When the Night Equals a Thousand!

When the Night Equals a Thousand

by Shaykh Muhammad Alshareef [Al-Maghrib Institute & Discover U Life]

It was narrated that in the days that Musa alayhis salaam wandered with Bani Israeel in the desert, an intense drought befell them. Together, they raised their hands towards the heavens praying for the blessed rain to come. Then, to the astonishment of Musa alayhis salaam and all those watching, the few scattered clouds that were in the sky vanished, the heat poured down, and the drought intensified.

It was revealed to Musa that there was a sinner amongst the tribe of Bani Israeel who had disobeyed Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala for more than forty years of his life. “Let him separate himself from the congregation,” Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala told Musa alayhis salaam. “Only then shall I shower you all with rain.”

Musa alayhis salaam then called out to the throngs of humanity, “There is a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah for forty years. Let him separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be rescued from the drought.”

That man waited, looking left and right, hoping that someone else would step forward, but no one did. Sweat poured forth from his brow and he knew that he was the one. The man knew that if he stayed amongst the congregation all would die of thirst and that if he stepped forward he would be humiliated for all eternity.

He raised his hands with a sincerity he had never known before, with humility he had never tasted, and as tears poured down on both cheeks he said, “O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah, forgive me!”

As Musa alayhis salaam and the people of Bani Israeel waited for the sinner to step forward, the clouds hugged the sky and the rain poured. Musa alayhi salaam asked Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala, “O Allah, you blessed us with rain even though the sinner did not come forward.”

And Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala replied, “O Musa, it is for the repentance of that very person that I blessed all of Bani Israeel with water.”

Musa alayhis salaam, wanting to know who this blessed man was, asked, “Show him to me O Allah!”

Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala replied, “O Musa, I hid his sins for forty years, do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him?”

PART II

Ibn Jareer narrates on the authority of Mujaahid, that there was a man from Bani Israeel who used to spend the night in prayer. Then during the day he would fight the enemy in the way of Allah until the evening and he did this for a thousand months. And so Allah revealed:

Verily, We have sent it (the Qur’an) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (the Night of Destiny or the Night of Power). / And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is? / The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah this night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months) (Al-Qadr 97/1-3).

Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala revealed the Qur’an in the most blessed month – the month of Ramadan. And on the 27th night of this month comes the Night of Al-Qadr (Laylatul Qadr), which is better than a thousand months. On the authority of Mujaahid, Sufyaan Ath-Thawree reports that Laylatul Qadr being better than a thousand months means that the good deeds performed on it, fasting on it, and standing in prayer on it are better than a thousand months worth of good deeds, prayer and fasting.

It is reported from Abu Hurayrah that when the month of Ramadan came, the Messenger of Allah said:

“The month of Ramadan has come, a blessed month in which Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast; in it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained. In it is a night better than a thousand months, whoever loses the benefit of it has lost something irreplaceable” (Imam Ahmad and An-Nasaa’i).

It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, that Allah’s Messenger sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever stood in prayer on Laylatul Qadr in faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, he will have all of his previous sins forgiven” (Bukhari and Muslim).

This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sins and phases of neglect in his life, patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan. During it, he hopes to be forgiven by Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala for past sins, knowing that the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam promised that all who bow down during the last ten days shall have all their sins forgiven. To achieve this, the believer remembers the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam’s advice in different sayings wherein he used words like ‘seek’, ‘pursue’, ‘search’ and ‘look hard’ for Laylatul Qadr.

Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. The mu‘min should search for it in the last ten nights of Ramadan, passing the nights in worship and obedience. For those who catch the opportunity, their gift is that of past sins wiped away.

The Messenger of Allah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam illustrated for us some of the things we should be doing on this Grand Night. From his blessed Sunnah we find the following:

Praying Qiyaam (Night Prayer):

It is recommended to make a long qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many ahadith, such as:

“Whoever stands [in qiyaam] in Laylatul Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation [of Allah’s reward], will have all of his previous sins forgiven” (Bukhari and Muslim).

Making Supplications:

It is also recommended to make extensive supplications on this night. Aisha radi Allahu anha reported that she asked Allah’s Messenger sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam:

“O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say during it?” And he instructed her to say, “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa ‘fu ‘annee – O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me” (Ahmad, Ibn Majah and Tirmidhi).

Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship:

It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr is likely to fall. This calls for abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and thoughts solely for worshipping Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala. Aisha radi Allahu anha reported:

“When the [last] ten nights started, the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam would tighten his izhaar [i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship], spend the whole night awake [in prayer], and wake up his family” (Bukhari and Muslim).

And she, radi Allahu anha, said:

“Allah’s Messenger sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam used to exert more [in worship] on the last ten than on other nights” (Muslim).

Have we estimated Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala correctly? Life is about people who take advantage of their opportunities to win the love of Allah subhaanahu wa ta’ala, and Laylatul Qadr is one of them.

Abu Darda radi Allahu anhu was one of those who found an opportunity and won that which is greater than the heavens and the earth. An adult companion of the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam cultivated his garden next to the property of an orphan. The orphan claimed that a specific palm tree was on his property and thus belonged to him. The companion rejected the claim, so the orphan boy went to the Messenger of Allah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam to complain. With his justness, the Messenger of Allah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam measured the two gardens and found that the palm tree did indeed belong to the companion. The orphan erupted crying. Seeing this, the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam asked the companion, “Would you give him the palm tree and to you is a palm tree in Jannah?” However, the companion in his disbelief that an orphan would complain to the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam, missed the opportunity and went away angry.

But someone else saw the opportunity – Abu Darda radi Allahu anhu. He went to the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam and asked, “Ya RasulAllah, if I buy the tree from him and give it to the orphan shall I have that tree in Jannah?”
The Messenger of Allah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam replied, “Yes.”

Abu Darda radi Allahu anhu chased after the companion and asked, “Would you sell that tree to me for my entire garden?”

The companion answered, “Take it, for there is no good in a tree that I was complained to the Prophet about.”

Immediately, Abu Darda radi Allahu anhu went home and found his wife and children playing in the garden. “Leave the garden!” shouted Abu Darda. “We’ve sold it to Allah! We’ve sold it to Allah!” Some of his children had dates in their hand and he snatched the dates from them and threw them back into the garden. “We’ve sold it to Allah!”

When Abu Darda was later martyred in the battle of Uhud, RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam stood over his slain body and remarked, “How many shady palm trees does Abu Darda now have in Paradise?”

What did Abu Darda lose? Dates? Bushes? Dirt? What did he gain? He gained a Jannah whose expanse is the heavens and the earth.

Abu Darda did not miss his opportunity, and I pray to Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala that we do not miss our opportunity of standing to Allah on Laylatul Qadr.

Dear brothers and sisters, we do not obey, worship and revere Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala in a way befitting of His Majesty.

Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala revealed:

No just estimate have they made of Allah, such as is due to Him. On the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be but His handful, and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand. Glory to Him! High is He above the partners they attribute to Him (Az-Zumar 39/67).

When someone dies we say inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon (Indeed to Allah we belong and indeed to Him we shall return). This is not a supplication just for when a soul is lost. It is a supplication for every calamity that befalls a believer, even if his sandal were to tear. Why? Because everything belongs to Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala and everything shall come back to him. Sit and try to count the blessings Allah has bestowed upon you. Have you ever tried to count stars?

And He has given you all that you ask for. But if you count the favors of Allah, never will you be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude (Ibrahim 14/34).

We have not understood the weight of this Qur’an that we rest on our high shelves; this noble book that was sent to give life to the dead. For even if our hearts were as solid as mountain they would have crumbled to the ground in fear and hope of Allah’s punishment and mercy. Could it be that our hearts are harder than that mountain?

Had We sent down this Qur’an on a mountain, verily, you would have seen it humble itself and split asunder in fear of Allah (Al-Hashr 59/21).

Dear brothers and sisters, as you fill the masajid for Qiyam-ul-Layl in the last ten nights of Ramadan, remember what Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala wants you to know:

…that Allah is strict in punishment and that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

There shall be a night, some night in your life, that you shall awaken in Jannah or Hellfire. On his deathbed, Anas ibn Malik radi Allahu anhu prayed to Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala, “O Allah, protect me from a night whose morning brings a journey to Hellfire.” Think about that morning.

Peace shall descend on Laylatul Qadr until the dawn. It may be that you shall leave the masjid after Fajr one day soon forgiven by Allah, Glorious and Most High.

 

Under the Shade of Ramadhan: A Time for healing & tawbah

As the warm breeze of Ramadan settles, we are reminded of the Prophet’s ﷺ statement, “Upon the arrival of Ramadan, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” Ramadan brings with it a host of possibilities. Look at it as a chance to enter into a garden filled with fresh fruits, luscious vegetables and beautiful flowers. Some will fill their baskets to the brim, others will fill them half way, and some will fail to fill their baskets with anything.

Those who filled their baskets will have done so with a varied harvest; some choosing the best the garden has to offer while others simply settle for those of a lesser quality. One of the best fruits we can reap during this month is one of the most difficult to attain. Its fruit is not found on the ground having fallen from a tree nor is it found amongst the lower branches. This fruit is found at the highest part of the tree and getting to it takes effort, patience, and most importantly truthfulness with oneself. This is the fruit of repentance and reflection. “Repent to God, oh Believers, and you will be successful.”

Success is a tough word

Success is a tough word – it haunts us at work, home and school. And like a beneficial medicine, it is not easy to swallow. The reality of success is that it is anchored in the tangible; it is not a theoretical enterprise, but, as we say in the United States, “requires one to strap on his boots.”

The Arabs understood this well, thus the word for success (falah) is associated with the one who farms or harvests (al-falaah) because success cannot come without diligence and hard work. So, repentance is a substantial enterprise, an effort, a struggle towards spiritual inventory. Caliph Umar radi Allahu `anhu (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Audit yourselves before you are audited by God.” Hassan, the Prophet’s ﷺ grandson, also explains this concept. He said, “Those who have the easiest time in the Hereafter are those who are keen to call themselves to account in this life.”

Returning to God while struggling to swim the deep seas of life is a difficult enterprise. No one likes to hear bad things about themselves, but if we are able during this blessed month to sit and audit ourselves, to take account of our spiritual principals by investigating our true state and relation with God, family and others, we will have reaped the fruits of a blessed harvest and will have set the stage for a new course in our relationship with the Most Merciful. Once, while the Prophet ﷺ ascended the pulpit, he was heard saying at each step “Ameen.” Later the Companions enquired about the Prophet’s ﷺ statement, upon which he responded that Gabriel `alayhi sallatu wa sallam(may Allah send his peace and blessings on him) came to him, making supplicating against three types of people – one of which was he who failed to repent during the month of Ramadan, thereby failing to be forgiven for his sins.

Overcoming the Obstacles

There are a number of obstacles that lurk hidden for the one who seeks repentance. Perhaps the greatest is the feeling of fear and despondence. Many feel that it is simply too late to change and they think, “I’ve done my dirt and there is simply no way to get back on track.”

Firstly, let’s understand that sinning is part of human nature. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Every person commits sins. And the best sinners are those who repent.” Many have claimed that the feelings of profound guilt and depression regarding their state chain them from turning to God. This is one of the greatest tricks of the Devil, closing the door of hope to God’s mercy after sinning. Once, a man came to the mosque of the Prophet ﷺ complaining about his sins. The man was so overcome and saddened by his state that the Prophet ﷺ said to him, “Say this: O God, your forgiveness is greater than my sins, and my hope in Your mercy is greater to me than my [evil] actions.”

The man said this, and the Prophet ﷺ said to him, “Say it again.” The man repeated it, then the Prophet ﷺ said to him, “Say it again.” The man did and the Prophet ﷺ said to him, “Arise, for God has forgiven you!”

Ibn Kathir comments about the following verse:

“Say [Muhammad] to My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of God’s mercy. Indeed, God forgives all sins and He is the One who forgives and is Merciful.” (Qur’an, 39:53)

He reports that  the Prophet ﷺ said, “It is more beloved to me than anything under the Heavens and on Earth.”

Secondly, sins should be seen as a strategy for one to turn in humility back to God. One of the early scholars said, “A person could enter Paradise because of a sin he committed.” Upon hearing this, his student challenged him by asking, “How could that be?” The scholar responded, “The sinner persistently thinks about it, which causes him to fear it, regret it, weep over it and feel humiliated in front of his Lord due to it. He stands before God, broken-hearted, with his head lowered in humility. So this sin is more beneficial to him than doing many acts of obedience, since it caused him to have humility and humbleness – which leads to his happiness and success – to the extent that this sin leads him into Paradise.”

Thirdly, rebounding from sin is one of the simple fruits related to our success. If we were to ask many people what it was that brought them back to faith, many would mention a mistake they made in the past. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Repentance is regret.” That regret is one of our greatest fears. In reality, however, it is a mercy from God which pricks at our conscience until we ultimately return to Him.

God says, “And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind [and regretted their error] to the point that the Earth closed in on them in spite of its vastness, and their souls confined them and they were certain that there is no refuge from God except in Him. Then He turned to them so they could repent. Indeed, God is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.” (9:118) Notice the wording at the end of this verse: “Then He turned to them so they could repent.” Thus, repentance doesn’t start with the sinner, but begins when God turns to him with His mercy, love and compassion, awakening his heart with guilt, gently guiding him to His forgiveness. The sinner was lost in a sea of confusion and misery, and God found him, guided him and forgave him.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “God has greater joy at the repentance of one of His servants when he turns towards Him than one of you would have over his mount, which, having escaped from him saddled with food and drink in the middle of the desert, so that he has despaired of finding it and gone to a tree to lie down in its shade, it suddenly appears standing by him while he is in that state, so that he takes its reins and then says out of the intensity of his joy, ‘O God, You are my slave and I am Your Lord!’ getting confused because of his intense joy.”

Fourth, I’ve done so many things in the past and failed to repent. How is it that, after all of these years, I could face God with such a blackened record? The Prophet ﷺ said, “God the Mighty and Majestic accepts the repentance of His servant as long as his death-rattle has not begun.” Thus, no matter when, as long as one turns to God seeking His forgiveness, only then can that person expect to be forgiven.

Furthermore, there is no sin greater than God’s ultimate mercy and forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ said, “God the Almighty has said: ‘O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and hope in Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds in the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I shall forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with an earthful of sins and were you then to face Me, without having associated anything with Me, I shall grant you an earthful of pardon.’”

Ibn Rajab noted that this Prophetic tradition begins with “O son of Adam” because of its context of repentance and forgiveness. Thus, when one despairs over his mistakes and shortcomings, he should recall God’s favor upon mankind, exercised upon their forefather Adam. Thus, just as Adam repented to his Lord and, as noted in the Qur’an, “He immediately forgave him,” his offspring should do the same.

The Qualities of Repentance

Scholars noted that sound repentance should be coupled with the following qualities:

1. Leaving the sin,
2. Regret,
3. Resolving never to return to the sin again.

The month of Ramadan is a time of serious reflection, increased awareness, and devotion. Its beginning is mercy, and its ending is marked by forgiveness and salvation. Let us take advantage of this time to set aright our affairs, rebounding from our mistakes and sins from the past. Let us turn to the Most Merciful.

By Imam Suhaib Webb.

 

Overeating during iftar by Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazzali

“…One should not overeat while breaking the fast to the point that he fills his stomach, as there isn’t any container that Allah hates more than a full stomach. How can one benefit from fasting and subdue this enemy and break this desire if he breaks his fast by making up for it through eating everything that he missed out on during the day? In fact, some even eat more than they usually would during the day! This habit has continued to the point that so many types of food are prepared for Ramadan that more food is eaten in this month than in any other month.

It is known that the whole point of fasting is discipline and to break one’s desire in order to strengthen the soul with taqwa. So, if you prevent your digestive system from food all day long until night such that its desire and longing for food goes wild, and you then feed it what it wants until it is fully satisfied, this will only increase its desire and multiply its energy, and it will manifest a longing that wouldn’t have been there had it been left to its usual intake. So, the essence and secret of fasting is to weaken this energy that provides means for Satan to pull you towards what is bad, and this can’t happen unless you reduce your food intake. When you break your fast, eat only what you would normally eat at that specific time when not fasting. But to break your fast by combining the amount you would’ve eaten during the day with the amount you usually eat at night will leave you having gained nothing at all from your fast.

In fact, from the etiquette of fasting is to not sleep much during the day in order to feel the hunger and thirst, and in order to weaken this energy. This will clean out the heart and keep this energy weakened every night so that it will be easier to pray at night and do your sets of Qur’an recitation and dhikr of Allah. Maybe this will prevent Satan from approaching your heart and allow you to look to what is in the kingdom of the heavens, and the Night of Qadr is basically the night in which some of what is contained in this kingdom is shown, and this is what is meant by Allah’s Saying: {“Indeed, We have descended it on the Night of Qadr.”}

And whoever puts a barrier of food between his heart and his chest will have a barrier put between himself and what is shown from this kingdom, and to keep your stomach free isn’t enough to lift this barrier if your mind isn’t free from anything other than Allah – and this is the entire point. The starting point of all this is to reduce your intake of food…” ['Ihya' 'Ulum ad-Din'; 1/303] Taken from here

 

The Question of Hubbely Bubbely (shisha) answered to the community

According to the world health organisation 5 million die every year because of smoking (all types and forms). This article is sincere (advice) naseehah to everyone about this plague that is NOT ‘fun’ or ‘fassionable’ but a disgusting and foolish habit that is becoming more and more ‘cool’ with the youth because they know that smoking cigarettes (one Islamic scholar who is also a cardiologist have given an opinion that its just as bad as taking khamr ie intoxicants) and drugs are hara’am but are deceived by this misconception that shisha is ‘ok’ or ‘halal’.

Firstly what do the ulema say on this issue, Checking out a website which is supervised by a prominent contemporary scholar Shaykh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid (May Allah SWT protect him) has given numerous fatwas that shisha is 100% hara’am & otherrelated issues to smoking. Please check out these link for your own satisfaction.

• Fatwa that ‘hubble-bubble’ pipes (ie shisha & hokka pipes) is hara’am
• Fatwa that sisters must refuse a proposal from a man who smokes, drinks and does’nt pray regularly
• Fatwa that smoking,  growing tobacco is one of the al-khabaa’ith [evil things]
• Fatwa for a woman to divorce her husband because he smokes
• Fatwa that smoking breaks the siyam (fast)
• Fatwa to abandon the company of a smoker by Shaykh Uthaymeen

Finally I would like to share this article with everyone, It is from the BBC health section which can be found here.

May Allah SWT protect us all and our children from any types of fitnah and fawahish and guide us all to the straight path. Ameen

Shisha ‘as harmful as cigarettes’

By Perminder Khatkar BBC Asian Network

Smoking a shisha pipe is as bad for people as smoking tobacco, the Department of Health and the Centre for Tobacco Control Research has found.

People who smoke shisha, or herbal tobacco, can suffer from high carbon monoxide levels, its research revealed.

It found one session of smoking shisha resulted in carbon monoxide levels at least four to five times higher than the amount produced by a cigarette.

High levels of carbon monoxide can lead to brain damage and unconsciousness.

Shisha is an Arabic water-pipe in which fruit-scented tobacco is burnt using coal, passed through an ornate water vessel and inhaled through a hose.

Dr Hilary Wareing, director of the Centre for Tobacco Control Research, told the BBC’s Asian Network she was shocked by the results of the research.

“Our mouths opened at the level of harm – none of the tests we did showed anything other than shisha is hazardous to health.”

Paul Hooper, regional manager at the Department of Health, said the findings made the dangers of shisha a “major issue”.

He said many people regard shisha “as not even smoking”.

Misconception

Shisha bars, which are typically decked out with low stools and soft cushions to create an inviting atmosphere, have become popular in cities across the UK, particularly London, Manchester and Birmingham.

At the worst, shisha was 400 to 450 times more dangerous than having a cigarette Dr Hilary Wareing Centre for Tobacco Control Research

An activity largely associated Middle Eastern customers and a young crowd, there is a growing trend of themed shisha parties.

Many people who go to “shisha evenings” think it is a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes.

“You never see it in the news – ‘that is terrible, don’t do it’ – there’s no shock tactics like (there is with) cigarettes,” said one young woman.

“If my mum sees me smoking shisha, she isn’t going to take it as seriously as if I was smoking cigarettes,” said a British Pakistani man.

It was this misconception – and finding dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in a pregnant woman who had stopped smoking tobacco, but continued to smoke shisha – which prompted the research.

“We found one session of smoking shisha – that’s 10 milligrams for 30 minutes – gave carbon monoxide levels that were at the lowest four and five times as high as having a cigarette,” said Dr Wareing.

“But at the worst, shisha was 400 to 450 times more dangerous than having a cigarette,” she added.

Informed choice

Shisha smokers in a cafe in Edgware Road, London, said the findings would make them think twice about smoking.

“You know you can die from cigarettes, but you don’t know you can die from shisha,” said one.

“I’m now going home to research it,” said another.

But not everyone is convinced.

Akram, a 27-year-old who runs a restaurant and shisha bar in Birmingham, has his own views.

“There is a health risk but it’s all down to consumption and all the evidence I’ve seen is that smoking shisha is nothing like smoking even one cigarette,” he said.

He said he did not actually inhale shisha smoke.

It is not just the level of carbon monoxide that is causing concern.

Qasim Choudhory, a youth worker at the NHS Stop Smoking Service in Leicester, said sharing a shisha pipe could pass around infections.

“There’s a heightened risk of getting TB, herpes and infections like that,” she said.

“Now you know swine flu is on the top of the agenda right now – there’s no kind of direct correlation, but at time when we’re up on our hygiene, it’s not the best type of activity to be taking part in.”

Dr Wareing said more research on exactly how dangerous shisha was needed to be conducted to enable people to make an informed choice.

Paul Hooper said the department was working hard at “how best to get the message – that it is dangerous – across to the consumer”.

“But how do you label the tobacco and the shisha pipe? It’s not as simple as labelling a packet of cigarettes,” he added.

The Trouble with Hubble-Bubble will be broadcast on the BBC’s Asian Network at 1800 BST on Monday 24 August 2009.

Below are some disturbing images and scientific evidences (links to respected & credited websites) for the destructive consequences of smoking.

Peripheral disease (gangrene) caused by smoking which needs amputation

Mouth cancer

Fatty deposits in the carotid artery which can be a cause of stroke

• Cancer institute NWS Health warning campaign
• Tobacco by the World health organisation
• FAQ answered by the National Cancer Institute
• Patient tutorial on the facts of smoking by Medline Plus

 

Ramadhan: The Month of Qur’an

Ramadhan Mubarak, the Month of Quran, the month of Mercy has returned!

Ramadhaan has a special relationship with the Quran, as Allah says in the interpretation of the meaning: “The month of Ramadhaan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it.” [Quran 2:185)

The word 'so' in this ayah leads to the following paraphrase of one aspect of its meaning: "Fast this month because it is the one in which the Quran was sent down".

Ibn 'Abbaas narrates "that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the most generous person, and he would be at his most generous in Ramadhaan because Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) would come to him every night and he would rehearse the Quran with him." [Al-Bukhaari]

This hadeeth contains the following recommendations that we can take heed from:

• Studying the Quran in Ramadhaan

• Coming together for this purpose

• Checking (one’s memory/knowledge of) the Quran with someone who has preserved it better

• Increasing recitation of the Quran in Ramadhaan and

• That the night time is the best time to recite, when other preoccupations decrease and it is easier to concentrate, as in Soorah al-Muzzammil [73:6].

Further, Faatimah, may Allaah be pleased with her, narrated from her father the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam,  who told her: Jibreel would rehearse the Quran with him (in Ramadhaan) once every year, and he did so twice in the year of his death. [Al-Bukhaari]

About the situation of the Salaf (our righteous predecessors) during Ramadhaan, Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said:

“… Some of the Salaf would complete reciting the whole Quran during the night prayer of Ramadhaan every 3 days; others every 7 days (e.g. Qataadah) and others in 10 days (e.g. Abu Rajaa’ al-Atardi).The Salaf would recite Quran in Ramadhaan in Prayer as well as outside it.

Al-Zuhri would say when Ramadhaan began, ‘It is recitation of the Quran and feeding of people.’

Then Ramadhaan began, Imam Maalik would stop narrating Hadeeth and sitting with the people of knowledge, and stick to reciting the Quran from its pages, while Sufyaan al-Thawri would leave other acts of worship and stick to reciting the Quran.

‘Aishah would recite from the pages of the Quran at the beginning of the day in Ramadhaan (i.e. after Dawn), until when the sun had risen, then she would sleep.

Zayd al-Yaami would bring copies of the Quran when Ramadhaan began and gather his companions around him. …”

So let us turn to the Quran this Ramadhan and build a foundation for the rest of the coming year. Ameen…………..“O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Qur’aan, enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that which is in your hearts” [Yoonus 10:57]

Allahuma Balighna Ramadan (Oh Allah, Grant us Ramadan)

Jazak Allahu Khair

Abu Affan (Islamic Tube)

Credits: islamweb.net

 

Actions that invalidate the fast

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah has prescribed fasting in accordance with the highest wisdom.

He has commanded the fasting person to fast in a moderate manner, so he should not harm himself by fasting or consume anything that will invalidate the fast.

Hence the things that invalidate the fast are of two types:

Some of the things that invalidate the fast involve things coming out of the body, such as intercourse, deliberate vomiting, menstruation and cupping. These things that come out of the body weaken it. Hence Allaah has described them as being things that invalidate the fast, so that the fasting person will not combine the weakness that results from fasting with the weakness that results from these things, and thus be harmed by his fast or his fast no longer be moderate.

And some of the things that invalidate the fast involve things entering the body, such as eating and drinking. If the fasting person eats or drinks, he does not achieve the purpose of fasting.

Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/248

Allaah has summed up the things that break the fast in the verse where He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allaah has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Sawm (fast) till the nightfall”

[al-Baqarah 2:187]

In this verse Allaah mentions the main things that invalidate the fast, which are eating, drinking and intercourse. The other things that break the fast were mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in his Sunnah.

There are seven things that break the fast, as follows:

1-     Intercourse

2-     Masturbation

3-     Eating and drinking

4-     Anything that is regarded as coming under the same heading as eating and drinking

5-     Letting blood by means of cupping and the like

6-     Vomiting deliberately

7-     Menstruation and nifaas

The first of the things that invalidate the fast is: intercourse.

This is the most serious and the most sinful of the things that invalidate the fast.

Whoever has intercourse during the day in Ramadaan deliberately and of his or her own free will, in which the two circumcised parts meet and the tip of the penis disappears in either of the two passages, has invalidated his fast, whether he ejaculates or not. He has to repent, complete that day (i.e., not eat or drink until sunset), make up that day’s fast later on and offer a severe expiation. The evidence for that is the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said, “I am doomed, O Messenger of Allaah!” He said, “Why are you doomed?” He said, “I had intercourse with my wife (during the day) in Ramadaan.” He said, “Can you free a slave?” He said, “No.” He said, “Can you fast for two consecutive months?” He said, “No.” He said, “Can you feed sixty poor persons?” He said, “No.”…

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1936; Muslim, 1111.

No expiation is required for any of the things that break the fast apart from intercourse.

The second of the things that invalidate the fast is masturbation.

This means causing ejaculation or climax by using the hand etc.

The evidence that masturbation is one of the things that invalidate the fast is the words of Allaah in the hadeeth qudsi in which He says of the fasting person: “He gives up his food and drink and desire for My sake.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1894; Muslim, 1151. Causing ejaculation comes under the heading of the desire which the fasting person gives up.

Whoever masturbates during the day in Ramadaan has to repent to Allaah and refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day, and he has to make up that fast later on.

If he starts to masturbate then stops without ejaculating, he has to repent, but his fast is still valid, and he does not have to make it up later because he did not ejaculate. The fasting person should keep away from everything that provokes desire and shun bad thoughts.

With regard to the emission of madhiy (prostatic fluid), the most correct view is that it does not invalidate the fast.

The third of the things that invalidate the fast is eating or drinking

This refers to food or drink reaching the stomach via the mouth.

If anything reaches the stomach via the nose, this is like eating or drinking.

Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Snuff up water deeply into the nose (when doing wudoo’), except when you are fasting.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 788. If water reaching the stomach via the nose did not invalidate the fast, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would not have told those who are fasting not to snuff up water deeply into the nose.

The fourth of the things that invalidate the fast is anything that is regarded as coming under the same heading as eating and drinking

This includes two things:

1-     Transfusion of blood to one who is fasting – such as if he bleeds heavily and is given a blood transfusion. This invalidates the fast because blood is formed from food and drink.

2-     Receiving via a needle (as in the case of a drip) nourishing substances which take the place of food and drink, because this is the same as food and drink. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p/ 70.

With regard to injections which do not replace food and drink, rather they are administered for the purpose of medical treatment – such as penicillin or insulin – or are given to energize the body, or for the purpose of vaccinations, these do not affect the fast, whether they are intravenous or intramuscular (injected into a vein or a muscle). Fataawa Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem, 4/189. But to be on the safe side, these injections may be given at night.

Kidney dialysis, in which blood is extracted, cleaned and then returned to the body with the additional of chemical substances such as sugars and salts etc. is regarded as invalidating the fast. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/19

The fifth of the things that invalidate the fast is letting blood by means of cupping

Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The cupper and the one for whom cupping is done have both invalidated their fast.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2367; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2047.

Donating blood comes under the same heading as cupping, because it affects the body in the same way.

Based on this, it is not permissible for a person who is fasting to donate blood unless it is essential, in which case it is permissible. In that case the donor has broken his fast and must make up that day later on. Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p. 71

If a person suffers a nosebleed, his fast is valid, because that happened involuntarily. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/264

With regard to bleeding that results from extraction of a tooth, surgery or a blood test etc., that does not invalidate the fast because it is not cupping or something that is similar to cupping, unless it has an effect on the body similar to that of cupping.

The sixth of the things that invalidate the fast is vomiting deliberately

Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever vomits involuntarily does not have to make up the fast, but whoever vomits deliberately let him make up the fast.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 720, classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 577.

Ibn al-Mundhir said: The scholars are agreed that the fast of one who vomits deliberately is invalidated. Al-Mughni, 4/368.

Whoever vomits deliberately by sticking his finger in his throat, pressing his stomach, deliberately smelling something nasty or persisting in looking at something that makes him vomit, has to make up his fast later on.

If his gorge rises, he should not suppress it, because that will harm him. Majaalis Sharh Ramadaan, Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, p. 71.

The seventh of the things that invalidate the fast is the blood of menses and nifaas

Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Is it not the case that when she gets her period, she does not pray or fast?” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 304.

When a woman sees the blood of her period or nifaas (post-partum bleeding), her fast becomes invalid even if that is one moment before sunset.

If a woman feels that her period has started but no blood comes out until after sunset, her fast is still valid.

If the bleeding of a woman who is menstruating or in nifaas ceases at night and she has the intention of fasting, then dawn comes before she does ghusl, the view of all the scholars is that her fast is valid. Al-Fath, 4/148.

It is preferable for a woman to keep to her natural cycle and to accept that which Allaah has decreed for her, and not to take any medicine to prevent her period. She should accept what Allaah has decreed for her of not fasting during her period, and make up those days later on. This is what the Mothers of the Believers and the women of the Salaf used to do. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/151. In addition, it has been medically proven that these means of preventing menstruation are harmful and many women have suffered menstrual irregularities as a result. If a woman takes pills and her period stops as a result, that is fine, she can fast and her fast is acceptable.

These are things that invalidate the fast. All of them – apart from menses and nifaas – only invalidate the fast if three conditions are met: that the person was aware of the ruling and not ignorant of it; that he did it knowingly and not out of forgetfulness; and that he did it by choice and was not forced to do it.

Shaykh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid

 

Actions that do not invalidate the fast

• Enemas, eyedrops, eardrops, tooth extraction and treatment of injuries do not invalidate the fast. Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam, 25/233; 25/245
• Medical tablets that are placed under the tongue to treat asthma attacks etc, so long as you avoid swallowing any residue.
• Insertion of anything into the vagina such as pessaries, or a speculum, or the doctor’s fingers for the purpose of medical examination.
• Insertion of medical instruments or IUD into the womb.
• Anything that enters the urinary tract of a male or female, such as a catheter tube, or medical scopes, or opaque dyes inserted for the purpose of x-rays, or medicine, or a solution to wash the bladder.
• Fillings, extractions or cleaning of the teeth, whether with a siwaak or toothbrush, so long as you avoid swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
• Rinsing the mouth, gargling, sprays etc. so long as you avoid swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
• Oxygen or anaesthetic gases, so long as that does not give the patient any kind of nourishment.
• Anything that may enter the body via absorption through the skin, such as creams, poultices, etc.
• Insertion of a fine tube via the veins for diagnostic imaging or treatment of the veins of the heart or any part of the body.
• Insertion of a scope through the stomach wall to examine the intestines by means of a surgical operation (laparoscopy).
• Taking samples from the liver or any other part of the body, so long as that is not accompanied by administration of solutions.
• Endoscopy, so long as that is not accompanied by administration of solutions or other substances.
• Introduction of any medical instruments or materials to the brain or spinal column.

And Allaah knows best.

See Majaalis Ramadaan by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, and the booklet Sab’oona Mas’alah fi’l-Siyaam.

Shaykh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid

 

Fiqh of Menstruation for Muslimahs during Ramadhan

”Is it not the case that when she gets her period, she doesn not pray or fast?” [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari]

Just some quick pointers for sisters on some fiqhi issues relating to Ramadhan. I am not a scholar or even a student of knowledge so I dont have extensive knowledge on this issue, just passing on what I was taught by one of my Shaykhs.

This is really important for Muslimahs to know the Fiqh of menstruation because many women are unfamiliar with the rulings relating to menstruation. The fuqaha mention that these rulings are personally obligatory (Fard Ain) for every Muslim sister to know. A sister who does not understand the fiqh of menstruation thus runs the risk of displeasing Allah SWT by leaving something that is obligatory or performing something that is unlawful.

• Menstruation

Blood at the time of menstruation has its own particular  characteristics (think, dark with a distinct smell). Period pain is considered a sickness and breaking the fast because of it is permissible.

• Defective bleeding

If blood comes out at a different time then the time of period and has its own characteristics (thin, light and with no distinctive smell). The ruling for this is that the lady fasts except if there is a large quantity of blood which then she must break her fast.

• If in doubt

If blood has come out during the regular period time then do not fast.

If the blood comes out in a time other than the period time then fast unless loads of blood has come out.

• Menstruating women & women in post-childbirth bleeding

When a woman sees menstrual blood has started to come out, her fast is invalid and she must make up for it even if its is a minute before maghrib prayer.

If the bleeding of a woman who is menstuating cease at night and she has the intention of fasting, then dawn comes before she makes ghusl, her fast is therefore valid by ijma (consensus) of the ulema (scholars).

A sister shouldnt (although its not haraam) take medication that stops her bleeding and just accept what Allah SWT has decreed for her: to abstain from fasting during her period and make up for it at a later stage just as the Ummahat Al-Mumineen (Mothers of the believers) used to do. If a sister does take medication that stops her period then she can fast and her fast is valid Insh’Allah.

It is Haraam for  menstruating women to fast (and pray for that matter), if a menstruating woman’s period stops in the middle of the day then she doesn’t need to fast for the remainder of the day but can make up for it at a later stage.

Brain teaser: A Muslimah has to make up the days she missed fasting in Ramadhan at a later stage but doesn’t need to make up her prayers that she missed. Now logically speaking in Islam there is a greater emphasis on prayer etc I mean it is the 1st question that we are held accountable for. But why do you think sisters don’t have to make up the salaah?

• The pregnant & breast feeding woman

If a pregnant woman fasts and fears for the safety of the foetus then she is allowed to break the fast but must feed one poor person per day and make up for it at a later date. This was the ruling of the sahabahs.

Same with a mother that is breast feeding, if she fears that the child will be harmed or that her breast milk will decrease then she is allowed to break the fast but must feed one poor person per day and make up for it at a later date.

But if either of them fear for their own-selves, they must make up the fast and do not have to feed any poor people. Subhan’Allah the Shariah is truly merciful, because it is from The Creator of the heavens & the earth Allah SWT.

For a more comprehensive series on the Fiqh of Menstruation then I recommend Ustadh Abu Talha’s CDs series called ‘Fiqh of Menstruation’ and also make Du’aa that we organize one here someday Insh’Allah. Note: FOSIS Ireland have his cds for sale too.

I hope this helps Insh’Allah. Any good from it is from Allah SWT who is solely due all praise, the mistakes are mine & shaytan’s.

Your brother who is need of du’aa,

Omar

 

Explaining Ramadhan to Non-Muslims

This short clip above shows how to explain to non-Muslims about the purpose of Ramadhan and a whole day in the life of a Muslim during Ramadhan.

If your ever stuck for a bit a comedy to show regarding Ramadan then show em this one :p.

 

“Race against time” Preparing for the Month of Forgiveness

Well its that time of the year again where we get not only a  massive % discount but a multiple “2 for 1″ deals for the hereafter. Many of us Muslims today miss out on the reward of fasting in such a blessed month. We abstain from food & drink but really miss out on the cream of the crop by persisting in useless habits e.g. watching fitnah, listening to fitnah, backbiting, gossiping and other vain actions.

It is in this blesssed moth when Allah SWT granted Muslims the victory at Makkah, the battle of Ahzab, the battle of Tabuk. It is in this blessed month when our heroes brought honor and respect to this deen. Tariq bin Ziyad crossed the mediterraean and conquered Andalusia, Salahuddin Ayyoubi defeated the crusaders at Hittin on the 4th July 1187 the day after Laylatul Qadr, Muzaffar Qutuz defeated the Monguls in Ain Jalut. So we as Muslims need to take as much as advantage of this blessed season so that we can reap the fruits in the hereafter Insh’Allah.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ascended the minbar and said: “Ameen, ameen, ameen.” It was said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, you ascended the minbar and said, ‘Ameen, ameen, ameen.” He said: “Jibreel (peace be upon him) came to me and said: ‘If Ramadaan comes and a person is not forgiven, he will enter Hell and Allaah will cast him far away. Say Ameen.’ So I said Ameen. He said: ‘O Muhammad, if both or one of a person’s parents are alive and he does not honour them and he dies, he will enter Hell and Allaah will cast him far away. Say Ameen.’ So I said Ameen. He said: ‘If you are mentioned in a person’s presence and he does not send blessings upon you and he dies, he will enter Hell and Allaah will cast him far away. Say Ameen.’ So I said Ameen.”  Narrated by Ibn Hibbaan, 3/188; classed as saheeh by al-Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1679.

The reward for ramadan is mentioned in numerous Ahadith including…

“Whoever fasts Ramadhan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven” [Bukhari & Muslim]

“”In Paradise there are eight gates. There is one gate called Ar-Rayyan. No-one will enter it except those who fast, and after they enter it, it will be locked behind them, and no-one else will enter through it.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

“When Ramadhan begins, the gates of Paradise are open and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up” [Bukhari & Muslim]

There are a number of ways that we can physically & mentally prepare ourselves for Ramadhan Insh’Allah.

• Repent to Allah SWT-Even though there might be 1-2 days left until Ramadhan, you never know, death is always around the corner.
• Make du’aa to Allah SWT. The early pious generations used to make duaa 6 months before Ramadhan and 5 months after for their Ramadhan to be accepted ie their year was based upon Ramadhan.
• Try to complete any missed obligatory fasts. Sisters should do this for any fast they missed previously due to menstruation.
• Get things outta the way before Ramadhan eg TV, PSP, Nintendo Wii, Playstaion 3, Nintendo Ds, Nasheeds and stick on the Qur’an cds of Shaykh Efasy, Ghammadi, Ajmi etc
• Fast some of Shabaan (although too late now).
• Reads lots of Qur’an, The great scholars of Islam put aside their books of Fiqh etc and read Qur’an and Tafseer as this is the month of Qur’an & ‘The Struggle’.
• Try to make an Islamic atmosphere in your home, and make a timetable and resolution for Ramadhan Insh’Allah.

Fasting in Ramadhan is obligatory upon:

1. Muslims-The fast of a kafir is not accepted.
2. Those who reach puberty-Not obligatory but recommended for kids.
3. Sane-No obligation upon the insane except Zakaah.
4. Residency-Travelers are allowed to break their fast (in some cases in travel it is recommended to fast as its the Sunnah but in difficult travel its better for him/her to break the fast and if its extremely difficult THEN IT IS A SIN IF THEY DO NOT BREAK THE FAST, even the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) broke his fast in distressful travel and called those who didn’t as sinners)
5. Ability: The terminally ill & old who are completely unable to fast have to feed 1 poor person per day as Anas bin Malik fed 30 poor people at start or Ramadan when he was a 100 years old because he was unable to fast.
6. Those who have no excuse eg menstruating women make up for their fasts later Insh’Allah (discussed in a different article Insh’Allah)

Note: For those that are temporarily ill the following applies: If the fast doesn’t affect them the they MUST fast, if the fast affects them then it is makruh (disliked) to fast and if it is detrimental to their health then it it HARA’AM for him to fast.

I hope this helps Insh’Allah. Any good from it is from Allah SWT who is solely due all praise, the mistakes are mine & shaytan’s.

Your brother who is need of du’aa,

Omar