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Weapons of various types have existed throughout human history. Bows and arrows, spears, swords, clubs, maces, axes and the like were the typical weapons found in the past, while the weapon of choice for most in the modern world is the firearm. Nevertheless, whatever the situation may be, a person’s ability to defend himself effectively will depend on two main factors; selecting the correct weapon, and having the skill/strength to wield it. For example, a shotgun is an effective weapon, but due to its powerful recoil, it would not be effective for a weak and frail woman in her eighties. In fact, the recoil may even dislocate her shoulder or at least dislodge her dentures! Thus, for such a woman, a small handgun would be better suited. At the same time, some level of skill and strength is required, for even the best handgun will be useless if placed in the hand of a paralyzed person. In the very same way, when defending ourselves against the evil shayaateen, then these two factors must be taken into consideration as well – the correct ‘weapon’ must be selected, and we must ‘wield’ it with strength. Haafiz Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullah) has discussed the above two points saying, “That which is required from the person afflicted (for his cure) is that he should be strong, and turn his attention and focus to the One who has created these evil shayaateen (i.e. he should turn his attention to Allah Ta‘ala, place his hopes in Him and beg Him in du‘aa). “The correct method of (reciting) the du‘aas of protection is (for one to recite them with) the heart conforming to the tongue (i.e. just as his tongue is begging Allah Ta‘ala for protection, his heart must be focused towards Allah Ta‘ala, and it must be filled with the firm conviction that it is Allah Ta‘ala alone who will cure him). “The reason is that this (struggle against evil shayaateen) is a form of battle, and the person engaged in a battle will not be able to defeat his enemy with his weapon unless two requirements are met; (1) the weapon must be correct and effective, and (2) the arm wielding the weapon must be strong. “Whenever one of the two requirements is not found, the weapon will not prove to be of much benefit. So, imagine how dire the situation will be when both requirements are not found – the heart is devoid of (strong) imaan, tawakkul, taqwa and turning to Allah Ta‘ala, and furthermore, one does not have a weapon (i.e. one does not recite any du‘aas for protection)!” (At-Tibb An-Nabawi pg. 52) In regard to selecting the correct weapon, then the safest and best weapon is the verses of the Quraan Majeed (e.g. the manzil which can be downloaded here) and sunnah du‘aas which have been reported in the blessed ahaadeeth of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). For a layman, dabbling in different ‘amals and ta’weez on his own, without expert guidance, is not recommended as one risks suffering the severe consequences and adverse side-effects. In this regard, Shaikhul Hadeeth, Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahimahullah) – the author of Fazaail-e-Aa’maal, had written the following advice to a person who was afflicted with problems relating to evil jinn: “The reason why I prevented you from carrying out an ‘amal for the jinn is that at times, when a person lacks complete expertise (in the field of ‘amaliyyaat), then repelling the jinn becomes difficult. I have already seen many examples, in India, of the various harms that arise from carrying out ‘amals after merely looking into a kitaab (of ‘amals) or using other people’s ta’weez. However, the du‘aas of the Quraan and hadeeth are free from harm.” (Qutbul Aqtaab Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya pg. 550) Shaikhul Hadeeth (rahimahullah) recommended that the person recite the following daily after Fajr, after Maghrib and before sleeping: Durood shareef 3 times, followed by the following 3 times each: (1) Surah Faatihah with bismillah, (2) Aayatul Kursi, (3) Surah Falaq, and (4) Surah Naas, followed by durood shareef 3 times in the end. (Qutbul Aqtaab Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya pg. 548) In regard to wielding the weapon with strength, then as Haafiz Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullah) mentioned above, it refers to one’s heart possessing strong imaan and yaqeen (conviction in the promises of Allah Ta‘ala), leading a life of taqwa (refraining from all sins) and turning his attention and hopes towards Allah Ta‘ala while begging Him in du‘aa. Therefore, if we are afflicted with such a problem, then we should strive to strengthen our imaan and tawakkul, bring more piety into our lives, ensure that we recite the verses and du‘aas of protection regularly, and turn to Allah Ta‘ala in earnest du‘aa. May Allah Ta‘ala grant cure to all those who are suffering in the Ummah, aameen. UswatulMuslimah

I remember a time when neighbourhoods were safe and the streets were free from threats and dangers. As children, we could leave home on our bicycles to go to the masjid or to attend a Deeni program and return to our own home hours later, and there would be no great cause for concern or worry. This was despite the fact that from the time we left home until we returned, we were unreachable as we did not have phones in our pockets at the time. Compare that era to the present, and the contrast is as clear as chalk and cheese. In today’s times, kidnappings, muggings, hijackings, assaults and the like are rife and perpetually on the increase. However, many parents have identified these threats and have taken certain steps in an attempt to mitigate the danger. Neighbourhood patrols and guard huts are some of the measures implemented, together with keeping the children at home, or at least under adult supervision at all times, so that they may be protected from harm. All this is done in order to secure the physical safety of the child, as the physical safety of the child is taken very seriously. However, far more disastrous than any physical danger or harm befalling the child is for the child to suffer imaani danger or harm. The reason is that the child may recover from physical harm, or if not, then being a Muslim, he will gain entry into Jannah. However, if the child loses his imaan and grows up on kufr, then he will be doomed to eternal misery and suffering in the Hellfire, and this is infinitely worse than any physical harm he may suffer in this world. Therefore, just as parents are wary of physical dangers, they need to be doubly or triply wary of any and every fitnah that threatens the Imani safety of the child. ‘Hijacking hotspots’, where the child’s Imaan may be waylaid and looted, must be identified and avoided at all costs, as it is not merely one’s wallet, car or even life on the line – it is one’s eternal salvation that one may lose. From all the hotspots where Imaan is lost, one of the hottest hotspots at present is the school. It is an undeniable reality that many schools teach theories and espouse values that are diametrically opposite to the pure and pristine beliefs and values of Islam. In these schools, children are taught the Big Bang theory – that the origin of the earth was a Big Bang, not the creation of Allah Ta‘ala. They are taught that man descended from apes – not from Nabi Aadam (‘alaihis salaam) who was created by Allah Ta‘ala. They are also taught that LGBTQIA+ is acceptable, and to speak against it is a crime – and this directly clashes with the Quraan Majeed which unequivocally declares that it is filthy and immoral. If our children are attending such schools, then it is almost certain that they have been exposed to such ‘atomic bombs’ which blast their Imaan to smithereens. As parents, have we ever sat with our children and asked them what they have learnt in school? Are we aware of the values they are imbibing and information they are receiving in school, or are we wilfully ignorant, congratulating ourselves with the fact that they are receiving a ‘quality education’? The fact of the matter is that countless youth, and even adults in their advanced years (a long time later), have come forward and confessed that on account of the seed of atheism being planted in their mind at a young age in school (through being taught Darwinism, the Big Bang theory, etc.), they have always had doubts regarding Islam. Shockingly, such people are sometimes seen to be pillars of the community, coming from good homes, leading respectable lives and are even seen in the masjid. However, one now wonders whether their lifetime of ‘ibaadah was even valid, considering the doubtful condition of their Imaan, and one similarly wonders what their outcome will be if they pass away in such a state. Similar is the case of the increasing number of boys and girls who are falling into the trap of LGBTQIA+, as regarding such filth to be permissible and acceptable causes one to lose his/her Imaan. Can such a severe danger ever be ignored, side-lined or overlooked? Never! No parent who claims to love their child and wishes well for him can ever leave him defenceless and exposed to such fatal threats. The hadeeth mentions that it is mainly the parents who plot the course which their children will follow in life. (Saheeh Bukhaari #1358) If we fall short in protecting the Imaan of our children, by placing them in the wrong schools and not seeing to it that they are taught the correct Islamic beliefs and values, then we will be risking their eternal salvation and entry into Jannah, and we ourselves will also be held accountable and will face the consequences for neglecting to safeguard their Imaan. May Allah Ta‘ala protect our Imaan and the Imaan of every child in the Ummah, aameen. UswatulMuslimah

What Prevents Victory In the Qur’ān, Allah ﷻ promises victory to the believers. He ﷻ also mentions the causes and circumstances which prevent victory and bring defeat. As believers, we must learn these reasons so as to not fall victim to them and suffer the indignities we see today. 1. Sins Allah ﷻ says, وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ اللّٰهُ وَعْدَهُٓ إِذْ تَحُسُّوْنَهُم بِإِذْنِهِ ۖ حَتّىٰٰٓ إِذَا فَشِلْتُمْ وَتَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ وَعَصَيْتُمْ مِّنْ بَعْدِ مَا أَرَاكُمْ مَّا تُحِبُّوْنَ ۚ مِنْكُمْ مَّنْ يُّرِيْدُ الدُّنْيَا وَمِنْكُمْ مَّنْ يُرِيْدُ الْآخِرَةَ ۚ ثُمَّ صَرَفَكُمْ عَنْهُمْ لِيَبْتَلِيَكُمْ ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا عَنكُمْ ۗ وَاللّٰهُ ذُوْ فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ “Indeed, Allah fulfilled His promise to you when you swept them away by His permission, then your courage weakened and you disputed about the command and disobeyed, after He had shown you what you liked. Some of you were after worldly gain while others desired a heavenly reward. He denied you victory over them as a test, yet He has pardoned you. And Allah is Gracious to the believers” (3:152). This āyah refers to the Battle of Uḥud, in which an initial victory turned into defeat when archers disobeyed the Prophet ﷺ and left their posts. Allah mentions the reasons for this defeat: disobedience to the Messenger ﷺ and the Commander of the army, disputing amongst each other, being distracted by the spoils of war, and focusing on the world instead of the hereafter. Even though 300 hypocrites withdrew before the battle commenced, this did not affect the outcome of the battle. However, the disobedience of a small group of Companions, who were sincere Muslims, changed the course of the entire battle. Their actions did not only harm themselves, but harmed the entire Muslim community. Seventy great Companions lost their lives, including the Leader of the Martyrs, the beloved uncle of the Prophet ﷺ: Ḥamzah b. ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu). Many more were injured, including the Prophet ﷺ himself. The Muslims paid a heavy price because of just one act of disobedience. This despite the Messenger of Allah ﷺ being in their midst. Contrast this with the sins of the Ummah today. How many of our own personal sins are resulting in the destruction and oppression of Muslim around the world? Allah (ʿazza wa jall) says, إِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوْا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…” (13:11). Just as collective obedience leads to victory, collective disobedience leads to Allah removing the peace and prosperity of a nation. ʿAbdullah b. ʿUmar (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhumā) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came out to us and said, “O Muhājīrīn! There are five things you will be tested with; and I seek Allah’s protection that you live to see them: (1) Immorality will not become so widespread in a nation to such an extent that they commit it openly, except that plague and diseases which were unknown to their ancestors will spread among them; (2) They will not cheat in weight and measure except that they will be stricken with famine, high costs of living and the tyranny of the rulers; (3) They will not withhold zakāh on their wealth except that they will be prevented rain from the sky; and were it not for animals, no rain would fall on them. (4) They will not violate their covenant with Allah and His Messenger, except that Allah will allow their enemies to overcome them and take some of what they possess; (5) Their leaders will not rule according to the Book of Allah, and they will not choose the good of what Allah has sent down, except that Allah will cause them to fight amongst themselves” (Ibn Mājah). Sins and the disobedience of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ are the greatest victory-blockers. Before the Battle of Qadisiyyah, ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) advised Saʿd b. Abī Waqqāṣ and his army, “Fear your sins more than you fear the enemy as your sins are more dangerous to you than your enemy. We Muslims are only victorious over our enemy because their sins outnumber ours, not for any other reason. If our sins were equal to those of our enemy, then they would defeat us due to their superior numbers and resources.” 2. Infighting A major barrier to victory is infighting and disunity. Allah ﷻ says, يـٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْٓا إِذَا لَقِيْتُمْ فِئَةً فَاثْبُتُوْا وَاذْكُرُوا اللّٰهَ كَثِيْرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ . وَأَطِيْعُوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوْا فَتَفْشَلُوْا وَتَذْهَبَ رِيْحُكُمْ ۖ وَاصْبِرُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِيْنَ “Believers! When you encounter a group (in battle), stand firm and remember Allah abundantly, so you may triumph. Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not quarrel with one another, lest you lose heart and your moral courage. And persevere, for surely Allah is with those who persevere” (8:45-46). Allah ﷻ says, وَالَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوْهُ تَكُنْ فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِيْرٌ “As for the disbelievers, they are guardians of one another. And if you do not do the same, there will be great oppression and corruption in the land” (8:73). This āyah makes it clear that if the believers do not help and support each other, the result will be terrible corruption and bloodshed on the earth. History has repeatedly shown that fragmentation and disunity lead to weakness and defeat. External threats to the Ummah can always be overcome with the help of Allah. However, internal conflicts cause Muslims to undermine themselves and implode, inevitably culminating in external defeat and failure. 3. Diseases of the Heart After the victory of the Battle of Badr, Allah ﷻ reminded the believers that victory came directly from Allah, not from themselves. It was He who enveloped them with sleep when they most needed it, sent down gentle rain and reinforcements from among the angels, made them stand firmly, and caused the disbelievers to lose their morale. Thus, the believers should not feel any pride and they should not attribute victory to themselves. Allah ﷻ says, فَلَمْ تَقْتُلُوهُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ قَتَلَهُمْ ۚ وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ رَمَىٰ ۚ وَلِيُبْلِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ مِنْهُ بَلَآءً حَسَنًا ۚ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ سَمِيْعٌ عَلِيْمٌ “It was not you who killed them, but it was Allah who did so. Nor was it you (O Prophet) who threw (a handful of sand at the disbelievers), but it was Allah who did so, rendering the believers a great favour. Indeed Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing” (8:17). The believers should praise and thank Allah Alone, for He favoured them with victory. Allah ﷻ also warned them from being like those disbelievers who came out full of arrogance and pride. Allah ﷻ says, وَلَا تَكُوْنُوا كَالَّذِيْنَ خَرَجُوْا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ بَطَرًا وَّرِئَآءَ النَّاسِ وَيَصُدُّوْنَ عَنْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ ۚ وَاللّٰهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُوْنَ مُحِيْطٌ “Do not be like those who left their homes full of arrogance, showing off to people, and preventing others from Allah’s Path. And Allah is All-Encompassing of what they do” (8:47). In another āyah, Allah reminds the believers, لَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللّٰهُ فِيْ مَوَاطِنَ كَثِيْرَةٍ ۙ وَّيَوْمَ حُنَيْنٍ ۙ إِذْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ كَثْرَتُكُمْ فَلَمْ تُغْنِ عَنْكُمْ شَيْئًا وَّضَاقَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ ثُمَّ وَلَّيْتُمْ مُّدْبِرِيْنَ “Indeed Allah has given you victory on many battlefields, and on the Day of Ḥunayn when you took pride in your great numbers, but they proved of no advantage to you. The earth, despite its vastness, seemed to close in on you, then you turned back in retreat” (9:25). Before the Battle of Ḥunayn commenced, the Muslims felt supremely confident and proud because of their large numbers. However, it did not benefit them: thousands of the Companions fled from the battle-field, resulting in utter chaos and confusion. The road to the downfall of many nations and armies throughout history has been paved with self-deceit and the false impression of power and invulnerability. Victory does not come from angels or from numbers or from weapons. Victory comes from Allah, Alone. Many of the Ummah’s predicaments today – including the lack of unity – are caused by the diseases of the hearts e.g. pride, showing off, self-admiration, envy, cowardice, stinginess, greed, and selfishness. The root of most of the world’s problems is diseased hearts. Hearts which do not know Allah, hearts which are full of arrogance, greed and selfishness. Hearts which have become corrupted by sins and no longer taste the sweetness of īmān. Hearts torn apart by pride, envy and hatred, resulting in a fractured Ummah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The goodness of the earlier generations of this Ummah is due to their zuhd (abstinence) and yaqīn (conviction); and the latter generation of this Ummah will be ruined because of shuḥḥ (stinginess and greed) and false hopes” (Bayhaqī). 4. Love of the World Allah ﷻ says, وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ اللّٰهُ وَعْدَهُٓ إِذْ تَحُسُّوْنَهُم بِإِذْنِهِ ۖ حَتّىٰٰٓ إِذَا فَشِلْتُمْ وَتَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ وَعَصَيْتُمْ مِّنْ بَعْدِ مَا أَرَاكُمْ مَّا تُحِبُّوْنَ ۚ مِنْكُمْ مَّنْ يُّرِيْدُ الدُّنْيَا وَمِنْكُمْ مَّنْ يُرِيْدُ الْآخِرَةَ ۚ ثُمَّ صَرَفَكُمْ عَنْهُمْ لِيَبْتَلِيَكُمْ ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا عَنكُمْ ۗ وَاللّٰهُ ذُوْ فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ “Indeed, Allah fulfilled His promise to you when you swept them away by His permission, then your courage weakened and you disputed about the command and disobeyed, after He had shown you what you liked. Some of you were after worldly gain while others desired a heavenly reward. He denied you victory over them as a test, yet He has pardoned you. And Allah is Gracious to the believers” (3:152). In the Battle of Uḥud, the archers left their posts since they were worried that they may miss out on the spoils of war. This āyah is a reminder that the desire for worldly gain prevents victory. One of the key blockers of victory and the root cause of the ummah’s humiliation is the love of this world (one of the diseases of the heart). The Prophet ﷺ said, “The nations will soon summon one another to attack you just as diners invite one another to share their dish.” Someone asked, “Will it be due to our small number at the time?” He ﷺ replied, “No, there will be many of you at the time, but you will be like the froth and scum of a flood. Allah will remove from your enemies’ hearts their fear of you, and He will cast wahn into your hearts. Someone asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is wahn?” He ﷺ replied, “Love of the world and a dislike of death” (Abū Dāwūd). 5. Despair It’s difficult to look at the tragedies around the Ummah and not feel depressed and hopeless. However, Allah ﷻ reminds us, وَلَا تَهِنُوْا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوْا وَأَنْتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُّؤْمِنِيْنَ “Do not lose heart, and do not grieve, for you will have the upper hand, if you are (true) believers” (3:139). This āyah was revealed after the Battle of Uḥud, which was a very painful time for the Muslims. Over seventy of the Companions were slain in battle. The Prophet’s beloved uncle Ḥamzah was killed and then mutilated. He ﷺ himself was wounded. Thus, Allah revealed this āyah after the battle to console the Companions, instructing them to not lose hope and always be certain of Allah’s help, as long as they remain true to their īmān. This is a timeless lesson and reminder for the Ummah: to never lose hope and become despondent. No matter how many enemies unite against the ummah, no matter how many precious souls are martyred, no matter how many homes, masjids and hospitals are destroyed — the believers should always think good of Allah and have unwavering yaqīn that Allah will most certainly help those who help His dīn. Despite all the odds, everyone in the Ummah must work to bring justice and goodness to this world. The believers may see victory in their lifetime or may not. However, they should never give up. Instead, they should try their utmost to pave the way for future generations. They must plant trees knowing that they’ll never sit under their shade. 6. Weakness and Cowardice Allah ﷻ says, وَكَأَيِّنْ مِّنْ نَّبِيٍّ قَاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّوْنَ كَثِيْرٌ فَمَا وَهَنُوْا لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمْ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُوْا وَمَا اسْتَكَانُوْا ۗ وَاللّٰهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِيْنَ “Many Prophets have fought, with many godly men alongside them. They never lost heart on account of what they suffered in the cause of Allah, nor did they weaken or give in! Allah loves those who persevere” (3:146). In this āyah, the Prophets and the ribbiyyūn (men of devout worship and knowledge) are described as being people who were severely tested in His cause, yet they were not overcome by physical, mental or spiritual weakness. They remained firm and steadfast. At the same time, they were not impressed by their own courage and valour. In the next āyah, Allah mentions them pleading with Him for forgiveness, strength and victory. Cowardice is a deadly disease of the heart, which the Prophet ﷺ sought refuge from every day. The believer is brave: he is certain that his sustenance and his death are both from Allah. He fears none but Allah. When he sees something powerful, he remembers that Allah is al-Qawiyy: The Most Powerful. A strong Ummah cannot be mentally or physically weak. It must not capitulate to mere mortals who seek to drag them to the Hell-fire. It must emancipate itself from the shackles of colonialism, materialism and hedonism. And it must realise how fortunate it is to have been granted divine guidance and the honour of being Allah’s vicegerents on this earth. 7. Internal Defeat In the previous point, Allah ﷻ mentioned the Prophets and those who remained steadfast with Him. After describing their reward in the subsequent āyah, Allah then continues to say, . يـٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْٓا إِن تُطِيعُوا الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا يَرُدُّوْكُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَابِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوْا خَاسِرِيْنَ . بَلِ اللّٰهُ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ النَّاصِرِيْنَ “O believers! If you obey the disbelievers, they will drag you back to disbelief—and you will become losers. No indeed! It is Allah who is your Protector: He is the best Helper” (3:150). In this āyah, Allah is reminding the believers to stay firm on their īmān, and to not fall into the trap of the disbelievers and the hypocrites. They are being warned from yielding to them and seeking to please them by obeying them. Instead of taking the disbelievers as their masters, they should take Allah as their Master, as He is the One who can truly help them. Following the disbelievers will lead to eternal loss; following the dīn of Allah will result in true success, in this world and the hereafter. Today, the Ummah has become accustomed to living under the jackboot of Islam’s enemies who perpetrate relentless tyranny, unchecked crimes and rampant corruption upon it. And yet still, despite all this physical subjugation, it is another enemy which has today paralysed us. One which has disorientated our minds, killed our spirits, and left us enamoured with our enemies. It is our mental and cultural defeat. The disbelievers may not occupy our lands anymore, but their ways occupy our minds and hearts — and this remains our greatest setback. Enticing ‘progressive’ ideas, debased sensual entertainment and far-reaching media have blurred our faculties. With time, this has created an inferiority complex towards our dīn and towards our native languages, cultures, and dress. A planned and systemic dissemination of their ideas has eroded our core identity and crushed centuries-long values of morality, family and community. We foolishly imitate the disbelievers’ ways, no matter how absurd, blindly accepting their evil materialism, hedonism and godlessness. Instead of deriving strength and guidance from our revelation and heritage, we seek it from their degenerate celebrities: manicured human devils who steal the minds and innocence of our youth. Resisting the occupation of one’s land is easier when compared to dajjalic enslavement of our minds. This enslavement cannot be seen, and for many, not even believed. How do you convince the zoo animal, who is well-fed and looked after, that it is still imprisoned? Only one religion clears the fog. Islam Offers Another Way As believers, it is our duty to live for Allah, and establish His dīn on His earth. Rather than blindly following what popular culture feeds us, we should reflect on the damage that materialism, hedonism and liberalism have wreaked on the psychological, social, economic and spiritual states of humanity. We should ask ourselves what values and norms we are imbibing as we zombie scroll through our social media feeds and TV channels. We should feel and inspire in ourselves and in our youth a sense of honour (ʿizzah) for the incredible gift of Islam. We should feel privileged at being given īmān, and scared that it could be taken away from us at any time. We should strive hard to serve the dīn of Allah, and remain steadfast on whatever hurdles come in our way. May Allah al-ʿAzīz (The Exalted in Might) grant honour and victory to the Ummah of Muḥammad ﷺ. May Allah al-Mawlā (The Protective Ally) protect us from all harm and make us attach our hearts to Him Alone. lifewithallah

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ الصِّحَّةَ وَالْعِفَّةَ وَالْأَمَانَةَ وَحُسْنَ الْـخُلُقِ وَالرِّضَا بِالْقَدَرِ “O Allah, I ask of You (to bestow me with) health, protection from sin, trustworthiness, good character and being pleased with Your decree.” (Tabraani – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #17322) In this du‘aa, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) beseeched Allah Ta‘ala for five qualities. Outwardly, it seems that these are random unrelated qualities, however, there is actually a connection and link between them. The first aspect which is sought for in this du‘aa is good health. When a person has good health, provided he uses it correctly, he can achieve much in life. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has said, “Two bounties (are such that) many people incur a loss in their regard: good health and free time.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #6412) The second aspect mentioned is protection from sin. The link between these two is that while there are many causes and factors that affect a person’s health, a major cause is not restraining from sins and not safeguarding one’s chastity. There are many sicknesses and health complications which come about as a result of sins in general, and specifically sins related to zina. Hence, in order to protect one’s health, a person must protect himself from these as well as all other sins. The third quality is trustworthiness. Only that person will be able to restrain himself from sin who possesses trustworthiness in every sense. Trustworthiness is not merely confined to monetary and material things; rather, it also encompasses being trustworthy with regard to the limbs that Allah Ta‘ala has blessed us with. Since even our limbs are an amaanah (trust) given to us they should not be used for the disobedience of Allah Ta‘ala. When this quality is deeply rooted in a person, he understands that he cannot use his heart, mind and limbs to carry out any act of disobedience. When a person borrows something, he takes extra precaution and care when using it. In a similar manner, our bodies have been loaned to us by Allah Ta‘ala. Therefore, on the Day of Qiyaamah, we will be questioned regarding our limbs. These limbs will actually testify for us or against us on that day. The fourth aspect is good character. Good character is undoubtedly a very great and integral part of Deen. On the Day of Qiyaamah, the thing which will hold the most weight on the scales of deeds will be a person’s good character. (Sunan Tirmizi #2002) The previous quality (i.e. amaanah) is in actual fact a facet of good character. Hence, the person who possesses complete akhlaaq will possess amaanah as well. However, if a person picks and chooses which characteristics he wishes to imbibe within himself, he will most likely neglect amaanah, hence it was mentioned specifically. The last aspect sought for in this du‘aa is being totally pleased with the decree of Allah Ta‘ala. A person who is always happy with the decree of Allah Ta‘ala will have the highest level of akhlaaq because his focus is always on Allah Ta‘ala and he understands that everything is from Him. When this is his focus, he takes everything in its stride. Hence, if a person treats him in an uncordial manner, he immediately turns his attention to Allah Ta‘ala. On the contrary, when a person’s focus is merely on the creation, he is affected by trivial and petty issues and it will be too difficult for him to act in accordance to good akhlaaq. May Allah Ta‘ala bless us with these five beautiful qualities, aameen. Uswatul Muslimah

A Poem for Palestine Oh Palestine! Oh Palestine! We see you! We hear you! We feel your pain! We share your pain! We see your posts! We share your posts! We hear your stories! We share your stories! We marvel at your resilience! We are moved by your resistance! The Zionists want to kill you! The majority of the world is with you! They block humanitarian aid! They lack a humanitarian side! They massacre and torture then claim self-defence! They have no shame for their claim of self-defence! Children are crying! Children are dying! Cruelty to the young and old! Cruelty where no-one is spared! You have to live on the streets! We march for you on our streets! You shed your tears! We share your tears! You have no voices! We shout for you in loud voices! You cannot have petitions! We sign for your petitions! You have no justice in courts! We fight for your justice in courts! You have no freedom! We pray for your freedom! You suffer everyday! We stand with you everyday! You are never alone! We will never leave you alone! You cannot forget! We will never forget! You live in our hearts! We join with you in our hearts! You show us strength! We learn from your strength! You seek your freedom! We fight for your freedom! You never give up hope! We live in your hope! We stand with you! We are united with you! Long live Palestine! Viva la Palestine! Palestine will be free! From the river to the sea! May Allah grant you victory soon! May we live to see your victory soon!

Advocating for Palestine Amidst persisting narratives and disinformation, this booklet serves as a dedicated guide to dismantling Israeli propaganda. As we feel committed to providing facts and advocating for justice, this document aims to equip readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to challenge misconceptions. This booklet outlines effective communication strategies, encouraging advocates to remain calm, factual, and persistent in pursuing justice. By dissecting key terminologies and addressing prominent claims with clear counterarguments, we aim to provide a comprehensive resource on historical events, propaganda tactics, and misconceptions for those dedicated to dismantling false narratives and fostering accurate understanding. Armed with this knowledge, we invite you to engage in conversations, challenge indoctrinated beliefs, and actively contribute to a more truthful representation of the harrowing reality faced daily by Palestinians. International Law states that the occupying power is obliged to comply with its human rights obligations in occupied territories and respect people placed under its effective control due to the occupation, including, but not limited to, the human rights granted under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. English-Advocating for Palestine v 1.0.pdf

Haaroon Rasheed was an ‘Abbaasi Khaleefah who ruled over the Muslim empire from 170 A.H. until his demise in 193 A.H. at the age of forty-five. On one occasion, when Haaroon Rasheed came to Madeenah Munawwarah, he sent a messenger to Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) with the following message: “Come to me and bring the hadeeth kitaab (Al-Muwatta) which you have compiled so that I may hear the ahaadeeth from you.” On receiving this message, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) was upset and disappointed. He said to the messenger, “Convey my salaam to him, and tell him that people should travel to the knowledge of Deen, the knowledge of Deen should not travel to people. People should come to obtain the knowledge of Deen, it should not have to come to them.” When the reply of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) reached Haaroon Rasheed, he became angry. His messenger fuelled his anger further saying, “It will reach the people of Iraq that you summoned Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah), yet he defied you! Force him to come to you!” In the interim, many students of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) suggested to him that he go to Haaroon Rasheed and explain to him the correct manner of acquiring the knowledge of Deen. Hence, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) came to Haaroon Rasheed and entered with salaam. However, he did not bring his kitaab of hadeeth with him. When Haaroon Rasheed asked him why he had come without the kitaab, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) replied: “O Ameerul Mu-mineen! Allah Ta‘ala sent Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to us and commanded us to obey him, follow his blessed sunnah and show him utmost respect and honour, during and after his lifetime. Allah Ta‘ala has perhaps granted you the position of khaleefah on account of you having some knowledge of Deen. Hence, when you have been blessed with this knowledge, then you should not disrespect it and fail to honour it, as doing so will cause Allah Ta‘ala to strip you of your respect and honour. Fear Allah! Fear Allah! I have seen people who were not of your standing and lineage, some were freed slaves and there were others as well, yet they all showed the highest level of respect to the knowledge of Deen and honoured the ‘Ulama who bore this knowledge. When these people had shown respect to the knowledge of Deen, then surely you are more worthy of honouring the knowledge of Deen!” Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) continued to advise Haaroon Rasheed in this manner until he eventually began to weep. Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) continued further until Haaroon Rasheed relented and said, “Let us proceed to your home.” On arriving, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) entered, performed ghusl, donned new clothing, applied ‘itr and burned some fragrant ‘oud (to honour the blessed ahaadeeth). Thereafter, as they sat, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) said to Haaroon Rasheed, “Commence reciting.” Haaroon Rasheed responded, “You should recite to me.” However, when Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) excused himself from reciting, Haaroon Rasheed was left with no choice but to recite, and thus said, “Tell all the people to leave so that I can recite to you in privacy.” Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) responded, “When the knowledge of Deen is withheld from the general people for the sake of influential people who wish to be exclusive, then these influential people will never benefit from the knowledge.” Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) then instructed one of his students to recite the ahaadeeth. When the student commenced reciting, Haaroon Rasheed was at the side of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) and was seated in a reclining position. Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) said to him, “O Ameerul Mu-mineen! The one who lowers and humbles himself for Allah Ta‘ala, Allah Ta‘ala will elevate and honour him.” Haaroon Rasheed immediately awoke and sat before Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah), only returning to his side after the ahaadeeth were recited. Sometime later, Haaroon Rasheed said to Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah), “We lowered ourselves and expressed humility before the knowledge of Deen which you possessed, and hence Allah Ta‘ala blessed us to benefit from the knowledge.” (Tarteebul Madaarik vol. 2, pg. 21) Lesson: We all wish and desire to acquire the knowledge of Deen and benefit from the blessed ahaadeeth of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, there are many people who fail to show the knowledge of Deen due respect and honour. Instead of going to the ‘Ulama and expressing humility before the knowledge of Nubuwwah, they want to acquire knowledge on ‘their own terms’. Instead of sitting with respect, they lie on their beds and surf the net. Instead of dressing with respect and performing wudhu, they acquire the knowledge of Deen in a casual manner, dressed as they please, sometimes in an environment of free-intermingling between males and females! The outcome is that they acquire mere ‘information’, not the knowledge of Deen. The knowledge of Deen creates a noor (light) in the heart and guides a person to Allah Ta‘ala. alhaadi.org

Further question I want askislam to do some research on Molana Mohammed Imran Hosein. I have listened to a few of his bayaans and have come to the conclusion that no one talks about Dajjal the way he does. He is quite revolutionary in the sense that he says that Dajjal as a system starts in 900 AC and ruled for 1000 years until 1917 (approximately) when it completed the first day being equivalent to a year. Then the second day (equivalent to a month) started which according to him will last for 83 years until 2000 when USA became the Super Power in 1917. The next day equivalent to a week will be when Israel will be the Super Power until 2021 to 2023. These are approximate figures but quite a new phenomenon and no Aalim or Mufti talks about it. The biggest threat for Israel is Pakistan. I have read the book by Molana Asim Umar about Dajjal and in that he has mentioned that it is possible that Dajjal as a system exists now as he can control Shaitan and is helped by Shaitan. The calculations are done by two methods Molana said in his bayaan. 1. the water level of Sea Calilee. 2. I can’t remember but I think to do with start of the British Empire with Pound being the Currency of the World, then USA and Dollar being the Currency of the World, and then it will be Israel and Electronic Money will be the Currency of the World controlled by Zionists Banks. I would seriously request that despite a few differences of opinion that we have over Molana Imran Hosein, we need to see the calculations done by him in the light of the Quran and Sunnah and see it’s validity. I have listened to a few bayaans by him and find him to be very knowledgeable. I have stopped listening after reading your fatwa that he deviates in a few Big Masai’il from Salaf. I would urge you to read his books and lectures on Youtube and try to form alliance with him and bring something similar that would help us as it is high time we get together. I seriously urge every Muslim to listen to his bayaans not for masai’il but at least to understand the true deception that is dajjal. I wish you can give us ijaza to listen to his bayaans ans Ulamas like you are a shining light for us and we don’t want to do something that you think will be harmful for us. Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Brother in Islam, a) You are aware of the previous Askimam Fatawa issued on Imran Hosein. However, you still request ‘that we do some research on Shaykh Imran Hosein’, then give you Ijaza to listen to him. Firstly, it should be brought to your attention that all Fatawa issued on Askimam are only issued after extensive and thorough research is done. Hence, the previous fatawa[1] that you are aware of, was only issued after a full research was done on Imran Hosein and his books and speeches. Thus, we uphold the same view that it is not suitable and not appropriate to listen to his talks. b) The problem is not as minute as you may think, as you referred to in the question as ‘a few differences of opinion’. Hereunder is just a summary of some of the incorrect views of Imran Hosein that are not in conformity with the opinions of the majority of the scholars; He considers some Ahadeeth from Sahih al-Bukhari as fabricated whereas every hadith in Bukhari is Saheeh. For example, he regards the hadith of the marriage of Aisha, radiyallahu anhu, as fabricated.[2] He states that that all Shias are Muslims whereas many Shias have beliefs that are inconsistent with the fundamental beliefs of Islam.[3] He believes that Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj (Gog and Magog) have already been released in this world while it is clearly mentioned in ahadith that they will be released after the decent of the Prophet Isa, alayhi assalaam. The “Dajjal”(or antichrist) has already been released and is currently in the third stage of his mission The “Dukhan” (or “the smoke”) refers to pollution The “Dabbatul Ard” or (“the Beast”) refers to the state of Israel[4] c) As stated also in the previous fatawa, Shaykh Imran Hosein has chosen to interpret such texts based on logic and self-interpretation, rather than staying under the light of Quran and Sunnh. The fact of the matter is that all such interpretations are based on mere intellect and are not substantiated by explanations provided by the muhaddithin or mufassirin in the past. As stated before, we as Muslims are not bound to interpret such Ahadith with our own logic and reasoning. We accept the Ahadith as they are with their apparent meanings without delving into details not explicitly mentioned by the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) or his companions (may Allah be pleased with them). d) In conclusion, the most important point here is, while we acknowledge that as Muslims we should be aware of the enemies of Islam and their tricks and plots, we should also remember that the difficulties Muslims are facing all over the world and the many Fitan are amongst the signs of Qiyamah and will surly come to pass. Allāh Ta`ālā says in the Holy Qur’ān: أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ، وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. [Al-`Ankabūt: 2-3] During such times of confusion, it does not behove one to go around spreading anxiety and promoting ideas regarding future events based on undetermined and conjectural theories that stem from misinterpreting The Quran and Ahādīth. In times of trial and tribulation, when the Ummah faces turmoil, and our Imān faces danger, we follow the ultimate teachings of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam by turning to Allah Ta’ala in Salah and Dua and seeking His help. Allāh Ta`ālā says in the Holy Qur’ān: وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَى أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنْبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّيْطَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا And when there comes to them information about security or fear, they spread it around. But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then the ones who [can] draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it. And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, you would have followed Satan, except for a few. [Al-Nisā’: 83] A Bedouin asked the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘Alahi Wa Sallam) about the Hour (Qiyamah). He (Sallallaahu ‘Alahi Wa Sallam) said, “It will surely come to pass. What have you prepared for it?” (Bukhari) Meaning, you should rather be more concerned in preparing yourself for The Qiyamah.[5] And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Arshad Ali Student Darul Iftaa Trinidad Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. http://www.daruliftaa.net/ [1] http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/28659 http://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/27634 [2] It clearly mentioned in Sahih Bukhari 5:58:236 that there was a marriage ceremony between the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi was sallam, and Aisha, radiyallahu anha. Yet, Imran Hossien states that no marriage ceremony took place. http://www.imranhosein.org/faq/58-women-in-islam/291-what-was-the-age-of-aisha-when-she-was-married-please-comment-on-her-age.html [3] http://www.imranhosein.org/faq/56-world-events/201-i-heard-the-arrivals-are-based-on-shia-beliefs.html [4] Hosein, Imran. ” Ten Major Signs of the Last Day – Has One Just Occurred”, Imran Hosein, accessed on November 26, 2013, http://www.imranhosein.org/articles/signs-of-the-last-day/76-ten-major-signs-of-the-last-day-has-one-just-occurred.html [5] فتح الباري لابن رجب (1/ 216) وهذا كما سأله الأعرابي: متى الساعة؟ فقال: ” ما أعددت لها؟ ” فأعرض عن الجواب عن الساعة إلى ذكر الاستعداد لها؛ لأنه هو المأمور به وهو الذي يعني السائل وغيره وينبغي الاهتمام به عمدة القاري شرح صحيح البخاري (22/ 196) قَوْله: (وَيلك} مَا أَعدَدْت لَهَا؟) قَالَ شيخ شَيْخي الطَّيِّبِيّ: سلك مَعَ السَّائِل طَرِيق الأسلوب الْحَكِيم لِأَنَّهُ سَأَلَ عَن وَقت السَّاعَة. وَأجَاب بقوله: مَا أَعدَدْت لَهَا؟ يَعْنِي: إِنَّمَا يهمك أَن تهتم بأهبتها وتعتني بِمَا ينفعك عِنْد قِيَامهَا من الْأَعْمَال الصَّالِحَة، فَقَالَ هُوَ: مَا أَعدَدْت لَهَا؟

QUESTION Can you kindly give more details on your recently issued Fatwa#: 28482 ? what are the issues that you do not agree with Maulana Imran Hosein, and why do you not recommend that he should be avoided. In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. ANSWER Hereunder are some of the incorrect views of Imran Hossien: He considers some Ahadeeth from Sahih al-Bukhari as fabricated whereas every hadith in Bukhari is Saheeh. For example, he regards the hadith of the marriage of Aisha, radiyallahu anhu, as fabricated.[1] He states that that all Shias are Muslims[2] whereas many Shias have beliefs that are inconsistent with the fundamental beliefs of Islam.[3] He believes that Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj (Gog and Magog) have already been released in this world[4] while it is clearly mentioned in ahadith that they will be released after the decent of the Prophet Isa, alayhi assalaam. There are many incorrect views of Imran Hossien. The above are just some of his incorrect views. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Muhammad Haris Siddiqui Student Darul Iftaa Melbourne, Australia Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. [1]It clearly mentioned in Sahih Bukhari 5:58:236 that there was a marriage ceremony between the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi was sallam, and Aisha, radiyallahu anha. Yet, Imran Hossien states that no marriage ceremony took place. http://www.imranhosein.org/faq/58-women-in-islam/291-what-was-the-age-of-aisha-when-she-was-married-please-comment-on-her-age.html In a speech made by him, he clearly mentions that the hadith is fabricated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw05XUx0CrM [2] http://www.imranhosein.org/faq/56-world-events/201-i-heard-the-arrivals-are-based-on-shia-beliefs.html [3] For a detailed discussion on the topic, you may refer to ahsan-ul-fatawa v.1, pg. 73 – HM Saeed company. [4]For a detailed discussion on this topic, you may refer to the following link: http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/27634 Read more at https://askimam.org/public/question_detail/28659

“Why Should I Care?” Loyalty to the Believers is Part of Iman Allah ﷻ says, وَالْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ “The believers, both men and women, are allies of one another…” (9:71). Islam lays out clear principles that establish unity and loyalty between the believers. Being concerned, worried and anxious about the plight of Muslims far away is mandated in our noble religion and a clear marker of our faith. The believers’ loyalty to one another must transcend geography, ethnicity, colour and friendship. It must be rooted in the inseverable bond of Islam through which Allah has guided and honoured mankind. So whether it’s genocide in Gaza, floods in Libya, or massacres in Sudan, our response should be one and the same: repentance, duʿā’, and full mobilisation for our afflicted brothers and sisters. Abū Mūsā (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Indeed, the believers are like bricks of a building, each one strengthening the other,” and he ﷺ clasped his fingers together. (Bukhārī) It’s not enough to just feel sorrow and regret over oppressed Muslims. Rather we must strongly condemn any oppression inflicted upon the believers, and unstintingly raise awareness for any inundated by natural disasters. We must mobilise fully for them, both physically and spiritually, in order to release them from the terrible ordeal they are in and until their rights are retrieved. Our beloved Messenger ﷺ gave a comprehensive guide on how to approach the rights of fellow believers when he said, “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim: he does not oppress him, nor does he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfils the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfil his needs. Whoever relieves a Muslim from a hardship, Allah will relieve him from a hardship of the Day of Judgement. Whoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Judgement” (Bukhārī). Here we see clear instruction from the Leader of mankind ﷺ on how to respond when a fellow Muslim is in need. He ﷺ didn’t advise us to offer mere donations, discarding it like dust under our nails, and then conveniently move on; nor did he ﷺ encourage just duʿā’ and then leaving it to Allah Alone. He ﷺ —whose supplications were never rejected — called for mobilisation, action and presence. And not just until we become tired, but until every right is restored. Feel the Ummah’s Pain The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever” (Muslim). How distressed are we when our head hurts, or when our teeth ache? We’ll likely complain to the first person we see, and hope our doctor swiftly prescribes something to quell the pain. There’s no ease until the pain subsides. How is our reaction then when a part of the ummah is attacked, killed and imprisoned? Are we just as agitated when our brothers are tortured and our sisters are humiliated? Do we rush for answers and helpers to alleviate their suffering? Do we change our lifestyle, like a sick patient does, to stop the pain? Our beloved Messenger ﷺ described his ummah as one physical body, where Muslims from across the world respond to the pain and suffering of Muslims in any particular region. They don’t allow artificial borders and fake inherited nationalism to hinder them in aiding those who need help. Allah ﷻ says, وَإِنِ اسْتَنصَرُوْكُمْ فِي الدِّيْنِ فَعَلَيْكُمُ النَّصْرُ “But if they seek your help (against persecution) in faith, it is your obligation to help them…” (8:72). If the Palestinians are in pain, then every Muslim is in pain; if the Uyghurs are being arrested, then every Muslim is the target; and if the Indian Muslims are lynched; then every Muslim is being abused. This is the reality of the parable that our beloved Messenger ﷺ used, and one which every believer should internalise within every fibre of their body. The Pain Felt By Allah’s Messenger ﷺ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the most sensitive to the feelings and pain of others. Once a group of Bedouins in tattered clothes approached him. Their poverty was severe; they were barefooted and almost naked. When the Prophet ﷺ saw their plight, he became deeply upset and his blessed face changed colour. After ṣalāh, the Prophet ﷺ gave a sermon encouraging the Companions to give charity and help these poor Muslims. The Companions responded by bringing to the masjid whatever they could, each one according to his capacity, until there were two heaps of clothes and food. The narrator Jarīr b. ʿAbdillah says, “I saw the face of the Prophet ﷺ glistening and glowing like gold!” (Muslim). His blessed face was beaming, happy that these poor Bedouins would have something to eat and wear. Allahu Akbar! He ﷺ was deeply moved by the poverty of a small group of travellers. Imagine how he would feel if he saw what we saw today, and then he saw our feeble response. Imagine if he saw how we abandon our brothers and sisters when they are being brutally massacred in their thousands. Imagine how he would feel seeing our indifference and our ghaflah (heedlessness), as we prefer instead to eat, entertain and pointlessly amuse ourselves. In 4 AH, a tribal chief from Najd (northern Arabia), known as ʿĀmir b. Mālik asked the Prophet ﷺ to send some Companions to preach Islam to his people. The Prophet ﷺ sent 70 of the most learned companions (known as the *qurrā’* due to their knowledge and attachment to the Qur’ān). When they reached a place called Bi’r Maʿūnah, the tribesmen of ʿUṣayyah, Riʿl and Dhakwān ambushed the group of Companions. The Companions defended themselves and fought bravely, but they were heavily outnumbered. They were all killed except one. When the Prophet ﷺ was informed about this treachery, he was hugely grieved. Anas (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) says that he never saw the Prophet ﷺ more upset than he was at this time. He ﷺ recited qunūt for a month in the farḍ prayers, cursing the people who had treacherously murdered some of his best Companions (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhum). The Prophet ﷺ performed qunūt for a month after one incident in which 70 Companions were killed. Today, we watch and hear about 70+ Palestinians being killed every single day, and yet many of us have stopped performing qunūt. ʿUmar b. al-Khattab In 18 AH, the Arabian Peninsula was struck by a severe famine and drought. It became so severe that wild animals started entering the towns in search of food. If a man slaughtered a sheep, he couldn’t eat it because it was so scrawny. Animals, crops and trees perished. This year was called the Year of Ramādah because the wind blew the dust around like ashes (ramād). The people flocked from the farthest deserts to Madinah to stay in the city or in its outskirts, seeking a solution with the Caliph, ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb. ʿUmar (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) was deeply saddened to see the Muslims starving. ʿUmar refused to eat his usual food until the common people would also be able to eat them, even though he could have done so due to being in power. Thus, he would eat only bread dipped in oil, and he forbade himself from eating ghee, milk and lamb. Because of this, the colour of his face changed. When his stomach would rumble, he would say, His servant Aslam said, “We used to say that if Allah had not lifted the famine during the Year of Ramādah, we thought that ʿUmar would have died out of concern for the Muslims.” Our Predecessors Uways al-Qarnī (raḥimahullāh) was a poor person. He lived in a very simple home and owned very few household items. And yet, towards the end of the day, he would give away whatever food and drink there was left as ṣadaqah. He would then say, “O Allah, whoever dies of hunger, do not hold me to account because of him. And whoever dies due to the cold, do not hold me to account because of him.” Similarly, we see the pain felt by the true leaders of the ummah in history. Ibn Kathīr (raḥimahullāh) mentions that Sulṭān Nuruddin Zangi was extremely distressed about the Crusaders besieging Damietta (a city in Egypt). Once, some students recited the aḥādīth of the Prophet ﷺ in the presence of Nuruddin (raḥimahullāh). One of the aḥādīth was a musalsal ḥadīth which required Nuruddin to smile. However Nuruddin refused and remarked, “I feel ashamed from Allah that He sees me smiling while the Muslims are besieged by the Franks at Damietta.” [The musalsalāt genre in hadith comprises narrations whose isnāds (chains of narration) contain a pattern repeated at multiple generations in the chain, e.g. each narrator having the same name, or performing the same action while narrating the ḥadīth.] The Lowest Level of Iman The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest level of faith” (Muslim). The news cycle in recent years will have left a believer aghast at the unending massacres, killings and atrocities inflicted upon this ummah. Just in the last three months, 1% of Gaza’s population has been murdered before the world’s eyes. If these repeated signs don’t mobilise us, then we must sincerely ask if faith has left our hearts. Loyalty and advocacy for the believers is integral to our religion, and yet many of us aren’t exercising either. What then is left? This merciful ḥadīth offers a recourse. Firmly rejecting injustice in one’s heart — though the weakest response — shows a glimmer of faith that Allah recognises. Maybe, due to political repression, financial constraints or physical sickness, we haven’t been able to tangibly help our brothers and sisters. But if seeing the ummah’s tribulations evokes sadness in our hearts and we long to intervene, then, by Allah’s mercy, we have upheld a tenet of our religion inshaAllah. O Allah, elevate us from resigned inaction to courageous action. lifewithallah

Practical Tips on Wudu While on the Road Whether you are in your home or out and about in public, salat should be the first priority of a Muslim. Being on the road is certainly not an excuse for delaying fulfilling our obligations and we should know how to determine the direction of prayer, how to efficiently perform wudu and correctly offer salat in any situation. Here are a few practical tips I have learnt whilst travelling: Always carry a small water container or bottle so you can clean yourself properly when using a public toilet. This could be also used to make wudu when water facilities are not available. If you are travelling on a plane and cannot carry water through security, you can still take an empty container and fill it up in a washbasin after passing through security. Whilst in some countries they provide free disposable toilet covers, it is always handy to have some in your bag or to carry a small roll of toilet tissue so you are prepared for any situation. Whether you feel somewhat embarrassed lifting your feet into a washbasin or find yourself in a plane where the wash basins are extremely small, wearing leather or durable waterproof socks can be very useful as you can simply wipe over them rather than having to wash your feet. If you do need to wash your feet and have very limited space (like on a plane), you can wash your feet over the toilet using water from disposable cups that passengers are served water in. Remember purity is half of our faith so make sure you wipe any wet areas on the floor and around washbasins with the paper towels provided so you do not inconvenience the person after you. Let’s explore the rulings related to leather or durable waterproof socks in a bit more detail. Criteria of Footwear People often ask if they can wipe over cotton socks or if they have to be made of leather. Any footwear that fulfils the following conditions may be wiped over: Water does not seep through them when wiping Due to their thickness, they remain on the foot without having to be tied (with the exception of a zipper or the like that is attached to the footwear) They completely cover the foot, up to and including the ankles They are not see-through It is durable enough to walk in for about at least 3.5 miles without tearing It is not torn to such an extent that an area equal to the size of three small toes is exposed Rulings About Wiping Wiping is valid on such footwear if it is put on while the person is in wudu. A traveller can wipe over it for up to 72 hours whereas a resident can only wipe for up to 24 hours. The time is reckoned from the first time wudu breaks after having put on the both footwear in a state of purity. After the maximum time period elapses and a person is still in wudu, they can simply remove the footwear, wash the feet without having to redo the entire wudu. Remember, the period can be extended from 24 to 72 hours for a resident who starts a journey within this time and becomes a traveller. Similarly, the time is reduced from 72 to 24 hours for a traveller who becomes a resident. Method of Wiping Wet the fingers and draw them over the upper surface of the footwear starting at the toes, with one’s fingers spread apart and ending at the ankle. Wiping on each surface an amount equivalent to three fingers is obligatory. One wipe is sufficient on each foot and the fingers of the right hand are used for the right foot and those of the left hand for the left foot. Shaykh Faraz mentions in his footnotes of ‘Ascent to Felicity’ that even if the minimum obligatory area of the top of the footwear becomes wet from purifying water, such as by rain or wet cloth, it is valid. Nullifiers of Wiping Everything that nullifies wudu also nullifies the wiping: one wipes again when redoing the wudu. It is also nullified by: Removing one or both of the footwear One or both footwear slip off the foot so that the foot becomes exposed Water entering the footwear and wetting more than half the foot Ghusl becoming obligatory such as though a wet dream or menstruation The expiry of the period during which one may wipe We should all try to implement this prophetic practice at least once in our lives to experience just how easy and practical our beautiful religion is. whitethreadpress

Via: @middleeasteye “I believe we’re going to take Mecca, Medina and Mount Sinai and purify those places.” "israeli" writer and politician Avi Lipkin said during a TV interview that he envisages "israel"’s borders will extend “from Lebanon to Saudi Arabia,” and “from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates”. The inclusion of Palestinian lands (and sometimes land belonging to Syria and Lebanon and beyond) in "israeli" maps is common among believers of the concept of "eretz yisrael" - "greater israel" - a key part of ultra-nationalist Zionism that claims all of these lands belong to a Zionist state. Plans announced publicly by Zionists for a “greater israel” in the past have sparked widespread anger.

From Dr Mufti Abdur-Rahman Mangera’s ‘Fiqh of Travel' (found in the last chapter of Huma’s Travel Guide to Palestine). Below is an adaptation of the section on the key rulings related to travel. Q: Who is a musafir? A: The person who sets out with the intention of eventually travelling approximately 48 miles/77 km is regarded as a musafir. The moment he passes the boundaries of his town or city he becomes a musafir, but not while still within. Q: Is the airport considered part of ‘my city’? A: If the airport is within the boundaries of the city, it falls under the rule of the city and the person is not considered a musafir when he reaches it. In large metropolises such as London, Chicago and Toronto, each borough can be considered independent in its own right for travel purposes and thus the airports will generally be considered outside one’s city. Q: Which rulings apply specifically to a musafir? A: A number of legal rulings apply to a musafir. One can wipe over their leather socks for up to 72 hours, prayers can be shortened, one can pray Zuhr in place of the Jumu’ah and one can forgo fasting if it will be difficult and make the fast up later. Q: Do I have to shorten my prayers? A: A musafir is required to perform only 2 rak’ahs for the fard prayers of Zuhr, Asr and Isha. Fajr remains to be 2 rak’ahs and maghrib remains as normal. If a person mistakenly performed 4 rak’ahs instead of 2, and he had sat down for tashahhud in the second, then his prayer is valid and the first 2 are regarded as his fard and the other 2 as nafl. If he remembers in the final rak’ah, he should make sajdat as-sahw. If he did not sit in the second rak’ah then all 4 rak’ahs become nafl and he will have to repeat his fard prayer. Q: Can I pray in a car? A: It is not permissible to perform a fard prayer while seated in a car. One should stop at a safe place and pray on the ground outside or under a shelter. However, it would be permissible to pray in a vehicle such as a large van in which one can stand and pray while stationary. Q: How do I pray in a plane or train? A: One should try their utmost to stand and pray. On longer flights this is usually possible as the aircrafts are larger and there is normally a galley area in the middle or at the back of the plane that is not always occupied. The attendants are often accommodating as long as it is not mealtime when there is a lot of rush and the galleys are occupied. Do not be shy to ask them. Q: How do I know which way to pray? A: Working out the direction to pray is relatively easy. If the flight displays a route map on their entertainment system, then that should help one determine the direction by looking to see where the western coast of Arabia is. Otherwise, one can look at the route map in the inflight magazine and determine the direction to Makkah from it. You can also ask one of the attendants for assistance. Q: What if I cannot stand and pray due to safety concerns or limited space? A: In such situations one can pray seated, facing in whichever direction the plane is facing. Then repeat the prayer when you reach your destination. The rule here is that wherever other people prevent you from discharging one of the fundamental elements of prayer, pray anyway and then repeat it afterwards. However, if natural causes prevent you from observing a fundamental element, for example being unable to stand due to dizziness or illness, or the swaying of a ship, the prayer is complete and need not to be repeated. Q: How long will I remain a musafir? A: A person remains a musafir and continues offering 2 rak’ahs for 4 rak’ah prayers until he forms a definite intention to remain in a place for 15 days or more, at which point he becomes a muqim (resident). Therefore, those intending to stay in a place for more than 14 days cannot shorten the prayers and are considered as residents. Q: What should I do if I’m not certain how long I will stay? A: Someone who is unsure of how long they will stay, with plans contingent upon certain work being done for example, shortens their prayer indefinitely until a firm intention is made to stay for 15 days or more. Thus, if a person stops in a place intending to stay for 3 or 4 days and then is unable to leave the following day, or within 14 days or less, and continues like this for 1 or more months, he remains a musafir. If at any point he forms a firm intention to stay for 15 days, he becomes a muqim even if he subsequently leaves within a few days. Insha'Allah next we will go over rulings related to wiping on leather socks, an overlooked sunnah which provides ease and convenience whilst travelling. whitethreadpress

Travel is a means of discovery, understanding and reflection, a means of acquiring a livelihood and spreading ideas and cultures. The modern world has made travel relatively cheap, easy and convenient, significantly reducing the presupposed risks and dangers of the past. Now, we take the decision to travel with far less deliberation and concern. However, in the past this decision was not taken lightly, with travellers carefully considering the religious and worldly advantages of their journey before undertaking the first step. Thus travel used to be more purposeful than it is today. Islam holds a rich body of teachings on the subject which imbue with it the remembrance of Allah from the outset. Accessing and applying these teachings allows the modern traveller to achieve a greater purpose and also derive some of the benefits earlier travellers would find in their journeys. Types of Travel: The legal status of a journey in Islam is intimately tied to its purpose - a sound intention can make any journey a praiseworthy and rewarding form of worship. Obligatory There are 2 necessary journeys in Islam: To undertake Hajj once in a lifetime for those who have the means to do so To go out seeking knowledge of the basics of religion, such as rulings on wudu, salat and other everyday rites if there is no way of learning this in one’s home town Recommended There are many journeys that are recommend in Shari’ah such as: To perform Umrah in Makkah To visit the illuminated city of Madinah and the blessed city of Jerusalem To travel to be among Muslims, the righteous friends of Allah and scholars To visit one’s relatives to maintain the ties of kinship Permissible Any trip to a lawful destination for any lawful purpose is permissible. But permissible acts attract neither reward nor punishment. Thus the proper attitude of a believer should be to elevate permissible acts into praiseworthy ones by coupling it with an exalted intention. As mentioned by Dr. Mufti Abdur-Rahman Mangera,“Put another way, the aim is to add another dimension to travel, so that it transcends the simple movement between two points on the earth to become a journey along the path of Allah.” [Chapter 3.3 Fiqh of Travel, Huma’s Travel Guide to Palestine] Some of these intentions could include: To reflect on the wonders of Allah’s creation and enjoy the manifestation of His beauty and awesomeness To provide some respite from one’s daily toils and clear one’s mind, allowing them to return to their worldly and spiritual obligations with renewed vigour To observe and learn from praiseworthy cultures and behaviours of others To take lessons and admonition from seeing the ruins of nations that Allah destroyed Unlawful This includes any form of travel undertaken with an unlawful intention, such as for the sake of formation, gambling and drinking. Of course this would be unlawful even in one’s own hometown. I would like to end this week’s email with the wise words of Imam Shafi’i, an avid traveller himself: The one with intellect and good conduct, Finds no rest in remaining home, so leave your abode and travel Travel, and you will find a replacement for those who you leave behind. Strive, for the pleasure of life lies in hardship. I have seen motionlessness spoil water When it flows it becomes clear; when held back it stagnates. The lion, were it to stay in its den, would never catch its prey. The arrow, were it not to leave the bow, would not hit its mark. The sun, were it to halt in one place in the Heavens The Arabs and the non-Arabs alike would grow weary of it. Gold is akin to soil when it is at its source While oud in its own place is only another type of wood. When this one is taken from its source it rises in demand And when that one is mined it becomes as prized as gold. whitethreadpress.com

Sometimes when you advise someone to leave a sin, they respond with ‘everybody does it, it’s not just me!’ But if you look for the words “most people" in the Qur’an, you will find that most people: ‎‫وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ “However most people do not know.” (Al-A'raf 7:187) ‎‫وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَشْكُرُونَ “And most people do not show gratitude” (Al-Baqarah 2:243) ‎‫وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ “And most people do not believe” (Hud, 11:17) And if you look for ‘most of them’, you will find that most of them are: ‎‫وَأَنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ فَاسِقُونَ “Most of you are disobedient” (Al-Ma'idah 5:59) ‎‫وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ “Majority are ignorant” (Al-An'am 6:111) ‎‫بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ الْحَقَّ فَهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ “Most are unaware of the truth and turn away” (Al-Anbiya 21:24) ____________________________________________ So be of the “few”, whom Allah Ta’ala says regarding them: ‎‫وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ “And few of My servants are grateful.” (Saba' 34:13) ‎‫وَمَا آمَنَ مَعَهُ إِلاَّ قَلِيلٌ “But none had believed with him, except a few.” (Hud 11:40) ‎‫في جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِينَ “In the Gardens of Bliss, a [large] company of the former people, and a few of the latter.” (Al-Waqi'ah 56:12-14) Ibnul Qayyim ‫Rahimahullah said, “Tread the path of truth and do not feel lonely because there are few who take that path. But beware of the path of falsehood and do not be deceived by the vastness of the Perishers.” [Kitab al-Zuhd by Ahmad bin Hanbal] Comment: During this time of festivities and merrymaking, many of the commands of Allah Taa'la are flouted daily. Due to the entertainment on offer, we as Muslims sometimes forget our duties and fall prey to these temptations which are detrimental to our Imaan. Indeed the holiday period is a time for relaxation and rest. However, whilst we are in this relaxed state of mind, we should not forget that we are Muslims first. It should not be that because people all around us are solely interested in fun and entertainment, we get sucked into that sinful cycle. Let us not be from amongst the flock of people who ‘go with the flow’. Rather let us be from amongst those who place their religion ahead of their desires. Ameen. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Help The People of Palestine It’s easy to feel helpless and weak watching the genocide unfold in Gaza. Some of the crimes are so horrific in their intent and outcome, that they almost paralyse the believer. However, this is from the traps of shayṭān and his allies, whose aim is to cause despondency and despair amongst the believers. Allah ﷻ has given each one of us the means to aid our Palestinian brothers and sisters and enact positive change. Here are some of the ways we can do this: 1. Duʿa وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُوْنِيْٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يَسْتَكْبِرُوْنَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِيْ سَيَدْخُلُوْنَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِيْنَ “And your Lord said: ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’” (40:60) Each and every one of us holds a very powerful weapon: duʿā’. We should never underestimate the power and strength of duʿā’. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The most incapable person is the one who fails to make duʿā’” (Ibn Ḥibbān). Raise your hands and continue to make sincere and heartfelt du‘ā’, especially at times in which du‘ā’ is more readily accepted (e.g. between the adhān and iqāmah, at the end of ṣalāh). Make heartfelt duʿā’ in sajdah, especially in the last third of the night. Let Allah hear the desperation in your voice, and let Him see your tears. In order for your duʿās to be accepted, stop sinning and accompany your duʿās with good deeds. Strengthen your īmān in Allah ﷻ and have yaqīn that He will accept your duʿā’. 2. Stop Sinning & Return To Allah Allah ﷻ says, إِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوْا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ “…Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…” (13:11). Our sins are the greatest barrier to the Ummah’s victory. Just as collective obedience leads to victory and dominance, collective disobedience leads to subjugation, hardships and loss. Since the war in Gaza began, we must ask ourselves: Has my life changed? Have I given up major sins? Have I stopped following individuals on social media who corrode my īmān? Have I stopped watching content that pulls me far away from Allah ﷻ? Have I stopped my ribā transactions? In these times of trials, we must thoroughly review our lives and stop sinning. We must be especially careful of social media and not publicising our sins, since these are the ones that will not be forgiven by Allah. Let us strive to make sincere repentance and continuously seek His forgiveness, particularly in the darkness of the night. Let us always be mindful that our sins delay victory. Let us pray every single farḍ ṣalāh on time. Let us pray in the masjid, including Fajr. Let us ensure we have paid our zakāh, and that we are being honest in our dealings. Let us not disobey our parents, or hurt our spouses and children. Let us purify our hearts from evil. Let us act, dress, talk, and eat like true Muslims. 3. Salah Allah ﷻ says, وَاسْتَعِينُوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيْرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِيْنَ. الَّذِيْنَ يَظُنُّوْنَ أَنَّهُمْ مُّلَاقُوْا رَبِّهِمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُوْنَ “And seek help through patience and ṣalāh, and indeed, it is difficult except for those are humbly submissive (to Allah); those who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him” (2:45-6). When victory seems far and matters become really tough, many tend to lose heart and give up. To avoid this state of despair, Allah ﷻ provides us with an inexhaustible source of strength and energy: ṣabr and ṣalāh. Together they combine to infuse the heart with confidence and equip the believer with tranquillity and inner peace. Ṣalāh is the direct link between the servant — an insignificant weak human being — and his Master, the Most Powerful. By attaching yourself to the Source of strength (Allah al-Qawiyy), you replenish your own strength and energy. Ṣalāh is the key to Allah’s unlimited treasures: it removes doubts from the heart and replaces it with īmān in Allah. It brings peace to the mind, as you disconnect from the worries of the world and place them at the door of your Master. This is why “Whenever anything distressed the Prophet ﷺ, he would pray” (Abū Dāwūd). Turning to prayer at times of difficulty was also the practice of the previous Prophets (Aḥmad). We should follow in their footsteps and hold on tight to the compulsory and voluntary prayers. Let us find strength, solace and serenity in conversing directly with the Lord of the worlds in ṣalāh; and let us ask Him for all our needs, especially in sajdah. 4. Be Sincere Feel the pain of your brothers and sisters around the world. Ask Allah ﷻ to forgive you for not doing enough to help them. Be true and sincere in your concern for them, so that Allah will reward you for your sincerity, even if you are not physically able to help them. There were some companions who did not have the means to join the Prophet ﷺ in the Battle of Tabūk. They did not feel happy at being ‘saved’ from participating in such a difficult and testing time. Rather they were deeply upset. Allah ﷻ praised them saying: “But there is no blame attached to the weak, the sick, and those who have no means to spend, provided they are true to Allah and His Messenger – there is no reason to reproach those who do good: Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And there is no blame attached to those who came to you [Prophet] for riding animals and to whom you said, ‘I cannot find a mount for you’: they turned away with their eyes overflowing with tears of grief that they had nothing they could contribute” (9:91-92). It was their deep sincerity and strong conviction in Allah ﷻ which gained them this accolade. Thus, when the Prophet ﷺ was returning from Tabūk, he told his companions, “Certainly there are a group of people in Madinah who, each time you crossed a valley or travelled a path, they shared the reward with you. A legitimate excuse held them back” (Ibn Mājah). Allah al-Shakūr (The Most Appreciative) rewarded them for their genuine intention, and He recorded their truthfulness with Him, to be read till the end of times. We cannot claim to feel sincere pain for our brothers and sisters if we continue to live as usual. Our hearts should share their deep pain, and shame us into abandoning the luxuries of this vanishing world and our consumerist lifestyles. Our goal can no longer simply be to accumulate the riches of the dunyā, be it clothes, cars, beautiful homes, the latest gadgets, or luxurious holidays. We have to live for something far greater. 5. Donate Allah ﷻ says, وَأَنْفِقُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوْا بِأَيْدِيْكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوْا ۛ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِيْنَ “Spend in the cause of Allah and do not let your own hands throw you into destruction (by withholding). And do good, for Allah certainly loves the good-doers” (2:195). While we indulge in an array of foods, our brothers and sisters in Gaza are starving. Whilst we live in comfortable homes, their homes have been reduced to rubble. Whilst we enjoy hot water from taps, they are forced to perform tayammum and share one bathroom between hundreds of people. One of the easiest ways in which we can help our brothers and sisters in Palestine is to donate generously. We should give as much as we can, and even when the war finishes bi-idhnillah, we should continue giving so that Gaza can be re-built, even better than what it previously was inshaAllah. 6. Be Brave & Strong Allah ﷻ says, أَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ ۚ فَاللّٰهُ أَحَقُّ أَنْ تَخْشَوْهُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُّؤْمِنِيْنَ “…Do you fear them? Allah is more deserving of your fear, if you are (true) believers” (9:13). Let us be strong and brave. Let us only fear Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We are people of Lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh. Nothing can go from one state to another, except by the will and permission of Allah. Allah is in control: if He decrees for something to happen, and the whole decides otherwise — it will happen. And if He decrees for something to not happen, and the whole world tries to make it happen — it will not happen. There is no power that can defeat Allah. He is al-Qahhār, The All-Dominant, The Supreme. Let us emancipate ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and imperialism. Let us rid ourselves from the materialism, liberalism and hedonism that we are constantly bombarded with. Let us become mentally and physically strong. We must refuse humiliation. Let us be confident in our identity. Let us find ʿizzah (honour) in our din, in the Qur’ān, and in the Sunnah. We have the best way of life: Islam. We have the best human being as our role model: the Prophet of Allah ﷺ. And most importantly —so long as we obey Him — we have Allah ﷻ, the Lord of the heavens and the earth on our side. Let us not feel scared of what others say about us; or that if we speak the truth, we may lose our jobs. Let us support our organisations and community leaders who are facing repercussions for saying the truth. Let us offer them financial, moral and physical support. 7. Do Whatever You Can To Help Allah ﷻ says, يـٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْٓا إِنْ تَنْصُرُوا اللّٰهَ يَنْصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ “Believers! If you help the dīn of Allah, He will help you and make you stand firm” (47:7). In this āyah, Allah is instructing us to establish His dīn, do daʿwah, and strive in His Path. As believers, we should be committed to cultivating good in people and in society; and to end evil, injustice and corruption. If we help the dīn of Allah, Allah ﷻ will help us. We cannot sit and slavishly follow the way of the corrupt disbelievers and then expect the help of Allah to arrive. Let us ask ourselves: What have I done to strengthen and serve the din of Allah? What is my project for the Ummah? How am I going to become a strong believer? How am I going to ensure that my family are strong believers? How am I going to spread the word of Allah on His earth? We should do whatever good we can. We cannot let Shayṭān make us think “What difference is this going to make?” In addition to the above actions, here are some more actions that we can take: – Raise Awareness & Learn: Educate yourself and talk to your friends, family and children. Talk to your neighbours and colleagues. Learn about the history and the virtues of al-Masjid al-Aqṣā and the blessed land. If you are an educator, educate your students. Facilitate and deliver ḥalaqahs, events, workshops, storytime and activities for children. Spread the truth on social media and through any other platforms that you may have. – Boycott: Continue boycotting and don’t stop once the hype dies down. – Use political means such as attending protests, signing petitions, and lobbying politicians. Instead of thinking we live in depressing times, we should recognize that Allah ﷻ has placed us in an era with tremendous opportunities to serve His dīn; those courageous enough to do so will be rewarded immensely. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Indeed, ahead of you are days of perseverance (ṣabr), in which perseverance will be like grasping a hot coal. The one who does good deeds in these days will have the reward of fifty men whose actions are like yours” (Tirmidhī). Every minute we have is a valuable gift from Him. Will we squander it, or will we make the best use of it to spread His Word on His earth? lifewithallah

Under the umbrella of the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime intensified its suppression on Palestinians in the West Bank. www.instagram.com/p/C01-rjSM7il/

A Nakba is unfolding in the occupied West Bank, too Israeli forces and settlers are terrorising the Palestinian population in the West Bank in preparation for its expulsion and the annexation of Palestinian land. Mariam Barghouti Palestinian American writer based in Ramallah. Published On 29 Nov 2023 Over the past month and a half, Israel’s genocidal goals in Gaza have become increasingly clear. Not only is the Israeli army mass-slaughtering civilians, but it is also carpet-bombing the enclave with the aim of destroying all civilian infrastructure meant to sustain life. Hospitals, schools, water treatment plans, any source of electricity – including solar panels – warehouses and farms have been targeted. This has rendered the strip unliveable, forcing the Palestinians there into another Nakba. But it is not only in Gaza that Israel hopes to get rid of the Palestinian population. The Israeli ethnic cleansing effort extends to the occupied West Bank where Israel is moving forward with a similar – albeit a more surreptitious – plan. Full article here

سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ، وَالحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَلاَ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: “When I say ‘Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is Most Great’, this is more beloved to me than all that the sun rises upon.” [Muslim] In one minute, you can say the above words more than 18 times. These words are the most beloved words to Allah, the best of words, and they weigh heavily in the balance of good deeds, as is narrated in authentic Ahadith. سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ العَظِيمِ In one minute you can say the above 50 times. These are two phrases which are light on the lips, heavy in the balance and beloved to the Most Merciful. [Bukhari] سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ In one minute you can say the above 100 times. Whoever says that in one day will be forgiven for his sins even if they are like the foam of the sea. لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ In one minute you can say the above more than 40 times. This is one of the treasures of Paradise. [Bukhaari] لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ In one minute you can say, “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” approximately 50 times. This is the greatest word, for it is the word of Tawheed. أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰه In one minute you can seek the forgiveness of Allah by saying, “Astaghfirullah” more than 100 times. The virtues of seeking forgiveness are no secret, for it is the means of attaining forgiveness and entering Paradise, and it is the means of being granted a good life, increasing one’s strength, warding off disasters, making things easier, bringing rain and increasing one’s wealth and children. صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ In one minute you can send blessings on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 50 times by saying, “Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam”. In return, Allah will send blessings upon you 500 hundred times because one blessing brings ten like it. In one minute you can recite Surah al-Ikhlaas (Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad) 15 times. Reciting it once is equivalent to one-third of the Qur’aan. If you read it 20 times it is equivalent to reading the Qur’aan 7 times. If you read it 15 times in one minute each day, you will have read it 450 times in one month, and 5400 times in one year, which will be equal in reward to reading the Qur’aan 1800 times. In one minute you can motivate your heart to give thanks to Allah, to love Him, to fear Him, to put hope in Him, to long for Him, and thus travel through the stages of ‘uboodiyyah (total enslavement to Allah). You could do this when you are lying on your bed or walking in the street. These actions are also among the greatest means of attaining happiness, expanding the chest (i.e., bringing relief and joy) and removing stress and anxiety. May Allah Ta’ala help us to do that which He loves and which pleases Him. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Allah’s Unlimited Rewards (12/11/23) In the last two months, we have seen a staggering number of deaths. Over 18,000 innocent Palestinians have been killed, from which 7,800 have been children. With at least 8,000 people still missing or feared buried under the rubble, the actual death toll could be far higher. More than 50,000 people have been wounded, many with life-changing injuries. And the vast majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have already been forced from their homes, many having to flee several times. In moments like these, we are reminded of Allah’s promise for such people. Allah ﷻ says: فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّيْ لَآ أُضِيْعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنْكُمْ مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَىٰ ، بَعْضُكُمْ مِّنْ بَّعْضٍ ، فَالَّذِيْنَ هَاجَرُوْا وَأُخْرِجُوْا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ وَأُوْذُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِيْ وَقَاتَلُوْا وَقُتِلُوْا لَأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِيْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ، ثَوَابًا مِّنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِ ، وَاللّٰهُ عِنْدَه حُسْنُ الثَّوَابِ So their Lord responded to them: “I will never deny any of you, whether male or female, the reward of your deeds; each of you is from the other. Those who migrated and were expelled from their homes, who were persecuted for My sake, who fought, and were killed—I will certainly forgive their sins and admit them into Gardens under which rivers flow, as a reward from Allah. And with Allah is the finest reward!” (3:195). In this āyah, Allah ﷻ is promising the believers that their efforts and actions for His sake will never be wasted. He will forgive their sins, admit them into Paradise, and grant them the best rewards. They Are In The Best Ribat A few verses later, Allah ﷻ says, يـٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا اصْبِرُوْا وَصَابِرُوْا وَرَابِطُوْا ، وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ “Believers! Patiently endure, persevere, guard the frontiers, and be mindful of Allah, so you may be successful” (3:200). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The best and most virtuous of your ribāṭ is ‘Asqalān” (Ṭabarānī). Ribāṭ in the path of Allah means guarding the Muslim frontiers from its enemies and thwarting any attempts to invade the Muslim lands. It is one of the most virtuous deeds. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Doing ribāṭ for one day in the path of Allah is better than the world and what it contains” (Bukhārī). ʿAsqalān is a famous historical sea-port in Palestine, about 20 km from Gaza. Today, all the people living in Gaza are in ribāṭ. The blessed al-Masjid Al-Aqsa is protected because of these honourable people and their sacrifices. Despite being besieged for 17 years, they’ve stoutly remained on this blessed frontline defending Al-Aqsa. Sabr: An Unlimited Reward We have seen unparalleled examples of ṣabr (patience, steadfastness and perseverance) over the past two months. We have watched videos which have brought to life the stories of the Prophets (ʿalayhimus-salām) who underwent numerous difficulties — persecution, the death and brutal murder of loved ones, severe illnesses, forced migration, economic deprivation — and yet they responded with great resolve and patience. We read about the immense perseverance and courage of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, and today the Palestinians have shown us practically what this looked like. The reward of ṣabr is unlimited, and we hope that the people of the blessed lands will be rewarded in this manner for their ṣabr. Allah ﷻ says, إِنَّمَّا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّٰبِرُوْنَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ “Certainly, those who observe patience will be given their reward in full without measure” (39:10). Ṣabr is the path to attaining Allah’s forgiveness, mercy, guidance and love. It is the secret to worldly and eternal success. In the Qur’ān, Allah informs us that He is with the ṣabirīn (the patient) i.e. ṣabr leads to one enjoying the special companionship (maʿiyyah) of Allah. This special ‘companionship’ results in Allah loving you, protecting you, supporting you and drawing you close to Him. Ṣabr is a special gift from Allah. Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī (raḥimahullāh) said, “Patience is a marvellous treasure. Allah only gifts it to those who are precious to Him.” We pray that with their first dip into Paradise —as taught to us by our beloved Prophet ﷺ — these special people will forget the torture, oppression and difficulties they underwent in this world; and the angels will welcome them from every door and congratulate them, saying: سَلامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ “Peace be upon you for your perseverance. How excellent is the ultimate abode!” (13:24). The Lofty Status of the Martyrs In the last two months, over 18,000 innocent Muslims have been martyred. And the number is likely to be higher. These people may be mere numbers to many around the world — however, each one of these special believers is known to Allah. He ﷻ wrote a heroic story for every one of them, and He will reward each one with unimaginable rewards. Allah ﷻ says, وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِيْنَ قُتِلُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ أَمْوَاتًا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُوْنَ فَرِحِيْنَ بِمَآ اٰتَاهُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ، وَيَسْتَبْشِرُوْنَ بِالَّذِيْنَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوْا بِهِمْ مِّنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ، أَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ يَسْتَبْشِرُوْنَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَفَضْلٍ، وَّأَنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُضِيْعُ أَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ “Never think of those martyred in the cause of Allah as dead. In fact, they are alive with their Lord, well provided for — rejoicing in Allah’s bounties and being delighted for those yet to join them. There will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve. They are joyful for receiving Allah’s grace and bounty, and that Allah will not let the reward of the believers go to waste” (3:169-171). When the Companions (radiy Allāhu ʿanhum) were martyred in the Battle of Uḥud, Allah placed their souls inside green birds. They would roam around in Jannah, drinking from its rivers, eating from its fruits, and returning to rest in golden lamps in the shade of Allah’s Throne. When they saw how Allah honoured them, they wished for their brothers in the world to know, so Allah revealed the above āyah and delivered their message to us. In this āyah, Allah tells us that the martyrs are ‘alive with their Lord’ (ʿinda Rabbihim). They are near Him and enjoy a very lofty status. They are from the muqarrabūn, those drawn close to Him: enjoying the blessings and delights of Paradise. Martyrs are not washed or prepared for burial, but buried in the clothes they happen to be wearing, because they are considered clean and pure, and because in reality they are not dead. They continue to live, enjoying the hospitality of their Lord, relishing His company and boundless rewards. Likewise, the martyr is not just alive, but his pure blood also gives life to and revives the dead Ummah. The martyrs are the only ones who will wish to be returned to the world. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “No one who enters Paradise would like to return to the world, even if he could have everything on earth — except for the martyr. He will wish to return to the world and be killed ten more times due to the honour and reward he receives” (Bukhārī). Despite having seen the pleasures of Paradise, they will wish to return to the world and be martyred again, for the sake of Allah. Imagine the bliss they must have experienced when being martyred! The martyrs are chosen by Allah. Shahādah is a gift: it is the best death. Allah ﷻ says, “We alternate these days (of victory and defeat) among people so that Allah may reveal the (true) believers, choose martyrs from among you” (3:140). Their deaths were not random. Each and every martyr has been chosen by Allah ﷻ so that they can be rewarded with the best of rewards. The martyr does not feel the pain of death. When we watch the news, we feel devastated by the brutal murder of our innocent brothers and sisters. We should feel comforted by the words of the Prophet ﷺ who said, “The martyr does not feel the pain of being killed except as one of you feels the pinch of an insect bite” (Tirmidhī). With the first drop of the martyr’s blood, all his sins are forgiven, and he is saved from the trials and questioning of the grave. When the Companions (radiy Allāhu ʿanhum) asked the Prophet ﷺ the reason for this, he said, “The flash of the swords on top of his head was sufficient as a trial” (Nasā’ī). In other words, the questioning in the grave is to determine whether the person was a true believer. The martyr is not in need of this, as his staying firm in the face of enemies already determined his true status. If īmān was not firmly planted in his heart, he would have fled. The steadfastness and perseverance of our brothers and sisters in Palestine under the constant bombardment is sufficient proof of their īmān and their being protected from the trials of the grave, bi’idhnillah. The Reward of Those Injured Over 50,000 people have been injured in these heartbreaking months. Many of these injuries are life-altering. Imagine as a young child, losing both of your legs. And then, upon waking, you learn that both your parents were killed. The emotional and physical anguish would be beyond words. Doctors have been forced to operate on patients without anaesthesia. Imagine having your limbs amputated without anaesthesia or morphine! Similarly, there are thousands of serious cases suffering from burn or trauma wounds. Doctors are reporting that there are injuries which they have never seen before. As believers, we must be certain that Allah ﷻ sees every wound, and hears every cry of pain. We must be certain that Allah will generously reward these special people for enduring great difficulties for His sake. On the Day of Judgement, people will come in different states: some will be deaf, dumb, blind and dragged on their faces. Those were wounded in His path, however, will have their own badge of honour. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “By The One in whose Hands my soul is! Whoever is wounded in the path of Allah — and Allah is Most Aware of who is wounded in His path — will come on the Day of Judgement with his wound having the colour of blood but the scent of musk” (Bukhārī). The wounds of the wounded will testify for the person on the Day of Judgement, and make him stand out amongst the creation of Allah. The Children & Their Parents It is heartbreaking to see that over 7,000 children have been killed in two months. However, as believers, we can find comfort that these special children are now under the best care: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The children of the believers reside in a mountain in Paradise, and are taken care of by Ibrāhīm (ʿalayhis-salām) and Sārah (ʿalayhas-salām), until he will return them to their parents on the Day of Judgement” (Aḥmad). Not only are they in Paradise, but they will also take their parents with them into Paradise. The Prophet ﷺ said: It will be said to them, “Enter Paradise.” They will say, “Not until our parents enter.” So it will be said, “Enter Paradise, you and your parents!” (Nasā’ī). In another ḥadth the Prophet ﷺ consoled the Companion whose child had passed away, and he said to him: “Which would you like better, to enjoy his company all your life, or to come to any of the gates of Paradise on the Day of Judgement, and find that he arrived there before you, and he is opening the gate for you?’” (Nasā’ī). Losing a child is one of the most painful experiences a person can undergo. But the reward of staying patient over it is immense. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “When a servant’s child dies, Allah says to His angels, “Did you take the soul of My servant’s child?” They say, “Yes.” So He ﷻ says, “Did you take the soul of the fruit of his heart?” They say, “Yes.” So he ﷻ says, “What did My servant say?” They say, “He praised You and said: ‘To Allah we belong and to Allah we return.’” So Allah says, “Build a house for My servant in Paradise and name it the House of Praise” (Bukhārī). May Allah al-Shakūr (The Most Appreciative) reward the people of Palestine with the best of rewards, in this world and in the hereafter. lifewith allah

Question and Answer: Q. If a husband and wife are separated, is it the duty of the husband to continue maintaining his wife? A. A husband remains financially responsible for his wife throughout their marriage. If the husband and wife separate, they still remain married. However due to them living apart, the following rules apply: a) If the husband leaves the marital home, he remains financially responsible for his wife. b) If the wife leaves the marital home with the consent of the husband, he remains financially responsible for his wife. c) If the wife is forced to leave the marital home due to the husband neglecting or abusing her rights, the husband remains financially responsible for his wife. d) If the wife leaves the marital home without the permission or consent of the husband and without a valid reason, the husband will not be financially responsible for her until she returns to the marital home. (Shaami 3/576 - Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah 510/511) And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Moosa Salie Mufti Taahir Hansa (The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

Question and Answer: Q. It is difficult for me to sleep early at night. It takes around 2-3 hours for me to fall asleep. Kindly suggest a dua so Allah can make it easy for me A. Sayyiduna Zayd Bin Thaabit Radhiyallahu Anhu narrates that he experienced sleepless nights and hence he complained to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam advised him to recite the following Dua: اَللَّهُمَّ غَارَتِ النُّجُوْمُ ، وَهَدَأَتِ الْعُيُوْنُ ، وَأَنْتَ حَيٌّ قَيُّومٌ ، يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ أَنِمْ عَيْنِيْ وأَهْدِئْ لَيْلِيْ Transliteration: Allahumma Ghaaratin Nujoom, Wa Hada’atil `Uyoon, Wa Anta Hayyun Qayyum. Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyum Anim `Ayni, Wa Ah’di` Layli Translation: “O Allah the stars have gone far away and the eyes are rested. You are living and Infinite, O Ever-living and Everlasting Allah, let my eyes sleep and grant me rest tonight. After practicing upon this advice, Sayyiduna Zayd Radhiyallahu Anhu said: “I read the Dua and I did not experience the sleepless nights again”. (Mu’jamul kabeer #4817) And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Moosa Salie Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui (The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) Fatwa Department

Allah Is With Them Sometimes, we may watch the news and feel very despondent. We may feel like the oppressors are getting away with their crimes. At times like these, we must remind ourselves of the perfect knowledge of Allah. Allah ﷻ says, وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ اللّٰهَ غَافِلًا عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ الظّٰلِمُوْنَ . اِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ تَشْخَصُ فِيْهِ الْاَبْصَارُ “Do not ever think that Allah is unaware of what the oppressors do. He only postpones them until a Day when the eyes will stare (in horror)” (14:42). Allah’s knowledge captures every detail of every event and every being – over all of which He has complete power. Every action of His is perfect because of His all-encompassing wisdom. Allah knows, sees, hears and records everything. From His forbearance, however, He delays the punishment of the evildoers. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah gives respite to the oppressor, but once He seizes him, He will not let him escape.” Then he ﷺ recited: وَكَذٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ الْقُرَىٰ وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ ، إِنَّ أَخْذَهُٓ أَلِيْمٌ شَدِيْدٌ ‘Such is the grip of your Lord when He seizes the societies entrenched in wrongdoing. Indeed, His grip is painful and severe’ (11:102)” (Bukhārī). Whilst the evildoers may think that they can escape Allah’s punishment, Allah delays their punishment, so that it can be increased. Allah ﷻ says, وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْٓا اَنَّمَا نُمْلِْى لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لِّاَنْفُسِهِمْ ، اِنَّمَا نُمْلِىْ لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوْٓا اِثْمًا ، وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِيْنٌ “Those who disbelieve should not think that the respite We give them is good for them. In fact, We give them respite only that they may increase in sin, and for them there is a humiliating punishment” (3:178). Thus, we must be certain that Allah will humiliate and punish these evil tyrants — if not in this world, then most certainly in the Hereafter where they will roast in the Hellfire eternally; with no one to save them: no weapons, no superpowers, no money. And we must be certain that their torment in the Hell-fire will be very severe. Allah ﷻ says, “…As for the disbelievers, garments of Fire will be tailored for them and boiling water will be poured over their heads, whereby everything in their bellies, as well as the skins, will be melted. And awaiting them are hooked rods of iron. Whenever they try to escape from Hell—out of anguish—they will be forced back into it, (and will be told), ‘Taste the torment of burning!’” (22:19-22). Allah Is Helping His Servants Even if the world may have abandoned the Palestinians, Allah ﷻ has not abandoned them. Allah is with His servants: those who are patiently steadfast, firm in their belief, and striving to please Him. The maʿiyyah (companionship) of Allah manifests in many ways. One way in which Allah sends His help is through His angels, who strengthen the hearts of the believers and reassure them. Allah says, إِذْ يُوحِيْ رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلَآئِكَةِ أَنِّيْ مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُوا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا ۚ سَأُلْقِيْ فِيْ قُلُوْبِ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا الرُّعْبَ “When your Lord revealed to the angels, ‘I am with you. So make the believers stand firm. I shall put terror into the hearts of the disbelievers…’” (8:12). We have witnessed so many incidents which clearly display to us how Allah is helping these special people and granting them strength. How is their īmān so strong and firm despite the horrific atrocities carried out against them? A small thing happens to us, and we feel like the world has turned upside down. And our īmān is shaken. Contrast this with how firm they are in their īmān. Allah ﷻ says, هُوَ الَّذِىْٓ أَنْزَلَ السَّكِيْنَةَ فِىْ قُلُوْبِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ لِيَزْدَادُوْٓا إِيْمٰنًا مَّعَ إِيْمٰنِهِمْ ، وَ لِلّٰهِ جُنُوْدُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ عَلِيْمًا حَكِيْمًا “He is the One who sent down tranquillity (sakīnah) upon the hearts of the believers so that they may increase even more in their īmān. To Allah Alone belong the forces of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise” (48:4). Sakīnah is tranquillity, serenity, and peace of mind. Sakīnah generates trust, comfort, dignity and a deep acceptance of Allah’s will. Once sakīnah enters the heart, it makes the servant steadfast and strengthens his resolve, so that he may obey Allah’s commands in these difficult times, and thereby increase his īmān. Despite the terrible atrocities committed against them, we have seen the people of Palestine repeatedly thanking and praising Allah. This can only be a gift from Allah the Most Exalted, who sends down sakīnah and strengthens the heart of His special servants. Allah Is The Best Protector Allah is the Best Protector and Guardian of His servants. Allah (ʿazza wa jall) says, أَلَيْسَ اللّٰهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُ ، وَيُخَوِّفُوْنَكَ بِالَّذِيْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِهِ ، وَمَنْ يُّضْلِلِ اللّٰهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ . وَمَنْ يَّهْدِ اللّٰهُ فَمَا لَه مِنْ مُّضِلٍّ، أَلَيْسَ اللّٰهُ بِعَزِيْزٍ ذِي انْتِقَامٍ “Is Allah not sufficient for His servant? Yet they threaten you with those (they worship) besides Him! Whoever Allah leaves to stray will be left with no guide. And whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray. Is Allah not Almighty, capable of retribution?“ (39:36-37). The Prophet ﷺ and the Companions (radiy Allāhu ʿanhum) had just returned from the Battle of Uḥud. It had been a testing battle in which the initial happiness of victory quickly turned to sadness. 70 companions lost their lives, many more were injured, and rumours spread that the Prophet ﷺ had been killed. Amidst this pain and exhaustion, the Companions (radiy Allāhu ʿanhum) were asked by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to join him in battle again the next day. The hypocrites, as usual, tried to discourage them and said to them, “Your enemies have mobilised their forces against you, so fear them!” (3:173). But the believers were not fazed. On the contrary, Allah ﷻ says, it “increased them in īmān, and they replied, حَسْبُنَا اللّٰهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيْلُ Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best Protector” (3:173). Throughout this war, we have repeatedly seen the people of Gaza repeating this powerful dhikr: حَسْبُنَا اللّٰهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيْلُ. Similarly, we have seen how the hypocrites, as always, have been busy trying to discourage the believers. And as the āyah mentions, this has not fazed the true believers in Gaza — instead, their steadfastness and īmān has inspired millions across the world. Allah Is the Protective Ally اللّٰهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوا ، يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّوْرِ “Allah is the Ally of those who believe: He brings them out of the depths of darkness into the light…” (2:257). Allah is the Protective Master (al-Mawlā) and Ally (al-Waliyy) of the believers. During the Battle of Uḥud, Abū Sufyān provoked the Muslims by calling upon the Makkan deity, saying, “Rise and prevail, Hubal.” The Prophet ﷺ urged the Companions to answer him. They asked him ﷺ, “What shall we say? He ﷺ replied, “Say, ‘الله أعلى وأجَلُّ’ ‘Allah is Higher and More Exalted.’” Abū Sufyān retorted, “We have al-ʿUzzā and you do not.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Say to him: ‘الله مولانا ’ ولا مولَى لَكُم ‘Allah is our Protective Master, and you have none.’” Abū Sufyān said, “Today avenges the day of Badr, and victory in war goes by turns.” ʿUmar (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) answered him, saying, “We are not equal. Our dead go to Paradise, and your dead go to Hell” (Aḥmad). Each and every believing soul is precious in the sight of Allah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The destruction of the entire world means less to Allah than the unlawful murder of one believer. And if all the inhabitants of the skies and the earth were to participate in the blood of a believer, Allah would certainly admit them all into Hell-fire” (Bayhaqī). Every Muslim soul who has been martyred in Gaza holds great value in the sight of Allah. Every person matters. Their brutal murder may be insignificant to many in the world, but to Allah, each soul is precious. Allah Is the Giver of Victory Allah ﷻ has promised to help His believing servants. He ﷻ says, وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ “…For it is Our duty to help the believers” (30:47). He also says, إِنَّا لَنَنْصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُوْمُ الْأَشْهَادُ .‏ يَوْمَ لَا يَنْفَعُ الظَّالِمِيْنَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَهُمُ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوْٓءُ الدَّارِ “We certainly help Our messengers and the believers, in this worldly life and on the Day the witnesses will stand (to give their testimony). The Day the wrongdoers’ excuses will be of no benefit to them. They will be condemned, and will have the worst of homes” (40:51-2). One of the sunan of Allah is that the disbelievers will turn their backs and they will have no one to support them. Allah says, وَلَوْ قَاتَلَكُمُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَوَلَّوُا الْأَدْبَارَ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوْنَ وَلِيًّا وَّلَا نَصِيرًا . سُنَّةَ اللّٰهِ الَّتِيْ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ ۖ وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ اللّٰهِ تَبْدِيْلًا “If the disbelievers were to fight you, they would certainly flee. Then they would never find any protector or helper. (This is) the consistent practice (sunnah) of Allah. And you will never find any change in Allah’s consistent practice” (48:22-3). We must have complete certainty (yaqīn) in Allah’s promise, even if all of the disbelievers unite to fight the believers. Allah ﷻ says, أَمْ يَقُوْلُوْنَ نَحْنُ جَمِيْعٌ مُّنتَصِرٌ . سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّوْنَ الدُّبُرَ “Do they perhaps say, ‘We are a great army and we shall be victorious’? Soon their united front will be defeated and all of them will turn their backs” (54:44-45). And ultimately, their eventual outcome will be Hell-fire, as Allah says: قُلْ لِّلَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا سَتُغْلَبُوْنَ وَتُحْشَرُوْنَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ ، وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ “Say to the disbelievers: Soon you will be overpowered and gathered into Hell—what a foul place to rest!” (3:12). Some may wonder that if Allah promises help and victory to the believers, then why is it that today we see thousands killed, imprisoned, tortured, and driven out of their homes? Similarly, in the above āyah, Allah promised His help to the Messengers. Why is it then that many Messengers were killed and persecuted? We often perceive victory in limited terms. But victory can take many different forms. And the greatest victory is the triumph of īmān. This is evident in the story of the young boy and the People of the Trench. The boy was killed by the King. From the outset, this may appear to be defeat. However, this was a victory unlike any other. His temporary life in this world may have ended, but he attained the noble status of martyrdom. And his blood ignited the faith of thousands. The entire nation of the King spontaneously cried out, “We have believed in the Lord of the boy.” History has shown that there are many martyrs who achieved through martyrdom what they could never have achieved in life had they lived a thousand years. It may seem that the help of Allah is taking its time in coming. Allah, however, is al-Ḥakīm: the All-Wise. He fulfils His promise according to the timeframe that He chooses, and His timing is the best. The Ummah of Muḥammad ﷺ may sometimes be defeated in some battles, but ultimately they will always be victorious. From the time of the Prophet ﷺ up until today, the Ummah has faced many enemies and multiple superpowers. And yet, today Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. When the Tartars swept over the Muslim lands killing millions and causing catastrophic destruction, it was feared that the light of Islam may be extinguished. Today, however, the Tartars no longer exist. But Islam remains. This is because Allah has taken it upon Himself to preserve His dīn, until the final hour comes and there will be no one left on the earth to say Lā ilāha illa Allah. We ask Allah al-ʿAzīz (The Exalted in Might) to honour and grant victory to the Ummah of Muḥammad ﷺ.