10.15.2014

The Merits Of The Sahaabah (Companions), By Shaykh Muhammad Bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaymîn (d.1421 AH)


A Sahâbî (Companion) is anyone that met the Prophet (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) while believing in him, and dying upon that condition.
The Companions (Sahâbah) of the Prophet (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) are the best from all those that accompanied the prophets, due to the statement of Allâh’s Messenger (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “The best of people are my Companions.” [1] Al-Bukhârî and others have reported this hadîth.
The best among the Sahâbah are the Muhâjirûn (those who performed the migration from Makkah to Madînah), due to their combining between migrating and giving support (in Allâh’s Cause). Then after them, are the Ansâr.
The best among the Muhâjirûn are the four righteous Khalîfahs: Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmân and ‘Alî.
Abu Bakr – He is “As-Siddîq” ‘Abdullâh bin ‘Uthmân bin ‘آmir from the Tribe of Taym bin Marrah bin Ka’ab. He was the first male to believe in the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He was his companion in the migration (Hijrah) and his deputy during times of prayer and Hajj. He was his Khalîfah (designated successor) for his nation. Five of those who were given the glad tidings of Paradise accepted Islâm through his hands.
They are ‘Uthmân, Az-Zubair, Talha, ‘Abd-ur-Rahmân bin ‘Awf and Sa’ad bin Abî Waqqâs. He died in Jumâdal-Al-Akhirah, in the 13th year of Hijrah, when he was 63 years old. The above five along with Abu Bakr, ‘Alî bin Abî Tâlib and Zayd bin Hârithah form the eight that were the first of people to accept Islâm. Ibn Ishâq stated this and what he meant by it, was that they were the first from amongst the males, after (the advent of) the Message.
‘Umar – He is Abu Hafs “Al-Fârûq” ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattâb from the tribe of ‘Adiyy bin Ka’ab bin Lu’â. He accepted Islâm in the sixth year after the Prophet (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was sent, after nearly forty men and eleven women (had accepted Islâm). The Muslims were overjoyed by that occasion and Islâm spread in Makkah afterward. Abu Bakr entrusted him with the leadership of the Muslim nation, and so he rose to the hardship of the Khilâfah in the best manner. This was until he was killed and died as a martyr in Dhul-Hijjah of the year 23 H, at the age of 63.
Uthmân - He is Abu ‘Abdillâh “Dhun-Nûrain” ‘Uthmân bin ‘Affân from the tribe of Umayyah bin ‘Abd-ish-Shams bin ‘Abd Manâf. He accepted Islâm after the Prophet’s entrance into Dâr-ul-Arqam. He was a rich and generous man. He was given the Khilâfah after ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattâb (radyAllâhu ‘anhu), due to the agreement of the members of the governing body. He remained Khalîfah until he was killed and martyred in Dhul-Hijjah in the year 35 H. He was 90 years old at the time of his death, according to one of several opinions.
‘Alî – He is Abul-Hasan ‘Alî bin Abî Tâlib. The name of Abu Tâlib was ‘Abd Manâf bin ‘Abd-il-Muttallib. He was the first from the youth to accept Islâm. The Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) gave him the banner on the Day of Khaibar and Allâh granted victory at his hands. He was given the Khilâfah after the murder of ‘Uthmân. Thus, he became the Khalîfah, governing until he was killed himself, and martyred in the month of Ramadân in the 40 H, at the age of 63 .
The best of these four is Abu Bakr, then’Umar, then’Uthmân, then’Alî. This is based on the report of Ibn ‘Umar (radyAllâhu ‘anhu):
“We used to make preference between the people during the time of the Prophet (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam). So we preferred Abu Bakr, then ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattâb, then ‘Uthmân bin ‘Affân.” This was reported by Al-Bukhârî. [2]
It is also based on (the hadîth) in Abu Dawûd:
“We used to say, while the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was alive: The best of the Prophet’s ummah after him, is Abu Bakr, then ‘Umar, then ‘Uthmân.” At-Tabarânî added to this in his report: “The Prophet would hear that and he would not oppose it.”
I did not find the wording that the author mentions, in which there is the addition of ‘Alî bin Abî Tâlib. [3]
The most deserving from them of the Khilâfah, after the Prophet, was Abu Bakr (radyAllâhu ‘anhu). This is since he was the best of them and foremost to them in accepting Islâm. Also, the Prophet (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) preferred him to lead the prayer. Furthermore, the Sahâbah agreed upon his superiority and upon giving him the oath of allegiance (bay’ah). And it is not befitting for Allâh to unite them in agreement upon an error. Then ‘Umar, since he was the best of the Sahâbah after Abu Bakr and because Abu Bakr entrusted the Khilâfah to him. Then ‘Uthmân, due to his merits and due to his election by the Majlis Ash-Shûrâ (governing body). They are the ones mentioned in this verse from a poem:
“‘Alî, ‘Uthmân, Sa’ad and Talha. Zubair and Dhu ‘Awf — members of the governing body.”
Then comes ‘Alî, due to his merits and the consensus of the Muslims of his time upon it. These four are the rightly guided Khalîfahs, whom the Prophet (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said concerning them:
“Stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Khalîfahs after me. Bite onto it (the Sunnah) with your molar teeth.“
And he (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The Khilâfah after me will endure for thirty years.” Ahmad, Abu Dawûd and At-Tirmidhî reported this hadîth and Al-Albânî said that its chain of narration was hasan. Thus, the last part of it, was the Khilâfah of ‘Alî. This is as the author has stated and it is as if he places the Khilâfah of Al-Hasan subordinate to his father’s or just doesn’t acknowledge it (i.e. Al-Hasan’s Khilâfah) at all, due to his yielding it.
The Khilâfah of Abu Bakr (radyAllâhu ‘anhu) endured for two years, three months and nine nights, from the 13th of Rabî’-ul-Awwal 11 H to the 22nd of Jumâdal-Akhirah 13 H.
The Khilâfah of ‘Umar (radyAllâhu ‘anhu) lasted ten years, six months and three days, from the 23 rd of Jumâdal-Akhirah 13 H to the 26th of Dhul-Hijjah 23 H.
The Khilâfah of ‘Uthmân (radyAllâhu ‘anhu) lasted twelve years minus 12 days, from the month of Muharram 24 H to the 18th of Dhul-Hijjah 35 H.
The Khilâfah of ‘Alî (radyAllâhu ‘anhu) lasted four years and nine months from the 19th of Dhul-Hijjah 35 H to the 19th of Ramadân 40 H. Combined, the Khilâfah of these four (Companions) lasted twenty-nine years, six months and four days.
Thereafter, Al-Hasan bin ‘Alî (radyAllâhu ‘anhu) was given the oath of allegiance on the day that his father, ‘Alî died. Then, in the month of Rabî’-ul-Awwal 41 H, the command was given to Mu’awiyah (radyAllâhu ‘anhu) and due to that, the signs which the Prophet (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) spoke of in his statement: “The Khilâfah after me will endure for thirty years”and his statement: “Indeed, this son of mine is a Sayyid (noble) and perhaps it will be that Allâh will bring peace between two large parties (i.e. that of Al-Hasan and Mu’awiyah) through him“[4] came to pass.
Al-Hasan was the grandson of the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and the fruit of his offspring. He was the Amîr-ul-Mu’minîn (Commander of the Believers), son of the Amîr-ul-Mu’minîn ‘Alî bin Abî Tâlib. He was born on the 15 th of Ramadân in the third year after Hijrah. He died while in Madînah and was buried in the graveyard Al-Baqî’ in Rabî-ul-Awwal 50 H.
Al-Husayn was the grandson of the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and the fruit of his offspring. He was the son of ‘Alî bin Abî Tâlib. He was born in Sha’bân in the fourth year after Hijrah and was killed at Karbala on the tenth of Muharram 61 H.
Footnotes:
[1] Sahîh Al-Bukhârî: Book of the Virtues of the Companions of the Prophet (no.3651 ) and Sahîh Muslim: Book of the Virtues of the Companions (no. 2533) from the hadîth of Ibn Mas’ûd (radyAllâhu ‘anhu). It is also reported on the authority of ‘Imrân bin Husayn (radyAllâhu ‘anhu) in Al-Bukhârî (no.2561 ,3650 , 6438 &6695 ) and Muslim (no.2535 ). Abu Hurairah (radyAllâhu ‘anhu) also reported it in Muslim (no.534 ) as well as others. Furthermore, this is a mutawâtir hadîth. Al-Hâfidh Ibn Hajr stated the correctness of it being mutawâtir in the introduction to his Al-Isâbah.
[2] Sahîh Al-Bukhârî: Book of the Virtues of the Companions (no.3655 ). And in another wording found in Al-Bukhârî (no.3697 ), it states:
“During the lifetime of the Prophet, we used to not put anyone equal to Abu Bakr, then (the same was with) ‘Umar, then (the same was with) ‘Uthmân. Then we left the (remaining) Companions of the Prophet alone, not distinguishing between any of them.”
[3] Isnâduhu Sahîh: This is an authentic hadîth reported by Abu Dawûd (4628), At-Tirmidhî (3707) and Ibn Abî ‘آsim in As-Sunnah (1190). Its chain of narration (isnâd) is authentic as has been stated by Al-Albânî in his checking to As-Sunnah (2/567). As for the addition that Shaikh Ibn Al-‘Uthaimîn has mentioned, which is found in At-Tabarânî, which is: ” The Prophet would hear that and he would not oppose it”, then it is an authentic addition, which is established in many paths of narration found in Ibn Abî ‘آsim (1194,1195 , 1196 &1197 ), Ahmad (2/14) and others with authentic chains. Refer to the checking of Ibn Abî ‘آsim’s As-Sunnah (2/568-569) as well as Fath-ul-Bârî (7/16-17)
[4] Sahîh Al-Bukhârî: Book of Peace Making (no.2704 ) from the hadîth of Abu Bakrah (radyAllâhu ‘anhu).



‘Umar’s Respect To The Wives Of The Prophet (saw)

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‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab was very protective of the Prophet’s wives. They were all very innocent and pious and yet, as ‘Umar certainly remembered, that did not stop the hypocrite ‘Abdullaah Ibn Ubay from slandering ‘Aa’ishah. Thus, ‘Umar would do everything in his power to safeguard the honour of the Prophet’s wives.
So when the Prophet’s wives asked ‘Umar to perform Hajj, he denied their request. Then, when they continued to implore him for permission, he met them halfway, saying to them: “I will grant you permission to go the following year, and yet even that is something I do not truly agree with.
The following year,’Umar sent ‘Uthmaan Ibn ‘Affaan and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn ‘Awf to accompany the Mothers of the believers during their pilgrimage. And ‘Umar gave both of them strict orders; one of them was to walk ahead of the Prophet’s wives, and the other was to walk behind them. They were not to allow anyone to walk alongside the Prophet’s wives. When they had to stop to set up camp, they were to set up camp in a mountain pass (an enclosed area); as long as the Prophet’s wives rested inside the mountain pass, they were to stand guard at the entrance of the mountain pass; they were to allow no one to enter upon the Prophet’s wives.
And when the Prophet’s wives performed Tawaaf around the Ka’bah, they were to forbid all men from performing Tawaaf at the same time.
[Tabaqaat, by Ibn Sa'd, 8/109]

10.10.2014

Allah multiplies the reward for good deeds


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By Abu Amina Elias for FaithinAllah.org
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Allah the Generous, in His infinite mercy, will multiply the good deeds of His righteous servants up to seven hundred times as much or even more.
Allah said:
مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed which grows seven spikes, in each spike is a hundred grains. Allah multiplies His reward for whom He wills, for Allah is vast and knowing.
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:261
Like a single seed from which springs forth hundreds of grains, Allah will cause the good deeds of His righteous servants to grow and multiply in a similar manner.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
مَا تَصَدَّقَ أَحَدٌ بِصَدَقَةٍ مِنْ طَيِّبٍ وَلَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا الطَّيِّبَ إِلَّا أَخَذَهَا الرَّحْمَنُ بِيَمِينِهِ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ تَمْرَةً فَتَرْبُو فِي كَفِّ الرَّحْمَنِ حَتَّى تَكُونَ أَعْظَمَ مِنْ الْجَبَلِ كَمَا يُرَبِّي أَحَدُكُمْ فَلُوَّهُ أَوْ فَصِيلَهُ
None gives charity from what is good, for Allah only accepts what is good, but that the Merciful takes it with His right hand. Even if it is a date, it is nurtured in the hand of the Merciful until it becomes greater than a mountain, just as one of you nurtures his young horse or camel.
Source: Sahih Muslim 1014, Grade: Sahih
In contrast, Allah will not multiple our sins, but rather He only records each sin as a single sin.
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ ثُمَّ بَيَّنَ ذَلِكَ فَمَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حَسَنَةً كَامِلَةً وَإِنْ هَمَّ بِهَا فَعَمِلَهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عِنْدَهُ عَشْرَ حَسَنَاتٍ إِلَى سَبْعِ مِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ إِلَى أَضْعَافٍ كَثِيرَةٍ وَإِنْ هَمَّ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حَسَنَةً كَامِلَةً وَإِنْ هَمَّ بِهَا فَعَمِلَهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ سَيِّئَةً وَاحِدَةً
Verily, Allah has recorded good and bad deeds and He made them clear. Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, then Allah will record it as a complete good deed. If he intends to do it and does so, then Allah the Exalted will record it as ten good deeds up to seven hundred times as much or even more. If he intends to do a bad deed and does not do it, then Allah will record for him one complete good deed. If he does it then Allah will record for him a single bad deed.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 6126, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
We ought to take advantage of Allah’s mercy in this regard by performing many good deeds. Even good deeds we might see as ordinary, such as sending blessings upon the Prophet or giving the Islamic greeting, can be multiplied ten times.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرًا
Whoever sends blessings upon me once will have Allah send blessings upon him ten times.
Source: Sahih Muslim 408, Grade: Sahih
Imran ibn Hussein reported: A man came to the Prophet and he said, “Peace be upon you.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
عَشْرٌ
Ten good deeds.
Then another man came to the Prophet and he said, “Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.” The Prophet said:
عِشْرُونَ
Twenty good deeds.
Then another man came to the Prophet and he said, “Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.” The Prophet said:
ثَلَاثُونَ
Thirty good deeds.
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2689, Grade: Sahih
Even more, great deeds involving sacrifice and determination are multiplied up to seven hundred times.
Abu Mas’ud reported: A man came with a bridled camel and he said, “This is for the cause of Allah.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لَكَ بِهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ سَبْعُ مِائَةِ نَاقَةٍ كُلُّهَا مَخْطُومَةٌ
You will have for it seven hundred camels on the Day of Resurrection. Each of them will be bridled.
Source: Sahih Muslim 1892, Grade: Sahih
In fact, this can apply to all good deeds except fasting, which is given a special and even greater reward from Allah.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ يُضَاعَفُ الْحَسَنَةُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا إِلَى سَبْعمِائَة ضِعْفٍ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَّا الصَّوْمَ فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ
Every deed of the son of Adam is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times. Allah the Exalted says: Except for fasting, for it is done for my sake and I will reward it.
Source: Sahih Muslim 1151, Grade: Sahih
Good deeds that involve a number of people will cause many rewards to be distributed among them without decreasing each other’s rewards.
Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إِذَا أَنْفَقَتْ الْمَرْأَةُ مِنْ طَعَامِ بَيْتِهَا غَيْرَ مُفْسِدَةٍ كَانَ لَهَا أَجْرُهَا بِمَا أَنْفَقَتْ وَلِزَوْجِهَا أَجْرُهُ بِمَا كَسَبَ وَلِلْخَازِنِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ لَا يَنْقُصُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَجْرَ بَعْضٍ شَيْئًا
When a woman spends in charity from her house’s meal without wasting it, then she will have a reward from what she spent. Her husband will have a reward from what he earned and the storekeeper will have a similar reward. Their rewards will not decrease each other in anything.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 1359, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
By very simple and regular deeds, we can earn many rewards and erase many of our minor sins, but Satan causes many Muslims to forget to say their basic supplications after prayer and before sleeping.
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
خَصْلَتَانِ أَوْ خَلَّتَانِ لَا يُحَافِظُ عَلَيْهِمَا رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ إِلَّا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ هُمَا يَسِيرٌ وَمَنْ يَعْمَلُ بِهِمَا قَلِيلٌ تُسَبِّحُ اللَّهَ عَشْرًا وَتَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ عَشْرًا وَتُكَبِّرُ اللَّهَ عَشْرًا فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ فَذَلِكَ مِائَةٌ وَخَمْسُونَ بِاللِّسَانِ وَأَلْفٌ وَخَمْسُ مِائَةٍ فِي الْمِيزَانِ وَتُسَبِّحُ ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ وَتَحْمَدُ ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ وَتُكَبِّرُ أَرْبَعًا وَثَلَاثِينَ عَطَاءٌ لَا يَدْرِي أَيَّتُهُنَّ أَرْبَعٌ وَثَلَاثُونَ إِذَا أَخَذَ مَضْجَعَهُ فَذَلِكَ مِائَةٌ بِاللِّسَانِ وَأَلْفٌ فِي الْمِيزَانِ فَأَيُّكُمْ يَعْمَلُ فِي الْيَوْمِ أَلْفَيْنِ وَخَمْسَ مِائَةِ سَيِّئَةٍ
There are two practices that will admit a Muslim into Paradise if he preserves them both. They are easy although those who practice them are few. It is to glorify Allah ten times and to praise Allah ten times and to exalt Allah ten times at the end of every prayer, for it is one hundred and fifty upon the tongue but one thousand five hundred upon the scale. And it is to glorify Allah thirty three times and to praise Allah thirty three times and to exalt Allah thirty four times when going to sleep, for it is one hundred upon the tongue and one thousand upon the scale. So which of you would commit two thousand five hundred sins in a day?
They said, “O Messenger of Allah, how are they easy but few practice them?” The Prophet said:
يَأْتِي أَحَدَكُمْ الشَّيْطَانُ إِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ فَيُذَكِّرُهُ حَاجَةَ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَيَقُومُ وَلَا يَقُولُهَا فَإِذَا اضْطَجَعَ يَأْتِيهِ الشَّيْطَانُ فَيُنَوِّمُهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَهَا
Satan comes to one of you during prayer and incites him to remember a need so he leaves the prayer without saying them, and Satan comes to him when he goes to bed and lulls him to sleep without saying them.
Source: Musnad Ahmad 6871, Grade: Sahih
Even with such a tremendous advantage for earning good deeds, we must still be cautious not to fall into sins that destroy our good deeds and prevent them from being multiplied. The truly bankrupt Muslims are those who come on the Day of Judgment with some good deeds, only to see them destroyed by their many sins.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
أَتَدْرُونَ مَا الْمُفْلِسُ
Do you know who is bankrupt?
They said, “The one without money or goods is bankrupt.” The Prophet said:
إِنَّ الْمُفْلِسَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِصَلَاةٍ وَصِيَامٍ وَزَكَاةٍ وَيَأْتِي قَدْ شَتَمَ هَذَا وَقَذَفَ هَذَا وَأَكَلَ مَالَ هَذَا وَسَفَكَ دَمَ هَذَا وَضَرَبَ هَذَا فَيُعْطَى هَذَا مِنْ حَسَنَاتِهِ وَهَذَا مِنْ حَسَنَاتِهِ فَإِنْ فَنِيَتْ حَسَنَاتُهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُقْضَى مَا عَلَيْهِ أُخِذَ مِنْ خَطَايَاهُمْ فَطُرِحَتْ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ طُرِحَ فِي النَّارِ
Verily, the bankrupt of my nation are those who come on the Day of Resurrection with prayers, fasting, and charity, but also with insults, slander, consuming wealth, shedding blood, and beating others. The oppressed will each be given from his good deeds. If his good deeds run out before justice is fulfilled, then their sins will be cast upon him and he will be thrown into the Hellfire.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2581, Grade: Sahih
Therefore, we must strive to perform many good deeds regularly and be careful not to ruin them with sins.
We ask Allah to accept our deeds and to multiply them in Paradise and to protect us from evil deeds and the destruction they cause in the Hereafter.
Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.

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How to Prepare For Your Appointment with Allah


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Many a days go by in which we don’t even think about the most important meeting of your existence? Let’s have a look at six ways you can prepare for the appointment of all appointments— standing before Allah ‘azza wa jall!
Allah says:  And they will be presented before your Lord in rows, [and He will say], You have certainly come to Us just as We created you the first time. But you claimed that We would never make for you an appointment.[Quran, 18:49]
The appointment is made
Can you imagine the moment of the Day of Judgement when Allah Himself will come with the angels, and Paradise and Hell will be brought forward? And your Lord comes with the angels in rows. [Quran, 89:22]
You know that you will soon stand before Him, personally, one by one, to be judged. People are divided into two categories: 1). people with bright faces, due to their happiness, standing there looking at their Lord, and 2). people with darkened faces, due to their bad deeds. [Some] faces, that Day, will be radiant, looking at their Lord.  And [some] faces, that Day, will be contorted, expecting that there will be done to them [something] backbreaking. [Quran, 75:22-25]
Start thinking about yourself standing there . . .
If you get your book (of deeds) in your right hand, you will go to Paradise, and may Allah make us one of them. If you receive your book in your left hand you will go to the Hellfire; may Allah save us.
Apart from your book of deeds there will be more witnesses for you on the day. Let’s learn a preparation lesson from each of them, inshaa’Allah!

1. Add good things to the book of your deeds.

Allah ‘azza wa jall continues in surah Al-Kahf, the surah which is a sunnah to read on Friday, the day the Resurrection will occur: And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, “Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?” And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one. [Quran 18:49]
The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam said: The first thing the people will be accountable for on the Day of Judgment is prayer, Allah will say to His angels: ‘Look at my servants prayers. Were they complete or not?’ If they were complete it will be written as complete. If they were not fully complete Allah will say: ‘See if my servant has voluntary prayers, if he has them Allah will say: Complete his obligatory prayers shortage with his voluntary prayers.’ Then the rest of his deeds will be dealt with in the same manner. [Ahmad, Abu Dawood, An-Nasaa’i, Al-Haakim]
Action: Make it your priority to pray your five daily prayers on time and learn to understand whatever you recite in them to increase your khushoo.Remember this hadith and let it motivate you to do those extra sunnah prayers.

2. Use those limbs wisely. 

This Day, We shall seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn. [Quran, 36:65]
Action: Be aware of how you use your limbs. When you are about to go to a place with forbidden (haraam) activities, remember this moment when your actual legs will tell Allah ‘azza wa jall. When you are about to touch somethingharaam, whether it be your tablet to listen to music, or your remote control to watch something forbidden, think of the moment your hands will reveal you, while in the world you might have been able to keep it behind closed doors.

3. Remember that angels are listening.

There are two angels, one on your left and one on your right, who record everything you do or say. Think about this. It might not be visual now, but it is real and it will come back to you. Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record]. [Quran, 50:17]
Action: Note here that each word you say will be recorded. Here is a great reminder for one of the most common major sins we commit: gheebah(gossip or backbiting). Remind yourself that everything you say about a person that they would not like you to mention to others, even if it’s true, falls under gheebah. Whenever you feel tempted to speak about someone in a wrong way, visualize the angel sitting next to you, ready to write each word down.

 4. Deal justly with others.

Both the justice and injustice you’ve done to other people will be presented on this day.
Action: Whenever you have wronged someone, force yourself to make it up and don’t delay.  Why? Imagine the angel of death comes to take your soul before you said that deserved “sorry” and you will find yourself in need of just one more good deed on the Day of Judgement to be admitted to Paradise.
But wait— the people you wronged will come and take away your good deeds! Whoever wronged his brother with regard to his honour or any other matter, should seek his forgiveness today, before there are no longer any dinars, or dirhams; and if he has any righteous deeds, they will be taken from him, in accordance with the wrong he did; and if he has no hasanaat, some of the sayi`aat of his counterpart will be taken and added to his burden.[Authentic; Al-Bukharee]

5. Ask Allah to make you of the people of the Quran.

And the Qur’an is a proof for you or against you [Authentic; Muslim] and So how [will it be] when We bring from every nation a witness and we bring you, [O Muhammad] against these [people] as a witness? [Quran, 4:41]
Action: Ask Allah to make you of the people of the Quran, of those who recite correctly, understand and apply its lessons and instructions, and work for it. Spend at least each day a certain amount of time on the Quran. And strive for intercession of the Prophet. How? By reviving his sunnah! Make it a mission to learn a new sunnah at least each week, practicing it and conveying it to others.

6. Let the earth testify good of you; move around to make sujood.

That Day it (the Earth) will declare its information (about all what happened over it of good or evil) [Quran, 99:4]
Action: A beautiful example is how the earth will testify of where you prostrated. A simple tip is to make sujood on as many different places as possible; for example move around for your voluntary prayer after your obligatory prayer so more places of the earth will testify for you, inshaa’Allah!

 GatewaytoQuran

10.03.2014

Qurbani on Eid ul Azha



What is Qurbani?
Qurbani in Islamic terms means the slaughtering of an animal with the intention of getting close to Allah (SWT) by giving some or all of the meat to the poor and destitute. Animals that can be sacrificed are goats, cows and camels. They are sacrificed on the day of Eid-ul-Adha and also on the three days after (the 11, 12 and 13th of Dhulhijjah).

What are the Benefits of Qurbani?
Giving meat to the poor and destitute as required when doing Qurbani spreads happiness so they may also enjoy the event of Eid-ul-Adha as it is a time of celebration and festivities for all Muslims.

Who should give Qurbani?
Persons who possess Nisab (minimum amount of wealth requiring them to pay Zakat) should give Qurbani.  It is not obligatory (fard) but is highly recommended (wajib)* according to the Hanafi school of thought. However, Qurbani is a Sunnah act according to the Shafi, Hanbali, Maliki, and Jafari schools of thought.

What are the Requirements for Qurbani?
The animals to be slaughtered must be a goat, sheep, cattle (cow, ox, water buffalo), or camel. Goats and sheep have to be at least one year old.For cows the age must be at least two years old.  Camels must be at least five years old.  Goats and sheep count as one share per animal. Cattle and camels count as seven shares per animal.
They must be free from any form of handicap such as blind, sick, limp and undernourished. It also must be free of any defects such as a cut-off ear, tail, broken teeth,or broken horn. However, the goat/sheep can be used if only a few teeth are broken and most teeth are still intact. In addition, if its horn is broken midway and not from the root, it is permissible to use such an animal. Injuries sustained during the qurbani do not invalidate the qurbani.
The animals must be slaughtered in the appropriate humane ways. It has to be done by a Muslim adhering to the Islamic way of slaughtering the animal.

When Should Qurbani be Performed?
The time for performing Qurbani starts from sunrise after the performance of the Eid-ul-Adha prayers which falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah until the sunsets on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. The best time is to perform the act of Qurbani immediately after the completion of the Eid-ul-Adha prayers.
It was reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
The first thing that we do on the day of Eid is to perform the prayers. Then we go home and carry out our Qurbani.Thus whoever does those acts has conformed to our sunnah. And for those who slaughtered  before it, then the meat is for the family members and not as an act of Qurbani. (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 15, Number 82)

How should the Distribution of the Qurbani Meat be Done?
It is preferable that the meat from Qurbani be divided in three equal parts: one for the home, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy. The meat from qurbani can be distributed to the poor, rich, Muslim or non-Muslim.
Hidaya performs Qurbani on behalf of donors, and distributes all of the meat to the poor and destitute in economically depressed areas of the world.
*Wajib, in the Hanafi school, is an obligation which is almost Fard, except that there is some (margin of uncertainty, which may occur in the form of counter-evidence, which suggests non-obligatory nature of the deed), and the scholars have therefore refrained from pronouncing a decisive verdict of "fard" on it. Nevertheless, for purposes of action, a wajib is treated like a fard, in that it should not be deliberately discarded, and it must be made up if it was missed for some reason. For this reason, 'wajib' of the Hanafi school is also known as "fard `amali" (i.e. an 'action fard') as opposed to fard i`tiqadi ('belief fard'), the normal fard, which one is required not only to act upon, but also to believe with full certainty and conviction that it is without doubt a duty.

Sunnahs pertaining to the day of ‘Eid al-Adha

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1.      The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to do ghusl on the day of ‘Eid.
2.      He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to wear his most beautiful garments to go out to pray. For modesty reasons, the women should avoid adorning themselves when they go out for ‘Eid.
3.      With regard to ‘Eid al-Adha, the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used not to eat anything until he came back from the place of prayer.  He would eat some of the meat of his sacrifice. If a person is not planning to offer a sacrifice, then there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.
4.      And he (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to go out to the ‘Eid prayer walking and come back walking. He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to vary his route on the day of ‘Eid. He would go by one route and come back by another.
5.      Another sunnah is to say the takbeerat “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha illAllah, wa Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillaah il-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and to Allah be praise)” when coming out of one’s house to the prayer place and until the imam comes.
6.      The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to offer the ‘Eid prayers in the prayer-place (musalla).
7.      He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) did not offer any prayer in the prayer-place before or after the ‘Eid prayer.
8.      The ‘Eid prayer does not consist of an adhan or an iqaamah.
9.      The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) would start with the prayer before the khutbah.
10.  There are seven takbeerat in the first raka’h and five takbeerat in the second raka’h of ‘Eid prayer (Tirmidhi).
11.  The khutbah after the ‘Eid prayer is optional. Abu Dawood narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn al-Saa’ib said: “I attended ‘Eid (prayer) with the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), and when he had finished the prayer he said: ‘We are going to deliver the khutbah, so whoever wants to sit and listen to the khutbah, let him do so, and whoever wants to leave, let him go.’”
12.  Exchange du’a, congratulations or good wishes with the people at the end of the khutbah. Examples include: Taqabbal Allah minna wa minkum (May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you) or “Eid Mubarak” and other permissible expressions of congratulations.
13.  The Days of Tashreeq: The days of Tashreeq are the 11th, 12th and 13thof Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said concerning the days of Tashreeq: “They are days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah.” It is recommended to remember Allah immediately after the prescribed prayers by reciting the takbeerat. This is prescribed until the end of the days of Tashreeq according to the majority of scholars.
So from all of us here  Eid Kareem! Eid Mubarak! A very prosperous and joyous ‘Eid! Taqabbal Allah minna wa minkum! ameen, ya Rabbil ‘alameen.

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