ummtaalib

MONDAY NIGHT IN MUZDALIFAH After the sunsets at Arafat the pilgrims leave on their journey to Muzdalifah where they spend the night in worship and rest

HAJJ 1434 - 9 DHUL HIJJAH (MONDAY 14 OCTOBER 2013) Day of Arafah Billion hearts only 1 voice ........  " ﻟَﺒَّﻴْﻚَ ﺍﻟﻠَّﻬُﻢَّ ﻟَﺒَّﻴْﻚَ ، ﻟَﺒَّﻴْﻚَ ﻻ‌ ﺷَﺮِﻳﻚَ ﻟَﻚَ ﻟَﺒَّﻴْﻚَ ، ﺇِﻥَّ ﺍﻟْﺤَﻤْﺪَ ﻭَﺍﻟﻨَّﻌْﻤَﺔَ ، ﻟَﻚَ ﻭَﺍﻟْﻤُﻠْﻚَ ، ﻻ‌ ﺷَﺮِﻳﻚَ ﻟَﻚَ "  " Labaik Allahuma labaik,labaika la sharika laka labaik, inna l'hamda wannemata laka walmulk laa sharika Lak "

Regarding the Destruction of Holy places in the Haramayn Often arguments are heard for and against the destruction of places with historic significance in the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. There are those who place great significance on visiting such places while others argue such visits and placing such importance on these places amounts to shirk. The following is an article by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani explaining how Muslims from the earliest generations have sought blessings (tabarruk) of individuals, objects, places and times. By Faraz Rabbani (Islamica Magazine, Issue 15) EVERY YEAR, Muslim holy sites are destroyed at an alarming pace. What is perhaps more alarming is that some Muslims see no problem with this. Rather, they may even feel that this is a good thing because an “exaggerated emphasis” is placed on the holiness of such sites. This overstated emphasis, they fear, could weaken or cloud sound understanding of the Oneness of God and reliance solely upon Him. However, Muslims from the earliest generations have sought blessings (tabarruk) of individuals, objects, places and times. The Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) vied with each other for his hairs, sweat, leftover water from wudu, and objects related to him, as established in rigorously authenticated hadiths. We see this practice in subsequent generations, too. Imam Shafi’i washed a shirt sent to him by Imam Ahmad and drank the water it was washed in (Ibn ‘Asakir, Tarikh Dimashq, 5.312). Imam Shafi’i also would visit the grave of Imam Abu Hanifa and pray there when he had some pressing need and ask God to fulfill that need, which would invariably be fulfilled. (al-Baghdadi, Tarikh Baghdad, 1.122) Imam Ahmad made a bequest that he be buried in Bab al-Tibn in the Qati’a cemetery. When asked about this, he responded, “I have strong proof that there is a prophet buried in Qati’a, and I would rather be buried close to a prophet than to my very own father” (Ibn Abi Ya’la, Tabaqat al-Hanabila, 1 . 188). The question arises, then: why this emphasis on the baraka (blessedness) of buildings, relics and individuals? The Qur’an talks about the baraka of certain individuals (such as Jesus), places (such as the Levant), things (such as the olive tree), texts (such the Qur’an), words (such as the greeting of salam, peace), and times (such as Laylat al-Qadr, when the Qur’an was first revealed). Raghib al-Asfahani explains that baraka is “affirming Divinely-placed good in something” (Asfahani, Mufradat Alfadh al-Qur’an, 119). Blessed individuals, objects and places are signs of the Divine. Beautiful in themselves, in meaning or form, they remind us of the Divine – of Divine Beauty, Oneness and of the ways of approaching the Divine. They are a means of remembering God. They awaken us to the reality that the forms of created things have a meaning they are all, in fact, signs of God. As the poet said, In everything there is a sign, Indicating that He is the One God tells us in the Qur’an, “And whosoever venerates the sacred things of God, it shall be better for him with his Lord” (Qur’an 22:32), and, “And whosoever venerates God’s waymarks, that is of the godliness of the hearts” (Qur’an 22:36). Qurtubi explains that the “sacred things of God” (sha ‘a’ir Allah) are the distinguishing signs of His religion (Qurtubi, al-Jami’li Ahkam al-Qur’an, 12.55). This is why Muslims throughout the ages have loved, venerated and sought the blessings of righteous individuals and places of significance, such as mosques, historical sites and the graves of the righteous. It is an expression of the love of God to see and celebrate His signs and to love those things beloved to Him. As the poet said, We see this in the very practice of the Beloved of God, for Ibn ‘Umar relates that, “The Messenger of God (peace and blessings of God be upon him) used to ask for water to be brought from purificationpools. He would drink from this water, seeking the blessing of the hands of Muslims” (Related by Tabarani in alAwsat, 1.243, and Abu Nu’aym in al-Hilya, 8.203; Haythami said in his Majma ‘ al-Zawa ‘id, 1.214, that its chain of transmitters is reliable). In an age of increasing meaninglessness, the loss of these persons and places that remind us of God, and of the ways to approach Him, is unfortunate indeed.

Kiswa to be changed today Monday, October 14, 2013 10:53 AM MAKKAH — As per the yearly custom, the Kiswa, the black cloth with golden embroidery covering the Holy Kaaba, will be changed on Monday (Dhul Hijja 9), an official of the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announced here on Sunday. Director General of Kiswa Factory in Makkah Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Pajudeh said more than 240 workers and employees are working in the factory. The cost of making Kiswa amounts annually to more than SR22 million. Pajudeh pointed out that 700 kg of silk and 120 kg of silver and gold wires are used in making the Kiswa. — SG http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20131014183647

Ten ways to increase happiness in marriage The young and excited bride-and-groom-to-be; ecstatic about the upcoming wedding and marriage and the joy that it will bring. Three to six months later, reality has set in and both spouses realize that marriage is no easy task, but one that takes a great deal of effort and patience. The following are tips for both wives and husbands, to help make the task a little less daunting, and to increase the many rewards that are possible in such a marvelous and complex relationship. Enter the Marriage with the Right Intention and Renew this Often Both spouses should enter the marriage with the pure intention of pleasing Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, in order to receive His grace and blessings. The marriage itself then becomes an act of worship and one for which both spouses will be rewarded. Allah will be pleased with them and this will be the most critical element in ensuring peace, stability and happiness throughout the marital life. It is also important to realize that when an act of worship is continued over a long period of time, it becomes necessary to renew one's intention often to remain on the correct path and to obtain the most benefit. Remember that Your Spouse is also Your Brother or Sister in Islam Too often Muslims treat other people outside the home with kindness and sincerity, but then behave in a very different manner when it comes to their own spouses. Muslims should always remember that one's spouse is also another brother or sister in Islam and that the rights and duties that apply to the general brotherhood (sisterhood) of Islam, should also form the basis of the marital relationship. Obviously, a spouse has rights beyond these, but there should be a clear understanding of the rights of brotherhood (sisterhood) and adherence to these principles. Do Not Hold Unrealistic Expectations Before marriage, people often have unrealistic ideas about their spouse-to-be, expecting perfection in all aspects. This rarely, if ever, plays out in reality and can lead to unnecessary problems and concerns. We should recall that Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, created humans as imperfect beings, which means that many mistakes will be made throughout a lifetime. By turning the table and expecting imperfection, we will be pleasantly surprised and pleased when our spouse is much more than we ever hoped for. This, in turn, will lead to contentment within the marriage. Emphasize the Best in Your Spouse Since no one is endowed with all of the best qualities, emphasis should be placed on the positive qualities that a spouse possesses. Encouragement, praise, and gratitude should be expressed on a regular basis, which will strengthen these qualities and be beneficial in developing others. An attempt should be made to overlook or ignore negative characteristics, as the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, "A believing man should not have any malice against a believing woman. He may dislike one characteristic in her, but may find another in her which is pleasing." (Muslim) Be Your Mate's Best Friend Try to think of what a best friend means and be one to your spouse. This may mean sharing interests, experiences, dreams, failures and upsets. It may involve understanding a spouse's likes and dislikes and attempting to please him or her in any way possible. A best friend is also usually someone that can be confided to trusted, and relied upon. A spouse should be the kind of friend that one would want to keep throughout life. Spend Quality Time Together It is not enough to share meals, chores and small talk together. Spouses should also find time to focus on strengthening the relationship. Often couples get busy with their own separate tasks and forget about working on one of the most important elements in life. Quality time may be anything from having a quiet, profound conversation to going for a nice long nature walk, to sharing a special hobby or project. Both spouses should enjoy the particular option chosen and distractions should be kept to a minimum. Express Feelings Often This is probably a very "Western" concept and one that some people may have difficulty fulfilling, but it is important to be open and honest about one's feelings, both positive and negative. The lines of communication should always be open and any concerns should be brought to the attention of the other spouse as soon as they arise. The rationale of this is that what begins as a simple concern may grow into a major problem if it is not addressed quickly and properly. The "silent treatment" has never been the remedy for anything. Admit to Mistakes and ask for Forgiveness Just as we ask Allah to forgive us when we make mistakes, we should also do the same with our spouses. The stronger person is the one who can admit when he or she is wrong, request pardon from the other, and work hard to improve his/her aspects that are in need of change. When a person is unwilling to do this, there will be little growth and development in the marriage. Never Bring up Mistakes of the Past It can be very hurting for another person to be reminded of past mistakes. In Islam, it is generally not recommended to dwell on the past. One may remember errors that were made so that they are not repeated, but this should not be done excessively. Certainly, as humans, we are not in the position to judge another person. Advice may be given, but not in a harmful manner. Surprise Each Other at Times This may entail bringing home a small gift or flowers, preparing a special meal, dressing up and beautifying oneself (this is not only for women), or sending a secret note in a lunchbox. A little imagination will go a long way here. The idea is to spice up the marriage and avoid getting into a dull routine that may negatively affect the marriage. Have a Sense of Humour This particular aspect can go a long way in preventing arguments and brightening the atmosphere of the home. Life is a constant stream of challenges and tests, and to approach it in a light-hearted manner will help to make the journey smoother and more enjoyable. You may also find that your spouse enjoys this characteristic and looks forward to spending time with you because of it. Quick Tips for Discussions and Disagreements: Begin with the intention to resolve the issue. If both spouses have this intention and plan to consult together, it is more likely that there will be a successful resolution. Remember that it takes two to quarrel. If only one person chooses not to argue, there will be no argument. Generally, the one who is wrong does most of the talking. Both spouses should not be angry at the same time. If one of the spouses becomes upset, it is best if the other tries to remain calm and collected. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire. Of course, house fires do not occur very frequently; yelling should occur at about the same rate. Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled. This is one of the worst things that can happen in a marriage and should be avoided as much as possible. This allows hurt feelings and thoughts to linger and generally exacerbates the problem. If one spouse needs to win, let it be your mate. Do not focus on winning yourself; this is the main reason that discussions tend to become heated. www.islaaminfo.co.za

Help in MIna for the Disabled 226 electric vehicles for the disabled and the sick and elderly Mina, Dhu-AlHijjah 8, 1434, Oct 13, 2013, SPA The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has allocated 226 electric vehicles at Jamarat Facility for pilgrims with special needs, patients, elderly people, and women to facilitate their performance of this Hajj ritual of throwing pebbles. The Director of the Ministry's Department of Operation and Maintenance at Central Directorate of Developmental Projects in the Holy Sites Eng. Wajdi bin Hassan Toulah said that the electrical vehicles will serve 70,000 pilgrims during this year's Hajj season, 1434AH. http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/print.php?id=1157219

80-year-old Saudi, after 60 Hajs, hails today's services October 13, 2013 12:06 AM MAKKAH — A 80-year-old Saudi mosque imam, who has performed Haj 60 times, has strongly praised the current Haj services describing them as consummate and convenient compared to pilgrimages in olden time. "The Haj now is a picnic thanks to the sublime services being provided to the guests of God by the Saudi government under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and his Crown Prince," he said. Sheikh Jabran Yahya Solaiman Al-Malki, imam of Hiraz mosque in Al-Dair, in Jazan province to the Southwest of the Kingdom, said complete services being extended to the pilgrims have enabled them do their Haj rites in ease and comfort. "There is no comparison between the Haj services today and those of the past when resources were scant," he said. Al-Malki recalled that he performed the Haj for the first time with his father in 1954 during the reign of King Saud. "It was an exhausting experience which I will never forget. The resources were very little and transport was poor," he said. He said the journey from Jazan to Makkah took him and his father two weeks to complete. "There were no paved roads and the cars were old and smoky," he added. Al-Malki said there was not enough water, food or toilets in the Holy Sites. "The number of pilgrims was about 250,000. We used to live in tents near the Jamarat in Mina. We had to cross on foot the long distances between Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah," he said. Al-Malki said he had performed Haj for himself, his parents, relatives and a number of his sons who died young. But the fact, at 80 with 60 Hajs, the imam could well be on his way to setting a Guinness world record. http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20131013183543

Hajis begin streaming into Mina METICULOUS PLANNING: The sparkling tent city of Mina is ready to receive hundreds of thousands of Hajis on Sunday. (AN photo by Abdullah Al-Mohsen) Hundreds of thousands of Haj pilgrims began streaming into tent city at Mina by foot, on buses and in four-wheel drives late Saturday amid extreme heat and humidity. On their way, pilgrims were met by many checkpoints manned by security men, health officials and traffic police, who asked pilgrims to display their Haj permits. The much feared mobile fingerprint machines were nowhere to be seen. Although skies were overcast, high temperatures ensued while pilgrims flooding into Makkah suffered traffic jams that turned a regular 40-minute drive from Jeddah into a grueling 3-and-a-half-hour marathon. Helicopters hovered overhead, directing security officials on the ground..... Read Here 8th Dhul Hijjah 1434

Graveyard of Baqee (Click on pictures to enlarge) Beautiful Sunset Arial View

LOVE it!!!!

PREPARATIONS COMPLETED FOR HAJJ 1434 (2013) Prince Mansour announces readiness of ministry to assist pilgrims during Haj MINA — Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Dr. Mansour Bin Miteb announced the readiness of all of the ministry’s sectors to carry out its plan to serve pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites. In a statement on the prepardness of the ministry, he said a detailed plan is being carried out by Makkah Municipality with support from all the sectors of the ministry. He said 23,000 workers in the ministry’s projects will be getting rid of garbage as soon as it collects. Over 170 electrical compressor dumpsters for garbage have been distributed in the Central Area of Makkah. Several places have been allocated for collecting garbage. They have reached 131 stores each with a capacity of 35 tons, apart from 1,025 compressor dumpsters each with a capacity of 10 tons. A big number of field teams has been distributed so as to monitor the prices in the markets throughout the Haj season. Over 15,000 additional rest rooms have been set up before the Haj season in Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat within a project to construct 36,000 new rest rooms. They will be completed before the 2014 Haj season. In collaboration with municipalities of Makkah and Madinah, the ministry has intensified its efforts to carry out the environmental protection program and combat public health diseases during Haj by using environment-friendly means to preserve the health and safety of the guests of Allah during their presence in Makkah and Madinah. Since the beginning of the month of Dhul Hijja, the ministry deployed as many as 73 health teams to combat insects, mosquitoes, flies and harmful pests that help spread diseases among humans. Their breeding grounds were located and sprayed with pesticides. Stagnant pools were filled with soil or the water was pumped out. Other likely breeding grounds during Haj were also dealt with. An integrated program to prevent the piling up of garbage was carried out. The ministry has used pesticides and insecticides with the least harm to pilgrims in combating public health diseases. The ministry focused on alternative methods such as using baits that attract flies, adhesive strips and other traps. The ministry’s plan relies on the constant presence of combat teams at the sites where flies and mosquitoes are likely to multiply such as vegetable and livestock markets, slaughterhouses and places for collecting garbage. In the same connection, the ministry provided support to Makkah Municipality to carry out a plan for combating public health diseases during the Haj season and intensify field tours in all of Makkah’s districts and the holy sites. — SG/SPA SaudiGazzette Kingdom keen to ease hardship of pilgrims 12 October 2013 The government, ministers, dignitaries, business and charity leaders are keen to make the current Haj season an unprecedented success. The Ministry of Interior and the Supreme Haj Committee are inspecting preparations undertaken by departments for this year’s pilgrimage. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah, governor of Najran Province, said: “Services and facilities have been fully and continuously provided to pilgrims coming through border entry points.” Prince Mishari bin Saud, governor of Baha Province, has ensured that facilities are put in place for pilgrim convoys passing through the region toward Makkah to perform their Haj rituals securely. The Medical Supply Directorate at the Health Department in Makkah provided medicines, medical and laboratory supplies to health facilities in Makkah and the holy sites. “Eight hospitals and 24 health centers have been equipped in the holy sites,” said Ismail bin Mohammed, the directorate’s assistant director of pharmacies. Nasser bin Saleh Al-Hujailan, undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Information for cultural affairs, said: “More than 50,000 books, booklets and photos of the two Holy Mosques and the holy sites, in addition to copies of the Holy Qur’an, will be distributed to pilgrims for this year’s Haj season.” “The publications will be distributed through 22 public libraries and exhibitions in various regions of the Kingdom to participate in the provision of services to pilgrims,” he said. Guests of the Ministry of Culture and Information, who came to the Kingdom to cover Haj rituals, visited the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Haj and Umrah Research at Umm Al-Qura University. The Institute’s dean, Abdulaziz bin Rashad Srouji, briefed guests on the institute and its services to pilgrims, stressing that the Kingdom has harnessed all its potentials in the service of pilgrims. The Ministry of Haj has urged all Haj missions, including tourist agencies, companies and charities, to warn their pilgrims against importing drugs or any other prohibited material. http://www.arabnews.com/news/467539

Mount Uhud & the Parks along its Foothills Narrated Anas bin Malik: When the mountain of Uhud came in the sight of Allah’s Apostle he said. “This is a mountain that loves us and is loved by us. O Allah! Abraham made Mecca a sanctuary, and I make (the area) in between these two mountains (of Medina) a sanctuary.” Muslim Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet once climbed the mountain of Uhud with Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Uthman. The mountain shook with them. The Prophet said (to the mountain), "Be firm, O Uhud! For on you there are no more than a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs. Bukhari This is the mountain which pulls every Believer during the visit to Madinah Munawwarah. One is taken back in time with thoughts of the beloved Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam and the gallant and devoted Sahabah Radhiyallaahu 'anhum fighting the disbelievers who were bent on the annihilation of the Muslims. One can imagine the Companions guarding the pass from Mount Rumah; their running down thinking the battle had been won leading to the enemy taking advantage and the beloved sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam being attacked..... Mount Rumah The Parks at Mount Uhud The following information and pictures from a post by Sister Mikeenah reports the opening of gardens/parks along the foothills of the mountain along with awful, glaring shops! Though the gardens look beautiful, it is hoped these gardens and shops will not come too close to the battleground area diverting visitors from our rich history.... …the mountain that we love and that loves us has gradually been undergoing a transformation…resulting in the opening of several parks along the foothills and a dramatic, if not eerie, night spectacular… …this section is on the far eastern side… …where walls and seating features have been hewed from the surrounding warm-toned rocks… …unfortunately parks here are fenced, gated and locked and are often not open even during times according to signs…the hope of entering on this visit was not written …this is a different park, which hugs the foothills heading toward the west… Illuminated At Night …blazing waterfalls… …highlighting trees… …enhancing the rock formations and textures… ...and I (ummitaalib) refuse to post pictures of the shops! See more Here

Turaabi Madinah (Soil of Madinah) & the Question of Healing in it Aisha (Radhiyallaahu 'anhaa) reported, "When any person fell ill with a disease or had an ailment of injury, the Prophet of Allah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam placed his forefinger on the ground and then lifted it by reciting the name of Allah and said, 'The dust of our ground with the saliva of one of us serves as cure for our ill ones, with the sanction of Allah'" (Sahih Muslim Hadith number 2194) Question? From the above (which is from "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah" Dr.Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani) we know that the soil of Madinah "with the saliva of one of us" serves as a cure with the will of Almighty Allah and no specific area of Madinah is mentioned. However there are reports and stories of a specific area in Madinah which has soil with healing properties (Known as Khaaq-e-Shifaa in Urdu). How true are these reports? Let us inshaAllah try and find out.... These old pictures are of the site in Madinah where it is believed the earth has amazing healing properties The place as shown in the pictures above does not exist anymore. In some places on the internet it says the place has been turned into a sewage canal. This however, is not true. It is not a sewage canal but a waterway dug in to drain rainwater. The following is a picture of how it looks now. Is there any truth in these stories or is it a Misconception? The following is a question posed to a Mufti and the reply. Q: What is the status of the shifa (cure) sand from Madinah Munawarah? A: Your query refers. The shifaa sand is derived from a special garden in Madinah which contains the date palms planted by Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). For centuries people used the sand of that garden for purposes of shifaa or cure. To do so is permissible, but one should not go above the limit and start giving that sand extra-ordinary significance And Allah Ta'ala knows best Mufti Siraj Desai The following Hadith is mentioned in a Fatwa regarding use of Ruqya where the Mufti sahib explains the different methods of Ruqya found in authentic traditions Here Abu Dawood reported in his Sunan that the Prophet (SAS) came to Thabit Ibn Qais who was sick and recited the dua upon him, ’O Lord of Mankind, take away the harm from Thabit Ibn Qais’. Then he (the Prophet) took some earth from Buthaan (a place in Medina) and then put it in a container and put water in it. After, doing this, he then splashed the water on Thabit’. (Abu Dawood) *The above hadith is also mentioned by Al-Miskeenah in the post on the valley of Bathan *And this YouTube video shows the place. It is in Urdu and mentions the Hadith from Abu Dawood. *The author of "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah," Dr.Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani says, "The narration regarding the sand of But'haan is weak" And Allah subhaanahu wata'ala knows best...............

Question and Answer: Q. I’ve heard that a person who is going to do Qurbani should not clip his nails or trim his hair. Is this true? A. A person who intends doing Qurbani should abstain from trimming/removing his hair, including underarm and pubic hair, or clipping his nails from the first of Zul Hijjah till after the slaughter of his/her Qurbani. This is a recommended practice and has been mentioned in the Hadith. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said: “Whoever intends doing Qurbani should abstain from clipping his nails or removing his hair for the first ten days of Zul Hijjah” (Sunan an-Nasai, Hadith #: 4362, Narrated by Umm Salmah) It should be noted that whilst this is a recommended practice, it is not compulsory. Hence, if a person trims his hair or clips his nails during the first ten days of Zul Hijjah, he will not be sinful. And Allah Knows Best Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

The Dirty Laundry… By Abu Muhammad Yusuf In life we often tend to be judgmental and very often look down upon others without exploring deeper as to why the person is behaving in such a way. The Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said "It is enough of evil for a person to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All of a Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth and his honour." (Hadith- Muslim) A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbour hanging the laundry outside. "That laundry is not very clean", she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap. "Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbour would hang her washing to dry, the young woman would make the same comments. About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean laundry on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this." "The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows" Lesson: If our windows are dirty so will we see others as dirty too. What we see in others is indeed a reflection of our inner-selves! So it is with life that what we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. It is easy for us to discuss other people, their lives & things that really doesn't even concern us and we tend to forget - our windows may not be that clean after all! If we good we will see good… The Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: "A Muslim is a mirror to another Muslim"(Hadith_Abu Dawud) http://eislaminfo.blogspot.co.uk/

The Umbilical Cord … By Sister Jasmine Khan When we emerge from the womb at birth we are attached to our mothers by the umbilical cord. The first thing the doctor or midwife does is to sever this cord so that we can make it on our own in the world. However, the umbilical cord has significance besides the purely physical. This metaphorical connection to our birth mother will make its influence felt throughout the life of both child and mother. This bond between mother and child is so powerful that however hard outside agents may try to break it, and even succeed to a certain extent, the connection will stay and re-surface, no matter how frayed the cord may become. There is another umbilical cord which will make itself felt, if we allow it to. That is the invisible cord which connects us to our Creator, the true source from which all of us come into this world. No matter how many outside influences we may have in life, that connection stays, and will eventually clamour for attention. As we turn to our mothers for love and nurturing, our souls will constantly yearn for the love and mercy of our true Creator. We may ignore it, deny it, or be too blind, deaf and dumb to acknowledge it, but it will remain the one constant in our hearts, our souls, in the very essence of our being. As we enter another season of Hajj, we look at family, friends and neighbours scurrying around with last minute chores that have to be completed before departing for the Holy Land. One cannot help reflecting about the whole concept of Hajj, and why it is the fifth and last pillar of Islam. When we declare the Kalimah Shahadah and Testify that there is only One Allah and that we believe firmly in our Creator, we move to the next pillar which commands us to perform the Salaah. We do this out of obedience initially, but there comes a point when we perform our Salaah out of gratitude for all the bounties that Allah has given us; the greatest being the gift of life. We fast to inculcate Taqwa and because we crave Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for our transgressions. We pay Zakah (compulsory charity) and give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) because we want others less fortunate to share in the rizq (provisions) that we have been blessed with. Once we have fulfilled the first four pillars of Islam we feel content to a certain extent. It is now that our heart and soul starts to crave nearness to Allah, whether we are aware of it or not. We feel a subconscious yearning to meet Allah. We know that someday we will be re-united with our Creator, we will return to that from which we came. This inexplicable longing persists and grows. When we are truly in touch with our heart; when that heart is free from all that is impure, negative, and ugly, the longing will be felt. Our soul will crave to be ever closer to Allah, just as a child turns to his mother for comfort and love. Consider how very merciful Allah is; even more merciful than the best mother. Allah knows what we need and has granted us the opportunity to meet that innate need, by giving us the fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj(Pilgrimage). We do not have to wait for death to fulfil our yearning. It has been said that the gathering on the plains of Arafat is like a miniature Qiyaamah(Day of Resurrection) and during our lifetime we are granted this unique opportunity to experience this magnificent favour from our Creator. We often hear people commenting on those who have performed Hajj: “look at that, she/he has been to Makkah, but has not changed at all”. Going for Hajj does not change us; the change has to take place before undertaking the journey. In fact, change is the wrong word, we do not change; we grow and develop. If we change today, we can change back tomorrow. Life is a process of moving from not knowing, to knowing, it is a process of evolving. We do not change from a baby to a child and then to an adult. We grow from one stage to another, developing the necessary skills to cope with each stage. Similarly our faith needs to grow and develop; it must grow from believing in what we cannot really conceive of as a child, to what we possibly cannot conceive of as a young adult, until we reach a state of clarity. At this point we see and feel the workings of Allah as a constant in our life. We need no proof other than what is taking place in our life. When we are connected to our inner core, the core which comes from Allah, we experience Allah’s influence from moment to moment. Faith is not an object that can be taken up and put down at will. True faith means to believe in Allah every second of the day, it is active and dynamic, not passive. When we truly believe, unconditionally and with total commitment, trust must follow. We cannot say: “I believe, or I have Imaan and Taqwa”, and then worry about the outcome of certain things. Total trust in Allah means the having the conviction that nothing happens without Allah’s permission, that Allah wants only good things for us. Once we believe and trust, we will flow. We acknowledge and accept that only Allah is in charge, and we submit. Once we have done everything we can to ensure a good outcome, we release. This is the real power of flow. Nowhere is the power of flow more convincingly portrayed than during the rites of pilgrimage. Many of those people have been known to leave babies, young children and elderly parents to perform the pilgrimage. Some have left their jobs, even sold their homes to pay for the trip. They are the ones who have submitted to an inner yearning to meet Allah, to beg for forgiveness and to re-establish connection to their source. They are the ones who have translated faith into action. Their trust in Allah is absolute, and when they say: “I leave my family in the hands of Allah,” it is evidence of absolute trust. When we look at the Hajj portrayed we see millions of people moving like a river in flow. They have truly felt the tug of the invisible cord that joins them to Allah, and have given in to the longing to re-connect. Like a child returning to a mother for succour and comfort, all of us have this yearning for the ONE who is even more Merciful. Whether we know it or not, whether we are aware of it or not, that cord is there. When the heart is pure, when the longing to re-connect is so great, that is when the invitation to be a guest of Allah comes! May Allah Ta’ala make us amongst His chosen guests…Ameen www.eislam.co.za

Leicester Fire: Prayers Held For Victims An estimated 7,000 mourners gather for a prayer service for four family members who died in a blaze at their home. Thousands of mourners have attended a funeral prayer service for a mother and her three children who died in a suspected arson attack. An estimated 7,000 people gathered in Leicester's Spinney Hill Park to pay their respects to the memory of Shehnila Taufiq, 47, and her teenage children, daughter Zainab, and sons Bilal and Jamal. Mrs Taufiq's husband, Dr Muhammad Taufiq al Sattar, was among those who addressed the half-hour service, thanking mourners and police for their support Seven people have been charged with murdering the four family members, who died in the blaze at their home in the Spinney Hills area of Leicester on September 13. Speaking during the service, Dr Taufiq , who works in Dublin as a neurosurgeon, told mourners: "It's a sad day, my heart is crying. I would like to thank all of you for coming. "I know our hearts are breaking but all the brothers and sisters are with me, everybody from Leicester from all denominations, outside Leicester and throughout the world." The funeral prayers, taking place ahead of a burial service in Dublin at the weekend, were open to the public so that members of the local community could attend. Speaking to the media following the service, Dr Taufiq , whose wife and children were studying Islamic literature in Leicester, said the prayers had given him a sense of peace and tranquillity. The surgeon also said he had drawn strength from his religious faith since the fire, and was keen to continue to work for the benefit of the wider community in Ireland. Dr Taufiq told reporters: "I am not angry, yes my heart is broken. I cried a few times today carrying the coffins of my family (but) I am going to continue the work my wife and my children have left for me." Coffins of the four family members who died in the suspected arson attack As mourners gathered on a grass area in the park before the service, Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon, of Leicestershire Police, said: "It's good to see so many people wishing to pay their respects. "It's a tragic incident that has had a very significant impact on the local community." Source

Question and Answer: Q. Is it preferable to do Qurbani locally or abroad, in countries like India, Palestine, etc.? A. Feeding the destitute and needy abroad is indeed meritorious. However, based on the fact that Rasulullah Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam advised his beloved daughter Faatimah Radhi-Allaahu anha to personally witness her Qurbani being carried out, it would be more virtuous to perform Qurbani locally. If an individual has surplus funds to purchase more than one share of Qurbani, then one can consider doing Nafl Qurbani abroad. (Jamiatul Ulama South Africa) And Allah Knows Best Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Better, Try to See the Light By Khalid Baig Modern day Christianity and Judaism have been through a series of "reformation" processes. Over the centuries tens of thousands of "reformed churches" and "reformed synagogues" have been established throughout Europe and America. Many see this revision and update as a continuous process. So, why not Islam? This question is a perplexing one for those looking at Islam from the outside. Unfortunately for many, it brings rage rather than reflection. Some are driven to do whatever it takes to make it happen. It is a measure of the intensity of such desire that, today, any ignoramus with a Muslim sounding name can become instant celebrity by declaring that Qur'an needs to be updated or Shariah needs to be rethought. In fact during the Satanic Verses affairs, when the entire Muslim world had been outraged by the support for pure filth shown by all sorts of pundits, many of these "experts" were secretly thrilled that the moment had arrived. A professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Southern California informed the Los Angeles Times readers at that time that the big question the Muslim world was debating was: "Who had really authored the Qur'an." Such psychotic scholarship has also been enlisted in all kinds of research projects as well as in secret plans by the U.N. and big powers to find ways of bringing "reform" to Islam. Some come disguised as friends. They appear to applaud Islam's teachings on tolerance and compassion. Islam does preach tolerance for those outside its boundaries. At the same time it is also very sensitive about its own boundaries and would not allow them to be blurred in a haze of tolerance. Some point to the principles of Ijtihad in Islam. But they fail to realize that Ijtihad does not mean second-guessing the Qur'an, Sunnah or consensus of the companions. Then there are those who resort to ridiculing Muslims for lagging behind the times. When all else fails, they may simply try to order an abrogation of Shariah, as the U.N. is trying to do now under the banner of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Wasted efforts, all! Their fight is with the Qur'an and they only need to turn to the Qur'an to get a response. Here it is, loud and clear: "But when Our clear revelations are recited unto them, they who look not for the meeting with Us, say: 'Bring us a Qur'an other than this, or change it.' Say (O Muhammad): It is not for me to change it of my own accord. I can only follow that which is revealed unto me. Lo! If I disobey my Lord I fear the retribution of an awful Day." [Yunus 10:15] If Qur'an could have been changed by worldly powers, it would have been changed long time ago. If it could be made controversial by secretly publishing and distributing corrupt versions, that would have been already done. But not an iota has changed in the Book that was revealed 1400 years ago. It is the only revealed book in the world that exists in the original language of its revelation. And if all the printed copies of it were to be destroyed today, the Book would remain for it is the only Book in the world that is memorized from cover to cover by millions upon millions of people. And it is the only revealed book that begins with this claim: "This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off evil."[Albaqarah 2:2] There is no doubt that it is the Word of Allah. No doubt that it contains the ultimate truth. No doubt that it was sent through the last Messenger (Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam) of Allah who also explained what it means. No doubt that all success and happiness and bliss lies in faithfully following its commands and all failure and sorrow and misery lies in rejecting it. You either believe in this statement or you do not. There is no third option. A Muslim, by definition, is the person who attests to the truth of this statement. He has received Allah's Word through Allah's messenger, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and he, by force of conviction, submits to this revealed truth. In fact, he stands as a witness to the mankind to the truth of this message. This witnessing is not meant to convert others, but only to deliver the Message, as a trust from Allah. The Message has been preserved precisely because no one is allowed to change it to make it attractive to the would be believers. Muslims do not do in Rome as the Romans do, because then they will have Islam no more. They rise above their surroundings by submitting to the Word of Allah and invite the whole world to the same. Those who accept it do it for their own good; those who reject it do so at their own peril. So, why is there no "reform" movement in Islam ala Christianity or Judaism? Because the latter lost their scriptures, Islam did not. Words of man replaced the words of God in their scriptures making the whole thing fallible. One can find hundreds of statements in the Bible that can be tested and found untrue. Or statements that contradict each other. There is not a single such instance in the Qur'an, and there will never be. Islam was never deformed that it should need reform. It is not dated that it should need to be updated. Its message is as true today as it was yesterday. All of its commands are as life giving today as they were yesterday and they will be tomorrow. It remains as the eternal beacon of light as humanity jumps from one extreme to the other in its ignorance. Right and wrong are eternal. Definitions of good and evil have to be constant. Otherwise, they will lose all meaning. In a world of shifting standards of good, there is no good. It is a great blessing for humanity that Islam provides that constant. If the entire world agrees that homosexuality is ok, Islam will still call it a great abomination. If the entire world agrees to destroy the institution of family, Islam will still be there to uphold it. If the entire world agrees that sickness is health and health is sickness, Islam will still be there to remove the confusion and safeguard health. You cannot ban light and legislate darkness. Better, try to see the light yourself. http://www.albalagh.net/food_for_thought/quran2.shtml

The Well of Zarwaan & the Black Magic of a Hypocrite In the post above (Horse Training Ground), mention is made of the locality of Banu Zuraiq (A prominent tribe of the Ansaar) which was situated to the south of Masjid Nabawi and Masjid Ghamamah and which was the finishing point of the shorter race course. The well of Zarwaan was also in the locality of the Banu Zuraiq. A hypocrite, Labeed bin al A'asam practiced magic over the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam and buried it in this well. Jibrail AS informed the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam of this and it was removed. Jibrail AS recited Suratul Falaq and Suratun Naas to cure him from the magic. (Sahih Bukhari Hadith number 5765) From "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah" Dr.Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani

I found this paragraph quite simple to understand: It should be known that anyone who possesses a zakatable-minimum (nisab) the obligation to pay Zakat will commence. As soon as one possesses this amount, one’s Zakat year will start, and he will be obligated to actually pay Zakat once a whole year has passed if he still possesses an amount equal or more than the zakatable-minimum. The zakatable-minimum is equivalent to the value of 87 grams of gold.

wa'alaykumus salaam ww inshaAllah this Q/A will be of help: Q. When does zakat become obligatory upon a person and how would zakat be calculated? Answer Nisab means the minimum amount of wealth upon which Zakah is payable. It represents the guaranteed minimum financial floor above which an individual is deemed to be ‘Sahibe-Nisab’ (owner of wealth) and therefore liable to Zakah. The Nisab limit was set by the Prophet (SAW) at 20 mithqal of gold or 200 dirhams of silver (7.5 tolas of gold and 52.5 tolas of silver). These measures are equivalent to 87.48 grams of gold and 612.36 grams of silver respectively. If a person only has gold as an asset, then the Nisab measure for gold must be used. If however the person has a mixture of assets, then the Nisab level for silver should be used. To ascertain the current monetary equivalent of the Nisab limit, it is necessary to establish the market rate for a gram of gold and silver. This can be obtained from www.goldprice.org The current market rate (June 16th 2012) for a gram of gold is £33.26 and £0.59 for a gram of silver. Therefore the Nisab threshold for gold is approximately £2909.58 and for silver it is £361.29 (16/06/2012) A person will only pay Zakah when his Zakatable assets – after adding and subtracting debts owed either to or from others – is equal to, or in excess of £361.29 Source

Horse Training Ground Masjid Sabaq Where the cars are parked in the second picture is where Masjid Sabaq was The location of Masjid Sabaq (which has been demolished) was 520 metres North-West of Masjid Nabawi. It used to be the ground used by the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam for training horses for the battles. Masjid Sabaq was just to the south of Thaniyyatul Wadaa (mentioned in the previous post) and was the starting point of a race course which the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam and his Companions Radhiyallaahu 'anhum used to train and race horses. The race course had two finishing points; The first finishing point was at the locality of Banu Zuraiq (A prominent tribe of the Ansaar) which was situated to the south of Masjid Nabawi and Masjid Ghamamah. This was the shorter course for untrained horses. The second finishing point was Hafyaa which is located to the west of Mount Uhud (approximately 10km from Masjid Nabawi). In the time of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam rehearsal drills for horse riding would be carried up to here. Above information from "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah" Dr.Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani The following is an inspiring account from Al-Miskeenah with wonderful pictures …no neighing, snorting or dust swirling from galloping horses… no yelling, encouraging bareback riders, turbans flying to go faster… no sword blades glinting in the afternoon sunlight… …this walled construction site that has been sitting idle for years, marks the race track used by our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his esteemed Companions RadhiAllahu anhum to train horses for battles …the smaller outcrop of Sulai’, the little Sala’ was a marker along the track (The Sulai' is the rock which can be seen towards the left of the picture) (The walled construction site marking the the track can be seen on the far right side of this picture) …it doesn’t take much to comprehend how the landscape was during the time our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his gallant Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum were racing the distance seen in this photo…the track being along this very stretch to as far as the eye can see in the distance…to Al-Musalla site and Banu Zuraiq, which was the shorter race for the untrained horses…

..."Dad was now becoming more worried about me. I've never cried like that before"... Her cheeks were worn and sunken and her skin hugged her bones. That didn't stop her though; you could never catch her not reciting Quran. Always vigil in her personal prayer room Dad had set up for her. Bowing, prostrating, raising her hands in prayer. That was the way she was from dawn to sunset and back again, boredom was for others. As for me I craved nothing more than fashion magazines and novels. I treated myself all the time to videos until those trips to the rental place became my trademark. As they say, when something becomes habit people tend to distinguish you by it. I was negligent in my responsibilities and laziness characterized my Salah. One night, I turned the video off after a marathon three hours of watching. The azaan softly rose in that quiet night. I slipped peacefully into my blanket. Her voice carried from her prayer room. "Yes? Would you like anything Norah?" With a sharp needle she popped my plans. 'Don't sleep before you pray Fajar!' "Agh ... there's still an hour before Fajar, that was only the first azaan!" With those loving pinches of hers, she called me closer. She was always like that, even before the fierce sickness shook her spirit and shut her in bed. 'Hanan can you come sit beside me.' I could never refuse any of her requests, you could touch the purity and sincerity. "Yes, Norah?" 'Please sit here.' "OK, I'm sitting. What's on your mind?" With the sweetest mono voice she began reciting: [Every soul shall taste death and you will merely be repaid your earnings on Resurrection Day{3:185}] She stopped thoughtfully. Then she asked, 'Do you believe in death?' "Of course I do." 'Do you believe that you shall be responsible for whatever you do, regardless of how small or large?' "I do, but . Allah is Forgiving and Merciful and I've got a long life waiting for me." 'Stop it Hanan ... aren't you afraid of death and it's abruptness? Look at Hind. She was younger than you but she died in a car accident. So did so and so, and so and so. Death is age-blind and your age could never be a measure of when you shall die.' The darkness of the room filled my skin with fear. "I'm scared of the dark and now you made me scared of death, how am I supposed to go to sleep now. Norah, I thought you promised you'd go with us on vacation during the summer break." Impact. Her voice broke and her heart quivered. 'I might be going on a long trip this year Hanan, but somewhere else. Just maybe. All of our lives are in Allah's hands and we all belong to Him.' My eyes welled and the tears slipped down both cheeks. I pondered my sisters grizzly sickness, how the doctors had informed my father privately that there was not much hope that Norah was going to outlive the disease. She wasn't told though. Who hinted to her? Or was it that she could sense the truth. 'What are you thinking about Hanan?' Her voice was sharp. 'Do you think I am just saying this because I am sick? Uh - uh. In fact, I may live longer than people who are not sick. And you Hanan, how long are you going to live? Twenty years, maybe? Forty? Then what?' Through the dark she reached for my hand and squeezed gently. 'There's no difference between us; we're all going to leave this world to live in Paradise or agonize in Hell. I left my sister's room dazed, her words ringing in my ears: "May Allah guide you Hanan - don't forget your prayer." Eight O'clock in the morning. Pounding on my door. I don't usually wake up at this time. Crying. Confusion. O Allah, what happened? Norah's condition became critical after Fajar, they took her immediately to the hospital ... Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un....this is what Norah always said to say if she died. There wasn't going to be any trips this summer. It was written that I would spend the summer at home., i could feel it. At hospital.... It was one O'clock in the afternoon. Mother phoned the hospital. 'Yes. You can come and see her now.' Dad's voice had changed, mother could sense something had gone deathly wrong. We left immediately. Where was that avenue I used to travel and thought was so short? Why was it so long now, so very long. Where was the cherished crowd and traffic that would give me a chance to gaze left and right. Everyone, just move out of our way. Mother was shaking her head in her hands - crying - as she made du'a for her Norah. We arrived at the hospitals main entrance. One man was moaning, another was involved in an accident and a third's eyes were iced, you couldn't tell if he was alive or dead. We skipped stairs to Norah's floor. She was in intensive care. The nurse approached us. 'Let me take you to her.' As we walked down the aisles the nurse went on expressing how sweet a girl Norah was. She reassured Mother somewhat that Norah's condition had gotten better than what it was in the morning. 'Sorry. No more than one visitor at a time.' This was the intensive care unit. Through the small window in the door and past the flurry of white robes I caught my sisters eyes. Mother was standing beside her. After two minutes, mother came out unable to control her crying. 'You may enter and say Salaam to her on condition that you do not speak too long,' they told me. 'Two minutes should be enough.' "How are you Norah? You were fine last night sister, what happened?" We held hands, she squeezed harmlessly. 'Even now, Alhamdulillah, I'm doing fine.' "Alhamdulillah ... but ... your hands are so cold." I sat on her bedside and rested my fingers on her knee. She jerked it away. "Sorry ... did I hurt you?" "No, it is just that I remembered Allah's words [One leg will be wrapped to the other leg (in the death shroud)] ... Hanan pray for me. I may be meeting the first day of the hereafter very soon. It is a long journey and I haven't prepared enough good deeds in my suitcase.' A tear escaped my eye and ran down my cheek at her words. I cried and she joined me. The room blurred away and left us - two sisters - to cry together. Rivulets of tears splashed down on my sister's palm, which I held with both hands. Dad was now becoming more worried about me. I've never cried like that before. At home and upstairs in my room, I watched the sun pass away with a sorrowful day. Silence mingled in our corridors. A cousin came in my room, another. The visitors were many and all the voices from downstairs stirred together. Only one thing was clear at that point ... Norah had died! I stopped distinguishing who came and who went. I couldn't remember what they said. O Allah, where was I? What was going on? I couldn't even cry anymore. Later that week they told me what had happened. Dad had taken my hand to say goodbye to my sister for the last time, I had kissed Norah's head. I remember only one thing though, seeing her spread on that bed, the bed that she was going to die on. I remembered the verse she recited: [One leg will be wrapped to the other leg (in the death shroud){75:29}] and I knew too well the truth of the next verse: [The drive on that day we be to your Lord (Allah)!{75:30}] I tiptoed into her prayer room that night. Staring at the quiet dressers and silenced mirrors, I treasured who it was that had shared my mother's stomach with me. Norah was my twin sister. I remembered who I had swapped sorrows with. Who had comforted my rainy days. I remembered who had prayed for my guidance and who had spent so many tears for so many long nights telling me about death and accountability. May Allah save us all. Tonight is Norah's first night that she shall spend in her tomb. O Allah, have mercy on her and illumine her grave. This was her Quran, her prayer mat and .and this was the spring rose-colored dress that she told me she would hide until she got married, the dress she wanted to keep just for her husband. I remembered my sister and cried over all the days that I had lost. I prayed to Allah to have mercy on me, accept me and forgive me. I prayed to Allah to keep her firm in her grave, as she always liked to mention in her supplications. At that moment, I stopped. I asked myself: what if it was I who had died? Where would I be moving on to? Fear pressed me and the tears began all over again. The first azaan rose softly from the Masjid, how beautiful it sounded this time. I felt calm and relaxed as I repeated the Muadhins call. I wrapped the shawl around my shoulders and stood to pray Fajar. I prayed as if it was my last prayer, a farewell prayer, just like Norah had done yesterday. It had been her last Fajar. Now and insha' Allah for the rest of my life, if I awake in the mornings I do not count on being alive by evening, and in the evening I do not count on being alive by morning. We are all going on Norah's journey - what have we prepared for it? My sister has already left on this eternal journey? Have YOU & I packed our suitcases? *************************** Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar R.A says that someone asked the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) which man is the wisest.The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said that; the one who remembers death much and is ever engaged in making preparation for it.These are the men who have become masters of this world and the next. (TIBRANI) Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar R.A. says that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) putting his hand on his shoulder, said that they should spend life like a traveller.He forbode to wait for the morning in the evening and for evening in the morning.He advised to accumulate the prayers when he is healthy; keeping the period of illness in mind and should do something good for the death when he is ill. (BUKHARI) Hazrat Shaddad bin Aus(R.A.) says that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that the alert man is one; who takes account of his life and does alot of good actions; which may be useful to him after death. (TIRMIZI)