Khutbas by Abu Haleema (ابو حلیمہ): 2007

Friday, October 26, 2007

Love for Quran

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير

In the name of Allah, the most beneficient, the most merciful, Master of the day of Judgement. Peace and blessings be upon the noble Prophet Mohammad SAW, his family and his companions who conveyed the message of Islam through their words, deeds and actions.

My dear respected Brothers, Sisters and Elders in Islam, Assalam o allaikum Wr Wb…..

Allah SWT says in the Holy Quran:

الَر كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ لِتُخْرِجَ النَّاسَ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَى صِرَاطِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ

14:1 - (This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad SAW) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of belief in the Oneness of Allâh and Islâmic Monotheism) by their Lord's Leave to the Path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all Praise.
Allah SWT has revealed this book so we can be guided from the darkness towards the light of truth. A human being has been struggling since the beginning of its creation to find a path that is peace and solace and that can bring one to the internal peace and tranquility. Allah SWT like many other needs of a human beings, sent anbiya kiram aleyhimus salam to fulfil this need. Each messenger was sent to guide his nation out of the darkness and towards the light of Allah SWT. With the final message of Rasulallah SAW, this guidance has been preserved in the Kalaam of Allah SWT – the Quran.

Quran is the source that brings peace and tranquility in the hearts of the those who are truly seeking for truth. Allah SWT says:

وَإِذَا قُرِىءَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُواْ لَهُ وَأَنصِتُواْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ (7:204
204. So, when the Qur'ân is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy.

There is no book in existance whose followers have committed themselves to memorizing it as much as the huffaz of the Holy Quran. Also, there is no other book on the face of the earth that is read as beautifully as the Quran. It is not the miracle of the recitors but it’s a miracle of the book whose reading has been made to vary in such a manner. If this was the miracle of the recitors, then they could memorize any other book and recite it like Quran. The tonal reading with varying intonations is indeed the speciality of Quran only.

If we see the lives of the sahaba we will find that they had extreme love towards Holy Quran.

Ibn Ka'ab RA was a Sahabi who held a high rank among the Sahabah as a teacher. One day he was reading the Holy Quran and the Messenger of Allah passed. Ibn Ka'ab RA fell silent upon seeing him, but the Messenger of Allah told him to keep reading. Ibn Ka'ab RA said, "How can I read in front of the one upon whom this Quran was revealed?" The Prophet replied, "This is so, but this is how I have been commanded."

Ibn Ka'ab RA realized that Allah Himself had issued a command. He asked, "O Messenger of Allah, did Allah specify me by name?" The Prophet replied, "Yes, Allah inspired me to tell you to read so that He may listen." These were the people who would read the Holy Quran with such love and sincerity that Allah Himself would request them to read the Holy Quran.

Fatima RA would become so absorbed in her reading of the Holy Quran and read with such desire that the whole night would pass unawares. Upon noticing the dawn, she would raise her hands and complain to Allah, "O Allah, I made intention for just two rakats, and Your whole night passed away." These were people who would complain that nights were too short for worship.

Returning from an engagement with the enemy, the Messenger of Allah set up camp along the way and ordered two Sahabah to keep watch during the night while the rest of the army slept. The two Sahabah divided the night into shifts, and one would keep watch while the other slept; this way they would both could get equal sleep. The Sahabi who opted to stay awake for the first part of the night decided to stand up and offer prayer, and in the prayer he started reciting Surah al-Kahf.
Enemy scouts approached and saw that the Muslim camp was asleep. Scanning the surrounding hills, they noticed a lone figure standing atop a cliff edge. They shot an arrow that struck the Sahabi in the chest, and he started bleeding. However, the Sahabi did not move from his position. Two more arrows hit him in the chest, but he kept reciting. When a fourth arrow struck him, he awoke his companion because of fear that he might lose consciousness.

According to some different sources of this hadith, the Sahabi's streaming blood fell upon his companion's face and thus he awoke. This Sahabi said to his now awakened companion, "Had I not had to wake you for the safety of the others, I would have taken arrow after arrow but would not have interrupted Surah al-Kahf for the pleasure it was bringing me."
The love of this Holy Book was immense in the hearts of these people whose lives revolved around this one Book. They took every benefit out of it and that guarantee their success. They considered their lives to be elevated because of Islam.
Umar RA was leading an army back to Madinah after an expedition when he stopped at a valley in the height of noonday. He dismounted and appeared lost in thought for a very long time. The soldiers starting sweating, but dared not move for their leader appeared to be contemplating something in the valley.

Someone worked up the courage to ask Umar RA what he was doing, since the army behind him was waiting. Umar RA sighed and said, "There was a time before accepting Islam that I used to herd camels in this very valley. I did not know how to herd them properly. My father used to beat me and say that I wouldn't amount to anything because I don't even know how to herd camels. Now Allah has made Umar the Amir-ul-Mumineen through the glory of Islam and the Holy Quran." Umar RA used to say, "The Holy Quran has come to give us honor."

Dear Brothers and Sisters! We need to establish a connection with this Glorious Quran, and read it constantly so that we become lovers of this Holy Book. We need to enlighten our hearts with the light of this Glorious Book and then we will be successful both in this life and the next.

A guest came to Husain RA’shouse, so he sent his slave girl out for some food, because there was limited supply in the house. Upon reentering the house, she tripped and hot gravy burned through Husain RA’s clothing. Husain RA grew intensely angry and glared at the girl. However scared the slave girl became at seeing this in her master, she knew his character and the strong principles by which he lived.

The frightened girl immediately quoted a verse from the Noble Quran:

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاء وَالضَّرَّاء وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ
(The believers are) those who spend in the path of Allah when they are blessed with more and when they are in hardship and those who restrain anger (3:134)

Husain RA’s expression changed and he said to her, "I have absorbed my anger." The girl continued:

وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ
And pardon all men (3:134)

Husain RA said, "I forgive you for your mistake." The slave girl then said:

وَاللّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
Allah loves those who do good (3:134)

Hadrat Husain then replied, "Go, I have freed you for the sake of Allah."

These were people who used to change their lives while listening to the Holy Quran. One moment Hadrat Husain was glaring at his slave girl in anger, and the next moment he freed her for the sake of Allah.

Today our copies of the Glorious Quran are sitting on shelves in silk coverings but we do not find the time to read them. We waste our time in useless television and drama shows. We watch television and read the newspaper for hours without realizing the time, and months go by like this, but nobody has the time to pick up the Glorious Revelation of Allah.

وَاذْكُرُواْ إِذْ أَنتُمْ قَلِيلٌ مُّسْتَضْعَفُونَ فِي الأَرْضِ تَخَافُونَ أَن يَتَخَطَّفَكُمُ النَّاسُ فَآوَاكُمْ وَأَيَّدَكُم بِنَصْرِهِ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
26. And remember when you were few and were reckoned weak in the land, and were afraid that men might kidnap you, but He provided a safe place for you, strengthened you with His Help, and provided you with good things so that you might be grateful.

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

When we see the lives of our predecessors, we see that they were few in number but they became successful, because they held fast to Quran. They understood its message in completeness and they implemented that message in their daily lives. We have to wake ourselves up and return to the teachings of Quran, the only true message on Allah SWT.

May Allah make us lovers of the Holy Quran, writers of the Holy Quran, huffaz of the Holy Quran, and give us taufeeq to act upon the Holy Quran. May Allah spread the light of the Glorious Quran throughout the world and enlighten our hearts with it.

Wa akhiru dawaana anil hamdulillahi rabbilaalimeen

Special thanks to Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad
Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association, Masjid on November 9, 2007

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Ramadan - رمضان

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیمبسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیمالحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير

In the name of Allah, the most beneficient, the most merciful, Master of the day of Judgement. Peace and blessings be upon the noble Prophet Mohammad SAW, his family and his companions who conveyed the message of Islam through their words, deeds and actions.

My dear respected brothers, sisters and elders in Islam…
Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb.

Ramadan has approached us, once again. We have been given a chance once again to correct ourselves and make ourselves obedient to the commandments of Allah SWT. We have been given a chance once again to tame our nafs according to the teachings of Islam. It is a golden opportunity for us to mould our way of life to the life of Rasulallah SAW.

It is a time for struggle and not to sit back and relax. Just like we spend all nights preparing for exams because we care about the result our test is going to bring, similarly, we should prepare ourselves by spending most of the nights making ibadah to Allah SWT so that our results are in our favour on the day of Qayamah.

Allah SWT has declared this month to be a blessed month for us. It is a month in which Al-Quran, the word of Allah was revealed to mankind. It is a month where rahmah of Allah SWT is showered, the gates of paradise are opened for those who are fasting, the shayateen are chained so that we can be even more closer to Allah SWT.

Allah SWT says in Quran:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَo
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُواْ لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُواْ بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ (2:186

185. The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur'ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadân i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allâh [i.e. to say Takbîr (Allâhu-Akbar; Allâh is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadân and Shawwâl] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.[]
186. And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad SAW) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.[]
Allah SWT has blessed us with all the conveniences but at the same time He has made it clear that fasting in the month of Ramadan is a duty that is obligatory upon each one of us.

Rasulallah SAW said in a hadeeth:
The Prophet –peace be upon him- said, "When the first night of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious jinns are put in chains and the door of hell are closed, none of them remains open. The door of heaven are open and none of them remains closed. And a caller calls, 'O seeker of goodness, come forward, and O seeker of evil, desist. And Allah has many (in this month) who will be freed from Hell.' This announcement is made every night. (Tirmidhi).

Pray to Allah SWT that we are from among those who will be freed from Hell in this month. Pray to Allah SWT for the taufeeq that we may do righteous deeds in this month. Pray to Allah SWT that we do not just let this month pass by like other days of the year.

As individuals, as families, we must understand the importance of this month for ourselves and our children. We must try to bring the complete conviction in ourselves that the only being that can alleviate ourselves from our pains is Allah SWT. We must teach our children that if they ask Allah SWT, their needs will be fulfilled. We should make special preparation at our homes to break our fasts and to keep the fasts so that this new generation of ours can see the importance of keeping fasts in Ramadan. Let them learn and let them compete with eachother in performing good deeds. Make this Ramadan a milestone the life of your children. Pray that Allah give us the taufeeq to achieve this.

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

The month of Ramadan has many rituals for us that can keep us busy. Starting our day with Suhoor and keeping the fast whole day and then breaking the fast at sunset, reciting quran and adhkar during the day, praying salaat taraweeh at night and qiyamul layl requires not only physical struggle but also a mental resolve.

Besides all the physical ibadaah, Ramadan is also meant for our moral and spiritual training and for the purification of our bodies, minds and souls. This is an annual training program for all believers. It is a special time to get closer to Allah and to seek His blessings and bounties. It is a time to learn Taqwa, piety, self-discipline and patience. It is a time to give more charity and become more generous. It is a time to seek Allah's forgiveness and to forgive each other. It is a time to be thankful to Allah for His gifts and bounties and especially His gift of Iman.

Rasulallah SAW is reported to have been said:Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."

Brothers and Sisters, lets keep some important things in our minds when we keep our fasts in Ramadan.

1. Niyyah (Intention): Remind yourself again and again that you are fasting in obedience to Allah. Be sincere in your intention. You want Allah to accept your fasting. The Prophet –peace be upon him- said:
"Whosoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah's reward, all his past sins are forgiven." (Al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 37)

2. Sunnah : Observe the Sunnah in fasting. Take the Sahur meal a little before dawn and end your fast at Sunset. Observe all the rules of fasting.

3. Wara' (Avoiding everything Haram or Makruh): Keep your body and mind very clean. Fasting is not just avoiding food and drink. Fasting is to learn how to avoid bad words and bad deeds. The Prophet –peace be upon him said:
"Whosoever does not leave bad words and bad actions, Allah does not care if he leaves his food and drink." (Al-Tirmidhi 641)

4. Qur'an : Spend more time with the Qur'an. Read Qur'an every day. Try to finish at least one time the whole Qur'an during this month in your own personal reading. Read some Ahadith and the books of Seerah also .

5. Salat, Du'a and Dhikr of Allah : Pray on time and observe all prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih prayers. Make more Nawafil. Do as much 'Ibadah as you can. Do more Zikr and Du'a for yourself and for others. Make Tawbah and Istighfar as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah's forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadr by special devotion during the last ten nights of this month.
Rasulallah SAW said:Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

6. Zakat, Sadaqah and Generosity : Be very charitable and generous. Give more to help the poor and needy. Contribute generously for useful social and community projects.

7. Family: Be very good to your family, immediate family and the extended family. Spend more time and quality time with your family members.

8. Husn al-Suluk : Try to be extra kind and courteous during this month. Forget your quarrels and disputes. Reconcile and forgive. Do not get involved in backbiting, lying, cheating and any thing that is wrong. Be very good to Muslims and to all human beings. Be good to your friends and neighbors. Let your non-Muslim neighbors and co-workers know that this is your blessed and sacred time. Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."

9. Tafakkur : Think, reflect and plan to improve the moral and spiritual condition of your own self and your family. Think about any wrong things and sins you might be doing and decide to correct your self. Think about any deficiencies you have in your Islamic observances. Plan to change yourself. Think what you can do for the Ummah and for humanity to make this world a better place for every one. Think about the Akhirah and the Day of Judgment.

10. Be cheerful and happy: Ramadan is not a time of mourning or sadness. It is a time of thankfulness to Allah. Give the greetings of Ramadan to each other and enjoy this beautiful time.
It is reported in a Hadith that the Prophet –peace be upon him- gave a sermon about Ramadan to a gathering that met towards the end of Sha'ban. He said:
“O People, a great and a blessed month is approaching you. In this month there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Allah has made fasting obligatory and prayers at night commendable during this month. Whosoever will do a voluntary good deed during this month, it is as if he performed an obligatory good deed at another time and whosoever will perform an obligatory good deed, it is as if he performed seventy obligatory good deeds at another time. This is the month of patience and the reward of patience is Paradise. This is the month of kindness. In this month the believers provision is increased. Whosoever will give food to a fasting person in this month, it will bring forgiveness for his sins, will save him from the hellfire and he shall have his reward while the fasting person will not lose any of his reward.”
May Allah give us the taufeeq to spend this Ramadan as His obedient servants so we can enjoy benefits from Him in this word and hereafter.

Wa akhiruhu dawanaa anilhamdulillahi rabbil aalimeen.

Special thanks to Dr. Muzammil Siddiqui
Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association, Masjid on September 14, 2007

Friday, August 24, 2007

Hellfire - جھنّم

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم
بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم
الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير

In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful, master of the day of Judgement. It is his aid that we seek to keep ourselves on the right path and the path whom he has blessed and not of those who go astray.

Salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW, who was sent as a guide to this mankind and who delivered the message of our creator in its completeness through his words and action.

Dear respected brothers, sisters and elders of the community, Assalam o allaikum….

In my previous khutba, we talked about Al-Jannah. We talked about the Al-Jannah. We talked about its people and and its conditions and brief descriptions that Allah SWT has provided us in Quran Al Kareem.

We also learnt from the saying of Prophet Mohammad SAW that a human mind cannot comprehend the realities of Jannah as it surpasses every imagination a human being has. Allah SWT therefore gives us examples in Quran that are relevant to our worldly life here so we can understand and appreciate the goodness of Jannah as the reward of those who spend their lives as righteous.

In order to attain Jannah, we must show our obedience to Allah SWT in this life. We must maintain a relationship with Allah SWT in this life where our Imaan is increased rather than decrease. In order to increase this imaan we must have hope from Allah SWT and we must have fear from Allah SWT. It is after such struggle that Allah blesses us with this good eternal life and companionship of the prophets, martyrs, righteous and the truthful people.

When we see the life of sahaba kiram radhiallahu anhum, we see that they maintained this relationship with Allah SWT through the teachings of Quran. They maintained hope from Allah SWT through the explanations of Jannah and they maintained their fear by learning about the hellfire. It is as important for a muslim to know the mercy of Allah SWT as it is to know about His anger. All prophets sent by Allah SWT were the bearers of glad tidings as well as the warners of the torment of hellfire.

Allah SWT says in Quran (35:24):
إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَإِن مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خلَا فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ
Verily! We have sent you with the truth, a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner. And there never was a nation but a warner had passed among them.

In another ayah (59.20):
لَا يَسْتَوِي أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ وَأَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ
Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful

The punishment in the hellfire is not only limited to humans but also to Jinns.
Allah SWT says in Quran (32:13):

وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَآتَيْنَا كُلَّ نَفْسٍ هُدَاهَا وَلَكِنْ حَقَّ الْقَوْلُ مِنِّي لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
And if We had willed, surely! We would have given every person his guidance, but the Word from Me took effect (about evildoers), that I will fill Hell with jinn and mankind together.

We also notice that Allah SWT has called this hellfire with different names in Quran. Allah SWT calls it “An_Naar” (58:17):

لَن تُغْنِيَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا أُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
Their children and their wealth will avail them nothing against Allâh. They will be (the) dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever.

And in Surah Al-Lahab, Allah calls it the Flame of Fire (111:3):

سَيَصْلَى نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ

He will be burnt in a Fire of blazing flames!

Allah SWT has divided this hellfire into different ranks based on the its difficulty and punishment. Allah SWT tells us in Surah An Nisaa (4:145):

إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا
Verily, the hyprocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them

The messenger of Allah SAW said that there is a valley in the hellfire that is called “Wayl” and if a mountain is placed in that valley, it will melt out of the sheer heat and then he repeated 10 times the ayah of Surah Mursalaat (77:15):

وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!

The most common name of hellfire in arabic is “Jahannam” as mentioned in Surah Al-Jinn (72:23):

إِلَّا بَلَاغًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِسَالَاتِهِ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَإِنَّ لَهُ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا
"(Mine is) but conveyance (of the truth) from Allâh and His Messages (of Islâmic Monotheism), and whosoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger, then verily, for him is the Fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever[] ."

Another name of it is “Saqr” Surah Mudassir ( 74:26-28):

سَأُصْلِيهِ سَقَرَ (74:26
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا سَقَرُ (74:27)
لَا تُبْقِي وَلَا تَذَرُ (74:28)
26. I will cast him into Hell-fire
27. And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is?
28. It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)!

And also mentioned by the name “Jaheem” in Surah Al Haaqa (69:30-31):

خُذُوهُ فَغُلُّوهُ
ثُمَّ الْجَحِيمَ صَلُّوهُ
(It will be said): "Seize him and fetter him,
Then throw him in the blazing Fire.

In Surat Al-Hajj, Allah SWT called it “As-Sa’eer” (22:4):
كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ مَن تَوَلَّاهُ فَأَنَّهُ يُضِلُّهُ وَيَهْدِيهِ إِلَى عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ
For him (the devil) it is decreed that whosoever follows him, he will mislead him, and will drive him to the torment of the Fire. [Tafsir At-Tabarî]

In Ibn Katheer’s interpretation of the meaning of the Quran, he said according to Sa’eed Ibn Jubayir RAA that “As-Sa’eer” is a valley of pus in the hell fire.
Allah SWT also called it the “Great Fire” or “An-Nar Al-Kobra”, compared to the fire of this world, which is absolutely minor in comparison to the fire of the hereafter.

Abou Hurayirah RAA narrated from the messenger of Allah PBUH that he said: “the fire of this world with its heat and fury is only a part of seventy parts of the fire of hell and it was cooled in the oceans twice otherwise, it would have done no one any good, because of its heat”. [Sunan Ahmad]

Among the properties and descriptions of the hell fire is a tree that the people of hell shall eat from, that is known as “Az-Zaqqoom”, the taste of which is most bitter than any thing ever found in this world or the hereafter and its smell is more offensive than any decayed cadaver ever found. It is mentioned in many verses in the Quran in Surat Al-Isra’a, As-Saffat, Ad-Dukhan and Al-Waqi’ah, among those is what was mentioned in Surat As-Saffat (37:62-67):

أَذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ نُّزُلًا أَمْ شَجَرَةُ الزَّقُّومِ ہ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاهَا فِتْنَةً لِّلظَّالِمِينَ ہ إِنَّهَا شَجَرَةٌ تَخْرُجُ فِي أَصْلِ الْجَحِيمِہ طَلْعُهَا كَأَنَّهُ رُؤُوسُ الشَّيَاطِينِ ہ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَآكِلُونَ مِنْهَا فَمَالِؤُونَ مِنْهَا الْبُطُونَ ہ ثُمَّ إِنَّ لَهُمْ عَلَيْهَا لَشَوْبًا مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ
Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqoom? For, We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong-doers. For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-fire: The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils: Truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith. Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.

And again in Surat Ad-Dukhan, Allah SWT said (44:43-46):

إِنَّ شَجَرَةَ الزَّقُّومِ ہ طَعَامُ الْأَثِيمِ ہ كَالْمُهْلِ يَغْلِي فِي الْبُطُونِ ہ كَغَلْيِ الْحَمِيمِ ہ
Verily the tree of Zaqqoom Will be the food of the Sinful, Like molten brass; it will boil in their insides, Like the boiling of scalding water.

In Surat Az-Zukhruf, Allah SWT described hell fire regarding the big boss of its gatekeepers, whose name is “Malik”, from among the honorable angels in a famous expected dialogue between him and the disbelievers and criminals as follows (43:74-77):

إِنَّ الْمُجْرِمِينَ فِي عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدُونَ ہ لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنْهُمْ وَهُمْ فِيهِ مُبْلِسُونَ ہ وَمَا ظَلَمْنَاهُمْ وَلَكِن كَانُوا هُمُ الظَّالِمِينَ ہوَنَادَوْا يَا مَالِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّكَ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّاكِثُونَ ہ
The sinners will be in the Punishment of Hell, to dwell therein: the punishment will not be lightened for them, and in despair will they be there overwhelmed. We were not unjust to them: but it is they who have been unjust themselves. They will cry: "O’ Malik! Would that thy Lord; Allah put an end to us!" he will say, "No, but you shall abide forever!"

“Malik” is the name of the angel who is charged with the affairs of Hell fire.

In another Surah, Allah SWT described the conversation between the people of hell fire and its angels, whose name is “Az-Zabanyiah”, as mentioned in Surat Ghafir (40:49-50):

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ فِي النَّارِ لِخَزَنَةِ جَهَنَّمَ ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ يُخَفِّفْ عَنَّا يَوْمًا مِّنَ الْعَذَابِ ہ قَالُوا أَوَلَمْ تَكُ تَأْتِيكُمْ رُسُلُكُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا بَلَى قَالُوا فَادْعُوا وَمَا دُعَاء الْكَافِرِينَ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ ہ

Those in the Fire will say to the Keepers of Hell: "Pray to your Lord; Allah, to lighten us the Penalty for a Day (at least)!" They will say: "Did there not come to you your Messengers with Clear Signs?" They will say: "Yes." They will reply, "Then pray (as you like)! But the Prayer of those without Faith is nothing but (futile wandering) in (mazes of) error!"

In another Surah, Allah SWT described the keepers of the Hell Fire as follows as mentioned in Surat At-Tahreem (66:6):

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ

O’ you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are appointed angels stern and severe, who flinch not from executing the Commands they receive from Allah, but do precisely what they are commanded.

Abu Hurayirah RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Everyone of you shall enter paradise except those who refuse. The people asked him: who will refuse, O’ messenger of Allah? He said: “Who obeys me shall enter it and who disobeys me verily, refused” reported by Al-Bukharee and the messenger of Allah PBUH also said: “Every offspring of Adam commits errors, and the best of those who err are the ones who ask for forgiveness”. Ask Allah SWT for forgiveness with assurance of His acceptance insha’allah.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, the description of the hell fire is really unnerving and upsetting, but we have to know how it is in order to do righteous and fear Allah SWT more and more.

May Allah SWT keep us on the path of righteousness and save us from the hellfire.
Ameen!

Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association, Masjid on August 17, 2007

Friday, July 13, 2007

Paradise - الجنَّۃ

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم
بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم
الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير

In the name of Allah SWT the most beneficient, the most merciful, the one who blessed us with this life and the one who will give eternal life in the hereafter. Salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW and his companions who showed the way to practice Quran in our life.

My Dear respected brothers and sisters,
Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb.

In the last few khutbahs we talked about getting the Qurb of Allah SWT, to be close to Allah SWT, to make dua and its importance, the reality of death and how it will be brought about. We also talked about intentions and carrying out a good deed and how one can be misguided and end up in hellfire by following the whispers of Shaytaan. Now, it is important for us to remind ourselves about our final abode. The scholars view that since Allah SWT always puts his glad tidings before his warnings, his mercy before his anger, His forgiveness before his torment, it is only wise to talk about Paradise (Al-Jannah) before Hellfire (Jahannum).

Allah SWT has very vividly and sufficiently explained in the Quran, the glad tidings given to the dwellers of Jannah. Also we see great explanations given to us in the hadeeth of Rasulallah SAW.

The first thing that we must know is that the people who will live in Jannah, will live forever and endlessly. Allah SWT says in the Quran:

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا لَّهُمْ فِيهَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَنُدْخِلُهُمْ ظِـلاًّ ظَلِيلاً
57. But those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have purified mates and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening (Paradise)[].

Allah SWT tells us in the Quran that the people who would have done good deeds will get the eternal reward of the paradise and wrong doers will have nothing but punishment.
Allah SWT says in Quran (42.22):

تَرَى الظَّالِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا وَهُوَ وَاقِعٌ بِهِمْ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فِي رَوْضَاتِ الْجَنَّاتِ لَهُم مَّا يَشَاؤُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الكَبِيرُ (42:22)
22. You will see (on the Day of Resurrection), the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.) fearful of that which they have earned, and it (Allâh's Torment) will surely befall them, while those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds (will be) in the flowering meadows of the Gardens (Paradise), having what they wish from their Lord. That is the supreme Grace, (Paradise).

The things that we value the most in this life will be given to us without any struggle in Jannah. This shows us the how our priority should be. We spend our lives collecting material things as if we will take these things to our afterlife. Only our deeds will help us go in the afterlife. All these material things that we struggle for so much here will be given to us without even asking.

Allah SWT says in Quran (22:23):

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ
23. Truly, Allâh will admit those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, to Gardens underneath which rivers flow (in Paradise), wherein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls and their garments therein will be of silk.

In another ayah, Allah SWT says (43:70-71):

ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ أَنتُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ تُحْبَرُونَ (43:70)۔
يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِصِحَافٍ مِّن ذَهَبٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الْأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ الْأَعْيُنُ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ (43:71)۔

70. Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness. 71. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them, (there will be) therein all that the one's inner-selves could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever.

What will more important to us in Jannah will not be these material things, but the pleasure of Allah SWT . Allah SWT says in Quran (9:72):

وَعَدَ اللّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللّهِ أَكْبَرُ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
72. Allâh has promised to the believers -men and women, - Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of 'Adn (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allâh. That is the supreme success.

Among the scholars, there is a consensus, that whatever a human mind can imagine or percieve, that is not Jannah. Jannah is something beyond it as it is a special creation of Allah SWT with qualities that cannot be understood with our worldly mind.

Allah SWT has explained Jannah with examples so that we may relate to our worldly understanding. Allah SWT says in Quran:

مَثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ فِيهَا أَنْهَارٌ مِّن مَّاء غَيْرِ آسِنٍ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِن لَّبَنٍ لَّمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِّنْ خَمْرٍ لَّذَّةٍ لِّلشَّارِبِينَ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِّنْ عَسَلٍ مُّصَفًّى وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ كَمَنْ هُوَ خَالِدٌ فِي النَّارِ وَسُقُوا مَاء حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءهُمْ (47:15)۔

15. The description of Paradise which the Muttaqûn have been promised is that in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of clarified honey (clear and pure) therein for them is every kind of fruit; and forgiveness from their Lord. (Are these) like those who shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels?

Abu Hurayirah RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Allah SWT said: I have prepared for my pious servants things that no eye ever seen nor ear ever heard of nor mind ever possible thought of, read if you wish:

فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّا أُخْفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاء بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
17. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do. [Bukhari and Muslim]

It was narrated by Abee Sa’eed Al-Khudree and Abee Hurayirah RAA that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “ When the people of paradise enter paradise, a caller shall call them and say: For you is an eternal life and never to die, and for you is an eternal health and never be sick ever, for you is an eternal youth and never be old, and for you is an eternal joy and never hardship” [Muslim]

Narrated by Jabir RAA from the messenger of Allah PBUH saying: “The people of paradise shall eat and drink but do not defecate, do not blow their noses nor urinate because all their food will be digested producing belch which will give out of them a smell like that of musk. They shall be taught glorification of Allah or praising of Allah or “Tasbeeh” as easily as they breathe.

Also, among the qualities of Jannah are that it has many entrances or gates and each of these gates is guarded by special angels. The chief of these angels is called Ridwaan.
The angels greet the pious ones who will enter Jannah. Allah SWT says in Quran (39:73):

وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا حَتَّى إِذَا جَاؤُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ
73. And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salâmun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein."

Abou Hurayirah RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Who ever spends a pair of anything in the cause of Allah as a charity, then he shall be called from the gates of paradise: “O’ servant of Allah, that was a good deed”. Who ever is known to do best of “Salah” or prayer and much of it, then he shall be called from the doors of “Salah”, and who ever is known to be of the people of “Jihad” or struggle and fight in the sake of Allah, then he shall be called from the door of “Jihad” and who ever was of the fasting group, then he shall be called from the door of the fasting which is known as “Ar-Rayyane”, and who is known to be from the people who give much charity, then he shall be called from the door of charity. Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq RAA then asked” O’ messenger of Allah, would someone be called from all doors? The messenger of Allah PBUH said: “yes, and I hope you are one of them” [Bukhari and Muslim].

For all of us today, we have lost the motivation to work for Jannah, our final abode. We have lost the will to achieve this success in this duniya so that we can be peaceful in the akhirah. We question ourselves as to what is needed from us that we will be allowed to enter in the paradise. We must ensure that our path is siraatul mustaqeem and our life is in the way of Rasulallah SAW if we wish to achieve this success.

Imam Abou Hurayirah RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Everyone of you shall enter paradise except those who refuse. The people asked him: who will refuse O’ messenger of Allah? He said: “Who obeys me shall enter it and who disobeys me refuses” [Bukhari]

May Allah give us taufeeq to establish ourselves on the commandment of Allah SWT in the way of Rasulallah SAW… Wa akhiruhu Da’wana Anil Hamdulillahi Rabbilaalimeen.

Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association, Masjid on July 13, 2007

Friday, June 22, 2007

Death - الموت

Those whose lives the angels take while they are in a pious state saying (to them): Salâmun 'Alaikum enter you in Paradise, because of (the good) which you used to do (in the world)." [16:32]

And those who have disobeyed Allah SWT and those who committed shirk and carried out bad deeds, Allah SWT says:

وَلَوْ تَرَى إِذْ يَتَوَفَّى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ الْمَلآئِكَةُ يَضْرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمْ وَأَدْبَارَهُمْ وَذُوقُواْ

عَذَابَ الْحَرِيقِ()۔

ذَلِكَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَأَنَّ اللّهَ لَيْسَ بِظَلاَّمٍ لِّلْعَبِيد

If you see the people who are taken by the angels after death, the angels shall beat their faces and their backs and say to them taste the torment of the fire, this is your reward for what you have offered of deeds and Allah is not unjust to His servants [8:50-51]

It is for this reason Rasulallah SAW , on the authority of Uthman bin Affan said:

“Ask Allah to forgive your dead brother’s sins and to have correct answers when he is being asked by the angels in his grave for he is now being asked” reported by Abou Dawood.

In Saheeh Bukhari there is a hadeeth mentioned by Rasulallah SAW regarding how the soul shall be taken from the bodies of pious people and those from the people who disobeyed the commands of Allah. We shall see the mercy and rahmah of Allah SWT for those who live their lives in accordance to His commandments and we see the torment for those who disobey him.

It is reported that al-Bara 'bin 'Azib said: "We went out with the Prophet SAW in order to participate in the funeral rites of a man from the Ansar. We arrived at the grave, but the inner chamber had not been prepared yet; so Allaah's Messenger SAW sat down facing the direction of the Qiblah, and we sat around him so attentively that it was as if birds were sitting upon our heads. He had a stick in his hand with which he sketched upon the ground. Then he began looking alternately to the heavens and to the earth, raising his gaze and then lowering it. Finally, he said two or three times, 'Seek refuge in Allaah from the torment of the grave.' Then he said, 'O Allaah, verily I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave.' He repeated it three times, then he elaborated,

'Verily, when the believing servant is leaving this world and entering the next, angels from the heavens descend to him - their faces white with brightness like the sun and carrying with them burial sheets and scents from Paradise. They sit before him at a distance as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death (upon whom be peace) comes to the person, sits at his head and says, "O good soul [and in another narration "O confident soul"], come out to your Lord's forgiveness and pleasure. "' [The Prophet SAW continued],

'There upon the soul flows out of the body like water flowing from the mouth of a water skin, and all of the angels between the skies and the earth supplicate for Allahs blessing upon him. The doors of the heavens are opened for him, and the keepers of these doors [i.e., the angels all plead with Allaah that this soul might pass in front of them as it is being carried upward. The Angel of Death barely receives the soul in his hands, whereupon the other angels take it from him and wrap it with fragrant winding sheets. This is what is meant by Allaah's saying,

"Our messengers [i.e., angels] seize his soul, and they do not fall short of their duty."'

Then the Prophet SAW said, 'There exudes from the soul a scent like the most beautiful fragrance of musk that one could find on the face of the earth. The angels ascend with the soul never passing a host of angels without hearing them ask, "Who is this wonderful soul?" They reply, "So and so, the son of so and so," addressing him with the best names he was known by during his earthly life.

Upon reaching the first heaven, the angels request that it be opened for the soul - which is granted. The soul is then accompanied by the angels of each heaven until it reaches the one above it and finally arrives at the seventh heaven. Then Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, says [to the angels], "Place the record of My servant in 'illiyyun."'

"And what will explain to you what 'illiyyun' is? [it is] a written record, witnessed by those brought near to their Lord." (83:19-21)

The person's record is then placed in 'illiyyun, whereupon a command is heard: "Return him to the earth, for verily I have promised mankind that having created them from the earth, I will return them to it. And l will make them come out of it, yet another time. " Then the soul is returned to the earth back into its body. Verily, the deceased hears the shuffling feet of his companions who attended his burial as they tam away and leave his grave.

Thereupon, two angels, severe in interrogation come to him, and sitting him up, they begin to ask him questions. They say, "Who is your Lord?" He replies, 'Allaah is my Lord. " They continue, "What is your religion?" He answers, 'Islam is my religion " They proceed with the questioning, saying, "Who is this man that has been sent to you?" He responds, 'He is the Messenger of Allaah SAW."

[The Prophet SAW then indicated, 'Upon the believer's answer to these questions], a voice is heard in the heavens, saying, "My servant has told the truth, so clothe him in the clothing of Paradise, spread for him the furnishings of Paradise, and open for him a window with a view of Paradise." Thereupon, he is engulfed by a breeze of fresh air and fragrance, while the expanse of his grave is extended before him as far as the eye can see.

There appears before him a man with a wonderful face and beautiful clothing, emitting a splendid fragrance. He says to the soul, "Rejoice at the news which will gladden you! Rejoice at Allaah's pleasure and His Paradise, whose joys and delights never end. This is the day which you were promised."

The deceased says to him, "And who are you, for your face bears glad tidings.?! " The figure answers, "I represent your good deeds; by Allaah, I've always known you to be quick in obedience to Allaah and slow to His disobedience. So may Allaah award you with good."

Then a door to Paradise is opened, and a door to the Fire is opened, whereupon it is said to him [regarding the Hell fire], "This would have been your final abode had you disobeyed Allaah; however, it has been exchanged for this other abode [i.e., Paradise]. " When the soul sees what is in Paradise, he cries, "My Lord, hasten the arrival of the Hour [i.e., the Resurrection] so that I may be joined with my family and wealth." There upon it is said to him, "Rest in tranquillity. "'

But how many of us can call ourselves true believers? Such that we would be good enough to receive such a reward?

Allaah's Messenger SAW continued, 'When the disbelieving servant and in another narration "sinful servant"] is about to leave this world and enter the next, angels, powerful and severe, descend to him from the heavens - their faces black and carrying with them coarse strips of cloth from Hell. They sit before him at a distance as far as the eye can see.

Then the Angel of Death arrives, and sitting at the head of the disbeliever, he says, "O you foul soul, come out to the anger and wrath of your Lord." The soul inside the disbeliever's body is overcome by terrible fear [and does not want to deliver itself up], whereupon the Angel of Death violently pulls it out like multi-pronged skewers being yanked out of wet wool - tearing with them the arteries and nerves.

Upon this, the soul is cursed by every angel between the earth and the heavens and by those inside the heavens. Then the doors of the heavens are closed to him, and every single guard at these doors begs Allaah that this soul not be carried up in front of him.

'The Prophet SAW continued, 'The Angel of Death barely receives the soul in his hands, whereupon the other angels grasp it from him and wrap it up in coarse cloth. There emits from it the foulest odour that could be found on the face of the earth. They ascend with it, never passing a host of angels without being asked, "Who is this ugly soul?" They reply, "So and so, the son of so and so, " using the worst names by which he was known in this world.

When they arrive at the lowest heaven, they request that it be opened for this soul, but the request is denied. ' At this point Allaah 's Messenger SAW recited the verse from Quran:

"The gates of the heavens will not be opened for them, nor will they enter the Garden of Paradise until a camel goes through the eye of a needle."

After that, he continued, 'Then Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, says [to the angels], "Place his record in sijjeen [a book which contains all of the deeds of the devils and the disbeliever's]- in the lowest earth. Return My servant to the earth, for verily I have promised mankind that having created them from the earth, I will return them to it. And I will make them come out of it, yet another time."

Upon this command, the deceased [disbeliever's] soul is thrown down from the sky until it lands in its body. ' The Prophet SAW then recited the verse:

"And whoever ascribes partners with Allaah, it is as though he had fallen from the sky, such that birds snatch him up or the wind throws him to a remote place."

Then he commented, 'Verily [when the soul is returned to its body], the deceased hears the sound of his companions' footsteps as they tam away from his grave.' [The Prophet SAW resumed his explanation, saying 'Then two angels, severe in interrogation come to him, and sitting him up, they begin to question him, who is your Lord? He replies, 'Hah! Hah! (an expression describing a state of surprise, shock and pain) I don't know. " They continue by asking him, "What is your religion?" He answers, 'Hah! Hah! I don t know. ' so they ask, "Then what do you say about this man who was sent to you?" [The disbeliever does not appear to understand who they are referring to, so it is said] 'Muhammad. " Again he states, 'Hah! Hah! I don t know. I only heard people talking about him." Then it is said, "You did not know! And you did not read!"

There upon a voice from the heavens is heard, 'He has lied! So spread out for him a place from the Fire and open for him a window to the Fire."

The searing hot winds of Hell engulf him while his grave closes in upon him, crushing him until his ribcage is broken by the force - causing the ribs of one side to intertwine with the ribs of the other Then there appears to him a person with an ugly face and ugly clothing and exuding a foul odour, who says, "Tidings of evil to you, for this is the day which you were promised!" The deceased says to him, 'And you, too; may Allaah give you evil tidings! Who are you, for yours is a face which portends evil."

The person rejoins, 'I represent your wicked deeds. By Allaah, I have always known you to be slow in obedience to Allaah and quick in disobedience to Him. May Allaah reward you with evil!"

Then one who is deaf, dumb and blind and is carrying an iron rod is sent to the deceased. If he were to strike a mountain with it, the mountain would disintegrate into rubble. He strikes the deceased with a blow, which turns him into dust. Allaah returns the deceased to his original form, whereupon he is struck a second time. This causes him to shriek with such violence that it is heard by all of creation except mankind and jinn.

Then a door to the Fire is opened, and beddings of the Fire are spread for him, whereupon he cries, "Lord, do not establish the Hour! "

My dear respected brothers and sisters, Ask Allah SWT to give us the taufeeq to protect our iman and to carry out amalus Saleh in this duniya so that we receive mercy of Allah in the qabr and on the day of Aakhirah. May Allah give us the true understanding of our deen and taufeeq to realize that this life is temporary. May Allah save us from the punishment of qabr and hellfire…. Amiin.

Wakhiru dawaana anil hamdulillahi rabbilaalimeen.

Delivered by Abu Haleema at Fredereicton Islamic Association, Masjid on June 22, 2007

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Supplication - الدُّعاء فِی الاِسلام

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم

بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم

الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير

In the the name of Allah, the most beneficient, the most merciful, the one who created us to be in His worship, the one who created everything around us so we may recognize Him. Salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW who was sent as a messenger and guide to the mankind.

Whenever a muslim is in the time of need, he asks Allah SWT to ease the suffering and the trial for him. Whenever a muslim is in a state of desparity, he asks Allah SWT to bring happiness to him. This teaching of asking Allah SWT is one of the most powerful teachings of Islam.

We see from the life of Rasulallah SAW, that he taught his companions to rely on Allah SWT for any need, big or small. This concept of supplication wherein there is no intermediatory figure is the most sophisticated form of worship where a servant asks directly from his Creator, Allah SWT.

Allah SWT made Islam as a seal to all religions and faiths that He sent to humanity through out time. Among the most important concepts in Islam is the clarity of relationship between Allah SWT and the Muslim.

If we see other religions around us, they have adopted a system whereby the followers approach their creator through Intermediatories such as a rabbi, a priest or saints. Every Muslim has the ability to have a direct relationship with Allah SWT through different kinds of worship e.g. prayer i.e. “Salah”, supplication i.e. “Du’aa’a”, pilgrimage I.e. Hajj, fasting i.e. Sawm and other means of worship.

This relationship does not require blood sacrifice or an intermediate person. Islam is built on one principle that has no second, that is Allah, and Allah alone is the one who answers all supplications and prayers directly and fulfils all needs and requirements and a Muslim has no right to ask anyone or anything to provide for him or answer his prayers.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:
أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَاء الْأَرْضِ أَإِلَهٌ مَّعَ اللَّهِ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Translation:
Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations. Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Little is that you remember! (27:62)
And in Surah Al-Fussilat:

Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works evil, it is against his own soul: nor is thy Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His Servants

In Islam we understand our Creator Allah SWT to be all-hearing and all seeing. He has the absolute power and he has all knowledge of everything that is shown or that is hidden.

This is the reason why we are commanded by Rasulallah SAW to pay special attention to our salaat when we are in worship infront of Allah SWT. Rasulallah SAW is reported to have said that when one is in salaat, one must be as if he is standing before Allah SWT or if one cannot attain that status then one must know that Allah is watching him at all times.

Incident about saying takbeer while climbing hill:

Abu Musa Al-Asha’aree, RAA narrated that they (the companions) were with the messenger of Allah PBUH riding and every time they went over a hill or a cliff they used to raise their voices with “Takbeer” i.e. by saying: “Allahu-Akbar”. The messenger of Allah PBUH came up to them and said: “O’ People, rest yourselves and lower your voices for you are not calling on someone who is deaf or absent but you are calling on someone who sees and hears everything. The one you are calling on is closer to you than the neck of your ride (horse or Camel). Then he said: “O’ Abdullah Ibn Quayis, do you want me to teach you words from the treasures of Paradise? Say: “La-Hawla wala Qwwata Illa Bi-Llah”, i.e. there is no power or ability but with Allah.” Reported by Al-Bukharee, Muslim and Al-Imam Ahmad.

Allah SWT says in Surah Araaf:
ادْعُواْ رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. [7:55]

We remain in constant contact with Allah SWT because in Islam we have taken the responsibility for our actions. Nobody else can alleviate us of the outcome of these actions. If I have carried out a good task, Allah SWT will reward me for that and if I have committed a sin or mistake, then I shall be responsible for that. It is for this reason that we ask the repentance from Allah SWT for each action that we do against His commandment. We will be questioned on the day of Judgement for every action that we have committed in this life.

Allah SWT says in Quran:
إِن كُلُّ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا آتِي الرَّحْمَنِ عَبْدًا (19:93
لَقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا (19:94
وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا (19:95
93. There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allâh) as a slave. 94. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. 95. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender).
And Allah SWT says in Quran:

مَّنِ اهْتَدَى فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدي لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا وَلاَ تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولاً
Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his ownself. And whoever goes astray, then he goes astray to his own loss. No one laden with burdens can bear another's burden. And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning) (17:15)

The slaves of Allah supplicate to Him through dua, through salaat, through saum and other forms of worship and seeking mercy, sustenance, wealth, health, children and protection from the punishments of the grave and the hell fire and supplicating to be admitted to Paradise.

Some of us have the idea that the only pillars of Islam like Salaat and Saum are the basics of the religion and that supplication is something that is extra and optional. This is not the case.

Al-Nu’oman Ibn Basheer, RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Supplication is the true worship, then the messenger of Allah PBUH recited the verse

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islâmic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islâmic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!"
- reported by Al-Imam Ahmad, Al-Tirmizhee, Al-Nasa’iee and Ibn Majah.

Four chacteristics that should be in a muslim’s life.

Anas Ibn Malik, RAA narrated from the messenger of Allah PBUH who narrated from Allah SWT in the Holy Hadeeth of Allah SWT that Allah SWT Said: “Four characteristics, one for my sake and one for your sake and one between me and you and the last is between you and my servants. The first one for my sake is to worship me alone and not to ascribe an equal to me. The second for your sake is that anything good you do I shall reward you for. The third between you and me is for you to supplicate and for me to respond and answer. And the fourth is to wish for others what you wish for yourself” reported by Al-Imam Abou Ya’ala Al-Mousilee.

Some may say: I ask Allah all the time but I don’t see any evidence of response. Does he not like me? Is He ignoring me?

Islam answered these extremely important questions that Allah SWT does not ignore nor forgets the supplications of anyone. Instead Allah SWT may either answer immediately, delay the response, change the request to something better or better suited to the person or denies the request for reasons He SWT may see and we don’t.

Abou Hurayrah, RAA also narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Allah shall answer his servant as long as he does not ask for Allah for a sinful thing (like –for example-wishing to win in Gambling, or asks Allah to break a relation with a relative, etc..) and as long as the servant does not act in a hurry for the response” The people then asked the messenger of Allah PBUH: “O’ messenger, what is being in a hurry?” He answered: “it is for the servant to say: I asked Allah over and over and did not see response so he then stops asking Allah”. Reported by Muslim.

A few points that we gather from the Quran and ahadeeth of Rasulallah SAW regarding supplication are:

1) Not everything we ask for is good for us. Allah SWT knows what will benefit us and what will harm us and something that we may ask for that looks good to us, Allah SWT who knows the future, the past and the unseen may know that if he grants us the request it will harm us in the long run.
2) Although you may supplicate to Allah SWT anytime and anywhere, there are times and places that Allah SWT has set aside and favored over other times and places for answering the supplications more than others. Try to supplicate during such chosen times and in those places.
3) For the servant to stay away from disobeying Allah SWT and committing sins and to obey Allah SWT and His messenger PBUH.
4) Remembering Allah SWT all times and not only in the times of the need.
5) The person must no give up on Allah’s answering of his supplications. Giving up is one of the characteristics of the unbeliever who loses hope with Allah SWT and His mercy. Losing hope makes the person lose the spiritual connection between him and Allah SWT and become open to the whisperings of the devil that may drive him away from Allah SWT or even to killing him self in desperation.

May Allah SWt give us the taufeeq to implement in our lives from what has been said and may He give us the istiqama to use the powerful too of supplication so we may have a smooth live in this duniya and a blessed life in aakhirah.

Wa akhiruhu dawana anil hamdulillahi rabbilalimeen.

Delivered by Abu Haleema at Fredereicton Islamic Association, Masjid on June 8, 2007

Friday, June 1, 2007

Purification (Tahharah) - الطّھارۃ

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم
بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم

الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير و إليه المرجع و المصير ..و أشهد أن محمدا عبده و رسوله ، و صفيه من خلقه و حبيبه.رب اشرح لي صدري و يسر لى أمري و احلل عقدة من لساني يفقهوا قولي ..

All praises to Allah SWT who is our creator, sustainer and the master of universe. I bear witness that Prophet Mohammad SAW is the last and the final messenger of Allah SWT, a guide sent to this mankind to deliver the message and to show the path of Allah SWT.

Dear Respected Brothers Sisters and Elders in Islam, Assalam o allaikum Wr Wb:

Few weeks ago we touched upon a subject, ‘Cleanliness of the heart’. We said that all our practices in Islam and Iman will not be complete unless we achieve Taharrah of the hearts, the cleanliness of our hearts. Apart from the purity of heart and the soul, a second meaning of Taharrah is the physical cleanliness of our bodies. We had mentioned before how it is important for us to purify our hearts from the sins and evils that surround us in our daily affairs and today we continue the topic towards the completeness of this Taharrah in the form of physical cleanliness.

The physical purity of our body is divided in two parts.
1) Fard Practice of Purity
2) Sunnah and Nafilah Practice of Purity

FARD OF TAHARRAH

For the “Fardh” practices, we have the “Wadu’a” or ablution and Ghusool (also Ghusl or Ightesal) or the full body wash accompanied with an intention. Without “wadu’a” a Muslim man or woman is not permitted to approach any prayer or “Salah” regardless if it is a required prayer or a “sunnah”. A Muslim also may not participate in any of the worship activities such as reading the Holy Quran, prayer, fasting, Hajj, and other practices, without first performing the “Ghusool”.

Ghusool becomes compulsory if the person is Junub. A person can be in the condition of Janaba during the following conditions:
- Man and Women having intercourse,
- If a person has experienced Wet dream
- If a woman is in Menstruation
- If a woman has recently given birth.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَى حَتَّىَ تَعْلَمُواْ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلاَ جُنُبًا إِلاَّ عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىَ تَغْتَسِلُواْ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّن الْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا

O you who believe! Approach not AsSalât (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter, nor when you are in a state of Janâba, (i.e. in a state of sexual impurity and have not yet taken a bath) except when travelling on the road (without enough water, or just passing through a mosque), till you wash your whole body. And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (by sexual relations) and you find no water, perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands (Tayammum)[]. Truly, Allâh is Ever OftPardoning, OftForgiving [4:43]

The benefit of making Wudu on our body and soul is mentioned time and again by the messenger of Allah SWT:

Abou Hurairah, RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said:

“When the person performs the “wadu’a” and he washes his face then all of the sins and wrongs that he looked at, such as not lowering his gaze and such, will be washed away from his face with the water or with the last drop of water, and if he washes his feet then all the sins that his feet led him to will be washed away with the water or with the last drop of water until he is clean from all sins” [Muslim]

Among the noble “sunnah”, as mentioned in the text of “Fiqh” of Al-Imam Al-Shafe’ee, for the person is to say after the “wadu’a”:

" أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له و أشهد أن محمدا عبده و رسوله ، اللهم اجعلني من التوابين و اجعلني من المتطهرين ؛ سبحانك اللهم و بحمدك ، أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت ، أستغفرك و أتوب إليك" ..

“I bear witness that there is no one true God but Allah, Who Has no partner nor an equal, and I bear witness that Muhammad PBUH is His servant and last messenger, O’ Allah, make me among those who are oft-repenting and make me among those who are seeking and having purity, Glory to only you O’ Allah, for you only are all praises, I declare no God other than you, I ask you for forgiveness and repent to you”.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلاةِ فاغْسِلُواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُواْ بِرُؤُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَينِ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُواْ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مَّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ مَا يُرِيدُ اللّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَـكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهَّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles[]. If you are in a state of Janâba (i.e. had a sexual discharge), purify yourself (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey or any of you comes from answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse) and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands.[] Allâh does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour on you that you may be thankful.

We see from these ayahs, that Water is a pure substance that Allah SWT has created so that we may purify ourselves from it. Also, we see that Allah SWT has given us a permissibility of Tayammum if we are not able to find clean and pure water to make wudu or Ghusl. Allah SWT has a close relationship with us through the Salaat that we make. This worship is very dear to Allah SWT and it is for this reason, Allah SWT has given us the permission of Tayammum so that we do not break that relationship. In the situation, where there is scarcity of water, we are asked to make tayammum with the clean soil.

On the authority of Huzaifah Bin Yamman, Rasulallah SAW said:

“Allah has given us three favors or advantages over other people before us, He made our lines in the prayer like the that of angels perfectly straight, He made the whole earth a place of worship or Masjid for us, and He allowed us to use soil of the earth for purification if we can not find water” [Muslim]

SUNNAHS OF TAHARRAH:

Among the Sunnah moakkadah of the Taharrah is the use of the Siwak , that is brushing one’s teeth with Miswak. Using miswak refreshes the mouth of the beliver which is not only an ease for a fellow muslim but it is a habit most pleasing to Rasullalah SAW.

Imam Abu Hurairah RA is reported to have said that Rasullalah SAW said:

“If it wasn’t for the difficulty on my nation or “Ummah”, then I would have ordered them to use the “Miswak” before every prayer” [Bukhair & Muslim]

Other sunnahs of Taharrah can be understood from the hadeeth narrated by Aishah RA:
Rasulallah SAW said:

“10 (ten) things that are a part of the “Fitrah” or the built in human nature; clipping the mustache, letting the beard to grow, using the “Miswak” or brushing the teeth, making “Istinshaqu” by water or cleaning the nose by inhaling water, trimming the nails, washing the fingers all the way down to the knuckles, removing or plucking the underarm or armpit’s hair, shaving the pubic hair, and looking for water earnestly after a call of nature i.e. “Istinja’a”. The narrator said: I forgot the tenth but almost sure it was washing or rinsing the mouth” [Muslim]

This is cleanliness of the body is even more emphasised for the Salaatul Jumma. Rasulallah SAW is reported to have said on the authority of Salman Al Farsi:

“If a Muslim person performs “Ghusool” for Jumu’ah, and cleans himself as much as he can, then uses some oil on his hair (for beauty), or puts on some perfume then goes to perform Al-Jumu’ah prayer and he does not separate two people (meaning does not causes them to hate each other or doesn’t intrude between them), then does the “Sunnah”, then listens carefully and humbly to the Imam while giving the Khuttbah without speaking or paying attention to any thing else, then Allah SWT shall forgive his sins from that Jumu’ah to the next Jumu’ah” [Bukhari]

Also, one needs to bear in mind that along with the physical cleanliness, Islamic teachings encourage us to have a clean appearance. Rasulallah SAW encouraged people to wear clean clothes when coming to Jummua Salaat and it was his own noble practice to wear the best clothing when coming for the Salaat ul Jummah.

Our ibaadah depends on our cleanliness, both of our hearts and of are body.
May Allah SWT give us the ability to understand the commandments of Allah SWT and to implement them in our daily life.

Wa ma Taufiqi Illah Billah.

Special thanks to الشیخ احمد الزارع
Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association, Masjid on June 1, 2007

Monday, May 28, 2007

Raising our children Islamically

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم
بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم

الحمد للہ رب العلمین ، والصلوۃ والسلام علی رسولہ الکریم

In the name of Allah, the most beneficient, the most merciful, master of the day of Judgement. Salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW, his companions and the righteous who followed them.

Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb my dear respected brothers, sisters and elders in Islam:

In the past few khutbas, we have learnt of some of the important aspects of Islam, such as maintaining a clean heart, to keep ourselves focused in the dhikr of Allah SWT, attachment with Quran, to keep our Iman between Hope and Fear, to struggle to achieve the Qurb of Allah SWT, Regret and Repentance, Selflessness towards our fellow brothers and respecting our parents.

All these aspects, if understood and acted upon completely will give us a condition to bring about an environment in our home that is conducive for our children to understand the deen of Allah SWT. We cannot thank enough to our creator for blessing us with these children that are the coolness of our eyes. One way we can show the gratitude to Allah SWT is by teaching these children what is expected of them as muslims; good manners, ettiquettes, good actions, and most importantly the understanding that they are the servants of Allah SWT.

The first action that one must carry out when he has made the intention to educate their children regarding the deen of Allah is asking dua from Allah SWT for his Mercy in order to fulfil this obligation.

Ibraheem AS asked Allah SWT in the Quran:

رَّبَّنَا إِنِّي أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِي زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ الْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُواْ الصَّلاَةَ فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ وَارْزُقْهُم مِّنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ
"O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka'bah at Makkah); in order, O our Lord, that they may perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allâh) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.[] [14:37]

With the dua’, one must become a role model for the children. We must show them how a muslim lives his life and how he show the submission to the will of Allah SWT. We must follow the commandments of Allah SWT so that they can see the importance of such commandments. If we ourselves do not follow the teachings of the deen, and we expect them to follow all the rulings, it will not work out. A child looks upto his father or mother for advice and looks upto them to understand the way of life.

Parents can only be a role model for the children if they maintain an environment in their homes where Allah and His deen are prevailent. If the the environment in the home is a non-serious relaxed environment and the parents involve themselves in worldly activities, then that is how the child will understand the priorities of this life. The child will then make religion a part time deen without delving into deeper understanding of the actions performed.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Now when we look in our society around ourselves, we see that there are a lot of attractions and distractions for the children. The learn and apply numerous things that are happening around them. If we tell them do not do this or do not follow this, it is not enough because we know the human psychology is that when we ask someone to not do something, he is willing to do it even more to quench the thirst of the curiosity. Rather our effort should be to interact with them at every level so if they need to adopt something, they look upto us and they ask us as to what is the right course of actions.

When we are able to realize this goal in our mind, we will do the needful to bring our children into a practical fold of Islam and they will grow up to be individuals who will compete with eachother to achieve goodness.

Rasulallah SAW says in one of the hadeeth that :

“Seven (types of people) will be shaded by His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His shade”…[One of the seven mentioned was the] “youth who
grew up in the obedience of Allah SWT.”

If we, as a community, wishes to improve its upcoming generation and improve the level of goodness for them - then it is vital that we focus on raising and educating our children on goodness (tarbiyah). We need to equip them with the tools they need to succeed, namely belief (Iman) and awareness of God (Taqwa). To strengthen them with knowledge that will be of benefit to them. To instruct them towards good and convey to them the importance of dealing with their task seriously.

The stage of childhood is a very a perilous phase (in a person’s life) and the most
important. The Early Generation of Muslims were incredibly concerned with their
children from a very tender age. They would teach them and raise them up to be
righteous and good. They would carefully select teachers for their children and they
would strive to keep their children away from bad things.

We see many examples in the life of Rasulallah SAW that tells us how we should behave with our children, so that we can earn their full trust and through that trust we teach them the deen of Allah SWT.

We must be kind and compassionate to our children and should not be bothered or angered by their repeated requests. Our children are truly a test from Allah SWT of our patience and perseverance. If we carry out our duty in the steps of Rasulallah SWT, then we will see the fruits of our investment

Once a man named Iqra’ bin Habis came to the Prophet (pbuh) and saw him kiss his grandson Hasan Ibn Ali. Iqra’ bin Habis said, “Do you kiss your children?” The
Messenger replied “Yes”. Iqra’ then said, “ I have ten sons and I have never kissed
any of them!” The Prophet (pbuh) replied: “The one who is not compassionate is not shown compassion (by others)”

With the compassion and kindness towards the young, Rasulallah SAW also showed us how to safeguard the education of our children. He never missed any opportunity to guide the children to follow a right action.

‘Amr ibn Abi Salama related:
“I was a boy in the care of the Messenger of God. My hand used to go all around in the plate [where the custom would be for a group eat from one large plate]. The Messenger of God (pbuh) said to me: “O young man, begin with the name of God, eat with your right hand and eat from what is in front of you.“ [Bukhari and Muslim]

The Prophet (pbuh) taught Abdullah Ibn Abbas about belief (Iman) and consciousness of God (Taqwa) when he (pbuh) said to him:

“Young boy, I will teach you some words: Be mindful of God and He will be mindful of you. Be mindful of God and you will find him in front of you. If you ask, ask from God. If you seek help, seek help from God. Know that if all of humanity gathered together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you except with something that God had already written for you. If they gathered to harm you with something, they would not harm you except with something that God had already written against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried”. (Tirmidhi)

Training and teaching your child to believe firmly in the Oneness of God and firmly establishing this in their hearts will make them balanced on a psychological, intellectual and moral level. With this belief, they will become successful and righteous due to their trust and confidence in their in their Lord and Creator. With that trust and confidence, they will submit to what He has willed for them.

The level of care and consideration does not stop when these children grow up and have families of their own, rather such care and education continues.

Ali ibn Abi Talib relates an incident after he was married with Fatima RA and they had been living together for some time.

“Fatima was the daughter of the Prophet (pbuh) and she was my wife. She was the most beloved of his family to him. Once, she (may God be pleased with her) ground (grain) using a hand mill until blisters appeared on her hands. She carried water using a water skin until it scarred her neck. She swept the floor until her clothes became dusty. She lit the fire under the cooking pot until her clothes became mud coloured from the smoke and the colour of her face changed due to the heat of the oven. Fatima was inflicted by great pain because of this.

We had heard that servants had been given to the Messenger so I said to her: 'Why don't you ask your father for a servant to relieve you from these jobs?' When Fatima went to the Prophet, she found that he had company; and was too shy to talk to him, so she left the house.

Ali continues: "The next night, the Prophet came to the house while we were still under our quilt and we tried to stand up but he (pbuh) asked us to stay in our place. He (pbuh) [sat close to us to the extent that] his feet were between Fatima and myself and he (pbuh) sat near her head and said: 'Fatima, what was your need when you came to Muhammad yesterday?'

Ali added: I was afraid that she (Fatima) would not tell him, so I said: "I will inform you, Messenger of God! She carried water using a water skin until her neck was scarred, she ground (grain) using a hand mill until blisters appeared on her hands, she swept the floor until her clothes became dusty and she lit the fire under the cooling pot until her clothes were mud coloured from the smoke. So I said to her:

'Why don't ask your father for a servant to relieve you form these jobs?'”.

The Prophet (pbuh) upon hearing this, said, “Shall I teach you something that is better for you than a servant? When retiring to bed say, Subhan-Allah (Glory be to God) thirty three (33) times, Alhmadul-illah (All praise and thanks is to God) thirty three (33) times and Allahu-Akbar (God is great) thirty four (34) times. That is better for you than a maid.' (Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawood)

May Allah give us the taufeeq to raise our children according the teachings of Quran and Sunnah and may Allah protect them from all evils and ills of this life.

Wa akhiruhu Dawaana Anil Hamdulillahi Rabbilaalimeen.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

To be Close to Allah - التقرب الی اللہ

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطن الرجیم
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

الحمد للہ رب العلمین ، والصلوۃ والسلام علی رسولہ کریم

In the the name of Allah, the most beneneficient, the most merciful and salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW, the last messenger and guide to this humanity.

Assalam o allaikum My dear respected Brothers, Sisters and elders in Islam,

Many of us have determined the goals in our lives to be to bring comfortability to us and to live this live in the luxury and complete aloofness from the existance of Allah SWT. Sometimes we hear people telling us to correct our course of actions, to correct our goals in order that we maybe able to channel ourselves according to the plan that was set by our Creator. In the midst of all this hustle bustle, we forget that our true purpose was to worship our Sustainer and to earn His Maarifaa, to earn his Qurb and closeness.

Rasulallah SAW says in in one of the hadeeth Qudsi that Allah SWT says:
“…There is nothing liked by me more than what I have prescribed for my servant. And my servant will continue to come close to me by his superrogatory performances till I like him. Whenever I like him, I shall be his hearing that he hears with, his sight that he sees with, his hand that he strikes with, and his leg that he walks with; when he asks me, I will give him and when he seeks refuge in me, I will protect him.”

Rasulallah SAW has relayed through this Hadeeth Qudsi that if one channels his life to be close to Allah SWT, then Allah SWT will grant favours that none of us can imagine. Such favours, that will help us in this dunya to be successful, as well as one that will protect us from the hellfire on the day of Qayyamah.

In order to be close to Allah SWT one can engage in many physical activities that are the starting point of this journey towards our creator. These include, our Fard Salaah and their offering at correct times, our sunan and naafila, dhikr of Allah at all times, our muamlat, our ikhlaq towards His creations and so on and so forth.

Obedience to Allah SWT in its physical form is the most important of the acts. This obedience in return earns us the pleasure of Allah SWT. Allah SWT says in Quran:

وَأَطِيعُواْ اللّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

And obey Allâh and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) that you may obtain mercy.[]

Obedience of Rasulallah SAW teaches us how to be obedient towards Allah SWT. His actions, his words, his methods of inviting, greeting, and bridging bonds of brotherhood is all a perfect form of interaction with the society which if followed will help us earn our goal; the closeness to Allah SWT. Allah SWT says in the Quran:

مَّنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللّهَ وَمَن تَوَلَّى فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا

He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), has indeed obeyed Allâh, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad SAW) as a watcher over them (4:80)

Apart from doing all that is commanded one has to be mindful of the things that are forbidden. One has to refrain and abstain from the unlawful and illegal activities. This abstenance will make us a morally upright person not only in the eyes of this dunya but also in the eyes of our creator.

Allah SWT says in Quran:

قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَالإِثْمَ وَالْبَغْيَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَأَن تُشْرِكُواْ بِاللّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَانًا وَأَن تَقُولُواْ عَلَى اللّهِ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ

Say (O Muhammad SAW): "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are AlFawâhish (great evil sins) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners with Allâh for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allâh of which you have no knowledge."

When a servant of Allah, who has submitted his will completely, focuses on obeying the commandments of Allah and carry out the supererogatory actions and keeps himself away from the evils and sins, then that servant of Allah gets closer to the creator.

Rasulallah SAW says in a Hadeeth by Anas RA:

“When the servant comes close to Me as far as a spand of a hand, I come to him as far as a forearm; and when he comes to Me as far as a forearm, I come to him as a far as the spand of the outspread arm; and when he comes to Me walking, I come him rushing.” (Bukhari)

My dear respected brothers and sisters,

Any deed that we do knowingly that it is against the teachings of Islam and that it is against the commandment of Allah SWT, then we should know that it makes us go farther away from our Creator.

Our Creator that knows everything about our inner self says in Quran:

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ

And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein [50:16].

This verse of Quran beautifully explains to us our relationship with Allah SWT that must be realized by each one of us for our guidance and transformation.

To be close to Allah SWT means that first we should know who our Creator is and in order to know that one should know about the ourselves, who we are.

Rasulallah SAW says in a hadeeth:

“Whosoever knows himself knows his Lord.”
“man 'arafa nafsahu faqad 'arafa Rabbahu”

One must look deep inside and make an analysis of the self as well as the world around us and we will see that there is no other conclusion but to accept the bounties and mercy of Allah SWT.

Each one of us have some spiritual feelings and these spritual feelings if guided by the teachings of Quran and Sunnah, can become the means of giving us an understanding of our Creator and his creation.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ

Verily! Allâh will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves (13:11)

So, this change has to come from within us. The first step of this journey has to be taken by us. May Allah give us the taufeeq and Istiqama to be obedient servants of Allah SWT.

Wa akhiruhu Dawaana Anilhamdulillahi Rabil Aalimeen.

Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association, Masjid on May 18, 2007

Khutbas by Abu Haleema (ابو حلیمہ)