Latest Entries »

The love of Parents

Filed Under: Articles by admin — Leave a comment
December 13, 2011

- Excerpts From Adab Al-Mufrad – Imam Bukhari

I. Honouring Parents: The Words of Allah Almighty: “We have instructed man to honour his parents.” (29:8)

  1. Abu ‘Amr ash-Shaybani said, “The owner of this house (and he pointed at the house of ‘Abdullah
    ibn Mas’ud) said, “I asked the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, which action Allah
    loves best. He replied, ‘Prayer at its proper time.’ ‘Then what?’ I asked. He said, ‘Then kindness to
    parents.” I asked, ‘Then what?’ He replied, ‘Then jihad in the Way of Allah.’” He added, “He told me
    about these things. If I had asked him to tell me more, he would have told me more.”
  2. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar said, “The pleasure of the Lord lies in the pleasure of the parent. The anger of
    the Lord lies in the anger of the parent.”

II. Dutifulness to One’s Mother

  1. Bahz ibn Hakim’s grandfather said, “I asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be dutiful?’
    ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then whom?’
    ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then to whom
    should I be dutiful?’ ‘Your father,’ he replied, ‘and then the next closest relative and then the next.’”
  2. ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar said that a man came to Ibn ‘Abbas and said, “I asked a woman to marry me and she
    refused to marry me. Another man asked her and she agreed to marry him. I became jealous and killed
    her. Is there any way for me to repent?” He asked, “Is your mother alive?” “No,” he replied. He said,
    “repent to Allah Almighty and try to draw near Him as much as you can.”
    ‘Ata’ said, “I went to Ibn ‘Abbas and asked him, ‘Why did you ask him whether his mother was alive?’
    He replied, ‘I do not know of any action better for bringing a person near to Allah than dutifulness to
    his mother.’”

III. Dutifulness to One’s Father

  1. Abu Hurayra said, “The Prophet was asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be dutiful?’
    ‘Your mother,’ he replied. He was asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. He was asked, ‘Then
    whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. He was asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. He was
    asked, ‘Then whom?’ He replied, ‘Your father.’”
  2. Abu Hurayra reported: “A man came to the Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him
    peace, and asked, ‘What do you command me to do?’ He replied, ‘Be dutiful towards your mother.’
    Then he asked him the same question again and he replied, ‘Be dutiful towards your mother.’ He
    repeated it yet again and the Prophet replied, ‘Be dutiful towards your mother.’ He repeated the
    question a fourth time and the reply was, ‘Be dutiful towards your mother.’ Then he put the question a
    fifth time and the Prophet said, ‘Be dutiful towards your father.’”

IV.Dutifulness to Parents, even if they are unjust

Ibn ‘Abbas said, “If any Muslim obeys Allah regarding his parents, Allah will open two gates of the
Garden for him. If there is only one parent, then one gate will be opened. If one of them is angry, then
Allah will not be pleased with him until that parent is pleased with him.” He was asked, “Even if they
wrong him?” “Even if they wrong him” he replied.

V. Gentle words to Parents

  1. Taysala ibn Mayyas said, “I was with the Najadites [Kharijites] when I committed wrong actions
    which I supposed were major wrong actions. I mentioned that to Ibn ‘Umar. He inquired, ‘What are
    they?” I replied, ‘Such-and-such.’ He stated, ‘These are not major wrong actions. There are nine major
    wrong actions. They are: associating others with Allah, killing someone, desertion from the army
    when it is advancing, slandering a chaste woman, usury, consuming an orphan’s property, heresy in
    the mosque, scoffing, and causing one’s parents to weep through disobedience.’ Ibn ‘Umar then said to
    me, ‘Do you wish to separate yourself from the Fire? Do you want to enter the Fire?’ ‘By Allah, yes!’ I
    replied. He asked, ‘Are your parents still alive?’ I replied, ‘My mother is.’ He said, ‘By Allah, if you
    speak gently to her and feed her, then you will enter the Garden as long as you avoid the major wrong
    actions.’”
  2. Hisham ibn ‘Urwa related this ayat from his father, “Take them under your wing, out of mercy, with
    due humility.” (17:24)
Comment

Does Allah love us ? Part II

Filed Under: Articles by admin — Leave a comment
December 12, 2011

I was listening to a tape once and the shaykh was talking about stories and hadeeth dealing with children. One of the stories that he mentioned was about the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam playing with children. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was playing with Al-Husayn and then he raised him up for people to see and he said, “Allah will love those who love Al Husayn!”

So it got me thinking of other lessons from the Qu’ran and Sunnah that can give us more ideas of how to we can have Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala love us. Ibn Al-Qayyim rahimahullah actually wrote different ways we can gain Allah’s subhaanahu wa ta’aala love.

One: We need to take advantage of the third portion of the night. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said:

“Every night Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala comes down to the samaa’ ad- dunya and he calls out to the people, ‘Is there anyone who will make du’a, so I may accept their du’a! Is there anyone who will ask for forgiveness, so I shall forgive them!’”

So we should take advantage of this by praying Qiyaam-ul-Layl (voluntary Night Prayer).

Two: We should also remember Allah often. Whenever we are commuting to work or standing in a line somewhere, its always our chance to remember Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala. Allah says:

Remember me and I shall remember you (Al-Baqarah 2/152)

And who does not want Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala to remember them?

Three: We should read the Qu’ran with understanding. Read what Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala revealed to us for our life and for our death. Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala says:

Will they not contemplate the Qu’ran (An-Nisaa’ 4/82)?

And Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala says:

A book we sent down…so that they may contemplate its verses (As-Saad 38/29).

Four: We should sit and be with those people who truly love Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala and spend our time with them. In Surah Al-Kahf, Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala says:

(Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth,- doubtfully guessing at the unknown; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth (Al-Kahf 18/22).

In this verse, Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala mentions the dog of the Ahl Al-Kahf (people of the cave) over and over again. Why? It is because of the companions that the dog had, the companions that he was with that he is mentioned so many times. So if a dog is going to be mentioned in the Qur’an so many times because of his compantions, you can imagine how much Allah will love the person who chooses to spend his time with the people Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala loves. As the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam taught us, good companionship is like a person who sells musk. Even if the companion doesn’t give you any musk, you are going to benefit form the smell and fragrance of the musk.

Five: We should love to meet Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala. The Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever loves to meet Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala, Allah loves to meet them!”

And no doubt if someone is going to love to meet Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala they will do good for that meeting; they will prepare for that meeting. And the one who does not want to meet Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala, is the one who has been spending his life in disobiedance. He will not love to meet Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala and Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala will not love to meet that person.

Six: We should push away everything that stands between us and Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala and Allah’s Messenger sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam. We have to critically look at the things that we are doing in disobediance to Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala and take them and extract them out of our lives.

Seven: We should always put RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam in front of us. We should always put the wishes of the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam before our wishes. Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala revealed in the Quran:

Say if you love Allah, then follow me. Allah will love you and forgive your sins (A’le-Imraan 3/21)

Eight: We should make patience a part of our character. As they say, a person who continues to do something will be known for that which he does. When a person is patient in his dealings in his home and at his work, then he becomes as-saabir (the patient). And Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala tells us of those who are patient:

And Allah loves those who are patient (A’le-Imraan 3/146)

Nine: We should learn Allah’s subhaanahu wa ta’aala’s asma was-sifaat (names and attributes). So when we read in the Qu’ran Ar-Rahman we should understand it’s meaning and depth and hope Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala has mercy on us. And when we read that Allah is As-Sami’ and Al-Baseer, that He is All-Hearing and All-Seeing, we should understand that Allah can see us at all times. And when we read in the Qu’ran that Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala is Shadeedul-‘Iqaab, He is severe in punishment, we will think twice before we disobey Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala and we will abstain from that action.

Ten: We should continue in doing our nawaafil (voluntary acts). In Hqdeeth Qudsi, the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam says that Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala says:

The slave will continue to come close to me in voluntary deeds until I love him.

In the sharh (explanation) of this hadeeth, the scholars have said these are voluntary acts of all kinds. Voluntary acts of the tongue and the limbs.

A poet once said, “How can you disobey Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala and you claim that you love Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala.”

This is a very unique way of understanding. If your love of Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala is true, you will obey Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala. Verily the person who loves someone, will follow that person.

Comment

Does Allah Love Us? Part I

Filed Under: Articles by admin — Leave a comment
December 12, 2011

- by Muhammad Alshareef

After the Prophet sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam passed away, Abu Idrees Al Khawlanee (d. 80 AH/699-700 CE) in Dimishq (Damascus), went to Masjid Al-Kabeer. In the masjid he saw a group of people sitting around one man. He described the man as smiling very much and people were sitting around him asking questions. So Abu Idrees Al-Khawlanee asked, “Who is this man?”

They answered, “That is Muadh Ibn Jabal radi Allahu anhu, the companion of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.”

The next day Abu Idrees Al-Khawlanee came to the masjid early in the morning, before Salaatul Fajr, thinking he was the first one to enter the masjid. But there he found Mu’adh Ibn Jabal radi Allahu anhu praying in the masjid before salah. So Abu Idrees came to Mu’adh and sat behind him and waited for him to complete his prayer. After Mu’adh completed his prayer, Abu Idrees went to him and said, “Oh Mu’adh! I love you for the sake of Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala!”

Mu’adh Ibn Jabal radi Allahu anhu pulled Abu Idrees closer and he asked him,“Aal la hu Lillah (By Allah do you love me only for the sake of Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala?)”

Abu Idrees replied, “Yes!”

At this Mu’adh Ibn Jabal radi Allahu anhu smiled and pulled him closer and said to him, “Let me give you good news, for verily I heard the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam say, ‘Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala said, “Wajabat Muhabbati Li Mutahaabina fiya (My love is wajib upon those who love for my sake.’”

Brothers and sisters, throughout history people have claimed that they love Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala and Allah loves them. The Christians claim that Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala loves them but Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala calls them:

The misguided (Al-Fatiha 1/7).

And the Jews claim that they love Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala but Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala says about them:

Those whom Allah is angry with (Al-Fatiha 1/7).

And so Muslims also claim that they love Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala. But whether Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala loves us, is the real question.

Does Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala truly love us?

In Saheeh al-Bukhari, the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam says:

“When Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala loves someone, he calls Jibreel and Allah then says, ‘Ya Jibreel! Inni uhibbu fulan! (Oh Jibreel! Verily, I love such and such a person, so love him!)’”

And Allah names that person and then Jibreel loves that person. Then Jibreel calls out to all the angels of the heavens and he says, “Allah loves so and so, so love him!”and so all the angels love him. And then Allah places pleasure in the hearts of the people towards this person!”

The Prophet sal Allaau alayhi wa sallam said in another narration of this hadeeth:

“The slave will continue to try to win the pleasure of Allah; he will try to win the love of Allah until Allah calls Jibreel and says to him, ‘Oh Jibreel! My slave so and so is trying to please me, verily my love has overcome him!’”

Indeed the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam told us in the Qur’an and the Sunnah about many people that Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala loved. And amongst the greatest people that Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala loved was Ibraheem alayhis Salaam. Allah Subhaanahu wa ta’aala said:

“And Allah took Ibraheem as a Khalil (close and dear friend)“ (An-Nisaa’ 4/125)

When one of the companions heard the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam recite this in salah, he said to the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam, “May coolness of her eyes be the mother of Ibraheem. For who wouldn’t love for their son to be taken as the Khalil of Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala.”

And from the people that Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala loved was Ayyub alayhis salaam. Allah said:

We found him to be patient…What a beautiful(blessed) slave he is.

In Saheeh Muslim the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam told us that a man went out once to visit his brother for the sake of Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala. On his path Allah sent an angel and the angel asked him where he was going and he said, “I am going to visit my brother for the sake of Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala.”

The angel asked him,“Do you have any other reason to go to his house?”

The man said, “I am going for no other reason than for the sake of Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala.”

Then the angel said, “Verily I give you good news; I am an angel from Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala with a message from Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala that He loves you!”

And from the people that Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala loved was Khadija radi Allahu anha. In Saheeh Al-Bukhari the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was sitting with Jibreel reciting the Quran and Khadija radi Allahu anha came. Jibreel turned to the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam and said, “This is Khadija bringing you some food. Give her my salaam!”

This is Jibreel alayhis salaam giving his salaam to Khadija radi Allahu anha and then he said, “Give her the glad tidings of a home in paradise!”

What happens when Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala loves us?

Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala first and foremost will mention the name of the person, fulan ibn fulan, and then Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala will call to Jibreel and tell him that he loves this person. Not only will Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala love this person but Jibreel will also love this person. Not only Jibreel, but also the angels of the heavens and the earth will love this person. And then Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala will put the pleasure in the hearts of the people towards this person.

And if that person was to ask anything, Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala would grant what he asks for. And if he seeks refuge in Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala from anything, Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala will protect him. And a person whose case is such, his end is surely Jannah.

Brothers and Sisters on the same side of this hadeeth we also have to be aware and fear gaining the wrath of Allah. We also have to beware of the people who gain the anger of Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said regarding a person who angers and disobeys Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala that Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala will hate that person. And Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala will call to Jibreel and tell him, “Oh Jibreel! My servant so and so is continuing to anger me and my anger has overcome him.”

Comment

Love of Allah

Filed Under: Articles by admin — Leave a comment
December 11, 2011

- Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah

Ibn al-Qaiyim mentioned ten causes that result in Allah’s love for His slave and the slave’s love for his Lord. [These ten are:]

  • First, reciting the Qur’an while pondering over its meanings and what is meant by it.
  • Second, getting closer to Allah by performing voluntary deeds after completing obligatory deeds. This is as is stated in a Hadith Qudsi: “My slave continues getting closer to Me by performing voluntary deeds until I love him.” [al-Bukhari]
  • Third, continual remembrance of Allah under all circumstances, with one’s tongue, heart and actions. The extent of one’s love of Allah is determined by this.
  • Fourth, giving precedence to what He loves over what you love when you are overtaken by your desires.
  • Fifth, the heart being avid of Allah’s Names, and Attributes and the heart roaming in that garden of knowledge.
  • Sixth, observing Allah’s kindness, goodness and bounties, both hidden and open.
  • Seventh, and this is the most wonderful, the heart being soft, subdued and meek before Allah.
  • Eighth, being alone with Allah during the time when the Lord descends during the last portion of the night while reading His Book and ending that by asking for forgiveness and repenting.
  • Ninth, sitting with the beloved and sincere, benefitting from the most fruitful of their speech. And not to speak unless speaking is more beneficial and you know that it will improve your state and be beneficial to others.
  • Tenth, remaining away from every cause that comes between the heart and Allah.

These ten causes take the lovers to the station of true love and bring them to their Beloved.

Comment

International Muslim Youth Council

Filed Under: Articles by admin — Leave a comment
October 10, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Muslim-Youth-Council/170629889688290
Comment

4. WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY THE SWORD?

Filed Under: Common Questions by Non Muslims by admin — Leave a comment
April 4, 2011

Question:
How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?

Answer:
It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have
millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of
force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the
sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible
for the rapid spread of Islam.

1. Islam means peace.
Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means
submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is
acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).

2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.
Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace
and harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested
interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for
this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and antisocial
elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the
same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The
fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force
can only be used to promote peace and justice.

3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary.
The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by
the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book “Islam at the cross road” (Page 8):
“History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping
through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races
is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated.”

4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.
Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the
sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to
Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who
could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.


5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians.
Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British
ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia
for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians
i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would
not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.

6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India.
The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had
the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today
more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-
Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the
sword.

7. Indonesia and Malaysia.
Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world.
The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, “Which Muslim
army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?”

8. East Coast of Africa.
Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again
ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, “Which Muslim army went to the East
Coast of Africa?”

9. Thomas Carlyle.
The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book “Heroes and Hero worship”,
refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: “The sword indeed, but
where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in
a minority of one. In one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man
alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he
takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get
your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.”

10. No compulsion in religion.
With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use
it to spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse:
“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from
error”
[Al-Qur’an 2:256]

11. Sword of the Intellect.
It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of
people. The Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125:
“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching;
and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.”
[Al-Qur’an 16:125]

12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984.
An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, year book 1986, gave the statistics of
the increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century
from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in ‘The Plain Truth’ magazine. At
the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased
only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which converted
millions of people to Islam?

13. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe.
Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing
religion in Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept
Islam in such large numbers?

14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson.
Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, “People who worry that nuclear
weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the
Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was
born”.

Comment

3. HIJAB FOR WOMEN

Filed Under: Common Questions by Non Muslims by admin — Leave a comment
April 3, 2011

Question:
Why does Islam degrade women by keeping them behind the veil?

Answer:
The status of women in Islam is often the target of attacks in the secular media.
The ‘hijab’ or the Islamic dress is cited by many as an example of the
‘subjugation’ of women under Islamic law. Before we analyze the reasoning
behind the religiously mandated ‘hijab’, let us first study the status of women in
societies before the advent of Islam

1. In the past women were degraded and used as objects of lust
The following examples from history amply illustrate the fact that the status of
women in earlier civilizations was very low to the extent that they were denied
basic human dignity:

a. Babylonian Civilization:
The women were degraded and were denied all rights under the Babylonian
law. If a man murdered a woman, instead of him being punished, his wife
was put to death.

b. Greek Civilization:
Greek Civilization is considered the most glorious of all ancient civilizations.
Under this very ‘glorious’ system, women were deprived of all rights and
were looked down upon. In Greek mythology, an ‘imaginary woman’ called
‘Pandora’ is the root cause of misfortune of human beings. The Greeks
considered women to be subhuman and inferior to men. Though chastity of
women was precious, and women were held in high esteem, the Greeks
were later overwhelmed by ego and sexual perversions. Prostitution
became a regular practice amongst all classes of Greek society.

c. Roman Civilization:
When Roman Civilization was at the zenith of its ‘glory’, a man even had the
right to take the life of his wife. Prostitution and nudity were common
amongst the Romans.

d. Egyptian Civilization:
The Egyptian considered women evil and as a sign of a devil.

e. Pre-Islamic Arabia:
Before Islam spread in Arabia, the Arabs looked down upon women and
very often when a female child was born, she was buried alive.

2. Islam uplifted women and gave them equality and expects them
to maintain their status.
Islam uplifted the status of women and granted them their just rights 1400 years
ago. Islam expects women to maintain their status.
Hijab for men
People usually only discuss ‘hijab’ in the context of women. However, in the
Glorious Qur’an, Allah (swt) first mentions ‘hijab’ for men before ‘hijab’ for the
women. The Qur’an mentions in Surah Noor:
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard
their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is
well acquainted with all that they do.”
[Al-Qur’an 24:30]
The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought
comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze.
Hijab for women.

The next verse of Surah Noor, says:
“ And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and
guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and
ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they
should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty
except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their
sons…”
[Al-Qur’an 24:31]

3. Six criteria for Hijab.
According to Qur’an and Sunnah there are basically six criteria for observing
hijab:
1. Extent:
The first criterion is the extent of the body that should be covered. This is
different for men and women. The extent of covering obligatory on the male
is to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the
extent of covering obligatory is to cover the complete body except the face
and the hands upto the wrist. If they wish to, they can cover even these
parts of the body. Some scholars of Islam insist that the face and the hands
are part of the obligatory extent of ‘hijab’.

All the remaining five criteria are the same for men and women.

2. The clothes worn should be loose and should not reveal the figure.

3. The clothes worn should not be transparent such that one can see through
them

4. The clothes worn should not be so glamorous as to attract the opposite sex.

5. The clothes worn should not resemble that of the opposite sex.

6. The clothes worn should not resemble that of the unbelievers i.e. they
should not wear clothes that are specifically identities or symbols of the
unbelievers’ religions.

4. Hijab includes conduct and behaviour among other things
Complete ‘hijab’, besides the six criteria of clothing, also includes the moral
conduct, behaviour, attitude and intention of the individual. A person only
fulfilling the criteria of ‘hijab’ of the clothes is observing ‘hijab’ in a limited sense.
‘Hijab’ of the clothes should be accompanied by ‘hijab’ of the eyes, ‘hijab’ of the
heart, ‘hijab’ of thought and ‘hijab’ of intention. It also includes the way a person
walks, the way a person talks, the way he behaves, etc.

5. Hijab prevents molestation
The reason why Hijab is prescribed for women is mentioned in the Qur’an in the
following verses of Surah Al-Ahzab:
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women
that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when
abroad); that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such)
and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
[Al-Qur’an 33:59]
The Qur’an says that Hijab has been prescribed for the women so that they are
recognized as modest women and this will also prevent them from being
molested.

6. Example of twin sisters
Suppose two sisters who are twins, and who are equally beautiful, walk down
the street. One of them is attired in the Islamic hijab i.e. the complete body is
covered, except for the face and the hands up to the wrists. The other sister is
wearing western clothes, a mini skirt or shorts. Just around the corner there is
a hooligan or ruffian who is waiting for a catch, to tease a girl. Whom will he
tease? The girl wearing the Islamic Hijab or the girl wearing the skirt or the mini?
Naturally he will tease the girl wearing the skirt or the mini. Such dresses are an
indirect invitation to the opposite sex for teasing and molestation. The Qur’an
rightly says that hijab prevents women from being molested.

7. Capital punishment for the rapists
Under the Islamic shariah, a man convicted of having raped a woman, is given
capital punishment. Many are astonished at this ‘harsh’ sentence. Some even
say that Islam is a ruthless, barbaric religion! I have asked a simple question to
hundreds of non-Muslim men. Suppose, God forbid, someone rapes your wife,
your mother or your sister. You are made the judge and the rapist is brought in
front of you. What punishment would you give him? All of them said they would
put him to death. Some went to the extent of saying they would torture him to
death. To them I ask, if someone rapes your wife or your mother you want to put
him to death. But if the same crime is committed on somebody else’s wife or
daughter you say capital punishment is barbaric. Why should there be double
standards?

8. Western society falsely claims to have uplifted women
Western talk of women’s liberalization is nothing but a disguised form of
exploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and deprivation of her honour.
Western society claims to have ‘uplifted’ women. On the contrary it has actually
degraded them to the status of concubines, mistresses and society butterflies
who are mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketeers,
hidden behind the colourful screen of ‘art’ and ‘culture’.

9. USA has one of the highest rates of rape
United States of America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries
of the world. It also has one of the highest rates of rape in any country in the
world. According to a FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an average
1756 cases of rape were committed in U.S.A alone. Later another report said
that on an average everyday 1900 cases of rapes are committed in USA. The
year was not mentioned. May be it was 1992 or 1993. May be the Americans
got ‘bolder’ in the following years.
Consider a scenario where the Islamic hijab is followed in America. Whenever
a man looks at a woman and any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his
mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic hijab, that is the
complete body is covered except the face and the hands upto the wrist. After
this if any man commits rape he is given capital punishment. I ask you, in such
a scenario, will the rate of rape in America increase, will it remain the same, or
will it decrease?

10. Implementation of Islamic Shariah will reduce the rate of rapes
Naturally as soon as Islamic Shariah is implemented positive results will be
inevitable. If Islamic Shariah is implemented in any part of the world, whether it
is America or Europe, society will breathe easier. Hijab does not degrade a
woman but uplifts a woman and protects her modesty and chastity.

Comment

2. POLYANDRY

Filed Under: Common Questions by Non Muslims by admin — Leave a comment
April 3, 2011

Question:
If a man is allowed to have more than one wife, then why does Islam prohibit a
woman from having more than one husband?

Answer:
A lot of people, including some Muslims, question the logic of allowing Muslim
men to have more than one spouse while denying the same ‘right’ to women.
Let me first state emphatically, that the foundation of an Islamic society is justice
and equity. Allah has created men and women as equal, but with different
capabilities and different responsibilities. Men and women are different,
physiologically and psychologically. Their roles and responsibilities are different.
Men and women are equal in Islam, but not identical.
Surah Nisa’ Chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 gives the list of women with whom
Muslim men can not marry. It is further mentioned in Surah Nisa’ Chapter 4
verse 24 “Also (prohibited are) women already married”

The following points enumerate the reasons why polyandry is prohibited in
Islam:
1. If a man has more than one wife, the parents of the children born of such
marriages can easily be identified. The father as well as the mother can
easily be identified. In case of a woman marrying more than one husband,
only the mother of the children born of such marriages will be identified and
not the father. Islam gives tremendous importance to the identification of
both parents, mother and father. Psychologists tell us that children who do
not know their parents, especially their father undergo severe mental
trauma and disturbances. Often they have an unhappy childhood. It is for
this reason that the children of prostitutes do not have a healthy childhood.
If a child born of such wedlock is admitted in school, and when the mother
is asked the name of the father, she would have to give two or more names!
I am aware that recent advances in science have made it possible for both
the mother and father to be identified with the help of genetic testing. Thus
this point which was applicable for the past may not be applicable for the
present.

2. Man is more polygamous by nature as compared to a woman.

3. Biologically, it is easier for a man to perform his duties as a husband despite
having several wives. A woman, in a similar position, having several
husbands, will not find it possible to perform her duties as a wife. A woman
undergoes several psychological and behavioral changes due to different
phases of the menstrual cycle.

4. A woman who has more than one husband will have several sexual
partners at the same time and has a high chance of acquiring venereal or
sexually transmitted diseases which can also be transmitted back to her
husband even if all of them have no extra-marital sex. This is not the case
in a man having more than one wife, and none of them having extra-marital
sex.

The above reasons are those that one can easily identify. There are probably
many more reasons why Allah, in His Infinite Wisdom, has prohibited polyandry.

Comment

Questions?

Filed Under: Post Questions by admin — 1 Comment
April 3, 2011

Questions??? Yes that is what we always do have. So post in your questions. And Insha Allah we will make sure it is answered by an Alim who has a good knowledge and with Quranic and hadees references.

Comment

Funeral Prayer for Adult Male and Female

Filed Under: Dua's by admin — 4 Comments
April 3, 2011

duas

Comment
Designed by Ahamed Atheeb