ummtaalib

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She then pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me, what do you see?” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, “What does it mean, Mother?” Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity – boiling water – but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were put in the boiling water, they had changed the water with colour and a beautiful aroma. “Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?” The egg, the carrot, and the coffee all went through the same trial: hot water. And yet, they each reacted differently, the inside of the egg hardened, the carrot softened altogether, and the coffee turned the water into something purely delicious. The same concept applies to us, to what happens to us when we go through our own hot water, don’t you think? We all are going through trials of our own, but only we can decide if we will weaken and loose our courage and strength altogether – like the carrot, or have our hearts harden, and turn cold – like the egg, or to change the situation itself instead of wallowing in the misery of it, choose to improve the circumstances, and revise the entire environment itself – like the coffee. How do you handle adversity? When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level? Are you changed by your surroundings or do you bring life and flavor to them? http://idealwoman.org/2012/be-firm-and-prevail/

Once a boy went to a shop with his mother. The shop keeper looked at the small cute child and showed him a bottle with sweets and said ‘Dear Child, you can take some of these sweets. But the child didn’t take any of them. The shop keeper was surprised, such a small child he is and why is he not taking the sweets from the bottle. Again he said take the sweets. This time the mother also heard that and said… beta take the sweets. Yet he still didnt take any. The shopkeeper seeing the child not taking the sweets, himself took the sweets and gave to them to the child. The child was happy to get two hands full of sweets. When they returned back home, Mother asked the child, “Why didnt you take the sweets, when shop keeper told you to take them, not once but twice?” Can you guess the response:- Child replies… Mom! my hands are very small and if i take the sweets I can only take a few, but now you see when the kind shop keeper gave with his big hands how many more sweets I got! Moral: When we take we may get little but when Allah gives… HE gives us more, beyond our expectations…more than what we can hold. Source: Haq Islam

This is a beautiful du’a for those of us who get angry quickly: اللّهُمَ اغْفِرْ لِيْ ذَنْبِيْ ، وَأَذْهِبْ غَيْظَ قَلْبِيْ، وَأَجِرْنِيْ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ Allahummaghfirli dhanbi, wa adh-hib ghayza qalbi, wa ajirni min al-shaytan. O Allah, forgive my sins, remove the rage in my heart and protect me from the Shaytan. (Ibn al-Sunni, 622) http://www.zamzamacademy.com/2012/11/do-you-want-to-cure-your-anger-problem/

Who are the Blind Followers? By Maulana Abu Usama Ayyub. This book discusses the issue of taqleed and responds to attacks made against it. Written mostly in a question/answer form, it handles "difficult questions" on the subject in an easy to understand manner. Second, revised edition. From the publishers: Some of the issues tackled in this book are: What is the need for different madh-habs when there is one Quran and one Nabi? Why do only four Madh-habs exist? Can all four schools of jurisprudence be concurrently correct? If a man claims to be following the fiqh of Imam Bukhari, will he not be on the straight path? Explanation of taqlid through a practical example. Lists of distinguished scholars of Hadith, who lived in different centuries and hailed from various lands, that followed each of the four madh-habs. Is it correct to say "I am a Muhammadi - not a Hanafi/Shafi"? The book consists of twenty-five similar questions about taqlid. At the end of the book a summary has been presented of a debate between Albani and al-Buti. Thereafter, as an example of how easily people are misled, the issue of performing salah with short sleeves has been dealt with in detail. http://www.albalagh....=view&item=1372

A couple were once seated for meals. Suddenly a knock was heard at the door from a beggar standing outside. The husband in a fit of rage approached the beggar, scolded him and chased him away. As time passed it so happened that this wealthy man became poor. He lost his entire empire and eventually even ended up divorcing his wife. Life continued. She remarried and now was seated for meals with her new husband. Again a knock was heard at the door from a beggar. Her husband told her: “Take this food which was prepared for us and give it to the beggar outside.” She did as he instructed her but she returned crying. She replied: “The beggar outside was my previous husband.” Then she related to him the entire incident which transpired between her previous husband and his abuse to that beggar. Her new husband then told her: “By the qasm of Allah, I am that very same beggar.” (Al Mustatraf vol 1 pg 24) Lesson: If you have been blessed with prosperity and ease, never regard it as your achievement. Also, do not look down upon those who are less fortunate or treat them with pride and arrogance. Instead, be humble and grateful to Allah Ta’ala and treat His creation with compassion and kindness. Otherwise, the tables could turn. http://alhaadi.org.za/articles-publications/weekly-advice/1955-what-goes-around-comes-around-.html

QUESTION> I wish to ask, if we are allowed to pierce our belly button, eyebrows, or any part of our face... Is this allowed in Islam? <ANSWER> In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, The scholars agree that it is permissible for a woman to have her ears pierced to wear an earring since that was customary in the time of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), and also because it is considered to be an adornment for women. Similarly they have even permitted the piercing of the nose as women in some communities do, for it is also considered a form of adornment in many Muslim communities. However, it would not be permissible to pierce the lip, belly button and other body parts since that is not considered the adornment for any decent women. Also, this is a fashion and trait of the vilest from the non-Muslims (kuffar), such as the celebrities and pop-icons, etc, thus it would be considered imitation of the non-believers, hence impermissible. Then there is also self torture involved here known as Muthla, and to inflict harm and torture upon one’s self is impermissible. Therefore, it would best be to avoid piercing the various parts of the body with the exception of the ears and nose. And Allah Knows Best [Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam Darul Iftaa Leicester , UK

Q. What does Quran / Hadith say about performing Masah over socks? A. Assalāmu `alaikum Warahmatullāhi Wabrakatuh, Making masah on cotton socks is not permissible because they do not meet the requirements outlined by the jurists. One may make masah on leather socks with the relevant injunctions. ( قوله أو جوربيه ) الجورب لفافة الرجل قاموس ، وكأنه تفسير باعتبار اللغة ، لكن العرف خص اللفافة بما ليس بمخيط والجورب بالمخيط ونحوه الذي يلبس كما يلبس الخف شرح المنية ( قوله ولو من غزل أو شعر ) دخل فيه الجوخ كما حققه في شرح المنية وقال : وخرج عنه ما كان من كرباس بالكسر : وهو الثوب من القطن الأبيض ويلحق بالكرباس كل ما كان من نوع الخيط كالكتان والإبريسم ونحوهما وتوقف ح في وجه عدم جواز المسح عليه إذا وجد فيه الشروط الأربعة التي ذكرها الشارح وأقول : الظاهر أنه إذا وجدت فيه الشروط يجوز وأنهم أخرجوه لعدم تأتي الشروط فيه غالبا يدل عليه ما في كافي النسفي حيث علل جواز المسح على الجورب من كرباس بأنه لا يمكن تتابع المشي عليه فإنه يفيد أنه لو أمكن جاز ويدل عليه أيضا ما في ط عن الخانية أن كل ما كان في معنى الخف في إدمان المشي عليه وقطع السفر به ولو من لبد رومي يجوز المسح عليه - رد المحتار (1/499) دار المعرفة Masah should be made on the top section of the leather socks and not of the soles. The method of performing the masah is that after wetting the fingers, they should be placed in the front i.e. the toes. Place the fingers flat on the socks with the palms away from them. Thereafter, draw or pull the fingers towards the ankles. If the palms are also placed flat on the socks together with the fingers, it will be permissible. (Bahishti Zewar vol. 1, pg. 95) والسنة أن يخطه ( خطوطا بأصابع ) يد ( مفرجة ) قليلا ( يبدأ من ) قبل ( أصابع رجله ) متوجها ( إلى ) أصل ( الساق ) ومحله ( على ظاهر خفيه ) من رءوس أصابعه إلى معقد الشراك- الدر المختار (1/497) دار المعرفة ( قوله والسنة إلخ ) أفاد أن إظهار الخطوط ليس بشرط وهو ظاهر الرواية ، بل هو شرط السنة في المسح وكيفيته كما ذكره قاضي خان في شرح الجامع الصغير أن يضع أصابع يده اليمنى على مقدم خفه الأيمن وأصابع يده اليسرى على مقدم خفه الأيسر من قبل الأصابع ، فإذا تمكنت الأصابع يمدها حتى ينتهي إلى أصل الساق فوق الكعبين ؛ لأن الكعبين يلحقهما فرض الغسل ويلحقهما سنة المسح ، وإن وضع الكفين مع الأصابع كان أحسن هكذا روي عن محمد ا هـ بحرأقول : وظاهره أن التيامن فيه غيره مسنون كما في مسح الأذن وفي الحلية : والمستحب أن يمسح بباطن اليد لا بظاهرها ( قوله قليلا ) ذكره في البحر عن الخلاصة ( قوله ومحله ) زاده على المتن ، ليعلم أن ذلك شرط ( قوله على ظاهر خفيه ) قيد به إذ لا يجوز المسح على الباطن والعقب والساق درر - رد المحتار (1/497) دار المعرفة And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Mufti Faizal Riza, Australia. Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. www.daruliftaa.net

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful Forty Hadith Qudsi . Hadith Qudsi are the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) as revealed to him by the Almighty Allah. Hadith Qudsi (or Sacred Hadith) are so named because, unlike the majority of Hadith which are Prophetic Hadith, their authority (Sanad) is traced back not to the Prophet but to the Almighty. Among the many definitions given by the early scholars to Sacred Hadith is that of as-Sayyid ash-Sharif al-Jurjani (died in 816 A.H.) in his lexicon At-Tarifat where he says: "A Sacred Hadith is, as to the meaning, from Allah the Almighty; as to the wording, it is from the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). It is that which Allah the Almighty has communicated to His Prophet through revelation or in dream, and he, peace be upon him, has communicated it in his own words. Thus Qur'an is superior to it because, besides being revealed, it is His wording. Hadith Qudsi 1: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When Allah decreed the Creation He pledged Himself by writing in His book which is laid down with Him: My mercy prevails over my wrath. Related by Muslim (also by al-Bukhari, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah). Hadith Qudsi 2: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah Almighty has said: The son of Adam denied Me and he had no right to do so. And he reviled Me and he had no right to do so. As for his denying Me, it is his saying: He will not remake me as He made me at first and the initial creation [of him] is no easier for Me than remaking him. As for his reviling Me, it is his saying: Allah has taken to Himself a son, while I am the One, the Everlasting Refuge. I begot not nor was I begotten, and there is none comparable to Me. Related by al-Bukhari (also by an-Nasa'i). Hadith Qudsi 3: On the authority of Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhaniyy (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) led the morning prayer for us at al-Hudaybiyah following rainfall during the night. When the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) finished, he faced the people and said to them: Do you know what your Lord has said? They said: Allah and his Messenger know best. He said: This morning one of my servants became a believer in Me and one a disbeliever. As for him who said: We have been given rain by virtue of Allah and His mercy, that one is a believer in Me, a disbeliever in the stars and as for him who said: We have been given rain by such-and-such a star, that one is a disbeliever in Me, a believer in the stars. Related by al-Bukhari (also by Malik and an-Nasa'i). Hadith Qudsi 4: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah said: Sons of Adam inveigh against [the vicissitudes of] Time, and I am Time, in My hand is the night and the day. Related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim). Hadith Qudsi 5: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah (glorified and exalted be He) said:I am so self-sufficient that I am in no need of having an associate. Thus he who does an action for someone else's sake as well as Mine will have that action renounced by Me to him whom he associated with Me. Related by Muslim (also by Ibn Majah). Hadith Qudsi 6: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:The first of people against whom judgment will be pronounced on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who died a martyr. He will be brought and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognize them. [ The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I fought for you until I died a martyr. He will say: You have lied - you did but fight that it might be said [of you]: He is courageous. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. [Another] will be a man who has studied [religious] knowledge and has taught it and who used to recite the Quran. He will be brought and Allah will make known to his His favours and he will recognize them. [The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I studied [religious] knowledge and I taught it and I recited the Quran for Your sake. He will say: You have lied - you did but study [religious] knowledge that it might be said [of you]: He is learned. And you recited the Quran that it might be said [of you]: He is a reciter. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. [Another] will be a man whom Allah had made rich and to whom He had given all kinds of wealth. He will be brought and Allah will make known to his His favours and he will recognize them. [The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I left no path [untrodden] in which You like money to be spent without spending in it for Your sake. He will say: You have lied - you did but do so that it might be said [of you]: He is open-handed. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. Related by Muslim (also by at-Tirmidhi and an-Nasa'i). Hadith Qudsi 7: On the authority of Uqbah ibn Amir (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:Your Lord delights at a shepherd who, on the peak of a mountain crag, gives the call to prayer and prays. Then Allah (glorified and exalted be He) say: Look at this servant of Mine, he gives the call to prayer and performs the prayers; he is in awe of Me. I have forgiven My servant [his sins] and have admitted him to Paradise . Related by an-Nasa'i with a good chain of authorities. Hadith Qudsi 8: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: A prayer performed by someone who has not recited the Essence of the Quran (1) during it is deficient (and he repeated the word three times), incomplete. Someone said to Abu Hurayrah: [Even though] we are behind the imam? (2) He said: Recite it to yourself, for I have heard the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be up on him) say: Allah (mighty and sublime be He), had said: I have divided prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant shall have what he has asked for. When the servant says: Al-hamdu lillahi rabbi l-alamin (3), Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says: My servant has praised Me. And when he says: Ar-rahmani r-rahim (4), Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says: My servant has extolled Me, and when he says: Maliki yawmi d-din (5), Allah says: My servant has glorified Me - and on one occasion He said: My servant has submitted to My power. And when he says: Iyyaka na budu wa iyyaka nasta in (6), He says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for. And when he says: Ihdina s-sirata l- mustaqim, siratal ladhina an amta alayhim ghayril-maghdubi alayhim wa la d-dallin (7), He says: This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for. Related by Muslim (also by Malik, at-Tirmidhi, Abu-Dawud, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah). Hadith Qudsi 9: On the authority of Abu Harayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says:The first of his actions for which a servant of Allah will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayers. If they are in order, then he will have prospered and succeeded: and if they are wanting, then he will have failed and lost. If there is something defective in his obligatory prayers, the Lord (glorified and exalted be He) will say: See if My servant has any supererogatory prayers with which may be completed that which was defective in his obligatory prayers. Then the rest of his actions will be judged in like fashion. Related by at-Tirmidhi (also by Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Ahmad). Hadith Qudsi 10: On the authority of Abu Harayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says:Fasting is Mine and it I who give reward for it. [A man] gives up his sexual passion, his food and his drink for my sake. Fasting is like a shield, and he who fasts has two joys: a joy whin he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord. The change in the breath of the mouth of him who fasts is better in Allah's estimation than the smell of musk. Related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim, Malik, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah). Hadith Qudsi 11: On the authority of Abu Harayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said:Spend (on charity), O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you. Related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim). Hadith Qudsi 12: On the authority of Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:A man from among those who were before you was called to account. Nothing in the way of good was found for him except that he used to have dealings with people and, being well-to-do, he would order his servants to let off the man in straitened circumstances [from repaying his debt]. He (the Prophet p.b.u.h) said that Allah said: We are worthier than you of that (of being so generous). Let him off. Related by Muslim (also by al-Bukhari and an-Nasa'i). Hadith Qudsi 13: On the authority of Adiyy ibn Hatim (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I was with the Messenger of Allah (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and there came to him two men: one of them was complaining of penury (being very poor), while the other was complaining of brigandry (robbery). The Messenger of Allah (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: As for brigandry, it will be but a short time before a caravan will [be able to] go out of Mecca without a guard. As for penury, the Hour (Day of Judgement) will not arrive before one of you takes his charity around without finding anyone to accept it from him. Then one of you will surely stand before Allah, there being no screed between Him and him, nor an interpreter to translate for him. Then He will say to him: Did I not bring you wealth? And he will say: Yes. Then He will say: Did I not send to you a messenger? And he will say: Yes. And he will look to his right and will see nothing but Hell-fire, then he will look to his left and will see nothing but Hell-fire, so let each of you protect himself against Hell-fire, be it with even half a date - and if he finds it not, then with a kind word. Related by al-Bukhari. Hadith Qudsi 14: On the authority of Abu Harayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said:Allah (glorified and exalted be He) has supernumerary angels who rove about seeking out gatherings in which Allah's name is being invoked: they sit with them and fold their wings round each other, fillin that which is between them and between the lowest heaven. When [the people in the gathering] depart, [the angels] ascend and rise up to heaven. He (the Prophet p.b.u.h.) said: Then Allah (mighty and sublime be He) asks them - [though] He is most knowing about them: From where have you come? And they say: We have come from some servants of Yours on Earth: they were glorifying You (Subhana llah), exalting you (Allahu akbar), witnessing that there is no god but You (La ilaha illa llah), praising You (Al-Hamdu lillah), and asking [favours] of You. He says: And what do they ask of Me? They say: They ask of You Your Paradise. He says: And have they seen My Paradise? They say: No, O Lord. He says: And how would it be were they to have seen My Paradise! They say: And they ask protection of You. He says: From what do they ask protection of Me? They say: From Your Hell-fire, O Lord. He says: And have they seen My Hell-fire? They say: NO. He says: And how would it be were they to have seen My Hell-fire: They say: And they ask for Your forgiveness. He (the Prophet p.b.u.h) said: Then He says: I have forgiven them and I have bestowed upon them what they have asked for,and I have granted them sanctuary from that from which they asked protection. He (the Prophet p.b.u.h) said: They say: O Lord, among then is So-and-so, a much sinning servant, who was merely passing by and sat down with them. He (the Prophet p.b.u.h) said: And He says: And to him [too] I have given forgiveness: he who sits with such people shall not suffer. Related by Muslim (also by al-Bukhari, at-Tirmidhi, and an-Nasa'i). Hadith Qudsi 15: On the authority of Abu Harayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah the Almighty said: I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assemble better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed. Related by al-Buhkari (also by Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn-Majah). Hadith Qudsi 16: On the authority of son of Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), among the sayings he related from his Lord (glorified and exalted be He) is that He said:Allah has written down the good deeds and the bad ones. Then He explained it [by saying that] he who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times, or many times over. But if he has intended a bad deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed. Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim. Hadith Qudsi 17: On the authority of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace be upon him) is that among the sayings he relates from his Lord (may He be glorified) is that He said:O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you, O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing of Me and I shall clothe you. O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness of Me and I shall forgive you. O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and will not attain benefitting Me so as to benefit Me. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more that a needle decreases the sea if put into it. O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him finds good praise Allah and let him who finds other that blame no one but himself. Related by Muslim (also by at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah). Hadith Qudsi 18: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) will say on the Day of Resurrection:O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that (the reward for doing so) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink and you gave Me not to drink. He will say: O Lord, how should I give You to drink whin You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: My servant So-and-so asked you to give him to drink and you gave him not to drink. Had you given him to drink you would have surely found that with Me. Related by Muslim. Hadith Qudsi 19: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said:Pride is my cloak and greatness My robe, and he who competes with Me in respect of either of them I shall cast into Hell-fire. Related by Abu Dawud (also by Ibn Majah and Ahmad) with sound chains of authority. This Hadith also appears in Muslim in another version. Hadith Qudsi 20: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:The gates of Paradise will be opened on Mondays and on Thursdays, and every servant [of Allah] who associates nothing with Allah will be forgiven, except for the man who has a grudge against his brother. [About them] it will be said: Delay these two until they are reconciled; delay these two until they are reconciled. Related by Muslim (also by Malik and Abu Dawud). Hadith Qudsi 21: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that Allah the Almighty said: There are three whose adversary I shall be on the Day of Resurrection: a man who has given his word by Me and has broken it; a man who has sold a free man and has consumed the price; and a man who has hired a workman, has exacted his due in full from him and has not given him his wage. Related by al-Bukhari (also by Ibn Majah and Ahmad ibn Hanbal). Hadith Qudsi 22: On the authority of Abu Sa'id (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:Let not any one of you belittle himself. They said: O Messenger of Allah, how can any one of us belittle himself? He said: He finds a matter concerning Allah about which he should say something, and he does not say [it], so Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says to him on the Day of Resurrection: What prevented you from saying something about such-and-such and such-and-such? He say: [it was] out of fear of people. Then He says: Rather it is I whom you should more properly fear. Related by Ibn Majah with a sound chain of authorities. Hadith Qudsi 23: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection:Where are those who love one another through My glory? Today I shall give them shade in My shade, it being a day when there is no shade but My shade. Related by al-Bukhari (also by Malik). Hadith Qudsi 24: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:If Allah has loved a servant [of His] He calls Gabriel (on whom be peace) and says: I love So-and-so, therefore love him. He (the Prophet peace be upon him) said: So Gabriel loves him. Then he (Gabriel) calls out in heaven, saying: Allah loves So-and-so, therefore love him. And the inhabitants of heaven love him. He (the Prophet peace be upon him) said: Then acceptance is established for him on earth. And if Allah has abhorred a servant [of His], He calls Gabriel and says: I abhor So-and-so, therefore abhor him. So Gabriel abhors him. Then Gabriel calls out to the inhabitants of heaven: Allah abhors So-and-so, therefore abhor him. He (the Prophet peace be upon him) said: So they abhor him, and abhorrence is established for him on earth. Related by Muslim (also by al-Bukhari, Malik, and at-Tirmidhi). Hadith Qudsi 25: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said:Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him. Related by al-Bukhari. Hadith Qudsi 26: On the authority of Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said:Truly of those devoted to Me the one I most favour is a believer who is of meagre means and much given to prayer, who has been particular in the worship of his Lord and has obeyed Him inwardly (1), who was obscure among people and not pointed our, and whose sustenance was just sufficient to provide for him yet he bore this patiently. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) rapped his hand and said: Death will have come early to him, his mourners will have been few, his estate scant. Related by at-Tirmidhi (also by Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Ibn Majah). Its chain of authorities is sound. Hadith Qudsi 27: On the authority of Masruq, who said:We asked Abdullah (i.e. Ibn Masud) about this verse: And do not regard those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead, rather are they alive with their Lord, being provided for (Quran Chapter 3 Verse 169). He said: We asked about that and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Their souls are in the insides of green birds having lanterns suspended from the Throne, roaming freely in Paradise where they please, then taking shelter in those lanterns. So their Lord cast a glance at them and said: Do you wish for anything? They said: What shall we wish for when we roam freely in Paradise where we please? And thus did He do to them three times. When they say that they would not be spared from being asked [again], they said: O Lord, we would like for You to put back our souls into our bodies so that we might fight for Your sake once again. And when He saw that they were not in need of anything they were let be. Related by Muslim (also by at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah). Hadith Qudsi 28: On the authority of Jundub ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:There was amongst those before you a man who had a wound. He was in [such] anguish that he took a knife and made with it a cut in his hand, and the blood did not cease to flow till he died. Allah the Almighty said: My servant has himself forestalled Me; I have forbidden him Paradise . Related by al-Bukhari. Hadith Qudsi 29: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says:My faithful servant's reward from Me, if I have taken to Me his best friend from amongst the inhabitants of the world and he has then borne it patiently for My sake, shall be nothing less than Paradise. Related by al-Bukhari. Hadith Qudsi 30: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said:If My servant likes to meet Me, I like to meet him; and if he dislikes to meet Me, I dislike to meet him. Prophetic explanation of this Sacred Hadith: He who likes to meet Allah, Allah likes to meet him; and he who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah dislikes to meet him. Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: O Prophet of Allah, is it because of the dislike of death, for all of us dislike death? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: It is not so, but rather it is that when the believer is given news of Allah's mercy, His approval and His Paradise, he likes to meet Allah and Allah likes to meet him; but when the unbeliever is given news of Allah's punishment and His displeasure, he dislikes to meet Allah and Allah dislikes to meet him. Related by al-Bukhari and Malik. The Prophetic version is related by Muslim. Hadith Qudsi 31: On the authority of Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) related:A man said: By Allah, Allah will not forgive So-and-so. At this Allah the Almighty said: Who is he who swears by Me that I will not forgive So-and-so? Verily I have forgiven So-and-so and have nullified your [own good] deeds (or as he said [it]). Related by Muslim. Hadith Qudsi 32: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:A man sinned greatly against himself, and when death came to him he charged his sons, saying: When I have died, burn me, then crush me and scatter [my ashes] into the sea, for, by Allah, if my Lord takes possession of me, He will punish me in a manner in which He has punished no one [else]. So they did that to him. Then He said to the earth: Produce what you have taken-and there he was! And He said to him: What induced you to do what you did? He said: Being afraid of You, O my Lord (or he said: Being frightened of You) and because of that He forgave him. Related by Muslim (also by al-Bukhari, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah). Hadith Qudsi 33: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him), from among the things he reports from his Lord (mighty and sublime be He), is that he said:A servant [of Allah's] committed a sin and said: O Allah, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. Then he sinned again and said: O Lord, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. Then he sinned again and said: O Lord, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for sins. Do what you wish, for I have forgiven you. Related by Muslim (also by al-Bukhari). Hadith Qudsi 34: On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: Allah the Almighty said:O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it. Related by at-Tirmidhi (also by Ahmad ibn Hanbal). Its chain of authorities is sound. Hadith Qudsi 35: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:Our Lord (glorified and exalted be He) descends each night to the earth's sky when there remains the final third of the night, and He says: Who is saying a prayer to Me that I may answer it? Who is asking something of Me that I may give it him? Who is asking forgiveness of Me that I may forgive him? Related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim, Malik, at-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud). Hadith Qudsi 36: On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said:The believers will gather together on the Day of Resurrection and will say: Should we not ask [someone] to intercede for us with our Lord? So they will come to Adam and will say: You are the Father of mankind; Allah created you with His hand He made His angels bow down to you and He taught you the names of everything, so intercede for us with you Lord so that He may give us relief form this place where we are. And he will say: I am not in a position [to do that] - and he will mention his wrongdoing and will feel ashamed and will say: Go to Noah, for he is the first messenger that Allah sent to the inhabitants of the earth. So they will come to him and he will say: I am not in a position [to do that] - and he will mention his having requested something of his Lord about which he had no [proper] knowledge (Quran Chapter 11 Verses 45-46), and he will feel ashamed and will say: Go to the Friend of the Merciful (Abraham). So they will come to him and he will say: I am not in a position [to do that]. Go to Moses, a servant to whom Allah talked and to whom He gave the Torah. So they will come to him and he will say: I am not in a position [to do that] - and he will mention the talking of a life other that for a life (Quran Chapter 28 Verses 15-16), and he will fell ashamed in the sight of his Lord and will say: Go to Jesus, Allah's servant and messenger, Allah's word and spirit. So they will come to him and he will say: I am not in a position [to do that]. Go to Muhammad (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), a servant to whom Allah has forgiven all his wrongdoing, past and future. So they will come to me and I shall set forth to ask permission to come to my Lord, and permission will be given, and when I shall see my Lord I shall prostrate myself. He will leave me thus for such time as it pleases Him, and then it will be said [to me]: Raise your head. Ask and it will be granted. Speak and it will be heard. Intercede and your intercession will be accepted. So I shall raise my head and praise Him with a form of praise that He will teach me. Then I shall intercede and HE will set me a limit [as to the number of people], so I shall admit them into Paradise . Then I shall return to Him, and when I shall see my Lord [i shall bow down] as before. Then I shall intercede and He will set me a limit [as to the number of people]. So I shall admit them into Paradise . Then I shall return for a third time, then a fourth, and I shall say: There remains in Hell-fire only those whom the Quran has confined and who must be there for eternity. There shall come out of Hell-fire he who has said: There is no god but Allah and who has in his heart goodness weighing a barley-corn; then there shall come out of Hell-fire he who has said: There is no god but Allah and who has in his heart goodness weighing a grain of wheat; then there shall come out of Hell-fire he who has said: There is no god but Allah and who has in his heart goodness weighing an atom. Related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah). Hadith Qudsi 37: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah said:I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen and no ear has heard, not has it occurred to human heart. Thus recite if you wish: And no soul knows what joy for them (the inhabitants of Paradise ) has been kept hidden (Quran Chapter 32 Verse 17). Related by al-Bukhari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah. Hadith Qudsi 38: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:When Allah created Paradise and Hell-fire, He sent Gabriel to Paradise , saying: Look at it and at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: So he came to it and looked at it and at what Allah had prepared therein for its inhabitants. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: So he returned to Him and said: By your glory, no one hears of it without entering it. So He ordered that it be encompassed by forms of hardship, and He said: Return to it and look at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: So he returned to it and found that it was encompassed by forms of hardship. Then he returned to Him and said: By Your glory, I fear that no one will enter it. He said: Go to Hell-fire and look at it and what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants, and he fount that it was in layers, one above the other. Then he returned to Him and said: By Your glory, no one who hears of it will enter it. So He ordered that it be encompassed by lusts. Then He said: Return to it. And he returned to it and said: By Your glory, I am frightened that no one will escape from entering it. Related by Tirmidhi, who said that it was a good and sound Hadith (also by Abu Dawud and an-Nasa'i). Hadith Qudsi 39: On the authority of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Paradise and Hell-fire disputed together, and Hell-fire said: In me are the mighty and the haughty. Paradise said: In me are the weak and the poor. So Allah judged between them, [saying]: You are Paradise , My mercy; through you I show mercy to those I wish. And you are Hell-fire, My punishment; through you I punish those I wish, and it is incumbent upon Me that each of you shall have its fill. Related by Muslim (also by al-Bukhari and at-Tirmidhi). Hadith Qudsi 40: On the authority of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:Allah will say to the inhabitant of Paradise: O inhabitants of Paradise ! They will say: O our Lord, we present ourselves and are at Your pleasure, and goodness rests in Your hands. Then He will say: Are you contented? And they will say: And how should we not be contented, O Lord, when You have given to us that which You have given to no one else of Your creation? Then He will say: Would not like Me to give you something better than that? And they will say: O Lord and what thing is better than that? And He will say: I shall cause My favour to descend upon you and thereafter shall never be displeased with you. Related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim and at-Tirmidhi). http://www.quranicsciences.com/FortyAhadeethQudsi.asp?visitormonid=95473

Raeesa Nurani, sunniforum.com The green valley of Yarmouk, with its large river and lush vegetation, is a place unknown and forgotten. Yet, it was here that we see the army of Islam display such valour and heroism that even those who disbelieved were reduced to tears when witnessing the honesty of the Muslims. The year was 15 AH wherein Syria was ruled by the Roman emperor Heraclius, who on learning about the Muslims entering Syria became extremely frustrated. He failed to understand how an inferior army of the Muslims could challenge the mighty Roman Empire. However, indeed it was a man of his own kingdom who understood the reasons behind the victory of the Muslims. He explained: “The morals of the Muslims are superior to ours. They pray at night and fast during the day. They do not oppress anyone. They regard themselves equal to others. We drink liquor, indulge in evil, do not keep our promises and oppress others. The result is that they are firm and enthusiastic in their ventures and we are weak and lax in what we do.” The words of this man, who by no means was a Muslim, drove anger into the heart of Heraclius and he decided that he would never allow the Muslim army to get away from his clutches. He would swallow them like the tide when it comes in, taking everything and leaving nothing behind. With this great rage, Heraclius sent his brother Tadharaq to lead the great army of 240,000 troops against the poorly equipped 3,000 Muslims. Heraclius’ army was both trained and well equipped, however this was fruitless without passion, and passion came from the Muslims - passion for Allah, passion for the Prophet (peace be upon him) and passion for the deen. The candle of faith was alive in the hearts of the Muslims. Their trust in Allah and love for the Prophet (peace be upon him) exceeded their love for worldly possessions, so much so that for them, even the entire force of Heraclius’ army would not cause them to grieve. However, times did look bleak and the Muslims had to prepare for the worst. It was during this period, that Abu Ubaidah (May Allah be pleased with him) held mashwara (consultation) with the army. For every Muslim that was fighting, a force eight times greater was opposing him. It was therefore decided that the entire amount that the Jews and Christians had paid to the Muslims as Jizyah would be refunded back to them. Jizyah is a tax paid by the non-Muslims for protection. However protection could no longer be guaranteed. The honesty and trustworthiness shown by the Muslims brought tears to the inhabitants of Yarmouk, and on this day, the streets of Yarmouk were drowned by the sorrow of seeing such a civilised and great people leaving their vicinity. Yet Allah loves the honest, and as the Prophet (peace be upon him) has stated: "Remember, there is no faith in him who is not trustworthy; there is no place for him in religion who cares not for his pledged word or promise." The time drew close, and the two armies met. The situation was tense and each soldier was on guard. The Romans began by attempting to bribe the Muslim army, yet this was immediately rejected by Khalid bin Waleed (May Allah be pleased with him), who offered the Romans to accept Islam and pay the Jizyah, or settle on the sword. The arrogance of the Romans prevented them from accepting the light of guidance and they opted for the sword. However, amongst their midst stood a man who desired to learn about such an impressive religion - a religion that turned men who used to bury girls alive to those who displayed outstanding characteristics. He was Jurjah bin Budhiyah, a Roman general. After listening to Khalid bin Waleed (May Allah be pleased with him), he immediately accepted the truth and decided to side with the Muslim army. Thereafter, he fought against the Romans with such courage and valour that only a strong believer in the truth could produce such results. He finally fell as a martyr. It was the Romans who had made the first move, with an attack by 40,000 soldiers, which the Muslim army immediately countered. The fight had begun: swords were striked, daggers swept from right to left, and arrows flew overhead. The Muslims called to Allah, and the words of Surah Al-Anfaal were recited to inspire the Muslim forces. Martial songs were sung to encourage the army and even women joined the masses, proving their worth as Mujaahidahs. The Muslims fought with such zeal and passion that the Romans began to retreat. The Romans were up against not humans, but the army of Allah, and no power invested in them could challenge such an army. It is in Yarmouk that we witness the bravery of the fighters for Islam. Khalid bin Waleed, Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah, Shurabil bin Hasana, Yazid bin Abu Sufyan, Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl, Qa’qa bin Amr, Abu Sufyan, Abud-Darda, Amr bin ‘As, Harith bin Dirar and Jurjah bin Budhiyah (May Allah be pleased with them all) were at the forefront of the battle. Their heroic acts and abilities were beyond comparison as their swords swiped across in the blink of an eye. To prevent the Romans from escaping, the generals were forced to chain their soldiers together. Day turned to night, yet the fighting continued. The Romans were failing, exhausted and tired; yet the spirit of Islam had not received even a dent. Fatigue and frustration settled into the midst of the Roman army, which continued to retreat until their backs were pushing against the mountain. Many soldiers then fell into the river, while others were killed, including Tadharaq. The result of truth versus falsehood was that 3,000 Muslims became martyrs and 100,000 Romans were destroyed. Amongst the Muslims who had been honoured with martyrdom were: Jurjah bin Bhudiyah, Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl, Amr bin Ikirimah, Salamah bin Hisham, Amr bin Saeed, Aban bin Saeed, Hisham bin Al-Aas, Habbar bin Sufyan and Tufail bin Amr (May Allah be pleased with them all). This battle was a victory for the Muslims - a victory achieved by their trust in Allah. Verily, Allah does not fail those who believe in Him. The honesty and trustworthiness in the Muslims' dealings and their desire to become martyrs for Islam were strong enough to resist even one of the most well-equipped and well-known armies in the world. Victory is strength, but not the strength of money or armour; rather it is the strength of the passion in one’s heart. ------- This article may be reproduced on other sites freely, provided it is left intact in its entirety, and the leading "sunniforum.com" tag is NOT removed. -------

One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick. Suddenly, my daughter, spoke up from her relaxed position in her seat. “Dad, I’m thinking of something.” This announcement usually meant she had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that her six-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear. What are you thinking?” I asked. “The rain,” she began, “is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like Allah wiping our sins away.” After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond. “That’s really good,” Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little girl take this revelation? So I asked… ”Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?” She didn’t hesitate one moment with her answer: “We keep on sinning, and Allah just keeps on forgiving us.” I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on. Source: Muftisays.com

Question I read through the questions and answers regarding the following of the four imams. I still feel confused about this because you gave examples of imam shafi'i's and imam Abu hanifa's teaching about bleeding and wudu. Why is it that we have to follow a single imam? Why can’t we look for the most authentic source and follow that because prophet Muhammad SAWS taught us one way not many ways on a certain aspect. Yes I believe that the four imams were great people and they did follow Qur'an and Sunnah. But why are there different teachings? It should be more or less the same teachings. Imam bukhari quoted from many authentic sources, and many seem to be close to shafi'i teachings. You said mixing and matching is condemned. But all the imams said themselves "if you find anything of that goes against the Quran and Sunnah, then through mine over the wall and follow that". All for imams are correct but shafi'i teaching says to raise hand to level of the shoulder when going ruku and sajda, saying Ameen loudly after surah fatihah, standing ankle to ankle and shoulder to shoulder in salaah. where imam Abu hanifah just says shoulder to shoulder. Also these are to be authentic sources also from imam bukhari's research. So how can all imams be correct if there is different ways of prayer when prophet muhammad SAWS taught us one way? etc etc..... It doesn’t make sense. How does contradiction come into this if there is one teaching and one way? There woud be no contradiction. Please sheikh if you can through some light into this for me and many that are on the same boat as me. Jazakallah Khair Answer In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh Another Angle of Taqleed We would firstly like to apologize for a much belated reply. Your query consists of the following questions: Why are there differences of opinion? Why do we have to follow one Imam? Why can’t we look for the most authentic views? If a narration is authentic it is my mad’hab? How does contradiction come about? Below we shall discuss the above mentioned questions together with some other important points under separate headings. Why are there differences of opinions? There are many reasons which contribute to why there exist differences of opinion. The nature of the Arabic language, the pronunciation of words, diacritical marks (i’rāb), method of transmitting any narration, the criteria for accepting any narration are just some of the many reasons which leads to differences of opinions. Before proceeding, it is important to understand that one bounty which Allah Ta’ala favoured on this ummah is that differences of opinion are not only allowed but considered as a mercy. If differences of opinion were something bad we would not have found any differences in the golden era of the honourable sahabah رضوان الله تعالى عليهم اجمعينwho were in the company of Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم. In fact, when we study the noble Quran we find that many places Allah Ta’ala left open for differences. If He wished he could have cleared things right from the inception. Regarding the iddah (waiting period) of a divorcee Allah Ta’ala mentions: { والمطلقات يتربصن بأنفسهن ثلاثة قروء (228)} A divorcee should keep herself for three quroo (2:228) What is the meaning of quroo? Does it mean impure period (menstruation) or pure period (between the menses)? Sahabah رضوان الله تعالى عليهم اجمعينhad differences amongst themselves. Great personalities the likes of Sayyiduna Ibn Mas’ood رضي الله تعالى عنهand others opine that it is haidh, whereas other great personalities the like of Sayyidatuna Aisha رضي الله تعالى عنهاopine that it refers to the clean period. Had differences of opinion been disliked in the shariah, Allah Ta’ala would have simply changed the word and make the meaning clear. Differences of Opinion Arising from the Understanding of the Noble Qurān: Difference in the tafseer (interpretation) of a word. Above we have discussed an example. There is a difference in the tafseer of the word quroo and therefore difference in the ruling. Could shadh (isolated) methods of recitation be used in establishing a ruling? There are various modes and methods in which the Noble Qurān could be recited. Some methods are well established whilst others are not. Those methods which are not so well established are known as shadh or isolated modes of recitation. Some scholars accept shadh recitations as sufficient enough proof to establish a ruling whilst others stand to differ. Ulamā who accept the usage of shadh methods of recitation as a legitimate means of establishing any ruling would conclude differently from those who do not accept it. An example of this is the ruling regarding keeping fast of kaffārah of breaking an oath; should it be continuous or not. The normal famous Qirā’ah reads as: لا يؤاخذكم الله باللغو في أيمانكم ولكن يؤاخذكم بما عقدتم الأيمان فكفارته إطعام عشرة مساكين من أوسط ما تطعمون أهليكم أو كسوتهم أو تحرير رقبة فمن لم يجد فصيام ثلاثة أيام ذلك كفارة أيمانكم إذا حلفتم واحفظوا أيمانكم كذلك يبين الله لكم آياته لعلكم تشكرون (89) Allah does not hold you accountable for your laghw (ineffectual) oaths, but He does hold you accountable for the oath with which you have bound yourself. Its expiation is to feed ten poor persons at an average of what you feed your family with, or to clothe them, or to free a slave. However, if someone cannot afford a slave, he has to fast for three days. That is expiation for the oaths that you have sworn. Take care of your oaths. That is how Allah makes His signs clear to you, so that you may be grateful. [5:89] However, the Qirā’ah of Sayyiduna Ubayy and Ibn Mas’ood رضي الله تعالى عنهماreads as: فصيام ثلاثة أيام متتابعات He has to fast for three consecutive days Those scholars who accept this recitation will conclude that the fast needs to be consecutive whereas those who do not accept this recitation will not conclude so. Differences of Opinion Arising from the Noble Ahādith: Our illustrious scholars have laid down some principles and conditions for accepting a narration. Generally there are five conditions for any narration to be considered saheeh. However, we find that there are differences of opinion in establishing these five conditions. Below are two of these conditions with some examples: Continuous chain of narrators. Some scholars like Imām Bukhāri رحمه الله تعالىand others say that in establishing that the chain is continuous it should be proven that every narrator met with the person he is narrating from. To the contrary, other scholars like Imām Muslim رحمه الله تعالى are of the opinion that the mere possibility of the narrator and the one above him meeting is enough in establishing the continuity of the chain[1]. Based on this difference, if there is any narration where it cannot be proven that two narrators met, then according to those scholars who are of the same opinion as Imām Bukhāri رحمه الله تعالى,such a narration cannot be used to establish any ruling. However, those who hold the same opinion as Imām Muslim رحمه الله تعالىwould consider such a narration to be acceptable. The narrators should all be trustworthy. Under this condition the following different points of contention exists: Is it sufficient that the narrator be a Muslim and no criticism has been made against him? Is it sufficient that he appears to be trustworthy or does it have to be confirmed that he is trustworthy? Is it sufficient for one Imām to say he is trustworthy or is it necessary for two Imāms to testify? Which criticisms are acceptable and which are not? Many narrators have been criticized by some and confirmed as trustworthy by others. Whose opinion do you follow? One narrator might have tens of ahadith. Those who accept him will accept all his narrations as well and those who do not accept him will not accept his narrations. Thus, those who accept these narrations will conclude differently from those who do not accept it, thereby ending with a difference in opinion. Sometimes there are contradictory narrations on a topic and both narrations are authentic. For example, what is the preferred time to perform Fajr salāh; should it be performed whilst it is still dark or should it be delayed a little? Vast majority of scholars accept weak narrations in the absence of any strong narration. In fact they give preference to a weak narration over analogy which is an accepted source of Islāmic Jurisprudence. Those scholars whose accept weak narrations in establishing a ruling will differ with those who do not accept weak narrations as strong enough proof. Another reason why we have differences of opinions is that sometimes there are different wordings of a narration. Different scholars chose different wordings which led to difference in the outcome. It is for this reason that scholars, including the muhaddithoon, prefer those narrations which were narrated by fuqahā(jurists) as they understand the implications of different wordings, and thus are more precautious when narrating any narration. An example of this reason is as follows: A narration appears in the Sunan of Imām Abu Dāwood رحمه الله تعالىregarding prayer upon the deceased. The wordings of different narrations differ resulting in a difference in the juristic ruling derived there from. عن ابن أبى ذئب حدثنى صالح مولى التوأمة عن أبى هريرة قال قال رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- « من صلى على جنازة فى المسجد فلا شىء عليه » سنن أبى داود Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله تعالى عنهnarrates that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلمsaid: “Whoever prays over a deceased in the masjid, then there is nothing against him”. Other narrations have the wordings: “Then there is nothing for him”. Those scholars who take the wordings of “then there is nothing against him” permit salāh on the deceased in the masjid, and to the contrary those who take the wording “then there is nothing for him” disapprove of salāh on the deceased in the masjid. In Arabic the difference is between لَهand عَلَيْه. This is one book, one narration, from one Sahābi with the difference of just two letters yet the whole ruling changes. The cause of this is not that anybody changed any narration on their own accord, but this is how the hadith was narrated. From this we can see how intricate the Arabic language is. This leads us to another reason of why we have differences of opinions. The manner of pronouncing or reading the i’rab (diacritical mark) of any word also leads to differences of opinions. If a person slaughters an animal and a foetus comes out from the womb of the mother, does the foetus need to be slaughtered or shall the slaughtering of the mother suffice? ذكاة الجنين ذكاةَ ُامه (مسلم) The slaughtering of the foetus is the slaughtering of the mother. The word ذكاةwhen read with a dhammah gives the meaning that the foetus does not have to be slaughtered separately, whereas when read with a fathah means that it needs to be slaughtered. Will it be correct for a person to open English translations of Qurān and hadith and start deriving laws??? Together with the above there are many other reasons of differences of opinion. For more details refer to the following books: اثر الحديث الشريف في اختلاف الأئمة الفقهاء رضي الله عنهم الشيخ محمد عوامه Which translates as: the effect hadith had in causing the Jurist to differ. اثر الاختلاف في القواعد الاصولية في اختلاف الفقهاء الدكتور مصطفى الخن Which translates as: the effect of principles in causing the Jurist to differ. اثر اللغة في اختلاف المجتهدين عبد الوهاب عبد السلام Which translates as: the effect of linguistics in the differing of Jurist. Why one of four? There were many mujtahids in the past. Why do I have to restrict myself to following one of the four madhāhib? Why can’t I follow any other madhhab? One of the conditions in following a madhhab is that it should continue to develop after the founder of the madhhab. For example, in the Hanafi madhhab the students of Imām Abu Hanifa Imām, Imām Abu Yusuf and Imām Muhammad رحمهم الله تعالىcontinued to build on the foundation laid by Imām Abu Hanifa رحمه الله تعالى. Ulama and scholars who came later on continued to review, codify, explain and expand on the Hanafi madhhab. It is in this manner that we have a fully codified and systemic madhhab. This has been the case with the other three madhāhib also. In contrast to other schools of thought which were not codified, researched and recorded as the above mentioned madhāhib. The views of other mujtahids were passed on as knowledge (i.e. their views were quoted when discussing a mas’alah but it was not accepted as a madhhab to be followed). It is for this reason that some of their views are found scattered in different books. From the above explanation we also understand that the four madhāhib are not the works of a single individual. However, it is the conglomeration of the united efforts of the ulama throughout the ages. Why one madhhab? If all four madhāhab are correct why do I have to restrict myself to only one madhhab? If a person does not confine himself to one madhhab he will ultimately fall prey to the evil of his nafs. He will always be looking for what suits his whims and desires. This will cause a lot of harm to his religion. If someone decides to pick and choose the most prudent view he will be putting himself in difficulty. Therefore there is security and ease in confining oneself to one madhhab. Following one scholar is an established practice from the time of the honourable Sahaba and Tabi’oon رضوان الله تعالى عليهم اجمعين. Imām Bukhari رحمه الله تعالىnarrates on the authority of Ikrimah رحمه الله تعالى: حدثنا أبو النعمان حدثنا حماد عن أيوب عن عكرمة : أن أهل المدينة سألوا ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما عن امرأة طافت ثم حاضت قال لهم تنفر قالوا لا نأخذ بقولك وندع قول زيد قال إذا قدمتم المدينة فسلوا فقدموا المدينة فسألوا فكان فيمن سألوا أم سليم فذكرت حديث صفية رواه خالد وقتادة عن عكرمة – صحيح البخاري 1758 دار الفكر The people of Madina asked Ibn Abbās the ruling of a woman who makes (her first tawāf) of the Ka’ba and thereafter experiences her menses (before she can make her final tawaf). Ibn Abbās told them that she may go home without completing her final tawāf. The people of Madina said, “We will not follow your verdict and abandon the verdict of Zayd.” Ibn Abbās replied, “When you reach Madina then enquire from him…” (Bukhāri 1758) Ibn Shihāb az-Zuhri رحمه الله تعالىcommanded his student Yunus ibn Yazīd al-Ayli رحمه الهه تعالىthat obey him and make wudhu if you eat anything cooked on a fire. Yunus رحمه الله تعالىreplied I will not follow you and leave the view of Sa’eed ibnul Musayyab. Zuhri رحمه الله تعالىkept silent. (Atharul Hadīthish Sharīf 79) Why should I follow an Imām of fiqh? Why do I have to follow an Imām of fiqh? Why can’t I follow an Imām of hadīth? It is unanimously accepted that the Sahīh of Imām Bukhāri is the most authentic book after the book of Allah Ta’ala. Why can’t I follow Sahīh Bukhāri? The sphere of a muhaddīth is different from that of a faqīh. A muhaddīth deals with matters relating to the chain of narrators and the words of a hadīth whereas a faqīh deals with the understanding and the practical implications of a hadīth. Furthermore, the muhaddīthoon do not have a fully codified madhhab. This is accepted fact to which even the muhaddīthoon agree. Whenever Imām Tīrmīdhī رحمه الله تعالى commented on anything relating to the sanad of any narration he always quoted the muhaddīthoon and whenever he related some relating to a fiqhi ruling he only quoted the fuqaha. The great muhaddīth, Imām Suyfān ibn Uyaynah رحمه الله تعالىmentioned: التسليم للفقهاء سلامة في الدين Submitting to the fuqahā is safety in Dīn. (Atharul Hadīthish Sharīf 116) Imām Tirmidhi رحمه الله تعالىsaid: سنن الترمذى - (ج 3 / ص 316 رقم الحديث 990 ) وكذلك قال الفقهاء وهم أعلم بمعاني الحديث The fuqahā are more knowledgeable of the meaning of ahādīth. Shaykh Awwamah حفظه الله تعالىquoting Mawlana Binnorī رحمه الله تعالىexplains that it is important to understand that the muhaddithoon followed certain fiqhi rulings. Based on the rulings they followed they chose which ahādīth to add in their compilations. For example, Imām Bukhāri رحمه الله تعالىopined that a person should do raful yadayn therefore, he added those narrations which prove his viewpoint. So his ahādīth are based on his fiqh and not vice versa. (Atharul Hadīthish Sharīf 152) Our honourable ustadh Shaykhul Hadīth Mawlāna Fadhlur Rahmān حفظه الله تعالىexplains that when our illustrious ulama mention that Bukhāri and Muslim are the most authentic books it does not mean that each and every narration is the most authentic and given preference over other ahādīth. What is meant is that on a whole these two books are the most authentic. (Who are the blind followers? 78) It should also be understood that by default it does not mean that any narration appearing in Bukhāri is given preference. Allāmah Irāqi رحمه الله تعالىmentioned 110 reasons of any narration been given preference. It is only at number 102 that he mentioned if any narration is in Bukhāri or Muslim will it be given preference over other narration. Allāmah Shawkāni رحمه الله تعالى listed forty-two reasons which pertaining to the sanad which could be a means of giving preference to any narration. Only at listed number 41 did he mention that a hadīth appearing in Bukhāri or Muslim could also be a reason of preference. (Atharul Hadīthish Sharīf 150) Why I can’t follow the most authentic view? On what basis will a person determine which view is that most authentic? If he uses his own discretion to ascertain the most authentic view, he is incapable in accomplishing this. If he has reached the stage whereby he is able to determine the most authentic view then there is nothing wrong with this. (Atharul Hadīthish Sharīf 112) However, it is important to note that for a person to reach this position he should be well qualified in all branches of knowledge starting from basic Arabic grammar right up to the intricacies of hadith and tafseer. Furthermore, in determining whether a person is fit for this lofty position or not his personal opinion will not be accepted. If a narration is authentic it is my madh’hab When a narration is established as saheeh then this will be my madh’hab. This has been narrated from all our illustrious fuqaha and in fact it is the maxim of every believer. However, it is important to understand what is meant by this statement and to whom it is addressed. It is important to realize that any hadith cannot be taken on face value, even though it might be saheeh. There are many factors which could affect the status of practicing on any hadith. Our illustrious fuqaha رحمهم الله تعالى have made painstaking efforts in sifting out and clarifying for us which Ahadith should be used and which should be left out. Not every hadith is ma’mool bih (practiced upon). Ibn Wahb رحمه الله تعالى narrates that he heard Imam Malik رحمه الله تعالى say: “Many ahadith could be a means of misguidance.” What did this great Imām mean by saying hadith could be a source of misguidance? He meant that not all ahadith are suitable to be practiced upon. Even though it might be authentic but it could be abrogated, there could be other Ahadith on the topic too, it could be a speciality of Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم, or the hadith could be going against other principles of Islam (despite the fact that it is saheeh. An example of this is found in Saheeh Muslim). Ibn Wahb رحمه الله تعالى also explains: “Any person who has hadith but does not have an Imām in fiqh is astray.” Great words from a great personality! This great scholar is pointing to the fact that merely having a lot of narrations is not sufficient. One has to have the understanding of how to apply them. Which narration fits where? How to join the puzzle together? The statement “when a hadith is authentic it is my madh’hab” has been addressed to those people who have reached this level; the level of ijtihād. Furthermore, in trying to attribute any narration as the madh’hab of an Imām, one needs to be certain that the Imām did not know of this narration. It is very possible that the Imām did not act upon this narration despite knowing about it. In order to know if the Imām knew about the narration, one needs to study all the works of the Imām and his students. This is an extremely studious task. Imām Ghazāli رحمه الله تعالىcommenting on one narration says that this hadith did not reach Abu Hanifa. Ibnul Humām رحمه الله تعالىcomments on what Imām Ghazāli رحمه الله تعالىsaid by saying that Imām Abu Hanifa رحمه الله تعالىdid know about it and he mentioned it in his musnad. Even after reading all the books of an Imām we can still not say with certainty that the Imām did not know about it. If a narration is not found in Saheeh Bukhari it does not mean he did not know about it. Similar is the case here. Many great scholars the likes of Ibn Abil Jarood who was a student of Imām Sahfi’i , Abul Waleed an-Nisaburi and Abul Hasan al-Karaji رحمهم الله تعالى tried to follow this statement. However, those who came after them criticized them and showed where they slipped up. It was no ordinary people who tried to apply the above statement. They were great scholars of their times. Therefore, if they erred in their endeavour despite their lofty academic ranks, does it make sense for any laymen like me or you to try to implement this statement??? Above we have seen how scholars of hadith differ in their conditions in classifying a narration as saheeh. According to whose classification of saheeh will we apply the statement if a hadith is authentic? These are just a few glimpses into the intricacies of what taqleed and ijtihād entails. This should be sufficient for a person with sober understanding to realize that: التسليم للفقهاء سلامة في الدين Submitting to the fuqahā is safety in Dīn. And Allah knows best Wassalamu Alaikum Ml. Ishaq E. Moosa, Student Darul Iftaa Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah

Did you write it or did you copy it from wlsewher? Brother its important that we source all posts so they can be checked (specially when Qur'anic verses are sited becuase we need to be sure of the translation which is being used. Jazakallah

Assalaamu 'alaykum could you please mention the source of this article? It woulk be appreciated. Jazaakallah

What is pride? Hadrat Abdullah bin Masood (ra) states that Rasulullah (saw) is reported to have said, “A person that possesses an atom of pride in his heart will not enter Jannat.” A person (that was present in the gathering) said, “Verily a man likes good clothing and shoes?” Rasulullah (saw) replied, “Verily Allah is beautiful and loves beauty, Pride is to reject or disregard the truth and belittle people” (Muslim Sharif). Pride generally exists in Deeni matters and worldly matters. A person has pride over material possessions (such as cars, homes, furniture etc.) that one has acquired. An Alim that is serving the Deen of Allah can also be a victim of pride due to the flowery lectures that he delivers and the beautiful manner in which he recites the Quraan-e-Kareem. If an Alim does not attach any value to himself in spite of being a great personality, it is a great achievement. Similarly a person that worships Allah, obeys the commands of Allah yet he regards himself as nothing then such a person is also treading the correct path. The moment a person develops pride, he stoops to the lowest level to such an extent that he will be deprived of the fragrance of Jannat which can be sensed from a distance of five hundred years. The worse form of pride is when a person does not have any reason to have pride, yet he is a proud and boastful. INCEPTION OF THE HUMAN BEING! Allah states in the Quraan sharif, هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ Allah was best aware of you when he created you from the earth and when you were foetuses in the wombs of your mother. Whilst the child is in the womb of the mother, its nourishment is the mother’s monthly menstruation cycles. When the child is born it is unable to eat, drink, walk, talk, etc. In another verse of the Quraan Sharif Allah states, وَاللّهُ أَخْرَجَكُم مِّن بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْسَّمْعَ وَالأَبْصَارَ وَالأَفْئِدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ Allah Y had removed you from the wombs of your mother when you knew nothing (as little babies), he blessed you with ears, eyes and hearts so that you may be grateful. When this was the condition of man prior to his existence and immediately after coming into the world, how can a person ever have pride? THE INCIDENT OF AYAAZ Ayaaz was the favourite minister of the mighty king Mahmood Ghaznawi (ra) as a result of the special qualities that he had possessed. Due to the special affection which Mahmmod Ghaznawi (ra) had shown towards Ayaaz, the ministers and courtiers had developed jealously towards Ayaaz. On one occasion the ministers came to the king and informed him that Ayaaz was stealing from the royal treasury. The king immediately responded by saying that it is not possible. The ministers then explained that he opens the safe at two o’ clock in the morning which indicates that he was stealing. The ministers had set a trap and in the latter portion of the night as per routine, Ayaaz opened the safe which contained the royal treasury. The ministers then decided to observe Ayaaz whilst he was in the volts. He had a set of old clothing kept in the volts which he used to wear previously. He would remove the robe that he was wearing, adorn his old clothing and address himself by saying, “Oh Ayaaz! Don’t forget your past.” (Your current position should not cause pride to develop in your heart) THE ADVICE OF A DOG A pious person was once proceeding for the Jumuah Salaah and he had come to a narrow bridge which he had to cross. On the opposite side of the bridge was a dog which had also intended to cross the bridge. The pious person was wearing a clean kurta as he had prepared for the Jumuah Salaah. He indicated to the dog that it should take an alternate route to reach the opposite side as he is unable to take that route as it was muddy and feared that his clothing will be messed. Allah Y had blessed the dog with speech. He addressed the pious person and said, “You should use the alternate route and I will cross over the bridge. By taking the alternate route your clothing may be soiled, which may be washed and cleansed. On the other hand if you cross over the bridge pride will enter your heart which the waters of the seven oceans will be unable to purify and cleanse.” Thereafter the dog told the pious person “I have advised you in this regard as you had shown kindness to my puppies a few days ago when they were shivering in the cold.” From the above incident, it is quite clear that one should not even look down upon a dog. PROBLEMS IN SOCIETY Hadrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb (db) explains that various social problems, domestic problems that exist in our communities are as a result of pride. Due to pride people mock at others, jeer at others look down upon others etc. which result in various problems. In the Hadith Rasulullah (saw) is reported to have said, “Whosoever humbles himself for the pleasure of Allah then Allah will elevate the status of such a person.” (This means that people will respect and honour such person that has humility). On the contrary Allah will humiliate a person that has pride. The Mashaaikh of Tasawwuf have stated that a person should totally annihilate himself. A person should address himself daily by saying, “Currently you are the worst amongst all the Muslims and in regards to future you are worse than the Kuffar and animals as well.” It is possible that a Kaafir may be blessed with Imaan before leaving the world and enters Jannat whereas we could be deprived of Imaan. If one is deprived of Imaan then such a person will be in Jahannam forever yet an animal will be protected from such a punishment, as animals will be turned into dust therefore one should regard himself worse than an animal. Hadrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb (db) advices that every person should repeat these words daily even though the reality of these words have not yet entered the heart. A KAAFIR COULD DIE UPON IMAAN Sheikhul-Hind (ra) narrates an incident that a Hindu had passed away. He had dreamt of the Hindu in Jannat so he asked him, “How did you enter Jannat as you were a Hindu?” The Hindu replied, “I was made to recite that which was previously impermissible for me to recite” (i.e. the Kalimah). Hadrat Thanwi (ra) used to say, “If Allah grants me such a place in Jannat where the dwellers of Jannat place their shoes, I will regard this as a great treasure. Further, Hadrat Thanwi (ra) used to say that I’m not even worthy of this position but may Allah shower his mercy upon me! This was the humility of a great personality who had many Mureeds (disciples), an author of many Kitaabs and a saint of his time. This should serve an example for us to emulate. All our pious predecessors were constantly concerned about themselves that pride should not creep into them. SHEIKH AHMAD RIFAA’EE (R.A) The respected Sheikh went to the blessed grave of Rasulullah r and made Salaam to Rasulullah (saw). Rasulullah (saw) replied to his greeting audibly and thereafter the blessed hands of Rasulullah (saw) emerged. Thus the Sheikh had the honour of touching the blessed hands of Rasulullah (saw). This incident was witnessed by approximately seven thousand people. Immediately thereafter the Sheikh lay flat on the ground allowing all the observers to trample over him, indicating that he was no great person but a humble servant. Hadrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb (db) explains that if we are given an opportunity to see Rasulullah (ra) in our dream, then pride will immediately creep into us and we regard ourselves as people that have reached lofty ranks. If someone has to praise us, we forget all our faults and consider ourselves worthy of such praises. Hadrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb (db) explains this by means of an example. A person had a horse which had caused inconvenience to its owner for twenty years. The owner was extremely frustrated, so he took the animal to the auctioneer. When the auctioneer began praising the animal the owner requested the auctioneer to return his horse as he no longer wished to sell the horse. The auctioneer asked the owner, “Have you forgotten the twenty years of inconvenience due to a few praises?” Similarly, we forget our history and regard ourselves as saints when praised by people. Hadrat Maulana explains that if the praises and criticism of people have an effect on us, then this is a clear indication that we are flag bearers of pride. However, if praises and criticism do not affect us then we are treading the correct path. May Allah purify us from all spiritual maladies, specifically the killer disease of pride. Ameen! KHANQAH ASHRAFIA ISLAMIA

Wa'alaykumus salaam Insha Allah this formula will be useful to help those in difficulties

QUESTION> Can a woman give bay’a (allegiance) in the spiritual way with a male Shaykh/scholar? How? What are the limits? How does the communication take place between the Shaykh and the female murid? My inclination is that communication should be through me. Please could you provide details in the various aspects? <ANSWER> In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, It is perfectly permissible for women to take the oath of allegiance (bay’a) with a shaykh, for this has been explicitly proven in the Qur’an. Allah Most High says: “O Prophet! When believing women come to you to take the oath of allegiance to you, that they will not associate in worship any other thing whatever with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit adultery (or fornication), that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forgoing falsehood and that they will not disobey you in any just matter-then take their allegiance, and pray to Allah for their forgiveness, for Allah is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah al-Mumtahinah, v. 12) However, the following points need to be taken into consideration: 1) The Bay’a must not be carried out with holding the hands of the Shaykh, for that is decisively unlawful (haram). The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) also took the oath of allegiance from women (as mentioned in the above verse), but it was done verbally, and not by holding the hands. Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) says with regards to the women giving their Bay’a to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace): “Whosoever (from among the women) agreed to comply with the conditions stipulated in the allegiance, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) would say to her: “Verily I have taken your allegiance” (qad baya’tuki). It was only said verbally, and by Allah, the Messenger of Allah’s hand never touched the hand of any woman whilst taking the oath of allegiance.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 2564) Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) also narrates: “A women extended her hand from behind a curtain to hand a piece of paper to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace). The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) pulled his hands back and said: “I am unaware if this is a man’s hand or a women’s hand.” A’isha said that it was a women’s hand. (Sunan Abu Dawud) There are many other narrations of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) indicating that he never held the hands of any women, despite his status as a Prophet. The Bay’a was taken either without holding the hand or with a cloth tied around it. He explicitly informed the women when they extended their hands to him that he did not shake hands with women. (See Muhammad Ibn Sa’d, The Women in Madina, Chapter One: The manner in which the Messenger of Allah received women’s allegiance) 2) The Shaykh with whom one is giving her allegiance must be a genuine Shaykh, in that he must have reached a level of piety and Taqwa, and he himself was trained by a similar Shaykh. This aspect is more important to consider when a woman is giving her allegiance, for at times, not giving this due consideration can bring about horrendous consequences. 3) As far as the interaction with the Shaykh is concerned, this is permissible, for it will be considered to be formal and due to need. A female may seek advice from her Shaykh by speaking to him, wring a letter or any other way provided the rules of Hijab are fully observed. Non observance of the laws of Hijab or being casual is impermissible even with one’s shaykh, for Shaytan is ever ready to launch his attack on the weakest instinct of the human race which is the sexual instinct. If the husband feels that his wife’s communication with her Shaykh should be through him or at least with his knowledge and permission, then this is his right, and the wife should adhere to his wish. At times, this may be more advisable, especially if the Shaykh is relatively young. In conclusion, a female may give her Bay’a to a shaykh provided the shaykh is a genuine shaykh, and the rules and regulations of Hijab are fully observed. And Allah Knows Best [Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam Darul Iftaa Leicester , UK http://www.daruliftaa.com/question.asp? ... q-05185785

PART 4

PART 3

PART 2

Q. I need some advice. I know for a fact that a woman is not allowed to use perfume before going out of her home. But some women use deodorants profusely & claim that it is not the same as perfume. Can you kindly clarify? (Query published as received) A. It is not permissible for a female to emerge from her home with fragrance emanating from her. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (Radiyallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “When a woman emerges from her home to go to the Musjid, she should rid herself of fragrance like how she rids herself of impurities”(Sunan an-Nasai #: 5127) Thus, whether it a deoderant or perfume, she should ensure that no fragrance eminates from her. The deoderant should be used for its intended purpose, to prevent any unpleasant odour. It should not be used to give off a fragrance. And Allah Knows Best Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

Solely on His Mercy do I depend What else is there as my defence?

“At the start of the year, we need to keep in mind that one more year of our lives has gone. If our actions were evil, and we were treading the path to Jahannam, we have now come one year closer to it. And if we were in search of Jannah then we now have one year less to reach that goal. In brief, the end of the year means the end of a year of our lives. An Arabic poet says, The passing of days please a person, But this passing(in reality) is the passing of his life. We need to always value each and every second of our lives, as we may not be live to see the 1st of Muharram next year; in fact we may not live to see the next moment. This is what Imam Bukhārī rahimahullāh highlighted in the following couplets” Value the reward of Salāh whilst you have the time to do so, For it is possible that your death is sudden. I have seen many healthy people without any form of illness Whose healthy soul departed suddenly. Courtesy of In Shaykh's Company: a blog maintained by the students of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah www.shaykh.org

An Innocent Girl, An Innocent Dove An innocent girl, like an innocent dove I was, I had never felt even a simple nicotine buzz. A high school girl, friends and homework were my past time, I never thought I would have the substance to write out this rhyme. I had met who I thought was a nice guy and this all started on that day, little I knew that it was my innocence he wanted to slay. He just kept looking at me from afar with a smirk on his face, he kept smiling, this is a past I want to erase. He came over and innocently said "Hi", I was stupid to respond, now how I wish I had just said "Get lost, BYE!" He told me he had never seen another girl as beautiful as me before, he told me he really liked me, I was stupid to believe it but he was just keeping score. "When I get upset, my dear, I just think about you, in my worst times girl its your thoughts that get me through." He told me such things that made me want to melt, if only you could feel now how on that day I had felt. He then touched my hand and said it was an accident, he kept on smiling and giving me compliment after compliment. He was buying and by this time I was totally sold, he asked my number and I gave it, how could I have been so bold? By that evening he had already sent me a text, "Was thinking of you...good night, I need to rest." The next day the text was followed by a phone call, "Hey girl, do you want to come see me play basketball?" I denied his request, but it was just a test, he only wanted to see how easy I was, what happened next though was a mess. What happened next was just a mess because we went crazy with the texts. Day and night, night and day, it was like a cat and mouse game we would play. Shamefully I got so free with him, I told him my body shape because he would joke I was so slim. Naturally we ended up taking the next step by going to watch a movie with Johnny Depp. He bought me popcorn and some tangy candy, gave me a card with some lyrics written on it from a song by Brandy. I thought it was so sweet and romantic, the feelings of marriage, but in reality it was just meaningless antics. And what I truly wanted, I wanted to feel like a wife, I wanted to feel we emotionally bonded. Now he put his arm around me and it was fine, it was okay now because with each other we had spent so much time. Now we were a proper couple, but this only started more trouble. We wanted to go somewhere private, his exact words were, "To change the climate." We planned to get hotel room, I was nervous and hesitant, but he was over the moon. I lied to my rents about my date, I told them my friend was getting married and for a few hours we were going to celebrate. I became such an expert at telling my parents lies, I know I will regret this when I will have to tell them my last goodbyes. We went to the hotel, he picked me up, all seemed fine all was well. As soon as we got in he hugged me up so fast, he was in a rush, I wanted this moment to last. He quickly removed his clothes and wanted me to remove mine, I dont even want to say what happened in the next line. I ran to the bathroom, embarrassed, ashamed, what happened to me? How did I go so far off, I just wanted him gone and to let me be. There was something in my heart that told me not to go on, not to give in anymore, that this was all wrong. I remembered reading a sign, Nikah or Nothing, it was just one line. Now locked in this hotel bathroom that one line made sense, none of these feelings were true, it was all pretense. He was waiting out there for me, like a butcher waiting for the innocent lamb, I wasnt going to be slaughtered, I wasnt going to give in to this terrible man. I got my clothes and let him know, "Listen, this is enough, I have to go." He begged and pleaded and called me a sweet name, I almost gave in, but I knew without nikah it would all be the same. Just fake feelings and distrust, agony, always the doubt he is cheating that I am only the mistress. I couldnt go on, not anymore, knowing that Allah didnt create me for this, He created me for more, I am a Muslim woman, chaste and pure. I had more value to me than what this man used me for, I had more respect than what I was giving myself, and even more. A man should approach my father for my hand, all my life I only knew that to be my marriage plan. A man shouldnt get me to sneak out and talk and do this and that, I shouldnt have to answer him the shameful question about if I am skinny or fat. A man should take me as his responsibility first, he shouldnt be giving me these Bollywood lines rehearsed. I learned my lesson from that day, I thanked Allah that I was saved. After that experience I never gave another guy a chance, I no longer believed in premarital romance. I kept it straight after that, Nikah or Nothing, thats where I am at. I now only believe in Nikah, no eye contact, no smiles, no convos or texts, nothing. Now I am happy I am marrying a pious man, the invitation cards have been sent, I made tawbah from that previous life, from that forbidden relationship I repent. Its Nikah or Nothing, on nikah put your bet, dont do anything premarital, dont do anything you will later in life regret. Allah is watching you always, against His laws dont be a contender, you will die and then answer to Him so just give up now and to His commands yourself surrender.

Let me tell you a sad story, sit down, the story of how my heart broke and I broke down. It was an innocent day in an innocent time when I made eye contact with this pretty little dime, this girl, she was so hot, that she stole my heart right then and there, right on the spot. I swear her eye liner was worse than black magic, what happened to me after was just very tragic. I became a statistic, another caught in the trap and now all I got out of it was this ridiculous rap. But if these few bars can help someone else from stop seeing the stars, the fake illusions of premarital love, save them from having love scars, then its all worth to put it down on this pad, even if it makes me very sad. Her eye liner was worse than black magic, with her red lipstick she wrote all over my heart, but that's nothing compared to what her perfume did to me, and this was just the beginning, only the start. Her red outfit was the cherry on top, she was in high heels I can still hear their "tick tock". I was thrilled over the moon that I got hit with the arrow of cupid, had I only known I was being so stupid. So you know I had to ask her number and take it down and I had to call her right away and ask her to go out on the town. And I definitely had to befriend her on Facebook, how could I deny her when her smile got me so shook? So I told my parents all kinds of ****, that I was going here and there, that I was doing this and that. But in reality I was sneaking out to meet with her, times I now regret and want to forget, times I want to make a blur, So we snuck off to coffee shops and ice cream parlors as on this forbidden love I was spending mad dollars. I dropped 20's and 50's like I was selling crack, I was addicted to that illicit love, what was I thinking where was my mind at? I sent her countless text messages, "Baby I love you", "Hun I love you too" - I wasnt in love, I just simply had the love flu. Going here and there, we were hanging out in seclusion, I had forgotten that death was going to be my conclusion. So here I was kissing up on this girl, she was smelling like a basket of cinnamon cookies with a chocolate swirl. It never occured to me that me and her were never ever alone, and that idea now has my mind blown, that Allah was watching us every time, Allah heard every phone conversation, Allah read every text message line. Allah saw us as we stood in that movie line, Allah was there in the coffee shop every single time, Allah was there at Ihop or wherever we went, Allah knew exactly every penny I spent. So what came to be of this illicit relationship let me tell you friend, my heart broken, her heart broken, from ever meeting each other we both had to repent. From "Sweety I love you" and "Baby I love you too" it went quickly to "Curse my destiny that I ran into you!" It went from, "This is perfect" to "This just randomly happened" because we both were deeply saddened. It went from "You are perfect for me, like hand in glove we gel" to "You are a monster, why dont you die and go to hell!" She was hurt and devastated by the events that went down, her reputation was trashed and ruined all over town. I was hurt heart broken and felt so guilty and cheap inside, I had to move out of town change the place where I reside. If only I took the way of Nikah or Nothing, if only I made this my slogan, none of this would have happened, our piety would have remained, our hearts wouldnt be broken. But we displeased Allah the Creator of Love, so naturally how can any relationship be happy without permission from above? I realized my first mistake was to put my gaze on her, thats what got all this started, thats what got my hormones to stirr. Now when I am at school I keep my gaze down, forbidden pleasures are too much hassle its much easier to keep my eyes locked on the ground. In Nikah or Nothing I am now a firm believer, I wont ever get into an illicit relationship, I wont ever take on that haraam fever. Nikah or Nothing!!!