Stepwise Explanation of Celebrating the Prophet's Birthday

Shaikh Al-AlbaniCelebrating the noble birthday of the Prophet, is it good or evil?

Questioner[It is] good.

Shaikh Al-AlbaniOkay.  This good – were the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, and his Companions ignorant of it?

QuestionerNo.

Shaikh Al-AlbaniI am not satisfied now with you saying no.  Rather it is obligatory upon you to proceed and say: It is impossible for this good – if it is good – or other than it to be hidden from the Prophet, sallalaahu alaihi wa sallam, and his Companions specifically since we do not know Islaam except by way of Muhammad, sallalaahu alaihi wa sallam – so how do we know some good which he did not?!  This is impossible.

Long Time

Assalam-o-Alaikum again after a long long time.
As you may have noticed, the blog wasn't working for almost the last three months due to some technical problems.
I can't promise you that I'll be posting articles soon but, inshallah, the blog will be working in case you need to refer back to some previous one.
Jazakallah khair for the waiting (even though you and I had had no choice of making any such decision or any news of such a thing happening).

The Scholars Of Evil

By Abu Hassan al-Hadrami
There are only two types of scholars and no other: Scholars of the Hereafter and scholars of Evil. He who is not one of the scholars of the Hereafter is among the scholars of wickedness, enamored of the vanities of this world and heedless of the Hereafter and its felicities.

Homosexuality: A Chosen Harm

First, homosexuality is a practice that those engaging in it undertake of their own free will, and not an orientation that is somehow inherently pre-determined. The very nature of the human mind will imply such a conclusion. In his 1690 Essay Concerning Human Understanding, the British filosofer John Locke, whose theories were fundamental in the creation of the American Republic, wrote “No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." This implies that, until an individual has experience with the reality in which he lives, he cannot have any knowledge. Until he has any knowledge, he cannot have any principles or inclinations, for those are themselves formed only through the use of the knowledge that the individual has already gained, as well as the principles of reasoning that he has discovered through his exposure to the external world.

Al-Qadaa' wal-Qadar - Predestination

The belief in al-Qadar (general and particular decrees) is one of the main pillars of the Islamic Faith. Most Muslims believe in this. However, a few understand what it really is.

Let us first review or explain the meaning of al-Qadar. Al-Qadar is sometimes mentioned with al-Qadaa’ in the same statement. If so then each has a distinct meaning. However, when they are mentioned separately, then either one comprises the other. So when they are stated together, then al-Qadar means that which Allaah has eternally pre-ordained (in due measure) pertaining to His creation. On the other hand, al-Qadaa' means that which Allah has decreed for His creation from existence, annihilation, or change. In this sense, al-Qadar preceeds al-Qadaa' when combined in the same sentence.  

Technology, business and our way of life: What's Next

This is an excerpt taken from the speech of Carly Florina (CEO of HP) who is a Ex-CEO of HP.
Read on to know what she has to say about Islam in her own words. (The complete article can be found here: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/execteam/speeches/fiorina/minnesota01.html)
Request you to share it with your Non-Muslim friends and also pray that this lady embraces Islam.

When the Reward Equals Fifty

In 'ad-Durar as-Saniyyah' (8/91-95), Shaykh Hasan bin Husayn (a grandson of Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Wahhab) was asked about the hadith:"...the one who does this will have the reward of fifty." So, he replied:

The Example of this World

Almost a couple of weeks ago, I walked into an Islamic shop to buy myself an 'atr. The shop had just opened and the man at the counter was a bit busy arranging the stuff and soon after that, he started talking on the phone so I thought that I'd just go to the books section and check out if there were any new books.
As I was looking at the books there, my eyes fell on a book which previously was only kept sealed even though there were many copies of it. However, now there was an unsealed copy of it which I assumed must have been put as a sample so that the interested customers could have a better look at it. It was the Risala-e-Nur collection by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. I'd heard a lot about it before and now since I had a chance, I thought I'd just read it a bit.
So I opened it. I'm not sure which book from that collection it was but it was the sixth word in that book. It explained the example of a believer and a disbeliever in an extraordinary way, an example which I'd never even thought of. I'll just write it from whatever I remember and supplement it with my own words, inshallah.

Life and Times of One of the Greatest Scholars

Shaikh Muhammad Moosaa Nasr said, “I saw a dream in which there was a group of people who had swarmed together before some steps which led up to a balcony in front of which there was a door. No one was climbing up the steps, they only looked at the balcony and the door.

Refutation of Tahir ul Qadri on asking help from dead

Introduction

This is the refutation of weak ahadith in the book "Beseeching for Help" (Istighāthah) by Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Chapter 3 Justification of Istighāthah after Death, I will not quote rulings deduced by Dr Qadri due to their length, when hadith is weak then there is no reason to deduce ruling from a particular hadith, that also without quoting any Salaf and Muhaddith.

Years of Deceit: US openly declares bin Laden long dead

Here is the view of one of the Americans at Veterans Today. I have modified the article a bit to exclude the parts which had some disagreements. However, the link of the original article has been provided immediately after the article for those who might be interested.

May Allaah grant Osama bin Laden Martyrdom!

The announcement this morning of the death of Sheikh Osama Bin laden has been met with joy in the United States and by other enemies of Islam and Muslims. I would like remind everyone that someone much better and much more significant then Sheikh Osama Bin laden passed away in the past, namely the Messenger Muhammad (saw) and that this never stopped the Jihad nor the spread of Islam to the East and West. Indeed the Messenger Muhammad (saw) said that the day of judgement will not come until a group of Muslims conquer the White House.

Following the Understanding of the Salaf

The following is the translation of a lecture given by Shaykh Albaani.  The PDF version can be found here: The Understanding of the Salaf

Translated by Ahmed Abu Turaab

باب مصادر الاستدلال عند أهل السنة:
الكتاب، السنة، فهم سلف الأمة، وبيان أثر التنكب
عن منهج فهم السلف في أبواب العقيدة

Chapter
Being a Discussion of the Sources which the Ahlus-Sunnah Derive Proofs from: The Book, The Sunnah, and The Understanding of the Pious Predecessors of the UmmahAnd a Clarification of the Effect of Deviating from the Methodology of the Pious Predecessors in the Affairs of Creed

A Party in Paradise and a Party in Hell

by Shaykh Abu 'Ali Nabeel al-Awadhi


Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem

Alhamdulillaahi rabil-'aalameen, was-salaatu was-salaamu 'ala nabeeyinaa muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa ashaabihi wa man tabi'ahum bi ihsaanin ila yawmid-deen, amma b'ad:

The Companions of our Prophet Muhammed (salallaahu 'alayhi wa salaam) used to gather to remember death so that they would benefit their souls by increasing in fear of Allaah and strive to gain His pleasure. If this was the case of the Sahaabah and they were the best of generations, the most pious and God-fearing of this ummah, then what about us? Surely, it means that we need to engage in the remembrance of Allaah - The Most Perfect, The Most High - even more. After all, we are in far more need of this act of worship than they were.

Tawfique Chowdhury’s Alliance with the West

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
By Anwar al-Awlaki
A few months ago I was approached by students of Shaykh Tawfique Chowdhury to teach some courses at al Kauthar institute. Since this was the first time I have heard of the institute or Shaykh Chowdhury I did some research on both. Yesterday someone posted on my blog an accusation that Shaykh Tawfique was a hypocrite which I promptly deleted. I then read the article that was linked to the post and was amazed by what I have read. Not knowing Shaykh Chowdhury personally, I find it shocking to hear such a statement coming from a person who is considered to be a man of knowledge. Because Shaykh Chowdhury is considered as such and is running an institute that is imparting knowledge to hundreds of students I deem it necessary to respond to his article as an advise to him and a warning to all those who consider themselves to be his students. There is also another reason. Since 9-11 and the active involvement of the US in defining what Islam means today there has been a gradual decline in the standard of walaa’ and baraa’, with many scholars and daees in the West lowering the bar further and further. But this letter represents one of the most blatant manifestations of this phenomenon. I will comment on parts of the article but you can also read it in its entirety.

Western Laws curb Crime Rates?

Even though we constantly hear the West, its allies and the 'modernist' Muslims criticising the punishments ordained by Islam, labelling them as too violent, the crime rate in these Western countries along with those who try to follow them are alarming high as explained in the article below.

Note that USA also has a similar crime rate, if not more.

Did Mirza Ghulam Ahmed fulfil the signs?

The Signs of the Hour andthe False Prophet Mirza Ghulam Ahmad al-Qadiyani

Question: As regards the establishment of the Hour, there are lesser signs and major signs and especially Gog and Magog?

A Solution for our French sisters, inshaAllaah

Those to whom hypocrites said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs." 
So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty. That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers. And do not be grieved by those who hasten into disbelief. Indeed, they will never harm Allah at all. Allah intends that He should give them no share in the Hereafter, and for them is a great punishment. 
Indeed, those who purchase disbelief [in exchange] for faith - never will they harm Allah at all, and for them is a painful punishment. And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment. 
Allah would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allah reveal to you the unseen. But [instead], Allah chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward. 
And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted.
The Glorious Quran (3:173-180)

Advice to Jama'at ut Tableegh

By Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee 
A lengthy transcript from a tape in which Imaam al-Albaanee discusses the various errors found amongst the sect of at-Tableegh.

If you call to Islam – you have to know what it is, beginning with Imaan and perhaps the brothers will recall the Hadeeth: "That a man came to the Prophet sallalahu alaihi wa sallam with very white clothes and black hair…

"Praise be to Allaah. Salams and Salat on the Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wa sallam"

France bans Burqa yet tolerates Nudity

As a sister pointed out, "if I don't have a problem with them walking half-naked, why should they have a problem with us walking covered properly?"

The recent move by France to impose a ban on burqa, a cover-all headdress some Muslim women choose to wear, has come in contrast with the country's tolerance of public nudity.