Reflect and Ponder (29)

Life is nothing but a series of hills and mountains - sometimes you are up, and sometimes you are down. We cannot expect to be up all the time, otherwise it wouldn't be possible to move forward. Nor should we loose hope when we are down, thinking that we will stay there forever.

What we also have to always remember is that our journey across these hills and mountains is extremely short. Today we are here, tomorrow we are gone. Nay, today we are here, and today we are gone.
 So let us make sure that these hills and mountains don't cause us an hindrance, or become obstacles for us reaching our final goal towards which we should all be moving towards - ALLAH.

Reflect and Ponder (28)

Don't ever put your expectations on anyone in this world, no matter how close that person is to you. Eventually, because that person is also human and not perfect, somewhere along the line you will have to suffer let - downs, which will lead to unnecessarily getting hurt, and even breaking of relationships. Someone so rightly said -

"Expectations lead to deceptions which lead to frustrations."

People almost never live up to the sometimes very high expectations which are placed upon them, and that causes disappointment.

Let us put all our expectations on that Being who is perfect, who will never let us down, who will always fulfill our expectations of Him, and go over them too.

Only Allah is worthy of our expectations, with whom we can rest assured that we will never get disappointed.

OH MUSLIM UMMAH!!!

Dear beloved Muslim Ummah -

Israel may torture, oppress, kill, torture, terrorise, but remember, Allah has promised in the Quran, Israel won't last for long.

 Eventually Allah will smash their brains and destroy them as if they never existed. But their real punishment will be in Aakhirah. They will be given no respite, and will be flung headlong into unimaginable tortures and punishments which will last for eternity.

 Muslim Ummah, wipe your tears, help is on the way, Hazrat Mahdi is not long away.

 Soon all Jews, and all other religions will be destroyed, and only Islam will prevail.

Oh Ummah, persevere in the face of hardships just as our pious predecessors have done. Keep on fighting and struggling for the truth against the forces of evil and falsehood, remember the first and greatest Mujahid of this ummah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "Jannah lies under the shadows of swords."

Oh my Ummah, don't forget the obligation of Jihad laid down upon us by our Leader (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in such simple words, "Jihad will continue till the day of Qiyaamah."

But oh my Ummah, with tears in my eyes, I have to write, that unfortunately, sadly, ironically, we lament about the plight of Gaza under Israeli rogue oppression, AND YET WE WILLINGLY FOLLOW THEIR LIFESTYLE!! We talk like them, we dress like them, we eat and drink like them,  we teach our children what they want, every action of ours is based on their actions! OH UMMAH, ISN'T THIS HYPOCRISY??

OH UMMAH, HOW WILL WE EVER DEFEAT THEM WHEN WE HAVE WILLINGLY AND HAPPILY HANDED OURSELVES OVER TO THEIR MENTAL SLAVERY??

OH UMMAH, THEY ARE NOT IN THE LEAST BIT CONCERNED BY OUR LAMENTING AND CRYING AND OPPOSITION!

WHY??

BECAUSE THEY KNOW FULL WELL THAT WE HAVE ENTANGLED OURSELVES IN THE DEADLY WEB THAT THEY HAVE SET OUT FOR US, AND WE HAPPILY CONTINUE TO DO SO WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST OF QUALMS!!

WE ARE LITERALLY DESIROUS OF LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED IN TRYING TO CONFORM OUR LIFESTYLES TO THEIR LIFESTYLE, A LIFESTYLE WHICH WILL INEVITABLY LAND US IN THE PITS OF JAHANNAM!

OH UMMAH, DO WE EXPECT THE HELP OF ALLAH AND VICTORY IN THE PITIFUL CONDITION THAT WE ARE IN??

Oh Ummah, let us not fall weak, let us not succumb to their immense pressure on us to align our lives according to theirs.

Oh Ummah, let us only follow the beautiful and timeless example so painstakingly set for us by the greatest role model and teacher to ever set foot on this earth (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). That is the only solution.

Oh Ummah, let us be patient in the face of adversity, patient in holding on to our Deen.

Oh, Muslim Ummah, don't lose hope. The gardens of Jannah aren't far away.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME

This is a poem that I wrote about nine years ago, so please don't mind the apparent childishness in it and concentrate on the message that is being conveyed.


Do we make sure to pray salaah on time,
or are we just too busy out making another dime?
Do we have a place for Quran in our day,
a weapon against Shaytaan, so we're not led astray?
My dear friends, we are running out of time


Do we remember to pay zakaah to the needy,
so that our journey over the Pul - Siraat can be made speedy?
Or do we listen to the devil and hoard our wealth?
Do we not know that death approaches fast and with stealth?
My dear friends, we are running out of time


Do we have a smile on the face,
When we meet our kith and kin, or do we do them disgrace?
Do we not fear going to hell?
Or do we just strive to make our possessions swell?
My dear friends, we are running out of time


Do we take advantage of Ramadhan before it takes flight?
Or are our eyes closed to our ever increasing plight?
Do we take time to remember Allah, to praise him?
For surely, getting into heaven, our chances are slim
My dear friends, we are running out of time


Do we think that we're going to live forever?
For the grave is around the corner, ready as ever
Do we deny the fact that The Last Day is nearing?
Let's pray we go to Jannah, for the heat in hell is searing
My dear friends, we are running out of time

FIQH

THIS IS AN ANSWER TO SOMEONE WHO WROTE AN ARTICLE SAYING THAT FIQH ISN'T IMPORTANT, ALL WE NEED TO DO IS GO IN JIHAD.

Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Quran “It is not for the Mu’mineen to proceed in jihad all together. Why does a small group from every large party not proceed to attain a deep understanding of Deen so that they may warn their people when they return to them so that they may beware?”  Surah Taubah verse 122

 

From the verse quoted above, it is clearly understood, beyond the need for explanation, that it is ALLAH’S COMMAND that because of the immense importance of the attainment of FIQH, which is the word used in this verse, and is most correctly translated as a deep understanding of Deen, the believers should divide themselves into two groups. Not all should go for jihad, rather a group should also free themselves from any other occupation and involvement, and devote themselves fully to fiqh. In fact, in the aayah, this is the group which is depicted as a fort, a safe haven, a place of return for those going out in Jihad. 

 

This then, is the desire and command of Allah, so clearly and unambiguously stated in His Final Word to mankind. Yet, it seems that there are some individuals who hold a view which is contrary to this desire. As unfortunate as it appears to be, the sad reality is this that differences and deviations have escalated to such a blasphemous height, that people have even started to differ with Allah Ta’ala himself. May He save us.

 

The objection and attack that has been made on fiqh is in reality, an objection against Deen e Islam itself, and has stemmed either from gross ignorance and misunderstanding, or from the sinister intention of sowing dissension amongst the innocent and naïve masses of this ummah.

 

The issues mentioned, which the brother passes off as merely being “petty things” and “superficial” are in reality, some of the most salient features of Islam, without which, it would be incomplete. They are the beautiful habits, practices and commands of none other than the leader of both worlds, our beloved Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa salam).

 

The miswak, has been emphasized upon so much that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa salam) himself has said that if it wasn’t that the ummah would be put to difficulty, he would have made miswak compulsory with every wudhu.

As far as the beard and trousers below ankles are concerned, severe and dire warnings of punishment have been sounded to those who don’t adhere to these two commands.

So how can these essentials be labeled in such a derogatory and demeaning manner?

From the brother’s remark “In case you can’t tell I’m being extremely sarcastic,” there is quite a clear indication that mockery is being made of the issues mentioned.

To mock at any aspect of Deen is considered kufr and throws a person out from the folds of Islam. Thus, the brother is advised, that if he wants to save himself from destruction in both the worlds, he should make sincere taubah and renew his Imaan.

 

It seems that the term “fiqh” itself has not been understood. As already mentioned above, it is a deep understanding of Deen. In fact, it can be said that Fiqh is synonymous with Islam, because it is fiqh that tells a Muslim how to live every second of his life in compliance with Divine commandments, and that’s exactly what Islam is. From this it is clear that even Jihad falls under the purview of fiqh. The brother has portrayed this very fiqh to be meaningless, and his flimsy contradictory statement “I’m not saying that fiqh isn’t important” does little to dismiss this portrayal. Thus his claim that “we must leave fiqh aside, and concentrate on jihad” is rendered meaningless and self contradictory.

 

Finally, from the brother’s statement that “the best excuse Muslims seem to use is Islam” clearly points towards this fact that this jihad that he talks about is something completely different from Islam. Such a jihad then, is not a jihad. Only that jihad is acceptable in Allah’s court which to make His word high – to preserve and spread Islam. We have already mentioned that practical Islam is synonymous to fiqh.

 

May Allah guide us all to the straight path, Ameen.

 

 

 

 

Reflect and Ponder (27) - AFTER QURBANI - CLEARING THE BONES

Alhamdulillah we must all have eaten quite to our fill - mutton biriyani, or barbeque, or some other mutton dish all courtesy of our qurbani goats and sheep. However, did this thought go through anybody's mind - that the meat we now eat with great relish was only a few hours ago a goat, very much alive, walking around and grazing on the grass we put for it? What became of that goat? All that is left of it is a pile of well-licked and well-sucked shiny white bones in our plates, to be cleared and thrown away. Did anybody think about the fact that Insaan has to go the same way, that I will have to one day go the same way that this goat did? About the bitter but inevitable reality that today we are alive, talking, laughing, playing, eating, and drinking, yet one day will come when will become residents of the sand, just a pile of decaying, rotting bones, sumptious food for the worms and insects?? My dear brothers and sisters, death is coming. Are we prepared??

SLAUGHTERING THE MERCIFUL WAY

Allah (SWT) had sent Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as a Rahmatul lil 'Aalameen, translated as a Mercy to the universes. In this verse of the Qur'an, there is a clear implication that no creature of Allah was deprived of the general mercy of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. In fact, it would not be incorrect to say that his entire life was a lesson of mercy for this ummah till the day of Qiyaamah. Animals to be slaughtered are no exception.

   I don't believe I can do justice to the extreme emphasis laid upon showing mercy to the animals to be slaughtered, and animals in general, that is found in the ahadith, if I tried to express it. To such an extent that kindness to animals has been portayed in the ahadith as a very possible deciding factor between Jannah and Jahannam. Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam narrated to the sahaba that a prostitute attained Jannah just because of giving water to a thirsty dog, whereas a woman who used to involve herself in a lot of ibaadah relegated herself to the pits of Jahannam for being cruel to a cat.

 Once Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam entered a garden and on seeing a camel tied there, went up to it. The camel started to cry and complain to him about his master. Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam immediately called and reprimanded the owner of the camel, telling him that the camel had complained of being overworked and underfed.

   It is a pity that the Ummah has either forgotten or chosen to ignore this very important lesson of mercy, especially when it comes to the days of Qurbani and slaughtering. Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam has said in one hadith, "When you slaughter, then do it in a beautiful manner." A beautiful manner refers to the one in which there is least suffering for the animal. Unfortunately, in the method that is employed by the majority, the animal has to unnecessarily suffer in a myriad of ways, a very serious mistake that could lead to dire consequences - :

1) Even long before slaughtering, the animals are treated very cruelly, large numbers crammed together in very small places, with insufficient grass and water. They are also whipped and mishandled more than is necessary.

2) One goat is slaughtered right infront of the other. This is a very serious mistake and has been specifically and emphatically forbidden in the hadith. Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam has said, "Don't give the animal two deaths." Can you imagine the fear that overpowers the goat looking at his/her companion being slaughtered? That's death before death. Also, even if the goat can't see the other one being slaughtered, it's slaughtered right over the pool of blood created by the previous one. Do we imagine that the goat doesn't know what it is?

3) The knife is shown, and many times even sharpened, right infront of the goat. This paralyses the poor innocent animal with fear. Also, the animal is laid down, and with the knife, his hand poised ready to cut, the slaughterer recites long duas very slowly and calmly, oblivious of the poor animal's plight and agony as it sees the knife hovering above. Again, are we in the misconception that the goat doesn't know what it is?

4) The animal is skinned before it is completely dead, so in its last moments it has to suffer anew.

  My dear brothers and sisters, all this is nothing but oppression, serious enough to land us in quite a bit of trouble in the court of Allah. DO WE BELIEVE THAT JUST BECAUSE IT CAN'T SPEAK, THE ANIMAL HAS NO FEELINGS??  Sadly, we have even ceased to think of it as wrong, or that this is also a big part of our beautiful Deen.

My humble plea to all - let us take important note of this in this Eid, and let us let as many people know as possible so that they can be saved from this henious sin. May Allah give us tawfeeq.



    

Reflect and Ponder (26)

Life has its ups and downs. No condition stays forever. Today there is happiness, tomorrow is sadness. All we have to do with what life throws at us at every moment is to keep the big picture in mind, that one day we will leave this world and everything will be over. For that person who was drowned in luxury and comfort his entire life - game over. For that person who spent his entire life in misery, difficulty, sickness, abject povert - it's all over. All that really matters is whether we lived our lives according to the commands and pleasure of Allah or not. Only that will decide whether we have attained success or not. Not whether we earn a nice fat salary, or own a mansion and a couples of BMW's. Everything else is spurious and not worth our worry, time, attention, and energy. Let us always have this in front of us.

HAJJ - THE JOURNEY OF LOVE

  Year after year, the Hajj season comes and goes, but have we, for a single moment, stopped to think about the reality of this beautiful ibaadah of Hajj?

Not in any way diminishing the importance of knowing the masaa'il, and how to perform every step correctly, every ibaadah has an inner reality which actually constitutes of that very objective for which Allah obligated that particular ibaadah on us. Hajj is no exception.

Let us pause and ponder for a moment. What is Hajj made up of? Wearing two unsewn pieces of cloth, not being able to apply any fragrance, loudly saying the talbiyah, going around the Kaaba seven times, walking between two points seven times, throwing stones at pillars, spending time in a barren, hot field, shaving the head, slaughtering an animal, leaving all the comforts of home, and undertaking a strenuous journey. Logically, does all of this make any sense at all?? Definitely it doesn't. Deen isn't subservient to logic, as some brainwashed modernists would like to believe. Deen is something way past the limited reaches of logic.

So what do all of these actions tell us? Why have been commanded to do them?? By reflecting over these actions, any reasonable person will conclude that these actions are of those who are madly in love. The actions of one who has forgotten about everything else, and only has his Beloved infront of him. Nothing else matters. How important is it to have love for Allah? Allah himself says in the Quran, "And those who believe have the strongest love for Allah." In this aayah, Allah specified it as an intinsic quality of the believers. We can suffice to say this that the person who builds a love connection between Allah and himself has achieved and realised the very objective of his existence.

       The reality of Hajj is this that it is an ibaadah of pure love, from start to end. It is for this very reason that Allah has obligated on us such actions which outwardly show love, and which help the pilgrim appear as a mad lover. So, the first half of the magic potion of love which can take a person to unimaginable heights is already present. For the second half, we need to make a concerted effort, and this is where the majority of pilgrims fall short, which results in their Hajj being merely a composition of outward actions and rituals lacking in life and reality. This second half, is to couple the outward form of love with the inward reality of love - which comes from the heart.

   It is unfortunate today that the majority of pilgrims return from Hajj unchanged, as if nothing ever happened. Why?? It is because they went to the blessed cities devoid of any love, which left the catalyst to a life changing reaction incomplete. Some go just to discharge an obligation they just have to fulfill, like throwing a burden off their shoulders. Others go on a sightseeing tour. Others go on a shopping spree.

My beloved brothers and sisters, we have to realise that without inculcating the love of Allah in our hearts, then just like the 5 times salaah, and the month of Ramadhan, the great ibaadah of Hajj, which Allah has kept to put us back on the straight path which we seem to lose again and again, will be rendered ineffective as far as changing our lives is concerned.

May Allah give us true understanding, ameen.

Reflect and Ponder (25)

This world is far from being perfect, and everything connected to this world is not perfect. No place to live is perfect. No weather is perfect. No food is perfect. No house is perfect. No condition of this world whatsoever is perfect. No human in this world is perfect. That is how Allah has made it.

On the other hand, Jannah is perfect and everything connected to Jannah is perfect. The places of residence are perfect. The weather is perfect. The food and drink is perfect. The houses are perfect. Every condition in Jannah is perfect. Every person who will enter Jannah will be perfect. That is how Allah has made it.

Now tell me, what would be a more foolish thing to do than to sacrifice all the energies and capabilities of an entire lifetime searching for that never to found perfection in an imperfect place, and forgetting about striving for that place which in reality is perfect???
Sadly, this is the condition of the majority of this Ummah. May Allah open our eyes to the truth.

THE SUNNAH OF FAJR

Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, "When the iqaamah is called, then no other prayer should be performed besides the obligatory prayer." Muslim

In the mas'ala in question, Imam Abu Haneefa's madhab is this that if a person, for some reason, couldn't perform his sunnah of Fajr, and the Jamaat has already stood, then so long as he is certain that he will be able to join the jamaat by the last qa'dah, he should first complete sunnah.

Imam Malik, Imam Awzai, and Imam Sufyaan Ath-thawri also have a similar madhab. All four of these stalwarts were the greatest Imams of their time - the era of the tabi'een and tab'u -t-taabi'een, in the 2nd century hijri. They were all reputed and renowned giants of not only fiqh, but all other Islamic sciences, especially Hadith.

Today, about 1300 years after these mountains of knowledge put the final stamp on this mas'ala, we have people who know nothing about Hadith and Fiqh challenging this ruling with one hadith which they cannot understand without the help of translation, let alone understanding it's implication. Sad.

Imam Abu Haneefah, when making a decision on any mas'ala, didn't depend on just one hadith. Rather, he had infront of him every hadith that could possibly be connected to this mas'ala, and only after careful deliberation with his shura would he come to a judgement. It will be quite obvious from this, that his rulings are not without sound proof and backing.

Nabi sallallahu alaihi wa sallam has in many ahadith, all authentic, and too numerous to relate here, put extreme emphasis on the sunnah of Fajr, and their immense importance. Also in many ahadith is the fact that he never used to miss them, whether in Madina, or on journey.

One hadith specially worthy of note is a narration found in Abu Dawud, where he said, "Perform these two rakaahs of sunnah before Fajr, even though you may be stamped over by horses in the process."

Moreover, this very opinion and practise has been narrated from many great Sahaba, including Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Ra), Umar (RA), Abdullah bin Umar (ra), Abdullah bin Abbaas (ra), and Abu Darda (ra).

Infact, it has been narrated that during Hadhrat Umar (ra)'s khilaafat, it was quite common.

From all the multitudes of great Sahaba still present at that time, not one raised any objection, including Umar (ra) who, as we know, would get infuriated by the slightest breach of shari'ah.

My dear brothers and sisters, are we trying to say that we know about hadith more than the Sahaba? Are we trying challenge the sahaba's understanding of hadith, those great friends of Allah who understood the hadith from it's source, the practical example and perfect role model of the beautiful life of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, with our own subzero understanding, not even worthy of being termed deficient, in which we are compeletely ignorant of the implications of this hadith???

According to Imam Abu Haneefa, this hadith has been interpreted to mean that to perform any other salaah at that same place where the fardh jamaat is being performed, is not permissible. That is why the mas'ala is that a person shouldn't perform it in the masjid proper, where the jamaat is, but rather in the outside part.

It is thus quite clear that any objections made at these great Imams regarding this mas'ala are utterly baseless and stem from compound ignorance and rebellion.

It is, however, important to note, that this mas'ala is only regarding permissibility. In no way is this action being encouraged. Sunnah should be performed on time before the time for the jamaat to stand. Only if, for some reason, a person wasn't able to perform them, then this mas'ala comes into play, that he should first complete his sunnah, because of its importance.

May Allah guide us to the truth, and give us the ability and tawfeeq to follow it, ameen

Reflect and Ponder (24)

In however many problems you may find yourself in, although you may think that no one has the amount of problems you do, always remember that there will always be people in the world, infact in your vicinity, your own town or suburb, who are in a much worse condition than you are. So, what do we learn from this fact? Always make shukr, show gratitude to Allah for what he has given you, for the condition in which he has kept you. If we show ungratefulness, we might never know that tomorrow may hold something which will make today look like a walk in paradise. May Allah save us, and make us from the Shaakireen - the thankful ones.

CHOOSING FRIENDS

    
    Allah has awarded us this short, temporary worldly life as a priceless opportunity to attain His pleasure for eternity. Every second that we have in our hands is like an expensive pearl in need of our utmost protection so that it can be spent in the most profitable of actions. One of the most important choices in life, and undoubtedly one of the most delicate, is who to spend some of these limited and precious moments with.


       Our choice of company is such a crucial one that it has a sizeable effect on the worldly life as well as the eternal life of Aakhirah. Choosing a good friend will result in a pleasant and fruitful worldly life and eternal peace in the Aakhirah, while the choice of bad company will result in a miserable worldly life and eternal regret in the Aakhirah. Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, "A man is on the creed of his friend, so each of you should ponder over who he befriends." (Abu Dawud) This means that a man will adopt those qualities which he finds in his friends. A Persian poet conveys this meaning in simple words - "a pious companion will make you pious whilst and evil companion will make you evil." Considering the above sentence, each of us should ponder over who he/she befriends. The Muhadditheen infer two injunctions - to seek pious company and to refrain from evil company. These injunctions can be found in clear, unambiguous words in a number of Ahaadith. Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, "The similitude of good company and that of bad company is that of the owner of musk and of the blacksmith blowing bellows. The owner of musk would either give the musk to you as a gift, or you would buy it from him, or you would atleast get from him a pleasant fragrance. The blower of bellows would either burn your clothes, or you would get from him a repugnant odour." (Bukhari) In another hadith, Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, "Do not befriend anyone except a believer, and let only a pious person eat your food." (Tirmidhi) Mufti Muhammad Shafi (RA) writes that we learn from this hadith that a man should associate only with a pious person.


          A question might arise in the reader's mind as to which qualities should one look for in a friend. Allah says in the Qur'an, "Friends will be enemies on that day except for those with taqwa." (Surah Zukhruf V 67) Hafiz Ibn Kathir (RA) has mentioned in the commentary of this verse a narration of Ali (RA) in which he says that there were two friends who were believers and two friends who were disbelievers. From the two friends who were believers, one of them died and was given the glad tidings of Jannah. He remembered his friend and made dua to Allah, "Oh Allah, I had such and such a friend who used to encourage me to obey You and Your Messenger Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, he used to enjoin upon me good and forbid me from evil, and he used to remind me that one day I will have to meet You. O Allah, don't lead him astray after me so that he may see those scenes (of Jannah) which you have shown me, and be pleased with him as You have been pleased with me." In reply to this dua, Allah will say, "If you were to know what rewards I have kept for your friend, you would laugh more and cry less." After that the second friend will die and both their souls will come together. Then Allah will command them to praise each other, so one will say to the other, "What a good brother, what a good companion, what a good friend." The narration continues to explain the case of the two disbelievers as being the total opposite. (Ibn Abi Hatim) From this we learn that a friend should have four qualities: 1) He encourages you to obey Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) 2) He enjoines upon you good 3) He forbids you from evil. 4) He reminds you that one day you have to meet Allah. Ibn Abbaas (RA) says that Nabi ?" He replied, "When you see him you remember Allah, by his speech your knowledge increases, and his actions remind you of the hereafter." (Qurtubi)

        Finally, we should keep in mind two important points. Firstly, we should be moderate about expressing our friendship and love. Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, "Make friends after deliberation (i,e exercise restraint) because your friend might become your foe tomorrow." (Tirmidhi)
Secondly, we should remember that true love and friendship is only for Allah. Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said "Had I taken a friend, it would have been Abu Bakr (RA)."

May Allah grant us the wisdom to make the right choices, Ameen.

Reflect and Ponder (23)

Never fight fire with fire, because, even logically, that will just increase the original fire. Rather, fight it with water. In just the same way, never fight anger with anger, you'll only make things worse. Always keep your cool and make sabr - have patience. That is the only way to make the other person's anger subside. Your anger is going to be fuel for his, and vice versa.

DECEPTION IN DISGUISE

This story is a very brief outline of my youth, and it is the crux of what most youth face today. It is the sincere hope of this sinful writer that this piece, in being an inspiration and eye opener, will be a means of the expiation of his sins.


He stooped in front of the tunnel entrance and took a deep breath. A sweet smell lazily wafted out. He bent his head down and could hear faint, soft chimes - the different sounds mingling into each other, producing a beautiful rhythm. Oh, so enticing!! He was tempted to venture into the yawning mouth of the tunnel to investigate the source of these wonderful fragrances and sounds. As he got on to all fours and proceeded to crawl through, his conscience screamed at him, "Hey, don't you remember - curiousity killed the cat!" He stopped - unwary - indecisively unsure of what to do. Just then, he again felt a cool breeze softly caressing his face, carrying with it that same sweet smell. He couldn't hold himself back and chose to ignore the clear warning. He crawled on, his head brushing the low roof.


    Suddenly, everything went pitch dark. He frantically turned his head around and realised to his utter dismay that the mouth had been sealed shut. He fumbled in his pocket for his torch, and flicked the switch on. The dim, weak glow could hardly filter through the layers of gloomy darkness - wave upon wave upon wave. The breeze stopped just as suddenly as it had started. Now he could feel increasing warmth which developed into searing heat. The sweet chimes were replaced by a deafening silence that blanketed and enshrouded him. He started trembling and shivering. A feeling of utter fear and paranoia gripped his every vein and nerve.


      He sensed a light ahead. He raised his head to look, and saw two glowing figures. His fright lifted off and a hypnotic calmness enveloped and engulfed him. As they neared, he could discern their features, and he was left breathless. The one on the right was a golden blonde in a silver catsuit, with a killer figure. The one on the left - a brunette, dressed to kill, a real head turner. They beckoned to him tantalisingly. As if in a hypnotic trance, he crawled towards them, his eyes watermelons. Saliva dripping from his mouth, he reached out, almost about to make hand contact.


     All of a sudden, an unseen hand seemingly pulled out the outer skin of the two beauties - as if removing their costumes - revealing the hidden identity of the two figures. He flinched violently at the revolting, horrifying sight. The one on the right was the devil in his proverbial appearance - a body of flame, horns, blood shot eyes, and fangs dripping with blood. The one on the left proved to be the inner carnal self - slimy, sluggish, and dripping with green goo.


    He felt something pulling at his collar. Then, a blinding flash of light flickered, and he felt himself being rocketed upwards, and then landing on a soft surface. He slowly opened his eyes, his heart still thumping wildly. A comforting sight met his eyes. He was in a long spacious room, fully lighted, sitting on a plush Belgian carpet. Relief swept through his body as he realized that he had been saved from impending doom and destruction by the sheer mercy of Allah the Almighty. He saw ahead of him a clear, straight path cut out for him, and he advanced forward, well aware that he was heading towards eternal success.


     As he walked on, he noticed sinister shadows appearing on both sides of the path. In those shadows he saw the same two girls beckoning to him. A chill pulsed down his spine, and he quickly averted his gaze, increasing his walking pace. He knew they were phony. It was just another trap. The shadows continued to appear, and his gaze kept sneaking off towards them. A seemingly unseen force made him change his direction, and he approached the shadows. His conscience's screams of rebuke went unheeded once again. Just as he stepped into the shadow, he realized that it wasn't a shadow at all, but a huge dark gaping hole, leading back to the same tunnel he had been saved from!! He fell, but caught hold of the sides of the opening with his fingers. There he hung, his legs swinging to and fro. His fingers spasmed with pain, but he held on for dear life. Just as he thought that his fingers would break, he heard someone call out to him, "Arif! Here, hold on to my hand - I'll pull you out!" The voice - firm, yet calming, soothing, and reassuring - reverberated and echoed from the sides of the hole. He readily and thankfully placed his hand in the firm grip. An indescribable feeling of pure ecstasy washed over him as he thought to himself, "It isn't all over, there is still hope."

Reflect and Ponder (22)

The Dalai Lama says that without the human community one single human being cannot survive.

FALSE

Without the human community, one single human being CAN survive if Allah wants him to survive, and if he has Allah in his life.

There are countless examples of this that have been preserved in the pages of history.

One doesn't need other people to survive. The only thing needed is Allah's help, and to have firm Iman and trust in Allah, and in the power and might of Allah.

Reflect and Ponder (21)

Don't ever put your hopes and expectations on anyone, no matter how close that person is to you.

If you do, then sooner or later, you will definitely be forced to regret.

Because, after all, a human is a human, and a human can only go so far, and do so much. Our capabalities are extremely limited.

Unfortunately today, we love to magnify our abilities to the maximum, pretending to be what we aren't, bragging that we can do what we can't.

So then what do we do? We depend for everything on such people, erroneously imagining that they can do alot for us.

It isn't too long after that that reality hits us hard, towing along with it alot of sadness, heart pain, and regret.

Why put ourselves through this suffering in the first place??
Why don't we place all our hopes on The only Being Who is Limitless, who can fulfill our every expectation, who will never give us any grief in return??

Indeed, only those are successful and lead happy, satisfied lives who put all their hopes and expectations on Allah Ta'ala.

Reflect and Ponder (20)

Some people love to show off the fact that they have a PHD, and they brag about it in every gathering, at every opportunity they get.

The reason for this is, in fact, that they consider it to be a sign of success.
But, is it??

In front of Allah, on the day of Qiyaamah, will our PHD be of any value, of any use??

These people should know what PHD stands for -
P - Permanent
H- Head
D- Damage

Or, if you want to say it in Urdu,
P - Phira
H- Hua
D- Dimagh

Something to think about isn't it??

Reflect and Ponder (19)

Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, "Leave that which puts you in doubt and turn to towards that which doesn't put you in doubt."

SubhanAllah, these are the beautiful words of the Leader of mankind. If only we could make this the rule in our lives.

Why should we sacrifice our hereafter by going into doubtful things in which there is a valid Shar'ii possibility that it may be haraam, impermissible??

Is our life in the hereafter so cheap??
Why put our eternity into jeapardy for short lived pleasure??

Please, let us deeply think and ponder over this beautiful hadith.

REJECT HADITH??? SATANIC PROPAGANDA

Some "illuminated" thinkers have emerged with the comical contention that Hadith is unreliable, thus it should either be completely ignored, or taylored to fit our nonsensical whims and fancies, our conveniences and desires. This Satanic movement to destroy and uproot the very foundation of Islam is not new at all. It has been existing for way more than a century.

It has only re-emerged with a modern design. Rest assured, it's the same filth being marketed with a new look to bait poor, innocent, naive Muslims.

 

It is terribly sad to see that "Muslims" have relegated themselves to such sunken abysses of ignorance.
To reject and brush aside the sayings and teachings of Allah's most beloved, the leader of the worlds, Muhammad Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam on the basis of such a baseless, spurious and foolish argument that Hadith is unreliable and unauthentic, is such an extreme fallacy that is sufficient to plunge one into the dark dungeons of kufr - disbelief - an exit from the fold of Islam.
The Quran and Hadith go hand in hand, each one unable to stand on it's own without the other, and this is what is Deen, and this is what it has been for the past 1400 years plus.
How do we know that the Quran is the Quran??
Who told us? Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, who else. Isn't that Hadith? So basically, the Quran has reached us through hadith. The result?? The rejectors of Hadith are in actual fact rejectors of the Quran!!

If we choose to follow only the Quran, I ask you is there anybody who would know how to perform just 2 rak'aah of Salaah??
How can we use the Quran to decide which Hadith is right and which is not??
The categorization of Hadith has already been done more than a millenium ago.
From the Hadith, the 4 Imams, whose madhabs we have to follow, extracted laws.
All we have to do is follow those laws. Simple.
To grow a beard is compulsory according to all 4 madhabs.

May Allah give us guidance and understanding. Ameen

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Reflect and Ponder (18)

In any disagreement, to reach a solution and reconciliation, all parties involved must give in a little and admit their fault. For any side to think that he/she is the only one who is right, the other side is completely wrong, and that it is they who should give in, is a clear sign of pride, and in this way, agreement will never be reached.

(However, this is not so for a disagreement directly connected to the upholding of Shariah and Deen. There, Allah's word should be put on top and held on fast to without any giving in.)

The main cause of disagreement is lack of proper and clear communication, and misunderstanding and misinterpretation of words. We take everybody/s words in the worst possible meaning, and this is what plagues healthy relationships.

Reflect and Ponder (17)

The intelligent one is he who speaks less and listens more. Today everybody tries to do the opposite. Don't be like a crow - don't try to make yourself get heard, and don't try to make people listen to you everywhere you go, in every gathering. If you have to speak, say only that much which is necessary, choosing your words carefully, and knowing full well who you are speaking to and who is present listening. Don't ever make out yourself to be imposing.

ENHANCE YOUR BEAUTY- A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO MY SISTERS

As a result of the immense importance attached to the outer figure by none other than our enemies, termed as the West, which is actually a misnomer, who continuously carry the worry about how the Ummah can self destruct and become incapacitated, today's Muslim women will spend hours of their precious time everyday, and thousands, in beauty salons and parlours, and on beauty products, trying there level best to create on their faces that elusive perfect look which will never come.

We have been programmed to give everything for outer beauty, and turn away from and completely ignore our inner beauty, which is the beauty that really matters.

By inner beauty, I mean beautiful qualities and akhlaaq, something which is becoming extinct today.

The reality is this, and I'm sure many of you have physically experienced this, and will attest to its truth -  :

NO MATTER HOW BEAUTIFUL A WOMAN'S LOOKS MAY BE FROM THE OUTSIDE, IF HER INSIDE IS DIRTY, AND HER AKHLAAQ ARE TERRIBLE, THAN THIS WILL HAVE SUCH AN EFFECT ON HER FACE, THAT SHE WON'T LOOK BEAUTIFUL ANY MORE.

WHEREAS, A WOMAN WHOSE INSIDE IS BEAUTIFUL, ADORNED WITH PRAISEWORTHY QUALITIES AND BEAUTIFUL AKHLAAQ, THAN NO MATTER HOW UGLY SHE MAY BE, THIS INNER BEAUTY WILL REFLECT ON HER FACE AND MAKE HER LOOK BEAUTIFUL!

Honestly tell me, isn't this a fact??

Today, unfortunately, Muslim women, ever eager to follow and emulate glamorous plastic-faced celebrities, have completely ignored this most important facet, and this has in turn led to problems in the family, in the community, and ultimately becomes the cause of total societal breakdown, which is exactly what "THEY" want.

Once, Nabi sallallahu alaihi wa sallam mentioned a woman who used to involve herself in a lot of nafl ibaadah, but had bad akhlaaq, to be burning in Jahannam, hell.
He mentioned another woman who hardly used to do any nafl ibaadah, but had beautiful akhlaaq, to be in Jannah.

Something to think about??

In another hadith, Nabi sallallahu alaihi wa sallam has been reported to have said that on the day of Qiyaamah, the thing which will be weightiest on the scales is good akhlaaq.

The main component of beautiful akhlaaq is proper use of the tongue. Indeed, it is the tongue which ultimately determines how the character of a person is, and it is with the misuse of the tongue that most women earn the wrath of Allah, as is mentioned in the hadith, which we will inshaAllah discuss later when we talk in detail about the tongue.

So, my dear beloved sisters, instead of emptying out your purses on countless useless creams and lotions, why don't you take me up on this??  It won't cost you a penny and I'm guaranteeing 100% success, and a total permanent facial makeover which will not only make your life in this world pleasant, as all around you will like you more, but it will ensure that you attain eternal peace in Jannah.

Not a bad deal, huh? Just try it out.

May Allah give us tawfeeq, ameen.

Reflect and Ponder (16)

Never join in with the flow, rather, do what is right according to shariah. Never ever do anything to please people when it means breaking the laws of shariah in the process. Never try to "fit in" by conforming to the popular and over riding ideas and beliefs of a particular community and society. Today the Muslim Ummah has lost its identity because it has followed the famous saying, obviously originated by our enemies, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." This ploy to destroy the Muslims has been there for many millenia (1000s of years) now, but, unfortunately, the Ummah is complacently unaware. Let us wake up!!!

THE BEAUTY OF KAUTHAR

The ahadith have painted a very enticing picture of the exquisite beauty of the river of Kauthar, which is Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam's special river in Jannah.
It will be many hundreds of miles long. On its sides will be domes of hollow pearl. In another narration, tents of pearl, and palaces of pearls. In yet another narration, the sides will be made of gold.
The sand of this river will pure musk. The stones and pebbles of this river will be pearls, emerald, rubies and other precious stones.

The water of this river will be whiter than milk, sweeter than honey.
Can you imagine the beauty??!

The cups and goblets will be shining like stars and their number will be more than the stars.
The one who drinks from it will never feel thirst again.
Our beloved Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam will be there, giving every member of his Ummah a cup of it to drink, with his own blessed hands!!! SubhanAllah, what a time that will be! Who wouldn't want to be blessed with this bounty??

Yet, unfortunately, there will be some from this Ummah who will be DEPRIVED OF THIS BOUNTY!!

WHO?? It is narrated in a hadith that a group of people will come forward to get this drink, and Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam will be about to hand it to them, when Jibreel (AS) will come in between and push them away with his wing. Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam will say to Jibreel, "But they are from my Ummah?"
Jibreel (AS) will reply, "You do not know what they have done after you left."

One of the interpretations of this is that it refers to AHLUL BID'AH - THE PEOPLE OF INNOVATION. They are those people who brought new things into Deen, which were not there in the first three eras of Islam.
In another narration it is mentioned that when Nabi Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam will here this, he will get angry, and he himself will chase these people away using the word "Suhqan!"

"SUHQAN" in Arabic is a word used to chase away DOGS! Allah also uses this word in the Quran to refer to the people of Jahannam - hell!!

YA ALLAH, IF ONLY WE COULD UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS!!
ON THAT DAY IF WE WILL BE PUSHED AWAY FROM KAUTHAR, WHERE WILL WE GO??
DO WE WANT TO BE DEPRIVED OF SUCH A BEAUTIFUL NE'MAH?

Unfortunately, today a large part of the Ummah is involved in various acts of innovation.
This is especially so in the days of Ramadhan, Eid ul Fitr, Eid ul Adha, Aashura (10th Muharram) and 15th of Shaaban.

My dear brothers and sisters, it is my heartfelt plea to all of you, we need to come away from this, otherwise we will be amongst the unfortunate ones described above.
However, it is important to know exactly what is bid'ah and what isn't, because there are some people who, out of ignorance, classify some acts as bid'ah whereas they are proven from Sunnah.
InshaAllah soon, we will discuss in detail the different acts of bid'ah which are truly bid'ah, and point out those which people say they are bid'ah but in reality they are not.
May Allah give us tawfeeq.

2012 - DOWNFALL OF ISRAEL???

Hadhrat Daanyaal (AS) was one of the prophets sent to Bani Israil, who had been given the gift of dream interpretation. The Babylonian king of his time saw a very mysterious and worrying dream. All the wisemen and astrologers were perplexed and could not offer any satisfactory explanation. The king learnt of Daanyaal (AS) prowess in dreams, and sent for him. He offered him wealth and position in return for the interpretation of his dream, an offer which was promptly declined by Daanyaal (As). He told the king to keep his wealth by him, he would give him the interpretation. (If we were in his place, what would we do??)

Daanyaal (As) gave a very cryptic interpretation which itself needed deciphering. He said that there will come a reign of terror, in which the sacred house of Allah will be taken over and desecrated. This time would come after 2,300 days, and the reign would last for 45 days after which, the house of Allah would become free. What does that mean??

A certain sheikh has offered a possible explanation. He says that the reign of terror refers to Israel, and it's control of Masjidul Aqsa.  In terms of the Taurah, one day means one year. According to this, the reign of terror would start after 2300 years. According to historians, this prophecy was made 333 years before Isa (As).  2300 minus 333 will give you the year 1967, the exact year when Israel gained total control of Jerusalem. Works about perfectly doesn't it?? This rule will last for 45 years. Which brings us to 2012. So, according to this explanation, the fall of Israel will be in 2012, or it will start in 2012. Interesting huh?? However, we have to remember that this is a possibility, not something certain. It could be right and it could be wrong.

Funnily enough, at this moment, Israel is at the height of its power. It's downfall in this year is, for us, quite unimaginable, but for Allah everything is easy.

If it is going to happen this year, how do you think it's going to occur? What are the possibilities??
Please do share your views.

Reflect and Ponder (15)

The following spiritual sicknesses have wreaked havoc in the Ummah, and are the ones responsible for our sunken state today -

Hubb e Bah - Inner evil self - nafs, desires
Hubb e Jah     Love for position and praise
Hubbul Maal - Love for wealth
Hubbud Dunya - Love for the world
Hubbun Nafs - Love of one self - resulting in vanity, arrogance, and pride.

At a later stage, InshaAllah, we will deal with ways on how we can combat these sicknesses.
May Allah save us from them.

THE BEAUTY AND ECSTACY OF JANNAH

Today, the Muslim Ummah has, unfortunately, become enamoured and bedazzled with the "beauty" of this temporary world.

This is in accordance with what Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam has said - "Verily this world is sweet and green." 

Today, when we looked at those who are swimming in worldly pleasures, nay, drowning in them, we get enticed, wishing the same thing that those people had wished who saw the vast treasure of Qaroon, "If only we had what Qaroon has been given." It was none other than the people of knowledge who rebuked them and explained to them that no, what Allah has kept for you is way better.
Today, when we look at such show and shine, we should think the same. Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam has said, "The world is a jail for the believer and paradise for the disbeliever."
This is the place where the enemies of Allah toward whom we lift our eyes up to in adoration and envy "enjoy" themselves as if it is paradise, if you can even term their enjoyment as enjoyment. After they live this world, there is nothing but misery and punishment for them, that's why they want to make the most out of this world, live in the biggest house, drive the sportiest car, eat the most sumptious of foods, regularly jump into a plane and go to the Carribean for a holiday.
For us, this world is a JAIL! Does anybody enjoy himself in jail, i ask you? Can even the thought of enjoyment come?
No, the only thought that goes through the mind of someone in jail is, "when will the time come that I will get my freedom from this nasty place."
Has this thought ever crossed our minds??
Are we treating this world as a paradise or as a jail??
My dear beloved brothers and sisters, our paradise, JANNAH is waiting for us in the hereafter! It is calling out to us saying, "Oh servant of Allah, don't get fooled by this world, I'm your real home, I am the place of pleasure where you can get your every desire. I adorn myself for you everytime you please Allah, so ask Allah to give me to you!"
But Alas, who is there to hear jannah's calls in the midst of this mad rat race to gather more and more of this world!
That is why it is so important for us to know WHAT JANNAH IS, so that we can build a longing for it, and turn our eyes away from this world.

Today, people seek long healthy lives in this short worldly period. When a Mumin will enter Jannah three announcements will be made -
1. You will remain healthy forever, disease will never come.
2. You will remain alive for ever, death will never come.
3. You will remain in such bounties which will never finish.

WHAT MORE CAN A PERSON WANT? BUT THAT'S NOT ALL. THERE'S MUCH MORE.

Today the whole world is running after attaining GOLD and SILVER.

Jannah is made with - bricks of GOLD and SILVER . Its cement is of MUSK. Its stones and gravel are PEARLS and YAQOOT. Its sand is SAFFRON.

Today, in the world, we love that we should be promoted. get a higher position in our company.
What about the grades and levels and promotions of jannah?
8 GRADES-
1. JANNATUL MA'WA
2. DARUL MAQAM
3. DARUS SALAAM
4. DARUL KHULD
5. JANNATUL ADAN
6. JANNATUN NAEEM
7 JANNATUL KASIF
8. JANNATUL FIRDAUS.

 In the gardens of Jannah, every tree will be the journey of 100 years. Plants will be thorn free, with leaves like elephant ears. Fruits will be hanging in thick rows and bunches.

Today, we want palatial homes with many rooms and a swimming pool.
Those who LOVE EACH OTHER FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH will get a pillar of YAQOOT.
On this there will be 70,000 ROOMS WHICH WILL SHINE LIKE THE SUN.
Every room will have 70,000 TABLE CLOTHS, AND ON EACH TABLE CLOTH WILL BE 70,000 DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOOD, EACH BOWL TASTING DIFFERENT. A person will eat one type of food for 40 YEARS.
80,000 YOUNG BOYS LIKE BEAUTIFUL SCATTERED PEARLS will serve them.
The size of every DATE and GRAPE WILL BE LIKE A BIG PITCHER!
The dates will be WHITER THAN MILK, SWEETER THAN HONEY, SOFTER THAN BUTTER, AND SEEDLESS!
The stems of plants will be made of GOLD AND SILVER.
Today we spend thousands, and all our time, looking for the best designer clothes.
In jannah, a person will wear 70 DRESSES AT THE SAME TIME.
Each dress will be beautiful, weightless, delicate, each having a different colour. Through the dresses THE HEART WILL BE VISIBLE AND THE LOVE IN THE HEART WILL ALSO BE SEEN.

For every person will be 4 RIVERS - WATER, MILK, HONEY, AND PURE WINE.
4 springs - KAFOOR, ZANJABEEL, SALSABEEL, TASNEEM.

Every person will have -
The height of Adam (as) - 90 feet
The youth of Isa (as) - 30-33 years.
The beauty of Yusuf (as)
The sweet voice of Dawud (as)
The tolerance of Yaqub (as)
The patience of Ayub (as)
The noble character of Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

Today we run after scantily clad half naked women - actresses, singers and models who show their short lived beauty to all and sundry.
THE WOMEN OF JANNAH - HOURUL AIN WILL BE UNDESCRIBABLY BEAUTIFUL.
THEY WILL HAVE BIG BLACK EYES, BLACK HAIR, AND WHITE SKIN LIKE AN EGG.
A PERSON WILL JUST STARE AT HER FACE FOR 40 YEARS!
HER BREASTS WILL BE LIKE POMEGRANATES.
IF HER SALIVA HAD TO BE MIXED WITH THE OCEANS OF THIS WORLD, THEY WOULD ALL BECOME SWEET.
HER VOICE IS SO SWEET THAT IF THE DEAD COULD HEAR IT THEY WOULD COME ALIVE.
IF SHE JUST PUT THE CORNER OF HER SCARF IN THIS WORLD, THE WHOLE WORLD WOULD BECOME PERFUMED.
IF SHE WOULD JUST GLANCE IT THIS WORLD, EVEN THE LIGHT OF THE SUN WOULD BE DAZZLED AND OVERPOWERED.
A MAN WILL BE GIVEN THE POWER OF 100 MEN TO HAVE INTERCOURSE WITH HER. (NO NEED FOR VIAGRA)

Such beauty which we cannot even imagine nor fathom.
BUT LISTEN, OH MY DEAR BELOVED SISTERS-
A BELIEVING WOMAN WHO WILL ENTER JANNAH WILL BE 70,000 TIMES MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HUR!!!

So, why waste our time and energy for this useless world, when this is what we have been promised?
What is better, the short lived ephemeral pleasure of this world, or the eternal ecstacy of Jannah? You make the choice.
Isn't this worth striving for and making an effort for?
May Allah grant all of us Jannatul Firdaus, ameen.

Reflect and Ponder (14)

Just think about the following sayings which I read somewhere, aren't they so true and beautiful??

"Better brain drain than brain in the drain"  Meaning that, rather use your brain, and exercise it, make it tired, before it becomes useless, because if a brain remains idle, it loses its capabilities. So, let us use this bounty of Allah, and not let it waste away.

"Unique qualities germinate from the seeds of sacrifice" Today, we want to have good qualities, but we forget that we have to pay a price for them, they don't just come like that. When a person is put into in a difficult situation, and he perseveres and sacrifices, then definitely this will give rise to beautiful qualities.

THE REALITY OF KNOWLEDGE

 What is the reality of knowledge? Some people have this misconception that knowledge refers to words on paper.

That is just the outer form and appearance of knowledge. It is not the reality of knowledge. First of all, we have to clear this up that when we say knowledge, "ilm", we are referring to only the knowledge of Deen, not any other type of knowledge, because all of that isn't knowledge at all, just information that keeps changing. Yesterday they told us aspirin is very good, today they tell us it's bad. You can't call that ilm. Ilm is only that which has remained unchanged for more than 1400 years, and will remain like that till Qiyamah.

Okay, so knowledge in reality is not black on white, but rather it is a noor, a celestial light, which Allah puts into the hearts of his chosen ones. Because of this noor, a person gains the full understand of Deen, wisdom, and his heart expands to allow him to understand the reality of the world around him.

This expansion of the heart is known as Sharhus Sadr, and there are 3 signs that indicate towards it - 1)  Turning away from this world full of deception.
2.) Turning towards the place of eternity, the hereafter.
3.) Preparing for death before it comes.

This is the knowledge that we have to stive for, the noor of the heart.

My ustadh once told us that when he had gone to Palestine, he was told about a Jewish woman who had been teaching one of the hardest tafseers ever written, called Jalaalain, for the past 20 years! Imagine that, and she still never became Muslim!
What does that mean? It simply proves the fact that knowledge is from Allah. For this woman, it was just words on paper, the reality never entered her. That's not what we want.

May Allah grant all of us this reality, this noor, through which we can attain eternal success, amin.

AMERICAN AND NATO FEAR IN AFGHANISTAN

Julius Caesar has been famously reported to have made this statement, "we came, we saw, and we conquered."
The poor American and NATO forces, when they leave Afghanistan (that is if they ever leave), with their tails between their legs in the utter humiliation of defeat, will have to suffice with, "we came, we saw, we tried to conquer."

They will never publicly admit it, but defeat is written all over their 11 year campaign of spreading terrorism in the country.

The other thing they won't admit is that American and Nato soldiers are scared to the death, shivering, trembling in the field against the Taliban mujahideen. They literally dread every face off with the lions of Allah.

This might sound hilarious, but it's true, and it shows the effect that a true Muslim can have on his enemy - one of the leading newspapers in Pakistan , The News International, has named the US army in Afghanistan "Pamper Army!"  The reason?? It has been reported that numerous US soldiers, infact almost all of them, regularly soil their pants with excreta and urine, when they are in the battle field, out of fear for the Taliban!! So much fear and awe overtakes them that they cannot venture out of their heavily protected armoured personnel carriers (their vehicles) to go do their job outside, so they just do it there. So, rather than mess their pants, they have ordered huge amounts of diapers from their nearby allies, Pakistan! That way, while they are involved in fighting, they can excrete. In fact, the mere sight of the Taliban greatly fastens the process of excretion for even those who are constipated!!

This is the reality that "they" don't want you to know, because although it may be funny, it isn't for them, and they don't want the public to know just how much the American boys and girls are suffering out there.

What's more, their "die hard" allies, without whom they couldn't be in Afghanistan, the Afghanistani puppet army, is also turning against them. Many American and Nato soldiers have been lately killed by their Afghan allies. The generals of the army try in their pitiful way to downplay the whole situation saying that these are just stray cases. But, the reality is that more and more Afghan soldiers are realizing the mistake of siding up with Nato to wipe out their own Muslim brothers. How?
SubhanAllah, it's so amazing! They report that after a battle, when they walk through the battlefield, and on the ground lie the bodies of their soldiers, the American Nato soldiers, as well as the martyrs of the Taliban, then through the Qudrat of Allah, the bodies of these martyrs give of such a wonderful fragrance that they have never smelt something like it ever before. Just next to them, from the Afghan army soldiers', and Nato soldiers' bodies such a horrible stench and smell is emanating that they have to cover their noses! Seeing this, they realize the truth of the Taliban!

The mighty armies of the Roman Empire, the superpower of that time, were crushed by the small band of starving, ill - equipped Sahaba, and subsequently the Empire came crumbling down.

Today, we have America and Nato, superpowers who have all the technological power, nuclear power, and sophistacated weaponry at their disposal, yet they cannot defeat a group of mountain dwelling warriors with a paltry amount of rudimentary weapons! Why?
Allah says in the Quran, "And if among you there are twenty patient ones, you will conquer two hundred, and if you are a hundred, you will defeat a thousand kuffar. That is because they are a people lacking in intelligence"
SubhanAllah!! Doesn't that say it all??
The main thing is not equipment, but what is inside the heart. That's what Allah looks at, and according to that he sends his help.
Why are "they" so interested in a relatively small country on the other side of the world?
Because of Khilaafat! They know the unity of the Muslims is anathema for them, it will mean the end of their control, so they can't let it happen.

That is why the media won't tell you all these things! Because they are the ones who shape and control public opinion. They need to keep it in that direction, making people think that this is a national threat.
However, the reality is something else, as we can now see. If only we all could understand.

Reflect and Ponder (13)

When a person compares what he knows to what he doesn't, and he realizes that what he doesn't know is exponentially and infinitely greater beyond any comparison, they he will understand that he is jaahil, and will always remain a jaahil.

Reflect and Ponder (12)

If Allah has chosen someone for the service of His Deen, in any small way it may be, then this is such a magnanimous bounty the greatness of which is unimaginable. However, a person cannot get proud and conceited over this, and look down upon others, because the result of this is that the bounty will be snatched away and given to someone else. Rather, what we have to do is continuously make shukr - show our gratitude to Allah for choosing us, and ask Him to grant us and everybody else acceptance in His court, because, at the end of the day, that is what really counts.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME!!

What goes through our minds when we see a cube of ice sitting in the plate, slowly meltin away, drop by drop?
 Or when the lights go out and we see a candle burning, the wax dripping as it gets shorter and shorter?
 Or the bar of soap on the sides of our sinks, getting tinier everyday we use it, until one day we can't use it anymore?
 If we truly observe these everyday phenomena, we will have realized that these are all examples of our lives.

Allah Ta'ala has awarded us this short temporary worldly life as a priceless opportunity to attain His pleasure for eternity. Every second that we have in our hands is like an expensive pearl in need of our utmost protection so that it can be spent in the most profitable of actions. Thus we should refrain from wasting our time, and spending it in futile actions which will be of absolutely no benefit to us, not in this world, nor in the hereafter.

 If only we could realize the gravity of the matter. Every breath we take our time gets shorter, every second that passes by, our candle gets shorter, until one day it will be all gone, and the flame of our worldly life will be snuffed out forever, never to return. May Allah enable us to spend our time correctly, ameen.

Reflect and Ponder (11)

The Deen of Allah has become orphaned today. It screams and cries from all four corners of the world, but alas, there is no one to listen to these cries. Even those who are seemingly involved in the upliftment of Deen have the love of this world embedded in their hearts, and when this is the case, what can they achieve?? "Yaa asafaa" - what a regret that we spend our short lives which we had gotten to decorate our abode of the hereafter in trying to decorate our ephemeral abode in this world.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

The world is worth less than the wing of a mosquito in the eyes of Allah. The creator of the world, Allah himself curses the world, yet we spend day after day, month after month, year after year in trying to attain this witch in bridal clothing. While the world continues to run away from us, we are blindly running after it in a mad rat race, utterly oblivious to the fact that our stay here is short and temporary, like the stay of a rider taking rest under a tree, who then resumes his journey.

We blindly spend our entire lives in search of the elusive world, trying to get a grasp of it, and indulging in it to the fullest, while we don't even give a moment for preperation of the hereafter, which is eternal. Doesn't make sense does it? What's even more surprising is that we all know that our time in this world can end at any given moment, without warning, and without any advance notice, yet we turn a blind eye to this undeniable fact, a fact which no man has had the temerity to deny.

After spending our entire lives blindfolded to the truth, it is only after death that our eyes shall open to reality. Then, alas, it is too late. We were given time to realize the truth, and to traverse the straight path to success, albeit the path less travelled. We instead, chose to ignore the clear directions and instructions given to us, and preferred to go off-course and take the small side roads, assuming that we would eventually find success. Alas, it is only after our eyes close for the last time, never to see the light of this world again, do we realize that by taking the side roads and gullies, we got lost.

After death, it is too late to find our way back to the straight path, for the hereafter is a time of reckoning and not deeds, and NOW is the time to do the deeds that will keep us on the straight path, and prevent us from veering off into dark allies where Shaytan and his henchmen lurk. May Allah keep us on the straight path, amin.

Reflect and Ponder (10)

We will keep on speaking out against falsehood and deception till our last breath. To inform and warn the people about falsehood, and to expose its reality is the focal point in trying to ensure that the truth always stays on top, and that the Deen of Allah prevails. How can it, then, ever be wrong to cricise falsehood?? If you see a person walking straight towards a fire, shouldn't you warn the person about the fire, and explain to him/her its destructive quality before he plunges straight into it???

THE SUNNI - SHIA CONTROVERSY

Actually, it's not really any controversy, although that's what it's made up to be. The matter is quite simple and straightforward - Shias are not muslims, and they have absolutely nothing to do with Islam, contrary to the popular notion. Why aren't they Muslims will be the big question in anyone's mind who reads this. The reasons are too many to cover in this particular post, but shall be dealt with at a later stage.

Lexically, the word "shia" refers to a member of a particular party, or the followers of a particular person. Thus, the followers of Hadhrat Ali (RA) were known as the shia of Hadhrat Ali (RA), and this is in fact, how the term "shia" was coined (even though in reality these people are not his followers despite their claims.) The origins of the Shia can be traced back to Abdullah bin Saba, a jew who came from San'a, Yemen. He "accepted" Islam during the khilaafat of Hadhrat Uthman (RA), but was in actual fact a hypocrite masquerading under the guise of Islam, with the sole intention of spreading internal strife and wreaking havoc amongst the Muslims. When the enemy couldn't defeat the Muslims from outside, they infiltrated, and sought to destroy the Muslims from within by creating internal division and disunity, exactly what is happening today. Unfortunately, they are very successful at it, just like they were back then.
Abdullah bin Saba proceeded to iginite the flame of disloyalty and rebellion, that resulted in the viscious murder of Hadhrat Uthman (Ra), and which also led to the formation of the Shia sect.

After Hadhrat Ali (RA) beccame the khalifah, there was a group of people who were dissatisfied at the apparent indifference shown by the newly chosen khalifah concerning the murder of Hadhrat Uthman (RA). In actual fact, Hadhrat Ali (RA) had first hoped to stabilize his leadership, and calm the tense situation that prevailed, after which he could deal with the murderers of Hadhrat Uthman (RA). A group of people began rallying around Hadhrat Mu'awiyah (RA), the cousin of Hadhrat Uthman (RA), to avenge the murder of the khalifah. In the meanwhile, Ibn Saba was parading about, a wolf in sheep's clothing, spreading his poisonous venom. He claimed that Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had borrowed all his teachings from Ali (RA). He went to the extreme of elevating the rank of Hadhrat Ali (RA) to that of Allah, just as the Christians had raised the status of Hadhrat Isa (AS) to that of Allah. In this way, Ibn Saba instigated the Battle of Sifin as well as the Battle of Jamal, which pitted Hadhrat Ali (RA) against Hadhrat Aishah (RA).

After the martyrdom of Ali (RA), Hadhrat Hassan (RA) took over the reigns of khilafat for six months, but in order to avoid  further confrontation, he handed over the khilafah to Hadhrat Muawiyah (Ra). During the reign of Yazid bin Muawiyah, the people of Kufah tried to deceive Hadhrat Hussein (RA) into thinking that they would make him the khalifah. For this reason he set off towards Kufah, but he was confronted and martyred on the way at Karbalah. This event was exploited by the Shias, and formed the basis of their new religion. Note the fact that it was the shias themselves who murdered Hadhrat Hussein (Ra). Thus, Shiaism metamorphosed into a religious faction that took its roots in Persia, modern day Iraq and Iran.

The most fundemental difference between the Sunnis and Shias, and which is one of the reasons why Shias are not Muslim, is how the Shias view the Sahaba (RA), Ibn Saba spread the utterly preposterous claim that Hadhrat Ali (RA) had enjoined upon his followers to malign Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Hadhrat Umar (Ra). It is for this reason that Shias take delight in disrespecting, and hurling insults at the Sahaba (RA). They believe that all the Sahaba turned their backs on Islam, and became disbelievers except for three - Hadhrat Miqdad bin Aswad, Hadbrat Abu Dharr Gifari, and Hadhrat Salman Farsi (Ra). They also believe that the wives of the Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) were bereft of iman, and have levelled false as well as vulgar accusations at them. Which religion in this world insults the disciples of their own Prophet?? It is for this very reason that Shias have stooped to a level lower than any other people in the world, and as a result, they will be assigned to the deepest pit of Hell which is reserved for the hypocrites.
The Shias have since then been trying to uproot Islam and bore holes into it's foundation. The Sunni- Shia conflict has continued throughout the ages in Iraq. During the reign of Saddam Hussein, the Shias were relatively suppressed, but after the American led terrorist invasion, they have since re-emerged and now form a large majority of the American installed "government." May Allah protect this Umman from the actions and efforts of such deviants and miscreants. Amin.

Nafl in Ramdhan

As we approach the last 10 days of the blessed month of Ramadhan, it is necessary that we clear up a mas'ala which we have, unfortunately, by and large been ignoring, either because of lack of knowledge, or knowingly, for whatever reason.

Many people, in the last 10 days, attend the masjid perform nafl salaah in congregation, after the taraweeh salaah has been performed. They do this, obviously, thinking that it is a great act of reward, and that such "ibaadat" is what is required of us in the search for laylatul qadr.

Thus, it should be clear that according to the Hanafi madhab, to perform nafl salaah in congregation in the masjid is IMPERMISSIBLE AND A SIN. Nafl salaah on its own, when there are more than 3 muqtadis behind the imam is not permissible. Then the component of performing it in the masjid is also added, which is again, on its own, not permissible.

So, what we imagine to be reward accruing for us is not reward at all, rather it is nothing but sin. We are actually making an effort, and going out of our way to commit sin in the last 10 blessed nights!!

Please, let us realize our error and stop from attending such congregations. Nafl is a salaah to be read individually inside the home - this act is immensely rewardable, and what is required from us.

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) never performed nafl in the masjid. The reason is that nafl is not something to be advertised infront of all, rather it is a private matter between us and Allah.

Please let us inform our relatives, friends, all whom we know, so that they can be saved from this.

Reflect and Ponder (9)

Just to please the tastebuds for a few seconds, why sacrifice your hereafter by consuming doubtful food, especially sweets and chocolates? Is the hereafter so cheap that we can sell it away for a few seconds worth of tastebud pleasure??

IF THE DEAD COULD SPEAK

If the dead could speak, what part of the unseen would they reveal to us?

Some would probably recount to us the horrors they experienced at the time of death, or the horrendous punshment meted out to them in their graves.
On the other hand, the fortunate ones would elucidate on their swift deaths, the joys, pleasures, and ecstasies that were granted to them in their graves.

Perhaps an unfortunate person would describe his final moments in the following words, "I was peacefully asleep in my room, when suddenly my sweet dreams were interrupted by a very ghastly noise. I opened my eyes, and staring at my face was the Angel of death. I abruptly sat up in my bed, shivering out of fear, tears streaming down my face.

I screamed at the angel, 'NO! NOT YET, I'M NOT YET READY. GIVE ME A CHANCE, SOME RESPITE ....!!'
My life flashed in front of my face as if in film frames. I had spent my entire life disobeying Allah, not once pondering over my hereafter. I'd been so busy having 'fun' - gamblling, drinking, flirting with women, that I had no time for worship. Now, as the angel of death moved towards me saying, 'Your time is up, you were given sufficient opportunities,' I knew that only punishment awaited me."

One of the inevitable realities that none can escape is death. Allah says in the Quran, "Every soul shall taste death."

Our time of death has long before been decreed and it cannot be delayed one second (however hard some Russian scientists try). Only good deeds will help us secure an abode in the everlasting paradise. Anas bin Malik narrates that The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "Three things follow a dead man to his grave. Two return, and one remains with him. His wealth, family, and deeds follow him. His wealth and family return, and his deeds remain behind. (Muslim)

Let us face it  - life is extremely short, and will pass by quickly. Death can occur at any second without prior notice. Every second is precious. By the mercy of Allah, we have been given an opportunity in this world to adorn our hereafter. In these priceless moments which we will never get back, let us focus all our efforts towards attaining the pleasure of Allah. May Allah grant us all death with Iman, ameen.

Reflect and Ponder (8)

A child should sometimes be ignored, because if he gets all the attention all the time, he will come to believe that he's only one who matters in the world, and no one else. This will then later develop into pride, arrogance, and selfishness, and he will stop caring for those around him, so long as his wants and desires are being fulfilled. This is extremely destructive, and this is actually what eats away at our social community structure.

DEADLY DECEPTION

My dear brothers and sisters, ponder over the following two scenarios. The first one- an extremely wealthy man sleeps peacefully on his gigantic four poster bed, a soft luxurious mattress covered with a flashily decorated silken bed spread. He is in a state of complete satiation and satisfaction, having partaken of the most sumptious and luxurious of foods. His house is a humongous palace. Now, contemplate over the second situation, a man sitting in a cold, bare, dark office room. He is exhausted, his eyelids are closing as if an invisible power continuously pushes them down, but he unrelentingly continues to work.

A quick glance at these two scenarios will draw a predictable reaction. You will be envious of the first man, and feel pity for the second. However, with an additional aspect added into each situation, your view will take a 180 degree turn. In the first one, the man is sleeping comfortably, but little does he know that a vicious fire is raging in his house and is about to enter his roon and totally envelope him. In the second, the man is working the entire night on a contract that will earn him a million dollars by the morning. Knowing this, you will retract your first reaction.

What do we learn from this example? Firstly, that we should not allow the glitter and glamour of this world to beguile us, to make us blind to the reality of life and oblivious of the fire of Hell which is closing in on us as a result of our deeds. Today we see celebrities - Hollywood stars, pop stars, sports stars, and all other kinds of "stars" wallowing in fame and an endless flow of money, and our hearts flutter with the thought, that oh, if only I was in the same place. This is because we have allowed ourselves to become mesmerized by the show and shine, not once thinking about their inside lives which are devoid of any vestiges of happiness, filled only with misery, sorrow, and heartache. It is all nothing but a deception carefully crafted and designed to lure us into it's unrelenting clutches. Sadly, we fall for it hook line and sinker.

Secondly, that we should be constantly making a concerted effort towards the upliftment of Deen, no matter how tired we get, because we know for a fact that when the sun of the temporary wordly life dips below the horizon and enters the eternal stage, Allah will not allow our efforts in this path to go unrewarded. May Allah extract from our hearts the love of this world and instil within us an ardent desire for the Hereafter. Ameen.

HIROSHIMA - ANNIVERSARY OF TERRORISM

67 years ago, in August of 1945, the US government (or rather, the "higher authorities" which control the government) sentenced the entire city of Hiroshima and it's innocent unwary inhabitants to death in the first Atomic bomb attack in the history of human existence.

Ironically, (or maybe not) the grandson of the "Terrorist in chief" of that time, the man responsible for the perpetration of this vilest and cruelest act of "legal" terrorism, whose hands were soiled in the blood of more than 140,000 people, and countless others not accounted for, the man who "commanded" this genocide, President Harry Truman was in Japan, infact in Hiroshima, to "celebrate" this momentous achievment of his grandfather - the physical, mental, and social destruction of an entire populace.

In case people are unaware, the biggest terrorists in the world are those that sit in the oval office, not the poor stone throwing Palestinian child being ruthlessly gunned down by Israeli soldiers, nor "myths" hiding out in the caves of the Tora Bora mountains.

Some might clamour out, "but they attacked Pearl Harbour!!"
Well, how many know that Pearl Harbour was a self engineered smoke screen? It was President
Roosevelt (FDR) who was ordered to engineer this attack so that the US could plunge into WW2, and create an excuse for dropping the A-bomb!
Sounds familiar? 9-11 was also a self engineered attack that was used as a jumping board to pin the blame on the very countries they wanted to maim, and to then proceed with carpet bombing them into smithereens. You see how these people work??

However, even though this elite group of heartless satanists who control almost every government in this world, the ones who ordered Truman and FDR to do what they did, have at their disposal all the nuclear power they could wish for, enough to annihilate the entire world, they don't have Allah on their side.
Allah says in the Quran, "They plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners."

However, what are WE doing to build that unbreakable connection with Allah? What are we doing to make sure Allah's help stays with us? Unfortunately NOTHING.
Today, the Muslim Ummah, far from standing up against and opposing this continuous onslaught, has actually sided with the enemy, and is playing a vital part in the effort to eradicate Islam.
If Muslims stand together, united, with full conviction and reliance in their hearts on the promises of Allah, then all the nuclear power in the world can't harm one hair.
But when will the Muslims realize this?? When will they awaken from their  slumber??

Reflect and Ponder (7)

If you try to keep each and every person happy, and constantly worry about how to get this done, then you will never be able to achieve anything in life, you will not be able to move ahead and get to your goals. To keep everyone happy all the time is a clear impossibility the pursuit of which is utterly futile, and this is the one of the biggest obstacles for a person trying to do something useful with his life. So, don't worry about what people think, just go ahead with what you have to do, provided of course, that it is something good.

Reflect and Ponder (6)

Knowledge exists potentially in the human soul, just like a seed in the soil waiting to germinate. By learning, the potential becomes actual.

ARREST OF A TUNISIAN ALCOHOLIC IS ISLAMISM? FUNDAMENTALISM? FANATICISM?

These are the derogatory terms that the media loves to flaunt about (which, infact, it has been commanded to do by it's controlling "higher authorities" for whom it works, and to which it is answerable to) in it's unending campaign to undermine Islam. The poor unsuspecting masses, much like cattle happily munching on whatever fodder they are given, laps all of it up, believing it to be 100% true, not bothering the least bit to investigate whether the rubbish they are being fed has even the shadow of reality clinging to it or not. It's not their fault. After all, when billions of taxpayers' dollars are being spent in the effort to mentally program, brainwash, and control those very same taxpayers, then what else can you expect?

In a recent news story, the arrest of a Tunisian "Muslim" man for openly consuming alcohol is termed a result of an Islamist movement.

The media wants to push down our throats (and obviously it has been very successful at it) it's claim that these very sinister sounding terms refer to an aberration from the norm, not what Islam actually is. According to "them", only that Islam is acceptable which bows it's head down in total subjugation to their whims and fancies in "their" overt campaign to rid the world of religion, morality and order, in the same way that a helpless and docile sheep bows it's head to go under the knife.

Wikipedia (which is also under the "higher authorities"), defines Islamism as
"The belief that Islam should govern social, political, as well as personal life."
Amazing! That matches up exactly to what we have been commanded by Allah in the Quran - "Enter into Islam in totality and don't follow the footsteps of Satan."  Doesn't totality include social, political and personal life??
Wow! So this means that these terms refer to, not withstanding the erroneous (or perhaps purposeful) inclusion of deviant sects such as Shiaism, Salafism, and Maudoodism, the actual reality of Islam, it's very existence, such a concept without which it cannot even be termed as Islam.
Infact, what is being conveyed in this verse is that our typical modernised, westernised Muslim who has absolutely no vestige of his Islamic identity left besides a name and an occasional prayer, is following Satan. That is exactly what "they" want because "they" take Satan to be their god!

So next time we see these names appearing in the media (which is probably not to long away as the media is addicted to them), let us stop, think, and ponder over the reality, and how the screen is being pulled over our eyes.