ummtaalib

wa'alaykumus salaam I have not read anywhere that its a sunnah. Wherever recitation of the Qur'an is mentioned in books or bayans, it is mentioned that we should recite as much as possible (more for the huffaaz) however i have heard it said that our target should be minimum, completing it at least once. Also see this: http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?75985-Immense-Rewards-for-Reciting-the-Qur-an-in-Ramadan

wa'alaykumus salaam ww Yes niyyah is necessary..following is from inter-islam The Niyyat (intention) 1. The Niyyat (intention) of fasting is NECESSARY. If a person stays away from all those things that break one's fast without a Niyyah, the fast will NOT be valid. 2. It is NOT necessary to express the Niyyat verbally as Niyyat means to intend. Thus, the intention at heart will suffice. However, it is better to express the Niyyat verbally as for dua: I need to make sure because the Niyyah in the first post is coming as a dua for fasting

Sunnats and Aadaab of Ramadhaan – Part 3 1. Spend time in the company of the pious servants of Allah Ta’ala in order to derive maximum benefit from this month. 2. There is a lot of barakah (blessings) in waking up for sehri. Hence, one should fulfil the sunnah of sehri before commencing the fast. عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم السحور كله بركة فلا تدعوه ولو أن يجرع أحدكم جرعة من ماء فإن الله عز و جل وملائكته يصلون على المتسحرين رواه أحمد وإسناده قوي (الترغيب و الترهيب رقم 1623) Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri (radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Sehri is full of blessings. Hence, do not omit the sunnah of sehri, even if one is able to have a sip of water at the time of sehri (one should do so in order to fulfil the sunnah of sehri). Certainly Allah Ta’ala descends His special grace upon those who wake up for sehri and the malaaikah make special duaa for them. وعن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فصل ما بين صيامنا وصيام أهل الكتاب أكلة السحر. (مسلم رقم 1096) Hadhrat Amr bin Aas (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “The difference between our fasts and the fasts of the Ahle kitaab is the eating of sehri.” 3. It is preferable to have sehri during the last portion of the night (i.e. a little before subh-saadiq). عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه أن نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وزيد بن ثابت تسحرا فلما فرغا من سحورهما قام نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى الصلاة فصلى قلنا لأنس كم كان بين فراغهما من سحورهما ودخولهما في الصلاة قال قدر ما يقرأ الرجل خمسين آية (بخاري رقم 576) Hadhrat Anas (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that on one occasion Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Zaid bin Thaabit (Radhiallahu Anhu) sat to partake of sehri. When they completed with the sehri, Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) stood up to perform the Fajr salaah. The companions of Anas (Radhiallahu Anhu) asked him, “What was the duration of time after they completed sehri till the time the Fajr salaah was performed?” Hadhrat Anas (Radhiallahu Anhu) replied: “The duration was the time it would take a person to recite fifty verses of the Qur’an.” 4. One should have iftaar immediately after sunset. عن سهل رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : لا يزال الناس بخير ما عجلوا الفطر. قال أبو عيسى حديث سهل بن سعد حديث حسن صحيح (ترمذي رقم 699) Hadhrat Sahl (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “People will continue to remain upon goodness as long as they hasten in opening their fast.” عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال الله تعالى أحب عبادي إلي أعجلهم فطرا. (ترمذي رقم 700) Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said that Allah Ta’ala says: Those servants who are most beloved in My sight are those who hasten to open their fasts at the time of iftaar. 5. It is best to open one’s fast with dates and water. عن سلمان بن عامر قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أفطر أحدكم فليفطر على تمر فإنه بركة فإن لم يجد تمرا فالماء فإنه طهور (ترمذي رقم 658) Hadhrat Salmaan bin Aamir (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “At the time of iftaar one should open his fast with dates as this is full of blessings, and if this is not possible then he should drink water as this is a means of purification.” عن أنس قال : كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يفطر قبل أن يصلي على رطبات فإن لم تكن فتميرات فإن لم تكن تميرات حسى حسوات من ماء . (ترمذي رقم 696) Hadhrat Anas (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would open his fast with fresh dates before performing the Maghrib salaah. If fresh dates were not found, then Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would open his fast with dry dates. If dry dates were not found, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would open his fast with a few sips of water. 6. At the time of iftaar recite the following du`aa: اَللّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّيْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ العَلِيم O Allah, I have kept this fast solely for You, and with Your sustenance I have opened my fast. Accept this fast from me. Indeed You are All hearing and All knowing. ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ (My) thirst has been quenched, and the veins have been moistened and the reward has been obtained (by Allah Ta’ala) Insha Allah. عن معاذ بن زهرة قال : إن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا أفطر قال : اللهم لك صمت وعلى رزقك أفطرت. ( أبو داود رقم 2360) Hadhrat Muaaz bin Zuhrah (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would recite the following Duaa at the time of opening the fast: اَللّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال كان النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم إذا أفطر قال : لك صمت وعلى رزقك أفطرت فتقبل مني إنك أنت السميع العليم رواه الطبراني في الكبير وفيه عبد الملك بن هارون وهو ضعيف (مجمع الزوائد رقم 4893) Hadhrat ibn Abbaas (Radhiallahu Anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would recite the following Duaa at the time of opening the fast: اَللّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّيْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ العَلِيم عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال : كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أفطر قال : ذهب الظمأ وابتلت العروق وثبت الأجر إن شاء الله ( أبو داود رقم 2359) Hadhrat ibn Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would recite the following Duaa at the time of opening the fast: ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ 7. Be generous in the month of Ramadhaan. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would express the most amount of generosity in the month of Ramadhaan compared to the other months of the year. عن ابن عباس قال كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود الناس وكان أجود ما يكون في رمضان حين يلقاه جبريل وكان يلقاه في كل ليلة من رمضان فيدارسه القرآن فلرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود بالخير من الريح المرسلة (بخاري رقم 6) adhrat ibn Abbaas (Radhiallahu Anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was the most generous of people. He would reach the peak of his generosity in the month of Ramadhaan when Hadhrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) would come to meet him (to make dhor and revise the Qur’an). Hadhrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) would meet him every night in Ramadhaan wherein they both used to recite the Qur’an Majeed to each other. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was more generous than the (beneficial) wind that blew (i.e. the wind is known for having no boundaries and it reaches all places, hence the generosity of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) even surpassed the limits of the wind in showing love and compassion for the creation). Ihtaaud Deen

Wa'alaykumus salaam ww awwww poor thing! InshaAllah she will be ok. Allah grant her 'aafiyat and strengthen her, aameen.

Interior of The Dome of the Rock This rock is believed to be the place from where the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) ascended to heaven (mi’raj) during his night journey to Jerusalem. It is the opinion of some scholars that the angel Israfeel (upon him be peace) will blow the soor (trumpet) from this place to herald the Day of Judgement. When the Crusaders took over the site they covered the Rock with a marble facing to make an alter and choir, and the interior Quranic inscriptions were covered with Latin texts, all aimed to blot out Muslim presence. Salahuddin Ayyubi had the building restored after the Muslims reconquered it. Jews and Christians believe this is the place where the Prophet Ebrahim (upon him be peace) was prepared to sacrifice his son Ishaq (upon him be peace) after seeing a dream indicating for him to do so. This is a fundamental difference to the Muslim belief that it was actually his elder son Ismail (upon him be peace) who he was prepared to sacrifice and that this happened in Mina, Saudi Arabia. Inside the Dome, the major Quranic inscription over the arches of the inner arcade is addressed to the “Followers of the Gospel”, i.e. Christians, denying the shocking notion that God had sired a son. It warns them against inaccurate and dangerous statements about God (in Surah An-Nisa):“O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a Messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not “Three” – Cease! (it is) better for you! – Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that he should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender.” [4:171] Underneath the Dome of the Rock The main picture above shows the stairways leading down to the small cave underneath the Dome of the Rock. The picture inset shows an internal view. This cave has been called ‘The Well of Souls’ (Arabic: Bir el-Arweh) as some believe this is where the souls of the dead gather to wait for the event of Judgement Day. However, this is a myth as is the notion that the rock above it is floating without any support. Islamiclandmarks

The Dome of the Rock http://youtu.be/bcqQC_Zlyp0

The Dome of the Rock The Dome of the Rock (Qubbatus Saqqara) is often mistakenly referred to as the al-Aqsa mosque. This structure was built by Caliph Abd al-Malik from 688 to 691 CE and houses the sacred rock from which the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) ascended to heaven (Mi’raj) after the night journey to Jerusalem (Isra’). When the Crusaders took over Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock mosque was re-named Templum Domini and had a cross placed on top of the golden dome. The Qibly mosque was re-named Templum Solomonis. This Kingdom was to last 87 years, during which time neither Jew nor Muslim was allowed to dwell within the walls of the city. Ibn Kathir (Allah show mercy on him) writes in his book Kamil at-Tawarikh (The Perfect History) of the scene when the Muslims recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders:“…At the top of the cupola of the Dome of the Rock there was a great gilded cross. When the Muslims entered the city on the Friday, some of them climbed the top of the cupola to take down the cross……a great cry went up from the city and from outside the walls, the Muslims crying ‘Allahu-akbar’ in their joy, the Franks groaning in consternation and grief. So loud and piercing was the cry that the earth shook. …Salahuddin ordered that the shrines should be restored to their original state. The Templars had built their living quarters against al-Aqsa, with storerooms and latrines…This was all restored to its former state. The Sultan ordered that the Dome of the Rock should be cleansed of all pollution, and this was done…” The beautiful external tile work which can be seen today was commissioned by Sulayman II Qanuni (the Lawgiver), known throughout Europe as Sulayman the Magnificent. With the incomparable skills of Persian master ceramicists, 40,000 tiles were fired and put into place, crowned by the inscription of Surah Yasin, the 36th chapter and regarded as the heart of the Quran. Orthodox Jews believe the Dome of the Rock to be the centre of the world.

Masjid Al Aqsa from the Inside, Jerusalem, Palestine http://youtu.be/n3rAPa9Y3As

Buraq wall (Western/Wailing wall) This wall, formerly referred to as the ‘Wailing Wall’ and now more commonly known as the ‘Western Wall’ is the most sacred place for Jews who believe it to be the only surviving structure of the Herodian temple. For Muslims it is known as the Buraq Wall, for on the other side is where the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) tied the Buraq, the winged riding animal upon which he rode during the Night of Ascension. The area which the current plaza occupies used to be residential housing called the Maghribi (Moroccan) Quarter. It was endowed by Al-Afdal, the brother of Salahuddin so that aid and services could be provided for North African pilgrims and the poor; he also built a madrasah where the fiqh (jurisprudence) of the Maliki school of thought could be taught and studied. During the Mamluk period, madaris (seminaries) had been built all along this wall, except for a stretch of about 22 meters between the Street of the Chain (Tariq al-Silsila) and the Maghribi Gate. Jews had never previously shown any particular interest in this portion of the wall. Though they consider it to be the only surviving remnant of the Second Temple, the Wall was never actually part of the Temple as such, but rather the western wall of a retaining structure built under Herod to support the plaza above. In the section that is openly visible there are in fact another nineteen courses of stones beneath the modern-day ground level. In Herod’s day, the place had been a part of a shopping centre and had no religious significance. When the Romans destroyed Herod’s Temple after the Jewish War in 70 CE, only the western wall of the Temple’s inner sanctum was left standing, but over the centuries that followed, Jewish pilgrims in Jerusalem gathered for prayer on Temple Mount where possible, or on the Mount of Olives when not. The Western Wall became a permanent feature in Jewish tradition in around 1520 as the idea spread that Jewish people should not enter the Temple sanctuary itself because they were no longer able to attain the necessary degree of ritual purity. Jews began instead to gather in front of this wall to pray, and gradually traditions which had been associated with the western wall of the Temple’s inner sanctum transferred themselves to this wall. The old city was given its definitive shape in the 16th century by Sulayman the Magnificent, who built the present day massive stone walls of the old city in 1537. It is said that he had a dream in which the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) commanded him to organize the defence of Jerusalem. During the construction of the city wall, Sulayman issued an official edict permitting the Jews to have a place of prayer at the Western Wall. The famous Turkish architect Koca Sinan (who designed the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul) is said to have designed the site, excavating downward to give the wall added height and building a wall parallel to it to separate it from the Maghribi Quarter, creating an alley about 3.5 metres wide. In Jewish legend Sulayman was said to have helped clear the site himself and to have washed the wall with rose water to purify it, as Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and Salahuddin had done when they reconsecrated the Sanctuary. Under the terms of the Status Quo on holy sites, a decree fixed by decree of the Ottoman Sultan in 1757 and codified in more detail by a British government Commission in 1922, the Wall is technically Muslim property, belonging to the Waqf, who also own the synagogue area in front of it. Jews however, have the right to stand on the pavement in front of it and pray. One of the first acts of the Israelis, upon taking over East Jerusalem during the 1967 war was to give the 619 Palestinian inhabitants of the Maghribi Quarter just three hours to evacuate their homes. Then the bulldozers came in and destroyed this historic district. This act, in contravention of the Geneva Convention was done in order to create a plaza big enough to accommodate the thousands of pilgrims who were expected to flock to the Western Wall. Close up, the Wall resembles an enormous message board from the Jews to the Almighty; every nook and cranny in its massive ancient stones is stuffed with slips of paper bearing personal prayers. Ancient it may be but the Wall is bang up to date with modern communications; through a commercial website Jews can have an Orthodox Jew pray for them at the Wall for forty days – the price varies between US$90 and US$1800 depending on whether they want a standard,exclusive or premier prayer. References: Al-Quds – Mohammed Abdul Hameed Al-Khateeb, A history of Jerusalem – Karen Armstrong, Western Wall – Ben Dov, The Rough Guide to Jerusalem Courtesy of Islamiclandmarks.com

Buraq masjid This small structure, on the south-west corner of the al-Aqsa compound is believed to be the place where the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) tied the Buraq, the winged riding animal upon which he rode during the Night of Ascension. The wall on the right is the other side of what the Jews call the Wailing Wall. It is narrated on the authority of Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said, “I was brought al-Buraq who is an animal white and long, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, who would place his hoof a distance equal to the range of vision. I mounted it and came to Bayt al-Maqdis. I tethered it to the ring used by the prophets. I entered the mosque and prayed two rak’ahs in it, and then came out and Jibraeel brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. I chose the milk, and Jibraeel said: You have chosen the natural thing. Then he took me to heaven. Jibraeel then asked the (gate of heaven) to be opened and he was asked who he was. He replied: Jibraeel. He was again asked: Who is with you? He (Jibraeel) said: Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). It was said: Has he been sent for? Jibraeel replied: He has indeed been sent for. And (the door of the heaven) was opened for us and lo! we saw Adam (upon him be peace). He welcomed me and prayed for my good. Then we ascended to the second heaven. Jibraeel asked for the door of heaven to be opened, and he was asked who he was. He answered: Jibraeel; and was again asked: Who is with you? He replied: Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) It was said: Has he been sent for? He replied: He has indeed been sent for. The gate was opened. When I entered ‘Isa bin Maryam and Yahya bin Zakarriyah (upon him be peace), cousins from the maternal side, welcomed me and prayed for my good Then I was taken to the third heaven and Jibraeel asked for the opening (of the door). He was asked: Who are you? He replied: Jibraeel. He was (again) asked: Who is with you? He replied Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). It was said: Has he been sent for? He replied He has indeed been sent for. (The gate) was opened for us and I saw Yusuf (upon him be peace) who had been given half of (world) beauty. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being. Then he ascended with us to the fourth heaven. Jibraeel asked for the (gate) to be opened, and it was said: Who is he? He replied: Jibraeel. It was (again) said: Who is with you? He said: Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). It was said: Has he been sent for? He replied: He has indeed been sent for. The (gate) was opened for us, and lo! Idris (upon him be peace) was there. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being (About him) Allah, the Exalted and the Glorious, has said:” We elevated him (Idris) to the exalted position” [19: 57]. Then he ascended with us to the fifth heaven and Jibraeel asked for the (gate) to be opened. It was said: Who is he? He replied Jibraeel. It was (again) said: Who is with thee? He replied: Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). It was said Has he been sent for? He replied: He has indeed been sent for. (The gate) was opened for us and then I was with Harun (upon him be peace). He welcomed me prayed for my well-being. Then I was taken to the sixth heaven. Jibraeel asked for the door to be opened. It was said: Who is he? He replied: Jibraeel. It was said: Who is with thee? He replied: Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). It was said: Has he been sent for? He replied: He has indeed been sent for. (The gate) was opened for us and there I was with Musa (upon him be peace) He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being. Then I was taken up to the seventh heaven. Jibraeel asked the (gate) to be opened. It was said: Who is he? He said: Jibraeel. It was said. Who is with thee? He replied: Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) It was said: Has he been sent for? He replied: He has indeed been sent for. (The gate) was opened for us and there I found Ebrahim (upon him be peace) reclining against the Bait-ul-Ma’mur and there enter into it 70,000 angels every day, never to visit (this place) again. Then I was taken to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha whose leaves were like elephant ears and its fruit like big earthenware vessels. And when it was covered by the Command of Allah, it underwent such a change that none amongst the creation has the power to praise its beauty. Then Allah revealed to me a revelation and He made obligatory for me fifty prayers every day and night. Then I went down to Musa (upon him be peace) and he said: What has your Lord enjoined upon your Ummah? I said: Fifty prayers. He said: Return to thy Lord and beg for reduction (in the number of prayers), for your community shall not be able to bear this burden as I have put to test the Children of Israel and tried them (and found them too weak to bear such a heavy burden). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: I went back to my Lord and said: My Lord, make things lighter for my Ummah. (The Lord) reduced five prayers for me. I went down to Musa (upon him be peace) and said. (The Lord) reduced five (prayers) for me, He said: Verily thy Ummah shall not be able to bear this burden; return to thy Lord and ask Him to make things lighter. I then kept going back and forth between my Lord, Blessed and Exalted and Musa (upon him be peace), till He said: There are five prayers every day and night. O Muhammed, each being credited as ten, so that makes fifty prayers. He who intends to do a good deed and does not do it will have a good deed recorded for him; and if he does it, it will be recorded for him as ten; whereas he who intends to do an evil deed and does not do, it will not be recorded for him; and if he does it, only one evil deed will be recorded. I then came down and when I came to Musa (upon him be peace) and informed him, he said: Go back to thy Lord and ask Him to make things lighter. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) remarked: I returned to my Lord until I felt ashamed before Him.”

Basement of Masjid Qibly The stone pillars on the right are believed by some to have been erected by jinnat in the time of Prophet Sulaiman (upon him be peace). The small mihrab is regarded to be the place where Maryam (upon him be peace) used to receive out of season fruits when she was pregnant with Prophet Isa (upon him be peace). In Surah Saba’ of the Quran Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) mentions: “There were jinn that worked under his supervision by the leave of his Lord, and if any of them deviated from Our command, We made him taste of the Penalty of Blazing Fire. They worked for him as he desired, (making) arches, statues, basins as large as reservoirs, and (cooking) cauldrons fived (in their places): ‘Work , family of Dawud, with thanks! But few of My slaves are grateful!” [34:12-13] There is an adjacent room which contains a grille (shown inset) through which you can see the floor below where oil was burnt to heat the mosque. Maymunah bint Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that she asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), “O Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)! Inform us about Bayt al-Maqdis”. He said, “Visit it for prayer”. She further asked, “If one of us cannot visit it, what shall we do?” He (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said, “If you cannot go for prayer then send some oil to be used in its lamps; whosoever gives oil for its lamps, it will be as if he has prayed in it”. [imam Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Sunan Abu Dawud and al-Tabarani] Jewish tradition holds that the site upon which Masjid al-Aqsa was constructed originally housed the Temple of Jerusalem. The destruction of the First Temple, known as the Temple of Solomon, is attributed to the Babylonians in 587 BCE., and there are no physical remains attesting to its presence or structure. Building of the Second Temple began during the rule of the Persian king Cyrus the Great, but this temple was destroyed by the Roman Emperor (then General) Titus in 70 CE. All that remains of it is the Western Wall, which is thought to be a remnant of this second temple’s platform.

Mihrab of Masjid Qibly This marble structure is the mihrab of the Qibly mosque which is at the front of Masjid al-Aqsa. The mimbar (pulpit) on the right was donated by the Jordanian government after the original (which was a gift from Salahuddin Ayyubi) was destroyed in a fire started by a fanatical zionist in 1967. Masjid al-Aqsa is the second house of Allah created on earth: Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), “O Prophet of Allah, which Masjid was built first on earth?” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) replied, “The Sacred Masjid of Makkah”. Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) again asked, “Which was next?” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said, “The Masjid al-Aqsa”. Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) further asked “How long was the period between the building of the two Masajid?” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said, “Forty years. Apart from these, offer your prayers anywhere when it is time to pray, although excellence is in praying in these Masajid”. [sahih al-Bhukari] When the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 CE, Masjid al-Aqsa was desecrated. Pigs were installed in the mihrab and a church was erected in place of one of it’s oratories. Imad Eddin (Salahuddin’s biographer) speaks of the mihrab of the mosque being full of pigs and excrement. In around 1119 CE, King Baldwin II of Jerusalem granted one wing to the newly formed Knights Templar order and the building became their headquarters. The original mimbar, considered one of the most beautiful in the world, was made of over 10,000 interlocking pieces of Cedar and other wood, ivory and mother of pearl affixed without a drop of glue or a single nail. After the reconquest of Jerusalem Masjid al-Aqsa was filled for Jumma prayers for the first time in 88 years, people wept with emotion as the Qadi of Jerusalem, Muhyi ad-Din al-Qurashi mounted the new pulpit. Marwan-e-masjid This praying area, which is underground and on the south-east side of the al-Aqsa compound is the Marwan-e-Masjid and has recently been restored. When the Crusaders had control of the mosque they used to use this area as stables for their horses and it became known as Solomon’s stables. Although known traditionally as ‘Solomon’s stables’, the original building is unlikely to date as far back as Prophet Sulaiman (upon him be peace) and can more plausibly be attributed to Herod the Great who substantially extended the Temple Mount platform during his reign. Holes can be seen on the base of many of the columns which were made by the Crusaders to thread rope to tie their horses. It is estimated that 400 horses were kept here at one time. Islamic tradition credits a caliph named Marwan I with transforming this area of the vaults into a series of usable rooms, rather than just going down to the bedrock directly, and regards the location as having originally been intended as a mosque (which is thus known as the Marwani mosque). In 1996, the Palestinian Waqf converted the area (which had from crusader times been mostly empty) into a modern mosque, capable of housing 7,000 people. Islamiclandmarks

Front view of Masjid Qibly The structure with the silver/grey dome at the front of Masjid al-Aqsa is known as the ‘Qibly’ masjid (mosque) as it is located nearest to the Qiblah, the direction of prayer. The front of Masjid al-Aqsa is aligned directly towards the Ka’bah in Makkah. The event of the night journey to Jerusalem is mentioned in Surah al-Isra (also known as Surah Bani-Israeel) in the Quran: “Glory be to the One who took His Slave for a journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the furthest Mosque, whose precincts we have blessed.“ [17:1] When Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) entered the al-Aqsa sanctuary in 638 CE he was shocked to find it covered with rubbish as the Romans had been using the area as a rubbish tip. The Caliph knelt down immediately and with his own hands began to clear the area. When the Muslims saw what he was doing, they followed suit and soon the whole area was cleansed. They then walked further, near to the niche of Dawud (upon him be peace), and offered two rak’ah prayers in the first of which Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) recited Surah Sa’d (38) and in the second of which he recited Surat al-Isra (17), containing reference to the Isra’ and Mi’raj. Then he asked Ka’b al-Ahbar (a former Jewish rabbi who had embraced Islam), “Where should I build the mihrab (prayer niche)?”, “Behind the Rock,” replied Ka’b, “so that you will offer it behind the two qiblahs,” i.e. the qiblah of Musa and the qiblah of Muhammed. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to Ka’b, “You speak like the Jews. We will build the niche in front of the Rock. The entire site is part of the mosque. Therefore, our niche should be in the best part, which is in the front portion.” Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) thereafter commissioned the construction of a wooden mosque (which could accommodate 3,000 worshippers) on the southern end of the compound where the present Qibly masjid stands. By doing so he returned the sanctuary to the purity of its past worship, which had been abandoned both by Christianity and Judaism. Great virtue of praying in Masjid al-Aqsa: Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said, “ A prayer in Makkah is worth 100,000 times, a prayer in my Masjid (Madina) is worth 1,000 times, and a prayer in al-Aqsa is worth 500 times more than anywhere else”. [Al-Tabarani, al-Bayhaqi and al-Suyuti] References: Palestine: Beginner’s guide – Ismail Adam Patel, Forty Ahadith concerning Masjid al-Aqsa – Ismail Adam Patel, Al-Quds – Mohammed Abdul Hameed Al-Khateeb Islamiclandmarks

Masjid al-Aqsa (Bayt al-Maqdis) Masjid al-Aqsa is not only the Qibly mosque (with the silver/black dome) or the Dome of the Rock. It is in fact the whole region highlighted above and is also known as Bayt al-Maqdis or Bayt al-Muqaddas (House of the Holiness). The name ‘Masjid al-Aqsa’ translates as ‘the farthest mosque’ and is the third most holy place in Islam. It was here that in around 621 CE the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) came on the night journey from Makkah riding on the Buraq. Masjid al-Aqsa is no ordinary masjid. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) dedicated a great deal of his life nurturing the Sahabah (Companions) to appreciate the excellent qualities of Masjid al-Aqsa. Some of the reasons why Masjid al-Aqsa should form an important aspect of a believer’s dedication is that it is: The first qiblah for Muslims; The station of al-Isra and al-Mi’raj; The second house of Allah built on earth; The place where hundreds of Messengers of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) are buried; The place where many Sahabah are buried; A place where miracles were shown by Allah’s will; A place which Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) Himself calls a ‘blessed place’; Referred to directly and indirectly, 70 times in the Quran; The place where angels have descended with Allah’s message; The only place on earth where all the Messengers of Allah prayed at the same time led by the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) The only Masjid mentioned by name in the Quran apart from the Ka’bah Most religious Jews regard entry into the al-Aqsa compound (which they call the Temple Mount) as a violation of Jewish law. This restriction is based on the belief that even though the Temple (of Solomon) was destroyed centuries ago, the precise location of the Holy of Holies, the sanctuary that was once entered by the High Priest, is not known. Hence the restriction is applied to the entire compound. They believe that the Temple should only be built after the coming of their Messiah, and it is their belief that it would be presumptuous of people to force God’s hand. However, there are several Jewish groups who differ from this opinion. Many Evangelical Christians consider it to be a prerequisite to Armageddon and the Second Coming (of Jesus), and both are actively encouraging the rebuilding of the Temple on the Aqsa ground. Islamic Landmarks

Is the virtue of 15th of Sha’ban proven, or is it a bid’ah (innovation)? Question I am a firm believer that 15th of Shabaan is a blessed night. I have come across many people who claim it is nowhere to be found in Hadith and it is a Bidah to claim the night being a blessed night. In the light of Sunnah and Hadith, please discuss this topic. Shukran and Jazakallah, Answer According tho the reliable scholars of the Ahlus Sunnah, the fifteenth of Sha’ban, which is commonly referred to as “Laylatul Bara-ah” (refer: Tafsir Razi and Ruhul ma’ani, surah 44. Ayah:3) is indeed one of the significant nights in the Islamic calendar. Ibnul Haj (rahimahullah) states: “The salaf (pious predecessors) would sanctify this night and prepare themselves for it in advance” (Al-Madkhal, vol.1 pg.299) Imam ‘Ata ibn Yasar (rahimahullah) –the great Tabi’i of Madinah- said: “After Laylatul-Qadr, there is no other night in the year that is more virtuous than the middle (15th) night of Sha’ban” (Lataif al-Ma’arif, pg.264 & Sunan Sa’eed ibn Mansur; refer: Husnul Bayan, pg.11) Some people, due to being ill-informed refute the auspiciousness of this occasion. I have prepared a detailed article on this which I have posted on my blog (Al-Miftah.com) In this article you will find sufficient information on this issue insha Allah. See it here. And Allah Ta’ala knows best, Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomer hadithanswers

You know you are getting attached to the dunya when.. 1. You don't plan your time around salah (namaaz) time. 2. A whole day or two passes and you don't open your Qur’an because you are too ‘busy’. 3. You care so much about what people say about you. 4. All you care about is how to accumulate more and more wealth. 5. You argue unnecessarily when you are told something you are used to doing is haraam. 6. You keep on delaying good deeds - i’ll do it tomorrow, or the next day, etc. 7. A new gadget comes out and you’re already thinking what you’re going to sell to obtain it. 8. The lives of celebrities interests you. 9. The lifestyle of the rich impresses you. 10. You want to be the centre of attention. 11. You compete with each other for worldly things. 12. Your thirst for power and glory cannot be quenched. 13. You fall into depression each time you don't get what you want. 14. Minor sins don't really mean anything to you. 15. You aren't able to stop the haram immediately and keep on procrastinating and delay taubah. 16. You aren't ready to displease people to please Allah. 17. You care a lot about whats in vogue (You want to belong). 18. You plan far far ahead into the future. 19. Seeking for islamic knowledge comes secondary (thats if it ever comes) after pursuing your future career. 20.Your friends aren't the type that remind you of Allah. 21. You regard people as successful according to their status in this world. 22. A whole day passes without you thinking of death. 23. You can afford to waste so much of your time doing things that won't benefit you in the hereafter. 24. Doing acts of ibaadat becomes very difficult for you. 25. You can't seem to be able to change your extravagant lifestyle despite knowing Allah dislikes the extravagant. 26. You love visiting the lands of the kuffar but not places of worship. 27. You are told about the dangers of consuming riba (interest) yet you argue that this is the only way you can survive. You add that if you find a better halal income you’ll change. 28. You want to live life to the fullest. 29. You care so much about your physical appearance. 30.You believe the end of world (qayamat) is still far far away. 31. You see things happening to others and you don't stop to think it could happen to you too. 32. You bury the dead yet you dont learn anything from it. 33. You want to ‘make ends meet’ by any means. 34. You are always in a haste to finish your prayer and continue with what your doing. 35. You don’t think that today could be your last day. 36. You are solely comforted by luxury (not by the remembrance of Allah) 37. You don’t ask Allah for paradise the way you ask for your dunya.

Inspirational Dua before Ramadaan The month of Ramadaan is almost upon us. Preparation for the blessed month should commence in earnest for indeed every moment of Ramadaan is most valuable. Ubaadah bin Saamit Radhiyallahu Anhu reports, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam used to teach us this Dua at the approach of Ramadaan: اَللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْنِيْ لِرَمَضَانَ وَسَلِّمْ رَمَضَانَ لِيْ وَسَلِّمْهُ لِيْ مُتَقَبَّلَا Allahumma Sallimnee Li Ramadaana Wa Sallim Ramadaana Lee Wa Sallimhu Lee Mutaqabbala (Kanz-ul-ummal) “O Allah! Safeguard me for the Month of Ramadaan (by making me see the Month of Ramadaan fit and healthy), and safeguard the Month of Ramadaan for me (by making the conditions in it such that I can take maximum benefit from it) and accept it from me.” Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians 223 Alpine Road, Overport, Durban

Question When completing a khatam of the Holy Quran, normally we read till Muflihun (in Surah Baqarah). Is this a Hadith or practice of the pious? Answer Sayyiduna Ubay Ibn K’ab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports: “When Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would read ‘Qul A’udhu bi Rabbin nas’ (Surah Nas) then he would read Surah Fatihah and Surah Baqarah till ‘Wa ulaika humul muflihun’. Rasulullah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would then make the du’a of completion of the Holy Quran and stand up. (Darimi; See Al Itqan fi ‘Ulumil Quran, vol. 1 pg. 158) ‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) has classified the above narration as sound (hasan) (Al Itqan fi ‘Ulumil Quran, vol. 1 pg. 158) Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) and others have also cited narrations with similar meanings in their respective books. (See Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg 568/9. Also see I’laus Sunan, hadith: 1153) And Allah Ta’ala Knows best Verified by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar hadithanswers

Question I am confused about the meaning of this Hadith. It is narrated in the Sahihain that the Messenger of Allah said: “Allah has not sent down a disease except that He has also sent down its cure.” I do not deny the hadith, but i’m confused on the meaning because some people have what is known as incurable diseases such as the Aids virus, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and a few others. In light of this can you kindly explain the hadith? Answer As Muslims, we believe that Allah Ta’ala is able to cure every disease. Therefore consider the following: 1. The Hadith in Sahihain (Bukhari & Muslim) states that Allah Ta’ala has sent the cure for every decease to earth. If the medical professionals haven’t found any cure for particular diseases, it proves their lack of research, nothing else. 2. The Hadith didn’t specify any particular form of treatment/medication. It is possible, the cure for certain diseases are found in plants or herbs that have not yet been explored by the scientists. 3. There are numerous incidents of people who were cured through alternate medicine after failing with the medical prescriptions and vice versa. Many of them had the diseases that you term as ‘incurable’. 4. It is also possible that some patients are cured with a particular treatment and not others. In reality, it is Allah Ta’ala Himself who puts the cure in these treatments. 5. One should continue searching for a cure to his ailment. In addition to this, du’a can be a potent cure too, and should therefore not be overlooked. And Allah Ta’ala Knows best, Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar hadithanswers

Bibliography Bukhari Muhammad Ibne Ismael Muslim Muslim Ibne al-Hajaj Tirmidhi Abu Isa Muhammad Ibne Isa Nasai Abu Abdurrahman Ahmed Ibne Ali Abu Daud Abu Sulaiman Ibne al-Ashath IbneMajah Abu Abdullah Muhammad IbneYazid Sahih lbne Kbuzaimah Muhammad Ibne Ishaq Al-Mustadrak Abu Abdullah al Hakim Kanzul-Ummal Ali Muttaqi al-Hindi Musnad Ahmad Ahmad Ibne Hanbal Mishkat Muhammad Ibne Abdullah at-Tabrezi Tabrani Abul Qasim Sulaiman Ibne Ahmad Balhaqi Ahmad Ibne al- Husayn Darequtni Abul Hasan Ali Ibne Umar Al- Fathurrabbani Ahmad Abdurrahman al-Bannah An- Nihaya Ibne Kathir Al- Fitan Nuaaim Ibne Hammad Al- Isha'ah Sharif Muhammad Ibne Rasul Al-Iza'ah Muhammad Sadeeq Hasan Itihaful Jama'ah Hamood Ibne Abdullah at-Tuwejri Al-Bidayah Wan- Nihayah Ibne Kathir At-Tadhkirah Imam al- Qurtubi Tafseer Imam Ibne Kathir Tafseer Imam al -Qurtubi Tafseer Imam Tabari Sharh of Muslim Imam Nawwavi Fathul Bari Ibne Hajar Qassasul Qura'n Sheikh Hifzurrahman Ashratus-Sa'ah Yusuf Ibne Abdullah Ibne Yusuf Tarikh Makkah Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibne Ishaq al-Fakihi Akhbar Makkah Abul-Waleed Muhammad lbne Abdullah al-Azruqi As-Sunan Al-Waridah Fil-Fitan Abu Amr Uthman Ibne Sa'd al-Muqri Courtesy of inter-islam

The Fire The last major sign to appear before the Day of Judgement is the fire which will come out from the Yemen and gather the people in the place of their assembly. In the Hadith of Hudaifa-b-Usaid regarding the Majorsigns the Prophet said, "At the end of which a fire would burn out from Yemen and would drive people to the place of their assembly." (Muslim) Narrated by Abu Huraira (R.A) the Prophet said, "The people will be gathered in three ways: 1.The first way will be of those who will wish or have a hope (for paradise) and will have a fear (of punishment). 2.The second batch will be those who will gather riding, two on a camel or three on a camel or ten on a camel. 3.The third batch will be the rest of the people who will be urged to gather by the fire which will accompany them at the time of their afternoon nap and stay with them where they will spend the night, and will be with them in the morning wherever they may be then, and will be with them in the afternoon wherever they may be then. (Bukhari)

The Beast The Beast is also a major sign of Qiyamah. Allah says in the Qur'an, "And when the word is fulfilled concerning them. We shall bring forth a Beast of the Earth to speak unto them because mankind had no faith in our revelation." (Surah An-Naml) Abdullah-b-Umar said, "I memorised a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah which I have not forgotten. I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, 'The first of the signs that will come is the rising of the sun from the place of its setting and the emergence of the Beast upon the people. Whichever of these two occurs before the other then the other is right behind it." (Muslim) Commentating on the above verse Ibne Kathir has said that the beast will appear very near the end of time. When disintegration, corruption, kufr and evil prevail, commands of Allah are ignored, the Deen changed and made a mockery of, it is then Allah will take out the Beast from the earth. (Ibne Kathir) Imam Hakim in the light of the above Hadith has said that the rising of the sun from the west will take place before the emergence of the Beast. The Beast will appear on the same day the sun has risen from the west or very soon thereafter. Ibne Hajar after quoting Imam Hakim mentions, "The wisdom in the Beast appearing after the sun has risen from the west is that the door of repentance will close at the time the sun rises from the west. Thus the Beast will emerge to distinguish the believers from the non-believers completing the aim of closing the door of repentance." (Fathul-Bari) Task The task of the Beast will be to distinguish the believers from the non-believers, with Prophet Moosa's staff it will draw a line on the forehead of every believer whereby his face will become bright and luminous and with the ring of Sulaman it will seal the nose of every non-believer where by his whole face will become black. Thus there will be complete distinction between the Muslim and non-Muslirn, so that if many parties sit at a dinner table, the Muslim and non-Muslirn will be distinguished. (Abu Huraira-Musnad Ahmad/Tirmidhi) The Beast will also talk to people. It will say, "Mankind had no faith in our revelations." (Ibne Kathir) Place of emergence Many opinions have been expressed as regards to the place the Beast will come out from. A few are listed: 1) It will come out from Al-Masjid Al-Haraam in Makkah. This opinion is based on the hadith reported by Tabrani on the authority of Hudhaifa-b-Usaid. 2) It will come out three times, from some desert and then go back into hiding, then from some village and finally from Al-Masjid Al-Haraam. There are many other opinions most of them report that it will come out from the Haram of Makkah. (See Tadkirah and Al-Isha'ah) Nature of the Beast Many different opinions have been expressed as to the nature of the Beast and the type of animal it is. A few are shared and explained. 1) Some Ulama are of the opinion that the Beast to come before the end of time is the very animal which has been mentioned in the Hadith of Fatimah-b-Qais. Known as the Jassasa (spy) seen by Tamim Dari and his companions from the tribes of Lakhm and Juzaam on the same Island as the Dajjal. This is related of being the opinion of the Sahabi Abdullah-b-Amr-b-al-Aas. (Nawawee's commentary on Muslim) Fatimah-bin-Qais reported, "I heard the proclaimer of the Messenger of Allah proclaiming (for) 'Congregational Prayer'. I came out of the mosque and prayed with the Prophet . When he finished his prayer, he sat upon the pulpit smiling and said, 'Let every man remain in his seat.' Then he said, 'Do you know why I have called you together?' They replied, 'Allah and his Messenger know best.' He said, 'By Allah, I have not called you together for hope or for fear, but I have called you together because Tamim Dari a Christian came and embraced Islam. He narrated a story to me which agreed with the account I have given to you about the Dajjal (Anti-Christ). He informed me that he had embarked upon a sea-boat with thirty men of Lakhm and Jozam. Then the sea waves played with them for a month and threw them onto an island when the sun was about to set. They sat in a small side boat and entered the Island. A beast with very coarse hair met them. They could not tell its front from its back due to its excessive hair. They asked, 'Woe to thee! Who art thou?" It replied, 'I am a spy. Go to the man in the monastery, as he is eager to have your information.' He said, 'When it named a man for us, we fled away from it lest it might be the devil.' We hurriedly went on till we entered the monastery and found a big-bodied man whom we did never see before. He was firmly tied up, his hands tied to his neck, the place between his knees, and joints tied up with iron chains." (Muslim) Camel 2) Some scholars are of the opinion that it is the young of the she camel of the Prophet Salih. Imam Al-Qurtubi holds the same opinion, he writes in his commentary of the Qur'an, "The first opinion (regarding the Beast) is that it is the young of the she-camel of the Prophet Salih . This is the most correct view and opinion. Allah knows best." Opinion Explained The people of Thamud were Arabs who lived a couple of hundred years after the Prophet Noah in a place called Hijr which today is known as Madaain Salih in the North of Arabia near Tabuk. Blessed in provisions and livelihoods their land was fertile with green gardens and running springs and they skilfully carved spacious houses out of mountains. They were ungrateful to Allah as they worshiped the stone idols they carved with their very own hands. Thus Allah honoured Salih from amongst them with Prophethood and sent him as a Messenger to the people of Thamud to bring them out of darkness into light. Salih conveyed the message of Allah day and night and called them to the worship of Allah with wisdom and kind-heartedness but the people of Thamud decided to remain blind. Finally, they like the communities before them asked to see a miracle. They said, ' O Salih take out a ten month pregnant she-camel from a mountain which then gives birth to a young that has the same body and stature as the mother.' Having seen the miracle they refused to believe. The she-carnel was a sign of Allah, very large and unusual in form and the people were warned that they would be destroyed if they treated it with evil. All the other animals were afraid of Prophet Salih's camel and would run away whenever she and its young came to drink water. Thus bounds were arranged. However, after a very short period they broke the agreement and decided to kill the camel of Allah. A group hid waiting for the camel on its return from the well with its child. Shooting an arrow they injured it and finally killed it paving the way for the destruction of the entire community. On seeing its mother in trouble the child fled to the mountains and disappeared. This young is referred to in the second opinion. Extraordinary Animal 3) Some are of the opinion that the Beast to come is an animal that has features of many different animals. The same is reported from Abu Zubair. Describing the Beast he has reported that, "Its head is like that of a bull, eyes like that of a pig, ears like that of an elephant, horns like that of a stag, neck like that of an ostrich, chest like a lion, colour like that of a tiger, flanks like that of a cat, tail like that of a ram, feet and legs like that of a camel and a distance of 12 cubits between every two joints." (Tadhkirah) Snake Some scholars are of the opinion it is the Snake which guarded the Holy Ka'bah. Imam Al-Qurtubi relates this as being the opinion of Ibne Abbas. (Al-Qurtubi) Obeying Allah's command the Prophet Ibraheem with the help of his son Ismail built the Holy Ka'bah. He dug a well inside the Holy Ka'bah which was to the right of who entered it and acted as a safe to all the gifts that were presented to the Ka'bah which were kept inside it. At the time of Jurhum the gold and silver were stolen many times from the Kabah thus the tribe of Jurhum decided to choose a man amongst them to keep guard. Unfortunately, one day the guard himself decided to steal the gifts of the Kabah. Taking the opportunity as it came he climbed down the well and began to gather what he could in a piece of cloth. While he was busy Allah sent a stone on him, which closed the well and thus he was unable to escape. From that day Allah sent a snake to guard the Ka'bah. The snake lived in the well guarding the gifts of the Ka'bah for over 500 years. Exposed to the wearing factors of nature the walls of the Ka'bah at the time of Quraish (slightly before the time Prophet received Prophethood) had become weak and part of the covering had also burnt, thus the Quraish decided to rebuild the Ka'bah. However, the snake prevented them from demolishing the Holy Ka'bah every time they tried. Finally they stood at the Place of Ibrahim and prayed, "Oh Allah if you are happy in its rebuilding then make it possible and take care of this snake." Allah sent an eagle which took the snake towards Ajyaad. This snake is referred to in the forth opinion. (Tarikh-Makka) Many other opinions have been expressed as regards to the nature of the Beast. However, finding myself inclined towards Abu Amr Uthman Ibne Sa'd al-Mukri ad-Dani's opinion I conclude with his words, "There are many narration's in regards to the physical description, length, and nature of the Beast but most of these are Mawqoof on the Sahaba or those after them. As for those that are Marfoo only a few are sound thus we cannot assert anything in regard of its description and nature except that which is proven from the authentic Marfoo narration's and that it is a huge creature that will come out from the Earth, a beast other than man, nobody will be able to escape it. It will stamp the Muslim by writing 'believer' between his eyes, and stamp the non-Muslim by writing Kafir between his eyes." (As-Sunan Al-Waridah Fil-Fitan)

Rising of the Sun from the West The rising of the sun from the west is also a major sign of Qiyamah proven by the Qur'an and Sunnah. Allah says in the Qur'an, "The day when some signs of your Lord will come, no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he believed not before, nor earned good (by performing deeds of righteousness) through his faith." (Surah Al-An'aam) The verse is referring to the rising of the sun from the west, as is the opinion of the majority of the commentators. (Tabari/Ibne Kathir) Imam Tabari, after mentioning the different opinions of the commentators writes, "The most correct opinion in regards to the meaning of this verse is that what is apparent from the reports narrated from the Prophet that he said, "(lmaan will be of no benefit) when the sun rises from the west." (Tabari) Abu Huraira reported that the Holy Prophet said, "Hasten to do good deeds before six (things happen) :Rising of the sun from the west." (Mishkat) Where the Sun goes It is narrated on the authority of Abu Zar that the Messenger of Allah one day said, "Do you know where the Sun goes?" They replied, "Allah and his apostle know best." He (The Holy Prophet ) observed, "Verily it (the sun) glides till it reaches its resting place under the throne. Then it falls prostrate and remains there until it is told, 'Rise up and go to the place whence you came' and it goes back." Then it continues emerging out from its rising place and then glides till it reaches its place of rest under the throne where it falls prostrate and remains in that state until it is told, 'Rise up and return to the place whence you came.' And it returns and emerges out of it's rising place and then it glides (in such a normal way) that the people do not discern anything (unusual in it) till it reaches its resting place under the throne. Then it would be said to it, 'Rise up and emerge from the place of your setting,' and it will rise from the place of its setting." The Messenger of Allah said "Do you know when it will happen? It will happen at the time when faith will not benefit anyone who has not previously believed or has derived no good from the faith." (Muslim) Worshippers during the night will remain till the sun rises from the West Abdullah-b-Abu-Owfa reported that I heard the Messenger of Allah say, "Verily a night will come upon the people which is equivalent of three of your nights. When it comes those that engage themselves in worship during the night will recognise it. One of them will stand in prayer, read his Hizb (The normal amount he has made the habit of reading) and then go to sleep. Thereafter he will wake up (for the second time) read his Hizb in prayer and go to sleep. While this is the situation the people will begin to shout, scream and call one another. They will say, "What's this?" With fear they will run to the mosque. To their surprise they will see that the sun has risen from the west. When it reaches the middle of the sky it will return and set in the west." He said , "That is when Imaan will not benefit anyone (who brings faith after seeing the sign)." (An-Nihaya) Everyone will bring faith in seeing the sign Narrated by Abu Huraira (R.A), "Allah's Messenger said, 'The hour will not come until the sun rises from the west; and when the people see it, then whoever will be living on the surface of the Earth will have faith, and that is (the time) when no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he believed not before." (Bukhari) The real basis of faith is that man believes in the unseen realities on the authority of the Messenger of Allah . But when Allah manifests such startling and visible signs which herald the approach of the last hour and by which the veil of the unseen is rent asunder, then the belief becomes meaningless. The rising of the sun from the west will be of great disturbance to nature and will shake the mind of every man and awaken him to see for himself the great power of Allah. At this time the belief of the unseen will lose its importance. Door of Repentance Closed Once the sun has risen from the west the door of repentance will be closed and will remain closed until the Day of Judgement. If any infidel embraces Islam or any Muslim repents and seeks forgiveness for his sins any time after the rising of the sun from the west till the Day of Judgement, it will not be accepted. The Messenger of Allah said, "Verily Allah extends his hand at night so that the sinners of the day may repent and verily extends his hand during the day so that the sinners of the night may repent. (He will keep on doing this) as long as the sun does not rise from the west." (Abu-Musa al-Ashari/ Muslim) The Prophet said, "Allah has built a door of repentance in the west the breadth of which is seventy years and it will not close as long as the sun does not rise from the west." (Safwan-b-Assal / Tirmidhi) The above Ahadith have clearly specified that the extreme limit of the acceptance of repentance is till the sun rises from the west. Once it has risen it will not be accepted. Ibne Hajar has mentioned many Ahadith which prove that the door of repentance will remain closed till the Day of Judgement and thereafter writes, ''These narration's give strength to one another, agreeing completely in that when the sun rises from the west the door of repentance will be closed and will not be opened thereafter. And this is not specific with that day but will prolong till the Day of Judgement.'' (Fathul- Bari)

The Smoke Allah says, ''So thou wait for the day when the heaven shall bring a smoke manifest surrounding the people this is a painful Chastisement.'' ( Surah-Dhukan) Wasila-Bb-l-Asqa reported, ''I heard the Prophet saying, ''The final hour will not come until you see ten signs. '' (one of the ten mentioned was the smoke) (Muslim) It is clearly evident from the above verse and Ahadith that the smoke is a major sign of Qiyamah. It will rise and cover the whole world. The smoke will affect both the believers and non-belivers alike remaining for a period of 40 days and night. The believers will be affected a little as if suffering from cold while the smoke will enter the brains of the non-belivers and make them unconscious1. Footnote:1) Hudaifa-b-al-Yaman/Tabari. Ibne Masood's Opinion Ibne Masood's (RA) opinion regarding the verse in which the smoke has been mentioned is that he strongly claims that this is not the smoke which is described as one of the signs of Qiyamah. On the other hand the Holy Prophet being disgusted with the vexation and rebellion of the Quraish had invoked a famine of 7 years for them like that which was set upon the Egyptians in the days of Prophet Yusuf and as such the famine befell them to the starvation of the Makkans, who were so much constrained that they were forced to eat off corpses, hides and skins of animals. In short, the people of Makkah began to starve. As a rule in intense hunger and ceaseless drought, a kind of smoke is seen in the space between the heaven and the Earth, and also the dust, which rises into the sky from the Earth especially on long rainless days, looks like a smoke to the naked eyes. That thing is here described as a smoke. (Bukhari) Ibne Masood reported, "Five things have passed, the smoke, the defeat of the Romans, the splitting of the moon, the defeat of the infidels in the Battle of Badr and the punishment." (Bukhari) Firstly it should be noted that Ibne Kathir writes that from amongst the Sahaba Ibne Masood is the only one that holds this view. The majority of Ulama in the light of the above and many other Ahadith are of the opinion that the smoke referred to in the verse is the same which is to precede Qiyamah. This has also been related as being the opinion of Ibne Abbas and Hadrat Ali. (Ibne Kathir) Ali (RA) said, "The verse of Dukhan has not taken place" (Ibne Abe Hatim) Ibne Abbas, Ibne Umar, Hasan, and others said, ''The smoke referred to in the verses is the smoke before Qiyamah which will enter in the ears of the Kuffar and the hypocrites and will affect the Muslims like a cold. The whole world will be like a house on fire. It has not happened. It is to happen.'' (Lawami-ul-Anwaar) Abdullah-b-Abu-Mulaika narrated that I went one morning to Ibne Abbas. He said, ''I didn't sleep all night. ''I asked, ''Why?'' He replied, ''They informed me that a star with a tail appeared. I feared that the smoke may follow and thus I didn't sleep till it was morning.'' (Tabari / Ibne Kathir) It is clear from the above narration, which is authentic, as Ibne Kathir has mentioned that Ibne Abbas was of the opinion that the smoke is from among the awaited signs. (Ibne Kathir) Secondly Ibne Kathir writes that Ibne Masood doesn't relate what he has said back to the Prophet while the opinion that the smoke is from among the awaited signs is related back to the Prophet and so the principal of the Hadith is quite clear, ''That which is related back to the Prophet is given priority over that which is not.'' (An-Nihaya)

Landslides There will be three landslides before Qiyamah like never seen before. One in the East, one in the West and one in Arabia. The Earth will swallow everything above it and as a result, many people will die. However, everybody will be raised according to his intentions. This will take place when evil prevails. Hudhaifa-b-Usaid al-Ghifari reported: Allah's Messenger came to us all of a sudden as we were (busy in discussion) He said: "What are you discussing?" They (the companions) said: "We are talking about the last hour." Thereupon he said: "It will not come until you see ten signs before it, He made a mention of the Smoke, the Dajjal, the Beast, the Rising of the Sun from the West, the Descent of Jesus, Son of Mary, the emergence of Ya'juj and Ma'juj, and Landsliding will occur in three places, One in the East, one in the West and one in Arabia at the end of which a fire would burn forth from Yemen, which would drive people to the place of their assembly." (Muslim) Umme Salmah reported that I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, "After me there will be a landslide in the East, a landslide in the West and a landslide in the Peninsula of Arabia." I asked, "Oh Messenger of Allah will the Earth give way, though there are some pious people above it." The Prophet replied, "When its inhabitants exceed doing bad and evil." (Tabrani Fil-Awsat)