The man who killed 99 poeple

 Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said: "There was a man from among a nation before you who killed ninety-nine people and then made an inquiry about the most learned person on the earth. He was directed to a monk. He came to him and told him that he had killed ninety-nine people and asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. He replied in the negative and the man killed him also completing one hundred. He then asked about the most learned man in the earth. He was directed to a scholar. He told him that he had killed one hundred people and asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. He replied in the affirmative and asked, `Who stands between you and repentance? Go to such and such land; there (you will find) people devoted to prayer and worship of Allah, join them in worship, and do not come back to your land because it is an evil place.' So he went away and hardly had he covered half the distance when death overtook him; and there was a dispute between the angels of mercy and the angels of torment. The angels of mercy pleaded, 'This man has come with a repenting heart to Allah,' and the angels of punishment argued, 'He never did a virtuous deed in his life.' Then there appeared another angel in the form of a human being and the contending angels agreed to make him arbiter between them. He said, `Measure the distance between the two lands. He will be considered belonging to the land to which he is nearer.' They measured and found him closer to the land (land of piety) where he intended to go, and so the angels of mercy collected his soul".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In another version: "He was found to be nearer to the locality of the pious by a cubit and was thus included among them". Another version says: "Allah commanded (the land which he wanted to leave) to move away and commanded the other land (his destination) to draw nearer and then He said: 'Now measure the distance between them.' It was found that he was nearer to his goal by a hand's span and was thus forgiven". It is also narrated that he drew closer by a slight movement on his chest.

Commentary:

1. One comes to know from this Hadith that the gate of Taubah is open even for the worst of the sinners; and Allah forgives everyone provided he repents sincerely, the conditions for such repentance have already been discussed.

2. It is the duty of a religious scholar that while discussing a problem, he should keep in mind the psychological aspects of the questioner and adopt a policy which neither causes a change in the Injunction of Allah nor make the sinner reckless in his sins out of frustration.

3. When a situation warrants, angels appear in the form of men on Orders of Allah.

Ramadhan (2) --Do's and Dont's

 

Ramadan is the most auspicious and blessed month of the entire Islamic calendar. Among all Muslims, the month of Ramadan is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion and Muslims start preparing for the Ramadan spirit soon after Shab-e-Barat. During this month, Muslims pray a lot and fast regularly for an entire month till the celebration of Eid.

Essential Facts about the Month of Ramadan

Ramadan is a very blessed month and during this month, Allah promises to listen to all legitimate prayers of Muslims. Fasting during this month is a way to protect you from evil and learn patience, humility and control. It is also considered to be a shield against evil and allows Muslims to get rid of their sins. The Prophet (PBUH) said,

“Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah will have all of his previous sins forgiven.”

One important benefit of fasting is that it helps you to understand the suffering and pain of the poor. It also allows human beings to understand how those who do not have enough money for a meal survive through the day. Therefore, it is believed that fasting makes individuals a better human being as it allows them to associate with the pain of others.

Fasting also allows individuals to learn self-restraint, self-control and sacrifice for the love of a higher deity. It eventually teaches Muslims to connect with their inner self through rigorous praying and worshipping.

Do’s and Don’ts of Ramadan

While fasting during Ramadan, all Muslims should try to follow the things given below.

1.      Abstaining from all forbidden things

2.      Praying increasingly

3.      Reciting Quran and following the Quran teaching

4.      Offering Taraweeh prayers

5.      Helping poor in monetary terms to break their fast

6.      Being patient and observe self-control

While fasting during Ramadan, Muslims should abstain from the following activities:

1.      Eating food and drinking water or any other kind of fluid

2.      Getting angry or losing temper

3.      Being impolite, rude or inconsiderate

4.      Using obscene language or bad words

5.      Gossiping and backbiting

6.      Lying or cheating

7.      Arguing, fighting or yelling

8.      Indulging in sexual activities

When Ramadan Fasts can be skipped

Islam is not a strict religion as it understands the problems that humans may face. Therefore, Allah allows individuals to skip their Ramadan fasts if they fulfill some conditions. Individuals who can skip the fast include the following:

1.      Those who have to travel beyond the city and they do not have the strength to travel without food and water for the entire day.

2.      Those who are sick, suffering from a very painful disease or those who need to take medicines regularly.

3.      Elderly individuals who are too weak to stay hungry and thirsty for the entire day.

4.      Women who are going through their menstruation cycle or those who are going through their postnatal bleeding stage.

5.      Women who are expecting as they might need to take medicines regularly otherwise it may affect their or the baby’s health.

6.      Those who are mentally ill.

Women who are going through their menstruation cycle, postnatal bleeding or individuals who are sick may also complete their fast after the month of Ramadan is completed.

Ramadan Guidelines to Stay Healthy

During this month, people face a lot of health related problems because of the sudden change in their routine. Individuals suffer from problems such as headache, low blood pressure, constipation, gastritis etc. therefore, it is always wise to keep a strict check on your diet during this month. Some guidelines are mentioned below.

1.      Consume slow digesting foods such as oat, wheat, barley, lentil etc.

2.      Eat fibrous food such as green vegetables, beetroot, fruit with skin etc.

3.      Avoid fried and high cholesterol food such as sweets, potatoes, junk food etc.

4.      Avoid overeating. At iftar, eat like you eat during the normal days for one meal.

5.      Consume almonds, bananas, dates, haleem etc.

6.      Increase water intake to stay hydrated during the day.

7.      Avoid tea and coffee.

Conclusion

Ramadan is a blessed month for all Muslims. During this month, Muslims should focus on praying, worshipping, abstaining from forbidden things rather than on eating good food and buying expensive clothes for Eid. Live Quran based life and encourage others to do the same.

Ramadhan (1) --Recieving Taqwa.

(O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.) (Al-Baqarah 2:183)
(O ye who believe! fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.) (Aal `Imran 3:102)
“Every deed of the child of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward it. The (bad) breath of the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasing to Allah than the perfume of musk.”(Al-Bukhari)

 

The purpose of fasting is not to make us hungry and thirsty, or to deprive us some of our comfort and conveniences. The real purpose of fasting is that we learn taqwa. Taqwa is highly emphasized in the Qur’an and Sunnah. There are more than 158 verses in the Qur’an on taqwa, and there are hundreds of hadiths on this subject. Taqwa is Islam itself. It is the sum total of all Islamic values and virtues. If one has taqwa one has achieved everything. Taqwa is the consciousness of Allah. It is to do one’s best efforts to live by His commands and to avoid His prohibitions. The Qur’an has used the word taqwa to mean consciousness of Allah, fear of Allah, worship of Allah, sincerity in faith, and avoidance of disobedience to Allah.
Fasting builds the character of taqwa if it is done in the right way. How does fasting build the character of taqwa? Let us look at some of the things that a fasting person is supposed to do, and see how they are related to the concept and spirit of taqwa.
1. Unlike prayers, charity, and pilgrimage, fasting is an invisible act. Only Allah and the person who is fasting know whether he or she is fasting or not. One may quietly eat or drink something and no one will notice and no one can find out. However, the fasting person has made this commitment for the sake of Allah and he or she wants to guard the purity of his or her fast for the sake of Allah. Fasting thus teaches sincerity, and it helps a person learn to live by the principles of his or her faith regardless whether others know or do not know. This is the very purpose and essence of taqwa.
2. Food and sex are two needs and desires that are essential for human survival and growth, but they can become easily corruptive and disruptive if they are not properly controlled and disciplined. Taqwa requires observing the rules of Allah when one eats and when one enjoys sexual relations. Fasting teaches how to control and discipline these desires.
3. The world is full of temptations. It takes a lot of discipline to say “no” to something that is very tempting but not good for us. During fasting we learn how to say “no” to things that are otherwise permissible and good, but are forbidden during fasting. When one learns how to say “no” to that which is generally permissible, then one can easily control oneself to avoid that which is forbidden. This is the spirit of taqwa.
4. People generally care for themselves and their families, but they often ignore the needs of others. Those who have do not even feel the pain and suffering of those who are hungry, homeless, and living in poverty. Through fasting we taste—to some extent—the pain and suffering of those who are poor and destitute. Fasting teaches empathy and sympathy, and it takes away some of our selfishness and self-centeredness. This is the spirit of taqwa.
5. When Muslims fast together in the month of Ramadan, it builds an atmosphere of virtues, brotherhood and sisterhood. We come closer to our Creator and we also come closer to each other. Unity, peace, harmony, brotherhood and sisterhood are the fruits of taqwa. In Ramadan we enjoy these fruits as we grow in taqwa.
There are some important things that we should do during Ramadan to take better advantage of this month and to achieve its real purpose, namely, taqwa. These are some reminders and they are all taken from the guidelines given to us in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
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 and blessings be upon him) said:

"Whosoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah’s reward, all his past sins will be forgiven."(Al-Bukhari)

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): Be conscious to have halal food, halal income, halal relations. Avoid watching bad TV programs, videos, movies, etc., always, but especially during this month. Keep your body and mind very clean. Avoid wasting your time in useless things and pursuits.
4. Qur’an: Spend more time with the Qur’an. Read Qur’an every day. Try to finish the whole Qur’an at least one time during this month in your own personal reading. Read some Hadith and the books of seerah.
5. Prayer, supplication, and remembrance of Allah: Pray on time and observe all Prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih Prayers. Make more supererogatory prayers. Do as much worship as you can. Do more dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and du`aa’ (supplication) for yourself and for others. Make tawbah (repentance) and istighfar (request for Allah’s forgiveness) as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadar by special devotion during the last 10 nights of this month.
6. Zakah, charity, and generosity: Be very charitable and generous. Give more and more to help the poor and needy, and to help good social and community projects. Be good to your friends and neighbors also. Let your non-Muslim neighbors and co-workers know that this is your blessed and sacred time.
7. Good behavior and relations with others. 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 anything that is wrong. Be very good to Muslims and to all human beings.
8. Reflection: 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 may have been doing and correct yourself. Think about any deficiencies you have in your Islamic observances and plan to change yourself. Think what you can do for the Ummah and for humanity to make this world a better place for everyone.
It is reported in the Bible that the Children of Israel used to fast, but they complained to their prophet that they were not receiving God’s blessings. God was not answering their prayers. It is reported that God revealed to His prophet:

“Why have we fasted, and thou seest it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and thou takest no knowledge of it?” Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. (Isaiah 58:3-9)

May Allah help us to take full benefit of fasting in this blessed month of Ramadan. May He keep us on the right path and bless us now and always. Ameen!
By: Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Hamza Yusuf -Converting to Islam

                                                           

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

La ilaha il-Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasulullah English translation of this Arabic phrase is: There is no God except Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Recitation with understanding of true meaning of this phrase is all that is required for converting to Islam. This phrase, known as Shahada, is a simple creed but has very profound meaning in it and the faith behind it brings people out from darkness into light. By making this declaration and by accepting the obligations of Islamic Law, anyone can join this fastest growing religion. Any person who sincerely believes that there is only One True God, worthy of worship - Allah - the Creator, the Sustainer, the Lord of the Heaven and the Earth and all that exists; and accepts that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last and final Messenger of Allah, is a Muslim. Allah is the proper name of God. Islam is acceptance of Allah's commands and guidance as our Creator. Obedience to Allah brings peace. As the word Islam means peace, it is effectively the religion of every human who likes peace. A person who accepts Allah's guidance and acts upon His commands is a Muslim. Muslims believe in all Prophets and Messengers of God on earth, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Jesus (peace be upon them) and the last Messenger of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him). Islam is based on belief in all original Divine Scriptures, containing the guidance of Allah for mankind, of which the Holy Qur'an is the final and the most perfect Book; belief in the existence of angels; belief in the Day of Resurrection and the Day of Judgement; Life after death; and belief in the Islamic doctrine that every human being is morally responsible of thier own actions - good or evil. Nothing can happen without the will and knowledge of Allah. Life in this world will come to an end one day when everything in this world will perish. Then Allah will bring all human beings back to life and judge - reward or punish - them according to their deeds they did during this temporary life on earth. These beliefs form the fundamentals of religion Islam. In the broader meanings Islam is the only religion preached by all the prophets and messengers: worship Allah alone and submit to Him alone. It is a religion as well as a complete way of life which requires submission to the Will of Allah and obedience to the laws of Allah alone as set down in the final of the revealed Books of Allah, the Holy Qur'an. Islam, in fact, is the direct relationship of a Muslim with God Almighty.