allaah, by regretting what he has done and resolving not to do it again.

Secondly:

As for what the fortune teller told him coming true day after day, this doesn’t matter, and it does not affect the shar’i ruling in such cases at all. This may be due to one of two things:

1 – That the fortune teller used general words and phrases that reflect things that happen to all people, such as saying “you will go through some trials, then you will find relief” or “you will be blessed with some wealth” or “you will get married” and so on, and the person thinks that the fortune teller is telling the truth because of that.

2 – The fortune teller told him of something true that would happen in the future, then it happened as he said it would. This is something that the shaytaan snatched for him from the heavens, then passed it on to the fortune teller, who added lies and false things to it. If the incident that he spoke of happens, people believe everything he said. This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) pointed out when he explained this matter. Al-Bukhaari (6213) and Muslim (2228) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: Some people asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about soothsayers. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to them: “They are nothing.” They said: O Messenger of Allaah, sometimes they tell us something that turns out to be true. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “That is a word from the jinn that the jinni snatches, and he cackles it into the ear of his familiar as a hen cackles, but they mix more than a hundred lies with it.”

al-Bukhaari (4701) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Allaah decrees a matter in heaven, the angels beat their wings in submission to His words, making a sound like a chain striking a rock. When the fear is banished from their hearts, they say, What is it that your Lord has said? They say: The truth, and He is the Most High, the Most Great. Then the one who is listening out hears that, and those who are listening out are standing one above the other” – Sufyaan [one of the narrators] demonstrated with his hand, holding it vertically with the fingers outspread. – “So he hears what is said and passes it on to the one below him, and that one passes it to the one who is below him, and so on until it reaches the lips of the soothsayer or fortune-teller. Maybe the meteor will hit him before he can pass anything on, or maybe he will pass it on before he is hit. He tells a hundred lies alongside it, but it will be said, Did he not tell us that on such and such a day, such and such would happen? So they believe him because of the one thing which was heard from heaven.” i.e., he is believed because of the one true word that was heard from heaven and passed on to the fortune teller.

If we assume that the fortune teller told him something that did actually happen, such as if he told him about where a lost item was to be found, or some such, and this is what happened, if the questioner did not know it, then it is not “unseen” in absolute terms, rather it was “unseen” to the one who did not see it or know it. The fortune teller is able to see such things, either by himself or with the help of his helpers among the devils of mankind and the jinn, as is well known.

To sum up: So long as your friend has repented to Allaah, then he should not pay any attention to what the fortune-teller said or be afraid of what he said. Some of the things he mentioned may happen, or they may not. Usually they do not happen, because the ratio of truth – if the fortune teller receives information from the jinn – is no more than 1%.

And Allaah knows best.

Ruling on working in an Islamic nasheed group

I have been offered a job in an Islamic nasheed group (performing at weddings and so on). What should I do? I am desperately in need of work.

Praise be to Allaah.

It is permissible to work in an Islamic nasheed group, if the work is free of anything that is contrary to sharee’ah and adheres to the following guidelines:

-1-

The anaasheed should be performed in front of men only; it is not permissible to perform in the presence of women, because of the prohibition on mixing, and because of the evil and corruption to which that may lead.

-2-

The songs should contain permissible words only, free from any shameless or licentious content.

-3-

The anaasheed should not be accompanied by any musical instruments or tablah drums or daffs, because of the prohibition on using musical instruments and the prohibition on using the daff for men, according to the more correct opinion.

-4-

The anaasheed should not be accompanied by any sound effects that resemble musical instruments, whether they are done on the computer or otherwise.

Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

There may be another sin involved in that [i.e., nasheeds], which is that they may be performed in the manner of immoral songs and performed according to the rules of eastern or western music which makes the listeners enjoy it and makes them dance and behave in a foolish manner. So the aim becomes the tune and the enjoyment thereof, and not nasheed per se. This is a new error, and it is an imitation of the kuffaar and immoral people. That may lead to a further error, which is imitating them in turning away from the Qur’aan and forsaking it, and being included in the general meaning of the complaint of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will say: ‘O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur’aan (neither listened to it nor acted on its laws and teachings)’” [al-Furqaan 25:30]. End quote from Tahreem Alaat al-Tarb (p. 181).

It is well known that Islam forbids listening to musical instruments because of the effect that musical instruments have on the heart, which may be affected by hypocrisy and forsaking the word of Allaah, so that it finds no pleasure except in these songs. It is well known that some of these sound effects have a worse effect than musical instruments, and their effect on the listener, even if it is no greater than the effect of musical instruments, is no less either. It is impossible that Islam would forbid anything because of its corrupting effects then permit something that is similar to it or worse than it.

If the sound effects have a sound that is similar to that of musical instruments, then the ruling on them is the same as the ruling on musical instruments, i.e., they are haraam.

-5-

Pictures of the munshids (“singers”) should not be put on the covers of their tapes, in an imitation of the evildoing of pop singers.

If the work of this group is free of these haraam issues, then there is nothing wrong with you working with them.

You should remember that there are many ways of earning provision, but the matter needs effort and hard work. Seek the help of Allaah and do not feel helpless, and do not let the desire to hasten provision make you seek it by disobeying Allaah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Holy Spirit (Jibreel) has inspired to me that no soul will die until it has completed its appointed term and received its provision in full, so fear Allaah and do not be desperate in seeking provision, and no one of you should be temped to seek provision by means of committing sin if it is slow in coming to him, for that which is with Allaah can only be attained by obeying Him.” Narrated by Abu Na’eem in al-Hilyah from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 2085.

We ask Allaah to make things easy for you and to bless you with good provision.

And Allaah knows best.

Instilling the love of the Prophet in the heart of a child

How can we develop love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the hearts of our children? I have a young daughter – what can I do with her to achieve this?

Praise be to Allaah.

There are a number of ways to instill love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the hearts of our children, such as:

· The parents can tell them the stories that have been narrated of the children of the Sahaabah at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), how they fought those who tried to harm him, how quickly they responded to his call and obeyed his commands, and how they loved that which he loved, and how they memorized the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

· The parents should help her to memorize as much hadeeth as she can of ahaadeeth, and reward her for that… One of the things that was narrated concerning that was the words of al-Zubayri: Maalik ibn Anas had a daughter who memorized his knowledge – i.e. al-Muwatta’. She used to stand behind the door and if a student made a mistake she would knock on the door, and Maalik would be alerted and would correct him. And it was narrated that al-Nadar ibn al-Haarith said: “I heard Ibraaheem ibn Adham say: ‘My father said to me, O my son, seek hadeeth, and every time you hear a hadeeth and memorize it, I will give you a dirham, so I learnt hadeeth in that way.”

· They should teach her – according to her level of understanding – about the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his military campaigns, and the lives of the Sahaabah, both men and women – may Allaah be pleased with them, so that she will grow up loving these noble people, and be influenced by their behaviour, and will be keen to strive and sincere in correcting herself and supporting her religion.

· The Sahaabah and the salaf (early generations) were keen to teach their children about the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and they would teach it alongside teaching the Qur’aan, because his seerah is the interpretation of the the meanings of the Qur’aan, as well as stirring up emotions and demonstrating true Islam and having a wondrous effect on the soul. It also carries the meanings of love and jihad to save mankind from misguidance and bring them to guidance, from falsehood to truth, from the darkness of jaahiliyyah to the light of Islam.

When telling their daughter about the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the lives of the male and female Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), the father and mother must tell her about things that she can relate to, such as the childhood of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), some stories about his life with (his wet-nurse) Haleemah al-Sa’diyyah, and how Allaah bestowed goodness and blessings upon Haleemah and her family because of him (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), the night of the Hijrah and how Allaah covered the eyes of the mushrikeen, and other stories which demonstrate how Allaah helped him. Thus the girl’s heart will be filled with love for Allaah and love for His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It was narrated from ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Train your children to acquire three characteristics: love of your Prophet, love of his family and reading the Qur’aan, for the bearers of the Qur’aan will be in the shade of Allaah on the Day when there will be no shade except His, with His Prophets and His chosen ones.” (Narrated by al-Suyooti in al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer, p. 25; classed as da’eef by al-Albaani in Da’eef al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer, p. 36, no. 251). It would be a good idea if the parents devote a suitable time for teaching the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) during the daily family lesson, when the children can read about seerah in simplified books, or the father or mother can tell them these stories in a manner that is appropriate to the child’s age.


From Tanshi’at al-Fataat al-Muslimah by Hanaan al-Toori, p. 171

The funeral prayer is not valid without wudoo’ or tayammum

Is the funeral prayer valid without wudoo’ or tayammum?.

Praise be to Allaah.

In order for the funeral prayer to be valid, it is essential that one be in a state of purity and free from impurity, which is achieved by doing wudoo’ or by doing tayammum if water is not available or one is unable to use it, according to the majority of fuqaha’. Some scholars narrated that there was consensus on this point, because of the evidence which indicates that tahaarah (purity) is essential for salaah (prayer), and the funeral prayer is also salaah, so it is essential to be in a state of purity.

Some of the scholars are of the view that it is permissible to do tayammum if there is the fear that one may miss the funeral prayer by taking too long to do wudoo’.

As for the view that the funeral prayer may be offered without wduoo’ or tayammum, this is attributed to al-Shi’bi and Ibn Jareer al-Tabari, but it is an invalid view.

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Majmoo’ (5/181): We have stated that our view is that the funeral prayer is not valid unless one is in a state of purity. What this means is that if one is able to do wudoo’, the prayer is not valid without it, and if he is unable to do wudoo’ he should do tayammum. Tayammum is not valid when it is possible to use water, even if he fears that he will run out of time and miss the prayer. This is the view of Maalik, Abu Thawr and Ibn al-Mundhir.

Abu Haneefah said: It is permissible to do tayammum for it even when water is available, if he fears that he will miss it if he takes too long to do wudoo’. Ibn al-Mundhir narrated that from ‘Ata’, Saalim, al-Zuhri, ‘Ikrimah, al-Nakha’i, Sa’d ibn Ibraaheem, Yahya al-Ansaari, Rabee’ah, al-Layth, al-Thawri, al-Awzaa’i, Ishaaq and ashaab al-ra’y, and it is narrated in one report from Ahmad.

Al-Shi’bi, Muhammad ibn Jareer al-Tabari and the Shi’ah said that it is permissible to offer the funeral prayer without being in a state of purity, even if one is able to do wudoo’ or tayammum, because it is a du’aa’. The author of al-Haawi and others said: What al-Shi’bi said is a view that is contrary to consensus, so no attention should be paid to it.

Our evidence that purification is essential is the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning): “And never (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) pray (funeral prayer) [wa la tusalli] for any of them (hypocrites) who dies” [al-Tawbah 9:84]; so He called it salaah (prayer). In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Offer the (funeral) prayer for your companion (sallu ‘ala saahibikum).” And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever offer the funeral prayer (man salla ‘ala janaazah) …”, and in other ahaadeeth he called it salaah (prayer). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “When you intend to offer As-Salaah (the prayer) [idha qumtum ila al-salaah], wash your faces and your hands (forearms)” [al-Maa’idah 5:6]. In al-Saheeh, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah does not accept any prayer (salaah) without purification.” The fact that much of its purpose is supplication (for the deceased) does not cancel out the fact that it is a prayer (salaah). End quote.

And Allaah knows best.

His wife does not think that niqaab is obligatory; should he force her to wear it?

I read many fatwas regarding niqab, and that it is obligatory according to the better opinion of the scholars. My wife is convinced that it is preferable, taking other scholars’ opinions. She says that she might wear it in the future if Allah wills. My wife is religiously committed Alhamdulillah. My question is: Do I have to force her to wear it now or shall I let her choose and just keep advising her?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Women have to cover their faces in front of non-mahram men according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions.

Many of the fuqaha’ who do not think that the face is ‘awrah are of the view that it must be covered if there is the fear of fitnah, and when there is a great deal of corruption.

The husband is enjoined to protect his family and warn them against haraam things. Hence he should strive to convince his wife to cover her face, and if she refuses he should force her to do so and she is required to obey him, because he is telling her to do something that is permissible in her view, and it has to do with his right to protect his honour and she does not think it is haraam.

We are explaining how couples should deal with issues concerning which there is a difference of scholarly opinion. Among the things that we said there was: With regard to everything that is permissible for her, he has the right to prevent her from doing it or make her follow his opinion if he thinks it is haraam, and she must accept that if her doing it will cause harm to her husband and expose him to humiliation or disrespect. For example, covering the face is an issue concerning which the scholars differed, but there is no one who says that it is haraam to cover the face. If she thinks that it is acceptable to uncover the face, he has the right to prevent her from showing it before non-mahrams, and he has the right to make her follow his opinion, which is that it is obligatory to cover the face – which is the more correct view – and she does not have the right to go against him. She will be rewarded for doing that if she seeks reward for obeying her Lord by obeying her husband and does that which is more concealing.

Moreover we say: what is preventing the wife from covering her face and protecting herself from the gaze of those who would stare at her? It is well known that the face is the focus of beauty and the source of fitnah, and the first thing that attracts the gaze. If she thinks that it is mustahabb and not obligatory, there is nothing wrong with doing what is mustahabb and brings one closer to one’s Lord and pleases the husband, and makes her more like the believing women such as the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the wives of the Sahaabah.

Every believing woman should be keen to cover in this manner, and should hasten to do it, and to praise Allaah for having caused her husband to tell her and encourage her to do it.

We ask Allaah to enable us all to do that which He loves and is pleased with.

And Allaah knows best.

Does a woman have to cover her hands in front of non-mahram males?

With regards to applying henna and hiding the beauty of a woman: How often is it necessary to apply henna and must it be covered in public? Is it necessary or forbidden for women to cover their hands in public, considering what this involves of inconvenience in handling objects with gloves and wearing gloves in hot weather?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Yes, a woman has to cover her hands, because the hand is part of the ‘awrah. Al-‘Allaamah Ibn al-Qudaamah said in al-Muqni’, as was quoted by al-Mardaawi in al-Insaaf (1/452): The free woman is entirely ‘awrah, even her fingernails and hair. End quote.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: It is proven in al-Saheeh that the woman in ihraam is not allowed to wear niqaab and gloves. This is one of the things that indicate that niqaab and gloves were customary among women who were not in ihraam. This implies that they covered their faces and hands. Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (15/371-372). Thus you may know that the woman is enjoined to cover her hands in front of non-mahram men, but it does not mean that she has to cover them with gloves. She may let part of her garment hang down over them, and if she needs to wear gloves sometimes and it is a little hard for her but she can put up with it, then she should put up with it and seek reward for that, because the reward will be commensurate with the degree of hardship involved, as it says in the hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

And Allaah knows best.

Ruling on wearing trousers and a suit and tie

What is the ruling on wearing trousers if they are tight and stick to one’s body, or if they are baggy in order to imitate the westerners, what if a person wears a different style from what the westerners wear?
What is the ruling on wearing suit and tie and other clothes usually used by the unbelievers? Is it acceptable because it became of Muslims’ habits and that an average Muslim will not think that they are worn to resemble the unbelievers? What should a Muslim wear nowadays?.



Praise be to Allaah.

The basic principle with regard to clothes is that they are permissible, except those which Islam has definitely excluded, such as gold and silk for men, except in the case of scabies and the like. Wearing trousers is not something that is unique to the kuffaar, but wearing tight trousers which show the shape of the body, even the ‘awrah, is not permissible. Loose pants are permissible, unless the wearer intends to resemble those of the kuffaar who wear them. The same applies to wearing a suit and tie. These are not garments that are unique to the kuffaar, so they are permissible, unless the wearer intends to imitate them.

To sum up, the basic principle with regard to clothes is that they are permissible, unless there is shar’i evidence to show that they are not allowed, as stated above.

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.

Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq al-‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Qa’ood.


Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta (24/40).

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Times when usage of Miswaak is Sunnah

1. For the recitation of the Qur'an.
2. For the recitation of Hadith.
3. When the mouth emits an odor.
4. For the learning or teaching of virtues of Islaam.
5. For making Dhikrullah (Remebrance of Allah, meditation).
6. After entering one's home.
7. Before entering any good gathering.
8. When experiencing pangs of hunger and thirst.
9. After the signs of death are evident.
10. At the time of Sehri.
11. Before meals.
12. Before undertaking a journey.
13. On returning from a journey.
14. Before sleeping.
15. Upon awakening.

Benefits of Miswak

1. Miswaak strengthens the gums and prevents tooth decay.
2. Miswaak assists in eliminating toothaches and prevents further increase of decay which has already set in.
3. Miswaak creates a fragrance in the mouth.
4. Miswaak is a cure for illness.
5. Miswaak eliminates bad odors and improves the sense of taste.
6. Miswaak sharpens the memory.
7. Miswaak is a cure for headaches.
8. Miswaak creates lustre (noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it.
9. Miswaak causes the teeth to glow.
10. Miswaak strengthens the eyesight.
11. Miswaak assists in digestion.
12. Miswaak clears the voice.
13. The greatest benefit of using miswaak is gaining the pleasure of Allah.
14. The reward of Salaah (Prayers) is multiplied 70 times if Miswaak was used before it.

Using miswak was the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (S) as well as of the other prophets.

Abu Ayyub (R) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said:
'Four things are amongst the practices of the Ambiyaa —circumcision, application of perfume, Miswaak and marriage'."
(AHMAD AND TIRMIZI)

Abu Hurairah (R) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: 'Was it not for my fear of imposing a difficulty on my Ummah I would have ordered that the Miswaak be used for every Salaat'."
(BUKHARI)

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Allah's Love as compared to mother's love

Allah has many a times commanded us in the Quran to observe the rights of parents but they only come after the rights of Allah. The Quran says:



And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small." (The Holy Quran: 17:23-24)



Here is an example to illustrate how sacrificing mothers can be:

My mom only had one eye. I hated her... She was such an embarrassment.She cooked for students & teachers to support the family.There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came toSay hello to me.I was so embarrassed.How could she do this to me?I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out.The next day at school one of my classmates said, 'EEEE, your mom only Has one eye!'

I wanted to bury myself.I also wanted my mom to just disappear.I confronted her that day and said, ' If you're only goanna make me aLaughing stock, why don't you just die?'My mom did not respond...I didn't even stop to think for a second about what I had said, becauseI was full of anger.I was oblivious to her feelings.

I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her.So I studied real hard , got a chance to go abroad to study.Then, I got married.I bought a house of my own.I had kids of my own.

I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts, Then one day, myMother came to visit me.She hadn't seen me in years and she didn't even meet herGrandchildren.When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled atHer for coming over uninvited.I screamed at her, 'How dare you come to my house and scare myChildren!'GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!'And to this, my mother quietly answered, 'Oh, I'm so sorry. I may haveGotten the wrong address,'And she disappeared out of sight.

One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house.So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip.After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity.My neighbors said that she died.I did not shed a single tear.They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have.
'My dearest son,I think of you all the time. I'm sorry that I came to your house andScared your children.I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion.But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you.I'm sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you wereGrowing up.
You see........when you were very little, you got into an accident, andLost your eye.As a mother, I couldn't stand watching youHaving to grow up with one eye.So I gave you mine.I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in myPlace, with that eye.With all my love to you,Your mother.

Now, multiply this love 70 times and you''ll realise how much Allah loves his salves.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

There's no such thing as a MODERATE Muslim

A conservative muslim is considered as one who leads the whole of his life according to the Islamic teachings. However, one who is usually called a moderate Muslim is one who chooses some of the Islamic teaches. Thus, he leaves many. According to Islam, a Muslim should not pick and choose as it would be following the nafs or following himself. Thus, he is not following Islam at that time as he commits shirk by giving more importance to his nafs as compared to Allah. Thus, the conclusion is that a so-called Muslim is also like one who is considered as a non-active Muslim.

The word "extremist" has been replaced by the word "conservative".

Sunday, June 15, 2008

The Sunnah Way of Cutting Nails

Letting the nails grow long is makrooh, if not haraam, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) set a time limit for cutting the nails, and said that they should not be left for more than forty days. (Narrated by Muslim in al-Tahaarah, 258).

It is strange that those who claim to be civilized leave their nails to grow even though they trap dirt and make a person look like an animal. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Use whatever causes blood to flow, and eat the animals if the name of Allaah is mentioned on slaughtering them. Do not slaughter with teeth or fingernails and I will tell you why: it is because teeth are bones (i.e., cannot cut properly) and fingernails are the tools used by the Ethiopians (whom we should not imitate for they are infidels).” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari in al-Sharikah, 3507; Muslim in al-Adaahi, 1968). This refers to the fact that they used to use their fingernails as knives to slaughter animals and cut the meat, etc. This is the way of those who resemble animals.

Kitaab al-Da’wah, 5. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 2/79

Why the Quran is Read?

Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word???? This is a beautiful story.
An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives."

This story, in no way, means that the Quran should be read without understanding. It should be kept in mind that every Muslim should read the Quran and understand what he has read, i.e. what the Quran says.

A Traveller asks some questions from Prophet Muhammad (S)

A traveller once came to the Masjid to see the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) after greeting the prophet, he was asked where he was from. The traveller replied that he came from very far just to get a few questions answered. Following is the dialogue between the traveler and the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH ),
Traveller : I do not want adhab (punishments) to be written in my account.
Prophet : Behave well with your parents
Traveller : I want to be known amongst people as an inteligent person.
Prophet : Fear Allah (Jalla Jalalah), always.
Traveller : I want to be counted amongst Allah's favourites.
Prophet : Recite Quran every morning and evening.
Traveller : I want my heart to always be enlightened. ( Munawer )
Prophet : Never forget death.
Traveller : I never want to be away from Allah's blessing.
Prophet : Always treat fellow creatures well.
Traveller : I never want to be harmed by my enemies.
Prophet : Always have faith in only Allah.
Traveller : I never want to be humiliated.
Prophet : Be careful of your actions.
Traveller : I wish to live long.
Prophet : Always do sile rahm. (Goodness towards blood Relations)
Traveller : I want my sustenance to increase.
Prophet : Always be in wudhoo.
Traveller : I wish to stay free of adhab in the grave.
Prophet : Always wear pure (paak) clothes.
Traveller : I never want to be burned in hell.
Prophet : Control your eyes and tongue.
Traveller : How do I get my sins forgiven?
Prophet : Always ask forgiveness from Allah with a lot of humility.
Traveller : I want people to respect me always.
Prophet : Never extend your hands of need at people.
Traveller : I want to always be honoured.
Prophet : Never humiliate or put down anyone.
Traveller : I don't want to be squeezed by fishare qabr.(Squeezing in the grave)
Prophet : Recite Surat Al Mulk (The Dominion) often.
Traveller : I want my wealth to increase.
Prophet : Recite surat el Waqiah (The Inevitable) every night.
Traveller : I want to be safe and at peace on Day of Judgment.
Prophet : Do zikr (Praises) of Allah from dusk to night.
Traveller : I want to be in full attention & concentration during prayers.
Prophet : Always do wudhoo with concentration and attention.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Some of the Imams of Masjid-e-Haram and Masjid-e-Nabawi

Masjid-e-Haram (Taraweeh) (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Abdur Rahman As-Sudais (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Saud As-Shuraim (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Maher Al-Muayqali (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Abdullah Awwad Al-Johany (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Saleh at-Talib (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Khalid al-Ghamdi (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Usama bin Abdullah Khayat (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Adel al-Khalbany (High Quality) (Low Quality)

Masjid-e-Nabawi (Taraweeh) (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Ali Abdur Rahman Al-Hothayfi (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Abdul Bari ath-Thubaity (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Abdul-Muhsen Al-Qasem (High Quality) (Low Quality)
Salah Al-Budair (High Quality) (Low Quality)


If you know the names of any other imams of the two mosques given above, please do tell me.

Books

The Ruling of Music according to the Four Imams
Download (51.4 KB)

Beard(1)
Download (193 KB)

The Answered Supplication
Download (958.49 KB)

The Message of Islam
Download (4.7 MB)

The Book of Zakah
Download (1.26 MB)

Women in Islam
Download (2.2 MB)

Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab
Download (2.83 MB)

The Book of Prayer
Download (1.71 MB)

Beyond Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis and the Betrayal of Christianity
Download (1.58 MB)

en_One_Hundred_famous_Hadith_Weak
Download (88.5 KB)

Muhammad the Greatest
Download (1.08 MB)

The Global Messenger
Download (1.05 MB)

Forty Encounters with Beloved Prophet
Download (1.08 MB)

The Guidance of Muhammad
Download 1.1 MB

The Search for the Truth
Download 1.77 MB

Decouvrez_l-Islam
Download 2.5 MB

Glossary of Islamic Terms
Download 2.29 MB

The Bible The Quran and Science
Download 1.63 MB

Fatawa Regarding Tobacco and Cigarette
Download 1.45 MB

Islam Is
Download 984.16 KB

Sheikh Abdur Rahman As-Sudais

Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz as-Sudais an-Najdi (Arabic: عبد الرحمن السديس (ʕabd ar-Raxman ibn ʕabd al-Aziz as-Sudais an-Najdi), born Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1961) is the leading imam of the Grand mosque in the Islamic holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia and the "Islamic Personality Of the Year" 2006. In some of his sermons, al-Sudais has vilified non-Muslims and has called for the annihilation of Jews.

Life

Al-Sudais comes from the Anza clan. He had memorized the Quran by the age of 12.

Growing up in Riyadh, Al-Sudais studied at the Al Muthana Bin Harith Elementary School, and afterwards the Riyadh Scientific Institution from which he graduated in 1979 with a grade of excellent.

He obtained a degree in Sharia from Riyadh University in 1983, his Master's in Islamic fundamentals from the Sharia College of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in 1987 and received his Ph.D. in Islamic Sharia from Umm al-Qura University in 1995 while working there as an assistant professor after serving at Riyadh University.

Career

Abdul Rahman As-Sudais is respected for his precise, controlled, and particularly emotional recitation of the Qur'an in accordance with Tajweed, the rules of beautiful recitation. He is also known for his frequent sermons calling on believers to help other Muslims in war-torn regions, especially Palestine and Iraq.

In 2005 Al-Sudais was named by the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) Organising Committee as its 9th annual "Islamic Personality Of the Year" in recognition for his devotion to the Quran and Islam. When accepting his award in Dubai, he said: "The message of Islam and Muslims is modesty, fairness, security, stability, sympathy, harmony and kindness."

Sheikh Saud As-Shuraim

Dr. Shaikh Abu Ibrahim Sa'ud ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhammad as-Shuraim an-Najdi PhD Arabic: سعود بن ابراهيم بن محمد بن ابراهيم بن ناصر بن ابراهيم بن محمد بن شريم (born 1965 C.E.) is one of the imams of the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haraam) in Mecca. His family is from the Haraqees of the Banu Zayd tribe of Saudi Arabia.

He studied elementary at Areen schools, then the middle school at the Modern schools then high school at Al Yarmouk North. He graduated from his high school in 1983. Then went to college of `Usool ud Din` at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, in the "Aqeedah and Modern Madhahib" division, from where he graduated in 1988. Then he went on in 1989 to the "Ma'had Al-'aali Lilqadhah" institute and received a Masters degree in 1992.

Shaikh Sa'ud received knowledge directly from many pious Ulema such as Shaikh Abd-al-Aziz ibn Abd-Allah ibn Baaz and Sheikh Abdullah Jibreen and many others.

Shaikh Shuraim was employed as a teacher in "Ma'had Al-'aali Lilqadhah" in 1410 AH. In 1991, he was made Imam and Khateeb of Masjid al-Haram by the order of Custodian of the Two Holy Harams, King Fahad bin AbdulAzeez Aal-Saud. In 1992, by Royal order, he was appointed judge in the High court of Mecca. In 1993, the High approval was made for him to teach in the Holy Masjid. In 1995, he pursued the Doctorate degree in the Umm Al-Qura University of Makkah. Shaykh Shuraim is a memorizer of the Qur'an (a Hafiz) and is well known for his deep voice and smooth recitation.

Showing Off

Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 8 Hadith 506
Narrated Jundub
The Prophet said, "He who lets the people hear of his good deeds intentionally, to win their praise, Allah will let the people know his real intention (on the Day of Resurrection), and he who does good things in public to show off and win the praise of the people, Allah will disclose his real intention (and humiliate him)."



Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 9 Hadith 266
Narrated Tarif Abi Tamima
I saw Safwan and Jundab and Safwan's companions when Jundab was advising. They said, "Did you hear something from Allah's Apostle?" Jundab said, "I heard him saying, 'Whoever does a good deed in order to show off, Allah will expose his intentions on the Day of Resurrection (before the people), and whoever puts the people into difficulties, Allah will put him into difficulties on the
Day of Resurrection.' " The people said (to Jundab), "Advise us." He said, "The first thing of the human body to purify is the abdomen, so he who can eat nothing but good food (Halal and earned lawfully) should do so, and he who does as much as he can that nothing intervene between him and Paradise by not shedding even a handful of blood, (i.e. murdering) should do so."



Sahih Muslim 490
Narrated AbuHurayrah
The horses are of three types. To one man (these are) burden, and to another man (these are) a covering, and still to another man (these are) a source of reward. The one to whom these are a burden is the person who rears them in order to show off, for vainglory and for opposing the Muslims; so they are a burden to him. The one for whom
these are a covering is the person who rears them for the sake of Allah but does not forget the right of Allah concerning their backs and their necks, and so they are a covering for him. As for those which bring reward (these refer to) the person who rears them for the sake of Allah, to be used for Muslims, so he puts them in meadows and fields. And whatever they eat from those meadows and fields will be recorded on his behalf as good deeds, as will also the amount of their dung and urine.

One Hundred Famous Fabricated Ahadith

(Eng) One Hundred Famous Hadith Weak





Submit to Social Websites

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Better way of offering prayers

Narrated by Abu Hurairah
Our Prophet MUHAMMAD (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said,
"Martyrs are those who die because of drowning, plague, an abdominal disease, or of being buried alive by a falling building.
Then he said,
'If the people knew the reward for the Dhuhur prayer
in its early time, they would race for it. If they
knew the reward for 'Isha' and the ' Fajr' prayers in
congregation, they would join them even if they had to
crawl.
If they knew the reward for the first row, they would
draw lots for i t'.
(Sahih AL-Bukkhari vol. 1: no.688)



The Prophet MUHAMMAD (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam )
said: 'pass on knowledge from me, even if it is only
one verse'.

Quranic Recitations

You can find almost all of the various Quranic recitations from the following websites:

Quran Audio Library - MP3 Quran

Aswatalislam.net

High Quality Quran MP3 Downloads

Quran MP3 Download

Kalamullah.com

Audio Islam

IslamWay Radio

However, there is a restriction on the fourth website that unless you don't pay you cannot download more than 5 surahs from the same reciter in a day.

Softwares

The Alim v6

The Alim is a unique and exciting educational software product that makes learning about Islam fun and interesting for the whole family! Experience the wonder of the Quran and Hadith without spending hours poring through thousands of pages in dozens of books. Quickly go to any book, any subject, any page in seconds and with only a few mouse clicks. Search for any word, phrase, person, hadith narrator, subject, or idea and acquire Islamic knowledge easily. The Alim is an indispensable tool that no Muslim family should be without.

Instructions to download: This program is a nrg file so once downloaded you will need to burn it on cd as an image using Nero and then install it on your computer with the cd.

Download (534 MB)



The Hadith Software v1.0
Download (2.1 MB)

Plugins
Sahih Bukhari (1.6 MB)
Sahih Muslim (1.4 MB)
Malik's Muwatta (0.8 MB)
Fiqh-us-Sunnah (0.8 MB)
Shamaa-il-Tirmidhi (0.5 MB)
Abu Dawud (0.7 MB)
Bonus/Extras (0.3 MB)




The Athan Software v1.1
Download (1.3 MB)





Quran Viewer v2
Download (4.8 MB)




Salat Time v2
Download (12 MB)





Zekr v0.7
Download (4.6 MB)




Zakat Calculator
Download (171 KB)



Lectures

Here are a few websites for downloading lectures.

Aswatalislam.net


Kalamullah.com

Sulaiman Moola

Zaytuna Institute & Academy

Audio Islam

Islamic Lectures

eDars.com

Islamcan.com

Domain of Islam

IslamWay Radio

Haq Islam

You can download the following lectures by clicking on them.

True Happiness By Sh. Yasir Qadi (17.5 MB)



Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Beard

Assalam-o-Alaikum!
You must have read the previous ahdith that I sent about growing beards. I am discussing beard again because I forgot to state that growing beard is a wajib. I have attached a pdf document regarding the growing of beard. You can download a lectures by Sulaiman Moola regarding this topic from the following link:
Here is a hadith that I picked out from the document.
Abu Hurayrah " reported that the ruler of Yemen,
appointed by the Persian emperor Kisra, sent two envoys
to the Messenger !. When they came into his presence,
he noticed that they had shaved their beards and let
their moustaches grow big. Hating their ugly appearance,
he turned his face away and said,

“Woe be to you, who told you to do so?” They replied:
“Our lord (Kisra) did!”

The Messenger ! responded: “But my Lord, exalted and
glorified be He, has commanded me to spare my beard
and trim my moustaches.”
[Recorded by Ibn Jarir at-Tabari, Ibn
Sa’d, and Ibn Bishran. Verified to be hasan (good) by al-Albani (Fiqh
us-Sirah by al-Ghazali p. 359)]

Music

Assalam-o-Alaikum!
I found some arguments which support that music is allowed in Islam.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Argument #1:

The only scholar that ever said music was permissible is Sheikh Yusuf Qardawi:

Response

There were many scholars in the past that said that music was permissible:

Shawkawni, Ibn Hazm, Ghazalli, Abú Bakr al-'Arabi, Qaradawi, and others.

My argument:

We cant just say that because a scholar declared something haram or halal, it is correct. He can make a mistake. Therefore we should look at the reasons due to which he has acted in that way.

Argument #2:

Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v:

Narrated Abu 'Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari that he heard the Prophet saying, "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, 'Return to us tomorrow.' Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection."

Response

There is a general rule in Shariah that states that everything is lawful unless proven unlawful. There is not substantial proof in this hadîths because of the following reasons:

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanuti stated: "The Hadith referred to in saying that it is haram as narrated by al Bukhari is not fulfilling the requirements of the Sahih in al Bukhari's collection. 1) Al Bukhari in Hadith al Ma'azif himself narrated the Hadith to be of a broken chain of narrators in which there is a gap between al Bukhari and the second narrator, so he drops the first narrator in his chain. That is called Mu'allaq. Some scholars tried to connect the chain through other means like whan ibn Hajar did in his dissertation (connecting what is disconnected) in which he connected the Isnad of this Hadith. But still, one of the main narrators whose name is Hisham ibn Ammar as profiled in Tahthib at-Tahthib by ibn Hajar is not reliable enough for some scholars to be a source of a narration that depends on somebody like him. 2) Even when we said the Hadith is Sahih, there are questions that would emerge when we study the version of the Hadith when it says, "People will make adultery, pure silk, liquor and Ma'azif into Halal." We know that adultery is Haram by another proof and it is a unanimous Hukum. Pure silk is not of consensus Hukum. If a Muslim says Zina is Halal deliberately, then they are considered a kafir. However, if a Muslim says pure silk is not Haram, he is not a kafir. We know that liquor is Haram as it is in the Qur'an, but where do we find an authentic hadith or Qur'an to tell us that Ma'azif are Haram other than this source. The last point is to get the clear meaning of Ma'azif in arabic dictionaries because there are more than one meaning for Ma'azif. It is acceptable for a Muslim to hear somebody says Makruh but not Haram because Haram is in need of clear-cut meaning and certain narration."

My argument:

Firstly, the refernce for the hadith is incorrect. The original hadith number is 494B. Secondly, even though the above response states that the hadith is mu'allaq, still Muhammad bin Ismail Al-Bukhari must have found something about it that he included it in his own collection. His collection is considered to be the most authentic one so this hadith must have been authentic.

Argument #3: Some Muslims state the following about this hadith:

"The Prophet compared musical instruments to things that are definitely known to be haraam, namely zina and alcohol. If instruments were not haraam, he would not have made this comparison. The evidence of this hadeeth that singing is haram is definitive. Even if no other hadeeth or aayah spoke about musical instruments, this hadeeth would be sufficient to prove that they are haraam, especially the kind of singing and music that is known among people nowadays, the essence of which is obscenity and foul talk, based on all kinds of musical instruments such as guitars, drums, flutes, ouds, zithers, organs, pianos, violins and other things that make it more enticing, such as the voices of these effeminate singers and whores." (Article found on the internet).

Response to this argument:

However, these same people state that singing and the use of daff during weddings is ok because of the following hadîth in Bukhari

Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v:

The Two Festivals (Eids) - Narrated Aisha: Abu Bakr came to my house while two small Ansari girls were singing beside me the stories of the Ansar concerning the Day of Buath. And they were not singers. Abu Bakr said protestingly, "Musical instruments of Satan in the house of Allah's Apostle !" It happened on the 'Id day and Allah's Apostle said, "O Abu Bakr! There is an 'Id for every nation and this is our 'Id."

There is no forbidden action that is permitted merely for pleasure and enjoyment only at certain times. The hadîth that is quoted above mentions things that are definitely known to be haraam, namely zina and alcohol. Even silk which the Prophet wore himself for a short period before violently taking it off (see hadîths Volume 1, Book 8, Number 372) the prophet did not allow it on the Eids:

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 289: Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) - Narrated Ibn 'Umar - 'Umar saw a silken cloak being sold in the market and he brought it toAllah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Buy this cloak and adorn yourself with it on the 'Id festivals and on meeting the delegations." Allah's Apostle replied, "This is the dress for the one who will have no share in the Hereafter (or, this is worn by one who will have no share in the Hereafter)."

From this argument we should understand the hadîth meaning that being involved in wearing silk, fornication, wine drinking and musical instruments is haram. We can see that there are many Muslims today who are involved in all four of these aspects at once.

Imam Ghazali said in Ihya Ulum Al-Din--The Revival Of The Religious Sciences: "The musical instruments and songs which are typically associated with drunkards are prohibited as they remind of prohibited things and promote the prohibited, such as the consumption of wine and other intoxicants. These prohibited instruments include the Majamir, the Autar and the Kubah, but not the Daf, the flute and other musical instruments."

My argument:

There could always be a first time. Anyways, in my opinion, music is not as bad as many of the other sins. That could be a reason for allowing it on festivals.

Argument #4:

All of the schools of thought including Maliki, Shafii, Hanbali and Hanafi say that music is Haram

Response:

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanuti stated:

"The majority of schools say music is haram, but there are some other reliable schools that say it is halal."

We must look at the evidence provided by all scholars and then take into consideration what the music is being used for. In this age, the music industry is powerful and it leads astray many youth who are addicted to this music. As Muslims we must provide Islamic alternatives for them in order to guide them back to Islam.

My argument:

Well. I'm sure that most of us would be following the four schools of thought given above so according to our school of thought it is haram.

Argument #5:

All other Ahadeeh recorded refer to musical instruments negatively.

Response:

In Bukhari, another hadith relates a connection between musical instruments and the family of David (saw). This is evidence that, indeed, the Psalms were musical in nature:

Bukhari Volume 6, Book 61, Number 568:
"Narrated Abu Musa that the Prophet said to him' "O Abu Musa! You have been given one of the musical wind-instruments of the family of David.'"

The following hadith relates of how the adhan (call to prayer) came to be, and how the Prophet's companions suggested the use of musical instruments such as the horn or bell like the People of the Book. Now although the Prophet ultimately approved the use of the human voice, there is no mention that the Prophet chastised his companions for suggesting musical instruments for the adhan. And if the Prophet was so very much against musical instruments, then why would his companions dare to suggest the use of such sinful things in the call to prayer?

From Muslim Book 004, Number 0735:
Ibn Umar reported: When the Muslims came to Medina, they gathered and sought to know the time of prayer but no one summoned them. One day they discussed the matter, and some of them said: Use something like the bell of the Christians and some of them said: Use horn like that of the Jews. Umar said: Why may not a be appointed who should call (people) to prayer? The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: O Bilal, get up and summon (the people) to prayer.

My argument:

We all know that the once the Prophet ( S ), on hearing a flute, stuck his fingers in his ear to stop himself from hearing it. Secondly, the ahadith mentioned above might have been said before music was made haram.

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Read it carefully and judge yourself. Do not start listening to music saying that there are arguments supporting that music is haram. Listen to it only if you are satisfied by the arguments.

You can download two lectures by a scholar named Sulaiman Moola from the following links:

http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=193373071733021541&postID=1191601621067863507
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=193373071733021541&postID=1191601621067863507

I've even attached a pdf document containing the ruling of music according to the four schools of legal thought. You can open it using Foxit Reader, Adobe Reader or any other pdf reader.

By the way, here's another view to those bands who are using music to spread Islam but it is only applicable if you consider music to be haram. It's just like doing bad to achieve good. Many people would consider it a right way as the result is good but I'll give you an example. Consider there is a boy who wants to please his parents. He decides that he needs to get a good grade in his exams to do that so he cheats from others and gets one of the highest grade in his class. Would you consider that right. Similar is the case with spreading Islam using music.

Saying Aameen after Surah Fatihah

Assalam-o-Alaikum!
Here are some ahadith regarding aameen which is said after surah fatihah.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1 Hadith Number 747
Narrated Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, "Say 'Amin' when the Imam says it and if the Amin of any one of you coincides with that of the angels then all
his past sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab said, "Allah's Apostle used to say 'Amin.' "
Sahih Al-Bukahri Volume 1 Hadith Number 749
Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said, "Say 'Amin' when the Imam says 'Ghair-il-maghdubi 'alaihim wala-ddal-lin;' not the path of those who earn
Your Anger (such as Jews) nor of those who go astray (such as Christians); all the past sins of the person whose saying (of Amin)
coincides with that of the angels, will be forgiven.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 8 Hadith Number 411
Narrated Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, "When the Imam says 'Amin', then you should all say 'Amin', for the angels say 'Amin' at that time, and he
whose 'Amin' coincides with the 'Amin' of the angels, all his past sins will be forgiven."
Sahih Muslim Hadith Number 192
Narrated Abu Hurayrah
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) while teaching us (the principles of faith), said: Do not try to go ahead of the Imam,
recite takbir when he recites it, and when he says: " Nor of those who err," you should say Amin, bow down when he bows down,
and when he says: "Allah listens to him who praises Him," say: "O Allah, our Lord, to Thee be the praise."

Artists

Assalam-o-Alikum!
I collected some more ahadith. These are about the picture-makers/artists.





Sahih Al-Bukhari
Volume 3
Hadith Number 440
Narrated Aun bin Abu Juhaifa

I saw my father buying a slave whose profession was cupping, and ordered that his instruments (of cupping) be broken. I asked him
the reason for doing so. He replied, "Allah's Apostle prohibited taking money for blood, the price of a dog, and the earnings of a
slave-girl by prostitution; he cursed her who tattoos and her who gets tattooed, the eater of Riba (usury), and the maker of
pictures."

Sahih Al-Bukhari
Volume 7
Hadith Number 110
Narrated 'Aisha

(the wife of the Prophet) I bought a cushion having on it pictures (of animals). When Allah's Apostle saw it, he stood at the door
and did not enter. I noticed the sign of disapproval on his face and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I repent to Allah and His Apostle. What
sin have I committed?' Allah's Apostle said. "What is this cushion?" I said, "I have bought it for you so that you may sit on it and
recline on it." Allah's Apostle said, "The makers of these pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to
them, 'Give life to what you have created (i.e., these pictures).' " The Prophet added, "The Angels of (Mercy) do not enter a house
in which there are pictures (of animals)."

Sahih Al-Bukhari
Volume 7
Hadith Number 834
Narrated Muslim

We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw pictures on his terrace and said, "I heard 'Abdullah saying
that he heard the Prophet saying, "The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the picture makers.' "

Sahih Al-Bukhari
Volume 7
Hadith Number 835
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar

Allah's Apostle said, "Those who make these pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them,
'Make alive what you have created.' "




Now that you have read these you will know why many Muslims do not take photos.

We all should try to avoid taking photos. Use your own memory to store photos without taking them.

Many of us say that we are not taking photos, someone else will be taking our photos. Please do not make others take your photo as they will be punished for it. Care for others.



Update: Due to many fatwas my opinion about taking pictures has changed. Most scholars have allowed it.

Salat

Assalam-o-Alikum!
I collected some ahadith and quranic verses about salat.



1074. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH): "Which act is the best?'' He (PBUH) said, "As-Salat at their fixed times.'' I asked, "What next?'' He (PBUH) said, "Being dutiful to parents.'' I asked, "What next?'' He (PBUH) said, "Striving (Jihad) in the way of Allah.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1075. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Islam is based on five (pillars): testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave and Messenger; performing of Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat); the payment of Zakat; performing Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House [of Allah (Ka`bah)]; and Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1076. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "I have been commanded to fight against the people till they testify La ilaha illAllah (There is no true god except Allah) and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave and Messenger, and to establish As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and to pay Zakat; and if they do this, then their blood and property are secured except by the rights of Islam, and their accountability is left to Allah.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1077. Mu`adh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sent me as a governor to Yemen and (at the time of departure) he instructed me thus: "You will go to people of the Scripture (i.e., the Jews and the Christians). First of all invite them to testify that La ilaha ill Allah (There is no true god except Allah) and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave and Messenger; and if they accept this, then tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them five Salat (prayers) during the day and night; and if they accept it, then tell them that Allah has made the payment of Zakat obligatory upon them. It should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor; and if they agree to it, don't take (as a share of Zakat) the best of their properties. Beware of the supplications of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1078. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Between a man and disbelief and paganism is the abandonment of Salat (prayer).''
[Muslim].

1079. Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "That which differentiates us from the disbelievers and hypocrites is our performance of Salat. He who abandons it, becomes a disbeliever.''
[At-Tirmidhi].

1080. Shaqiq bin `Abdullah reported: The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not consider the abandonment of any action as disbelief except neglecting Salat.
[At-Tirmidhi].

1081. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The first of man's deeds for which he will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be Salat. If it is found to be perfect, he will be safe and successful; but if it is incomplete, he will be unfortunate and a loser. If any shortcoming is found in the obligatory Salat, the Glorious and Exalted Rubb will command to see whether His slave has offered any voluntary Salat so that the obligatory Salat may be made up by it. Then the rest of his actions will be treated in the same manner.''
[At-Tirmidhi].


(http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/hadeeth/riyad/08/chap193.htm)


Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have said, "A person neglecting his Salaah (even though he makes it up later) shall remain in Jahannam for a period of one huqb. A Huqb is equal to eighty years of three hundred and sixty days each, and a day in Akhirah shall equal one thousand years of this world."

Abu Zarr (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that once our Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) came out of his house. It was autumn and the leaves were falling from the trees. He caught hold of a branch of a tree and its leaves began to drop in large number. At this he remarked, "O Abu Zarr! When a Muslim offers his Salaah to please Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) his sins fall away from him just as these leaves are falling off this tree."

Abu Hurairah (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that once Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) asked his Sahabah, "Do you believe that dirt can remain on a person bathing five times a day in a stream running in front of his door?" "No," replied the Sahabah, "no dirt can remain on his body." Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) remarked: "So, exactly similar is the effect of salaah offered five times a day. With the Grace of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) it washes away all the sins."

Jabir (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) saying: "The likeness of five times daily salaah is of a deep stream running in front of the door of a person who bathes therein five times a day."

Abu Saeed Khudree (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) saying: "Each of the five Salaah covers up the sins committed since the salaah preceding it. To explain, let us take the case of a person working in a factory. His job is such that his body gets covered with dust. But there are five streams of running water in between the factory and his house and, on his return from the job, he takes a bath in each stream. The effect of five times daily salaah is quite similar. Any sins of omission and commission between two Salaah are forgiven on account of asking for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) forgiveness and repentance in each salaah."

(http://www.myiwc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3945)


"Guard strictly (the five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the middle Salat (i.e., the best prayer - `Asr).''
(The Holy Quran 2:238)

"But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat, then leave their way free.''
(The Holy Quran 9:5)



Now that you have read these ahadith please follow them. You should be able to understand what I am trying to show.

Many of us just ignore the fact that salat is a compulsory component of Islam and think that we will offer enough salats when we get old to recompense for our missed ones but do you ever think that we might not be able to live that long. We think that missing one salah does not matter but it usually leads to all the five salahs getting missed. Have you ever wondered about the punishment that you will get for missing salahs. I will tell you a simple way to find ot about this punishment. Get a lighter or a match and burn it. Then put one of your finger in it. You will see how much it hurts. The fire of Hell will be hotter than this and will cause more pain.

Those who stayed away (from Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their staying behind the Messenger of Allâh; they hated to strive and fight with their properties and their lives in the Cause of Allâh, and they said: "March not forth in the heat." Say: "The Fire of Hell is more intense in heat", if only they could understand!
(The Holy Quran 9:81)

So I request you all not to miss any of your salahs. I am sure that many of you will have a problem with the Fajr prayer as many of us sleep through it. Just make an intention of waking up and pray to Allah that you wake up in time and inshallah you will wake up.

Please do not take this lightly. I am not doing this just for fun nor for fame but to help others and it is a everyone's duty to help others. Inshallah, Allah will provide us with Kauthar (abundance).

Those who are already observing salahs, I encourage them to keep it up and good luck for the ones who follow my messages.

I could not find the references for the ahadith so I ahve just mentioned the websites from where I got them.

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